A motorist had to be cut free from the wreckage of a car which left the A6076 and ended up in a field beside Causey Equestrian Centre, near Stanley, County Durham, yesterday.

The casualty was freed by firefighters and taken to the University Hospital of North Durham with injuries which are not believed to be life threatening. No other vehicle was involved in the accident

SCIENCE FAIR: Dr John Kilcoyne, from Sunderland University, will give a demonstration lecture, which will be followed by discussions with students, at Easington Community School's third annual science fair, next Friday. The event is supported by the Education Action Zone, which has donated prizes.

STORE OPENING: Marks and Spencer will open its new outlet store at Dalton Park, Murton, at 10am today. Customers are invited to join in with the celebrations by taking advantage of free face painting and balloon giveaways for children, as well as extra discounts on selected goods.

BENEFITS ADVICE: Next Friday advisors from Age Concern Durham County and Durham County Council's Welfare Rights Team will be available at Chester-le-Street Parish Centre, from 9.30am to 3pm, to check older people's benefit entitlement, help with claims and provide general information. Anyone wanting a free benefits check can bring information about their weekly income and savings to the event or ring 0191-386 3856.

PROMS NIGHT: Pupils and staff from Branksome School, in Darlington, enjoyed a prom celebration last night at the Blackwell Grange Hotel. It was the third annual event with pupils dressing up for a disco and buffet organised by maths teacher Kay Crossling.

NATURE EVENING: Durham Wildlife Trust is staging an open night at its Rainton Meadows nature reserve, off the B1284 near Rainton Bridge Industrial Estate, Houghton-le-Spring, on Wednesday, July 9, from 7pm. Guided tours will be given of the site, known locally as Joe's Pond, while the trust will use the event to recruit potential volunteers.

ACTIVITY DAY: An activity afternoon has been staged by Groundwork West Durham to celebrate the start of a summer of events for young people. Taster sessions were held at the Millennium Green, in Craghead, near Stanley, giving a flavour of what will be on offer in the Exploring the Great Outdoors summer programme for five to 16-year-olds.

ART TALK: Artists Stephen Cox, Nigel Hall and Charles Adcock gave a talk during an open evening at County Hall, in Durham, describing the inspiration behind public sculptures which are on display in the grounds. Their creations, respectively titled Yatra, Kiss and Accord, can be viewed until the end of August.