Thousands of people who put their names to petitions opposing the potential closure of day care centres in Northumberland have been sent official council letters - questioning whether they had the right information when they signed.

The letters - signed by a senior member of the Liberal Democrat administration at County Hall - have gone out to almost 2,500 people who signed petitions calling for the seven county council-run centres for the elderly and disabled to remain open.

Yesterday they were branded insulting, unnecessary and a waste of taxpayers' money by some of those who have received them.

Standards watchdogs have ruled that no action should be taken against a senior Northumberland councillor who is alleged to have used a swear word during a public meeting.

A complaint was made against Conservative Colin Horncastle following a meeting of the county council's west area committee - which he chairs - in Haydon Bridge on July 7.

Several members of the public were present at the meeting and Coun Horncastle was alleged to have used foul language to Liberal Democrat county councillor Neil Bradbury, referring to his group or administration in a disparaging manner.

Moving to a more senior school is a rite of passage for all children.

But it's a defining moment nine-year-old Megan Armstrong's parents thought she'd never see.

Megan, who is battling a brain tumour, is to set to start at Highfield Middle School in Prudhoe in September.

When she started at her previous school, Mickley First School, her parents Philip and Sandra, both 41, were not sure how much more time they would have with her.

Megan's mum Sandra, of Prudhoe, said: "It's such a big step for Megan, going to middle school - it's a real milestone that we never thought we'd reach.

Prudhoe's Daniel Shevill continued his run of good form with a storming finish at Alnmouth Golf Club in the Fenwick Smith Trophy.

In the first round, the 20-year-old shot a steady 74 which left him in 13th place. The score should have been two shots better had Shevill not incurred a two-shot penalty for a rule infringement in a bunker.

Unfazed by that, in the second round he tore the course apart with an eight-under-par 63 to shatter the course record held by Ashington's European Tour player Ken Ferrie.

Residents, businesses and organisations across Northumberland are being asked to have their say on a major review which will shape future car parking policy in the county.

County council bosses are undertaking the review in a bid to devise suitable management arrangements for all of the car parks that it owns or manages.

The exercise will also help county councillors decide whether to leave car parking free in Blyth Valley and Wansbeck, or introduce charges similar to those currently facing motorists in towns such as Berwick, Alnwick, Hexham and Morpeth.

Police in Northumberland have released CCTV images of someone they want to trace in connection with a theft from a cash machine.

The woman used a card that had been accidentally left in the machine on Front Street, Prudhoe, on March 31, withdrawing £100 before making off.

Anyone who recognises her should ring police on 0345 604-3043, ext 69191.

Dan Shevill's decision not to defend his Prudhoe Club Championship title to play in the Camerons Open at Ponteland proved the right one.

In a nail-biting finish, 20-year-old Shevill shot a 71 and a course record- equalling five-under-par 67 to win on a countback from City of Newcastle's Simon Lee, who shot 70 and 68.

The pair finished five shots clear of four players including Brancepeth's Michael Curry and Northumberland County Championship finalist Darren Smith (Arcot Hall).

A Labour MP has accused council bosses of using the excuse of following Government policy in planning to close seven Northumberland day care centres for elderly and vulnerable people.

The Liberal Democrat-led county council is consulting on plans to give elderly people personal budgets to spend on social activities - which could lead to the closure of the traditional council-run day centres in Amble, Bedlington, Blyth, Haltwhistle, Hexham, Prudhoe and Ponteland.

Prudhoe have long had a sign on the way up into their clubhouse announcing it as "The Home of Champions".

Now they will chalk up what is thought to be a first at De Vere Slaley Hall on September 6, when they will be represented by three players in The Journal Champion of Champions, first contested 41 years ago.

Golfers Dan Shevill, Tom Rowland and James Curry of Prudhoe Golf Club

Although it is not unprecedented for one club to field three golfers, nobody can remember an instance in which all three have won their way through, rather than one of them getting in as a host club's wild card.

The name of a man whose body was found on Ovingham Bridge last week has been released.

Ian Ronald Wills, 45, of Edgewell Grange, Prudhoe, was reported missing and police launched a search at around 4.50am last Thursday.

An hour later Mr Wills' body was found at the bridge, and officers confirmed there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death.