PATIENTS and staff are invited to attend the annual meeting of the North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust.

The meeting will take place at 12.30pm, on Friday, in the boardroom at the University Hospital of Hartlepool. It will highlight the work carried out by staff during 2002-03, as well as the challenges faced by the trust during the year. A return bus service will leave from outside the main entrance of the University Hospital of North Tees, Stockton, at 11.30am for anyone who wishes to attend from the Stockton area. Copies of the annual report and summary financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2003, are available on request, as are copies of the full accounts, by contacting (01429) 522498.

SEALS FOCUS: Guided visits to the British Energy observation hide overlooking Seal Sands will take place at 11am and noon on Sunday. English Nature site manager Mike Leakey will lead the short trips from the Teesmouth Field Centre, next to Hartlepool Power Station. Binoculars and telescopes are available for people to view the seals. Anyone interested in taking part is asked to contact (01429) 853325 to book a place. The event is free.

HELP AT HAND: Parents of children with behavioural difficulties are being offered help to cope. Drop-in sessions in behaviour management are being run by Redcar health visitors for anyone in the Teesside area. They take place at the Sure Start premises at St Peter's Church, Redcar, on the first Thursday of each month. Creche facilities will be provided. For further details, call Mary Hurley or Dorothy Priestly at the Coatham Surgery, Redcar, on (01642) 483638.

NEW HOUSES: Taylor Woodrow Developments has applied to Stockton Borough Council for planning permission to build 42 houses on land at Durham Road, Thorpe Thewles.

ANTIQUES FAIR: The last of this year's antiques and collectors fairs organised by Guisborough Parish Church will take place in the church hall on Saturday, from 10am to 4pm. Refreshments will be on sale throughout the day. For further information and for bookings, contact Bill Askew on (01287) 638689.