Staff at a school near Darlington school have been awarded £14,300 because of their improved results.

Hurworth Comprehensive School has been given the School Achievement Award by the Minister of State for School Standards. The awards are given to schools which substantially improved results between 1999 and 2000.

FARM PLANS: Plans for the conversion of buildings at Todd Fall Farm, Heighington, to provide two houses and the re-location of an outdoor schooling arena have been submitted to Darlington Borough Council.

BANK ALTERATIONS: Lloyds TSB Bank, in Skinnergate, Darlington, has applied to the borough council for permission to build an internal ramp to improve access for disabled people, and to relocate cash machines.

CHURCH FAIR: A fair is being held at St Herbert's Church hall, Yarm Road, Darlington, on Saturday, from 1pm to 3pm.

CLUB NIGHT: A Darlington social club will hold its first event on Saturday. Firthmoor Social Club is inviting adults to a disco at the community centre from 7pm until 11pm. Tickets are available from the centre in Burnside Road.

INNER PEACE: The Forestry Commission has arranged a meditation workshop at the visitors' centre in Hamsterley Forest on Sunday, May 18, from 1pm to 3pm. Course leader is Kelsang Wangyal, from Darlington's Atisha Buddhist Centre. For details call (01388) 488312, or visit the website at www.forestry. gov. uk/HamsterleyForest.

COLLEGE MEETING: Bishop Auckland College is holding its annual public meeting tonight, from 6.30pm to 8.30pm, in the Ken Handley Suite. Guest speaker is Roland Sterry, head of Parkside School, Willington.

HOMES HOPE: Suma Homes has applied to Darlington Borough Council for permission to demolish a tyre depot at 27 Coniscliffe Road, Darlington, and build 24 apartments.

SINGING PRIZE: Emma Williams, 13, from Darlington, has won this year's Northern Stars Pop Talent Contest. She won £500 and recordings of her singing will be played on Lionheart Radio, a pilot station for Alnwick and Northumberland, in July.

CONCERT DATE: A concert by the Alston Men's Fellowship Choir will be held at Forest-in-Teesdale Methodist Church on Saturday, at 7pm.

LOCAL HISTORY: The next meeting of Sedgefield Local History Society will be in Ceddesfeld Hall on Monday, at 7.45pm. Vera Chapman will give a talk on Teesdale Remembered. The annual dinner will be held in June at the Dun Cow Hotel.