Billingham Stars target cup double against treble winners Solway Sharks

Billingham Stars welcome Solway Sharks to the Forum in the Challenge Cup tomorrow evening looking to achieve a cup double over their Scottish rivals.

Last year’s treble-winners Solway have endured a rough start to the season with head coach Martin Grubb seeing six players leave the Dumfries-based outfit over the summer.

And whilst he has signed Richard Bentham, Marc Fowley and Aidan Fulton from higher level teams, the Sharks are still light on numbers.

This has been reflected in their results to date – three losses and just a single narrow home victory against Blackburn Hawks tell their own story.

Last Saturday saw Solway’s lowest point so far as they were hammered 13-1 at Telford Tigers.

The bright spot for Grubb is that they do not start their league campaign for another week.

In the meantime he will look to strengthen so that his side can attempt to defend their title.

By contrast the Ultimate Windows-sponsored Stars have got off to an auspicious start.

Sitting pretty and unbeaten at the top of the league by way of last Saturday’s 6-2 win in Manchester, Billingham now turn their attentions to the Challenge Cup for the entirety of October.

Second in the cup’s northern section, the Teessiders have tasted defeat just once at the hands of English Premier League title-chasers Telford Tigers last Sunday.

The valiant Stars lost by just five goals to two - despite many commentators predicting a much heavier defeat.

Billingham will go into tomorrow’s game missing Scott Ward and Will Robson, but the strength in depth that the Stars’ coaching team can call on means they should still be able to ice a full squad.

The Stars’ director of coaching Terry Ward is expecting another good encounter with the Sharks despite the Scots’ recent troubles.

He said: “We always get a good game off Solway and I expect this Sunday to be no different.

“We will see what kind of bench they bring with them, but we know that they will be smarting following last Saturday’s big loss down at Telford.

“They do not like losing, it doesn’t come easy to them, so we are expecting a tough, competitive match.

“The boys showed an immense amount of character last weekend. We got the league points that we really needed against Manchester, and then we went out and gave Telford a real scare in front of our fans the following night.

“I was immensely proud of every single one of the team – there were some massive performances all over the ice. It’s difficult to single individual players out.

“We want to keep that level of passion and determination and if we can do that then we will be more than a match for anyone in our league.”

Billingham take to the ice on 6.30pm tomorrow to face the Sharks.

Tickets for tomorrow’s clash can be bought from the box office from 5.30pm priced at £8 adults and £5.50 concessions.

Jason Scott was fought off by a 16-year-old girl - now he's been jailed for two years

A 16-year-old student was scarred after she was attacked while walking alone on a Teesside path.

The girl bravely resisted her cowardly assailant and he fled empty-handed after demanding her phone.

She was left frightened, nervous and scarred from a cut to her left eye.

Jason Michael Scott has been jailed for two years for the attack in broad daylight.

The 24-year-old covered his face as he assaulted the teenage girl at about 1pm on July 11.

He came up behind her and hit her as she walked alone on the “Black Path” in Eston.

She felt a blow to the back of the head as Scott knocked her to the ground, Teesside Crown Court heard today.

Prosecutor Jenny Haigh said the girl came around to hear Scott shouting at her to hand over her phone.

The college student refused, told him to leave her alone and shouted for help.

She blocked him with her arms as he tried to punch her, the court was told.

He looked through her bag but took nothing from it and rode off on a bicycle.

The girl later said in a statement that she was shocked and scared and did not know what Scott would do.

The mugging had a severe effect on her, making her worried that the attacker lived near her.

She no longer walked the path alone and got taxis to college.

Scott, of Finsbury Street, Gresham, Middlesbrough, pleaded guilty to attempted robbery.

He had a record of 45 previous offences including having weapons, dishonesty and violence.

Graham Silvester, defending, said Scott acted impulsively while depressed, now regretted his actions and apologised.

Judge George Moorhouse told Scott: “You approached her, hit her to the back of the head, knocked her to the ground and demanded her phone.

“You tried to punch her. You covered your face.

“I’m told from the impact statement that the girl is now frightened, nervous, doesn’t like to walk alone, and has been left with a permanent scar.

“This is a very serious offence, an offence which fully justifies a custodial sentence.

“You used force. She was a vulnerable young lady.

“You pleaded guilty. You clearly regret what took place. It was unplanned. According to the pre-sentence report you’ve shown remorse.

“You cooperated with the police and made full admissions.

“I think the appropriate sentence is one of two years’ imprisonment.”

End of an era for Redcar's Marks and Spencer store and a North Ormesby butcher's shop

The changing face of shopping on Teesside has seen the closure of a Marks and Spencer store - and the end of an era for a well-known butcher.

Efforts to try and save Redcar’s M&S store will end in defeat tomorrow when the High Street shop closes for good.

And a butcher’s shop at the centre of a Middlesbrough community for over 40 years is also being given the chop, with Newboulds, on Kings Road, North Ormesby, having traded for the final time today.

But while the butcher’s will live on in a different guise, it’s the end of the road for the Redcar M&S. The M&S outlet store will close at the usual time of 5.30pm tomorrow. But when the doors shut, it will end 76 years of trading in the town.

The branch, which also sells food alongside clothing and other goods, opened its doors in 1938 and became an outlet store in 2008.

When the news M&S planned to close the store was announced in June, a campaign to try and save it began and an 11,000 “plus” name petition compiled.

But it has proved to no avail, with M&S insisting it has to close because of changing trading conditions.

None of the 44 staff have been made compulsorily redundant, with positions offered at other branches.

An M&S spokesperson told The Gazette: “This is not a decision we’ve made lightly and one we’ve given a great deal of consideration to.

“We’d like to thank our customers for their valued loyalty, and look forward to welcoming them at nearby M&S stores and online.”

But Councillor Mark Hannon, Redcar and Cleveland Council’s Cabinet member for economic regeneration, said the council was still doing “everything it can to bring M&S back to Redcar.” He said: “Senior council officers are working with M&S to identify an alternative site and we are working with the retailer to find a tenant to take over the lease on the building. M&S was clear that the closure of the outlet store was a result of efficiencies in its supply chain and a shift in its strategy, which is by no means a reflection on the staff or the town. Redcar is performing relatively well compared with many North-east towns and has seen investment of £75m, despite tough economic conditions.”

Meanwhile in North Ormesby, Newboulds customers will still be able to buy the firm’s products under the shop’s new owner, Janet Lythe.

The lifelong North Ormesby caterer is moving her shop, Simply Delicious, into the premises and is keen to keep the community feel alive.

Janet, 56, said: “Newboulds has been a big part of the community for as long as I can remember.

“People have already been coming up to me asking where they are going to get their meat from, but we will still be selling Newboulds products.”

And the mum-of-two sees the move as a positive development for the area.

She said: “The Newboulds premises is bigger, with better refrigeration and storage, which is going to be very useful to me.

“With me taking over the premises, it is a great way to combine the two shops together and keep North Ormesby business alive.”

Teesside MPs all vote in favour of Iraq action

Teesside MPs today supported Government plans to join air strikes against Islamic State (IS) in Iraq after more than six hours of debate in an emergency recall of Parliament.

The front benches of the three main parties united over the proposals, which could see the first RAF strikes within hours. Prime Minister David Cameron’s motion to endorse attacks on the militants in Iraq in support of the United States-led coalition was carried 524 to 43 - a majority of 481. All five Teesside MPs voted in favour of the motion.

The vote clears the way for RAF Tornado GR4 fighter bombers stationed in Cyprus to begin combat operations as soon as suitable targets are identified.

Most MPs spoke in favour of the motion, but a number questioned the implications of launching a bombing campaign against IS, also known as Isil or Isis, without a clear exit strategy.

Stockton South Tory MP James Wharton said he was voting “for” because “this is not like previous military action.” He said: “We are not attacking a country, but a terror organisation which is committing unspeakable evils with a campaign of religious genocide.

“The government of Iraq has asked for our help and it is right that we offer it in a carefully considered and effective way. We cannot walk on by and are right to give our support to those fighting ISIS.”

Labour MP for Middlesbrough, Andy McDonald, said: “What we are dealing with here, “Islamic State”, is, of course, nothing of the sort. It does not speak for Islam. Islam is a religion of peace.

“Also the comparison with Iraq in 2003 as with Iraq in 2014 does not stack up. The better comparison is with Bosnia and Rwanda, when the world failed to respond to massive and indiscriminate slaughter of our fellow human beings. That is what is happening in Iraq now and we cannot walk by on the other side and leave these people to their inevitable fate.

“There is just cause for intervention here on humanitarian grounds and that military action should only be used as a last resort and that is clearly where we are.”

And Stockton North Labour MP Alex Cunningham said circumstances had changed since he voted against intervention in Syria last year.

He said: “Last year, I believed the case for intervention in Syria was not at that time justified and voted accordingly. Today, faced with the deteriorating humanitarian situation – particularly in Iraq, where whole communities are being wiped out and women in particular are subjected to the most horrific and barbaric crimes against them – I believe my decision has to be a different one.

“We have all seen the appalling television pictures and heard the accounts of what is happening, and earlier this week I was briefed by aid organisations including UNICEF who made clear the crisis facing people who are being killed or driven from their homes in the face of the most vicious of behaviours.”

He added: “My support for the Government’s proposed military action is based on the same criteria Labour has previously set out to Parliament: that proposed military action is a last resort, is proportional, has a reasonable prospect of success, has a legal base, gains broad regional support and is a just cause.”

Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland Labour MP Tom Blenkinsop and Redcar Liberal Democrat MP Ian Swales also supported the motion.

Dog walker could hold key information in hunt for knifepoint convenience store robber

Police hunting an armed robber after a knifepoint convenience store raid are appealing to a dog walker they believe may have some information.

The robbery happened at about 6.55am, at the Mini Market on Brotton Road in Carlin How.

About 10 minutes earlier on the same road, a man was seen walking his dog.

During the incident, a man entered the store brandishing a knife before making his way behind the counter and taking a quantity of cigarettes.

When staff challenged the man he threatened them before making off from the store in the direction of Queen Street, Carlin How.

The man had his face covered during the entire incident but he is described as being in his early 20s, around 5ft 6ins tall and of slim build. He was wearing grey jogging bottoms and a dark-coloured hooded jacket.

Anyone with information should contact DC Mark Casey on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

'Isolated' man moved from Manchester to Teesside to get closer to 13-year-old girl he groomed online

A sex offender moved to Teesside to get closer to an underage girl he was grooming online.

Ethan Jones, 23, was jailed for three years after he pursued a vulnerable young girl for sex.

He exchanged explicit messages and images with the girl, undeterred by warnings to keep away.

“You were grooming her for a sexual purpose,” Judge Howard Crowson told him at Teesside Crown Court today.

“You have clearly and deliberately tried to groom a 13-year-old girl.”

He said the girl was flattered by Jones’ attention and persuaded there was some affection behind it.

“I’m quite satisfied in your case there was none of that,” said the judge.

“Your interest was for a sexual motivation.

“You pursued her despite warnings from adults in her life concerned for her welfare.

“Contact included extremely suggestive text messages, asking her to carry out very intimate matters for your gratification. Sexual images were passed between you.

“You moved from Manchester to this area to ensure that you were close to her.

“She did spend at least one night with you.”

Prosecutor Katherine Dunn told how Jones and the girl exchanged messages via social media which quickly became highly sexual.

Videos and pictures were sent between them.

Jones wrote online that he had moved to a big house in Middlesbrough and was lonely.

Family members became concerned about the girl, made inquiries and saw the messages.

Jones was contacted, informed she was only 13 and told to stop. He said he would not talk to her anymore, but carried on.

He claimed he was engaged and that “she said yes”.

At one point he became abusive and said he would “come down and beat her up”.

On arrest, Jones claimed he had sex with the girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, and “I thought she was 16”.

He insulted her and said: “She was never forced at all. She got what was coming to her.”

He told police he met her and she stayed at his home, but denied having sex with her.

Ms Dunn told the court: “The Crown cannot say what took place during that evening.”

The girl’s mother later said in a statement that the crime had a serious effect on the family.

Jones, of Norcliffe Street, North Ormesby, Middlesbrough, admitted meeting a child following sexual grooming.

He had 12 previous offences including sexually assaulting a boy under 13 when he was a teenager.

Peter Makepeace, defending, said Jones was in a “semi-nomadic, detached, isolated state of mind”.

He added: “He was very much the product of an extremely unusual, bizarre background at a time when he was not mature enough and sufficiently well placed to resist any such influence.”

He said there were only two images and the messages contained “extremely immature bravado” and “talking dirty” which was “grossly unpleasant”.

He told how Jones struggled to come to terms with his offending and its causes, but would be helped in prison where he was responding well and taking courses.

Judge Crowson said there might have been some naivety and immaturity.

But he said: “You were, it seems to me, quite deliberately acting to try and gain some involvement in the life of a 13-year-old girl, someone who was 10 years junior to you.

“You were eventually successful.”

He jailed Jones for three years, his first prison sentence.

Jones was given an indefinite sexual offences prevention order banning him from unsupervised contact with girls under 16 and governing his use of the internet and internet-capable devices.

He will be on the sex offenders’ register for life.

No further construction breaches at Yarm's Morley Carr development, say Stockton Council

No further complaints have been received about construction work starting too soon on Yarm’s Morley Carr development, say Stockton Council.

Earlier this month Taylor Wimpey was warned it could face enforcement action for breaching planning conditions on the Morley Carr Farm development.

It came after residents neighbouring the site complained about construction work and deliveries taking place before the permitted 8am.

Stockton Council’s principal planning officer, Gregory Archer, visited the site on the request of Yarm councillor Andrew Sherris.

Cabinet member for regeneration and transport, Councillor Mike Smith, said earlier that the authority takes any breaches of planning conditions “very seriously” and said they had advised the developer “that any further breaches will result in enforcement action”.

Since then Stockton Council say they have received no further reports of any issues at the site.

Work is now well under way on the controversial 350-home scheme two years after it won approval from Stockton Council’s planning committee - despite massive opposition.

Now officially open to the public, homebuilder Taylor Wimpey is already reporting a high uptake in early enquiries.

When finished the scheme will also provide a new bowling green and club house; as well as a children’s play area and green linear park.

The developer says despite only opening the doors to a sales information centre in the last two weeks it has taken a number of reservations, as house-hunters seek to buy off-plan to secure a new home.

Debbie Whittingham, sales and marketing director for Taylor Wimpey North Yorkshire said: “There’s been remarkable interest in this development for some time, and with the doors now officially open, buyers can find out more details on the styles of home available, as well as schemes like Help to Buy – which continue to propel interest.

“If the first couple of weeks are anything to go by, we are extremely confident Morley Carr Farm will continue to thrive.”

The Morley Carr Farm homes include four and five bedroom designs costing from £284,950.

Grove Hill fundraiser Darryl Mather given thumbs up with Community Champion nomination

Nominate your local heroes in the Gazette Community Champions Awards

A thoughtful teenager who has raised more than £3,700 for the children’s ward he’s spent a large chunk of his life on has been given a “thumbs up” from the family of a little boy also treated there.

Darryl Mather, of Grove Hill, Middlesbrough , vowed to raise £3,000 for Ward 21, the Children’s Ward at James Cook University Hospital, before he reached 18 in November and moved to an adult ward.

Both Darryl and his younger brother Tyler, nine, suffer from a rare genetic disorder - primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) - which affects the airways and leads to infections. It means the brothers each spend at least eight weeks every year in hospital.

Also treated on the ward is five-year-old McKenzie Moore, of Pallister Park.

McKenzie was born with water on the brain and has several severe disabilities. He is deaf, partially sighted and has to be fed through a tube so requires round-the-clock care.

McKenzie’s family has now nominated Darryl, who lives with his mum Debbie and dad Andrew, for a Gazette Community Champion Award in the npower-sponsored Champion Fundraiser category. A nomination form put forward by gran Michelle Moore, 40, on behalf of McKenzie, says: “I am now almost six and Darryl was there at my first admission at 10 days old.

“I think it’s a good thing that he’s raising money for the ward; it’s a really nice thing to do. Well done Darryl and thumbs up from me.”

Michelle said: “For McKenzie the ward is like home from home, he spends so much time there. Darryl’s such a lovely lad. He’ll see me and always ask if McKenzie’s all right.”

Darryl’s fundraising has included a sponsored walk, a football tournament, bag packs and a charity night at the Priory Social Club on Marton Road.

He was also helped out by a mystery donor who gave £200 after reading of his efforts in The Gazette. Darryl has also previously held fundraisers for other charities, including Zoe’s Place and the Great North Air Ambulance.

Darryl said: “This isn’t the last of it, I’m going to keep doing fundraising.

“I’ve done this for the ward because I know how boring it can be if you’re in hospital with nothing to do. When toys break, the ward can’t afford to replace them.

“I just want to help all the other kids who have to spend time in hospital.

“I’m really grateful and pleased that someone thought about nominating me. I’m quite shocked but it’s really nice.

“I’m going out soon with the playroom staff to buy things with the money - they know what they need so I’ll leave the decision up to them.”

Fire crews called in following reports that sunbed caught fire in salon

A fire at a sunbed shop was tackled by Middlesbrough fire crews at lunchtime today.

Two appliances from Middlesbrough Fire Station were called to the Tropical Tanning and Beauty salon in Oxford Road, Linthorpe, just before 1.10pm after reports of a fire involving a sunbed.

No injuries were reported.

More to follow

Middlesbrough baby on the road to recovery thanks to parents' auction extravaganza

A baby boy is on the road to recovery thanks to his parents organising an auction extravaganza.

When Steven Wilson and Sophie Johnson found out their five-month-old son Stanley Wilson suffered from flat head syndrome, they were shocked to find that a helmet used to treat the condition was not available on the NHS.

Undeterred, Steven and Sophie, of Nesham Road, Middlesbrough, decided to organise a charity auction to raise the £1,950 needed to buy the helmet.

The lots on offer include a signed and worn Stewart Downing Carling Cup Final shirt and a ride in a Lamborghini.

Sophie said: “We still need to raise almost all of the funds, close to £1,500.

“The response from local businesses has been overwhelming and we have more items than we could ever have imagined.

“If anybody can’t make the auction but would like to bid on an item they can contact us and someone will bid on their behalf.”

The evening is at the Legends Lounge, Riverside Stadium, Saturday, October 4, from 8pm.

Tickets, £4 for adults, £2 for children, including DJ and buffet, can be bought by contacting Sophie on 07891040539.

To donate to the fund visit http://ift.tt/1v8kF4K .

House prices fall in all parts of Teesside as prices continue to rise across UK

All parts of Teesside have seen a fall in house prices over the past year, even as prices continue to rise across the country.

According to new Land Registry figures, Redcar and Cleveland was down 1.7%, Stockton, down 1.8%, and Middlesbrough, down 2%, in the year to August, with the annual falls likely in part due to falling or stagnant prices in August.

The price of an average home in Middlesbrough is £77,594 while it is £109,981 and £97,963 in Stockton and Middlesbrough respectively.

Nationally prices continue to rise, according to the latest Land Registry figures, up to 8.4% year on year across England and Wales.

Prices in London rose 21.6% between August 2013 and August 2014. The North-east saw the smallest annual growth at 3%.

In terms of monthly house price rises, London was again top, up 2.7%, with the South West and North West seeing prices rise just 0.1% in August.

Lambeth saw the strongest annual growth, up 28.9% year on year, while Hartlepool and Merthyr Tydfil saw the biggest falls, down 4.8%.

Northern League: Wins for Marske and Synners will send Seasiders top

Marske will return to the top of the Northern League if they beat Jarrow Roofing at home and Teesside rivals Billingham Synthonia pull off a shock at leaders Bedlington.

The Seasiders moved up a place to second with Tuesday’s 3-2 win against North Shields as fit-again captain Craig Gott scored a long range free-kick and Jamie Owens struck twice, taking his goal haul for the season up to 12.

Carl Jarrett’s early pace setters have a far superior goal difference to the league-leading Terriers and will be sitting pretty again if they see off a rebuilt Roofing side who have yet to click and injury-hit Synners trump Bedlington.

Sam Garvie replaces the suspended Fred Woodhose for Marske but an away win for the neighbouring Green and Whites looks a tall order however with Michael Sweet, Matthew Bell and Steve Huggins among a lengthy injury list and Dan Dillon, Kris Hughes and Matty Osmond all suspended.

Defender Scott Matthewman will be in the squad after signing from Bishop Auckland, but Tom Bott is unvailable after re-signing from Whitley Bay and Nathan Jameson is doubtful having rejoined from Guisborough.

“We haven’t been able to put out what I would consider our best XI once all season,” said Synners manager Lee Tucker.

Guisborough, meanwhile, continue their run of home league matches when they play for a fifth successive time at the KGV against Bishop Auckland.

The Priorymen have capitalised in free-scoring style on their run of home games and will be hoping to continue where they have left off from their 6-0 defeat of West Allotment Celtic against Bishops.

Second division Stokesley bid for a long overdue away win at Heaton Stannington with manager Nick Ward reminding his young players that they need to keep their discipline in the heat of the moment.

Ward’s side finished last Saturday’s 3-2 home defeat to Billingham Town with nine men as Greg Peel was sent off for aiming verbals at referee Darren Wylam and defender Lloyd Evans walked for two bookings, a defeat which saw them slip to third-bottom of the second division.

Stokesley have not won away from home since the opening day of the season when they pummelled a Darlington RA side, who currently occupy sixth place, 5-2.

“All of the talk in the changing room after the game was about the referee but, although I didn’t think he had the best game, I said to the lads they have got to keep their discipline better,” Ward said.

“It was frustrating because we were on for a point and might have got all three.”

Stokesley have signed central midfielder Dean Wilson and re-signed experienced winger Derek Bradley, who is building up his fitness following knee surgery.

Billingham Town lost 4-1 at home to Team Northumbria in the Northern League Cup on Tuesday but manager Darren Trotter felt the final score flattered the Northern League second division leaders.

Town played a lot of good football but only had a Joel Callender effort to show for it, and will try and turn their promising approach play into goals at home to eighth-placed Ryton.

“The scoreline didn’t reflect the Team Northumbria game,” said Town manager Darren Trotter.

“They probably had about six shots on goal and managed to score four whereas we probably had about a dozen but could only notch once.

“We were always in the game even when we went a man down after Stephen Jackson was sent off for two cautionable offences.”

Micky Dolan, Harry Taylor and Tom Sweeney are added to the Billinghamn Town squad tomorrow, but Ian Bishop is still suspended and Louis Whensley is joining top flight strugglers Crook.

Thornaby have goalkeeper Michael Duff and central defender Craig Winter back for their home fixture against Brandon but former England Under-17 and Boro midfielder Kieran Edwards completes a two-match ban.

It’s been entertainment city watching Norton lately as the Ancients have struck 18 times in their last three games, and Andy Campbell’s will look to further boost their ‘goals for’ column as fourth plays ninth at Whickham.

Wearside League: Wolviston report mixed team news for Celtic home clash

Wolviston will have to do without Christian Selby at home to Cleator Moor Celtic in the Wearside League as the midfielder is starting a three-match ban.

Utility player Robbie McIlroy is also out but midfielder Ian Danby returns after his wife gave birth to a baby boy last Saturday.

A fitness test will be given to club skipper Shaun Gregory, who has missed the last five games due to a knee injury.

Redcar Athletic end what has been a pretty grim September with a visit to a much-improved and now very-tough-to- beat Silksworth CW outfit.

Steve Connolly’s side began September with a bang as 7-1 winners at Prudhoe but could only draw their next two games and the last week has brought back to back 6-1 and 5-2 defeats to leaders Stockton Town and Horden.

Silksworth have been one of the whipping boys over the past few seasons but have undergone a transformation and are now challenging for a top six spot this term, so Redcar will need to improve on recent displays if they want to avoid a hat-trick of defeats.

The visitors are hoping that defender Liam Wood will be fit as both Chris Bivens (knee) and Jordan Kirk (hamstring) are unlikely to play any part in the game.

Striker Alex Anderson is suspended, so top scorer Adam Preston may plough a lone furrow up front.

Stockton Town can do no wrong at the moment and go for win No 12 of the campaign in their away trip to Gateshead Leam Rangers.

The on-fire Bishopton Road West side knocked in three goals in both halves in Wednesday night’s thumping win at Redcar.

Kallum Hannah got two of them and Stephen Roberts, Chris Stockton, Luke Whittaker and Adam Nicholson all joined the party. Top scorer Stockton picked up a knock after getting Town’s third goal but he should be fit to start after being rested for the second half at Green Lane, where he was replaced by Tony Johnson.

Liberal Democrats choose 26-year-old parliamentary assistant to fight for Redcar seat

A councillor has been selected by the Liberal Democrats to fight to retain the Redcar seat at the next General Election.

Redcar party chairman Josh Mason, 26, was chosen at a hustings event last night.

The Lib Dems have been forced to choose a new candidate after current MP Ian Swales announced in July he will stand down next year.

Mr Mason, who works as Mr Swales’s parliamentary assistant, lives in Redcar and represents Zetland ward on Redcar & Cleveland Council.

He said “I’m thrilled to have been selected to stand in place of Ian Swales who has been a popular and hardworking MP.

“He will certainly be a hard act to follow but after working with him so closely over the years, I’m well aware of the constituency’s needs and feel well equipped to speak up for us locally and in Parliament.

“I grew up here, my family live here and I care deeply about the area’s future. I want to be an approachable, hardworking local MP and I will fight as hard as I can to ensure the best for our area.”

Mr Mason is a former Lawrence Jackson school and Prior Pursglove college student and studied History and Classics at Durham University.

Mr Swales is to leave Parliament at the next General Election. He said his decision was due to personal reasons.

The former accountant won the seat in the 2010 election, overturning a massive Labour majority and replacing Vera Baird.

Mr Swales said: “I am delighted that Josh Mason has been selected as the Liberal Democrat candidate for the next General Election.

“I worked with Josh for over four years and it’s no wonder that local politicians of all parties see him as the outstanding talent of the next generation. I will give him my full backing and think he can do an excellent job as our local MP.”

The current Lib Dem majority is 5,214.

Mr Mason, is likely to face a tough battle to retain the seat against Labour’s Anna Turley.

Redcar has been a traditional Labour stronghold - with Mo Mowlam holding the seat for the party before Vera Baird.

A recent internal Lib Dem poll indicated the party could come in third behind Labour and UKIP.

France starlet Sarah Berge boosts Ormesby for British table tennis title defence

Ormesby will have new France international joining Sarah Berge their ranks as they begin the defence of their Women’s British Table Tennis League in the first round of matches in Wolverhampton this weekend.

Berge is a talented defensive player and makes the already strong Ormesby team of Karina Le Fevre, Chloe Whyte and Maria Tsaptsinos even stronger.

She comes to Teesside in form having reached the semi-finals of the French National Championships in both the singles and doubles earlier this year.

Berge also has vast experienced having represented France in major competitions in both Europe and Asia.

Thornaby’s Le Fevre has been the mainstay in the Ormesby team which has won the championship for two of the last three years.

She represented England in the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in the summer and has played for England on many occasions over the last five or six years.

Whyte has also been a regular member of the Ormesby team for several years and has won some major domestic competitions, including the Junior Masters.

Tsaptsinos joined the Ormesby squad last season and compiled a remarkable record as she won all 10 of her matches in the final round of fixtures which helped Ormesby to secure the title.

Some of those wins came against some of England’s senior women.

Ormesby will have more testing opposition in Wolverhampton this season as their main rivals the Draycott East Midlands Club from Derby have signed the in-form Abbie Milwain.

Milwain won the first major tournament of the season, the Liverpool Grand Prix last month.

Draycott’s team also includes Guernsey international Alice Loveridge and Emma Vickers, who has been their No 1 player for a number of years and is one of England’s leading lady players.

Boro look to end losing streak while Stockton and Yarm aim target fourth successive wins

Despite a stuttering start to life in Yorkshire One Middlesbrough’s season can still be a success, according to manager Ian Heslehurst.

Boro go into tomorrow’s home match with Malton and Norton on the back of successive league defeats against Doncaster Phoenix and Hullensians, and sit 12th in the division at this early stage.

However, showing plenty of promise without turning openings into points, Boro hope to start their climb back up the table at Acklam Park tomorrow afternoon.

Heslehurst said: “We have made a few positional changes this weekend in the hope we can go forward and increase our intensity.

“Training has gone well this week and we hope we can bring this to the game tomorrow.

“The squad knows what is required to win games and consequently they are obviously disappointed so far in this campaign, but we all know it is a long season and we will improve each week.”

In Durham and North One, Stockton - fresh from their scintillating 28-18 win against Darlington last weekend - are at home to Consett eyeing a fourth successive victory.

Jeremy Good and Jack Aldus lit up Station Road last weekend, and the duo will again need to perform to maintain Stockton’s impressive early season form.

In the same division Guisborough will be looking to make amends after last week’s 24-0 humbling at league leaders Morpeth. However, it is another tough game for Trevor Edwards’ side, with the Priorymen hosting third-place Novocastrians.

Meanwhile in Durham and North Three unbeaten Yarm could climb to the top of the division with victory over Richmondshire.

Reg Rowland’s outfit have been one of the league’s surprise packages this season, treating fans to some wonderful attacking rugby.

Tees Valley Mohawks aim for first points of the season

Tees Valley Mohawks are hoping it’s a case of third time lucky in the National Trophy this weekend.

The Middlesbrough-based side have played two pool games in the competition so far, losing them both.

They were brushed aside by Manchester Magic in the opening game of their 2014/15 campaign before giving a much-improved performance against Team Northumbria in their first first home match of the campaign.

But that too ended with the points going to their opponents, albeit by a narrow margin after the Mohawks had twice led.

Now, having since scored a big win over Sunderland City Predators in the National Cup, they are determined to get some points on the board when Leicester Warriors visit Teesside University’s Olympia Building tomorrow (5pm tip-off).

“Training has gone well this week,” said Mohawks coach Steve Butler, whose side went all the way to the sem-finals last season.

“The guys seem focussed and we have worked on things that needed addressing after last weekend’s defeat to Northumbria.

“But with that confidence boasting performance on Sunday the camp is in high spirits.”

Among the players looking to make his mark against Leicester is new signing Alvaro Pontes.

The Portguguese star was sidelined for much of last season but enjoyed a fine game against Sunderland last weekend.

“I’m enjoying getting back on the court and every game I can see that we are improving,” he said.

“I know the coach has three, maybe four, more players to come in over the next few weeks so we will have a very strong squad by middle of October.

“We just hope we can play well together this weekend and get the two points.”

Tomorrow’s opponents have played only once so far this season, beating lower league side Northampton Thunder 88-60.

Mohawks other new signing - the Hartlepool Hawks cheerleading squad - will also be will be putting on their first performance of the season.

So supporters asked to be in the arena by 4.30pm to see all the tricks and flicks.

Meanwhile the Mohawks’ reward for seeing off Sunderland in the Cup is another North-east derby in the shape of a second round home clash with Team Northumbria, scheduled to take place on Sunday, October 5.

Morning news headlines: Jihadi John identified, Farage vote hunt, PM migrant pledge, Travis sentencing

Intelligence services have identified the British extremist shown beheading hostages in three gruesome videos - as the UK prepares to join a military campaign against Islamic State (IS) that could last years.

FBI director James Comey said the identity of the killer - up to now only known by the nickname "Jihadi John" - had been uncovered, but he refused to name the individual publicly.

The news came after the Cabinet unanimously backed UK bombing raids against IS in Iraq, with a large majority of MPs expected to follow suit later.

Farage goes after blue collar vote

Nigel Farage will launch a direct assault on Labour today by unveiling a raft of policy announcements aimed at snaring the "blue collar" vote as Ukip stages its conference in the town Ed Miliband represents.

The party will outline plans at the gathering in Doncaster to ease the burden on low-paid workers by overhauling personal taxation as well as setting out reforms of the National Health Service.

It will also pledge to transform the way military veterans are treated by guaranteeing long-servers a job in the police, Border Force or Prison Service when they return to civvy street.

Alice police continue park search

Detectives investigating the disappearance of missing teenager Alice Gross will continue searching an "area of interest" in a park.

The 14-year-old was last seen walking on a towpath alongside the Grand Union Canal in west London four weeks ago.

Investigators have staged a reconstruction of the moments the teenager was last captured on CCTV at 4.26pm on August 28, going under a bridge where Trumpers Way crosses the canal.

Vote row will be election issue

Conservatives will make "English votes for English laws" an election issue if Labour refuses to sign up to changes which would bar Scottish MPs from voting on issues which affect only constituencies south of the border, David Cameron has said.

The Prime Minister infuriated Labour with an early-morning announcement following last week's rejection of independence in the Scottish referendum that moves to devolve new powers to Scotland must be accompanied by reforms at Westminster to resolve the so-called "West Lothian question".

Labour - which is calling for the swift implementation of promises to Scotland agreed by all three major party leaders in a pre-referendum pledge, followed by a constitutional convention to discuss wider issues - has accused the Prime Minister of "playing fast and loose" with the constitution for party political reasons.

PM: We can control Calais migrants

Prime Minister David Cameron has said he is "very confident" of getting control of the situation in Calais, following a surge in concern about illegal migrants using the French port as a staging post for attempts to enter the UK.

His comments came ahead of a threatened blockade of the port of Dover tomorrow by truckers who believe they are being treated as "scapegoats" and penalised unfairly when migrants hide in their vehicles in a desperate bid to cross the English Channel from France.

The Government announced last week it will provide £12 million over three years to help tackle the problem.

Ofgem protest on energy complaints

Ofgem has written to energy companies demanding they take action on poor handling of customer complaints.

The regulator's chief executive has sent letters to the "big six" and smaller and independent suppliers about the "industry-wide failure" to handle complaints to an acceptable standard.

It follows research by Ofgem that found more than half of those who had complained - 57% of domestic customers and 52% of small businesses - were not satisfied with how their supplier handled the problem.

Travis to be sentenced for grope

Former Radio 1 DJ Dave Lee Travis will be sentenced today for groping a female TV personality.

The ex-Top Of The Pops presenter will appear at Southwark Crown Court after being found guilty of indecently assaulting the woman, who was working on the Mrs Merton Show, in 1995.

A Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) spokesman said the offence carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.

Blair given top gay icon accolade

Former Prime Minister Tony Blair has been recognised as one of the top "gay icons" of the past three decades, with figures such as Boy George, Sir Ian McKellen and Barbra Streisand.

He has been given the accolade by Gay Times to mark its 30th anniversary and has been featured as a cover star for an electronic version of the magazine.

Mr Blair's period as PM saw the lowering of the homosexual age of consent, bringing it into line with that for straight couples, as well as the introduction of civil partnerships.

Stall in growth of property values

House price growth has stalled for the first time in more than a year and a half as the surge of demand from would-be buyers tails off, property analyst Hometrack has reported.

The zero percentage change recorded month on month across England and Wales in September marks the first time property values have seen no monthly increase since January 2013.

Hometrack said this is a sign that the market has now come to the end of the "strong" cycle seen over the last 18 months, as a wave of pent-up demand was unleashed by the recovering economy and a widened availability of mortgage deals, particularly following the launch of the Help to Buy low-deposit scheme last spring.

Minimum wage rise can create jobs

Increasing the national minimum wage by £1.50 an hour would add £2.1 billion to the public finances and create at least 30,000 new jobs, according to a new report.

A study commissioned by the Unite union found that 4.6 million workers would benefit from the uplift in wages, giving them an extra £1,400 a year on average.

The report, which formed the central plank of Unite's submission to the Low Pay Commission, said that a £1.50 an hour increase in the minimum wage was affordable now and would bring a much-needed stimulus to the economy

Africa Ebola cases may hit 1.4 mn: CDC

A prominent American health organization has issued a report predicting that up to 1.4 million people could be infected by the Ebola virus by next January if preventive measures do not prove effective soon.

In its weekly Morbidity and Mortality reports released Tuesday, the US-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC) stated that, under the worst-case scenario, if “interventions don’t start working soon, as many as 1.4 million people could be infected by January 20.”

The development came shortly after another report on the worsening epidemic in Africa by the World Health Organization (WHO), which estimated in an article in The New England Journal of Medicine that Ebola cases in the worst-hit African countries will extend to more than 20,000 by early November. The agency, however, did not extend predictions beyond that month.

Commenting on the CDC’s drastic prediction, the WHO’s Director of Strategy Christopher Dye explained, “These kinds of projections are not to say that this is what is going to happen.”

He added, “These projections say, ‘If there aren’t further measures put in place, these are the kinds of case numbers we’d expect to see.’”

The CDC developed a new modeling tool called EbolaResponse to estimate the likely number of future infections.

The report was based on data from August but did not take into account the ongoing international Ebola relief efforts.

In their worst-case scenario, the CDC researchers presumed that the Ebola cases are extensively underreported by a factor of 2.5 in Sierra Leone and Liberia, two of the three hardest-hit countries in West Africa.

Meanwhile, as of September 19, the number of cases tied to the disease in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone has reached 5, 843. Some 2,800 people have also died of the disease.

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