Tesco's bid to demolish and redevelop its existing supermarket in Bedlington is part of what has been described as the biggest single investment in the town's history.

The multi-million pound project - which also includes 21 new shops and offices - comes on top of a £2m Townscape Heritage improvement scheme currently being carried out in the 18th century market place.

Kim Gladwin from Bedlington has been interested in cooking and food craft for more than 30 years and recently left her family-run entertainments agency business so that her son could carry on in her place.

This move prompted her to pursue her dream of making and selling her cakes on a full-time basis.

Neighbourhood Insp Ross Davidson said: "It appears that the thieves know about pigeons, they've specifically selected show pigeons." Anyone with any information should call 0345 604 3043 ext 69191.

The raid took place at around 2.30am last Tuesday when up to three thieves used the cover of darkness to strike at a Grade II-listed Northumberland church.

The thieves stripped away about 25m of lead flashing, a large sheet of lead and other smaller pieces of metal from the roof of St Cuthbert's Church in Bedlington .

The raid took place at around 2.30am last Tuesday when up to three thieves used the cover of darkness to strike at a Grade II-listed Northumberland church.

The thieves stripped away about 25m of lead flashing, a large sheet of lead and other smaller pieces of metal from the roof of St Cuthbert's Church in Bedlington .

Gary Cochrane, 44, from Bedlington previously worked as a service manager in the IT sector before redundancy saw him change careers which led to a position working on the factory floor at a large Northumberland plant.

Having previously spent the majority of his career in customer service, Gary harboured a desire to start his own business but time and circumstances prevented him from achieving his ambitions.

Northumberland County Council's cabinet will meet this afternoon. Members are being recommended to approve proposals for an academy to be set up in Bedlington.

If approved, there will also be changes to other schools in the Bedlington Partnership.

Grade II-listed St Cuthbert's Church in Bedlington has been left with a repair bill of more than £3,500 following the raid in the early hours of the morning. Three men are believed to have been involved.

The thieves got on top of the church via a single-storey flat roof and stripped away about 25m of lead flashing, a large sheet of lead and other smaller pieces of the metal.

The incident happened at around 2.30am on Tuesday when thieves got onto the roof of the St Cuthbert's Church in Church Lane, Bedlington.

Witnesses reported seeing three men loading bags into a small silver hatchback car around the time. One was believed to be wearing a high-visibility jacket. Anyone with information should contact police on 03456 043043 ext 69191.

According to the council, the DCSF has indicated an application for an academy in Bedlington would be looked at favourably by the Secretary of State. Officers are seeking support for the application from the council's executive, which will meet on Monday.

Trevor Doughty, executive director of people group at the council, said: "This proposal fully supports the council's objective of narrowing the achievement gap between our least well-off students and their peers."

Ian Lavery - president of the National Union of Mineworkers - emerged as the winner from a shortlist of four drawn up to choose the General Election candidate for the Wansbeck constituency.

Yesterday his selection to defend the seat held by retiring MP Denis Murphy was described as 'a backward step' by his Liberal Democrat election rival, Simon Reed.

The 11th-hour package of concessions by County Hall leaders enabled the unitary authority to finally agree its 2010/11 budget plans, with just four days to spare.

The agreement averted the risk of the council failing to set a legal budget in the required timescale, and the threat of Government-appointed commissioners being sent in to do the job.

He went to Wansbeck General Hospital in severe pain and ended up being released. He later died after suffering a heart attack at his home in Bedlington.

His parents have launched legal proceedings over Charlie's post-operative care.

Anyone with information about the off road-style bike, an orange coloured KTM 250, is asked to contact police on 03456 043043 ext 69191, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Police are now appealing for information following the daytime crime, in which thieves also took cash, a digital camera, bracelets, rings, necklaces and a jewellery box.

Bedlington neighbourhood inspector Ross Davidson said: "This burglary has happened in broad daylight on a Sunday lunchtime. There would have been people around and I'd appeal for anyone who saw anyone behaving suspiciously in the area to contact police with information.