ON BEAT: A new system involving officers having their own beat is being introduced by police in the dale from next Monday.

PC Dawn Clarke will be the beat officer for Stanhope and Frosterley, PC Ian Craggs will cover Wolsingham and PC Karl Hopps will continue manning the office at Tow Law.

Durham Constabulary has launched a drive to recruit more special constables in Weardale.

PC Michelle Robson, who became a special for the upper dale last year, is leading the drive. She can be contacted at Crook police station on (01388) 762011.

CHARITY WALK: The annual sponsored walk in aid of ME and Cancer Research will start at the Black Bull, Frosterley, on Saturday, May 11, at 10am.

The walk will take in Wolsingham, Wears Bank and the Elephant Trees, returning to the Black Bull.

Sponsorship forms are available from: Linda Nelson, 11 Hill End, Frosterley; Paul Nelson, 2 Wear View, Frosterley; Gillian Dalton, Mill House, Forge Yard, Wolsingham; or from the Black Bull.

SOCIETY LINE-UP: The following officials were elected at the annual meeting of High Pennine Horticultural Society, at Wearhead Village Hall: President K. Lewin, chairman A I Jones, vice-chairman J Backhouse, secretary Mrs C Hodgson, treasurer Mrs A Backhouse, outings secretary Miss A Rutherford and auditor Mrs J. Groom.

Dr Jane Young will give a talk on wildlife gardening at the next meeting, at the village hall, on Wednesday, April 10, at 7.30pm. The society's annual show will be held on Saturday, September 21.

CONCERT DATE: A spring concert, featuring the Weardale Singers and Cobweb Quintessential Wind Ensemble, is being held at Ireshopeburn Literary Institute next Saturday, at 7.30pm.

Tickets, costing £2.50, are available at St John's Chapel Post Office, or telephone (01388) 537534 or 537665. Proceeds are in aid of the Upper Weardale Music Festival.