COLIN STAINSBY and Steve Smith, from Darlington, are celebrating after winning the CIU National Dominoes Championship.

The pair, who have been playing together for more than 40 years, won a trophy and £1,000 in cash.

Mr Stainsby, a warehouse worker for the Great North Air Ambulance Service, said he would spent his winnings on his wife.

The friends took part in their winning match at Darlington Club and Institute.

RINK LAUNCH: Peppa Pig and Dora the Explorer will be donning their skates this Saturday (Dec 7) at the launch of this year’s Christmas Wonderland Ice Rink. The pair will be skating round the rink in Market Square, Darlington on Saturday (December 7), between 10am and 11am, to welcome the first families to the annual event. Alex Hirst, manager of Distinct Darlington, which is running the ice rink, said: “Our ice rink was a big favourite last year and we hope bringing in some favourite characters will get the event off to a great start.”

SCOUT SHOP: Darlington and District Scout group has a shop selling badges and uniform, as well as refreshments. The shop, in Widdowfield Street, is open on Saturdays, from 9am to noon.