FIVE music and drama students from Prior Pursglove College, Guisborough, have won places with national theatre companies.

Hayley Sharples and Matthew Barlow, both 17, have been accepted by the National Youth Music Theatre, Eddie Jones, 17, by the National Youth Theatre, Sam Kennedy, 16, by the National Youth Orchestra, and Stephen Downing, 18, by the National Youth Training Choir. Music teacher Bridgett Kendall said: "These are all very competitive companies and to have five students accepted is a tremendous achievement for them and the English and creative arts department."

CHORAL DATE: Middlesbrough Choral Group will hold its annual concert on Friday, at the Church of St John the Evangelist, Marton Road, Middlesbrough. It starts at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £4.50 from (01642) 780799.

COFFEE MORNING: Coffee, tea and biscuits will be served at Newcomen Methodist Church, Mersey Road, Redcar, on Saturday, between 10am and 11.30am. Stalls will sell homemade wares. Entry is 40p.

CHARITY RAFFLE: Cleveland Afasic, the Association For All Speech Impaired Children, raised £105 with a raffle. The money will go towards a summer playscheme. The group wishes to thank florist shop Miriam's, in Marske, Shorts, the butchers, in Skelton, and Vogue Hairdressers, in Redcar, for their donations.

SUMMER FAIR: A summer fair will be held at St Alban's School, Yew Tree Avenue, Redcar, on Saturday, from 1.30pm.

GUILD MEETING: Acklam Townswomen's Guild will meet at the Friends Meeting House, Cambridge Road, Middlesbrough, today, at 2pm. All are welcome to attend the meeting, which will feature a talk on China.

COLLEGE SHOW: Students at Gillbrook Technology College in South Bank, Middlesbrough, are staging a production of cabaret this week. Performances are at 7pm each evening from Wednesday to Saturday and tickets are available from the college, in Normanby Road, priced at £1.50 and £1 for concessions.

ADVICE SURGERIES: Ashok Kumar, the MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, will hold two advice surgeries this Saturday. He will be at Boosbeck Community Centre between 10am and 11am, and at Loftus Town Hall between 11.30am and 12.30pm.

KIDS' CLUB: An out-of-school club catering for 24 children has been opened at Chaloner Hall Day Nursery in Guisborough. The £28,000 facility offers youngsters the chance to use a computer suite, play area and mini-kitchen. It opens 7.30am to 9am and 3pm to 6pm in term time and 7.30am to 6pm during holidays. For more details, call (01287) 630111