The Dolphin Centre's Pulse Two fitness suite in Darlington is to receive more that £25,000 worth of new fitness equipment.

Ten new fitness machines will be installed to complete the £100,000 refurbishment programme, which began last year. The equipment will include cross trainers, new chest, tricep and multi-hip machines and new abdominal and lower back machines.

COUNTRY MUSIC: Middleton-in-Teesdale Workingmen's Club will host an evening of country music by Dave Read at 8.30pm tonight. Tickets are £3.50, available at the door.

NEW CENTRE: Clifton Centre Community Association, in Darlington, is in line to be given £490 by Darlington Borough Council to buy a tea trolley, chairs, a cash register, book shelves, kettle and a toaster. The centre will open next month and will provide a base for residents for recreation, learning and volunteer work.

NEW GARDEN: The Prince's Trust Volunteer Programme is to receive £250 from Darlington Borough Council, for a sensory garden in the grounds of St Matthew's and St Luke's Church.

SINGING GROUP: The Richardson Singers of Darlington are in line to be given £200 by Darlington Borough Council, to buy new sheet music.

FREE PARKING: Christmas shoppers in Darlington could be given free car parking. Darlington Borough Council's cabinet has recommended that the council offers free parking on the four Thursdays before Christmas from 4.30pm. The move will cost the council about £750 per day. The Crown Street car park, operated by the Cornmill Centre, will also be free on these evenings.

WARDENS APPROVED: A new team of countryside wardens has been given the go-ahead to patrol the nature reserves of Darlington. As reported in The Northern Echo earlier this week, the volunteer wardens will support the council in preserving and enhancing the town's wildlife.

GUIDE TRIP: A Guide is set to receive £100 to help her fund a trip to a camp in Japan in November. Adele Pearson, of Darlington, who is a student at Teesside University, needs to raise £1,600 for the trip.

POND CLEARANCE: A conservation task to clear vegetation from Drinkfield Marsh, Darlington, will take place next Saturday from 10am to 4pm. For more details, call (01325) 369152.

GUIDED WALK: A four-mile walk around Low Coniscliffe will be held on Wednesday. Walkers are asked to meet at 1.35pm at the Baydale Beck pub. There is a charge of £2 for adults and £1 concessions.

FANCY DRESS: A children's funfair and Halloween fancy dress takes place in Skinnergate, Darlington, next Saturday from 10.30am to 4pm. The funfair continues daily until November 2.

OPEN EVENINGS: People interested in courses at Darlington College of Technology are being invited to two open evenings next week. For details, call the college on (01325) 503030.