Closure is defended.

University bosses have defended their decision to close an academic department in the face of objections from their popular late chancellor.

Campaigners hoping to save the East Asian Studies department, at Durham University, have released a letter of support they got from former Chancellor Sir Peter Ustinov.

But university bosses say there is no way they will reverse the decision, which is part of its Strategic Improvement Programme (SIP). A university spokesman said: "In deciding on its Strategic Improvement Programme, the university was not making a choice based on theories or philosophies about the relative value of science or languages, or other subjects.

"It was dealing with the actual state of teaching and research, and other factors, right across the university."

Driver accused

A DRIVER was charged yesterday with causing death by dangerous driving over a fatal accident in Shiremoor on Wednesday night.

Gavin Fuller, 33, of Albion Terrace, Lynemouth, Northumberland, appeared at North Tyneside Magistrates Court yesterday and was remanded in custody.

The crash happened at 11.55pm on Wednesday June 16 when a Ford Fiesta was found crashed into a lamp post near Shiremoor Metro station.

Gareth Cain, 21, of Barmouth Close, Wallsend, was killed in the crash while two teenage girls who were also in the car were both hurt and are recovering in North Tyneside Hospital. Fuller faces charges of causing death by dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and driving without insurance.

Pensioner fined

A PENSIONER who flashed a double V-sign at a speed camera has been fined pounds 100 for not being in control of his vehicle, it emerged yesterday.

Frank Benson, 71, from High Above Park in Selside, Cumbria, made the gesture to a camera in Kendal.

Three weeks earlier the plumber had been fined pounds 60 for doing 44mph in a 40mph zone.

Mr Benson's son Tom said the V-sign was "a spur of the moment reaction" in response to the previous fine.

He was fined pounds 100 by South Lakeland Magistrates and ordered to pay pounds 35 costs.

Parking costs

COUNCILLORS in Berwick have ruled out the idea of taking over responsibility for on-street parking enforcement in the district because of the cost implications.

A decriminalisation scheme which would involve council car parking attendants taking over from traffic wardens and being able to issue non-endorseable fixed penalty tickets would cost around pounds 300,000 to introduce.