TYPICAL bank holiday weather decimated the Wellstream NTSL programme on Saturday, with not a single top-flight game able to reach a conclusion.

With rain sweeping across the region in mid-afternoon it was left to teams to scrabble around for any bonus points going with the result there was very little movement in the league table.

THE boss of a recycling business has been convicted of illegally dumping and burning waste.

Ian Chapman is a director of Fast Track Recycling Services, based in Cramlington, Northumberland, and the company's slogan is "Recycle It - Don't Tip It".

But the 52-year-old has been exposed in court for failing abide by his own motto following an investigation by Newcastle City Council.

A serial thief who claims to be a kleptomaniac was found hoarding hundreds of pounds of bathroom equipment at his house.

Obsessed Kevin Hawkins claims he feels uncontrollable urges to steal things he doesn't even need.

The 38-year-old has racked up convictions for more than 130 offences and was already on a suspended prison sentence for stealing fuel.

Three new subsidised bus routes will be trialled in Northumberland in a bid to fill potential service gaps left by recent timetable changes made by Arriva.

The county council is funding the new services which will be trialled from this Sunday until December.

The pilot scheme aims to plug any gaps for bus users in the affected areas, but the new services will only be continued into next year if passenger numbers justify it.

People who relish the delights of al fresco eating during the summer months in England's most northerly county can now draw inspiration from a definitive new guide.

The Great Northumberland Picnic has been drawn up after enthusiasts across the county voted for their favourite open air eating spots, together with their choice of the best local food and drink to enjoy in the great outdoors.

Five chosen locations feature the county's renowned coastline, castles and countryside, while the fare includes Northumberland favourites such as stottie cakes, ham and pease pudding, Lindisfarne oysters, Seahouses salmon and Craster kipper pate.

The most popular choices from the public vote, which was launched earlier this year, were revealed at the official unveiling of the Great Northumberland Picnic on Wooler Common yesterday.

Parents/carers and their children are welcome to be entertained and educated on Child Safety. Martin the Magician will be there, along with Police Cars and Fire Engine. Join your children in a treasure hunt and fun activities. Finish off with lunch at our Community Café at the Blyth Central event. Events run at the three venues as follows:

At Blyth Central Sure Start, Wright Street, Blyth, NE24 1HG
(Tel. 01670 798800)
- Tuesday 22nd June, 10.00am - 12.30pm

At Seven Oaks Park, Dudley Lane, Cramlington (Tel. 01670 710080)
- Wednesday 23rd June, 10.00am - 12.30pm

At Seaton Valley Children Centre, Western Avenue, Seaton Delaval, NE25 0EP (Tel. 0191 2375184).
- Thursday 24th June 10.00am - 12.30pm

Ponteland United faced past winners Shankhouse in the Northern Alliance Premier Division's Challenge Cup final at Killingworth and United's 3-1 victory made club history.

This was a first triumph in an Alliance competition for Pont who, since 1983, had appeared fruitlessly in six previous League Cup finals as well as being bridesmaids in the Challenge Cup five times.

At Amberley Park it was Shankhouse who looked the stronger in the opening half, and only two fine saves by United goalkeeper Sam Harris-Green, replacing the injured Michael Havelock, kept the black-and-whites in the game.

Cramlington's Stephen Miller enjoyed a day to savour at the BT Paralympic World Cup yesterday as he gained revenge on Beijing gold medallist Mourad Idoudi.

In 2008 Miller cut a frustrated figure as Tunisian Idoudi landed club gold inside the iconic Bird's Nest arena with a world record throw of 35.77m, to end the Gateshead Harrier's 12-year grip on the medal.

But despite a persistent hip problem, Miller turned the tables on Idoudi yesterday in Manchester, launching a best throw of 31.67m to top the podium, with Idoudi second following a best effort of 30.11m.

Firefighters turned fundraisers to help our heroes fighting on the frontline. Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service hosted an action-packed day of fun for the family at Ann Welfare in Cramlington.

Crowds turned out in the sunshine to support the special fundraising event in aid of Help For Heroes.

Neil Leonard gets a drink from cadet Christopher Fawcus

Families were offered the chance to take part in paintballing sessions, tackle the onsite climbing wall and obstacle course and could even enjoy a ride in a real-life army tank.

A printing and packaging company is looking to build a second factory near its Northumberland headquarters after growing its sales year on year and landing a £3.75m contract with three Tyneside hospitals.

Potts, which is based in Cramlington, managed to maintain its growth in the face of the downturn, with sales expected to increase by £1.4m to £11m this year.

The company, which has been in business since 1875, recently landed a five year contract to provide a range of prints to the Freeman Hospital, General Hospital and Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle.