THE achievements of ten athletes with learning difficulties have been honoured at an awards ceremony.

The group all took part in the Special Olympic National Games in Portsmouth last month and between them won nine gold, four silver and four bronze medals in track and field events. The athletes, who all attend County Durham Care' day care services for adults with learning difficulties, competed against people from all over the country. Ian Allen, Neil Curtis, Brian Devine, Joanne Glennie, Philip Holmes, Pamela Lunn, David Richardson, Michael Robson, Paul Summerson and John Swainson received certificates of achievement and token gifts from the chairman of Durham County Council, Councillor Alan Fenwick, at County Hall.

PHOTO MEETING: Pittington Photography Club will meet on Monday in Pittington Village Hall, at 7.30pm, when Trevor Walters will give a talk called An Evening of AV. New members are welcome.

BROTH SUPPER: Parkinson Memorial Methodist Church, Sherburn Village, will hold a broth supper and demonstrations of flowers and bows on Monday, October 6, at 7pm. Admission costs £1.

CHARITY SALE: The Durham branch of the National Childbirth Trust will hold its autumn nearly new sale on Saturday, between 10am and noon, at St Aidan's Church Hall, Framwellgate Moor.

ORGAN SESSIONS: The Newcastle and District Society of Organists is holding a session at which people can find out about organ playing on Monday, October 6, at St Cuthbert's Church, Benfieldside, Shotley Bridge, at 7.30pm.

MUSICAL PRODUCTION: Newcastle Operatic Society will stage the classic musical Singin' in the Rain from Monday until Saturday, October 4, at the city's Theatre Royal, at 7pm each night with Thursday and Saturday matinees at 2pm.

DROP IN: People can drop in and get advice at Durham Citizens Advice Bureau sessions being held today at Bowburn Community Centre, from 10am to noon; at Sherburn Hill Community Centre, from 12.15pm to 1.30pm; and at Esh Winning Community Centre, from 2pm to 4pm.

SQUASH COACHING: Chester-le-Street Leisure Centre is running squash coaching for juniors and adults on a ten-week basis. Sessions are held every Sunday. For more information, contact the centre on 0191-388 6673.

FAMILY TREE: Sessions into researching family history will run every Monday evening at Chester-le-Street Community Centre from October 13, between 7pm and 9.30pm. The five-week course will show people how to find records and information and problems they may encounter.

FANS MEET: The Newcastle United Supporters' Club in Chester-le-Street is holding a meeting at noon on Sunday, at the town's St Cuthbert's Social Club. Anybody seeking transport to future games can contact 0191-389 0625.