Fresh appeal over house fire, POLICE are renewing an appeal for witnesses to a fire which damaged a house and car and destroyed two caravans in the Blackwell area of Darlington, on Friday.

Detectives have only scant information about the blaze, which is being treated as arson. The caravans, one a traditional gipsy horse-drawn carriage, were parked outside the owner's house, in Upsall Drive. A window in the house and a car were slightly damaged by the heat from the blaze, which broke out at about 9.30pm. Anyone with information is asked to contact Darlington police on (01325) 467681 or Crimestoppers on 0800-555-111.

Golden tickets: Music lovers across the region are hoping to find three golden balloons which contain tickets to a concert. The jubilee-inspired stunt is designed to raise publicity for the Galaxy Out There concert in aid of the Prince's Trust to be held on Saturday, June 29, at Gateshead Stadium. The balloons were released from Gateshead Millennium Bridge last week. Liberty X and Mis-Teeq will be among the performers. Tickets cost £17.50 and are available by contacting 0870 730 7305.

MORE BRIDLEWAYS: North York Moors National Park bosses have been praised for adding 27 miles of bridleways to the definitive public rights of way map. The British Horse Society describes the move as "an incredible success", adding "The park is a wonderful place for riders with its moors, woods and scenic farmland. Unfortunately, the existing bridleway network had very few east-west links but the additional bridleways which have been created will help to solve some of the problems".

MORE GINGERBREAD: A support organisation for lone parents is opening an office in the North-East tomorrow. Gingerbread, which offers a free advice line, discount schemes and self-help groups, is opening an office, in Newcastle. The move comes after figures showed that one in four families in the North-East are headed by lone parents.

PARK FUNDING: Tourism is set for a boost in the North York Moors National Park if a £1.2m bid to the European Union is successful. The park authority is seeking the help from the EU's Objective 2 regional funding scheme to finance sustainable tourism projects. Village improvements, environmental projects, village information points and computer links are included in the project together with plans for better promotion and marketing of the park. A decision is expected in July.

RIVER RESCUE: A passer-by who spotted a 19-year-old man in the River Tyne leapt in and pulled him to safety on Monday evening. The incident happened between Wylam and Clara Vale. The man, from Heddon-on-the-Wall, Northumberland, was taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, in Gateshead.

BEDTIME STORY: One of North Yorkshire's more bizarre annual events goes ahead this weekend. Knaresborough Bed Race adopts a golden jubilee theme with dozens of teams entered for this year's challenge, which includes a crossing of the River Nidd. Stalls and side shows line the banks along the river. For more details, contact (01423) 864853.

STAR GUEST: Astronomer Patrick Moore is giving a lecture at Harrogate Theatre next Tuesday, at 7.30pm. Tickets cost from £8.50 and are available by contacting (01423) 502116.

cool comedian: The original Mr Rubber Face, comedian and impressionist Phil Cool, will be performing at Durham City's Gala Theatre on Sunday. Contact the box office on 0191-332 4041 for details