Dimi Konstantopoulos will do whatever he can to play in Premier League with Boro

Dimi Konstantopoulos will do everything possible to achieve his dream of playing in the Premier League.

Less than three years ago, the Greek goalkeeper was searching for a club after leaving AEK Athens and keeping his reflexes sharp by training with former team Hartlepool.

Tony Mowbray ended up taking him to Boro where he was initially the third choice keeper and an extra pair of hands on the training ground.

But his fortunes took an upturn when Aitor Karanka took charge in November 2013. By the end of last season he was the established No1, a position he reclaimed from Tomas Mejias in September.

He signed a new deal last summer and earlier this year his contract was extended until the end of next season.

The opportunity to play in the Premier League three years after being out of work is a mouthwatering one admits Konstantopoulos, who says he would probably have returned to Hartlepool in the summer of 2013 if the League Two club had made him an offer.

“It would be fantastic,” he said. “There are thousands of players around the world that want to play in the Premier League so to be in this position and being able to try and achieve that is a great thing.

"I will do whatever I can to be able to achieve that.”

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Dimi Konstantopoulos celebrates a Boro goal

Boro are level on points with leaders Bournemouth going into today’s home clash with Ipswich and Konstantopoulos no doubt knows he’ll never have a better chance of playing top flight football in this country.

“It is a great opportunity,” he said. “Throughout my career I have always tried to push myself and better myself and tried to play with the best.

“It hasn’t always worked out that way but if you don’t try you don’t know how good you are.

“Being in this position is a great opportunity for me and all the lads to hopefully next season go up against the best players in the world.

“I am very excited and delighted to be at this club in this position. Hopefully we can carry on doing what we have been doing the whole season and finish where we want to finish at the end of the season.”

Konstantopoulos is certainly grateful that Boro gave him the chance to get his career back on track after his AEK Athens contract lapsed.

Looking back to the summer of 2013, he said: “I spent a couple of months looking for another club.

“I had offers to stay in Greece but I didn’t even want to talk about it because I’d been through a lot of bad situations there.

“I trained for about a week and half with Hartlepool before Middlesbrough came in and if they had actually offered me something I think I would have taken it at that point.

“I was looking for a chance to get back into English football and Boro gave me the chance which I knew I had to grab with both hands.

“It was ideal. My wife is from Hartlepool and given that how many clubs there are around England, getting a contract at Middlesbrough was ideal. I was really delighted and tried my hardest to stay here and it is working.”

Aitor Karanka: 'When I lose I can't stay calm - my players have seen me angry more than once'

Aitor Karanka gets angry when his Boro players put in a poor showing, he has insisted.

The Spaniard public profile is rarely anything other than cool and calm.

Even when he’s on the touchline, he rarely blows a fuse, but behind the dressing room door, he does let off steam from time-to-time.

The most recent occasion was the defeat at Nottingham Forest last weekend, though Karanka won’t reveal what he said following his side’s 2-1 defeat.

“I prefer not to say anything,” he said. “They know I want to win. We all want to win the games.

“When I lose I can’t stay calm. I am here to win. My only concern is to win the games.

“I can understand that if you lose to Arsenal and they are better than you then you say ‘congratulations’.

“When I lose a game when everybody knew what was going to happen, then we lose in that way then I can’t be calm.

“I have been angry before. They have seen me angry more than once. They need to understand. Now we have been together for 16 months and they know my character.”

Karanka’s sole focus today is to engineer a victory over an Ipswich team that beat Boro 2-0 at Portman Road in December.

“That was a bad moment, but since then we have had a couple of worse moments,” he admitted, before praising Town boss Mick McCarthy.

“He is a successful manager, a very experienced, a good manager. I can only learn from managers like him. He has lived in this kind of moment in the past, this is the first time for me.”

Middlesbrough mum Anna Kennedy misses out on the Strictly crown

She might not have won it, but Teesside’s own Strictly star has done us proud.

Last night Anna Kennedy missed out on being crowned the winner of BBC 1’s The People’s Strictly, when it was revealed that former Royal Marine medic Cassidy Little had won the public vote.

Six contestants had taken to the dance floor to perform for the judges and the viewers’ votes on Wednesday night.

Middlesbrough mum and autism champion, Anna Kennedy, had been left jumping up and down in excitement when she scored a perfect 40 on a Comic Relief version of the hit show.

But despite Anna and partnerprofessional British dancer Robin Windsor impressing the four notoriously hard-to-please judges, the decisive public vote saw former Cassidy Little come out on top to win The People’s Strictly for Comic Relief.Anna, who has two sons, Patrick, 25, who has Asperger’s Syndrome and Angelo, 21, with autism, became teary during Wednesday’s show when she told of how much fun she was having - something she admitted she finds hard to do.

Anna was chosen as one of six “inspirational but everyday heroes”, from more than 11,000 nominees, to take part in BBC One’s The People’s Strictly for Comic Relief.

Stockton couple have a Red Nose Day themed Wedding in Billingham

When a Teesside couple realised their wedding fell on Red Nose Day, they decided to mix things up a bit.

Michelle and Matthew Walmsley decided to make the most of it and give their big day a Comic Relief theme.

Wedding guests were directed to their tables with a Red Nose themed table plan and were invited to make a donation in exchange for a red noses and an individual Comic Relief cup cake.

The bride, Michelle, 43, from Stockton, said: “When we realised our wedding day landed on red nose day we thought we’d mix it up a bit.

“It’s nice as well because it means that people still have a chance to make a donation and take part in Comic Relief.

“If we raise £100 we’d be happy but we’re expecting to raise more than that.”

The groom, Matthew, works as a mortgage specialist for Santander.

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The 30-year-old said: “To be honest we didn’t even realise it was Red Nose Day until about a month ago.

“We laughed about it and thought, why not do a bit for charity?”

As well as the responsibility of making the main wedding cake, every single individual Comic Relief cupcake was handmade and decorated by bridesmaid Amy-Leigh Rutherford, 19.

She said: “Michelle rang me up and said, ‘Can you make me 60 cup cakes for my wedding?’

“I’ve had the week off work and I’ve been making them all day, every day. But it’s definitely worth it.

“I think doing this for Comic Relief was a brilliant idea and it suits them anyway - they’re both absolute clowns.”

Making a best man speech at a wedding that falls on Red Nose Day certainly piles on the pressure, but man of the moment Gregg Thomas was handling it well.

Gregg, 29, said: “Hopefully everyone will have had a drink before I start.

“I’m sure I’ll be alright.”

Stunning landscapes and nature: See the camera work of Paul Jameson

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Every day The Gazette features the very best of pictures sent to us from readers around Teesside.

We’ve been so impressed we launched Camera Club, a regular feature in which we profile different photographers, find out a bit more about them and share a selection of their latest shots.

To have your pictures featured visit http://bit.ly/1ITUzYX

Name: Paul Jameson

Where are you from? Stockton-On-Tees

Tell us a little bit about yourself? 41, married. Love photography, mainly of Teesside but also farther afield and nature photography

What do you like taking pictures of? Teesside landscapes and unusual images of familiar sights, nature and landscapes

To be featured in Camera Club click on this link

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Mieka Smiles on Yorkshire hopes for Teesside: 'I see little point in going down on bended knee.'

Eh?!

If there wasn’t already enough confusion about our regional identity, I fear there’s more on the way.

“But, but, but...you can’t just change your address,” I’ve been spluttering to bored-looking colleagues.

“There must be some kind of official man somewhere who decides where you can say you live and where you can’t? Surely!”.

The source of my perplexity comes from Redcar and Cleveland Council’s decision to include ‘Yorkshire Coast’ on some signs and on their official correspondence.

This comes after the majority of Yarm residents said that they’d too quite like to be a part of Yorkshire - even holding a referendum on the issue.

Nunthorpe and Thornaby residents quite fancied doing the same.

Then there are the other factors to add into the confusing regional identity pot.

I have distant memories of including Cleveland on my address, my mother-in-law still does.

Around the mid-90s that kind of became defunct.

And then there was/is the Tees Valley. A buzzword for a bit, less so now.

It’s all just so confusing.

But this is how I see it.

I’m a Middlesbrough girl - and a Teessider.

The Yorkshire thing?

Well, all that was before my time.

I know that we’re in the some kind of ‘ceremonial’ boundary within the county of North Yorkshire. But that holds little weight in my mind.

I don’t actually know how or why we were unceremoniously kicked out/politely asked to leave Yorkshire.

And I don’t know if Teesside was imposed on us or adopted.

But I do think it’s a name we’ve done proud.

I see little point in going down on bended knee, wanting back ‘in’. Or trying to shoehorn ourselves there.

It’s too late.

Even if Yorkshire is part of our heritage we’ve moved on I reckon and as long as I live in Middlesbrough, Teesside is where I will hang my hat.

:: Do you agree? Let us know. Email mieka.smiles@trinitymirror.com

Nightlife in pictures: Party people pictured in Middlesbrough

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Photographers Nicola Thompson, Brian Woodcock and Matthew Skelton provide you with a snapshot of Teesside nightlife.

This week features nights from two Middlesbrough venues.

We have scenes from a night at The Empire alongside two nights from Atik.

Take a look and see if you are one of the many captured on a night out.

Find dozens more nightlife pictures on our About Town page .

Up the Boro: Promotion push provides inspiration for new Mackenzie Thorpe artwork

Boro's promotion push has inspired Mackenzie Thorpe

Middlesbrough artist Mackenzie Thorpe has paid tribute to his home town football club’s promotion push with one of his latest works.

‘Up the Boro’ is one nine new pieces commissioned by Middlesbrough Council to create poster artwork for Middlesbrough station.

The complete ‘Station Posters’ collection will be unveiled later this month.

The artist said: “Middlesbrough never fails to inspire me; I don’t think I will ever stop drawing it.

“Right now it feels like the town is really on the up, there is so much going on, you can really sense the optimism, so when I was asked to display some of my work as posters on Middlesbrough station, rather than use existing images I decided to create some new ones.

“The success of the football club this season has undoubtedly played a major part in the confidence around Middlesbrough and this particular picture acknowledges the part the club plays in the town, the loyalty of the fans and the drive and desire for success.

“I truly hope that we will see The Boro facing Premier League opposition next season and putting the town firmly back on the map in both a footballing and global way.”

Mackenzie Thorpe

Mackenzie was one of seven children, spending his early childhood in a terraced house near Union Street before the family moved to the new Beechwood estate when he was a toddler.

He began his working life as a labourer and at Smiths Dock, before his vocation drew him to tell the story of the people of Middlesbrough through his art work.

Speaking earlier First TransPennine Express station manager Mike Drewery said: “Middlesbrough railway station is used by around 1.4 million passengers every year, so it’s vital to us that they have a good experience and they form a good first impression of the town.

“This is a real coup for the town and we are sure those who live, work in and visit Middlesbrough will get a great deal of enjoyment from the new pictures.”

The Station Posters will be on show at Thirteen Hudson Quay on the weekend of the March 28 and 29, from 11am-4pm, when the general public will be invited to see their home town as drawn by Mackenzie Thorpe. There is no cost to visiting the exhibition.

Graeme Souness: 'It's going to be tight but it's all about keeping your nerve'

Boro legend Graeme Souness believes the teams that win promotion this season will be those that hold their nerve in the campaign climax.

With 10 fixtures remaining, it’s incredibly tight at the top of the Championship the four leading teams all on 66 points ahead of this weekend’s fixtures.

Former Scotland, Liverpool and Boro midfield general Souness knows all about winning promotion from the second tier of English football.

As a player he was a key member of Jack Charlton’s Division Two champions in 1974 and, as a manager, he guided Blackburn Rovers back into the Premier League in 2001.

Souness, now 61, doesn’t get to watch Aitor Karanka’s Boro team in the flesh very often these days but he does keep abreast of the club’s fortunes on TV and likes what he’s seen this season.

“I’ve not seen them live but I’ve seen them on the telly several times and they look to be a team that is trying to play the right way,” he told the Gazette.

Aitor Karanka

“Aitor will know what he’s doing, he’s been a big player in his day, so he will be used to pressure situations and that’s a situation they find themselves in now.

“It’s about keeping a lid on that and making sure all the energy is focused in the right direction, which I’m sure they will do.”

Souness believes Karanka’s experience of high-pressure situations as a player and a coach with Real Madrid will come in useful as the season draws to a close.

“There are other candidates, Bournemouth are a very good team, Derby are, and then coming up on the rails are Watford and Norwich,” said Souness, who made more than 200 appearances for Boro in the 1970s.

“So it’s going to be tight but it’s all about keeping your nerve and the manager has experience of big situations, winning the European Cup with Real Madrid or this, it’s the same pressure.”

Graeme Souness as a Boro player

Souness also insists the Boro fans can have a positive impact on their team’s promotion bid.

“You are coming into the home straight and the supporters are getting more nervous with every game with every game,” he said.

“The supporters have a big part to play. When things are not going as well as you hoped in the first 15-20 minutes into the game, they need to stay with them.

“But my experience of the supporters here, they do that.”

• Philip Tallentire was talking to Graeme Souness at James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough. The former Boro star was helping promote the South Cleveland Heart Fund’s Cardiac MR Appeal and the launch of the Loving Hearts Raffle. Middlesbrough Erimus Rotary Club is organising a region-wide raffle that will hopefully raise up to £100,000 to help fund the upgrade of an MRI scanner at James Cook.

John Powls: Boro must rediscover their mastery of the shut-out as well as hitting the net at the other end

Boro go in to the all-important run in of the most competitive and unpredictable Championship campaign ever right in the mix but with more six-pointer head to heads to face than any of the others in the eight team field, starting tomorrow.

With the exception of the on a roll Canaries no other side has real momentum and there's no guarantee that they haven't peaked too early either.

So, it's still all to play for with many pundits predicting that it'll be nip and tuck all the way to the wire in a twist and turn 10 game tournament.

Karanka's men can steal a march on the rest with a win in tomorrow's 12.15pm televised Tractor Boy encounter.

To do that and return the favour of the reverse fixture they'll need to address the issues at both ends of the pitch that have dogged too many of their recent performances and have led to them being bottom of the top quartet tied on 66 points.

Put simply, they must rediscover their past mastery of the shut out at the back and get goals at the other end.

Action Images/Alan Walter

Lee Tomlin and Kike look dejected after Nottingham Forest's second goal

With the unaccustomed luxury of a week at Rockliffe to work on those, Boro's head coach will try to ensure his charges take on his coaching in a way he was frustrated they didn't at The City Ground.

I expect that, classically, he'll have started his preparation and planning at the back.

Results show that Dani Ayala has been a big miss from the centre of the back four and although he is back in full training it might be judged too big a risk to re-introduce him tomorrow from the off.

Unfortunately, his long lay off coincided with a dip in form for Omeruo with Woody bench warming since he got fit again.

I've seen enough of Tomas Kalas to be convinced he's a quick, competent and committed defender but also that his physique, technique and positional play make him much more a right back than a centre back.

The lad was honest enough to own up to the individual errors that cost against Forest and he was far from alone in rick-making.

Overall, he's done well enough as an individual but I think the back four balance has suffered with him in the middle and the unit has, evidently, been less effective as a result.

So, for tomorrow, if Dani's fit to start that's great but if not I think that Woody's calm know how should get the nod if Ken's form means he can't partner Ben ahead of Dimi.

Daniel Ayala

Kalas should shift to right back with Gorgeous on the left and an engine room of Leadbelter and Clayts completing a tight back seven.

As for the goal getting, with Tomlin at No.10 Boro are at their best with width either side of him.

The wide attacking midfielders will also need to track back to help their full backs win and hold the right to play against a McCarthy side who never shirk a shift or a scrap.

For that reason and with Uncle Albert on the left, I'd consider Nsue for wide right if Karanka can't be convinced that Adam Reach will do a job.

It may even be that Muzzy Carayol can get a few minutes if Boro have a grip on the result and the space appears for him to exploit with a manageable risk to his recovery.

After all the fruitless fuss over Rhodes leading nowhere, it's then down to who of the current roster has the best shot for the striker slot.

Though I think he's better playing off a line leader, I'd back Bam-Bam to do best in finding the space and hitting the target up against an Ipswich back line more tuned to getting tight to a big man.

C'mon Boro!!

Thirsty burglar makes off with 12 bottles of 'distinctive gin' after raid on Norton home

A burglar with a taste for a tipple made off with 12 bottles of gin after a raid on a home in Norton.

A black Felt Z95 road bicycle in was also take in the raid in Ashville Avenue.

The burglary took place on Thursday night when 12 bottles of Gordon’s gin were stolen from the garage.

The bottles were brought back from Italy and feature a distinctive paper seal on the top of the bottles, indicating they are an import.

Anyone with information or anyone who may have seen anyone acting suspiciously in the area around the time of the burglary is asked to contact DC Mike McClurg on the 101 number or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Boro v Ipswich: Four key battles where the game could be won and lost

Two teams going for promotion, two teams who've stuttered through the last few weeks - Boro v Ipswich is perfectly poised.

And how crucial a game it could prove to be as Boro look to kick off the 'Week of Destiny' in the best possible fashion.

The Tractor Boys are organised and hard to break down, everything you would expect from a Mick McCarthy side.

Yet they suddenly find themselves in desperate need of points after tumbling out of the play-off places. Indeed, McCarthy admits the top two - places they occupied for a long stint of the season - will be out of reach if his side lose at Boro tomorrow.

The game is just as important for Boro. With Bournemouth surely picking up all the points at home to basement boys Blackpool and Watford welcoming Reading, Boro will be looking to keep pace at the top.

We've identified four key battles where tomorrow's game could be won and lost.

Daryl Murphy v Ben Gibson

What a ding-dong this could prove to be. The Championship's most lethal striker pitting his wits against the best defence in the league.

Murphy came out on top when these sides met earlier in the campaign but that was an afternoon when Boro were below-par all over the pitch.

Daniel Ayala could return and, if deemed fit, is likely to partner Gibson at the heart of the defence.

How to keep Murphy quiet? The big striker isn't the most pleasing on the eye but makes his presence felt and would be more than happy to get amongst it if Ipswich opt to bombard balls forward.

And he's got a point to prove. After what is surely the miss of the season last week against Brentford, Murphy was challenged to put it behind him and score the winner against Boro by boss Mick McCarthy.

Gibson is out to prevent him doing exactly that. Boro's classy young centre-half can get the better of any striker when he's on song. Let's hope tomorrow is one of those days.

Jay Tabb v Grant Leadbitter

We all know the importance of Grant Leadbitter to Boro and Jay Tabb's role is just as vital in making Ipswich tick.

The pint-sized midfielder is a terrier in the middle of the park who's not one for shying out of a crunching challenge.

His goalscoring record is nowhere near as impressive as Leadbitter's this season. In fact, his header against Boro in December was the only time he's hit the net in the current campaign.

But while the goals scored column is weighted heavily in Leadbitter's favour, the pair have both notched up impressive numbers elsewhere.

Boro's skipper has won 77.6% of tackles this year while Tabb has come out on top in £76.5% of challenges and they've both been in the right place at the right time to make some key interceptions.

While both players aren't the type to shirk a challenge, Leadbitter has out-passed his rival, making 1,853 passes compared to the 857 of Tabb.

And he's more of a threat in the final third, having more than double the number of shots on goal than Tabb has managed this year.

Not many players get the better of Leadbitter in the middle of the park. Jay Tabb will have his work cut out tomorrow.

Tyrone Mings v Tomas Kalas

Kalas, Nsue, even Dean Whitehead - whoever gets the nod at right-back for Boro will have two attacking threats to be aware of against Ipswich.

As well as having to keep a close eye on Jonathan Parr, Tyrone Mings will be sticking his skates on and taking every possible opportunity to bomb forward down the flank.

The man who Arsenal were said to be preparing to splash out £10m on has had another impressive season for Ipswich.

He doesn't forget his defensive duties, winning 85% of his tackles this year and making 113 clearances, but he's just as useful in the final third.

After Michail Antonio caused all sorts of problems down that left side for Forest last week, Karanka may choose to try and nullify the threat down that side by opting for Kalas instead of Nsue.

Whoever plays on the right of the three-pronged attack behind the striker also has a role to play.

Whether it's Bamford or Adomah, giving Mings plenty to think about in regards to defending his own goal should prevent him from threatening the other.

Christophe Berra v Patrick Bamford

Bamford, Kike, Vossen - whoever leads the line for Boro tomorrow will feel they've got a point to prove after this week.

Aitor Karanka has repeatedly backed his strikers this season but has now admitted that scoring goals is a problem.

So it proved last week when, despite dominating throughout, Boro couldn't add a second goal to Leadbitter's fortuitous opener.

Whether he starts as the orthodox striker or plays off the right hand side tomorrow, Bamford is the most likely to get on the scoresheet.

In Christophe Berra he will come up against a reliable and solid centre-half. The former £2.3m man is one of the first names on the teamsheet for McCarthy.

It's rather unfair to compare defensive records with Boro seen as though Karanka's side possess the stand-out backline in the league by a considerable margin but McCarthy will be pleased to have conceded just 39 goals by this stage of the campaign.

"They’ve got the best home defence, let's see if we can breach it," said the Ipswich boss ahead of the game.

At the same time he'll be calling on his defenders to stand firm against Boro's strikers who will be undoubtedly desperate to impress.

Graeme Souness kicks off £100,000 raffle in support of South Cleveland Heart Fund cardiac MR appeal

A football legend has kicked off a vital fundraiser as part of an appeal to help keep the region’s heart unit at the cutting edge of medical technology.

Former Middlesbrough star, Graeme Souness returned to Teesside to launch the Loving Hearts Raffle at James Cook University Hospital, aiming to raise £100,000 in support of the South Cleveland Heart Fund’s £1m Cardiac MR Appeal.

TV pundit Souness, who also starred as a player for Liverpool, Sampdoria and Rangers before managing clubs including Newcastle United, has an emotional connection to the fundraiser as he underwent major heart surgery at the age of 38.

Graeme Souness kicks off the cardiac scanner fundraiser at James Cook University Hospital

He went on to open the unit at the hospital in 1992 and today was back again at the launch of a big Rotary Club push towards the refurbishment of one of the hospital’s MRI scanners.

The 61-year-old said: “Middlesbrough was one of the happiest times I had as a football player. It is an area that is very close to my heart.

“This is a world class unit and to continue this we need to have the latest equipment.

“It is paramount that we raise this money to continue what has been going on here and to remain a world class unit.”

He added: “I am eager to help as much as I can.

“Heart disease is the biggest killer in the UK. Anything that I can do to heighten the awareness I will.”

In recent years MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scanning has become a key method for diagnosing heart problems, as it provides detailed images that enable targeted treatment with significantly improved results for patients - but the unit is struggling to meet demand.

Graeme Souness kicks off the cardiac scanner fundraiser at James Cook University Hospital

South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has committed £2.3 million to buy a new state-of-the-art scanner to replace one of the hospital’s ageing machines.

However, the unit’s second scanner needs an upgrade to meet the demands of a catchment area covering 1.6 million people, stretching across Teesside, North Yorkshire, County Durham and Cumbria.

Graeme, who had a heart bypass, said: “It can strike anyone at anytime. I was working as a manager and a coach at the time. I was extremely fit, training everyday.

“I had no indication that I had a problem.

“It was through a scanner like this that I found out.

“Twenty-odd years later I am still here to talk about it and I am feeling great.

“Without this machine people will lose their lives.”

From left: Graeme Souness, Mike Overy, Adrian Davies

Middlesbrough Erimus Rotary Club, with the support of almost 30 Rotary clubs across the region, has organised the region-wide raffle.

The top prize is a Skoda Citigo sponsored by Middlesbrough’s Derek Slack Motors. Other prizes include hotel and spa breaks, family days out and restaurant meals.

Former cardiologist, Dr Adrian Davies, chairman of the South Cleveland Heart Fund, said: “This is an opportunity for people across the region to safeguard a vital service to the community.

“If heart scanning capacity is not increased to this level, the regional Cardiothoracic Centre at the hospital may lose its place in the top division of the UK’s heart units.”

Mike Overy, of Middlesbrough Erimus Rotary Club, chairman of the Loving Hearts Raffle committee, added: “Since deciding to run the raffle we’ve received great support from all of the Rotary Clubs across the region.

“The support we have had so far has been tremendous.”

Tickets are being sold at Boots stores across the region this weekend. They will also be on sale at events leading up to the prize draw on June 20 at Middlesbrough’s Thistle Hotel.

Petition to save Cleveland Police helicopter passes 1,300 signatures

A campaigner trying to keep the police helicopter based at Durham Tees Valley Airport says he’s encouraged by the response to his online petition.

And he believes a meeting with Labour's Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner Barry Coppinger was a “positive step in the right direction.”

More than 1,300 people have now signed an online petition, created by James Hind of Stockton on the change.org website, to “Save the Npas Cleveland Police helicopter base at Durham Tees Valley Airport.”

Campaigners believe the decision by the National Police Air Service (Npas) to scrap the base during the 2016/17 financial year, meaning the nearest helicopter would come from Newcastle or Leeds, will prevent incidents being reached quickly enough.

Mr Hind, 31, has now met Mr Coppinger, who has previously defended the decision to shut the base on cost grounds.

Explaining the decision, Mr Coppinger said last month: “At the end of the day we have had to make savings of £18m.

“We are paying £1.4m for the air support at the moment, and I want to negotiate that down quite substantially.

“We can’t afford the subsidies on the current level of air support.”

He added: “We are not losing air support, air support is being reorganised. We will get air support when we need it. We can call on it 24/7.”

Mr Coppinger is an Npas board member and backed the move to shut the Teesside base.

But Mr Hind, a customer service advisor, says he found “some common ground” during his meeting with Mr Coppinger, especially over the speed and extent of government cuts.

And he called Mr Coppinger’s agreement to share the petition at the next Npas board meeting “a positive step in the right direction.”

He said: “It’s early doors but I felt the meeting went well. We did find some common ground and I fully appreciate these cuts come from central government, meaning difficult decisions have to be made.

“But he’s agreed to bring the issue up at the next Npas board meeting and share our petition, which I welcome. He also said he would keep positive dialogue open with us so now at least that avenue is open - we’re talking about it and he will keep us in touch with developments.”

But Mr Hind stressed the petition Mr Coppinger will be presented to Npas wouldn’t be the final document.

“We’re keeping it open - the campaign goes on and we need as many people on board as possible.”

Heavy defeat and two red cards for Boro's Under-21s on a miserable afternoon for table-toppers

Nine-men Boro failed to extend their lead at the top of the Barclays Under-21 Premier League Second Division table after a heavy 3-0 defeat against Reading.

The hosts were forced to play with ten men for 80 minutes after Robbie Tinkler's early dismissal, and goals from Tariqe Fosu and a Harry Cardwell brace put the Royals in command.

Boro's dismal afternoon was then made even worse when captain Jonny Burn received a second yellow card late on, with the setback meaning Boro remain two points clear at the summit.

Paul Jenkins made one change from the side that beat West Brom 3-1 on Monday, with Ryan Brobbel returning to the starting line-up.

That meant youngster Harry Chapman dropped to the bench, with striker Brad Fewster - fresh from his two goals at the Hawthorns - again playing on the right flank.

Boro showed first inside two minutes with Fewster receiving the ball out wide, and he cut inside and lashed a shot just wide of the post.

Bradley Fewster

There was huge controversy on 11 minutes as defender Tinkler was shown a straight red card after bringing down Reading attacker Fosu.

That decision sparked a touchline spat between the Reading coach and a spectator, with Tinkler pleading his innocence and claiming he got a touch on the ball.

Winger Junior Mondal was sacrificed as Boro brought on defender David Atkinson to restore their shape in defence.

Reading should have made their numerical advantage count on 19 minutes as the lively Fosu cut inside and crossed for Bogdan Vastsuk, but the unmarked Royals striker headed over from five yards out.

On the half hour mark Fryer was called upon again, with midfielder Jake Sheppard drilling a goal-bound shot that was held at the second attempt.

Boro continued to compete across the pitch and broke out on 35 minutes, with Lewis Maloney firing over.

The breakthrough came on 41 minutes as Fosu lashed home from close range after his initial shot was saved by Fryer, and then Andre Bennett heroically blocked another effort.

Boro Under-21s boss Paul Jenkins.

It was harsh on a Boro side still aggrieved by Tinkler's red card, with Jenkins equally unimpressed with referee Paul Brown's first-half display.

After the break it was Boro who threatened first, with Brobbel cutting in from the left and firing in a shot that was saved by Reading stopper Lewis Ward.

Approaching the hour mark the Teessiders should have drawn level when Maloney's cross was met by Burn - but his header cannoned off the inside of the post and was hacked to safety.

But at the other end Reading doubled their advantage shortly after, with Rob Dickie also rattling the woodwork with a header but Cardwell was on hand to net the Royals' second.

The visitors then appeared happy to defend their two-goal lead, and while Boro turned to youngster Chapman, they were restricted to long-range efforts with Maloney again testing Ward.

Conor Shaughnessy then fired high and wide for the visitors as the clock ticked down, before Fryer pulled off another stunning stop to deny Fosu.

But the rout was completed shortly after as Liam Kelly pulled the ball back to Cardwell, who made no mistake close range - before Burn was dismissed for a second yellow card late on.

Boro: Fryer, Tinkler, Jackson, Burn (c), Bennett, Maloney, Kitching (Chapman 66), Mondal (Atkinson 16), McAloon, Brobbel, Fewster. Subs not used: Pears, Weledji, Morelli

Redcar and Cleveland Council to add 'Yorkshire' to postal address and some road signs

Redcar and Cleveland Council is adding the word “Yorkshire” to its postal address and some road signs.

There has been a long-running wrangle over whether the borough is part of the White Rose county.

And today, the council’s leader, Councillor Mary Lanigan, said she favoured the address change, and altering some road signs to say “Redcar and Cleveland on the Yorkshire coast” as a nod to the Tour de Yorkshire bike race, which takes place from May 1-3 and covers part of the North York Moors.

The new address will be used on all Redcar and Cleveland Council correspondence.

The Yorkshire reference will be added to 10 “gateway” signs at the borough boundaries.

Cllr Lanigan said: “The move to include Yorkshire in our address is to embrace the our unique position both in the Tees Valley and alongside Yorkshire.

“Increasingly, the Tees Valley has become an increasingly big player in the North-east economy and we want to make sure that we continue to have a stake in that by joining the combined authority. However, we also want to make sure that we can be involved in the tourism boom that North Yorkshire is enjoying thanks to events like the Tour De France.

“We won’t be joining North Yorkshire, we have a unique identity as Redcar & Cleveland and I want that to continue for as long as possible whilst embracing our Yorkshire links.

“The introduction of new signage has been in the pipeline for a while now, as the existing signs have been due for a refresh.”

She added: “Let’s have an identity. There may be a chance Redcar and Cleveland can pick up on the Yorkshire cycling that’s been happening in outlying areas. If we have a chance to do that, let’s grab it.”

The changes are the latest development in a long-running debate about the borough’s Tyke heritage.

The council’s new Cabinet member for culture, leisure and tourism, Lib Dem Councillor Chris Abbott, is also chairman of the Yorkshire Ridings Society. And last year, on the 40th anniversary of the creation of the county of Cleveland, he said the area south of the Tees shouldn’t shy away from its Yorkshire heritage.

He said: “Being part of Yorkshire has nothing to do with local government. Redcar, Middlesbrough, Guisborough, Saltburn, Thornaby and Yarm are Yorkshire, and Yorkshire is those towns. It does not stop someone being a Teessider, and Cleveland is as much part of Yorkshire as Craven is, or the Dales.

“Among the aims of the YRS are to encourage people to use Yorkshire as part of their postal address, for the real boundaries to be shown on maps along with local government areas and for boundary signs to appear on our roads.

“Yorkshire is one of the world’s most powerful tourism brands and we deserve to be part of it.”

Each year since 1975, the YRS has celebrated “ Yorkshire Day” - the first county in the UK to have its own special day, August 1.

Several Redcar and Cleveland towns, including Redcar and Guisborough, always host a Yorkshire Day delegation from the society, with members reading the historic Yorkshire Declaration of Integrity.

Jordan Dowson: Man, 20, appears in court over crash that killed young footballer

A young driver has appeared at crown court for the first time over the death of a talented young footballer in a crash.

Josh Graham Butters, 20, was at Teesside Crown Court today after previously appearing at Teesside Magistrates’ Court charged with causing death by dangerous driving.

Butters, of Atholl Grove, Redcar, was bailed to reappear at at crown court on June 5.

The charge relates to a three-car smash in which 19-year-old Jordan Dowson was killed on the A174 Brotton bypass on February 7 last year.

Jordan, from Guisborough, was travelling in a Vauxhall Corsa and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The crash, which happened at 5pm, also involved a grey Audi estate and a white Volkswagen Scirocco.

Four other people who were also involved in the crash were treated for injuries.

An 18-year-old woman was taken to hospital along with the driver of the Corsa, a 19-year-old man. Both were treated and later discharged.

A man driving the Audi and a woman driving the Scirocco also received minor injuries.

Jordan played for Guisborough Globe FC in the Teesside Football League Division Two.

Driver's lucky escape as motorhome overturns at Flatts Lane

A driver had a lucky escape when her motorhome overturned in Middlesbrough today.

Police were called to Flatts Lane in Normanby at noon where a Fiat Ducato had overturned.

The road is closed between Normanby and Eston hills but is due to reopen soon.

The driver was not hurt in the incident

A recovery truck is on scene and debris from the vehicle has been moved to the grass verge.

The driver was not hurt in the incident.

Any witnesses to the crash are asked to call Cleveland Police on 101.

Philip Tallentire: The history books tell us that Boro are in a good place

As Sir Alex Ferguson famously said, it’s getting to the ‘squeaky bum time’ end of the season.

There are 10 games to go and the top four in the Championship all have 66 points.

Boro are fourth in the table by virtue of the fact that they have a slightly inferior goal difference.

The good thing is, history tells us that when the club has been in a strong position 10 games from the end of the season, they more often than achieve promotion.

Read on as Philip Tallentire revisits Boro’s post-war promotion campaigns.

Successful campaigns

1997/98

Nationwide Division One

Position with 10 games to go: 1st

Final position: 2nd

Boro were top of the pile with 10 to go after beating Swindon 6-0 to overhaul Nottingham Forest. That result followed a 4-0 loss at Forest and a 5-0 defeat at QPR. They did slip to fourth at one point in the run-in but six wins and two draws out of the final 10 games ensured Bryan Robson’s side scrape into second place, one point ahead of Sunderland.

1994/95

Endsleigh Division One

Position with 10 games to go: 3rd

Final position: 1st (champions)

With just one team going up automatically that season due to the re-structuring of the Premiership, Bryan Robson’s resurgent Boro only had eyes on the title. They’d been competing at the top all season but back-to-back defeats left the club third with 10 to go, two points behind leaders Tranmere with a game in hand. It’s worth noting that, like now, Boro had the best defensive record at that point in the campaign. Promotion was confirmed before the final game when Bolton slipped up, handing Robson’s team the title.

1991/92

Division Two

Position with 10 games to go: 6th

Final position: 2nd

With 10 to go, Boro were sixth, no less than nine points adrift of leaders Ipswich with two games in hand. Lennie Lawrence’s side did dip as low as seventh during the run-in but five wins in the final six fixtures catapulted the club into the top two going into the final weekend. Boro, reduced to 10-men and training 1-0, clinched promotion into the brand new Premier League after winning 2-1 at Wolves.

1987/88

Division Two

Position with 10 games to go: 6th

Final position: 3rd (play-off place)

Brucie Rioch’s red and white army were well off the pace 10 games from the end of the season after a woeful winter. Top of a 23-team table in December, a run of just two wins in 11 games took its toll. However, Boro improved in the run-in, winning six in nine to sit in the second automatic spot going into the final weekend. A home defeat to Leicester consigned Rioch’s team to the play-offs, but they won promotion after overcoming a two-legged final against Division One Chelsea.

1986/87

Division Three

Position with 10 games to go: 3rd

Final position: 2nd

Boro were riding high on post-liquidation adrenalin. Bruce Rioch’s young team had risen from the ashes to mount a promotion campaign against the odds. With 10 to go Boro were third, one point behind second-placed Swindon and nine adrift of leaders Bournemouth, who had played two games more. Eight wins in an unbeaten run-in guaranteed promotion with a game to spare.

1973/74

Division Two

Position with 10 games to go: 1st

Final position: 1st (champions)

A text book campaign. Jack Charlton’s champions were nine points clear with 10 to go in 1974. With two points for a win, that was a mighty lead and they clinched promotion with seven fixtures remaining. Boro eventually finished 15 points clear of second-placed Luton Town.

1966/67

Division Three

Position with 10 games to go: 6th

Final position: 2nd

Only two went up in those days and, with just two points for a win, Boro were five points adrift of second-placed Bristol Rovers but had three games in hand. Memorably, the only time Stan Anderson’s Boro occupied a top-two place that season was when they won their final game, beating Oxford 4-1 to clinch promotion back to the second division a year after suffering relegation.

John O'Rourke opens the scoring against Oxford United on the final day of the 1966/67 season

Unsuccessful promotion campaigns

1990/91

Division Two

Position with 10 games to go: 5th

Final position: 7th (play-offs)

The top three went up automatically in 1990/91. With 10 to play, Boro were a massive 13 points behind leaders Oldham and second-placed West Ham, who had also played a game less, and nine behind Sheffield Wednesday in third, who had two games in hand on Colin Todd’s team. Boro won just four of their last 10, limping into the final play-off spot.

1968/69

Division Two

Position with 10 games to go: 2nd

Final position: 4th

It was tight at the top 46 years ago. Just three points separated the top four with Boro sitting second, one point behind the leaders, Brian Clough’s Derby. Boro were a points better off than third-placed Cardiff and had a game in hand. But Stan Anderson’s side lost their nerve, winning just two of their final 10 fixtures to slip out of contention well before the final weekend, finishing fourth.

1960/61

Division Two

Position with 10 games to go: 4th

Final position: 5th

Boro were in with an outside chance of sneaking into the top two with 10 to go but it would have taken a fantastic run of results to overhaul leaders Ipswich, who were seven points better off, and second-placed Sheffield United, who were six ahead but had played two games more. Despite seven goals from Brian Clough, Boro only managed four wins on the home straight, finishing fifth.

1959/60

Division Two

Position with 10 games to go: 3rd

Final position: 5th

With just two points for a win and only two promotion places up for grabs, Boro had a mountain to climb with 10 games to go, trailing leaders Cardiff by 12 points and second-placed Aston Villa by 10. They managed four wins in the run-in but were never realistically in contention.

Appointments may be cancelled as burst hydrant floods Redcar hospital car park

Patients may have their appointments cancelled this afternoon due to a burst hydrant in Redcar.

The car park at Redcar Primary Care Hospital on West Dyke Road is flooded.

Flooding in the car park at Redcar Primary Care Hospital

Firefighters, Northumbrian Water and NHS Property Services - which own the building - are all on site to try and isolate the leak as quickly as possible.

A spokeswoman for South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said a meeting is currently taking place to decide what to do about this afternoon’s clinics.

Flooding in the car park at Redcar Primary Care Hospital

A fire engine from Redcar Fire Station is at the scene draining water from the site.

A spokeswoman for Cleveland Fire Brigade said they were called at 9.24am today and are still on site.

Double celebration for Redcar school named in top 100 primaries in England for progress

Delighted youngsters celebrated a top 100 national placing for their school by inspecting its new outdoor games area.

Redcar’s Newcomen Primary School’s new MUGA - Multi Use Games Area - was officially opened by PD Ports chairman David Robinson MBE and his wife Linda. Costing £60,000, it came to fruition from the children’s plans, through the school council. PD Ports is a keen supporter of the school through a “Right To Read” reading development project.

The MUGA opening ceremony came at a great time for the school, which has recently been named one of the top 100 primary schools in the country for progress.

A letter from Schools Minister David Laws to headteacher Kinga Pusztai confirmed the school’s top 100 placing “in terms of the progress your pupils make between key stage 1 and key stage 2.”

He added: “Your school is exceptionally effective in educating all your pupils.”

Newcomen Primary School celebration

The school was also praised by Mr Laws for the improvement in key stage 2 results of disadvantaged pupils since 2011.

“It is clear that you and your staff have provided your disadvantaged pupils with a good start in life and prepared them well for secondary school.”

The letter ends: “I would like to congratulate your staff, governors, parents and pupils for their hard work and success.”

Headteacher Kinga Pustai said: “Our children are our most precious asset. We are so proud of this recognition on behalf of our pupils and their families. This is due to everyone’s relentless dedication to ensure the best outcomes for our children.

Newcomen Primary School celebration

“Thank you to all our staff, families, governors and most of all, our phenomenal children.”

Million pound pads: Take a look around four of Teesside's most expensive properties

VIEW GALLERY

How do the other half live?

Take a nosey into the lives of Teesside’s wealthy by looking over the threshold and into their palatial pads.

From indoor swimming complexes through to guest cottages and roof top terraces - there are certainly touches of luxury to wow.

What: Tanton Grange, Stokesley

How much: £1,400,000

Highlights: Tanton Grange is a seven bedroom home which boasts its own woodland and is set within around seven acres.

Living accommodation includes a reception hall, drawing room, sitting room, dining room and breakfast kitchen.

There is also a laundry, playroom, WC, master bedroom with en-suite and guest bedroom with dressing room.

There are a further five bedrooms, two bathrooms, a WC, two garages, carport, workshop, outbuildings and gardens.

For more information contact Strutt & Parker on 01423 561274.

What: Fairview House, Wynyard

How much: £1,300,000

Highlights: Set on an exclusive estate renowned for its famous residents past and present, this five bedroom detached property is sure to impress.

There is an entrance hall, drawing room, dining room, orangery, kitchen/breakfast room and utility room .

The master bedroom has its own bathroom, dressing room, snug and roof terrace.

There are four further bedrooms with en suite facilities, a fully integrated home entertainment system, part under floor heating and spacious driveway with electric gates.

There is also a detached garage, landscaped gardens, two carp ponds with connecting waterfall and planning permission has been granted for an indoor swimming pool complex.

For more information contact Jackson-Stops & Staff on 01904 625033.

What: Newton Hall, Newton Under Roseberry

How much: £1,500,000

Highlights: This Grade II Listed hall includes its own indoor swimming complex and tennis courts - all in the vicinity of Teesside’s most famous landmark Roseberry Topping.

Other highlights are its own stables, orchard and paddock.

Living accommodation includes a reception hallway, cloakroom, study, living room, drawing room, dining room, kitchen, breakfast room and family room.

There is also a laundry, master suite with en suite and dressing area.

There are four bedrooms in total, three of which have en suite facilities, and a family bathroom.

A separate cottage is also on site!

For more information contact Roseberry Newhouse on 01642 711111.

What: Moor Farm, Stokesley

How much: £1,500,000

Highlights: This contemporary farmhouse has its own leisure complex stable block, arena and barn and is set in more than 26 acres.

Various period buildings are arranged around a central landscaped courtyard, fronted by the original farmhouse which takes centre stage with its striking white rendered facade.

The properties have all been renovated and refurbished to the same high standard, each finished with high quality fixtures and fittings.

The farmhouse includes an entrance hall, cloakroom, utility, breakfast kitchen and dining area.

There is also a snug, sitting room, master bedroom suite, guest bedroom suite, a further bedroom and house bathroom.

Also included is a cottage - a self-contained three bedroom home or holiday cottage, including a large sitting room and kitchen as well as an integral double garage.

For more information contact GSC Grays on 01642 710742.

90-year-old bowls player named Thornaby shopping centre's first Older People's Ambassador

A 90-year-old bowls player from Thornaby has rolled into the role of a shopping centre’s first Older People’s Ambassador.

Great grandfather Fred Pickering will be overseeing a new series of “Silver Saver” days at Thornaby’s Pavilion Shopping Centre.

The former foundry worker, who has overcame a heart attack 13 years ago and bowel cancer in 2004, still manages to drive to his twice-weekly games at Thornaby’s indoor bowling green at the town’s leisure complex.

Now remarkably fit Fred, who also heads out on to the dance floor with wife Marie, 88, each week, has been named as the face of the centre’s Silver Savers campaign in his role as Older Person’s Ambassador.

Silver Saver Discount Days at the Pavilion Shopping Centre’s coffee shops take place on the third Thursday of every month. They entitle senior citizens to a host of offers and discounts - they just have to show their bus pass to take part.

From left: Ken Bainbridge, Dennis Stimpson, Fred Pickering, Colin Garnsey and John Shanks

Boro fan Fred believes it is his games of bowls at Thornaby that keep him active.

He said: “I took up bowling when I retired from work when I was 65 and I enjoy it, including the social side. I’ve never won much, just some little club trophies.

“I used to be very active when I was younger, a real get up and go chap. I played for the works football team and I had a season ticket at Ayresome Park. Really, though, I preferred cricket and played that when I could.”

Fred and Marie, who have just celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary, have lived in Mead Crescent, Thornaby, for more than 50 years. The couple have two daughters, three sons, seven grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

Pavilion manager Oliver Westley said: “Fred is a great example of how to keep active and healthy - I hope I can still dance, drive and play sports when I’m 90. You can tell just from talking to Fred that he is very young in heart and mind. I think it is this positive attitude which helps him stay so fit.

“He is the perfect candidate for our role of Silver Savers Ambassador to help oversee our discount day for senior citizens. They will be treated to a range of fantastic offers and discounts each month, plus there’s the chance to chat to others and make new friends or catch up with old acquaintances.”

The next event is on March 19. Stores taking part include Boots, Roman Originals, Cooplands Bakery, Iceland, TD Morton Opticians, Roberts Family Butchers and Tees Active.