SHOPS in Stockton have been warned they may be breaking the law when they sell aerosols and other solvents following an undercover investigation.

Trading Standards at Stockton Borough Council recently asked 15-year-old volunteers to buy up to five aerosols at national retailers in the town.

The youngsters were sold the solvents without being questioned prompting the council to issue a press release reminding retailers that the substances should not be sold to people under 18 if there’s cause to believe the fumes will be inhaled.

More information is available www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/stockton or by calling (01642) 526560 or email trading.standards@stockton.gov.uk

ENVIRONMENT ROUNDABOUT: More than 250 children have taken part in an annual event in Hartlepool that aims to increase young people’s awareness of environmental issues. Year 5 pupils from six schools – Clavering Primary, Kingsley Primary, St Helen’s Primary, Springwell School, Throston Primary and West Park Primary – attended the multi-agency event at Hartlepool Civic Centre called the Environment Roundabout. Children visited several fictitious worlds, each facing their own particular environmental problems.

BUS TALK: Public transport users across the borough of Stockton are being urged to have their say at Stockton council’s next Public Transport Forum. The meeting will be held on Saturday, February 15 at The Arc from 10am to 12 noon. The council recently agreed to stop its subsidy to private bus companies. For more information contact Stockton Council's Technical Services Team on (01642) 393939 or email technicalservices@stockton.gov.uk

QUIZ FANS: Quiz enthusiasts are invited to pit their wits in a Hartlepool quiz night in aid of local cancer charities. The event is on Wednesday, February 26 at 7.30pm at Tees and Hartlepool Yacht Club in the West Harbour, Hartlepool. The money raised will go towards the Mayor of Hartlepool Councillor Stephen Akers-Belcher’s Charity Fund in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support, the Pansies Breast Cancer Support Group and the Denise Taylor Cancer Trust.Tickets cost just £3 per person, which includes soup and a roll. Tickets must be bought in advance by calling Karen Mason or Eileen Larkin at Hartlepool Civic Centre on 01429 523704 or emailing MEMSEC@hartlepool.gov.uk