The family of an Ashington man who died after being stabbed in the neck have paid tribute to a loving father and husband.

Gary Carr's wife Tracey said: ``He was a loving father and a great family man who will be sorely missed by all who knew him."

In a statement his family said he was a quiet man who liked nothing better than spending time with his family and walking the dog with his two sons Owen, 12, and nine-year-old Kieran.

A fire crew was called to a nursing home to free a member of staff in a jammed lift early today.

The lift at Grange Nursing Home, in Ashington, became stuck as it was being used by a male member of staff at 6.30am.

After he raised the alarm, a crew from Ashington Fire Station used the lift's emergency manual controls to lower it and open the lift doors. The member of staff, who was alone in the lift, was unharmed.

An Ashington man has got a chance to make a difference on a once in a lifetime trip to India.

Graeme Douglas will travel out to support children and villagers in the town of Puranpur, Uttar Pradesh, using his art skills to help in the village school.

He will spend 10 weeks there and will also teach English, maths and sport.

Yesterday the brother-in-law of a stab victim was charged with murder.

Gary Carr, 38, died after a row erupted into violence at his home in Oakland Terrace, Ashington, Northumberland, early on Sunday. He suffered a stab wound to the neck.

Malcolm Neary, 46, of Juliet Street in Ashington, is to appear before Bedlington magistrates today, charged with murder. Detective Chief Inspector Steve Binks, who is leading the investigation, said: "This is a tragic waste of life.

"Mr Carr was a family man with two young sons and our sympathies are with the family."

On Saturday Ashington went down 3-0 to Billingham Synthonia in the Northern League Division 1.

John Amos, Craig Coates and Graham Cairns were Seaton Delaval's marksmen in their 3-1 Challenge Cup win at home to Ashington Colliers, who replied through Anthony Wright.

Charities can benefit from two days of expert advice to help them raise more money for their causes.

Wansbeck Centre for Voluntary Service provides information, support and advice to voluntary and community groups in the Wansbeck district and its autumn conference is on the subject of fundraising, which will provide a mix of training and advice for voluntary and community groups.

On day one, fundraising expert Mark Butcher, who has worked with a mix of local, national and international organisations, will give the first talk.

THEIR friendship was forged through a love of art. Oliver Kilbourn was the miner who discovered an innate talent for capturing the world around him and William Feaver is an art critic who now favours landscape painting over writing.

Both self-taught artists, they are exhibiting together at the first retrospective of Oliver's work to be held at the Northumbria University Gallery. The exhibition spans Oliver's lifetime (1904-93) and includes his first watercolour for the Ashington Group (also remembered as the Pitmen Painters), The Deluge, done in 1935.

Oliver's mainly figurative scenes of the everyday lives of Ashington miners and their families contrast with William's landscapes of the wild and beautiful Allen Valley, Northumberland.

A HOSPITAL delivery room was renamed the Honeymoon Suite by Wansbeck Hospital maternity staff after a pregnant bride came straight from her wedding celebrations to give birth to her first child.

Mum-to-be Emma Lowdon, 36, tied the knot with partner Sean Allum, 35, in a registry office ceremony on Friday - while having minor contractions and knowing her baby could arrive at any minute.

After getting through the service and a brief reception with family and friends, the newly-married couple were whisked straight to nearby Wansbeck General Hospital in Ashington- where 5lb baby Josh was delivered less than 24 hours later.

A man has been held on suspicion of murder after another man was found stabbed in Ashington.

Gary Carr suffered stab wounds to his neck at his home in Oakland Terrace and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police said a knife had been recovered. A 46-year-old Ashington man has been arrested and remains in custody.

A Home Office pathologist was called in and a post-mortem examination is due to be carried out.
Police said Mr Carr's family did not wish to comment.

Ashington and District Lioness Club are looking for ladies with spare time to help with charity work.

Part of Lions Clubs International, the group meets in the Lions' Den behind the YMCA in Ashington on the fourth Thursday of every month at 6.30pm.

They also have a social evening on the second Thursday of each month.

To get involved, call 01670 817482 or go along to a monthly meeting to find out more.