A NEW charity called Friends of Senior Citizens has been launched in Newton Aycliffe. A hotline number for inquiries has been set up on (01325) 313924.

DAY TRIPS: The Jubilee Fields Community Centre, Shildon, has organised two day trips. The first is to Lightwater Valley, on Monday, July 29. The bus leaves the centre at 9.30am and returns at 5pm. Tickets are £12 for adults and £6 for children, which includes entry to the park. The second trip is to the National Play Day, on Wednesday, August 7, at Redesdale Court, Trimdon Grange, where there will be lots of activities for children. The bus leaves the centre at 9.30am. Tickets are £3.50 for adults and £2 for children.

HISTORY TALK: The next meeting of Howden-le-Wear History Society, on Tuesday, at 7pm, will hear a talk by Rose Kellett on the Land Army.

CHARITY STALL: Christian Aid will be running a bric-a-brac stall in Bishop Auckland Market Place on Saturday, July 20, from 9am.

SCRUTINY COMMITTEE: Sedgefield Borough Council's scrutiny committee covering regeneration and environment will meet on Tuesday, in the council offices, Green Lane, Spennymoor, at 10am.

ROCK NIGHT: A rock night will be held at the Belvedere Club, Bishop Auckland, on Friday, July 26, at 7pm.

SPIRITUALIST SERVICE: Shildon Spiritualist Church, in Middleton Road, is holding a service on Sunday, at 7pm, with Ken Morris. On Wednesday, the church hosts a clairvoyance night with Irene Wilson, at 7pm.

CHURCH FAIR: The summer fair at St Mary's Church, Cockerton, Darlington, takes place on Saturday, on the green, starting at 1.30. If the weather is wet, the event will be held in the church hall.

MORE ROOM: Hurworth House School has been granted permission to erect a temporary classroom in the grounds of the school, by Darlington Borough Council's planning committee, with a five-year limit.

FLYING FLAG: Hurworth Parish Council has agreed to keep the Union Flag flying permanently on the village green. No objections were raised by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport to the flag being flown permanently, provided that it is lowered to half-mast when appropriate.

FLOWER FESTIVAL: Spennymoor's Trinity Methodist Church launches a three-day flower festival with a service on Friday, July 26, at 7pm. On the Saturday the church will be open from 10am to 7pm, and on Sunday, after the morning service from noon to 5pm. The festival will close with an evening service at 6pm. For tickets call Ruby Walker on (01388) 812708.

SPORTING CALL: Wear Valley Under-17s football team is seeking new players. Players train on Tuesdays, from 6.30pm to 8pm, on the Crook school field. Contact John Dixon, on (01388) 731075, for details.