All registered carers with a taste for learning are invited to a lunch on Wednesday, September 4, at 1.15pm at the Carers' Resource Centre, Bishopton Lane, Stockton.

Susan Dobbing, the new link worker for courses for carers run by the Carers' Resource Centre in conjunction with Stockton Adult Education Service, hopes that carers will bring their ideas for courses. Tutors will answer questions about courses that carers have expressed an interest in such as stress management and IT.

Expansion plan: A supermarket chain has unveiled plans to invest more than £140,000 in a Redcar store. Work is due to start on the food hall at Marks and Spencer after the bank holiday. A horticulture department will also be created.

Furniture needed: Hartlepool and District Hospice is appealing for good quality furniture to sell in its shops in Peterlee, Easington and Horden. The shops are in desperate need of furniture in order to raise funds to help support the work of the hospice. Anyone who has unwanted furniture can call (01429) 869286.

Pensioners Alliance: The general meeting of the Civil Service Pensioner's Alliance will be held in the St Mary's Centre, Corporation Road, Middlesbrough, on Thursday, September 5, at 2.00pm. The speaker will be Mr M Findley of Cleveland Pensioners, a branch of the National Pensioners Convention.

Tap dancers: Tap dancing actors are required by amateur theatre group The Border Players Yarm for their production of Stepping Out, by Richard Harris, at the end of November. Auditions are on Monday, September 2. For details call Annette on (01642) 818471.

Say goodbye: A memorial service will be held for the Alderman of Stockton Borough, James Tatchell, who died on August 6 aged 82. The service will be held at noon on Saturday, August 31, at the church of St Mary Magdalene, Whitehouse Road, Billingham.