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, Monday 2nd February 2015.

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.

Skills gap must be closed before it becomes a full-blown crisis - CBI chief

Tackling the skills agenda remains a top priority for Teesside’s army of manufacturers.

That’s the view of CBI chief Dianne Sharp, who says that while the sector is one of the North-east’s greatest strengths, it needs an injection of top talent to remain competitive.

Ms Sharp says the creation of vocational A-Levels, the retraining of existing apprentices and a buddy system in companies, where older workers pass on their knowledge to new trainees, can go some way to closing the skills gap before it becomes a full-blown crisis.

Teesside is home to several successful manufacturers, including car parts maker Nifco, steel giant SSI UK and automotive specialist ElringKlinger. But many businesses in the sector have raised the issue of skills and the need to bring fresh blood into the industry.

Ms Sharp, who spent more than 20 years in manufacturing and senior management positions before becoming CBI North-east director last year, said: “The skills shortage is prevalent in manufacturing, construction and engineering. That’s a key issue for our members.

“It’s not just about relying on schools and universities to produce the next generation of talent; businesses have to take some responsibility too. I’ve worked in manufacturing for the best part of 25 years and we’re still talking about a skills shortage.”

She said businesses and policymakers could address the situation by “putting vocational training on an even footing” with traditional academic qualifications such as A-Levels and degrees.

“There’s still the perception that academic qualifications have a higher weighting than vocational training. That’s unfair because apprenticeships, for example, can add real value to businesses.

“We’ve seen that in lots of companies in this region. Increasingly companies are valuing apprenticeships but we still need more employers to offer that type of training.”

There has been a 45% rise in the number of apprenticeships in the region, according to new data from the National Apprenticeship Service - with the largest increases seen in Redcar & Cleveland and Darlington. But other Government statistics show that across the country, the number of people starting apprenticeships in the 2013-14 academic year was 70,000 lower than in the previous year.

Several businesses have expressed concern over the national figures. Ian Malcolm, managing director of Redcar-based ElringKlinger, described the statistics as “worrying” and said the manufacturing sector was a “ticking time bomb” due to the lack of skills at its disposal.

The Government has begun to tackle the issue by launching a £30m fund to support the next generation of vehicle makers. Mr Malcolm said the bulk of the money should be invested in apprenticeships.

Georgina's vision for management training wins backing of top UK industry body

A Teesside mum has launched her own professional development company - and now it’s won the backing of a top UK industry body.

Georgina Selmi, from Great Broughton near Stokesley, has spent the last 12 months developing Bespoke Professional Development and Training (BePro), which is based at the Wilton Centre in Redcar.

She spotted a gap in the market for flexible training for busy professionals; now she’s celebrating an accreditation by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) for her fledgling company.

BePro offers tailored training packages delivered in-house, on organisations’ own premises, at local training centres across Teesside and North Yorkshire and via distance learning.

CMI is the only chartered professional body in the UK dedicated to promoting and developing the highest standards in management and leadership and is used daily by over 100,000 managers.

Organisations like BePro have to go through a strict accreditation process to offer their training services.

Georgina and her team of tutors have a combined experience of more than 30 years in management and HR as well as teaching and assessing for universities, HE colleges and local authorities. All of the team are educated to Masters level in management disciplines and have many years professional experience.

Speaking about the launch of BePro, Georgina said: “I’ve wanted to set up my own business offering professional qualifications for some time as there’s a gap in the market across Teesside and North Yorkshire to offer CMI accredited courses delivered in-house or at local training centres at convenient times.

“Having worked in management and HR for decades, we understand the needs of businesses and individuals who can’t afford to spend time during the working day on learning but who really want to progress their personal development.

“Our courses, which are tailored to suit individual needs and can be completed in a matter of weeks, enhance workplace opportunities and help people gain the competitive advantage within their business sector so that they can achieve their professional and economic goals.

“We offer a variety of learning options, such as workshops with more self-study or completion of all units and assignments in several weeks of intensive tutor-led study- it’s entirely up to the organisation or individual.

“We’ve already got a number of distance learners taking part in a variety of courses but we are now looking forward to launching the business in our local area as it’s the ideal time for people to think about their future.”

The first courses will take place at the Terry Dicken Business Centre at Roseberry Court in Stokesley this month and will include CMI level 3 certificate in first line management and CMI level 5 in management and leadership.

BePro’s range of courses includes team leading, first line management and senior management and can be delivered at all certification levels. All of the CMI-accredited courses are aimed at businesses or individuals who want to develop current or potential managers or those that have a specific requirement such as time management, performance related development, team leading or team building.

#OnThisBoroDay 2004: Boro complete the signing of Brazilian World Cup winner Ricardinho

His arrival wasn’t greeted by a samba party, a carnival welcome or dozens of waving Brazilian flags but Boro had signed another World Cup winner.

Ricardinho arrived on Teesside recommended by Juninho, as Doriva had been the year earlier.

He’d been capped 11 times by his country, boasted European experience thanks to a short stint at Marseille and he’d been on the bench for the 2002 World Cup final. It appeared Boro had themselves a good deal and a cracking player.

And Steve Gibson hadn’t had to break the bank. The midfielder, who had an Italian passport so didn’t require a work permit, had bought out his own contract at his home club Sao Paulo the month earlier so he’d been a free agent.

It all seemed too good to be true.

“Ricardinho is another who comes recommended by Juninho,” said Steve McClaren after beating the transfer deadline to wrap up his signing on his day in 2004.

“I’ve seen him and he’s got pedigree.

“It’s a bit like the Doriva deal last year, I hope he’s as successful.”

The Ricardinho deal was a rare moment of joy for McClaren in what was an otherwise frustrating transfer window.

He’d hoped to sign Danny Mills on a permanent basis but failed, yet the right-back would stay on loan until the end of the season.

And Mark Viduka was the priority target as McClaren looked for attacking reinforcements. Again, Boro had failed in their bid due to a number of barriers.

No such frustration in completing the Ricardinho deal, although the newcomer was more than aware he wouldn’t be slotting straight into the Boro team.

“I need five or six days training but I hope I will be available for Saturday,” he told the Gazette.

“The manager has told me I will get my chance but I have to work for it.”

He never did get his chance. Reserve team football helped Ricardinho to get up to pace but the World Cup winner never did enough to force his way into the first team.

Looking back, it’s a good job his arrival hadn’t been greeted by a Brazilian-themed party at the Riverside.

Israel detained 350 Palestinians in January: NGO

The Israeli army has detained 350 Palestinians from the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem over the course of January 2015, a Palestinian NGO said on Sunday.

The West Bank city of Hebron saw the detention of 120 Palestinians last month, the largest number of detainees during January, the Palestinian Prisoners Society said in a statement.

The Israeli army also arrested 60 Palestinians from East Jerusalem, 42 from Ramallah and al-Bireh, 38 from Jenin, 35 from Nablus, 19 from Qalqilya and 19 from Bethlehem, the NGO said.

Eight Palestinians from the northern province of Tulkarm were also held by the Israeli army, along with six from the province of Tubas, and three from Tulkarm.

Among the detainees were two girls in their 20s, bringing the number of Palestinian females in Israeli prisons to 24, it noted.

In December 2014, Israel detained 383 Palestinians, according to the NGO which advocates for Palestinians in Israeli custody.

Israeli authorities could not be reached for an immediate comment.

Israeli navy opens fire at Gaza fishing boat

GAZA CITY (Ma’an) — Israeli naval forces on Saturday morning opened fire at Palestinians fishing off the coast of Gaza, in yet the latest attack on residents of the beleaguered coastal enclave.

Fishermen told Ma’an that Israeli gunboats stationed off the coast of the al-Sudaniyya area of northwestern Gaza City opened fire at them.

They said that Israeli navy fired warning shots at one fishing boat “despite the fact that it was sailing within the six nautical miles in which Gaza fishermen are allowed to sail.”

No injuries were reported as a result of the incident.

An Israeli military spokeswoman told Ma’an she was unfamiliar with the incident.

The Aug. 26 ceasefire agreement reached after the end of Israel’s assault on Gaza stipulated that Israel would expand the fishing zone off Gaza’s coast, allowing fishermen to sail as far as six nautical miles from shore, and would continue to expand the area gradually.

Since then, there have been widespread reports that Israeli forces have opened fire at fishermen within those new limits.

Prior to the recent agreement, Israeli forces maintained a limit of three nautical miles on all Gaza fishermen, opening fire at fishermen who strayed further, despite earlier agreements which had settled on a 20-mile limit.

The restrictions crippled Gaza’s fishing industry and impoverished local fishermen.

There are 4,000 fishermen in Gaza. According to a 2011 report by the International Committee of the Red Cross, 90 percent are poor, an increase of 40 percent from 2008 and a direct result of Israeli limits on the fishing industry.

Surfer stands in on photoshoot for gay lifestyle magazine - as girlfriend looks on

VIEW GALLERY

Borrowing a tenner? Catching a lift perhaps?

There are lots of favours you might do for a friend.

But what about stepping in at the last moment for a wedding photoshoot on Saltburn beach - to appear in a national magazine?

James Hopper, 41, didn’t so much as hesitate when he was asked by photographer friend Jemima Stubbs, 29, to pose in a wedding shoot which has been for selected for use by Attitude magazine, the UK gay men’s lifestyle magazine.

Keen surfer James, a support worker for autistic children who lives in Nunthorpe with daughter Lauren, 15, said: “The girl I’m seeing was on the beach there and it was just really good fun and we had a really good laugh.

“By the last few pictures we were getting snuggled right it and it was more comfortable.

“Lots of people thought we’d been married and so there were lots of people on the pier saying ‘ahhh’

“I just put my wetsuit on after and went surfing.”

Jemima was thankful for James’ favour.

The photographer who lives in Fremington, Richmond, said: “I had asked two genuinely gay friends to model but one of the guys notified me the night before that he would be unable to make the shoot.

“I was at a post-surf bonfire and barbecue party with James and his girlfriend that night and he offered to stand in for me the next day!

“Such a fun shoot with a big positive reaction and great help from the locals.”

She added: “I love Saltburn and I’m very grateful to James for being a great friend and totally comfortable with himself and not afraid of a challenge!”

• The edition of Attitude goes on sale in print in WHsmith on March 27.

Redcar and Cleveland Council leader George Dunning deselected by Labour Party

The leader of Redcar and Cleveland Council George Dunning has today been deselected by the Labour Party.

Cllr Dunning's deputy, Sheelagh Clarke, has also been deselected along with Mark Hannon and Vic Jeffries.

Cllr Hannon is currently cabinet member for economic development, while Cllr Jeffries is a former mayor.

The four have served the party for a total of almost 60 years but will now not stand as candidates for Labour at May's elections.

Cllr Dunning said: “Sheelagh and I are extremely disappointed and have represented the people between us for 35 years.

“It’s been a pleasure to represent the people of Teesville.

“Being unsuccessful has been a big shock to Sheelagh and I.”

Cllr Hannon said it was a "sad day for the Labour Party".

“I’m pretty devastated, I didn’t expect it."

He added that his commitment to the Labour Party included using up all but one week of his holidays on meetings and work for the party.

Cllr Jeffries said: “In all honesty I knew it was coming.

“Last year when I was the mayor I was in a position of having the casting vote on a local draft plan in Marske and since making that decision in which I adhered to the Labour position I’ve had nothing but hostile reaction from my Marske branch.

“I’ve always been open and honest. I believe in fairness and transparency.”

In a statement, Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland MP Tom Blenkinsop and Anna Turley, Labour's parliamentary candidate for Redcar, thanked Cllr Dunning and Cllr Clarke for their service but said it was "time for change".

"Leader George Dunning and deputy leader Sheelagh Clarke have served Redcar and Cleveland with great commitment and have a lot to be proud of," the statement said.

"However, local Labour Party members have today voted to replace them with other candidates for the ward of Teesville. We have a wealth of talent in the Labour Party and the bar has been set very high this year.

"The people of Redcar and Cleveland deserve the very best representation that the Labour party has to offer in the local community and members have chosen some fantastic local candidates. It is time for change. We are building a fresh, exciting and committed new team."

The statement was released in the names of Mr Blenkinsop, Ms Turley and John McCormick, chair of Redcar and Cleveland Local Campaign Forum, Neil Bendelow, chair of the Redcar Constituency Labour Party and Bill Suthers, chair of Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland Labour Party.

Today's deselections are the latest stage in a controversial few months for the Labour Party in Redcar and Cleveland and follow those of cabinet members Steve Goldswain and Norman Pickthall.

The chair of Cleveland Fire Authority, Cllr Brian Briggs was also deselected and said his father would be "turning in his grave" at the situation.

And Cllr Olywn Peters has said that "bullying" within party caused her to have a breakdown.

The upheaval in the Redcar and Cleveland Labour group follows a similar process in the Middlesbrough party last year.

Five councillors were deselected following interviews, and although Cllr Derek Loughborough won an appeal against the decision, he quit the party along with Cllrs Len Junier, Pervaz Khan, Sajaad Khan and John McPartland.

'There was hell on. It was “old football”. Mob-handed posturing and outbreaks of aggro'

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Househunters give thumbs up to plans to sell Middlesbrough homes for just £1

Househunters have given the thumbs up to plans by a mayoral candidate to sell homes in Middlesbrough for just £1.

Andy Preston says the Homes for a Pound scheme will help rejuvenate the town centre.

But the catch is the purchaser must be a first time buyer, commit to living in the house for a number of years and be willing to completely renovate the currently derelict property.

The initiative has been piloted in Liverpool and Stoke on Trent, and Mr Preston said his plan would fast-track improvements in the centre of Middlesbrough “and in particular improve the shocking state of Gresham”.

Joe Carey, a 24-year-old trainee financial advisor from Linthorpe, said the scheme could help people like himself get on the property ladder.

He recently moved in with girlfriend Kate, having previously lived at home with his father, because the idea of buying a house “just wasn’t realistic”.

“The deposits you need for a new home are massive, so getting on the property ladder has been beyond me,” he said.

“It would be great to see a scheme like this up and running, helping people get on the property ladder. This is a fantastic idea because many of the streets in Gresham have cracking little houses.”

Sophie Rowney, 26, is a freelance TV and film location assistant who also assists her parents’ Middlesbrough business and said the £1 house idea “would give so many people - especially young people - a chance to own their own home, so I’d be very interested”.

Sophie, who currently rents a Linthorpe property, said: “It would be absolutely impossible for me and all my friends to get on the property ladder. It feels futile to even try. It’s just not an option.

“The houses in Ruby Street and other parts of Gresham are boarded up now but they look soundly built and are architecturally beautiful. I think it could be a cool place to live.”

Middlesbrough-born businessman and charity leader Mr Preston, who is an independent mayoral candidate, said: “Towns across the world have used different ways to make this work. We would be pragmatic and use what suits us.

“If a credit-worthy young couple don’t have the capital to renovate a house then we may find a way for the council to renovate the property and recoup the money over a small number of years.

“Another way to make a success of this is for a young couple or single person with the right skills to take on the project themselves.

“They would be given up to two years to completely refurbish the house, at which point it would become theirs for £1.

“If the house isn’t refurbished to the agreed standard then it would remain the property of the council.”

Watch: Elsa lookalike uses sign language so deaf children can join in Frozen fun

An Elsa lookalike is hoping to bring Frozen joy to even more children - by signing her way through appearances.

And caring mum-of-two Claire Form is doing it free of charge - saying “it’s nice to be nice”.

The mum from Stockton started her ‘Elsa-licious’ business over Christmas - impersonating the ice queen from the Disney blockbuster.

The 31-year-old has been hired to appear as Elsa at hundreds of children’s birthday parties across Teesside.

And she's now branched out with her new signing service to include hospitals, special needs groups and children’s hospice visits, all for no charge.

Claire Form as Elsa at Sienna Reed's 7th birthday party in Eston.

Claire, from Bishopsgarth, in Stockton, said: “I used to be a holiday rep years ago in Magaluf, so entertaining is something that I’ve done for years - and I’ve been doing children’s parties for around 18 months.

“I started doing Elsa at Christmas - with my boyfriend appearing as Santa!”

It was boyfriend Paul Dolan, 35, a plasterer, who had the idea for Claire - who works as a shipping advisor - to make use of her sign language skills in her Elsa impersonations.

“I put a video on Facebook and it quickly gained more than 70,000 views,” said Claire.

She has so far visited the Stockton's University Hospital of North Tees, Middlesbrough baby hospice Zoe’s Place and is set to visit Hartlepool Special Needs Support Group.

Claire, who is mum to Maisie, six, and Charlie, five, said: “I started it years ago as a full time mum when I had two small children.

“I was looking after them all of the time and I thought it was a good skill to have.

“And now it’s come in handy - why should any child have to miss out?”

Group of pals from Middlesbrough pub raise almost £45,000 for Teesside Hospice

A group of pals from a Middlesbrough pub who have raised almost £45,000 in five years for Teesside Hospice have handed over their latest cheque.

Every year Colin Callaby and friends from the Southern Cross pub, on Dixons Bank, Marton, hosts a successful night featuring local talent and good music; bringing together the local community for a common cause.

He began supporting Teesside Hospice in 2009 after close friend Bill O’Brien’s wife Pat passed away in the hospice following a battle with cancer.

Car dealer Colin, 59, said, “After several years of just being a party for friends I realised the potential to raise money.

“Teesside Hospice had been active in the care of the wife of my good friend Bill O’Brien and together we decided it was a worthy recipient.”

Colin began his fundraising nights at the Southern Cross, and in 2009 started fundraising for the hospice - raising £2,475.

Roy ‘Chubby’ Brown has performed in the past, and when crowds began to grow, the event moved to Marton Country Club.

The most recent night in December 2014 featured Teesside stars Patrick Monahan and singing duo Journey South, as well as 60s singing group The Delmonts and raised £14,105.

Talking about his fundraising, Colin said, “It would have been impossible without the background work and tireless efforts of Bill and many other people in our group. We are so happy to have raised as much as we have and would like to thank everyone for their continued support.

“The last evening was great. I am in the car trade, and a few years ago I did up a Reliant Robin three wheeler like Del Boy’s on Only Fools and Horses.

“I sold it to a mate, and this year we brought it in on stage - I do a bit of stand up, and I played Del Boy and an actor friend played Rodney. The crowd loved it.”

The money raised helps Teesside Hospice provide care to local people suffering from advanced cancer and other life limiting illnesses.

Leanne Irvine, community fundraiser at Teesside Hospice said: “We are delighted with how much Colin and his close circle of friends have raised through their annual event. A great big thank you to Colin and everyone involved.”

Eaglescliffe cancer survivor chosen by Gordon Ramsay to compete in triathlon

A breast cancer survivor has been chosen by Gordon Ramsay to join his exclusive fundraising club and compete in an Ironman triathlon.

Angelique Falcus has fought cancer twice since first being diagnosed in 2005.

Next month, the will have been cancer clear for 10 years and wanted to do something big to celebrate, which also involved raising money for cancer research.

The 47-year-old, from Eaglescliffe, will take part in an Ironman event alongside the famous chef and 99 others selected by him to join his GR100 club.

As part of the team, the support worker will gain a place in the race, get free branded kit - including a Huub wetsuit - have training days with experts and meetings with triathlon legends.

The challenge - which involves open water swimming, cycling and running - takes place in Staffordshire on June 14, 2015 and has been described as “one of the flattest, fastest triathlons on the sporting calendar for 2015.”

Angelique said: “I was ecstatic when I got the phone call.

“They said that I was given a place because of what I had gone through.

“I went down to London at the weekend and met everyone and was given a training programme which is a great support.

“I also got to meet Gordon and he was lovely.

“His wife and children were there and he seemed completely devoted to them and his foundation.

“Gordon asked me if I had done anything like this before and I said no and that I was nervous about the swim.

“He said that he was the same but that he was just going to have fun and wanted me to do the same.”

Although this is the first Ironman style event Angelique has take part in, she is not afraid to push herself to the limit.

When she was five years clear of cancer, she climber Mount Kilimanjaro but thinks the triathlon will be even tougher.

Angelique - who works at St Patricks Catholic College in Thornaby - said: “This is going to be more intense because it’s one thing straight after the other.

“In total I will do over half a mile open water swim, a 60 mile cycle and a half marathon.

“I will be training down at Total Fitness in Thornaby and it will be a case of building up my stamina.

“The gym has said they will sponsor me which is great and my school is going to support me by doing fundraisers.”

Middlesbrough nightmare neighbour spared jail after hitting teen with butter knife

A woman who made her neighbours’ lives a nightmare has been spared prison to be supervised at home.

The judge was told that 45-year-old Linda Sharp from Middlesbrough had a mental disorder which would deteriorate if she was sent to jail.

Prosecutor Sue Jacobs told Teesside Crown Court that one family moved away because of Sharp’s abusive screaming.

Sharp attacked a neighbour’s car when the family arrived home on June 25 and then she banged loudly on their front door until she was told to go away.

She returned 90 minutes later and she began pulling at another neighbour’s fence and “screaming like a lunatic”.

Mrs Jacobs said that the woman saw Sharp walk past her window and some time later she walked back up the road holding a butter knife in her hand.

She began shouting and screaming at a man who was standing at his garden gate. She threw the knife at him but he ducked and it hit a 13-year-old girl on the knee.

The police were called and they arrested Sharp, who had been in court in 2006 and 2010 for assaults on police.

Gary Ward, defending, said that a psychiatric report said that she was suffering from a form of mental disorder which would deteriorate if she was sent to prison. She was anxious to engage fully with the mental health services.

The judge said that Sharp also had a problem with drink, but it was her first court appearance for anything of this nature.

The judge Recorder Felicity Davies told Sharp: “The court is concerned for public safety and protection.

“In my judgment, having read the psychiatric and pre-sentence reports, the public would be best served by the court sentencing you to a community order so that you have both supervision and assistance from the probation service to monitor your care and treatment in association with your GP and to deal with your alcohol consumption which may well be behind your behaviour.”

The judge added: “You must avoid causing trouble to your neighbours, and if you do that it may assist you and your neighbours.”

Sharp, of Kestrel Avenue, Middlesbrough, was given an 18 months community order with supervision after she pleaded guilty to having an article with a blade in a public place and also to common assault.

We Will Rock You star drops into Saltburn school to hold drama workshop

Teenagers had a rocking time at school when a West End star dropped in for a special workshop.

Actor Oliver Tompsett - who starred in We Will Rock You - held a special workshop for drama students at Saltburn’s Huntcliff School yesterday.

The school on Marske Mill Lane is performing the musical for its summer show.

Finn Tosh-Wilson, 15, from Saltburn, is a Year 10 pupil and plays the starring role of Galileo - the same role Oliver played on stage.

Having a professional actor along to a rehearsal was “absolutely fantastic”.

“He is really likeable and has got a way with people,” said Finn. “He makes it a lot of fun.”

Drama teacher Alex Peacock said: “It’s amazing having Oliver here.

“He is so professional but he has brought so much life to it.

“We haven’t done anything like this before.”

Oliver said he loves working with young people and believes “performing arts is just as important as sport” for engaging teenagers and keeping fit.

“When I finished We Will Rock You, I wanted to get into directing,” said Oliver, who now lives in Surrey with his wife Michelle - who he met on Mamma Mia the musical - and their 18-month-old son, George.

He has toured the country and Europe taking performing art workshops for teenagers.

“It’s quite heart-warming to see these kids can get up in front of each other and be silly and not be bullied for it,” he said.

“I do a lot of children’s workshops around my acting work.

“It’s great when you see that passion. This is not a job for the fame-hungry, you have to want to be an actor, you have to have the passion.

“The only reason I’ve been able to make a career out of it is because I have got a passion for it which makes you work hard.”

Young seal found huddled in sheltered seating area on Redcar's promenade

Redcar lifeboat crew members carried out a surprise rescue this morning during routine training.

A young grey seal was found huddled on pavement in one of the sheltered seating areas on the town’s promenade, near to the lifeboat station at around 10.30am.

Lifeboat Operations Manager at Redcar RNLI, Dave Cocks, said: “The seal was fit and well. We believe it had just come out of the water due to the sea conditions.”

To avoid the seal becoming distressed by sightseers, two RNLI crew members wrapped the seal pup in a blanket before taking it into the lifeboat station.

It was then placed in a quiet corner of the station until Chris Thompson, of the British Divers Marine Life Rescue, arrived from Yarm to return it to its home environment.

The seal was put in a cage and then taken to be released back into the River Tees close to the seal colony at Seal Sands near Billingham.

Boro fans queue for hours to get their hands on must-have FA Cup Arsenal tickets

Hundreds of dedicated Boro fans today took to the Riverside for first chance of tickets for the FA Cup match against Arsenal.

Around 800 supporters were allowed to queue inside the stadium to get their hands on the 5,186 tickets that have been allocated for the game which will be played at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, February 15.

With some hopefuls braving the cold and giving up home comforts for the night, the tickets were in high demand when they went on sale today at 9.45am.

Andrew Baxton, 33, from Eston waited at the stadium with three friends for 14 hours to be the first to get his hands on tickets from himself, his aunt and his four year old daughter, Angel.

He said: “We were the first in the queue. We were all sat watching Match of The Day on the iPad. It was about two o’clock this morning when everyone started coming.

“I missed out on tickets for the Manchester City match and I only ended up getting them by chance.

“I wasn’t going to miss out this time.

“They are fantastic and doing really well. I think Karanka is doing a great job. He has been a great appointment. I have total faith in him. I can see us going a long way.”

VIEW GALLERY

When asked about the upcoming match against Arsenal, Andrew said: “We will win 2-1.”

Paul Collins, 29, Mark McKenna, 41 and David Fisher, 54 were also at the front of the queue with Andrew.

Paul, from Longlands said: “We have been camping out since eight o’clock last night.

“They are quality. I can’t wait to go to Arsenal.”

Mark, from North Ormesby said: “So far it’s going alright. We should be Premiership this season.”

Having queued for so long, David, from Eston explained: “Football is to men what handbags and shoes are to women.”

However, they weren’t the only ones determined to get tickets.

Alan Patton, 65, who is originally from Stockton but now lives in Carlisle, said: “I came straight here from the Brentford game. I have been here since around 7.45pm last night.

“They are playing excellent.”

Luke Elliot, 22, from Hemlington was also pleased to get tickets.

Luke said: “I have been here since about midnight. A few people had a tent so we sat in that.

“Boro have been really good. Manchester City was a real surprise. We can definitley do it again but I think it will be a tough game. I can’t predict the result.”

Stephen Dakin, 26, from Eston was last in line for the tickets. However, he remained hopeful.

He said: “I have just come but I hope I will get a ticket. If I don’t I will be gutted.

“I think we will win them 2-1.

“We have done well. It is the best season we have had for a long time. I think it is our year.”

Would you tackle the Yorkshire pudding PARMO?!

We’ve had the parmo dog.

We’ve had the parmo burger.

We’ve even had the Christmas dinner parmo.

And now - on British Yorkshire Pudding day - we are getting the story behind the rather unusual-sounding Toad in the Hole Parmo.

Mighty Bites owner Mehtab Sabir, 34, says Teessiders have given a thumbs up to his culinary creation, which we first profiled in our ‘alternative parmo list’.

The adventurous Teessiders who have given the dish a go mean that it has now won a permanent place on the menu at the Middlesbrough takeaway, says Mehtab.

Hotshot Toad in the Hole Parmo

The dad-of-four, from Thornaby, said: “I launched the Sunday dinner parmo a while back and I used to serve that with small Yorkshire puddings - and using mash instead of bechamel sauce.

“But although that dish wasn’t working, it gave me an idea for my next experiment - to put a parmo inside a Yorkshire pudding. And it tasted alright!

“I sell around three to four a day which is not bad considering it’s not been marketed.”

There are several varieties of the dish including original, alfungi, bolognese, hotshot and meatfeast. You can also ‘create your own’

It is £5.99 and includes salad and chips.

“We sell more in the shop than on delivery,” says Mehtab.

Mighty Bite, Wilson Street, Middlesbrough

“It is the people who come to us after a night out that tend to get it - perhaps when they’re feeling experimental.

“But it’s hard to get feedback on it at that time!”

Mighty Bites is open every day - from late afternoon until the early hours.

He added: “It’s served with chips and salad - there’s got to be a bit of health on there.

“It’s really, really filling. That’s its only downfall.”

You can contact Mighty Bites, which is on Wilson Street, on 01642 253123.

:: You can read more about Teesside's mighty parmo here .

Thornaby drug dealer who's mum stole tablets for him from chemist's avoids jail

A young drug dealer who quit after battling his own addiction was given a chance by a judge yesterday.

Rory Knox’s home in Thornaby they found crack cocaine and Skunk cannabis and two mobile phones with text messages from addicts.

The 20-year-old kept wraps of cocaine in plastic eggs and he had more cannabis in his bedroom and £290 in cash.

Prosecutor Sue Jacobs told Teesside Crown Court that on the day of the raid, February 25, Knox was on bail for a separate offence for possession of Class B drugs with intent to supply them.

Knox was handed a suspended sentence last April for that offence after mobile phones showed that he had been dealing in Diazepam and Temazepam tablets which his mother Linda Knox was stealing from a chemist’s where she worked.

A probation officer said Knox had turned his life around.

Lewis Kerr, defending, said that with the support of the Probation Service and his family Knox had put drugs behind him.

He quit taking drugs by his own will power, and Mr Kerr added: “He is at a stage in his life when he needs to be making serious decisions about where his life is going.”

The judge told Knox that when she first read the case papers she had no doubt that she would be sending him to prison for years.

The judge added: “On one view that is where you ought to be going.

“It seems that the court should give significant weight to the fact that the work that the Probation Service has been doing with you has succeeded in getting you off drugs.

“I also take note of the fact that you are still only 20 years of age. I am in effect giving you a very significant chance, with a warning that this is over your head for the next two years.”

Knox, of Staindale Road, Thornaby, was given a two years jail sentence suspended for two years with 18 months supervision, 240 hours unpaid work and £100 Victim Surcharge after he pleaded guilty to possession of Class A and B drugs with intent to supply them, and breach of a suspended sentence.

Last April, Linda Knox, of Staindale Road, was given a 22-week jail sentence, suspended for 18 months with 12 months supervision, after she pleaded guilty to two charges of theft and supplying controlled Class C drugs.

Pre-schoolers on Cloud 9 at launch of new childcare centre in South Bank

Toddlers were on Cloud 9 at the launch of a new childcare service in South Bank.

The Cloud 9 Community Centre - formerly the Generation Centre - on Normanby Road opened its doors for a special family day on Saturday.

The centre will be providing early education for up to 40 children aged 0-5 along with a cafe, Reloved charity shop and training facilities.

Joanna Cummins, manager of the centre, said: “We have done a lot of work since Coatham House bought the property last September.

“We have divided it up into the main preschool room, a baby room with easy-access beds for self-learning, new children’s toilets, as well as the cafe and charity shop.

“We are ready to take registrations now and will be officially opening on February 23.”

Becky Elliott, 29, from Grangetown, brought her 14-month old son, Sonny Jennings-Elliott, to have a look around the new facilities.

“I’ve come down to enquire about jobs as I’m hoping to go back to work soon and for a placement for Sonny,” said Becky, who also has a seven-year-old son, Jacob.

“We go to different groups every day but he spends all his time with me so I’d like to get him used to being with other kids.”

Liz Rudd, 30, from Wilton, came for a “look around” the centre with her 19-month-old son, Seth McKenzie.

“I think the facilities are lovely,” she said.

Joanna Webb, who is due to start work as a nursery nurse at the new centre when it opens later this month, came along to the launch event with her six-year-old son George.

“It’s an amazing opportunity for me,” said Joanna, from Nunthorpe, who also has 10-year-old Thomas and 13-year-old Jack.

“I think it looks great here.”

To find out more about the centre, ring 01642 455899.

Rugby round-up: Redcar rise from the ashes to record convincing home victory

Promotion hopefuls Redcar put their past disappointments behind them as they thrashed Ashington 50-5 at Mackinlay Park.

The Seasiders were docked five points by the RFU earlier this week after selecting an unregistered player during their league match with Winlaton Vulcans last month.

The deduction came only days after a fire ripped through the rugby club, badly damaging the team’s changing room area.

Firefighters spent more than three hours tackling the blaze, which was caused after an electric mains cupboard caught fire.

However, on the pitch there was plenty to be pleased about for Richie Young’s side as they put Ashington to the sword in an eye-catching display.

Tries from Ben Durrans, Rob Bryce (2), Phil Dyball (2), Brad Stobell and Craig Newlansd (2) secured the comfortable victory, with young fly-half Jake Duddles also adding five conversions.

The win means Redcar move back to second in Durham and North Two, after Acklam’s match at struggling South Tyneside College fell victim to the weather.

That wasn’t the only match to be postponed, with Billingham’s eagerly-anticipated clash with Westoe in National Three North also cancelled due to a waterlogged pitch.

There was action at Acklam Park - but it was an afternoon to forget for Middlesbrough as their season threatens to peter out.

Ian Heslehurst’s side welcomed basement boys North Ribblesdale - but it was the division’s bottom club that came out on top, winning 17-13.

The result was North Ribblesdale’s first victory on the road this season, and means fifth-placed Boro have won only one of their last five matches in Yorkshire One.

Despite their early season promise, Boro are now 27 points adrift of second-placed Malton and Norton with their promotion chase all but over.

Guisborough secure victory over Teesside rivals Stockton to go top

Guisborough took control of their promotion destiny after victory at Stockton sent them top of Durham and North One for the first time this season.

Trevor Edwards’ side endured a slow start to the campaign and have been clawing back ground on former leaders Morpeth ever since.

But a 29-0 win at Station Road - an incredible 14th victory in their last 15 matches - saw Guisborough soar to the division’s summit after Morpeth could only draw at Gosforth.

With eight games remaining, the Priorymen know they are now within touching distance of the league title and achieving their promotion dream.

“The character of this squad really shone through this week,” Guisborough coach Trevor Edwards said after the match.

“We’ve had snow, we’ve had hail, and the lads have trained twice on a frozen pitch.

“After we put on those sessions and saw how the lads were, I could tell they really wanted to come here and prove something - and they did that.

“You don’t work hard and not get any rewards, and that’s what we’ve done. It was a great team performance.

“We knew what to expect at Stockton and they didn’t let us down. It’s a difficult place to come and credit to them, they play a style of rugby that works for them.

“They made us work very hard for the four tries we got, but I’m delighted. It meant a lot to get the bonus point and the lads never stopped believing - we can score from anywhere.

“I thought we were head and shoulders above them with the way we used the ball, without a shadow of a doubt.”

Rugby. Stockton (red) v Guisborough (yellow), Norton Sports Complex, Station Road, Norton.

Guisborough’s win at Station Road ensured they completed a coveted league double over their Teesside rivals, having also won 55-12 at Belmangate in October.

But it wasn’t plain sailing and took Guisborough 23 minutes to threaten the scoreboard, with Christian Pollock’s penalty ending the stalemate.

Against a determined Stockton pack, it was tough work for the visitors and the first half became a war of attrition up front.

On the half hour mark the hosts were reduced to 14 men, and the extra space was utilised when Dave Wardell ran through to score in the corner.

Needing three tries in the second half, Guisborough had it all to do - but kept getting their rewards every time they produced quick ball to their backs.

Will Muir darted through the Stockton defence to score on 50 minutes, before a brawl broke out between both sides.

The referee brandished a yellow card to each team, but it was Guisborough who continued to dictate the pace of the match with Phil Shields scoring in the corner.

Into the last five minutes, the Priorymen still needed one more score - and a wonderful break from Pollock sparked scenes of ecstasy on the away bench.

Next up for Guisborough is a home match with strugglers Sunderland - and Edwards has called on his side to lay down a marker and deliver a message to the rest of the division.

“We’ve got a few broken bodies in the dressing room,” Edwards said.

“But we won’t take our foot off the pedal now. We are top of the league and that’s where we hope to remain.

“We were really pleased to get David Wardell back in the team, and Dan Stephenson is working his way back to fitness. It shows we’ve got some depth in the squad.”

The home defeat means Stockton stay fifth, three points away from their next opponents Hartlepool Rovers.

Israeli soldiers shoot, kill Palestinian youth south of Nablus

NABLUS (Ma’an) — Israeli forces shot and killed a young Palestinian man and injured another near Nablus late Saturday, local sources said.

Locals said Israeli troops opened fire at a group of Palestinian youths after they threw Molotov cocktails at Israeli setter vehicles driving on a bypass road near the village of Burin south of Nablus.

Ahmed Ibrahim Jaber al-Najjar, 19, was killed and another Palestinian was lightly injured.

A large number of Israeli troops rushed to the area following the shootings.

An Israeli army spokeswoman told Ma’an that a group of Palestinians hurled Molotovs at “a civilian road” in the area.

Soldiers responded by shooting live fire at the Palestinians’ “lower extremities,” she said.

The spokeswoman said two hits were confirmed — one Palestinian was hit in the leg and another was hit and injured.

Reports of the second Palestinian’s death “are being reviewed,” she said. “An investigation will be opened into the incident.”

Stockton drug dealer caught with more than £7,000 of amphetamine in own home

A drug warehouser who gave a cannabis joint to a 14-year-old girl in his home has been jailed for more than two years.

John Paul Rogan, 38, was caught with amphetamine worth up to £8,000 at his home after the encounter with the schoolgirl.

“It pays the bills,” he told officers after they found the Class B drugs amphetamine and cannabis in his Stockton flat.

He met a 14-year-old girl in the early hours of the morning, she asked him for a cigarette and he invited her to his home, Teesside Crown Court heard.

He gave her a rolled joint in the home on Haswell Court, St Ann’s Hill, prosecutor Rebecca Brown said.

She said she did not realise it was cannabis until she smoked it and he told her what it was on July 6 last year.

She told how it made her feel “light-headed, dizzy and paranoid”, and she fell asleep on his sofa.

He also offered her drugs kept in his fridge, which she refused, the court was told.

Police searched the flat and found 720g of amphetamine with a street value of between £7,000 to £8,000.

Rogan said he was looking after these drugs - originally a larger quantity - for someone else and got “a little wage” for his trouble.

He confessed that he was growing cannabis after five plants, seeds and fertiliser were found in the home.

Rogan was cleared by a jury of sexual assault but found guilty of supplying cannabis. He denied both charges.

Jurors rejected his account that he only gave the girl a cigarette, after toxicology tests showed chemicals found in cannabis.

He admitted possessing amphetamine with intent to supply, and possessing and producing cannabis. He had no previous drugs convictions.

Robin Denny, defending, said Rogan had been remanded in custody since last July, equivalent to a 15-month jail term.

Before this, he not been in prison since 1997.

Mr Denny said: “He had accommodation and almost everything in it has gone, so he has to start from scratch at the time he is released into the community.

“He will come out from prison with nowhere to go.

“I accept it’s an aggravating feature to give a joint to a 14-year-old.

“He was undoubtedly a part of a scheme of street dealing of Class B drugs.

“No doubt there would be some element of fear involved in continuing to take that role.”

Judge Tony Briggs jailed Rogan for a total of two years and three months.

He said: “You were involved in a serious street network for the onward supply of amphetamine.

“I take the view you took a significant role. You realised you were storing an important quantity.

“You were doing so for your own advantage, whether by getting your drugs for nothing or for monetary advantage.”

He jailed Rogan for 18 months for the amphetamine charge, plus nine months for supplying cannabis to the girl.

He said: “It must be understood by you and other members of the public that supplying controlled drugs, even on this single basis, is something that is a serious criminal offence.”