A VULNERABLE boy missing from his home since Tuesday evening turned up fit and well after a police radio appeal yesterday.

A council worker who learned of fears for the 17-year-old's safety through a lunchtime news bulletin helped to trace the missing teenager to temporary accommodation in the Durham area.

Police had been seriously concerned for the youngster, who had not contacted his family in Willington since he left to visit friends. Officers spoke to him yesterday afternoon to confirm he had come to no harm.

COUNTY BAN: A man accused of a burglary involving property worth nearly £6,500 has been banned from visiting an entire county. Darren Russell, 29, of Selby Grove, Hartlepool, who is not allowed to visit North Yorkshire, is accused of entering Langthorpe House, Langthorpe, Boroughbridge, as a trespasser and stealing jewellery, silverware, a pen, a leather Bible, a garden hose and a pillow case valued at a total of £6,475. He was bailed by Harrogate magistrates until March 3 on condition he does not enter the county, except to visit his solicitor in Harrogate.

WATCH FOUND: A woman's gold watch has been handed into Billingham police station after being found in the town centre on January 25. It is thought to be a retirement gift from ICI in the 1960s and has an inscription on the back. Anyone who thinks it may belong to them is asked to contact the station during office hours, Monday to Friday, on (01642) 302426.

VICTIM NAMED: A man killed in a collision with a car while crossing the A167 dual carriageway at Chester Moor, between Durham City and Chester-le-Street, at 5pm on Wednesday, has been named as Harry Michael Wilson, 55, of Chopwell, near Gateshead.

DRUGS RAID: Further arrests were made on Wednesday as part of the Dealer A Day initiative in Middlesbrough. Seven women and a man were arrested after the District Drugs Unit and the District Support Unit executed a warrant at a house in Longford Street, at about 1.30pm. Two women have been charged with possession of a class A drug and will appear at Teesside Magistrates' Court on Monday. The remaining six were released with no further police action.

MAST PLAN: Orange Personal Communications Systems is seeking planning permission from Durham City Council for a replacement 30-metre telecommunications tower at Beacon Hill, off Church Street, Old Quarrington.

CONSERVATION CASH: Dales farmers are being offered Government cash to protect valuable landscape and wildlife areas. A five-year-old Environmentally Sensitive Areas incentives scheme from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, is still open to farmers in the Pennine Dales who adopt good conservation practices. Telephone 08459 335577, www.defra.gov.uk