Guisborough library is hosting two Christmas-themed evenings in its meeting room, organised by Guisborough Theatre Club, on Friday and Saturday, December 8 and 9.

There will be readings by members, including the works of Allan Bennett, Joyce Grenfell and Sue Townsend. Wine and mince pies will be served from 7.45pm before the readings at 8.15pm. Tickets, priced £2 and £1 concessions, are available from the library.

SHOEBOX GENEROSITY: Staff at Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, firms at the Innovation Centre on Kirkleatham Business Park, and congregations at Kirkleatham Parish Church and Marske Methodist Church have filled 99 shoeboxes, now on their way to orphanages in Belarus. The boxes contain toiletries, including toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap and flannels, as well as toys, sweets, gloves and hats.

BIKE RAFFLE: A charity raffle is offering a prize of a mountain bike - just in time for Christmas. There will also be a hamper raffle and Santa postbox throughout this month at Frankie and Benny's restaurant, Teesside Retail Park. All proceeds will go to its chosen charity, Hoop Dreams Teesside, with tickets costing £1. The winner of the mountain bike and safety equipment will be announced before Christmas. For more details contact the Stockton branch by calling 01642-673 972.

NO SWIMMING: The pool at the Rainbow Leisure Centre, Coulby Newham, which is run by Middlesbrough Council, will be closed today for essential work. Staff apologise for any inconvenience.

CAR STOLEN: Thieves who burgled a bungalow in Claremont Gardens, Fairfield, Stockton, also stole the family's car, a Suzuki Swift, registration number NG52 PTZ, between Wednesday night and the early hours of Thursday.

GARDEN BLAZE: A shed was destroyed in a blaze at Mallowdale, Nunthorpe, Middlesbrough, yesterday.