Hands-on visit to the museum

VISITORS to a Durham museum are being given the chance to handle First World War equipment this weekend. British and German rifles, hand grenades, uniforms and body armour are not normally on display at the DLI Museum and Durham Art Gallery, but people looking around the museum during this bank holiday weekend will be able to pick up the objects.

Museum curator Steve Shannon said: "If this new event is a success and visitors enjoy the chance to get a close look at real wartime objects, then we'll repeat it at weekends throughout the summer."

Open event: An open session for parents of children with special educational needs will be held today in the meeting room at the Durham Clayport Library, in the Millennium City complex, Claypath. For details call 0191-386 4003.

Rock nights: The Source will play at The Gallery, Chester Moor, near Chester-le-Street, on Friday. The Star Spangled Chestwigs will perform at the venue on Sunday. Both gigs start at 8.30pm and admission costs £2.

advice sessions: Durham Citizens Advice Bureau is holding an outreach advice sessions for villagers at Ushaw Moor today, from 10am to 11am, in Ushaw Moor Community House.

Pub gig: Receiver, a three-piece guitar band that plays songs by artists including U2 and The Police, will be playing at the O'Neill's Irish bar in Claypath, Durham, tomorrow, from 8.30pm. Admission is free.

Players wanted: Dawdon Under-12s football team is looking for players and is inviting youngsters to take part in training sessions at Parkside Field, Parkside, between 5.30pm and 7.30pm on Wednesdays.

Work delay: Work on a £1.57m extension to the Victoria Road Health Centre in Concord, Washington, has been delayed because a water main at the site will have to be moved.

DONOR SESSIONS: Blood donor sessions will be held today at All Saints Church, Carr House Drive, Newton Hall, Durham City, between 3pm and 7pm; and at Fulwell Methodist Church, Dovedale Road, Fulwell, Sunderland, between 2.30pm and 7pm.

Final tour: The Official Tribute to The Blues Brothers is being staged at Newcastle's Theatre Royal as part of its final tour. The show runs until Saturday, and tickets are available from the box office, on 0870 905 5060.

BRIC-A-BRAC: A bric-a-brac sale will be held at Catchgate Chapel Schoolroom on Saturday, from 9.30am to noon, in aid of the Girls' Brigade fund. Tea and coffee will be served.

Saturday shop: St Cuthbert's Hospice, Park House Road, Merryoaks, Durham, is holding its regular Saturday shop this Saturday, from 10am to noon. Admission is 50p.

CAFE GO-AHEAD: Hollygarth Leisure has been given the go-ahead to open a caf bar in Crowtree Road, in Sunderland City Centre.