Twins Brooke and Summer are fighting fit after a rocky start to life.

The pair from Ashington were given just a 7% chance of survival and have undergone more than nine life-saving operations between them after being born at just 24 weeks.

Born four months premature and weighing 1lb 6oz each, mum Kyley Dodds was warned her babies would probably not pull through.

A teenager has appeared in court charged with the murder of a Northumberland man.

Shane Gray, 19, of Winchester Road, Ashington, appeared before South East Northumberland Magistrates' Court over the death of Lee Matthewson, pictured.

Mr Matthewson suffered a fatal stab wound to his chest following a fight at a ground-floor flat in Ashington earlier this year.

Following a crushing defeat at the weekend, Tow Law Town bounced back to form at Ashington, who would have been fourth top had they won.

The Lawyers rode their luck in the early stages when Scott Blandford rattled the woodwork.

Gradually, Tow Law came more into the game and following Michael Oliver's header, Andrew Thompson increased the Colliers' deficit with a stunning drive from 20 yards.

In the second period Thompson scored an identical goal and 10 minutes from time Lee Hamilton replied but the Lawyers won 3-1.

A group of eight students from Ashington Community High School will be spending the autumn term working at two of Northumberland Wildlife Trust's busiest reserves.

The youngsters, all between 13 and 16 will spend every Tuesday helping with practical conservation tasks at the Trust's East Chevington and Druridge Pools reserves.

They will be the first of four groups to work with Alex Lister, estates officer with the Trust. During the 2009 to 2010 academic year Alex will hold 30 sessions and work with four groups within the High School.

People who own paintings by the country's most famous amateur art group are being sought by officials at a Northumberland visitor attraction.

Staff at the Woodhorn Museum and Archives Centre in Northumberland want to hear from anyone who has work by the internationally-renowned Pitmen Painters.

Lee Hall's play, which has revived interest in the Ashington Group of painters

The fascinating story of the Ashington Group, local mineworkers who became celebrated artists because of their talent for painting, is in the news again some 75 years after they first picked up their brushes.

A company that has been operating for less than two years has been crowned Wansbeck Business of the Year.

Food Local Food, based at Bothal between Ashington and Morpeth, was set up by Alison Taylor because of her passion for locally produced food and frustration at being unable to find it in many supermarkets.

The award-winning Food Local Food team with, far right, John McCabe of Rio Tinto Alcan, Food Local Food director Suzi Howey, second from right, and founder Alison Taylor, third from right

The company, which employs nine people, now provides locally sourced food from 120 suppliers for sale to consumers through its website - which also picked up the technical award on Thursday night.

New Northern League Division One leaders are being hotly pursued by Whitley Bay, who preserved the only 100% record with victory over neighbours Ashington.

Adam Johnston, with a brace, David Coulson and Leon Ryan netted - but the Colliers did not deserve to lose by a four-goals margin.

Ian Chandler's side, though, is proving difficult to score against and they have conceded just four goals in eight games.

Victories for Wark and Walker Central left them level on points, sharing an impressive six-point lead at the top of the Premier Division table. Wark are just edging out Walker on the basis of a slightly superior goal difference after beating hosts Ashington Colliers 4-0.

Ashington had taken three points off Walker Central the previous week, and on Saturday managed to keep Wark at bay until early in the second half.

Matt MacLoughlin finally got the visitors off the mark and further strikes by Marc Nixon (2) - who has found the net for Wark in every game this season- and Tony Lancaster killed off the Colliers.

A series of musical afternoons has been arranged to entertain autumn visitors to a leading Northumberland tourist attraction.

Singers, musicians and pipers are lined up to perform at the Woodhorn Museum and Archives centre near Ashington at 2pm on each Friday in October.

Things kick-off is on October 2, when the museum café will be the venue for local folk vocal group Beeswing.

Northumbrian piper Beverly Palin will play on October 9 and the following Friday will see folk singer Ann Wilkinson take centre stage.

Piper's Fancy will be playing on October 23 with folk group Few Broth rounding things of on Friday 30.

A conman faked learning difficulties to stage a £3,000 theft spree across Northumberland, a court heard yesterday.

Patrick Maughan - who uses more than 40 different aliases - targeted stores with a woman accomplice.

He pretended he was mentally disabled, babbling, bouncing and slapping his head as part of the convincing act.