VULNERABLE people in North Yorkshire are to benefit from a new fire prevention scheme. The county's Fire and Rescue Service has won a £14,200 Government grant for its Get North Yorkshire Covered project. The cash will be spent on fitting 2,000 sealed smoke alarms with a ten-year life span in the homes of the elderly, people with disabilities and families on a low income. The project is one of six schemes in the Yorkshire and the Humber region to win funds from the Department of Trade and Industry.

AFRICA CALLING: Harrogate Conference Centre welcomes the return of Black Umfolosi this weekend. The group first brought the sounds of Africa to the town during the annual Harrogate International Festival, but perform in their own right from 7.30pm tonight. Tickets, priced from £8.50, are available by telephoning (01423) 502116.

WOODLAND PROJECT: The Woodlands Trust is urging people to help plant a wood at Boggle Top, Fylingdales, near Whitby, to mark the Queen's Golden Jubilee. The site is one of 20 across Britain being used for the project Those making a donation can dedicate one of 5,000 trees to a relative or loved one and will receive a certificate, gift card and sticker. For further details, log onto the web site at www.woodland-trust.org.uk/plantatree, or telephone 0800 0269650.

ADVICE SERVICE: People seeking business help and advice now have access to a new online service at the Upper Wensleydale Community Office in Hawes. The office, at the Neukin, Market Place, has become a local access point for Business Link York and North Yorkshire. The office, which is open between 9.30am and 4.30pm, from Monday to Friday, and 9.30am to 12.30pm on Saturdays, can be contacted on (01969) 667400.

TRADING SPACES: A Richmond dairy has been granted planning permission to expand on the town's Gallowfields Trading Estate. The Swaledale Cheese Company has been given the go-ahead to build a two-storey extension to house additional storage room for maturing cheeses and raw milk, as well as an office and changing rooms at its premises in Mercury Road.

CHURCH CONCERT: The Harp Singers will be the guests of Richmond Methodist Church tonight. The group will perform a concert from 7pm.