Pair deny car-jacking

TWO men yesterday denied charges of robbery and assault relating to an alleged car-jacking incident. Wayne Kenneth Metcalf, 20, and Paul Anthony Stirman, 19, also denied taking the Suzuki Vitara in east Durham, on January 29. The hearing, at Durham Crown Court, was adjourned for trial in July. Mr Metcalf was bailed to an address in Sixth Street, Horden, and Mr Stirman, of Little Eden, Peterlee, was remanded in custody.

PHOTOGRAPHERS MEET: Members of the Pittington Photography Club are asked to take examples of their work to the group's next meeting, in Pittington Village Hall, at 7.30pm on Monday. In a change from the published agenda, photographers from Seaham Harbour will be the guests.

Rock night: Black Rose, a tribute to 1970s rock band Thin Lizzy, will perform at the O'Neill's Irish pub in Claypath, Durham, tonight, at 8.30pm. Admission is free.

MARKETING COURSE: People can learn how to "market'' themselves and improve their skills in finding and applying for jobs on a new course being held at the Chester-le-Street Community Association's centre on Newcastle Bank, on Fridays between 6.30pm and 8.30pm from April 26. The ten-week course costs £30. For details and enrolment call the centre on 0191-388 4752.

MUSEUM TALK: Andrew Brooks, secretary of the Western Front Association in West Lancashire, will give an illustrated talk about conscientious objectors in the First World War, at the DLI museum, in Durham, on Saturday. Tickets for the talk, which starts at 2pm, cost £3.50, concessions £2.50 and season ticket holders £1.50.

ROCK NIGHTS: Rock band Tubesnake will be performing at The Gallery, Chester Moor, near Chester-le-Street, tomorrow. Simon Stevenson will be the featured artist on Sunday. Both gigs start at 8.30pm and admission costs £2. For details call 0191-388 4588.

FOLK NIGHT: A singaround session open to musicians and singers will be held when the Haswell Folk Club meets tomorrow night at The Wayfarer pub, in Front Street, Haswell, starting at 8.30pm. Admission is free. For details, call 0191-517 1274.

DAWN CHORUS: A dawn chorus walk, in which experts will identify the songs of various birds, will be held on Saturday, May 4, from 5am to 7.30am at the Castle Eden Dene National Nature Reserve, near Peterlee. For more details, contact 0191-518 2403.

Flats plan: Capital Watch Access Pension Scheme has asked Derwentside District Council for planning permission to convert part of the Co-op buildings, in Front Street, Burnopfield, into 12 flats and build 13 flats and car parking.

MUSICAL TRIBUTE: A Night at the Musicals, a show with songs from Miss Saigon, South Pacific, Blood Brothers, Annie and other West End favourites, will be staged at the Sunderland Empire Theatre on May 18. For details, ring the box office, on 0191-514 2517.