Pupils have raised funds for the British Heart Foundation with a sponsored skip.

Nearly 200 students at Roseberry Sports and Community College, at Pelton, near Chester-le-Street, took part in the Jump Rope for Heart event, skipping in groups of three or four for about 30 minutes. The school, which was known as Pelton Roseberry Comprehensive until it received specialist sports status, awarded prizes to the pupils who completed the most skips.

Three-quarters of the sponsorship money will be donated to the British Heart Foundation, while the remainder will go towards school funds.

POLICE MEETING: People living in Birtley are being urged by local Labour councillor Paul Foy to attend a public meeting on policing, at St Joseph's Parish Centre, Constables Garth, Birtley, on Tuesday, at 7pm.

ROCK NIGHTS: Highway 61 will be on stage at The Daisy Hill, Heugh Edge, Sacriston, on Friday, from 8.30pm. Admission is £1. For details call 0191-371 0288.

DONOR DATES: Blood donor sessions will be held on Monday at The Red Lion, Front Street, Chester-le-Street, between 2.30pm and 7pm, and on Tuesday in the Methodist Church Hall, Station Road, Consett, from 3pm to 7pm.

RESERVOIR WALK: Geographer and geologist Maurice Holliday will lead a six-mile walk to the shores of Derwent Reservoir tomorrow, starting at 10am from the main car park at Blanchland, near Consett. It costs £2, concessions £1.

ACCORDION CONCERT: Derwentside Accordion Club holds its first meeting of the year in Castleside Workmen's Club, Roley Bank, Castleside, near Consett, on Thursday, March 27, at 7.30pm. Edinburgh accordionist David Vernon willperform. Admission is £1.50 at the door.

COMMUNITY MEETING: Crookhall Community Association holds its annual meeting in Crookhall Community Centre, on Tuesday, March 25, at 6pm. Nominations for members must be presented to the secretary, Kathy Bailey, by Sunday. For further details, call (01207) 504509.

MP's SURGERY: North West Durham MP Hilary Armstrong is inviting residents to discuss their problems with her at a coffee morning in Burnhope Community Centre, on Saturday, from 9.30am. The Government Chief Whip will be joined by the leader of Derwentside District Council, Councillor Alex Watson.

BLOOD DONORS: Donor sessions take place in the Red Lion, Front Street, Chester-le-Street, on Monday, from 2.30pm until 7pm, and in the Methodist Church hall, Neville Parade, Consett, on Tuesday, from 3pm until 7pm.