TEN years ago, Britain was braced for a fresh round of industrial action on a day when the biggest strike for five years closed thousands of schools and disrupted courts, driving tests and job centres.

Union leaders predicted that up to four million workers could be involved in strikes in the autumn if the row over changes to public sector pensions is not resolved.

Teachers, lecturers, civil servants and other workers from across the North-East and North Yorkshire yesterday joined thousands nationally in walking out in protest at the controversial changes.

Meanwhile, the next generation of rock stars were appealing for young fans to attend a town's first ever youth music festival.

The Crook Youth Music Festival was on Saturday, July 16, 2011, and organisers hoped to attract 500 spectators.

Young bands from across the county performed and the free event, held in Glenholme Park, also featured circus skills workshops and games.

It was organised by Durham County Council's Positive Activities For Young People team and funded by the Three Towns Area Action Partnership.

Tow Law was represented by six acts, most of which met at a weekly music club held at Tow Law Community Centre.

Jenny Mountain, from the community centre, said the festival was be a chance to demonstrate the talent in Tow Law.

She said: "This will be a great event for the whole area and will hopefully encourage these youngsters to enjoy their music even more."

In Darlington, a family butcher expanded its market operations by taking over a stall which closed suddenly earlier this year, after more than 100 years in business.

Fenwick's Family Butcher moved to two stalls in Darlington's indoor market after moving into a prominent stand left vacant by Prest and Villiers' move.

Fenwick's had been run for 22 years by brothers Nick and Nigel Fenwick.

They initially opened a shop in North Road, Darlington, after their father sold his pub, the Bay Horse, at Ravensworth, near Richmond.