A Second World War RAF navigator from the North-East, who was shot down in Germany more than 60 years ago, never expected to see his bomber again.

But George Wright was stunned when a remarkable memento of his wartime exploits arrived on his doorstep by first class post.

Mr Wright, 84, a retired headteacher from Beadnell, Northumberland, woke one morning to find parts of his Hampden bomber in a carefully wrapped parcel. The charred and rusted remnants of the bomber, which had been shot down in 1940, had been dug up by a German man he was in touch with.

Blaze casualty: An elderly woman was given oxygen and first aid by firefighters following a fire in her microwave. The wheelchair bound pensioner, who has a heart condition and only recently came out of hospital, was taken back again, this time for a precautionary check-up following the fire which filled her warden-controlled bungalow in Lincoln Crescent, Cowpen Bewlay, near Billingham, with fumes.

intrepid Rover: An intrepid dog escaped from a pound and made a 30-mile journey back to the remote village it came from. The aptly-named Rover was picked up in Kirkheaton, near Belsay, Northumberland, a week ago, and taken to a pound it had never been to before. But the dog escaped and turned up two days later back in the village. It was driven to the Longbenton Cat and Dog Shelter, in Newcastle, by warden Tony Carter. He is now trying to figure out how Rover got out, travelled through Newcastle and found his way back to Kirkheaton. Mr Carter said: "I am absolutely amazed."

SEX charges: A North-East man has appeared in court charged with serious sex offences relating to three teenagers. Sean Watkins, 35, of Fifth Street, Horden, Peterlee, yesterday denied two charges of rape, three of indecent assault and one of affray at Newcastle Crown Court. He must return to court in July when he will be tried before a jury. Mr Watkins was remanded in custody.

parents accused: A Darlington couple yesterday denied a charge of failing to send a five-year-old child to school. The pair pleaded not guilty before the town's magistrates to the charge, which was brought by Darlington Borough Council. They will return to the court on May 23 for a pre-trial review.

CLASSIC SOUNDS: Retired Durham University physics lecturer Dr Richard Fong, 65, has been chosen from more than 1,400 people to join the first consumer panel set up by the national commercial radio station, Classic FM.

Car boot sale: Stockton Borough Council has received a planning application from Scott Bros to allow the use of part of the former British Gas depot, in Master Road, Thornaby, for a car boot sale on Fridays, from 5.30pm to 9pm.

Brewery boost: City of York MP Hugh Bayley is visiting York Brewery today to celebrate Chancellor Gordon Brown's decision to reduce duty on the beer produced by small breweries.