Health experts are awaiting the result of tests which may confirm an outbreak of sickness at a hospital was caused by the winter vomiting virus.

Two wards at South Tyneside Hospital, in South Shields, were closed after nine people were hit by the illness. South Tyneside Healthcare Trust confirmed it was not Legionnaires' Disease, and probably not E-coli or food poisoning.

In recent weeks the winter vomiting virus affected 118 staff and patients at North Tyneside Hospital in North Shields and 75 people at Sunderland Royal Hospital.

BOY FREED: A six-year-old boy had to be freed by firefighters last night after his ankle became trapped between the pedal and frame of his bicycle. Firefighters were called after the youngster, from The Broadway, Grindon, became distressed. He did not need hospital treatment, but to help him overcome his ordeal, he was allowed to sit on the fire appliance and see the equipment.

ARTS CENTRE: The Discovery Centre, Seaton Holme, Easington Village, has invited people to take part in a day of tea and tunes, called Cream Teas and Harmony, on Sunday, from 11am to 4pm. There will be a charge of £1 for the event.

SHOPPING TRIP: St Cuthbert's Hospice, Durham, has organised a further Christmas shopping trip to Edinburgh, on Saturday, November 9. Tickets cost £9 and can be booked through the hospice's fundraising office on 0191-386 1170.

HOUSE PLAN: Chester-le-Street District Council's planning and licensing committee will be recommended to grant planning permission for a house and garage to be built at Waldridge Hall Farm, Hauxley Drive, Chester-le-Street, when it meets on Monday.

LARKING ABOUT: Lark in the Park, an activity day for youngsters is being held today in Allensford Park, near Consett, from 11am. The session costs £2.50. For details call (01207) 218014.

TEENNIGHT: Jezreel Teen Power, a group for 11 to 15-year-olds, meets tonight in the Methodist Chapel in Front Street, Dipton, near Stanley, at 7.30pm. For details call the Reverend Gerrard Hurst on (01207) 230977.

SCHOOL REUNION: Shotton Hall Comprehensive School, in Peterlee, is holding a reunion for pupils who left in 1982, on Saturday, September 7. For details call Beverly Lincoln, on 0191-518 2339, or Michelle Vasey, on 0191-586 2239.

AIRGUN ATACK: Youths caused £2,600-worth of damage when they fired airguns at the windows of a factory unit on Peterlee's South West industrial estate.

Carnival's back: South Hetton Community Partnership relaunches the annual village carnival tomorrow.

DEGREE SUCCESS: Former Durham Johnston School pupil Visalakshi Shanmugam, of Bowburn, has gained an honours degree in marketing from Lancaster University's management school.