A drop has been recorded in the number of people waiting for admission to Darlington Memorial Hospital.

Figures from the primary care trust show that the number of patients waiting for admission fell in January by 39. The number of people waiting more than nine months fell by nine. The number of outpatients waiting more than 13 months fell by three.

LITTER FINES: Seven people have been fined £50 and four have been given warnings for dropping litter in the past fortnight, in an initiative launched by Darlington Borough Council, and backed by The Northern Echo, to clean up the town centre and estates.

NUISANCE ACTION: Police have arrested three youths after a crackdown on anti-social behaviour in the Thompson Street and Mayfair Road area of Darlington over the past two weeks. A quantity of alcohol was confiscated.

SHEDS WARNING: Police in Darlington have issued a warning after a rise in shed burglaries in recent weeks.

CULTURE NIGHT: The Bywords: Cities of Culture series at Bishop Auckland Town Hall features Newcastle and the North-East tomorrow. Novelist Wendy Robertson and art historian Elizabeth Conron will lead the event, from 7.30pm. Tickets are available on (01388) 602610.

FASHION SHOW: The Friends of Butterknowle School are hosting a fashion show at the school on Thursday, at 7pm. Proceeds go to school funds.

SOUTH PACIFIC: Bishop Auckland Amateur Operatic Society presents South Pacific at the Eden Theatre, Bishop Auckland Town Hall, from Monday, March 24, to Saturday, March 29, at 7.15pm. Details and tickets on (01388) 602371 or from Bishop Auckland Town Hall.

COMIC NIGHT: Staff at The Aclet, Brooklands, Bishop Auckland, will dress as St Trinian's pupils for a sponsored space hop around the pub in aid of Comic Relief. There will also be an Easter egg raffle and events in aid of the charity appeal, on Friday night.

MUSICAL NIGHT: Bishop Auckland Rotary Club will present a jazz night, featuring The Tees Valley Jazzmen, at Bishop Auckland Town Hall on Thursday, at 7.30pm. Tickets are available from Topsounds, Boothroyd's Opticians or Rotary Club members.

TOURING PLAY: Hunt Roberts Theatre will present a stage adaptation of The Ladies of Cranford at Wolsingham School and Community College on Thursday, March 27, 7pm, and The Witham Hall, Barnard Castle, Friday March 28, 7.30pm. Tickets are available on (01388) 527302 or (01833) 631107, respectively.