A meeting of the coastal area forum, aimed at ensuring people are better informed about council services and allowing them to get involved in decisions, is being held at Poplar House, Welfare Close, Easington Colliery, on Wednesday, February 12, at 6pm.

Anyone who wishes to include an item on the agenda is asked to contact the democratic services officers at District of Easington, democratic services and administration, council offices, Seaside Lane, Easington, Peterlee, County Durham, SR8 3TN. Letters must be received by Friday, January 31, although items can also be raised verbally at the meeting.

PARKING PROBLEMS: People living near the Stadium of Light in Sunderland are calling for parking restrictions to be increased. Parking is banned in several Monkwearmouth streets on Saturday afternoons and Tuesday evenings, but residents say some fans ignore yellow lines, and problems of access persist when matches are held at other times. They are asking for residents' parking permits to be introduced and for restrictions to be extended to Sunday afternoon and Wednesday evening games.

LOCOMOTIVE SOCIETY: The Stephenson Locomotive Society will meet at the Mining Institute, Neville Hall, Westgate Road, Newcastle, at 7pm, on Friday. Bill Hampson will give a talk, called At the Drop of a Hat. Admission is £1 for members and £1.50 for non-members.

SEEKING DAREDEVILS: The British Lung Foundation is offering daredevils the chance to make a free parachute jump - solo or tandem - if they raise sponsorship money for research into lung disease. For further details, call Beverley Wears, regional manager of the charity's Breathe North branch, on 0191-263 0276 or 07702 591569.

HOUSING SCHEME: A non-profit making building firm has begun building houses for older people. Working in partnership with Gateshead Council, Housing 21 has started work on Winton Court. Due to open in October, it features 40 self-contained apartments in a setting that promotes independent living for older people who have a range of needs.

CRIMINAL MINDS: Park View Community Association, in Chester-le-Street, is running classes in criminal psychology every Tuesday, between 7pm and 9pm. The course looks at how the criminal mind works and other issues. Contact the centre in Church Chare, on 0191-388 1043, for more details.

WALKERS MEET: The Acorn Amblers holds a meeting in Citizen's House, Consett, tonight at 7pm, to discuss the summer walks programme. New members are welcome.

SIGN UP: The Village Hall Community Association, in Delves Lane, near Consett, holds a registration week for new members, from Monday until Friday. For details, contact Ann Westgarth at the hall, on (01207) 583174, or go to www.delves-lanevillagehall.org.