Film to tackle youth issues

A YOUTH group is hoping to influence council officials by making a film about young people's issues.

With the help of Sunderland film director Andy Ross and funding from Sunderland City Council's youth and community service, Washington Youth Action Committee, a group of teenagers at the Pit Stop Youth Project, in Glebe, is making a magazine programme to present to the council. The film aims to show what youngsters want from their town and to ask questions of those running it.

CHINESE WAYS: Durham's Oriental Museum is celebrating the arrival of the Chinese year of the horse on Friday with arts and crafts activities on a horse theme. The session will be held between 10am and noon. Further details are available on 0191-374 3623.

GIRLS' COACHING: Chester-le-Street District Council is running girls-only football coaching sessions for youngsters of all abilities on Wednesdays between 5pm and 6pm, and on Thursdays from 3.15pm to 5.15pm, at Roseberry Comprehensive School, Pelton. The sessions cost 50p. For details call Len Watson on 0191-387 2124.

FORCE PRAISED: Durham Police have been praised by four County Durham Labour MPs for cutting crime by a third since the 1990s. Kevan Jones (Durham North), Gerry Steinberg (Durham City), John Cummings (Easington) and Derek Foster (Bishop Auckland) tabled a Commons motion applauding the force's achievements.

CONCERT DATE: Durham Soroptimists are staging a concert by the Carol Andrews Singers on Saturday, March 2 ,at 7.30pm in Durham Town Hall. Tickets cost £8 and are available from the Tourist Information Centre in Market Place. Proceeds will go to the National Children's Society, the Butterwick Children's Hospice and other local causes.

NEW STATION: Durham Police say work on the new police station at Seaham is progressing well and that the building should be completed by the end of March. It is expected that staff will move in on April 3.

HOMES PLAN: A planning application has been lodged with Durham City Council seeking outline permission for residential development next to Ardmore, Front Street, Kelloe.

CANCER MEETING: Durham Cancer Support Group will hold its next meeting at Elvet Methodist Church Hall, opposite the Royal County Hotel in Old Elvet, on Thursday, starting at 7.30pm. Everyone is welcome. For further details call 0191-373 7475.

SEX TALK: Parents wanting to learn about ways of talking to children about sex have been invited to Bowburn Youth Centre, near Durham, from 6.30pm to 8.30pm tonight, where they will have the opportunity to talk to sexual health outreach workers and community youth workers.

LOVE QUIZ: A Valentine fun quiz with raffle in aid of Children in Need is being held in the Hanlon, Birtley, from 8.30pm on Thursday.

EXTRA ROOM: Durham City Council is being asked to grant planning permission for a second-storey bedroom extension, conservatory and garage to be built at the back of a house in Belgrave Avenue, Coxhoe