A TEA dance organised for the first day of the Darlington Market Festival and Pot Fair has been rearranged because of the wet weather.

The dance was due to be held in Darlington Market Square yesterday, but it will now be held on Tuesday, the last day of the fair, at 11am. This year's festival is the third annual event. The first was held to mark the Queen Mother's 100th birthday.

WRITING COURSE: A creative writing course is being run at Greenfield Community and Arts Centre, Newton Aycliffe. The five-week course, starting on Monday, September 2, from 1pm to 3pm, is free. It will cover a range of writing forms, including poetry, short stories, and publishing. For more information call (01325) 307147 or 379048, or visit the centre.

ART EXHIBITION: Yarm Art Society is holding an exhibition at Witham Hall, Barnard Castle, from August 29 to September 4. For details contact (01833) 631107.

MARKET STALL: Darlington Advanced Motorists group is running a stall in the town's Market Square on Saturday, August 24.

MEETING DATE: The next meeting of Darlington's Physical Disabilities and Sensory Impairment Action Network will take place on Friday, September 13, in Darlington Arts Centre, Vane Terrace, from 2pm to 4pm.

ROAD WORKS: Traffic lights will be in operation in Cleveland Avenue, Darlington, near the junction with Langholm Crescent, for five days starting on Wednesday, while Northumbrian Water carries out maintenance work.

SPECIAL SERVICE: St James the Great Church, in Albert Hill, Darlington, will hold a Holy Communion service for residents at St William's House and Victoria House, in Darlington, on Monday.

SALE CANCELLED: A table-top sale due to be held in Church Street, Staindrop, today, in aid of the Staindrop Christmas Lights appeal, has been cancelled because of the wet weather.

FLAG DAY: A flag day for Age Concern Darlington on Saturday raised £762.45.

BABY DAYS: Red Hall Community Centre, in Headingley Crescent, Darlington, hosts baby clinics every Wednesday, from 1pm to 3pm.

COMMITTEE MEETING: A meeting of the Ferryhill 2000 committee is being held in the town hall on Wednesday, at 6.15pm.

FARMERS' MARKET: A farmers' market will be held in Barnard Castle today, from 10am to 3pm.

CAR CLEANING: Staff from Co-op Travelcare will be washing cars for charity in the car park next to Safeway, in Barnard Castle, from 10am to 4pm next Saturday, in aid of the Make a Wish charity appeal.

TEMPORARY LIGHTS: Traffic lights will be in operation outside 49 Blackwell, Darlington, for a week, starting on Friday, to allow roadworks to be completed.