ROAD tax dodgers in North Yorkshire are being warned of a clampdown by police. A fortnight-long county-wide operation to catch the drivers of unlicensed vehicles starts on Monday. Wheel clamp teams from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency will also operate in the Ryedale and Scarborough areas. It is estimated that up to 30,000 road tax dodgers operate in North Yorkshire, costing the Treasury £3m a year.

PLAY BOOST: A £3,000 grant by the Lloyds TSB Foundation will provide play equipment and building improvements at Osmotherley's pre-school playgroup.

Home go-ahead: Archway Estates has been given planning permission to convert a guest house into a home at Low Hall Hotel, Ripon Road, Killinghall, near Harrogate.

SUNDAY PARADE: Scouts from across the Richmond area honour their patron saint this weekend. The St George's Day parade will gather at Richmond Castle on Sunday before marching with pipes and drums to St Mary's Church in time for a service. The march expected to leave the castle at 2.30pm.

COFFEE MORNING: A coffee morning will be held at Fernleigh, Beck Isle, Pickering, tomorrow, from 10am until noon. Admission is 50p and all proceeds will go to the NSPCC.

Cabin approved: BT Cellnet has been given permission to keep a telecommunications equipment cabin at Harrogate Railway Athletic soccer club, Station View, Starbeck, Harrogate by borough council planners.

OPEN GARDENS: Old Sleningford Hall at Mickley, near Ripon, will open its grounds to the public from 1pm to 5pm on May 5 and 6 as part of the National Gardens Scheme. Admission is £2.50 for adults and 50p for children.

ANNUAL MEETING: Northallerton and District Voluntary Services Association will hold its annual meeting on Wednesday, May 8, at 7pm, in Northallerton Methodist hall.

Gates refused: A plan to erect 1.9m high entrance gates and a wall at 60 Hollins Lane, Hampsthwaite, near Harrogate, has been refused by planners. They said the scheme would not be in-keeping with the rural character of the area.