Three-tier education could be retained in parts of Northumberland - three years after a huge petition to keep it.

A major review of education plans in the county could now ditch the controversial intention to scrap all 44 middle schools.

The original plan to convert the entire county to a system of primary and secondary education is likely to be scrapped as part of a revised Putting The Learner First (PLF) strategy.

A contractor has been appointed to carry out a £27m overhaul of a Northumberland borough's housing stock.

Berwick Borough Housing (BBH) has chosen Gentoo Construction to refurbish its 1,900 homes including some in Wooler, bringing them up to Decent Homes standard over the next five years.

Berwick Borough Council's housing stock was transferred to BBH and partner Three Rivers Housing Association last month. This followed a 78.8% 'yes' vote from 1,753 council tenants last year.

Belford Craft Gallery will feature 16 artists from the region next year.

Exhibitions start at Easter with work by Berwick artist Katie Bishop, showing with Jenny Calver, of Auchencrow, Berwickshire.

At Whitsun, Peter Podmore of West Newton, Wooler, exhibits pastel drawings.

Berwick Borough Housing has launched a new confidential service for victims of domestic abuse.

The 24-hour helpline is 0800 046-1451.

Budget proposals - including proposed efficiency savings and likely Council Tax levels - for Northumberland's new unitary council will be discussed at a series of area committee meetings in January, which are open to the public.

The Berwick borough meeting will be held in the Tweed Street CAB conference room in Berwick at 10.30am on the 16th.

A new appointment-only service is to be introduced by Berwick Citizens Advice Bureau at their weekly outreach services in Belford, Wooler and Seahouses.

The new arrangement will come into force next month and follows an increase in the demand for advice mainly as a result of the economic climate.

Bumper pay rises of up to 40% for county councillors in Northumberland have been approved in principle - but will be subject to a public consultation exercise on whether they are acceptable and affordable.

Pay rates for the 67 members of the county's new unitary council have been recommended by an independent remuneration panel, and reflect the extra workload which they will face following introduction of the single, all-purpose authority in April.

People power has won the day in the choice of the name for Northumberland's new super council.

County councillors agreed last night that the new unitary authority - which takes over in April - will be called Northumberland County Council. They rejected the alternative of calling the all-purpose authority Northumberland Council.

Last night's decision followed a public consultation exercise in which people voted 2-1 in favour of Northumberland County Council. Only staff at the six existing district councils backed the Northumberland Council option - voting 3-1 in favour of that name.

Children's services at Northumberland County Council have been given a series of positive ratings from the education inspectors Ofsted.

The county is judged as outstanding in the categories of staying safe, making a positive contribution, and capacity to improve. It is rated as good at overall effectiveness, being healthy, enjoying and achieving, and achieving economic well being.

The Northumberland National Park Mountain Rescue Team has been given a cheque for £1,000 after fundraising by the RAF.

RAF Personnel RAF Linton on Ouse, staff from VT Aerospace and the Ministry of Defence took part in the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge - a walk of 25 miles over Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough to be completed within 12 hours.

The money raised will provide support to enable the Mountain Rescue team to maintain its readiness as an emergency service available 24hrs a day, 365 days a year.