ADULTS will be returning to the classroom, thanks to a project in Stanley.

The Return to Learn Centre, in the old school in Front Street, opens its doors for the autumn term today. Advice and support for people with dyslexia is available.

The group runs most of its courses in schools and community centres across Derwentside. For details, call the centre on (01207) 230521.

ARTIST'S TALK: Artist Gerhard Stromberg will give a talk about his work at the Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art, in Sunderland, at 12.30pm today. It has been organised to coincide with a photography exhibition called Or So It Seemed, which explores Sunderland and its surrounding areas.

HOMES PLAN: Derwentside District Council's development control committee will today be recommended to approve plans by Dunelm (Castle) Homes to build 32 homes at Quaking Houses, near Stanley.

FOLK NIGHT: Prelude play at the Daleside Arms in Croxdale on Tuesday when Croxdale Folk Club meets. The night starts at 8.30pm and tickets cost £2.50. For details call (01388) 815162.

GIVE BLOOD: Blood donor sessions will be held tomorrow at Houghton Sports, Station Road, Houghton-le-Spring, from 2.30pm to 7pm, and at St Andrew's church hall, Whinbrooke, Leam Lane, Felling, between 2.30pm and 6.45pm.

MEDITATION NIGHT: The first in a series of eight meditation classes starts today in Alington House, North Bailey, Durham, at 7.30pm. They are being run by Darlington's Atisha Buddhist Centre. A donation of £4 per class is suggested.

EXTENSION PLAN: Derwentside District Council's development control committee will be recommended to approve plans for a two-storey extension to a house in Bryan's Leap, Burnopfield, when it meets today.

ROCK NIGHT: Watershed perform in the Stables Bar at the Beamish Mary Inn, No Place, near Stanley, on Saturday, starting at 8.30pm. For details call 0191-370 0237.

ART SHOW: An exhibition of watercolours by Angela Simpson is being held at the Discovery Centre, Seaton Holme, Hall Walks, Easington Village, until Wednesday, September 25. Admission is free and the display is open 9am to 4pm on weekdays and between 11am and 4pm at weekends.

CENTRE'S HELP: The MetroCentre has donated 14 wheelchairs to the home equipment loan scheme run by the Gateshead NHS Health Trust based at Dunston Hill Hospital.

RAFFLE WINNER: A woman from Kelloe has won a Suzuki Ignis car in a raffle run during the summer in aid of St Cuthbert's Hospice in Durham. The raffle raised £5,505.

CRAFT FAIR: Patients attending the skills centre at the County Hospital, Durham, are holding a craft fair in seminar room two at the hospital, in North Road, from 10am to 3pm today.