SANTA Paws will be paying a visit to a Darlington pet store tomorrow.

The canine Santa will visit the Pets at Home store, on Darlington Retail Park, Yarm Road, from noon to 2pm, to help raise funds for the chain's chosen charity, Dogs for the Disabled. Special guest at the event, which runs from 11am to 5pm, will be Carol Goodman, from Darlington, who will be accompanied by her dog, Anton, one of the first Dogs for the Disabled to be placed in the region.

NEW COURSE: Greenfield Community and Arts Centre in Newton Aycliffe is planning a ten-week course in basic conversational French, from Wednesday, January 15. The course costs £15 for adults, £10 for under-16s. For further information telephone (01325) 307147 or 379048.

CRIBS DISPLAY: Christian Aid is holding a coffee morning and a display of crib scenes over the weekend of December 7 and 8 at Elm Ridge Methodist Church, Darlington. The coffee morning takes place on Saturday, December 7, from 10am to noon, and admission is £1.50. Crib scenes are on show from 2pm to 4pm on the Saturday and Sunday, admission £1.

HOUSE EVACUATED: A house in Holmlands Road, Darlington, had to be evacuated yesterday after reports of a gas leak and possible minor explosions. Transco carried out an investigation and the residents were allowed to return to their home 15 minutes later while work in the area continued.

FIRM MOVES: Retailers Burt's Carpets is moving from its home in the former Farmway building in King Street, Darlington, to make way for the headquarters of Darlington Primary Care Trust. The firm's will be based in a purpose-built warehouse off the town's Eastmount Road.

TRIBUTE SHOW: Eagles tribute band the B'Eagles will perform at Hurworth Community Centre, on Saturday, December 7. Tickets are £8 at the door, or £7 in advance from the centre or Hurworth Grange Social Club. Alternatively, call (01325) 720840 or 07814 097326.

CAROL CONCERT: Sedgefield District Rainbows, Brownies and Guides will hold a carol concert at 6.30pm on Tuesday, in St Edmund's Church, Sedgefield.

COFFEE MORNING: A gift day and coffee mornings will be held at Sedgefield St Edmund's Parish Church and Fishburn St Catherine's Church on Saturday, December 7, from 10am to 11.30am.

PARISH SALE: St Columba's Church hall, in Clifton Avenue, Darlington, is holding a parish fayre on Saturday, December 7, starting at 1pm.