Youngsters from the Eston and Redcar areas can sharpen up their computer skills on a summer school programme.

Ten and 11-year-olds can enjoy a free place on a week's course doing computer work in the morning and a range of activities in the afternoon, including playing basketball with the Teesside Mowhawks, seeing and handling birds of prey, a trip to Saltburn and an arts afternoon. The summer school is at the City Learning Centre and Bankfields School, Eston, and at Coatham Primary School and Greengates Primary School, in Redcar. Children can sign up either for the week of August 11 to 15, or August 18 to 22. The programme runs from 10am to 3pm. For further details call (01642) 444221.

MAGICAL TIME: Mr Merlin the magical entertainer will appear at a Teesside shopping centre next week. The children's entertainer will perform tricks at Middlesbrough's Hill Street Centre on Tuesday, July 29 as part of the centre's summer of magic. A programme of events has been designed for visitors to the shopping centre during the school holidays. People visiting the centre on Tuesdays and Fridays throughout July and August can enjoy performances from Jasper the Magician and Mr Trix, as well as have their face painted to look like Harry Potter. All events are free and run from 11am to 3pm.

BALL BOOST: Hartlepool builders merchants Builder Center has given a £100 boost to the town's West Park Football Club. The donation will go towards equipment for the club, which plays in the Sunday Morning Premiership League in Hartlepool.

TRAFFIC SIGNALS: There will be temporary traffic signals on the A174 Brotton Road at Carlin How for three days from Monday, while sewers are repaired. The work will be carried out by Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council.

MUSICAL LUNCH: Shoppers and workers in Middlesbrough can enjoy a series of world music town centre performances on Friday lunchtimes. Middlesbrough Council is promising a range from salsa to samba and New Orleans jazz to Russian folk.

GARAGE FIRE: Firefighters were called to a garage fire at a house in Lime Crescent, Dyke House, Hartlepool, yesterday afternoon. Half the garage was destroyed.