A SCHOOLGIRL was rewarded after winning a firework safety competition.

Vanessa Raine, ten, was among 1,000 Sunderland children who entered a competition to design a poster promoting firework and bonfire safety in the run-up to Bonfire Night. Vanessa's poster will form the centrepiece of next year's Bonfire Night campaign organised by Sunderland City Council. She was presented with a framed copy of her poster and a £25 gift voucher by Councillor Harry Trueman during assembly at East Herrington Primary School, where she is a pupil.

DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY: Sessions in digital photography begin on Monday, January 6, at Vane Tempest Hall Community Centre, in Gilesgate, Durham. The eight-week course costs £15 with classes held from 5.30pm to 7pm. An identical course will be held at Gilesgate Community Centre starting on Wednesday, January 8, from 12.15pm to 1.45pm.

RECYCLE TREES: Gateshead Borough Council will operate Christmas tree recycling centres from Boxing Day until Monday, January 13, at the Central Nursery, Whickham Highway, between 9.30am and 3pm, the recycling centre, Wrekenton, between 8am and 8pm, and the Cowen Road recycling centre, Blaydon, between 8am and 8pm.

SECURITY DRIVE: Elderly residents can apply for a share of £170,000 which has been set aside to improve home security. South Tyneside Crime and Disorder Partnership is offering to fit door-locks, chains, window-locks and smoke detectors free for older residents. For details, call 0191-427 7000.

LANGUAGE LESSONS: Classes in intermediate German, which will include the culture, art, history, geography and folklore of the country, take place at Chester-le-Street Community Centre on Fridays, from 1.30pm to 3.30pm. The course runs for ten weeks, starting on January 17 and costs £2.50 a session. To enrol, call 0191-3884752.

BOGUS COLLECTORS: People in South Tyneside are being warned about bogus charity collectors operating in the borough. South Tyneside Council has launched a campaign urging people to check the credentials of any street collector. For details, call 0191-424 7945.

STEAK RAFFLE: Butcher Harry Coates, who has shops in Framwellgate Moor, Coxhoe and Trimdon Village, is raffling two Aberdeen Angus fillet steaks for St Cuthbert's Hospice. Tickets are 50p.

VIP guest: Santa Claus comes to South Shields tomorrow for his annual appearance at the Customs House pantomime. He will be on hand until Christmas Eve to greet youngsters before showings of Mother Goose.

MAN HOME: Adanan Alam, 19, who went missing from his home at The Villas, Thornley, east Durham, on October 26, has returned safe and well. He disappeared prior to attending a party.