Leisure and culture news

Messages of friendship from schoolchildren across the globe will be included within a special light installation symbolising the importance of international co-operation.

Audiences will embark on a desert island adventure with a chilling twist when Lord of the Flies is brought to the stage in County Durham.

Schoolchildren have been visiting a unique County Durham landmark for an art project, as part of its 50th anniversary celebrations.

This September is all about the music at a County Durham theatre.

With the new school year now in full swing, youngsters have embarked on a potentially life-changing musical adventure.

A new exhibition will provide a glimpse into the everyday lives of young people growing up in south west Durham.

Plastic bottles will be transformed into a unique and eco-friendly art installation when communities across County Durham come together ahead of Lumiere, the UK's largest light festival.

A two-week festival celebrating Bishop Auckland's rich and varied history is set to take place later this month.

Visit your local leisure centre between 3 - 16 September to claim your free pass.

Visitors to Hardwick Park in Sedgefield can enjoy new and exciting adventures with the launch of an interactive mobile app.

Festival fanatics are being reminded to take the opportunity to be part of the UK's largest light festival.

People can enjoy free access to more than 80 venues across County Durham next month, as part of England's largest festival of history and culture.

A popular children's book takes to the stage, bringing little animal-lovers all the familiar inhabitants of the zoo.

A classic novel, centred around a north east community, comes to Durham's Gala Theatre next month.

A unique County Durham landmark is to be transformed by a celebrated local artist as part of a year of celebrations to mark its half-century.

Mums-to-be can keep active and increase comfort in pregnancy with new aqua natal classes.

The story of Peterlee and the Apollo Pavilion are the subject of a new exhibition.

There will be no changes to bin collections in County Durham over the August bank holiday.

Our annual literary festival returns this October with headline guests including Louis de Bernières, Jung Chang, Caroline Criado Perez, Carrie Gracie, Mark Haddon, Joanne Harris, Kerry Hudson, Alexander McCall Smith, Roger McGough, Suzanne Moore, David Nicholls, Elif Shafak, Colm Tóibín, and Kirsty Wark.

A runner from Consett, who completed the Durham City Run following major cancer surgery, is encouraging people to take part in a series of supportive running courses when they begin next month.