THE leader of Darlington Borough Council received £20,693 in allowances last year.

The figure was revealed in a public notice showing how much was paid to each of the authority's 52 members. Councillors receive a standard £4,347, with additions for extra responsibilities. Councillor John Williams, as leader, was awarded an extra £16,346, and his deputy, Councillor Bill Dixon, an extra £9,807. Conservative group leader Councillor Tony Richmond received £5,721.

WOODLAND WALK: A walk on Tuesday will offer an insight into the South Burdon community woodland, on the outskirts of Darlington. Walkers should meet at 7pm, at The Farmhouse Inn pub car park, near Morton Park. For details or to find out more about the woodland group, telephone (01642) 300718.

HELPLINE AID: Darlington branch of Soroptimist International has raised money for the National Missing Persons Helpline. The helpline organised a sponsored walk from Edinburgh to London, which passed through Darlington, where Soroptimists provided overnight accommodation and food. Past president Brenda Stokoe and member Margaret Reay, who raised £100 each in sponsorship, joined the walkers on their way to Northallerton. President Kay Lang joined them later.

GARDEN RAID: Two garden planters, one in the shape of a badger pushing a wheelbarrow, the other looking like a pair of Wellington boots, were stolen from a house in the Upsall Drive area of Darlington between 6pm on Thursday and 10am yesterday. Anyone with information is asked to contact PC Greg Beswick on (01325) 742124.

HOSPITAL FETE: The Friends of Darlington Memorial Hospital are holding a fete at the hospital next Saturday, at 1pm.

RAILWAY TALK: Tony Clamp will give a talk on transport in the US, at Darlington Railway Centre and Museum, in North Road, on Thursday, at 7.15pm.

STYLISH PARADE: Vintage cars and motorbikes will be driving through the grounds of Raby Castle, near Staindrop, tomorrow, when car clubs from across the North gather for the first of a series of rallies. There will also be an auto jumble sale.