Police chiefs are scrapping sports seats fitted to 100 Panda cars and unmarked CID vehicles - and using the cash saved to provide extra safety features.

Equipment carried by officers in Durham was leading to "abnormal wear" on the sports seats and fitting protective covers was seen to be running up unnecessary costs.

GRAVE THEFTS: Ornaments and plaques thought to have been stolen from children's graves have been recovered by Hartlepool police. The items, including two winged cherubs, a damaged Tinkerbell ornament and two circular plaques, one with a butterfly and one with a flower, were found after police OTTERS' RETURN: Otters have returned to the River Esk on the North Yorkshire Moors. Andrew Herbert, of the area's national park, said there had even been reported sightings in Whitby Harbour. About £300,000 was spent on the scheme to improve otter habitats, using funding provided by the European Union and the British Government.

SPORTING CHANCE: Badminton players still have a chance to enter the final rounds of the Darlington Grand Slam and Ferryhill Grand Prix contests, taking place next month. Closing dates are tomorrow and July 2 respectively. Contact Peter Walton on 0191-377 3229 for entry forms.

HOMES WRECKED: Vandals have torn out walls and pulled out window frames of half-built houses. A scheme to transform derelict properties in Acomb, York, is being ruined by the persistent attacks. City of York Council officers said they were working to remove problem residents suspected of the vandalism.

GM FREE: Councillors in Ryedale, North Yorkshire, want to ban genetically-modified crops, animals and food from the district. Liberal councillors John Clark and Nelly Trevelyan are calling on North Yorkshire County Council and health authorities to adopt the GM-free policy for all schools, hospitals and other establishments throughout Ryedale.

CARAVAN PLAN: The owners of a caravan site on the edge of Richmond, North Yorkshire, have put in a bid to expand their business. The Swaleview wants permission for another 39 static caravans, to extend the site to allow room for another 25 tourers and to extend the occupancy period for static caravans so it begins on March 1 and runs until January 15. The proposals will be decided by the Yorkshire Dales National Park's planning committee.

AWARD WIN: Christians Against Poverty, which has debt counselling centres in Durham, Northallerton and Newton Aycliffe, has been named category winner for research, advice and support in the Charity Awards 2003.