A WEEK of events giving women the chance to learn about music, sound engineering and much more has been organised.

The course, which is open to women and girls of all ages from Darlington, is being held at a recording studio in the town from Monday to Friday, April 8 to 12.

Those taking part in the CircLearning event will be encouraged to join workshops offering experience of drumming, guitar playing, studio engineering, the use of cameras, lighting and video editing equipment.

"We want to focus on a diverse, but useful range of skills," says Cordelia Robinson, of CircLearning, which is running the event at the Circulation Recordings studios.

On the Monday of the week-long event, Emma Hutchinson, of Slinky Pictures, a film production company that specialises in digital animation and music promotional video's, will be teaching people how to create a professional-looking video recording using a digital camcorder.

"This one is great for beginners, as it will not only show how to use a camcorder, but also how to transfer the video footage on to computer and edit to produce a better quality finished product," said Mrs Robinson.

The music theme continues with guitar tuition on Tuesday evening and a drumming session on Wednesday. Thursday will focus on digital photography techniques.

Friday will be offering learning about studio engineering skills.

The studio is at Lingfield Point, McMullen Road, Darlington.

The courses run between 6pm and 9pm, and further information is available on (01325) 365553.

The workshops cost £3 for people who are waged, but are free to any woman who is over 50, the unemployed, anyone who left full-time education with no formal qualifications, adults with physical or learning disabilities and various other concessionary groups.