A £200,000 repair scheme is to be carried out on the twin bridges which span the River Derwent at East and West Ayton near Scarborough.

North Yorkshire County Council's highways department said the stone bridge which carries traffic eastwards to Scarborough on the A170 Thirsk to Scarborough road, is to have eroded stonework replaced, while the newer bridge, built 35 years ago is to be resurfaced and waterproofed. The work is expected to take up to 14 weeks to complete.

John Smith, the county's bridge manager, said: "The stones have got to the point where the bridge could fall, and we have to make it safe."

WITNESS APPEAL: Harrogate police are seeking witnesses to an accident that happened yesterday at about 10.50am. A red BMW left the road and drove into railings at Westpark, Harrogate, at the junction with Montpelier Terrace. The 83-year-old male driver was taken to Harrogate District Hospital suffering from head injuries. Anyone with any information is asked to call (01423) 539474.

BODY FOUND: The body of Harrogate woman Joy Dudley was found yesterday on the outskirts of the town, in Follifoot. The 64-year-old was reported missing on Wednesday suffering from depression.

BIG DRAW: Hundreds of people queued for up to an hour outside the Borders Bookshop in York to meet TV Grand Prix commentator Murray Walker. He was in the city to sign copies of his autobiography, Unless I'm Very Much Mistaken.

TOWN TRAILl: The Malton and Norton Area Partnership has paid for the publication of a town trail leaflet aimed at visitors and residents.

LEISURE GROWTH: Ripon's council-run leisure centre in Dallamires Lane is expanding its fitness studio to meet extra demand. Additional equipment is being installed and work is expected to start on January 6, with the facility due to open in mid- February.

TURNED DOWN: Plans to extend the Half Moon Inn, at Fellbeck, near Pateley Bridge, by creating a first floor development, have been turned down by Harrogate Borough Council planners. They said its height, mass and scale would harm the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.