Police in Darlington were last night continuing an inquiry into claims that a 16-year-old girl was sexually assaulted by two men on Wednesday night.

The teenager told detectives she was attacked at about 10pm near the junction of Northgate and Corporation Road. Anyone with information is asked to contact police on (01325) 467681.

WITNESS APPEAL: Police have appealed for witnesses to a handbag snatch outside the post office in St Luke's Terrace, Sunderland, at 4pm on Thursday. A police spokesman said the thief grabbed a woman's bag containing cash and made off in a silver Ford Escort, stolen from the Grindon area, earlier in the day. It was later found burned out in Pennywell. The suspect is described as being in his late 20s to early 30s, of thin build, with a long fringe, thin nose and squinty eyes. Anyone with information is asked to call 0191-454 7555, ext 66248.

NAME ANGER: A petition has been launched against the proposed new name for the village school in Middleton St George, near Darlington. Governors have provisionally named the £3m school, due to open next year or in 2005, St Andrew's and St Laurence's Voluntary Aided Church of England School. The name will be discussed at a governors' meeting on Monday.

FATHER'S FREEBIE: Lumley Castle, near Chester-le-Street, is offering fathers the chance to enjoy a pair of tickets to a cricket match. Giveaways are up for grabs for fathers who dine at the castle tomorrow, Father's Day. Included in the promotion is a pair of tickets to watch the Twenty20 cricket competition at Durham Cricket ground on Wednesday. A cricket club spokesman said: "Twenty20 is a new cricket competition which is fast, fun and very entertaining."

GAGA DAY: Croft-on-Tees Village Hall, near Darlington, holds a gala day next Saturday, at 2pm. It includes sporting activities and musical entertainment. The village is also staging its annual scarecrow contest next Saturday and Sunday.

WOMEN VETERANS: Hundreds of women war veterans descended on the Yorkshire Air Museum at Elvington, near York, to celebrate the second annual Women's Allied Air Service Memorial Day. A plaque and rose were dedicated to mark 80 years since the formation of the Princess Mary's Royal Air Force Nursing Service.

PAPER THREAT: The free newsletter issued by the City of York Council is expected to be axed to save money. A decision will be made by the ruling Liberal Democrat group in the autumn.

BUILDING DANGER: The Health and Safety Executive is helping promote child safety week by warning children to stay away from building sites over the summer holidays. It is one of nine organisations taking part in the Zone Rangers Challenge at the Tyne and Wear Fire Brigade premises, in Sunderland.

LATE WORKING: Contractors are to work into the early hours to try and avoid disruption during roadworks in Scarborough. The work will be carried out from 9pm to about 1am on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at the Valley Bridge Road traffic lights.

STATIONS SCRUTINISED: Rural polling stations have to come under the spotlight amid concerns that some are remote and inaccessible. The stations across Ryedale, in North Yorkshire, will be discussed by the district council's overview and scrutiny committee. The council will also consider increasing postal voting and introducing online voting.