RESIDENTS are offering a cash reward in a bid to catch vandals who have destroyed trees on the green at Old Billingham.

The latest incident took place last week, when a group of youths used golf clubs to hack the bark off a mature tree over three nights.

Roger Black, chairman of Old Billingham Carnival and Garden Show, which is held on the green this weekend, said: "This is the third tree they have killed in a year. It really upsets me that people are trying to improve the place and this goes on."

Mr Black said £39,000 had been raised and planning permission received to build a children's play area and a car park at the nearby Bullgarth.

"When you see what some of these kids are doing it makes you wonder whether it's worth it," he said.

In a bid to track down the culprits, Mr Black said a cash reward would be paid to anyone supplying information leading to a successful prosecution.

He added: "People must know who these kids are, and it's time for us to stand up and be counted.

"I've been in touch with the police and they have said they are going to do something about it, but we've still got idiots like this roaming around just blatantly damaging things."

Anyone with information can contact the Billingham Forward office on 01642 360150 or Cleveland police on 01642 302226.

Mayor's golf day is success

THE first Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council mayor's charity golf day at Hunley Hall Golf Club proved a grand success.

Hopes are high that £1,000 will have been raised for Coun Madge Moses' charity choices - Saltburn Animal Rescue Association and children's charity Zoe's Place.

The council's director of area management, Simon Dale, helped organise the day with NHP Events.

He said: "The venue and the weather were superb and it's a big thank you to the companies and organisations who supported the event."

The winning team was Coast and Country Housing, with chief executive Iain Sim, business and property director Nick Atkinson, head of asset management Jack Hurst and repairs and maintenance manager Alan Hugill.

Runners-up were Stockton Council, with Tees Active Leisure third.