TWO men were treated for smoke inhalation after a fire in the kitchen of a house in Buckingham Terrace, Leeholme, near Bishop Auckland, yesterday afternoon.

Two appliances from Bishop Auckland went to thee house but the fire was extinguished before they arrived.

CHARITY GIFT: Darlington Flower Club has presented a cheque for £115 to the NSPCC. The money was raised by the club at their Spring Fling social event at the Headlam Hall Hotel in March. The presentation took place at the club's open evening at Polam Hall School, Darlington. The evening was held to raise money for the Air Ambulance Service.

CHURCH MEETING: The annual parish meeting for St James the Great Church, Darlington, will take place on Thursday, beginning with Mass at 7.15pm.

SALE DATE: A thrift shop is being set up at St Columba's Church and the Clifton Centre, in Clifton Avenue, Darlington, on Saturday, from noon to 1.30pm.

TOWN WALK: A guided walk along an ancient lane in Darlington will be held on Sunday, at 2pm. The Salters circular walk, which is under three miles, will explore the Harrowgate and Springfield areas of Darlington. Walkers should meet guide George Flynn at the corner of North Road and Longfield Road, Darlington. The walk costs £2 for adults and £1 for children and concessions.

CRAFTS GROUP: Twiglets, a group for children under five, will enjoy art and craft activities at Bishop Auckland Town Hall on Thursday, at 1.30pm.

COTTAGE PLAN: A planning application to build a holiday cottage at Boundary Cottage Farm, Inkerman, Tow Law, has been submitted to Wear Valley District Council.

MORE HOMES: Newton Moor Construction, of Ushaw Moor, wants to build four houses in West Road, Willington. A planning application has been submitted to Wear Valley District Council.

COMMUNITY AGM: West Auckland Memorial Community Association is holding its annual meeting in the Memorial Hall on Thursday, at 7pm. New committee members are being sought.

EXPANSION BID: West Park Equestrian Services is seeking planning permission from Wear Valley District Council to build 15 stables at West Park Farm, Tow Law. There is also an application for a conversion to provide living accommodation for the proprietor.

EXTRA DISHES: Wear Valley District Council has received a planning application from Durham County Council to install two transmission dishes on a mast at Collier Law Radio Site, Stanhope.