A mining company's bid to extend the working life of a massive opencast site in Northumberland will be unveiled to local people next week.

The Banks Group wants to extract an additional two million tonnes of coal from the 750-acre Shotton mine west of Cramlington - which was given the green light by the Government despite strong local opposition.

The latest plans, which would extend the life of the site by two years, will go on display at three public exhibitions.

Northumberland Trading Standards is urging people in the county to fight back against the fraudsters this February by taking part in a major campaign.

The Scamnesty 2010 campaign runs from February 1 to 26 and will involve people dropping mail scams they receive through their letterbox into designated Scamnesty boxes which will be placed across Northumberland.

Online scams can also be reported via the virtual Scamnesty bin at www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/scamnesty.

Senior police officers will be attending a public meeting in Ponteland next week to discuss local crime problems.

The meeting takes place at Ponteland Memorial Hall on February 2 at 7pm.

A meeting will be held tomorrow to discuss the future of a North East market which is under threat because of falling numbers.

Members of the Morpeth and Ponteland Markets Forum will debate whether to continue with the Ponteland farmers' market in the face of a decrease in the number of shoppers using it.

It is hoped that Ponteland Town Council representatives and market producers will attend to have their say.

Torch-bearing volunteers are needed to create a stunning line of light along the length of Hadrian's Wall.

Organisers are looking for 500 people to help create the lights, which will stretch from one side of Britain to the other.

Artist's impression of the beacons lighting up Hadrian's Wall

Each of the volunteer "illuminators" will be part of a small team responsible for lighting one of the 500 individual points along the wall.

A wedding fair takes place at a Northumberland hotel this weekend.

Close House Hotel at Heddon on the Wall is holding a wedding open day on Sunday from 11am until 4pm. Entry is free.

To find out more, e-mail events@closehouse.co.uk visit the website www.closehouse.co.uk or phone 01661 852255.

Archived railway footage is to be screened at a free event in Northumberland.

The films will be shown at St Mary's Church in Ponteland on January 9 at 3pm and 7.30pm.

Enthusiasts will be able to watch the information films Elizabethan Express from 1954, Holiday from 1957 and A Desperate Case from 1958.

Northumberland Scouts are holding a Victorian Christmas concert this weekend, with mulled wine and mince pies.

The event is at Richard Coates Middle School, Thornhill Road on Saturday 12th December at 7.30pm.

Tickets are £8 on the door, and proceeds will go to Northumberland Scouts Tall Ships 2010.

Northumberland Theatre Company (NTC) is to take The Last Snow Rider by Ann Coburn round village halls and small arts centres across the country this winter, beginning tonight.

The play will be at the Knott Memorial Hall in Heddon-on-the-Wall for a 3pm matinee performance on the 19th December and at Capheaton Village Hall on the 23rd and 24th at 7.00pm and 1.30pm respectively.

The cast includes NTC regulars Kim Evans and Gemma Clough and newcomers William Reay from Bellingham and Christopher Ranson.

Visit www.northumberlandtheatre.co.uk for a full list of performances and contact details for tickets.

Shoppers are being urged to turn out and support a monthly market in Northumberland whose future is under threat because of dwindling numbers.

A question mark has been raised over Ponteland farmers' market after only 150 people turned up in September, and just 170 last month.

Organisers have issued a "use it or lose it" message and are calling for as many shoppers as possible to come along to the next event, which will be held on Saturday in the Memorial Hall, Darras Road, all morning from 9am.

A spokesman said: "The market is struggling and needs as much support as possible.''

Goods on sale on Saturday will include potatoes from Black Callerton Farm, lamb and mutton from Cold Coates Farm, ham, pork and bacon from Moor House Farm, and Northumbrian cooked meats.