Emmerdale mayor's visit

Actor Chris Chittell, better-known as mayor Eric Pollard in the TV soap opera Emmerdale, will open the extended factory outlet at J Barbour and Sons' Jarrow premises in South Tyneside on Friday. The series' smooth-talking Mayor of Hotten is a well-known wax jacket wearer and therefore seemed an obvious choice to open the Barbour factory outlet, which is now 50 per cent bigger after the refurbishment.

PRIZE PRESENTATION: Ushaw Moor Catholic Club was the venue for the Deerness Valley fun run presentation ceremony. Every entrant received a certificate and T-shirt, with the winners of the individual categories also being awarded trophies, presented by Brandon and Byshottles Parish Council chairwoman Betty Grey and Councillor David Bell. A shield was awarded to the outright winner, Kyle Wilkinson, who will retain it for a year.

ORCHESTRA CONCERT: La Sagesse School, in Jesmond, Newcastle, is hosting a concert by the Northern Sinfonia orchestra for the second year in succession, at 7pm on Saturday. The programme includes music by Rosetti, Hummel and Beethoven. The event is one of a series in aid of the school's Wise Owls Appeal to support bursaries. Tickets are available by calling 0191-2819277.

DONOR SESSIONS: Blood donor sessions will be held at Fyndoune Community College, in Sacriston, today from 3pm to 7pm, Lanchester Community Centre, on Friday, from 3pm to 7pm, and Ouston Community Centre, on Friday, from 2.30pm to 6.45pm.

DJ NIGHT: The Pony Club DJs will play world music, reggae and funk, while showing projections, at the Beamish Mary pub, in Stanley, on Friday from 7pm. Admission is free.

WEBSITE HELP: North Durham Domestic Violence Forum has launched a website -www.domestic violence.biz - providing help and information for those experiencing domestic violence.

DANCING DATE: The Midi Dance orchestra is holding a 50:50 dance for ballroom and sequence at Spennymoor Town Hall on Friday, July 19, at 8pm. Admission costs £3. For details call (01388) 817914.

CHARITY NIGHT: Father Peter Henriot, director of the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection in Lusak, Zambia, will give a talk about the work of the charity Cafod in fighting third world poverty, at St Patrick's Church, Consett, tomorrow at 8pm.

HOSPICE SHOP: The Saturday Shop at St Cuthbert's Hospice, in Durham, will be open this week from 10am to noon. Admission to the shop, at Park House, Merryoaks, costs 50p.

GARDEN FETE: St Cuthbert's Church in Shadforth, near Durham, will hold a garden fete in the church grounds on Saturday, from 2pm to 4.30pm.

CATHEDRAL SERVICE: The Royal School of Church Music's Diocesan Festival Service takes place at Durham Cathedral on Saturday at 6pm.