AN inquest into the deaths of friends Paul Williams, 38, and Christopher John Howe, 32, who died in a fume-filled car in an apparent double suicide on March 6, was opened and adjourned yesterday.

The address of both was given as East Street, Blackhall Colliery, County Durham, and evidence of identification was provided by Robert Atherton, a friend of the men.

CRASH INQUEST: An inquest was opened yesterday into the death of Jennifer Askew, 54, a food technology teacher at Staindrop Comprehensive School, County Durham. Mrs Askew, a mother-of-two, of School Street, Witton-le-Wear, died from multiple injuries following a crash last Friday on the C18A road between Witton-le-Wear and Howden-le-Wear. Her sister-in-law, Patricia Parker, of Kingston Street, Darlington, gave evidence of identification and South Durham Coroner Colin Penna adjourned the hearing pending further inquiries.

TOP AWARD: Hartlepool Borough Council will find out on Monday if it has won the Local Government Chronicle's Council of the Year Award. Judges toured the town earlier this year to talk to council representatives. At the ceremony, at the Hilton Hotel in London, Hartlepool will be competing against Derbyshire County Council, Hammersmith and Fulham London Borough Council, Hertfordshire County Council and Westminster City Council.

FAIR TRADE: Newcastle has become the first city in the UK to be recognised for its work to promote fair trade with developing countries. Newcastle City Council has won Fairtrade City status. It is the first metropolitan authority to win the accolade, which recognised the work of the North Eastern and Cumbrian Co-op and Traidcraft, based on the Team Valley, Gateshead, which distributes Fairtrade products.

RURAL ADVICE: The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is hosting two advice sessions for countryside businesses at the Blackwell Grange Hotel, Darlington. The events take place on Monday, March 24, from 6pm to 9.30pm, and Tuesday, March 25, from 11am to 3.30pm. For more information, contact Linda Kiff on (0207) 238 6427.

PEACE MARCH: Police have warned motorists of severe traffic congestion in Newcastle City Centre during a peace march from 11am to 1pm today. A police spokesman said up to 1,000 people were expected to join the Tyneside Stop the War Coalition outside the Civic Centre, from 10.30am, moving to Tyne Square at 11.15am. A rally will be held from noon to 1pm.

AINSLIE SINGS: Ainslie, one of the stars of the BBC's Fame Academy, wowed shoppers with an acappella performance in the Gateshead MetroCentre yesterday. He performed a number of songs, including his current hit, Keep Me A Secret.

LOTTO WINNERS: Winners in the North-East Air Ambulance Lottery on March 5 were: £200 - 08179 Spittal; £100 - 15802 Darlington; £50 - 09677 Longframlington; £50 - 06743 Darlington; £25 - 03863 Bracknell; £25 - 08010 Hexham.