A MAN charged with sending obscene material through the post has been remanded in custody by Newton Aycliffe magistrates.

Richard Whitfield, 45, of Forster Avenue, Sherburn Village, near Durham City, was arrested last month. He was charged on Thursday by detectives with one offence of harassment and eight of sending obscene material through the post.

Magistrates yesterday remanded him in custody until August 16, when he is due to appear at Peterlee Magistrates' Court.

AGE GAP: Age Concern's Sedgefield area office, in Shildon, is offering the opportunity for older and younger people to enjoy a day at Preston Hall Park, in Eaglescliffe, near Stockton. Coaches will leave Shildon Civic Centre Car Park and Newton Aycliffe Youth Centre at 10am, on Monday, August 19, returning at 3pm. Tickets are available from Age Concern Durham County's Sedgefield Locality Office, Shildon Housing and Community Resource Centre, 51 Church Street, Shildon. Alternatively, call Mandy on (01388) 770505.

OPEN HOUSE: Emergency services will be out in force when Darlington Magistrates' Court opens its doors to the public next month. Mock trials will be held, while police in riot gear give demonstrations and police vehicles will be put on show. The open day is on Saturday, September 21, from 10am to 4pm.

WI SALE: Middleton St George Women's Institute is holding a sale next Saturday, at 2pm, in the WI Hall.

SURGERY DATE: PC Alan Thompson, of Newton Aycliffe police, will hold a surgery at Aycliffe Village Hall from 10am to noon next Saturday. There will also be an opportunity for private consultations with local councillors.

ACTION GROUP: The next meeting of the Cockerton Action Group, in Darlington, will be on Wednesday, August 21, in St Mary's Hall, Stooperdale Avenue, at 7.30pm.

CRAFT FAIR: Sedgefield College Community Association has opened the booking list for its annual craft fair on October 6, from 11am to 3pm. Spaces at £6 per table can be booked by calling Rana Coates on 01740 621097.

NETBALL CAMP: A summer netball camp will take place in Darlington next week. Boys and girls, aged ten to 13, can take part in the event from Monday to Friday, between 1pm and 4pm each day, at the Eastbourne Sports Complex. For details, telephone (01325) 245574.

CHARITY EVENT: A coffee morning in aid of Guide Dogs for the Blind will be held at St Peter's Church, Princes Street, Bishop Auckland, next Saturday, from 10am to noon.

NETBALL LEAGUE: The Spectrum Leisure Complex in Willington is hoping to start an indoor netball league on Wednesday evenings during the winter. The cost will be £13 per week for a 40-minute game.