THE Northern Echo is promoting positive activities for children and teenagers throughout the summer holidays as part of the No Messin' campaign. The campaign aims to highlight the dangers of messing about on railways and promote alternative activities. Every week, we are publishing a column listing activities.

COUNTY DURHAM

Consett

Today: Outdoor cinema in Blackhill and Consett Park, movie to be confirmed, 2pm, admission free, under-eights must be accompanied by adult.

Crook

Thursday: Golf tournament at Crook Golf Course, all day, free.

Durham City

Tomorrow: Comedy Store at Gala Theatre, 7.30pm, live comedy, £9 and £6 for concessions, call 0191-3324041.

Tuesday to Friday: Orange Young Writers' Festival at Gala Theatre, workshops with writers and cartoonists aimed at 10-14-year-olds, make cartoons and magazines, T-shirts and badges, admission free, places must be booked, on 0191-488 8580.

East Durham

Wednesday and Thursday: Two cycle rides held by Durham Heritage Coast's new countryside rangers. Wednesday's will go from Castle Eden to Hart Station and back. Meet at Castle Eden Inn at 11am. The second route on August 24 will be from Hart Station to Castle Eden and back. Meet at Hart Station at 11am. Riders under 14 must be accompanied by an adult. Call 0771 7355847.

Peterlee

Tomorrow for ten weeks: Free football coaching every Sunday at Acre Rigg Junior School playing field. Four to seven-year-olds from 10am to 11am. Eight to 14-year-olds from 11am to noon. FA coach will be present. Turn up on the day.

Spennymoor

Monday to Friday: Swimming crash course at leisure centre. 9am to 10.30am, for ages four plus. Costs £12. Call (01388) 815627.

Stanhope

Tuesday: Free netball coaching at Ashcroft playground, 10.30am to 11.30am, under 14 years. Call 07766 133493.

Tuesday: Free fun and games at Stanhope Pool. Noon to 2pm. Call 07766 133493.

Stanley

Today: Blues Festival at the Kings Head Playing Fields, noon to 6.30pm, live music, fairground rides, admission free, call (01207) 507310.

Willington

Tuesday and Friday: Cricket coaching at cricket club, 10am to 3pm Tuesday, 10am to noon, Friday.

Wolsingham

Monday: Free tennis coaching at Wolsingham School and Community College, 11am to 1pm for ages eight to 13, 1.30pm to 3pm, for 13 and over. Call 07766 133493.

Newton Aycliffe

Monday to Thursday: Drama workshops at Greenfield Arts Centre, 10am to 3pm, for ages eight plus, costs £25. Call (01325) 379048.

Monday to Wednesday: Football coaching with Middlesbrough Football Club at Leisure Centre. Call (01642) 282128.

DARLINGTON

Today: Jungle cafe (music, games, video, PS2, football) at Elm Ridge Methodist Church, 7pm to 9pm, admission £1.50.

Today and next Saturday: Blitz Bus visiting Longfield area, from 7pm to 9pm.

Tomorrow: Hunt for dragonflies at Brankin Nature Reserve, 2.30 to 4pm. Meet at reserve entrance, Neasham Road.

Tomorrow and Sunday, Aug 14: Blitz Bus at Hurworth Grange Community Centre, from 7pm to 9pm.

Monday: Blitz Bus in Heighington village, from 7pm to 9pm.

Monday to Sunday, August 14: Tennis camp at Hummersknott School, 10am to noon and 1pm to 3pm. Cost £25. Call (01325) 388410.

Tuesday and Thursday: Youth club at Skerne Park Community Centre, 6.30pm to 8.30pm. Admission 30p.

Wednesday: Skate park at rear of Hummersknott School, 2pm to 4pm.

Friday: Blitz Bus on Lascelles estate, from 7pm to 9pm.

NORTH YORKSHIRE

Bainbridge

Friday: Multi-sports at Bainbridge Primary School from 10.30am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 3.30pm for eight to 14-year-olds. Cost £2.50 per two-hour session.

Catterick Village

Tuesday: Multi-sports at sports field from 10.30am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 3.30pm for eight to 14-year-olds. Cost £2.50 per two-hour session.

Colburn

Monday: Cricket at Colburn Sports Centre for ages nine upwards from 10am toNoon. Production rehearsals from 1pm to 4pm, for ages nine and up. Call (01748) 850161.

Tuesday: Short tennis from 10am to noon for ages nine and up and youth cafe from 6pm to 9pm for ages 11 and up, all at Colburn Sports Centre. Call (01748) 850161.

Wednesday: Circuit training from 10am to noon and Colburn Olympics from 1pm to 4pm for ages nine and over at Sports Field. Call (01748) 850161.

Thursday: Hockey, football and gym from 10am to 4pm at Sports Centre and Sports Field. Call (01748) 850161.

Harmby

Tuesday: Multi-sports at village hall and sports centre from 10.30am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 3.30pm for eight to 14-year-olds. Cost £2.50 per two-hour session.

Hawes

Wednesday: Multi-sports at market hall and football field from 10.30am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 3.30pm for eight to 14-year-olds. Cost £2.50 per two-hour session.

Newsham

Wednesday: Multi-sports at village hall from 10.30am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 3.30pm for eight to 14-year-olds. Cost £2.50 per two-hour session.

Hunton

Friday: Multi-sports at Hunton from 10.30am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 3.30pm for eight to 14-year-olds. Cost £2.50 per two-hour session.

Richmond.

Middleton Tyas

Thursday: Multi-sports at Primary School from 10.30am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 3.30pm for eight to 14-year-olds. Cost £2.50 per two-hour session.

North Cowton

Thursday: Multi-sports at village hall from 10.30am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 3.30pm for eight to 14-year-olds. Cost £2.50 per two-hour session.

Richmond

Monday to Friday: Intensive hockey course at Richmond Hockey Club for ages eight to 14. Call (01748) 829100.

Monday to Friday: Summer camp from 9am to 5pm for children aged eight to 14. Cost £14 per day or £52.60 for the week. Call (01748) 824581.

TEESSIDE

Guisborough

Thursday: Open air performances of Illyria's 5 Children and It, at Gisborough Priory at 2pm and 7pm. Tickets £8.50 for adults and £5 for concessions. Call (01642) 471921.

Middlesbrough

Wednesday: Punch and Judy at the Dorman Museum from 10.30am to 11.30am and 2.30pm to 3.30pm. Admission £2.

Redcar

Tuesday to August 29: Iron smelting, flint-knapping, coil pot making and wood-turning at Kirkleatham Museum. All workshops from 10am to 5pm. To book a place, call (01429) 284334.

Saltburn

Tomorrow: Saltburn Swashbuckle on the beach all day. Pirates, Punch and Judy, stilt-walkers, arts and crafts, live music, Morris dance workshops, free face-painting. Sandcastle judging at 1.30pm.

TYNE AND WEAR

Herrington

Today and tomorrow: North-East Motor Show at Herrington Country Park, 10am to 5pm, stunts, monster trucks and displays, admission £7.50 for adults and £3 for under-15s. Call 0191-378 0162.

Houghton-le-Spring

Tuesday: Pond-dipping at Rainton Meadows Nature Reserve, 1.30pm to 3.30pm, admission £3, call 0191-584 3112.

Thursday: Willow craft sessions at Rainton Meadows Nature Reserve, 1.30pm to 3.30pm, admission £3, call 0191-584 3112.

Sunderland

Today: Free Northumbria Police Community Fun Day at Silksworth Ski Slope. Music by DJs Simon and Ashleigh from Sun FM and live bands. Take part in a six-a-side football tournament with Sunderland Football Club, skateboarding and workshops by the Army, which is bringing a 20-metre shooting range.

Monday, Wednesday, Friday: Young pop stars can take part in Sunderland City Council's version of Pop Idol. Applicatio ns for a place in the line-up now closed. Auditions will be at Crowtree Leisure Centre. Call 0191-529 4091.

Washington

Tomorrow: Half-price five-a-side football sessions, 2pm to 7pm, The Northumbria Centre. £12.50 an hour. Call 0191-219 3390.