A BAT signed by Durham County Cricket Club players is being offered to the highest bidder to help raise funds for a Christmas dinner staged for elderly villagers.

Jim Affleck, the sub-postmaster in Newfield Village, near Pelton, on the outskirts of Chester-le-Street, has been given the bat by the club, but he plans to use it to boost the Christmas fund. He helps to organise the dinner, which also features entertainment, as a thank-you to about 70 senior members of the community who use the post office. Anyone wishing to bid for the bat can contact Mr Affleck on 0191-370 0347.

SCHOOL EXPANSION: Plans to expand a school to give children extra sports and arts facilities are to go before Chester-le-Street District Council today. Sacriston County Nursery and Infant School is applying for planning permission to build a hall within the school grounds that could be used by pupils and residents for sports and arts activities. The school gained planning permission last year for a similar scheme, but the latest bid is a revised version.

YOUTH WORSHIP: The Jezreel Kids' Church for youngsters aged seven to 11 meets every Sunday in the Methodist Chapel, Front Street, Dipton, near Stanley, between 10am and noon. For details, call the Reverend Gerrard Hurst on (01207) 230977.

SPIRITUALIST MEETING: A spiritualist meeting will be held today in Vane Tempest Hall, Gilesgate, Durham, at 7pm. Meetings are held weekly and some feature guest mediums. Everyone is welcome.

FOLK NIGHT: Teesside folk singer-songwriter Vin Garbutt, voted best live act of 2001 in the Radio 2 Folk Awards, will be giving a rare performance in Durham next Friday at Durham Rugby Club, at 8pm. Tickets cost £7 and are available from Ian McCulloch on 0191-384 4160.

COFFEE CASH: The Durham Action Group of the Bible Society raised more than £300 with a coffee morning held in Durham Town Hall at the end of September. The chairman and committee of the group thank everyone who gave their support.

HISTORY HELP: Local historian David Butler will introduce people new to family and local history to old maps of Durham at the city's Clayport Library on Saturday, November 2, at 2pm. Fifteen places are available and tickets cost £2. To book, call 0191-386 4003.

STORY TIME: A story time session for pre-school youngsters will be led by Carol Attewell and Jacqui Rodgerson at Durham Clayport Library, Millennium Place, Durham, on Wednesday at 11am. Admission is free.

SALSA DANCING: People can learn how to dance Salsa-style at a new class due to start shortly at Framwellgate Moor Community Centre, Durham. There will also be a nursery dance class for youngsters aged three and four. For details, call 0191-386 6921.