A PROGRAMME of summer events was launched in Durham last week.

For the first time this year, the city's summer activities will be co-ordinated in a single Summer in Durham City 2002 programme by the Durham City Forum.

They will start with events to celebrate the Golden Jubilee Bank Holiday, on June 3, and will run until the beginning of August.

The programme will include the Durham Summer Festival, Music on the River, Durham Regatta, City Proms in the Park, first class and international cricket, the Durham Literature and Brass Festivals and Durham Big Meeting.

A win-a-car competition to benefit St Cuthbert's Hospice, which many of the events will benefit, will run as part of the celebrations.

Chris Rawlinson, Durham City Centre manager, said: "We are all so excited about the Summer in Durham City 2002 programme.

"When we sat down and started collating details about all the events, we realised what a fabulous range of activities there is during the whole summer."

Michelle Iles, fundraising co-ordinator for the hospice, said: "We are delighted to have this wonderful opportunity to work alongside Durham City Forum throughout the Summer in Durham City programme."

For details on how to get car raffle tickets, call (0191) 386 1170.

The events are: June 3, Jubilee Bank Holiday; June 8, Music on the River; June 12, 13, 14, first class cricket; June 15 and 16, Durham Regatta; June 15, City Proms in the Park; June 16, U2our in the Park; June 29-July 13, Durham Literature Festival; July 6 and 7, Durham Summer Fesival; July 7-20, Durham Brass Festival; July 13, Miners' Gala; July 16 and 17, international cricket; July 20 and 21, Durham Live Music Festival, Durham Jazz Day, live music and motors day; July 27 and 28, Durham Folk Party; August 1-3, Folkworks Durham Gathering.