Route changes are being introduced on cut-price bus services in Northumberland in a bid to provide a better deal for passengers.

Operator Go North East is making the changes to its Bargain Bus services from Monday February 9 to improve reliability and speed up some journey times.

The company introduced a number of new Bargain Bus destinations in November and, after monitoring the services and listening to passenger feedback, is ready to make some adjustments.

An internet fraudster pillaged a trusting woman's bank account after she told him her bank details.

Janette Patterson, 47, of Ashington, was visiting her cousin in the town when Wayne Johnson offered to help her buy a mobile phone online.

Johnson, 25, of East Lea, Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, helped her use the JD Williams home shopping website and make a purchase.

Click play to watch a video of Ashington mum Diane Parry praising her five-year-old son Ewan, who bravely called for an ambulance when she suffered an epileptic fit.

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Pint-sized hero Ewan Parry listened and learned when his mother told him exactly what to do if she ever suffered an epileptic fit while they were home alone.

And five-year-old Ewan's attention to detail paid dividends when mum Diane's worst fears were realised and she collapsed with a seizure in the living room early one morning.

Belying his tender years - and putting aside the shock of finding Diane lying slumped on the sofa - he quickly went to the phone and dialled 999.

An action group is hoping Northumbrians' generosity will help people to change their lifestyles for the better.

Mark Curr and Adam Bell, active travel co-ordinators for South-East Northumberland Sustrans, are aiming to get people cycling whenever they can, including offering to hire bikes out for free to help workers commute by bike.

But although they have a good supply of new bikes for community events such as group bike rides and car-less days at businesses, their fleet of donated and second hand bikes is limited.

Northumberland's new super council is to retain the existing county council's official logo when it takes over following local government reorganisation in April.

A working group has concluded there is merit in reviewing the 35-year-old logo to ensure it reflects the new unitary council's vision and values.

However, the need to prioritise effective service delivery from April 1 means it will be retained for the time being.

A Wansbeck housing association is putting up £45,000 for a package of neighbourhood improvements after conducting a series of estate walkabouts with its tenants.

Wansbeck Homes - which manages the district council's 5,300 houses and flats - is acting on improvements suggested by tenants.

Tomorrow will see the launch of a new free newspaper for Journal readers in Northumberland.

Journal Extra will come free with The Journal every Thursday with 36 pages of news and sport from around the county in addition to The Journal's normal service.

Regular features in Journal Extra will include a nostalgia page, readers' pictures of Northumberland and a weekly focus on one of the county's schools. There will also be weekly promotions and competitions exclusively for our Northumberland readers.

A passenger was cut out of a car after it crashed into a tree.

The accident happened just after midnight yesterday on North Seaton Road, Ashington.

The back-seat passenger was trapped and a fire crew removed the roof to free him. He is not thought to have been seriously injured. Fire appliances from Ashington and Blyth went to the scene.

While their nearest rivals Gillford Park were slipping up again, Walker Central took advantage and extended their lead at the head of the Premier Division table to six points with a win over Ashington Colliers in the Northern Alliance.

The Central, aiming for a second title triumph on the trot, retained their unbeaten home record by beating Colliers 3-1 and strikes by John Campbell and Ian Dunn gave them a clear interval lead. Gary McCartney added to their tally before Alan Hogg replied for the Colliers.

In their last four home games second-placed Gillford Park have clocked up only three draws and a defeat and the worrying trend continued.