A 44-year-old man is recovering after being knocked down in a hit-and- run incident near his home.

The man was walking along the B6278 road, west of Snods Edge, near Shotley Bridge, when he was struck by a grey Ford Fiesta. He was treated in hospital for bruising. The car was overtaking a red, old-style Honda Accord. Neither of the vehicles stopped. Anyone with information is asked to contact Northumbria Police on (01661) 872555.

BURGLARY FOILED: Three men were disturbed while trying to break into a van containing motorcycles in Brakenside, Burnopfield, on Sunday, March 2, at 2.30am. The men fled empty-handed, making off towards Hamsterley Mill in a P-registration Peugeot 106. Anyone with information is asked to contact Det Con Helen Johnston or Det Con Damon Devine on (01207) 232144.

YOUTHS CHARGED: Two children will appear in court charged with two distraction burglaries and one attempted burglary in South Tyneside. Police arrested a 12-year-old girl and 14-year-old boy on Saturday. They will appear before South Tyneside Youth Court tomorrow.

ANNUAL MEETING: The annual meeting of the Chester-le-Street Community Association will be held at the centre in the town's Newcastle Bank, at 7.30pm on Monday, March 31.

YOUTHS ARRESTED: Police have arrested two teenagers believed to be responsible for a spate of car vandalism in Consett. Two youths were seen kicking cars and tearing off wing mirrors, in Moorlands, Blackhill, on Wednesday night. Five cars were damaged. Officers arrested two males, aged 16 and 18, who were interviewed and released on police bail pending further inquiries.

WINDOW SMASHED: Police are searching for a man who hurled a paving slab through the front window of a house in Acton Dene, east Stanley, at about 10pm last Tuesday. The culprit is described as white, 5ft 10in, of stocky build. He was wearing a black bomber jacket and white jeans. Anyone with information is asked contact PC Kieran Walker of Stanley police, on (01207) 232144.

PHONESTHIEF: A shoplifter stole two cordless phones and two sets of batteries from the Homebase store in Clifford Road, Stanley, last Tuesday. He is described as white, 6ft, in his early 30s, of medium build, with shoulder-length, scruffy hair that may have been a wig. He was wearing glasses and a long, scruffy, dark grey or brown coat and carried a large canvas hold-all. Anyone with information is asked contact PC Karen Foster on (01207) 232144.

GIVING BLOOD: A blood donor session takes place in Elemore Community Centre, Brickgarth, Easington Lane, near Peterlee, on Thursday, from 3pm to 7pm.