A professor of cultural history at the Royal College of Art, and chairman of the Design Council, will be in Scarborough on Friday.

Sir Christopher Frayling will give an illustrated lecture of Sergio Leone's Western films at the School of Art and Design at the Yorkshire Coast College, on Friday. The following day he will give a lecture about the story of art and design education, at the Coliseum, Whitby.

YELLOW CHALLENGE: Harrogate Borough Council is encouraging schools in the area to take part in a recycling initiative that involves collecting old copies of the Yellow Pages as the new ones are delivered. Cash prizes are available for those who collect the most.

TOURISM HELPERS: The tourist information centre, in Northallerton, is preparing for another busy season and is appealing for volunteers, who can spare a couple of hours a week, to work alongside experienced staff. Anyone who can help is asked to contact (01609) 776864.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: The British Trust for Conservation Volunteers is looking for people to help it carry out a series of tasks, including helping to build steps on a public footpath at Newton-le-Willows and restore an orchard at Reeth. Anyone interested is asked to contact (01748) 811970.

ROAD CLOSURE: Motorists are being advised that Brecksfield, in Skelton, near York, will be closed to traffic on March 1 and 2 and on March 8 and 9 to allow carriageway repairs to be carried out.

LES MOURNED: Les Richardson, who for more than 68 years became familiar to thousands of people as a street newspaper seller in York, has died at the age of 84. He was awarded an MBE for his services to the community in 1999.