Authors mark world book day

Four leading children's authors - Nina Bawden, Jackie Murhall, Sandra Glover and Kjartan Poskitt - will be marking World Book Day at a special event in North Yorkshire. Local children are being invited to hear the authors speak at the Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough, on Thursday, March 14. There will be morning and lunchtime sessions, with readings and book signings.

Coffee morning: A coffee morning in aid of the Northallerton Alzheimer's Society day centre is taking place in the town hall on Wednesday, March 20, from 9.15am to 1pm. The event includes a tombola, cakes and bric-a-brac stall.

Research fair: The first Hull York medical school research fair takes place at York University's central hall on Thursday, April 11, from 6pm. The event will be chaired by York Health Services NHS Trust chairman, Alan Maynard.

AIRBAGS STOLEN: Airbags were removed from two cars left overnight outside homes in Stapleton early yesterday morning. A Hyundai Accent and a Ford Focus were both broken into sometime between 1am and 3am yesterday.

BIKE MISSING: A valuable mountain bike, worth as much as £1,000, is missing from a private garage in Gilling West. Thieves are thought to have got into the property sometime between Thursday night and Saturday and stolen the XTC Naper. Anyone offered a similar model cheap is warned to be on their guard and to call police if they are suspicious.

Crossing closes: Drivers in the Northallerton area are being warned about the temporary closure of the C2 road at Welbury level crossing because of essential maintenance work from 10.30pm next Saturday to 8am the following day.

Walling work: Members of the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers will be practising their dry stone walling skills at Risplith, near Ripon, from March 21 to 23. Places are still available on the course and anyone interested should telephone (01748) 811970.

Purse snatched: An opportunist thief snatched a woman's purse as she shopped at the Safeway store in Malton on Saturday. The purse, which contained £34 cash, was stolen just after 9am