POLICE are probing the deaths of two men in a bedsit.

North Yorkshire Police were called to an address in Franklin Road, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, at 3.10pm on Saturday, where they found the bodies of two local men, aged 28 and 30. It is believed the deaths were drug-related. The men have yet to be formally identified, but contact has been made with families from outside Yorkshire.

INQUIRY APPEAL: Campaigners calling for a public inquiry into the case of disgraced surgeon Richard Neale will make a fresh appeal today. Graham Maloney, advisor to the action group of former Neale patients, is writing to MPs, asking for their support in lobbying the NHS to ensure anyone struck off the medical register is not employed by the NHS before completing their ban. The former gynaecologist was taken on as an advisor by South Manchester University Hospital NHS Trust despite being struck off after working at The Friarage, Northallerton, North Yorkshire.

STAGE SHOW: North-East youngsters are among the cast of a show being staged on Friday and Saturday by The National Youth Music Theatre, at Newcastle's Theatre Royal. Regional writers Paul James and Eric Angus have created The Late Sleepers. Among the stars are Beth Stobbart,15 and Jenny Luard, 16, of Durham City, who have already appeared in a Harry Potter film, 17-year-old Olivia Drew, also from Durham City; Sarah Warbey, 14, of Darlington, and 13-year-old Charlotte Reid, of Sunderland. Call the box office on 0870 905 5060.

RAPIST HUNT: A man with a North-East accent is being hunted by police in London in connection with two rapes. A woman in her 50s was attacked last Tuesday on Wimbledon Common in south-west London. Police are linking the incident to a similar attack in July in the same area. Both women gave similar descriptions of their attackers, including his North-East accent.

MISSING WORK: Workers in the North-East are so dedicated to their jobs that 79 per cent of them keep in touch with the office while they are on holiday, according to a survey. The keenest staff come from the agricultural, construction, retail and manufacturing sectors, said the survey by accountancy firm Baker Tilly.

COLLECTIONS VALUED: Auctioneer Warwick and Warwick is coming to the region to advise collectors on their hoards. Staff will be valuing postcards, stamps, coins, cigarette cards and medals, at the White Horse Hotel, Harrowgate Hill, Darlington on Friday, from 9am to 2pm. Home visits for large collections may be possible by calling (01926) 499031.

FLATS SCHEME: A Victorian country mansion is to be converted into flats. Planners are allowing Rice Developments to divide The Leazes, in Leazes Lane, Wolsingham, County Durham, into four apartments and build seven houses in its wooded grounds. The 1860s building was used as a hospital and then by Wolsingham School and Community College until it was sold.