A celebration of children's play has been organised as a family event in Hartlepool later this month.

Summerhill, a 100-acre outdoor pursuits and countryside site off Catcote Road, will host a range of activities from 1pm to 3pm on Wednesday, August 12 to mark National Play Day.

All activities will be free and will include a play bus, bouncy castle, circus skills, face painting and a scavenger hunt.

ROADWORKS: Remedial roadworks on the A19 between Norton and Parkway, near Stockton, will start on Monday and last for about two weeks. The work is the first of nine phases, although some may last for only a day. The main impact for motorists will be at interchanges along the road either side of the Tees Viaduct.

POETRY DAY: A poetry day will be held in Hartlepool next Wednesday. Award-winning County Durham-born poet Katrina Porteous will run two workshops based on the theme of the sea, at Hartlepool Art Gallery, in Church Square, from 2pm to 3pm and 3.30pm to 4.30pm. Tickets for the workshops cost £1.50. Ms Porteous will also read some of her poems at 7.30pm, at the gallery, alongside Northumbrian piper Chris Ormston. Tickets are £2. Call (01429) 869706 to book.

GALA EVENT: Saltburn Cricket Club will hold a gala day at the club, in Marske Hill Lane, on Sunday, August 10, from 1pm to 5.30pm. Admission is £1, free for children, and will include live acts, a car boot sale, craft stalls, beat the keeper, miniature railway rides and afternoon teas. Live acts interested in appearing can call Geoff Burke on (01642) 487191. Call the same number to book a place in the car boot sale, at £5.

SPIRITED AID: Television psychic Derek Acorah helped to raise £6,200 for Zoe's Place babies hospice, at Normanby, with a charity appearance at Middlesbrough Town Hall. Ballad singer Robbie Jacks was a supporting act.

SEAT CHECKS: Parents are invited to the Tesco store, Belle Vue Way, Hartlepool, on Monday, between 10am and 4pm, to have child car seats checked for free.