Two adult learning projects have been awarded grants from the Government's Adult and Community Learning Fund.

Darlington College of Technology has received £21,350 to encourage disaffected and disadvantaged young adults to gain qualifications as community sports leaders and improve their basic skills.

Teesdale District Council has been awarded £9,338 to develop basic skills through family-based community arts projects in market towns and deprived areas.

MUSICAL SHOW: The Gondoliers, by Gilbert and Sullivan, is being staged by Bishop Auckland Amateur Operatic Society at the town hall from April 8 to April 13, at 7.15pm each night. Tickets will be available from the town hall library from Tuesday, or Jean Wigington on (01388) 602371.

EDUCATION COURSES: An enrolment day is being held for adult education courses at the Greenfield Community and Arts Centre, Greenfield Way, Newton Aycliffe, on April 8. The centre is open from 9am to 9pm Monday to Thursday, and from 9am to 5pm on Fridays. Courses include basic computing courses, photography, guitar and drum classes. For more information call (01325) 307147.

ARTHRITIS CARE: The Arthritis Care group's next meeting will be held at the Memorial Hospital Social Club, Hollyhurst Road, on April 10, at 7.30pm. Brian Nicholson's Accordian Band will be guests.

FRIENDS MEET: Friends of Darlington Railway Museum will meet on Thursday, at 7.15pm, in the seminar room at the museum. Brian Rogers will give a talk called The Railway Comes to Northallerton. The event is open to the public, and admission is free.

CHURCH SERVICE: The Reverend Ted Hemingway will lead an Easter service at Wolsingham Baptist Church tomorrow, at 3pm.

EASTER TREAT: Elderly people at Oban Court Residential Home, Darlington, were given an Easter treat yesterday when a giant Easter bunny from Asda paid a visit to distribute Easter eggs.

RADIOS STOLEN: A number of car radio cassette and compact disc players have been stolen from Motor World, in Cockton Hill Road, Bishop Auckland. Police have advised anyone offered a cheap radio cassette player to contact them.

COUNCIL MEETING: Wear Valley District Council's resources committee meets at Crook Civic Centre on Wednesday, at 6pm.

POETRY WRITING: A poetry writing course for beginners led by Sylvia Noitarianni has been organised by the Workers Education Association in Darlington, starting on April 13. For details call (01325) 357801