ENVIRONMENT AGENCY figures show that anglers are flocking back to favourite fishing spots this summer after last year's foot-and-mouth outbreak. The crisis left North-East rivers deserted last summer, but this year adult and junior anglers are queuing up to buy their rod licences. Rod sales in the region have increased by 25 per cent for the first half of the year and national Internet sales have almost trebled. Regional fisheries officer Steve Chambers said: "The rise in the number of young anglers offers great hope for the future of the sport".

LAPTOPS STOLEN: Three laptop Iridium Starbook computers plus several memory chips were stolen from a computer suppliers in the West End of Newcastle between Saturday and Monday. Anyone who has been offered the property or has information can call police on 0191-214 6555.

BALTIC BUS: A shuttle bus has been launched between Gateshead's Metro Interchange and the town's latest attraction, the Baltic, the Centre for Contemporary Arts. Service 60 runs daily between midday and 7.30pm.

CHARITY CASH: Northumbria Police's Pro-Am Charity Golf Tournament, held at Matfen Hall, raised £10,000 for the North of England Children's Cancer Research Fund, based at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle.

NEW HEAD: Richard Coupe, director of studies at Leighton Park School, in Reading, has been named as the principal of the new King's City Academy in South Middlesbrough. Mr Coupe, who has taught for 26 years and was previously head of religious studies at Leeds Grammar School, will begin the role in September.

CASHING IN: Skipton Building Society has thanked everyone who contributed to the £28,632 total it raised for Age Concern's Fight the Freeze foreign coin appeal. New and existing customers brought unused foreign currency to their local branches to be donated to the charity, which was then converted into SUNDAY STROLL: The grounds of Mulgrave Castle, at Lythe, near Whitby, will be opened to the public on Sunday, from 2pm to 6pm, to raise money for St John Ambulance in North Yorkshire. Admission is £2.50 adults and 50p children.

PAINTBALL VOLUNTEERS: The British Lung Foundation's Breathe North charity is seeking volunteers to take part in a fundraising paintballing event, at Slaley Hall, between Consett and Hexham, on Sunday, August 4. For £15 participants can take part in three hours paintballing, with the first 50 balls provided free. Groups of any size can apply, but numbers are limited. For details call 0191-263 0276.

MERCURY RISING: Pub-goers at the Church Mouse in Chester-le-Street will be watching the thermometer at the inn on Great North Road. Landlord Robert Middlemiss has added Summer Breeze, an orange and cranberry drink to the drinks list, but will only serve it when temperatures outside reach 25C.