TRADING Standards officers and police seized thousands of pounds worth of equipment in a raid on a suspected music counterfeiter in Newcastle.

A man was questioned after the operation at a house in the Lemington area, from where it was believed an Internet subscription service was being run which mailed out pirate copies of top 40 music albums on a weekly basis. A police spokesman said: "Subscription rings are relatively new, but are very damaging to the composers and also to those people working in related areas of the music business locally."

STOLEN CAR: Detectives are trying to trace the owner of a sports car they believe was stolen in the North-East. The green Caterham Seven car, with a yellow rollcage, was recovered in a raid on a house in the Heaton area of Newcastle last month. Despite inquiries, officers have still not found the owner. A 44-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of theft and released on police bail pending inquiries. Anyone who believes the car is theirs is asked to call Newcastle East CID on 0191-214 6555, ext 62250.

HOUSE FIRE: A man saved the life of a neighbour after he spotted smoke pouring from their home. Firefighters were called to a kitchen fire in a two-storey terraced cottage in Canon Cockin Street, in Hendon, Sunderland, at 8.30am yesterday. A fire brigade spokesman said: "A neighbour saw the smoke, rang the fire brigade and banged on the cottage door. Were it not for the prompt actions of the neighbour, the occupant may not have been able escape uninjured, as no smoke alarm was fitted."

VICTIM DIES: A pensioner who was involved in an accident with a car has died. Pedestrian William Thompson, 68, of Maesfield Drive, South Shields, South Tyneside, was involved in the accident with a Ford Escort estate car on the Western Approach, South Shields, shortly before 6pm on Sunday. Police are still appealing for witnesses to the accident. Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0191-563 6772.

FLAT FIRE: Arson investigators are probing a blaze that gutted a flat. The fire raged through an unoccupied ground-floor flat in Wilberforce Street, Jarrow, South Tyneside. Firefighters were called at about 1.15pm yesterday, but were unable to put the fire out before the flat was gutted. South Tyneside Arson Task Force is investigating the cause.

SCHOOL FIRE: An electrical fault in an extractor fan sparked a blaze in school toilets yesterday. Firefighters were called to Christchurch Primary School, in Shieldfield Green, Newcastle, at about 10.30am. The fire destroyed the fan and left the toilets badly smoke-damaged.

FAMILY BARBIE: A family barbecue will be held at the Eden Place Picnic Area, near the entrance to Beamish Museum, Stanley, County Durham, by Durham County Council's countryside section on Sunday, September 21. To attend, call 0191-383 4144.

MURDER MYSTERY: A murder mystery evening, including dinner, will be held at Hardwick Hall Hotel, near Sedgefield, County Durham, on Friday, from 7.30pm. Tickets, priced £24.95, are available on (01740) 620253.

SUPERMAC SIGNS: Newcastle football legend Malcolm Macdonald will sign copies of his autobiography at the WH Smith store in Gateshead's MetroCentre today, from 1pm to 2pm.