Giant pieces of handiwork by young crafts people have been created by members of the Youth Clubs of County Durham.

The lifesize models, featuring characters from fiction, such as Harry Potter, were made from old pieces of cardboard, newspapers, factory waste and other junk. They will be displayed at the group's office, next to Framwellgate Moor Community Centre, near Durham, on Monday and Tuesday, from 9.30am to 3pm.

ART EXHIBITION: The Shire Pottery Gallery and Studios, Alnwick, Northumberland, will be the venue for an exhibition called Lightplay, by painter John Fieldhouse, from Monday, August 5 to Monday, September 9. Returning from a year abroad, his work evokes Spanish heat and shade against the cool light of northern England.

GAY POETRY: An evening of gay poetry with Robert Hamberger, whose new collection The Smug Bridegroom will be published this summer, and Gregory Woods, whose third poetry collection is also due to be published, will take place at Waterstones, Saddler Street, Durham, at 7.30pm tonight. The event has been organised as part of the Durham Literature Festival. Tickets cost £6 (£4 for concessions).

PLAY SESSIONS: A playgroup is held at Chester-le-Street Community Centre every weekday during term-time from 9.15am to 11.45am. Places for children aged between two-and-a-half and school age are now available for September. For more information about the playgroup, which is Ofsted-registered, call at the community centre or ring 0191-388 4752.

CREATURE SEARCH: Families are invited to join expert Ian Graham, of Durham Wildlife Trust, to find out what creatures lie beneath the surface of Hylton Dene fishing lake, off Castletown Road, Sunderland, from 2pm to 4pm on Sunday, July 21. The event is free, and booking is not required.

WORKS ALERT: Drivers have been warned to expect disruption during essential carriageway strengthening work to be carried out on Springwell Road, from the B1288 junction with Sycamore Grove, Springwell Village, Washington, on Thursday and Friday next week. Road closures will be in operation and there will be temporary diversions and temporary traffic lights between Mount Road and Sycamore Grove.

FLOWER FOCUS: Families have been invited to an event which puts the focus on wildflowers at Ryton Willows, Gateshead, from 2pm to 4pm on Sunday. For further information about the event, telephone Andy McLay on (01207) 545212.

BANDS' GIG: The Gallery, at Chester Moor, Chester-le-Street, will be the venue for a gig featuring MFUS, Skinhesh and Voodepartment, starting at 8.30pm tonight. Admission costs £2.