SCHOOLCHILDREN in County Durham are being offered the chance to find out the finance available to them for higher education.

Durham County Council is holding four information evenings throughout the county to explain to prospective university and college students things such as loans and tuition fees.

Officials will also tell youngsters - parents are also welcome - how to apply for available cash.

John Bowman, finance and staffing manager in the council's education department, said: "There will be a presentation on behalf of the department with the opportunity to ask questions relating to the process. This is the first time we have held area education forums with a view to offering advice and information.

"We believe they will be of great benefit to potential students as they embark upon higher education studies. Our aim is to offer and provide as much advice and information as possible about the application procedure, which can be daunting.''

All the forums start at 6pm. The dates and venues and are: St Bede's Roman Catholic Comprehensive School, Peterlee, Tuesday, February 13; King James I Community College, Bishop Auckland, Wednesday, February 14; Stanley Education Centre, Tuesday, February 27; Durham Sixth-Form Centre, Thursday, March 1.