THE first group of North Yorkshire firefighters to train at the county's new training facility will graduate today.

Nineteen trainees have come through the programme at the Easingwold centre and will attend a formal ceremony before being sent to fire stations across the county.

The service's deputy chief fire officer, Nigel Hutchinson, will preside over the ceremony. The recruits will also be demonstrating some of the skills they have learnt over the past 12 weeks.

STRESS TALK: Issues relating to the causes of stress among people in rural areas will be discussed at a conference in Filey, on Friday, October 11. The Tackling Rural Stress event has been arranged by the Scarborough, Whitby and Ryedale rural stress group. Anyone wanting to book a place is asked to call (01723) 378139.

PANTO AUDITIONS: Auditions for Northallerton Variety Company's next pantomime, Aladdin, will be held on Thursday, at 7.30pm, in the Catholic Hall, Thirsk Road. The show is being staged at Hambleton Forum from January 19 to 25 next year. Anyone interested is asked to call (01609) 770936 for a script.

DANCE CLASS: A five-week salsa course starts at the Swaledale Fell Rescue headquarters at Catterick Garrison on Thursday, at 7.15pm. There are fun dance classes for children from three years on Mondays in Catterick village and Thursdays at Catterick Garrison. For more details about salsa and other classes, call (01748) 830508.

CHURCH BOOST: A fundraising drive by parishioners has raised £1,300 for a Ryedale church. About £40,000 is needed this year for the running of St Mary's Priory Church, in Old Malton.

MEETING DATE: The next meeting of the Alne Gardening Club will take place on Wednesday, September 25, at 7.30pm, in the village hall.

CAR THEFT: A red Vauxhall Nova, registration F919 YWW, was taken from outside a house in Town Street, Old Malton.