Striding out for Sports Relief

SECONDARY schools across Stockton are planning a big event to raise money for Sport Relief on Friday next week. The Mayor of Stockton, Councillor Jean O'Donnell, will start a torch-carrying relay, similar to the jubilee baton for this month's Commonwealth Games, in Manchester. After receiving the torch from the mayor, the first young runners will set off in a relay event covering every secondary school in Stockton and culminating at the specialist sports college, Northfield School. About 30 sponsored youngsters will take part.

ROVERS RETURN: Premier League club Blackburn Rovers are to continue their relationship with Leven AFC and run another two, one-day soccer schools at Leven's Durham Lane ground on Wednesday, July 24, and Tuesday, August 13. The school is open to boys and girls aged from five to 15 with all standards catered for. The sevens and under will be coached from 11am to 1pm, and the cost is £5. The eights and over will be coached from 11am to 3pm, and the cost is £10. For more details visit the website, atwww.levenafc.co.uk, or telephone (01642) 887496 or 07796 834438 (mobile).

CHARITY CONCERT: Cleveland Police will hold two fundraising events in aid of Teesside Hospice at their headquarters in Ladgate Lane, Middlesbrough, this summer. The first, on Saturday, August 10, is an open-air concert, starting at 6pm and featuring live music from The Wildcats of Kilkenny, Beatlemania and Abbacadabra. The following day there will be a family fun day featuring police dog and horse demonstrations and a children's magic show, between 11am and 5pm. For ticket information for either event call (01642) 355866.

MAST DECISION: Hartlepool Borough Council's planning committee will meet today to discuss plans to erect a mobile phone mast at Seaton Carew Golf Club. If given the go-ahead, the mast will be sited about 85 metres from the clubhouse, between the golf car park and the beach car park to the east. It will also be 125m away from the nearest residential properties.

NEW HOUSES: Plans to build 27 detached two-storey houses on land at the back of Tunstall Court, Hartlepool, are likely to be approved by councillors today. Kebbell Developments has applied to Hartlepool Borough Council to build the houses on the land which has been allocated for executive housing in the Hartlepool Local Plan