The vehicles are used at clubs throughout the country but problems arose at Prudhoe Golf Club because the local course is divided by a stretch of main road.

Inspectors from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) carried out an unplanned visit to the club, pointing out that no one using a public highway could fill up with the rebated fuel unless they work in food production.

Girls and coaches from Tynedale Gymnastics Club travelled to Mitry Mory in Paris to take part in the second International Gymnastics Tournament.

The gymnasts, aged seven to 15, worked on the asymmetric bars, the floor, beam and vault and competed against six clubs from the Paris region.

The club, which operates at Prudhoe WestWorld and Wentworth Leisure Centre in Hexham, caters for more than 400 boys and girls aged between 18 months and 18 years old.

Paul Armstrong from SCA Hygiene in Prudhoe and the Tynedale Gymnastics Club squad, pictured with head coach Gayle Crowell

The donation from SCA Hygiene Products in Prudhoe has helped the club to purchase new floor mats to create a 12mx12m area for the young gymnasts to train on.

However, County Hall bosses have reassured the sector that a funding package of £1.3m will still be available next year. Budget proposals recommend more money for charities directly supporting those people worst affected by the recession.

These will include services such as credit unions and the Citizens' Advice Bureau.

Kate Rogers, from Newton, near Corbridge, took on the coast to coast route after finding out her gymnastics club needed money for new equipment.

Her little legs lasted the distance and she did the 100 miles in two and a half days and two overnight stops at Gilsland and at home in Newton.

Action for Blind People's mobile Sight Loss service is packed with the latest aids, equipment and specialist advice.

It has been invited to Northumberland by the County Blind Association.

Musical Minis, which aims to introduce young children to music and percussion in a fun and relaxed environment, is for children aged from 6 months to four years.

The classes will take place in the Methodist Church Centre every Friday at 10am, starting on Friday 6th November. Phone Debbie on 0191 3887748 or contact debbie@musicalminis.co.uk for more details.

Volunteers are launching a new project where Northumbrians can buy shares in the community group.

As reported in Journal Extra in August, former members of Tynedale FM decided to set up their own multimedia group to attract film and TV crews.

So she set out to cater for growers who were older or less mobile but still wanted to garden.

For 25 years Joan, pictured, has been a member of Prudhoe Gardeners' Association in Northumberland, which for the last 75 years has managed 100 allotment plots on four sites for the town council.

Members of Tynedale FM want to expand the currently closed district radio station and are looking into many possibilities to promote the area, including an arts magazine.

They have even discussed cutting-edge technology to keep locals engaged with what is going on in their part of Northumberland, including getting the radio through the mobile and having podcasts for people to download.

The Prudhoe survey will be distributed to around 7,000 homes in the town, as well as given out to people in its Front Street during August and September.

A number of shops in the town are also making survey forms available, while it is online at www.prudhoesurvey.co.uk

Tynedale FM has a new month-long licence from telecoms watchdog Ofcom, and the station hopes it might lead to a permanent licence sometime in the future.

The radio station was given a month-long restricted service licence to test the water back in December, which went successfully and uncovered some talented presenters.

The Kwahadi Dancers will be performing at Prudhoe Community High School late next month, bringing their uniquely colourful pageant of song, dance and stories of the American Indian nation.

The youth performing group is from Texas and is officially part of the Boy Scouts of America.

The winners of this year's Queen's Award for Voluntary Service, which is equivalent to the MBE, include a youth project in Cramlington that supports disabled and special needs youngsters and a community allotment in Prudhoe helping people with learning difficulties to gain practical gardening experience.

Northumberland Scouts Uganda Link, which supports communities in Uganda while providing a life-changing experience for young people, and the Trustees of the Jubilee Institute, in Rothbury, also received the honour.

Northumberland Care Trust, in partnership with Age Concern, is looking for volunteers to become "senior health mentors" to other older people in their community.

Ann Kirkup, project co-ordinator for the health mentor scheme in Northumberland, with Jean Sanders in Newbiggin, who has volunteered as a senior peer mentor.

The volunteers will be trained to help, support and encourage those they are mentoring on the benefits of healthy eating and exercise, as well as offering social interaction.