ABOUT 300 youngsters will be performing at a charity event tonight.

The children are taking part in the eighth annual Youth Musical Spectacular event at the Sunderland Empire, from 7pm. The show is organised by the Rotary Club of Washington Forge. Proceeds will go to the Butterwick Children's Hospice. Tickets are £6 to £10, available by calling 0191-514 2517.

PANTO TIME: Durham Operatic Society will stage Peter Pan at the city's Gala Theatre from Tuesday to Saturday, starting at 7.15pm each night. There will be matinees on Wednesday and Saturday, at 2.15pm. Tickets cost £14 and £9.50 and are available on 0191-332 4041.

TRIBUTE SHOW: Fans of Jake and Elwood's Blues Brothers are invited to Durham Gala Theatre for a Blues Brothers Soul, Rhythm and Blues Review, on February 7 and 8, at 7.30pm. Tickets are available on 0191-332 4062.

TAX HELP: Advisors from the Inland Revenue will be offering free advice next week to people who have not filed their self-assessment form. The team will be in Felling Job Centre, Gateshead, on Thursday, from 10am to 1pm.

COUNTRY SOUNDS: St Andrew's Methodist Church, in Coxhoe, will hold a country music evening in Coxhoe Village Hall on Thursday, from 7.30pm to 10pm. Tickets cost £2 and proceeds will go to the church building fund.

COFFEE MORNING: The Durham branch of the British Heart Foundation will hold a coffee morning in Durham Town Hall on Saturday, February 8, from 9am to noon. Admission is 50p.

DIABETICS MEET: Hartlepool and East Diabetic Group will meet at the new Guide headquarters, in Peterlee, on Wednesday, February 12, from 10am to noon. To join the group, call Jean Hill on (01429) 836911.

MORE ROOM: Durham City Council is being asked to grant planning permission for a two-storey extension at a house in Bridgemere Drive, Framwellgate Moor, Durham.

MAST PLAN: An application has been submitted to Durham City Council for a 15m mobile phone mast on land between the Swan and Three Cygnets pub and New Elvet Bridge.

HOMES PLAN: Derwentside District Council is being asked to grant planning permission for three houses and two flats at the Barr House Garage site, in Hutchinson Avenue, Consett.

DONOR DATE: A blood donor session will be held on Monday, from 3pm to 7pm, in the New Durham and District Workingmen's Club, in Mill Lane, Gilesgate, Durham.

DELAYS AHEAD: Roadworks will be carried out on the A1052 in Front Street, Fence Houses, near Houghton-le-Spring, all next week.

ROCK NIGHT: Snake Oil perform at the Beamish Mary Inn, at No Place, near Stanley, from 8.30pm tonight.