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LAST YEAR HAS BEEN THE HARDEST YET, SAYS MUM OF TRAGIC TEENAGER – Page 2 150 jobs on way within the year at new store
RESCUE WORKERS SAVE MAN BURIED BY SAND DUNE COLLAPSE – Page 3
FAMILY OVERWHELMED BY SELFLESSNESS OF RIO TINTO ALCAN WORKERS FACING THE DOLE
Joy for Archie as appeal hits £50k target
A SUPERMARKET chain plans to open its new Blyth store within the next 12 months. Initial works are already under way, and Morrisons has now appointed McLaren Construction as its main contractor for the project. The new town centre store will be much larger than the existing Regent Street one it is being built next to. Morrisons development executive Richard Bakes said: “Once built, the new store will offer greater choice and create additional car parking to serve both the store and the town centre. “Our research shows that many residents travel out of town to do their weekly shop. Our flagship store will bring local people back into the town centre and attract shoppers from outside the area, helping to regenerate this historic town. “We are completely committed to working alongside Northumberland County Council and the Homes and Communities Agency to regenerate Blyth town centre.” Preparatory works started earlier this year with the relocation of a telephone mast to a temporary location and grouting-up of old mine workings to stabilise the site ready for the new development. The existing store will continue to trade until the n Turn to Page 2
By Tegan Chapman ARCHIE Anderson looks set to realise his dream of one day being able to walk unaided, thanks to the selflessness of aluminium plant workers facing redundancy in a matter of weeks. Staff at Rio Tinto Alcan in Lynemouth have put the welfare of the Ashington youngster before their own by donating
£10,000 to an appeal to raise the £50,000 the five-year-old cerebral palsy sufferer needs to undergo a life-changing operation. It has only taken Archie’s mum and dad Marie and Allan six months to raise enough cash to cover the cost of pioneering surgery in the US. Marie, of Magnolia Drive, said: “It is really humbling that the people from Alcan have decided to give Archie a share of their n Turn to Page 2
Kids soft play area Come along & experience the Ultimate Challenge. The 1st in the UK.
Archie Anderson celebrating this week. Photo: Peter McCartney.
Five face court after police seize guns SEVEN people were arrested and three firearms were seized in Ashington and Newbiggin at the weekend. Armed police stopped a Vauxhall Vectra in North Seaton at 1.35pm on Saturday and found a rifle and handgun in its boot. The two weapons were seized and a 36-year-old man and 32-year-old woman were arrested. Subsequent inquiries led officers to addresses in North Seaton and Newbiggin areas, and a further two men, aged 51
and 60, two women, aged 56 and 32, and a juvenile were arrested on suspicion of firearms offences. Anthony Cox, 36, of Belmont Street, Walker, Newcastle, and Nichola Taylor, 32, of King George’s Street in Newbiggin have been charged with possessing a firearm without a certificate, as has a 14-year-old boy who can’t be named for legal reasons. Keith Tayor, 60, and Ellen Taylor, 56, of Emerson Road, Newbiggin, have been charged with possessing a firearm and
ammunition without a certificate. Two of the others arrested have been released without charge. All five facing charges will appear before South East Northumberland magistrates on Thursday, April 12. Superintendent Dianne Winship, of the police’s Northumberland area command, said: “This was a pre-planned operation that has led to a number of arrests and potentially dangerous weapons being n Turn to Page 2
we’ll keep on fighting to the end, vows spartans boss ... Back Page
Children’s parties, toddler time, phone for more details
Open Mon - Sun 10.00am - 7.00pm, last entry 5.30pm.
Food available until 5.30pm
Unit F Progressive Court, Spencer Road, Blyth, NE24 5TG Tel: (01670) 355585 www.bounceblyth.co.uk