A pro-cannabis campaigner described plans to set up a cafe selling the drug in York.

On a high of a different sort, Ryedale planners told Flamingo Land to repaint its latest attraction, the towering Cliff Hanger ride - to reduce its impact on the skyline.

Rachel Willis, the former York pupil turned AOL girl "Connie", was mugged for her mobile phone in London.

The Electoral Commission published plans to radically shake-up North Yorkshire's constituency boundaries.

Far-right British National Party candidates gave a jolt to mainstream politicians by winning three seats in the Lancashire town of Burnley during local elections.

Transport Secretary Stephen Byers resigned, claiming it was the "right thing to do for the Government and the Labour Party". He had denied misleading MPs by telling them his department's communications director, Martin Sixsmith, had resigned, when he had not. Alistair Darling replaced Mr Byers.

Seven people died and dozens were injured when a passenger train derailed, smashing into a bridge and platform at Potter's Bar in north London.

Roy Keane was sent home from the World Cup in Japan and South Korea after criticising his side's preparations for the tournament.