A 32-year-old woman was detained in hospital last night after her motorcycle and a car being driven by an 18-year-old man collided.

The accident happened on the A690 at Brancepeth Castle, near Durham City, shortly after 10pm on Wednesday. The woman, from Wolsingham, County Durham, suffered serious leg injuries and was taken to the University Hospital of North Durham. The driver of the Renault Clio, who is from Seaham, east Durham, was unhurt. Witnesses are asked to contact police on 0191-386 4929.

BOAT RESCUED: The coastguard received a call from the crew of the Lady Lydia, which was sailing half-a-mile south of Seaham, east Durham, at about noon on Wednesday, after they spotted a distress flare from another boat. The Maggie May, with two people on board, was found with a failed engine and was towed by the Lady Lydia into Seaham Harbour.

Police raids: Cleveland Police are hailing as "significant and substantial" raids on addresses in east Cleveland in which cannabis resin with a street value of about £20,000 was seized. The Langbaurgh-based drugs squad which carried out the raids also arrested a man and a woman on suspicion of possession of drugs with intent to supply.

CHARITY LAUNCH: Single parents' charity Gingerbread launched a North-East office yesterday with an event at St James' Park, Newcastle. The office will provide a free advice line, discount schemes, handbooks and self-help groups. For more information, call 0800 018 4318, or to join or set up a local group, contact Jane Cater on 0191-272 5503.

Bridge display: An exhibition telling the story of the Gateshead Millennium Bridge has opened in St Mary's Church, near Gateshead Quays Visitor Information Centre. It is open Mondays to Fridays, between 12.30pm and 2pm, and at weekends, between 11am and 3pm.

On air: An environmental project in Newcastle is to be featured in the BBC television programme Gardener's World next month. Cameras have been filming the creation by Newcastle City Council of a mini-park in the yard of the Heaton Centre.

Park proms: U2 tribute band U2our will perform with The Wildcats of Kilkenny and Tony Corcoran on Sunday, June 16, as part of the City Proms in the Park, at The Racecourse, Durham. Tickets, which cost £15 plus a booking fee, are available by calling 0191-332 4041.

CHARITY CONCERT: North-East band Blue Train will perform on behalf of the children's charity Barnardo's North-East, on Tuesday, as part of the charity's annual June Fun'raising Fortnight. The concert takes place at The Bridge, beside Newcastle's High Level Bridge, from 8pm. Tickets cost £3.50 on the door.

TEARAWAY ACCUSED: An alleged teenage tearaway has appeared in court to face a local authority application for an anti-social behaviour order. The 16-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared with his mother before Hartlepool magistrates yesterday. The youth, from the Foggy Furze area of the town, was told to return to the court for a full-day hearing on June 19.