Police hunt for street robber

POLICE are hunting a robber who attacked two elderly women in Billingham. The man approached the women as they walked along Station Road, from the direction of Central Avenue, at about 8.15pm, on Friday. He snatched one woman's bag and attempted to grab the other woman's bag, before making off in a red car.

The attacker was described as between 5ft 5in and 5ft 7in, about 30, with fair hair thinning on top and a round face. He was wearing a dark jacket. Anyone who witnessed the attack is asked to call PC Jayne Downes on (01642) 302426.

GRILL FIRE: Firefighters from Grangetown station put out a blaze at a bungalow in South Bank, Middlesbrough, at about 6.20pm on Saturday The fire, at Keir Hardie Close, started in a cooker grill. It caused severle damage to the cooker.

CASH BOOST: The Redcar office of mental health charity Mind has been awarded £105,065 from the Community Fund Office in Newcastle. Redcar MP Vera Baird said the grant was good news for disadvantaged groups.

Lift rescue: Firefighters rescued a person trapped in a lift at Kennedy Garden Flats, Kingsway Junction, Billingham, yesterday just before 5pm. Two fire engines from Stockton station attended and crews prised apart the lift doors.

Donor session: A blood donor session takes place in the parochial hall, in Guisborough, on Wednesday from 2.30pm until 7pm.

Afternoon walk: A ten-mile walk from Guisborough Forest to Errington Woods, at Marske, is being held from 10am until 3pm on Wednesday. People interested should wear winter clothing and take a packed lunch and a hot drink. The event is free but places must be booked on (01287) 444239.

Health fair: A Synergy healthy living fair is being held at the Spa Hotel, Saltburn, on March 2, from 10am until 5pm. There will be complementary medicine, clairvoyants, oils and crystals. Tickets on the door will be £3.

Film show: The BBC TV film Humber Lifeboat will be shown at a meeting of the Cleveland Retired Men's Association at 10.30am on Wednesday, in the Regency Hotel in Redcar. Call (01642) 472793 or 485838 for further details.