Blyth Valley Labour MP Ronnie Campbell (pictured) branded the summer event 'a weekend out for toffs'.

He strongly criticised Northumberland County Council - which is in the midst of making budget cuts totalling £40m over two years - for earmarking £80,000 to stage the high-profile equestrian event.

Jackie and Colin Nevin - who run a bakery and cafe in Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, Northumberland - make more than 100 different kinds of sweet and savoury scones, many of them from recipes suggested by customers.

A progress report on the review reveals hundreds of people have made their views known on whether parking fees should be imposed across the whole county - rather than just in selected towns.

More than 560 people have signed three separate petitions calling for an equal policy across the board, with charges being made in all principal towns.

Previous issues of the Golden Guide have gone down so well with the over-50s that there was a waiting list for the latest 5,000-copy print run.

The free booklet, which is produced by community information specialists Clever Clogs Publishing in partnership with Age Concern Northumberland, the county council and care trust, has also been given a new design.

The Newbiggin-by-the-Sea inshore lifeboat was launched to pluck two anglers to safety after the incoming tide left them stranded 50 metres from shore on the town's old northern breakwater.

The incident came just a few weeks after a fisherman was killed at Newbiggin when a cliff collapsed below him.

Showtime 2010 will begin on February 24 for two nights, at Newbiggin Sports Centre, Northumberland and will include performances from Just Dance, a local dance group. For information contact Emma Walker on 07805 185973.

Last week's Sizzling of the Sausages event at the boathouse, organised by crew member Gary Oliver, included fundraising stalls run by the local Ladies' Lifeboat Guild.

We are running two presentations at 11.30am and 1.30pm, followed by the opportunity to discuss, with our experienced staff, the job vacancies and career prospects in further detail.

For further information on our Recruitment Fair and our other opportunities available or for an application pack call the HR & Training Team on 0845 140 00 88.

The white-beaked dolphin is a little studied species which occurs around the coast of the UK and is vulnerable to the effects of global warming.

It lives in the cold waters of the northern Atlantic and its available habitat is thought to be shrinking.

Around 30 pupils from Ashington met on the beach at Newbiggin-by-the-Sea after their designs for sub-sea ploughs were turned into the real deal by engineers.

Hirst Park Middle School pupils Harry Bainbridge and Jordan Dixon test out sub-sea ploughs at Newbiggin beach

The children, all aged between 12 and 13, at Hirst Park Middle School, in Ashington, raced the two mean machines along the sand at a special unveiling event.

Education officials at the county council have submitted a planning application to demolish Hirst High School in Ashington and build the new academy - sponsored by the Duke of Northumberland and the Church of England - on adjacent land.

The new building will cater for almost 2,000 junior, senior and special educational needs children, and form the centrepiece of the five-site Hirst Academy.

The Co-operative food store on Cleveland Street, Newbiggin-by-the Sea, Northumberland, will unveil its smart new look on Thursday.

The community store is being transformed with contemporary décor, new automatic doors and eco- refrigeration, plus a more shopper-friendly layout.

In addition, the store's selection of chilled beers and wines will be increased, while the Lottery and Paypoint services will be retained.

Manager Ethel Johnson said: "We provide a much-valued service for the local community and I am confident our shoppers will be delighted with our improved store."

Volunteers at the Newbiggin-by-the-Sea station in Northumberland will host the Sizzle Our Sausages event in aid of the lifesaving organisation's SOS Day appeal.

Local supporters are being urged to come down to the boathouse from 6pm and join in the fun at the barbecue, which is being organised by lifeboat crew member Gary Oliver.

The Newbiggin RNLI ladies' guild will be selling hot drinks, cakes and souveniers, and running a tombola.

The RNLI hopes to raise more than £500,000 on SOS Day, which sees a number of events held across the North East.

Local community forums are about to start a six-month programme of public engagement, including public meetings, to help draw up community plans, which will influence future decisions and changes.

Meetings will take place in the Choppington, Newbiggin-by-the-Sea and Ellington, Linton and Lynemouth areas.

For further information, contact Lynda Fakir, Locality Development Officer for South East Northumberland on 0845 600 6400, email Lynda.Fakir@northumberland.gov.uk or visit northumberland.gov.uk.

A taxi driver in a black Skoda Octavia picked up a man in St Johns Road, Bedlington Station at around 7.15am. He then drove him to Latimer Way just off Woodhorn Road in Newbiggin.

When he stopped the taxi the passenger threatened the taxi driver, stole an amount of cash and fled.