A BUNGALOW was left badly damaged after fire broke out yesterday.

Three fire engines were called to the detached home in Wentworth Drive, Unsworth, Washington at about 12.30pm. The blaze destroyed a utility room and loft area and about a third of the kitchen was smoke and fire-damaged. The rest of the bungalow was severely smoke damaged.

COWARD COMEDY: Kim Hartman, of 'Allo 'Allo fame, stars in the Noel Coward comedy Hay Fever at Durham's Gala Theatre from Tuesday to Saturday. Performances start at 7.30pm and there are matinees on Wednesday and Saturday at 2.30pm. Tickets cost £17.50 and are available from the box office on 0191-332 4041.

PARK ATTACK: Detectives yesterday revisited Walker Park, Newcastle, where a masked man attacked a seven-year-old girl last Thursday. She suffered facial injuries when she was pushed to the ground, but the attacker fled when she screamed. Police returned to the park to try to jog the memories of anyone who was in the area at the time. Anyone with information should contact them on 0191-214 6555, ext 62244.

BRIDGE CRASH: A 41-year-old man suffered arm and neck injuries after a rush-hour car crash on the Newcastle side of the Redheugh Bridge yesterday. Paramedics were called to the scene at 8.19am and took the injured man, who has not been named, to Newcastle General Hospital.

CHARITY RAFFLE: Staff in Consett Library will hold a raffle today from 9.30am to 7pm, in aid of the Macmillan Trust. Tickets are 50p.

ROCK NIGHT: Rock band Rumour Mill will be performing in the Stables Bar of the Beamish Mary Inn, at No Place, near Stanley, tomorrow night. Doors open at 8.30pm and there is a cover charge. For details call the venue on 0191-370 0237.

HOMES PLAN: Durham City Council is being asked to grant outline planning permission for two homes to be built east of Dene Terrace at Witton Gilbert.

SPIRITUALIST MEETING: A spiritualist meeting will be held in Vane Tempest Hall, Gilesgate, Durham, on Monday, at 7pm.

DONOR SESSIONS: Blood donor sessions will be held on Tuesday in the Methodist Church Hall, Bede Way, Peterlee, from 3pm to 7pm and in the War Memorial Hall, Darras Road, Ponteland, from 2.30pm to 7pm.

SURGERY DATES: Barbara Howarth, Liberal Democrat Durham county councillor for Belmont, will hold surgeries on Wednesday from 6pm to 7pm at Belmont Community Centre and on Monday, October 7 from 6pm to 6.45pm in Carrville Methodist Church and between 7pm and 7.45pm at Belmont Library.

NEW HOUSE: Durham City Council is being asked to grant planning permission for a house to be built behind the health centre in Gray Avenue in Sherburn.