A 44-year-old man is recovering after an assault by a group of unknown men.

It is believed that at some time last Friday, the man was set upon by a number of men as he walked between the Telstar pub and Low Grange shops in Billingham, Teesside. He made his way home, but was admitted to the University Hospital of North Tees on Monday, with serious head injuries. Police are unclear as to the time and details of the attack and are appealing for anybody with information to contact PC Maxine Patton on (01642) 302410 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

DRIVER NAMED: A lorry driver who had an amazing escape when his vehicle careered out of control down a steep bank and crashed into six parked cars was named by police yesterday. Stephen George Huntington, 46, of Goole, suffered a broken shoulder when his grain lorry overturned and slid down Blue Bank, at Sleights, near Whitby, on Tuesday night. The 20-tonne vehicle hit six cars and a telegraph pole. Nobody else was injured. Mr Huntington is recovering in Scarborough General Hospital.

PARK MUSIC: A champion brass band will be performing for residents and the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Newcastle this weekend. Broughton's Brass Band will be entertaining residents and Councillor John Marshall and wife Audrey Marshall in the Gala Field Community Park, Newcastle, from 2pm on Sunday.

TAXI CHAOS: The Transport and General Workers' Union has warned of impending taxi chaos at Newcastle Central Station following a decision by Great North Eastern Railways to give an exclusive taxi operating licence to Taxibank. TGWU regional industrial officer Mike Brider said the public would be inconvenienced because there would be fewer taxis at the station. The union is pressing for free and open access for all taxis.

MORE TIME: The closing date for a balloon race to win a fitted kitchen has been extended. DK Kitchens held the event at last month's Picnic in the Park, at Hurworth, near Darlington. The closing date for entries was last weekend, however, the prize has yet to be claimed and the deadline has been extended to Wednesday, September 4.

MOVING ON: Ernie Wilson, golf professional at Woodham Golf Club, has been appointed to run Great Aycliffe Town Council's golf centre at Newton Aycliffe's Oak Leaf centre.

YOUNG FOLK: The search is on for the region's top young folk musicians and singers.

Groups or soloists aged between 12 and 20 are being invited to submit ten-minute demos for the BBC Radio Two Young Folk Award, run by Folkworks. The deadline for entries is Monday, September 2. Anyone interested should contact Folkworks on 0191-433 4666.

WILD ONES: The Wild Cats of Kilkenny will be playing at Preston Park, Stockton, in aid of the Butterwick Hospice on Saturday, August 24. Tickets cost £8.50 each and are available by calling Sarah Eldon on (01642) 624231.