A DARLINGTON man told magistrates yesterday that moving house meant he missed his usual reminder about car insurance from his brokers.

But, although the Bench at Richmond, North Yorkshire, told 40-year-old Ian Donaldson, of North Road, they were giving him the benefit of the doubt, he was still fined £100. Unemployed Donaldson assured magistrates he had made sure his car was fully insured soon after he was stopped by police in Northallerton in October. As well as the fine, his driving licence was endorsed with six penalty points.

NO CROSSING: Residents' requests for a crossing near St Oswald's School, in Heslington Lane, York, are likely to be turned down. Officials say it would mean the loss of six parking spaces and say traffic calming is already reducing vehicle speeds.

BANNING ORDER: A 16-year-old youth has been banned for three years from entering shops in Knaresborough Road, Harrogate, after magistrates imposed the district's first banning order for anti-social behaviour.

HELP WANTED: Countryside officers in Scarborough are looking for volunteers to help them clean up Crossgates Quarry nature reserve this weekend. Transport will be provided on Saturday, at 9.45am, from the railway station. For details, call (01723) 374079.

TAX DEADLINE: Scarborough residents have until Monday to return a questionnaire gauging public opinion on next year's Council Tax. Scarborough Borough Council published the questions in the civic paper, Borough News.

FARMERS' MEETING: Vale of York MP Anne McIntosh is holding a meeting for her farming constituents at the Motel Leeming, Bedale next Friday. Craig McGarvey, the Dales manager at the Environment Agency will address the meeting.

ROAD CLOSURE: Motorists in Northallerton are being warned about the temporary closure of a section of the C149 Bullamoor Road, from Scholla Lane to Banks Road. The road will be closed from Monday to Friday.