SUPPORTERS of Darlington Football Club have held what were said to be "very useful" talks with their counterparts from York City.

Members of the Darlington Supporters' Trust held informal discussions with their opposite numbers from Bootham Crescent.

Darlington fans supported York's fundraising efforts when they took part in a friendly match earlier this year after the Third Division club ran into financial troubles. Several issues affecting Darlington fans were said to have been discussed during the three-hour meeting on Tuesday.

PLAN DELAY: Darlington Borough Council's planning committee decided yesterday to defer a decision on whether to grant permission for a house to be built in the grounds of the dilapidated Grade II-listed Harewood Grove in the town. English Heritage has contacted the authority to ask for further discussions with architects.

RECTOR APPOINTED: The Reverend Paul Neville, 41, from Hartlepool, has been appointed joint rector of Middleton St George and Sadberge, near Darlington. He will be inducted at St Laurence's Church, Middleton St George, on September 1, at 7.30pm.

STOP SMOKING: A ten-week course to help people stop smoking will begin in West Cornforth Community Centre on Wednesday, September 10, from 10am to 11.30am. To register call Annie Pluse on 0191-301 3813.

GIVE BLOOD: A session for blood donors is being held at the church and masonic hall, Church Lane, Wolsingham, on Tuesday, from 3.15pm to 7pm.

ANNIVERSARY SERVICE: Woodland Methodist Church is holding an anniversary service on August 10, at 6pm, followed by a concert by Tanfield Lea Chapel Choir at 8pm.

WHIST DRIVE: Kirk Merrington Women's Institute will be holding a whist and domino drive in the village hall on Saturday at 2pm.

HERITAGE TRAIL: People will be invited to follow a village heritage trail at Whitworth Parish Church, near Spennymoor, on Sunday, from noon to 5pm.

COLLEGE PLANS: Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College, in Darlington, has submitted plans to the borough council to install an electricity sub-station in the college grounds.

FUNDRAISING FUN: A fun day will be held in the car park at Asda's Bishop Auckland store on Sunday, from 10am to 4pm. Money raised will go to charity

CLUB BARBECUE: Crook Cricket Club is selling tickets for a barbecue and disco on Saturday, August 16, from 7pm to 11pm.

FAMILY DAY: The Manor House Hotel and Country Club, West Auckland, is holding a charity family fun day on Sunday, August 17, from 11am to 4pm. All proceeds will go to the Butterwick Hospice at Bishop Auckland.