YOUNGSTERS at Kirkbymoorside are to get much-needed new play equipment at the town's two play areas.

A public meeting is to be held on Thursday, November 7, to set up a playing fields association which will master-mind the schemes. The town council has agreed to earmark £1,000 in its budget and Yorkshire Water has allocated £2,000 for equipment to kick-start the fundraising, said town clerk Robert Horne.

FINAL CLEARANCE: A plan for a children's play area at Watermill Estate, North Stainley, near Ripon, has been given final clearance by Harrogate Borough Council. Permission for the scheme was granted to North Stainley Millennium Committee. Officials have ordered that a landscaping scheme must be approved by the council.

ROYAL VISIT: Personnel at RAF Fylingdales, the early warning station on the North York Moors, played host to a royal visitor. The Duke of Gloucester, an honorary air commodore, toured the base and met staff and their families. The station commander, Wing Commander Chris Knapman, said: "It is effectively welcome recognition of the work that we do here."

NIGHT FLYING: Essential night flying will take place at RAF Linton-on-Ouse and RAF Church Fenton on nights from Monday, November 4, until Thursday, November 7. The flying is due to take place between 6pm and midnight. Efforts will be made to keep noise down. The nights of Monday, November 11, until Thursday, November 14, have been reserved in the event of bad weather.

BANDS GALORE: Brass bands from across the region will descend on Malton's Milton Rooms on Sunday for an 11-hour extravaganza of music. They will be competing in the 15th annual Malton Brass competition.

HARVEST CASH: A harvest thanksgiving was held in the Buck Inn at Wrelton, near Pickering, and the goods were then sold off at auction, raising £950 to be divided between four local good causes.