THE public can find out about proposals for hospital services in County Durham at a meeting at the Masonic Hall, Victoria Avenue, Bishop Auckland, tonight, from 7pm to 9pm. The plans include services at Bishop Auckland Hospital, the University Hospital of North Durham and Darlington Memorial Hospital.

FESTIVAL FUN: Villagers in Heighington are preparing for a Queen's golden jubilee festival on Monday, June 3. Events will include a band, disco and Punch and Judy show. Darlington Borough Council has given £100 towards the cost of the celebrations. The council has also given £342 to Darlington's Millennium Volunteers to pay for programmes for jubilee celebrations at the Bowes Museum, in Barnard Castle.

HOME PLAN: Permission for a house to be built in Little Stainton, near Sadberge, has been granted by Darlington Borough Council, despite neighbours' concerns over drainage. Residents in the area said the plot in East Lea was often flooded and waterlogged. Permission for the building was granted after a drainage scheme was agreed with the developer.

SPORTS FORUM: A sports forum is being set up in Darlington to replace the town's Sports Council. It will promote sport in the area and co-ordinate bids for funding. Representatives from schools, sport organisations, the council and youth groups will work together on the forum.

NEW HOUSE: Planning permission has been granted by Darlington Borough Council for a semi-detached house and garage to be built on land next to 15 Oak Tree Close, Middleton St George, by Clarion Homes.

SMOKING BAN: Darlington's Cornmill Shopping Centre will become a no-smoking zone at the start of next month.

SPEED LIMIT: Croft Parish Council is to request that the highway authority imposes a 20mph speed limit in South Parade, which is the approach road to the village school.

CASH AID: Students at Hurworth Comprehensive School have raised £60 for Darlington Memorial Hospital's special care baby unit by collecting spare change at their homes.

TENNIS CLUB: Darlington Borough Council has made a grant of £200 to help set up a new tennis club at the Eastbourne Sports Complex.

HOUSE APPROVED: A house is to be built in Hillhouse Lane, Sadberge, in the village's conservation area and near to a medieval archaeology site, despite objections from the parish council. Residents were concerned about increased traffic and fears that the house would not fit into the area. But the plan was approved by Darlington Borough Council.

HATS OFF: The North of England Lead Mining Museum at Killhope starts its Queen's golden jubilee celebrations with a Bustles and Bonnets Day on Sunday. Call (01388) 537505 for details