STUDENTS' artwork inspired by the Orient is being showcased at an exhibition in Durham. Final year students at New College have produced textiles, photography, paintings and other art on the theme of Oriental Inspirations. To prepare for the exhibition, they spent time visiting The Oriental Museum, at Elvet Hill, where they developed drawings and sketches. Over the 12 weeks of the project, they also undertook research into visual language and explored a range of techniques and materials. The exhibition, at The Oriental Museum, reflecting traditional and contemporary approaches, runs until May 21.

Millennium talk: Architect David Prichard will give an illustrated public lecture, organised by the City of Durham Trust, about the evolution of his design for the £30m Millennium City complex, on Tuesday, May 7, at 8pm, in room 141 of Durham University's Elvet Riverside 1 building, New Elvet.

TRIBUTE CONCERTS: Fans of the Four Tops and Meatloaf are in for a treat at the Sunderland Empire Theatre. The Four Tops - History of Motown and The Meatloaf Story, will be staged on June 6 and 7. For tickets and information, ring the box office on 0191-514 2517.

DOG WALK: Dog owners are invited to take part in the northern part of Walkover Britain, a national sponsored dog walk, on May 6. The walk starts from the main entrance of the Milburngate Shopping Centre, in Durham, at 11am, and follows a route around the river banks, lasting about 90 minutes. Anyone wishing to take part is asked to arrive by 10.30am, and ring Beryl Bateson in advance on 0191-373 4442.

COMPUTER FAIR: A computer fair will be staged at the Northumbria Centre, on the Stephenson Industrial Estate, District 12, Washington, on Saturday, from 10am to 3pm. Further information is available on 0191-219 3390.

HILLS WALK: Geographer and local historian Maurice Holliday will lead an eight-mile walk, called Poetry and Landscape, in the Softer Derwent Hills on Friday, starting at 10am from the main car park at Blanchland. Walkers should take a packed lunch. The walk costs £2 for adults and £1 for concessions.

SPRING FAIR: Newton Hall Senior Citizens' Club is holding a spring fair on Saturday at All Saints' Church, Carr House Drive, Newton Hall, Durham. Doors open at 2pm.

NEW MAST: Hutchison 3G UK is seeking planning permission from Durham City Council to put up an 18-metre mobile phone mast, along with associated equipment, on land at the Abbeywoods Business Park, Pity Me.

LIONS MEET: Chester-le-Street Lions Club meets on Monday at Chester-le-Street Cricket Club, Ropery Lane, at 8pm. Anyone over 18 is welcome to attend. The club meets every second and fourth Monday of the month.

PASS RENEWALS: Pensioners and the disabled in the Bullion Lane area of Chester-le-Street will be able to renew their free concessionary bus passes today at the Communal Rooms, Sanders Memorial Homes, from 9am to noon and between 1pm to 3.30pm.

HOMES PLAN: James Bimbi is seeking planning permission from Durham City Council to convert first, second and third-floor offices in Saddler Street and Market Place, Durham, into accommodation for students.