THE Queen Street Shopping Centre in Darlington has been awarded a Gold Standard Clean Air Award by the Darlington Primary Care Trust.

The centre became the first smoke-free shopping area in the town yesterday when a no-smoking ban was put in place. The award is endorsed by the Roy Castle Foundation and ASH, the anti-smoking group.

ADULT LEARNERS: A programme of courses for adults is being launched at the Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College, Darlington. An open afternoon is being held on Wednesday, May 15, from 1.30pm to 3.30pm, for students to find out more about what is on offer. For information call (01325) 461315.

ARTHRITIS MEETING: The Darlington branch of Arthritis Care is holding a meeting at Darlington Memorial Hospital's social club in Hollyhurst Road, next Wednesday, at 7.30pm. An exhibition of Scottish country dancing will be given.

COFFEE MORNING: A musical coffee morning will be held at Cockerton Methodist Church, Cockerton Green, Darlington, on Saturday, May 11, from 10am to noon. Musicians performing at the event include Branksome School music group, children from the Youth Church, and Cockerton Infant School's music group. Entrance is 75p, with proceeds going to St Teresa's Hospice and Christian Aid.

CRAFT FAIR: Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle, will host a craft fair on Saturday, from 11am to 4pm. There will be a ten per cent reduction on the admission charge to the museum, which gives admission to the craft fair.

ART SOCIETY: Barnard Castle and Teesdale Arts Society will hold a sketching meeting at Cotherstone Village Hall, on Monday, May 13, at 1.30pm. Non-members are welcome to attend.

SNAPS SHOW: Teesdale Heritage is holding a photographic exhibition of the jubilee and local celebrations in Middleton-in-Teesdale Village Hall, from Saturday to Tuesday, between 10am and 4pm. The exhibition will then transfer to Barnard Castle library from next Thursday to Saturday.

MUSEUM EVENT: The Friends of the Bowes Museum will open an art exhibition at the museum, in Barnard Castle, tomorrow, at 7pm. Tickets cost £6 and include a lecture, wine and canapes. A walk around the gallery will be hosted by Amy Barker, keeper of fine art at the museum.

COFFEE MORNING: The Royal Star, in Startforth, near Barnard Castle, will host a coffee morning on Saturday, from 10.30am, in aid of Victim Support.

CHARITY FUNDRAISER: A coffee morning will be held in the Masonic Hall, Middleton-in-Teesdale, on Saturday, from 10am to noon, in aid of the Children Fund and the Chernobyl Children's Holiday Fund.