A draft plan outlining the future of Northumberland National Park has been unveiled.

This is the first new management plan in six years and it forms the basis of how the countryside around the Cheviots and Hadrian's Wall can be protected for the next 20 years.

The plan also includes ways to address the impact of climate change, efforts to balance ecology with the local economy and increasing the number of people visiting the park.

Northumberland's new super council is to retain the existing county council's official logo when it takes over following local government reorganisation in April.

A working group has concluded there is merit in reviewing the 35-year-old logo to ensure it reflects the new unitary council's vision and values.

However, the need to prioritise effective service delivery from April 1 means it will be retained for the time being.

Tomorrow will see the launch of a new free newspaper for Journal readers in Northumberland.

Journal Extra will come free with The Journal every Thursday with 36 pages of news and sport from around the county in addition to The Journal's normal service.

Regular features in Journal Extra will include a nostalgia page, readers' pictures of Northumberland and a weekly focus on one of the county's schools. There will also be weekly promotions and competitions exclusively for our Northumberland readers.

Roadworks in various parts of Wooler have been announced as part of a £1.2m project to reduce the risk of flooding.

Northumbrian Water is to spend the money on upgrading its sewerage network in the High Street and Tenter Hill areas. The project will begin on Monday and take around six months to complete.

Around 300 metres of sewer pipe on Church Street and South Road will be upgraded and a new storm water storage tank and combined sewer overflow will be constructed in land within Wooler bus station.

People living in the Berwick district will have a stronger voice in Northumberland thanks to a new community body.

After Berwick Borough Council disappears to make way for the new unitary authority, Northumberland will answer to the county headquarters in Morpeth.

Parish councils around Berwick have therefore got together so that they can speak together and better represent the district under the new system.

Two goals in the last two minutes saved Berwick blushes in their derby clash with Springhill.

Berwick United Reserves, playing with home advantage in the Division Two meeting, took the lead when Martin Tait opened the scoring.

But Springhill hit back to lead with goals from David Jardine, Andrew Skelly and Kristian Neil.

Talks are continuing in a bid to resolve a long-running dispute over the fees paid to the owners of independent care homes for the elderly in Northumberland.

Officials from the county council and Care Trust have been in negotiations with dozens of private sector operators for 18 months over how much they should be paid for providing residential care for elderly and disabled people.

Conservatives in Northumberland have proposed an alternative council budget which would see a lower tax rise introduced equally across the county.

The Tories have proposed a 3% rise in tax as a key part of their budget suggestions. The ruling Liberal Democrat group recently announced a 4.8% rise alongside service cuts.

Small firms and organisations hoping to do business with Northumberland's new super council are being offered help and advice on how to secure contracts.

They have been invited to a free event at the Woodhorn Museum and Archives Centre near Ashington on Tuesday.

Anyone who wants to attend the event, which runs from 9.30am to 4pm, should contact Julie Davison of the county council on (01670) 534150 or email JUDavison@northumberland.gov.uk. They can also register online at www.northumberland.gov.uk

Photographs taken from Northumberland's Lost Houses, a picture postcard history by Jim Davidson published by Wagtail Press at £14.99. Visit www.wagtailpress.co.uk for more details.
Read interview with Jim Davidson