RAF Leeming has a new station commander. Group Captain Brian Bates is following in the footsteps of his father, David, who held the position in the mid-1980s.

In 2000, Brian was promoted as Group Captain and ten months later become Commander British Forces in the Middle East. He is married with seven children and is a keen sportsman.

CARRYING COALS: The 27th annual charity coal hump, which has raised thousands of pounds for charity, is to be held at Scarborough on Sunday, October 27. Runners will carry sacks of coal along the Marine Drive, starting and finishing at the Lifeboat House on Foreshore Road, a distance of about 3.5 miles. Events include solo, pairs, team, disabled, a full sack, half sack, ladies and children.

CAR CRASH: Firefighters cut two people free from the wreckage of their Renault Clio after it collided with a tractor near Selby. They were taken by ambulance to hospital. The accident happened just before 4pm yesterday on the B1222 at Cawood.

FACTORY FIRE: Four fire engines were called to a factory fire in Scarborough at 4pm yesterday. Parts of the Osprey plastic mouldings factory, in Dunslow Road, were severely damaged. No one was hurt.

CAMERA CLUB: The Camera Club, in Knaresborough, meets at St Andrew's Church on Wednesday, at 7.45pm, to hear Malcolm Kay's talk on Western America.

YOUTH GROUP: The Acomb Youth Group will meet at 6pm until 8pm in the parish hall, Front Street, on Wednesday to discuss the latest issues about the group.

WI MEETING: The next meeting of the Wheldrake WI will be held on Wednesday, in White Rose House, at 7.30pm. Chris Small will talk about winter flowering gardens.