Graham Knox has hit out at the state of the town's bus station after he revealed that it is plagued by missing lights, chipped paint and litter, especially on a Sunday morning.

He said: "It is a right heap and it is really embarrassing for the town, especially considering we are the county town of Northumberland.

"If you look at it on a Sunday morning it is terrible, full of pizza and kebab boxes.

"It is a state and if anyone goes into Alnwick by bus that is the first thing they will see."

Graham has also compared Alnwick's deteriorating bus station with the refurbished and tidy stations in Morpeth and Newcastle.

He added: "If you look at the bus stations in Morpeth and Newcastle they have had all of the investment but Alnwick has been left behind."

Graham wants the area to be tidied up and would then like to open discussions with both the town and district council to see what can be done to update the bus station.

But the battle to beat the crisis has been made worse because of the confusion over whose responsibility it is to clean the site.

An Arriva spokesman said: "The actual property and facilities are Morrison's. We only arrange departure times."

But a Morrison's spokesman said: "We can confirm that we own the freehold title of the bus station, but this area has been leased to Arriva.

"They are therefore responsible for all maintenance and repairs under the terms of the lease."

If you have a tale to tell about any of the featured stories or pictures from 25 years ago, or maybe you can identify the people pictured, contact Helen Woods on 01665 602234 or write to Remember When..., Northumberland Gazette, 32 Bondgate Without, Alnwick, Northumberland NE66 1PN. If you want to order copies of any of the old photos in this weekly feature, log on to www.northumberlandtoday.co.uk and follow the PhotosToday link, ring 01665 602234 for prices or use the order form on Page 10.
FIVE Amble mothers became glamour models at the Amble Mothers' Club this week.

The volunteers changed from their ordinary clothes and put on dresses loaned to them by Mr. L Taylor of the Alnwick Jersey Shop to help illustrate a talk she gave on dress tastes.

What the 64-strong audience, including nine recruits, learnt was a need to have a good dress sense, make the most of your figure and have a good foundation garment and dress according to your purse.