Standards watchdogs have ruled that no action should be taken against a senior Northumberland councillor who is alleged to have used a swear word during a public meeting.

A complaint was made against Conservative Colin Horncastle following a meeting of the county council's west area committee - which he chairs - in Haydon Bridge on July 7.

Several members of the public were present at the meeting and Coun Horncastle was alleged to have used foul language to Liberal Democrat county councillor Neil Bradbury, referring to his group or administration in a disparaging manner.

The build-up is taking place to two of the biggest events in the Allendale social calendar.

The Allendale Agricultural Show takes place on August 15, with competition for catle, pigs, sheep, and dogs. Visitors can also watch terrier racing, Cumberland wresting and tug of war, while children can enjoy rides and the action at Diggerland.

That is followed the next day by the Allendale Beer Festival, organised by the village's Lions Club.

Residents, businesses and organisations across Northumberland are being asked to have their say on a major review which will shape future car parking policy in the county.

County council bosses are undertaking the review in a bid to devise suitable management arrangements for all of the car parks that it owns or manages.

The exercise will also help county councillors decide whether to leave car parking free in Blyth Valley and Wansbeck, or introduce charges similar to those currently facing motorists in towns such as Berwick, Alnwick, Hexham and Morpeth.

British pubs are closing at a record rate of 39 a week.

But one hostelry in Allendale is bucking the trend and has seen business exceed expectations despite the recession.

It is 12 months since the beer began flowing again at The Crown at Catton - almost a decade after the last pint was pulled at the village's only pub.

Report from Doug Robson of Hexham FC for the Hexham website

Despite the monsoon conditions on Friday, the four team tournament went ahead - as
part of the celebrations for the Allendale Club in the opening of their new Clubhouse.

Group A - Prudhoe Reds, Corbridge, Haltwhistle
Group B - Prudhoe Blues, Corbridge, Allendale and Hexham

Hexham won the Group B and were drawn to play 2nd placed in Group A in the semi
final.

Corbridge played Allendale in the first semi final which went to extra time where Allendale scored to win 1 -0.

The Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is giving people the opportunity to voice their opinions on the proposals for £200m improvements to hospital services.

The NHS proposes a specialist emergency care hospital for people in Northumberland and North Tyneside, improvements to Wansbeck and North Tyneside general hospitals and rebuilding community hospitals in Berwick and Haltwhistle.

A number of public governors have been elected to the Northumbria Healthcare NHS Trust.

Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, which runs hospitals in Northumberland and North Tyneside, has held elections to its Governors' Body. The role of a Governor is to represent the views of local people and help build links between the Trust and the communities it serves.

Lesley Cadwgan, Sheila Lillie and Colin Basey have been elected in the Hexham constituency.

Check out the latest forecasts for Allendale (Hexham), Allenheads (Boltshope Park) and the North Pennines.

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Severe weather warnings for the North East » (Met Office)

A complaint has been lodged against a North councillor over claims he swore at a public meeting.

Colin Horncastle (on the left), Northumberland councillor for the South Tynedale ward and a member of the Conservative Independent group, is said to have sworn at a meeting of the council's West Area Committee, of which he is chairman, at Haydon Lodge, Haydon Bridge, on Tuesday.

He is alleged to have sworn at Liberal Democrat county councillor Neil Bradbury (pictured right), member for Prudhoe West, referring to his group or administration in a disparaging manner.

Residents across Northumberland will receive vital new transport links after council bosses reached a deal to fill in gaps in bus services.

Six new "dial-a-ride" services are being introduced this month, allowing people living in more remote areas to book places a day in advance for buses taking them to nearby market towns.

The services are being provided by Transport in North Northumberland (TINN) and Adapt North East for a six-month trial period.