Top director visits school

MEDIA students at Darlington's Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College enjoyed a visit from North-East film director and writer Murray Martin yesterday.

Mr Martin spoke to second year A-level students as part of their preparations for a media module called British Cinema in the 1990s.

ARTS FESTIVAL: The speech and drama section of the Darlington Festival for Performing Arts is being held this weekend. Adults and children will be taking part in more than 60 classes, including mime, acting, Bible reading and Shakespeare, at Heathfield Primary School, from 4pm tomorrow, and at Eastbourne Comprehensive School on Saturday, from 9.30am.

EXTENSION APPROVED: A plan for a first-floor bedroom extension and ground floor utility room at 1 Mowbray Drive, Hurworth, has been approved by Darlington Borough Council's planning committee.

HEALTH WALKS: Jenny Alltimes, of the Darlington Primary Care Group, will give a presentation on health walks in Darlington on Monday, at 7pm, in the education centre at Darlington Memorial Hospital.

PLANS GRANTED: Plans for a single-storey industrial building on land to the rear of Mechtool, in Whessoe Road, Darlington, have been approved by Darlington Borough Council's planning committee.

SALE CASH: A table-top sale at Darlington Arts Centre on Saturday raised £300 for the local branch of the Save the Children charity.

CENTRE BACKED: A drop-in centre for disabled people is to be developed at Darlington Arts Centre, after borough councillors approved an application to change the use of a former caretaker's home.

DEMOLITION BID: Approval has been granted by Darlington Borough Council to demolish buildings at Orchard House, 110 Yarm Road, Darlington, and construct a two-storey building to provide eight residential units for temporary accommodation.