A WOMAN who is alleged to have assaulted staff at a restaurant on Valentine's night has been committed for trial at Teesside Crown Court.

Karen Taylor, of Church Street, Toronto, Bishop Auckland, County Durham, is charged with threatening unlawful violence at The Black Bull, Moulton, North Yorkshire, and maliciously wounding waitress Clair Wiseman. The 31-year-old, who was granted unconditional bail by Richmond magistrates yesterday, is expected to appear at crown court to make a plea on Friday, August 8.

RAPE APPEAL: Detectives have renewed an appeal for a cyclist, who may have witnessed an alleged rape, to come forward. The incident is said to have taken place near Fox Rush Farm, Kirkleatham Lane, Redcar, east Cleveland, at about 10.30pm on Tuesday, June 17. The cyclist is understood to have asked the victim if she was all right, only for her attacker to say she was fine. Anyone with any information is asked to call Detective Constable Helen Barker on (01642) 301957.

FARMERS' MARKETS: Stall holders are needed for two new farmers' markets in the region. The Northern Dales Farmers' Market will be setting out stalls at the Wensleydale Creamery, in Hawes, North Yorkshire, on Saturday, July 12, and in Skipton on Sunday, July 13. For more information, contact Alastair Davy on (01748) 884414.

SITE LAUNCHED: A website to help protect new and expectant mothers' health and safety at work has been launched by the Health and Safety Executive. The site, www.hse.gov.uk/ mothers, has advice and information on employers' legal responsibilities to protect female employees from hazards. It is aimed at women who are pregnant, have given birth in the past six months or are breast feeding.

GOVERNORS' TALK: Newcastle's former director of education will be returning to talk to governors from schools in Gateshead on Saturday. David Bell, now Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools, will give a keynote speech on the role of school governors and how Ofsted's new inspection guidelines will affect school governing bodies, at the event at the Gateshead Swallow Hotel.

TWIN PARTY: Darlington celebrates the 50th anniversary next week of its twinning with the German town of Mulheim. A civic party from Germany, including Mulheim's Lord Mayor, Dagmar Muhlenfeld, is visiting the town on Monday for activities to mark the occasion.

CAFE PROTESTS: Plans for a cafe to be opened in Royals Amusements Arcade, Crown Street, Darlington, are expected to be given the go-ahead next week. They have been opposed by a cafe business in the same area, which says it could be forced out of business, but councillors are likely to give their approval.

THANK-YOU: The National Canine Defence League's open day in Sadberge, near Darlington, raised more than £5,000 for the rehoming centre. Manager Catherine Gillie gives a big thank-you to everyone who volunteered their time, donated goods or went along.