£32m rural aid deal unveiled

THE Governemnet unveiled a £32m aid package for rural communities last night. Rural Affairs Minister Alun Michael said the cash would benefit countryside communities across the country, including North Yorkshire. The money will go to partnerships set up to develop or brand local products. Several are planning to support local tourism projects, often associated with activities on local products or rural heritage.

£1,900 BUZZ: A group of beekeepers was buzzing with excitement yesterday after being awarded a £1,900 Lottery grant. Harrogate and Ripon Beekeepers' Association, In North Yorkshire, was awarded the cash by the National Lottery's Awards For All scheme. The groups plans to use the money to buy new equipment and raise the profile of the hobby among young people.

CALLING PILGRIMS: A pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, in Spain, is being organised for worshippers in the region. Canon Tony Meakin, formerly the Bishop of Durham's senior chaplain and rector of Whickham, near Gateshead, is organising the trip in April. For more information call (01207) 270429.

Road closed: The A173 at Newton under Roseberry, east Cleveland, will be closed for two weeks from the Windlebridge roundabout to the borough boundary with North Yorkshire, for carriageway improvements by Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council.

EURO DAY: Children from four County Durham primary schools will get to grips with the euro at an event at County Hall, Durham, tomorrow. They will make simple euro converters, handle the new money, find out which countries are using it and watch a recorded message from French children.

MEDICAL CENTRE: A new medical centre for a Derwentside village is to be opened by the Health Minister and Darlington MP Alan Milburn. He will unveil a plaque at Craghead Medical Centre on Friday. Two GPs operate out of the centre.

Floods plea: Villagers from Stamford Bridge, near York, are heading to London next week to press Government Minister Elliot Morley for extra flood defence cash. They will protest about a proposed £1m scheme for the town, which residents claim will leave three properties unprotected.

Crash appeal: A 34-year-old man was in a critical condition in hospital last night after his car left the road and hit a tree on Sunday morning. Patrick Clemerson, who is from the Leicestershire area, was driving on the unclassified Richmond to Leyburn road, in North Yorkshire, when the accident happened at 11.55am. He was taken to the Friarage Hospital, Northallerton. Police are appealing for witnesses to contact them on (01609) 789326.

WITNESSES NEEDED: Police have appealed for witnesses to an accident in which five people were injured. The collision was between a red Peugeot car and Go-Ahead single-decker bus in the market place of Houghton-le-Spring, Wearside, at noon on December 27. Anyone with information is asked to call the motor patrol south on 0191-454 7555.

IDENTITY MYSTERY: Police are still trying to positively identify a man found beaten to death in South Shields on New Year's Day. It is believed that he could be 47-year-old Richard Jones, whose description matches those given by several callers. The man is described as 40 to 50 years old, of heavy build, 5ft 10in, with light ginger-coloured hair.

Traffic plea: York Wheels - the busiest community transport service in Yorkshire - is urging its clients to help beat York's notorious traffic problems by starting their journeys half an hour earlier. The organisation carries out 30,000 journeys a year using volunteer drivers.

BOOK SALE: A book sale is being held from 10am to 2pm at Hartlepool Central Library, York Road, on Saturday. Prices start from 10p.

Betting shop: Chisholm Bookmakers has applied to Stockton Borough Council to convert a building society in Queensway, Billingham, into a betting shop.

LANE CLOSURES: Gas replacement works in Billingham, at the Marsh House Avenue/Rievaulx Avenue junction, continue this week and involve lane closures.