A DECISION on the controversial sale of school playing fields in Darlington is expected to be made within 15 weeks of the borough council submitting its proposals to the Education Secretary.

The local authority wants to sell part of the land at Longfield Comprehensive School to provide an indoor tennis centre. If the bid is successful, an application for National Lottery funding to help finance the sports centre will be made.

CHARITY PLEA: Disabled charity Scope is appealing for donations of unwanted evening wear and accessories at its Darlington store. Collected items will be sold in the Skinnergate store's Frock-tastic fashion festival, from October 30 to November 8.

FESTIVE FLOWERS: Members of Teesdale Flower Club will be preparing Christmas displays at Cotherstone Village Hall, near Barnard Castle, on Wednesday, October 22, at 7.30pm. Vivian Bolton will give a demonstration called the Wonders of Winter at the meeting on November 26. For tickets call (01833) 641025.

ART EXHIBITION: Tom Coxon, former director of patient services at Bishop Auckland General Hospital, will return to the town for an art exhibition and craft fair on Saturday, October 25, between 11am and 3.30pm. Mr Coxon is providing the artwork for the event.

MUSICAL SHOW: Ferryhill Amateur Operatic Society will be staging the musical Anything Goes from Tuesday, November 4, to Saturday, November 8, in Mainsforth Community Centre, Ferryhill Station, at 7pm each evening. Tickets are available on (01740) 654094.

BICYCLE SECURITY: Shildon Community Safety and the town's police have joined forces to offer postcode marking for bicycles on Friday, October 31, at the Methodist Church, Shildon, between 10am and 3pm. For details call (01388) 314401.

TRAVEL TREK: Staff at Hays Travel, in Bishop Auckland, are putting on fancy dress for a 13-mile sponsored walk on November 2, from Bishop Auckland Market Place to the Black Swan at Evenwood, and back. Money raised will go to the Mara Unit at Bishop Auckland General Hospital.

SINGERS WANTED: Sedgefield Lyric Singers want to recruit more members, especially men, to join their weekly rehearsals in Ceddesfeld Hall, at 7.30pm, on Fridays.

SPIRITUALIST GROUP: Spennymoor Spiritualist Group meets every Thursday at 33a Cheapside.

PET CASH: A sponsored dog walk from Willington raised £1,000 for the Animal Line sanctuary.