A SCHEME to protect the public from high-pressure salesmen and bogus callers has been launched by Redcar and Cleveland Council. Trading standards support officer Michelle O'Rourke has been appointed to advise the public and deal with their complaints. The Homeguard project will raise awareness of the techniques used by the salespeople as well as linking up with Cleveland Police and voluntary groups in providing ways to beat the problem.

SPORTY EGGS: Youngsters have been enjoying Easter activities holiday thanks to Stockton Borough Council. More than 100 have attended the sporting events so far, with still a week to go. The aim is to get children aged eight to 16 to try different sports, including football, aerobics, horse riding, golf, tennis and scuba diving.

GUILD MEETING: The next meeting of the Acklam Townswomen's Guild will be held in the Friends Meeting House, Cambridge Road, at 2pm on Tuesday, April 9, and there will be a talk on energy saving.

Bonfire views: Photographs of Skinningrove's annual bonfire celebrations, taken by photographer Ian Macdonald and others, is part of an exhibition at the Margrove Heritage Centre, near Guisborough. The museum reopens tomorrow and every Sunday to Thursday from 10am until 5pm. For further details call (01287) 610368.

Seat presented: A garden bench was presented to the Stead Memorial Hospital, in Redcar, this week in memory of Joan Hodgson, who was chairman of the hospital's League of Friends until her death in November last year. Easter Egg raffle winning ticket numbers were 611, 485 and 746.

Road closed: Eston High Street at Lazenby will be closed for a week from Wednesday for repairs