A County Durham hotel's restaurant is among the first in the country to win a new award.

The restaurant at Seaham Hall Hotel, in Seaham, is one of only 20 in Britain to win a Restaurant Remy Award, created by Remy Martin Cognac in association with Harden's restaurant guides. The awards recognise the rising stars of the UK restaurant scene.

WOMAN DIES: A woman in her 60s who was found badly injured in Westcott Road, South Shields, yesterday, has died at South Tyneside General Hospital. The woman's name is not being released until her family has been informed. Anyone who may have seen what happened to her is asked to call 0191-454 7555 ext 65059.

BOGUS BULIDERS: Two bogus builders conned a 95-year-old woman after pretending to mend a fence at her Sunderland home, on Friday. They told her the work, which had not been done, would cost £200 and took her to a Barclays Bank branch to withdraw the cash.

CHARITY CONCERT: The Carol Andrew singers, from Darlington, will give the first of their Christmas carol concerts at Aske Hall, Richmond, North Yorkshire, tomorrow. Tickets are available at the door and proceeds will go to St Teresa's Hospice, Darlington.

CAR STOLEN: Two robbers dragged a passenger out of a car, while the driver was away, and made off with vehicle at the weekend. The Nissan Micra, registration number ND51 YKH, was parked in Park Parade, Sunderland at about 7pm on Sunday.

PAIN TALK: Dr Pam Tatham will give a talk called Can homeopathy help with chronic pain? to Campain, formerly Action on Pain, in committee room 3a, Durham County Hall, at 7pm tomorrow. For more information, ring 0191-386 3407 or 0191-386 4395.

WIN A MANICURE: The Northern Echo, with nail salon Nailbar 1, Darlington, will provide winning readers with a manicure each week until Christmas. To enter, log on to www.thisisthenorth east.co.uK