A WOMAN received hospital treatment after fire swept through the hallway of a house in Somerset Road, Norton, Stockton, at the weekend.

The hallway was gutted in the blaze, which destroyed 60 per cent of the staircase and landing, and caused 30 per cent damage to the kitchen.

ADOPTION SUCCESS: Adoption-Yorkshire, the adoption service of Catholic Care, says it has had a satisfactory year in finding adoptive families and plans to continue seeking adoptive parents for family groups of two and three children, aged four to six. Candidates in the Middlesbrough area are asked to obtain information packs by calling (0808) 144 2650.

RUNAWAY SUCCESS: Nick Arthur, from Stockton, raised nearly £1,000 for the charity Childline by running in the London Marathon. The total included £63 from a collection raised after the Easter Vigil at St Bede's RC Church, in the town.

GOOD CALL: Almost £4,500 has been raised for Comic Relief by staff at Thornaby's npower call centre. They took part in activities which included five-a-side football tournaments, fancy dress days and raffles.

BRIDGE MEETING: The annual meeting of Middlesbrough Bridge Club will be on Monday at the Marist Church Hall, in The Avenue, Middlesbrough, at 7pm.

NO LETTERS: Plans by the Post Office for a mailbox on Hunter's Green Estate, Eaglescliffe, have been rejected by Stockton Borough Council planning officials.