Police have warned Bishop Auckland shoppers to be on the guard against purse snatchers.

About a dozen thefts were reported in Newgate Street, Bishop Auckland, over two days this week. In each case the thief stole the purse by reaching into a handbag. Anyone with information about any of the thefts is asked to telephone police on (01388) 603566.

SHOP HAUL: Electrical goods worth £600 have been stolen from a window display at Leonards electrical store, in Darlington Road, Ferryhill. A Sharpe camcorder, serial number H109 619315, and a silver Sharpe digital videodisc player, serial number 109919118, were taken between 9am on Wednesday and 8.45am on Thursday. Anyone with information is asked to contact PC Rachel Stockdale, at Spennymoor police station, on (01388) 814411.

CHURCH TRIP: Tours of the 12th Century church at St Helen Auckland are being held every Sunday until the end of October, between 1pm and 5pm. The church has links with former Prime Minister Sir Anthony Eden, whose family owned the manor house at West Auckland. It was restored recently with the help of grants and £170,000 raised by parishioners.

BAG SNATCH: A teenager had her bag snatched in Deneside, Spennymoor, at noon on Thursday. The thief was 5ft 3in, of medium build, and wearing a red, waist-length jacket, which appeared to be over-sized.

FUNDRAISER: The Save the Children charity is holding a coffee morning in the Masonic Hall, Middleton-in-Teesdale, on May 4, from 10am to 11.45am.

BIKE THEFT: A man's red full-suspension Marine mountain bike, valued at £600, was stolen from the hall of Woodham Community Technology College, Newton Aycliffe, at about 5.30pm on Thursday.

PHONE STOLEN: A Nokia mobile phone, worth £100, was stolen from under the seat of a Ford Transit van in the car park of the 3M factory, Heighington Lane, Newton Aycliffe, between 1pm and 3.30pm on Thursday.

MP'S SURGERY: Bishop Auckland MP Derek Foster will be holding a constituency surgery at Spennymoor Town Hall next Friday, at 5pm.

COFFEE MORNING: A coffee morning is being held in St Augustine's Parish Centre, Larchfield Street, Darlington, on Tuesday, from 10.30am to noon. The event is part of MS Awareness Week, which starts on Monday. During the week an information stall will be at the Marks and Spencer store in Darlington on Monday, at the Dolphin Centre on Wednesday and in the Cornmill Shopping Centre next Saturday.

CHURCH SERVICE: A Century of Praise service is being held at Eastbourne Methodist Church, Yarm Road, Darlington, on Sunday, April 21, at 3pm, as part of the church's centenary celebrations.