A BUS service has been a hailed as a success after attracting scores of tourists to the Durham Dales throughout the summer.

The Black Grouse Bus was launched earlier this year as part of a bid by Durham County Council to boost the rural economy. The bus brought people from around the region to the dales and looks certain to run again next year. A trailer was also fitted to the bus so that people could take their bicycles with them. The service brought people from Newcastle, stopping at Gateshead, Stanley, Annfield Plain, Consett, Stanhope, Barnard Castle and Hamsterley Forest.

EATING DISORDERS: A meeting about eating disorders is being held in Hurworth Grange Community Centre, near Darlington, on Tuesday, October 1, at 1.30pm. Members from the Yorkshire Centre for Eating Disorders will speak to the public. The event is hosted by Hurworth Grange Women's Institute. There will be a charge of £1 for non members. Phone (01325) 720981 for more information.

SUNDAY BIKING: On and off road mountain biking around Darlington is being held every Sunday at 11am. There are rides to suit all abilities. Cyclists meet outside the Dolphin Centre. For more information phone 07762 908016.

VICTIM SUPPORT: Great Aycliffe Town Council has made a donation of £100 to the Sedgefield district branch of Victim Support.

DATE SET: The date of next year's Great Aycliffe Show has been set for the weekend of June 21 and 22.

MACHINE ORDERED: Great Aycliffe Town Council has agreed to buy a cutting machine to deal with tree stumps within the council woodlands.

ROSE SHOW: Sedgefield Rose Society 's annual show will be held in the Golden Lion Inn, on September 28 and 29.

POSTCARD TALK: Sedgefield Local History Society heard a talk on old postcards by Robin Cook at its September meeting. On Monday, October 7, the talk will be The Bowes Family of County Durham and their Collections, by Dr Howard Coutts , the senior curator of Bowes Museum. The meeting will be in Ceddesfeld Hall, at 7.45pm, and visitors are welcome.

KARATE CLASSES: The Durham Academy of Martial Arts Club has Kyokushin Karate classes on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at Unit 2, Low Grange Road, Spennymoor. Children and adults are welcome and all levels are catered for. Telephone Adam Walker on (07713) 411198 for more details.

CHAPEL HARVEST: Woodland Methodist Chapel has a harvest festival on Sunday, September 29, at 6pm. On Tuesday, October 1, at 6.45pm, David Rabbitts, from Cotherstone, is giving a video show, A Country Lad in the South Atlantic, followed by a produce sale.

NEARLY NEW: A nearly new sale will be held in St Clare's Church hall, Newton Aycliffe, on Tuesday, September 24, at 10am.