Inquest opened on bike rider

AN inquest into the death of Robert Ian Davies, of Appletree Close, East Ardsley, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, was opened at Bishop Auckland Magistrates' Court yesterday. The 40-year-old died of multiple injuries after his bike crashed into a signpost on the B6278 between Eggleston and Stanhope, County Durham, on Sunday. Coroner Colin Penna adjourned the hearing.

TROPHY WIN: Hartlepool Council has won Hartlepool Civic Society's Rosebowl, the main trophy in the society's annual awards, for the second year in a row. It was for the development of Summerhill, a 100-acre country site off Catcote Road that is used for sports, outdoor pursuits and conservation. Attractions include a visitor centre, a children's play area, a boulder park for climbers, an assault course, an orienteering course and a high-level rope course.

VANDAL ATTACK: Vandals went on the rampage in the grounds of a college. Staff at Risedale Community College, in Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, turned up for work on Monday to find 20 windows broken around the campus. It is estimated it will cost more than £1,000 to repair the damage, which follows a similar incident at nearby Hipswell Primary School last month, where four windows were smashed.

FARM THEFT: Thieves have stolen a mechanical digger while a farmer was visiting the Great Yorkshire Show yesterday. While Jeff Horn was at the show, thieves raided Manor Farm, Cowpen Bewley, near Billingham, and made off with the machine, worth £15,000. The digger was parked in the farmyard. Mr Horn, who is appealing for the return of the vehicle, can be contacted on (01642) 564777.

SPIRITUAL DAY: Middlesbrough Spiritualist Church, in Borough Road, Middlesbrough, is hosting a day of psychic and spiritual inspiration on Saturday. Led by Sheila Green, from Wolverhampton, it is held from 10am to 4pm. For tickets, call (01642) 646995.

THEFT ATTEMPT: Thieves tried to steal a Victorian postbox embedded in a garden wall in Front Street, Staindrop, Co Durham. They chipped away some of the stone around it and tried to lever it out, but could not move it, police said yesterday.

YOUNG OPERATICS: Members of Opera North joined year four and five pupils at Peases West Primary School, in Crook, County Durham, for a music workshop yesterday.