CLUMSY burglars who tried to break into a newsagent's were arrested after they made so much noise they alerted neighbours.

Two men had already burgled a first-floor flat in Stockton Road, Sunderland, and were trying to break into the shop when they were caught. Neighbours were alerted by loud banging noises. The pair also set off a security alarm. A police spokesman said two men in their 30s were arrested and are helping police with their inquiries.

DISCO DATE: Ladies Oak Glade are holding a pre-fun day disco at The Oak Tree, Bowburn, on Saturday, August 24, from 12.30pm to 3.30pm, when Miss Bowburn (aged 11 to 16) and Miss Princess (aged three to ten) will be chosen. All girl must live in the Bowburn area.

DONOR DATES: Blood donor sessions will be held on Tuesday, August 27, at the Methodist Church on the corner of Kells Lane and Old Durham Road, Sheriff Hill, Gateshead, and at Bolingbroke Hall, Bolingbroke Street, South Shields, both between 2.30pm and 7pm.

MORE ROOM: Durham City Council is being asked to grant planning permission for a single-storey pitched roof extension to be built at the rear and side of a house in The Avenue, Durham.

GALA DAY: Broughton Brass Band will be entertaining the Lord Mayor of Newcastle, John Marshall, and his wife Audrey in the £1.8m Gala Field complex, Newbiggin Hall, from 2pm on Sunday.

FOOTBALL CHEQUE: A cheque for £10,000 raised at the North-East football awards dinner held earlier this year has been handed over to the Prince's Trust.

HOMES PLAN: Durham City Council is being asked to grant outline planning permission for a residential development on land at the Anderson and Young Coachworks, Wallnook, Old Station Yard, Langley Park.

ROCK GIGS: Skinflint will be playing in the Stables Bar at the Beamish Mary Inn, No Place, near Stanley, tonight and tomorrow. The bar will be hosting Off the Wall. Both gigs start at 8.30pm and there is a cover charge. For details call the venue on 0191-370 0237.

BRASS SUNDAY: The latest in a series of brass band concerts in the grounds of the Durham Light Infantry Museum and Durham Art Gallery, Durham, will be held on Sunday, weather permitting, from 2.30pm. It will feature Trimdon Concert Band. Admission is free.

WEAR WALKk: Sunderland countryside rangers will lead a three-mile walk along the banks of the River Wear, between Fatfield and Cox Green on Sunday, between 11am and 2pm, starting at the Mount Pleasant Lake car park, James Steel Park, Beatrice Terrace, Fatfield. The walk is free.

PARK LARK: Sport, games, children's entertainers and bouncy castles are part of a fun event taking place in Allensford Park, near Consett, today between 11am and 4pm. Admission is £2.50 or free for adults and children under three.