Movie-going is enjoying a revival in part of Northumberland - despite the fact that the area hasn't had its own cinema for years.
Film fans in Wansbeck have faced a trek to North Tyneside or Newcastle since the last local cinema - The Wallaw in neighbouring Blyth - brought the final curtain down almost five years ago.
But recently a special DIY-style film project has seen the latest movie blockbusters and classic golden oldies showing on screens in church halls, community centres and miners' welfares across the district.
Few could argue teenager Melissa Bell hasn't had a model upbringing - literally.
The 19-year-old Northumberland lass has been hitting the world's catwalks and the pages of top fashion magazines for the past five years and admits she is now something of a veteran in the business.
Next week she will be taking to the catwalk in front of 3,000 fashion followers at The Clothes Show Live - and even after years of posing, admits she is still nervous.
People in Northumberland are getting good adult social care, according to a new national inspection.
The Commission for Social Care Inspection has given Northumberland's adult services department a two-star rating, and says it has "excellent capacity" for improvement.
Young mothers in Newbiggin have been learning how to tighten their belts and boost their family finances at money management workshops.
Parents have been offered tips including how to cope with the cost of Christmas at Action for Children's Financial Futures workshops at centres in Ashington and Newbiggin, Northumberland.
The workshops, run by Action for Children staff and volunteers from Barclays Bank, are part of a ã1.8m national partnership between the bank and the charity aimed at improving financial literacy and helping people to avoid debt.
The Northumberland Theatre Company will be bringing its latest production to Newbiggin as part of a big national tour.
Straw Headed Peter by award winning writer Mike Kenny is a re-telling of classic cautionary tales written Dr Heinrigh Hoffman more than 150 years ago. It features a talented cast including Stephanie Butler, Nigel Collins and Philip Oakland.
Christmas lights displays are about to be switched on in Wansbeck's three main communities.
Newbiggin-by-the-Sea's lights will go on as part of a carol service by local churches starting at 6pm on Sunday in the village centre piazza.
Bedlington's switch-on is on Monday evening outside the community centre in Front Street, while the Ashington display is illuminated at 4.30pm on Tuesday in a pedestrianised shopping area.
People in Northumberland are being urged to have their say on executive decision-making arrangements for the county's new super-council which takes over in April.
Consultations on the issue close on Friday so residents are being reminded to comment before it is too late.
Tennage football ambassador Nick Storey will never forget the children he met on a mission to South Africa.
The 17-year-old from Newbiggin jetted out to Cape Town as part of a team of four young leaders on a once-in-a-lifetime trip as part of the Football Association's Changing Lives programme in partnership with Coaching For Hope.
Nick, a midfielder with Ashington Football Club, had the job of coaching youngsters who played in their bare feet, some of them living on the streets in shanty towns.
People in Northumberland will be asked to take part in an X Factor-style public vote to decide how a ã60,000 fund should be spent on local community projects.
Wansbeck has been chosen as one of 12 areas across the country to pilot a Government scheme which aims to involve local residents more closely in how public money is spent on key priorities in their area.
Everyone in the district will be given the chance to nominate a community project to compete for a share of a ã60,000 pot being made available by the Department for Communities and Local Government.
Work by members of the Newbiggin-by-the-Sea Arts Forum is on display at the Woodhorn Museum and Archives Centre until January 4.
Forum members work in a wide variety of art media including ceramics, pop art, needlework, block printing, dance, singing, creative writing amongst others.
Newbiggin
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"Melissa, on your way to the top please do never forget the roots you have. Good luck and more succes..."
"As a responsble dog owner and a person who visits the area three times a year a ban would ruin my ho..."
"The beach is for all including dogs. They should be allowed, especially during winter months. The lo..."
"If dogs are going to be banned then so should horse riders, they should also carry POO BAGS, as hors..."
"better than the original choice at least..."
"we all need to exercise our dogs and it is hard lines on the ones who do pick up after their animals..."
"This sounds crazy!. I mean after a ã10 million revamp of Newbiggin Bay, the dogs ban on the beach..."
"Its a very welcome idea as I live next to this area. I would hope they could also incorporate a moun..."
"well done lads it gave me great pleasure to watch you all achieve your 84miles under 24hours were pr..."
"lets hope that for once money is used for the good of the community instead of some harebrain scheme..."