POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a raid on the Woolworths store in Festival Walk, Spennymoor.

Thieves took Sony PlayStation games and mobile phones, worth about £10,000, during the raid between 11.15pm on Wednesday and the early hours of yesterday. Detective Constable Tim Gargett, of Spennymoor police, said: "They were probably in the premises for some time and would have almost certainly had a vehicle with them, whether that was parked behind Woolworths or in one of the adjoining streets, we don't know. We would like to appeal to anyone who may have seen any suspicious activity in that area at that time." Police can be contacted on (01325) 314401.

CONDITIONAL DISCHARGE: Patricia Dowd, 49, of Bluebell Close, Newton Aycliffe, was given a six-month conditional discharge by South Durham magistrates, in Darlington, yesterday, after pleading guilty to stealing goods worth more than £24 from Morrisons supermarket. She was ordered to pay £50 costs.

DANCE NIGHT: The Midi Dance Orchestra will play for ballroom and sequence dances at Spennymoor Town Hall next Friday, and Friday, May 16, at 8pm. For details call (01388) 817914.

CHARITY CONCERT: Irish musician and singer Frank McCaffrey will be perform at Crook Civic Hall on Saturday, April 19, at 7.30pm, in aid of Stanhope and Weardale Multiple Sclerosis Society. Tickets are available on (01388) 762634 or 528929.

CHARGE DROPPED: A speeding charge against Stuart Blackett, 31, of Canney Hill, Bishop Auckland, was discontinued when he appeared before South Durham magistrates, in Darlington, yesterday.

BAND PLAYS: The Spitfires Soulband will play a benefit concert in aid of Darlington Community Carnival on Saturday, April 5, at 8pm, in the town's Arts Centre. Tickets costing £6 are available on (01325) 486555.

MUSICAL CELEBRATION: Spennymoor Salvation Army will mark its 125th anniversary with two shows. On Saturday, April 5, Middlesbrough Citadel Band and North Shields Songsters will perform at Spennymoor Town Hall, at 7pm. The next day, Sherburn Hill Band and Songsters will perform at the Dundas Street base, from 2.30pm.

DRUGS ADVICE: The Castlebridge Centre for people with substance use issues, will hold a drug awareness event in Coundon next week. Coundon and Leeholme Community Project, Tees Walk, will host the event on Monday, from 1pm to 8pm.

SPRING FAIR: Children from St Chad's Primary School, Witton Park, will perform at a fair hosted by St Paul's Church in the village hall on Saturday, April 5, from 2pm.