THOUSANDS of schoolchildren will be getting a tasty birthday treat this week to help the North York Moors celebrate its 50 years as a National Park.

The 2,280 youngsters at the 26 schools within the park's boundaries are each being presented with a commemorative biscuit. The biscuit was created by catering students from the Yorkshire Coast College at Scarborough, who were also asked to use local ingredients.

WHEELCHAIR BOOST: Hambleton and Richmondshire Primary Care Trust has been selected to take part in a national initiative to improve NHS wheelchair services. It will be working to reduce delays, and increase efficiency. The launch of the initiative was announced by Minister for Health Jacqui Smith.

OPEN DAY: Ryedale Voluntary Action is holding an open day for the homeless project Nightstop. The event, at Wentworth Street, Malton, on Thursday, from 4.30pm to 6pm, will highlight the project's initiatives to prevent young people becoming homeless.

CHARITY SHOW: Singer Mark Peters will be entertaining at an evening in the Northallerton RAFA Club in aid of the local branch of the Multiple Sclerosis Society. The event is on December 13, at 8pm. Tickets are £5.

ROAD CLOSURE: Motorists are being warned about the temporary closure of Dick Scot Lane, Dalton near Richmond, for 600 metres, from its junction with Low Lane, for water main maintenance. The four-day closure will start next Tuesday.

REMEMBERING VICTIMS: A candlelit vigil was held in King's Square in York, to remember those who have fallen victim to Aids. A red ribbon was also flown from York Minster and a quilt, made by members of North Yorkshire Aids Action, was displayed inside.

FIRST PLACE: The respiratory team at Harrogate District Hospital has taken first place in the national Doctor and Hospital Doctor Awards.