A driver was being sought last night after a car crashed into a telegraph pole.

Police were called to Tunstall Hope Road, Sunderland, at 2.30am yesterday, and found an abandoned blue Volkswagen Passat that had collided with the pole and caused the wires to hang across the road. No one was inside the badly-damaged vehicle, but police found traces of blood on the steering wheel and believe the driver sustained a head injury on impact. The road was closed for two hours while the wires were made safe. Anyone with information about the driver, or the vehicle, is asked to contact Sunderland West police on 0191-454 7555.

BEACH WALK: Photogapher Philip Nixon will lead a walk on Seaham beach for fellow camera enthusiasts on Monday, starting at 10.30am at the sculpture at the clifftop car park near Seaham Hall, Old Seaham.

CHARITY CASH: Durham City Spiritualist Church, in John Street, has raised £500 towards training a guide dog. The money was donated by people who attend the church's spiritual healing sessions on Tuesdays, between 1pm and 3pm.

CHILL OUT: A ten-week course in counselling skills, relaxation and stress management will be held at the Chester-le-Street Community Association's centre on Friday mornings, starting on September 19. For details about the course, which costs £30, call the centre on 0191-388 4752.

TRIBUTE NIGHT: Heavy Load, who play the music of Free and Bad Company, will be playing at The Blue Boar, Front Street, Stanley, tomorrow night at 8pm. Admission is free. For more details, call the venue on (01207) 231167.

HOLIDAY FUN: Stanley Street Independent Methodist Church, Seaham, will run a holiday club for youngsters from Monday to Friday, between 6pm and 7pm. Admission costs 50p per session or £1.50 for the week.

COLLECTION POINT: Dur-ham City and District Credit Union is running a collection point today in the hall at St Nicholas Church, Market Place, Durham, between 12.30pm and 2pm. The entrance is via the door below the Gateway Shop.

DONOR DATES: People can give blood at donor sessions to be held on Wednesday at All Saints' Church, Carr House Drive, Newton Hall, Durham, from 3pm to 7pm, and at Burn Park Methodist Church, Burn Park Road, Sunderland, between 2.30pm and 7pm.

BLOOM JUDGING: Judges last night finished running the rule over entries in this year's Beautiful Durham competition. Shop fronts, gardens, school yards and other locations across the city have all been scrutinised over the past two days. The annual awards will be presented in a ceremony at Durham Town Hall, on September 4.