More than 10,000 people took part in Sunderland's Environment Week by tree planting, cleaning up litter and painting community buildings last week.

Pupils at 30 schools also took part in a recycling drive. To mark the end of the initiative, a public open forum took place at Sunderland's Winter Gardens on Friday. At the forum a pilot scheme was launched which will give grants to communities and schools for green projects.

HOUSING DECISION: Outline plans for the building of six houses west of Heathmeads, Pelton, Chester-le-Street, are likely to be rejected by the district council's planning committee. Planning officers have recommended that permission should be refused because of the "unacceptable loss of outdoor amenity space".

FLOWER SHOW: Cestrian Flower Club will hold a demonstration in the North Lodge site of Park View Community Centre, Chester-le-Street, on Thursday, called Christmas at Home, starting at 7.15pm.

LIVE COMEDY: The Laughing Gas Comedy Club will present live comedy at the Washington Arts Centre at 8.30pm on Friday, December 13. There will be special guests, including Dominic Woodward, and support acts. Tickets are £5 and £3 concessions.

DROP-IN SESSION: A drop- in event for senior citizens will be held at the Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens from 10am to 3pm today. Included in the day's activities will be line dancing, armchair exercises, and complementary therapies. There will also be a number of stalls from various organisations, including Age Concern and the Alzheimer's Society.

PANTO NIGHT: Tickets for Puss in Boots, staged at the district sports centre, Meadowfield, near Durham, on Friday, at 7pm, are available for £3 on 0191-378 9888.

DANCE DISPLAY: A dance display will be held in Park View Community Theatre, Chester-le-Street, on Sunday, December 15. The TNT school of dance will hold performances at 2pm and 5pm. For more information, contact 0191-526 3028.

ROCK NIGHT: The Arts Centre, Washington, is presenting a live music night for the under-18s from 7.30pm to 10.30pm on Friday, December 13. Tickets for the event, featuring Shy Tall Knights, are £2. For further details, contact 0191-219 3455.

DONOR SESSION: A blood donor session will be held at the Methodist Church Hall, Station Road, Consett, on Tuesday, December 17, from 3pm to 9pm.

HOMES BID: A planning application for the building of 20 houses on land next to South View, Templeton, Consett, has been submitted to Derwentside District Council. The proposals have been drawn up by Bowey Homes.