A 59-year-old man could have been killed when his electric blanket caught fire while he was asleep.

Brian Metcalfe, of Fifth Avenue, Tang Hall, York, woke at 7am on Monday to find his room filled with smoke. Sub-officer Carl Vinand, of York fire station, said that if a smoke alarm had not been fitted Mr Metcalfe would have been killed. He also warned against leaving electric blankets on overnight.

CHRISTIAN AID: A service marking the start of Christian Aid Week is being held at St Andrew's Church, Kirkby Malzeard, near Ripon, at 9.30am on Sunday. The service will be conducted by the Bishop of Ripon and Leeds, the Right Reverend John Packer, president of the Methodist Conference, the Reverend Ian White, and chairman of Ripon and York Methodist District, the Reverend Stuart Burgess.

VILLAGE HISTORY: A village archive is being prepared for Grewelthorpe, near Ripon, by parish clerk Barbara Bradley. She is appealing for any old documents, records, bills, photographs or diaries relating to the community's history.

FLOWER FESTIVAL: A Wensleydale church is hosting a three-day flower festival from Saturday, May 24. Admission to St Oswald's Church, at Hauxwell, between Bedale and Leyburn, is free.

CHARITY WALK: Harrogate Rotary Club will hold its tenth Nidderdale Charity Walk on Sunday. Participants may take part in a 15 or a 22-mile walk, with a separate route for the disabled. For details, call (01423) 885493.

PLANS REFUSED: Plans for an extension to Moorhead Cottage, in Healey village, Masham, near Ripon, were refused by Harrogate Borough Council planners after they decided it would be detrimental to the area.