A few years ago (OK, a bit more than that!), I was a veterinary student at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies in Edinburgh, which of course was, and still is, the best of the vet schools, writes Steve Carragher.

ACKLINGTON

The North East Ambulance service (NEAS) ‘failed’ in its care of a man suffering from a heart attack, an inquest heard.

Alnmouth Friary is hosting a garden open day on Sunday from 2pm. Proceeds will go towards the Friary.

MP Sir Alan Beith is urging communities in the area to apply for the new £6million First World War: then and now fund, which the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has launched.

An Amble man has been handed two dog control orders. Derwick Ramsey, 43, of Newburgh Street, was ordered to muzzle his Akitas, Maggie and Mavin, keep them on leads and they must wear collars bearing their name and owner’s details in a public place.

Justice ministers have delayed the outsourcing of HMP Northumberland because of an investigation into mismanagement in contracts with private security companies which provide electronic tagging.

The frequency of mechanical sweeping in Amble has been brought into question, amid concerns over the town’s tidiness.

A celebration event at a north Northumberland lifeboat station was marred after thieves struck, depriving the charity of hundreds of pounds of equipment and raffle prizes.

Disruption was the name of the game at the new county council’s first meeting yesterday afternoon as the Tories protested against what they saw as a move towards ‘a one-party state’.

The Aln Valley Railway’s Alnwick Lionheart site will be open from Saturday to Monday, with short rides and more.

Alnwick Lions Club is holidng its next car boot sale on Saturday at 9am in the Homebase car park, Alnwick, by permission of Northumberland Estates.

Visitors to north Northumberland were astounded to find a beach littered with rubbish after a party.

A mother who is battling cancer admitted her brave fight seemed a little easier to bear after seeing hundreds of people take part in a fund-raising run, which was her idea.

Taylor Wimpey has seen an increase in visitor levels and new home reservations across the North East, driven by improvements in customer confidence and helped by the Government’s Help to Buy scheme.

A fund that has provided millions of pounds to North East firms is urging others to apply before funds run out.

HWEnergy, Scotland’s first biomass heating specialist, has announced a new partnership agreement with Pennine Biomass Ltd, which will see the company expand its offering into the north of England.

Sharon and Kelly Osbourne and Pearl and Daisy Lowe front this year’s nationwide poster campaign for Fashion Targets Breast Cancer.

A fence was destroyed in Scott’s Park in Wooler between 7pm last Friday and 9am on Saturday.

Acklington: Mr and Mrs J Coombes, Brainshaugh House, retrospective - demolition and rebuild of existing cottages with additional extensions and detached double garage. Single-storey extension to north elevation to form porch and two-storey extension to east elevation forming new lounge, master bedroom and staircase.