Clampdown on scramblers

MOTORCYCLE scramblers who ride their bikes on disused land are being targeted by Northumbria Police.

Officers from Wallsend area command are experiencing problems with riders using Weetslade pit, in Old Great Lime Road, Dudley. Crime prevention officer PC Bill Hindmarsh said they would be paying extra attention to the area, taking names and addresses, which could lead to the offenders being prosecuted by the landowners.

OFFICER RETIRES: Police superintendent Peter Gauden retires this week after 34 years' service. He began his career as a cadet in Durham and worked for Durham constabulary and Northumbria Police before becoming a chief inspector with the Home Office Crime Prevention Centre in Stafford. On his return to the North-East he became chief inspector at Ashington and Tynemouth before taking over as commander for Wallsend five years ago.

NEW FACE: Ray Leonard has been appointed operations manager with Sunderland regeneration scheme Back on the Map. Mr Leonard is the former project manager for the £10m Turning the Tide project, which removed colliery spoil from east Durham beaches and earned the area Heritage Coast status.

ROCK NIGHTS: Tubesnake will be performing at The Gallery, Chester Moor, near Chester-le-Street, tomorrow night. The Northern Haze will be playing at the venue on Sunday. Both gigs start at 8.30pm and admission costs £2. For details, call 0191-388 4588.

DONOR SESSIONS: Blood donor sessions will be held tomorrow at the Elemore Community Centre, Brickgarth, Easington Lane, between 3pm and 7pm, and at Whitehall Road Methodist Church Hall, Ravensworth Road, Bensham, Gateshead, from 2.30pm to 7pm.

MAST PLAN: One2One Personal Communications plans to put up a 15m mobile phone mast at Riding Hill Farm, Riding Hill Road, West Kyo, near Stanley. An application has been lodged with Derwentside District Council.

LIONS MEET: Chester-le-Street Lions Club meets on Monday at Chester-le-Street Cricket Club, Ropery Lane, at 8pm. The club is on the look-out for more people to help with its charity work. For details call secretary Trevor Blacklock on 0191-388 3755.

SPONSORED SWIM: Durham Bible Society Action Group is holding its annual Splash Out for Scriptures sponsored swim in the city's swimming pool at Elvet Waterside, on Sunday, June 23, from 2pm to 3pm. Details and sponsor forms are available from 0191-383 2210.

OUTREACH SESSIONS: Durham Citizen's Advice Bureau is holding village outreach sessions between 11am and noon on Monday, at Brandon House and Ludworth Community Centre, and on Tuesday, at Bowburn Community Centre and at West Rainton Jubilee Hall