Homes needed for pups in box

POLICE in East Durham hope five puppies found abandoned in a box at the weekend will find loving homes. The animals, thought to be about three weeks old, were discovered by a woman walking her dog in the Westlea area of Seaham, on Saturday night.

She alerted police who contacted the White Lion vets practice in South Hetton, where the animals are now being cared for. Anyone interested in giving the dogs a home should contact the vets, on 0191-526 2963.

MP DATE: North-West Durham MP and chief whip Hilary Armstrong will hold an advice surgery for constituents on Saturday, at Citizen's House, Consett, from 11am.

health role: Former deputy headmaster of The Hermitage Comprehensive School, in Chester-le-Street, Alan Farnish, has been given a new job - persuading teenagers to opt for healthy diets. He has accepted a temporary position with the NHS Darlington Primary Care Group and the local education authority, working with schools and colleges in the Darlington area to support health issues.

Musical workshops: More than 2,000 Tyneside youngsters will learn more about classical music in workshops being held from next week. Musicians from the London Mozart Players will be visiting schools and after-school clubs in the area, starting next Tuesday.

LANDSCAPE LECTURE: Dr Chris Gerard, of Durham University's department of archaeology, will give a lecture called Shapwick: landscape archaeology in Somerset, at 2.30pm, on Saturday, at 141 Elvet Riverside, opposite the Three Tuns Hotel, in Durham City. Everyone is welcome.

CLUB MEETING: The annual meeting of Dunelm Flower Club will take place at the Sixth Form College, Providence Row, Durham, on Thursday, January 17, at 7.30pm. It will be followed by a talk and demonstration called Bulbs, Blooms and Gateshead. Everyone is welcome and entry costs £3 for non-members.

YOGA SESSIONS: Two eight- week yoga courses are starting at Chester-le-Street Community Centre from Monday, January 21. They will run on Mondays, from 6.30pm to 8.30pm, and Tuesdays, from 10.30am to 12.30pm, and each course costs £24. For more details, ring 0191-388 4752.

DOLLS FAIR: A dolls' house, miniature and teddy fair will be held at the Ramside Hall Hotel, Carrville, on the outskirts of Durham, on Sunday, January 20, between 10.30am and 4pm. Admission costs £1.50. For details call 0191-378 1923.

Donor session: Blood donor sessions are being held today at the leisure centre in Alexandra Road, Gateshead, from 2.30pm to 7pm, and in the Methodist Church Hall, Station Road, Consett, from 3pm to 7pm.

KITCHEN FIRE: Firefighters were called to a blaze in a kitchen in Leicester Walk, Peterlee, at 10.30am yesterday. It took the firefighters 20 minutes to put out the blaze.