Youngsters in York are to benefit from improved buildings and better technology provision after the city council secured a £220,000 grant from the Department for Education. The cash is part of the Government's Seed Challenge Fund, which aims to boost schools' own fundraising efforts by providing match funding.

Plan rejected: North Yorkshire county councillors have rejected Highways Agency proposals to improve the A64 road between York and Malton, which would have left it single-carriageway. The authority has called for full dualling.

Heart support: Heart patients are set to benefit from a donation to a hospital. Northallerton Heart Support Group has bought a defibrillator for the cardiac rehabilitation centre at the Friarage Hospital. A large part of the cash for the machine was donated by the Yorkshire Building Society.

Pitch backed: Hambleton District Council is expected to approve plans for a £200,000 all-weather sports pitch at the Allertonshire School, Northallerton, at a meeting of the planning committee, on Thursday.

Bike stolen: Thieves broke into a shed and stole a £400 BMX bike. About £80 worth of damage was also caused to the building, in Eastfield Avenue, Norton, between 7pm and 9.30pm on Tuesday.

TALKING POINT: A 24-hour cash machine could finally be installed in Norton, Ryedale, if Ryedale district councillors approve. The Alliance and Leicester has been working with Consignia to install a machine in the post office, in Church Street.

Play date: Easingwold Players give a performance of the Oscar Wilde short story Lord Arthur Savile's Crime, at the Galtres Centre, from Wednesday, April 17 to Saturday, April 20. Shows start at 7.30pm and tickets, priced £2 to £4, are available from Alternatives, in Chapel Street, the Galtres Centre, or at the door.