A MAN is to face trial following the death of a woman whose body was found in a suitcase dumped in a country lane.

Kyu Soo Kim, 30, of Holborn, central London, is charged with the murder of Hyo Jung Jin, 21, a South Korean woman whose remains were discovered at Askham Richard, near York. Mr Kim, who is remanded in custody, is due to appear for a plea and directions hearing at the Old Bailey on May 7. He will stand trial on September 30.

SWEET MUSIC: Two international performers will be in the region next month. Kiki Dee and Carmelo Luggeri combine soul, pop and rock in an act that will be at Darlington Arts Centre on Wednesday, April 24. Luggeri plays instruments, while Kiki - who dueted on the Elton John song Don't Go Breaking My Heart - provides the vocals. The show, called Making Music, Touching Hearts, starts at 8pm. Tickets cost £8 and £6 for discounts and can be booked on (01325) 486555.

SAFETY PLEA: Police have issued a safety warning to bikers who traditionally head for the moors and dales in North Yorkshire at this time of year. Motorcyclist Gary Brierley, from the Barnsley area, had his right leg amputated in hospital yesterday after his Honda Fireblade was involved in a collision with a lorry. The accident happened on Sunday near Cloughton, on the A171 road between Whitby and Scarborough.

CHARITY RUN: Runners are needed to take part in an event to raise money for an ovarian cancer support group. The North-East branch of Ovacome is holding a fun run at Mowbray Park, Sunderland, on Sunday, April 7. Teams can walk, jog or run the short course. The organisers hope the event will also raise awareness of ovarian cancer. To register, call 0191-387 5363.

THEFT IN CLUB: A reveller was left with empty pockets after a dance with two women. Just moments after his encounter with the strangers at a nightclub, in Darlington, the 19-year-old found that his wallet and mobile phone had been stolen from his pockets. The suspects are thought to be aged about 19. The incident happened on Saturday, at about 1am, in Bojangles.

GARDENS REOPEN: St John Ambulance, in North Yorkshire and Teesside, has announced plans to restart its programme of open garden events, following the foot-and-mouth epidemic. The schedule was hit hard last year, but charity bosses said it would begin again next month. Details have yet to be announced.

FIRM HONOURED: North Yorkshire company Bettys and Taylors has been voted one of the UK's best workplaces, in a Sunday Times survey. The Harrogate firm, which includes tearooms in its business, was voted 20th top company.

CONCERT DATE: Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Band will be playing an open-air gig in Dalby Forest, near Pickering, North Yorkshire, on Sunday, June 23. He made his debut at the beauty spot last year. Tickets cost £21 and can be booked on (01842) 814612.

HALL REOPENING: St John's Church Hall, in Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, is reopening at Easter after a nine-month closure. The building was closed when it emerged that the roof had become unsafe.

MISSING TEENAGER: Concern is growing for the welfare of 16-year-old Rachel Ann Pattison, who went missing from her home in Walker, Newcastle, on March 11. She is 5ft 4in, of slim build, with blonde hair in a ponytail