Ashington's Stephen Boyd (89 and four for 23) had the measure of Annfield Plain in the Wellstream NTSL, who went down by 122 runs to the Colliers

With Swalwell powering on towards the retention of their title, attention turned to the other end of the table, where Benwell and Walbottle failed to make it a hat-trick of last-minute escapes by falling through the relegation trapdoor.

Ashington Colliers won 2-0 away to struggling Ponteland United in the Northern Alliance Premier Division this weekend.

Both of Ashington's goals were put away by Joe Moscrop.

Walker Central have claimed two successive Premier Division titles and after five games in this campaign they're leading again, boasting the only unbeaten record in the league's top flight.

Former World cup winner Jack Charlton has said he was unaware he had collapsed on holiday until he woke up in a Spanish hospital.

The 74-year-old from Ashington was making a cup of tea when, he says, suddenly the room began swimming and he collapsed into unconsciousness.

Mr Charlton had been making a cup of tea for his wife and himself at the Costa Blanca resort Mascarat, in Spain, when the dizziness overcame him.

More than 4,000 people have signed a petition against any moves to introduce car parking charges in south east Northumberland, it is claimed.

Blyth Valley MP Ronnie Campbell organised the petition amid fears that a review of car parking currently being carried out by the county council could result in the end of free parking in towns like Blyth, Ashington, Bedlington and Cramlington.

At present drivers have to pay to park in towns such as Berwick, Seahouses, Alnwick, Morpeth and Hexham - while it remains free in the former Blyth Valley and Wansbeck areas.

After a packed summer of family events around Northumberland, the final weekend of the summer holidays is beckoning, with another busy programme across the county.

The event likely to attract the biggest crowd is the Glendale Show (pictured), now in its 117th year, featuring a host of rural attractions and stalls. Spectacular carriage driving and falconry displays and a Ready Steady Cook style cooking competition are some of the highlights of the event on Bank Holiday Monday.

In the bottom corner of the county on the same day, Blanchland & Hunstanworth Show (see link below) will be taking place, and two days before on Saturday Bellingham will also be welcoming visitors to its Show to take part and watch various traditional competitions.

A new look for Northumberland online is being fronted by TV presenter Wendy Gibson.

The BBC personality features in a video on Northumberland Tourism's relaunched website, offering potential visitors to the region a virtual tour of some of its highlights.

Among the sites explored from spectacular aerial views are Hadrian's Wall, Bamburgh Castle, Berwick, and Lindisfarne.

Hirst High School in Ashington is celebrating its best GCSE results ever.

Headteacher Lesley Craig said the results were a wonderful springboard for the school, which closes its doors on Monday to make way for the new Northumberland Church of England Academy, opening in the new academic year.

Steph Carrie 16 and Scott Laver, 16

Pupil Scott Lavery is looking forward to a bright future after achieving three A*s, six As, four Bs, one C and a D.

Just days after helping England win the Ashes, Durham hero Steve Harmison was back in the region raising thousands of pounds for charity.

Supported by a crowd of celebrity friends, the Ashington-born cricketer was in his element yesterday raising money for the Bubble Foundation, at a charity golf day at Longhirst Hall Golf Club, near Morpeth, Northumberland.

Teams were captained by a raft of sporting stars including fellow Durham cricketers Graham Onions, Liam Plunkett, and Australian Michael Di Venuto, as well as former Newcastle and Sunderland footballer Paul Bracewell.

A major review of local government boundaries in Northumberland is entering its second phase.

The Boundary Committee for England has started a second round of public consultation on future arrangements for the county's new unitary council.

The main purpose of the review is to ensure "electoral equality" following the restructuring of local government last year.

The Northumberland Cricket Board have announced the winners of the 2009 Northumberland OSCAs.

The NatWest OSCAs (Outstanding Service to Cricket Awards) are aimed at recognising volunteers who give so much of their time to cricket.

The winners were corporate hospitality guests at Durham's Nat West Pro40 match against Hampshire on Sunday, where they were presented with their recognition certificates.