AN inshore lifeboat was called to rescue three men on a pleasure craft after it had engine failure and was blown towards rocks at the weekend.

The vessel, the Ebbygum, was stranded near Middleton Pier, Hartlepool, at 1.25pm on Saturday. The Hartlepool lifeboat towed it to the Tees and Hartlepool Yacht Club slipway. No one was hurt.

BLAZE RESCUE: Firefighters rescued a woman from a house fire in Hawkshead Road, Redcar, east Cleveland, yesterday afternoon. She was taken to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation.

HEALTH TALKS: National Health Service, social services and voluntary group representatives are meeting on Monday, March 31, at Darlington's Feethams football ground, to discuss health care in the town. For more information, telephone (01325) 254848.

CONCERT DATE: Rock artist Midge Ure is performing at Darlington Arts Centre on Wednesday, March 26, at 8pm. Tickets cost £14 and are available on (01325) 486555.

PHOTO DEADLINE: Disabled amateur photographers are reminded that April 30 is the deadline for entries into Freedom In Focus, an annual competition. For an entry form, call(0207) 6197319.

STABLES WAIT: Plans for 20 more racehorse stables at South View Farm, Bolam, near Darlington, have been put on hold. Teesdale district councillors want to make a site visit before deciding on the application, by Jeffrey Moore.