THE Council of Europe's plaque of honour will be presented to Durham County Council for its outstanding international links at a ceremony on Tuesday, September 24.

The council is the UK's only local authority to receive an award for 2002, and was selected by the Council of Europe's 43 member states. Organisations involved in international work in the county will attend the presentation at County Hall, Durham, when the council's chairman, Councillor Charlie Magee, will receive an engraved glass plaque.

DAY OUT: A few seats still remain on a coach trip to York on Saturday organised by St Cuthbert's Hospice, Durham. Tickets are £7.50 and available by ringing the hospice on 0191-3861170. The coach leaves Chester-le-Street Market Place at 8.15am and collects passengers from the Walkergate Car Park, Durham, at 8.30am. There will be an opportunity to shop at the Designer Outlet, visit York Minster and explore the city's streets.

LAST HUNT: The last ghost hunt of the season at Crook Hall, Durham's medieval manor house, takes place on Sunday, at 2pm and 3.30pm. Admission costs £3.80 for adults, £3 concessions and £9.80 for a family ticket. For more details call 0191-384 8028.

FARM REFUSED: A planning inspector has rejected an appeal against Sunderland City Council's refusal to grant planning permission for a stud farm on farmland at Springwell village because the site is in a green belt.

ADVICE SESSIONS: Durham Citizens' Advice Bureau is running village outreach sessions next week on Monday, at Kelloe Community House, between 11am and noon; at New Brancepeth Village Hall, on Tuesday, from 11am to noon; on Wednesday, at Ushaw Moor Community House, between 10am and 11am; and on Thursday, at Cassop Community Centre, from 1.30pm to 2.30pm. Call 0191-383 2885 to make an appointment or drop in at a session.

DONOR DATES: A blood donor session will be held today in the Methodist Church Hall, Station Road, Consett, between 3pm and 7pm. A session will be held tomorrow at the United Services Club, Front Street North, Prudhoe, between 2.30pm and 7pm.

FLATS PLAN: Durham City Council is being asked to grant planning permission for eight flats to be built on land north of Hallgarth Street.

WELFARE TALK: Professor Edward Royle, of York, will give a talk to the Durham branch of the Historical Association about the welfare state on Tuesday, September 24, in the Pemberton Rooms, Palace Green, Durham, at 5.30pm. For more details, call Professor Gordon Batho on 0191-370 9941.

PUNK FUN: The sounds of the late 1970s will be recreated when punk band 1977 perform at the O'Neill's Irish pub, Claypath, Durham, on Thursday, at 9pm. Admission is free.