AN evening of live rock music from six of the most popular bands from Teesdale, Darlington and Weardale is taking place on Thursday.

The Christmas Cracker event is being held in The Barn suite, the Jersey Farm Hotel, Barnard Castle, in County Durham. The event has been organised by the Teesdale Community Resources music project, bringing quality rock bands into the Teesdale area to play alongside homegrown bands. The line-up includes Fude, Unlearn, Astoma, Eponymous, No Fouling and The Vibe Surgeons. Tickets are £5 and can be booked on (0833) 690150. Doors open 7.30pm.

BLOOD DONORS: Donor sessions take place in Consett Methodist Church hall, Station Road, Consett, on Tuesday, between 3pm and 7pm, and at Burn Park Methodist Church, Burn Park Road, Sunderland, on Wednesday, between 2.30pm and 7pm.

DANCE SHOW: Samantha's School of Dance presents A Christmas Kracker at the Lamplight Arts Centre, Stanley, on Monday, December 23, at 7.30pm. Tickets are £4 or £3 for concessions and are available from the box office, on (01207) 218899.

CHURCH DECORATIONS: Members of Sedgefield's St Edmund's Parish Church will be decorating the building for Christmas on Friday. Anyone wishing to make a donation towards the cost should contact the Rector, the Reverend Martin King, or members Joyce Lowe or Audrey Lofthouse.

CHURCH SERVICE: Eastbourne Methodist Church, in Yarm Road, Darlington, holds its nativity and Christingle services on Sunday, December 22. There will also be a carol service at 3pm.

MARKET MUSIC: A choir from Crook Primary School, in Croft Avenue, will sing carols and play handbells next to Crook Market Square, on Thursday, at 10.30am.

EVENT CANCELLED: A performance by The Castle Players of ghost stories by candlelight has been cancelled. It was due to be held at Bishop Auckland Town Hall, on Sunday. Refunds are available from the tourist information centre in the town hall.

PENSIONERS' PARTY: Sunnydale School, in Shildon, will hold a Christmas tea party for senior citizens on Tuesday, from 2pm to 3pm. There will be mince pies and a cup of tea, a raffle and carols performed by lower school singers. Call (01388) 772526 by Monday lunchtime to attend.

HOUSE BURGLED: A Nokia mobile phone, a Reebok purse, £65 in cash and three CDs were stolen from the living room of a house in Albert Street, Chilton, between 1.30am and 10am on Thursday.