A 33-year-old man died while in custody at a police station, police said last night.

The man was being held at Scarborough police station when he died, a spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said. The matter was referred to the Police Complaints Authority and relatives have been informed, he added. The spokesman said: ''In the early hours of Sunday, a 33-year-old man died while in custody at Scarborough police station. His next of kin have been informed. The matter has been referred to the Police Complaints Authority."

YPRES TRIP: People have got the opportunity to spend Armistice Day in Ypres on a six-day break to France in November. Tickets are now on sale for the annual visit, which is organised by the Western Front Association. Included in the trip is a visit to the "shot at dawn" cells and the execution yard. Visits to the British war cemeteries are also planned. On November 11, the party will take part in remembrance day commemorations in Ypres. Other highlights include a visit to Bruges. The six-day trip leaves Teesside on November 9 and costs £240. For more information, call Mike Hutchinson on (01642) 672948.

PROTEST GRAN: A grandmother was one of three people who appeared in court facing charges after a mass demonstration last weekend outside the US spy base at Menwith Hill, in North Yorkshire. Christine Dean, 64, of Garnett Street, Otley, denies two charges of causing criminal damage at the base. The hearing was adjourned until April 28 and Ms Dean was granted unconditional bail.

KICK OFF: Redcar MP Vera Baird kicked off a charity football match to raise cash for sick children yesterday. The game took place in Whale Hill, Eston, and players were sponsored to gather funds for Zoe's Place Children's Hospice in Normanby. Ms Baird said: "I hope the event will raise lots of money for the cause. The National Lottery have weighed in with a very generous donation but more is need to make this cause a great success."

FEAR FOR ELDERLY: The chairman of the charity Action on Elder Abuse, Peter Westland, is expected to attack a lack of action by the Government on measures to benefit older people at the group's annual conference in York this week. He says the Government has failed to introduce a register of abusers and mandatory checks on home carers, leaving service users vulnerable.

EQUALITY CHAMP: John Taylor, the 67-year-old from Norton, near Malton, North Yorkshire, who led the campaign for men to take advantage for cut-price bus fares for the over-60s, is recovering in Scarborough hospital after a suspected heart attack.

CHARITY WALKIES: The RSPCA is hosting a sponsored 12-mile dog walk to raise funds for its animal home in Landing Lane, York. The event is on Sunday, starting at 10.30am, and those who do not have a dog of their own can borrow one from the home.