PLANS to set up a phased repair and maintenance programme for the Eston cemetery wall has won approval from residents.

A public meeting in the James Finegan Hall was told that the £122,000 three-year programme was the favoured option. The council's deputy leader, George Dunning, who chaired the meeting, said: "The council needs to give this project top priority. Any delay could cause further deterioration and mean a far greater outlay in the future."

FESTIVECRAWL: A group of Teesside Hospice supporters boosted charity funds with a fancy dress crawl around Guisborough and Redcar last night. The group dressed as Father and Mother Christmas in red and white outfits.

CIVE THANKS: Butterwick Hospice's ecumenical thanksgiving and praise service will take place at Stockton Baptist Tabernacle, in Stockton, on Sunday, January 5, at 3pm. Addresses will be given by the Abbot of Ampleforth, Right Reverend Timothy Wright. Everyone is welcome.

HOSPITAL TONIC: Middlesbrough Primary Care Trust is to spend £478,000 on the town's Carter Bequest Hospital in an upgrade which will result in 43 new beds becoming available and an increase in qualified nursing staff.

PUPIL AWARD: Schoolboy Robert Icke, a Year 11 pupil at the Ian Ramsey Church of England School, Stockton, has been nominated by his headmaster Barry Winter, to receive the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Award for his extra curricular activities at the school which have included writing and acting out sketches and compering the school's variety show.

PIANO CONCERT: Pianist Eduardo Monteiro will play at the Sir William Turner's Almshouses, at Kirkleatham, on Friday, January 17 at 7.30pm, as part of the Classics at Kirkleatham series of concerts. Tickets cost £10 and are available at Sotherans stationery shop, Redcar.

SHOEBOX GIFTS: Pupils at Laurence Jackson School, in Guisborough, filled 284 shoeboxes with gifts for children in Eastern Europe.