POLICE are appealing for help tracing a couple who conned their way into a pensioner's home by saying he had won a prize.

The pensioner was at home in Ferndale Close, Station Town, east Durham, when a man and woman called, at about 3.15pm on Friday. They told him he had won a raffle prize, and when he let them in, the woman kept the pensioner talking while the man is believed to have searched rooms. The pair then left, saying they would return with the raffle prize. Although nothing was stolen, Peterlee police urged anyone who saw the couple to call on 0191-586 2621.

BOAT DRAMA: A fishing boat skipper and his two crewmen were rescued by helicopter after fire broke out on his vessel yesterday. The Congener, from Scarborough, North Yorkshire, called for help at about 2.10pm when the boat was 30 miles north of the Isles of Scilly, on its home trip. A Royal Navy rescue helicopter airlifted the uninjured crew back to the Royal Naval Air Station at Culdrose, near Helston, west Cornwall, said Falmouth coastguards. Last night, The Congener was still alight and but beginning to list, and was being monitored by two lifeboats, said the coastguard spokesman.

SKIING CHANCE: Newcastle Airport has added Andorra to its range of winter flights this year. They will depart weekly from Sunday, December 22 until March 30, 2003 - covering almost the entire 150 days of the region's ski season. Situated between France and Spain, Andorra is a tiny principality offering some of the most dramatic scenery and best skiing in the Pyrenees. Its heavy winter snow is conducive to most winter sports and the region enjoys a large amount of sun throughout the year.

BIKE CRASH: A motorcyclist was recovering in hospital yesterday after his machine hit a lamppost. The 35-year-old was taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital after his Suzuki GSX mounted a footpath on the A68, at Spring Gardens, Bishop Auckland, County Durham, at about 6.50pm on Saturday. He suffered serious pelvic and abdominal injuries. Witnesses are asked to contact police on (01325) 314401.

HOTLINE LAUNCH: North-East A-level students, whose university places are uncertain or have been lost while awaiting re-marks, can benefit from a new hotline. The Community Service Volunteers charity is offering advice on higher education, on 0800 374991.