FIREFIGHTERS were called to two separate blazes at takeaway restaurants in south Durham on Wednesday. Bon Appetite, in Commercial Street, Crook, was severely damaged in a blaze which started at about 2pm. A flat above the shop was slightly damaged by fire and heavily smoke-logged in the incident, which was attended by three appliances from Crook Fire Station. Cooking equipment at a fish and chip shop, in King Street, Spennymoor, was damaged when an extractor unit caught fire at about 10am. Two appliances from Spennymoor and one from Bishop Auckland dealt with the blaze.

HELP SESSION: Police are alerting elderly people and their carers to the dangers of bogus officials at an advice session in Wolsingham Town Hall today. Visit after 9.30am for information and advice, and meet police dogs Jet and Ben.

Public meeting: Howden-le-Wear neighbourhood watch is holding a meeting on Monday, from 7pm, at the community centre.

HISTORY TALK: Sedgefield Local History Society opens its new season on Monday with a talk by J McVicar about Tyneside Industry. It will be followed by cheese and wine.

Flower service: Women are being asked to wear flowers and hats, and men to wear floral buttonholes at a patronal service celebrating St Mary at the parish church in Gainford, on Sunday September 7.

Shop plans: An application to open a food takeaway in a commercial area of Darlington's High Grange estate is to be approved on Wednesday. Planning committee members are expected to give approval to the bid from Ingleby Barwick Land and Property Developments for the shop, in Alverton Drive.

CHARITY EVENT: A family fun day in aid of the Great North Air Ambulance takes place at Hummersknott School, Darlington, on Sunday, September 14, from noon to 6pm. There will be live music, dancers, face painting, displays from the military and emergency services. Admission is £3 for adults, and £2 for children.

Sports night: Haughton Badminton Club, in Darlington, is holding an open evening at Haughton School on Sunday, September 7, from 7.15pm to 9pm. Anyone over 16 is invited to watch an exhibition match, try out various rackets and pick up coaching tips. For more information, contact Carol Boyd on (01325) 260779.