New Post Office branch to open: South Moor Post Office is to move to a new site next month. A new branch will open in the Nisa store at 198-200 Park Road, South Moor, near Stanley at 1pm on Friday, January 31. The new branch is around 200-metres away from the existing Post Office at 267 Park Road and will be open from 7am to 10pm, seven days a week.

ROAD WORKS: Derby Drive, in Moorside, near Consett is to be closed to all traffic for two weeks starting on Monday, January 13 while sewer installation work takes place.

JAZZ PIANO: Durham-born jazz pianist Paul Edis is to perform a lunchtime concert at the Gala Theatre on Friday, January 17. Tickets for the 1pm concert are £4, available from the Box Office on 03000 266600.

COUNTRY WALK: Voluntary countryside ranger Brian Page will lead a walk along the banks of the River Derwent on Friday, January 3. The eight-mile walk starts at 10.30am from the west car park at Allensford picnic area, just off the A68, and costs £4 per person.

BUNGALOW PLANS: Durham City Homes has applied to Durham County Council for planning permission to convert a communal hall in Marlene Avenue, in Bowburn into a residential bungalow.

NEW MACHINE: Durham County Council has granted planning permission to install a new ATM cashpoint machine at a shop in Cowley Street, Shotton Colliery, along with changes to the shop front.