A SERIES of activities are being held to mark the opening of a new library in an East Durham village.

Durham County Council's library, next to the community centre at Wingate, is staging free events for children and adults which started yesterday and run until Thursday, April 18.

On Thursday, the building will be opened by local county councillor Len O'Donnell and Councillor Alan Cox, the council cabinet member for cultural services.

A session of face painting will be held on Thursday between 9.30am and 11.30am and the following Thursday there will be two children's crafts sessions for youngsters aged four to 12.

One is in the morning, from 10am to noon, the second from 2pm to 4pm. Places are limited for both sessions.

Birds of paradise crafts, for four to 12-year-olds, will be held on Monday, April 8, from 2.30 to 4pm. A learning and work drop-in session will be held on Monday, April 15, from 2pm to 4pm and a spring coffee morning will take place at the library on Thursday April 18, from 9.30am to noon.

For further details about other events, call (01429) 838339.