A rescue scheme to save community buildings has been praised by a top minister.

Northumberland's Amble Development Trust has been given a pat on the back by Communities Secretary Hazel Blears.

The project is one of only eight in the country to be held up as an example of how to recycle buildings during the economic downturn.

The on-going battle between leaders Amble United and rivals South Shields United for the Northern Alliance Division Two championship has tipped in Amble's favour.

They collected maximum points from their two games, and kicked off by beating visitors Stobswood Welfare 2-0 with first-half goals for Ronnie Warwick and Sean Kelly.

Another victory followed, a repeat of their 2-0 scoreline against visitors Wallsend Boys' Club (pictured- with Amble United in blue).

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.

A driver was cut free from his van and another injured after a crash in Northumberland.

The accident happened on the A1068 near Warkworth just before 8am yesterday.

Fire crews were called to the scene where they used specialist equipment to cut the roof of the man's Vauxhall Astra commercial van. The woman driver of a Ford Ka suffered chest injuries and both were taken to Wansbeck General Hospital.

East Chevington lifted the ACS Dobfar Cup following a 2-1 win over Morpeth Waterford Lodge.

As with last week's final, a late goal decided the game, and the winners came from a goal down to win. Lenny Lansbury put the Waterford in front on the half-hour mark with a smart finish, and his side held the lead until three minutes into the second half, when
Chevington leveled with a calmly dispatched penalty from Sean Palmer.

Both sides had chances to take the lead during the second half, but both goalkeepers made important saves to keep the scores level. The game was heading for extra time when Sean Palmer netted again with another well-taken goal to settle it.

As coastguards responded to eight separate incidents in the region yesterday, resources also had to be tasked to locate a vessel which had left its radio transmitting, blocking Channel 16 - the international distress frequency monitored by the Coastguard.

Lifeboats from Hartlepool and Redcar and Flamborough Head, Robin Hood's Bay and Amble RNLI had to deal with incidents ranging from vessels in danger of sinking to helping move and find casualties throughout yesterday.

In the SG Wealth Management Northumberland League, Warkworth were victors as they overcame visitors Blagdon Park by 60 runs after setting a useful looking 216-7 first up.

Runs were generally shared around the home batsmen, Michael Sewell heading the scoring charts with 47.

And it was a case of a great all-round team show as four bowlers got in on the wicket-taking act, with Adam Hall leading the way with 3-49 as the Park closed on 156-8.

People in Northumberland suffering from the effects of the economic recession are being urged to seek help and advice from Northumberland Warm Zone's benefits officer Lisa Oxley.

Lisa, who has helped hundreds of local residents claim the state benefits they are entitled to, can be contacted on (01670) 256624.

Worried families in Rothbury hit by severe flooding last year are being promised they have not been forgotten - and that plans to improve flood defences are in the pipeline.

The Environment Agency revealed yesterday that it is investigating how best to upgrade flood defences for Rothbury and other at-risk communities on the River Coquet.

More than 60 homes in Rothbury were flooded last September when the river burst its banks and over-topped existing defences, and flooding also affected the villages of Weldon, Felton and Warkworth.

A web-savy Northumberland granny has been helping to put her village on the map.

Warkworth pensioner Joan Robinson went back to school to learn all the technology skills needed to set up and run a successful website about her village, despite the fact that she didn't even know how to switch a computer on up until a few years ago.

The 73-year-old mother-of-two learned her PC skills at Northumberland College's outreach service at Amble and has seen what started as a classroom project grow from strength to strength.