A CHILDREN’s play about a little boy who finds a monster in his garden is taking to the stage at Hartlepool Town Hall Theatre.

“Not Now, Bernard” is being performed on Saturday, March 22, at 11am and 2pm. The 50-minute show is suitable for children aged two and above along with their families.

It brings to life the story by best-selling author David McKee whose work includes the Elmer series, Mr Benn and King Rollo.

Tickets cost £4, or £3 for concessions, or a family ticket for up to five people is just £12. To book call the Box Office on 01429-890000 or online at www.hartlepool.gov.uk/book_it

ADULT SWIMMERS: Ten-week adult swimming lessons for beginners and improvers are due to start on Tuesday, March 18, and Thursday, March 20, at the Mill House Leisure Centre, Hartlepool. Beginners’ lessons will take place from 6.30pm to 7pm on both days, and these will be followed by lessons for improvers from 7pm to 7.30pm. The cost of a full ten-week course is £31.65 for Active Card members, £35.90 for a non-member and £24.35 for concessions. For more information call Mill House Leisure Centre on 01429-223791.

SALSA CELTICA: Hot-blooded Latin beats will be combined with traditional Scottish folk music at a Salsa Celtica performance on Friday, March 21, at Arc arts centre in Stockton. The show starts at 8pm but revellers can join in a dance class led by Salsa Yarm at 7.15pm when they can learn basic dance steps. For tickets costing £16 call the box office on 01642-525199 or email box.office@arconline.co.uk

NEW NURSERY: A nursery school in Hartlepool is closing and transferring to a nearby primary school. Members of the Borough Council’s Children’s Services Committee have agreed to close Seaton Carew Nursery School and extend the age range of the village’s Holy Trinity C of E Primary School to three to 11-year-olds. Councillors were told that Seaton Carew Nursery School in Brompton Walk is under-performing, it has surplus places and is no longer considered to be financially viable. A purpose-built nursery with places for 26 children will now be built on the Holy Trinity site.