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.

Tombstoning yobs hurled stones at a team of lifeguards concerned for their safety.

The group of thrill-seekers were spotted leaping off Seaton Sluice Harbour in the potentially fatal practice of "tombstoning".

But when approached by a team of volunteer lifeguards, the group, all aged in their late teens and early 20s, responded with verbal abuse and threw the stones.

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.

The work of 12 artists from Northumberland will be on display at St Paul's Church in Seaton Sluice later this summer.

The exhibition - on the theme of contrasts - will see pews removed from the church to make the building better suited for viewing the art. It takes place from August 29-31, from 11am to 4pm.

Consultations on the future of seven county council-run day care centres for elderly and disabled people will be one of the items on the agenda at the next meeting of the new Seaton Valley Community Council next week.

Local people are welcome to attend the meeting, which will be held in Seaton Delaval Arts Centre, Blyth Street on Wednesday at 7pm.

Northumberland Wildlife Trust is inviting members of the public to a moth trapping survey evening at its Holywell Pond reserve.

The event - which is very much dependant on the weather - will take place on Friday, July 24, between 9pm and midnight.

So far this summer, 57 different species of moths - including the swallow-tailed, peppered, light emerald and angle shades - have been recorded at the reserve.

One hundred-and-one and still going strong - there is nothing Bella Martin loves more than going down to St James's Park.

The ton-up Toon fan loves the beautiful game and even kicks a football around her home as part of a daily exercise regime.

When the England and Germany sides of 1990 line up for a special rematch in aid of Sir Bobby Robson's cancer charity this Saturday, it will be an opportunity for players and fans to reminisce.

More than twice the drink-drive limit, a woman from New Hartley crashed her car into a lamp-post with her granddaughter inside.

Shamed Patricia Smith was more than twice the legal limit when she took the toddler out in the car to go and pick her daughter up.

But she was so drunk she lost control and it careered into the lamppost.

The Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is giving people the opportunity to voice their opinions on the proposals for £200m improvements to hospital services.

The NHS proposes a specialist emergency care hospital for people in Northumberland and North Tyneside, improvements to Wansbeck and North Tyneside general hospitals and rebuilding community hospitals in Berwick and Haltwhistle.

The changes would see the closure of emergency departments at Wansbeck and Hexham General.

Charities are smiling after totting up the proceeds from their annual village fun day.

The 1st Seaton Sluice Scouts were just one local group who benefited from
the Seaton Sluice Harbour Day festival - they received £3,000 from the day's events.

The money will go towards paying off their mortgage, on their headquarters, which was largely refurbished thanks to generous villagers.