A CONTRACTOR working at the 3M factory in Newton Aycliffe was taken to hospital yesterday after tearing a muscle in his back.

He was lifting equipment on to the roof when he suffered the injury. Firefighters brought the man down from the roof on a hydraulic lift. He was taken by ambulance to Darlington Memorial Hospital.

DANCE NIGHT: Tickets are still available for tonight's performance by Independent Ballet Wales of Llyn y Fan, The Lady of the Lake. The company's dance version of a Welsh folk tale will be staged at Bishop Auckland Town Hall, at 7.30pm. Tickets are available from the box office on (01388) 602610.

PHARMACY THEFT: Burglars broke into a pharmacy in Orchard Street, Darlington, at 4am yesterday. They took several bottles of aftershave and perfume. Anyone who is offered cut-price aftershave or perfume is asked to call police on (01325) 467681.

TABLE-TOP SALE: St Catherine's Community Centre is holding a table-top sale and mini market at the centre in Market Place, Crook, on Tuesday, May 13, from 9am to 2pm. There will be a cake stall to raise money for community centre funds. To book a table at a cost of £5 call (01388) 764697.

BURGLARY ATTEMPT: Police were called at 3am yesterday to a dentist's surgery in Stockton Road, Darlington, after torches were seen being shone at the back of the building. An alarm was activated but the would-be burglars had fled by the time police arrived.

BURNT CAR: The fire brigade were called to a lane under a railway bridge two miles from the Cummins Engineering site, Darlington, on Wednesday at 7.15pm to deal with a burning car. It is thought the car was a silver Ford Sierra. Anyone with information can contact police on (01325) 467681.

POWER-WASHER TAKEN: A power-washer was stolen from the back of a butcher's shop in Green Street, Darlington, at 12.50am yesterday. Two men were seen acting suspiciously behind the shop.

FIRE CALL: Police were called to St Bede's School, Darlington, at 10.40pm on Wednesday after reports of children lighting a fire in the grounds. The school was not damaged.

SINGERS PERFORM: The Carol Andrew Singers will perform at St James the Great Church in Barton Street, Darlington, next Friday. The concert starts at 7.30pm. Tickets are £5, including drinks and canaps after the performance. Call (01325) 465980 or 314437.

SALE DATE: A car boot sale will be held at Winston playing fields on Sunday, from 9.30am to noon, to raise funds towards resurfacing the village tennis court.