More than 20 tonnes of chocolate was spread across a roundabout when a lorry overturned and shed its load on the A64 at Hopgrove, York.

Nobody was hurt but the lorry also ripped out wires and caused a number of street lights to go out.

Global challenge: Physiotherapist Kate Stainsby, 31, from Kirkbymoorside, is swapping her hospital rounds for the high seas. She has beaten off stiff competition to become part of the 18-strong crew in a yacht taking part in the 2004 BT Challenge Round-the-World Yacht Race. She now has to raise £27,000 to fund the trip.

Kitchen blaze: A woman was given oxygen by firefighters and taken to hospital after being overcome by fumes from a blaze in the kitchen of a house in Rossett Walk, Middlesbrough. Her seven-week-old daughter was also taken to hospital as a precautionary measure.

Minster painting: An original painting of York Minster fetched £7,000 at Sotheby's in London, double the original estimate. The watercolour was painted in 1963 by artist Stanley Roy Badmin when it was commissioned to illustrate the front cover of the Shell Guide to Yorkshire.

Scooby mania: To coincide with the UK release of Scooby-Doo, The Northern Echo has teamed up with Lambs Toys, Darlington and UGC Cinemas, Middlesbrough, to give you the chance to win some great prizes, including toys and movie tickets. To find out how to win, log on to the www.thisisthenortheast.co.uk website.

Arc profits: The Arthritis Research Campaign has won an award from the Association of Charity Shops for its growth in profits. The charity has a shop in Front Street, Chester-le-Street.