Three-tier education could be retained in parts of Northumberland - three years after a huge petition to keep it.

A major review of education plans in the county could now ditch the controversial intention to scrap all 44 middle schools.

The original plan to convert the entire county to a system of primary and secondary education is likely to be scrapped as part of a revised Putting The Learner First (PLF) strategy.

A group of young people are planning to grow their own fruit and vegetables at an Ashington allotment.

Fourteen youngsters from the Community Space Challenge Programme in East Ashington have made a 'green' house from 1,500 recycled plastic bottles in Seaton Hirst allotments.

An Ashington man is bidding for success in an online music contest with a final to be staged in Hollywood.

Richard Dunn, 19, a former pupil at Ashington Community High School Sports College, has won his heat in an online music contest at www.ichooz.tv and is now through to the semi-final.

Two lucky contestants will be flown out to LA for the live final next year.

In Division One of the Morpeth Sunday League, the top two both won at home to keep their title hopes up.

Current leaders Traveller's Rest, Choppington saw Steven Young grab a brace in their 2-0 win over Stobhill Social Club.

Lynemouth, three points behind with a game in hand, scored six without reply as they hosted Alnmouth Argyle. Andrew Spratt scored four, along with goals from Pascal Butters and Iain Nickalls.

Special protection zones aimed at safeguarding Northumberland communities and landscapes from the impacts of opencast mining are set to be scaled down in the wake of criticism from Government planning experts.

Four opencast coal constraint areas - where mining is actively discouraged for regeneration or landscape reasons - were officially designated several years ago in a bid to protect sensitive parts of the county from being damaged by the industry.

Now they are almost certain to be scaled down and altered as part of a major policy review, in a move which will heighten concerns that more of Northumberland could be ripped up by surface mining.

Ashington manager Andy Gowens was pleased his side managed a point from their First Division 1-1 draw against neighbours Bedlington Terriers - but his opposite number Tony Lowery was disappointed.

Gowens said: "We went down to 10 men after an hour when captain Paul Hutchinson was sent off for a second bookable offence.

"After that we got at them in the last 30 minutes, but it took a penalty by Alan Hogg to level the scores.

Blyth Town hauled themselves closer to safety with a 3-1 win at home to Ashington Colliers.

Aaron Hicken and Danny Beresford (2) scored for Blyth with the Ashington goal by Anthony Wright.

Motorbiking mates Tim McKay and Mark Sinclair are revving up for a two-wheeled challenge which will take them more than 2,000 miles across Europe.

The two friends from Ashington plan to cover the marathon distance in just 11 days in aid of a children's cancer charity.

They are joining the Barry Sheene Memorial Motorcycle Challenge, which sets off from the Brands Hatch racing circuit in May. More than 50 riders will be taking part in the journey, which sees them travel as far as Italy before heading back home.

Campaigners battling to restore passenger services on a rail line are hoping for progress following a Government-promised boost for transport spending.

Chancellor Alistair Darling announced £3bn investment in infrastructure projects in his Pre-Budget report, which will include funding for transport, housing, education and other construction schemes.

Now campaigners for the reopening of the Ashington Blyth and Tyne freight line to passenger trains are hoping the long-awaited project will benefit from a recession-busting spending spree.

Motorists are being urged to be on their guard after a spate of thefts.

The advice from police in Northumberland follows several recent thefts of bags, sat navs and other valuables from cars in the Ashington area and is part of the Don't Let Thieves Steal Your Christmas Campaign.

Motorists are being reminded to make sure their vehicles are locked, even if left unattended for only a short time.