WITNESSES are being sought following an attack on a pedestrian.

A man was walking behind the JobCentre, in Victoria Road, Hartlepool, at 8pm on Sunday, July 28, when he became involved in an argument with the male driver of a small red car. The driver punched the man in the face before driving off. The man suffered a large cut under his left eye and several bruises. The attacker was described as in his early 20s, about 6ft, with light coloured hair. He wore a white T-shirt. Anyone with information is asked to contact PC Chris Dring on (01642) 302126.

RUGBY PLAN: West Hartlepool Rugby Club has applied to Hartlepool Borough Council for planning permission to use Brinkburn Youth Centre, in the town, as a rugby clubhouse on Sundays from 11am to 3pm. The club has also applied for planning permission to build a two-storey clubhouse and changing complex on land at Hartlepool Sixth Form College.

FUNDRAISING EVENT: Olga Hodgman, customer services manager at the Asda store, Thornaby, has raised £1,000 for the Breast Cancer Care Unit at the University Hospital of North Tees, Stockton. She raised the money through sponsorship when she ran in the Commonwealth Games Golden Jubilee Baton Race on July 8, in Amble, Northumberland.

BRASS CONCERT: Gates-head Brass Band will perform on the Wingfield Castle, Hartlepool, on Sunday, from 2pm to 4pm. The event has been organised by Hartlepool Borough Council, and is free.

SAMBA MAGIC: A touch of samba magic came to Hartlepool's Civic Centre when it played host to performers from Brazil. Members of Gueto Poetico, a theatre group from Salvador which is known for its giant foam puppets, called in to meet Councillor Carl Richardson, chairman of Hartlepool Borough Council, during a break from their North-East tour.

POETS SOUGHT: Publisher Poetry Now is seeking poets from the Cleveland. All poems published in a regional anthology are entered for the annual Forward Press Top 100 Award with cash prizes of more than £10,000. To take part, send up to two previously unpublished poems to Poetry Now 2003, Remus House, Coltsfoot Drive, Peterborough, PE2 9JX by August 31.

TM INSIGHT: A free introductory talk, entitled Managing Stress Through Transcendental Meditation, will be given by Chris Greathead at Stockton Central Library on Thursday, September 12, at 7pm. For a free information pack, call 0191-281 3507.

FESTIVAL TIME: A floral and art festival will be held at the United Reformed Church, Station Road, Redcar, on Saturday, August 17, from 10am to 4pm. Entrance will cost 50p and proceeds will go Sargent Cancer Care for Children.