THE open-air ice rink at Victoria Park, Middlesbrough, opens tomorrow at 2.30pm.

Abba tribute band Bjorn Again will open the rink, which is expected to attract 20,000 skaters and 60,000 visitors this year. Former British ice skating champion Gina Fulton will be holding skating lessons at the rink.

FESTIVE FUN: Zetland Park Methodist Church, in The Crescent, Redcar, holds a coffee morning on Saturday, December 7, from 10am to noon. Admission is free. The church's annual Christmas concert, featuring the Marske Silver Band, takes place at the church on Wednesday, December 11, at 7.30pm. Admission is £2 for adults and 50p for children.

SHOPPING TRIP: The Top Lakes Residents' Association, Redcar, is running a shopping trip to Leeds on Saturday, November 30. The coach leaves the Grosmont Centre, Redcar, at 9am and returns from Leeds at 5pm. Seats are £6.50. To book, call (01642) 501168.

WOODLAND FESTIVAL: A tree planting and woodland crafts festival is to be held at Burn Valley Family Wood, Elwick Road, Hartlepool, on Sunday, from 10am to 2pm. The event, organised by Hartlepool Borough Council in partnership with The Tees Forest, is free.

MARKET OPEN: Middlesbrough's Christmas market opens tomorrow in the pedestrian precinct, in Corporation Road. Stalls are open from 10am to 6pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and on Sundays, from 10am to 4pm.

CHRISTMAS COFFEE: A coffee morning is held at 43, York Road, Redcar, on Saturday, December 7, between 10am and noon, in aid of The Holistic Cancer Care Project at the James Cook University, Middlesbrough.

CONSERVATIVES AGM: The Redcar Conservative Association holds its annual meeting at Redcar Unionist Club, Dean Grove, Redcar, at 7pm on Wednesday.

COLLEGE EXTENSION: Stockton Sixth Form College has applied to Stockton Borough Council for permission to build a two-storey extension.

CARE HOME: Stockton Borough Council has received a planning application from Dolphin Properties to build a care home in South Road, Norton.

COFFEE MORNING: The Leonard Cheshire Home, Marske, holds a coffee morning to raise funds for residents on Saturday, November 30, from 10am.