Proxy advice to poll voters

Voters who are unable to take part in the first all-postal vote in Darlington are being urged to appoint a proxy. Darlington is one of a handful of local authorities in the country taking part in a postal voting pilot scheme

Every eligible voter will receive a ballot paper in the mail in mid-April and should return it in the pre-paid envelope by May 1. People who will be away from home when the ballot papers will be issued should appoint a proxy or apply to have their ballot paper sent to another address by March 28. For details call (01325) 388341.

RIDER HURT: A man was air-lifted to the University Hospital of North Durham after being thrown from his horse at Waterhouses, near Esh Winning, yesterday morning.

CHARITY SHOW: The Sandow Clowns will entertain at the Elite Hall, Crook, on Saturday, at 2pm, to raise funds for CLIC UK, the Cancer and Leukaemia in Childhood Trust.

WEDDING FAIR: Whitworth Hall Country Park Hotel, near Spennymoor, is hosting a wedding fair on Sunday, from 1pm to 4.30pm. For details call (01388) 811771.

HOTEL SALE: The Queen's Head Hotel, in Stanhope, which is believed to date from 1752, has been put up for sale for £250,000.

CABINET MEETING: A meeting of Sedgefield Borough Council's cabinet will be held in the council offices, Green Lane, Spennymoor, tomorrow, at 10am.

DANCE SUCCESS: Students of the Rachel Coad School of Dance, in Darlington, raised £1,500 for the Leukaemia Research Fund with a performance at Teesside High School, Eaglescliffe.

POLICE SURGERY: People in Cockerton, Darlington, can meet their local beat officer, PC Amanda Stevens, at a surgery tomorrow, from 5pm to 7pm at Cockerton Library.

CONCERT DATE: The Vast Majorities are giving a concert in aid of the Darlington branch of the Multiple Sclerosis Society on Friday, at 7pm, in St Augustine's Parish Centre. Tickets are available on (01325) 720059 or at the door.

WHIST DRIVE: The Durham County Federation of Women's Institutes is holding a whist drive at Evenwood Church Hall on Saturday, at 2pm.

TREE PLANTING: There will be a tree planting event today, starting at 9.30am, in the Moor House-Upper Teesdale National Nature Reserve. People wishing to take part can meet at Widdybank track, half-a-mile along the Cow Green road from Langdon Beck. Participants are advised to wear waterproof clothing and take a packed lunch. The event should finish at 4pm