Teesside stories you might have missed this week

Penguin Books has opened 90 mini libraries around the country

From three new libraries being opened to research into mouth rot affecting seal pups, it has been a busy week on Teesside and County Durham.

Here are five stories you might have missed.

Pizza Hut worker 'shocked' at sudden closure

Pizza Hut said it had "safeguarded" a further 64 sites

A Pizza Hut worker who clocked on for his shift only to be told the branch was permanently shut has described his "shock".

Jack Twydale, 27, who has worked at the Hartlepool branch for nine years, said staff were informed on a Teams call that they were being made redundant with immediate effect.

The 27-year-old said it felt "bittersweet" to leave the building for the final time without having a chance to say goodbye to his team.

A spokesperson for Pizza Hut UK said 68 stores were closing with the loss of 1,210 jobs, but that 64 sites had been "safeguarded" as well as "associated jobs".

• Read more about the sudden closure of Hartlepool Pizza Hut here

Three 'little library' book exchanges open

The little libraries operate as a free book exchange

New "little libraries" have opened as part of Penguin Books' 90th birthday celebrations.

More than 2,000 towns and villages applied to receive a little library from the company with just 90 being successful, including Morpeth, in Northumberland, and the Teesside towns of Hartlepool and Redcar.

The publisher gives each new library 25 books to launch a free exchange service managed by a local steward.

Lyndsay Hogg, steward of the Hartlepool library on Worset Lane, said she hoped it would become a landmark for people in the area to walk to and "share the joy of reading".

• Read more about the new little libraries here

Dog rescue charity facing 'worst year'

Jane Galliford says many people are unprepared for life as a pet owner

A dog rescue centre has warned it is struggling with its "worst year" amid a deluge of calls from people looking to give up their pets.

Maxi's Mates, near Guisborough, currently has about 55 animals on site and has built a further five kennels to expand its capacity.

Jane Galliford, one of the charity's founders, believes many people are letting their animals go because they are struggling to meet the costs of everyday living, while others are unprepared for life with a dog.

The organisation, set up 13 years ago, is contacted by more than 25 people on its busiest days.

• Read more about the dog rescue centre's struggle here

Mouth rot study offering hope for seal pups

Olive and Pebbles have just been released back into the North Sea after months of care

Researchers are hoping to save more seal pups by discovering the cause of a deadly disease.

An investigation is being led by a team from north-east England into mouth rot, an infection that has become an increasing threat to common seals along Britain's coast - and early findings are promising.

At Tynemouth Seal Hospital, two pups, Olive and Pebbles, have just been released back into the North Sea after months of treatment for the condition.

Charity chair and lead volunteer Richard Ilderton said: "When Pebbles came in she weighed just 9kg (20lbs) and Olive was only 10 (22lbs) - they're now over 30kg (66lbs) and ready to head back out into the wild where they belong."

• Read more about the seal pup research here

Church revamp to create 'dynamic hub'

The Reverend James Harvey says the refurbishment will make the church fit for the future

A Grade I listed church is preparing for a radical makeover to transform it into a "dynamic hub" for everybody.

St Cuthbert's Church in Darlington, which dates back 800 years, and is known as the Lady of the North is about to undergo a £2.5m refurbishment, with the pews removed to create a more open space.

The font will be moved to make it more prominent and there will also be new toilets, a cafe and underfloor heating.

The Reverend James Harvey said the aim was "to serve the people in the right way".

• Read more about the church revamp here