Bosses at Northumberland's new super council have been accused of failing to comply with an independent regulator's guidance by providing an 0845 number for people who need to contact the authority.

Bob Watson is unhappy that Northumberland County Council's new number is premium rate

Members of the public who telephone the all-purpose council - which came into being on April 1 following the switch to unitary local government - now have to use a single number, 0845 600 6400, to speak to call handlers.

Springhill have won this year's Robson Cup after beating Alnwick Town Reserves 2-0.

The match played at Shielfield Park in Berwick had a goalless first half, but Springhill went ahead following a penalty scored by Kristian Neil.

Alnwick keeper Gordon Sanders kept his team in the game with a string of good saves but could do nothing as Adam Roberts scored with a well-struck effort to give Springhill a second goal.

The charm of the Cheviot Hills is made up of a beguiling mixture of ingredients. There is the dramatic landscape, the diversity of wildlife, sense of remoteness and tranquillity, and a long legacy of history ranging from the prehistoric and hill forts to the medieval and beyond.

This autumn will see the culmination of the two-year Cheviot Hills Heritage Project, which set out to explore, research and celebrate the area and its people.

Jane Riddell, from Northumberland National Park, who is leading the project

It has centred on four communities on the English side of the Cheviots - Alwinton, Ingram, Wooler and Kirknewton, and three on the Scottish side of the fence in Yetholm, Morebattle and Oxnam.

A Wooler firm has been fined after admitting a breach of health and safety regulations which led to a man falling from a roof.

L J McLaren Engineering Ltd of Wooler was fined £10,000 and ordered to pay costs of £3,000, at Sheffield Crown Court today.

Along with a firm from Teesside also involved in the incident, it pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 8(a) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005.

Tough planning controls, limited economic options and poor quality broadband coverage have been highlighted as some of the key problems facing upland areas of the North in a major study.

They are among a number of challenges which need to be tackled if the region's high hills, fells and moorlands are to prosper in the future, according to evidence gathered by the Commission for Rural Communities (CRC).

The Cheviot Hills Heritage Project will begin its summer walk series with an event on May 2.

The walks are the culmination of a two-year project to record the natural and cultural assets precious to the people who live in the Cheviots.

The first walk will be a three-mile trail with guide Peter McEwen, of Walk Northumbria, who will lead people over West Hill and St Gregory's and around the village of Kirknewton.

The walk starts at 11am at Kirknewton Village Hall and refreshments will be served from 10.30am onwards.

Shilbottle will meet Alnmouth in the final of the North Northumberland League's Bilclough Cup after both teams scored three times in this weekend's semi-finals.

Shilbottle beat Lowick United 3-0, with Mark Baston giving them a half-time lead after 44 minutes. Further goals then came from David Davison on 60 minutes and Adam Gattens with a minute to go, putting them into the final.

Meanwhile Alnmouth won 3-1 against visitors Bedlington Terriers Reserves. Alnmouth had the game wrapped up in the first half, James Swordy giving Alnmouth a 15th minute lead.

Populations of rare farmland birds such as the corn bunting, yellow wagtail, skylark and twite could take off again in Northumberland if a new project to benefit both their habitat and farmers' pockets is a success.

The Farmland Bird Initiative (FBI) has been put together to persuade farmers to create better environments for the birds and boost their earnings from agri-environment agreements at the same time.

Natural England, which provides funding for environmental stewardship schemes, has teamed up with organisations including the RSPB and Northumberland National Park Authority to put the spotlight on the fastest declining species of birds.

What is your favourite food from the county of Northumberland?

After getting votes for your top castle, building and natural landmark, this week we're asking for your favourite food.

The poll gives you the options of Cheviot lamb, Craster kippers, honey from Horncliffe, Cornhill potatoes, Coanwood chillies, Blagdon cheese, Lindisfarne oysters or ice cream from Doddington or Warkworth.

You can vote on the local poll below for the next two weeks. Results will be revealed on May 1.

A Northumberland charity shop is appealing for bric-a-brac and volunteers as part of a seven-day fundraising drive.

Wooler's new multi-coloured Christian Aid charity shop opens its doors for a week from Monday, May 11, at the start of Christian Aid Week.

Sue Burston, Christian Aid group organiser for the town, said that in the last 11 years the event has raised more than £40,000 for some of the world's poorest communities.