PUPILS can be sure of a tasty start to the day thanks to a £3,100 grant.

The pupils in Lindisfarne Community Primary School's breakfast club in Newcastle will continue to receive free breakfasts afterbeing given the cash from Newcastle Building Society. The children, aged three to 11, have been given free meals since 1998 through funding from the NHS. But, despite being in an economically-deprived area, that funding has dried up and the club had to cast around for another source of cash.

OARS OUT: Business people will be pottering about on the River Wear when Durham Amateur Rowing Club stages its Company All-Comers Regatta on Saturday. The All-Comers is a fun event held each year, a couple of weeks after Durham Regatta, and is for rowing novices. The rookie crews are trained by qualified rowing coaches and have five training sessions before competing in fours. The club has invited local companies to take part.

BIG GIG: The Dr Sunshine band, which plays covers ranging from The Who to Oasis, will play at The Demi, in Consett, on Friday, July 12. The gig is the last of five promoted by music enthusiasts Impact Promo, of Consett, who last December received £4,800 from National Lottery agents Awards for All to stage the concerts. Tickets cost £2 from the Demi, or pay at the door for £2.50. More information is available about Impact Promo on www.impact-promo.co.uk

DONOR SESSIONS: Blood donor sessions will be held next Wednesday at Fyndoune Community College, Findon Hill, Sacriston, between 3pm and 7pm, and on Friday, at the Community Centre, Iris Crescent, Ouston, between 2.30pm and 6.45pm.

SKA SOUNDS: Skamania will be playing the music of the Ska and Two Tone era, including The Specials and Madness, tonight at the O'Neill's Irish bar in Claypath, Durham, starting at 8.30pm. Admission is free.

BAT WALK: The Castle Eden Dene National Nature Reserve, near Peterlee, is holding a bat and moth evening walk and barbecue on Saturday, July 6, between 8pm and 11pm. The organisers suggest a £2 donation. To book a place, call 0191-518 2403.

FUN DAY: Thornley Young People's Project, which has just become part of the Investing in Children scheme, is holding a jubilee family fun day in Thornley Community Centre and Welfare Park, on Saturday, July 6, from 1pm to 4pm. Local organisations, businesses and churches have been invited to contribute, and there will be sporting events, fancy dress, beauty therapy tasters, sideshows, raffles and stalls.

GARDEN FETE: The Foundation Studies section of East Durham and Houghall Community College held a garden fete in the college garden at the Burnhope Way site, Peterlee, on Tuesday. Profits will be donated to the Sarah Dowson appeal.