Fundraisers hot foot it

FIREFIGHTERS, police and members of the public braved burning coals to raise £6,000 for charity. They undertook a fire walk, at Durham Police headquarters, at Aykley Heads, Durham, in aid of St Cuthbert's Hospice. After two hours of training, the 22 volunteers walked over the coals as spectators cheered them on. The proceeds will go towards the £3m needed for the hospice to provide free, 24-hour specialist care for people with life threatening illnesses in County Durham.

SENTENCE SERVED: Roman Goodwin, 25, of Western Approach, South Shields, South Tyneside, was sentenced for four months at Newcastle Crown Court yesterday after admitting possession of cannabis with intent to supply, on July 14, last year. However, having already served two months on remand, he was released.

Police swoop: Three men and a woman were arrested yesterday after armed police swooped on properties in the Queen's Terrace area of Scarborough, North Yorkshire. The operation followed an armed robbery in York and burglaries in Scarborough. A firearm was recovered.

AGENCY RESPONSE: The Environment Agency, and other relevant bodies are to attend the May meeting of Great Aycliffe Town Council to report on an investigation into a chemical leak at the Great Lakes factory, in Newton Aycliffe, County Dirham, in January.

Chemical fire: A small fire at the Huntsman Chemicals site at Wilton, near Redcar, east Cleveland, yesterday, was put out by crew from the Etol (Enron Teesside Operations Limited) station, on the site. There were no injuries and production was not stopped.

Book signing: Award-winning children's author Jacqueline Wilson will sign copies of her new titles, Secrets and The Cat Mummy, at Ottakar's bookshop, Northallerton, North Yorkshire, on Friday, March 22, from 10am.

MAN IDENTIFIED: A man who died after falling from Newcastle's Tyne Bridge on Thursday has been named as James Colin Hindmarsh, 56, of Cheswick Drive, Gosforth. Police said there were no suspicious circumstances.

WITNESS APPEAL: Police have appealed for witnesses to a disturbance at the Golden Lion pub in Jarrow, South Tyneside, at 11pm last Saturday, in which several people were injured. Anyone with information is asked to call 0191-454 7555.

DRUGS SEIZED: Three people were arrested and a large quantity of cannabis seized following a raid on a house in Stewart Terrace, Felling, Gateshead, on Thursday. Police who took part in Operation Aftermath were acting on intelligence.

HORSE JUMP: A newly-gelded horse trapped itself on a 5ft fence yesterday. The horse, called Bayley, had to be cut free by firefighters, who used specialist saws. The incident occurred at about 4.20pm at High Ayton Farm, Birtley, near Chester-le-Street, County Durham