MONTHLY tea dances have been added to the bill at a village hall.

Dancers are welcome to waltz, fox trot or rhumba their way to the Scarth Hall, Staindrop, near Barnard Castle, for the first event on Sunday, March 23.

Music will be provided by duo In the Mood and dancing takes place from 4pm to 7pm.

Further sessions have been arranged for Sunday, April 13, and Sunday, May 18.

Organisers say if the dances prove popular, more will be organised.

Other entertainment lined up at the hall in the coming weeks includes a performance by the band PlayBack, featuring hits from the 1960s to the present day.

This takes place on Saturday, April 6, with tickets £8.

The hall committee has also booked a Rolling Stones tribute act for Saturday, June 14, with tickets £15.

Food is included in the ticket price for these events and there will be a bar available.

Staindrop's third annual music and beer festival will begin on Friday, August 22, and continue throughout the weekend.

In addition to these events, the hall hosts open mic nights on the first Friday of each month, starting at 7.30pm.

For further details, contact John Waters (open mic nights) on 07598-738665 or Morris Race on 07821-160223.