A village pub is toasting another award from the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra).

The Crown Inn, in Manfield, near Darlington, has been voted the best Camra pub in the Darlington area for the second consecutive year. A festival offering 22 guest beers will be held at the pub from August 22 to 25.

NEW COURSES: Stanhope Community Centre, in Weardale, will be offering free one-hour taster sessions in Spanish and French for prospective holidaymakers on Monday. Call (01388) 526939 for details.

SHOP ANNIVERSARY: The Spar shop in North Terrace, Gainford, near Darlington, is celebrating 15 years of trading with prize draws for customers during the Bank Holiday weekend, August 23 to 25.

BRIDGE BOOST: A bridge event at St George's Bridge Club, in Darlington, raised £745 for the Macmillan Cancer Relief Durham Appeal. Nearly 100 players took part, with the Macmillan Trophy going to Nichola Cockerill-Smith and Trevor Nunn.

PARISH COUNCIL: The next meeting of West Auckland Parish Council will be on Monday, at 7.30pm, in the Memorial Hall.

PLANNING MEETING: Wear Valley District Council's development control committee meets today, at 2pm, in the council chamber, Crook Civic Centre.

FUN DAY: Mackays Bishop Auckland, in Newgate Street, is holding a fun day on Saturday to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Relief.

MUSIC ROOM: Hurworth Comprehensive School, near Darlington, is seeking planning permission from Darlington Borough Council for an extension to a classroom for music studies.

BOARD TALK: The next board meeting of Sedgefield Primary Care Trust will be on Thursday, August 14, at 2pm in the trust's offices in Merrington House, Merrington Lane, Spennymoor. Anyone wishing to attend or ask questions can contact 0191-301 3820.

FUN DAY: Ferryhill Leisure Centre will be holding a fun day on Tuesday, from 11am to 2.30pm.

BUSINESS PLANS: Lima Engineering, in Red Barnes Way, Darlington, has applied to Darlington Borough Council for permission to extend its premises.

CHURCH SALE: Whitworth Church, near Spennymoor, will be holding a bric-a-brac sale on Sunday, from noon to 5pm. Visitors can follow a heritage trail around the church and Whitworth Park.

FARM CHANGES: The owners of Oak Tree Farm, Yarm Road, Middleton St George, are seeking permission from Darlington Borough Council for permission to extend and sub-divide the property to create three homes.