RESIDENTS interested in the future of their community are being asked to take part in an election.

The post of the vice-chairman of the Hartlepool Central Neighbourhood Consultative Forum is vacant and residents in the area are being asked to nominate themselves or someone else. The vote will take place at the forum's meeting on Thursday in committee room B at the town's Civic Centre at 10am. Nominations can be made at the meeting, but anyone who is unable to attend can put themselves, or someone else, forward before 5pm on Wednesday. Nomination papers are available from Christine Armstrong on (01429) 523016.

VENUE CHANGE: Owing to refurbishment works at Whinney Banks Youth and Community Centre, Middlesbrough, Councillors Bernie and Joan Taylor will not be holding any ward surgeries there during August. Instead, they will be held at the New Deal office, Melbourne House, Middlesbrough, between 5pm and 6pm next Monday, and at Acklam Library, between 5pm and 6pm, on Friday, August 29. They have apologised for any inconvenience.

CHARITY WALK: Heart attack victim Stan Gent, 62, walked the 230-mile coast-to-coast walk from St Bees Head, Cumbria, to Robin Hood's Bay, North Yorkshire, to raise £650 for the Take Heart Support Group, in Middlesbrough, where he lives.

GOLF PLANS: Notiondial is seeking permission from Stockton Borough Council to build a nine-hole golf course, shop, clubhouse, restaurant, green-keeper's store and golf driving range on land north of Quarry Farm, Ingleby Barwick.

NEW HOUSES: Stockton Borough Council has received a planning application from Charles Church North-East to build nine houses on land at Wynyard Village.

NEW PLAYGROUP: A new playgroup has opened in Stockton for children under five. It is based within The Forge, in Somerset Road, and there will be daily two-hour sessions. To register, call (01642) 353792.