A CALL has gone out for thespian canines to appear in a theatre group's production of the musical Annie.

Felling Stage Society is performing the show at The Dryden Centre, in Gateshead, from Tuesday, October 28, to Saturday, November 1, and needs a well-behaved dog to appear alongside the musical's main character. Anyone who would like to put their pet forward is asked to call secretary Dorothy Bell on 0191-410 5895.

FASHION SHOWCASE: Celebrities and people from the world of fashion will be at the Baltic Centre, Gateshead, for the Northern Exposure fashion show on Saturday, June 28. The event will be raising funds for the Motor Neurone Disease Association. Tickets cost £50, including a champagne reception. They are available from Helen Mannion on (01604) 611834

SUCCESS SECRETS: Michael Heppell, who works with organisations including HSBC, Scottish Power and Britvic, will give a presentation on how to excel in any field, from 1pm to 3pm, at Jury's Inn, Newcastle, on Friday. To register for the event, which costs £10 for members of Service Network and £15 for non-members, call Rebecca Sloan on 0191-515 3344.

NOMINATION EVENT: In the run-up to the North-East Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Awards, Women Into the Network, based at the University of Durham Business School, is hosting a nomination event at ezone, Team Valley, Gateshead, on Thursday, July, 3, from noon to 2pm. To book a place, call Lisa Vickers on (0208) 274 8416.

SUMMER CONCERT: Lanchester and District Choral and Operatic Society will present an evening of music from the London stage at All Saints RC Church, Kitswell Road, Lanchester, on Friday, July 4, at 7.15pm. Admission is £4, including refreshments. To book, call (01207) 521458.

CHILDREN'S SHOW: A play based on the award-winning children's book Double Act, by Jacqueline Wilson, will be performed at the Theatre Royal, Newcastle, from Tuesday, July 15, to Saturday, July 19. Tickets are available from the box office on (0870) 905 5060.

STORE UPGRADES: The North Eastern and Cumbrian Co-op has spent almost £300,000 on modernising its supermarkets at Bowburn, Langley Park and Kelloe. The stores are now trading under the Co-op's Welcome brand.

TRUST MEETS: Derwentside Primary Care Trust, which runs GP surgeries and local health services, meets at 9.30am tomorrow in Lanchester Parish Centre. The meeting is open to the public.

ROCK NIGHT: Rock band Skinflint will perform at The Daisy Hill, Heugh Edge, Sacriston, on Friday, starting at 8pm. Admission is £1.