A SERIES of free lectures on matters of local interest starts this week.

The series by Sunderland University begins on Thursday with a talk by Alex Renwick and David Inglesby, at St Peter's Campus, on a campaign to bring the City of Adelaide clipper back to the River Wear.

On Thursday, January 24, weather expert Denis Wheeler will give a talk entitled From Bede to Outer Space: Sunderland's Weather over the Centuries, while on Thursday, February 7, magistrate Ron Lawson will lecture on the architecture of Sunderland's pubs from 1670 to the present.

Travel writer David Raeburn will talk about the Kenai Fjords and Mount McKinley in Alaska on Thursday, February 21, and on Thursday, March 7, Phil Ellis will lecture on Sound Therapy and the Elderly.

The final lecture is on Thursday, March 21, when Robert Forsythe will talk about The Great Little Trains of Wales and their Quarries.

All lectures start at 2.30pm, and free refreshments are available from 2pm. For more details, ring Wendy Jackson on 0191-515 3193.