Businesses in York claim a 50-minute power cut in the city centre cost them hundreds of thousands of pounds in trade.

Coney Street, Davygate and Stonegate were among the prime shopping streets hit by the power failure on Friday afternoon, which is thought to have happened when a contractor damaged a cable. Shoppers had to be evacuated from at least one store for safety reasons.

CHOIR CONCERT: Stockton Male Voice Choir will perform at Aske Hall Chapel, Ripon, on Saturday, April 26, at 7.30pm. Tickets, priced £4.50, are available from the estate office. Money raised will go to The Rainbow Trust.

COMIC DATE: Comedian John Shuttleworth will appear at Harrogate Theatre on Tuesday, April 15, at 7.30pm. Tickets, priced £10 to £13, are available on (01423) 502116.

MAN ATTACKED: A man was left lying unconscious on the Stray in Harrogate after he was attacked by two men. Police said he suffered facial injuries but was not robbed.

EYES DOWN: A £5m bingo hall opens its doors for the first time on Wednesday. The Mecca Bingo club is on the site of the old Fishergate club in York, which was demolished to make way for the development.

MATHS FUN: Youngsters from across the region took part in the northern finals of the UK Maths Challenge at the Mount School, York. Teams from Ripon and Bradford will go on to the national finals in the summer.

CAR CRIMNES: Thieves targeted two cars parked at Blakey Ridge, an isolated beauty spot on the North York Moors, while the vehicles' owners were out walking. They smashed the rear offside windows to get inside.