RESERVE North-East soldiers are to join regular Army units in the build-up to war with Iraq.

The men, all members of the Territorial Army 150 Transport Regiment Royal Logistics Corps, based in Tynemouth, North Tyneside, will join 102 Logistics Brigade. They will travel to the Reserve Training and Mobilisation Centre at Chilwell, Nottingham, before being deployed to the Gulf. The move is part of logistical plans announced by Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon MP on January 20.

ARMED ROBBERY: Police are hunting a masked man who fired a gun during a robbery in a Sunderland off-licence. The raid took place in Bartrams off-licence, Merle Terrace, on Tuesday, at 6.15pm. The shopkeeper challenged a man trying to break open the till. The robber then took out a handgun and fired it, before fleeing empty-handed. The shopkeeper was unhurt. Police believe the weapon was a blank firing pistol. The man is described as 5ft 9in, of medium build and spoke with a Wearside accent. He was wearing a blue nylon jacket with thin, dark piping. The jacket was pulled over his head, which was also covered with a black stocking with eye holes. Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0191-454 7555, extension 66144.

BOND NIGHT: A 007 James Bond charity evening will be held in Ceddesfeld Hall, Sedgefield, County Durham, on Saturday, March 8, to celebrate 40 years of Bond films. Starting at 7.30pm, there will be a welcome by Bond characters, followed by cocktails and supper. Guests are invited to dress as their favourite Bond character with prizes on offer for the best. Tickets are £8.95, available from Maxine Robinson on (01740) 620042.

DRIVER CHARGED: A van driver has been charged in connection with an accident involving a pedestrian. A 48-year-old man suffered a broken leg when he was hit by a van in the Team Valley area of Gateshead on Thursday, January 23. Uzman Ahmed, 23, of Howard Street, Felling, has been charged with failing to stop after an accident and failing to report an accident. He was bailed to appear in court on Wednesday.

BLUEBELL DEATH: A former Bluebell Girl has died in a road crash in the US. Former dancer Patricia Letorgeon, 50, lived in Orlando, Florida, with her husband and two sons, where she worked for a bank. The Scarborough-born entertainer made her mark as a dancer on stage and nightclubs in the North Yorkshire resort before work with the Bluebell Girls at the Lido in Paris.