A charity music night is to be held to raise money for Tynedale hospice.

The Metal 'til Midnight event will feature live music from local metal bands, as well as a hog roast, a bar and a prize draw.

Metal 'til Midnight takes place from 5pm until midnight on Saturday February 6 at Hexham Racecourse.

Tickets, priced at £8, are available from Tynedale Hospice at Battle Hill, Hexham, and Core Music. Call 01434 604321 or visit www.metaltilmidnight.tk for more details.

An exhibition of amorous artwork is to take place on Valentine's Day.

Portraits of famous faces, including Audrey Hepburn and Holly Golightly, by North East artist Sue Liddle, will go on show at the cafe in the Forum Cinema in Hexham.

The exhibition will also be accompanied by a short film screening at 5.30pm, by local film maker Josephine Halbert.

Young actors can take part in a special summer theatre festival.

The event, taking place in Hexham, will be led by professional artists and run a programme of drama, ending with two productions by participants, at the Queen's Hall Arts Centre.

The Northumberland Youth Theatre Festival 2010, is being hosted by the centre in association with the Royal Society of Arts.

Members of Northumberland YFC 27-up will strut their stuff - better late than never - in a rearranged production of Aladdin this week.

The pantomime was originally scheduled to take place on January 9 and 10 at the Queen's Hall in Hexham but was cancelled for safety reasons because of the heavy snow.

Northumberland YFC panto- Charlottle Ridley, front, as Aladdin, with David Carr, the executioner, Geoff Hubbuck as Widow Twanky and Sarah Sparks as Wishee Washy

Northumberland County Show secretary Gaynor Shotton, who is in the chorus and has appeared in every one of the productions since 1992, said: "Everyone was making it through to the rehearsals but we are all farmers with four-wheel drives.

Hexham is to hold its first Shrovetide Festival.

Hexham is to hold a special pancake themed Farmers' Market, with traditional pancake race, Mardi Gras carnival competition and live music from Mardi Gras band Tenth Avenue three days early on Saturday, February 13.

The market will be selling pancakes and eggs and butter for people to make their own on Shrove Tuesday.

Businesses in Northumberland can get free financial help to stay ahead of the game.

To celebrate 25 years in practice, Hexham-based accountant Patricia Arnold is organising a series of free financial seminars entitled "Finding the Silver Lining".

They are designed to help local businesses stay ahead of the game in difficult times and the ever-changing tax legislation.

Torch-bearing volunteers are needed to create a stunning line of light along the length of Hadrian's Wall.

Organisers are looking for 500 people to help create the lights, which will stretch from one side of Britain to the other.

Artist's impression of the beacons lighting up Hadrian's Wall

Each of the volunteer "illuminators" will be part of a small team responsible for lighting one of the 500 individual points along the wall.

A new Northumberland business forum will holds its first networking event next week.

The Mid-Tyne Business Forum holds its inaugural event at Wark Sports Club on Wednesday, January 20 from 7.30pm.

Northumberland Theatre Company (NTC) is to take The Last Snow Rider by Ann Coburn round village halls and small arts centres across the country this winter, beginning tonight.

The play will be at Wall Village Hall on the 22nd December at 6.30pm and at Newbrough Town Hall for a 3.00pm performance on 3rd January.

The cast includes NTC regulars Kim Evans and Gemma Clough and newcomers William Reay from Bellingham and Christopher Ranson.

Visit www.northumberlandtheatre.co.uk for a full list of performances and contact details for tickets.

A business in Hexham will be manipulating customers to give them gifts - all in the name of charity.

Family Chiropractic will be offering free treatments to raise money for the Salvation Army's Christmas Present Appeal.

As part of their Toys for Adjustment week, Family Chiropractic's Dr Belinda Ambrose will be enthusiastically carrying out adjustments on her patients in return for a donation of a toy that will go to needy children.