PARENTS and carers in Hartlepool are being urged to take advantage of free child car seat safety checks to ensure they are correctly fitted.

Hartlepool Borough Council's environmental standards team has joined forces with the town's Asda store and staff from Mothercare, at Teesside Park, Stockton, to stage the initiative. A section of the car park at Asda in the Marina will be cordoned off to enable the checks to be carried out on Monday, from 10am to noon, and from 1pm to 3pm.

PARTY TIME: A garden party is being held by Teesside Hospice, in Stokesley, tomorrow to celebrate its 21st anniversary. The party will take place from 2pm to 4.30pm at Levenside House, in Helmsley Road. Admission, including refreshments, is £2.50 for adults, and £1 for school children. Children under school age go free. All proceeds will go to the hospice. Tickets can be bought from Browns Newsagents and Teesside Hospice's Charity Shop in Stokesley.

APPEAL PROGRESS: An appeal by Saltburn Animal Rescue Association to raise money to build an animal sanctuary has reached £127,000, boosted by more than £2,500 raised at a recent celebrity auction. A box collection day is being held in Guisborough tomorrow. New members are invited to a meeting of the association at the TocH premises, in Albion Terrace, Saltburn, on Wednesday.

CELLAR BID: Stockton Borough Council has received a planning application from Stafford Place Cricket Club, Bassleton Lane, Thornaby, to add an extension to its cricket pavilion to provide a larger beer cellar.

GALA DAY: A gala day is being held to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Marton Community Centre, in Cypress Road, Marton. It will be held from 1pm to 4pm on Saturday, July 12.

SPORTS FIELD: Plans to change the use of Yarm Recreation Ground, Leven Road, Yarm, into a sports field have been submitted to Stockton Borough Council.