Three-tier education could be retained in parts of Northumberland - three years after a huge petition to keep it.

A major review of education plans in the county could now ditch the controversial intention to scrap all 44 middle schools.

The original plan to convert the entire county to a system of primary and secondary education is likely to be scrapped as part of a revised Putting The Learner First (PLF) strategy.

In Division One of the Morpeth Sunday League, the top two both won at home to keep their title hopes up.

Current leaders Traveller's Rest, Choppington saw Steven Young grab a brace in their 2-0 win over Stobhill Social Club.

Lynemouth, three points behind with a game in hand, scored six without reply as they hosted Alnmouth Argyle. Andrew Spratt scored four, along with goals from Pascal Butters and Iain Nickalls.

Campaigners battling to restore passenger services on a rail line are hoping for progress following a Government-promised boost for transport spending.

Chancellor Alistair Darling announced £3bn investment in infrastructure projects in his Pre-Budget report, which will include funding for transport, housing, education and other construction schemes.

Now campaigners for the reopening of the Ashington Blyth and Tyne freight line to passenger trains are hoping the long-awaited project will benefit from a recession-busting spending spree.

Community groups in Wansbeck are being offered a chance to cement their place in the district's arts and crafts network.

In the first few weeks of 2009, Voluntary Arts England will be delivering a series of training events across the district aimed at groups involved in activities such as art classes, embroidery, music, drama, photography or mat making.

Almost 50 bids have been made as part of a pioneering project in Northumberland which will allow local people to decide how a £60,000 fund should be spent on community initiatives.

Wansbeck is one of only 12 districts across the country chosen by the Government to pilot the initiative, which could help a local neighbourhood, group, school or organisation turn its dream into reality.

A new partnership launched to drive forward economic regeneration work in some of Northumberland's most deprived areas has been welcomed by a local Labour MP.

The South East Northumberland Area Partnership - which will cover Blyth Valley, Wansbeck and part of Castle Morpeth - will have a key role to play following local government reorganisation in April.

Budget proposals - including proposed efficiency savings and likely Council Tax levels - for Northumberland's new unitary council will be discussed at a series of area committee meetings in January, which are open to the public.

The Blyth Valley meeting will be held in the Buffalo Community Centre, Blyth, at 7pm on January 14, the Wansbeck meeting at a venue yet to be confirmed at 10.30am on the same day, the Alnwick meeting in Rennington Village Hall at 10.30am on the 15th, the Berwick meeting in the Tweed Street CAB conference room at 10.30am on the 16th, the Castle Morpeth meeting in Stannington Village Hall at 2pm on the 21st and the Tynedale meeting in Hexham's Beaumont Hotel at 6pm on the 20th.

A fire chief has strongly denied claims that 999 cover is being over-stretched in Northumberland - although he admits that the service is currently operating with 19 firefighters short.

County chief fire officer, Brian Hesler, has slammed what he described as "scaremongering" over fire and rescue cover and an alleged shortage of front-line firefighters.

Champions Lynemouth moved to within three points of leaders Traveller's Rest, Choppington with a 2-0 win over Linton and Woodhorn SC in Division One.

Goals from Andrew Johnson and David Brown secured the three points to close the gap on the leaders, and Lynemouth have a game in hand.

Pegswood Ex-Services lifted themselves into third position with a 2-1 win at Red Row Brick Club. Stuart Marshall netted for the Brick Club, but goals from Stephen Dolan and Lee McAndrew clinched the win for the visitors.

School pupils in Northumberland are set to benefit from an award of £19,232 from a fund that helps young people create media projects and get their voices heard.

The money, from Mediabox's ninth round of funding, is being used to enable young people from Cleaswell Hill school in Choppington to use various media to explore the subject of healthy living.

Additional funding of £5,000, from the Communities for Health Fund, will be used to create a website to showcase the work produced.