REDCAR and Cleveland's Mayoress, Councillor Brenda Forster, has been thrown a Boxing Day dip challenge by the Mayor, Councillor Eric Jackson. He is ready to join dozens taking the plunge in the North Sea in aid of the Mayor's Charity Fund, but only if she joins him.

CHARITY WIN: The independent green charity Middlesbrough Environment City is runner-up in the community projects category of the Green Apple awards. The charity beat off competition from over 300 organisations to win the award in the same year it is celebrating a decade of raising awareness about environmental concerns. The awards are run by The Green Organisation, a non-profit-making group which promotes environmental awareness.

STUDENT LIFE: Nearly 2,000 pupils and their families from the Tees Valley got a taste of student life when they visited the University of Teesside yesterday. The Meteor Family Fun Day took place in Middlesbrough and offered youngsters a mixture of activities which were educational and fun. Children aged ten to 14 took part in a pop quiz and a science pantomime, as well as craft activities.

DEPUTY DECISION: Durham Police Authority holds meetings today and tomorrow to appoint a deputy chief constable. Presentation and competency interviews take place at County Hall today with final interviews of short-listed candidates tomorrow. The vacancy arose when former deputy Paul Garvin became Durham's Chief Constable earlier this year.

WORKER'S THANKS: A raffle has raised £477 for cancer charities and The Butterwick Hospice. Raffle organisers Emma Metcalfe and Margaret Gibson, who work at Thorn Lighting, Spennymoor, County Durham, said they were overwhelmed by the support received from retailers in Spennymoor, who donated prizes.

MAYORESS FUNERAL: The funeral of a former Mayoress of Darlington will take place tomorrow morning. Dorothy McLoughlin, Mayoress from 1973 to 1974, died on Tuesday at her home in Ted Fletcher Court, Darlington. Her funeral is at St Anne's RC Church, in Welbeck Avenue, at 10am.

CHARITY AWARD: County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Brigade has been awarded a certificate of recognition from the Charities' Trust. The accolade recognises the firefighters' contribution to local charities and other worthy causes.

BEST FEET: Athletes with a place in next year's London Marathon, on April 13, are being asked to run in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care. The charity provides home nursing care for people with cancer. For details, call 0191-3823 311.

MUD RESCUE: Firefighters from High Handenhold station helped free a horse trapped in mud in a field at Harperley Park Farm, on the New Kyo to Tanfield road, County Durham, on Saturday.

COURT COLLECTION: Staff at Durham County Court will be holding a tombola on Wednesday to raise cash for Bishop Auckland General Hospital's Mara Unit.