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."

Fire cover in Northumberland is getting a boost after the Government give cash for three new fire stations.

The Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG) has put forward the investment in the form of a Private Finance Initiative (PFI).

Northumberland's £7.5m allocation will be used to develop fire stations in Prudhoe, Haltwhistle and Seahouses.

Northumberland Theatre Company (NTC) is to take The Last Snow Rider by Ann Coburn round village halls and small arts centres across the country this winter, beginning tonight.

The play will be at Seahouses First School on the 27th January at 7.00pm.

The cast includes NTC regulars Kim Evans and Gemma Clough and newcomers William Reay from Bellingham and Christopher Ranson.

Visit www.northumberlandtheatre.co.uk for a full list of performances and contact details for tickets.

You would be forgiven for thinking that Christmas has come early with a wander along the Northumberland coastline this weekend.

Visitors might not believe their eyes when they see the spectacle of about 50 Father Christmases running at them - but it won't be because they've started on the Christmas drinks early.

Volunteer runners are donning Father Christmas outfits and taking part in a Santa Run to raise funds in aid of Chin-Up.

Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service is taking to the road to attract new recruits.

A series of events are being held across the county to inform people of career opportunities with the service.

Step aside Live Aid - Northumberland's Derek Allan is taking on his own musical marathon for charity by playing an 84-hour gig.

Derek, 34, from Red Row, is getting ready for a mammoth fundraising effort where he will play seven consecutive 12-hour gigs in seven Northumberland pubs.

Primarily a singer, he has no backing group and is frantically learning the guitar before the gig, which starts today.

A group of healthy Northumbrians have received national recognition for their efforts and are inviting others to join them.

Bell View Walking for Health group has been awarded accreditation by Walking the Way to Health, a Natural England initiative. Now they are looking for more people to come along on their organised walks.

They received the accolade because of their walks for beginners, as well as meeting various standards.

For much of his 30-year police career, Brian Rogers worked one of the busiest stretches of the A1 as a motor patrolman - with all the attendant stresses and strains.

Now his beat is the wide open spaces of Northumberland, as a voluntary national park ranger, painter and photographer. The contrast could not be more stark.

Brian moved to Belford in Northumberland from North Yorkshire five years ago with wife Elisabeth.

Some very traditional music will be played at a Northumbrian event next week.

The 'Living the Tradition' concert will feature traditional music both from this county and also elsewhere in Britain.

Many of the pieces will be performed using Northumbrian smallpipes, fiddle and voice.

It takes place at Bamburgh Church next Thursday, September 10, at 7.30pm.

Northumbrians will get a rare chance to look around some of the architectural treasures that surround them from next week.

Many of Northumberland's most historic buildings will be opened to the public, free of charge, next weekend as part of Heritage Open Days, a national initiative which is aimed at celebrating the country's heritage, history and culture.

In Northumberland, a wide range of buildings of all ages and styles will be open in a series of events. Among them are the Clock Tower in Morpeth, castles at Harbottle, Rothley and Dilston, the recently renovated Blyth Battery, the Ice House in Berwick and an ecological self-build house at Belford.