ST NICHOLAS Street, Scarborough, one of the busiest town centre thoroughfares in the resort, has reopened after being closed for ten days due to the threatened collapse of the former Marshall and Snelgrove store.

Demolition contractors have worked around the clock to pull down most of the six-storey building and make the area safe, said Scarborough Borough Council's technical services director, Derek Rowell. "The work has been completed a week ahead of schedule," he said. Since action was taken to close the street, the HSBC and Lloyds Banks have been closed, along with Yates' Wine Lodge, and Marks and Spencer closed their entrance to the street.

THEFT BLOW: A youth who offered to help a woman with a broken-down car may have used his good Samaritan act as cover for a theft. After he had gone, the owner noticed an Alpine CD player, stored in the glove compartment for safe-keeping, was missing. The car was parked near the camp site set up at Croft Circuit for the British Touring Car Championship weekend. Anyone who may have seen anything suspicious is asked to contact police in Richmond.

CAR MISSING: The owner of a high-performance car returned from a shopping at Catterick's Sunday market to find it missing. The white Ford Escort RS Turbo - registered C374 HAR - was stolen from the car park. Anyone who may have seen the distinctive vehicle being driven away, or on the roads since Sunday, is asked to contact police in Richmond.

COUNTRY NIGHT: Country and Western trio Whiskey Under the Bridge perform at the Wensleydale Rugby Club, Leyburn, tomorrow. The Scunthorpe-based band will be on stage from 8.30pm. Tickets cost £3, at the door.

CRIME PLEA: Police are seeking help in tracing property, worth more than £1,000, stolen from farm outbuildings. A three-wheeled all-terrain vehicle, a lawnmower, drills, a compressor and tools were taken during the break-in at North Cowton sometime between Friday night and Saturday morning. Anyone offered similar equipment cheaply, or in suspicious circumstances, is urged to call Richmond police on (01609) 783131, or Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555111.

CHARITY BOOST: Super-market staff in Thirsk and Northallerton have been raising funds for the Alzheimer's Society throughout the past year. Their efforts so far have resulted in staff at the Thirsk Tesco store raising £2,415 and their colleagues at Northallerton a further £1,000. The cash has now been forwarded to the Hambleton branch of the society to give support to sufferers and their carers.