Here are the most-read stories on the Courant website from throughout the week.

1. Lib Dems win Hexham East by-election

Suzanne Fairless-Aitken has been elected to serve on Northumberland County Council, securing 584 votes of the 1,235 which were cast.

Coun. Fairless-Aitken had previously stood in the May local elections against Ms Homer, who had been victorious by just 130 votes.

2.St Joseph's RC Middle and St Mary's RC Primary School donate to foodbank

TWO Hexham schools have donated more than a third of a tonne of food for people in need this Christmas.

St Joseph's RC Middle School and St Mary's RC Primary School pupils have collected a wide range of food items.

3. Elderly man dies in hospital days after suspected assault in Prudhoe

AN elderly man who was taken to hospital with serious injuries after a suspected assault in Prudhoe has sadly died.

4.Catton couple publish books with pictures and diary recordings from charity walk

A couple have published two books based on their charity walk in 2015.

70-year-old couple from Catton, Bob and Jos Mahon are celebrating publishing two books called ‘Barney’s Long Walk’ and 'Painting on the End to End Trail’.

5.Hexham woman appeals for school materials and donations for Uganda school

A Hexham woman volunteering in Uganda is appealing for donations for an African education centre.

Yasu Fernández, originally from Spain but lives in Hexham is volunteering at a small children education centre in Uganda.