Curry chefs will be putting their skills to the test during the East Cleveland Curry Chef competition today.

Chefs from four Asian restaurants in the area will have an hour to prepare food during the competition, which will be held at Redcar's Green Gates Primary School. Judges include environmental health officer Derek McGurl, school cook Debbie Wintersgill, a member of the Asian community in South Bank and Northern Echo journalist Chris Webber. The winner will go into a North-East final. A national final will be held in November.

FUNDING HELP: Redcar Racers under-13s football team has been awarded £1,000 from the West Redcar Single Regeneration Budget. The money is half the projected costings for the team's debut season in the Teesside Junior Football Alliance. For further information about how to apply for funding from the West Redcar Single Regeneration Budget Community Chest fund call Laura Ellison on (01642) 444281.

WARD SURGERY: Redcar and Cleveland borough councillor Mike Findley will hold his next surgery on Friday, July 27, at New Marske Sports Club, from 6pm to 7pm. The surgery replaces one that had been planned for Saturday, July 28.

TALK NIGHT: Thornaby and Ingleby Barwick Women's Institute will hold a "natter night" on Wednesday, July 16, at 7.30pm, in the Methodist Church, Stanstead Way, Thornaby.

SUMMER FAIR: A summer fair will be held at Billingham Campus School, Billingham on Saturday, July 5, from 1pm to 4pm.

CHURCH FETE: St Aidan's Church, Billingham will be holding a summer fair on Saturday, from 10am to 12pm.

SURGERY CANCELLED: Councillor Ken Walker, who represents Gresham on Middlesbrough Council, has cancelled a surgery that was due to be held at Ayresome Community Enterprise Centre, from 9.30am to 10.30am on Monday.