POLICE are searching for a North-East man wanted in connection with a vicious attack.

Durham Constabulary are trying to trace Kevin Hilton, 35, of Spennymoor, County Durham, who they describe as "dangerous". Mr Hilton is wanted in connection with the wounding of an unnamed man, in Spennymoor, on January 20. The victim needed 100 stitches to a face wound as a result of the attack. Anyone with information is asked to contact Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.

HOTEL REOPENS: A seaside hotel will reopen today after almost 200 residents were struck down by a virus. The 277-bedroom Grand Hotel, in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, was closed at the weekend to let a cleaning company kill off the sickness and diarrhoea bug, believed to be the airborne virus Norwalk. It is thought to have been taken into the hotel about a week ago by someone in the early stages of infection. The hotel has been closed twice before by the virus, in 1994 and 1995.

FOUR CHARGED: Police have charged four men following a seven-month investigation into the death of a father-of-three. Kevin Pharoah, 49, of Leam Lane, Gateshead, died after suffering an epileptic fit in October last year. He was assaulted in January 2000 when a fight broke out at the Fret and Fiddler pub, in Sunniside, Gateshead. The men will appear at Gateshead Magistrates' Court, on Friday.

CUBE MANIA: The search is on to find the youngest and oldest person in the North-East who can solve the Rubik Cube. A cash prize of £250 is on offer to each of the regional winners of the competition to solve the 1980s puzzle, which is gaining in popularity again thanks to a new version based on the Simpsons TV cartoon. To enter, visit the website at rubiks.com/competition, or call 0207-727 5666.

CRASH APPEAL: A car passenger was treated for a broken ankle after a road accident on Teesside at the weekend. He sustained the injury during a collision between a Ford Transit van and a BMW car outside Tyne Tees Cash and Carry, Cargo Fleet Lane, Middlesbrough, at about 11.30am. Anyone who witnessed the accident is asked to contact PC Craig Lister, of Cleveland Police, on (01642) 326326.

COAST SCHEME: Work on a two-year, £126m project to protect part of North Yorkshire's coastline will get under way on Friday. The scheme will protect Scarborough's Holms, Castle Headland and East Pier from the North Sea. A rock ramp is being built to allow construction vehicles to get on and off Marine Drive from the beach.

SPRING WALK: A two-mile photographic walk along the banks of the River Wear sets off from Prebends Bridge, Durham City, tomorrow, at 10.30am. No booking is required, but there is a charge of £2 for adults and £1 for children, the over-60s and the unwaged. For details, telephone 0191-384 4144.