A SELF-HELP group for people suffering chronic pain has been awarded a grant of £34,000 to employ another member of staff.

The Durham branch of Action on Pain has used the money, donated by Sherburn Hospital Charitable Trust, to employ part-time worker Christine Brydon, who will set up other groups in the North-East and visit local people housebound by chronic pain. If successful, the grant will be continued for a third year. Ms Brydon will talk briefly about her work at a meeting for chronic pain sufferers tomorrow. Alexander Technique practitioner Mary Marcus will also speak at the event, which takes place in the committee room 1a at County Hall, Durham, at 7pm. For more information, ring 0191-386 3407 or 0191-386 4395. Action on Pain is applying for other grants to launch initiatives such as a regional telephone helpline.

SURGERY DATE: Durham city and Durham county councillors for the Gilesgate and Pelaw wards will hold a surgery on Saturday, in the Communal Hall, McNally Place, between 10am and 11am.

CHARITY CASH: A street collection in Durham on June 29 raised £623.07 for the Multiple Sclerosis Society. The organisers have thanked everyone who contributed.

PHOTO MEETING: Durham Photographic Society meets on Thursday, at 7.30pm, in Shakespeare Hall, North Road, Durham, when a slide knock-out competition will be held. Admission is free.

BRASS SOUNDS: The latest in a series of brass band concerts in the grounds of the DLI Museum and Durham Art Gallery at Aykley Heads, Durham, will be held on Sunday. Ferryhill Town Band will strike up from 2.30pm. Admission is free.

ROCK NIGHT: Bad Penny, whose repertoire ranges from rock 'n' roll to the heavier rock of the 1970s, will perform at the O'Neill's Irish pub, Claypath, Durham, on Thursday, starting at 8.30pm. Admission is free.

ORGAN RECITAL: The latest in the 125th anniversary series of organ recitals at Durham Cathedral will be held tomorrow, at 7.30pm, and will feature Keith Wright. Admission costs £5 (concessions £3).

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, tomorrow, at 11am. Admission is free.

PHOTO WALK: Photographer Philip Nixon will lead a walk for photography enthusiasts, called On The Dunholme, tomorrow. It starts at the gates to Durham Castle, Palace Green, at 10.30am. It costs £2 for adults, (concessions £1).

FLOWER TALK: Dunelm Flower Club will hold its next meeting at the Sixth Form Centre, Providence Row, Durham, on Thursday. Elizabeth Tinker will give a demonstration entitled Time and Tide. Admission is £3 for non-members.