CREATIVE people who want to expand their skills can enjoy courses organised by Stockton Borough Council.

French polishing and embroidery courses take place in Billingham, flower arranging in Ingleby Barwick, calligraphy and woodwork in Thornaby and china painting in Eaglescliffe and Hartburn. In Norton there will be drawing and painting, pottery and woodwork. For more details, call (01642) 391551 for Thornaby and Ingleby Barwick, and (01642) 397363 for Norton and Billingham.

CLOCK CONCERT: The Friends of Redcar Town Clock are holding an evening of old-fashioned entertainment with Guisborough's End of the Pier Company at Redcar Leisure Centre, on October 8, starting at 7.30pm. Tickets are available from Redcar Central Library, Clinkards in Redcar High Street and Kings of Saltburn or by calling Redcar Town Centre Management on (01642) 472485.

SPORTS ACTIVITIES: Stockton Borough Council is holding a range of sporting activities for youngsters aged three to 16 during the half-term holidays. From Monday, October 27, to Friday, October 31, activities will include sports ability for young people with disability, and a multi-sports day, which includes skate and swim, junior football, sailing and white-water rafting. For more information about venues, dates and prices, call (01642) 397373.

TIMEWARP DISCO: A charity disco will be held at Lightwater Valley, near Ripon, next Saturday. The Timewarp Disco, held in the park's Theatre Function Room from 8pm, will help Ripon's Community House Project raise money towards its £1m target to pay for new facilities. Tickets are £10, to include supper, and are available by calling (01765) 603631.

MUSIC RECITAL: Young Venezuelan recorder virtuoso Aldo Abreu will perform at St Oswald's Church, Sowerby, next Saturday, at 7.30pm. His recital of Pan-American music will include music from Peru, Mexico and Brazil. Tickets, priced £7, are available from Hambleton Books or White Rose Books, in Thirsk.