Warning after drugs stolen

Drugs stolen by thieves could kill, police warned last night. Hundreds of tablets, including painkillers, heart and sleeping pills and vitamins, were stolen from a pharmaceutical supplies van in Middlesbrough. The green Citroen van, marked with the name Lloyds Pharmacy Prescription Delivery, had made a brief stop in the town's Warwick Street, at about 12.30pm yesterday, when the thieves struck. Anyone with information is asked to call Cleveland Police, on (01642) 303126.

STAGE CHANCE: Singers and dancers are needed for a new production of the musical, Me and My Girl. Middlesbrough Amateur Operatic Society is holding auditions for the show on Sunday, March 17, at the Hexagon Theatre, Hall Garth School, Hall Drive, Acklam, between 11am and 2pm. Those auditioning must be over 16 and need to take along sheet music of their choice of song. The production will be staged at Middlesbrough Theatre from November 4 to 9. For more details call (01642) 314951.

SPORTS NIGHT: Former footballers Tommy Smith and Norman Hunter will appear at a sportsman's evening organised by Teesside Athletic FC, in Redcar, on Thursday. The pair will be joined by comedian Dave Adams at the Regency Hotel, at 7.30pm. Tickets for the event, which includes a three-course meal, are £25 and are available from (01642) 470963.

BRIDGE WORKS: Repair work costing £300,000 is to be carried out on Whitby's swing bridge, which links the two sides of the town across the harbour. The work is due to continue until May 31 and closures are expected on some days.

BOWING OUT: Dr Eric Burling has retired after ten years as chief executive of Affinity Healthcare, which owns Middleton St George Hospital, near Darlington, as well as Cheadle Royal Hospital, Cheshire. The post goes to the firm's finance director, Philip Batchelor.

STALWART MOURNED: Howard Jellings, believed to be one of the country's oldest water-skiiers, has died at the age of 79. He had been a long-serving member of Scarborough Water Ski Club and taught many people to ski at Scarborough Mere.

HOUSE FIRE: Two fire crews attended a blaze at a house in Neasham Avenue, Whinney Banks, Middlesbrough, early yesterday. The flames were out on arrival but caused damage to the front room, plus smoke damage to the rest of the property.

CLASSIC CONCERT: A concert featuring music by Bartok, Brahms and Beethoven will take place at Middlesbrough Town Hall on Wednesday, at 7.45pm. Tickets for the Northern Sinfonia event are priced between £6.50 and £16.50 and are available by calling (01642) 242561