Thousands of people who put their names to petitions opposing the potential closure of day care centres in Northumberland have been sent official council letters - questioning whether they had the right information when they signed.
The letters - signed by a senior member of the Liberal Democrat administration at County Hall - have gone out to almost 2,500 people who signed petitions calling for the seven county council-run centres for the elderly and disabled to remain open.
Yesterday they were branded insulting, unnecessary and a waste of taxpayers' money by some of those who have received them.
A searescue incident has sparked safety fears at a stretch of Northumberland coastline where £4m is being spent in an attempt to attract more families and visitors.
Money has been poured into upgrading Blyth Links in recent years to provide new beach chalets , a children's play area, a restored bandstand, public plaza, an amphitheatre and other improved amenities.
Now safety fears for youngsters going into the sea at the increasingly popular stretch of beach have been raised by Dave Veitch, 55, pictured, after he helped drag two hysterical teenage girls to safety from the waves last week.
Rio Tinto Alcan's Lynemouth smelter and power station has donated £2,000 to the Blyth Resource and Iniatiative Centre to help it provide workshops designed to boost residents' skills and employability.
The centre provides free access for members of the public to a range of services, with an emphasis on helping people gain employment.
Members of the public are welcomed to the centre where they can get advice on their CV or use job search facilities on site.
Berwick Rangers staged a second-half fightback to beat Blyth Spartans and lift the new Northumberland County Council Unification Plate at Shielfield Park.
Berwick got off to a disastrous start going a goal behind after only four minutes. The unlucky Graham Guy could only guide the ball into his own net under pressure from Chris McCabe, who was sent-off on the stroke of half-time as tempers flared during a string of fierce challenges.
An unnamed trialist equalised in 64 minutes after Spartans keeper Mark Bell had blocked from Ian Little who was introduced as a sub after the break.
And then with only l2 minutes to go new signing Paul Currie clinched victory.
Students have been planting a tree as they prepare for the opening of their £30m academy school.
Pupils at Delaval Middle School, Blyth, who will be transferring to the town's Bede Academy in September, have planted a tree in the grounds of the new school.
The academy, sponsored by Sir Peter Vardy's Emmanuel Schools Foundation, has two buildings bringing together nursery, primary and secondary education for hundreds of children.
Students from Blyth Community College have been recognised for their continued improved attendance.
Staff and 20 students were taken for a celebratory lunch at a local restaurant Scaramanga's in Blyth.
The students were presented with certificates in recognition of their improved attendance through the school's Student Mentoring programme and attendance panels.
A mother whose son was born two months premature is raising money for a hospital - and Toon star Steven Taylor is helping out too.
Julie Butler went into labour at just 26 weeks and spent time in hospital in a bid to stop the contractions. Now she is hoping to raise awareness about premature babies.
Her son Bailey, who was born two months early - weighing just 4lb 4oz - spent four weeks in Wansbeck Hospital's special care baby unit.
Blyth Valley MP Ronnie Campbell is urging his voters to make clear their opposition to charges for car parking in areas where drivers have always parked for free.
Northumberland Council has begun a consultation process on the idea of bringing in parking charges in the Blyth Valley and Wansbeck areas.
But Mr Campbell last night warned that charges in places which currently enjoy free parking could sound the "death knell" for local businesses.
Just one extra 20-year-old train is being offered to ease overcrowding on North East commuter rail services.
Transport operator Nexus was pitching for extra trains to run between Newcastle and commuter hotspots like Hexham, Morpeth, Chester-le-Street and Sunderland.
But the Department for Transport (DfT) has offered just one Class 142 pacer train, a make of train built only between 1985 and 1987, for the whole of the Tyne and Wear area.
Residents, businesses and organisations across Northumberland are being asked to have their say on a major review which will shape future car parking policy in the county.
County council bosses are undertaking the review in a bid to devise suitable management arrangements for all of the car parks that it owns or manages.
The exercise will also help county councillors decide whether to leave car parking free in Blyth Valley and Wansbeck, or introduce charges similar to those currently facing motorists in towns such as Berwick, Alnwick, Hexham and Morpeth.
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Journal Extra, Northumberland's free weekly, is inside copies of The Journal across the county every Thursday, and can also be picked up from these locations around Blyth »
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