PEOPLE in County Durham are being urged to ensure they are registered to vote for county and parish council elections on Thursday, May 2. The deadline for returning registration forms and postal vote applications is Wednesday, April 17. For more information, call 03000-261-212 or email: electoralservices@durham.gov.uk. The deadline for nominations for candidates is noon on Friday, April 5.

MOTHERS’ EVENSONG: The Right Reverend Mark Bryant, the Bishop of Jarrow, was the preacher at a special Durham Dioceses Mothers’ Union Evensong service held in Durham Cathedral on Wednesday, March 13. He spoke about the difference Union members could make. Bishop Bryant also commissioned the Union’s chaplain, president, trustees and deanery leaders.

CHARITY SWIM: The Sunshine Fund appeal, which helps disabled children, is looking for people to take part in the Great North Swim in aid of the cause. The swim will take place on Lake Windermere, in the Lake District, from June 14 to 16. There are swims of half a mile, a mile, two miles and five kilometres. For more information, call Clare Savory on 0191-201-6068.