MAJOR demolition work will signal the start in the next few weeks of a £10m shopping development in the centre of Scarborough.

The former YMCA and HC Chapman auction room, in North Street, are to be pulled down, along with the KwikSave store, Quids Inn pub and Catalogue Bargain store, in St Thomas Street. JJB Sports and TK Maxx are among the companies moving into the development, which is being carried out by Crest Nicholson.

WASHING WARNING: Police have issued a warning after householders had clothing stolen from washing lines. Designer label garments were snatched overnight from two gardens in Darlington, at Bates Avenue, during the course of Wednesday night, and Walkworth Way, on Thursday night. People are advised to not leave items out overnight. Anyone with information about the thefts is asked to contact Darlington police, on (01325) 467681, or Crimestoppers, on 0800 555111.

BAND PERFORMS: Chart band Toploader, best known for hits Achilles Heal and Dancing In The Moonlight, will play at York's Barbican Centre on Saturday, November 2, at 7.30pm. Tickets are available from the box office, on (01904) 656688, priced £17.50.

dog plea: The owner of a greyhound puppy stolen from a compound in Witton-le-Wear, County Durham, on Wednesday, is offering a reward for its safe return. The dog, valued at £3,000, has DPT7 tattooed on its right ear. Anyone with information is asked to call breeder Harry Williams on (01388) 488446 or (01388) 767777.

LOTTA LUCK: The latest winning tickets in the Great North Air Ambulance Service Lottery have been announced. The winner of the £200 top prize was number 08877, bought in Ponteland, Northumberland. The £100 second prize goes to ticket 09586, and £50 third prize to 08814. Fifteen £10 prizes go to the holders of tickets 09710, 09850, 11666, 11004, 11175, 08155, 08682, 08988, 10030, 11559, 08712, 11519, 09809, 09570 and 08896.

Phone attack: A 17-year-old boy was mugged for his mobile phone in Malton, North Yorkshire. The attack was carried out by a man and a woman at about 10pm on Thursday, in the Mount Crescent area. Anyone with information is asked to contact police on (01723) 509604.

GOLF DAY: Golfers teed off yesterday in aid of the Mayor of Durham, Councillor Eileen Rochford's chosen charities, the Butterwick Children's Hospice and the Round Table Children's Wish Fund. The mayor's consort, Barry Grimes, got the event under way at Durham City Golf Club.

ANIMAL TALK: BBC wildlife expert Charlotte Uhlenbroek will be signing copies of her book, Talking With Animals, at Borders bookshop, York, on Wednesday, at 7pm. The book is based on her current Sunday night series.

SURGERY date: Easington MP John Cummings holds a surgery at the town council offices in Adelaide Row, Seaham, east Durham, today, from 10am to 11.30am. All are welcome and no appointment is necessary.

BRIDGE shut: Wearmouth Bridge, Sunderland, is to be closed overnight, from 11.30pm to 5am, on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, for maintenance work.