ELECTRICAL equipment worth £1,700 was taken from a house in Darlington.

The raid happened when thieves forced open a window at the back of the house in Kempton Court, between 6.45pm on Friday and 2.05am on Saturday and stole a Pioneer DVD, CD and video player, a Pioneer amplifier, a Denon AM/FM tuner, a PlayStation games console with joypad, a Sanyo colour television and a quantity of CDs. Anybody who has any information is urged to contact Darlington police on (01325) 467681 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

SHED BREAK-IN: A shed in Elmcroft, Harrowgate Hill, Darlington, was broken into by thieves who stole a set of Mizuno golf clubs in a red and white golf bag, a Power Devil electric lawnmower, tins of paint and a Townsend child's mountain bike. Anybody with information about the break-in, which happened between 7pm on Sunday and 7.50am yesterday, should contact Darlington police on (01325) 467681 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Give Blood: Anyone wishing to give blood can go along to King James 1st College, South Church Road, Bishop Auckland, on Thursday, May 30, between 3pm and 7pm.

Mower taken: A Flymo lawnmower was stolen by thieves who broke into an outhouse in Waltham Close, Darlington, between 7pm on Sunday, May 5, and 9.30am on Sunday. Anybody with information is urged to contact Darlington police on (01325) 467681 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

VILLAGE DRAMA: The Hamsterley Players presents Secondary Cause of Death, by Peter Gordon, in Hamsterley Village Hall on Friday and Saturday, May 24 and 25, at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £3 and are available by calling (01388) 488584.

Annual DATE: Dene Valley Community Partnership is holding its annual meeting on Tuesday, May 28, at 6pm, at the Salvation Army Hall, Eldon Lane. Full members wishing to be nominated for posts on the management committee please submit your names to The Community House, 5 Spencer Street, Eldon Lane, Bishop Auckland, Co Durham DL4 8TL, by May 24.

Summer fair: St Charles RCVA school, Tudhoe, Spennymoor, is holding its annual summer fair at the school on Sunday, May 26, from 1pm. Entertainment will include face painting, games, bouncy castle, tombolas, raffles, a barbecue and music by the Newcastle All Stars Steel Band.

CHARITY AUCTION: There will be a charity auction in aid of Kilimatinde Hospital, in Tanzania, at Middleton-in-Teesdale Village Hall, on Saturday, June 1, from 2pm to 4.30pm, with afternoon tea available. Entrance is £1 and includes a free raffle ticket. For further information, telephone (01833) 640811.

Area debate: Sedgefield Borough Council's Area 5 Forum meets today at 6.30pm, in the Town Council offices, School Aycliffe Lane, Newton Aycliffe.