A DRIVER was cut from the wreckage of his Land Rover after it was involved in a collision with an articulated lorry yesterday.

The accident was on the A67, near Piercebridge, between Gainford and Darlington, at about 10.30am. The driver, from Marwood, near Great Ayton, North Yorkshire, was taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital with minor injuries after being freed by fire crews. The lorry driver was unhurt.

CHURCH GO-AHEAD: A church has been given the go-ahead to make alterations, after a planning inspector over-ruled councillors. Darlington Borough Council had rejected an application by Elm Ridge Methodist Church, in Darlington, to widen the entrance and driveway leading to the building. But the church's appeal to the Secretary of State has proved successful.

Animal rescue: A team of firefighters and a tractor pulled free a mare called Abbey after it became trapped up to its neck in a stream at Foxholme Farm, Calf Fallow Lane, Norton, near Stockton, on Wednesday.

SIGNS FEAR: Councils could be risking drivers' lives because road signs are covered with overgrown foliage, says the AA Motoring Trust. Motorists are being advised to report any obscured signs to their local councils, to avoid drivers' being involved in a serious accident or holidaymakers losing their way.

CHURCH SUPPLIES: Churches, schools and youth groups of all denominations across the North-East are invited to attend the first ever Church Supplies exhibition next month. The event, allowing teachers and leaders to pick up stimulating ideas and purchase new resources, is being held at Wydale Hall, near Scarborough, North Yorkshire, from 12.30pm to 9pm on Wednesday, September 10, and from 9.30am to 9pm the following day.

Assault charge: A nursing home worker appeared in court yesterday accused of indecent assault. George Fleming, 60, pleaded not guilty to a charge of indecent assault at the Tancred Hall Nursing Home in Whixley, near Boroughbridge, when he appeared at Leeds Crown Court. Mr Fleming, of Boroughbridge, was granted bail and the case was adjourned to a date to be fixed.

BURIAL SITE: Paul Lynn, of Wolsingham, County Durham, is applying to Derwentside District Council to create a "green" burial site and pavilion on land south of Pondfield Villa, Millershill Lane, Rowley, near Consett.

WAR MEMORIES: People will have the chance to step back in time to Hartlepool's war years tomorrow. A group of historical re-enactors from the Heugh Gun Battery Trust will be at the museum of Hartlepool, next to the Historic Quay. They will set up camp beside the paddle steamer at Wingfield Castle from 10.30am to 4.30pm. There will be short talks on dangers in the two world wars. Entry is free.

LONDON MEETING: Rachel Green, Durham Constabulary's domestic violence co-ordinator, will represent the force at a Downing Street reception next month, hosted by Tony Blair