A START-UP meeting for a University of the Third Age (U3A) takes place in Durham next week.

Anyone retired from full-time employment is welcome to take up the learning opportunities and social activities on offer at the U3A, the city's second.

The first was set up 12 years ago and has proved so popular it has no vacancies for the coming year.

Durham U3A chairman Janet Murrell said: "We're going to cap our membership and, instead of starting a waiting list, we hope to offer as many people as possible the chance to start on a second U3A in the area.

"U3As offer shared learning experiences in a wide range of interest groups and most have a monthly meeting with a talk of general interest.

"We do not look for qualifications and do not offer them.

"It is a unique and exciting self-help educational movement for people no longer in full-time work.

"Generally, all our activities are daytime, on weekdays, and at modest cost."

The start-up meeting for the second U3A will be at Durham Indoor Bowling Club, at Pity Me, on the outskirts of the city, on Tuesday, October 25, from 10am to noon.

Everyone eligible is welcome to attend, with further details available from Mrs Murrell on 0191-386 2254.