A MAN appeared in court yesterday charged in connection with an incident in which North Yorkshire police used plastic bullets for the first time.

Stephen Andrew Evers pleaded not guilty to two charges of possessing an offensive weapon and another of affray near his home in Thirsk's Favenfield Road in the early hours of Wednesday. Magistrates in Richmond, North Yorkshire, adjourned the case against the 21-year-old chef until Wednesday, September 10. Evers was granted bail on condition he lives at his home address.

BODY IDENTIFIED: A man whose body was found at the foot of cliffs near the Blue Dolphin Holiday Camp, near Scarborough, earlier this week was yesterday named as 30-year-old Brian Drummond Hill, from Dunfermline, Scotland. An inquest was opened and adjourned yesterday.

MANICURE CHANCE: The Northern Echo has relaunched its summer competition with the Nailbar, Darlington's pedicure and manicure salon in Northumberland Street. Each week, one reader will win a manicure for the next six weeks. To win, log on to www.thisisthenortheast.co. uk and click on the win icon.

RIVER RACES: British Jet Ski Championship heats are to be held on the River Tees at the Tees Barrage, Stockton, on August 23 and 24. Jet skiers will perform high-powered stunts and jumps for the Tees Trophy Challenge. There will be musicians, including the Wildcats of Kilkenny and Evelyn Glennie entertaining during the event.

NEW STORE: Fashion chain Next has opened a store at the Dalton Park discount shopping complex near Murton, County Durham. Centre director David Gosling said the store would encourage more visitors to an already successful outlet.

APPLE RUN: The Butterwick Hospice has places on offer in this year's New York Marathon, on November 2. To take part, call (01642) 624231.