Teams from Berwick, Allendale, Alnwick and Prudhoe took part in the Key Stage Three and Four Northumberland Schools Badminton County Final organised by Badminton England and the School Sports Partnership..

Northumberland Schools Badminton County Final Key Stage Four winners (back) and the stage three victors (front) receive their trophies at Ashington Leisure Centre

For the first time, all six School Sports Partnerships in Northumberland - Ashington, Blyth and Bedlington, Cramlington and Seaton Valley, Morpeth and Ponteland, North Northumberland and Tynedale - were involved in the competition.

In an audacious feat held at Gateshead Stadium, Stephen plans to "throw a mile", meaning he will have to throw the club around once every minute to cover the distance.

The event will raise money for Comic Relief's Sport Relief charity, for whom Stephen recently became an ambassador.

Despite their home advantage the Town were hammered 7-0 by Cullercoats with goals from Ben Gardner (2), Robert Watson (2), Craig Deighton (2) and Stewart Wright.

The two sides had drawn in an earlier encounter, but the Town forged ahead this time and were three goals to the good after 50 minutes thanks to Stuart Hepple (2) and Kevin Long.

There were two quick replies from Heddon's Ben Haddock and Mark McEwen but they could not save the game.

Pioneers of the North, by Newcastle United historians Paul Joannou and Alan Candlish, examines the introduction of football to the region, and remembers some notable early FA Cup ties.

One of them was when Shankhouse Black Watch, from near Cramlington, were drawn at home in 1887-88 against FA Cup holders Aston Villa, one of the most famous and powerful clubs in the country.

Campbell claimed the home side's equaliser after 35 minutes and just before the interval his colleague Paul Chapman netted to put them in front.

David Dormand added a third for the defending champions after 74 minutes and, with two minutes to go, returning star Campbell completed Walker's tally with his second strike of the game.

The 20-year-old from Cramlington has courted favour with the England indoor netball selectors, who have included her in their squad for the forthcoming World Cup tournament in South Africa.

White, a member of the Concordia Leisure Centre club for six years and studying sports science at Northumbria University, is relishing the six-day tournament in Rustenberg.

Shankhouse needed extra time to beat cup visitors Cramlington Town 3-1.

Anthony Moran fired Shankhouse in front straight from the kick off and Cramlington had to wait until the 89th minute for Chris Davison's equaliser.

Finishes for Gary Yates and Iain Irvin in the 14th and 17th minutes had Heaton apparently coasting, but the Town's Jordan Watson trimmed their lead on the stroke of half-time.

On the hour mark, Danny Long restored parity for the home side.

Members of the Lawn Tennis Association visited Cramlington Tennis Club's Cramlington Park base to see what is being achieved there and to hear ideas for future development.

The club's aim is to gain the site's long-term lease from Northumberland County Council.

Wark claimed their fifth away win on the trot and had Tony Lancaster (2), John Famelton, Mark Campbell and Daniel Carter on target in their 5-0 victory.

Meanwhile, A 1-0 victory over Whitley Bay A at Hillheads, where Kevin Gustard scored a worthy match-winner, earned Shankhouse a third-round slot in the Kicks Leisure League Cup when they will be at home to Gosforth Bohemians.

Carlisle were encouraged by setbacks suffered by the joint leaders Wark and Walker Central and closed the gap, winning 4-2.

Ollie Driver netted twice for City in the opening half but Cramlington rallied, with replies from Stuart Heppell and Andrew Carr restoring parity.

Shankhouse celebrated their first home win after beating Seaton Delaval 3-1. Michael Bell and Mark Watson put Shankhouse on track before Paul Swithenbank scored a third before
half-time from the spot after a handling offence by Delaval's Dean Taylor saw him red carded. Connal Reed replied for the visitors.

Walker Central and Wark are enjoying a six-point lead at the head of the Premier Division after they both won again.

Cramlington Town claimed their first home win by beating neighbours Ashington Colliers 2-1 and they completed a league double in the process (picture by Steve Miller).

Shankhouse had drawn three and lost two of their previous five games, so a 4-1 victory against Stocksfield at Prudhoe was welcome. Michael Bell (2), Anthony Moran and Darren Naylor notched.

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.