Vale of York Tory MP Anne McIntosh plans to make a practical contribution to back up her support for National Volunteers' Week.

She officially opened the Thirsk and Sowerby Volunteer Bureau a fortnight ago - and now plans to put her name forward as a volunteer.

HEALTH SUPREMO: The president of the Royal College of Surgeons, Professor Sir Peter Morris, will be visiting York Hospital today for an informal meeting with surgical staff. He will also be joined by the chairman of the local health trust, Alan Maynard, in a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the orthopaedic services operating theatre, which is nearing completion.

BUG AND BEADS: Beading the Millennium Bug is the title of a lecture by Francesca Lawrence to Richmond and Leyburn Embroiderers' Guild at Middleham Key Centre, on June 19, 7.30pm to 9.30pm. Tickets are £5 from Pam Alderson on (01609) 777083, Susan Fenwick on (01325) 718305 or Joyce Ramsdale on (01748) 825048. The evening includes coffee and biscuits and a raffle.

LIGHTNING STRIKE: The roof of a house in Sutton-on-the-Forest, near York, was damaged when it was struck by lightning late on Sunday night. No one was hurt.

DRUGS STOLEN: A doctor's bag containing dangerous drugs has been stolen. It was taken from the doctor's car in either Hampsthwaite, near Harrogate, or Ripon. Anyone finding the bag or items that are obviously from it, is asked to contact police immediately.

ANTI-SMOKING: Health visitors and fire service personnel will be in Morrison's car-park at Starbeck, Harrogate, on Friday, from 11am to noon, handing out leaflets and talking to shoppers about the risks of passive smoking.

TREE ORDER: A tree preservation order has been made to protect five ash trees at a site on the fringe of Ripon. The trees are near the southern boundary of the Veterinary Surgery, Mill Farm, Studley Road, off the Ripon-Pateley Bridge Road.