PLANNERS have agreed to a village's disused chapel being converted into a house.

Ryedale District Council's central area committee decided that, despite on-street parking problems at Welburn, near Malton, an attractive stone wall should not be demolished because it was part of the village's character. Malton Methodist Circuit told the committee that when the chapel was in use there were more cars outside than there would be if it was a house.

Transport times: A new timetable for all bus and rail services in and around the North York Moors is now available from all national park information centres. The free Moors Explorer includes 88 pages of timetables, with schedules for the North Yorkshire Moors steam railway and the Esk Valley line.

Carnival fun: Floats and marching groups will parade through Pickering this afternoon for the town's annual carnival day. There will also be a procession of vintage farm vehicle and classic cars. From noon, there will also be a variety of activities on the carnival field, just off the A169 Pickering to Malton road.

Park's day: Celebrations are to be held tomorrow afternoon to celebrate the 81st anniversary of Rowntree Park, in York, being presented to the city as a memorial to local confectionery workers who died in the First World War. Local Labour MP Hugh Bayley will be there to cut the first slice of a special birthday cake.

Street opening: St Nicholas Street, Scarborough, where demolition work was being carried out at Marshall House, has now reopened to traffic and pedestrians after contractors finished a week ahead of schedule.

Flag day: The RSPCA is holding a flag day in Harrogate town centre on Saturday, July 27, from 10am to 3pm. Volunteers who can spare an hour or two to help are urged to contact branch development manager Peter Bolton on (01937) 579827.

Pub raid: Thieves smashed a window at the Black Swan, in Kirkbymoorside's market place, and stole, cash, drinks and CDs.

Road delays: Motorists in Harrogate can expect hold-ups when work starts on the replacement of the carriageway between Skipton Road and Claro Road on Monday.

Suite sixteen: A new computer suite with 16 terminals has been opened at the primary school in Rillington, near Malton.