NIALL Quinn's benefit night charity fund will benefit from an end-of-season karaoke night organised by Sunderland fans in Chester-le-Street.

Proceeds from the event, on Saturday, May 11, at Relton Terrace Workmen's Club, in Ropery Lane, Chester-le-Street, will be added to the Irish striker's attempt to raise £1m for children's hospitals in Dublin and Sunderland. Tickets, costing £1, are available at Tuesday's monthly meeting of the Chester-le-Street and District branch of Sunderland AFC Supporters' Association, at the Relton Terrace club.

For further details call Kevin Atkinson on 0788 7921726.

FLOWER POWER: Peterlee and District Flower Club will hold an open meeting on Wednesday, in the Shotton Hall Banqueting Suite, Peterlee, at 7.15pm. Cynthia Scott will give a demonstration called Simply Stylish. Tickets cost £4 and are available at the door. For more information call 0191-586 2930.

COUNCILLOR SURGERY: Derwentside district councillor for Dipton, Joanne Carr, will hold a surgery at Collierley Primary School, Dipton, on Saturday, May 4, between 10.30am and 11.30am. Her surgeries will then take place at Dipton Community Centre on the first Saturday of each month, also from 10.30am and 11.30am.

CAR BOOT: A car boot sale will be held at Collierley Primary School, in Front Street, Dipton, on Saturday, May 4. Sellers may arrive from 9am, with the sale starting at 10am. Admission for sellers is £3, and 20p for buyers. To book a place, call (01207) 570298.

NEW JOBS: Storey Carpets will open two shops - a Storey carpets store and its discount factory outlet Walter Wall - during the May Day bank holiday weekend, creating 15 jobs.

CASTLE REPAIRS: Roof repairs are under way at Lumley Castle, in Chester-le-Street. The work is being carried out under the guidance of the Historic Building Authority.

PAINTING DISPLAY: An exhibition of watercolour paintings by Peterlee artist Russell Stoves will be on display at The Discovery Centre, Seaton Holme, Hall Walks, Easington Village, until May 29. Admission is free and the centre is open from 9am to 4pm Monday to Friday, and from 11am to 4pm at the weekend.

CHILDREN'S CRAFTS: Monthly craft sessions for children aged from six to 12 will be held at 11am on the last Saturday of each month in Durham's Clayport library, starting this week. The hour-long sessions cost £1.50. Places can be booked by calling 0191-386 4003.

REPTILE HELP: The Reptile Trust, in Burnopfield, is appealing for temporary foster homes needed for snakes, lizards, turtles and tortoises. To help, call the trust on (01207) 271766.

ART DISPLAY: An exhibition by artist Martin Richman called Come to Light is on show at the Customs House Gallery, South Shields until June 2. Mr Richman will give a talk at the gallery on Thursday, May 9 at 6.30pm.