POLICE checks after a ten-tonne road sweeper pulled up at the gates to the United States' surveillance centre at Menwith Hill, near Harrogate, showed its driver was defying a court order to be behind the wheel. Yesterday, the man who had trundled the machine along the Otley-Summerbridge road at Menwith-with-Darley on February 15 appeared before Harrogate magistrates and pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified and without insurance. Robert David Stephenson, 45, of Mowbray Square, Harrogate, was said by his solicitor, Clive Farndon, to have been stripped of his driving licence for three years in February last year after a second conviction for drink-driving. The case was adjourned for sentencing until May 7.

NEW ROLE: A former Richmond schoolgirl has been appointed to a senior post at a Yorkshire health trust. Heather Wells started work as director of finance at Leeds North West Primary Care Trust this month. Heather, whose parents live in Prior Avenue, Richmond, studied at Hurworth and Richmond schools. She later gained a first-class honours degree in accounting and financial analysis at Warwick University. She trained with Arther Andersens at Leeds before taking up a post with the Leeds Health Authority.

COUNTRY NIGHT: The Wild Rovers entertain at the Wensleydale Rugby Club tomorrow night. An evening of song and comedy begins at 7pm with live entertainment on stage at 8.30pm. Tickets cost £3 at the door.

ART SHOW: An exhibition by mother and daughter team Winifred and Jill Hodge, of Preston-under-Scar, near Leyburn, is on display at the Zillah Bell gallery of contemporary art at 15 Kirkgate, Thirsk. The display of paintings and etchings runs until April 27.

OPEN DAY: Northallerton Bowling Club is holding an open day on Saturday, May 4, at 10am, in the clubhouse on South Parade. Members will be on hand to greet anyone who may be interested in joining.

POLICE CHAT: The guest speaker at the annual charter dinner of the Northallerton and District Lionesses, held at Leeming Lodge, was Inspector John Proud, of Northallerton police.