Florist Denise Spooner, 21, won the UK Skill-florist competition held in Manchester and will represent Great Britain in an international contest in June.

She works for Richardsons Florists in Barnard Castle.

ARTIST VISIT: Local artist Barbara Renton-Wood will be setting up a studio in the Cornmill Shopping Centre, Darlington, for two weeks from today, to give painting tips to shoppers.

SWITCH ON: Christine Budd, action plan manager for the Crook Market Town Initiative programme, will switch on the town's Christmas lights in North Terrace on Friday, at 4.30pm. Crook Salvation band will provide seasonal music.

STATUE THEFT: A 2ft concrete statue of a young boy and a concrete seat with squirrel-shaped legs were stolen from a garden in Eade Close, Newton Aycliffe, between 11.15pm on Friday and 11am on Saturday.

BAND CONCERT: Ferryhill Town Band will perform at Elvet Church, Durham City, on Friday, at 7.30pm, with guest player Joe Cook from the Black Dyke Band. Tickets are available on (01388) 818858 and (01740) 655704, or on the website at www.f-t-b.fsnet.co.uk.

MARKET TRIP: The Friends of Senior Citizens charity has organised a bus trip to Lincoln Christmas Market on Saturday, December 7, with pick-ups at Fishburn, Sedgefield, Newton Aycliffe, Shildon, Heighington and Darlington. To book telephone (01325) 313924.

RADIOS STOLEN: A Kenwood radio and CD player worth £250 was stolen from a white Nissan Micra in Isherwood Close, Newton Aycliffe, between 10.20pm on Friday and noon on Saturday. A Sony radio and CD player was stolen from a Vauxhall Cavalier in Bryant Street, Spennymoor, between 2.30pm on Friday and 10am on Saturday.

WHIST DRIVE: A whist drive in aid of church funds is being held at Evenwood Parish Hall on Saturday, at 2pm.

CHARITY BOOST: Richmond Town Pipes and Drums collected £531.53 in Bishop Auckland town centre on Saturday, November 16.

CHRISTMAS FAIR: St Peter's Parish Church, Byers Green, Spennymoor, is holding a Christmas fair on Saturday, In Byers Green Village Hall, at 2.30pm.

SUPPER DANCE: Witton Park Dancing is holding a supper dance at Witton Park Village Hall on Saturday, from 8pm to 11.3pm. Tickets are available on (01388) 662271, 665346 or 601400.

COUNCIL DATE: A meeting of Darlington Borough Council's planning applications meeting will be held in the town hall on Wednesday, at 1.30pm.

LUNCH DATE: Members of Darlington Borough Council's Get Everyone Motivated scheme will be holding a Christmas lunch at the Freemasons' Hall, Archer Street, Darlington, from noon to 4pm today.

BOOK LAUNCH: Author Jean Wade will be launching her book Half a Jellybean at Bennett House, in Darlington's Market Square, today, from 10am to noon.