POLICE are appealing for information about the theft of £30,000 worth of electrical equipment from an industrial estate.

The goods had been loaded onto two wagons in a compound at Mastercare Ltd, Newton Aycliffe Industrial Park, County Durham. The theft took place between midnight and 8am on Friday, January 10, from the compound on Walworth Road. The 40ft vehicles, both Leyland Daf 45 models bearing the BRF logo on their sides, were recovered empty on the A1 south of the Gateshead MetroCentre in a lay-by opposite the Federation Brewery, shortly before 4pm the same day. A total of 118 items were stolen, including fridges, washing machines, tumble dryers, dishwashers, DVD players, televisions, microwaves and computers. Detective Constable Neil Hobson appealed to anyone with information regarding the theft to contact Newton Aycliffe CID on (01325) 314401 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

CASE COMMITTED: Former Darlington councillor and magistrate Paul Geldart, who is charged with assaulting a woman in August last year, appeared before magistrates at Peterlee, County Durham, yesterday. The case was committed to Durham Crown Court to be heard on February 28. Mr Geldart was granted conditional bail.

CINEMA CHANCE: The Northern Echo has teamed up with UGC Cinemas, in Middlesbrough, to give some readers a chance to win tickets to see Martin Scorsese 's new film, Gangs of New York. For your chance to win, log on to www.thisisthenortheast.co. uk

SHIPPING NEWS: A former shipyard worker from Middlesbrough has written a short history of the old Furness plant at Haverton Hill. Fifty Years of Furness 1919-1969 include details of all the ships to be made at the Teesside plant and is available from book shops in Billingham, Stokesley, Guisborough and Yarm, priced £9.95 Author John Evans published the book himself after compiling the information as a pastime.

CARAVAN RECOVERED: A Hobby Prestige caravan, worth £10,000, which was stolen from a compound has been recovered by police. The caravan was one of 40 kept in a compound in Morrison Road, Annfield Plain, Stanley, County Durham, when it went missing on December 29. It was found in the Stirton area of Leeds. A police spokesman said the caravan would be brought back to County Durham for a forensic examination.

CASH BOOST: Staff at Visa have presented £1,000 to Marie Curie Cancer Care, in Newcastle. The money provides an additional boost to £2,279 raised by Marie Curie in association with Visa at the MetroCentre, Gateshead, during the two weeks before Christmas. Marie Curie provided a gift wrapping service to shoppers at the MetroCentre, in exchange for a £1 donation to the charity. Shoppers who had made a purchase at MetroCentre with their Visa card had their gifts wrapped free of charge.

TOYAH IN TOWN: A new production of Calamity Jane, starring Toyah Wilcox, is coming to the region next month. The show will be staged at Darlington's Civic Theatre from Tuesday, February 11, until Saturday, February 15. For tickets, and more information, call (01325) 486555.