A teenager who was caught with Ecstasy tablets has been given a chance to prove himself by a judge.

Michael Scott, 19, was stopped by police at a telephone kiosk in South Shields and 55 tablets were found. Newcastle Crown Court heard that Scott told police he had been given the pills to look after by an unidentified woman who said she was being chased by police. Scott, of Gilside Court, South Shields, pleaded guilty to possessing a class A drug with intent. Judge Guy Whitburn deferred sentence for six months and said Scott would not go to jail if he made an effort to find a job and stayed out of trouble. Judge Whitburn said: "I am going to give you an opportunity of proving yourself."

SEWING DISPLAY: An exhibition called Durham Meets the Orient is being staged by the Durham branch of the Embroiderers Guild, at the Oriental Museum, Durham City, from March 1 to May 25. To coincide with the display, two workshops entitled Find Out About Sashiko Quilting and Fabric Origami will be held on Saturday, March 22, and Saturday, April 26. Places cost £3, and can be booked on 0191-374 7911.

BIBLE TALK: Paul Boyd-Lee will be giving a talk on the Bible and whether its authors were writing about their own patriarchal society, whether the text is inaccurate and whether it has any relevance to a computer-minded generation. Called Has the Bible Had its Day? the event will take place on Tuesday, March 4, at 7pm, at Beda House, on Clough Dene Road, Tantobie, Stanley. All denominations are welcome. For details, contact 0191-3847704.

GAMES NIGHT: Shadforth Village Community Association, near Durham, will hold a domino, beetle and cards night on Saturday, at 7.15pm. It includes a pie and peas supper. Tickets are £2.50, £1.50 for children, and are available on 0191-372 0308.

SOULD SOUNDS: Saturday Night at the Movies, a celebration of soul music by The Drifters, Four Tops, Sam Cooke and Gladys Knight, will be at Durham's Gala Theatre on Saturday, March 15, at 8pm. Tickets cost £13 and £12, and are available from the box office on 0191-332 4042.

CHARITY WALK: More volunteers are needed for a charity firewalk at Durham Gilesgate Sports College and Sixth Form Centre on Thursday, March 6, to raise money for Durham's St Cuthbert's Hospice and the Willow Burn Hospice, at Lanchester. For details, call 0191-386 1170.

FLATS PLAN: Durham City Council is being asked to grant planning permission for a three-storey pitched roof extension, which will provide four self-contained flats, at Flass House, Waddington Street.