DUATHLON FESTIVAL: A festival taking place in Stockton in the spring will promote the benefits of duathlon.

The “run-ride-run” event will be promoted at the Stockton Duathlon Festival on Sunday, April 21.

The standard race involves a 5k run, 40k cycle and 5k run. A novices event is a 2k run and 10k cycle, finishing with a 1k run. Or alternatively, have a go at the Sprint race, involving a 5k run, 20k cycle and 2.5k run. Races will start from Stockton's Riverside.

The event is being held by Stockton Council in association with TriHard and Triathlon England. The closing date for entries is Sunday, 14 April and entrants must be aged 16 by 31 December 2013.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Hartlepool Council is appealing for people to come forward to be represented on two independent panels.

Local residents and people from outside of the town are invited to sit on the Independent Appeal Panel (School Admissions) and the Independent Review Panel (School Exclusions).

The panels, which meet during the day for either a half or full day, hear admission appeals against decisions not to admit children to particular schools and applications to review a decision when a child is permanently excluded from a Hartlepool school.

Panel members are unpaid but they can claim travel expenses and refreshments are provided at meetings. Hartlepool Council employees and councillors are unable to sit on the panels.

Anyone interested or requiring further information should contact Hayley Martin on 01429 523182, or email hayley.martin@hartlepool.gov.uk