Police have renewed their appeal for family members to contact them following the death in hospital at the weekend of 32-year-old Kenneth John Smart.

He was in collision with a car on February 11 as he ran across Borough Road, Middlesbrough, to catch a taxi. Police believe Mr Smart may be from the Sunderland area. Relatives are asked to contact the police, on (01642) 301558.

MAN KILLED: A man, believed to be in his 30s, died when he was in collision with a Metro train at Bede Metro Station, Jarrow, at about 3pm yesterday. A police spokesman said the driver was unaware of the incident and the train continued to Jarrow. Trains were disrupted while emergency services attended the scene. The man has not been identified.

SUSPECTS BAILED: Five Hartlepool men who were arrested after police discovered a 450-plant cannabis farm in a unit on the Cold Hesledon Industrial Estate, near Murton, east Durham, in January, answered their bail at Peterlee police station yesterday. They were given bail to return on March 30.

HOMES EVACUATED: Police have appealed for information after a fire in an unoccupied house led to elderly residents of three nearby homes being evacuated. Neighbours were treated for smoke inhalation after the fire was put out in a terraced house in James Street, Easington Colliery, County Durham, late on Saturday. Anyone with information is asked to call Peterlee police station, on 0191-586 2621.

WRONG TROUSERS: TV favourites Wallace and Gromit are behind the launch of a national charity aiming to raise millions of pounds for children's hospitals. People in the North-East will be asked to show their support during Wrong Trousers Day,which is being held on July 4.

NEW PHONES: Arriva Trains Northern has installed customer phones at a number of its stations in the region. The phones are free of charge and linked directly to services such as taxi firms, hotels, NHS Direct and Victim Support. Stations to benefit from the phones include Middlesbrough, Northallerton, Scarborough and Sunderland.

BISHOP TALK: Former Bishop of Durham, Dr David Jenkins, will give a lecture on Belief in God in the 21st Century at All Saints Church, Blackwell, Darlington, on Wednesday, March 26. The lecture will be followed by refreshments in the Millennium Centre, when Bishop Jenkins will be signing copies of his recently-published book, The Calling of a Cuckoo.

JAM SESSION: A jam session for blues musicians will be held tonight at the Sunnydene Lodge, Howden-le-Wear, Crook, County Durham, starting at 8pm. Admission is free. For details, call (01388) 609105.

FERTILISER SPILL: Firefighters were called to Church Lane, Murton, at 9.30am yesterday to help clear a spillage of dry agricultural fertiliser.