DURHAM City Council is launching a roadshow to tell residents what it is doing to improve their lives.

The Labour-run council's Lifestyle exhibition will tour leisure centres this month and next, to promote the services and facilities its community services department runs.

These include leisure centres, parks, waste collection and recycling. The roadshow will explain what the council is doing to protect the environment and offers visitors the chance to try out its distinctive Piaggio three-wheeled cleaning machines.

Competitions will also be run during the event, offering prizes including a computer for a school, bicycles and £100-worth of shopping vouchers.

A council spokeswoman said: "Lifestyle encourages people to have a go themselves - there's a range of equipment from fitness machines to the Piaggio street cleansing three-wheelers to try out or sit in, as well as a lively display of what Durham City Council has in the district to help local people enjoy life to the full."

Lifestyle will be at the Abbey Leisure Centre, Pity Me, on Friday and Saturday, September 14 and 15, at Coxhoe Leisure Centre, on Friday and Saturday September 21 and 22, and at the Meadowfield Leisure Centre on Friday and Saturday, September 28 and 29.

On Friday and Saturday, October 5 and 6 the roadshow will be at the Sherburn Leisure Centre, at the Deerness Leisure Centre, Ushaw Moor, on Friday and Saturday October 12 and 13 and in Durham Town Hall on Friday and Saturday October 19 and 20.

It will be open between 9.30am and 4.30pm each day.