ONE of the founders of a branch of the Parkinson's Disease Society will celebrate his 80th birthday on Sunday with a party for more than 100 family, friends and colleagues.

Leonard Palmer, of Strawgate Grove in Darlington, helped form the Cleveland branch of the society in 1981 after a close friend had been diagnosed with the disease. He is chairman of the Cleveland branch and is helping to set up a group for sufferers in Darlington, as well as backing plans to start a group at the University Hospital of North Tees, in Stockton.

ESTATE MEETING: The Red Hall Partnership will hold its annual meeting on Monday, September 9, in Red Hall Community Centre, Darlington, at which the management committee and honorary officers will be elected.

FLOWER FESTIVAL: St Mark's Church, Eldon, near Bishop Auckland, is staging a flower festival called Art in Bloom from Friday, August 30, to Sunday, September 1.

STITCHING COURSE: The Darlington branch of the Workers' Educational Association will hold a ten-week course called Aspects of Stitching starting on Wednesday, September 25, at Bennet House, Horsemarket, Darlington. For details, or to book a place, call (01325) 357801.

NEW HOUSES: Sedgefield borough councillors will decide on Friday whether to grant permission for two bungalows and two flats to be built in South View, Middleston Moor, Spennymoor.

COFFEE MORNING: Darlington Conservative Association is holding a coffee morning at Walkington House, Vane Terrace, Darlington, on Saturday, from 10.15am to noon. Entry costs £1.

DEPOT CHANGE: Darlington Borough Council has received a planning application to change a gas depot in John Street, Darlington, into a builders' yard and to erect two buildings.

HEALTH MEETING: South Durham and Weardale Community Health Council meets in Clairmont Family Centre, Princes Street, Bishop Auckland, at 1.30pm today.

EXTENSION PLANS: A planning application has been submitted to Darlington Borough Council to build a two-storey extension to 2 East Close, Sadberge.

ROAD RACE: A 10km road race starts in Bishop Auckland market place on Sunday, at 9.30am.

MUSIC DAY: The Asda store in Spennymoor is hosting a day of musical events on Saturday from 10am.

HOUSE EXTENSION: Darlington Borough Council has been asked to grant planning permission for a garage to be rebuilt and a one-storey extension to be added to a house in Brinkburn Drive.