A shop raider was being hunted by police last night. The masked man who threatened an off-licence assistant with a handgun, fled empty-handed when his noisy and unsuccessful attempts at opening the till brought a second shop worker from the back of the store. "This must have been a terrifying ordeal for the lady working in the store. We are just thankful that no one was injured during this incident," said Detective Constable Shaun Storey of Redcar CID. The man burst into Booze Busters, in Roseberry Square, Redcar, at about 9.50pm on Sunday.

SPORTS SESSIONS: Tennis and badminton coaching sessions are on offer at two Middlesbrough sports centres. Acklam Community Tennis Partnership provides adult tennis coaching for beginners from 6pm to 7pm on Saturdays at Tennis World, in Ladgate Lane. Sessions cost £3. For more information call (01642) 515658. Badminton coaching takes place at Southlands Leisure Centre, in Ormesby Road, from 6pm to 7pm on Mondays. Sessions cost £2.20 for members or £2.50 for non-members. Call (01642) 300428 for more information.

FARM FUN: A range of activities are being held at a Teesside leisure farm over Easter. The Newham Grange Leisure Farm, in Coulby Newham, is holding events for children all week. A day of Easter fun is being held, with activities such as egg painting and an egg hunt. Booking is required. People will also have the chance to milk a Jersey cow between 11am and 4pm tomorrow. On Thursday an Easter egg hunt takes place.

EVENING CLASS: A five-week course on the geological history of the North York Moors starts on Wednesday, April 17, at Prior Pursglove College, Guisborough, from 6.30pm until 8.30pm. For a course information sheet and details contact the college on (01287) 280800.