A MAYOR has given three local charities a boost by sharing out £10,000.

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's outgoing mayor, Councillor Peter Spencer, completed his year of civic duties by handing over cheques to children's hospice Zoe's Place, Teesside Hospice and the Northern and Yorkshire region of Diabetes UK.

He said: "I'm absolutely delighted at the amount raised, and would like to thank everybody who has contributed to making this such a successful year. I know that the money raised will all go to three very worthwhile causes."

The main fundraising events were a mayor's golf day in June last year, a charity race day at Redcar Racecourse, at Easter, and the mayor's charity ball, at Gisborough Hall, in April.

Coun Spencer will continue to co-ordinate plans for a permanent memorial to the town's former MP, Mo Mowlam.

He said: "I want to assure people we are still working towards a fitting memorial. We have identified a site, near the boating lake, and an idea, which will include an archway through to a seating area, with a mosaic, for people to enjoy reflections in peaceful surroundings.

"The next stage is to draw up detailed costings and then launch an appeal for public subscriptions. I would like to think we can announce more details in the autumn."