EMERGENCY HELP: People in Stockton are being urged to find out more about a potentially lifesaving service.

Stockton Council’s Telecare team provide a 24/7 monitoring and response service for the vulnerable, which can detect hazards in the home such as floods, fire and gas leaks as well as detecting when an older or vulnerable person falls.

When a sensor is activated it sends a radio signal which automatically contacts a call centre where operators can send out officers to give help.

To find out more about Stockton Council's Telecare and Care Call Service please call (01642) 527839 or visit www.stockton.gov.uk/telecare NEW SHOP: A new lingerie shop is the latest independent retailer to open in Middlesbrough’s Corner Emporium.

For Her is the idea of entrepreneur Ashleigh Hall, 18, who began her career in fashion retail and wants to test-trade her business in the Emporium before looking for her own unit in the town.

Middlesbrough Council’s Corner Emporium opened in the Cleveland Centre in December, 2010 and has helped an ever-growing number of up-and-coming enterprises test-trade their business ideas in a risk-free environment.

CHARITY APPEAL: Hartlepool’s British Heart Foundation shop is urgently appealing to residents to scour their homes for unwanted good quality clothing, handbags, shoes, books, DVDs, videos and homewares to help the charity.

Last year the shops raised over £31m to help the charity fight heart disease. The Hartlepool shop is in urgent need of stock donations and is also appealing for volunteers to lend a hand, with an extra 40 hours of help needed a week over the Christmas period. It is seeking a volunteer driver to help collect donation bags from the local area.

To find out more about volunteering at the shop or to donate your unwanted quality items, please call into the shop or telephone 01429 868481.

MAYOR’S CAROLS: Stockton Mayor Lynne Apedaile will be spreading Christmas cheer as she hosts a Carol Service on Friday, December 7 at Stockton Parish Church.

From 1.30pm the church will be filled with the sounds of carols, Christmas readings and enacted nativity scenes performed by local primary schools. There will also be performances from Stockton Male Voice Choir and Stockton Council’s newly-formed Choir. All are welcome.

SOUP SATURDAY: All Saints Church in Dormanstown, Redcar, is holding a Soup Saturday on December 8 from 11am to 1.30pm. Fresh, home-cooked soup and a bun is £1.50. There will also be refreshments, a raffle and a small cake stall. All are welcome.

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