Campaigners fighting plans to expand a 50-year-old Northumberland tip spoke of their delight after the controversial bid was finally dropped.

Sita UK failed to win planning permission last August to operate its Seghill landfill site for another 15 years and allow an additional 4.3m tonnes of waste to be tipped there.

Weeks later ministers at the Department for Communities and Local Government announced they were "calling in" the application - paving the way for a full-scale public inquiry and a final decision by Secretary of State Hazel Blears.

Waste company Sita UK has withdrawn its plans for an extension to the Seghill landfill site.

The company said this morning that it would instead be looking at a range of other options, including the potential to increase the disposal capacity within current operations or a smaller scheme at Seghill.

A Northumberland man who was left brain-damaged after emergency medical staff twice failed to treat him for a head injury has received a "seven-figure" compensation settlement to pay for the cost of his round-the-clock care.

Joseph Neale, from Seghill (pictured with friend Matt Smith, standing), received an undisclosed settlement from Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, after a civil hearing in Newcastle.

The former fork lift truck driver was twice given an emergency referral by his GP to North Tyneside Hospital for a suspected serious brain injury after he fell from a skip in summer 2002.

In the Northern Alliance title race, Harraby Catholic Club were beaten 5-0 by Seaton Delaval at Wheatridge Park. Connal Reed claimed four of the goals, Steve Anderson the other.

In pole position, Walker Central are four points clear of Gillford Park with a game in hand.

Bosses at Northumberland's new super council have been accused of failing to comply with an independent regulator's guidance by providing an 0845 number for people who need to contact the authority.

Bob Watson is unhappy that Northumberland County Council's new number is premium rate

Members of the public who telephone the all-purpose council - which came into being on April 1 following the switch to unitary local government - now have to use a single number, 0845 600 6400, to speak to call handlers.

In the SG Wealth Management Northumberland League, the game of the day was at Bates Cottages where the home side scraped in by just three runs against Kirkley. Ross Symington stroked 11 fours in his 82 for the Cottages, and he shared a century opening partnership with Mark Allan, who fell just one short of his half-century.

Kirkley opener Ian Smith raised hopes as he blazed 10 fours in a quickfire 42, and with Bazzo also blasting 44, the visitors looked well set.

But then Craig Wood turned the match on its head, claiming five wickets, including the last three, as Kirkley fell just short.

Caretaker arrangements have been put in place for eight new parish councils in south east Northumberland, which have now become a reality.

The new authorities are in Ashington, Blyth, Cramlington, East Bedlington, Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, North Bedlington, Seaton Valley and West Bedlington, and elections will be held on June 4 to decide their membership.

Candidates' nomination papers are now available from elections offices in Ashington (01670-532290) and Blyth (01670-542210).

Walker Central, unbeaten in the league since October 1 and yet to lose at home, look set to claim a second Northern Alliance Premier Division title in successive seasons.

They have banged in eight goals in each of their last two games to indicate what their rivals are up against. John Campbell, Ian Dunn and Dave Thompson have found the net eleven times between them in those two matches.

This weekend the Central will be protecting their home record against Blyth Town, the latest visitors to 'Fortress' Monkchester. Blyth are unlikely to be intimidated after taking maximum points from their three most recent outings and at Peterlee on Wednesday night they had Danny Beresford claiming a hat-trick in a 4-2 victory with Chris Taylor also on target.

Schoolboy show-jumper Lewis Lowson has proved he's hoof and shoulders above the rest.

The 13-year-old is the best in Britain, and now the ambitious teenager is aiming one stride further as he sets his sights on the Olympics.

Lewis beat hundreds of other horse riders in the British Junior Showjumping Championships and brought home the gold. He was one of 800 riders to compete in the top national competition, held in Crick in Wales, and brought the medal back to the North East.

He fought off stiff competition from the under-16s across Britain at the David Broome Events Centre.

Homes for Northumberland has set up a dedicated team to tackle anti-social behaviour in Seaton Delaval and the rest of the Blyth Valley area.

The team will work with Northumbria Police and local communities with the aim of ensuring people in the area enjoy a peaceful life.

Anyone wanting to report incidents of antisocial behaviour can contact Homes for Northumberland on 01670 542060 or email snu@hfn.uk.com.