A teenager has made his first appearance at crown court charged with the murder of a schoolgirl.

Thomas Davis, 18, is accused of killing 14-year-old Sarah Robson, whose body was found in a field near her East Cramlington, Northumberland, home on February 11. No plea was taken during a short hearing at Newcastle Crown Court yesterday and he spoke only to confirm his name. Davis, of Deneside, Seghill, was remanded in custody to appear again on April 30.

FARM ROADSHOWS: National Farmers' Union members will hear about proposed changes to agricultural support, at roadshows in the region. NFU president Ben Gill, who farms at Easingwold, North Yorkshire, said he accepted the need to shift the focus of the Common Agricultural Policy from production-based support to payments that were less market distorting. But he said farmers wanted a simpler, more market-focused policy. The roadshows will at the Croft Spa Hotel, Darlington (next Thursday, 1pm), Askham Bryan College, near York (March 3, 1pm), Britannia Hotel, Newcastle Airport (March 5, 1pm), and Hanover International Hotel, Skipton (March 18, 8pm).

FREE CASTLES: English Heritage will be offering its thousands of members the chance to take an unlimited number of children under 19 into its historic sites free, from April. Chairman Sir Neil Cossons said: "One of our biggest challenges is to ensure that successive generations inherit a passion for the history of England. Adult annual membership is £34, £58 for joint membership.

TRAFFIC CHAOS: A 32-tonne lorry caused misery for motorists yesterday morning when it got stuck on a grass verge on the A64 near Bilbrough, York. A two-mile tailback built up on the eastbound carriageway before the vehicle was freed.

HEALTH FAIR: A healthy living fair featuring talks on massage, reiki, relaxation and food allergies will take place at the Spa Hotel, Middleton-St-George, near Darlington, on Saturday, March 1, from 10am to 5pm. Entry is £3.

JAZZ CONCERT: Jazz band New Orleans Heat will play hymns and spirituals at a concert in St Cuthbert's Church, Darlington, on Saturday, April 5, at 7.30pm, in aid of the organ fund and St Teresa's Hospice. Tickets are £6, available on (01325) 243223.

BALLET DATES: The Moscow Ballet La Classique is coming to the region for performances of Don Quixote, at Darlington Civic Theatre on Monday, March 10 and Tuesday, March 11, at 7.30pm. Tickets are £14.50 and £17.50 (discounts available). For information call (01325) 486555.

DARIUS WINNER: The latest winner of The Northern Echo's pop competition is Olga Johnson, of Vicar Street in Bishop Auckland, County Durham. She has won £250 and two tickets to see Pop Idol Darius in concert, courtesy of radio station Magic 1170MW.

SCHOOL REUNION: Anyone who left Westfield School, Redcar, east Cleveland in May 1977, is invited to a reunion on March 7 at the Plimsoll Line Pub, Redcar High Street, at 7.30pm.