VISITORS to Darlington's town centre library will get the chance to enjoy more than just a good book today.

Staff at the Crown Street library are staging a free face painting and activity day, from 10am to 4pm.

The theme is "space" and activities will include making rockets, space suits, badges and alien masks.

Children can also join the Reading Planet, a reading scheme which will be running through the summer, and launch a rocket on to the treasure map, where prizes can be won at the end of the holidays.

FUN DAY: A fun day to celebrate the Queen's golden jubilee was held by Chilton West Residents' Association at Chilton Working Men's Club, in the village, on Saturday.

COLLECTION DATE: Darlington Borough Council's refuse collections which were cancelled because of last Wednesday's industrial action will be carried out on Wednesday.

ROAD WORKS: Traffic lights will be operating on two sections of Parkside, Darlington, for three days from today, and for two days on one part of the road from next Monday, for road works to be carried out.

EXTENSION BID: Darlington Borough Council has received a planning application for a single storey, flat-roof extension to 25 Vane Terrace, Darlington.

TEDDY TALES: Children under seven can enjoy story time and a teddy bears' picnic at Crook Library next Monday. Children should take a cuddly toy. Tickets are available from the library, telephone (01388) 766504.

FORUM MEETING: A meeting of Sedgefield Borough Council's Area Four Forum, which covers Shildon, will be held at Sunnydale Leisure Centre tomorrow, at 6.30pm.

GARAGE SCHEME: An application to build a detached garage at 43 Starmer Crescent, Darlington, has been received by Darlington Borough Council.

GIVE BLOOD: Blood donor sessions will be held at Shildon Methodist Church Hall, on Friday, from 3pm to 7pm, and at Crook Civic Hall, on Tuesday, July 30, from 3pm to 7pm.

PLANNING MEETING: Sedgefield Borough Council's development control committee meets on Friday in the council offices, Spennymoor, at 10am.

CRAFTY CAPERS: Art Zone sessions for youngsters are being held at Spennymoor Leisure Centre on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 1.15pm to 2.45pm. Call (01388) 815827 for details.

DOG SHOW: North Yorkshire and South Durham German Shepherd Dog Club is holding a show at Bishop Auckland Rugby Club on Saturday, from 10.30am to 5pm. Entry is now closed.

OPEN DAY: Wear Valley and Teesdale branch of Victim Support is holding an open day on Wednesday at the Four Clocks Project, Newgate Street, Bishop Auckland, from 10am to 4pm.