A YOUNG mother had her mobile phone stolen during a trip to Darlington's South Park with her 15-month-old son.

The theft occurred at the Clifton Road entrance to the park at 12.45pm on Thursday, when a group of youths snatched her Nokia 3310 mobile phone from a pushchair while the woman was attending to her child.

SHED RAID: Thieves broke into a shed in in Cottingham Court, Darlington, between 9.30am and 2.30pm on Thursday, and stole a pink mountain bike, a yellow mountain bike, a Flymo strimmer and a Flymo lawnmower, worth a total of £750.

DOG SHOW: Dog owners from the region will gather at the Spectrum Leisure Centre, Willington, today for a regional heat of the RSPCA's competition to find the Mongrel of the Year. The show runs from 10am to 5pm.

PARISH MEETING: Etherley Parish Council holds its annual meeting in Toft Hill Community Centre on Thursday, at 7pm.

SPRING FAIR: A spring fair will be held at St Francis Church, Horndale, Newton Aycliffe, next Saturday, from 11am to 1pm.

COFFEE MORNING: The music group at Alderman Leach Primary School, Darlington, will perform at a coffee morning at Cockerton Methodist Church next Saturday, from 10am to noon. Proceeds go to St Teresa's Hospice and Christian Aid.

COUNTRY RIDES: Darlington Freewheelers are staging a series of evening rides. The first will be on Tuesday, to Croft, Middleton Tyas and Barton. For details call Gary Dawes on (01388) 710467.

COMEDY DATE: Bondgate Players from Darlington, present Cash on Delivery, a comedy by Michael Cooney, at the Arts Centre, from Wednesday to Friday, at 7.30pm each night.

UNSPORTING THEFT: A set of children's football goalposts and net were stolen from a garden in Stockton Road, Darlington, between 7pm on Wednesday and 9.45am on Thursday.

STAY TRIM: Super slimmer Jayne Longstaff is helping others to shed the pounds by leading the Changes slimming group in Crook. Mrs Longstaff, who lost almost four stones, runs classes at the Lightfoot Centre, Bishop Auckland, every Thursday, from 7pm to 8pm. Call (01388) 765381 for details.

MUSIC NIGHT: Bishop Auckland Town Hall will host Opera Chorus, a performance of popular opera music by Bishop Auckland Choral Society, tonight. Tickets are available from Allee Longstaff on 0191- 3780707, or Sophie Hassall on (01388) 834359.

CAT RESCUE: A black tomcat was rescued near Spennymoor Leisure Centre by RSPCA wardens and Margaret Harris, of Spennymoor Cat Rescue, this week. Part of its leg had to be removed after it was caught in a snare, but the cat has since been re-homed. To offer a home to an abandoned cat call Mrs Harris on (01388) 818753.