A ceremony and military parade was held at St Cuthbert's church in Bedlington to mark the re-dedication of the First World War unit's colours, which have been displayed in the church for 90 years.

The Second Tyneside Scottish Battalion was one of four Scottish brigades raised up in the North East 1915. Many of the young men were from Bedlington and the surrounding area.

The church and charity will hold an open day at its Hartford Road hall on Saturday, July 4, from 10am to 2pm when more than 30 different organisations will be attending.

There will be demonstrations by the ambulance, fire and police, dentists and a beauty therapist, advice for children on healthy eating and free fresh fruit provided by Asda.

Sexual health advisers will be on hand to offer information and advice to teenagers as well as mums and dads. There will also be football and keep-fit for children.

Father David Taylor indecently assaulted three boys - all described as the sons of "devout" catholic families at Durham Crown Court yesterday.

And a Catholic church spokesman last night admitted the former youth chaplain for the Roman Catholic Hexham and Newcastle Diocese might have abused more youngsters.

Often regarded as the most popular saint of medieval times and one of the most important, March 20 sees people celebrate the anniversary of the death of the region's own patron saint.

Pilgrims make their way across the causeway to Holy Island on Good Friday, 2006

Born in 634 AD, Cuthbert was born in the Lammermuir Region where he grew to work as a young shepherd.

The four Catholic schools in Blyth and Bedlington want to switch from the county's traditional three-tier education system to create a new structure of two primary schools and one secondary.

The schools involved are St Andrew's RC First in Blyth, St Bede's RC First in Bedlington, St Wilfrid's RC Middle in Blyth and St Benet Biscop RC High in Bedlington.

A cheque for £2,110 was handed over by the church to the Morpeth Churches Action Group to help support its drop-in centre where people can use computers and telephones as well as getting a hot meal.

Officials at the Christian charity had to seek retrospective planning permission after the major extension to its base in Bedlington was built higher than it should have been, and a number of neighbours objected to the look of the enlarged building.

Now members of Wansbeck Council's regulatory committee have voted unanimously to approve the Sally Army's application - meaning no potentially costly changes will have to be made to the height or appearance of the building.

People living near the recently-extended building in Bedlington labelled the £465,000 refurbishment an industrial-style eyesore, while council officials admitted its roof had ended up higher than was allowed under planning permission.

St Bede's Church has started a church hall furniture fund and Co-operative Funeralcare is holding a month-long book sale.

They are asking for donations of books ahead of the sale in October. Books can be donated at The Co-operative Funeralcare branches in Front Street West, Bedlington; Waterloo Road, Blyth; Woodhorn Road, Ashington and Forum Way, Cramlington.

The expansion has provided a new pitched roof, three extra rooms for worship and community use, a reception area, two new kitchens, store rooms, a coffee bar and toilets with disabled access.

The Salvation Army has been in Bedlington since 1880 and the current building, parts of which date back to the 1970s, is on the site of a previous place of worship and theatre. An open day next Saturday, October 4, from 10am-1pm will show off the new facilities.