ENGINEERS say that nearly £1.7m needs to be spent shoring up cliffs at Scalby Beck and Scalby Mills, on Scarborough's North Side.

Derek Rowell, the borough authority's technical services director, said: "There is the potential for the large scale failure of the cliffs within the beck area." He added that tests had shown that the stability of the slopes could result "in significant loss of cliff top assets". He said there are fears that the beck sides could collapse. Most of the cost will be borne by the Government, said Mr Rowell, but the council would have to find £400,000 towards the cost. An action plan has been drawn up to stabilise the cliffs and improve the drainage.

WOMAN NAMED: A woman found dead in a Scarborough cemetery has been named as mother-of-two Elaine Spink, of the town's Gildercliffe Road. She was found by a walker in the Manor Road cemetery. Police said there were no suspicious circumstances and it is understood she had taken a drug overdose.

PARISH VACANCIES: The community of Robin Hood's Bay has two vacancies for parish councillors. Anyone interested in applying should contact the clerk, David Savage, at 16 Beechfield, High Hawsker.

WIZARD TIME: A North Yorkshire stately home will become Harry Potter's Hogwarts next week at a special celebration of Halloween. Kiplin Hall, near Scorton, has its own Sorting hat to chose the Gryfinddors from the Slytherins between 11am and 4pm next Wednesday, while the best Harry Potter look-alike will win a top prize. More information about the Witches and Wizards day is available by telephoning (01748) 818178. Admission costs £1.

EYE EYE: A giant cartoon character will be helping a Ripon opticians celebrate its first birthday this weekend. Iris the Eye will be outside Scrivens on the city's Arcade on Saturday, handing out treats to passers-by. As the firm's mascot, she will also be reminding people about the importance of eye care.

CATHEDRAL CONCERT: The Coull String Quartet will be performing work by Schubert, Walton and Dvorak at a concert at Ripon Cathedral this evening. The performance begins at 7.30pm, with tickets available at £10. More information is available by telephoning (01765) 658071.

GRAND AUCTION: A Harrogate hospice benefits from a giant auction on Friday. A trip in a flight simulator and movie and music memorabilia are among the lots at the Majestic Hotel in Harrogate from 8pm. Tickets cost £3 with all proceeds going to St Michael's Hospice. More information can be had by telephoning (01423) 879687.

PLAY ON: The curtain goes up on the next production in Harrogate Theatre's autumn season on Friday. John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men tells a tale of life on the American prairies in the 1930s, where lead characters George and Lenny have a dream to own farms. Tickets are priced from £5.50 and are available from the box office on (01423) 502116.