News from the Choppington area is now covered by a revamped Bedlington community website from The Journal.

Visit www.journallive.co.uk/bedlington to take a look at the improved pages, including a new layout, more useful local information, an events calendar, news from the wider county and an interactive map.

These pages are no longer being updated.

Six rival candidates for the Wansbeck seat at the General Election are set to face questions from the public at a special 'hustings' meeting next week.

The public meeting - which will be held in Ashington Leisure Centre on Tuesday, April 27, at 7pm - has been organised by the South East Northumberland Trades Council.

It aims to stimulate interest in the election and encourage as many people as possible to turn out and cast their votes on polling day, Thursday, May 6.

Attractions across Northumberland which usually stay hidden or restricted from public view are being urged to put themselves on display to visitors later this year.

The annual Heritage Open Days initiative - which will be held from Thursday September 9 to Sunday 12 - is England's biggest voluntary cultural event.

Supported by English Heritage, it offers a once a year chance for people to explore the nation's architecture and culture by allowing them free entry to buildings that are usually closed, have restricted access or charge for admission.

Ashington and District Male Voice Choir is preparing for its annual concert.

In a break from the traditional format, the choir is sharing the stage with the popular local ladies choir, Werca's Folk, who will bring their blend of traditional and modern music to the programme as well as joining the men for some pieces.

The men will sing arrangements produced for the choir by the musical director, Neil Morton.

People across Northumberland are being urged to help celebrate St George's Day by taking part in a nationwide community clean-up effort.

County council bosses and Keep Britain Tidy are calling on residents to turn out in force on Friday April 23 and give their local neighbourhood a spring clean.

The Big Tidy Up event aims to allow people to show pride in their country by getting involved in a St George's Day effort to rid communities of litter-strewn streets and unsightly dumping areas.

Fun for all the family is promised in South East Northumberland this Easter.

Blyth Valley Arts and Leisure's Make-a-Move Leisure Inclusion Team has put together a programme telling parents and children what's going on over the holidays.

The programme covers the whole of South East Northumberland, including leisure centres, parks and open spaces as well as activities organised by Sure Start, Silx Teen Bar, Sustrans, Northumberland Play team, Ground Works and Northumbria Police.

It is available through schools, leisure centres, council offices and on www.bval.co.uk (opens as pdf)

A new touring play that examines rural life in Northumberland is visiting Stakeford next week.

'A Village Life', commissioned by Northumberland Theatre Company, is described as a serious comedy set in the fictional village of Aldale , which is preparing for a Best Village contest.

The play was written by West Yorkshire-based playwright Mary Cooper, who visited the county while researching the play and spoke to locals about the issues that affected them, including high house prices, the loss of local services and venues, and disputes over the use of land.

The play is at Stakeford Methodist Church at 7.30pm on Monday 8th March. Visit www.northumberlandtheatre.co.uk/ for more details and for other venues.

Read David Whetstone's Culture interview with Mary Cooper »

Local people in Blyth Valley and Wansbeck will get the chance to ask questions of councillors and officers at a meeting of Northumberland County Council's south east area committee to be held at 6pm next Wednesday in the Lynemouth Resource Centre, Bridge Road.

Alternatively, they can forward questions to Mike Bird, Democratic Services, County Hall, Morpeth, NE61 2EF, or email mike.bird@northumberland.gov.uk and they will be raised at the meeting.

Age Concern Northumberland are holding a Recruitment Fair on Friday 12 February at The Round House, Lintonville Parkway, Ashington (oppostie Lidl's).

We are running two presentations at 11.30am and 1.30pm, followed by the opportunity to discuss, with our experienced staff, the job vacancies and career prospects in further detail.

For further information on our Recruitment Fair and our other opportunities available or for an application pack call the HR & Training Team on 0845 140 00 88.

People in the former Wansbeck area of Northumberland are being invited to have their say on how their communities can be developed or improved.

Local community forums are about to start a six-month programme of public engagement, including public meetings, to help draw up community plans, which will influence future decisions and changes.

Meetings will take place in the Choppington, Newbiggin-by-the-Sea and Ellington, Linton and Lynemouth areas.

For further information, contact Lynda Fakir, Locality Development Officer for South East Northumberland on 0845 600 6400, email Lynda.Fakir@northumberland.gov.uk or visit northumberland.gov.uk.