A STUDENT who has been missing from home for nearly a month has been found safe and well.

William Ross Edmondson went missing from his home in Eaglescliffe, near Stockton, Teesside, on May 16. Concerns were growing for the Sheffield University student, but on Friday evening he was found by relatives in North Wales.

He has been reunited with all his family who have travelled to Wales. Cleveland Police last night thanked members of the public who helped their inquiries.

choice of five: There will be five candidates contesting the vacant seat in the St Germain's ward of Redcar and Cleveland Council, in a by-election on Thursday, June 27. They are Neil Bilham (Conservative), Mike Findley (East Cleveland Independents), William Goodwill (Liberal Democrats), Peter Goodwin (Green Party) and Susan McLeod (Labour). The successful candidate will replace former councillor Ken Seymour (Socialist Labour), who resigned through ill health earlier this month. Every household in the St Germain's ward in Marske is receiving an information leaflet on postal votes and forms must be returned by Wednesday, June 19.

Gunman hunted: Police are hunting a masked robber who burst into Kohli's general store, in Ellesmere Road, Benwell, Newcastle, brandishing what appeared to be a handgun. The incident happened at about 6.40pm on Friday. The man was described as white, in his mid-twenties, with ginger hair, fair skin and freckles, about 6ft and of medium build. He wore dark trousers, which were possibly cargo pants, a dark jacket and a black balaclava, and spoke with a Newcastle accent.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Newcastle West CID on 0191-214 6555.

New play: Alan Aykbourn's play Living Together is coming to Darlington Civic Theatre between Tuesday and Saturday, June 25-29. The play is the third part in the Norman Conquests trilogy, and is directed by Ian Dickens. A post-show barbecue will be held on Friday and Saturday evenings. For information, call (01325) 486555.

FIRE DRAMA: A man in his sixties was forced to flee his home in the early hours of yesterday after fire broke out. The blaze has been linked to an open fire in a first-floor room of the terraced house in Greenbank Road, Darlington. Fire crews from Darlington and Newton Aycliffe fire stations attended the fire at about 2.30am.

CHARITY SALE: A car boot sale is to be held on the sports field opposite Tennants of Leyburn, in North Yorkshire, on Sunday, June 23, to help raise cash for the National Kidney Research Fund. The day will include entertainment for children, as well as the usual refreshments. More information is available by telephoning (01969) 623035.

Open meeting: Members of the public are being invited to an open meeting on the future of Harrogate's Valley Gardens, in North Yorkshire. The event takes place on Wednesday, June 19, at 7.30pm, in the Sun Pavilion, in Cornwall Road. Initial proposals for the gardens' restoration will be presented.