TWO children trapped by a fire were saved by a quick-thinking passer-by in the early hours yesterday.

Jason Costner, 30, fetched a ladder and led the children and their parents to safety after they had become trapped in their upstairs flat in Reid Terrace, Guisborough, east Cleveland.

A spokesman for Cleveland Fire Brigade praised Mr Costner and said the fire, in a commercial garage below the family's home, was suspicious.

LOTTERY WINNERS: The winners of this week's Great North Air Ambulance Service lottery have been drawn. A first prize of £200 goes to the holder of ticket 11911, drawn in Ponteland, while a second prize of £100 goes to ticket 09810 and a third prize of £50 to ticket 08401. Runners-up prizes of £10 go to the holders of tickets 10087, 09191, 11866, 08534, 09831, 11937, 08628, 09938, 11766, 08176, 08637, 09004, 10167, 12903 and 09394. To join the lottery or help the service call (01668) 213824.

POACHERS FINED: Two men caught illegally fishing at night were fined £100 with £300 costs each by Houghton-le-Spring magistrates. Robert Bowmer, of Coronation Terrace, and Karl Gray of Branston Street, both Sunderland, admitted fishing without a licence. The court heard they were twice seen setting a net half way across the River Wear in Sunderland overnight on June 24, returning later to haul it in, with a catch of three migratory trout.

DUBLIN DASH: Teams are needed to take part in the annual Marie Curie Cancer Care Dublin Dash to raise funds for the Marie Curie Nursing Service in the North-East. Each team of two to four members has 24 hours to get from The Old Farmhouse, in Darlington, to Dublin. The event starts on Friday, September 20. For details call Carol Oliver on 0191-382 3322.

ROCK ART: An exhibition exploring the character and meaning of the North-East's prehistoric rock carvings is running at Durham's Old Fulling Mill Museum of Archaeology, on the riverbank, until September 30. It includes exhibits from the museum's collections as well as those from The Bowes Museum and Alnwick Castle Museum, and provides a practical guide to finding, dating and recording rock art.

CD GIVEAWAY: The Northern Echo's music website, www.thisisrevolution.co.uk, has four copies of Oasis' new CD, Heathen Chemistry, to give away. Simply go to the website for your chance to win.

GARDEN TIPS: Peter Blackburne-Maze, of the Royal Horticultural Society, will be offering expert advice to gardeners at Raby Castle Gardens, near Staindrop, County Durham, tomorrow. For details call the castle (01833) 660207.

FREE ENTRY: Barley Hall, in York, is opening its doors for free this weekend to celebrate National Archaeology Days. A tour of the hall takes place at 2pm today and tomorrow. Medieval crafts will also be on display.

CHILD HURT: A young child was taken to hospital after being knocked down by a car in Station Lane, Seaton Carew, near Hartlepool, at about 4pm yesterday.