Children's Poet Laureate and author Anne Fine will be speaker at an open night held by Gainford Women's Institute on Wednesday, February 26, at 7.30pm, in Gainford Village Hall.

BIKE THEFTS: A child's Suzuki LT quad bike, worth £600, was stolen from a garage in Honister Place, Newton Aycliffe, between 4pm on Sunday and 9pm on Tuesday. A black and chrome Barracuda mountain bike, worth £470, was stolen from outside Bells Stores in Scott Place, at 8.30am on Tuesday.

WINDOWS BROKEN: Three windows in a house in Palm Road, West Cornforth, were smashed between 3.10pm and 5.30pm on Tuesday.

MOBILITY MEETING: Spennymoor and District Mobility Club, known as the Buggy Club, will meet at Spennymoor Leisure centre tomorrow, at 2pm.

SLIDE SHOW: Westgate Village Hall will host a slide show on Old Weardale tomorrow, at 7.30pm. The £2 entrance fee includes supper, all proceeds to go hall funds.

MP SURGERY: Bishop Auckland MP Derek Foster will hold a surgery at Witham Hall, Barnard Castle, tomorrow, at 5pm.

FORUM MEETS: The Spennymoor Town Centre Forum holds it first meeting of the year tonight, at 7pm, in the town hall.

GIRLS' SOCCER: Football coaching sessions for girls aged 12 to 16 are held at Parkside Community Association, Willington, on Sundays, from noon to 1pm. Call (01388) 604476 for details.

ANNUAL MEETING: The annual meeting of the Burnt Houses, Esperley and Cockfield Community Partnership will be held on Tuesday, February 11, at 7pm, in Cockfield Community Centre.

CARNIVAL PLANNING: The Middleton-in-Teesdale carnival committee will meet tonight, at 7pm, in Middleton-in-Teesdale Primary School.

CRAFT CLASSES: Parchment and decoupage classes begin on Monday, at 1pm, in Hurworth Village Hall, near Darlington. Beginners are welcome. For details, call (01325) 720177.