WINTER CHECKS: Fire crews from Cleveland Fire Brigade are teaming up with local tyre companies to carry out vehicle safety checks on shoppers’ cars in the run up to Christmas. Drivers can go to Tesco Supermarket car park, West Dyke Road, Redcar on Saturday, December 8 or Morrisons Supermarket car park, Lord Street, Redcar on Thursday, December 20 between 10am-1pm to make sure their cars are roadworthy and suitable for these winter months, particularly as the bad weather is setting in.

FARMERS’ MARKET: Saltburn Farmers’ Market will have plenty of winter warmers at its Christmas special on Saturday, December 8. Hot-roasted chestnuts, warm mulled apple juice, a game BBQ and festively decorated stalls will all bring a magical taste of Christmas to the Market’s biggest and final event of the year. The market starts at 9am just outside Sainsbury’s near Saltburn train station.

SHORTLISTED SERVICE: Hartlepool Council’s Integrated Youth Support Services (IYSS) section has been nominated for a top regional award for its Hartlepool Young Inspectors and Youth Advisory Team (YIYAT) which is one of only three teams across the North-East to be shortlisted for the Community Improvement Award in the 2012 Positive Social Behaviour Order Awards, which celebrate the achievements of young people in the 11-25 age group. The winner will be announced at an awards ceremony at the Centre of Life in Newcastle later this month.