THE revamped Studio restaurant at Durham's Gala Theatre reopens next week with a bistro-style look.

THe new menu is introduced during the run of Brief Encounter, the Middle Ground Theatre company's stage adaptation of David Lean's film, which opens on Monday. It will run until Saturday, March 1, at 7.30pm, with 2.30pm matinees on Wednesday and Saturday. Tickets, priced from £5 to £13.50, can be booked on 0191-332 4041.

SAVE A LIFE: A blood donor session will take place today, from 2.30pm to 7pm, in Oxclose Church, Brancepeth Road, Oxclose, near Washington. Sessions will take place tomorrow, in the village hall in Coxhoe, near Durham, from 3pm to 7pm, and in the community centre in Ouston, near Chester-le-Street, from 2.30pm to 6.45pm.

FOLK TALES: A group looking at folk tales from the North-East and abroad will meet at Chester-le-Street Community Association, Newcastle Bank, from 1.30pm to 3.30pm, on Wednesdays, starting next week. Sessions cost £2.50. To join, call 0191-388 4752.

HEALING SESSIONS: The National Federation of Spiritual Healers will hold a healing session on Saturday, from 1.30pm to 4pm, at Shakespeare Hall, North Road, Durham. Sessions take place on the second and fourth Saturday each month.

PARKING PERMITS: Season ticket parking permits for South Tyneside Borough Council car parks went on sale this week. The tickets cost £12 and are valid from next month until October 31. To buy a ticket, call 0191-454 6612.

RACE NIGHT: Pittington FC, in the Stepy's Durham and District Sunday League, will hold a fundraising race night at Sherburn Village Workingmen's Club, near Durham, tomorrow, at 7.30pm. Admission is free.

ANTIQUES FAIR: An antiques fair will be held in Durham Town Hall, in the Market Place, on Saturday, from 10am to 4.30pm. Admission is 60p and free for children.

GOSPEL CONCERT: The Men's Forum Gospel Choir will perform in Catchgate Church School Room on Saturday, March 1, at 7pm. Admission is £2.

MEETING OFF: North Durham Community Health Council has cancelled a meeting scheduled for Friday, February 28, because members will be taking part in a review day.

MARTIAL ARTS: Taekwondo lessons take place in the YMCA centre, Parliament Street, Consett, on Saturdays, from 9am to 10am. Admission is £2.

COFFEE MORNING: The Samaritans hold a coffee morning and sale at the town hall, Durham, tomorrow, from 9am to noon.