THE site of a former North-East chemical weapons depot has been contaminated, it was claimed last night.

A leaked Ministry of Defence report has revealed that Bowes Moor, near Barnard Castle, County Durham, is contaminated with mustard gas, phosgene and lewisite. The report, written five years ago, made urgent recommendations that access to the site be closed for public safety. Site owners, the Defence Estates Agency, rents the land to a local farmer for his livestock. The area is also popular with walkers as it is part of the Pennine Way. In the 1940s, chemical weapons were stored in bays at Bowes Moor. When the site closed the chemicals were burned but some seaped into soil.

NO SMOKING: Pizza Hut has introduced a ban on smoking across all its dine-in restaurants in the North-East. Operations director Brian Rimmer said: "Pizza Hut strongly believes that families should be able to take time to have a leisurely meal in a restaurant without exposing their children to other people's smoke."

NO INCREASE: Wageprint workers have been refused a £1 a week rise - while their company boss earns a £1.8m bonus. Workers at Waddingtons Labels, in Gateshead, asked for a £1 a week rise. They were shocked when their request was turned down - particularly after chief executive David Jones was named last month as Britain's 21st highest paid boss. Workers are planning to hold a series of stoppages.

Pub blaze: A disused pub in the process of being demolished was destroyed by fire at the weekend. Three crews tackled the blaze at The Lord Rokeby, in Stamfordham Road, Blakelaw, Newcastle, on Friday night.

PAN FIRE: A man and his pet cat and dog escaped but two cockatiels died when a chip pin fire broke out at his home in Ferry Street, Jarrow. The man needed hospital treatment for smoke inhalation.

HOSPICE TONIC: Butterwick Hospice Care has organised an abseil from the roof of the University Hospital of North Tees, Stockton, on Sunday, September 14. To register contact (01642) 624231.

DRUG SEIZURE: Northumbria Police seized 216 skunk cannabis plants with a street value of £200,000 in a raid at a unit on the Weetlands Industrial Estate, Wallsend. It is the biggest drug seizure made in the Wallsend area.

MAN FREED: A man was taken to hospital with a wrist injury after firefighters freed his arm from a dough rolling machine at Juliette's Delicatessen, in Sea Road, Fulwell, Sunderland, on Saturday.

RIDER DIES: A 22-year-old Wallsend man died when his off-road bike went out of control and he fell off on land between St Peter's Road and the A1059 Coast Road on Saturday. The man, who was not wearing a helmet, suffered head injuries.

PRINT EXHIBITION: There will be an exhibition of collographic prints at Saltburn Gallery, from August 23 to September 28 by Saltburn artist, Shirley Fletcher. The gallery, in Marske Road, is open from Wednesday to Sunday, from noon until 4pm. For more details, call (01287) 626 060.