REG DIGS ALLOTMENT THEFT: Thieves stole almost 50 ft of wooden fencing worth £1,500 from some allotments in Hartlepool.

The theft took place at Stranton Allotments in Brierton Lane, Hartlepool, last week and council officials say a vehicle must have been needed to take it away.

The fence was erected to bring back into use as allotments a previously abandoned area of land that had become a target for fly-tippers.

Helen Bearman, who manages Hartlepool Borough Council’s Allotment Service, said it was “incredibly disappointing” that efforts to improve the allotments on a small budget had been undermined.

The theft has been reported to Cleveland Police and anyone with information should call 01642-326326.

THOUSANDS RAISED: A chain of car dealerships across the region has raised more than £3,000 for Children in Need this year.

Staff and customers at Simon Bailes Peugeot garages in Northallerton, Guisborough and Stockton-on-Tees raised the money with collection boxes, selling official merchandise and by running a competition to win an iPad2.

Peugeot was an official partner for the charity for 2012.

HOMELESS DONATIONS: More than 200 gifts for a raffle to raise money for the homeless were donated by businesses in Stockton.

Charity Community Campus 87 was able to provide warm meals and Christmas presents to the homeless thanks to the cash raised from the raffle.

Everything from woolly hats, warm socks and toiletries were donated by tenants at the Castlegate Shopping Centre in Stockton High Street.