AN event for dog lovers and owners is taking place today at Stewart's Park, Middlesbrough, from 11am to 4pm.

Pet behaviourist Lindy Metheringham will be on hand to give dog owners tips on how to train their dogs and there will be a chance to have your dog electronically tagged by the National Canine Defence League and Middlesbrough Council's dog warden. Entry is free. For more information contact Jim Moody on (01642) 515600.

SUMMER FAIR: The annual Hartlepool and District Hospice summer fair is held next Saturday, between 11am and 3pm, in the hospice's gardens at Hutton Avenue, Hartlepool. The event has been organised by the Hartlepool Ladies Round Table. Cake stalls, a tombola, raffles, face painting and games will be among the events taking place. There will be an entry fee of 25p. Tea, coffee and cream scones will be on sale.

NEW MAN: Stephen Brown, 38, is the new head of finance and company secretary of Tristar Homes, Stockton Borough Council's new Arms Length Housing Management Company. Mr Brown joins Tristar from North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust.

PAINTING APPEAL: The Oxfam charity shop in Guisborough is appealing to art lovers to snap up an original painting. The picture, by Patience Arnold, features wild flowers and is believed to be worth up to £150. The shop, in Church Street, is asking for offers over £100. For details call (01287) 639229.

TREE CUTTING: A 26-metre high 200-year-old tree, described as one of the biggest in Cleveland, will be cut down on Monday. The diseased beech tree at Normanby Hall Park will be felled by Redcar and Cleveland Council's arborist Jim James. He will take four days to fell the tree which measures 4.3 metres around its girth. The council decided to destroy the tree for safety reasons.

MEETING CANCELLED: A council meeting to discuss planning applications has been cancelled by Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council until further notice. The meeting, due to be held on Thursday, July 25, was to discuss a petition requesting safer routes to Ings Farm School.

BEER FESTIVAL: A beer festival will be held at the Captain Cook Inn in Staithes, near Whitby over the weekend of August 2 to 4 as part of the Staithes and Runswick Lifeboat weekend. There will be 30 real ales and the menu will have a maritime theme. Call (01947) 840200 for details.