A 33-Year-old doctor accused of kerb crawling in a town's red light district appeared in court yesterday.

Patrick Holmes, a married GP, of Middleton Lane, Middleton St George, near Darlington, is charged with soliciting a woman for sex on the Chandlers Wharf retail estate, Stockton, on August 16. Dr Holmes, who has a surgery in the village, was appearing before Teesside magistrates.

He was granted conditional bail to appear before the court again on September 24.

FUNERAL TODAY: The funeral takes place today of a popular North-East community worker who died suddenly. All Saints' Church in Hurworth, near Darlington, is expected to be packed for the funeral of Ian Fletcher, manager of the village community association. Mr Fletcher died last week after suffering a heart attack while playing golf. The funeral service takes place at 12.30pm followed by a private cremation. Tributes have poured in since Mr Fletcher's death and discussions are to take place about how to formally recognise his "immense" contribution to the village.

VAN TRAGEDY: A strong gust of wind picked up a box van and blew it off a motorway, an inquest has heard. Passenger Jean Margaret Collins died from multiple crush injuries when the van came to rest down an embankment off the A1(M), near Chester-le-Street, on January 28. A verdict of accidental death was recorded on Mrs Collins, 47, of Laceby, Humberside, who had been travelling with her husband, Neil.

SHIP FALL: A man was taken to Sunderland Royal Hospital complaining of an injured back after he fell while unloading steel bales in a ship's cargo hold at Seaham Docks, North Terrace, Seaham, at about 9.30am yesterday. A dockside crane was used to lift him from the ship.

VILLAGE AWARDS: The Bishop of Durham, the Right Reverend Michael Turnbull, who recently announced his retirement next April, will make the annual presentation of the County Durham Tidy Village awards at County Hall, on Tuesday, October 1.

FAST FORWARD: Local audiences will see celebrity and former MP Giles Brandreth in a new light when he stars in his own show from tonight. Zipp! 100 Musicals in 100 Minutes, is at Newcastle's Theatre Royal until Saturday. Tickets are available from the box office on 0870 905 5060.

SPORT AUCTION: Sports enthusiasts are invited to contribute items to an auction. Bonhams Auctioneers, in Newcastle, is collecting lots for a sale of sporting memorabilia, in the Chelsea sale room on November 27. A valuation day, which is open to the public, will be held at its Grey Street office tomorrow.

RELATIVES PLEA: Police want to trace relatives of George Hall, 73, who was found dead at his home last week in the Cheetham area of Manchester. He is thought to have relatives in North Yorkshire. They can contact police on 0161-856 3897.