Youngsters aged between eight and 18 are being offered the chance to appear in a summer pantomime written by former Dr Who Colin Baker.

The show, on the theme of Robin Hood Meets Local Legends, is being performed on July 12 at Lumley Castle. Auditions are being held at Newker Primary School, Chester-le-Street, today, from 9.30am.

WARD SURGERIES: Residents are invited to raise issues with district and county councillors at two ward surgeries. They are taking place in the Community Centre, Pattison Gardens, Blackhall, next Saturday, from 10.30am to noon; and in the Community Centre, McNally House, Murton, on Wednesday, June 4, from 7pm to 8pm.

FAMILY RESEARCH: A beginners' course in researching family history will be held over five weeks at Chester-le-Street Community Centre, Newcastle Bank, on Mondays, from 7pm and 9.30pm. The course starts on June 9 and costs £17.50. To enrol, call 0191-388 4752.

CITIZENS ADVICE: Durham Citizens Advice Bureau will hold advice sessions on Tuesday, at Bowburn Community Centre from 10am to noon; at Sherburn Hill Community Centre from 12.15pm to 1.30pm; and at Esh Winning Community Centre from 2pm to 4pm.

TEA DANCE: A tea dance with music by George Hetherington will be held on Tuesday, June 3, from 2pm to 4pm in The Studio restaurant, in Durham's Gala Theatre. Tickets are £6. To book, call 0191-332 4041.

BIGGER SURGERY: Durham City Council is being asked to grant permission for a single-storey pitched roof extension to Cheveley Park Medical Centre, in Cheveley Park Shopping Centre, Belmont.

4,000 YEARS: Durham County Council's education department has given long service awards for the first time to more than 400 staff, who have a combined service of more than 4,000 years.

KIDS' CHURCH: Jezreel Kids' Church, for youngsters aged seven to 11, meets every Sunday in the Methodist Chapel, Front Street, Dipton, near Stanley, between 10am and noon.

GIVE BLOOD: A blood donor session takes place in All Saints Church, Carr House Drive, Newton Hall, Durham, on Wednesday, from 3pm to 7pm.

FLAGS PLAN: Framwellgate Moor School is seeking planning permission to put up two flagpoles in its grounds in Newton Drive, Durham.

HOUSE PLAN: Durham City Council is being asked to grant permission for a two-storey detached house to be built next to Woodbine Terrace, in New Brancepeth.