THE Queen of Norway is to light Newcastle's Norwegian Christmas tree in a ceremony at 5.30pm on Saturday, December 7.

The Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Bergen will also be present at the ceremony, which takes place outside Newcastle Civic Centre. A carol service will be held inside the centre at 5pm. Bergen, which is twinned with Newcastle, has donated a Christmas tree to the city for the past 50 years. Lord Mayor of Newcastle Councillor John Marshall said: "It will be an honour to meet Queen Sonja of Norway to thank her personally for the marvellous Norwegian tradition, retaining our historic Viking links with Scandinavia, which go back long before the Norman Conquest."

FESTIVE SHOPPING: The Elvet Charities Supporters Group is holding a shop early for Christmas event on Saturday, November 30, at 2pm, in The Institute, Church Street, Durham. Admission is ten pence.

PENSIONERS' ADVICE: Age Concern, the police and Durham City Council are holding an advice session on Thursday, November 21, between 1.30 and 3.30pm, in the Cunningham Place Communal Room, Gilesgate, Durham. The free coffee afternoon will feature a raffle, musical bingo and advice on benefits, health and crime.

HEART FAIR: Stuart Watt's Have a Heart Campaign, which raises money for the British Heart Foundation, is holding a fair on Saturday November 23, between 2pm and 4pm, in Shadforth village hall. Stalls will include plants, crafts and a tombola, and there will be a raffle with prizes donated by local businesses.

EMBROIDERY GROUP: 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.

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.

TEA DANCE: A tea dance will be held on Wednesday in the Sherburn Sports Centre between 1.30pm and 3.30pm. Admission is £2, including tea and biscuits. For details, call 0191-386 6921.

Irish dancing: An Irish Set dancing session will be held on Thursday, between 8pm and 10pm, in St Nicholas Church Hall, Market Place, Durham. For, details, call Lindsay Craig on (01325) 375 679.

Watchdog meeting: Sunderland Community Health Council will meet today at 6.45pm in Houghton-le-Spring Methodist Church, Maitland Square.

GIVE BLOOD: Blood donor sessions will be held on tomorrow in the Methodist Church Hall, Station Road, Consett, between 3pm and 7pm and on Wednesday in Burn Park Methodist Church, Burn Park Road, Sunderland, between 2.30pm and 7pm.