IN case you missed it here are six of our top trending stories from throughout the week.

1. Car driver, 41, dies after horror crash on A69 in Northumberland

Emergency services attended the scene of a fatal two-vehicle crash on the A69. Sadly, a 41-tear-old car driver was pronounced dead at the scene. 

Air ambulance, police and the fire service were all called to the major accident involving a lorry and car during the morning of Wednesday, August 18, between the Gilsland turn-off at Greenhead and the Shell garage at Low Row.

The road was closed in both directions to allow emergency services to attend. 

2. Northumbria Police find body in search for missing Yorkshire man in Northumberland

This is a follow up from the top story and Police have found a body in their search for a missing Yorkshire man believed to be missing in Northumberland. The police were able to trace the vehicle Thomas was believed to have got into the Kielder area earlier on Monday afternoon.

Police have been carrying out searches in the area and this evening, sadly found the body of a man. Although formal identification is yet to take place, police believe the body is that of Thomas McGrath.

3. RED Engineering get go-ahead for new facility in Hexham

A new purpose-built engineering facility in a Northumberland town centre is set to go ahead after planning officials approved the project.

The move will see the redevelopment of a brownfield site on Burn Lane in Hexham by RED Engineering as part of its plans to expand its North East operations to meet the demand for services.

4. Restaurant Hjem in top 25 at National Restaurant Awards

Northumberland's only Michelin Star restaurant has been honoured in a national awards ceremony. 

The National Restaurant Awards 2021, which revealed the list of the 100 best restaurants in the UK, took place at London's Allegra Restaurant in Stratford on Monday night. Restaurant Hjem, made quite the debut...coming in at number 25. 

5. Local pub at the heart of its community re-opens its doors

A LOCAL pub re-opened its doors on the weekend after new owners took over a 3-year tenancy.

Friday 13th is known to be an unlucky date, but not for this community who saw the return of their local pub, The Blue Bell Mickley, and it was a jubilant affair.

6. Teen arrested after allegedly stealing farmer's quad bike in Humshaugh

Shortly after 7am on Monday, police received a report a vehicle had been stolen from a farm in the Humshaugh area. The quad was fitted with a special tracking device, allowing officers from Northumbria Police's rural crime team to locate it, said police.

When the vehicle was identified in the Bishop Auckland area, officers from Durham recovered the quad.