A SCHEME to eliminating the chance of asbestos releases in schools could win approval tomorrow.

Durham County Council's cabinet is being recommended to back the preparation of asbestos management plans in 261 non-church schools. The programme could cost £50,000 in the current financial year.

SHOW SUCCESS: The Farrers Arms Leek Club, Crook, held its annual show at the weekend. Marian Abbott won the members' biggest leek prize with an entry of 109.71 cu cm. Her husband, John, was third. John Colling was runner-up but took the best leek in show prize. Other results: Compulsory flowers: 1 Paul Philips; 2 John Hall; 3 Peter Wellings. Intermediate leek: 1 John Hall; 2 John Suffield; 3 Paul Philips. Onions: 1 Carol Suffield; 2 John Abbott; Shirley Craig. Buttonhole: 1 and 2 John Abbott; 3 Marian Abbott. Large vase flowers: 1 John Suffield; 2 John Abbott; 3 John Hall. Tray of three vegetables: 1 Carol Suffield; 2 John Suffield; 3 John Abbott.

CLUB GIFT: The Royal Oak Leek Club, at Butterknowle, raised £350 for the village school with an auction of produce at its annual show. Terry Snowdon retained the L A Tookey Champion Leek Shield and added the A A Simpson Trophy for the Best Leek in Show and the Bob Snowdon Memorial Trophy for most points for vegetables. Secretary John Constable retained the Castle Eden Brewery Shield for most points in the flower classes. David Parnaby and George Dodds were also trophy winners.

BOOK EXCHANGE: Pupils at Hurworth Comprehensive School, near Darlington, are holding a book exchange day day on Friday as part of the National Reading Campaign.

CAR STOLEN: A white Vauxhall Astra, registration S311 JGC, was stolen from Vickers Court, Newton Aycliffe, on Monday.

ADULT COURSES: Places are available on two Workers' Educational Association adult courses in Darlington. Civilising the Workers deals with the social relevance of working class movements. The other is Understanding Landscape through Geology. Both start on September 25. For details call (01325) 285126.

PLAY DATE: People are invited to Shildon's Civic Hall, for a free night of entertainment hosted by the town's drama groups Centre Stage and the Tearaways. The groups will perform three plays tomorrow and Friday, from 7.30pm.

SPORTING BID: Ferryhill Town Council is preparing bids for funding for the next phase of improvements to the King George V playing fields. The work will include creating footpaths and installing seating, youth shelters, a safety surface around the play wall, a BMX track and extra fencing. The cost of the work is £70,000.

KEEPING FIT: Health walks in Newton Aycliffe are continuing this month. Walks start and finish at the Pioneering Care Centre, in Cobblers Hall. For details call (01325) 321234, minicom (01325) 313133.