A MAN was airlifted to hospital with neck and back injuries when his car overturned near Sedgefield village.

The accident happened on a stretch of dual carriageway on the A689 between Sedgefield and Wynyard at about 2pm yesterday. A Peugeot car being driven by a 24-year-old man left the road, hit a fence and overturned. The man, from the Sedgefield area, had managed to release himself from the car when the Great North Air Ambulance, based at Teesside Airport, arrived on the scene.

GARDEN SOCIETY: Sedgefield Garden Society is arranging a trip to the Harrogate Spring Flower Show on Saturday, April 26. To take part, ring (01740) 620467 or (01740) 621504 by Tuesday. The next meeting of the society will be held on Tuesday, May 6, at 7.30pm, in Ceddesfeld Hall.

FRENCH CONNECTION: Wolsingham's town twinning group the French Connection has a Bubbly, Buffet and Bi-Lingual Bingo night on Wednesday, April 23 at 7.30pm in the town hall. Tickets cost £5 and include bingo tickets as well as a glass of champagne which has been donated by friends from Poix de Picardie, in Northern France.

HISTORY BOOK: A book about Howden-le-Wear, by Chris Gibson and Joan Potts with contributions from members of the local history society, will go on sale soon. Howden-le-Wear history group will meet on Tuesday, in the community centre for a talk by Barbara Shepherd on the history of Chittocks grocery shop.

TEA DANCE: Woodhouse Close Church, in Bishop Auckland, will hold a Chicks and Roosters night with dancing and an Easter bonnet contest for the over 50s, next Thursday, from 1pm to 3pm.

TABLES AVAILABLE: The Friends of Senior Citizens charity is organising a table-top sale at Witham Hall, Barnard Castle, on Saturday, April 26. To hire a table telephone (01325) 313924.

SCHOOL REUNION: A reunion of pupils who attended the former Immaculate Conception School, in Darlington, takes place on Saturday, April 26, at 12.15pm. The event will be held at St Augustine's Church and later at the Larchfield Centre.

BAG PACKING: Members of Wear Valley Swimming Club will be packing bags for shoppers at Morrisons in Bishop Auckland next Thursday to boost club funds.

VOLUNTEERS MEET: Bishop Auckland Discovery Centre Volunteers are holding their annual meeting on Tuesday at 3pm. All welcome.

HISTORY GROUP: Sedgefield Family History Group meets on Monday, April 21 at 7.45pm in Ceddesfeld Hall.