A centre where people with disabilities can get training has opened in Birtley, near Gateshead.

Set up in Durham Road by Shaw IT training and the Northern Pinetree Trust, it can cater for up to eight people at a time. The centre is aimed at disabled people who want to learn for their own pleasure, or to gain qualifications such as City and Guilds. It has a range of specialist software and adaptive hardware. Anyone in Tyne and Wear interested in the centre can call Lesley Hind on 0191-230 0066 or 0191-492 8200.

EASY STROLL: Steve MacDonald will lead a six-mile walk around Kibblesworth for the Acorn Amblers, starting at 1.30pm, on Sunday, from the car park off the A6076, near the Hedley West Farm House.

ADVICE SESSIONS: Durham Citizens Advice Bureau is holding drop-in sessions today at Ludworth Community Centre, from 11am to noon; Kelloe Community Association, from 12.15pm to 1.30pm; Bearpark Community Centre, from 2pm to 3pm; and at Brandon House, Brandon, from 3.15pm to 4.30pm.

QUO TRIBUTE: On the Level, a tribute band dedicated to Status Quo, will perform at The Daisy Hill, Heugh Edge, Sacriston, on Friday, starting at 8pm. For further details, call the venue on 0191-371 0288.

HELP AVAILABLE: Durham city councillors for the Pelaw and Gilesgate ward will hold a surgery on Saturday in the community hall, McNally Place, Gilesgate, between 11am and 1pm.

BANG ON: Mugenkyo, Europe's only professional group of Taiko, or Japanese drumming, will perform at Durham's Gala Theatre on Wednesday, September 10, at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £12.50, with concessions available. For more details, call the box office on 0191-332 4041.

GOLF CASH: A charity golf day at the Ramside Hall Hotel and Golf Club by the national Federation of Demolition Contractors raised £7,000 and was won by the Newcastle branch of recruitment specialists Meridian Business Support.

ON STAGE: Good to Firm, written by local writers Ed Waugh and Trevor Wood, will be staged at The Customs House, South Shields, from Wednesday to Saturday, September 24 to 27. Tickets cost £9 (concessions £7). The box office can be contacted on 0191-454 1234.

ART DISPLAY: The tiny village of Snod's Edge, near Consett, will hold its annual art exhibition in the church hall on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, between 10am and 6pm. The exhibition will feature the work of 35 artists. Entry costs 30p

PARKING PLAN: Consort Healthcare and the County Durham and Darlington Acute Hospital Trust are seeking planning permission to build a 178-place car park for staff at the University Hospital of North Durham, in Durham