OWNERS of a North East vets group have taken on their old boss to help them focus on the future. Croft Vets based in Blyth, Ashington, Gosforth in Newcastle, Monkseaton, Walkerville in Newcastle, Cramlington and North Shields is continuing to expand.

By Dave Black PLANNING controls imposed on opencast mining in south east Northumberland were in tatters last night after a second site was approved in what was previously an official no-go area for the industry.

A HIGH school became a learning village today as part of a pounds 12m revamp of education in a North East town. Cramlington Community High School has been renamed Cramlington Learning Village and will cater for pupils aged 11 to 18.

By Dave Black A SCHOOL'S transformation to a multi-million pound, state-of-the- art education complex takes a major step forward today with the official opening of a pounds 12m 'learning village'.

MAKING the most of their last weekend, thousands of families ended the summer holidays at events across the North East. Visitors experienced all the fun of the first ever eco-friendly Green Gathering in Newcastle, which took place at Exhibition Park.