A dental surgery has been nominated for a prestigious award.

Amble Dental Practice has been shortlisted in the Best Practice category in the national awards staged by Dentistry magazine.

Practice principal Duncan Thomas said: "I think being shortlisted is a reflection on the superb team that we have here. To be recognised is amazing.

"Our patients can be confident we are caring for them following the very latest guidelines."

The result of the awards will be announced on at a presentation on Friday.

Frustrated politicians are to renew demands for full dualling of the killer A1 through Northumberland - although the chances of major improvements in the next 10 years appear increasingly remote.

The long-running issue of upgrading the Morpeth to Berwick section of the road - described yesterday as an "absolute national scandal" by a senior councillor - has resurfaced following critical comments made last week by north Northumberland coroner Tony Brown.

Speaking after inquests into two accidents which claimed the lives of three drivers on single-lane stretches of the road, he said further preventable deaths were inevitable unless the 45-mile stretch was made continuous dual carriageway.

Widdrington blogger Helen Wilson reports on this year's lantern parade in Amble

On Sunday 22 November, Amble's Christmas lights switch-on was marked by the annual Lantern Parade.

Les Jannetta sent in this distant view of Coquet Island.

Send your photos for publication to northumberland@ncjmedia.co.uk

The stakes for the steaks will be high when a Northumberland restaurant lets customers eat for free on the flip of a coin.

Warkworth House Hotel has issued a winner-takes-all challenge to customers, letting them have their meals for free if they call heads or tails correctly.

The risky venture is limited to one night only and the restaurateurs are hoping it will promote their winter menu and get punters through the door.

Fresh fears were voiced yesterday over the perils facing motorists on the A1 in Northumberland following a head-on smash which claimed the lives of two drivers.

North Northumberland coroner Tony Brown said the A1 from Morpeth to Berwick was the "weakest link" in the road between London and Edinburgh because of its dangerous mixture of single and dual carriageway sections.

He predicted there will be more preventable deaths in the future unless the road is given a higher priority for upgrading and dualling.

Below is a sneak preview of how tourism bosses believe Northumberland's identity could be portrayed in the future.

It follows an announcement from Northumberland Tourism that it plans to "present a new face to the world" in 2010.

As part of a re-focussing of advertising and promotion the travel chiefs are aiming to lure more big-spending holidaymakers to the area.

A leaked report has laid bare the full extent of a £16m package of cuts being drawn up by council bosses in Northumberland.

Details of Northumberland County Council's draft budget for 2010/11 will go to the Liberal Democrat controlled authority's executive later this month, with the anticipated savings coming in at £15.772m.

The document proposes a series of cuts across all council departments, with areas worst affected set to include highways, adult care, youth services, libraries, leisure centres, public transport and refuse collection.

The contribution made by the region's natural environment to the North East economy came under the spotlight during a recent 'moor to shore' tour by Natural England and regional development agency One North East.

From left, Alan Welby, Alan Clarke of One North East, Rob Aubrook and David Hill

ONE chief executive, Alan Clarke, and director of strategy Alan Welby, found out about ecosystem services on the tour along the River Coquet from Harbottle to Amble in Northumberland.

Problems faced by businesses on a North East industrial estate are to be discussed at a meeting next week.

Companies on Amble's Coquet Enterprise Park have complained of difficulties when they have sought to expand. Amble Development Trust has now organised a meeting to allow businesses to talk to Northumberland County Council, which owns most of the park. It will take place at Amble's Fourways Centre on Tuesday at 6.30pm.