THE centre of Durham will be filled with thousands of cars taking new students to the university next weekend

. About 2,500 young people will arrive a week tomorrow for their first term. Up to 700 cars are expected to travel along Saddler Street to the colleges on the peninsula alone. A university spokeswoman said: "The university and Durham Constabulary have liaised over advance planning for access to the Market Place and peninsula on the day. They have arranged for students arriving by car to hold a permit for access to the colleges on the peninsula. The permit is valid for one hour to allow the students to unload and leave. When they have finished they will be directed to car parks elsewhere in the city where cars can be left." Drivers can expect delays and congestion in and around the city centre.

HARVEST FESTIVAL: Sher-burn Hill Methodist Church in Durham will hold a harvest festival celebration next Saturday, featuring a concert by the Priory Singers, starting at 8.30pm. There will be a free will offering for church funds.

CHURCH CEILIDH: Holy Trinity Church, Wingate, will hold a ceilidh in the village's Constitutional Club on Thursday, October 30, at 7pm. Tickets cost £4, including a buffet supper, and are available at the door or from church members.

POETRY PLEASE: Poet Uwe Kolbe, from County Durham's German twinned area of Tubingen, will give a performance at County Hall, Durham, on Wednesday, October 8, at 7.30pm. Admission is free.

NEW SHOP: Gamestation, a national chain selling video and computer games, has opened in Silver Street, Durham.

DONOR SESSION: A blood donor session will be held on Monday at The Red Lion pub, Front Street, Chester-le-Street, from 2.30pm to 7pm.

SCHOOL'S AWARD: Ushaw Moor Junior School has been awarded the Basic Skills Quality Mark for its commitment to the development of pupils' numeracy and literacy.

NEW GUIDE: Sunderland City Council social services and the Sunderland Teaching Primary Care Trust have produced a catalogue for health professionals of the equipment available to help the city's disabled live at home.

ROCK ON: Black Rose, a Thin Lizzy tribute band, play tonight at Smugglers Bar, Marine Walk, Roker, Sunderland, starting at 8pm. Admission is free. For further details, call the venue on 0191-514 3844.

WEIGHT CLASSES: New Weight Watchers classes are being held at Lanchester on Thursday nights, and in Newton Hall, Durham, on Wednesday nights. For details, call Julie Reynolds on 0191-371 2301.

NEW CLASSES: Park View Community Association, Chester-le-Street, will run a food hygiene course on Thursday evenings, starting from October 9. A health and safety course will run on Thursdays starting from November 6. For details and booking, call 0191-388 1043.