COUNCILLORS in Darlington are considering introducing a recycling service for cardboard.

The council already has a collection service for newspapers, covering 95 per cent of households in the borough. Now the environment scrutiny committee has asked officers to look into a similar scheme for cardboard. A report presented to the committee's last meeting also suggested a recycling site on the east side of the town was needed.

DAY TRIP: The Friends of Senior Citizens charity has oganised a trip to the Boundary Mills retail outlet in North Tyneside, on Tuesday, March 20. The trip costs £8 and there will be pick-ups in Newton Aycliffe, Aycliffe Village, Heighington and Shildon. The charity is also organising a trip from Newton Aycliffe to Stanhope, Barnard Castle and Bowes Museum on Thursday, March 13, leaving at 10am. To book a place on either trip call (01325) 313924.

THRIFT SHOP: St Columba's Church and Clifton Community Centre, in Clifton Avenue, Darlington, run a thrift shop on Saturday, March 1, from noon to 1.30pm.

SELF-HELP: People who suffer from chronic illnesses are invited to enrol on a free six-week self-management course being run by Darlington Primary Care Trust at the Dolphin Centre, from Tuesday, March 4. To join the course call Helen Webster on (01325) 365271

DRAMA DATE: The Hunt Roberts Theatre group is staging The Ladies of Cranford at Witham Hall, Barnard Castle, on March 28, at 7.30pm. For tickets and details call (01833) 631107.

SHOWTIME: St Mark's Church, Eldon, is presenting Showtime at the church with Musicals North and Harry Rowell, on Saturday, March 1, at 7pm, followed by a buffet supper. Tickets are available from Eldon post office.

COTTAGE PLAN: A plan to convert two outbuildings into holiday cottages at Jubilee Wood Farm, in Heighington, has been received by Darlington Borough Council.

HOUSE FIRE: Firefighters were called to a fire in the bedroom of a house in Dale Street, Chilton, yesterday afternoon. No one was injured in the blaze.

RESIDENTS' MEETING: The next meeting of the Chilton West Residents' Association will be held on Tuesday, at Chilton and Windlestone WMC from 7.15pm.

COUNCIL MEETING: Spennymoor Town Council will meet in the town hall next Tuesday, at 6.45pm.

GYM PLAN: Darlington Borough Council has been asked to grant permission for a former fruit shop to be turned into a gym in the town's Coleridge Gardens.