Thieves snatch pregnant pet

A five-year-old black Labrador bitch, which was pregnant, has been stolen from a farmhouse in Sedgefield.

The dog, which was wearing a red collar, was locked in a pound at the back of the farm, but thieves removed two bolts and stole it between 7.30am and 6pm on Monday.

GROCERIES THEFT: Linda Watson, 32, of Helmsley Moor Way, Darlington, was fined £60 by South Durham magistrates after admitting stealing groceries worth £29.14 from a Morrison's store.

SALE DATE: Mowden Rainbows and Brownies in Darlington are holding a bring and buy sale and coffee evening on Monday, from 6pm to 7.15pm, at Mowden Infant School. Admission is £1 for adults and free for children.

DRUGS CASE: A 22-year-old man has been fined after he was found in possession of drugs. Karl Wilson, of Brunton Street, Darlington, was arrested by police after they found 0.5 grammes of amphetamine. South Durham magistrates fined him £50 with £118 costs.

NEW ROLE: The Bishop of Durham has announced that the Reverend Judith Howes, Rector of the East Darlington Team Ministry, is to become priest-in-charge at Holy Trinity Church, Washington. She will be licensed on June 16, at 3pm.

JUMBLE SALE: A jumble sale will be held in St Columbia's Church Hall, Clifton Avenue, Darlington, on Friday, March 15, at 6.30pm.

OXBRIDGE SUCCESS: Ten students at Darlington's Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College have been offered conditional places at Oxford and Cambridge Universities. Laura Bernstone, Sarah Welch, Simon Dobson, Kathryn Grant, Laura McKenzie and Ian McCann have been offered places at Cambridge; Alan Strickland, Peter Cuthbertson, Amy Chesterton and Anna Garavalova at Oxford.

FASHION SHOW: A fashion show will be held at Hurworth Community Centre tomorrow, at 7.30pm.

SPORTS COACHING: Free football coaching for 11 to 16-year-olds is being offered at Parkside Community Association on March 27 and April 5, from 10am to 3pm. Stephen Jackson leads a session for girls on April 5. Bishop Auckland tennis coach Keith Greenwell has a course at the Town Recreation Ground from April 2 to 5, from 1pm to 3pm. And Bishop Auckland Cricket Club is holding a one-day course at Parkside on March 27. For details call Julie Wynn on (01388) 761606

CASH BONUS: Foreman Recycling, from Spennymoor, has presented £600 to the Butterwick Hospice at Bishop Auckland.