STUDENTS Sam Kennedy, 16, and 17-year-olds Sam Prior, Matthew Barlow and Emma Gallon, of Prior Pursglove College, Guisborough, have been invited to perform at the Royal Festival Hall, London, next month.

They make up the Priory Ensemble and one of two new works which they will play was composed by Sam Kennedy. Their invitation to London follows success at the regional National Festival of Music for Youth auditions in March this year.

Music teacher Bridgett Kendall said: "They are very talented musicians and are a great credit to the college and themselves.'' The ensemble will play alongside other pupils from the college at St Nicholas's Parish Church, Guisborough, on July 8 - five days after their capital performance.

CHARITY CHANCE: Staff at a Hartlepool store are so enthusiastic about fundraising they have found themselves with no charities left to support. As a result, the staff at Woolworths are seeking nominations from local children's charities. Over the past two years they have raised more than £1,500 through their own charity, Kids First. Anyone wishing to nominate a local children's charity should write to Barbara Moore, Woolworths, Middleton Grange Shopping Centre, Hartlepool.

ALLOTMENT CONTEST: Saltburn, Marske and New Marske Parish Council's annual Joe Abraham Allotments Competition will take place on Wednesday. Saltburn and New Marske will be judged in the morning and Marske in the afternoon. First prize for each is a £35 voucher.

CLUB MEETS: The Grenfell Club for people with a learning disability will hold its annual meeting on Thursday, July 25, at 7.15pm, at the Grenfell Club, Ridley Street, Redcar. All are welcome to attend.

NEW DIRECTOR: A new director of social services has been appointed at Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council. Maurice Bates will join the authority from his post as Newcastle City Council social services head of commissioning in September.

SAVIOURS' FESTIVAL: A fishermen's choir, roving musicians, story-tellers and sea shanties will be the entertainment on offer at a free festival organised to celebrate the 200th anniversary of lifesaving in Redcar. The event will be held at Kirkleatham Hall Museum, near Redcar, on Saturday and Sunday next week.