Darlington College of Technology has won a gold award from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, for its health and safety record, for the fourth consecutive year.

The college was one of a handful of educational institutions to receive the award at a presentation ceremony in Birmingham.

HOSPICE COMPETITION: A weekend break for two in London's Hilton Hotel can be won by sending two or more inkjet cartridges (not Epson) or unwanted mobile phones for recycling to raise funds for the Butterwick Hospice at Bishop Auckland. The draw takes place every month. Freepost envelopes are available from libraries and leisure centres, or the hospice on (01388) 603003.

NEW HOUSES: Thirty-four homes have been bought on a development on the Firthmoor estate in Darlington. Barratt's and Haslam Homes are building more than 400 houses on the Moorfield development as part of a multi-million pound regeneration of the estate. A show home will open on September 21.

NEARLY NEW: Spennymoor Salvation Army will hold nearly new sales on Monday and Wednesday, from 10am to noon.

GUIDED WALK: Historian George Flynn will be leading a walk taking in the Reynolds Arena and River Skerne tomorrow, starting from the corner of Geneva Crescent and Neasham Road at 2pm.

POOL PLAN: An application to convert a cow byre at Hill Farm, Bridge Road, Darlington, into a swimming pool has been submitted to Darlington Borough Council.

RAMBLERS' HIKE: Darlington Ramblers' Association is holding an eight-mile walk from Bainbridge, in Wensleydale, to Semerwater tomorrow. Meet on Bainbridge village green at 11.30am.

UNION BOOST: The Mothers' Union at St Cuthbert's Church, Darlington, raised £195 for the organisation's work at a recent coffee morning.

CHOIR APPEAL: The choir of St James the Great Church, Darlington, is looking for singers. For details call Stephen Edmonds on (01325) 250242 or Father Ian Grieves on (01325) 465980.

WHEELS STOLEN: All four wheels were stolen from a Renault 19 in Paxton Street, Ferryhill, between 7.15pm on Wednesday and 6.50am on Thursday.

SUPPORTERS MEET: The first meeting of the season of the Sunderland AFC Supporters' Association's Newton Aycliffe branch will be at 8pm on Thursday, in the town's Royal British Legion Club. For details call Stan Hall on (01325) 313172.

TRIP ABROAD: Eight catering students from Darlington College of Technology will try out their cooking skills in Germany next month. They will travel to Mulheim, Darlington's twin, thanks to a £1,000 donation from Darlington Borough Council.