PENSIONERS are reaping the rewards of a campaign to promote benefits take-up.

A campaign by Easington District Council and Durham Welfare Rights, in which benefits information was sent to residents over 60, was run in 2002/2003. It resulted in 92 people receiving extra benefits, amounting to more than £60,000 a year. Councillor Joan Freak, cabinet member for social inclusion, said: "We are delighted with the results of this initiative."

FORUM MEETING: The next meeting of the central area forum will be held on Wednesday, April 16, at 6pm, in Peterlee Methodist Church, Bede Way, Peterlee. Councillors and council officers will be on hand to answer questions about neighbourhood services and to log complaints. Items can be added to the agenda by writing to Easington District Council's democratic services and administration department, and matters can also be raised at the meeting.

GREEN SURVEY: More than 1,000 small businesses in Newcastle will be urged to give their views on recycling services next week. Newcastle City Council's eco partnership, with the North East Chamber of Commerce, is carrying out the survey to find out ways of improving recycling in the area. Consultation forms will go out over the next few days.

GOLF AID: A cheque for £11,100 will be presented to the Butterwick Hospice by Brancepeth Castle Golf Club, County Durham, on Friday. It is the proceeds of fundraising, particularly from a pro-am tournament held at the course last summer, staged as part of club captain Gary Cooper's chosen charity drive.

WARD SURGERIES: District and county councillors will answer residents' queries in ward surgeries at Hesleden Community Association, Front Street, Hesleden, from 10.30am to noon next Saturday; and at the Community Centre, McNally House, Murton, from 7pm to 8pm on Wednesday, April 2.

STRAY RECOVERY: From Monday, April 14, stray dogs collected by wardens in Easington district will only be available for recovery at Cleadon Kennels, in Sunderland. The kennels can be contacted on 0191-529 2369.

CASH GRANT: The Government is pumping £5.4m into South Tyneside to tackle problems in the most deprived areas of the borough. The cash, from the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund, will go on a wide range of projects.

BAT DAY: A batbox and birdbox-building event will take place in Lemington Community Centre, Montague Street, Lemington, Newcastle, from 1.30pm to 3.30pm today.

SCHOOL CLOSED: Jarrow Cross Primary School, Jarrow, was closed yesterday due to heating failure. The school will re-open Monday.