THREE attractions run by the York Archaeological Trust have been awarded the Quality Mark by the Council for Museums, Archives and Libraries.

Those honoured were the Jorvik Viking Centre, the Archaeological Resource Centre and Barley Hall.

GNOMES RECOVERED: Police in Northallerton have recovered stone gnomes and other garden ornaments. The items, including a pair of stone owls, an iron boot scraper, two stone orbs, several saddlestones shaped like mushrooms and a lead statue of a boy holding a water pitcher, are believed to have been taken from homes in the North-East. If you think they belong to you, call DC Kevan Howe on (01609) 789457.

STAR-GAZING: A free public star-gazing party will be held by the York Astronomical Society on York's Knavesmire, on Thursday, from 6pm. Experts will be there for the three-hour event to help people identify meteors, Saturn and the constellation of Orion.

YOUNG GIFTS: Youngsters at Dunnington Primary School, near York, filled more than 90 boxes with gifts of toys, toiletries and stationery. They also raised almost £200 to deliver the boxes to youngsters in eastern Europe and Afghanistan.

CAROL CONCERT: Mount Grace Priory, near Northallerton, will be hosting the Sing Youth and Children Choir, from Selby, on Saturday, December 14, from 6pm to 7pm. Shoppers will also be able to take advantage of a ten per cent discount on gift shop sales.

HANDEL'S MESSIAH: The bicentenary celebrations at Ampleforth Abbey and College are to be rounded off with a performance of Handel's Messiah, in the abbey, on Sunday. For details, call (01439) 766777.

IT SKILLS: Twenty staff at Ryedale District Council have completed the European Computer Driving Licence course with 79 people currently in training.

CHRISTMAS FAIR: Kirkbymoorside Brass Band's Christmas fair will be held in the town's memorial hall tomorrow, from 10am.