Teesside stories you might have missed this week

A 22-inch (55cm) long rat was found in a house in Normanby, near Middlesbrough

A large rat reported on a housing estate, a former school set to become someone's home and a self-styled "step addict" about to walk hundreds of miles for charity. Here are five stories from Teesside you might have missed this week.

'Rats the size of cats'

Residents believe the rats are leaving holes in grassed areas like this one in Cleveland Street, Normanby

Thrown-out food and new housing developments are being blamed for rats getting "bigger and bigger" after a 22-inch (55cm) long rodent was found in a house.

It was discovered in Normanby near Middlesbrough and residents said an increase in vermin was being made worse by new housing projects forcing them out of their habitats.

One councillor said it was not the first time residents had complained of "rats the size of cats".

• You can read more on this story here

School with one pupil to become homes

The former rural school will be turned into housing (artist's impression)

A rural school that closed with one pupil on its roll will be converted into housing.

Plans to renovate the Forest of Teesdale Primary School and the schoolmaster's house in County Durham were approved by council planners.

It closed in 2022 after Durham County Council said a dwindling local population made it impossible for it to continue.

• There is more on the plans here

Transplant plea from man on record list

Michael Webb is one of more than 8,000 people waiting for a transplant in the UK

A man living with stage five kidney disease due to complications from type 1 diabetes has shared his story in the hope of encouraging more transplant donors.

Michael Webb, from Hartlepool, is one of more than 8,000 people in the UK currently on the active transplant waiting list, the highest recorded number ever.

"Every time the phone rings, you're wondering is this the transplant team," Mr Webb said.

• You can read more about Michael's story here

Ex-Tory council leader joins Reform UK

Hartlepool's former Conservative council leader Mike Young has defected to Reform UK

Former Hartlepool Borough Council leader Mike Young has defected from the Conservatives to Reform UK.

The councillor said he no longer had "confidence" in the party's leadership. He becomes the fourth Reform UK councillor on the local authority, which is led by Labour.

• Read more on Hartlepool's political situation here

Postal worker's 'bags of happiness'

Nikki Gaynor has been raising awareness about mental health since her friend died 10 years ago

Self-styled "step-addict" Nikki Gaynor is set to walk from Darlington to Cornwall to raise money for a mental health charity.

The postal worker will stop off at Royal Mail offices along the way as part of her mammoth challenge.

She will also be handing out knitted toys, called Positive Potatoes, and "bags of happiness" to those she meets on the way.

• There's more from Nikki here, where you can also listen to her interview