Bosses at Northumberland's new super council have been accused of failing to comply with an independent regulator's guidance by providing an 0845 number for people who need to contact the authority.

Bob Watson is unhappy that Northumberland County Council's new number is premium rate

Members of the public who telephone the all-purpose council - which came into being on April 1 following the switch to unitary local government - now have to use a single number, 0845 600 6400, to speak to call handlers.

People with any concerns or problems following recent changes in home to school transport arrangements in the west of Northumberland are being urged to seek help and advice from the county council.

Parents or schools with worries should contact the transport unit on (01670) 533644 or 533673.

The Allendale Eight takes place on Saturday, May 30 with a 2pm start.

The race, on scenic public country roads, is preceded by a one-mile junior fun run which can be entered on the day.

Entries for the main race, which close on May 23, go to: Brendon Jackson, 3 Shield Street, Allendale, Hexham NE47 9BP.

Tough planning controls, limited economic options and poor quality broadband coverage have been highlighted as some of the key problems facing upland areas of the North in a major study.

They are among a number of challenges which need to be tackled if the region's high hills, fells and moorlands are to prosper in the future, according to evidence gathered by the Commission for Rural Communities (CRC).

Populations of rare farmland birds such as the corn bunting, yellow wagtail, skylark and twite could take off again in Northumberland if a new project to benefit both their habitat and farmers' pockets is a success.

The Farmland Bird Initiative (FBI) has been put together to persuade farmers to create better environments for the birds and boost their earnings from agri-environment agreements at the same time.

Natural England, which provides funding for environmental stewardship schemes, has teamed up with organisations including the RSPB and Northumberland National Park Authority to put the spotlight on the fastest declining species of birds.

What is your favourite food from the county of Northumberland?

After getting votes for your top castle, building and natural landmark, this week we're asking for your favourite food.

The poll gives you the options of Cheviot lamb, Craster kippers, honey from Horncliffe, Cornhill potatoes, Coanwood chillies, Blagdon cheese, Lindisfarne oysters or ice cream from Doddington or Warkworth.

You can vote on the local poll below for the next two weeks. Results will be revealed on May 1.

One of the Haltwhistle Festival walks is based on an 11-mile stretch of a 36-mile trail created to commemorate wandering tea seller Isaac Holden.

Isaac's 19th Century beat took in a wide rural area around Allendale and the North Pennines.

As well as selling his tea, Isaac wrote and sold tracts and poems, and 658 engraved portraits of himself. He used the proceeds to finance a series of projects to benefit the local communities he knew.

Northumberland's new super council has come in for early criticism for its alleged lack of transparency - after deciding to hold the first meetings of its three area committees in private.

The committees - one covering the north of the county, one the west and the other the south east - offer local people a regular opportunity to question councillors and officials, and get involved in local democracy.

However the first meeting of each of them is being held behind closed doors with the public not allowed in.

A care programme which aims to help vulnerable people in Northumberland cope with housing problems has been branded a poor service for the second time in two years by national watchdogs.

The county council gets £7m a year in Government funding to run the Supporting People scheme, but today the service has received a zero-star rating - out of a maximum of three stars - by the Audit Commission.

Marathon runner Sam Finn is always up for a challenge. But her mother has set perhaps the toughest one of her life - proposing to a total stranger.

The 30-year-old action girl will run her first London Marathon later this month.

And in a bid to drum up support she has encouraged her family and friends to set her a string of charity challenges.