Pupils prepare summer panto: CHILDREN are having fun while learning thanks to an educational project embracing the performing arts.

Pupils from across Chester-le-Street are involved in the production of a summer pantomime, Celebrate, which will be performed on the lawn at Lumley Castle on Saturday, July 12. The show encompasses performing arts, history and music, and is supported by the education department of Chester-le-Street District Council. Written by former Dr Who Colin Baker, with music by local musician George Hastings, it has been described as Robin Hood meets local legends. The show will form the climax of a day of activities and entertainment in Chester-le-Street's Front Street.

SCHOOL BOOST: A fundraising day at the McDonald's restaurant at the Arnison Centre, Durham, raised £560 for Newker Primary School, Chester-le-Street. Staff and Friends of Newker Primary School encouraged people to use the drive-through facility and McDonald's donated £1 for every car. There was also face-painting, car-washing and a raffle. The money will pay for computer equipment and to improve the play area.

DIGITAL RADIOS: Hundreds of police officers in County Durham will switch to digital radios by the end of the summer. The long-awaited handsets, part of Durham Constabulary's £3.26m Airwave communications network, will increase radio coverage to 98 per cent. The current system covers only 38 per cent of the force area.

NEW ROUTE: A series of markers have been installed along the Linnet Way - a five-mile route from Brockley Whins Metro station to Marsden Grotto. The route was established by South Tyneside Council and the Countryside Agency as part of the Greenways Project.

ACCORDIAN CLUB: The David Sturgeon Accordian Trio will perform for the Derwentside Accordian Club at 7.45pm on Thursday, June 26, at Castleside Workingmen's Club, near Consett. Musicians are welcome to take their own instruments. Entry is £1.50, with a licensed bar.

RECYCLING DRIVE: Sunder-land City Council will deliver recycling boxes to 15,000 homes in the next fortnight. Council bosses hope the scheme will reduce the one tonne of waste each household produces annually. For more details on the scheme, call the council's recycling helpline on 0191-553 4500.

FLOWER POWER: Philida Irving will give a demonstration to Cestrian Flower Club at its meeting in Park View Community Theatre, Chester-le-Street, at 7.15pm, on Thursday, July 3.

DONOR SESSIONS: A blood donor session will be held at Vane Tempest Social Club, New Drive, Seaham, from 3pm to 9pm today.