TELEVISION'S Dr Chris Steel was among the key speakers at an anti-smoking event.

The GP, resident doctor on ITV1's This Morning programme and a national expert on smoking cessation, was one of about 60 health professionals at the Smoking Cessation - the Way Forward seminar at Seaham Hall. It was organised to highlight the efforts being made to encourage people in Sunderland to give up smoking, and covered topics such as nicotine replacement therapy and also the use of the controversial anti-smoking drug, Zyban.

JUBILEE SHOW: The friends of Lamplight Arts Centre, formerly Stanley Civic Hall, will present a Jubilee Show Time from 7pm on Saturday, September 21. Features will include the Gibside Singers, Annfield Plain Gleemen, Stanley Variety Troupe, South Moor Operatic and Dramatic Society and Samantha's School of Dance. Tickets are £3 (£2 for children) and can be booked on (01207) 218899.

CHARITY CASH: Shoppers at the MetroCentre, Gateshead, raised £1,398 for Hearing Dogs for the Deaf, which ran a charity barrow at the complex for a week. The sum raised is more than half the money needed to sponsor a hearing dog.

SPORTY THEME: Miles Langthorne, of Northallerton, North Yorkshire, will give a presentation called An Eye for Sport when Durham Photographic Society meets tonight at 7.30pm in Shakespeare Hall, North Road, Durham.

MEDITATION CLASS: The Atisha Buddhist Centre, of Darlington, is holding a meditation class tonight in Alington House, North Bailey, Durham, between 7.30pm and 9.30pm. People attending are asked to make a £4 donation.

BOAT SHOW: Wearside Model Boat Club is holding a display of radio-controlled ships, tugs and war vessels, on Saturday, September 21, in the Women's Institute hall, Dalton-le-Dale, near Peterlee, between 10.30am and 3.30pm. Admission is free.

IRISH SOUNDS: Irish singer and musician Brian Kennedy, who has performed with Van Morrison, appears at the Newcastle Opera House, Westgate Road, on Sunday. Tickets cost £14.50 and £16.50 and are available from the box office on 0191-232 0899.

SQUIRREL STROLL: Animal lovers can see what is being done to protect the red squirrel at Castle Eden Dene National Nature Reserve, near Peterlee, on a walk being held on Sunday, between 2pm and 4pm. Admission is free, but places should be booked by calling 0191-518 2403.

TALKING POINT: Foreign language evening classes start this month at Park View Community Association, Chester-le-Street. The ten-week courses include Spanish, French, German and Italian taught at a variety of levels. Classes in beginners Russian are also being run. For further information about times and dates contact Park View on 0191-388 1043.