World Cup winner Sir Bobby Charlton has been voted the Greatest Living Northumbrian in a poll on the Your Place microsites.

The Ashington-born footballer won 27% of the votes, beating actor Robson Green (17%) and comedian Ross Noble (15%).

Other nominees in the poll were Sir Bobby's brother Jack, musician Kathryn Tickell, cricketer Steve Harmison, the Duchess of Northumberland and darts commentator Sid Waddell.

A former soldier responsible for killing a police officer in a car crash has been released from prison after serving just half his sentence.

Steven Graham was jailed for five-and-a-half years after he admitted the manslaughter of Bellingham PC Joe Carroll in July 2006.

The scene on the A69 following the smash.

It is understood that the former Sandhurst staff sergeant was granted parole before Christmas and is now living in North Tyneside.

Nature experts are giving some top tips for spotting signs of wildlife to launch their series of nature trails this year.

From March to June it is wildlife season at Kielder Water and Forest Park and visitors can get close to a variety of wild creatures. 'Wild about Kielder' will give visitors the chance to join experienced rangers who will be on hand to advise with an expert eye.

Shona Hendrick, events and activities development officer for the Kielder Partnership, said: "The Park will play host to a number of events that will give visitors the unique chance to view Northumberland's amazing wildlife in its natural habitat.

Bids are being invited from parties interested in running a new bike hire centre at a Northumberland forest park.

A new £250,000 facility is being built at Kielder Water and Forest Park, made from timber and with 200 square metres of floor space.

The future looks brighter for a number of the North East's at-risk historic treasures - including Shilla Hill Bastle near Tarset.

Yesterday an English Heritage grant of £14,000 towards a rescue and interpretation saw the future of Grade I-listed Hollinside, overlooking Derwent Walk Country Park in Gateshead, secured.

And English Heritage expects that this year a number of other historic places removed from its At Risk register.

The 'best game in 14 years' came at the weekend when Wark played out an 11-goal thriller against Ponteland United in the Northern Alliance.

Both teams are capable of scoring goals but no one would have predicted this result. The game started very open and there was an early sign of things to come when Robinson for the home team cut in from the left and brought a good save from Havelock.

Pont countered through Hall but Wark, with the wind behind them, was looking the stronger. Yet it was Pont who took the lead against the run of play after 23 minutes. Suddick played a neat ball through to Gate who went round advancing keeper Welton before slotting home.

A serial burglar who spent decades touring the region and raiding rural homes has begun a nine-year jail term.

Anthony Graham targeted wealthy families in Northumberland, Cumbria and North Yorkshire, creeping into their isolated properties and making off with treasured possessions.

The 50-year-old even plundered an historic castle of expensive antiques in his 30-year career as a "professional burglar".

Police have named a worker crushed to death by a piece of machinery at a Northumberland quarry on Thursday as Gary Ian Ward.

The 43-year-old man, from the Crook area of County Durham, died at the Divet Hill quarry in Great Bavington.

He was pronounced dead at the scene after the machinery fell on him, pining him to the floor.

A worker was crushed to death after a piece of machinery fell on him in a Northumberland quarry yesterday.

Paramedics were called to the Divet Hill quarry in Great Bavington, Northumberland, at around 4pm.

The man, who has not yet been identified, was pinned to the floor under a piece of machinery and despite medical attention was confirmed dead at the scene.

After last week's fun poll to find Northumberland's favourite castle, this week we turn our attention to the important matter of finding the Greatest Living Northumbrian.

After much discussion in the Your Place office, we have come up with eight people who we think sum up all that is great about Northumberland.

From the world of sport, you can choose between World Cup winners Bobby and Jack Charlton, and the Ashington Express Steve Harmison. There's also comedian Ross Noble, folk musician Kathryn Tickell, actor Robson Green and darts commentator Sid Waddell. Finally, we've added the Duchess of Northumberland into the mix for her work in developing the Alnwick Garden.

You can vote below for your choice and the results will be revealed next Friday.