Top job: North Yorkshire Police Chief Superintendent Gary Barnett, 46, who has spearheaded major emergency operations, has been appointed Durham's new assistant chief constable.

Mr Barnett joined North Yorkshire in 1978. In the mid-Nineties he led the operation that dealt with an air crash near the village of Dunkeswick in which 12 people died and in February 2001 he was the senior ground commander at the Great Heck train crash.

Health matters: Hambleton and Richmondshire Primary Care Trust holds its first annual meeting on Tuesday next week at the Friary Community Hospital, Richmond. A health fair will start the proceedings at 6pm. The meeting is at 7pm. For details call (01845) 573814.

Fatal crash: A man died on Saturday afternoon when his goods vehicle left the road and crashed into a field. The 69-year-old, who has yet to be named, was driving a green Leyland from Knayton to Upsall, near Thirsk. Witnesses are asked to call police on (01723) 509555.

Start singing: Richmondshire Choral Society starts its season on Monday at 7.30pm in the Methodist Church Hall, Dundas Street, Richmond. New members are welcome and no experience is required. Call (01748) 825349 for details.