Big Lottery Fund and ITV, with the approval of Buckingham Palace, are helping to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in 2012.

Jubilee People's Millions projects will inspire, involve or improve their local communities. If you've got an idea that could breathe life into your local area and improve the lives of the people who live there, why not apply for a grant of up to £60 000!

Former miners and their families gathered for the annual commemoration of Northumberland's once-mighty coal industry at the weekend.

A special church service and family fun day was held in Ashington on Saturday to mark the role pits played in the county's history.

The annual Northumberland Miners' Picnic was led by the town's vicar, the Rev Elizabeth Bland.

Wreaths were laid by union officials, local council leaders and members of the public in memory of generations of miners who worked down Northumberland's pits, while music was provided by Wansbeck's Ashington Colliery Band, Ashington Male Voice Choir and children from the town's Robert Stephenson Campus School.

Northumberland Miners' Picnic photos »

Former miners, their families and friends will gather this weekend for an annual commemoration of Northumberland's once-mighty coal industry.

A special church service and family fun day will be held in Ashington on Saturday to mark the role which the pits played in the county's history.

The annual Northumberland Miners' Picnic once attracted huge crowds for a political rally and speeches, brass band competitions and a march involving pit lodge banners.

Ashington Male Voice Choir has announced coming dates.

The choir's next engagement is June 12 at the annual Northumberland Union of Mineworkers Memorial Service at Holy Sepulchre Church, Ashington, and then June 22 at Ellington Welfare. Contact Bob Brind on 01670 790 169.

Vandals have broken into the Salvation Army hall at Ashington. Police are appealing for witnesses after the thieves damaged the door to the church hall building in Sycamore Street and managed to get in.

Officers attended and found nothing was taken during the burglary but police are appealing for anyone who was in the area at the time and who may have any information to contact them on 03456 043 043 ext 69191 or the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Officers from the Neighbourhood Policing team are carrying out extra patrols in the area and making local enquiries.

Ashington Football Club's youth side had a new style of opposition to deal with when they entertained South American opposition in a friendly.

The club's under-19s hosted Peru's Juventud Bellavista Juniors in a one-off match as part of the South American club's two-week visit to Britain, which included visiting famous British landmarks as well as playing friendlies across the country.

The tour was been a welcome break for the Juventud players, many of whom are used to living in poverty in the Amazon rainforest.

A church raising funds to repair its ancient roof is open to the public this week.

The nave roof at St Andrew's Church, Bothal, Northumberland, dates back to the 14th century but requires significant conservation over the next two years.

An appeal was launched to raise funds with a target of £65,000. So far nearly £55,000 has been collected with nearly half provided by English Heritage.

A talented Northumbrian musician has produced a charity CD after being moved by his daughters' voluntary work in Africa.

The plight of African children gave Paul Slaughter, from Campion Way, Ashington, the spur to finally realise his long term aim of creating a album.

To Africa With Love will help raise money for The Walk, a project in Nakuru, Kenya, that gives homeless children somewhere to go, learn, and have something to eat.

Paul, 52, said: "I've been putting it off and putting it off, largely because I was looking for a reason to do it. So I decided I will make a CD and donate all the funds from it to what I see as a worthwhile cause.

A wedding organiser's nightmare has befallen a North East vicar.

The Rev Barry Welch has set aside his church, Trinity Church in Ashington, for the wedding of a mystery couple on September 12.

But two things are now preying on his mind - one is that the couple will turn up on the day after failing to complete the necessary paperwork.

Today marks a special day on the North East calendar as we celebrate the life of the patron saint of Northumberland, St Cuthbert.

Often regarded as the most popular saint of medieval times and one of the most important, March 20 sees people celebrate the anniversary of the death of the region's own patron saint.

Pilgrims make their way across the causeway to Holy Island on Good Friday, 2006

Born in 634 AD, Cuthbert was born in the Lammermuir Region where he grew to work as a young shepherd.