A 21-YEAR-OLD man appeared in court at Harrogate yesterday charged with rape.

Christopher Ernest Scott, of Thompson Way, Green Hammerton, near York, will appear before Leeds Crown Court on Friday. Mr Scott, who is accused of raping a woman in Harrogate early last Saturday, was remanded in custody.

STEPPING OUT: Two more series of walks are being launched in the Hambleton district in a bid to help residents get active and socialise. Bedale and Thirsk have now joined the list of towns with guided walks organised by the Hambleton Strollers group. Strollers' co-ordinator Marion Archer said: "We now have 24 volunteer leaders and 50 people who regularly stroll with us. But there is plenty of room for extra people, so I hope many more will come and enjoy the benefits." The new walks will be launched from Bedale Leisure Centre, on Thursday, and from Thirsk Swimming Pool, on Thursday, August 7. Both walks start at 10.30am.

FREE DIPS: Swimming will be free for children in Hambleton on Fridays throughout the summer holidays. The district's four leisure centres, in Northallerton, Stokesley, Thirsk and Bedale, will take it in turns during the coming six weeks to waive fees each Friday. For more information, call the centres at Thirsk on (01845) 522447, at Stokesley on (01642) 711140, at Bedale on (01677) 427272 or at Hambleton on (01609) 777070.

AUCTION EVENING: The Friends of All Saints' Parish Church, Northallerton, raised more than £2,000 at a garden evening and auction earlier this month in the surroundings at Porch House, off the High Street. The group has issued its thanks to Tom and Margaret Uppleby for inviting them into the grounds.

FUNDS DRIVE: The Bedale branch of the Skipton Building Society is taking part in a fundraising week from Monday to collect money for Age Concern. Staff are encouraging customers to drop in to the branch on North End and donate unwanted foreign currency to the charity.