BIKE MARKING: Police in Crook will be marking bikes for free on Saturday, January 4, from 10am to 2pm at the Co-op on New Road. The procedure will mean bikes can be quickly linked to their correct owner if they are stolen.

CHURCH EVENTS: St Catherine’s Church in Crook will hold a series of events to celebrate Christmas. A Christingle service will start at 4pm on Christmas Eve (Tuesday, December 24), with proceeds going to the Children’s Society, with the parish communion at 7pm that same day. Finally, a service will be held at 10am on Christmas Day (Wednesday, December 25).

FUNDS RAISED: The newly formed Bishop Auckland Fund Raising group of Marie Curie Cancer Care raised £660 with their first collection at Sainsbury’s in St Helen Auckland. The group will be officially formed on Monday, January 6, at a celebration at 1.30pm at The Fire Station at the end of Watling Road in Bishop Auckland. Anyone wanting to get involved is invited to attend the launch.

ART CLASSES: A fortnightly art class will start at the Agnew Centre on Morrison Close in Newton Aycliffe on Tuesday, January 14. The sessions run from 1pm to 3pm with the course costing £24 for five classes. The course is for artists of all levels of expertise, for more information contact Andy Taylor on 0191-3732485 or visit durhamartworks.co.uk.