A FLAME which was lit from a candle in the Church of the Nativity arrived on Teesside yesterday.

The journey of the Peace Light began in a cave in Bethlehem beneath the birthplace of Christ, before it was carried to Vienna by Scouts.

From there, people lit candles for lanterns and travel all over the world, to destinations including the US and Australia, as well as sending them to centres all over Europe.

Two Scout leaders, Arthur Wooff and wife Sue, arrived at Darlington Railway Station yesterday and took the light by road to the temporary chapel at The James Cook University Hospital and the Holistic Cancer Care Centre, in Middlesbrough. Mr Wooff is co-ordinator of the Redcar and Eston District Scouts and Mrs Wooff is South Bank Scout leader.

Hospital chaplain, Reverend Philip Carrington, said: "It comes from a chain of lights and it is good for us, our staff and patients to see this holy light at this time of year.

"It is nice to have a symbol of Christmas in the local hospital and lots of people come to see it and take a light."

Last year, 30 people from across the region came to take a flame back to their respective churches.