TEN people have been arrested following drugs raids on properties in Middlesbrough.

Officers seized crack cocaine, heroin, amphetamines and cannabis during the raids last week. A 23-year-old man was charged with possession of cannabis and a 39-year-old man was charged with possession of amphetamines. Both were bailed to appear before magistrates at a later date. Three of those arrested were dealt with by the immigration service, four were bailed pending forensic results and a woman was released without charge. The raids were carried out as part of Middlesbrough Police's Dealer a Day campaign.

RENT RISE: Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council collected £26,109,895 in rent from 11,760 council homes during the past financial year, council figures reveal. The previous year, £26,000,051 was collected from 12,138 properties. Last year a total of 3.5 per cent of all rentable council properties were vacant. The average rent for a council house in the past financial year was £43.37 per week, an increase of £1.37 from the previous year. There was total rent arears of £632,945 at March 31. Amounts written off during the year amounted to £701,205.

MP'S SURGERIES: Dr Ashok Kumar, MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, will hold two advice surgeries today. The first will be at Nunthorpe Institute between 5pm and 6pm, and the second is at Coulby Newham, Langdon Square Community Centre between 6.30pm and 7.30pm. For details call (01287) 610878.

FANTASTIC FUNGUS: A Fantastic Fungus day will be held at Guisborough Forest on Sunday. For more information call (01287) 631132.