DENIS SEWELL, of Marske, has been co-opted by Saltburn, Marske and New Marske Parish Council to fill the vacancy on the council's Longbeck ward following the death of Councillor Fred Packer.

Councillor Sewell previously served on the parish council for eight years, from 1995 to 2003, and was chairman of the council in 1998-9.

BOOK SIGNINGS: School teacher David Jowsey will be signing copies of his book, Dragons in the Sky, throughout this month. It starts tomorrow, at Guisborough Bookshop, at noon, then at 2.30pm at WH Smith, Redcar. Mr Jowsey will also be at WH Smith in Redcar on Thursday, at noon. The book can be purchased from the author's website www.davidjowsey.com or www.kedziepress.com as, well as Badger for Books and Borders, Teesside Park.

SHOP ONLINE: Marske Tennis Club is asking supporters to shop online at www.marsketennis2003.ik. com. More than 100 retailers are accessible, including Marks and Spencer, John Lewis, ELC and Littlewoods. Club member Dave Frost said: "Each Christmas gift which is purchased through our webshop will result in a donation for Marske Tennis Club."

HAIR AWARD: A Guisborough hairdresser has achieved success in a national photographic competition run by the National Hairdressers Federation. Enrico Capaldi, owner-manager of Enrico Hair Design, in Fountain Street, was placed eighth overall in the competition.

LOCAL SALE: Whale Hill Community Centre, Goathland Road, Eston, will holds its weekly boot sale on Monday. Sellers can arrive at 9.30am, with the sale opening at 10am. For details call 01642-468890.

FESTIVE SHOW: Santa will sing the blues tomorrow, at 7pm, at Christ Church, Dormanstown. Tickets, priced £3.50 or £2.50 children, are available at the door. The show will feature performances by local schoolchildren.

ANNUAL DIP: Saltburn Animal Rescue Association holds its annual New Year's Day Dip, at Saltburn Pier, at 11am. For more information, call 01287-201005.