A TEACHER who was caught up in fighting in Palestine will address a peace meeting in Darlington tonight.

Language teacher Claire Theret escaped the battle-scarred streets of Bethlehem earlier this year.

She initially went to the region on a ten-day trip as an international observer with the Palestinian Solidarity Campaign, but she became trapped with 4,000 refugees inside the Aida refugee camp, on the outskirts of Bethlehem.

Ms Theret, who teaches at St Cuthbert's RC High School, Newcastle, was trapped as Israeli troops maintained an armed stand-off with Palestinian fighters inside the Church of the Nativity.

She later flew home after helping deliver food and medical supplies around the area.

Ms Theret, 44, will be one of the speakers at a public meeting on Palestine held by Darlington for Peace tonight.

She will be joined by John Gilmore, of the Socialist Alliance, and Benny Ross, of the Newcastle Reform Synagogue.

The meeting will discuss what the people of Darlington can do to help bring peace between the Palestinians and the Israelis.

Spokesman for the peace group, Alan Docherty, said: "We are looking forward to a balanced and informative discussion.

"We hope for a well-attended meeting, because the collection will be donated to the charity Medical Aid to Palestine."

The meeting will be held at 7.30pm at the Friends Meeting House, Skinnergate, Darlington.