PUPILS from around Darlington will take part in a bridge building challenge in Darlington’s Market Square next week. The schools are working with Sarah Gouldsbrough from Head of Steam – Darlington Railway Museum and Steve Greathead of Applied Science Activities in the challenge as part of the Festival of the North East. The bridge builders will be taking inspiration from the innovative engineers of the region and from the work of the Cleveland Bridge Company, based in Darlington as they work on their creations from Monday (June 3) to Thursday. Family and friends are welcome to come and watch the children work on the challenge. Festival of the North East is a month long celebration of the region’s creativity and innovation. Throughout June 2013 there will be more than 200 events for people of every age across Northumberland, Tyne & Wear, County Durham and Tees Valley. For the latest festival news and full programme details visit festivalNE.com or follow it on Twitter @FestivalNE #festne

FLOWER CLUB: The next meeting of Darlington Flower Club will be held at 2pm on Wednesday (June 5), at St Cuthbert's Church Centre, in Darlington Market Place. Kate Riley will give a flower demonstration entitled "Inspired Buy". More information about the club is available from honorary secretary Christina Steel, on 01325-374732.

EXTRA HOURS: Darlington Credit Union will be opening on Saturdays from this weekend. This is due to public demand and will enable customers to access the organisation’s services at weekends. The credit union, in Church Row, off the Market Place, will be open from 10am to noon on Saturdays.