Two people were hurt, one seriously, in a head-on collision between two Vauxhall Astras on the A692, near the Safeway roundabout, Consett, at the weekend.

A police spokesman said a 47-year-old woman was driving in one direction when a 74-year-old man driving in the opposite direction collided with her while overtaking another car, at 6.30pm on Saturday. The woman suffered minor cuts and bruises while the man had serious, but not life threatening, chest and leg injuries. Both drivers, who are from the Consett area, were taken to the University Hospital of North Durham.

ROPE TALK: Colin Mountford will give a talk on rope haulage on the Bowes Railway when he addresses Durham County Local History Society in St Giles Parish Church, Gilesgate, Durham, at 2pm on Saturday.

NEW SUBJECTS: New classes are starting at the Park View Community Association, Chester-le-Street. They include holiday Spanish and tai chi classes. Both classes will be held on Tuesdays and start on February 25. For details call 0191-388 1043.

LIGHTING SCHEME: A £130m scheme to replace and improve Sunderland's street lighting has been approved by the city council's cabinet. The 25-year scheme, which will see the installation of 35,000 lighting columns in its first five years and 3,500 road signs upgraded, is due to start at the beginning of April.

DANCING DISPLAYS: Newcastle Dance Theatre will put on a display at Park View Community Association, Chester-le-Street, from Friday to Sunday. The Bowick School of Dance will perform at the same venue from Thursday, February 27, to Saturday, March 1. For details call 0191-388 1043.

DIGITAL IMAGES: Digital images will come under the spotlight when Pittington Photography Club meets tonight in the village hall. The meeting starts at 7.30pm.

JACK AND JILL: A pantomime, Jack and Jill, will be staged in Springwell Village Hall, Washington, this week. The show has been sponsored by Graham Electrical Services, of Gateshead, and Fell House care home, of Springwell village. Performances run from today until Saturday. They start at 7.15pm today until Friday, and at 2.30pm on Saturday. Tickets are £4 for adults and £3 concessions.

FREE BOWLS: Free bowls sessions for children over the age of nine will be held at Houghton Sports Centre, from today until Friday. For details contact 0191-553 6465.

TAP DANCE: A course in tap dancing for adults will be run by the Lilian Aubrey School of Dance, at Chester-le-Street Community Association's centre, on Newcastle Bank. For details call the association, on 0191-388 4752.