In the Northern Alliance Premier Division at the weekend early strugglers Cramlington lost 4-0 against Seaton Delaval at Wheatridge Park. Paul Baird opened their account right on half-time, and further strikes came from Jeff Fuller (2) and Steve Anderson.

After their first-day defeat, Shankhouse have put together a four-match unbeaten run and drew 2-2 at Alnwick Town (picture by Steve Miller). Goals for Scott McMullen and Gary Patterson gave Alnwick the early edge but Shankhouse salvaged a point with Michael Bell and Kevin Gustard replies.

A hotel in Northumberland is taking an optimistic view about the Bank Holiday weekend weather - by providing free sun cream for guests.

Management at the Innkeeper's Lodge, which is attached to the Snowy Owl pub near Cramlington, is offering complimentary bottles of sun protection to all visitors.

The move follows a recent survey which showed 37% of Brits don't use sun protection when on holiday in the UK.

A mum is fighting to have her son released from prison after cancer ravaged his body. Dennis Atkinson was jailed for six years in 2004 for grievous bodily harm after a drug-fuelled attack on a man.

The 26-year-old served four years of his sentence and was released on licence in August last year.

But Atkinson, of Avebury Place, Cramlington, who suffers from mild learning difficulties, landed himself back behind bars when he was charged with criminal damage for breaking a picture after an argument with his ex-girlfriend.

More than 4,000 people have signed a petition against any moves to introduce car parking charges in south east Northumberland, it is claimed.

Blyth Valley MP Ronnie Campbell organised the petition amid fears that a review of car parking currently being carried out by the county council could result in the end of free parking in towns like Blyth, Ashington, Bedlington and Cramlington.

At present drivers have to pay to park in towns such as Berwick, Seahouses, Alnwick, Morpeth and Hexham - while it remains free in the former Blyth Valley and Wansbeck areas.

After a packed summer of family events around Northumberland, the final weekend of the summer holidays is beckoning, with another busy programme across the county.

The event likely to attract the biggest crowd is the Glendale Show (pictured), now in its 117th year, featuring a host of rural attractions and stalls. Spectacular carriage driving and falconry displays and a Ready Steady Cook style cooking competition are some of the highlights of the event on Bank Holiday Monday.

In the bottom corner of the county on the same day, Blanchland & Hunstanworth Show (see link below) will be taking place, and two days before on Saturday Bellingham will also be welcoming visitors to its Show to take part and watch various traditional competitions.

A new look for Northumberland online is being fronted by TV presenter Wendy Gibson.

The BBC personality features in a video on Northumberland Tourism's relaunched website, offering potential visitors to the region a virtual tour of some of its highlights.

Among the sites explored from spectacular aerial views are Hadrian's Wall, Bamburgh Castle, Berwick, and Lindisfarne.

A major review of local government boundaries in Northumberland is entering its second phase.

The Boundary Committee for England has started a second round of public consultation on future arrangements for the county's new unitary council.

The main purpose of the review is to ensure "electoral equality" following the restructuring of local government last year.

Lee Gustard and David Hooper scored to secure a second win for Shankhouse in the Northern Alliance Premier Division last night, 2-1 away to Heddon, whose single reply came from Craig Horsfall.

Ponteland United claimed their first win with a 4-3 verdict on their visit to Cramlington Town. Stu Hepple (2) and Danny Long scored for the Town, but United's replies from Billy Holden (2), Paul Hodgson and Gavin Wood sealed the points.

Parents applying for places for their children at popular schools in Northumberland will be asked to provide proof of where they live, following a row over admissions in Cramlington.

County council bosses have introduced tougher checks following a recommendation by Local Government Ombudsman, Ann Seex, who investigated complaints about the handling of admissions to Burnside Primary School last year.

Four families complained to the council after their children were refused places at the school, despite some having brothers or sisters there already.

Patients needing emergency care could be put at risk after it emerged key decision-makers on transport improvements weren't told a new hospital was planned.

A team putting together a wishlist of North East road and rail improvements were not told of plans for a new hospital near Moor Farm roundabout, near Cramlington.

Vital improvements needed to prepare the Northumberland roundabout for a predicted increase in traffic have since been suspended and no work will start on the junction before 2018.