The Queen's Head pub in Tubwell Row, Darlington, was refused a public entertainment licence yesterday.

The pub's licence was due to expire in April, but Darlington Borough Council officers said electrical work needed to be completed before the licence could be renewed.

BLUEPRINT MOVE: Plans for a community strategy to promote environmental and economic growth in Darlington are being moved forward by the borough council. The blueprint is closely linked to proposals to turn Darlington into the gateway to the North-East and more than 500 copies have been issued for consultation.

CHURCH SALE: St Paul's Church, Spennymoor, is holding a nearly new and rummage sale in the parish hall next Tuesday, at 7pm.

MOBILITY MEETING: Spennymoor and District Mobility Club, known as the Buggy Club, will meet at Spennymoor Leisure centre tomorrow, from 2pm. New members or helpers are invited to visit.

WIND DAMAGE: Fire-fighters from Crook had to remove tiles from the roof of the Commercial pub, in Commercial Street, Willington, after high winds dislodged them.

THEATRE DATE: Bishop Auckland Theatre Hooligans present The Essay at Bishop Auckland Town Hall tonight and tomorrow, at 7.30pm. Tickets are available from King James Community Association, on (01388) 603543.

FITNESS DEAL: Visions Leisure Club, at Woodhouse Close Leisure Complex, in Bishop Auckland, and Glenholme Leisure Complex, in Crook, are running a joint promotion to help Wear Valley residents get into shape. Members enrolling in February and March can join for £3.37 a week. For information call (01388) 602557 or (01388) 766902.

GAMING MACHINE: The owners of 6 Bakehouse Hill, Darlington, formerly Yankee Franks, have been given permission to have gaming machines on the premises. The three-year permit was granted by Darlington Borough Council's licensing committee yesterday.

CHARITY AID: The University of the Third Age in Darlington raised £282 for the Great North-East Air Ambulance when members joined singers from the Meltones Male Voice Choir to sang carols in the foyer of Morrisons, at Morton Park, in December.

LEARNING SLOTS: There are still places available on an eight-week adult learning course at Bennett House, Horsemarket, Darlington, starting on January 21. Sign of the Times explores Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey and Shakespeare's Macbeth in the context of the times in which they were written.

SPANISH CLASS: Weekly classes exploring Spanish history, geography and culture will begin at Witham Hall, in Barnard Castle, on January 21. The ten-week Spanish Experience classes, taken by Jim Nicholl, will be held every Tuesday at 6.30pm and the course costs £41.50, but concessions are available. For more details, or to book, contact the hall on (01833) 631107.