MATTHEW Kelly will arrive in the North-East today a mightily relieved man.

With allegations of child abuse rejected, he is assured of a warm reception at the Civic Theatre in Darlington.

Although the seriousness of the revelation that he is an occasional user of cocaine should not be underestimated, it will not ruin him as would a child abuse conviction.

The pressure placed upon the host of television's Stars In Their Eyes by such horrific allegations - intensified by the excesses of the more salacious national tabloids - must have been almost unbearable.

No one wants to believe that such a familiar figure could be capable of such an abhorrent act and it is a relief to us all that there is no evidence against him.

We wish him well for his five-night run at Darlington's superb theatre where he stars in John Steinbeck's play Of Mice And Men.

We also hope that his alarming brush with the law, and the anxiety of the past five weeks, will inspire him to kick his cocaine habit - no matter how occasional it might be - by taking up the police offer of drug counselling.

Thanks for listening

GIVE our young sportsmen and women a chance to realise their dreams.

That was our call yesterday ahead of a budget meeting at Wear Valley District Council which threatened to undermine the Olympic bid of 20-year-old swimming champion Caroline Saxby as well as the aspirations of other talented young people.

The £19,000-a-year post of Caroline's world-class coach, Gary Hollwood, was one of 14 earmarked for cuts.

Thankfully, councillors listened to the concerns being expressed and had a last-minute change of heart, with an admission from council leader Olive Brown that the impact on Wear Valley Amateur Swimming Club had not been fully appreciated.

We welcome the council's honesty and willingness to listen in difficult circumstances. Although a final decision still has to be made, at least there is now a clearer understanding of the importance of what is at stake.