AN open evening is being held to discuss plans to build a £2.9m replacement for Alderman Leach Primary School, Darlington, which will accommodate 315 pupils and 52 nursery children.

Parents of children at the school, and Cockerton and Faverdale residents, can attend the event next Tuesday, from 4pm to 6.30pm, at the school.

HEALTHY EATERS: Health Secretary and Darlington MP Alan Milburn will present an NHS County Durham and Darlington Healthy School Award to Branksome Comprehensive School, Darlington, tomorrow, in recognition of the school's efforts to promote healthy lifestyles among its pupils.

SCHOOL REUNION: Former pupils at Darlington's Central School are hoping to repeat a successful reunion held two years ago. The school closed in 1983. Pupils who left in 1981 and staff who taught at the school then are being sought for a reunion in November. For details call Sharon Smith on (07973) 744567 or Edward Thompson on (01325) 258631.

PLAY AND PRAISE: A morning of play and praise at All Saints and Salutation Church, Darlington, tomorrow, starts at 10.30am.

EXTRA LESSONS: Extra courses are being offered on the adult evening programme at Darlington's Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College, including GCSE English Language and maths, the European Computer Driving Licence, beginners' Spanish and the Ilex certificate in legal studies. For details call (01325) 461315.

CHARITY AID: Darlington Borough Council has agreed to make a £200 donation to the local Macmillan Cancer Research group.

ANNUAL MEETING: County Durham and Darlington Priority Services NHS Trust holds its annual meeting next Thursday, at Earl's House Hospital, Durham.

CHILE TRIP: Trimdon solicitor Margaret McManners has been chosen to join an expedition to Chile with Earthwatch in the autumn, to monitor the behaviour of otters. Her husband, James, headteacher at Cassop School, near Coxhoe, worked with Earthwatch on a project earlier this year to study the echidna on Kangaroo Island, Australia. For details of Earthwatch schemes call (01865) 381850.

IN THE FRAME: People in the Wear Valley are invited to take part in a photography project to promote the area. Bishop Auckland Discovery Centre volunteers want people to produce images that can be turned into postcards. Call James Lowther on (01388) 662666 for details.

SCHOOL QUIZ: The Friends of Bishop Barrington Association are hosting a quiz to raise money for a school radio station. The quiz, for all age groups, will be held at the school on Monday, at 6.30pm. The group's annual meeting is on October 16, at 7pm, at the school.