Ex CID chief, now Mayor of Middlesbrough, Ray Mallon, intends to send street wardens, under cover, into housing estates in the town armed with secret cameras, microphones and night vision goggles to spy on hooligans and drug dealers intimidating tenants.

They will use a van equipped with surveillance equipment. The wardens who might also pose as tenants could act as professional witnesses where residents are too frightened to come forward.

Course starts: A beginner's computer course starts at Redcar and Cleveland City Learning Centre, on Tuesday, April 29. A Clait plus unit 1: Integration course is available for more advanced users. For details, call (01642) 467138.

JOB CREATION: Eleven trainee advisors have been taken on full time by HBS, Middlesbrough Council's private sector partner in running town hall services. School leavers interested in joining the August intake, can ring (01642) 262266.

CELEBRITY RECITAL: Prize-winning Dutch pianist Ariane Jurriaanse will play Mendelssohn, Chopin, Schumann and Schubert at a concert at the Sir William Turners Almshouses, Kirkleatham, Redcar, on May 9.

PETS APPEAL: Fundraising at Sunnyfield House, Guisborough, last month, raised £600 for the Saltburn Animal Rescue Association, which is raising money to build a sanctuary for strays.

HOBBY CHALLENGE: People looking for an interest can try a new craft every week for five weeks at the Redcar and Cleveland City Learning Centre, including glass painting and paper crafts. Call (01642) 467138 for details.

FLAT FIRE: A fire in a kitchen at a flat in the grounds of the University of Hospital of North Tees, Stockton, wrecked 20 per cent of the room and caused 80 per cent light smoke damage to the rest of the property.