Evening Chronicle

Pick of the Day

Casualty (8.55pm) Conclusion. As her wedding day descends into chaos, Alice grows increasingly certain Curtis is innocent of Tony's murder. Tess's realisation that the Malones were involved with the crime leads to a riot in the department. Last in the series. BBC Proms 2009 (7.30pm) John Wilson and a hand-picked orchestra perform music from The Wizard of Oz, Gigi and Singin' in the Rain, celebrating 75 years of MGM musicals. Clive Anderson presents.

Three Ways to ...

REVIVE DRIED-OUT CONTAINERS 1. Drip water slowly into the middle of large containers and, once the compost has started to absorb it, pour slightly faster and gradually add more liquid until the compost is rehydrated. 2. Stand small pots or hanging baskets in a bucket of water for a few hours until they are soaked through.

Get More From Bulbs

LATE summerflowering bulbs such as dahlias, crocosmias and lilies bring a burst of colour in the borders when a lot of other plants are past their best. However, their maintenance can become a chore in the autumn, when many will need to be dug up and stored until next year.

Your Stars with Claire Petulengro

YOU'VE had a lot of stress in your life of late, but events over the coming days should prove to you how worthwhile the sacrifices and efforts that you have made really were. CALL MY ARIES LINE TO HEAR MORE 0904 470 0721

Bound for the Seas

A YACHT has sailed from the Tyne to take part in one of the world's most difficult races. The Polar Bear, skippered by Mark Richardson, 28, from Whickham, Gateshead, is heading for Cowes, on the Isle of Wight, for the Fastnet race.

Dad's Rage Over Snowball Prank ; Man in Court After Forcing Scared Boy Into His Car

A FATHER turned vigilante after a snowball was pelted at the window where his infant son was sitting. Driving instructor Lee Blackman heard the impact, which was so loud he thought the missile must have been a brick.

Man All Set to Meet His Music Idol

A MAN with learning difficulties has been given the chance to meet a star of his favourite group. Mark Simpson, 23, of Sunderland, was born with a rare combination of Down's Syndrome and autism, which has given him health problems.

Knitting Needles Always On the Go ; How Women Stitched Through War and Gossip

THEY used to say you can't beat a good yarn - well, that's definitely the case when you are knitting someone a jumper. Many years ago knitting was one of the greatest sitting-room pastimes. While the family sat around listening to the radio, mum and auntie would be casting on as the prepared to cruise through their latest knitting pattern.

Died On This Day

1137: Louis VI. King of France. 1714: Queen Anne. Last Stuart sovereign. 2003: Don Estelle. Actor and singer, famous for his role in 'It Ain't Half hot Mum' and 'Whispering Grass'. 2003: Marie Trintignant. French actress, whose films included Les Amants du PontNeuf.

Born On This Day

10BC: Emperor Claudius. Roman Emperor. 1819: Herman Melville. American novelist, whose works include Moby Dick and Billy Budd. 1930: Lionel Bart (Deceased). Songwriter, famous for his musical Oliver!

On This Day

1498: Christopher Columbus reached the American mainland. He named it Santa Isla, believing it to be an island. 1774: English chemist Joseph Priestley announced his discovery of oxygen. He called it "a new species of air".

Rescue Racers ; Lifeguards Take to the Beach for an Intense Competition

BAYWATCH came to Blyth as teams of lifeguards competed in an action-packed endurance test. Lifesavers from across the region

Design Contest

BUDDING artists are being invited to take part in a supermarket calendar design contest for charity. Morrisons is encouraging children to enter the competition to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

Anger Over Dental Wait

CALLS are being made to cut the lengthy waiting times for children needing dental treatment. Members of a select committee in South Tyneside were told at a meeting that youngsters were having to wait around 152 weeks to receive orthodontic treatment.

Warship's Final Days Told in Sailor's Book ; Falklands Veteran Wanted Vessel to Become Museum

A FALKLANDS sailor who tried to save a warship has written a book documenting the vessel's final moments. Former radio operator George Heron campaigned to have HMS Intrepid, which he lived and fought on for nine years, turned into a floating museum.

Bikes Delight

A ROTARY club has put a smile on children's faces by giving them new cycles. The bikes went to the Early Steps Pre-School, at South Beach, Blyth, from The Rotary Club of Monkseaton Centenary, based in Whitley Bay.

Active Service

HMS Intrepid was a key strategic vessel in the Falklands War. The 1982 conflict was between Argentina and the United Kingdom over the disputed Falkland Islands, just East of Argentina.

Mural Marks Kites Return

ARTWORK celebrating the successful introduction of red kites to North East skies has been unveiled. The birds of prey used to be a common sight in the UK, but human persecution meant they were extinct by the 19th century. The five- year Northern Kites project, which is coming to an end, has released almost 94 of the birds into the Derwent Valley. Designed by local artist Alan Mould, The Spirit of the Valley mural, runs across the front of the Tesco store in Rowlands Gill, depicting the red ki...

How You Can Help

WE'VE teamed up with cancer charity Maggie's to help fund a new pounds 3m centre here on Tyneside to help people affected by the disease. Opening next year, the centre at Newcastle's Freeman Hospital will be a place where cancer patients and their families can go to get comforting emotional support or practical advice.

Helping Hand in Difficult Times ; Cancer Care Nurse Karen Verrill has Dedicated Her Life to Helping Patients Cope with the Disease. She Tells Vicky Robson Why Her Work Is Much More to Her Than Just a Job

CLINICAL nurse specialist Karen Verrill is there every step of the way for her patients. From the first diagnosis to the agonising wait for test results, Karen helps her patients face the illness in a variety of ways and is just a phone call away if they need her. The mum-of-two, who also has three step-children, works for Health Care at Home. The company offers services to patients in the comfort of their homes, for both the NHS and the private healthcare sector. But she has also raised thou...