Outcome of Arab League summit could cost Israel $5 billion, give PA $1.2 billion

The outcome of the latest Arab League summit could cost Israel $4 billion to $5 billion in losses, while the Palestinian Authority (PA) could gain a possible $1.2 billion, former PA Minister of Planning Samir Abdullah told Anadolu Agency.

Hours after the end of the Arab League summit, Abdullah told Anadolu by phone that the Arab-Israel economic relations could be used a “pressure card” in the interests of the Palestinian cause.

The Arab League stressed during the final statement of the summit that Israel has to carry out certain measures in-order for peace to be achieved, adding that pressure would be exerted if the government fails to do so.

“There are economic Arab-Israeli relations that started to develop from the beginning of the 1990s,” he said. “There are foreign companies whose head offices are in Israel, which have Arab and Israeli partners.”

Abdullah was sceptical regarding whether the Arab League would follow through with its threats. “The decisions did not ask the member states to reactivate the financial safety network… This means that the support will be based on individual initiatives such what is already being done by Saudi, Qatar, Algerian, etc…”

A monthly $100 million financial safety net for the PA was approved by the Arab League during the Kuwait Summit held in 2010, which issued a decision to disburse the amount if the PA is under financial pressure and if Israel decides to freeze the tax funds.

Abdullah noted that Israel has frozen the PA tax revenue since December and the Arab League has not disbursed the funds.

Former PA Economy Minister Hasan Abu Libdah also expressed his pessimism over the Arab League decisions regarding Palestine.

In a phone call with Anadolu, he said: “At the time when the Arab states were more united than they are today, there were no consensuses over the decisions of the Arab League regarding Palestine. What about today?”

He stressed that the final statement of the summit was no more than a “public relations statement”.

Source: MEMO

Live: Breaking news, traffic and travel across Teesside

The 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, Tuesday 31st March 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.

#OnThisBoroDay 2007: Lee Dong-Gook blames 'big and tough' defenders and soft grass for his struggles in front of goal

The defenders are very “big and tough” and the grass is different to what he was used to - Lee Dong-Gook admitted he was finding it difficult to adjust to life in the Premier League.

But that didn’t mean the striker was giving up on his dream of making the grade in the English game, instead insisting he would be working overtime in the gym to bulk up and add some much-needed upper body strength.

“I think I need to be a bit more aggressive on the pitch,” the striker told the Gazette on this day in 2007.

“And because the defenders are very big and tough here I need to do some weight training.

“Whether I am tall or short, it is a matter of how strong you are, especially in the upper body, so I am doing a lot of weight lifting.

“And regardless of whether I am famous or not in Korea, I’m thinking like a newcomer and trying to do my best in all of my games.”

The Korean frontman’s introduction to the English game hadn’t been the way he would have envisaged it.

Two months in to his Boro career and he’d still only started the one game, the 2-0 home defeat to Manchester City, when he was hauled off at half-time after an ineffective 45 minutes.

And he was still searching for his first goal. He’d came close after coming off the bench to make his debut against Reading but hit the post and then hit the other post from the penalty spot in the FA Cup replay win at West Brom.

“In my very first match I hit the post and I thought it was going to be a very good season for me,” said the striker.

“But with more games I have found that the defenders are very, very tough and strong.

“It is more difficult than I thought and I missed a few chances, especially the penalty in the FA Cup replay at West Brom.

“The grass is also very different to Korea. It is very soft, and everything that I have mentioned is just a step towards me getting used to the English Premier League.”

Dislodging Mark Viduka and Yakubu from the Boro team was also proving to be quite the task for Dong-Gook and his struggle to hit the net wasn’t helping his cause.

He would have to wait until the following season to break his Boro duck as he spent the vast majority of his first campaign sat on the bench.

It was a sign of things to come for the goal-shy striker on Teesside.

Gareth Southgate delighted after 'brilliant' return to the Riverside with England's Under-21s

Gareth Southgate said England's friendly visit to the Riverside had been “brilliant”.

The former Boro manager's team came through a tough under-21 test against Germany, coming from behind twice to win 3-2 in front of a bumper 30,178 crowd.

Southgate, making his first return to the Riverside in a managerial capacity since leaving the club in October 2009, was delighted with how his side performed against such tough opposition and the reception they received on what was an awful night, weather-wise.

“It's been brilliant, the club have really promoted the game well,” he said after the match.

“The ticket pricing has been sensible and it's been great to see so many young kids in the stadium, especially as we can't take the senior team on the road these days. It's great that they can form an attachment with England.

“Also, I think they appreciated the way we've played and the manner we've gone about our business,” added Southgate.

“I think people are seeing a group of lads for whom it means a lot to play for England, you'd go a long way to find a group who are tighter knit and have that pride to play for their country so I think think the public will respond to that.”

Hometown hero Ben Gibson started the match and got a useful 77 minutes under his belt before being replaced by Michael Keane.

Southgate knows what it's like to play for the national team on home soil because he represented England at the Riverside in a European Championship qualifier in 2003.

“It's not easy, actually, I remember doing it at senior level against Slovakia and you almost put yourself under a bit more pressure,” he explained.

“Ben hasn't trained much, he had a slight injury last week so his preparation hasn't been ideal, so we felt that after 70-odd minutes he had had long enough out there.”

Full-time match report: England Under-21s 3-2 Germany Under-21s

England twice came from behind to beat a talented Germany side at the Riverside.

The match was witnessed by an impressive 30,178 crowd who saw several impressive goals and some fine technical football in an intriguing if, at times, scrappy encounter.

As expected hometown hero, Boro defender Ben Gibson, was named in Gareth Southgate’s starting XI.

He partnered highly-rated Everton defender John Stones in the heart of the England back four.

Further forward, Southampton’s James Ward-Prowse and Will Hughes of Derby played in central midfield while Burnley striker Danny Ings led the line up front.

England lined up in a 4-1-4-1 formation while Germany rotated between a nominal 2-4-4 when in possession and 4-3-3 when the hosts had the ball.

Prior to kick-off, the Riverside crowd respectfully applauded the German national anthem and then sportingly applauded afterwards.

For most of the opening quarter of an hour there was little in the way of entertaining football to savour with the visitors looking more comfortable in possession.

Then, in the 15th minute, Germany took the lead.

Christian Gunter was the provider, whipping in a low cross from the left to Philipp Hofmann waiting on the edge of the box and the strapping Kaiserslautern striker killed the ball with one touch before turning brilliantly and lashing a well-placed shot into the corner of Jonathan Bond’s net.

The Germans weren’t averse to the occasional piece of professionalism and Moritz Leitner was booked in the 20th minute for pulling back Ward-Prowse to nip an England attack in the bud.

Seconds later, the home team created their first opening of note when Nathan Redmond crossed to the far post from the left side of the penalty area but Jesse Lingard’s angled shot was pushed behind by the keeper.

England broke at pace in the England broke at pace in the 33rd minute when Redmond drove forward from inside his own half before feeding Ings who charged towards the penalty area and then fired in a low shot that Marc-Andre ter Stegen did well to push away at full-stretch.

Ward-Prowse took the resulting corner, floating the ball into the middle where Gibson headed at goal but the keeper blocked the effort and Lingard failed to convert the rebound, scuffing his shot from close-range.

The Derby player made no mistake in the 35th minute, however, when he scored the equaliser.

Carl Jenkinson did superbly well to dribble into box down the right before stroking a low right-cross to Lingard, who sit a fine first-time shot that gave the keeper no chance.

Germany went close to retaking the lead in the 37th minute when Leitner curled a stunning free-kick over the defensive wall from the edge of the penalty area but Bond made a spectacular save, diving to his left to palm the ball away.

Five minutes into the second half, German went 2-1 ahead when Hofmann doubled his tally by bundling the ball over the line from close-range after England failed to deal with sub Serge Gnabry’s ball into the box from the right.

Ings was proving a handful for the German defenders and he created an opening for himself in the 52nd minute but blasted his shot over the bar from 20 yards out.

The usual raft of second half substitutions didn’t help the flow of the game, though there was the occasional outbreak of exciting football.

Gnabry forced a save out of Bond in the 71st minute and, soon after, Nathan Redmond tried his luck from distance but to no avail.

Aitor Karanka will have been relieved to see Gibson, who was replaced by Michael Keane in the 77th minute, come through the match without picking up an injury.

And the crowd were relieved to see England equalise in the 80th minute through Redmond, whose shot from inside the box took a deflection on its way into the net.

Relief turned to elation two minutes later when man-of-the-match Jenkinson played a neat pass to Ward-Prowse and skipper ruthlessly past ter Stegen to put the hosts ahead for the first time.

In the 90th minute, Ings missed a great chance to make it 4-2 but belted his shot straight at the prostrate keeper from point-blank range.

No matter, because England held on to their lead and complete a win-double from their friendlies against Euro 2015 hosts the Czech Republic and tournament favourites Germany.

Recap: England U21s 3-2 Germany U21s - Southgate's side come out on top in international friendly

Gareth Southgate makes a return to the Riverside with his England Under-21 side tonight.

Boro defender Ben Gibson is expected to feature for England's young Lions against a talented Germany side.

England come into the game on a high after a 1-0 win at Czech Republic on Friday night.

Unfortunately Boro striker Patrick Bamford won't feature after he pulled out of the squad with injury.

Join us from 7pm for the build-up and the action from the Riverside.

Live: The final results of the Gazette's Wish 2014 are revealed

The Gazette has £40,000 to give away - and these are the some of groups who will be getting a share of it!

We have seen dozens of groups enter this year's Wish campaign - with more than 200 million tokens collected as in excess of 200 schools, charities and any not-for-profit each looked to get a share of the cash pot.

Tonight we are counting down the 10 who collected the most tokens - and remember that the more tokens that are collected, the greater the cut of the cash!

England U21s vs Germany U21s LIVE: Coverage from the Riverside as England take on Germany

Gareth Southgate makes a return to the Riverside with his England Under-21 side tonight.

Boro defender Ben Gibson is expected to feature for England's young Lions against a talented Germany side.

England come into the game on a high after a 1-0 win at Czech Republic on Friday night.

Unfortunately Boro striker Patrick Bamford won't feature after he pulled out of the squad with injury.

Join us from 7pm for the build-up and the action from the Riverside.

What Teesside demands from Westminster: Manifesto survey results reveal YOUR priorities

With the election cavalry charge up and running Gazette readers have put forward their own political manifesto.

And instead of candidates doorstepping voters with their party’s agenda we can today tell the candidates the issues YOU want to discuss.

Hundreds of people responded to the Gazette survey to compile a manifesto for Teesside - telling us what you want from your politicians and how you want life in this country to change.

The survey - backed at the highest levels of British politics by the likes of Mayor of London Boris Johnson and Labour leader Ed Miliband - includes 30 national and local questions on subjects including the NHS, education, immigration and crime.

Topping the list of readers’ demands was support to bring big business to Teesside.

Other top six priorities were:

* greater investment in major routes like the A66 and A19

* fair treatment over council cuts, with the feeling that Teesside has suffered more than elsewhere

* bringing empty homes back into use

* Keep the private sector out of the NHS

* Cut the benefits bill by helping people off welfare into work that pays

The survey also threw up surprises, with a majority generally supporting fracking as a good way of ensuring energy security - but with the caveat that more information was needed on whether it is safe.

On other issues 42% of respondents said “renew Tridant”, and 39.2% agreed the Government should have extra powers to counter terrorism - including over private data.

On the bedroom tax 43% said it was “unfair and wrong” and should be repealed and 35.4% said austerity was working but should be slowed down, against 29.7% who said it was not working “because it has been done unfairly”.

Asked what the next Government’s top priority should be 35% said immigration, 28.7% the NHS, 28.5% the economy and 7.9% education.

Andy McDonald

Middlesbrough’s Labour Party candidate Andy McDonald was “absolutely delighted” with the results saying: “These six priorities exactly chime with everything I have been working for and I am delighted to be at one with the Gazette readership.

“I look forward to a Labour Government progressing this agenda.

“I particularly note their concerns about our NHS and the savagery of cuts to our essential public services. Labour’s plans to invest in business and infrastructure are credible and will be vital to our future fortunes as a town and sub-region.”

James Wharton, Conservative candidate for Stockton South, defended the Coalition Government’s record in light of the priorities raised in the Teesside Manifesto.

He said: “Steel making is back, train making is coming, unemployment is down and my local council in Stockton is running a £7m surplus this year.

“We are on the road to recovery and securing our economy, and a strong economy is needed to underpin all of these aims. Whether it is saving North Tees hospital from plans to close it or securing more road investment a lot of good things have been done, but there is more to do.”

Cllr Josh Mason

Josh Mason, Liberal Democrat candidate for Redcar, said of the top demand on the Manifesto: “Our area has been a hub of business and industry before and it can be again. The past five years has seen five times more Government investment in business and industry on Teesside than in the previous five years, over £500m through the Local Enterprise Partnership, Teesvalley Unlimited.

“This has helped to reduce unemployment by a third already and started to get Teesside manufacturing again – vastly increasing exports through Teesport. There’s still a lot to do but the shoots of recovery are starting to show.”

On council cuts he added: “It’s more important than ever that local MPs are elected who understand the area’s needs and can appeal for a fair deal from national Government. Local authorities have been very wasteful in the recent past and it has been encouraging to see efficiencies made.”

North East Automotive Alliance gathers speed

A new body to promote growth in the region’s automotive industry has opened for business.

The North East Automotive Alliance (NEAA) is led by industry and brings together major names including Eaglescliffe-based car parts manufacturer Nifco UK, Nissan, Komatsu, Sevcon and Hyperdrive.

The sector is vital to the North-east’s economy; research carried out by the NEAA has found the industry generates £7bn in regional sales, employs 26,000 people - and supports more than five times that number of jobs in the supply chain.

Strategic leadership will be at the heart of the network, to grow the industry, attract new companies and jobs to the region and support business excellence and best practice.

It will also provide benchmarking, help companies to boost efficiency and reduce costs, while working to increase the region’s competitiveness in the sector.

Prior to its launch, the NEAA carried out the first in-depth research into the scale and importance of the automotive sector to the region.

On top of the North-east sales figure, it found the industry is responsible for £5.1bn in exports and creates a £2.6bn trade surplus annually.

In the last five years, more than £1bn in regional investment has been made into 21 automotive projects.

The sector directly employs 26,000 people and impacts on a further 141,000 jobs.

Potentially, 10,000 additional jobs could be created in the next five to 10 years, although around 8,500 people in the industry are due to retire during that period.

The NEAA, which is offering membership to businesses ranging from multinationals to sole traders, will be working to address the resulting skills gap.

Nissan in Sunderland

Speakers at a launch event at the Nissan Sunderland plant included Kevin Fitzpatrick, chair of NEAA and Nissan’s vice president for UK manufacturing, Lawrence Davies, deputy chief executive of the Automotive Investment Organisation and Paul Butler, the NEAA’s chief executive, who previously worked for the North East Process Industry Cluster (Nepic) for almost a decade.

Mr Butler said: “In February last year, we had a meeting with key North-east automotive businesses and invited the North West Automotive Alliance across to talk to us. That meeting spurned an appetite within the sector to create our own cluster.

“Many regions across the EU are organised in such a way. A whole range of businesses and organisations have already signed up to the cluster from large manufacturers, tier-one suppliers to single-person suppliers, legal, financial, and academic organisations.”

NEAA members will benefit from the promotion of the North-east automotive sector’s capabilities on regional, national and international levels as well as from the network’s ability to connect the supply chain to business opportunities.

They will also have access to a comprehensive website with a dedicated members’ area to share knowledge, information and collaborative projects.

Regional events, workshops and newsletters will connect members to potential funds and inform them of new industry issues.

Cost-saving schemes for insurance, international payments and initiatives allowing them to buy materials at better rates will also be available.

Mr Fitzpatrick said: “There are many opportunities ahead for companies in the automotive industry in North-east England to win new business in the UK and from overseas and to improve their competitiveness and capability.

“The North East Automotive Alliance will provide the platform for making sure companies in the North-east are able to take full advantage.”

Teesside's energy sector facing a bright future say chiefs

The North-east’s energy industries say there’s much to look forward to for regional firms, despite the recent fall in oil prices.

Developments in renewables, energy-from-waste and the oil and gas industries are gathering speed - and Teesside firms are gearing up to get their fair share of the work.

Thanks to a pipeline of new projects, Teesside is fast becoming the hub of the region’s low-carbon energy sector.

Later this year a £250m Energy from Waste (EfW) plant will open in Billingham. It’s the first of its kind in the world, and a further two Teesside EfW schemes are set to follow next year.

Plans for two new biomass plants, valued at more than £650m, are well advanced. Meanwhile renewed efforts are underway to develop carbon capture and storage facilities to protect some of Teesside’s major industrial plants from rising carbon taxes.

Stephen Catchpole, managing director of Tees Valley Unlimited says: “Tees Valley has the right infrastructure, the right skills and a proven track record of delivering large-scale energy sector projects, creating hundreds of jobs and over £410m of private investment in the area.

Matthew Hancock MP, speaking at the NOF Energy conference 'Energy: A Balanced Future'

“With £1bn of private investment either planned or in construction, a further 800 permanent and 800 construction jobs will be created over the next 18 months, representing a bright future for Tees Valley in the energy sector.”

In renewables, the Government has sanctioned major Round 3 offshore wind developments in recent months worth up to £20bn - creating a healthy pipeline of work.

Energy Minister Matthew Hancock addressing NOF Energy’s annual conference Energy: A Balanced Future at the Sage, Gateshead, earlier this month, highlighted the opportunities in the sector for the region.

He said the North-east, as a ‘significant exporter of offshore manufacturing and engineering expertise’ would have a crucial role to play in the industry.

Offshore Structures (Britain) Ltd is set to create 350 jobs after winning a major contract with a German and Danish turbine foundation-maker.

The company, a partnership between Denmark’s Bladt Industries and Germany’s EEW SPC - took over the assets and base of TAG Energy Solutions site at Haverton Hill, Billingham.

The consortium is now investing up to £35m in the site and recently secured its first major contract with Dong Energy, which will see it supply foundations for 32 turbines for the Burbo Bank Extension offshore wind farm in Liverpool Bay.

North of the region, on the site of the former Neptune shipyard in Wallsend, now the site of Shepherd Offshore Neptune Energy Park, a £7m subsea centre is currently under construction.

Andrew Hodgson, managing director of SMD

A few miles upstream at Spillers Mill work will soon begin a second £10m subsea innovation centre being developed by BEL Valves and Newcastle University.

Both will help secure the region’s leading role in the global industry and encourage the development of a skilled supply of future workers to support its growth.

While the oil price fall is slowing the global growth of the subsea industry, it’s still expected to more than double in size to £40bn by the end of the decade.

Analysts say the industrialisation of the developing world - and global population demographics - mean worldwide oil demand is set to grow from 90m barrel of oil equivalent per day (boepd) to over 100m boepd equivalent by 2030.

With most conventional and easy to get oil and gas already in play, the quest is now on the recover unconventional

resources - such as shale oil and gas – and those harder to get offshore reserves in deep water and the Arctic.

Andrew Hodgson, chairman of Subsea North East and chief executive of Wallsend subsea remotely operated vehicle maker SMD, says: “With a growing worldwide demand for oil, and subsea production being the most cost-effective recovery method, even an oil price of less than $100 a barrel makes the future of the industry look very strong.”

Scaffolder jailed after leaving ex-pal with a brain bleed and fractured skull following attack in bookies

A scaffolder landed a punch in a bookies’ which changed his former friend’s life with a brain bleed and a fractured skull.

Richard Hutchinson, 40, attacked the victim without warning after the pair fell out over a debt, Teesside Crown Court heard.

CCTV footage showed the engineer standing at the counter of William Hill bookmakers’ when Hutchinson ran in and felled him with one blow to the jaw.

The victim was knocked unconscious to the tiled floor by the “full force punch”, said prosecutor Emma Atkinson today.

He did not remember the attack in the Stockton betting shop on September 6 last year.

He was taken to hospital with a skull fracture and a brain bleed.

He stayed in intensive care for 16 days but was later readmitted to hospital for another 11 days for rehabilitation.

He told how the attack drastically altered his life personally and financially, in a statement read out in court.

He said he suffered headaches, tiredness and memory loss and he could not work, leading to stress, frustration and pressure on his family.

He said: “I’ve been told by my wife that it’s like living with a different person after the assault.

“That frustrates and upsets me that I’m not the husband or father I used to be.”

A neurosurgeon said he suffered severe traumatic brain injury, made good progress but needed follow-up assessments.

Hutchinson, of Grenville Road, Thornaby, went to police saying: “I’ve hit someone. I may have seriously hurt them.”

He said to officers he “lost it” because he and his wife had been threatened, he went to try to “sort it out” and thought he had just knocked him out.

He told police in interview: “I didn’t mean to cause that much damage to him. It shocked me how easily he went down.

“I’m gutted. I’m sick to my stomach that I’ve actually done that to him.

“I didn’t expect that at all. If anything, I expected him to turn around and hit me back.”

He later admitted causing grievous bodily harm. He had a caution for a similar offence in 2005 and assault convictions, but no violence for a decade.

Duncan McReddie, defending, said Hutchinson acted recklessly with “a degree of provocation that was long-running” after he borrowed £300 from the victim, down to £60 by the time of the assault.

He said the unemployed scaffolder expressed regret and remorse since the assault and a prison sentence would badly affect the dad’s family.

Both sides made allegations of threats and violence from each man against the other in the run-up to the attack in the bookies’.

The prosecution said Hutchinson threw punches at the victim the day before the attack then threatened to “fill him in” on the phone.

The defence claimed the the money was demanded from Hutchinson, his wife was assaulted, he was threatened with garden shears and heard he would be given “a good hiding”.

The judge, Recorder Andrew Dallas, said he made no judgment about the background between the former friends, with allegations not reported to the police.

He told Hutchinson: “All I would say is that there clearly has been trouble in the past between the two of you.”

He said it looked like Hutchinson “simply decided to take the law into your own hands”, attacking without warning, with premeditation and giving no chance for self-defence.

“You were clearly very angry, for whatever reason to do with this trouble,” the judge said.

“You just ran in and laid him out with one punch.

“This was not a chance confrontation or a confrontation he had engineered.

“You’d gone after him, found him and punched him to the ground using a significant degree of force, using surprise as one of your weapons.

“As can and so often does happen, his life has been changed forever in all probability.”

He accepted the defendant did not intend the devastating injury and showed remorse, jailing him for two years.

Hutchinson was given a five-year restraining order banning him from contacting the victim or going to his street

50 new jobs to be created as taxi firm looks for more drivers to help meet demand

Boro Taxis will create 50 new driver jobs after a surge in business sees bookings speed up by several thousand a week.

The company, which is one of the largest firms of its kind in the North-east, says new technology installed by the company has contributed to the rise.

Bookings have soared from between 70,000 and 80,000 jobs a week to exceeding the 80,000 mark.

Working at peak levels, this equates to more than 4m a year.

To meet the growing demand for its services, the company is recruiting more drivers who all undergo intensive training and rigorous vetting, and hopes to increase staff numbers to almost 950.

Mohammed Bashir, founder of Boro Taxis, which has a fleet of more than 800 vehicles, said: “The growth in business is a combination of an increase in corporate clients and more bookings from individual members of the public.”

Boro Taxis recently invested a six-figure sum installing state-of-the-art software, focusing on improving how the company dispatches taxis and the operation of its accounts.

Mr Bashir added: “Our recent investment in the latest technology, allied with our mobile phone App and the ability for customers to book online via our website, has have all contributed to this increase in business.

“It seems that the economy on Teesside has taken a turn for the better with people going out more leading to a noticeable increase.”

The computer upgrade has improved customer service levels and administration, providing electronic invoicing in response to customers’ evolving requirements.

The hi-tech system continues to allow the dispatch control centre to communicate with its drivers but now will enable customers to talk directly to the driver who is picking them up and vice versa.

Boro Taxis’ workforce is made up of a mixture of direct employees and self-employed drivers.

Teesside University lecturer drowns, staff and students pay tribute

Tributes have been paid to a Teesside University lecturer who has drowned.

Dr Neil Armstrong, a senior lecturer in history, died on Friday.

It is not yet known where the incident happened.

“Neil was a talented colleague, scholar and teacher,” said Professor Gerda Roper, Dean of the School of Arts and Media.

“Anyone who worked with him knew the uncompromising dedication and dry wit that made him popular with both staff and students.

“An expert on the history of Christmas in the nineteenth century and on religion in twentieth-century Britain, Neil contributed immensely to every aspect of the work of the history section since joining us in June 2010.

“Our deepest sympathies and thoughts are with his family at this tragic time.

"Neil was a highly valued member of the team and we will all miss him.

"We will, of course, offer support to students, staff and the wider university community affected by his loss.”

Teesside University

Since the news broke, further tributes have also been posted on social networking sites to Dr Armstrong, who was believed to be aged 40.

The history department at Teesside University wrote on Twitter: “It was with great sadness that we learned of the sudden and tragic death on March 27 of our dear friend and colleague Dr Neil Armstrong.

“Neil Armstrong will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by us all. Our deepest sympathies go to his wife Catriona and wider family.”

Another person paid tribute to the “brilliant lecturer and overall gent.”

Meanwhile, one Twitter user wrote: “Absolutely devastated to hear that Dr Neil Armstrong has passed away, such a kind man with a great sense of humour. RIP.”

Another said: “So sad to hear the news of @HistoryTeesside lecturer Dr Neil Armstrong’s passing.

"Such a lovely, funny man with such great knowledge, RIP.”

A Teesside University student wrote: “Just found out my dissertation tutor has unfortunately died. Absolutely horrible. Was a genuinely brilliant person. RIP Dr Neil Armstrong.”

A published author who is thought to have lived in York, Dr Armstrong began his academic career researching the history of the English Christmas in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

His biography on Teesside University’s website reads: “His doctorate, published as Christmas in Nineteenth-Century England by Manchester University Press in 2010, was a study of the processes of modernisation which made the festival part of the national culture by the eve of the First World War.

“It examined the development of a child-centred seasonal celebration located at the heart of an affective familial occasion, but also explored the intersections between the hearthside Christmas and its manifestations in consumer, civic and philanthropic contexts.”

It adds: “Neil now focuses on the social, cultural and political history of post-1945 Britain, and has a particular interest in the role of the Christian churches in society.”

Dr Armstrong previously taught at the universities of Gloucestershire, Newcastle, Warwick and York.

Boro to resolve Jelle Vossen's future at the end of the season

Boro will not make a decision on Jelle Vossen’s future until the end of the season.

According to reports coming out of Belgium, the striker’s parent club Genk require an answer from Middlesbrough on whether they will sign him on a long-term deal by close of play on March 31.

But the Gazette understands that a decision won’t be made on his future by Boro until the Championship season is complete.

Vossen signed a season-long loan deal on the final day of the summer transfer window on September 1 and the club have the option to make that deal permanent or release him back to Genk in late May.

Vossen has made 28 Championship appearances for Boro, including 16 starts, and has scored six league goals - including the hat-trick at Millwall.

He has also played in four cup ties since moving to England, scoring once.

Aged 26, he has showed on several occasions that he is a skillful and dangerous player in the final third and a decent finisher but hasn’t, as yet, enjoyed an extended run of games in the first team, partly as a result of injuries.

Woman loses out on first job in media industry after video camera is stolen from car

A woman has lost out on her first paid job as a broadcast journalist after her video camera was stolen.

Leanne Mulligan, 22, has recently graduated as a broadcast journalist and was bought the camera - worth £3,000 new - by her parents so she can begin to find work.

She had her first paid job lined up next week - but has had to cancel after the camera was stolen, either from her Seat Ibiza car at Ingleby Barwick's Tesco store or outside her home on Chalfield Close, or from inside her house.

Leanne said: “It is really upsetting - I don’t think people will realise how much it meant to me.

“My parents had to make sacrifices to buy this for me. I have been doing a lot of voluntary work, doing promotional stuff for local football clubs, and that was on the camera.

“But for my first paid job filming next week, I have had to get in touch with them and cancel now.”

Leanne, who coaches the girls under 10 team and plays for Norton and Stockton Ancients, and is now appealing for people to keep lookout for the camera.

“The camera was either taken from my car, or somebody has come into my house and took it. It’s frightening.”

The JVC GY-HM600 camcorder was stolen between 6.30pm on Tuesday March 24 and 3pm on Wednesday March 25.

Two men, both aged 34, were arrested on suspicion of theft from a motor vehicle and have both been released on bail pending further enquiries.

Anyone with information regarding the theft is asked to contact DC Rachael Smith on the non-emergency number 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Three years ago, Kieran could hardly walk - now he's training with the best rugby players in the country

Only three years ago, Kieran Ions could barely walk and had never played a game of rugby.

But after undergoing surgery to repair the short tendons in his legs which consigned him to a wheelchair, the Acklam teenager lost weight, regained his confidence and pulled on a rugby jersey for the first time a year ago.

Now the 13-year-old, who plays for Acklam Rugby Club, has been offered the chance to train with the England Rugby team’s development programme.

Kieran’s mum Gemma Livingstone, 33, said: “When he was about three years old, we noticed he was walking on his tip toes and he started getting pains in his feet and legs.

“I took him to North Tees hospital and they told us they thought he might have cerebral palsy so they gave him brain and spinal scans, but those revealed the tendons in his legs were too short and that made him uncomfortable.

“He could barely walk, he was in so much pain, and because he walked awkwardly, he could slip and easily break his foot.

“It was really hard as a parent seeing him like that. He was in agony. He had a wheelchair, and he couldn’t go out to play with his friends.

“He was consigned to a wheelchair and spent most of the time on the sofa. He put on weight, lost his confidence and ended up being bullied.”

But then at the age of ten, a transfer to James Cook University Hospital saw Kieran undergo an operation to help his tendons lengthen - and he hasn’t looked back since.

His stepdad Steven then arranged for him to take kickboxing training with Paul Bonnel and Andrew Mann at the Akita academy in Billingham.

Stepdad Steven Livingstone, 38, said: “The operation he had would normally only be done on an 18-year-old who had nearly stopped growing, but because Kieran was in so much pain and he’d already grown a lot they did it for him then.

“He spent six months in physio, but once he went to kickboxing his life completely changed.

“They gave him his confidence back and the weight fell off him. Paul and Andrew didn’t charge us a penny, they don’t with kids, and now he’s a completely different lad. We owe them a lot for giving him that chance to turn things around.

“Imagine being a young lad who couldn’t do PE or play sports with your mates?

“I think what he has achieved since then is incredible.”

Acklam Grange student Kieran, who has a younger sister Kacileigh, 11, and two brothers Kenzie, 3, and Rocco, 1, then attended a rugby trial at school.

He impressed so much that scouts from Acklam Rugby Club took him on and he now stars regularly for them, as well as being recognised by his country and asked to train every month for two years with the England Rugby Developing Player Programme.

Steven continued: “Rugby has taken over now, and he’s going far. We’ve been told he’s been watched by Newcastle Falcons. He loves the game and wants to keep playing.

“We’re all very proud of him.”

'There's a natural-born arsonist round here' says allotment holder after latest blaze

Fires and vandalism are “destroying” allotments in Grangetown says one plot holder - after another blaze demolished sheds on the site.

John Mescus was the chairman of the committee at the Mushroom Grove allotments, on Eastcroft Road in Grangetown, until dwindling numbers of plot holders decimated the committee.

According to Mr Mescus, 10 fires have been burned at the site in the past year, with sheds again alight last Wednesday night.

Arson attack at Mushroom Grove Allotments in Grangetown

The 67-year-old said: “I have had a garden there for about 40 years.

"There are about 40 empty plots now, there are only really four or five people left there.

“I have had my greenhouse burned down in the past, I have had sheds broken into. Anything that you try and grow there is robbed.

“I’m hardly surprised there’s anyone down here now, there’s almost not much point.

“People used to knock off the locks and break in. They don’t even bother doing that any more, they just pull down the fences.

“There is just a natural-born arsonist round here.

“It’s disheartening.”

Once again the Arsonist has struck at the allotments in Grangetown it is about time something was done to capture this person ,but nothing gets done .This is just some of the burnt out buildings from Wednesday night Mushroom Grove Allotments Grangetown mescus9@mescus9.force9.co.uk>

Mr Mescus, who lives in Grangetown, said he is meeting with Redcar and Cleveland Council this week to discuss issues at the allotments.

Jeff Kitching, watch manager at Grangetown Fire Station, dealt with last Wednesday’s call out.

He said: “It was quite a large fire, affecting a few sheds. It looks like the fire spread from one to another.

“We had one appliance down there just before 10pm.

“Fires can be a problem in the area, but this is the first one I have dealt with on this site.

“This one didn’t necessarly look like arson, as the gates were locked and a resident has to let us in.”

Arson attack at Mushroom Grove Allotments in Grangetown

'The Europa is no more': One blogger laments the loss of the famous Teesside parmo house

It is done.

The last serving of béchamel sauce has been whammed.

We don’t drizzle or garnish round here - onto your pork slab or chicken breast (cue backlash from purist gastronomic Teessiders) or even fish...for there was, but once, a fish parmo.

The breadcrumbs have been shotblasted into position for the final time and the last beer bottle has been emptied.

The Europa is no more.

Savour then, the Bolognese-tinged net curtains, the dented radiators (whose dents always looked suspiciously head-shaped to me) and the drunken ascent of the stairs to the toilets that made a steady jog up Roseberry Topping look like an attractive proposition.

Even though it looked like it hasn’t been troubled by a paintbrush since the 1970s, the place has become a local nay national institution, thanks it to its flagship antichrist-on-a-plate dish, the parmo.

An adult male’s weekly recommended calorie intake is crammed into one dish - this is a deep-fried dollop of destruction.

It was said to be introduced to the Europa by one-time chef Charlie Constantine and soon became synonymous with the venue.

But you’ll rarely hear the word ‘parmo’ in a sentence that doesn’t contain the word ‘Europa.’

Its preparation and recommended point-of-sale divides opinion like nothing else on Teesside.

Originally veal was used but now pork is preferred.

As if to highlight this, one local internet forum contributor on the subject says: “Anyone selling chicken parmesans are impostors and should be drowned at birth.”

Whatever the ingredients, the definitive version will always be from the Europa.

I haven’t been for over a year, but I hardly think my absence contributed to its closure.

I was never what you’d call a ‘regular’, preferring to enjoy such an exquisite dining experience as a rare treat.

My last visit coincided with an equal parts amorous and arduous trip to the toilets for one couple and a frankly unacceptable amount of carbonara sauce in my hair (before you start, we had parmos too).

It was agreed that it would have been considerably less messy if we’d simply swan-dived into our meals wearing nothing but one of those lovely floral napkins.

It’ll be back open by the end of year, possibly as some sort of parmo museum.

:: Will Nett is the author of My Only Boro: A Walk Through Red & White and Billy No Maps

Bets are on for the royal baby's name

One bookmaker is facing a potential five-figure payout if the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge name their second baby Alice. Punters have staked a significant amount on the name of the royal baby.

The odds on heavily pregnant Kate and William calling their baby Alice have tumbled with bookmaker William Hill from 14-1 to 4-1 after the bets were made last week.

William Hill spokesman Rupert Adams said: "Alice is the new favourite and we have seen a significant number of bets, particularly from the Tunbridge area - you have to think there is good reason for the gamble."

If the wagers prove correct the bookmakers face losing a five-figure sum.

After Alice the next fancied moniker among punters is the Queen's name Elizabeth at odds of 9-2 followed by Charlotte 11-2, Victoria 12-1, Alexandra 14-1, Diana 16- 1, and the boys names Arthur, Henry and James all at 20-1.

Since the mid 19th century a number of royal women have been called Alice, with Queen Victoria calling her second daughter Princess Alice and the wife of the late Duke of Gloucester - the Queen's uncle - also had the same name.

Paddy Power have also made Alice their favourite, jointly with Charlotte, at odds of 9-2 followed by Elizabeth 5-1, Victoria 10-1, James, Arthur and Alexandra all at 12-1 and Philip 14-1.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge with young people on the top deck of the XLP Mobile recording Studio on the Hazel Grove Estate, Sydenham, London, Friday March 27, 2015

Kate held her last public engagements on Friday and will not be seen again officially until she leaves the Lindo Wing, the private maternity wing of London's St Mary's Hospital, with her second child.

The baby is due at the end of April and William said, as they visited a number of charitable organisations on Friday, that he could not wait for the latest addition to his family to be born.

William Hill are accepting wagers on the date the baby will be born with odds suggesting it could be around April 21.

The firm's spokesman said: "The Duchess is now on maternity leave and George could have a brother/sister within a month."

The dates of April 19-22 have odds of 14-1, with April 15-18 and April 23-24 (16-1) and the rest of the month with odds from 20-1 to 25-1.

Odds on the gender of the baby are evens for a boy and 8-11 for a girl.

UKIP mixes up its Grangetowns and Grangefields in election website blunder

As the election battle begins UKIP seems a bit confused over its local geography - announcing two of its Stockton South candidates are standing in the “Grangetown” ward...

The blunder appears on UKIP Stockton’s website and should read ‘Grangefield’ instead of Grangetown - which is of course in Redcar and Cleveland.

The two UKIP candidates standing for Stockton’s Grangefield ward (or “Grangetown”) in the local authority elections in May are Michael Spayne and Aiden Cockerill.

After the transgression was pointed out by the Gazette, Alastair Coe, spokesperson for UKIP Stockton Branch, said the website would be corrected.

He said: “I’m sure if you were to look at the websites of most political parties you would find the odd typo.

“I’ll point it out to the people who do our website that there is an inaccuracy.”

Labour councillor Mike Clark, who currently serves the Grangefield ward alongside his wife Carol, was bemused by the UKIP error.

He said: “I think this is a classic example of a campaign getting off on the wrong foot - or in the wrong borough.

“The extraordinary thing - apart from the shocking lack of local knowledge - is that this howler has been on their website now for four days, which tends to suggest it doesn’t attract a lot of readers.”

How 'English' is your club? How Boro compare to their Championship rivals

Only five Championship teams fielded more English players than Boro in the last round of games, according to a new survey.

The pool of talent available to the England national team has recently been in the spotlight, with FA chairman Greg Dyke announcing changes to the work permit system and proposals to increase the number of homegrown players in Premier League squads.

The regulations are all with a view to boosting England’s performance at major tournaments.

A new survey has ranked each team in the top four divisions and calculated how many players in their starting XI in the latest round of matches were eligible for England duty.

The percentage of England-qualified players starting in the Championship was 57.2%, compared to 36.8% in the Premier League, 76.5% in League One and 86% in League Two.

Boro's players applaud travelling fans

Blackburn and Huddersfield fielded the most English players in the Championship on the weekend of March 21, each with nine.

Blackpool, Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest are next with eight, with Boro among six teams fielding seven English players.

Boro’s Ben Gibson, George Friend, Grant Leadbitter, Adam Clayton, Adam Reach, Lee Tomlin and Patrick Bamford all started in the 3-0 defeat at Bournemouth, and are eligible to play for England.

Dimi Konstantopoulos (Greece), Emilio Nsue (Equatorial Guinea), Tomas Kalas (Czech Republic) and Albert Adomah (Ghana) made up Aitor Karanka’s starting XI.

Four of Boro's English players

Out of all 24 Championship teams, Watford were the club that fielded the fewest English players, with only three (Tommie Hoban, Ben Watson and Troy Deeney) eligible for Roy Hodgson’s side.

In the Premier League, Burnley topped the list with seven of their starting 11 against Southampton meeting the criteria for selection, and with all 11 born in the UK.

Tottenham had a six-strong group who featured against Leicester, while five of the Manchester United team which won at Liverpool were England internationals.

Premier League high-flyers Chelsea and Manchester City were at the bottom of the chart, each fielding only two Englishmen in their teams.

Boro striker Patrick Bamford training with England's senior team

Central defensive pair Gary Cahill and John Terry were part of Jose Mourinho’s defence as they won 3-2 at Hull, another team with just two England-qualified starters, while Man City had only Joe Hart and retired England midfielder Frank Lampard in their side.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has been credited for adding a greater English element to his side in recent years, but the team which won at Newcastle featured only two who would qualify - Calum Chambers and Danny Welbeck.

Team by team - number of English players in Championship starting XIs for matches played over the weekend of March 21-22.

Blackburn - 9

Huddersfield - 9

Blackpool - 8

Bournemouth - 8

Nottingham Forest - 8

Bolton - 7

Brentford - 7

Derby - 7

Leeds - 7

Middlesbrough - 7

Wolves - 7

Brighton - 6

Cardiff - 6

Fulham - 6

Ipswich - 6

Millwall - 6

Rotherham - 6

Sheff Wed - 6

Wigan - 6

Birmingham - 5

Charlton - 4

Norwich - 4

Watford - 3

151 out of 264 players eligible: 57.2%

Driver who mowed down teenager on pavement after coming under attack by armed gang is spared jail

A driver who mowed down a teenager on a pavement after his car was attacked by a gang with weapons was spared jail today.

The incident involving Lee O’Connor’s Vauxhall Corsa in Eston was captured on CCTV cameras and the footage shown at his trial.

O’Connor, 23, said that he had driven a pal to the area for an arranged one-to-one fight when his car became a target.

He told Teesside Crown Court that the windscreen was shattered before he veered across the road and struck Liam Hannon, 18, on the pavement in The Avenue, Eston, on February 24 last year.

Kieron Rainey said that O’Connor later received threats which continued until his trial last month when a jury found him guilty of dangerous driving and actual bodily harm assault.

Mr Rainey said: “He may have driven at him but it was an attempt to escape.

“It was only after the damage to his car that he did anything that put anyone in jeopardy.

“There was quite an extensive spidery crack to the windscreen causing him to drive in the way that he did.”

He said that threats were issued to O’Connor a week before the trial and there was concern about getting him to court safely.

He said that O’Connor had no problem with others but he made a foolish decision to take someone to a fight where differences were to be settled.

He was not expecting people to turn up with weapons and to cause dents to his car and to shatter the windscreen.

Prosecutor Peter Sabiston said that the car was used as a weapon and O’Connor was fortunate that Liam Hannon received a glancing blow.

The judge said that it was not entirely clear how the damage was caused to the car.

Recorder Eric Elliott QC told O’Connor: “Against a background you agreed to take a man to have a one-to-one fight, and you attempted to escape from the scene by driving in such a way that you caused injury to Liam Hannon.

“Your car mounted the pavement and collided with him, and very fortunately he suffered various minor injuries.

“You escaped from the scene and your vehicle was damaged. How the damage was done to your car is not entirely clear.”

O’Connor, an asbestos remover, of Wilton Way, Eston, was given a nine month jail sentence suspended for two years with 18 months supervision, 150 hours unpaid work,disqualified for 12 months and until he passes an extended driving test, and ordered to pay £100 Victim Surcharge.

Your Nursery Minus Fives Children's Day Nursery

VIEW GALLERY

School/nursery name:  Minus Fives Children’s Day Nursery

Address:  William Crosthwaite Avenue, Teesside Industrial Estate, Thornaby TS17 9LX

Number of pupils in nursery class:  53.

What projects have you been doing with the pupils?  The children in the nursery are enjoying spending lots of time outside where they are able to make big movements, big noises and explore our mud kitchen.

Hopefully the mud kitchen will not only encourage dramatic play but also allow for the messy, creative and sensory experiences that are difficult to provide indoors. Mud can become anything!

It will also encourage problem solving opportunities, co-operative play possibilities, stress reduction and build stronger immune systems.

The possibilities are endless.

Contact name and number:  Leanne Old on 01462 764606

John Powls: A red-roaring restart to the last lap of the promotion race would be most welcome

Just over halfway through the exercise in ennui that is the interminable international Break and the only thing that’s on a roll is the tumbleweed!

Gate further emptied the landscape of interest by omitting Big Ben from his already thin U21 Prague matchday squad.

The DiasBoro would be torn between grateful and concerned as to why.

They might also have mused that a random Kalas-Gibbo coming together might well have been a fate tempting clash best avoided for the Boro backline.

With Bam-Bam withdrawn, I guess it’s likely that the usual courtesies will have Ben in the line up for this evening’s friendly with Germany at The Riverside if at all possible.

Let’s hope the healthy home crowd can be heartfelt rather than heart in mouth over the young centre back’s Eng-er-lund appearance.

Ben Gibson during training for England Under-21s

Mention of Kalas reminds me of some further explanation I’ve seen recently around Boro’s right back revolving door.

Apparently, his loan period ends a couple of games short of the end of the season and can’t be extended.

Hence the acquisition of Tiendalli, even though the same articles seemed convinced that Fredericks will be available again for the Easter games.

All of that’s a bit like clutching at the few thin straws of Boro stories blown in on the same lazy breeze aimlessly dribbling the tumbleweed like one of those frustrating flankers.

It’s evident that a national media that’s usually barely interested but short of copy are struggling with the existential crisis of trying to make sense of the analysis defying eight team, seven game shoot out that is the remains of the Championship campaign.

Their conclusions, even if reached, are almost as varied as the permutations available replete with ifs, buts and maybes.

You can’t blame them for trying but none really get behind the looking glass we’ve long since stepped through or much beyond the head-scratching.

As those of us committed know, the only sense is that none of it makes much sense.

Aitor Karanka

So, welcome to our world guys!

I was grateful for Jonathan Taylor’s reminder of Boro’s form after previous breaks as well as – and maybe because of - its benefits for team and coach getting some R&R and Rockliffe time.

I can’t shake the sense that something sensational in set out or selections – within the detailed Karankaworld parameters – is going to emerge from those sessions.

Another Red roaring restart to the last lap of the resurrection roller-coaster ride would be most welcome but if that’s what we should expect from experience is it likely?

Who knows – but I still can’t wait to strap in again and get started!

C’mon Boro!!

Nas Khan launches second appeal after raising £120,000 for Pakistan flood victims

A motor dealership boss has launched a second appeal to help victims of the Pakistan floods - after reaching his original £120,000 target.

Pakistan-born Nas Khan, managing director of Jennings Motor Group, started raising the cash more than four years ago to build a health centre in his native land.

The Stockton boss has devoted his spare time to fundraising for registered charity The Emaan Foundation.

Nas said: “I am absolutely delighted and overwhelmed that we have reached the fundraising target and I would like to thank everyone who has contributed and donated to the charity and appeal, from family, friends and work colleagues to local businesses, schools and colleges, the support and generosity has been absolutely incredible.”

Working with international aid organisation, Human Appeal, money raised so far has gone towards buying life-saving water purifiers that were distributed in the immediate aftermath of the disaster in 2010.

Cash raised has also helped build a new village - The Emaan Village - for the people of Rahim Yar Khan, south of Punjab.

Nas regularly travels to Pakistan with representatives from Human Appeal International, to see the progress and the people he has helped in the new village.

He added: “A real community is developing in the village, which is lovely to see considering the sheer devastation following the floods more than four years ago.”

As well as building 60 homes, there is also livestock and a deep tube well for clean water to make the village self-sufficient.

Not resting on his laurels, Nas has set himself another goal – to improve the lives of people in The Emaan Village by raising funds to build a health centre.

He added: “Currently people in the village are having to travel hundreds of miles to receive medical treatment, having a health centre on site will not only be convenient, but it will also offer peace of mind to residents.”

To make a donation to The Emaan Foundation charity, visit http://bit.ly/1GGFc6y and click on ‘donate’ at the top of the homepage.

Jennings has bases including Middlesbrough’s Cargo Fleet Lane and Yarm Road, Stockton.

Primary school's dinner 'mammy' says farewell after 6,080 shifts in the playground

Staff and pupils at a Thornaby primary school said “farewell” to one of its longest serving members.

After 32 years - equalling 6080 shifts - midday supervisor, Pat Butler, parted company with her colleagues - some who she once looked after as children themselves.

The 66-year-old was rewarded for her service to Mandale Mill School with a surprise tea party thrown in her honour.

Speaking on the emotional day, Mammy - as she is known at the school - said: “It’s been a very nice last day but I can’t believe where the time has gone.

“I came to the school to cover someone who was ill and 32 years later I am still here.

“A lot of the children have been coming up to me today, asking why I am leaving and I have had plenty of hugs from them.

“I knew something was going on as I have heard whispers during the week but I did not expect this, it’s marvellous.”

Pat - who has always worked in the infant yard - has looked after generations of families and even supervised some of the people she calls her colleagues.

As she opened goodbye cards and presents, staff were quick to praise her.

Colleague Maureen Cossins said: “I have worked with Pat for 26 years.

“She is just great to work with and will be a big miss in the yard.”

Headteacher, Leanne Moore, said: “You can tell that Pat really enjoys the job and I think this is why she has stayed so long.

“Rain, hail or shine she has been here and will be a big miss.

“She will have seen hundreds of children through the school so to say thank you, the children presented her with a bouquet of flowers in assembly.”

The grandmother says she will miss the children and staff but is now looking forward to having some time to herself.

“I love gardening and reading so I can’t wait to be able to do things like that,” said Pat.

“I decided in February that I was ready to retire, I have loved working here and will miss everyone at the school but it was time to call it a day.”

New £15k footpath branded 'useless' - because it's only yards from main pavement

A new path built just yards from another footpath has been branded “useless” by residents.

Redcar and Cleveland Council built the new walkway across a patch of grass to link two other footpaths on Flatts Lane in Normanby.

But the new walkway - part of £15,000 works by the council - is only a matter of yards away from a main pavement which already connects the two paths.

Normanby resident Dennis Plews said: “I can’t see the point in it. The path is useless, it’s a waste, it’s only yards away from the pavement.

“What was wrong with people using the path that’s already there?”

Dennis Plews beside work progressing on the path

The work has been carried out as part of the council’s £2m Boroughwide Public Realm Programme, which set out improvements across Redcar and Cleveland and was agreed by the authority’s cabinet in October.

After public consultations on the whole scheme, £15,000 was set aside to upgrade the birdsmouth fencing with decorative railings and construct the footpath at the Flatts Lane site, opposite Hollywalk Avenue.

But Mr Plews, a retired draughtsman and project manager in the petro-chemical and oil and gas industries, says the money could have been much better spent improving footpaths just hundreds of yards from the site.

The new path (looking towards Flatts Lane in Normanby)

The 67-year-old continued: “The path that runs alongside Bankfields School is almost completely overgrown.

"Only one person can get through, uncomfortably, at the moment when the path should be wide enough for three.

“There is always a load of rubbish dropped down there as well. If there was money available to improve the area, then that might have been a better place to start.”

A resident on nearby West Street said: “I don’t know where the money has come from, but if it’s council tax then it’s a huge waste of our money.”

Cllr Steve Kay, Cabinet Member for Highways, Planning and Transport, said: “The construction of a new section of footpath is to replace the well-worn mud ‘path’ that had been used for some time.

“The new footpath, as well as the installation of brand new ornamental railings to replace the existing wooden fencing, is part of the council’s Boroughwide Public Realm Programme.

“This was approved by cabinet in October last year and consists of 56 projects, selected by councillors, spread across the whole of the borough.

“We are hoping that these new developments will provide an uplift for the area and will be easier to maintain in the future.”