Fire threat at Scouts' store

VENTURE Scouts from Redcar were lucky not to lose equipment in a fire.

The blaze broke out at the rear of a garage in Zetland Road, Redcar, yesterday morning, because of an electrical fault. The building was damaged by fire and smoke, but officers from Redcar fire station said it was unlikely the Scouts' equipment was affected, because the fire was at the rear of the garage.

ASSEMBLY DATE: The annual assembly of Saltburn, Marske and New Marske Parish Council takes place at Marske Leisure Centre, on Thursday, April 11. It will be a chance for people to meet their community safety wardens and Mike Hardman, assistant director of neighbourhood services with Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council. Residents may submit items for discussion by writing to Susan Preston, Saltburn Leisure Centre, Marske Mill Lane, Saltburn, by March 22.

LIBRARIES PILOT: An experiment which will reveal the weekend habits of bookworms is coming to an end. Libraries at Yarm, Billingham Roseberry and Thornaby Central have piloted Sunday openings since last October. The last day of the trial will be March 24, after which it will be analysed by Stockton Borough Council.

ADVICE SURGERIES: Dr Ashok Kumar, the MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, is holding two advice surgeries on Friday. The first is at Marton Library, between 4pm and 5pm, followed by a session at Langdon Square Community Centre, Coulby Newham, between 6pm and 7pm.

SPRING IN STEP: People are being invited to witness the arrival of spring. Middlesbrough Council has organised a five-mile walk around the old Poole Hospital on Sunday. It starts from Lingfield Countryside Centre, Coulby Newham, at 10am. For details, contact (01642) 515610.

ONLINE PLAN: A website featuring Cleveland Police Authority's policing plan for the coming year will be launched later this month. Visitors to www.clevelandpa.org will be able to view the plan online from March 31.

GUILD DATE: The annual meeting of the Acklam Townswomen's Guild will take place at the Friends Meeting House, Cambridge Road, Middlesbrough, on Tuesday, at 2pm.