TWO BROTHERS were caught red-handed stripping roof tiles from a listed property, a court was told yesterday.

Jason and Paul Clark were arrested after they were spotted on the roof of Dam Dykes Farm on the outskirts of Cramlington, Northumberland in May.

A TOTAL of 38 people have been arrested during two days of police raids in Northumberland aimed at putting the brakes on the county's rising crime rate.

Fourteen were held yesterday for offences including drugs, violent crime and theft after Northumbria Police officers swooped on 23 separate addresses in Blyth, Bedlington and Cramlington.

It has served the community amply for one year short of two centuries. However, the bright yellow sign standing noticeably in once-busy playing fields is a final reminder that much cherished Parkside Middle School is up for sale.

One of Cramlingtons' worst accident black spots, a scene of several tragic fatalities, has improved safety measures with new signage warning motorists that pedestrians are crossing.

Young people are being targeting in a hard-hitting campaign to reduce the number of bonfire and firework-related injuries across Northumberland.

Fireworks injure almost 1000 children in the North of England every year, often resulting in permanent scarring or disfiguration. Now Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service is warning pupils in secondary schools about the dangers in a programme of educational visits.

RESIDENTS, businesses and voluntary organisations in Blyth Valley have just over a week to have their say on how the borough should be represented when unitary local government is introduced in Northumberland in April.

The deadline for public comments on plans to create three parish/town councils in the borough - for Blyth, Cramlington and Seaton Valley - is noon on Friday November 7.

Landmark locations will be seen in a new light this winter with the return of a hugely popular winter festival. Northumberland Lights - and the award-winning team behind it - are back with more bright ideas for outdoor illuminations.

From November 2 to 30, the winter festival will bathe some of the most beautiful and remote spots from Blyth to the Borders in an array of colour, in celebration of the county's contrasting architectural and natural environment.

FREE bus transport for older students is set to leave Northumberland County Council with a £500,000 bill. But councillors last night hailed the scheme to provide passes for A-level and college students as a massive success - and said it was likely to cost much less than feared.

The free pass has seen the number of teenagers using buses more than double, from 800 in July to 1,850 now. The county council took the decision to scrap fares after they rose to £360 a year under the previous Labour administration.

Cramlington children have a chance to really look the part ready for their spooky shenanigans in the town.

There will be a face painting session on Hallowe'en, October 31 at Tanzone, 3 Glenluce Court, Southfield Green, Cramlington.

It takes place between 3-5pm for children, before they go trick or treating.

Young people living in Cramlington and wider Blyth Valley will be better able to understand the pitfalls of leaving home too early thanks to a DVD produced by Blyth Valley Housing. No Home No Hope is being launched in Nov to help organisations explain to 14, 15 and 16-year-olds how leaving home without the necessary life skills is not a wise option.