POLICE are investigating the alleged rape of a woman in a car park opposite an old monastery in Sea View, Sunderland West, on Tuesday.

A police spokesman said officers received a call from a distressed woman at about 5pm. He said: "There were a number of cars coming in and out of the car park from about 2.30pm onwards. We are appealing for anyone who may have seen anything suspicious to come forward." A man is helping police with inquiries.

GUITAR FEST: The four-day Customs House International Guitar Festival gets under way at the South Shields venue, today. Performers include Gordon Giltrap, Tommy Emmanuel, Jan Akkerman, Eric Roche and former Stone Roses axeman Aziz Ibrahim, who will be performing a free, live outdoor gig on Saturday, from noon. To book tickets, call 0191-454 1234.

INQUEST OPENS: An inquest has been opened and adjourned into the death of 61-year-old divorcee John Burnside, of Coniston Road, Middlesbrough, in the town's James Cook University Hospital. His daughter Lynne, 39, of Stafford Road, Grangetown, gave evidence of identification to Teesside Coroner's Court.

CHILDREN'S TREATS: A group of 61 children from the former Soviet state of Belarus, who are still suffering from the effects of Chernobyl, are spending a month in the region courtesy of Chernobyl North East. They will spend an evening at Washington Bowling Alley, on Monday.

MOTORIST INJURED: A diabetic motorist was taken to the University Hospital of North Durham after his car collided with a tree on the slip road off the A1(M), at Carrville, near Durham, at 12.30pm on Wednesday.

ROBBERY CHARGE: Kevin Leonard Griggs, 38, of Morningside, Sacriston, near Durham, who denies robbing the manager of North Road Jewellers, in Durham, of two trays of rings, will face trial at Durham Crown Court on September 16.

WITNESS PLEA: Police have appealed for witnesses after the 28-year-old female rider of a 500cc Honda motorbike suffered serious injuries in an accident 500 metres north of the Cock o' the North roundabout, on the A167 in the Merryoaks area of Durham, at 1.55pm on Monday. Witnesses are asked to contact Durham Police accident investigation unit, on 0191-386 4929.