FIVE-YEARS-AGO this week, it was announced three North-East soldiers had been recognised for their bravery in Afghanistan.

Private Lewis Murphy, of the Yorkshire Regiment, was awarded the Queen's Commendation for Bravery (QCB) while Serjeant Lee Slater, of The Rifles, was Mentioned in Despatches. Both rescued injured comrades under enemy fire in separate attacks.

Pte Murphy, from Middlesbrough, removed his body armour and helmet to carry a critically injured soldier who had been shot in the neck through a deep river to a medical helicopter.

"I didn't think about the danger of it, I just thought if I leave my equipment on I'll drown," he said.

Sjt Slater's efforts also saved a man's life which, he said, was only part of his job.

Originally from Bishop Auckland, he was leading a patrol in the Bowri desert when one of his team was struck in the leg with a bullet.

Sjt Lee organised his men and they returned fire as he ran from cover to drag the wounded soldier to safety.

Captain Martin Hedley, originally from Gateshead, of The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, who saved children being used as human shields, was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire.

Elsewhere in the region, it was confirmed hundreds of jobs were at risk when US company RF Micro Devices said it was moving out of Newton Aycliffe.

About 200 employees were told about plans to transfer work from its plant on the Heighington Lane Business Park to North Carolina.

One worker said: "People are very upset, we thought something might be happening but it has still come as a shock."

Supporters of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation celebrated raising £5m – ten times more than its modest goal of £500,000.

Sir Bobby's oncologist, Professor Ruth Plummer said: "The specialist cancer equipment and staff we've been able to fund as a result of the charity is making a tremendous difference to patients."

Meanwhile, a woman fled her home after her husband’s 6ft boa constrictor went missing from its tank.

The woman, from Catterick, North Yorkshire, ran to a neighbour's home and called the police and RSPCA.

RSPCA inspector Kristina Raine said: "The lady who is looking after this snake had not secured his vivarium properly and then panicked when she discovered he had escaped. She was hiding at a friend's when I arrived and the snake was slithering around the bathroom."

And an RAF pilot marked 50 years since his first solo flight in a jet by flying alongside his fighter pilot son.

The route, a training sortie, took Rod Dean and his son Duncan over Wensleydale and the Lake District.

Rod said: "It really is one of the highlights of my flying career."