FOUR teams from Greencroft School, near Stanley, have qualified for the regional heat of a table tennis competition.

The under-13 and under-16 boys and girls teams won their finals in the zone stage of the English Schools Table Tennis Team Championships and will travel to Grantham, in Lincolnshire, for the regional contest on Sunday, February 9.

BLOOM APPEAL: Newcastle City Council is calling on residents and businesses to help repeat the city's success last year in the Northumbria in Bloom competition. The authority is looking for entrants in 22 categories, from best small village to best business park and best-kept grounds in an old people's home. To take part, call Sarah Kidd on 0191-278 3804.

COUNCIL SURGERIES: Barbara Howarth, Durham county councillor for Belmont, will hold surgeries next Monday, from 6pm to 6.45pm, in Carrville Methodist Church, and from 7pm to 7.45pm in Belmont Library. She also holds a surgery on Wednesday, February 5, in Belmont Community Centre, from 6pm to 7pm.

GET DANCING: Ballroom and sequence dance classes run by Norma Naylor are held on Tuesdays, at the Arts Centre, Biddick Lane, Fatfield, Washington. For details, call 0191-219 3455.

LOG ON: People can learn about computers at sessions held by Langley Park and District Community Association on afternoons and evenings at The Institute, Church Street, Langley Park.For details, call 0191-373 1876.

CRAFT CLASS: Arts and craft classes take place in Tanfield Lea Community Centre, Tanfield Lea, near Stanley, on Fridays, from 1pm to 3pm, and Mondays, from 7.30pm to 9pm. Admission is £1. For details, call (01207) 231570.

MUSIC MAGIC: Musical Magic, featuring music from stage shows, will be performed at Woodview Community Centre, in Langley Park, on Saturday, at 2.15pm. Tickets are £1, and concessions are 50p.

GENTLE START: Gentle exercise classes for the over-50s start next Monday, from 2pm to 3pm, in Tanfield Lea Community Centre, Tanfield Lea, near Stanley.

PAIN GROUP: Campain, a support group for people in chronic pain, is hoping to start a group in Derwentside. To join, call (01325) 244865.

CHANGING HANDS: Three entertainment venues in Consett, County Durham, have changed hands. Ladhar Leisure has bought Chaplins Bar, Area 51 Bar and 70s Night Club, which are within yards of each other in Front Street.

CHARITY CONCERT: Three cancer charities who filled Durham Cathedral for a fundraising event have raised almost £10,000. Proceeds from the evening mean that Marie Curie Cancer Care, St Cuthbert's Hospice and Macmillan Cancer Relief have benefited by £3,000 each.