The two-hour sponsored aerobic workouts will be led by qualified instructors across 70 leisure centres in the North East and Yorkshire.

Ashington Leisure Centre, Blyth Sports Centre, Concordia Leisure Centre and Newbiggin Sports and Community Centre are all taking part in this great fundraising event.

The Aerobathon event aims to raise over £90,000 for the Child's Voice Appeal - a helpline for adults concerned about a child.

Activities include snorkelling, archery, fishing, football, basketball, golf, cricket etc and youngsters can even try climbing at Concordia, wave boarding in Wansbeck and skipping in Seghill!

There are family fun days at the beach in Blyth, a National Play Day event in Newbiggin and overnight adventures to Kielder with BVAL's Make-a-move team.

For those who prefer a bit of 'art and clart' we even have some activities down at Blyth Beach and the Dave Stephen's Amenity Building - Sandy Sculptures, building Viking Longboats and even learning some African drumming!

Many of these activities and events are FREE, and others have a small charge. Some activities need to be booked, and others are just 'turn up on the day.'

So what are you waiting for? Grab a brochure from your nearest centre, get your diary and start planning your activities for this summer! No need to travel far, ITS ALL ON YOUR DOORSTEP!

We provide a safe, friendly, well resourced and well established venue that meets the changing needs and desires of young people with different ages and abilities.

Our peer support programme, young and adult volunteers are a major part of the service and the future. Open daily from 9am to 9pm Monday to Friday with occasional weekend provision. Between 150-250 young people attend each week, many of which have special needs.

You can now exercise at Blyth Sports Centre, Concordia Leisure Centre and the quieter Sporting Club Cramlington using the same fitness equipment and using the popular Fitlinxx system to monitor your workouts.

The Lifestyle Gym at Sporting Club Cramlington has 13 cardiovascular machines (4 treadmills, 3 rowers, 2 bikes, 1 arm ergometer, 2 cross-trainers and an adaptive motion trainer), 9 resistance machines and a free weights area. It offers a quieter exercise environment than the other centres, and also has a great range of fitness classes for you to try.

With Lifestyle Memberships from as little as £27.50, you now have 3 fantastic venues where you can exercise with Blyth Valley Arts and Leisure.

For more details about the new Lifestyle gym, opening hours, memberships etc. please visit our website www.bval.co.uk

As well as all the usual activities such as snorkelling, trampolining, craft sessions, swimming lessons etc, we have some fantastic 'specials' on offer -

EASTER EGG HUNT - Thursday 9th April, from 11am-3pm at Ridley Park
Activities will also include face painting, football, wave boarding etc.

SEGHILL FUN DAY - Friday 17th April, from 11am-3pm at Seghill Rugby Club
Activities will include face painting, dance performances, breakdancing, football, basketball and cricket.

Other great activities include the 'cheerleading camp,' archery, runner bikes, golf and an action-packed 2-day camping adventure!

For more details of all of these activities and more, please visit the website www.bval.co.uk

The sessions are starting on a 'just turn up' basis, and will cost £2.50 per child.

A parent/carer must stay with the child during the session.

The sessions will be run by Adam Dixon, Play Development Officer, who said 'this is a great opportunity for young children to learn basic games, and work on fundamental skills such as balance, agility and co-ordination.'

For more details, please contact Adam Dixon: (01670) 542589 or visit the website www.bval.co.uk

The football camp is running as part of the 'make-a-move' holiday programme.

The head of Cramlington Learning Village, Mr Dennis Wise, has written to all parents of pupils reminding them of what the school expects regarding dress code.

Oh yes they do!

A Wilkinson spokesman said: "This process has nothing to do with the current trading conditions on the high street but has been in development for some considerable time."

If agreed by tenants, a new 'Northumberland-wide housing company' will take over the running of all council houses in Alnwick and Blyth Valley.

Locals quickly became concerned when seeing clouds of smoke rise hundreds of feet into the air, which were quickly followed by traffic tailbacks throughout the town, as roads were sealed off by Police close to Nelson/Bassington Industrial Estates.

Yesterday Coun Ian Tompkins, chairman of Northumberland County Council, told the Journal, "Shortly residents will be asked whether they think the new council should be called Northumberland County Council - the name of the existing County Council - or Northumberland Council."

On average, around 20 casualties-a-year are reported in Northumberland. This latest casualty was found close to the Moor Farm roundabout.

A purse of money to the tune of £3000 is available for the boroughs residents, with the likely maximum amount to any one individual or group being around £500.