A trainee business advisor from Darlington has scored among the best marks in the country in his accountancy exams.

Kevin Shotton, who works at Clive Owen and Co, gained the second highest result in a national taxation paper in the Institute of Chartered Accountants' professional stage exams.

HILLTOP WALK: A four-mile walk in Teesdale with local historian Vera Chapman will be held on Sunday. Walkers are asked to meet at the Three Tuns, in Eggleston, at 10.30am. There is a charge of £2 for adults and £1 for children and over-60s, payable at the start. For details from 0191-383 4144.

SPLASHING OUT: Sedgefield Borough Council has organised a day trip to South Shields on Wednesday, as part of its Splash Active programme. To book a place, or for more details, ring (01388) 816166 ext 4539.

COURSE DATES: The Darlington branch of the Workers' Educational Association is holding an enrolment day on Monday, September 1, from 10am to 3pm, at its Horsemarket premises. Autumn courses include British Art from 1900 to 1925, the early Prince Bishops of Durham and Georgian and Victorian Haughton.

DAY TRIP: A coach trip to Leeds, Harewood House and a wholesale warehouse has been organised for Friday, August 22. The coach will leave at 9am, with pick-up points at Ferryhill, Chilton, Shildon, Newton Aycliffe, Heighington and Cockerton. To book a place, costing £12, ring (01325) 313924.

DAY TOUR: Places are still available on the Friends of Senior Citizens day trip to Hartlepool Quays on Monday, September 8. The trip will have pick-up points at Newton Aycliffe, Shildon, Chilton and Ferryhill. To book call (01325) 313924.

SURGERY DATE: Councillors Kevin Thompson and Christine Sproat will hold a surgery for members of the Middlestone ward, on Saturday, September 20, from 10.30am to 11.30am, in Byers Green Village Hall.

AESOP'S FABLES: Tickets are available for a puppet production of Aesop's Fables, at Spennymoor Leisure Centre, on October 24. For tickets and details call (01388) 816166 extension 4512.

COFFEE MORNING: A coffee morning at Tower Cottage Gardens, Croft, on Saturday, raised £600 for St Teresa's Hospice in Darlington.

PLANNING MEETING: A meeting of Sedgefield Borough Council's development control committee will be held next Friday, in the council offices on Green Lane, Spennymoor, from 10am.

PARISH MEETING: The next meeting of Stanhope Parish Council will be held on Wednesday, September 3, 7pm, in the board room, Stanhope Town Hall.