Beat bobby Chris Warriner proved he had a nose for trouble when he sniffed out a £12,000 cannabis haul.

PC Warriner was tipped off that plants were being grown in a house on his patch in South Shields, South Tyneside and went to investigate.

Although he was pointed in the general direction of where the plants were

being grown, he did not know exactly where to look until he caught a whiff of the strong-smelling drug and tracked it to one of two houses. After a house was searched, a man was arrested and on police bail pending the results of forensic tests.

River rescue: A 37-year-old man was rescued from the River Wear in Sunderland, on Saturday. after he jumped 80ft into the water from the Queen Alexandra Bridge. The man apparently jumped after arguing with a woman he was with. The man was taken ashore by the inshore lifeboat. He was taken to Sunderland Royal Hospital and later released.

Arson attack: Arsonists have struck at the derelict South Bay Pool complex at Scarborough for the eighth time in recent weeks. Assistant divisional fire station officer at Scarborough, Tony Dyer, said the vandals were putting themselves and firefighters at risk and tying up appliances which may be needed to tackle life and death blazes.

Club death service: A service will be held tomorrow for a man who died following a heart attack at a health club. Derek Poskett, 45, of The Dell, Bishop Auckland, will be cremated in Durham following a service at St Anne's Church in Bishop Auckland at 9.40am.

Mr Poskett collapsed on Tuesday at Bannatyne's Health Club, Darlington.

Paramedics were called and took him to Darlington Memorial Hospital.

Speedy circuit: Round-Britain fundraiser David Abrutat, a disabled athlete, is due back home in Scarborough in about ten days' time. He is cycling 3,000 miles round the coastline on a handcycle to raise money for the National Blood Service. Mr Abrutat, 28, of Stepney Road, has made good progress and expects to arrive home about three weeks earlier than planned. He was paralysed from the chest down following a road accident and says he owes his life to a blood transfusion.

Volunteers needed: The Butterwick Children's Hospice is looking for youngsters under the age of 17 to take part in the Bupa Junior Great North Run and raise money for them. The 4km run takes place on Saturday October 5 and there will also be a Children's BBC party. Anyone wishing to take part is asked to contact Nicola Miley for an application pack and sponsor form, on (01642) 624231.

Organ recital: Keith Wright will be giving an organ recital at Durham Cathedral on Wednesday, from 7.30pm. Admission is £5 and concessions £3.