BBC News We Are Middlesbrough

Plans to turn a Middlesbrough pub into a drug-harm prevention and testing centre has been unveiled.

The Shakespeare on Linthorpe Road is being re-opened as a "one-stop shop" where people can seek guidance and support on drugs.

Drug harm activist George Charlton is running the centre alongside founder of Teesside Cannabis Club, Michael Fisher.

The pair said they have aspirations to allow drug users to test substances on-site to see what they contain, a move which would require a police amnesty zone with support from the Police and Crime Commissioner, Barry Coppinger.

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Mr George said: "It's not a case of being maverick. We want to do this with partners on board. The reality is that people use drugs in the community.

"We're saying come in and ask the questions you've always wanted to ask."

Mr Coppinger said he wanted to get more information about the plan and discuss it with Cleveland Police and Middlesbrough Council.

Emotional support is being rolled out for school children on Teesside who have lost someone during the coronavirus pandemic.

Middlesbrough Council's drawing up plans on how to help young people to help them deal with the stresses and strains brought on by COVID19.

Outwood Academy Ormesby in Middlesbrough, in the region has already revealed that 40 of its students had lost a loved one in the pandemic.

The council’s headstart programme, which supports 10 to 16 year olds, has received a significant funding boost and will expand it’s services in the wake of the pandemic.

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A former patient has donated thousands of ice creams to Middlesbrough's James Cook University Hospital.

Ibrahim Najafi (pictured), who is the CEO of Froneri Ice Cream, donated a freezer full of frozen treats for the staff who cared for him on the cardiothoracic ward.

He was treated there for three days in May after having a cycling accident.

He hopes to refill the freezer again in the future.

Froneri

The staff are so appreciative and it has really given them a boost.”