THIS SUNDAY five churches in Teesdale will open their doors so members of the public can visit and have a look around.

Holy Trinity Church, in Startforth, will be open from noon until 5pm, Boldron Mission Church will be open from 2pm until 5pm, St Mary's Church, in Rokeby, will be open from 2pm until 5pm as will St Mary's Church, in Brignall, and St Giles Church, in Bowes. The afternoon is taking place as part of the national Heritage Open Days event.

ALL CHANGE: Plans to convert the former Weardale Mountain Bike shop in Front Street, Frosterley, into a house, which were submitted by Mr and Mrs P Comb, of High Shipley Farm, Hamsterley, are among recent applications to Wear Valley District Council. Mark McHale is asking for permission to use his upstairs flat in Cockton Hill Road, Bishop Auckland, as a shop, barbers and office. Mr and Mrs Steward, of John Street, Eldon Lane, wants to change a shop and home in Spencer Street into a home. And W Mackrell, of Priors Path, Ferryhill, is applying to build four homes next to South Acre, Oakenshaw.

BUMPER THEFT: The front bumper, including indicators and lights, was stolen from a black Ford Escort, registration number K989 REY, in Lumley Crescent, Ferryhill, in the early hours of Sunday morning. It will cost £150 to replace.

CAR STOLEN: A Ford Fiesta, registration number J632 TPK, was stolen from Park Road, Trimdon Grange, between 10.30pm on Friday and 9.30am on Saturday.

MOTORBIKE THEFT: A yellow Suzuki RM125 motocross motorbike, valued at £4,500, was stolen from Raby Road, Ferryhill, between 8pm on Friday and noon on Saturday.

DAY TRIP: St Clare's Church, in Newton Aycliffe, has organised a trip to the Royal Armories Museum, in Leeds, on Saturday, September 28, leaving the church hall at 9am. Tickets for the trip cost £7.50 and are available from Brenda Bennett on (01325) 312030.

TRUST MEETING: The next meeting of the Sedgefield Primary Care Trust board will be held on Thursday, in the boardroom, Green Lane, Spennymoor, from 2pm.

FORUM MEETs: Sedgefield Borough Council's area forum for Fishburn, Sedgefield, Trimdon and Mordon will meet at Fishburn Youth and Community Centre, Butterwick Road, tomorrow at 7pm.

CHARITY CONCERT: Barbershop music comes to Sedgefield Village on Saturday. The Friends of St Edmund's Church have booked the Harmony Drifters of Hartlepool for the concert, at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £5, concessions £3, at the door or from Sedgefield Post Office or Katie's Kitchen, and include supper.

DROP-IN POSTPONED: The relaunch of Shildon Salvation Army's Junior and Drop-in Club has been postponed. Both clubs were supposed to start again this Friday, but due to unavoidable circumstances the clubs will start again on Friday, September 20.