A drive is being made to increase the number of people joining the Territorial Army in Cramlington.

Cramlington is the base for 100 Pioneer Squadron of the TA, and with 40 members on its books it sounds in a healthy state.

But it is actually meant to have 70 soldiers and is 'considerably below the norm' according to Sergeant Nigel Foster from Cramlington's unit of the squadron.

People in Cramlington are being urged to show their caring side by supporting an annual campaign to bring joy to needy children at Christmas.

Operation Christmas Child - now in its 19th year - collects gift-filled shoeboxes to distribute to deprived youngsters in Eastern Europe and Africa.

Last year it delivered 1.3m boxes from the UK, with groups and individuals in Cramlington and other parts of Northumberland playing their part.

Goals in each half for Chris Taylor and Jeff Fuller earned Blyth Town a 2-0 Challenge Cup passport at the expense of Cramlington Town.

Cramlington's next game is away to Seaton Delaval Amateurs on Saturday 4th October.

A Cramlington cafe is cooking up jobs as well as food for people with disabilities.

Café Azure -- which has just recently opened its doors off Station Road -- has already created three jobs for disabled people, with plans for more in the future.

The cafe was built by disability charity Azure Charitable Enterprises to be an eco-friendly, state-of-the-art operation attached to the organisation's garden centre.

A HOSPITAL delivery room was renamed the Honeymoon Suite by maternity staff after a pregnant bride came straight from her wedding celebrations to give birth to her first child.

Mum-to-be Emma Lowdon, 36, tied the knot with partner Sean Allum, 35, in a registry office ceremony on Friday - while having minor contractions and knowing her baby could arrive at any minute.

After getting through the service and a brief reception with family and friends, the newly-married couple from Cramlington were whisked straight to nearby Wansbeck General Hospital in Ashington- where 5lb baby Josh was delivered less than 24 hours later.

One of the country's most established folk clubs has announced a line-up of top performers to play in Northumberland.

Cramlington Folk Club, which has been bringing music to the town for over 30 years, will welcome singers from all over the UK and Ireland, including Ben Sands, whose song Hugs features on a TV advert.

Keith Taylor from the club, said: "We have always provided a wide variety of music and styles from traditional and contemporary folk to blues and bluegrass.

Cramlington angler Alec Harvey won the prestigious Guernsey Championship, fished over two days on Herme island.

With the catch and release fishing split each day from one side of the island to the other, Alec amassed a 560 points for 49 wrasse, four garfish and five mackerel.

The wrasse were all taken on sea bait ragworm, which Alec nearly ran out of -- even though he took 20 boxes!

A NEW learning challenge has been launched in Northumberland urging people to boost their potential by trying a new skill.

The Learning Goes Large challenge is being run by Northumberland- based skills firm, Training Solutions, in a bid to help people realise their learning potential, pick up new skills and get qualifications.

The Learning Goes Large team will be out and about in locations throughout Northumberland.

To find out more phone (01665) 606429.

A VILLAGE sub-postmaster whose business faces closure was caught drink driving twice within 48 hours, a court was told yesterday.

Michael Towart, 64, was almost four times the legal limit for driving when his car was first stopped by police in Cramlington, Northumberland last Saturday night.

Two days later he was more than twice the limit when he was again breathalysed after driving home from a nearby pub.

A BUSINESS development scheme aimed at triggering multi-million-pound investment has been launched to boost entrepreneurship in Northumberland during the economic downturn.

Regional development agency One NorthEast has joined up with Northumberland County Council and Northumberland Strategic Partnership to launch the Private Sector Projects Fund to provide financial support to people and companies.

The fund is aimed at those in the Blyth, Wansbeck and Berwick areas who have plans to develop property for offices, manufacturing, service industries or tourism and leisure.