FIREFIGHTERS rescued two labrador dogs after a cooker fire broke out in a bungalow in Washington Road, Hylton Castle, Sunderland.

The kitchen was badly damaged and the occupant was treated at the scene for smoke inhalation.

BRIDGE CLOSURES: Lane restrictions will be in place on Wearmouth Bridge, Sunderland, this week, along with previously announced overnight closures. Restrictions are in force from 6.30pm to 11.30pm today, tomorrow, and from Monday to Thursday next week. Lanes will also be closed from 5pm to 6.30am on each of those days. Full closures will be in force between 11.30pm and 5am the same days.

MINIATURE WORK: Amateur and professional artists can enter Northumbria University's Summer Exhibition of Small Works, at the University Gallery. People can enter up to four paintings, drawings, prints, photographs or ceramics for the exhibition, which must reach the gallery with entry forms and a £6 fee by June 27. The exhibition will begin on August 1. Images must be no bigger than 12cm x 12cm.

ART SHOW: Artwork by Andrzej Jackowski, ranging from work produced during his art school days to his current compositions on myths, memories and childhood, will be on display at the University Gallery of Northumbria University from May 2 to May 30. The gallery is open from 10am to 5pm, Monday to Thursday, until 4pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and is closed on Sundays and Bank Holidays.

NEW EXHIBITION: An exhibition of work by 18th Century artist Giovanni Battista Piranesi will open at Northumbria University's gallery in Newcastle on June 6. He is best know for his etchings of ancient and modern Rome, and his Imaginary Prisons work, a series of etchings depicting nightmarish, cavernous spaces linked by walkways.

CHARITY ABSEIL: Volunteers are needed to take part in an abseil down the 80ft International Centre For Life, in Newcastle, on May 10 and 11. Each abseiler should raise at least £75 for the Royal National Institute of the Blind. Entry is £10 per person, and entry forms and more information is available by calling (01388) 528297.

TOUR DATE: Former Spandau Ballet star Tony Hadley will appear at The Customs House, in South Shields, on Thursday, May 29, and not The Spaldings, as leaflets advertising his tour stated. The musician contacted The Customs House bosses to ask them to apologise to fans for the error.

FOOTBALL COLOURS: Tomorrow, shoppers at Gateshead's MetroCentre are encouraged to visit Exhibition Square in the colours of their football team. The event is to raise money for Metro Radio's Just for Kids appeal, which raises funds on behalf of charities to buy medical and learning equipment for handicapped children.

BOTTLE ATTACK: Police in Newcastle are hunting a teenager who hit a 20-year-old man over the head with a wine bottle on the green outside the Eldon Square shopping centre at 7.15pm on Sunday. The victim suffered a badly cut ear. Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0191-214 6555, ext 62152.

CUSTOMER AWARDS: Newcastle City Council finds out today if it has won a national award for customer service. The authority is one of three groups in the running for the best large organisation at the Customer Relationship Management Industry Awards, taking place today in London.