A NURSERY facing closure has been given an extra two years to find a new home.

The future of the Stepping Stones Co-operative Nursery, based at Shotley Bridge Hospital, near Consett, was thrown into doubt because of redevelopment at the hospital. But the North Durham Health Care Trust has given it until 2004 to move following a campaign by parents and North West Durham MP Hilary Armstrong, who said: "It is now vital that we secure a long-term future for the nursery and that we as a Government work to improve every aspect of childcare in Derwentside.''

MEETING SWITCH: Durham City Women's Institute has lined up a new venue for its monthly afternoon meetings for the forthcoming season. Members are advised that the meetings, on the first Tuesday of the month, will be staged at St Nicholas' Church Hall, in the Market Place, from tomorrow, at 1.30pm.

CYCLE BOOST: Six cyclists used pedal power to raise cash for a hospice. Riders Jim Ruddock, Laurence O'Keefe, Keith Whitaker, Les Wharton, Michael Conner and Dave McElrue cycled 217 miles from their home town of Blackhill, Consett, to Edinburgh. The event raised £1,300 for the Willow Burn Hospice. The cash will go towards the hospice's bid to move to a new unit at the Shotley Bridge Hospital site.

LAB PLAN: Derwentside District Council's development control committee will be recommended on Thursday to approve plans to build a single-storey laboratory at Derwentside College's site at The Green, Lanchester.

LAUGHTER SHOW: Stanley Civic Hall celebrates its re-opening after refurbishment by staging the Jimmy Cricket Laughter Show on Saturday, starting at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £10 and are available by calling (01207) 218899.

LIONS MEET: Chester-le-Street Lions Club will meet on Monday, next week, at Chester-le-Street Cricket Club, Ropery Lane, at 8pm. Anyone interested in the club's social and fundraising activities is welcome to attend. The club meets on the second and fourth Monday of each month. For details call the secretary Trevor Blacklock on 0191-388 3755.

DANCE CLASSES: Two dance classes are being held at Framwellgate Moor Community Centre, Durham, on Wednesday. A children's sessions takes place between 5.30pm and 6.30pm and an adults line dance class will be held from 6.30pm to 7.45pm.

STORY TIME: A story time session for pre-school youngsters will be led by Carol Attewell and Jacqui Rodgerson at Durham Clayport Library, Millennium Place, Durham, on Wednesday, at 11am. Admission is free.

PHOTO WALK: Philip Nixon will lead a walk for photographers called The Lord and the Little Count, tomorrow. It will start at 10.30am at the Londonderry Statue in Durham's Market Place.