MORE than 1,000 homes and businesses suffered a temporary power cut yesterday afternoon after an underground cables fault.

A spokesman for electricity suppliers NEDL said power was restored to about 800 premises within minutes of the cut at about 3pm, which affected homes in the centre of Darlington and in Firthmoor. The remaining 200 homes had their electricity switched back on by about 6pm.

CASH BID: Thoroughbred Homes has asked for £10,000 to be cut from the £21,000 it was asked to pay towards a development in Middleton St George, near Darlington. It was given permission by Darlington borough councillors to build 21 homes in the village on condition that it provided funds towards a play area, but it wants the sum reducing because of sewage problems in the area.

CHILD STUCK: Firefighters took two hours to release a child whose head was stuck in railings. The child was eventually taken to hospital by ambulance for a check-up, but was not thought to be seriously hurt. The brigade was called to Bishopton Road, Grove Hill, Middlesbrough, at about 9.45am on Saturday but did not leave the scene until 11.50am.

TORNADO TALK: The Friends of Darlington Railway Museum are hosting a talk by David Elliott, called Visit to A1 Trust Tornado, on Thursday, starting at 7.15pm, in the museum, off North Road. Admission is free.

SPORTING QUESTIONS: Durham's Riverside cricket ground, at Chester-le-Street, which is preparing to enter the test match arena later this week, hosts BBC Radio Five Live's Any Sporting Questions tonight, from 8pm. Panellists in the sports debate programme, presented by John Inverdale, include Durham and England's injured all-rounder Paul Collingwood, ex-Zimbabwe bowler Henry Olongo and former Scottish international footballer Gordon McQueen, who until recently was on Middlesbrough's coaching staff.

ROYAL ACADEMY: The Duke of York will give Sunderland Football Club's new training academy the royal seal of approval next month. The Duke, who opened Sunderland's Stadium of Light six years ago, will return to open the Academy of Light, at Whitburn Moor, on July 15, as president of the Football Association.

BARD WORKSHOPS: Week-end workshops helped theatregoers learn more about the Shakespeare classic, A Midsummer Night's Dream, as its run came to an end at Newcastle's Theatre Royal. The classes were staged by the theatre's education and outreach team to help young and old examine themes within the play.

LOTTO WINNERS: Great North Air Ambulance Service lottery winners from the draw of May 21 were: £200, 13191, Marton; £100, 08705, Richmond; £50, 13011, Darlington; £50, 09022, Yarm; £25, 17792, Acomb; £25, 14470, Darlington. The £10 winners were: 02612, 07147, 08510, 15648, 13841, 08980, 05582, 14752, 14413, 07800, 12512, 16771, 13766, 06456, 06404, 13542, 04166, 09174, 14098, 13045, 06859, 14476, 13456, 15983, 07006. To join the lottery, or help the appeal, telephone or fax (01668) 213969.