POLICE are investigating a fire which severely damaged half of Dunn Street Junior and Infant School, in Minster Parade, Jarrow, South Tyneside, early yesterday.

A spokesman for Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service said 14 appliances attended the scene of the fire, which was reported shortly before 1am. A police spokesman said they were keeping an open mind about the cause of the fire. Anyone with information is asked to call 0191-454 7555.

HIT AND RUN: A hit-and-run driver left a 48-year-old pedestrian with a broken leg in the Team Valley area of Gateshead. The man was crossing Earls Way near its junction with Third Avenue, at 5.30pm on Thursday. Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 0191-454 7555.

MAST CAMPAIGN: Activists from across the country will converge on London on March 8 as part of a campaign to give homeowners a greater say in the siting of mobile phone masts. Pressure group Mast Sanity has arranged the demonstration in the wake of health fears rising from masts being erected near homes and schools.

CRAFT FAIR: Stalls are available for traders at a gift and craft fair to help people who have undergone organ transplants, on February 15, at Linthorpe Community Centre, Linthorpe Road, Middlesbrough. Anyone interested should call Malcolm Graham on (01642) 710193.

ALL GREEK: A free public seminar called Migrants and Crime in the Greek Press, by guest speaker Georgious Antonopoulos, is to be held at the University of Teesside, in the Clarendon Building, off Southfield Road in Middlesbrough, on February 5, between 5pm and 7pm. To book a place, call (01642) 342333.

COUNTRY HIKE: Countryside wardens from the Guisborough Forest and Walkway at Pinchinthorpe will lead a ten-and-a-half mile walk through Guisborough Forest and along the Cleveland Way to Saltburn, on Wednesday, February 5, from 10am to 4pm. There is no charge apart from the £1.50 needed to get the bus back to Pinchinthorpe. Call the wardens on (01287) 631132 to book.

NEW CHAIRWOMAN: Christine Knights has been appointed chairwoman of the Rail Passengers Committee for the North-East. Ms Knights, of Easingwold, North Yorkshire, is a consumer policy and consumer organisation development consultant. Making the announcement, Transport Minister John Spellar said: "Christine brings with her valuable knowledge of consumer rights and policy."

TOUR DATE: The North-East date for the Popstars: The Rivals show has changed. Girls Aloud and One True Voice will be perform at the Newcastle Arena on Friday, March 14. Tickets are £25, on (0870) 7078000.

BAND TOUR: The Battlefield Band will be in the region next month. The band mixes old songs with their own material and combines traditional and modern instruments. They will perform at the Darlington Arts Centre on Friday, February 14, at 8pm. Tickets cost £10 and can be booked on (01325) 486555.