VANDALS have slashed more than 20 car tyres after a spate of attacks in Consett and Stanley over the weekend.

Nineteen tyres were damaged in attacks on 12 cars in Durham Road and Cleveland Terrace, Stanley, between 10pm on Friday and 4.30am on Saturday. Police described the attack as "a mindless act of wanton damage". In Consett, car owners discovered tyres slashed in George Street, Beverley Gardens and Ritson Road. Anyone with information is asked to contact Stanley Police on (01207) 232144, or Consett Police on (01207) 504204.

BAND GIG: Indie band Psychedelic Breakfast, supported by the Mock Fish and Lee Kross, perform at The Garden Farm, in Chester-le-Street, from 8pm on Friday. It has been organised by Community Voluntary Service members and is sponsored by the Action Team for Jobs. Tickets are £3.50 and are available at the door.

FREE POETRY: Poet and Royal Literary Fellow Gillian Allnut will give a poetry reading at Newcastle University on Thursday, at 1pm, in the Daysh Building, in Claremont Road. Admission is free but advance booking is required, which can be made on 0191-222 7619.

ALMOST GONE: Tickets to see Dirty Dusting at The Customs House, South Shields, have almost sold out. The show is being staged tomorrow, Thursday and Saturday, at 2.30pm and tickets are £9, £7 for concessions. To book, call 0191-454 1234.

DANCE SHOW: Phoenix Dance Theatre performs a trio of new works, including pieces by Jerwood Prize winner Fin Walker and New York choreographer Jeremy Nelson, at Durham's Gala Theatre on March 7 and 8. Tickets are available on 0191-332 4062.

SCHOOL CLOSED: Pupils were sent home yesterday after a school heating system broke down. The 223 pupils at East Boldon Junior School, in East Boldon, South Tyneside, were sent home while repairs were carried out.

FLOWER CLUB: Lanchester and District Flower Club will meet in the cricket club on Wednesday, February 26, at 2pm, for a slide-show and talk on picture postcards, by George Nairn, of Chester-le-Street.

TABLE SALE: A table-top sale will take place in Catchgate Church school room, on Saturday, February 22, from 10am to 2pm. To book a table, priced £3, call (01207) 234418.

LINE DANCE: Line dancing classes start on Monday, from 7.30pm to 9.30pm, in St Andrew's Church Hall, Blackhill, Consett. To take part, call (01207) 239996.

CABARET ACT: North-East cabaret act Silhouette perform at the Mood Bar in Newgate Street, Newcastle, on Thursday, from 10pm.

MP SURGERY: MP Hilary Armstrong will hold an advice surgery in Consett Civic Centre on Friday, from 6pm.