A man who assaulted a neighbour has been ordered by a court to stay away from his victim, or face immediate arrest and the threat of imprisonment. Raymond Edward Arkle, 39, of Lanercost Park, East Cramlington, was given a two-year anti-social behaviour injunction by a judge at North Shields District Court.

The order, which runs until December 2011, prohibits Arkle from causing trouble in the area where he lives and bans him from threatening or molesting witnesses in the case, which was brought by Homes for Northumberland and the county council.

Matthew Darling is just like most 17-year-olds who can't wait to get their licence.

The teenager has been studying hard over the past few months and practising manoeuvres to make sure he would pass his test at the first time.

Matthew Darling from Cramlington, who at just 17 has his pilot's licence, with pals Andrew Heads (red), Graeme Barnes (grey) and his school teacher Stu Kemp

Now the student can get behind the wheel without supervision and go out for a spin with his mates.

But Matthew hasn't even had a single driving lesson - instead he has spent all his spare time gaining his pilot's licence.

A mining company is helping to brighten up playtime for pupils by donating funds.

Northumberland-based Aluminium manufacturer, Rio Tinto Alcan have donated £1,000 to help Northburn Primary School, in Cramlington, build a sandpit, workshop areas with play tools and a car wash role play corner.

Around 50 three to five year olds every day will benefit from the exciting new features which also include a new vegetable plot, insect garden, playhouse, art gallery, musical area and a stage.

Family history buffs in Northumberland are turning to the web.

Northumberland County Council produced a video (below) to raise awareness of the facilities available to people wanting to know more about their ancestors.

It was uploaded onto internet video sharing site YouTube and has got more than 12,000 hits.

Waste bosses are urging Northumberland residents to think green this Christmas.

Northumberland County Council and SITA UK will recycle Christmas trees, cards, wrappings and drink containers.

Household waste recycling centres across the county will be open every day except Christmas Day and New Year's Day, and Christmas trees can be taken along at any time and recycled with other green waste.

It's been a great year for Cramlington-based indie band The Claymores.

Cited as one of the best new talents of 2009 by The Mix Radio, an appearance at Newcastle's O2 Academy and a demo recording all add up to an eventful year, but when you consider that the oldest member of the band is just 15, it makes it all the more remarkable.

The Claymores were formed by four friends, 15-year-old guitarist Alex Newman, singer Joe Allan,14, drummer Lewi Rutherford, 14, and bass player Jamie Stables, 14, around 12 months ago.

Fromer Newcastle United legend Malcolm Macdonald is urging people to have regular eye tests.

His call for people to take better care of their vision follows him being told he could be at risk of going blind for a second time, after he was diagnosed with a condition that dramatically increases the chances of glaucoma developing.

Malcolm Macdonald with optometrist Susan Wright at Specsavers in Cramlington

The 59-year-old previously suffered temporary blindness in his right eye in 2007, from a blockage.

Plans to improve transport infrastructure across Northumberland will go before county council leaders early in the new year.

A new report has identified a number of ideas on how to improve the maintenance and upkeep of the county's 5,000km of roads and almost 1,500km of cycle and footpaths.

It also looks at the upkeep of assets such as bridges, streetlights and drains which in total are worth more than £5bn.

Emergency services were called to a four-car crash on the A189 in Cramlington at 6am yesterday involving a black Toyota Celica, a silver Peugeot 206, a silver Vauxhall Vectra and a grey Peugeot 206.

The four drivers involved in the crash were not believed to be seriously hurt.

A Labour MP has voiced fears over the number of people in his constituency who have failed to register to vote in the next general election.

Blyth Valley's Ronnie Campbell is calling on Northumberland County Council to do more to ensure that people get their names on the electoral register.

He says that in parts of his constituency as few as 77.9% of voters have actually registered.