FORMER Middlesbrough and Darlington footballer Don Burluraux has signed up to seek promotion for Redcar.

Mr Burluraux, who played for Middlesbrough from 1968 to 1972, then Darlington, has been appointed Redcar and Cleveland Council's Tourist Information Centre manager.

He completed a customer care course set up by the English Tourism Council after being made redundant from his 14-year job as an ICI quality control laboratory analyst.

MUSIC SUCCESSES: Five students from the Trimdon area have been successful in Royal Schools of Music examinations. They are: piano - Andrew Younger, grade one; Rachael Booth, grade two; Rose Maddick, and James Gething, grade four. Theory - Sarah Dobson, grade five distinction.

CONCERT BONUS: A concert by the Carol Andrew Singers at Aske Hall, Richmond, raised £938 for Darlington's St Teresa's Hospice.

CHRISTMAS CRIB: Bishop Auckland Methodist Church is displaying its Christmas Crib in Morrison's supermarket from Friday to next Tuesday, in aid of the Great North Air Ambulance.

QUIZ NIGHT: A quiz at the Green Tree pub, Tudhoe Village, on Sunday, at 7.30pm, will raise funds for next year's village show.

GHOST STORIES: A performance of Ghost Stories by the Castle Players due to be held at Bishop Auckland Town Hall on Sunday, has been cancelled. Refunds are available from the box office or the Tourist Information Centre.

LUNCH DATE: St Mark's Church, Eldon, is serving Christmas lunches on Saturday, from noon to 2pm.

PAIN TALK: Campain, formerly Action on Pain, is hosting a talk by Sister Anne Harrison at Bishop Auckland General Hospital today. For information call Christine Brydon on (01325) 244865.

FUNDRAISING FOLK: A concert by the Dales Folk is taking place at Mickleton Village Hall, Teesdale, on Saturday, at 7.30pm, to raise money for the Laithkirk church fund. For tickets telephone (01833) 640697.

CHARITY BOOST: The Darlington branch of Save the Children raised £952 through the sale of Christmas cards.

BLOOD DONORS: Blood donation sessions will be held at the church hall, Wolsingham, from 3.15pm to 7pm next Tuesday, and Teesdale Sports Centre, Barnard Castle, on Thursday, December 19, from 2pm to 7pm.