SPONSORED swimmers are needed to take part in Darlington Association on Disability's fundraising at the town's Dolphin Centre on Sunday, from 1pm to 3pm.

The fundraising event is open to adults and children and is being held this year as part of the European Year of Disabled People. Sponsorship forms are available from the Shopmobility office in Darlington's Market Square, or telephone (01325) 489999.

HELP NEEDED: Heighington Light Opera Group is appealing for help in staging Gilbert and Sullivan's Pirates of Penzance in October. The group would particularly like to hear from tenors, basses and sopranos. It would also welcome anyone who may like to help with administration, prompting, backstage, or front of house duties. For details, call the group's chairwoman, Ruth Dawson, on (01325) 321729.

DANCE NIGHT: A 50/50 dance for ballroom and sequence dancing is being held at Spennymoor Town Hall next Friday, at 8pm, with the Midi Dance Orchestra. For details, call (01388) 817914.

FASHION SHOW: Woodham Golf and Country Club (Newton Aycliffe) Ladies Section is hosting a golf wear fashion show and talk by Joanne Furby, golf professional, on Tuesday, April 8, at 7.30pm, at the golf club. Tickets are available on 01740 620657.

OPERATIC SOCIETY: Ferryhill Amateur Operatic Society presents Spice of Life in Mainsforth Community Centre, Ferryhill Station, from Thursday to Saturday, April 3 to 5, at 7pm each night. Tickets are available from Maureen Golightly on (01740) 654094 or (01740) 652175, or from any member.

COACH TRIP: The Friends of Senior Citizens charity has organised a coach trip to Alnwick Castle gardens on Friday, May 2, with pick-up points in Newton Aycliffe, Aycliffe Village, Cockerton, Heighington and Shildon. The coach costs £10 and entry to the gardens, which are wheelchair accessible, is £3. To reserve a place call Peter Beaty, on (01325) 313924.

GENERATOR STOLEN: A Honda generator, valued at £500, was stolen from a Nissan flat-back vehicle parked in the Travel Inn car park, near the Gretna Green pub, Newton Aycliffe, between 6pm on Tuesday and 7.45am on Wednesday.

PARKING OFFENCES: South Durham magistrates, in Darlington, yesterday fined Thomas Blackie, of East End, Wolsingham, Carole Clark, of Park Avenue, Coxhoe, and Joe Fernace, of Chapel Street, Willington, Crook, £60 plus £50 costs for parking illegally.

MP'S SURGERY: Bishop Auckland MP Derek Foster will hold a surgery session at Bishop Auckland Town Hall, next Friday from 5pm.