A £60,000 contract to strengthen a County Durham bridge at the boundary with Stockton started this week.

The work on Stillington Bridge, on the C92, involves replacing the reinforced concrete deck slab and is expected to take ten weeks.

A temporary road controlled by lights has been built next to the works at the boundary with Stockton to take single lane traffic.

Chris Tunstall, Durham County Council's director of environment and technical services, said: "The work is part of our ongoing programme of bridge strengthening to enable the county's bridges to carry 40-tonne Euro lorries. This road is normally very lightly used and any delays should be minimal."

SUMMER SALE: Home baking, bric-a-brac, plants, books and much more will be on offer at a summer sale at Sunnyfield House, Westgate, Guisborough, tomorrow. The event, between 9.30am and 11.45am, is in aid of Guisborough Salvation Army.

OPEN DAY: Freemasons in Redcar are inviting people to attend an open day at the Freemasons Hall in the High Street tomorrow. The event, from 10am to 4pm, is part of a national drive to change people's perceptions about the organisation. Visitors will get the chance to meet members and enjoy light refreshments in exchange for a small donation to charity.

Bargains galore: An antiques and collectables event is being held at The Hartlepool and District Hospice shop, in Park Road, Hartlepool. The shop is open Monday to Saturday, from 9am to 5pm and is opposite St George's Church. For more details, contact Leanne Coates on (01429) 288250.

STRAWBERRY TEAS: People enjoying a strawberry tea in aid of the holistic cancer care project at the James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, will be also be able to experience an Indian head massage, for the price of a small donation. There will also be tai chi and yoga demonstrations during the event on the school lawns of Newby Village, near Middlesbrough, on Sunday, July 7.

SOCCER TRIALS: Marske United under 11s football team is looking for players to attend trials on September 1. Youngsters with Teesside Junior Alliance League experience would be preferred. Anyone interested is asked to call Neil Crocker on (01287) 653993 or Billy Park on (01642) 297121.