SEVERAL cars have been broken into in Darlington recently during the day.

Cars in Hollyhurst Road, the Town Hall car park, Fairfax Road, Havelock Street and Edmund Street have been targeted. Police are warning motorists not to leave anything on view when leaving a car, and to remember to lock it and set the alarm if there is one fitted.

BIKES THEFT: A number of bikes were stolen from a garage in Greenbank Road, Darlington, on Wednesday. The bikes include a Giant Hybrid blue and silver cycle, a child's white Zed mountain bike and a woman's traditional design black bike. Anyone with information is asked to contact Darlington police on (01325) 467681.

SCHOOL CLOSED: A Darlington school will remain closed until Wednesday because of an electrical fault. Pupils were sent home from Longfield School on Tuesday because of a problem with the school's electric cables.

DRIVING BAN: Christopher Stephen Roche, 19, of Osric Place, Newton Aycliffe, yesterday pleaded guilty at South Durham Magistrates' Court, in Darlington, to driving while disqualified and driving with no insurance. He was given a 150-hour community punishment order, disqualified from driving for an extra six months and ordered to pay £20 costs.

OPEN DAY: Hurworth House School, near Darlington, will hold its annual open day on Saturday, October 18, from 10am to 1pm.

CALLIGRAPHY COURSE: The Darlington WEA branch is repeating its Foundations of Calligraphy course on Tuesdays, from 1.30pm to 3.30pm, starting next week. For details call (01325) 281909 or 357801.

INQUEST ADJOURNED: An inquest into the death of 40-year-old Andrew Peter Woodhead was opened and adjourned at Bishop Auckland Magistrates' Court yesterday. Mr Woodhead, of Isherwood Close, Newton Aycliffe, died on Saturday night after suffering a pulmonary embolism.

ROADWORKS: The C71 road at Denton, on the outskirts of Darlington, will be closed for three weeks to allow for bridge repairs by the borough council.

LUNCH DATE: The luncheon club of St John's Church, Darlington, meets next Friday, at noon.

MUSIC SHOW: Crook Town Football Club presents singer and guitarist Trevor Sewell and a disco on Saturday, October 25, at 8.15pm.