Members of Chester-le-Street Traders Association are inviting businesses to take part in the town's hanging basket competition.

It will be judged in August and the winner will receive a weekend break at Lumley Castle. Application forms are available from Christine Davies, the council's commercial manager, by calling at Nigel Humes Office, 3-5 High Chare, Chester-le-Street or by contacting her on 0191-3871348.

PSYCHIC FAIR: A health and psychic fair at The Quality Hotel, Boldon, tomorrow, from 10am to 5pm, will include psychic readers, therapist consultants, gift stalls and free talks. Admission is £2, or free for accompanied children under 16.

RESTAURANT FIRE: Fire broke out at the TGI Fridays restaurant in Gateshead just before 2am yesterday. The blaze destroyed the dining area and left much of the building heat and smoke damaged.

FUN RUN: The sixth Deerness Valley Fun Run will be held on Sunday, May 18, starting in Esh Winning at noon and finishing at Ushaw Moor. One of the main charity beneficiaries will be Durham's St Cuthbert's Hospice. For entry forms and information packs call Bill Donnelly on 0191-373 4284.

GHOST HUNT: Visitors to Crook Hall, Durham's medieval manor, can go on a ghost hunt on Sunday and Monday, at 2pm and 3.30pm. Admission is £4, concessions £3.50.

TEA DANCE: A tea dance will be held on Tuesday between 2pm and 4pm in The Studio restaurant on the top floor of Durham's Gala Theatre. Tickets cost £6 and are available from the box office on 0191-332 4041.

SUNDAY STROLL: Voluntary countryside ranger Mike Ord will lead an eight-mile walk through Sunderland Bridge, Hett and Tudhoe on Sunday, at 11am, starting at Sunderland Bridge. The walk costs £2, concessions £1.

FUN DAY: Coxhoe Community Partnerships will hold a fun day on the football field next to the village's leisure centre, from noon next Saturday. The event's theme is scarecrows, and there will be guest appearances by Worzel Gummidge and Aunt Sally. Entrance is free to anyone wearing fancy dress.

RUSSIAN TALE: The Multi Story Theatre Company performs its children's play, The Firebird, in Bullion Hall, Chester-le-Street, at 6pm on Wednesday. The Russian adventure story is suitable for the over-fives and has been sponsored by Elements, the County Durham drama initiative. Admission is £2 for adults, £1 for children, and free for carers. To book a place call Keith Robson on 0191-3871149 or pay at the door.