A NAKED car driver is being hunted by police after being seen near a park. The driver drove away after being spotted by a woman pedestrian.

The incident happened in Cornwall Road, alongside Harrogate's Valley Gardens, at about 3.30am on Thursday. The naked motorist was driving an old Renault car. North Yorkshire Police, who are trying to trace the driver, said: "We do not consider it normal behaviour to be driving your car without clothes on."

COSTLY JOKE: A man who joked to airport staff that he had knives and guns in his suitcase has appeared in court. Kenneth Stephenson, 55, of Northfield Road, Billingham, was questioned by staff at Teesside Airport about his baggage before he boarded a flight on June 4. Stephenson responded by telling Joanna Moses, an airport worker, that "all the knives and guns were in the suitcase". Darlington magistrates gave Stephenson a conditional discharge and ordered him to pay £55 costs.

LOTTERY WINNERS: The winner of the weekly Great North Air Ambulance Service lottery has been drawn. The £200 first prize for Wednesday's draw goes to ticket number 09470, with £100 to ticket 11519 and number 10093 winning £50. A further 15 winners each pick up £10. These are tickets 11192, 08264, 09987, 08479, 11059, 09964, 08518, 10064, 08464, 09987, 08337, 10164, 10794, 10252, and 11834. Anyone wanting to join the lottery or help the appeal should telephone (01668) 213824.

BUSKING DAY: Street performers from around the region will be appearing at Ripon's first busking festival today. Various acts will be competing for the title of Ripon Busker of the Year in the North Yorkshire town. The festival will start at 11am with morris dancing, and the busking competition will run from 1.45pm to 5pm. A tombola, games for all the family and refreshments will be ongoing. All activities will take place in the Market Square.

ANIMAL CHARITY: A dance is being held in Richmond, North Yorkshire, next Friday to raise money for an animal charity. Gwen Butler, who runs the Bunny Burrows rehoming centre, has organised the Boogie for the Bunnies night at Richmondshire Cricket Club. There is music from the Musical Time Machine, a group from Hurworth, Darlington, a tombola and the chance to meet some rabbits. A similar event at Hurworth last year raised £870 for the charity, which so far this year has found new homes for 182 rabbits and 109 guinea pigs. The event starts at 7.30pm and tickets are £5 from the club, or from Mrs Butler on (01748) 824788.

WATCH AWARDS: The closing date for nominations for the Norwich Union National Neighbourhood Watch Awards is Friday, August 23. For more details, contact 0207 7723348.

BRIDGES REOPEN: Two bridges on the A66 near Darlington are due to reopen soon following refurbishment work. Moor Lane Bridge will reopen on August 20, followed eight days later by the High Farm Bridge.

OPPORTUNITY GRANTS: Applications for the Bodyform Opportunity Awards, offering people a share of £25,000 to help fund their career ambitions, close next Friday. For more details, visit www.bodyform.co.uk