A MAN who plunged to his death over a cliff edge has been named as 31-year-old Darren Drummond.

Mr Drummond, from Southfield Crescent, Norton, Stockton, lost control of a kite buggy he was riding as it gathered speed down a slope above a sheer 150ft drop at Carlton Bank, near Stokesley, North Yorkshire.

The incident happened on Monday lunchtime as horrified holidaymakers looked on helplessly. An inquest will be opened and adjourned today.

Assault charges: Businessman Fadil Suleyman, 52, has appeared in court facing eight charges of indecent assault. The property developer has gone on trial at Teesside Crown Court charged with offences against two teenage girls, dating back to 1996. Mr Suleyman, of Acklam, Middlesbrough, denies all charges and the case continues.

MAN JAILED: A man was jailed for 12 months yesterday after admitting a charge of affray, at Teesside Crown Court. Paul Bennett, 34, of Kent Avenue, Hartlepool, admitted being involved in an incident in a Hartlepool street when he punched his former partner in the face, threatened her and wielded a machete. Jamie Hill, for Bennett, said this incident was a "one-off".

Rail death: An inquest was opened and adjourned yesterday into the death of man whose headless body was found on the East Coast Main Line last week. Peter Joseph Matthews, 19, of Well, near Bedale, North Yorkshire, who worked at the Rural Payments Agency in Northallerton, was found near Northallerton railway station on March 26.

BOY INJURED: A 13-year-old boy is fighting for his life after colliding with a Rover 820 as he crossed the road, at Benton, Newcastle, at 1.10pm on Tuesday. He was taken to Newcastle General Hospital with serious head injuries. Witnesses are urged to contact police on 0191-454 7555.

Study days: Experts carrying out a study of the house and grounds at Castle Howard, near Malton, North Yorkshire, are to hold a series of public events. The study days will explain aspects of the 10,000-acre site, including work on the recently rediscovered Temple of Venus. The first event is on Tuesday, April 16. Places cost £35 and can be booked on (01653) 648444.

ORCHID Show: Houghall College, on the outskirts of Durham City, will be blooming with hundreds of orchids on Sunday. The agricultural college's conference hall, off the A177 between Durham and Shincliffe, provides the setting for the North-East of England Orchid Society's annual show, from 11am to 4pm. Admission is £2, £1 for pensioners, free for children.

PAYING RESPECTS: Greenwood's menswear shops across the North-East will be closed on Tuesday due to the funeral of the Queen Mother, as a mark of respect.

DOUBLE ACT: Twins Geraldine Jones and Judith Gilbert are making an artistic double act by exhibiting their work under the title 2x2, at Nunnington Hall, near Helmsley, North Yorkshire, from May 1 to June 2. The pair, who have run drawing workshops for Stokesley Art Club, have recently exhibited with the Society of Graphic Fine Art in London.

ROADWORKS WARNING: Motorists using a busy trans-Pennine route to and from the North-East are warned of disruption in the next five weeks. Traffic lights will be in operation while a 10mph limit will be in force around the A69 at Haydon Bridge, in Northumberland. No lane closures will be in place during peak hours, on Friday afternoons or over the May Bank Holiday weekend.

TREE PLANTING: A tree will be planted at Houghton Kepier School, Houghton-le-Spring, on Monday, to mark the achievement of headteacher Sue Hyland, who won the UK award for school leadership in the Teaching Awards 2001. She received cash and equipment worth £25,000 for the school