A number of astronomy-related events are taking place across the region this week.

The Bishop Auckland Astronomical Society will present a talk on how a star is formed at Mickleton Village Hall, near Barnard Castle on Thursday from 7pm to 9pm.

On Friday the Sunderland Astronomical Society hosts a night of stargazing at the Washington Wetland Centre, Washington, from 6.30pm to 9.30pm.

And also on Friday the Cleveland and Darlington Astronomical Society have a guest speaker on astronomy and cosmology at Wynyard Planetarium, Stockton-on-Tees from 7pm to 9pm.

FINAL WEEK: There is still time to catch the popular Aladdin pantomime starring the Chuckle Brothers at Darlington Civic Theatre.

The panto, which has won rave reviews since opening in December, is running at the theatre until January 12.

Tickets cost from £16.