North Tyneside Council today announces a timetable for action on the regeneration of the Spanish City area of Whitley Bay. A masterplan for the £60 million redevelopment of the area is due to go out to public engagement early in the New Year. New works have already been carried out and the latest phase -demolishing Duncan's amusements at Spanish City - will also take place early in January along with work to re-align roads around the site.

How the Sea Came to Be
16 November - 31 December 10.30am & 1.30pm Discovery Museum, Newcastle upon Tyne Tickets: £7.75/£5.75 Discount for parties of over 10 Box Office: 0871 7000 125. Northern Stage theatre company has joined forces with Discovery Museum to transform the Great Hall into a theatrical wonderland. A world of magic, music and colour will delight under sixes and families.

People getting out and about can now get on the right path with the help of a new map. The rights of way map on the Northumberland County Council website gives full details of more than 3,000 miles of footpaths and bridleways in the county to walk, ride or cycle.

On Wednesday 14th December, there will be a musical-first for a Northeast audience when Indian and Western Classical Music meet at The Sage Gateshead; the legendary Wajahat Khan will take to the stage with the Medici String Quartet to perform his Sarod Quintet - entitled Raag Desh - as part of a collaborative project between the Pakistan Cultural Society (PCS) and The Sage Gateshead

People in NewcastleGateshead are being encouraged to take a break from the hustle and bustle of Christmas preparations this week to enjoy the natural beauty of their surroundings at the Sunset Show

North Shields Victorian Christmas Market (10/12/2005 - 11/12/2005)
Northumberland Square, North Shields NB. Details subject to change please check. Victorian style Christmas market in this Victorian square with 70 stalls selling crafts, gifts and seasonal food. Traditional entertainment on the bandstand, Christmas tree and crib plus pathways and trees lit by thousands of fairy lights. Many other events in and around the square

A course to help people afraid of flying is coming to Newcastle International Airport. Sir Richard Branson’s Flying without Fear programme is the first of its kind to reach Newcastle – making the airport one of only a handful in the country to offer the course.

Gazza spent all day yesterday locked up after claims he punched a photographer. He has since been released on bail. The previous day Gazza left his post at non-league club Kettering amid claims he was involved in over 30 drink related incidents during his short time there.

Historic St Mary's Lighthouse will be undergoing some exploratory work over coming weeks to provide information on its current condition. North Tyneside Council has contracted Trinity House - the General Lighthouse Authority for England and Wales - to carry out a specialist survey of the landmark built over 100 years ago.

One NorthEast board today (30th November 2005) approved a £9.8million investment that will create a regional stem cell research institute that aims to become one of the world’s top 10 stem cell research centres by 2010.

Thousands of commuters will benefit from a major overhaul of the Metro timetable, say operators Nexus. The timetable is changing from December 11 and it means extra trains will operate during busy peak periods.

The council's Countryside Team and local group Countryside Volunteers South Tyneside have organised a litter pick in Jarrow at Primrose Local Nature Reserve and the surrounding area - and everyone is invited to lend a helping hand.

The Gala are proud to announce the venue’s forthcoming Spring season, which sees links being built with some of this country’s leading producers and promoters, to bring the finest arts and entertainment to Durham.

Communities will be bringing a festive sparkle to where they live after receiving grants totaling £30,000 from Newcastle City Council to take part in this year’s Winter Festival. A fancy dress parade, the burning of a Viking long boat and African celebrations are some of the ways that local groups have chosen to celebrate the festive season.