SPECIAL NEEDS teacher Christine Freestone, who lost her seat on Scarborough Borough Council three years ago, has now won a place on Whitby Town Council.

Standing as an independent, she received 133 votes, beating town crier Andy Lowe (106 votes) and Ian Waller (28). The election, was caused by the death of Councillor Richard Wastell.

BEAR NECESSITIES: Dozens of teddy bears will be on display on Wednesday during an open day at Langdale, in Station Road, Thirsk, from 10am to 8pm. Admission is £1 for adults and 50p for children, with proceeds going to animal welfare charity, the Jerry Green Foundation.

WILD WALK: A two-mile walk around the grounds of Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, near Ripon, will give visitors a chance to discover the wild flowers in the water garden. The walk starts at 10.30am on Saturday and participants are asked to meet at the estate's visitor centre.

BARBEQUE BONANZA: A barbecue in aid of church charities in the Easingwold area takes place on Saturday, July 27, at Rose Cottage, Alne Road. It starts at 5.30pm. Tickets cost £6 from Tempo, in the market place.

GOING BATTY: North Yorkshire Bat Group is inviting people to take part in a bat night at Nosterfield nature reserve, West Tanfield, near Ripon. John Drewitt will lead a walk next Thursday, leaving the car park off Moor Lane at 9.15pm. For details, call (01609) 532485.

CRAFT FAIR: A craft fair will take place at Helmsley Town Hall, North Yorkshire, on Saturday and Sunday, between 10am and 5pm.

CHARITY CASH: A carnival held last month by Harrogate Ladies' College raised £1,500 for the Mustard Seed Trust charity, which organises holidays for needy children.

ROAD REPAIRS: Work to reconstruct the carriageway on Wetherby Road, Harrogate, from Woodlands junction to Freemans Corner, starts on Monday and is expected to last ten weeks.