A 49-year-old motorcyclist underwent surgery at Gateshead's Queen Elizabeth Hospital for serious leg, hip and arm injuries after his machine hit a car on the A1 Western Bypass at Whickham on Saturday.

A second biker suffered heavy bruising.

House fire: The first floor of a house at Greenford, Kibblesworth, near Gateshead, was badly damaged by fire early yesterday. The owner was asleep at a neighbour's house and his dog escaped through the front door when firefighters arrived.

Hay fire: Six tonnes of baled hay was dragged on to a children's play area and set on fire at Mundells Lane, East Boldon, South Tyneside, on Saturday. The fire spread to a neighbouring field.

Attack plea: Police are appealing for witnesses after a 24-year-old man suffered serious head injuries in an attack at about 11pm in Roman Avenue, Walker, Newcastle, last Thursday. Witnesses are asked to call Byker CID on 0191-214 6555.

Cyclist hurt: A 15-year-old cyclist from Gateshead suffered serious head injuries when he was knocked off his bike on the A184 Felling bypass on Friday night. The eastbound carriageway was closed for more than two hours.

New Coxwain: Mike Russell, who has been a member of Whitby lifeboat crew for 13 years, is the new coxswain. He has been second coxswain for the past nine years and takes over from Keith Stuart who has reached the operational retirement age of 55. Mike, 45 of Sandsend is a shellfish merchant at Whitby Harbour.

Courses Choice: Opportunities to learn new skills or gain qualifications are on offer for the new term through Ripon College Community Education. A range of courses is available at several locations throughout the district. Courses start during the week beginning September 9 but due to popular demand it is advisable to enrol as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. Full prospectus of daytime and evening courses is available from Ripon Library, local post offices or from the college, in Clotherholme Road.

New Faces: Two new women partners are among several appointments made by York commercial law firm Denison Till. Head of commercial litigation, Johanne Spittle, and commercial property lawyer and head of the education team, Hilary Crook, who joined from the Leeds office of national law firm Eversheds in 1999, are new partners, bringing the firm's workforce to 15.

Beauty Queen: Evelyn Pinkine, 22, of Catterick Village, North Yorkshire, has been named Miss Teletext Holidays World. The sales and marketing trainee at Nestle, York, was voted the winner of the competition, which was run on the Teletext Holidays website.

Surrogate Stones: Tribute band The Rollin Stoned will re-create the Brian Jones and Mick Taylor era of the world's greatest rock band at The Newcastle Opera House on Friday September 20. Tickets cost £10.50 and £12.50 and are available from the box office on 0191-232 0899.

TowerBulldozed: A disused concrete water tower at the University of York's Heslington campus is being demolished one block at a time. The landmark, which was built in the early 1960s, stopped supplying water to the chemistry department a year ago when a new pump system was installed.

Theatre Day: An open day will be held at Middlesbrough Theatre from 10am to 4.30pm on Saturday. Visitors will be guided through the theatre and will have a chance to look backstage. The tour is free