A COMPREHENSIVE school is seeking a ceramic artist in residence to work with its pupils.

Branksome School in Darlington wants the artist to hold occasional workshops in exchange for use of its studio. Anyone interested in taking up the post, or wanting further details, can contact the school on (01325) 380776.

EXAM SUCCESS: Durham County Council's director of education, Keith Mitchell, will be guest speaker when Bishop Barrington School, in Bishop Auckland, celebrates its pupils' GCSE successes on Wednesday, November 27.

FORUM MEETS: Great Aycliffe Town Council holds its town centre forum on Wednesday, November 27, at 3pm. The meeting will take place in the council chamber, School Aycliffe Lane, Newton Aycliffe.

MESSIAH CONCERT: Bishop Auckland Choral Society is hosting a performance of Handel's Messiah at St Mary's RC Church, Vart Road, on Saturday, December 15, at 7.15pm. Tickets are available on 0191-378 0707 or (01388) 834359, from any choir member, or at the door.

FESTIVE FUNDRAISER: The Newbiggin Methodist Chapel will host a coffee and carols event on December 10, from 10.30am.

CONCERT DATE: The Spennymoor Town Band and Junior Section are giving a Christmas concert on Saturday, December 21, in Spennymoor Town Hall, at 7.30pm. Tickets are available on (01388) 815276, or by post from: 9 Buttermere, Spennymoor, DL16 6UD.

CRAFT FAIR: Abbey School's Parents and Friends' Christmas craft fair will be held at the infant school, Cleveland Terrace, Darlington, tonight, at 7pm.

HISTORY TALK: Darlington Historical Society meets on Wednesday for a talk by John Leroy on Victorian architecture in the North. The event takes place at Walkington House, on Vane Terrace, at 7.30pm.

POPPY APPEAL: This year's Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal in Coundon and Leeholme raised £394.

SCHOOL SALE: Tow Law Millennium Primary School is holding a table-top sale on Sunday, December 1. Sellers need to arrive at noon and buyers from 1pm. To book tables call (01388) 730283 during school hours.

CHARITY CONCERT: A charity concert in aid of the Friends of Senior Citizens charity will be held at Horndale Working Men's Club, Newton Aycliffe, on Thursday, December 5, at 7.30pm. Tickets are free to pensioners, who still need to register, and £2 for others. They are available on (01325) 313924.

HOMES PLANS: L and R Garner Ltd, of Pinewood Crescent, Heighington, has submitted a planning application to Wear Valley District Council for permission to build two detached houses and garages on an allotment site at Church Lane, Hunwick. An application to build a dormer bungalow and garage behind Holly House, West Terrace, in Billy Row, has also been submitted to the authority.