PEOPLE in Hartlepool are invited to a meeting next week to discuss possible improvements to the town's Burn Valley Gardens.

Residents in the surrounding area will be asked if they want to apply for National Lottery money to fund a study into what can be done to improve the gardens. They will also be asked for suggestions on what the improvements might be. The meeting has been organised by New Deal for Communities and takes place on Tuesday, at Belle Vue Sports and Community Centre, in Kendal Road, at 5.30pm. Anyone who cannot attend, but would like to find out more is asked to contact Richard Harland on (01429) 524124.

NATURE DETECTIVES: Anyone interested in searching for animal tracks and trails can take part in a wildlife fact-finding afternoon on Sunday, February 9, from 1.30pm to 3.30pm at Hart Saxon Church, Hart Village. Meet at the church car park. For more details, call (01429) 853325.

BABY FEEDING: Health visitors from Middlesbrough Primary Care Trust have joined forces with Sure Start to provide a weekly breast-feeding clinic at St Mary's School, Grangetown, Middlesbrough. To attend the clinic, call (01642) 467001.

ENERGY SAVED: Energy-saving measures were carried out to the 500th house in a scheme to tackle environmental issues yesterday. The project is being run by Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, Coast and Country Housing, Transco and British Gas.

REFUSE DELAYS: Because of the weather, there was disruption to the refuse collections being carried out in Stockton borough yesterday.

HIGH NOTES: Barclays Bank, in Guisborough, matched £444 raised from a concert by the Renaissance Singers for the Save the Children charity. The singers include bank employee Linda Lidster.

SCHOOL GARDEN: A sensory garden is being built by pupils at the Learning Support Unit at Ormesby Comprehensive School, Middlesbrough, for visually impaired classmates.

CHINESE INVITATION: Middlesbrough's Speaker, Councillor Ken Hall, has been invited to Chinese New Year celebrations at the Ladle Hotel, Middlesbrough, tomorrow.

CLEAN-UP: A group of 15 to 17-year-olds from the Kader Youth Club, Middlesbrough, will collect litter near the community centre and beck this weekend.