A NORTH-EAST student is a finalist in a student design award. Victoria Glover, from Marton, Middlesbrough, is studying for a BA (Hons) in Fashion Design with Marketing and Promotion at Batley School of Art and Design in West Yorkshire. She is one of 12 national finalists in the Association of Suppliers to the British Clothing Industry (ASBCI) 2002 Student Design Awards. The brief was to design a range for the fashion conscious male golfer and Victoria said: "I took my inspiration from the fashions of the 1920s and 1930s. The designs I have put forward are smart yet practical and have the old fashioned elements of cropped trousers, checks and tweed, but with a modern twist. Victoria will be attending the awards ceremony in Hinkley, Leicestershire, on May 14.

sensory tests: Pupils from two secondary schools in Stockton borough are taking part in events today which will put their senses to the test. This morning, at Bishopsgarth School, Stockton, children can marvel at chemical reactions set off by Geoff Bell, of Huntsman Polyurethanes. Then after lunch, at Blakeston Community School, in Norton, Dr David Rowe and Tracy Brown from Oxford Chemicals, the people who put the smells into microwave meals, will be giving youngsters a taste of what their work involves.

Fire inquiry: Police were yesterday investigating two fires which occurred at the same property on successive nights. The fires at an unoccupied, insecure terraced house in Mitchell Street, South Moor, near Stanley, happened on Tuesday and Wednesday. A spokesman for Stanley CID said police were investigating. Four fire engines attended the upstairs fire on Wednesday at about 9.45pm. Two neighbouring properties were slightly damaged by smoke.

Coffee morning: East Cleveland Baptist Church, in Park Avenue, Redcar, east Cleveland, will be holding a coffee morning tomorrow from 10am until 12.30pm. There will be articles for sale, car washing and face painting.

Flea market: A collectors fair and flea market takes place at Saltburn Community Centre Hall to raise funds for the Saltburn Community and Arts Centre from 10am until 4pm tomorrow.

WI gathering: Redcar Women's Institute is holding a coffee morning at Sunnyfield House in Guisborough tomorrow from 10am serving homemade cakes, fresh cream scones and a cake stall.

sick councillor: A council chief executive asked councillors to remember an ill colleague in their thoughts yesterday. At the annual meeting of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, Colin Moore asked councillors to spare a though for Hutton councillor George King who, he said, was "very ill".

Musical odyssey: Redcar Operatic Society is celebrating its 75th anniversary with a show at Middlesbrough Theatre called It's a Musical World, which runs from May 19 to 25. Details from the box office on (01642) 815181.

Sunny sounds: Dr Sunshine, who play covers by artists including The Who, Van Morrison, Paul Weller and Lynyrd Skynyrd, perform tonight at The Daisy Hill, Heugh Edge, near Sacriston, starting at 8.30pm. Admission is free.

spring show: A spring collection fashion show and sale is held tonight at 7.30pm in Elvet Methodist Church, Old Elvet, Durham. Entry is £1 and proceeds go to the children's burns unit