A man died after being struck by a train on the East Coast main line near Thirsk, North Yorkshire, at about 6am on Saturday. British Transport Police said it was possible the incident, which occurred at Dalton, was a suicide.

Driver sought: Police are searching for a motorist who drove off leaving a 41-year-old male pedestrian injured. The accident occurred at the New Bridge Street junction with Byker Bridge, Newcastle, at about 9.30pm on Saturday. The dark grey medium-sized car sped off in a westerly direction after colliding with the man. He was taken to Newcastle General Hospital with abrasions and a broken collar bone.

Idol show: North-East Pop Idol finalists Zoe Birkett and Aaron Bailey are preparing to return to the region. Zoe, from Darlington, and Aaron, from Newcastle, will be performing at the Telewest Arena in Newcastle, on Wednesday and Thursday of next week, as part of the Pop Idol country-wide tour. The tour coincides with the release of an album featuring three songs by 16-year-old Zoe, who came fourth in the TV show.

Antiques fairs: A series of rural antiques fairs which had to be cancelled last year because of the foot-and-mouth epidemic are making a return from today. The Antique and Collectors Fair takes place in Danby Village Hall, on the edge of the North York Moors, from 10am until 4.30pm. Admission is 30p which will be donated to a local charity. Refreshments will be available from Breast Cancer Care and research charity supporters.

Charity jump: The Calvert Trust Kielder needs volunteers to raise funds. The trust provides outdoor activities and respite care for people with disabilities at a residential centre in Kielder Forest, Northumberland. Volunteers are needed for tandem skydives from 10,000ft and solo jumps from 3,000ft. Volunteers who raise enough sponsorship jump for free. For details call (01430) 634113.

Tourist web: A new tourism website for York, www.visityork.org, will go live on Tuesday, April 9. As well as catering for potential visitors, the site offers advice for tour operators, travel agents and conference organisers, and there is a section for the media.

Heart gift: Northallerton Heart Support Group has bought a defibrillator for the cardiac rehabilitation unit of the town's Friarage Hospital. The gift was purchased with the help of a donation of almost £1,900 from the Yorkshire Building Society.

Local weather:

Scarborough Borough Council has a new weather service for residents and visitors. It includes up-to-date forecasts and the information is displayed on the council's website at www.e-sbc.co.uk and on screens in the windows of tourist information centres.

Band success: Cockerton Silver Band has qualified to represent the North-East in a national competition. The band, from Darlington, will compete in the finals of the National Brass Band Championships, in Torquay, in September.

MS week: National Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week is taking place from April 14 to 21. The MS Society is arranging events throughout the North-East and North Yorkshire.

Trust meeting: The next meeting of the Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumberland Mental Health NHS Trust will take place on Tuesday, April 9, at St George's Hospital, Morpeth, from 2pm. Members of the public are welcome. Call (01670) 512121 extension 3401 for details.

Choir boost: Builder Center, builders' merchants in Richmond, North Yorkshire, has donated £100 to Richmond CE School choir. The grant will pay for new uniforms for the 40-strong choir