FORMER members of the 11th North West Durham Company of the Boys' Brigade are invited to attend a service to mark its 70th anniversary. The service will be held at South Moor Methodist Church, Park Road, South Moor, on April 28, at 10.30am The company was originally stationed at Oxhill, near Stanley, but transferred to South Moor in 1978. For more information, write to the Boys' Brigade 11th North West Durham Company at South Moor Methodist Church.

WORKPLACE SKILLS: Greenkeeper David Jobey, from Durham City, has completed a three-month course in word processing and computer work with the Automotive Sector Strategic Alliance (Assa). The greenkeeper at Brancepeth Castle Golf Club has also been studying for an NVQ in greenkeeping management. He now hopes to begin another Assa course in spreadsheets and databases. Anyone wishing to find out more about Assa's Lifetime in Work courses, designed to help workers stay in employment for life, is asked to call 0800 389 8168.

MONEY MERGER: Two insolvency practitioners have merged in a move which looks to have safeguarded 68 jobs. Newcastle accountants Robson Laidler and Paxton and Company plan to move to Robson Laidler's Jesmond premises and will continue to use the Robson Laidler name. The merger brings the total number of staff to 68 with ten staff from Paxton and Company joining 58 from Robson Laidler.

GRASS FIRE: Consett fire brigade spent two hours extinguishing a grass fire in a field off the A692 at Templetown, Consett, just after midnight yesterday. Firefighters were called to a number of smaller grass fires across the Derwentside and Chester-le-Street area over the weekend.

MONEY RAISED: The Meningitis Research Foundation has thanked residents of Newcastle for supporting students of Manchester and Leeds universities who raised more than £2,100 for the charity when a collection was held in the city on March 2.

FUN RUN: A fun run in aid of Ovacome, a national network for woman affected by ovarian cancer, will be held in Sunderland's Mowbray Park at 2pm, on Sunday. For further details call 0191-387 5363 or 410 3035.

TODDLERS WELCOME: The New Life Parent and Toddler Group meets at the church in Sunderland Road, Hordon, on Mondays and Wednesdays between 10am and 11.30am.

Dish plans: Orange has submitted plans to Durham City Council for the siting of two microwave dishes and three antennae on an existing pylon at Metal Bridge, Hett, Durham.

HELP WANTED: Volunteers are needed to help out at Age Concern's pop-in centre, in Burnhope Way, Peterlee. For more information contact 0191-518 0805.

FAMILY DAY: A family fun day will be held at Lukes Lane Community Centre on Marine Drive, Hebburn, from 11am to 2pm, on Saturday