NORTHALLERTON Town Council is to instruct an engineer to carry out a site inspection of the flood-hit basement at the town hall.

The report will assess the costs which the council will have to meet. Councillor Jack Dobson said there is heave in the basement and loss adjusters have demanded a survey before any work is authorised.

FARM ARSON: Firefighters from Malton spent six hours battling a blaze in a field at Swinton. A number of straw bales are believed to have been deliberately set alight.

CAMERA CASH: Councillors in Ryedale have agreed to continue to pay £20,000 a year for closed circuit TV cameras to be monitored by police. However, they have said they will not take over the job of monitoring from the force.

CHARITY BALL: A lush charity ball held at the Merchant Adventurer's Hall in York, organised by estate agents Hunters, raised more than £6,000 for St Leonard's Hospice in York and the Martin House Children's Hospice at Boston Spa.

TEEN'S LUCK: Thirteen-year-old Joshua Dearnley, of Haxby Road, York, has won a ticket for an all-expenses paid trip to meet members of the pop group S Club 7, in a competition held by the makers of the soft drink Sunny Delight.

ENGLISH PORTRAITS: The history of portrait painting in England will be the subject of an illustrated talk by Elizabeth Conran, at Kiplin Hall, Scorton near Richmond, on October 9, at 7.30pm. Tickets are £5 and booking is essential. Contact (01748) 818178.

HOLIDAY FUN: The National Trust will be hosting some holiday fun for youngsters during the half-term week. From October 19 to 27 there will be a wide variety of activities at the Swanley Grange activity base at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal estate, near Ripon.

DANCE, PARTNER? Gunsmoke top the bill at a Country and Western night at the Richmondshire Cricket Club on Saturday. Doors open at 8pm. Tickets cost £4. Members qualify for a 50p discount. For more details call(01748) 824573.