Football teams from the Thornaby and Ingleby Barwick areas are to benefit from new sports pitches and changing rooms. Members of Stockton Borough Council's planning committee have agreed to plans to create the facility at the junction of Thornaby Road and Ingleby Way, in Thornaby. The plans were welcomed by Councillor Barry Bellerby, who said they had got to be good for the youngsters of Thornaby and Ingleby Barwick.

STAFF HONOURED: Staff from Stockton Borough Council's library service, which was recently awarded Beacon Status under the theme of libraries as a community resource, will be congratulated for their hard work today. Representatives of each section of the library service will receive a certificate from the Mayor of Stockton, Councillor Jean O'Donnell, during a presentation in Stockton Central Library.

Plan deferred: Plans to create a children's care home, in Darlington Lane, Stockton have been deferred. The home would be used by four children with learning difficulties, who would be supervised by three members of staff 24 hours a day. However, because of concerns over an increase in traffic, members of Stockton Borough Council's planning committee agreed to defer the plans for further talks.

Top midwife: The Asda store, in Thornaby, is asking customers to nominate a deserving midwife or health visitor from the area. The winner will receive an Olay pampering pack and will also be given the chance to be entered for the Midwife of the Year award. Nomination forms are available at the store.

no caravans: Plans to turn a rugby club into a caravan park for a country and western weekend have been refused by councillors. Stockton Borough Council had received a planning application to use Cowpen Rugby Club, Billingham, as a park for 52 caravans later this year.

Coffee morning: A coffee morning and bring-and-buy sale will be held in Redmarshall Rectory, Redmarshall, on Saturday, May 18, from 10am to 12pm. All proceeds will go to Christian Aid.

French class: There are still some vacancies in the French adult education class held in Yarm Methodist Church. For more information contact (01642) 700223