A gang of masked men raided the Bar Me pub, in Low Row, Sunderland, at 9.30am yesterday.

Police said the three men had been waiting in a 4X4 Jeep Cherokee, registration number K306 UCU. The vehicle was found burnt out a short while later in Oakwood Street, Sunderland. Anyone with information is asked to call 0191-454 7555.

CROSS DEFACED: Police have appealed for information about the defacement of a stone cross at St Aiden's RC Church, in Rosehill Road, Wallsend. Vandals sprayed the words Rae and Finkle, using red paint, on the 15ft-high cross. Anyone with information is asked to call 0191-214 6555 extension 63359.

ROCK NIGHT: Texas Flood will be performing at the Monkseaton Arms, Front Street, in Monkseaton, tomorrow, starting at 8pm. Admission is free. For details, call 0191-252 3928.

HOMES PLAN: Durham City Council is being asked to grant planning permission for a barn to be converted into two homes on land south of Witton Hall Farm, Witton Gilbert. The plan includes a detached double garage and a two-storey house with a garage.

BLOOD DONORS: Donor sessions take place today in the Methodist Church Hall, Station Road, Consett, between 3pm and 7pm, and in the Holy Rosary Church Hall, Abercorn Road, Sunderland, between 2.30pm and 7pm. Tomorrow, there is a session in Burn Park Methodist Church, Burn Park Road, Sunderland, 2.30pm to 7pm.

FLATS PLANNED: The Home Housing Association is seeking planning permission from Derwentside District Council for 12 flats for supported living, with communal facilities, at the Ponds Court Business Park, Genesis Way, Consett.

QUIZ NIGHT: A general knowledge quiz will be held on Thursday at The Wayfarer pub, Front Street, Haswell, starting at 9.30pm. For details, call 0191-517 1274.

TAKE-WAWY PLAN: Takeaway chain KFC is seeking planning permission from Derwentside District Council to build a drive-through restaurant next to the petrol station on the Hermiston Retail Park, Consett.

COUNCIL SURGERY: Labour councillors for the All Saints ward on South Tyneside Council will hold a surgery for local residents on tomorrow, at Boldon Lane Community Centre, Boldon Lane, South Shields, from 6pm to 7pm. Community policeman PC Tom Sloan will also be there.

PARKING PLAN: Durham County Council's planning committee will meet tomorrow to discuss plans to upgrade the car park at Tanfield Lea Infants School, near Stanley.

RACTICE NETS: Durham City Cricket Club's indoor nets are now open on Tuesday evenings at Fyndoune Community College, Sacriston, from 8pm to 9.30pm.

BAND GIG: Ultra Violet will be performing rock and pop covers at The Daisy Hill, Heugh Edge, Sacriston, on Friday, starting at 8.30pm. Admission is £1