A NURSERY opened yesterday at Viewley Hill School, Hemlington, with places for 30 children. Headteacher Andrea Williams said: "The new nursery is an excellent environment for the children of Hemlington and no less than they deserve. We are very proud of it and I am sure it will lead us to great success in the future.''

STAGE RECORD: A new comedy by North-East writers Ed Waugh and Trevor Wood has broken box office records more than two months before it is staged. More than 1,000 tickets have been sold for Dirty Dusting, to be staged at the Customs House, South Shields, from February 5 to 8. To book, call 0191-454 1234.

ROAD OPENS: The A171 at Birk Brow, near Guisborough, has reopened having been closed for a week. The road was closed for resurfacing. Villagers on the diversion road through Margrove Park, Boosbeck, Lingdale and Stanghow had expressed unease at dangers caused by increased traffic.

DANCE DATES: Stokesley's leisure centre will stage weekly tea dances aimed at both experienced and novice dancers. Two-hour sessions will be held every Monday, from 2pm, starting on January 20. Admission is £1.80. For more details, call (01642) 711140.

CHRISTMAS SHOW: Incandescence will perform at the United Reformed Church, Redcar, on Saturday, December 21, at 2.30pm. Tickets are £2.50. The Clare Singers perform the same day, at 7pm, tickets are £3.50, and £2.50 for under-18s.

VALUES PLAY: A play which celebrates Victorian values and exposes the hypocrisy, racism, and drug dealing of the era is at Prior Pursglove College, in Guisborough, until tomorrow. Call (01287) 280800 to book.

CRAFT SESSIONS: Children aged between six and ten can make glitter pictures, angels and festive decorations at the Rainbow Leisure Centre, in Coulby Newham, today, from 4.30pm to 6.30pm. Admission is £1.25.

STEEL YOURSELF: Teesside's community steel band, Steelworks, launched in March, is setting up a steel band for 12 to 18-year-olds and another for adults. Anyone interested is asked to call (01642) 315244.