Live: Breaking news, traffic and travel across Teesside

The Evening Gazette's live breaking news blog brings you regular updates, pictures, video, tweets and comments covering the latest Teesside and North Yorkshire traffic, travel, weather, crime and council news for today, Friday 5th September, 2014.

You can contribute to the live blog by posting your comment below, and you can also tweet us @EveningGazette to share breaking news stories, pictures and opinions.

Our Teesside breaking news live blog begins at 07:00am every weekday and is updated throughout the day and into the evening.

Guisborough wind turbine scheme approved

A wind turbine planned for land near Guisborough has narrowly secured planning permission.

The application, for a turbine on grazing land at Court Green Farm, Wilton Lane, was approved by six votes to five at a Redcar and Cleveland Council regulatory committee meeting today.

The turbine, proposed by Pollock Associates, would have a maximum blade height of 51m and is anticipated to generate up to 400KW of electricity for 25 years.

Approval was granted despite concerns from some locals it would be a blot on the landscape. However Councillor Brenda Forster, who recommended approving the application, said she could not see any valid planning reason for refusing it.

Councillor Peter Spencer had proposed the application should be rejected, a proposal seconded by Councillor Mary Lanigan.

Ward councillor Bill Suthers claimed the turbine would blight the view from Clay Bank towards Roseberry Topping, and could damage the tourism industry around Guisborough. Fears were also expressed that granting approval might open the floodgates for similar schemes.

But a supporting statement with the application said the plan complied with all relevant planning policies.

It added: “Due to the size and scale of the turbine and the nature of the receiving landscape, views of the turbine will fall away quickly with

significant visual effects restricted to a distance of approximately 1km to 1.5 km. No significant effects are predicted on the North York Moors National Park, which is located approximately 3 km south of the turbine at its closest point.”

Councillors heard the North York Moors National Park raised no objections to the scheme.

Aitor Karanka: 'It's better to be patient with the players you set out for rather than pick the wrong one in a rush'

Boro head coach Aitor Karanka says that it is important to be patient when bringing in new players.

He acknowledged that some fans were getting restless at the level of activity at the club as the transfer window progressed.

But he told the club's website: “I know the fans were a little concerned that the players weren’t arriving, but at last the players we set out to get in the beginning are here and this is the most important thing.

“We worked hard with the club so we had time to speak to, and convince the players that they should come here.

“It’s better to be patient with the players you set out for rather than pick the wrong player in a rush decision.

“I had chats with all of them and it is the most important thing for me that the players we bring in want to be here.”

Jelle Vossen, Yanic Wildschut and Jamal Blackman all arrived on Monday - with the deal for Patrick Bamford being completed on Friday and the arrival of Ryan Fredericks the day before that.

But Karanka says the squad building had taken weeks of planning.

“I’m very happy with the squad because we were working for a long time and we now have the squad we were aiming towards,” he added.

“I told the players that I wanted a smaller squad because I want all the players involved in the team – for me, all the players have the same importance,” he continued.

“Whether it’s those who start the game, those on the bench or those watching in the stands, I need to know that they could be involved straight away and that I can rely on them to come on and try to win the game for me.”

Driver and passenger 'fled' scene of Middlesbrough smash

People fled from a car after it mounted another vehicle in a smash in Middlesbrough.

The driver and a passenger ran from the black Peugeot 307 ran following the crash on Green Lane, Acklam, at 1.40pm today.

The incident also involved a silver Micra and a silver Ford Fiesta, which sustained substantial damage to one side as a result of the Peugeot mounting the vehicle.

A Cleveland Police spokeswoman said the driver and a passenger, both female, ran away from the scene.

She said: "We have the details of the drivers involved and will be contacting them in due course.

"Nobody is thought to have been injured in the incident."

Man, 77, among group set for Transporter Bridge bungee jump in memory of relative

When Jon Hold came up with the idea of a sponsored bungee jump to raise money in his mum’s memory, he thought he would be nothing more than spectator.

But Jon’s feet will not be firmly on the ground like he first thought, after he found out he was eligible to leap off the Transporter Bridge.

“I thought I might have been too heavy at first,” said Jon, from Eston. “But when I went down and found out I wasn’t, I had no choice but to join the others,” he laughed.

Jon, and a group of his friends and family including his 77-year-old brother-in-law, will be leaping off the iconic bridge on September 14.

The event is part of a fundraising campaign Jon and his family are hosting in memory of Margaret Hold.

Margaret passed away on October 3, 1984 aged 50 after a 10 year battle with breast cancer.

“We thought with this year being the 30th anniversary of mum’s death, we should do something in her memory,” said Jon, who is hosting the events with his siblings, Stephen, Pamela and Beverley.

“We are having a charity night but we decided to see if we could get people to do a bungee jump.

“I got people together and thought I had got out of it until I was told I wasn’t too heavy to do it.”

In total 20 people will be taking part in the adrenaline-fuelled challenge, including Jon’s brother-in-law, Malcolm Baxter.

But Malcolm is no stranger to the jump as he took part four years ago and became the oldest person to have taken part.

“Last time I did it for Eston Labour Club’s chosen charity and when Jon asked me to do it again, I was more than happy.”

Other events include a charity night on October 3 at Eston Labour Club. Three clairvoyant nights have also taken place.

All proceeds will go towards the Breast Cancer unit at James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough.

Jon said: “Mum would think I am mad but it is all for a good cause.”

Donate or text Hold84 plus the amount to 70070.

Pervert Stockton pensioner jailed after approaching boys who were fishing on the Tees

A pervert pensioner was jailed yesterday after he approached boys fishing on the Tees.

Anthony Harrison, 69, from Stockton, had served a seven year prison sentence for child sex abuse and he was banned from having contact with children under 16.

He was caught on CCTV as he went up to the two young anglers near the Millennium Bridge, Stockton, at 5pm on Saturday July 27.

Prosecutor Emma Atkinson told Teesside Crown Court that police responded to the CCTV sighting of Harrison, who was on a cycle, and he was searched and arrested.

Miss Atkinson said that a 12 year old boy said that he had seen Harrison in the vicinity on a couple of occasions.

He asked them how long they had been fishing and if they had caught anything, and then he gave one boy a roll-up cigarette.

He then produced a pack of biscuits and a can of pop and he told them to share them among themselves.

He said he was surprised that none of them had a top off because it was a warm day, and he asked after one of their friends by name.

Miss Atkinson said that a Police Support officer who searched Harrison’s pockets found a packet of mints and a bag of Blue Riband biscuits.

When he was interviewed he constantly referred to being absentminded about his actions, and he said that he could not tell how old the boys were, but eventually he accepted that he had communicated with them.

She said that Harrison had been jailed for seven years in December 1998 for sexual offences against young boys, and he was given a Sexual Offences Prevention Order banning contact with children under 16.

He failed to comply with a restraining order in 2007, and he had breached the SOPO in July 2012 when he befriended a single mother with a two year old child.

John Nixon, defending, said that Harrison was a loner, an isolated individual, and his reasons for approaching the boys were not clear.

Mr Nixon said: “One cannot say what might have happened had the police not intervened.”

He urged the judge to allow the Probation Service to work with Harrison rather than impose a prison sentence.

The judge said that the SOPO was there to protect Harrison as well as children, and he had breached it on a number of occasions.

The Recorder of Middlesbrough Judge Simon Bourne-Arton QC said: “This is a serious case because you went quite plainly and deliberately up to these boys.

“The worrying aspect of the case is the provision by you of cigarettes and biscuits and the observing by you that they had their tops on.”

The judge added: “I note, and I am concerned, that in your pre-sentence report that you are described as being manipulative and not fully ready to engage with the Probation Service, and you have in the past made a number of verbal threats against the Probation Service, police and members of the judiciary, making it unlikely that you would co-operate.”

Harrison, of Ashbourne Road, Stockton, was jailed for 12 months after he pleaded guilty to a breach of a Sexual Offences Prevention Order.

Boro sponsors Ramsdens are bought out by management team for undisclosed sum

Teesside-based Ramsdens - the UK’s largest independent pawnbroker - has been bought out by its management team for an undisclosed sum.

From humble beginnings, the company, which sponsors Middlesbrough FC, has seen its income surge since the recession.

It employs almost 500 staff across the North-east, Yorkshire, Scotland and Wales - and has doubled its number of branches in three years.

Having taken the decision to retire, owner and chairman Stewart Smith agreed to a management buy-out which has been backed by private equity firm NorthEdge Capital LLP.

Ramsdens Financial Ltd was founded in Middlesbrough in the 1950s by Stewart’s father, Herbert Smith, and was primarily involved in home collected credit.

In 1997, it branched into pawnbroking as a franchisee of John Ramsdens Pawnbrokers.

Five years later it acquired the Ramsdens business from its franchisor, quickly beginning a rapid expansion into the pawnbroking industry across Teesside.

The company’s turnover soared from £11.3m in 2007 to £40m in 2013. Now bosses at the firm, which has 120 branches, including ten across Teesside, have plans for more growth.

Ramsdens chief executive Peter Kenyon, said: “I am grateful to Stewart for giving the team this opportunity and to NorthEdge for seeing the future potential of Ramsdens. Ramsdens aspires to help people get cash through its wide range of services such as foreign currency for holidays, pawnbroking and purchasing services.

“We currently operate in over 120 local communities and hope to expand on that in the forthcoming years.”

NorthEdge Capital specialises in investing in northern businesses. Ramsdens is its eighth investment in the last 18 months.

James Hall, of NorthEdge Capital, said “Ramsdens has a strong position in a niche and exciting part of the financial services market. It has doubled its store portfolio, which provides the business with a robust platform from which the business will continue to grow through its focus on transparency and excellent reputation.

“We look forward to working alongside the management team to drive the further growth of the business.”

Ramsdens are headquartered in Coulby Newham, Middlesbrough.

Stewart said “Peter and the team have been instrumental in the growth of the business in recent years. My wife Susan and I wish them every success in the future.”

Local Teesside football round-up: Grangetown Boys' Club held despite racing into healthy lead

Round-up of local football action from Teesside League, Stockton Sunday League, Redcar Sunday League and other leagues across our region

TEESSIDE LEAGUE

FOUR of the top five teams in the first division were involved in drawn matches.

Leaders Grangetown Boys’ Club were 3-0 up 10 minutes into the second half at Great Ayton United with goals from Declan Morrison and two from Darren Morrison.

Ayton struck back with a brace from Ashley Woodier and one from Wayne Stephenson to make it 3-3 before Woodier completed his hat-trick to give Ayton a 4-3 lead.

But, with two minutes remaining, Michael McGowan made it 4-4.

Thirsk Falcons took the lead through Chris Moores when they entertained Whinney Banks YCC. Lee Mahon then missed a penalty for Whinney Banks but Danny Lockwood, with his 10th of the season, pulled it back to 1-1 with five minutes remaining.

Northallerton Town won 2-1 at BEADS and Lingdale beat Stockton West End.

Redcar Newmarket took a 2-0 lead through Jamie Graham and Liam Jackson at North Ormesby, but Michael Snaith pulled it back for a final score of 2-1, while Thornaby Dubliners won 4-0 at New Marske.

Boro Rangers are racing away with the second division following their 16-0 victory over Darlington side Middleton Rangers who took the lead through Prezemyslaw Kuleszo, but then had their keeper sent off. Boro Rangers ran riot with Peter Snaith scoring four goals and Dean Talukder scoring five times.

Yarm went third with a 3-0 win over Staithes Athletic while Loftus Athletic move up into forth after a 4-1 victory at Kader.

St Mary’s College won 4-2 at Billingham and Redcar Athletic secured their first victory of the season against Guisborough Globe.

REDCAR SUNDAY LEAGUE

THE league returns action this weekend with only one division after a summer of resignations and failed mergers.

The teams that would have been promoted from last year’s second division are sure to provide healthy competition for the existing first division clubs while a couple of clubs may find life hard unless they can bring in new players to make them competitive.

The league may well see a situation where the top clubs will pull away and the league could end up as two mini-divisions.

Reigning champions Ennis Square Social Club will be looking to hold on to the title while Redcar Rugby Club and Grangetown are sure to be challenging again this season and Black Swan and The Citz will welcome the challenge of taking on the top flight teams.

ESKVALE AND CLEVELAND LEAGUE

LINGDALE United and Brotton Railway Arms record their second wins of the new season while Lealholm got their campaign off to a winning start as they beat Great Ayton in midweek.

The damage was done with four goals in the first half as they overpowered the home side.

Lingdale visited local rivals Boosbeck and scored inside the first minute before Boosbeck got a foothold in the game and hit back to score twice through Liam Bright and Callum Raw to take the lead.

Lingdale equalised midway through the half but Boosbeck regained the lead before the break through Jake Thompson.

The second half saw Lingdale up the pressure and as they pulled the strings they scored twice to secure victory by the odd goal in seven with Anthony Jones scoring a hat-trick and Andy Smith adding the other Lingdale goal.

Dormanstown opened their season at home to Brotton, losing 3-2.

Loftus Athletic are having a poor start to the season as they fell to their second defeat, this time at the hands of Hinderwell and as yet have failed to score.

STOCKTON SUNDAY LEAGUE

SEVEN out of eight of the league’s sides won their preliminary round ties in the Durham Sunday Cup.

Leading the way were newcomers NRL who romped to a 9-0 win at Sunderland Jollies thanks to four goals from Ryan Watson, two from Christian Selby and one each for Charlie Inman, Jamie Roberts and Matthew Watson.

The Royal recorded a 7-1 home win against Birtley Coach AND Horses with two goals each for Andrew Blackburn, Gareth Poole, Paul Cleary and one from Daniel Lincoln.

Portrack had a 4-1 win against Sunderland Pennywell Comrades.

In Division One SR enjoyed a comfortable 5-1 home win against Grangefield Park to remain unbeaten.

View: Part two of Gazette readers' back to school pictures

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Gallery: Gazette readers' back to school pictures - Part Two

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Proud Gazette readers are continuing to send in pictures of their children and grandchildren all spruced up for the first day of the new school term.

Yesterday we shared the first batch and now we've put a new gallery together.

Some of the photos will also be used in The Gazette.

Two boys banned from Boro games after 'causing disorder' at matches

Two boys have been banned from attending football matches after causing disorder at Boro games.

The 15-year-old and the 16-year-old, both from Middlesbrough, were given three-year football banning orders by magistrates this week.

The two boys, who cannot be named for legal reasons, will not be allowed to watch games at football grounds across the country for the next three years.

The pair faced separate hearings - both accompanied by parents - at Teesside Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

A Cleveland Police spokeswoman said that the boys had come to the police’s attention for their behaviour in over the past 18 months.

The 15-year-old was said to have caused or contributed to violence or disorder between November 30, 2013 and July 30, 2014.

The 16-year-old faced the same accusations ranging between February 2, 2013 and July 30, 2014.

Jim Langley, representing Cleveland Police at the hearings, gave magistrates a bundle of files documenting the accusations against the pair.

He said that, because the pair had co-operated with police, the force would not push for a longer ban.

Speaking after the hearings, Mr Langley said: “Cleveland Police, along with Middlesbrough Football Club and the Football Association, are committed to ensuring the safety, welfare and enjoyment for all those who attend Boro matches.

“On occasion, this may mean the exclusion of individuals who engage in crime or anti-social behaviour whilst at a football game.

“This is at the crux of the application made against these boys.

"The courts have made the correct decision in granting these orders.”

Amy Dixon, who represented both boys in the hearings, said her clients had accepted the need for a ban and understood the terms of the order.

The Gazette revealed that at the beginning of this season 30 Boro fans were banned from the Riverside Stadium.

Police warned fans that any inappropriate behaviour will be “dealt with robustly”, after 13 fans received banning order from the courts last season.

Controversial green wedge housing scheme in Yarm recommended for approval

Revised plans for a 14-home residential development on green wedge land off Busby Way, in Yarm, will be considered next week.

The controversial application was due to be heard by Stockton Council’s planning committee last month, but was withdrawn after it came to light the site boundary did not connect with the adopted highway.

This meant the plans did not allow for proper access into the site.

The agent submitted revised details which connect the site up to the adopted highway and the council has been re-consulting with residents.

As reported, a number of objections have been raised against the scheme.

Concerns relate mainly to being no need in Yarm for more housing, impact on the green wedge and on the Tees Heritage Park, the impacts of additional traffic, the impacts on wildlife movement and on the privacy associated with nearby properties.

Yarm Town Council has objected on the grounds that “the increased traffic on an already narrow road would lead to even more traffic congestion causing problems on Glaisdale Road as well as Busby Way” and on the grounds of “over development of the site”.

Yarm councillor Andrew Sherris said the development of 14 homes “will have little effect” on boosting the borough’s five year housing supply.

But Stockton’s planning officers have again recommended outline permission be granted with conditions.

A report to the committee said: “The proposal to carry out a residential development in the green wedge and within the Tees Heritage Park is contrary to policy.

“However, in view of a recently approved scheme adjacent, it is considered that this scheme would not add any notable further detriment to these designations beyond that which would occur as a result of the approved Mount Leven scheme.

“The outline application has adequately demonstrated that 14 properties could be constructed on site whilst achieving adequate spacing for privacy and amenity for existing and future occupiers of properties, providing adequate access, parking and private garden areas.”

Kell Brook stabbed in leg on holiday - British welterweight world champion hospitalised in Tenerife

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Cyclists vow to keep up pressure for Nunthorpe crossing after no-show from rail bosses for challenge

Cyclists are pledging to crank up a safety campaign after no-one turned up for their level crossing challenge.

As reported, cyclists Keith Duncan and Andy Edwards challenged rail and transport bosses to turn up for a bike ride following the closure of the Morton Grange Farm level crossing gate near Nunthorpe.

Keith and Andy says the closure - carried out last October - has forced cyclists wanting to get to the Guisborough Forest Country Park to instead use the busy A171 or A173.

Network Rail says an alternative plan, to install a cyclepath to a nearby cattle arch, has been indentified, but is “subject to the consent of landowners and funding.”

With little progress made in nearly a year, Keith and Andy fired off invitations to various people, including board members of Network Rail and the Office of Rail Regulation, to join them on a bike ride along the A171 and A173 routes to show the dangers cyclists currently face.

No-one turned up for yesterday’s ride, jokingly dubbed “Le Tour de A171 and 173” by Keith and Andy. But they insist the lack of realistic rail crossing options is no laughing matter - and are vowing to keep up the pressure.

Mr Duncan said: “It’s a ridiculous situation. Just 100m to the east of the crossing they have closed is a pedestrian crossing which remains open. There’s a telephone, a sign saying “stop, look listen” and another sign saying “no cyclists”! And even if cyclists were allowed, you would have to go across six styles and several fields.

“So why is Morton Grange considered dangerous and this crossing just 100m to the east is not?

“We have a few ideas in the pipeline over how to keep the pressure up, which we’ll look at in the next few months.

“We might go down to London to throw the gauntlet down in person to Network Rail and physically invite them up here. And we might also contact the leader of Redcar and Cleveland Council, George Dunning, to see if he can do anything for us.”

Mr Edwards said Network Rail chief executive Mark Carne’s secretary emailed him on August 30 saying that “having only just received your email” he would be “unable to attend” yesterday’s bike ride. But Mr Edwards claims he sent several emails beforehand, which were ignored. He also says he got a “lame excuse” from the ORR, again saying they wouldn’t be attending.

Network Rail says it recognises the local community is “very keen for a new, legal route for pedestrians and cyclists to be able to cross the railway safely at Morton Grange” and is “regularly speaking” with the council about potential solutions.

Petition against Benefits Street being filmed in Stockton gathers pace

A petition against Benefits Street being filmed in Stockton has gained more than a 1000 signatures.

The campaign was started on change.org by two Stockton mums Charlotte Hall and Di Hewitt little over a week ago and has been shared across social media.

In total 1,409 people have signed the petition on the site - which is the world’s largest petition platform - against the show being filmed on Kingston Road at Tilery, Stockton.

They took to Stockton High Street today to collect yet more signatures.

Their Twitter account @StocktonSaysNo also has more than 500 followers - and Twitter users have joined discussion of the topic using #NoBenefitsStreet.

Once the pair have finished collecting signatures they will be delivered to both Channel 4 and the production company Love Productions.

Social worker and mum of two Di, who lives in Eaglescliffe, said: “Through my work, I'm impressed by the strong community spirit in the North- east and feel that it is important that outsiders see this rather than negative stereotypes.

“I’m not originally from Stockton, I moved up from the East Midlands 22 years ago and think that Stockton is a fantastic place to live and raise children.

“I want my kids to feel that Stockton is a good place to live and work and that there are endless opportunities for them.”

Carer and mum of two Charlotte, from Stockton, said: “I was born in Stockton and have lived here all my life.

“Only a few weeks ago after enjoying SIRF and attending the 1245 Sunflowers events I was saying how far Stockton has come and how there’s so much to get involved in.

“I don’t want to see that hard work ruined by our town being associated with a stigmatising programme like Benefits Street.”

Chris Flanagan, from Stockton, said on the petition page: “Sixth best place to live one week...Benefits Street the next!”.

Emma-Bliss Harding, from Norton, said: “I live in Norton and heard they were filming at the duck pond which is near my house.

“I don’t want the area that I love in displayed in a bad light.

“This programme is nothing but negative.”

Hayley Garland, from Stockton, said: “We are proud of our town, our heritage, arts, culture and thriving independent shops.

“Take your sensationalist TV somewhere else!"

Christine Thompson, from Stockton, said: “My hometown is starting to get back on its feet and I fear that this will be a big backward step.”

Champagne and bucks fizz as avid Gazette reader celebrates 100th birthday

A Teesside great-great-grandmother who survived two world wars has celebrated turning 100 years old.

Norah Haswell was treated to a surprise party by family and friends to celebrate the impressive milestone.

The mum of three spent most of her life on Teesside and for the latter 50 years lived in Brookfield, Middlesbrough.

An only child, Mrs Haswell was born in Middlesbrough three weeks after the start of the First World War.

She attended Marton Road Primary school before earning a scholarship to Kirby Secondary School for girls, in Linthorpe.

After completing her eduaction, Mrs Haswell went to work for the Newhouse family at their store in central Middlesbrough.

She was very active and in her spare time enjoyed taking part in sports, particularly swimming and hockey.

Other hobbies included needle work and she was a competitvie darts and dominoes player.

Norah, who has four great-granddaughters and three granddaughters and two great-great-grandsons met her late husband Sam, at a tea dance and the couple married at St Oswald’s church in Marton Grove Road in 1934.

Speaking about her mother’s achievement, daughter Diane said: “She has lived through two wars and suffered some personal heartache, but she just keeps going.

“She has extremely stubborn fortitude and has always liked a glass of sherry or brandy.”

An avid reader of The Gazette and especially fond of Remember When, Norah has always been interested in current affairs and issues regarding her home town.

In her retirement Norah travelled extensively with Sam in continental Europe but her family ties to Middlesbrough have always run deep.

Both Mrs Haswell’s father and paternal grandfather worked for the council and her husband was a well-known managing director of North Eastern Refrigeration Company.

Mrs Haswell herself cared greatly for the area and was an active member of the Campaign for the Preservation of Rural England and the Middlesbrough Forum.

At her birthday party, on August 27, held at Troutbeck Nursing Home, in Ilkley, Leeds, where she now lives, champagne and bucks fizz was shared among guests, who were treated to a presentation of the story of Norah’s 100 years told through photographs.

Families have fun at Breckon Hill Community Centre anniversary event

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Breckon Hill Community Centre event

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Families had fun in the sun when a community centre celebrated a landmark birthday.

Breckon Hill Community Centre in Middlesbrough is now 10-years-old and so to mark the special occasion, a family day was held.

There was fairground rides, a climbing wall, balloon modelling, stalls and refreshments.

Amanda Buck, centre manager, said: “It was the 10th anniversary of the community centre and the residents passed comment that they would like a big celebration event around free family fun.”

As a result grants were submitted to raise the cash needed and a new group, the Friends of Breckon Hill Community Centre also formed to help raise the funds needed.

“It was absolutely brilliant,” said Amanda. “About 1,000 people attended - it was really nice to see.

“It was also great timing because it was held on the last weekend of the summer holidays .”

Redcar Bears boss calls for team to end Premier League campaign on a high

Redcar Bears boss Jitendra Duffill has called for his side to end their Premier League campaign on a high note.

The Ecco Finishing Bears race their final home league match of 2014 tonight (7.30pm) against Rye House who have not picked up a single point away from home this year.

“It’s a shame we didn’t reach the play-offs but we haven’t been good enough,” said Duffill. “We didn’t show enough consistency.

“After we lost Richard Hall we didn’t ever replace him with someone who could do the same job.

“In fact our season took a bit of a turn before it had even started when we lost Kozza Smith (to visa problems). He was going to be a key man for us.

“Even though we’ve not had success, I’ve enjoyed working with the lads this year. We’re racing for pride now but I’d like to end what has been a mediocre season on a high and take three points from Rye House.”

The Bears are looking to get back on track after three successive defeats - home and away against Scunthorpe then away to Berwick.

Richard Lawson returns after missing Saturday’s 52-43 reverse at Shielfield Park as he was on duty for Elite League parent club Lakeside.

Luke Bowen is back for Rye House after a fractured elbow but they are sweating on the fitness of knee injury victim Jason Bunyan.

Alex Edberg guested for Bunyan at Peterborough last night and the Rockets will make a decision on what to do based on Bunyan’s fitness today.

The visitors again use rider replacement for Anders Mellgren who has quit British speedway due to the effects of riding with a steel rod in his back following his horror crash at South Tees Motorsports Park in April while riding for Scunthorpe.

BEARS: Jan Graversen, Rafal Konopka, Richard Lawson, Mark Lemon, Hugh Skidmore, Aaron Summers, Carl Wilkinson.

ROCKETS: Luke Bowen, Steve Boxall, Jason Bunyan (if fit), Jason Garrity, Oliver Greenwood, Edward Kennett (captain), R/R for Anders Mellgren.

BEARS fan John Gallon still has rare copies of a speedway comic drawn by Andy Capp creator Reg Smythe on sale.

The cartoons feature a rider called Skid Sprocket in a 44- page A5 booklet and proceeds from the sales will go towards helping Bears riders.

He’s already handed over £150 each to Rafal Konopka and Carl Wilkinson to be put towards their racing costs and has since raised a further £75.

He currently has 23 booklets of the current batch in stock which is potentially worth a further £115 to the fund when sold.

John has contacted every Premier League club and says sales have been encouraging.

However he’d still like to see more local supporters snap up a copy.

The booklets are priced at £7 (plus 70p UK postage) and all profits will go to any Bears rider suffering from costly mechanical problems or the like.

The money raised will be given to team manager Duffill, who will decide how it should be distributed

Anyone interested in purchasing a copy or wanting further information should contact skidsprocket@gmail.com

Are we heading for an Indian summer? Forecasters predict hotter than average temperatures for next three months

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Pictures: Teesside basks in the sunshine

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Don’t pack away your shorts and T-shirts just yet!

Hopes for an Indian summer are growing as forecasters say that hotter than average weather is predicted across the country for the next three months - and Teesside is no exception.

This week has seen temperatures hit 25 degrees Celsius in some parts of England, compared to an average maximum of just 16 degrees Celsius for September.

Today here in Teesside we can expect to see temperatures of up to 21 degrees Celsius with a minimum of 14 degrees Celsius.

Tomorrow temperatures are predicted to hit 20 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 13 degrees celsius.

The weekend however is set to be chillier with a prediction of 15 degrees Celsius on Saturday and 16 degrees Celsius on Sunday.

According to the Met Office’s three-month outlook, the good weather is likely to hold through autumn.

It said the probability that the UK’s mean temperature for September, October and November will be warmer than usual is 35 per cent and between 10 and 15 per cent to be cold.

The forecast will be welcome after a dreary August with torrential rain, cold temperatures and gales.

The Met Office Meteorological Glossary first published in 1916, defines an Indian summer as ‘a warm, calm spell of weather occurring in autumn, especially in October and November.’

The exact origins of the phrase are uncertain, several writers have speculated it may originally have referred to a spell of warm, hazy autumn conditions that allowed Native American Indians to continue hunting. in for an Indian summer

Blackmail trial at Teesside Crown Court halted after first day

A blackmail trial has been halted at Teesside Crown Court.

Michael Tyers, 27, of Moortown Road, Beechwood, Middlesbrough, and Billy Nugent, 22, of Mount Pleasant Grange, Stockton, denied charges of blackmail and theft.

They were accused of bullying a businessman with demands for money until he closed down his garage business in November last year.

After the first day of the trial, Judge Michael Taylor discharged the jury at Teesside Crown Court yesterday.

Tyers and Nugent were bailed until a fresh trial on a date to be fixed.

View: New Bollywood film Shaandaar currently being filmed in Saltburn

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Gallery: Bollywood film Shaandaar being filmed in Saltburn

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The striking coastline of Saltburn provided the backdrop as a touch of Bollywood glamour came to Teesside.

The cast and crew of Shaandaar, a new Bollywood movie currently in production, chose Saltburn’s beach, promenade and famous pier as a location to shoot yesterday.

Billed as a comedy which sees two Indian families coming together for a big wedding, the film features Bollywood stars Alia Bhatt and Shahid Kapoor.

Assistant director Karl Hall said that the coast was the perfect place to shoot footage.

“We are mainly doing establishing shots and cutaways, but we have the main characters here as well and we’re doing some dialogue,” he said.

“We are splitting the shooting between England, Mumbai and Poland and a lot of the English scenes have been done in Leeds and West Yorkshire.

“When we needed to find a coastal location, Saltburn has been recommended and it was a great choice. It looks great on camera.”

The film will be primarily aimed at the Asian market, but Mr Hall said that Bollywood releases are also huge in Britain.

“It goes under the radar a little bit in the UK, but it is a huge industry," he added. "Alia Bhatt and Shahid Kapoor are really big stars.”

Around 80 to 90 members of the cast and crew spent yesterday in the seaside town, but due to their busy schedule they did not have time to sample The Gazette’s award-winning best chippy, Seaview restaurant.

But there was some local flavour in the film - some of the extras used were from the town.

Mr Hall said: “I’m not sure how many extras we had, but I’m sure that some of the extras were local.”

Eston couple devastated after burglars steal precious keepsakes and items worth thousands of pounds

A couple has been left devastated after burglars broke into their home in Eston while they were away on holiday - stealing precious keepsakes and thousands of pounds of electrical goods.

The victims’ black Peugeot 206 car was also stolen and found burnt out the following day on Heatherfields Road, also having had items taken from within it.

The burglary, which took place at the home of a couple and their six-year-old boy on Station Road, is believed to have taken place overnight from Sunday, August 24, into Monday, August 25.

The householder said it was a “massive shock” to come home from holiday to see their home boarded up by police and their belongings strewn all over.

“Every single drawer and every single cupboard was open,” said the 44-year-old mum-of-three. The police rang them while on holiday to inform them of the crime.

“To go on our one holiday a year that we have spent all year saving up for and to come home to the complete devastation of being violated, it’s awful.”

Items including sentimental jewellery, laptops containing precious photographs and electrical items including a 42” television, a camera, camcorder, an Xbox, two mobile phones, two portable DVD players, cash and kitchen items such as a slow cooker and a steam cleaner were stolen as well as a wallet containing a bank card. Money from the son’s money box was also taken.

Items of jewellery taken included a gold bracelet inscribed with the word “babette”, a silver Pandora bracelet with charms and a white gold ring.

Also taken was a box containing a set of silver earrings, a ring and necklace in a leaf shape with brown and diamond stones.

“The material things can be replaced, but it’s the personal items - my photographs of my son as a baby and jewellery that had been given to me, that’s what matters the most to me,” she added.

“My aunt died two years ago and she gave me the Babette bracelet which I was so proud to wear and the charms on my bracelet had been bought by my older son and daughter.”

Anyone who may have information regarding the burglary or anyone who may know the whereabouts of any of the items mentioned is asked to contact Detective Constable Lindsay Forbes, from Redcar and Cleveland volume crime team, on the non-emergency 101 number or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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