MEMBERS of Durham's Gala Theatre Junior Stage School will put their new-found skills to the test with a performance of the specially-written children's musical, Ocean World, on Wednesday, at 7.15pm.

Described as "a magical musical for children", it features the adventures of a humpback whale and her calf travelling from the breeding ground of the southern coral reefs to the cold waters of the northern seas. Tickets cost £7.50 and £5. Further details are available from the box office, on 0191-332 4050.

ART DISPLAY: Crook Hall, Durham's medieval manor house, is holdings its fourth annual exhibition of North-East artists from next Friday to Sunday, August 31. It is open Sunday to Friday, between 1pm and 5pm. Admission costs £4 for adults, £3.50 for concessions and £11.50 for a family ticket.

FUN DAY: Groundwork West Durham is holding a fun day for children aged from eight to 11 in Hamsterley Forest from 10am to 3pm on Thursday. The pick-up point will be Tanfield Lea Working Men's Club. To book a place, or for further information, contact Claire Longstaff on (01207) 693202.

MONEY RAISED: Macmillan Cancer Relief's Derwentside branch raised £444 during a street collection in Consett and Lanchester last Saturday. The committee has thanked people who contributed and the volunteers who gave their services as collectors.

CHIEF RETIRES: Gateshead Borough Council's director of development and enterprise, Jerry Barford, is retiring after a local government career which started in Canada in 1968. The last 20 years of his career were spent in Gateshead.

PARK LARK: The next Lark in the Park held by Derwentside District Council will be staged at Oakies Playing Fields, Stanley, from 11am to 4pm, on Monday. There will be fun and games led by leisure rangers, giant inflatables, a soft play area and live entertainers. Admission is £3 (adults and under-threes free).

HEART GROUP: The Washington Young at Heart Group has been set up to help patients get better by learning about fitness and diet. The group was formed by Sandra Ansah, a nurse with the Sunderland Teaching Primary Care Trust, with the backing of the British Heart Foundation. It meets at Washington Arts Centre, Fatfield, at 7.30pm on the first Wednesday of every month. For further information, call Anne Richardson on 0191-417 8378.

BIKE RIDE: A cycle ride will be held from Crawleyside to Langley Park on Wednesday. The event, which has been organised by Derwentside District Council, is one of a series of bike rides around the district's extensive cycle network. A packed lunch and your own bicycle is required. Places must be booked via the leisure hotline on (01207) 218014.