RETIRED ambulanceman Russell Stoves' lifelong love of painting has been reflected in regular exhibitions of his work across east Durham in recent years.

His latest watercolour creations can be viewed at The Discovery Centre, Seaton Holme, Easington Village, until June 26. Born and brought up in Trimdon Grange before moving to Peterlee in the 1960s, he saw 41 years' service in the former Durham County Ambulance Service until his retirement in 1993. Seaton Holme is open from Monday to Friday, between 9am and 4pm, and between 11am and 4pm at weekends.

MINING HISTORY: Durham County Council's Durham Miner Project is running a free six-week course for people interested in researching local mining history. It will be held at the Pelaw View Centre, Hilda Avenue, on Durham's Sherburn Road Estate, starting on Monday, June 30. To join, call 0191-383 4478.

ADVICE SESSIONS: Durham Citizens Advice Bureau will hold sessions today at Ludworth Community Centre, from 11am to noon, at Kelloe Community Association from 12.15pm to 1.30pm, Bearpark Community Centre from 2pm to 3pm, and at Brandon House, Brandon, from 3.15pm to 4.30pm.

COUNCIL SURGERY: Easington district councillors Joyce Maitland and Colin Patching, and Durham county councillor John Maddison, will hold a surgery for people in the Murton East ward next Monday, from 6pm to 7pm, in the Glebe Centre, Murton.

CANCER GROUP: Durham and District Cancer Support Group will meet in the general outpatients department at Durham's University Hospital, formerly Dryburn Hospital, next Monday, at 7.30pm.

TASTER SESSION: Five salsa dancing taster sessions will be held at Park View Community Association, Chester-le-Street, starting on Thursday, June 12, from 7.30pm to 8.30pm. They cost £2.50 a session.

SCHOOL CHANGES: Durham County Council plans to build a single storey extension, and make alterations to the staff room and toilets at Bowburn County Infants School, Bowburn.

PILATES COURSE: Fuller Fitness is running a four-week taster course in pilates, starting today at Chester-le-Street Community Centre, Newcastle Bank, from 4.15pm to 5.15pm. To attend, call 0191-371 2757.

MORE ROOM: Durham City Council is being asked to grant permission for a single storey pitched roof extension at the side and rear of a house in Applegarth, Coxhoe.

DONOR DATE: A blood donor session will be held on Friday in the community centre, in Front Street, Lanchester, from 3pm to 7pm.