A CITY car park has retained its secure status for another year.

For the eighth time, St Mary's car park, Sunderland, has been endorsed for its safety by the Association of Chief Police Officers. The award follows several others won by the car park since it opened in 1993, including a gold award for design. Councillor Eric Holt, Sunderland City Council's environmental chairman, said yesterday: "The award reaffirms the council's commitment to eradicate car crime from the city centre car parks."

COFFEE MORNING: A coffee morning and bring-and-buy sale will be held at Consett Methodist Church Hall on Saturday, May 11, between 10am and noon. Entry costs 50p at the door and money raised will go to the League of Friends of Derwentside Community Hospitals which is organising the event. The league will also hold its 48th annual meeting at Shotley Bridge Hospital on Wednesday, May 15, at 6pm.

MARTIAL ARTS: Beginners' classes in the Chinese martial art of wing chun will take place at Chester-le-Street Community Centre, from next Sunday, between 11am and 1pm; Belmont Comprehensive School, from Tuesday, April 30, between 7pm and 9pm; and Glebe Community Centre, Washington, from Thursday, May 2, between 7pm and 9pm. For more details, ring 0191-410 0613 or 07979 485 6695.

HANDEL CONCERT: Derwentside Choral Society and Orchestra is staging a 40th anniversary concert, a performance of Alexander's Feast by Handel, at Elvet Methodist Church, Old Elvet, Durham, next Saturday, at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £6 (concessions £5) and are available from Durham's Tourist Information Centre, which has moved from Market Place to the Millennium City complex, in Claypath.

MAY LECTURE: Dr Colin Feltham, of Sheffield Hallam University, will give the 19th Hartop Lecture on Wednesday, May 8, in the Holgate Centre, Grey College, Durham University, at 5.30pm. It will be entitled Counselling as Sanctuary? Admission is free and everyone is welcome.

CLUB OPENS: A representative from sports manufacturer Wilson will open the tennis club and give demonstrations at Durham High School for Girls, at 10am on Saturday. The club is the only one in Northumberland and Durham to be affiliated to the Lawn Tennis Association.

FAMILY SHOW: The Chuckle Brothers will star in Raiders of the Lost Bark, a family adventure based on travels through Egypt, at the Sunderland Empire Theatre, on Monday, June 3, at 2pm. For further information, contact the box office on 0191-514 2517.

HEALTHY BOOST: Brandon and Byshottles Parish Council will present a cheque for £800 to Ushaw Moor doctors' surgery on Friday, after it raised the sum at the chairman's charity evening.