A plan by youngsters to encourage other young people to take part in activities off the streets has been approved.

Derwentside district councillors gave the go-ahead for plans by the Dene Krew to develop an area behind Denecrest on the vandal-hit estate near Medomsley. The proposals include a new shelter and sports recreation area.

Cadet Chosen: Cadet Sergeant Ria Loftus, 17, of Browney, Durham, was invested as the Lord Lieutenant's Cadet for Durham at a presentation held at the Bradford Armoury, Neasham Road, Darlington. Ria, a cadet sergeant with the 234 (City of Durham) Squadron, Air Cadets, was chosen from cadet units throughout the Durham area.

ART PRIZE: Thomas Dudding of Brandon, County Durham, is in the running for the PizzaExpress Prospects Contemporary Drawing Prize. The competition focuses on contemporary drawing and carries a cash prize of £10,000. The shortlist for the finals will be announced this month.

ARTIST OF MONTH: Washington's Wildfowl and Wetland Trust has named Dot Grout as its artist of the month for April. Ms Grout, who was born in South Shields, did most of her oil paintings from black and white photographs and uses her own colours. She is now painting in watercolours and likes depicting people, animals and has also done portraiture and flowers.

COFFEE MORNING: The Langley Park branch of the Friends of Durham Hospitals will hold a coffee evening in the youth centre at Langley Park at 7pm, on Friday. Tickets cost £1 and are available on the evening. All proceeds will go to the friends - a registered charity that supports Earls House Hospital, the County Hospital and the University Hospital of North Durham.

FIRST BIRTHDAY: The Sandcastles Seaside Softplay, in Front Street, Chester-le-Street, will celebrate its first birthday on Friday. The proprietor has enlisted the help of small business students from Hermitage Comprehensive School to help promote the event.

SURGERY DATE: Pelaw and Heworth Labour Councillor Harry Dinning will be holding a surgery for ward residents at Wardley Primary School, Keir Hardy Avenue, Wardle, from 6.30pm to 7.30pm on Wednesday, 24 April. Anyone who is unable to attend the surgery can contact Coun Dinning on 0191-469 6920.

Oriental exhibit: The Oriental Museum of Durham University has acquired by gift a dark green nephrite jade wine cup. The cup, which has a floral handle growing from a stem that curls underneath, is of a type produced in Persia in the 15th Century.

PLANNING PERMISSION: Derwentside district councillors have approved plans for the erection of a storage building at the Annfield Plain Cricket Club, in Stanley.