A CLIMBER from the North-East was treated in hospital over the weekend following a 50ft fall on a Scottish hillside.

26-year-old Newcastle woman, who has asked not to be identified, was airlifted by RAF helicopter to Belford Hospital, Fort William, after suffering back injuries in the fall on Friday evening in the Wave Buttress area of Glen Nevis. Lochaber Mountain Rescue team gave assistance after answering the emergency call.

YACHT ALERT: A yacht that got into difficulties ten miles south of the River Tees was towed to safety by a lifeboat on Saturday. The two-man vessel, Mistral II, put out a distress call shortly before 3.30pm and Staithes Inshore Lifeboat stood by until the Teesmouth All Weather Lifeboat arrived at the scene. The 19ft yacht was then towed to Hartlepool, arriving at 6.30pm.

BELLY DANCING: Classes in Egyptian belly dancing and other Middle East folk dances are on offer at Chester-le-Street Community Centre. Beginners classes are on Tuesdays, from 5.45pm to 7pm, and improvers from 7pm to 8.15pm, from July 23, with a further beginners session on Fridays, from 2.45pm to 4pm, from July 26. The charge is £15 for the five-week course. For further details, call 0191-388 4752.

FOREST FESTIVAL: Forestry skills, timber chopping challenges and other rustic activities will feature at the Forestry Commission's ninth woodland festival. The event takes place at Chopwell Wood, between Consett and Gateshead, on Saturday, from 1pm to 5pm, and Sunday, 10am to 5pm. Entry is £3 for adults, £2 for concessions, with no charge for under-fours. Family tickets are £8.

SUNDAY SPECialS: Rock legends Lindisfarne began a series of Sunday Spectacular free concerts in South Shields' Bents Park, yesterday, as part of South Tyneside's annual Cookson Festival. Next Sunday sees Graham Gouldman, of 10CC fame, take to the stage, with Eagles tribute band, Illegal Eagles, on July 21, The Dream Concert on July 28, and The Supremes on August 4. Gates open at noon. For details, call 0191-424 7985.

PARK DEBUT: Herrington Country Park, developed on a former colliery site near Penshaw Monument, between Chester-le-Street and Sunderland, will open with a bang this weekend as the new venue for Durham County Show. Entry is from 9am to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday, with admission £2 for adults and £1 for children. Parking is free. For further details, call 0191-534 6482.

CAR ACCIDENT: Two children and two adults were taken to hospital after a three-vehicle accident in Darlington on Friday. Two cars and a van were involved in the accident at the junction of Woodlands Terrace and Hollyhurst Road near Darlington Memorial Hospital, at about 6.45pm.

TRUST DIRECTOR: Chris Harrison has been appointed the new director of human resources for the North-East Ambulance Service NHS Trust. He has 15 years experience in a similar role in both the public and private sectors.