A 20-year-old student plunged 60ft to his death from Scarborough's Spa Bridge after he took a hallucinogenic drug, an inquest heard.

Coroner Michael Oakley recorded a verdict of accidental death on Christopher Amini, of Clifton Street, Scarborough, who had been taking a music degree at the University of Hull's Scarborough campus. Mr Oakley said Mr Amini, who died from multiple injuries, had taken magic mushrooms, which could give people the impression they could fly.

SPEAKING DATE: Former Shadow Home Secretary Ann Widdecombe will take part in a Question Time-style debate in Ganton Village Hall, near Scarborough at 7.30pm next Friday. The following morning, she will be guest speaker at a public meeting at Snainton Village Hall at 10.30am.

DRIVER DEATH: A retired lorry driver lay dead in his vehicle in a supermarket car park for two days after he took a drug overdose. At an inquest, coroner Michael Oakley recorded an open verdict on Trevor Clark, 66 of Orchard Way, Rothwell, Leeds, who had failed to return home after visiting his sister in Scarborough. The inquest heard that Mr Clark had a tendency to get confused over his dosage of prescribed drugs.

HOT CURRY: A North-East curry restaurant has been voted one of the best in Britain. The Last Days of the Raj, in Low Fell, Gateshead, has been classed as one of the top 30 restaurants in Britain at the annual Best in Britain 2003 awards. The winners were voted by readers of The Real Curry Restaurant Guide and the menu2menu.com website. Owner Athair Khan was invited to a ceremony for winners at London's Hilton Hotel.

FARES RISE: The region's biggest bus operator, Go North-East, has introduced inflation-busting fare rises. The company said the increases were needed to meet rising costs and help pay for new buses and security cameras.

COUNTRY SHOW: Durham Local Radio (DLR), the temporary station broadcasting to Durham City on 107FM for a month, will feature a three-hour country music show hosted by Brian Clough tonight from 6pm to 9pm.

ATTACKPLEA: Police have appealed for witnesses to an unprovoked attack on two men in High Street West, Sunderland city centre, at about 11.45pm last Friday. The victims, both 33, were taken to hospital with serious injuries - one with a fractured skull - after they were set upon by three or four men. Anyone with information is asked to call 0191-454 7555 ext 66659.

PERFUME STOLEN: A substantial quantity of perfume was stolen from Boots in Hotspur Way, Eldon Square, Newcastle, after midnight on Tuesday. Anyone who is offered perfume they believe has been stolen is asked to call 0191-214 6555.

NURSING DEBATE: The University of Sunderland will host the eighth annual Sunderland Nursing Conference today. Leading figures from the nursing profession will be at the conference to be staged at the Sir Tom Cowie Campus at St Peter's. Key speakers will include Jonathan Asbridge, the president of the Nursing and Midwifery Council, and Professor Alison Kitson, an executive director of the Royal College of Nursing.