A burglar who stole nine bottles of lager from an arts centre was given a community rehabilitation order by magistrates yesterday.

Lee David Roberts, 20, of Haughton Road, Darlington, broke into the cellar of Darlington Arts Centre earlier this year and took the bottles, worth £15. He pleaded guilty to the offence at Darlington Magistrates' Court and was ordered to pay £100 compensation.

HEARING ADJOURNED: The case against a 74-year-old man accused of damaging a Ford Fiesta in Hawes, North Yorkshire, was adjourned yesterday. James Bentham, of Bankland Cowgill, Dent, Sedbergh, Cumbria, is alleged to have been driving a four-wheel-drive vehicle on Main Street, at 1.45am on August 13, when an accident occurred. Richmond magistrates adjourned the hearing until December 19.

AIDS DAY: A groundbreaking display of artwork to mark World Aids Day, on Sunday has proved so popular it will be on show for another week. Darlington mayor Doris Jones and chairman of the Darlington Primary Care Trust, Sandra Pollard opened the exhibition in the Town Hall on Monday, the largest HIV/Aids awareness event in the North-East. The 36 pieces of work by students from the Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College, remains on display until next Friday.

CHRISTMAS MARKET: A coffee morning and mini-market will be held in the Epworth Hall at Newcomen Methodist Church, Mersey Road, Redcar on Saturday, December 14 between 10am and noon. There will be gifts and cards for sale as well as coffee, tea and biscuits priced at 40p. Proceeds will go to church funds.

FUN AND SHOPPING: Saltburn's Christmas Outside Charity Market will take place tomorrow, between 10am and 4pm. Entertainment will include Punch and Judy, Specky the Clown, Cyril Hay with puppets and brass bands.

WREATH WORKSHOP: Christmas wreaths feature at a craft session on Sunday. The workshop is at Newham Grange Farm and costs £5. Teesside Woodturners will be making and selling unusual Christmas decorations and gifts. Book a place by calling (01642) 300 202.

GARDEN HELP: Elderly and disabled residents can get help to clean up their gardens. South Tyneside Council is running a free scheme for householders in Hebburn. Anyone interested should contact 0191-424 4040.

BULLIES OUT: South Tyneside Community Safety Team is holding a presentation in South Shields Town Hall, to honour the winners of an anti-bullying poster competition on Monday. The winning schools were Albert Elliott and Biddick Hall Juniors.

SANTA TICKETS: Tickets are on sale for children wanting to meet Santa at Safeway, in Redcar. The tickets cost £1.50 of which 75p will go to Teesside Hospice, the rest will go towards a gift for each child. A wagon with Santa, his helper-elves will visit the store at 4pm next Thursday.