Beleaguered council bosses in Northumberland have been left anxiously waiting for a key Government decision on whether they will have to find a further ã11m in "horrendous" budget cuts.
County council leaders expected to be told yesterday whether ministers will allow them to use a financial loophole to avoid having to make almost ã30m in savings this year.
But last night - as the authority revealed it has dropped plans to close a number of tourist information centres in Northumberland - there had still been no decision from the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG).
Northumberland Tourism is asking for your suggestions on what makes the perfect picnic.
The Great Northumberland Picnics project, to be launched in April through their Made in Northumberland scheme, is designed to act as the ultimate local resource on where to have a picnic and what to eat and drink when you get there.
The project is busy compiling suggestions with the help of people in the North East as to what makes their perfect picnic.
A council facing serious financial problems is considering providing mortgages for people struggling to get a home loan because of the credit crunch.
Cash-strapped Northumberland County Council - which is having to make budget cuts of up to ã50m over two years - is thinking of using its capital resources to help would-be home buyers who are being frustrated by the continued squeeze on lending.
A report is being prepared for the Liberal Democrat executive in March on the possibility of the authority giving mortgages "in certain circumstances" to applicants unable to secure a loan from commercial lenders.
Workers have completed a complex project to restore a Northumberland building that leans more than the Tower of Pisa.
People carrying out the ã4.7m restoration of the 240-year-old Dewar's Lane Granary at the heart of historic Berwick celebrated the completion of its restored roof.
Ian Douglas, Berwick Preservation Trust Granary Project Working Group Chairman (right) with Michael Ballantyne, Managing Director of the main contractor, M&J Ballantyne Ltd
The complex structural work has stabilised the six-storey building - retaining its characteristic 1.2m lean - and allowed new floors to be fitted throughout. The new roof, complete with dormer windows and pantiles, returns the building to its original form.
Berwick United beat Alnwick Town Reserves in the third round of the Northumberland FA Minor Cup this weekend.
The score was 3-0, with Berwick's strikes from Leigh Walker (2) and Mike Robinson. Pictured- Berwick United's goalkeeper takes charge of proceedings- photo by Steve Miller.
Meanwhile, in the North Northumberland League, a top-against-bottom clash in Division One saw no surprises as leaders Lowick United ran out comfortable winners against Berwick United Reserves.
Two goals apiece from Colin Young and Karl Chapman and single strikes by Andy Burgon, Anthony Murray and Jamie Punton made up the Lowick total.
A film about a North East family of fishing tackle makers is to have a homecoming this week.
The Lost World of Mr Hardy, which tells the 136-year history of Alnwick's renowned shop Hardys, will be shown in Alnwick today and Berwick on Friday..
The film is about the value of craftsmanship in a global economy preoccupied with quantity.
The homecoming screening is at Alnwick Playhouse today from 7.30pm and the showing at Berwick's Maltings Theatre on Friday at 7.30pm.
Berwick people are invited to attend a community forum to identify and address local problems and concerns.
The forum is designed to engage with communities and encouraging everyone who lives and works in Berwick to offer their ideas and solutions to local problems, and work together to address them.
The forum will hopefully make the problems known to local government.
A popular farmers' market will return next weekend for the first time after the festive season.
The Berwick Farmers' Market will be at the Maltings Theatre and Arts Centre, in Berwick upon Tweed, this Sunday. The market is on from 10am to 1.30pm.
A renewable energy giant has been accused of misleading councillors who will decide the fate of its proposed Northumberland wind farm.
E.ON Climate and Renewables UK has a planning application lodged with Northumberland County Council for eight 115-metre turbines at West Ancroft, near Berwick.
Last month, the council's planning and environment committee held a site visit ahead of determining the proposal where E.ON was asked to put down markers to indicate the location of the engines.
Elgin City 1, Berwick Rangers 5
Berwick Rangers closed the gap on joint leaders Livingston and East Stirling to two points as manager Jimmy Crease celebrated his side's Highland fling with a nap hand at Elgin.
Crease revealed the inclusion of Steve Radzynski who scored his first two goals for the club, had been "a last-minute decision".
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