JIM Harold, who combines a career as a practising artist and lecturer, has been appointed artist-in-residence at Durham Cathedral.

He is a senior lecturer and researcher at Northumbria University, and his work includes sculptures. He will spend a year in Durham.

BIODIVERSITY TALK: Keith Bowey, of Durham Wildlife Trust, will give a talk on biodiversity in Derwentside at Tanfield Comprehensive School at 7.30pm on Monday. Groundwork West Durham will host the event to launch Action for Biodiversity and Communities in Derwentside (ABCD), a project funded by the National Lottery.

CHARITY CONCERT: The Mayor of Seaham, Councillor Peter Campbell, will host a charity concert at St John's Church, on Thursday, March 20, at 7pm. The evening will feature Durham Constabulary Male Voice Choir and soprano Joyce Shaw. Tickets, priced £3, can be bought by calling Lisa Wilkinson on 0191-581 8034.

TREE PLANTING: Newcastle City Council's parks and countryside rangers are holding a tree planting event at Sugley Dene, Newcastle, from 1.30pm on Saturday. Starting at the Neptune Road entrance, the event will include explanations of the healing quality of trees. To take part, call 0191-273 2983.

LIBRARY CLOSED: Jarrow Library will be closed from Monday, February 17, until Tuesday, April 22, to allow modernisation work to be carried out. Work to be undertaken includes building an entrance porch and approach ramp, enlarging the windows, new shelving and a new computer system.

HEALING SESSION: The National Federation of Spiritual Healers will hold a healing session at Shakespeare Hall, North Road, Durham, from 1.30pm to 4pm on Saturday. Sessions are held on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month.

MUSIC NIGHT: Newcastle band Psychedelic Breakfast will perform at the Garden Farm Hotel, Chester-le-Street, with support from the Mock Fish and Lee Kross, on Friday, February 7, from 8pm. Tickets cost £3.50 and are available at the door.

NEW GUIDE: The history and present attractions of South Tyneside are featured in the 2003 South Tyneside Visitor and Accommodation Guide launched today. The guide will be distributed throughout England.

SPORT SUPPORT: Gateshead Borough Council is to give £2,380 to Blaydon Tennis Club. The money will be used to provide equipment to develop the club's community coaching programme.

BRASS BAND: Consett Junior Brass Band, which is celebrating is 30th anniversary this year, will perform Songs of Praise at Consett Parish Church at 3pm on Sunday.

MONEY RAISED: The Consett Corps of the Salvation Army will hold a table-top sale at its headquarters in Sherburn Terrace, Consett, from 10am to noon on Saturday.