Levels of noise pollution caused by the region's biggest airport are today revealed for the first time.

Hundreds of people living near to Newcastle International are caused "significant annoyance" by aircraft flying in and out of the region on a daily basis.

But none of them are entitled to compensation or special insulation in their homes because the noise levels are not quite high enough for them to qualify.

Memories of Michael Jackson are stirred by two films - never publicly released - of the performer in concert. Darras Hall filmmaker Gavin Taylor gives David Whetstone a private viewing

Michael Jackson is gone - but in one corner of Northumberland he is not likely to be forgotten in a hurry.

Indeed, yesterday he came explosively to life - only on screen, sadly, but sparking vivid memories for Gavin Taylor who, in the 1990s, filmed two Jackson concerts for the family of the famously well-heeled Sultan of Brunei.

A Northumberland school has been rewarded for its dedication to saving the environment with a visit from a top TV star.

Pupils at Belsay First School celebrated the arrival of their new greenhouse with former Blue Peter presenter and Dancing on Ice star Zoe Salmon.

George Turnbull, Edward Walling, Lucy McGowan, Zoe Salmon , Siobahn Fairbairn, Jessie Elliot and Thomas Ludman in the garden.

Belsay won the eco-friendly greenhouse, complete with its unique solar powered heating system, as part of npower's Little Green Fingers campaign.

More than 2,000 female council workers in Northumberland are set for payouts after agreement was finally reached to settle a long-running, £50m equal pay claim.

Women county council employees such as cleaners, kitchen assistants and carers are in line for the compensation payments as a result of being underpaid for years in comparison to male colleagues who earned bonuses.

Northumberland County Council is the last local authority in the North East to settle its equal pay dispute with the GMB and Unison - and defended its case as far as an Employment Tribunal scheduled for earlier this month.

Drinkers partial to a drop of Mother's Ruin can now enjoy a truly local tipple.

Fledgling venture Northumbria Spirit has revived a centuries-old tradition of producing liquor in the Tyne Valley with the launch of a premium gin.

And, combined with Hexham-based Fentiman's tonic water, it makes for a local G&T.

A journalist turned Emmy award-winning film maker is trying to track down his Kirkley Hall classmates from more than 50 years ago for a reunion.

Former Journal writer David Taylor, 69, wants to contact the other members of his general agriculture course who studied at the Northumberland College campus in 1957-8.

The general agriculture class of 1957 outside Kirkley Hall. David Taylor is pictured in the back row, seventh from left

Mr Taylor, who worked for a string of publications including Farming Express before moving into TV where he produced Farming Outlook, is organising the reunion at Kirkley next month.

Hundreds of elderly and disabled people who use seven council-run day centres in Northumberland face a three-month wait to find out whether they can be saved from closure.

A series of public meetings on the future of the threatened centres in Amble, Bedlington, Blyth, Hexham, Haltwhistle, Ponteland and Prudhoe - which are used by 370 people a week - has now been completed, and final decisions will be taken in September.

Further private meetings will be held with individual centre users and their families, and feedback from the public consultation analysed, before reports setting out the various options are presented to county councillors.

Archers readied their bows for a medieval shoot-out in the grounds of Belsay Hall this weekend.

Bowmen, women and children from the region's archery clubs converged on the Northumberland estate for the annual Belsay Longbow Competition, hosted by Ponteland archers.

Held over two days the weekend saw Killingworth Archers' Ann Todd secure an unusual double by claiming top spot in the womens' competition on both days, with Catriona Cherry, of Ponteland Archers second on both days.

Tom Vickers and Ian Pearson were the power behind the Alnmouth throne in the SG Wealth Management Northumberland League, as they led the champions to a tight 21-run win over visitors Blagdon Park.

Vickers cracked a superb 83, and with Pearson also passing the half-century mark, the opening stand set the tone for the home side's impressive score of 224.

But Russell Hughes was not to be outdone as he started Park's run chase in the best of fashions with an opening 79.

Fears were voiced last night over the potential impact on the health of elderly and vulnerable people if care chiefs press ahead with controversial plans to close seven day centres in Northumberland.

Relatives of elderly dementia suffers who use the council-run Lyndon Walk day centre in Blyth said they are worried that their conditions will get even worse if they have to uproot themselves and move elsewhere.

Two women told a public meeting in the town that their mothers don't cope well with change, and questioned whether adequate alternative provision will be available if the centre closes.