FORMER civil servant James Reed, of Langthwaite, has been awarded the Imperial Service Medal.

He was presented with the medal by Brigadier Hughie Monro at the Infantry Training Centre, Catterick Garrison. Mr Reed retired in September after 38 years' service, which included six years with National Savings in Harrogate and 25 years with the Royal Signals and Royal Armoured Corp at Catterick Garrison. Until his retirement, he worked in the 2nd Battalion pay office.

RETIREMENT DECISION: Councillors with more than 40 years combined service to Hutton Rudby parish council are to retire. Vice-chairman John Richardson, Warwick Medlock, Stan Lennox and Irene MacDonald will not stand for election next month.

MENTAL HEALTH: North East Yorkshire NHS Trust is offering people the chance to see an exhibition featuring photographic portraits of people sharing their experiences of mental health. The exhibition runs throughout May at The Coliseum, Whitby, and the town's library, as part of the trust's Open Up campaign.

OPEN DAY: The garden of Low Askew, near the villages of Copton and Lastingham, will be open to the public on Monday, in aid of the British Red Cross. There will be refreshments and plant stalls, and visitors can watch a demonstration of spinning. Admission is £2.50.

BAND DATE: Rhythm and blues band Twentyfourseven will perform at the Three Horse Shoes, in Brompton, tomorrow, at 8.30pm. Admission is free.