A MOTORCYCLIST, who has not been named, died when he was in collision with two cars on the Washington Highway, Wearside, 400 yards west of the junction with the A19, shortly after midnight yesterday.

Police have appealed for witnesses to the crash, which involved a Citroen Saxo and Toyota Corolla. Two people have been arrested in connection with the incident.

PENSIONER ROBBED: A 60-year-old man was sprayed in his eyes with a noxious substance and tied up by two masked men who burst into his home in Astley Road, Seaton Delaval, Northumberland, at 1am on Thursday. Police said the men fled empty-handed after searching the house.

COUNTY NIGHT: Country rock performer Tom Pacheco is coming to the region next month. Pacheco has chosen The Travellers' Rest pub, in Cockerton, Darlington, as the only North-East date on his UK tour. The gig takes place on Friday, with doors opening at 8pm. Tickets cost £5, and further information is available from The Travellers' Rest on (01325) 468177.

FRENCH FLAVOUR: Northern Sinfonia is bringing a concert with a predominantly French flavour to the Dolphin Centre, Darlington, next Friday. The programme begins at 7.45pm and features orchestral music by Bizet and Faure. Tickets cost from £7 to £17.50 and are available on 0191-443 4555.

FOLK NIGHT: Folk music performers Hilary Spencer and Grant Baynham perform at Darlington Arts Centre's garden bar on Thursday, at 8pm. Tickets cost £4 and are available from the centre.

SCHOOL SCHEME: An application has been made to Darlington Borough Council for the continued use of land and buildings at West House Farm, Bishopton, near Darlington, as a riding school. There are also plans for the creation of a fishing lake and car park.

EGGSTRA STEAM: Passenger trains are running today, tomorrow and Monday on the Tanfield Railway, the steam-hauled line near Stanley, County Durham. Each child riding on the trains will get an Easter egg. For further details about the line, call 0191-388 7545.

NEW PUB: Contractors have started work on the latest pub in the JD Wetherspoon real ale chain. The former Cheltenham and Gloucester building society office in North Road, Durham City, is expected to be ready for its first customers on Monday, November 3.

CARTRIDGE PLEA: The British Lung Foundation is urging North-East businesses, schools and people to donate their used computer toner cartridges. Last year the charity raised £3,000 through recycling cartridges. For further details, call 0191-263 0276.

FAIR VISIT: The Sands, in Durham City, is hosting Hetton-le-Hole's Clark's Funfair, which is making its traditional Easter visit. It was opened on Thursday by Mayor Eileen Rochford. The fair runs until next Saturday, and is open between 1pm and 9pm.

TRAFFIC WARNING: Police have warned of severe traffic congestion resulting from a rugby match at the Newcastle Falcons Rugby Club in Kingston Park, Newcastle, tomorrow. A crowd of more than 5,000 will attend the match, which kicks off at 2.30pm.

NEW POST: A former Durham Police superintendent has landed a job in Northampton. Peter Maddison, an ex-divisional commander in Darlington, has been made chief constable of Northamptonshire Police.