THREE homeowners in the same street have been the victims of garage burglaries.

Thieves struck overnight on Thursday at three houses in Woody Close, Delves Lane, near Consett. In all three cases, the burglars forced garage doors open. The thieves also tried to break into one of the garages again the following night, but failed. Derwentside police believe the thefts may be linked to a caravan burglary the same night on the First Street allotments, Crookhall. The burglars broke two windows, but eventually got in by levering the unit's door with a plank. They stole a Rhino crowbar, along with other property from a nearby shed. Anyone with information should contact Consett Police on (01207) 504204.

BENEFITS ADVICE: Advisors from Age Concern Durham County will be at Sacriston Community Centre from 9.30am until 12.30pm, on Thursday, December 12, to advise on benefit entitlements, help with claims and provide general information. Anyone wanting a free benefits check is asked to take information about their weekly income and savings, or call 0191-371 8601 or 0191-386 3856.

BUSKER'S NIGHTt: Baz Warne's Buskers Night takes place tonight at The Greens, Low Row, Sunderland, starting at 8pm. Admission is free. For details, call 0191-567 2662.

ADVICE SESSIONS: Durham Citizens Advice Bureau will hold outreach sessions next Monday in Bearpark Community Centre, between 10.30am and 11.30am, and in Deerness Valley School's Online Centre, from noon to 1pm. Call 0191-383 2885 for details.

FESTIVE TREATS: Bearpark Methodist Church is holding a Christmas Treat tomorrow, at 2pm, when gifts including soft toys and cakes will be on sale. Admission is £1.50 and includes Christmas tea.

RAILWAU WALK: Voluntary Countryside Ranger Michael Jones will lead an 11-mile walk, called a Railway Trilogy, tomorrow, starting at 10am, at the Broompark Picnic Area. The walk is £2 for adults and £1 for concessions.

POP HISTS: Jiab will be performing pop hits on Friday at The Daisy Hill, Heugh's Edge, near Sacriston, from 8.30pm. Admission is free.

GUITAR CLUB: Chester-le-Street Community Association runs a guitar club for all ages and abilities at the association's centre on Newcastle Bank, on Saturdays, between 10am and 1pm. For details, call 0191-388 4752.

DONOR DATES: Blood donor sessions will be held tomorrow in the Burn Park Methodist Church, Burn Park Road, Sunderland, between 2.30pm and 7pm, and on Thursday, in the Elvet Suite of the Three Tuns Hotel, New Elvet, Durham, between 2.30pm and 7pm.

SIXTIES SOUNDS: Northern Haze will be performing the hits of the 1960s at the O'Neill's Irish pub, in Claypath, Durham, on Thursday, from 9pm. For details, call 0191-383 6951.