Charity cash is lassooed.

Country and western fans helped raise a thigh-slapping amount of cash for a Teesside charity.

A festival in Stillington attracted people from all over the area. It was organised by Jill and Dennis Brown and Kath and Ged Newby, from Stockton, who say it was so successful they plan a similar event next year. The festival raised a total of pounds 2,300 for the Daisy Chain charity - the Norton-based appeal to raise pounds 850,000 to build a respite centre for autistic children and their families.

Medieval memories

A HISTORICAL talk on the last days of Yorkshire's medieval monastries will be held at the Catholic Hall, Thirsk Road, Northallerton, tomorrow. Professor Claire Cross from the University of York will start her presentation to the local history society at 7pm with non-members paying pounds 2.

Show time

PERFORMING arts students will stage their production Viva Las Vegas complete with showgirl dancers from Blackpool Pleasurebeach. The Middlesbrough College students' cabaret show, to raise money for a trip to Italy next year, will be held at the college theatre on Marton Road Campus on Wednesday and Thursday at 7.15pm. Tickets are pounds 4, concessions pounds 3, and can be bought on the door or through the college by calling 01642 296614.

Just for men

SKELTON Men's Group's next meeting is tomorrow at 7.30pm in the Annandale Hotel, Station Road, Skelton. Sister Jayne Hood from Middlesbrough's James Cook University Hospital will give a talk on hip replacements.

Flower power

ANCIENT and modern floral displays for Christmas will be demonstrated by Jean McClure at a meeting of Guisborough Floral Art Club at 7.30pm on Wednesday at St Nicholas Church Hall, Guisborough.