Burglars made off with a distinctive mountain bike after breaking into a garage in Bradley Cottages, near Medomsley, Consett. The Rockhopper competition bike, worth about £600, was stolen on Sunday. It was painted in metallic blue, yellow and black.

Burglars also attempted to break into three sheds in Bradley Bungalows, near Leadgate, on the same night. Anyone with information is asked to contact Consett Police on (01207) 504204.

PROWLERS SPOTTED: Crooks are targeting stables in the Lanchester area of Derwentside. Residents in four properties on the A691 road between Lanchester and Malton reported seeing prowlers over the weekend. Police said the reports tied in with a spate of criminal damage in the area and attempts to siphon off diesel from a vehicle. Anyone with information is asked to contact Consett police on (01207) 504204.

Acoustic sounds: The Beamish Mary Inn at No Place, near Stanley, is holding its Acoustic Wednesday tonight in the Stables Bar for local singer-songwriters. It starts at 8.30pm and there is a cover charge. For details call 0191-370 0237.

GENERATOR STOLEN: Burglars stole a generator from a site in the east Stanley area. Crooks took the Honda GX160 generator, worth about £400, on Friday. Anyone with information is asked to contact Stanley police, on (01207) 280613.

Donor dates: Blood donor sessions take place today in the community centre in Derwent Street, Chopwell, between 3pm and 7pm, and at St Joseph's Parish Centre, Rutland Street, Millfield, Sunderland, from 2.30pm to 7pm.

FAMILY TREE: A five-week course in researching a family tree takes place at Chester-le-Street Community Centre, on Newcastle Bank begins on Monday. Classes run from 7pm to 9.30pm and the course costs £17.50.

HEALTH MEETING: County Durham and Tees Valley Strategic Health Authority is holding a public meeting in the Samsung Centre, Wynyard Park, today at 9.30am.

VISITORS NEEDED: Volunteers are needed to visit elderly patients in Highfield Hospital, Chester-le-Street. To help, call 0191-389 2947.

Open night: Sunderland social services department is holding an open evening on fostering and adoption at its training centre in Carrmere Road, Leechmere Industrial Estate, Grangetown, today between 6.30pm and 9pm.

MORE FLATS: The Home Housing Association has applied for planning permission to build a block of flats for supported living, in the Ponds Court Business Park, Genesis Way, Consett.

HEALTH MEETING: North Durham Community Health Council holds a public meeting in the conference and club room in the Abbey Sports Centre, Pity Me, Durham, on Friday at 10am.

EXTRA room: Durham City Council is being asked to grant planning permission for a front porch and a single storey pitched roof extension to a house in Oatlands Way, Durham.