A THUG left a man with a broken arm after a vicious street robbery.

The victim, in his fifties, was walking along Westmorland Road, in the West End of Newcastle, at about 11pm on Friday, December 27. He was attacked by a man thought to be in his twenties, who left him with the broken limb and cuts and bruises to his body. A passing bus disturbed the attacker, who ran off after stealing three rings from his victim. Anyone with information is asked to contact Newcastle West CID on 0191-214 6555, extension 62326.

MUGGING VICTIM: A thief left a pensioner injured after she fell over while he stole her handbag. The incident took place in Normount Road, Newcastle, on Friday at about 10.30am. A spokeswoman for Northumbria Police said: "The 82-year-old pensioner was slightly injured when she fell into a door as a man grabbed her handbag from her shoulder." The thief is thought to be in his twenties. Anyone with information should contact Newcastle West CID on 0191-214 6555.

YOUTH SOUGHT: A youth was in hiding yesterday after the car he was travelling in knocked down and killed a 63-year-old man. The dead man, who has not been named, was struck by the Vauxhall car at about 2pm in Waterville Road, North Shields. He was in the area visiting his family for Christmas. Police arrested two youths who were in the car and are anxious to trace a third, who was seen fleeing the scene. Officers cordoned off the road for a forensic investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 0191-214 6555.

INQUEST OPENS: An inquest wasd opened and adjourned yesterday into the death of a man found at the foot of a beauty spot last week. Alan Milligan, 55, of Whickham, on the outskirts of Gateshead, was discovered beneath Causey Arch, near Stanley, north-west Durham, after his car was found abandoned in a nearby picnic site, on December 23.

ARTISTS WANTED: Free gallery space is offered in the region for artists and writers to show off their work. Businessman Willie Giles has turned the top floor of 10 Newbiggin, in Richmond, into Willie's Fruitcake Gallery and Writing Grotto. Anyone interested is asked to log onto www.communi gate.co.uk/ne/wap

POTTER SHOW: Fans of Harry Potter and Beatrix Potter can enjoy an exhibition at Durham Art Gallery tomorrow. Entry to the exhibition, which is on tour from the National Portrait Gallery, is free for the day. Durham Light Infantry Museum is also offering free entry to its First World War attractions

CHRISTMAS BRAWL: Four people have been charged in connection with a Christmas Day brawl which broke out in Blyth town centre, in Northumberland. One man is in hospital with serious head injuries following the fight at the Keel Row car park at 11pm.

MONEY RAISED: Shoppers at the MetroCentre, in Gateshead, have helped raise more than £2,000 for Marie Curie Cancer Care. Volunteers with the charity spend a fortnight at the complex wrapping Christmas gifts for donations.

GIFTS WANTED: Help the Aged is asking for unwanted Christmas gifts to be dropped off at local shops. The charity needs good quality clothing and bric-a-brac such as ornaments, tapes, CDs and books.