BETTYS Cafe, in Northallerton, has received an Award of Excellence from the Tea Council after being picked out from more than 100 nominated around the country.

The accolade was presented after the High Street tea rooms were given top marks from undercover tea-tasters. Bettys was judged on the quality and range of teas served, temperature, taste and appearance of the drinks, quality of food served, overall atmosphere and the attitude of staff. Tea rooms manager Lindsay Judd said: "It is a great honour to receive an Award of Excellence and a great testament to everyone's hard work, day in and day out, to ensure every visit to Bettys is a memorable one."

BUSY WEEKEND: Children from a North Yorkshire dance school are in for a busy weekend. Youngsters who go to Footloose classes are performing at various charity events in the area. They will be at Knayton church garden party. at 7.15pm. on Friday; at Brompton church garden party on Sunday, at 2.30pm; and at Knayton/Borrowby charity cricket match, at 3.30pm, on Sunday. The dance classes are held at Appleton Wiske, Borrowby, Leeming and Thirsk.

JUDGES VISIT: People in Northallerton are being urged to make sure the town is neat and tidy for the Yorkshire in Bloom summer judging, which takes place on Tuesday, July 22. The Northallerton in Bloom group is appealing to residents to check their guttering, hanging baskets, window boxes, gardens and hedges to make sure they are tidy for the judges' visit.

CHARITY WALK: A cancer charity will benefit from a summer walk through one of Yorkshire's most secluded dales later this month. All are welcome to meet at the CB Inn, in Arkengarthdale, at 9.30am on Saturday, July 12, in time to catch a bus to the Tan Hill Inn for coffee and bacon sandwiches. Walkers can then make their way back down the dale to the CB Inn. All proceeds go to Macmillan Cancer Relief. More details are available by calling (01748) 818156.