Teesside and County Durham stories you might have missed

Durham Lumiere last took place in November 2023

An illuminated tribute to a historic railway, an appeal for people not to abuse disabled parking badges, and the future of a former Debenhams have all been in the news.

Here are some stories you might have missed.

End abuse of parking lifeline, councillor pleads

Councillor David Coupe says he and his partner Val often see people using disabled bays they are not entitled to

Abuse of disabled parking bays must stop, a councillor has warned.

The national Blue Badge scheme gives disabled people access to specially adapted designated spaces.

Badge holders travelling either as drivers or passengers are allowed to park for free in on-street pay-and-display bays and for up to three hours on yellow lines - except where there are loading restrictions.

Middlesbrough Conservative councillor David Coupe said he regularly encountered bays being misused by people who either fail to display a badge or who do so despite not being the badge holder.

• Read the full story here.

Health centre hope for former department store

Stockton Council bought the old Debenhams building in October 2023

A town's former Debenhams store could become a community health care facility, council chiefs have said.

Stockton is one of 43 areas selected by the government to be part of a programme aimed at improving healthcare on people's doorsteps through new neighbourhood teams.

A Stockton Council cabinet meeting was told that being chosen was a "major feather in our cap", and there were hopes the property, which the council bought in 2023 could be used to provide "community health facilities".

• For the full details click here.

Light show to celebrate rail anniversary

Crook Hall will be covered in glowing butterflies

The return of a city-wide light installation will include a celebration of the 200th anniversary of the railways.

Organisers of Lumiere, which sees landmarks and buildings lit up in intricate artistic designs, will return to Durham for its ninth edition between 13 and 15 November, having last graced the city in 2023.

Installations will also be placed in Shildon as it celebrates the 200th anniversary of the Stockton and Darlington Railway.

Durham County Council leader Andrew Husband said the event would showcase the city on the international stage and bring Shildon into the spotlight.

• Read all about it here.

'After you're gone you won't need the organs'

Jitendra Desai felt "lucky" to get a kidney transplant after waiting just a year

A patient who waited a year for a transplant has urged people from black, Asian and ethnic minorities to sign up to become organ donors.

Kidney recipient Jitendra Desai, 73, of Middlesbrough, had to spend three days a week undergoing dialysis at James Cook University Hospital until he received his transplant on 5 September.

There are 8,000 people in the UK on the active transplant waiting list and about 2,300 of them are from ethnic minority backgrounds.

Mr Desai said he was "lucky to get a match" and was told his wait could have been a lot longer, adding: "You only donate after you're gone when you won't need the organs."

• To read more about Mr Desai's story, click here.

Watch: Radio enthusiast risks losing lifelong hobby

A 92-year-old man has lost a battle with Stockton Council to keep an antenna in his garden that allows him to talk to fellow radio enthusiasts.

Ray Pratt, from Yarm, spends much of his time chatting to people via his home amateur radio setup.

Stockton Council instructed him to apply for planning permission for the poles that hold up the antenna, which was subsequently denied.

It said it had a duty to investigate all breaches of planning. Mr Pratt can appeal.

Video produced by Alex Challies and Adam Clarkson.