PALACE NIGHTCLUB, Blackpool. Search for the next generation of disco superstars with Talent 2000. Singers, lookalikes, tribute acts, speciality acts, boy and girl groups, dance troupes, disco bands and DJs take their turn on the stage every Thursday night. Heats are held every Thursday night with a grand final at the end of the summer. Prizes include the chance of regular work at The Palace. For details Tel 01253 626281.

NORTH PIER THEATRE, BLACKPOOL, The Grumbleweeds, with Stu Francis. Runs to October 24. Seats £10. Also, Hale and Pace with support from Hilary O'Neil and Steve Rawlings. Starts Wednesday to Friday 8pm and Saturday at 7pm. Also, Roy 'Chubby' Brown, Saturday at 9.30pm and Sunday at 7pm. Ring 01253 292029.

OPERA house, Blackpool. Sunday November 26, Tom Jones performs the classics, along with songs from his new album. Performance at 8pm. Tickets from £22.

Blackpool Pleasure Beach ARENA, Hot Ice runs until November 5. Tickets vary in price and there are two seats for the price of one on Mondays and Fridays, eves only. Tel 0870 444 5566. Mystique Blackpool Pleasure Beach, to Nov 5, star Richard De Vere. Various seat prices, including 2 for 1on Tuesdays and Thursdays, eves only. Tel 0870 444 5566.

WINTER GARDENS, The Spanish Hall, Blackpool. Tel 01253 292029.

WINTER GARDENS PAVILION THEATRE, Blackpool. Entertainment legend Danny La Rue providing glitz, glamour, song and humour in his own unique style for "Palladium Nights". The show's line-up also includes the famous Tiller Girls and more. Runs to October 28, every night except Friday. Also, The Three Tenors, Friday, 7.30pm. Ring 01253 292029.

HILTON BLACKPOOL, To Thursday August 24, The Lancashire Chess Association and the Hilton Blackpool have teamed up to stage the Chessfest 2000. It's a celebration of Chess in Lancashire. The tournaments commence daily from Sunday at 10am through until 9pm, with many prizes to be won every day. There will be the chance to check out the latest chess computers and software and to browse a well stocked chess book stall. Thursday August 24 is the grand finale, a special one off event. Ring 01253 623434.

CAMELOT THEME PARK, Chorley. A family fun day out. Tel 01257 453044.

ROYAL ARMOURIES MUSEUM, Armouries Drive, Leeds. Tel 0113 220 1884. Superb day out for all the family. Plenty to see and do and not too far to travel from Bolton. Wide range of guns and other weapons of war to look at and excellent displays, including birds of prey, which particularly appeals to the children. August 25 to Monday, August 28, The Tournament of the Golden Swan. Mounted teams from the Royal Armouries will joust against each other in a medieval competition using swords. Also, to September 3, warning SHOTS!, a world premier exhibition of the Royal Armouries contemporary art collection showing issues of individual and urban conflict and violence. Also, Art Kart, an opportunity for children to make their own armour, gallery trails, puppet making, brass rubbing and face painting. Runs until September 1. To Sunday September 3, Dawn's A New Day - an exhibition of painting by Ashley Jackson. Open from 10.30am to 5.30pm daily. Adm £4.90 adults, £3.90 children and conc or family tickets £14.90.

CHESTER ZOO. Open from 10am daily. Tel 01244 380280.

CATALYST, Museum of the Chemical Industry, Mersey Road, Widnes. Open Tuesday to Friday, 10am to 5pm, Saturday and Sunday 11am to 5pm. Adm adults £4.65, children £3.40, conc £3.95 family ticket £13.95. Tel 0151 420 1121.

BUXTON OPERA HOUSE, Water Street, Buxton. Ring 01298 72190.

GRAND THEATRE, Blackpool. Comedy Bonanza 2000 with John Inman, Billy Pearce, The Nolans, The Bonanza Showgirls, Bobby Crush and Jimmy Cricket. Performances Monday, Tuesday and Friday at 8pm and Wednesday Thursday and Saturday at 6.15pm and 8.45pm. Prices from £7. Runs until Saturday October 28. Ring 01253 290190 or 01253 293444 for group bookings.

PERFORMANCE 2000 - Dance, music and Drama Summer School, Dialstone Lane, Stockport. To Friday August 25. Professional teachers and performers will show students aged 10 years and above dance, music and drama. From 10am to 6pm each day. For further information ring Martin Robinson on 01663 719139.

TOWER BALLROOM, Blackpool. Live music and dancing to the sounds of the Wurlitzer Organ throughout the day Monday to Saturday.

TOWER LOUNGE, Blackpool. Sharmock Man and Friends perform an Irish sing-a-long, Monday to Thursday lunchtimes and Wednesday evening.

BUSINESS DESIGN CENTRE, Upper Street, Islington, London N1. Saturday August 26, Sunday August 27 and Monday August 28, Sugar Show. Could you be the next Kate Moss? Scouts from Storm model agency will be scouring the Sugar Show in search of gorgeous girls. The 10 lucky winners will be posted on the net, live at the event. Sugar magazine hosting huge teenage event when 20,000 girls are expected to attend. It's the place to be for fashion conscious girls and there will be guest star appearances from the world of pop. There will be information on make-up, hair care and photography. Advance tickets are £8, on the door £10 and you can book by ringing 0870 739 9555.

BATH AND WEST SHOWGROUND, Shepton Mallett, Somerset. National Amateur Gardening Show, worth a look if you're holidaying in the area. Runs from September 1 to September 3. Television personalities Charlie Dimmock, Monty Don and Pippa Greenwood will be there. There will be steam train rides, nature trails and competitions. The Children's Village is a new venture for this year's show and features play, picnic and demonstration areas, plus an animal area where children can meet a variety of animals and find out how they are cared for. There will be four demonstrations a day by the Bee Keepers' Association and throughout the three day show local thatcher Ian Shelley will roof a children's summer house. Show open 9.30am to 5.30pm, tickets adults £9, senior citizens £8 and free entry for children under 16. Parking is free. Save £2 on tickets by booking in advance. Ring 01749 82 22 22.

LONDON, THE LORD MAYOR'S SHOW, on Saturday November 11. Half a million visitors expected to pack the streets of the city to cheer the newly elected Lord Mayor of the City of London with his entourage and parade as it weaves its way from Guildhall through the historic streets of the Square Mile, passing St Paul's Cathedral before continuing on to the Royal Courts of Justice on the Strand. The origins of the show with the new Lord Mayor being presented to the Sovereign's representative at the Royal Courts of Justice.

SHEFFIELD ARENA, Sheffield. Disney on Ice, Jungle Adventures, featuring The Jungle Book, Tarzan and The Lion King. Runs from Tuesday November 14 to Sunday November 19. Tickets £8.50 to £22.50. Ring 0114 256 5656.

GREAT YORKSHIRE SHOWGROUND, Harrogate. Harrogate Autumn Flower Show, September 15, 16 and 17, admission £9. Children under 16 admitted free. Tickets pre-booked before n oon on September 8 are eligible for a £2 discount. Ring 0870 758 33 33.