Sparky's Toy Library in Darlington is open to new members.

The library includes a variety of games and books for the under fives and membership is £2. The toy library is open at Skerne Park children's centre, on Friday, between 9am and 11am and items can be returned on Thursdays, between 1.30pm and 2.30pm. A tool library has also been set up at The Neighbourhood House, Skerne Park. It is open between Tuesday and Friday, from 10am to noon.

BUS ATTRACTIONS: Young people from the Skerne Park area of Darlington are being encouraged to use the town's Blitz Bus. The vehicles is visiting the area twice a week while improvements are carried out at the community centre, in Coleridge Gardens. The bus includes a television, video and computers. Trained staff will be available to give advice to youngsters on a variety of topics.

GENEROUS DONATIONS: People have donated more than £1,000 in memory of a Darlington woman who died of cancer. The Cancer Research UK shop, in Darlington, received a cheque for £1,176 from a local man. Winsome Dicken died earlier this year, and at her funeral last month her husband, Robert, requested that instead of buying flowers, relatives and friends should make a donation to Cancer Research UK.

LANE RESTRICTIoNS: Roadworks are continuing in St Cuthbert's Way, Darlington. Lane restrictions are in place and work is expected to last for another few weeks.

Disabled access: Darlington Borough Council is hoping to improve disabled access to one of its buildings. The development and environmental department has applied for permission to build a wheelchair ramp at the authority's Central House, in Northgate.

House fire: Firefighters were called to a house in Greenbank Road, Darlington on Sunday night. No one was hurt in the blaze but the first floor was badly damaged.

Street collection: A collection for the National Ankylosing Spondylitis Society, in Darlington town centre at the weekend raised £103.32.

CHARITY LUNCH: A couple opened their home for an antiques luncheon in aid of a charity for the elderly. Richard and Caroline Wilson, of Cliffe Hall, near Piercebridge, held the event to raise funds for the Royal UK Benefit Association, known as Rukba. The luncheon raised almost £2,700 for Rukba's North of England fund.

Residents' meeting: Volunteers in Skerne Park, Parkside and surrounding areas of Darlington are needed to join a new partnership. The Skerne Park Partnership has been set up to encourage residents to work with local groups and councillors to improve the area. For information, contact (01325) 353416.

SMART ART: An exhibition of Smartie sweet tube creations will be held at Timothy Hackworth Museum, Shildon, on Sunday, from 10am to 4pm. There will also be craft stalls, a bouncy castle and tombola for Father's Day fun.