OCTOBER is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the MetroCentre is appealing to shoppers to help raise awareness and funds.

The centre is seeking volunteers from local charities and women's groups to help promote two evening events and is also inviting shoppers to purchase seats at the events, the proceeds of which will go direct to the appeal. The Ultimate Girls' Night Out in aid of the Breast Cancer Campaign takes place in the Town Square on Thursday, October 4 and Thursday, October 11 from 7pm to 9pm. MetroCentre's Shopping Angels will be on hand to offer fashion advice and show this season's styles, and Kay Cooke, personal and professional development coach, will share her passion for human potential and for finding solutions to life's challenges. There will also be free makeovers, manicures and massages, complimentary bubbly, canapes and free gift bags. Tickets cost £5 each and are available from the MetroCentre's customer services desks.

A Beauty At Leisure event has raised more than £2,000 for the Breast Cancer Campaign charity. The event was held to celebrate Beauty At Leisure being given a Gold Salon of Excellence award. The beauty business, in a tranquil, rural setting at Girsby Hall, near Great Smeaton, offers a full range of treatments, including CACI, Crystal clear, ultrasonic and firming facials, waxing, eye care, tanning treatments, electrolysis and hand and foot treatments. Further information on 01609-881228.

NEW research suggests that under one in five (18 per cent) of car salespeople in the North-East are female. But the Car Showroom Shake-up report from female-friendly insurer, Sheilas' Wheels, also suggests that the region employs more women in car sales roles than the national average (14 per cent).

The research shows that the North-East automotive industry could be out of pocket by an estimated £650,000 each week due to lost new car sales by disgruntled female drivers. One in five (20 per cent) of women questioned in the North-East confessed to pulling out of buying a new car because of offensive comments made by a salesperson or the off-putting showroom environment. On a national scale, potential losses could total a massive £907 million this year.

Nearly half (47 per cent) of women in the North-East admitted to walking out of a showroom due to the intimidating atmosphere, and two thirds of female drivers in the region described showrooms as a 'very male dominated' environment, with over two fifths saying they had experienced 'patronising and rude' male sales executives.

STARS from the worlds of pop and soap operas flocked to local fashion designer Kate Fearnley's stand at this summer's major TV pop party, T4 on the Beach, taking an opportunity to acquire one of Kate's handmade dresses. Celebrities including members of Girls Aloud and actresses from Hollyoaks and EastEnders have since been seen out in Kate's creations, such as a satin tulip-style dress that retails for £130. Kate has a boutique on Linthorpe Road, Middlesbrough, and an online boutique at www.katefearnley.co.uk