A RETIRED police sergeant, who served for nearly three decades, has died in Spain.

Billy Taylor, 49, who served with the County Durham police force, died on April 13 in Malaga, southern Spain. An inquest into his death will be held at Bishop Auckland Magistrates' Court on Monday. Mr Taylor, a married father, of Defoe Crescent, Newton Aycliffe, was with the police for 27 years. His funeral will take place on Thursday at St Clare's Church, Newton Aycliffe.

CIGARETTES SEIZED: Two men from Teesside were arrested following the discovery of 1.25 million cigarettes in a truck on the A19 near Northallerton on Thursday evening. Rob Hastings-Trew, Customs spokesman for the region, said: "Customs officers were called to a layby on the A19 after a 7-tonne truck had been stopped by North Yorkshire Police. When they searched the vehicle, they found the cigarettes, Superking Blues, behind some used polythene shrinkwrap. The men have been interviewed by Customs and have been released on bail for three weeks while we continue our investigations."

PLAY ARRIVES: An award-winning play is coming to the region next month. You Don't Kiss, which won the London Borough of Newham Writing Out Award in 2001, will be at The Civic Theatre, Darlington, on Friday, May 9. A comedy, it is set in a London park, and follows the search for love by three black, gay men. The show starts at 8pm and tickets are £8, and £6 concessions, available on (01325) 486555.

CRASH APPEAL: Police want to speak to the male driver of a white van who witnessed a fatal road accident on the B6451, near Menwith Hill, North Yorkshire. The man left the scene of the accident in which motorcyclist Mark Alan Wilson, 25, of Bradford, died on Tuesday, before police arrived. The investigating officer believes the driver may have been the first witness to the incident. He is being asked to call (01423) 539474.

UNION LAUNCH: Durham City and District Credit Union will be launched on Monday, at 7pm, in the Gala Theatre, Millennium Place. Mike Davenport, treasurer of the Association of British Credit Unions, will be the guest speaker. Would-be members and volunteers are welcome to the event.

BRIDGE CLOSURE: Wearmouth Bridge, in Sunderland, will be closed to traffic between 11.30pm and 6am each day from tomorrow to Thursday for blasting and repainting work. Pedestrians will still be able to use the bridge.

CRICKET COACHING: Durham City Cricket Club will begin weekly coaching sessions at its ground at Green Lane, Old Elvet, Durham, on Sunday, May 4, from 10am to noon. Sessions are for boys and girls aged seven to 12 of any ability, and cost £2.50 per week.

OPERATIC SHOW: Darlington Operatic Society is performing Copacabana, from Wednesday until Saturday, May 10. Shows take place at the town's Civic Theatre, at 7.30pm each day. Tickets are £12.50 or £7, concessions £6. To book, call (01325) 486555.

TOP DOGS: This year's search for the RSPCA Dog of the Year is about to begin. A qualifying day is being held at Knaresborough House, Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, on Monday, May 5. To take part, call Peter Bolton on (01751) 433196.

SHOW TIME: Swedish tenor saxophonist Lennart Andersson and Polish trumpeter Janusz Carmello are performing at Darlington Arts Centre on Friday, May 30, at 8pm. Tickets are £8, concessions £6. To book, call (01325) 486555.