PENSIONERS in east Cleveland have been given bags containing personal attack alarms, door bars and property marking pens.

The security devices, handed over by Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's trading standards unit, are part of a continuing initiative to combat the menace of bogus callers. The security kits were presented to residents who attended a Safe and Sound awareness day at Eston's City Learning Centre.

INQUEST ADJOURNED: An inquest has been opened into the death of a 73-year-old retired rigger. Deputy Teesside Coroner Gordon Hetherington said widower John Briggs, of Broadway, Grangetown, near Redcar, was admitted to the James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, on September 11, where he died on September 30. Evidence of identification was given by Mr Briggs' son, meter reader Paul Briggs, 43, of Tennison Close, Grangetown. The inquest was adjourned for further inquiries.

BAND AID: A music teacher has organised a rock concert at his school to help a former pupil raise £2,500 for an orphanage in Soweto, in Johannesburg, South Africa. Jeremy McMurray, of St Michael's School, Billingham, heard that his former pupil, Mary Blackwell, needed to raise the money before spending six months working at the orphanage. The concert will take place on Monday, October 13, and will feature bands made up of pupils past and present.

MUSICAL ANTIQUES: Free valuations of musical instruments will be given in the Guisborough area by one of Britain's leading experts on Wednesday. Peter Horner, director of Bonhams musical instruments department, in Bond Street, London, will give free saleroom valuations on violins, cellos, double bass and other stringed or wind instruments. The service will be free at The Pinchinthorpe Hall Hotel, Pinchinthorpe, near Guisborough, from 11am to 3pm. Call (01677) 424114 for more details.

HOUSE FIRE: The back door of a house and a section of garden fencing were destroyed in a fire at a property in Milburn Avenue, Brambles Farm, Middlesbrough, on Thursday night. Smoke invaded an adjoining property.

LOUNGE BLAZE: A blaze at a house in Pym Street, South Bank, near Middlesbrough, on Thursday, caused severe fire, heat and smoke damage to the living room. No one was hurt.