TRADITIONAL North-East fair was on offer at the Northumbria Food Festival on the Newcastle and Gateshead quaysides, near the Millennium Bridge, at the weekend.

A team of chefs prepared local produce for visitors to sample, and they were also given culinary tips and recipe secrets during a series of demonstrations. The majority of the festival's 50 stallholders are members of Northumbrian Larder, the regional speciality food group, which organised the event with the backing of the Government marketing agency, Food From Britain. Regional development agency One NorthEast, Gateshead borough and Newcastle city councils, Newcastle's Centre for Rural Economy and the Countryside Agency all supported the two-day event. Further details of speciality regional foods are available on the website, www.northumbria-larder.co.uk.

CYCLISTS SOUGHT: Entries can still be made for a 15-mile cycle ride, starting and finishing at Meadowfield Sports Centre, near Durham, to raise funds for Cancer Research UK. The event, on Sunday, August 17, starts at 10am in the fields alongside the centre, off the A690, and uses many off-road routes. Further information is available from Cancer Research UK's Cycle for Life hotline on 0870-161 1010.

BENEFITS ADVICE: Drop-in sessions are staged for anyone with benefits rights queries, at Easington Colliery Library, on Tuesdays, from 10am to midday. Durham County Council's welfare rights team is providing the service to allow claimants to talk directly to experts.

CIVIC SERVICE: The Mayor and Mayoress of Peterlee, Councillors Brian and Jean Joyce, stage their annual civic service at St Cuthbert's Church, in the town's Manor Way, on Sunday, September 7, at 6pm.

HOSPICE BOOST: St Cuthbert's Hospice, in Merryoaks, Durham, is staging a shop and coffee morning, featuring a book sale, jewellery, bric-a-brac and home-made produce. It runs from 10am to noon on Saturday. Admission is 50p.

STUDENT FLATS: An application to develop a three-storey residential building for student accommodation has been lodged with Durham City Council for a site in Back Silver Street. 3R Property Developments, of Holmside, near Sacriston, has applied for planning permission.

COFFEE MORNING: St Cuthbert's Church, Shadforth, near Durham, is staging a coffee morning at Shadforth village hall on Saturday, from 10.30am. It features various stalls and refreshments will be available.