Parking fees levied on drivers visiting Northumberland towns has emerged as the hottest topic in the initial stages of a major review aimed at developing a county-wide parking strategy.

A progress report on the review reveals hundreds of people have made their views known on whether parking fees should be imposed across the whole county - rather than just in selected towns.

More than 560 people have signed three separate petitions calling for an equal policy across the board, with charges being made in all principal towns.

A popular guide aimed at helping older people in Northumberland get the most out of life has been published for the fourth time.

Previous issues of the Golden Guide have gone down so well with the over-50s that there was a waiting list for the latest 5,000-copy print run.

The free booklet, which is produced by community information specialists Clever Clogs Publishing in partnership with Age Concern Northumberland, the county council and care trust, has also been given a new design.

People and businesses across Northumberland are being invited to have their say on the development of a new strategy aimed at safeguarding the county's economy over the next five years.

The plan, which will set out to drive changes and secure growth in the local economy, is being drawn up by the county council and its partners.

The Northumberland Economic Strategy sets out current key economic factors and identifies various trends that will lead to changes in the economy.

In Division Two of the Sportsworld North Northumberland League, Belford extended their lead at the head of the table.

However, they were made to work hard by a determined Hedgeley Rovers, who trailed by a single finish at half-time.

Belford added four more in the second half with Stuart Keys (2), Fraser Tait, Chris Hay and Neil Jefferson all on the scoresheet.

Tony Henderson on the 200th anniversary of another of the North East's greatest sons.

Bicentennials are like buses: you wait an age for one and then two come along at once.

The Journal reported recently on the programme of events lined up to mark the 200th anniversary this year of the death of Admiral Lord Collingwood.

Now preparations are in full swing to celebrate a second 200th - the anniversary of the birth of another of the North East's greatest sons in Lord Armstrong.

Bamburgh Castle will open in the off-season for the first time to boost North Northumberland's winter visitor offer.

The castle, which closes from November to March, will open for February half term.

Bamburgh Castle director Chris Calvert, pictured, said: "Opening the castle in February will support local tourism businesses who are working hard to attract off-peak visitors."

A Northumberland village could finally get a much-needed rail link.

Council leaders are being asked to give the green light to a £1.5m transport scheme which would see a new station built at Belford.

The village currently sees trains travel into its existing station to turn around, however, there is no platform, as it was removed in 1969 when the service was axed.

Northumberland County Council will not have to make a further £11m in "horrendous" budget cuts, the Government has said.

It was feared that around £30m worth of savings would be required to balance next year's budget but the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) has allowed councillors to pay for some costs from the capital budget.

The authority had submitted four bids for capitalisation in respect of potential losses on Icelandic investments of £9.1m, for £6m in strain on the pension fund, £2.8m for enhanced redundancy and £1.4m for statutory redundancy.

A project has been launched to find out if the waters off the Northumberland coast are a secret dolphin stronghold.

The white-beaked dolphin is a little studied species which occurs around the coast of the UK and is vulnerable to the effects of global warming.

It lives in the cold waters of the northern Atlantic and its available habitat is thought to be shrinking.

Berwick MP Sir Alan Beith has won an appeal against submitting any misleading claims over his rent in the expenses scandal.

The Liberal Democrat MP was revealed to have claimed expenses for cleaning his home, laundry, a new television and kitchen equipment when the furore over expenses broke.

He was also listed as claiming around £1,200 a month in rent on average.