Peter William Harris, 52, appeared before Chester-le-Street magistrates yesterday charged with assaulting a 16-year-old at Park House, a council-run respite home for children with disabilities in Sherburn, near Durham.

Mr Harris, from Granville Road, Peterlee, pleaded not guilty and the case was adjourned until August 15 for a pre-trial review at the court.

EXTRA SURGERY: North West Durham MP Hilary Armstrong will hold an extra advice surgery for constituents at Lanchester Community Centre, from 9.30am, on Saturday, July 13. The regular advice surgery at Citizen's House, Consett, will run from 11am on the same day.

THEATRE DATE: Theatre Cap-A-Pie, at Front Street, Dipton, will present a week-long festival of theatre, film and workshops, starting from next Friday. All performances are free, and for all ages. For information, contact (01207) 571177.

STRAWBERRY TEAS: Shad-forth Village Community Association will be serving strawberry teas in the village hall on Sunday, from 3pm to 5pm.

SPORTS TIME: More than 1,000 pupils will take part in the fifth annual Gateshead Primary Schools Athletics festival today. The event, at Gateshead International Stadium, will see pupils from 48 schools taking part in a variety of sporting events.

PICTURE PERFECT: Pittington Photography Club will be holding a slide and print competition on Monday at Pittington Village Hall. The club's annual exhibition takes place the following Monday, July 15. Both events start at 7.30pm.

NEW NUMBER: The telephone number (01207) 282719 for The Northern Echo's Stanley office is no longer in operation. The public are instead asked to call either (01207) 280613 or (01207) 280614.

CHARITY CASH: The Rotary Club of Stanley and the Inner Wheel of Stanley raised £1,200 from a sponsored walk recently. The cash will be distributed to local good causes.

FLOWER FESTIVAL: A flower festival will be held at St Patrick's Church, North Road, Dipton, on Saturday, from 1pm to 6pm and Sunday, from noon to 6pm. This year's theme is crafts and hobbies. Admission is free although donations may be made. Special visits by community groups may be made for the following week. Contact (01207) 570366 or (01207) 570874 for details.

DUNTSON FESTIVAL: The third Dunston Festival will be held on Saturday, at Dunston Park, in Gateshead, from noon to 4pm. This year's event will have a golden jubilee theme.

SUMMER ZEST: Sporting entertainment is planned for the children of Derwentside during the summer holidays at Stanley's Louisa Sports Centre and Consett's Belle Vue Leisure Centre. Sessions include crazy games, five-a-side football, parachute games, disco, inflatables and beat the clock. Call the Belle Vue centre on (01207) 218151 and the Lousia Centre on (01207) 218877.