RAIDERS smashed open a safe to steal the contents at the village church of St John the Baptist, East Ayton, near Scarborough. As a result, the church is now likely to be kept locked, except for services. The raid follows a spate of vandalism, which included the felling of a tree late at night, which blocked the road outside the church. In recent months, drainpipes have been broken, tiles pulled from the roof and beer cans and rubbish thrown into an oil tank.

VOLUNTEERS PLEA: Charity Hospice Homecare is appealing for students to help out with fundraising collections in Northallerton, Richmond and Thirsk during June. Anyone interested is asked to contact Glynis Creek on (01609) 777413.

SALES DATES: Richmond-shire Cricket Club is to host two car boot sales. The first, on Saturday, June 1, opens at 8am, with stallholders charged £5 per car. The second, on Monday, June 3, starts at the same time, but will cost £1 more per stall. To book space in advance call (01748) 824573.

WARS RECREATED: The White Company of medieval re-enactors will perform at Barley Hall, off Stonegate, York, on Saturday and Sunday. The group portrays the lives of men and women during the Wars of the Roses.

WINDOWS SMASHED: Van-dals caused hundreds of pounds worth of damage to shops on one of York's main shopping streets. Windows at the River Island clothes shop and The Phone People store, in Coney Street, were smashed during the attacks.

Library opening: Tang Hall library, in York, will re-open tomorrow at 9.30am, following major refurbishment work.

PAINTING display: Artist Susan Thomas will be holding an exhibition of watercolours at the North York Moors Centre, at Danby Lodge, Danby, from Friday to Sunday.

Service expands: York's Park-and-Ride service is likely to operate seven days a week. The local authority and the bus company First York have agreed that a Sunday service should be operated for a trial period.