POLICE are hunting a gang of four men who attacked a 14-year-old boy and stole a ring from his finger.

The attack happened at 7.15pm on Monday, in Leybourne Terrace, Stockton. The four, all aged about 20, fled in a red car, possibly an N-registration Ford Sierra, with a white patch on the off-side. One of the men was 5ft 10in and stocky. Anyone with information is asked to call police on (01642) 644 111.

STAFF AWARD: Staff at a travel agents are celebrating after winning an Investors in People award. Hays Travel, in Sunderland, an independent travel agency which employs more than 400 people in the North-East, received the accolade at the Outstanding Practice Awards in Newcastle, organised by Business Link and the Learning and Skills Council Tyne and Wear. Judges said the company had a dedicated workforce which was enthusiastic, loyal and supportive.

MOVE BLOCKED: Town councillors in Helmsley, North Yorkshire, have blocked moves to have a market on Good Friday. While a market is held each Friday, by tradition it has always been moved to Thursday for Good Friday. An approach was made to Ryedale District Council to allow the market to take place on Friday, but was turned down because it would clash with a church service which will be held in the market place that day.

SALSA CLASSES: Newcastle bar Tiger, Tiger, in Newgate Street, will host a salsa dancing day on Sunday, April 13. Instructors from Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle, Glasgow and York will teach beginners and more advanced dancers from 11am. Tickets cost £12 before March 15, £15 after, or £20 at the door.

INQUEST OPENED: An inquest into the death of Durham Prison inmate Susan Stevens, 48, from the South, was opened and adjourned at the north Durham coroner's office, in Crook, yesterday. Ms Stevens, who was serving a life sentence for wounding with intent and arson, was found hanged in her cell last Friday.

APPEAL DISMISSED: A Government inspector has thrown out an appeal against Darlington Borough Council's refusal of planning permission for six gipsy caravans to be sited on land at Blackwell Moor Farm, Snipe Lane, Dalrington. Inspector Ruth MacKenzie said the move would increase chances of an accident on the A66.

ADOPTION SCHEME: A project has been launched to find more adoptive parents. Adoption NCH North East has been set up to encourage more people to consider adoption and the group will hold an information evening at Mount Oswald Golf Club, South Road, Durham, from 6.30pm on Wednesday.

RAM RAID: Two thieves wearing balaclavas drove a stolen white Vauxhall Nova car into a Co-op store, in West Road, Loftus, east Cleveland, at about 3.30am yesterday, before raiding the shop. Anyone with information is asked to call police on (01642) 302638.

HOLIDAY CHANGES: The Camping and Caravan Club of Great Britain is to take over the management of Scalby Manor Caravan Park, at Scarborough. The club is to invest £1m in the 20-acre council-owned park.