Local News

Teesside Freeport – the UK's first and largest freeport – begins operations today, unleashing its "transformative potential" on the region.

The reason behind the sonic event which shook Teesside and North Yorkshire has been revealed.

...and Cleveland Police is supporting national Alcohol Awareness Week as this year's theme encourages people to consider their drinking in the context of socialising and relationships.

Teesside Freeport – the UK's first and largest freeport – begins operations today, unleashing its "transformative potential" on the region.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen officially launched the Teesside Freeport just three weeks ago, and it is now ready to welcome businesses from across the globe as it positions the region as a leader in clean energy, advanced manufacturing and innovation.

Situated at locations right across the Tees Valley, including Teesside Airport and Wilton International and with its heart at Teesworks, the freeport will help businesses benefit from a wide package of tax reliefs, simplified customs procedures, streamlined planning processes to boost redevelopment and government support to promote regeneration and innovation.

The Teesside Freeport will create more than 18,000 new highly skilled jobs and generate billions of pounds for the local economy over five years, with work well under way on the first scheme at Teesworks.

The reason behind the sonic event which shook Teesside and North Yorkshire has been revealed.

There were suggestions of an earthquake or a sonic boom from an aircraft after the mysterious phenomenon on Wednesday afternoon.

However, Swiss Air Force has now confirmed an aircraft was completing routine training inside offshore training areas.

The air component of the Swiss Armed Forces has now issued a statement to say that the sonic boom was caused by a Swiss Air Force F-18 Hornet aircraft completing operational training inside offshore training areas, and that any inconvenience caused to local residents is regretted.

Cleveland Police is supporting national Alcohol Awareness Week as this year's theme encourages people to consider their drinking in the context of socialising and relationships.

UK alcohol charity, Alcohol Change UK, is running Alcohol Awareness Week from November 15-21.

The theme for 2021 encourages people to think about how alcohol affects the relationships in their life. It recognises that for many alcohol and socialising are linked but also that alcohol can have a detrimental impact on people's friendships and important relationships.

Cleveland Police recognises the links between alcohol and incidents. Officers are called to hundreds of emergencies each year which are reported to be alcohol-related.