GUIDED walks covering nearly 500 miles of County Durham's outstanding countryside will start next month.

Durham County Council's new programme includes more than 70 walks ranging from two to 14 miles.

Included in the programme is a mini festival of walks for Easter. Tickets cost £2, concessions £1. Copies of the programme can be obtained from libraries and Tourist Information Centres, or from Durham County Council, on 0191-383 4144 and via the what's on section of the www.durham.gov.uk website.

STOLEN CARS: A Peugeot 205 car stolen from Ewehurst Crescent, Dipton on February 20, has been found burnt out in Sunniside, Gateshead, while a Nissan Sunny car taken from Hobson Industrial Estate, Burnopfield, on February 25, was dumped in the grounds of Prudhoe Hospital, Northumberland. Anyone with information is asked to contact PC Jonathan Bell, at Stanley police, on (01207) 232144.

PHOTO DISPLAY: MindOut's national photographic exhibition, called One in Four, has gone on display at East Durham and Houghall Community College, Peterlee. The exhibition, which also features work by local people whose lives have been affected by mental health problems or learning disabilities, will run until March 30.

CROMWELL TALK: Local historian David Butler will discuss the impact of the English Civil War on County Durham in a free talk to be held at Durham's Clayport Library on Monday. Tickets can be booked on 0191-386 4003, or collected from the library.

SPIRITUAL HEALING: The National Federation of Spiritual Healers is holding a healing session in the Shakespeare Hall, North Road, Durham, tomorrow, from 1.30pm to 4pm.

MP'S SURGERY: North West Durham MP Hilary Armstrong will hold a drop-in advice surgery in Citizen's House, Consett, tomorrow, from 10am.

MORE CAMERAS: Gateshead Community Safety Partnership has received £24,000 from the Government to buy eight portable security cameras to be placed in shops.

LIONS MEET: Chester-le-Street Lions Club will meet on Monday, at 8pm, in Chester-le-Street Cricket Club, in Ropery Lane.

ROCK NIGHT: The Rockin' Zimmers perform at The Daisy Hill, Heugh Edge, near Sacriston, tonight, from 8.30pm. Admission is £1.

WORLD SOUNDS: The Pony Club will perform world music at the Beamish Mary Inn, No Place, near Stanley, tonight, from 7.30pm.

DEMOLITION PLANS: Derwentside District Council plans to demolish 58 council houses in Devon Crescent, Moorside, near Consett.