Newbiggin -by-the-Sea's inshore lifeboat was called out by Humber Coastguard on Thursday afternoon after the two-man crew of the local fishing boat Three Sisters raised the alarm.

The boat had suffered engine failure about two mile east of the lifeboat station and needed help as it was drifting.

The crew of the CSMA 75th Anniversary reached the boat, where it became clear it would have to be towed back to shore.

After a slow journey, both vessels made it back to the boathouse.

Ian Lavery - president of the National Union of Mineworkers - emerged as the winner from a shortlist of four drawn up to choose the General Election candidate for the Wansbeck constituency.

Yesterday his selection to defend the seat held by retiring MP Denis Murphy was described as 'a backward step' by his Liberal Democrat election rival, Simon Reed.

Carly Wealleans, 18, is currently training five nights a week at the Newbiggin Amateur Boxing Club in Northumberland in her quest to make the team for the London games.

Now she has been given a £50 grant by county council chairman David Woodard to help with her demanding training schedule.

The 11th-hour package of concessions by County Hall leaders enabled the unitary authority to finally agree its 2010/11 budget plans, with just four days to spare.

The agreement averted the risk of the council failing to set a legal budget in the required timescale, and the threat of Government-appointed commissioners being sent in to do the job.

Northumbria Police issued a warning last week that nuisance bikers had better beware following concerns from local residents in Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, Northumberland.

Now neighbourhood officers have acted on the threat by carrying out an operation to put a stop to the problems.

WATBike was launched in February and is aimed at opening up Northumberland for cyclists. By linking up a minibus with a bicycle trailer, WATBike will provide easier and affordable access to the National Park and Northumberland's Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

Police are warning riders after they received reports of the bikes being driven illegally on dunes and the areas surrounding Newbiggin Golf Club.

Local officers are carrying out an operation to identify riders and if caught they face prosecution and having their bikes confiscated.

Nevin's Nibbles has become known for offering a huge variety of scone flavours - more than 110 at the last count.

Colin and Jackie Nevin with their scones and Guinness World Records adjudicators John Campbell, a GP of Ashington, and Peter Millican, a solicitor fom Morpeth

Now owners Jackie and Colin Nevin have taken part in a world record attempt to officially prove that they offer the widest range of flavours.

But as Pescod walked out of Newcastle Crown Court to get on with the rest of his life, the heartbroken mum of the 18-year-old cyclist he killed spoke of her disappointment that a judge missed this opportunity to set a legal precedent that could have made the region's roads safer.

Pescod, 23, of North View, Newbiggin, was yesterday handed a 16-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, after admitting causing the death of Michael Turner while driving uninsured.

Ex-soldier Robert Davidson, 32, and his team David McCulla, of Newbiggin, in Northumberland, and Craig Hamlington, of Chester-le-Street, County Durham, are about to walk the length of Hadrian's Wall in just 24-hours.

In a race against time, the three will be expected to complete the trek in cold conditions while battling with uneven terrain and lugging heavy packs up steep inclines to raise money for Help for Heroes.

Recently neighbourhood teams in the South East of Northumberland have had a number of reports about criminal damage, including to cars and windows as well as graffiti. In response, officers are urging the public to stay vigilant and contact them with any information about who is responsible.

The Great Northumberland Picnics aims to find the best locations for eating out and wants people who have enjoyed an alfresco sandwich to let them know where they best like to spread their picnic blanket, as well as the best places to go and things to eat in the county.

Northumberland Tourism will launch the event in the coming months.

For your chance to win a Picnic Hamper for four, tell us all about your most memorable picnic in Northumberland, click here.

Blyth Valley's Ronnie Campbell has strongly criticised the county council for using £80,000 of Government funding intended for unemployment blackspots to help organise the horse trials planned for Burgham near Felton this summer.

The event, which it is estimated could eventually attract 120,000 spectators from all over the country, is aimed at raising the profile of the county, boosting tourism and creating rural jobs.

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.