A CLASSROOM was left with smoke damage after a fire broke out at a school in Middlesbrough yesterday. Firefighters were called out to the blaze, in an art room at Acklam Grange School, Lodore Grove, Middlesbrough, at 7.36am. The flames were quickly extinguished but the classroom and a kiln were damaged by smoke. There were no pupils on the premises at the time. The cause of the fire is being investigated.

Changing gear:

Father Christmas's sleigh was upgraded for Mayor of Middlesbrough Councillor Pat Walker when she was presented with a Peugeot People Carrier full of toys on behalf of her chosen charities, the Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (for babies born dependent on drugs) and Middlesbrough Social Services. The toys were handed over at the Arriva car dealership on Longlands Road yesterday.

WITNESS APPEAL: A 23-year-old man needed hospital treatment after a fight outside a nightclub in Hartlepool. The incident happened at 3.10am yesterday outside the town's Odessa nightclub. He was taken to the University Hospital of Hartlepool with head injuries. Another man involved in the fight also had to have hospital treatment for injuries. Anyone with any information is asked to call police, on (01642) 302126.

DICKENSIAN EVENING: Guisborough Town Pride is holding a Dickensian Evening on Monday, at Sunnyfield House. Tickets are £5.50 and include a glass of mulled wine. They are available from The Guisborough Bookshop and For Goodness Sake.

CHRISTMAS MUSIC: Stan Corley will be giving a presentation on Christmas Music at the Guisborough Retired Men's Forum meeting at 10.30am on Monday at Guisborough Cricket Club. It will be followed by a Christmas dinner at the Fox and Hounds.

WURLITZER CONCERT: Organist Kevin Morgan will give a concert on the Eston Wurlitzer theatre organ at the James Finegan Municipal Hall, Fabian Road, Eston, tomorrow. Doors open at 2pm. Admission is £2.50 or £1.50 for concessions.

New stores: Four shops have opened in the Cleveland Centre, Middlesbrough, with goods ranging from talking trees and baubles to discount books, men's fashions and items for the home.

Tea bar treats: The Women's Royal Voluntary Service is using the income from its tea bar at St Luke's Hospital, Middlesbrough, to buy chocolates and toiletries for more than 150 patients.

TEMPORARY LIGHTS: There will be temporary traffic lights at New Road, in Guisborough, for one week from Monday to allow for work by Transco.