PUPILS at a north Durham school won a computer after they were judged the most generous in a charity fundraising drive.

Lord Lawson of Beamish Community School was awarded the computer for raising the most money per student in a sponsored read week, organised by online bank First Direct in aid of the National Autistic Society.

GARAGE RAID: Goods valued at more than £1,000 were taken when thieves broke into a garage next to a house in Summerhill, Consett, on Saturday. Items taken included a lawnmower, golf clubs, a strimmer and a sander. Police believe the same gang carried out a similar garage burglary at Hamsterley Mill last week. Anyone with information is asked to call Consett police, on (01207) 504204.

TYRES SLASHed: A police patrol car parked in Lumsden Terrace was one of the targets in a spate of car tyre slashings in Stanley at the weekend. Vehicles in Earl Street, Duke Street and York Street, as well as in Catchgate and Tantobie were also targeted.

GIVE BLOOD: A blood donors session will take place tomorrow in Fulwell Methodist Church, Dovedale Road, Fulwell, Sunderland, from 2.30pm to 7pm.

MORE TRAINS: Tanfield Railway, near Stanley, will run trains on Wednesdays and Thursdays as well as weekends during the school summer holidays. For details call 0191-388 7545.

CAR THEFT: Thieves stole a black Volkswagen Golf GTI car from Sunningdale, Consett, overnight on Saturday. Anyone with information is asked to call Consett police on (01207) 504204.

HEALING SESSION: Free healing sessions are held from 1pm to 3pm on Tuesdays, at Durham City Spiritualist Church, in John Street.

COUNCIL SURGERY: Chester-le-Street district councillors for Urpeth, James Barrett and Allen Hume, will hold a surgery today in Ouston Community Centre, Iris Crescent, from 6.30pm to 7pm.

BUSKERS' NIGHT: The Jug, in Claypath, Durham, holds its weekly buskers' night tonight for acoustic musicians and singers. It starts at 8pm and admission is free. For details call the pub on 0191-384 8354.

SHED BURGLARY: Burglars broke into a shed in Rosedale Avenue, Consett, on Saturday and stole a Yamaha trail motorbike with a red seat and white mudguards, worth £300.

COUNCIL MEETING: The next meeting of Derwentside District Council's community safety scrutiny panel will be held in Consett Civic Centre on Thursday, at 6pm.

ON STAGE: Folk group Blazin' Fiddles will perform at the Lamplight Arts Centre, Stanley, on Saturday, at 7.30pm. For details call the box office on (01207) 218899.