THE Princess Royal is to visit the region this month to launch a charity appeal.

Princess Anne will visit Bishopthorpe Palace, the residence of the Archbishop of York, next Wednesday, to unveil a St John Ambulance North Yorkshire and Teesside appeal. The Princess Royal, who is commandant-in-chief of the Ambulance and Nursing Cadets, will launch the Bricks and Wheels appeal to businesses. She will also inspect a Crusader ambulance and crew.

FARMS NEEDED: The Northern Uplands Sheep Strategy is looking for two demonstration farms to illustrate best practice and results from the application of modern breeding and flock management techniques. The ideal farms would be running a pure-bred Swaledale flock, or a pure-bred bluefaced Leicester flock. Anyone interested is asked to contact (07885) 255621, by April 30.

POOL DELAY: A further four-week delay in the reopening of the swimming pool in Whitby, North Yorkshire, has been announced. The pool will open on May 20 after problems with the roof of a changing area were discovered.

CENTRE OPENS: A £300,000 fitness centre has been opened in Easingwold, North Yorkshire. The centre, built on to Galtres community hall, includes more than 30 pieces of equipment. It was part-funded by a grant from the Sport England Lottery Fund.

CAR PARK: The Durham County and Darlington Priority Services Trust is seeking planning permission from Durham City Council to build a 158-space car park and road in the grounds of Earls House Hospital, on the outskirts of the city.

TENOR CONCERT: Three of the UK's leading tenors, Geoffrey Coles, James Fitzgerald and Morgan Lee James, will be singing at Sunderland's Empire Theatre on Thursday, May 30, at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £10 and £15 and are available from 0191-514 2517.

CHARITY CONCERT: A York nightspot is holding a charity concert tonight to raise money for people in Afghanistan. Four bands will be playing at Fibbers, in The Stonebow, from 7.30pm. Tickets will be £4 at the door.

MURDER CHARGE: A Nottingham man, 38-year-old Paul Evison, is due to appear before magistrates on North Tyneside today charged with the murder of Sandra McKean, 38, who was found stabbed in her home in Howdon, near Wallsend, Tyneside.

HOUSE BLAZE: Firefighters gave oxygen to two men suffering from the effects of smoke inhalation during a fire at a house in North View, Ouston, near Chester-le-Street, County Durham, on Saturday. The fire badly damaged a cupboard.

DRIVER DIES: A 71-year-old car driver injured in a crash involving a lorry has died. John Clare, of Ferryhill, County Durham, suffered leg, hip and other injuries in the collision on the A1(M), near Bowburn, County Durham, on April 1. He died in Newcastle General Hospital on Saturday night.

DUBLIN DASH : Marie Curie Cancer Care is looking for volunteers to take part in a fun race to Ireland in September. The Dublin Dash involves teams starting from The Old Farmhouse, Yarm Road, Darlington, and the Irish Centre, Newcastle, and making their way to Ireland. Fancy dress is optional.

FESTIVAL DATES: The Dales Festival of Food and Drink will celebrate the efforts of local farmers over the May Bank Holiday weekend. The event, in Leyburn, North Yorkshire, will have more than 50 stands.

FREE RENT: Businesses are being offered 12 months' free rent if they take units on the 15,000sq ft Olympian Trading Estate, in Scarborough, North Yorkshire.

CONCERT OFF: A concert to boost funds for the charity Against Bowel Cancer at Yarm, on Thursday, has been cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances.