CHILDREN in Darlington are being asked to take part in a sponsored bike ride to raise cash for a cancer charity.

The third Blue Peter Bikeathon, in aid of Leukemia Research, will be held at South Park on Sunday, May 4. "We're hoping for a fantastic turnout from kids in the Darlington area," said local organiser Linda Young. It is part of a national event which will be launched during the BBC1 show today, at 5pm. To take part, log on to www.bbc.co.uk/bluepeter.

CHAIRMAN VACANCY: Firthmoor Community Partnership Board is seeking a new chairman. Outgoing chairman Mark Fabb stepped down at the board's annual meeting on Friday and Councillor Roderick Francis agreed to be interim chairman until a replacement was found.

WORLD PRAYER: The Women's World Day of Prayer is being celebrated in Darlington, on Friday. The theme of the day will be Holy Spirit Fill Us and is prepared by the Christian Women of Lebanon. Services will be held at the Salvation Army Citadel, in Northgate, and Gainford Methodist Church, both at 2pm. Evening services will take place at St Mary's Church, in Cockerton, and St Mark with St Paul, in North Road, both at 7pm.

CHURCH SPEAKERS: Stuart and Ann Crane, of the Salvation Army, will be guest speakers at a Churches Together in Darlington meeting on Monday, March 17. There will be lunch at noon followed by the talk at 1pm at St Cuthbert's Church centre, in Market Square.

SPORTS PLAN: An outline planning application for new sports changing rooms at South Park has been received by Darlington Borough Council from Cleveland Bridge UK.

SOCIETY MEETING: Darlington Chrysanthemum and Dahlia Society will meet on Tuesday, April 1 at the ASE Club, in Northgate, at 7.30pm.

MOTHERS' SERVICE: A service for mothers and their children will be held at St Andrew's Church, Sadberge, near Darlington, on Mothering Sunday, March 30. The service, at 11am, will be led by the Reverend David Bryan, from Haughton.

HOLISTIC PRACTICE: An application for a certificate for a holistic health practice at Tanglewood, Haughton Road, has been submitted to Darlington Borough Council.

JUMBLE SALE: The Parish of St Hilda and St Columba Church, in Darlington, is holding a jumble sale at the church hall, off Clifton Road and Park Lane, on Friday, between 6.30pm and 7.30pm.

TABLE-TOP SALE: A table-top sale will be held at Morrison Close Community Centre, Woodham, Newton Aycliffe, on March 15, from 10am until 2pm. To book tables, call (01325) 313924.