TWO thugs broke a man's cheekbone and stole his bus pass.

The pair approached their 26-year-old victim in Park Lane, Sunderland, on Saturday, between 2pm and 4pm. They demanded his bus pass, which he handed over. When he chased after them to get it back, they attacked him. Police would like to speak to several people who stopped to talk to the victim after the attack. Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0191-454 7555.

CHRISTMAS CRAFTS: Children will receive help making Christmas presents at a free workshop at Durham Clayport Library tomorrow. Christmas Crafts for Children, open to seven to 11-year-olds, will include making pomanders, festive doves, angels and garlands. It will run from 2pm to 4pm.

NEW ARTIST: Artist-in-residence Jim Harold has taken up his post at Durham Cathedral. He will combine the residency with his work as senior lecturer and researcher at the School of Art at Northumbria University, Newcastle, and his honorary lectureship in Glasgow University's Department of Theology.

DONOR SESSIONS: Blood donor sessions will be held in St Mary's Church Hall, Felling Bypass, Hedworth, and in the Methodist Church Hall, Ewesley Road, Barnes, Sunderland, from 2.30pm to 7pm, today. A session will be held at Fyndoune Community College, Findon Hill, Sacriston, from 3pm to 7pm on Tuesday

MASTS REJECTED: Residents are celebrating after Gateshead Borough Council rejected plans to site two phone masts near their homes. The authority turned down an application for one mast in Durham Road and another on the roof of Saltwell Social Club.

BIRD TALK: Peter Collins, of the National Trust, will give a talk on birds which spend the winter on Boldon Flats, South Tyneside. The talk is at the flats, in Moor Lane, off Sunderland Road, on Sunday, from 10am until noon.

DANCE DISPLAYS: Displays by TNT School of Dance will take place at 2pm and 5pm, on Sunday, December 15, at Park View Community Theatre, Chester-le-Street. For details, ring 0191-526 3028.

PONY CLUB: The Pony Club DJs will perform at the Beamish Mary Inn, No Place, near Stanley, tonight, from 8pm. Admission is free.

COUNCIL SURGERY: Durham city and county councillors for the Gilesgate and Pelaw wards will hold a surgery in the Pelaw View Centre, on the Sherburn Road Estate, tomorrow, from 10am to noon.

COFFEE MORNING: A coffee morning and sale will be held at St Cuthbert's Hospice, Park House Road, Merryoaks, Durham, tomorrow, from 10am to noon. Admission is 50p.

TEA PARTY: About 100 residents from Annfield Plain will be at Greencroft School's senior citizens' tea party on Tuesday, December 17, at 5pm.

HOME FAIR: Epworth Care Home, in Tanfield Lea, will be holding its Christmas fair tomorrow, at 2pm. Admission is free.