A GROUP of young footballers are meeting councillors to try to get lighting for their football pitch.

Gateshead councillor Kevin Dodds has arranged a meeting with the group tomorrow to discuss "the cage" in Bensham. Coun Dodds said: "I have arranged to meet these young people and will be pressing for this lighting to be provided. "The pitch has become known as the cage following the television adverts with 24 players playing football on a ship. The provision of lighting means they will be able to play in a safe environment up to 10pm. "We should be doing everything we can to help young people and provide facilities for them."

CHARITY HANDOUTS: Christ's Hospital, at Sherburn House, near Durham, has made its latest round of donations to good causes in the North-East. It has donated £2.18m in the past five years.

CAROL CONCERT: Park View Community School will be holding a carol concert at the North Lodge site, in Chester-le-Street, on Tuesday, December 17. For details, call 0191-388 2248.

CHRISTMAS SONGS: Christmas with The Argus Singers takes place at Chester-le-Street Methodist Church, on Saturday, December 21, at 7pm, with traditional and modern Christmas music. For tickets, or details, call (01207) 521058.

BLUES NIGHTt: Dr Brown's Blues band will perform jump and swing blues at the Daisy Hill, Heugh's Edge, near Sacriston, on Friday starting at 8.30pm. Admission is £1.50.

STITICHED UP: An embroidery group meets on Tuesdays, between 1pm and 3pm, in Newton Hall Community Centre, Carr House Drive, Newton hall, Durham. For details, call 0191-386 9006.

ADVICE SESSION: Durham Citizens Advice Bureau will hold outreach sessions tomorrow in Meadowfield Surgery, Brandon, from 10am to 11am, and between 1.30pm and 2.30pm, in Oversteads House, Ushaw Moor. Call 0191-383 2885 for details.

GET DANCING: Ballroom and sequence dance classes run by Norma Naylor are held on Tuesdays at the Arts Centre, Biddick Lane, Fatfield, Washington. Beginners' classes run from 1pm to 2pm, and intermediate classes are held between 2.30pm and 3.30pm. Admission is £1.20. For details, call 0191-219 3455.

FAB FUN: Beatlejuice, a tribute band dedicated to the music of the Fab Four, will play at the O'Neill's Irish pub, in Claypath, Durham, on Thursday, from 8.30pm. Admission is free. For details, call 0191-383 6951.

INSURER'S ACCOLADE: Brokers Castle Insurance Services, of Durham, has been awarded Investors in People status.

TRAINERS STOLEN: Thieves stole a large quantity of Adidas Superstar trainers from a lorry on Bells Close Industrial Estate, Lemington, Newcastle, in the early hours of yesterday. Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 0191-214 6555 ext 65543.