A CAT and dog were rescued by firefighters, but three other cats died when fire gutted a ground-floor room at a home in Melsonby Crescent, South Park, Darlington.

Station Officer Michael Shillock, of County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service, said firefighters tried to resuscitate the cats on Saturday. A faulty television is thought to have caused the blaze.

CASINO NIGHT: The Butterwick Hospice at Bishop Auckland is raising money with a casino night at Glaxo Sports and Social Club, Barnard Castle, on Saturday, March 1, from 7.30pm to 11pm. Washington and District Lions Club is providing roulette, card games, dice and gaming chips. The evening will also feature a blind auction. For tickets and details call (01388) 603003.

CAR CRASH: A motorist was given oxygen by paramedics after a car crash in Newton Aycliffe on Saturday. The collision between two cars happened in Burn Lane, shortly before 1pm. The casualty did not need hospital treatment.

FLORAL CLASS: Flower arranging classes are being staged fortnightly at Darlington Arts Centre, starting on Thursday, February 6, from 1.30pm to 3.30pm. For details call Val Walker on (01740) 621112.

COUNCIL MEETS: Whessoe Parish Council, in Darlington, meets on Wednesday, January 29, at 7pm, in the village hall. Items on the agenda include flooding in Princess Road.

BIBLE STUDY: A Bible studies day, in preparation for the Women's World Day of Prayer, is being held tomorrow, from 10am to 1.30pm, in St Clare's Church Hall, Newton Aycliffe, led by the Reverend Michelle Ferguson. Everyone who attends is asked to bring a Bible and a packed lunch.

HOUSING BID: A developer wants to build 14 houses and 12 bungalows at land to the north of Parkside, in Darlington. An application for planning permission has been submitted to Darlington Borough Council by Durham-based Three Rivers Housing Group.

SCHOOL JOBS: Hurworth Comprehensive School, in Darlington, is on the lookout for cleaners and a lunchtime supervisory assistant. Both jobs pay £5.09 an hour. Anyone interested should contact Sue Elliott-Lyall on (01325) 720424.

GIPSY SITE: An application to allow a caravan park in Darlington to continue to be used as a gipsy transit caravan site has been received by Darlington Borough Council. The application is for Honeypot Lane Caravan Site, in Whessoe Road.

LITERARY COURSE: Poetry and prose from the 19th Century will be explored in an adult education class which starts on Wednesday. For details on the eight-week course, at Bennet House, Horsemarket, Darlington, call (01325) 357801.

STABLES PLAN: A plan to redevelop Beacon Hill Works, in Sadberge, near Darlington, into stables, garages and a home, has been received by Darlington Borough Council.