A Darlington man told magistrates yesterday that moving house meant he missed his usual reminder about car insurance from his brokers.

But, although magistrates at Richmond, North Yorkshire, told 40-year-old Ian Donaldson, of North Road, they were giving him the benefit of the doubt, he was still fined £100. Donaldson said he had made sure his car was fully insured soon after he was stopped by police in Northallerton, in October.

CHILDREN'S CLASSES: Children's classes are being offered at Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College, in Vane Terrace, Darlington. The ten-week courses begin the week starting January 27 and enrolment is now taking place. Football fun for boys and girls aged seven to 13 years is on Monday, from 4.30pm to 6pm, and costs £29. Easy PCs computing for nine to 12-year-olds is on Wednesdays, from 4pm to 5.30pm and costs £37. Children's Spanish is also on Wednesdays, from 4.15pm to 5.30pm and costs £37. For further information, call (01325) 461315.

SALE DATE: The Darlington branch of Save the Children is holding a table-top sale at the Arts Centre, Vane Terrace, on Saturday, February 22, from 9am to noon. To hire a table, call (01325) 460474.

WRITING COURSE: Places are still available on an adult education course, called Aspects of Calligraph, at Bennet House, Horsemarket, Darlington. The course begins next Wednesday and materials are provided. For more information, call (01325) 357801.

NETWORK MEETING: The next meeting of Darlington's Learning Disabilities Action Network takes place on Friday, January 31, from 1.30pm to 3pm, in the town's Beck House. Topics will include giving up smoking.

ALPHA COURSE: Cockerton Methodist Church, in Darlington, is holding an Alpha course on Wednesday, January 29, from 7pm. The first meeting is an introduction to the course, which explores basic Christianity. A meal is provided for this initial meeting and anyone interested is asked to call (01325) 240504.

CHOIR CALL: The Richardson Singers, a female choir, is looking for new members. The group performs around Darlington and practises at Abbey Infant School on Tuesdays, at 7.15pm. For further information, telephone (01325) 257025.

HOSPICE BOOST: A Christmas lights display by Ray and Sheila Robinson, in Thorntree Gardens, Middleton St George, raised £261 for the Butterwick Hospice.

ROCK COURSE: An eight-week adult education course, called Recognising Rocks and Minerals, will be held at Bennet House, Horsemarket, every Thursday from next week. For more details, call (01325) 357801.