A MASSED performance by junior sword dancers will mark the opening of the International Sword Spectacular Festival on Friday.

The youngsters, aged from six to 16, will welcome hundreds of performers from Europe and the US to Whitby, North Yorkshire. It will be the biggest gathering of sword dancers in the world. Several schools from the Whitby area will take part, with two high school teams from Massachusetts. Junior teams from Loftus, Guisborough, Northallerton and Durham will also be involved.

MAKE A WILL: Solicitors will give their time and expertise drawing up wills free until the end of May in aid of the Butterwick Hospice. Anyone wishing to take advantage of the offer is asked to make a voluntary donation of £75 to the hospice for a single will and £100 for a pair of matching ones. The service is available in Barnard Castle, Darlington, Guisborough, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar, Spennymoor and Stockton. For details of solicitors taking part, call (01642) 624231.

MAN THREATENED: Police are appealing for witnesses after an elderly man was threatened with a knife in his house. The incident took place on Friday night in Newlands Road, Skelton, east Cleveland. Two youths involved made off in a silver Nissan Micra car towards Guisborough. It is unclear if they stole anything. The man was badly shaken. Witnesses are asked to call (01642) 302626.