The Journal

Tynedale Holds Back ; No Legal Challenge Over Proposals for Super Council

A NORTHUMBERLAND council provoked anger last night after deciding not to launch a legal challenge against Government plans to create a super authority for the county. Councillors at Tynedale Council last night decided to play a waiting game before taking any action.

Shearer Is Set for His Return to St James's ; Charity Match Will Reunite Strikers

THEY once terrorised Premier League defences together at Newcastle and Alan Shearer and Les Ferdinand are set to be reunited as part of the Prince's Trust Challenge Trophy next month. Shearer and Ferdinand are ready to star in a charity football game in aid of the Prince's Trust at Newcastle's St James's Park on October 14, alongside a host of other sporting personalities and local celebrities.

Good News for Virtual Globe Travellers

THE growing taste for travelling the globe via desktop computer will come under the spotlight at North-East conference next week. Experts from rivals Google Earth and Virtual Earth will take part in the event at Newcastle University from September 11-14 to examine how this new technology will develop.

New Trust Schools in North Announced

SEVEN schools in the North-East will be in the first tranche of education trusts. Monkseaton High School in North Tyneside will work with partners including Microsoft and the Open University in the country's first trust school scheme, which aims to bring innovative education methods to the North-East.

North Today: Lifeboat Named

North Today: Child Surgeons

CHILDREN at Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary were given the chance to carry out their own operations thanks to Billy Blood Drop. The National Blood Service Mascot - a six feet high, three feet wide drop of blood - dropped round to ward 7 to present children with a vast number of the new Operation: Rapid Response games.

North Today: Protecting Land

A BID is being made to protect an area of land overlooking the Tweed estuary at Tweedmouth in Berwick from any future development. Residents are applying to Northumberland County Council to register land at Dock Road as a village or town green.

North Today: Family Tribute

North Today: Walking Lunch

Triple Award for Green Fingered Couple's Garden

THE council home of Jean and Victor Cox is a house for all seasons. Today the couple will pick up three awards in Chester-le-Street Council's gardens competition.

Council in Waiting Game On Legal Action ; Members Delay Challenge Over Shake-Up

A NORTHUMBERLAND council is playing a waiting game before it decides whether or not to challenge a local government overhaul. Councillors at Tynedale Council last night decided to hold back from launching a legal challenge to Government plans to introduce a unitary council system to the county.

Roads Becoming Safer for Bikers

NORTHUMBERLAND'S roads are becoming safer, new statistics have revealed. But the police are asking the region's motorcycle enthusiasts to help it stay that way. New figures obtained from Northumberland Police reveal that collisions involving bikes are down by 38% so far this year in the county, with serious and slight injury accidents falling by 7% and 13% respectively.

Famous Family's Archive Is Sold

More Villagers Denied Homes As Prices Soar ; Fastest Rise in Prices Here

RURAL communities face years of housing misery unless the Government steps in to solve a crisis in affordable homes, say campaigners. The average house price in Northumberland now exceeds pounds 130,000, more than eight times the average rural income.

Durham Comes Out On Top Again

DURHAM has followed up its recent accolade as one of the top 20 most desirable, but affordable, places to live by being voted Britain's best city in a magazine poll. Readers of Conde Nast travel magazine voted Durham tops, beating capitals London, Edinburgh and Cardiff.

North Today: Attacked in Street

North Today: Disaster Debate

North Today: Wildlife Worry

North Today: Ms Information

North Today: Children in Danger

MORE than 100 children aged 15 and under have been injured while working outside school over the past four years, it was revealed yesterday. Among the 103 hurt were a 15-year-old boy from Rochdale who lost his arm in a butcher's shop accident and a boy aged 14 who lost his hand in a mincing machine at a butcher's shop in Stafford.