Police investigating the rape of a 16-year-old girl in Washington would like to speak to a group of five youths aged about 15 who were seen playing football around the Dene Court area at the time of the attack.

The attack happened at 9pm on Tuesday as the victim took a short cut between the Washington bus station and Washington Old Village. The attacker has been described as being aged 40, blonde, wearing blue Levi jeans, a green Kagoule and brown shoes. Anyone with information has been asked to call 0191-454 7555 ext 66444.

MISSING GIRL: Police are trying to trace 14-year-old Janine Elizabeth Murphy who went missing from Kenton, Newcastle, on July 18. She had moved to the city a day earlier from the Leeds area, where it is believed she could have returned to. Police have described her as vulnerable. She is 5ft 6in, slim, with a one-inch scar on her forehead. Anyone with information has been asked to call 0191-214 6555 ext 62926.

RARE SIGHT: hidden corners of Durham Cathedral, not normally open to the public, will be revealed on a tour next month. The cathedral's dean and chapter has teamed up with Durham City Forum to offer the glimpse behind the scenes at the World Heritage site. The invitation is limited to 20 people on a first-come, first-served basis. The tour, only suitable for those with a head for heights, is on August 27. Visitors are asked to arrive by 5.45pm. Suitable footwear is required.

PAEDOPHILE JAILED: A man who downloaded child pornography on the Internet has been jailed for nine months. Simon Wakefield, of North Yorkshire, was locked up after a jury found him guilty of 12 specimen charges of making indecent photographs of a child. The 27-year-old, of Riverside House, Ripon, and formerly of Woolmoor Close, Thirsk, was also placed on the sex offenders' register. He was sentenced by Judge Peter Fox after a seven-day trial at Teesside Crown Court.

MUGGING ARREST: Police investigating the mugging of a 73-year-old woman in Acre Rigg Road, Peterlee, County Durham, on Sunday, have arrested Aaron Philip Cummings, 24, from South Hetton. He has been charged with theft and is due before Peterlee magistrates next Friday.

NEW COACH: Rising Middlebrough footballer Ross Turnbull, goalkeeper in the team which reached the FA Youth Cup Final, has agreed to help coach a North-East non-league side for the season. The 18-year-old will train with Newton Aycliffe side Lakeside FC at the club's Horndale Park training complex.

VICTIM NAMED: Police have named the pedestrian who was killed when she was in collision with a single-decker bus in Horsley Hill Road, South Shields, on Thursday. She was Edna Francis Oliver Lee, 83, of Catherine Cookson Close, in the town.

KITE FLYERS: The North-East Kite Flyers are returning to School Aycliffe tomorrow. They will be at the village playing fields from 10am to late afternoon. The free event includes expert kite flying advice.