Ha, knew you would get that response from one of the Scots - quite correct of course, and to be fair I've been to the definitive NE UK (Unst, Shetland) and you soon learn how far it is from Manchester in the "north"
On a more relevant point, I learnt at ANT in Blackpool. They are certainly worth checking out, got me through my PPL in just four weeks (three if not counting bad weather days) and are very friendly and competitively-priced - see also
http://www.pprune.org/private-flying...blackpool.html.
If a bit far for you, I have heard very good things about, and was impressed on visiting, York Flying School at Breighton. Ultimately that was a bit too far of a drive for me, but also offered a friendly service at a very good price.
I am afraid I have not been any nearer to Middlesbrough just yet (since I started flying - I was born there), so cannot recommend anything closer other than to note that I have been looking into flying into Redcar and came to the conclusion that my only options were DTV or Yearby (farm strip), so if you do find another decent airfield nearby please do share!