A hawk had to be rescued by firefighters yesterday morning after becoming trapped in a tree. The bird of prey was freed by Darlington firefighters from the tree in Nunnery Lane, at 8am.

TRAFFIC DELAYS: Road restrictions will be in operation in Parkside, Darlington, this week while Transco carries out maintenance work. Brusselton Lane will be closed from Wednesday for three weeks for work by UK Coal Mining. Traffic lights will continue to operate in Palm Bridge Road, Middleton St George, until June 14.

DATE CHANGED: St Columba's Church, Darlington, has brought its annual gala forward to Wednesday, at 1pm.

COFFEE EVENING: St Cuthberts Church Centre is holding a Queens Guide celebration coffee evening on June 12, at 7.30pm.

GROUP MEETING: The Darlington Probus Club meets at the Arts Centre, Darlington, on June 24.

SOCIAL EVENT: The Darlington Coronary Support Group is holding a social evening on June 18, at the Dolphin Centre. For details call secretary Jim Rutherford on (01325) 352035.

HELPING HAND: A Bank Holiday tea is being held by Westgate Women's Institute at the village's Methodist schoolroom today, between 3pm and 6.30pm, in aid of the Weardale Community Hospital Appeal.

NEW CROSSING: A pedestrian crossing in St Augustine's Way, Darlington, is to be replaced by Darlington Borough Council. The work is expected to take a fortnight and cost £30,000.

VILLAGE EVENT: Villagers in Lartington are being invited to a barbecue and treasure hunt tomorrow, in aid of Lartington Ladies' Circle.

CHILD SAFETY: Sedgefield Borough Council's Health Express will be on the road next month as part of Child Safety Week. Organised by the Ferryhill and Chilton Sure Start, the Express will be at Ferryhill Market Place on Monday, June 17, from 10am to noon, and at the Wheatsheaf car park, Chilton, the following day, between the same times.

CHARITY BOOST: Charities received a boost from Sedgefield Borough Council's retiring Mayor Councillor Andy Gray. He chose the Pioneering Care Partnership in Newton Aycliffe and North of England Children's Cancer Research Fund as his charities for the year, and they have each collected £5,295.

TAI CHI: Anyone interested in tai chi can now choose from two classes at the Pioneering Care Centre, off Burn Lane, Newton Aycliffe. Classes run on Thursdays, from 10.30am to 11.15am and 11.30am to 12.30pm, and cost £2.50. For details call Gill Macnab on (01325) 321234, minicom (01325) 313133