A PENSIONER collapsed with breathing difficulties when he arrived home to find his kitchen on fire.

The elderly man suffered a severe asthma attack outside his home in Bedford Terrace, Billingham, yesterday afternoon. Firefighters gave him oxygen before he was taken by ambulance to the University Hospital of North Tees. Using a jet and breathing apparatus fire officers extinguished the blaze, which took hold just after 4.15pm.

TOBOGGAN RUN: A two-lane toboggan run has opened on Stockton Riverside. The run will be open for three weeks until December 21, on Mondays to Fridays from 5pm to 10pm, on Saturdays from noon to 10pm and on Sundays from 2pm to 10pm. It costs 50p a run and the ride is fully stewarded and covered by security cameras.

FAMILY FUN: Preston Hall, Eaglescliffe, will be the venue for a family fun day on Saturday. There will be a Santa's grotto, face painting, children's crafts and a treasure hunt. The day starts at noon and runs until 4pm. Admission to Preston Hall is £1.20 for adults and 60p for children and concessions.

SECURITY HINTS: Cleveland Police are urging Teessiders take precautions to have a crime-free Christmas. Tips include not leaving presents on show in cars, postcoding electrical goods and not putting a Christmas tree in the window as it will attract unwanted attention.

STREET CLOSURE: Parts of Brotton High Street will be closed between Thursday and Thursday, December 19 to allow footpath and drainage work to take place.

Tea time: A Christmas tea dance will be held at Loftus Town Hall from 2pm to 4.30pm today. Admission is £1 and visitors are asked to take items for a faith tea.

Pick a hero: Nomination forms for the Pride of Britain awards, which recognise Britain's unsung community heroes, are available from the Asda store in South Bank, near Middlesbrough.

CLUB SHIRTS: Children from the Stewart Park Young Rangers Club, who help look after the Middlesbrough park, are to be given polo shirts bearing the club logo at a Christmas party.