More than 200 musicians from Darlington and south Durham are to perform Verdi's Requiem at the town's Dolphin Centre on Saturday, April 12.

Darlington Choral Society is joining with singers from Richmond, Crook, Weardale, Bishop Auckland and Stanhope for the performance. Tickets are available from the Dolphin Centre, Tourist Information in Darlington or from Kathleen Bryant on (01325) 467602. For details of the society, visit the website on www.communigate.co.uk/ne/choralsociety or call Andrew Walker on (01325) 266442.

STAR SUPPORT: Television comedian and keen ornithologist Bill Oddie will visit Bishop Auckland next week to support a milk production scheme which benefits wildlife.

Under the White and Wild Milk project, developed by WildCare Dairy Products, in High Etherley, milk producers get a premium price in return for creating wildlife habitats on ten per cent of their land. Bishop Auckland MP Derek Foster will join the former Goodies star to open the company's headquarters at Etherley Business Park on Friday at 11am.

COACH TRIPS: Two coach trips have been organised to raise funds for Cancer Research UK. One is to the Cheddar Gorge and the Cotswolds from June 6 to 8. The other is to the International Quarry and Recycling Show in Derbyshire on June 24. For tickets and details of times and pick-up points call Ian Douglas on (01833) 650638.

ACCESS FORUM: The youngest client ever to visit Wear Valley Disability Access Forum so far was only 18 months old. More people are contacting the forum in Crook Business Centre. There were calls from 182 people in the final three months of last year. Opening hours are 10am to 3pm on Mondays and Wednesdays. Call (01388) 763994, fax 766347, minicom 761515.

CONCERT DATE: Bishop Auckland Music Society is staging an afternoon concert by a trio of final year and post-graduate students from the Royal Northern College of Music at Auckland Castle on Sunday, April 6, at 3pm. The Phoenix Wind Ensemble's programme includes pieces by Mozart, Beethoven, Britten and Francaix. For tickets and details call treasurer Peter Cooper on 0191-386 8622.

MENCAP MOVE: A Mencap information session on wills and trusts which was due to be held in Bishop Auckland today has been cancelled.

COFFEE MORNING: Trinity Methodist Church, Spennymoor, is holding a coffee morning in the town hall on Saturday, from 10am to 11.30am.