A NEW course at Greenfield Community and Arts Centre, Newton Aycliffe, is aimed at creating a star of the future.

John Melvin will lead the course throughout the ten weeks. Mr Melvin is responsible for the success of Kindle, an all-girl trio formed when they were pupils at Greenfield, and originally called Elite. The vocal coaching course is open to people from eight upwards and costs £30. For details or to enrol contact (01325) 379048.

POETIC MUSE: People are being invited to write poems saying what they like or dislike about Witham Hall, Barnard Castle. Prizes of £10 book tokens are being offered for the best efforts in three age categories - under-12s, 12 to 18 and adult - in a competition linked to National Poetry Day on October 9. The winners will be asked to read their verses at a concert by David Platstone, a performance poet, and singer Abby Harrison. Poems should be submitted to the hall office by Friday, October 3.

BIKER HURT: A motorcyclist suffered minor injuries in a collision with a car on the A167, near Aycliffe Village, at 1pm yesterday. The accident caused traffic delays for an hour.

AREA FORUM: A meeting of Sedgefield Borough Council's area forum for Sedgefield village, Fishburn, the Trimdons, Bradbury and Mordon, will be held in Tremeduna Grange, Trimdon Village, on Wednesday, at 7pm.

GOLF CONTEST: Bishop Auckland Cricket Club's golf team will play a Bishop Auckland Golf Club team tomorrow, starting at 11am, at the golf club. The cricket club, which is celebrating its 150th anniversary, beat the golf club at cricket earlier this year.

SNOOKER TALK: Darlington Snooker Club, in Corporation Road, is staging an evening with professional Jimmy White on Saturday, at 6.15pm. Tickets are available on (01325) 241388.

COLLEGE COURSES: Places are available on adult evening courses in sociology, philosophy, English language and computing, at Darlington's Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College. For details telephone (01325) 461315.

BLOOD DONORS: A session for blood donors is being held at Cockerton Club, Woodland Road, Darlington, on Wednesday, from 3pm to 7pm.

REUNION DATE: The next informal lunch of the Darlington High School Old Girls' Association takes place on Wednesday, at 12.15pm, at the Chequers Inn, Dalton-on-Tees.

FRIENDS INVITATION: The Friends of Senior Citizens charity has extended an invitation to all over-60 clubs members and care home residents to visit for bingo on Wednesdays, at 1pm. Call (01325) 313924 for details and transport information.