Plans for a housing development which would have doubled the size of a Northumberland hamlet have been rejected by a Government planning inspector.

A Northumberland man who removed three fridge freezers from a local pub then dumped them in a nearby village has been landed with a court bill topping £750.

Unemployed people living in Castle Morpeth are being encouraged to attend a jobs fair next week where dozens of healthcare posts will be up for grabs.

Parents in Castle Morpeth looking for Easter holiday entertainment for their children are being offered a range of sporting activities laid on by the Borough Council.

The ice rink brought to Morpeth’s Carlisle Park during the recent half term holiday was such a huge hit the organisers have vowed to bring it back.

A bacon butty proved costly for a Northumberland man after he was caught throwing the wrapper out of his car window.

Castle Morpeth Council Leader Peter Jackson today joined the board of the regional development agency.

A trial scheme offering free parking periods for borough residents in Morpeth town centre is set to be extended.

A survey launched today is asking businesses across Castle Morpeth for ideas on the kind of measures they believe would boost the borough’s economy.

A bid to transform local government in Northumberland gained more momentum at a House of Commons event which attracted several MPs, peers and even a Cabinet Minister.

An off-road wheelchair which will give people with disabilities access to Morpeth’s stunning riverside woodland has passed its first trial with flying colours.

A chance meeting with Castle Morpeth's Deputy Mayor at a social function proved extremely fruitful for workers at a local mental health charity.

Hundreds of Ponteland villagers packed a public meeting last night to debate ambitious plans for a £17m regeneration scheme.

Children from two Morpeth schools have been enjoying coaching sessions with their heroes from Newcastle Vipers.

Users of Morpeth's Riverside Leisure Centre are being informed of major disruption due to boiler and pipework replacement over the next month.

Students from two Castle Morpeth schools hope to teach the Borough Council a thing or two about communicating with their age group after the launch of a new project.

More than 100 Castle Morpeth householders took advantage of a free advice roadshow aimed at reducing the flood risk to borough homes.

People living and working in the Ponteland area are invited to a public meeting being held next week to discuss a £17m vision to transform the village centre.

Plans to secure the long-term future of a 13th century Morpeth landmark by transferring its management to a new development trust are to be discussed by councillors.

Hundreds of tenants in Castle Morpeth have only a few days to influence the outcome of a crucial vote which will decide whether £120m will be invested in their homes.

Anyone with an issue about crime or disorder in Castle Morpeth can meet the key people behind work to tackle the problem face to face this week.

Free felt making demonstrations are being held at Morpeth Chantry next week.

Parents looking for half term holiday entertainment for their children have a variety of events on offer from Castle Morpeth Borough Council next week.

Images of the faces and characters behind the traditional high street are being captured in a photographic exhibition being launched in Morpeth next week.

A Morpeth churchyard is to be partly closed to cars for two weeks to allow flood alleviation works.

Hundreds of walkers descended on Morpeth to take part in a festival showcasing the beautiful countryside surrounding the market town.

Two top tourism awards are being celebrated by council chiefs in Castle Morpeth.

Residents and businesses in Ponteland are being warned they face prosecution if they continue to flytip at a village recycling site.

A Lynemouth man who failed to disclose he had obtained employment and continued to receive benefits has been left with a bill of nearly £700.

A nightmare neighbour who sparked more than 120 complaints and forced one woman to move out has been warned he faces eviction from his home.

More than 2,300 people living in Castle Morpeth are being asked to decide on a proposal which will bring £32m of investment to their homes within five years.

A £17m redevelopment of Ponteland village centre has been recommended after a year-long study by independent regeneration consultants.

Firms intending to submit non-domestic planning applications to Castle Morpeth Borough Council are being advised of national policy changes coming into force next week.

The owners of one of Castle Morpeth's grandest homes are opening their estate for a charity tea this weekend to raise funds for a popular North-East hospice.

Sports and arts services for young people provided by Castle Morpeth Borough Council have been praised by Government inspectors.

Green-fingered residents living in Castle Morpeth have got just one week left to be in with a chance of prizes of up to £500 in the 2006 Borough Council garden competition.

A two week long national celebration of local nature reserves is being marked with a series of events this week in Castle Morpeth.

Two binmen had a lucky escape when their vehicle caught fire as they drove along between collections.

A summer programme of events for all ages is launched by Castle Morpeth Borough Council this weekend to coincide with the start of the school holidays.

People enjoying recreation in Morpeth's Carlisle Park will be able to keep trim with a new trail being unveiled tomorrow.

More than 150 budding Steve Harmisons took part in a cricket festival today aimed at boosting the numbers of children taking up the sport in Northumberland.

Wildlife chiefs are asking for the public's help as they battle against a suspected new pox outbreak which could prove potentially catastrophic for Morpeth's red squirrel population.

Green-fingered residents living in Castle Morpeth are being offered the chance to win prizes of up to £500 in the 2006 Borough Council Summer Best Garden Competition.

Members of the public can question health chiefs face to face over future plans for services in Morpeth in a public meeting organised by Castle Morpeth Borough Council.

The finances of Castle Morpeth Borough Council are in their healthiest state for more than 10 years, new figures show.

An ambitious list of targets aimed at improving the quality of life in Castle Morpeth is set out in a new vision document published by the Borough Council.

Businesses in Castle Morpeth are being offered a huge incentive to go green and recycle more of their trade waste: a 30pc cut in collection charges.

Lynemouth is a cleaner place today, after youngsters spent half their weekend collecting ten tonnes of rubbish from village streets.

Improvements in Castle Morpeth Borough Council's planning services have been praised by a Government Minister.

People employed in Morpeth are to be surveyed on their travel to work arrangements in a bid to identify new long stay parking opportunities which will free up space for visitors to a transformed town centre.

Developers are to be charged for advice from Castle Morpeth Council planning officers in a new move aimed at benefiting borough taxpayers.

Conservationists from across the globe have flown in to Castle Morpeth for a two week environmental blitz.

Nature lovers are invited to spend a day enjoying Morpeth's ancient woodlands next weekend.

A three day celebration of dance will bring music, colour and choreography from across the world to Morpeth this weekend.

A second conviction in two weeks has been secured by Castle Morpeth Borough Council against dog owners allowing their dogs to stray.

Allowing her dog to stray has cost a Morpeth woman £250.

The all-party coalition at Castle Morpeth Borough Council has a new leader.

Flytippers misusing a Council recycling station on a Morpeth estate have forced its removal.

Local author Harry Dobson will be signing copies of his latest book 'Men and Merit' at Morpeth's Chantry museum later this month.

Businesses across Castle Morpeth are invited to the latest meeting next week of a new forum set up to help them boost their trade.

Children from a Castle Morpeth school consigned their rubbish policy to the dustbin in a bid to do their bit for the environment.

An historic Morpeth alleyway has been spruced up with an unusual piece of wrought iron artwork.

Car drivers throwing rubbish out of their windows are the latest ‘victims’ of a crackdown on litterbugs by Castle Morpeth Borough Council.

A developer who ‘effectively built an extra storey’ on a house without planning permission has been ordered to remove it by a Government inspector.

Community organisations and talented individuals in Castle Morpeth in need of grant support are being invited to bid for cash in a new Borough Council scheme.

People living in Castle Morpeth could qualify for concessions on charges for additional Borough Council services such as pest control or extra large bins under a new scheme.

Castle Morpeth Borough Council's ruling all-party Executive Board is on tour again next week.

A pictorial history of Newcastle and its many fine buildings is the subject of a book signing event at Morpeth's Chantry Museum next month.

Parishioners will be able to mix Sunday worship with surfing the web after the launch of a free online centre in the base of a Northumberland village church's bell tower.

Eight young people from Castle Morpeth are being trained as volunteer sports coaches as part of a new programme centred on the borough's former coalfield area.

Children from a Morpeth school will tomorrow demonstrate their commitment to recycling as they put some old junk to musical use.

More than 12,000 people living in Castle Morpeth will be able to travel to destinations from Berwick to Newcastle for just 50p from April 1.

Householders in Castle Morpeth are set to receive a low Council Tax increase for the third year running.

Application forms are available for Castle Morpeth residents wanting to take advantage of free town centre car parking from April 1.

Willow weavers are needed to help with coastal erosion work in Morpeth over the next fortnight.

A scheme which has brought free computer access to more than 1,600 Castle Morpeth residents is being further extended with the launch of a sixth online centre this week.

A Castle Morpeth Council housing officer who doubles as a comedy writer has won a £10,000 prestigious national arts award.

Businesses in Castle Morpeth are being invited to attend a networking event next week hosted by a new organisation dedicated to serving their needs.

A churchyard clean-up has sparked a lifesaving new initiative in Castle Morpeth.

More than 2,000 householders in Widdrington and Lynemouth will receive a new service from this week with the launch of a household glass collection pilot.

Castle Morpeth householders need to be aware of changes to the Borough Council's refuse collection service this week.

A Steering Group of Castle Morpeth tenants and Councillors is recommending that Isos Housing Group help them set up a new, local, not-for-profit housing association for the area.

Two committed environmentalists from Northumberland have scooped a national award after talking passionately about their love for nature.

A new visitor guide showcasing the attractions Castle Morpeth offers tourists has been published by the Borough Council.

Youth workers, guiders and other organisations working with young people are invited to an arts activity training day being held in Morpeth this weekend.

A major investment in green and clean services by Castle Morpeth Borough Council has paid off after it was named the region's top recycling authority.

Building work on a retail, office and housing development in Morpeth has started, meaning the closure of the town’s smallest short stay car park.

More than 800 small businesses in Castle Morpeth could benefit from rates reduction. Under the Small Business Rate Relief scheme introduced by the Government, businesses with rateable values of under £15,000 could qualify for a reduction in their business rates.

Local organisations arranging events in Castle Morpeth over the next year are being invited to submit entries to next year's Culture Calendar.

Public views are invited on a draft strategy for the management of thousands of trees in Castle Morpeth.

Christmas tree recycling points will be available for all Castle Morpeth residents at Morpeth Riverside Leisure Centre car park, Cresswell Dunes car park and Ponteland Leisure Centre car park from Wednesday January 4 to Monday January 16.

A pioneering regeneration scheme which is opening up a six mile riverside corridor through Morpeth has been shortlisted for a prestigious national award.

A Castle Morpeth park ranger could be in for a lot more 'batty' assignments after securing a unusual licence.

Castle Morpeth residents and businesses are advised that the Borough Council's customer services centre will close at 3.30pm on Friday December 23, and reopen from 9am to 3pm on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday December 28/29/30, reopening normal hours 8am to 6pm on Tuesday January 3.

Stickers have been placed on domestic refuse and recycling bins across Castle Morpeth detailing the Christmas and New Year collection arrangements.

Members of a Castle Morpeth bowling club certainly saw democracy in action after a plea for help at their local council's annual borough debate.

A 25ft long metal collage inspired by local schoolchildren which depicts Morpeth’s historic buildings is being unveiled today in the town’s bus station.

A pioneering scheme which sparked a multi-million-pound private sector investment in a village on the former Northumberland coalfield has received a top award.

A three month trial of Saturday morning opening for Castle Morpeth Borough Council's customer service centre ends this weekend.

People living in Castle Morpeth could benefit from free car parking in Morpeth town centre under joint proposals by council chiefs and a traders' organisation.

A pumping station which should massively reduce the risk of flooding from Ponteland's Callerton Burn is being launched today.

Video interviews, online questions and a drop-in facility are all being used in a bid to make this year's Castle Morpeth Borough Debate the most interactive ever.

A survey of nearly 700 residents in Castle Morpeth has revealed a complete reversal of attitudes towards the way the Borough Council maintains parks and open spaces since the launch of a major environmental improvement scheme.

People with an interest in live planning applications in Castle Morpeth can now view them on the Borough Council's website.

Dozens of bars in Castle Morpeth will be open later this weekend as new licensing laws take effect.

A free concessionary travel scheme is to be introduced for journeys throughout Castle Morpeth.

A plush housing development on the site of Castle Morpeth Borough Council's former headquarters was given the go-ahead last night.

People living in Castle Morpeth are being reminded that the initial consultation period for a new discussion document which will help shape the future development of the borough runs out next week.

A popular Ponteland parish councillor is celebrating her second major honour in a year.

Business leaders in Castle Morpeth are being invited to a breakfast launch of a new organisation aimed at helping them boost their trade.

Schoolchildren on half term holiday this week are invited to drop in craft sessions at Morpeth's Chantry Museum.

Volunteers are needed for a world record attempt taking place in Morpeth over the next few weeks.

Young people will be at the centre of Morpeth’s celebrations to mark the bicentenary of Lord Collingwood’s triumph at the Battle of Trafalgar.

Parents looking for ideas to entertain their children during the half term school holiday are being offered two events next week organised by Castle Morpeth Borough Council.

A cheque for more than £14,000 was handed over last night by former Mayor of Castle Morpeth Coun Kay Morris to the Morpeth branch of the NSPCC.

A learning pack aimed at helping schools and youth organisations to make use of the free resource offered by Morpeth’s picturesque woodland corridor is being launched this week.

Castle Morpeth Borough Council's ruling all-party Executive Board is on tour this week.

More than 100 schoolchildren will be put through their paces as Morpeth’s 2nd Riverside Walking Festival launches tomorrow (Wed) with a schools orienteering challenge.

A 44-home development which will help regenerate a former Northumberland coalfield village has been backed by Castle Morpeth Borough Council.

John and Eileen Watters have their teenage granddaughter’s persistence to thank for them scooping the top prize in this year’s Castle Morpeth Borough Council Summer Best Garden Competition.

People living in and visiting Morpeth are being given the chance next week to help carve out a new tourism trail as part of a multi-million-pound regeneration scheme.

Volunteers are being sought for a coastal clean-up and litter survey exercise taking place this weekend along the Northumberland coastline.

Nearly 200 people have already signed up, but there are still dozens of places still left for the 2nd Morpeth Riverside Walking Festival next month.

Castle Morpeth Borough Council's customer service centre will be open on Saturday mornings from this weekend.

People living in Castle Morpeth interested in the decisions borough councillors are making on their behalf can watch proceedings live from this week.

An 800-year-old Northumberland market will be getting a new home next week in a relaunch aimed at breathing new life into the weekly event.

A new directory aimed at assisting both businesses and consumers in Castle Morpeth has been published by the Borough Council.

People living in the Ponteland area will avoid a 20-mile round trip yet still speak 'face to face' with Borough Council staff in Morpeth using a new video conferencing facility.

Every single Castle Morpeth Borough Council tenant is to be contacted to gauge their views on the proposed stock transfer to a housing association.

Hundreds of Castle Morpeth residents are being recruited by the Borough Council to act as its eyes and ears out on the doorstep.

Northumberland's newest cemetery is to have its electricity supplied by wind and solar power, saving local taxpayers thousands of pounds.

Fast food outlets in Morpeth are being asked to consider adding identification to all packaging in a bid to cut the problem of late night litter.

Parents in Castle Morpeth looking for free entertainment for their children during the school summer holidays can turn to a touring roadshow of arts and sport activities.

People from a former rural coalfield village in Castle Morpeth are invited to a public meeting tomorrow night to get feedback on future plans for its main community facility.

More than £300,000 in additional Council Tax was received from Castle Morpeth residents last year as the Borough Council recorded one of the highest increased collection rates in the country.

A summer season of free Saturday entertainment at Morpeth Market Place offering everything from 1920s trad jazz to 1980s Madness is launched this weekend.

People living in Castle Morpeth were provided the best Housing Benefit service in the country last year, figures just released show.

Nature lovers of all ages are invited to find out all about Morpeth's mammals this weekend in a woodland festival.

Residents of Castle Morpeth are being given the chance to have their say over the next six weeks on changes to the planning process.

The date has been set for a public inquiry into a major employment and housing scheme which could transform a derelict hospital site and create 250 jobs in a Castle Morpeth village.

An appeal against a decision to reject a 187-home development on the outskirts of Morpeth has been thrown out - for the second time.

Green-fingered residents living in Castle Morpeth are being offered the chance to win prizes of up to £500 in the 2005 Borough Council Summer Best Garden Competition.

Businesses in Castle Morpeth unsure about the requirements of the new Licensing Act are being offered help by the Borough Council in two advice sessions being held next week.

Dance is coming to Morpeth this weekend with a three day festival packed full of events to suit people of all ages.

An international volunteer green team have been left spooked by strange goings on at the ancient Northumberland castle they are staying in.

Council officials in Castle Morpeth have reacted with disbelief after a mystery thief sneaked into a local authority car park overnight - and stole an entire ticket machine.

Members of the public are invited to meet Castle Morpeth's Mayoress Mrs Ann Douglas for tea at the Town Hall, Morpeth, on Thursday June 23 from 3pm-5pm.

Flytippers and other litterbugs caught in the act will receive a £50 on the spot fine under a new crackdown being launched today by Castle Morpeth Borough Council.

Volunteer conservationists from across the globe have flown in to Castle Morpeth for a two week environmental blitz.

Council chiefs in Castle Morpeth are to write to English Partnerships to express major concern at claims a farm on the outskirts of Ponteland could be the site of a huge housing development.

Dozens of residents turned up for a public meeting to have their say on the future of their village and its main community facility.

A by-election has been called for the Ponteland East ward of Castle Morpeth following the retirement of long-serving former Liberal Democrat councillor Sheila Campbell MBE.

Motorists using one of Morpeth's main town centre car parks are being warned it will be closed for the majority of next week as a travelling fair arrives for its annual visit.

Parents looking to entertain their children during next week's half term holiday are being offered a couple of options by Castle Morpeth Borough Council.

People of all ages are being invited to watch or take part in a three day dance festival taking place in Morpeth next month.

Artists of all ages will chart the past, present and future of Morpeth's historic market place in an exhibition being launched next week in the town's Chantry museum.

A North-East Council last night took the unusual step of ushering in an all-party coalition to take charge of the authority. The move by Castle Morpeth Borough Council sees the Labour/Liberal Democrat/Green ruling coalition abolished, giving way to a new rainbow administration.

A public meeting is being held next week for local residents and Borough Council officials to thrash out the future of a key community building in a former coalfield village in Castle Morpeth.

People living in a Castle Morpeth village are being invited to a public meeting next week to thrash out the issues that matter to them with council and police chiefs.

Free advice is being offered to people suffering at the hands of noisy neighbours in a travelling roadshow visiting locations across Castle Morpeth next week.

The most important decision ever taken about Castle Morpeth’s 2,400 Council-owned homes has seen councillors vote in favour of their transfer to a registered social landlord.

Nature lovers are invited to a spring wildflower walk in Morpeth this weekend.

Rusty old railings are being replaced by the side of the main route into Morpeth in the latest revamp scheme for the town.

Dame Tanni Grey Thompson will test drive the latest in off-road wheelchairs when she officially launches a scheme which will open up the natural beauty and history of Morpeth’s castles, woods and water to everyone.

With the warm weather now (hopefully) arriving, residents and businesses in Castle Morpeth are being reminded of the services offered by the Borough Council's pest detective.

An ambitious three year plan to slash crime in Castle Morpeth has been launched by police and council chiefs.

New traders are being sought for the relaunch of Morpeth's 800-year-old weekly market at its new home on the town's market place this summer.

People living in Castle Morpeth are being promised a raft of improvements over the next year by the new all party coalition running their borough council.

A public meeting is being called for local residents and Borough Council officials to thrash out the future of a key community building in a former coalfield village in Castle Morpeth after a decision was taken to call last orders on its under-used bar.

Flytippers using a Council recycling station at a Morpeth supermarket to dump rubbish have forced the removal of nearly all its facilities.

Morpeth's monthly farmers' market welcomes its latest addition this Bank Holiday weekend - all the way from Kansas.

People living in Castle Morpeth are being invited to help shape the future of their own communities.

Regeneration chiefs in Morpeth are celebrating another accolade for the town’s revamped Market Place.

A major housing development which will transform a Morpeth estate was given the green light by Borough Council planning chiefs last night.

Councillors in Castle Morpeth are to lobby for access improvements to the borough’s streets after an impassioned plea from a wheelchair-bound local resident.

Work on an £80,000 extension to a popular Castle Morpeth youth centre which will create a new hall for sports and social activities was officially launched today.

Three historic alleyways in the centre of Morpeth have reopened after a £125,000 revamp.

Teams of golfers are invited to take up the remaining places left in the NSPCC Golf Day at Morpeth Golf Club taking place in May.

Figures just released show Castle Morpeth Borough Council’s Housing Benefit service remains the best performing in the country this year for the third quarter running.

Local electors in Castle Morpeth are being reminded to ensure they are entitled to vote in the county council elections in May.

Lack of use by tenants has led to a decision to close Castle Morpeth Borough Council's housing services in Hadston, Ponteland and Widdrington.

The planning unit at Castle Morpeth Borough Council has been rewarded with a £168,000 Government bonus for the quick turnaround of major planning applications.

People living on a Morpeth estate abusing a recycling station risk having it removed, council chiefs have warned.

A calendar of cultural and arts events taking place across Castle Morpeth over the next year has just been published by the Borough Council.

Leaders of all four main political parties at Castle Morpeth Borough Council have agreed to implement a new scheme of members' allowances in time for the launch of the new all-party coalition in May.

People visiting Morpeth are being warned of building works on the Town Hall starting next week.

Parents looking for entertainment for their children during the Easter school holidays can look to Morpeth’s Chantry Museum.

Sixty young players will compete at the home of Newcastle Eagles tomorrow night in the the final of Northumberland's Positive Futures Basketball League.

Householders in Castle Morpeth are reminded about changes to usual bin collection dates around Easter weekend.

The extent of the problem of littering by motorists using the A1 was starkly demonstrated last week when a blitz on a four mile stretch of the road saw more than three tonnes of rubbish collected.

Children at a Morpeth school will let their imagination - and their paint brushes - run wild tomorrow as part of an arts project looking at the past, present and future of the Northumberland market town.

One of Morpeth's prime town centre car parks has reopened after a refurbishment as part of a £630,000 programme of improvement works.

A Gosforth firm is joining forces with Castle Morpeth Borough Council and volunteers next week to plant the exact number of trees it has estimated its paper usage accounts for each year.

A Northumberland prison has joined forces with a local council and the Inside Out Trust in a pioneering initiative offering young offenders valuable gardening experience.

Community groups and other local organisations in Castle Morpeth are being invited to an event next week showcasing the funding opportunities open to them.

People interested in trying their hand at making mosaics are invited to a free workshop in Morpeth this weekend.

People driving into Morpeth are being advised about improvement works on two town centre all-day car parks next week.

Students at a Morpeth school have demonstrated their green credentials and filmmaking ability in a DVD highlighting a £2.6m scheme revamping a six mile river corridor.

One of the lowest Council Tax rises in the region has been set by Castle Morpeth Borough Council for the second year running.

Flytippers and other litterbugs in Castle Morpeth are being given a one month amnesty before strict new rules are introduced by the Borough Council.