WANSBECK Male Voice Choir will perform its annual concert, A Song For Everyone, at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Ashington at 7pm on Saturday, November 8.

Tickets, priced £5 including buffet, are available from secretary Terry Williamson on (01670) 860859 or musical director Pauline Locke on (01670) 521417

A MAJOR £40m road scheme - which aims to cut traffic congestion and boost economic development in South East Northumberland - looks set to be submitted for Government funding approval.

If built, the proposed Morpeth northern bypass would complete a £50m investment in creating a new transport link between the A1 trunk road and the former mining communities of south east Northumberland.

Ashington made progress following a 3-1 win over Morpeth Town in the local derby at Woodhorn Lane. Alan Hogg and Robbie Cockburn were on target for the Colliers, before Ian Nickalls reduced the deficit on the half hour.

Five minutes from time Gareth Bainbridge sealed Ashington's victory with a third.

THE boss of a Ashington football club is boosting crowd numbers by offering to drive elderly fans to matches.

Ian Lavery says he will drive round picking up loyal supporters.

The chairman made the offer after hearing that some of the club's older fans have been put off going to matches since the club moved to its new ground.

HUNDREDS of council workers across Northumberland have expressed an interest in taking voluntary redundancy in the run-up to the biggest local government shake-up in the county's history.

More than 800 town hall employees have come forward to say they would consider accepting a payoff and getting out when the new unitary super council comes into being in April.

CONCERNS over Northumberland County Council's finances have deepened because it has £230m of debts after taking out £100m in loans.

North East Minister Nick Brown, pictured, said he would be urgently seeking advice over the situation, which comes after it emerged the council has £23m stuck in failed Icelandic banks.

AN awards ceremony highlighting the best businesses in Wansbeck has doubled in size in just two years.

Bedlington-born TV presenter Jayne Middlemiss hosted last night's second annual Wansbeck Business Awards, which were also addressed by Paul Robertson, editor of The Journal's sister paper the Evening Chronicle, and sponsored again by Rio Tinto Alcan.

NORTHUMBERLAND council bosses yesterday declared they did not make mistakes over the £23m they invested in failed Icelandic banks.

But chief executive Steve Stewart and finance director Steven Mason said they are reviewing procedures.

The collapse of Iceland's banks was unprecedented and the council had followed guidelines.

A SCHEME which seeks to protect stocks of lobster off the North East coast will continue next year, thanks to a new funding stream.

Northumberland Sea Fisheries Committee has been running its lobster V-notching scheme for the past nine years, where it marks females carrying eggs to ensure they are returned to the water by fishermen.

The scheme was funded by European Union grants which have now stopped, meaning the committee has to find the money itself.

OLDER people in Northumberland who have trouble speaking up for themselves or expressing their views can call on the help of a new ally.

Age Concern Northumberland has launched a special advocacy service to help over-50s to have their say. Funded by Comic Relief, the scheme provides a confidential, impartial and free service.