NO ARRESTS: An investigation is ongoing into allegations of assault by a staff member at the Priory mental health hospital, in Middleton St George, near Darlington, a spokeswoman for Durham Police has confirmed. No arrests have been made.

INTIMATE FAREWELLS: Funeral directors Saint and Forster, in Darlington, have opened a small chapel for families seeking low-key funerals for their loved ones. The chapel has room for just 12 mourners. Director Keith Munt said: “We have created a new and bright chapel of rest in which we can conduct funerals for small groups of people with much more intimacy than they might experience in a large church or at a crematorium chapel.” Call 01325-485111.