MORE than 100 competitors are converging on Teesside this weekend from across Britain, to take part in the eighth Middlesbrough Chess Congress and compete for prize money totalling more than £1,000.

The event which takes place in Middlesbrough Town Hall on Albert Road, Middlesbrough, is dedicated to the late Molly Maughan in recognition of her work on behalf of Middlesbrough Rotary Club and their support for the Chess in Schools programme.

NEW ADDITION: Machinery costing £10m has been installed at Northumbrian Water's Broken Scar treatment works in Darlington. The granular activated carbon plant ensures that the water supply meets European and British drinking water legislation.

NOVEL SURPRISE: Kjartan Poskitt, who writes the Murderous Maths series, among other titles, has presented Hannah Wilkinson from the William Cassidi School, Stillington, and Victoria Carter from Norton School, Norton, Stockton, with their awards after the girls won the respective title of Junior Librarian 2003 and Young Librarian 2003, run by Stockton Borough Council.

SURE THING: A £500,000 Sure Start centre is to be built on Hartlepool's Central Estate, ensuring children under four get the best possible start in life in terms of health, ability to learn and social and emotional development. The centre will replace temporary cabins which have been home to the 25 staff, in Hindpool Close.

SEAL WATCHES: Common and grey seals will be the focus of attention with two seal watches being organised by Hartlepool Council's Countryside Wardens on Sunday. Places are limited and must be booked in advance by telephoning (01429) 853325.

VILLAGE WALK: A two-mile walk around Eggleston, near Barnard Castle, County Durham, takes place on Sunday. Walkers are asked to meet local historian Vera Chapman outside the Three Tuns pub, at 2pm. Advance booking is not required, but there is a charge of £2 for adults and £1 children and over 60s, payable at the start. For details, call 0191-383 4144.

ROAD CLOSURE: The northbound carriageway of the A1 western bypass will be closed near the MetroCentre, Gateshead, tonight, from 8.30pm to 6am tomorrow, and during the same times on Monday and Tuesday, for the construction of a sign gantry.

PAY TALK: Heather Wakefield, of public sector Unison, will outline its Getting Equal fair pay campaign in the North-East today. She will answer members' questions at a Unison meeting on equal pay at Durham's Gala Theatre, from 1.30pm to 3.30pm.

PAIN CASH: An organisation for people with chronic pain has been awarded £1,500 by the National Lottery's Awards for All scheme. Campaign Durham will spend the cash on a leaflet containing information about self-help and pain management.

SCHOOL BOOST: The Reed Boardall Group has given Boroughbridge High School £27,000 to help it achieve specialist performing arts status. The donation means the school will now receive a total of £450,000 of government funding.