Two bike heroes are taking on a major cycling challenge to help a special Northumberland cause.

Clive Robertson and Chris Aynsley are cycling to every capital in Great Britain and Ireland - a total of 1,400 miles - in only two weeks.

Cyclists Chris Aynsley (right) and Clive Robertson

The journey will raise money for Wansbeck Special Care Baby Unit at Wansbeck Hospital in Ashington, as well as other baby units across the country.

An Ashington group wants volunteers to help tidy the town.

Friends of Ashington Community Woodland are going to go out into the woods on Saturday July 17 to pick up rubbish, starting at 10am.

They are hoping as many volunteers as possible will join them.

Meet at the railway crossing on Lintonville Terrace next to the police station. For information contact Peter Downes on 01670 514876.

Pupils are making their mark on the arts world with video work so professional that their skills are in demand from Northumberland businesses.

The video packages that pupils from Hirst Park Middle School in Ashington produce won an Arts Council arts mark gold award as well as getting them involved with the BBC school report team.

They won the award for their video work and computer animation, and the BBC will now link to the videos they produce. It is also for their commitment to art, music and performing arts.

Pupils at a Northumberland school are preparing to show off their acting and musical skills by performing a special version of the hit film and stage play Billy Elliot.

Hirst Park Middle School in Ashington is one of only 100 groups across the country - some of them specialising in music, dance and drama - chosen to take part in the Billy Youth Theatre project.

Ian Lavery, Wansbeck's MP, with Harry Bainbridge and some of his fellow cast members from Hirst Park Middle School's Billy Elliot production

It is one of just six groups in the North East selected to perform a specially adapted version of Lee Hall's smash-hit musical Billy Elliot.

Gym-goers sweated in a good cause when they took part in a three-hour non-stop exercise class to raise £2,000 for a charity bike ride.

Kevin Crick from Oasis Gym, Ashington, joined members in a three-hour sponsored spinning session, where fitness instructor Sue Lemajew pushed them to the extremes

And another 14 members took part in a three-hour exercise class, starting with an hour of "Zumba" dance fitness with instructor Charmaine Venus, followed by a two-hour session of legs, bums and tums with fitness instructor Clive Robertson (pictured left).

Four intrepid explorers are taking on one final challenge for two family members affected by cancer.

Having pushed their personal limits and taken on difficult conditions in charity treks across the world, the group of women are travelling to South Africa to raise money for Breast Cancer Care.

Claire Miles, Paula Ball, Pat Taylor and Claire Campbell on Trek China

Having raised £30,000 over the years, they are now having one last push for the £15,000 they need to complete their fundraising to fight a disease that has afflicted their family twice.

Enterprising women are passing on their skills to the next generation after forming their own group.

The dozen women from around Wansbeck were initially brought together at an event to encourage students from Northumberland College to think about setting up their own business.

Now, with the support of Go Wansbeck business coach Dave Gibbon, they have set up their own networking group, which was launched at an event at the college.

An exhibition in Ashington is exploring the links between art and surfing.

The display at Woodhorn Museum looks at early sketches of surfers during the voyages of Captain James Cook through to the flower power of the 1960s and garish fluorescent colours of the 1980s.

An Art History of British Surfing is an exciting visual feast of boards, paintings, posters, photography and film, and runs until September.

Visitors to Woodhorn can enjoy an hour of singing by joining the museum team in Ashington for traditional music and song in the cafe.

This month, the entertainment will be provided by Mike Weston.

The event starts at 2pm on Friday, June 25, and is free. For more information call 01670 528 080.

Buzz Lightyear, Scooby Doo and a sexy pirate got together in a shopping centre for a good cause.

Fundraisers donned some great costumes and raised almost £2,500 ahead of a mammoth charity bike ride that takes in all five capitals of Great Britain and Ireland.

Now in its third year, Clive Robertson, from Newbiggin and Chris Aynsley from Ashington get together for the ride which raises money for the Special Care Baby Unit at Wansbeck Hospital.