A FORMER shop worker at the Army Foundation College, in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, appeared before the town's magistrates yesterday accused of stealing from the Ministry of Defence.

Diane Kellet, 31, who worked in a regimental shop where recruits bought badges, was remanded on bail until December 5 on two theft charges. One alleges Kellet, now of Windsor, Berkshire, stole £756.70 between February and May this year, and the second claims she stole £150 between December last year and May.

BRIDGE INSIGHT: Gateshead Borough Council is holding a talk at 7pm on Wednesday to celebrate the second anniversary of the arrival of Gateshead Millennium Bridge. The council's director of design and construction, John Johnson, will give the talk at the Gateshead Quays Visitor Centre, starting with the conception and construction of the Gateshead Millennium Bridge and ending with the official opening by the Queen in 2002. Places must be booked by calling the visitor centre on 0191-477 5380.

FASHION SHOW: A fashion show will be held at the George Hotel, Piercebridge, County Durham, in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care. The event will be held on Thursday, from 7.30pm, and will include clothes from Good Going, in Northallerton, and Tack Up in Barnard Castle. Tickets cost £5 and can be bought at the door or by calling (01833) 660220 or (01833) 660253.

HOLIDAY OFFER: Shoppers are being given the chance to win a festive holiday. Sofa retailer ScS, in the Millburngate Centre, Durham, and Darlington's Retail Park, is offering the chance to win a trip to Lapland to visit Santa Claus for a family of four. To enter, go to an ScS store before November 25 to collect an entry form and put it into the ballot boxes provided.

PIT BANNERS: Local history enthusiast Norman Emery will give an illustrated talk on the heritage and tradition of miners' banners in the Durham coalfield tomorrow. The free event, at the Old Fulling Mill Museum of Archaeology, Durham, starts at 2pm.

CANCER CARERS: A group of breast cancer sufferers at Scarborough, known as Friday Friends, have raised £4,600 to buy specialist equipment for the resort's General Hospital by staging a fashion show. Models included members of the group and Scarborough FC players.

ONLINE COUP: Stockton Online, a free computer service run by Stockton Borough Council, was named runner-up in the UK Online Centre Awards in Manchester. Sean Ridgeway, who works as learner support for Stockton Online, and is based in the town's International Family Centre was named as overall individual winner for the North-East in the same awards.