SECRETARY of State for Education Estelle Morris is to personally recognise the achievements of pupils and staff at an east Durham school.

The minister, who is embroiled in the wrangle over alleged marking-down of A-level results, will take time out from her busy schedule to visit Seaham School on Tuesday. Ms Morris has agreed to unveil the new Specialist School Sign at the local comprehensive. During her stay she will visit the school's maths/ICT resource area, which has been refurbished through the specialist school funding. She will also talk to pupils and guests and unveil the new sign, which has been designed by the pupils.

CRAFT FAIR: Residents will be given the chance to do some early Christmas shopping when a craft fair is staged tomorrow at the Discovery Centre, Seaton Holme, Easington Village, from 11am. The fair will include craft stalls and a raffle. Stalls will offer goods ranging from plants, hand-crafted jewellery and hand-carved wood items to hand-knitted items and pottery. Cream teas will be served in the library at the centre and will cost £1, but admission to the fair is free.

FINDING FUNDS: A free seminar offering advice to community groups on how to attract funding takes place on Monday, October 7, at 2pm, in the village hall, Castleside, near Consett. Groups from the council wards of Castleside, Cornsay and Lanchester are welcome to attend. To book a place, or for further details, contact Derwentside District Council's funding officer, Claire Smith, on (01207) 218203.

GAMES CLUB: The Games Workshop club meets in Moorside Community College, near Consett, on Thursday, from 3.30pm to 5.30pm. It is open to all youngsters aged 11 or over. Annual membership is £5, or visitors can pay 50p per session. For further details, contact (01207) 507001.

HEALTHY MESSAGE: A scheme to get residents exercising straight from their front doors gets under way next week. An army of volunteer walkers is set to lead Gateshead residents on urban Health Walks in a bid to encourage householders to take regular exercise. The two-mile circuits will pick up residents from near their homes and are designed for people who do very little physical activity. For more details, call 0191-433 2174.

HARVEST SUPPER: St Cuthbert's Church, Shadforth, will host a harvest supper and entertainment by Pittington Brass Band at Sherburn Hill Community Centre, from 7.30pm on Monday. Admission costs £2.50, including a broth supper. Proceeds from a fruit and vegetable auction will go to a chosen charity.

CHARITY CHALLENGE: Keep-fit enthusiasts are invited to Sherburn Sports Centre for an aerobathon, organised as part of the Rosemary Conley Challenge, on Sunday, September 29, from 2pm to 4pm. Entrance costs £5 and the first 200 participants will receive a free goody bag and T-shirt. For more details, contact Ms Atkinson on 0191-517 1395.