THE University of Teesside has announced that its Animex festival of film animation will be held next January, and, while it will be focused on Middlesbrough, there will be activity across the North-East.

Past guest speakers have included Nancy Cartwright, the voice of Bart Simpson, stop motion pioneer Ray Harryhausen, Oscar winning Phil Tippett of Star Wars and Jurassic Park fame and Jason Schleifer, lead animator for the Lord of the Rings trilogy.

WOMAN GLASSED: A woman needed stitches after being hit in the face with a glass during a night out. The 31-year-old, from Chester-le-Street, was drinking in Bzar, in Newcastle's Bigg Market on Saturday, at about 10.15pm, when another woman thrust the glass in her face. She suffered cuts and required 13 stitches. Her attacker left the bar before police arrived. Police appealed for witnesses. Anyone with information is asked to contact the police on 0191-214 6555.

MINSTER MASS: York Minster will host more than 1,000 people at a service to celebrate the admission of women and lay people to the Roman Catholic church's Carmelite order. The service, on May 16, will mark the 550th anniversary of the Papal letter which enabled the founding of Carmelite communities for nuns and gave official recognition to lay people as members of the order.

CAR RESCUE: A car driver was given resuscitation after her car left the road and overturned on a quiet country lane yesterday. The accident happened at about 12.45pm on the B6352 road at Edmondsley Bank, Edmondsley, near Consett, County Durham. The woman was taken by ambulance to the University Hospital of North Durham.

LORRY CRASH: A lorry overturned on after turning off the A1(M) on to the A195 dual carriageway at Washington, Wearside, yesterday. Firefighters had to cut through the roof of the cab to reach the driver. He was taken to Gateshead's Queen Elizabeth Hospital and treated for shock and suspected back injuries.

TRUST COURSE: The Prince's Trust will run a course for unemployed 16 and 17-year-olds who want a career as a professional musician at Otterburn Hall, Northumberland, in July. Anyone interested should call Paul Maven on 0788-778 1236 for further details.

HOUSING ISSUES: A housing board has been set up by the Government Office for the North-East to tackle problems in the region. It will be chaired by office director Jonathan Blackie and will include representatives of several housing organisations.

DEER SAFARI: The Forestry Commission is inviting nature lovers to go on safari in Kielder Forest, Northumberland, at 6am on Wednesday, April 16, to see the forest's roe deers. The event costs £4. Call (01434) 250209 to book a place.

TEENAGER ATTACKED: A 16-year-old boy was pinned against a wall and robbed by two men as he walked along Holgate Road, York. They stole his mobile phone, cash and a video tape.

TOP AWARD: William Anelay, a 260-year-old construction firm in Osbaldwick, York, has won a national Civic Trust award for its work in transforming Blackwell, now known as the Arts and Crafts House, beside Lake Windermere.