TEN years ago, this week patients with advanced kidney cancer were left devastated when the NHS rejected four life-giving drugs.

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice) issued draft guidance rejecting the drugs Sutent, Avastin, Nexavar and Torisel as too expensive.

Charities were outraged and thought it left patients with only one treatment option – interferon – which was not as effective for many sufferers.

Kathleen Devonport, 65, from Chilton, County Durham, had been taking Sutent for her advanced kidney cancer for ten months.

She said: "I can't believe it. This is a terrible decision. Thanks to Sutent I have been leading a pretty normal life."

Also, that week, passengers demanded an explanation after a man found a note claiming there was a bomb on board a holiday jet.

The terrified North-East man found the note in the jet’s toilet and alerted a stewardess immediately.

The jet was travelling from the Dominican Republic to Newcastle.

A 39-year-old Bishop Auckland woman, who was sitting next to the frightened man, said: "I was absolutely stunned and I was very angry – I just don't know why they didn't divert the plane.

"I had been talking to him all the way through the flight, and he eventually told me when we touched down.

"He just seemed to collapse in his wife's arms, and we all got off the plane."

Passengers found two more warnings and the pilot left the controls to see them for himself.

A Northumbria Police spokeswoman said three notes, written on paper towels, were found, and the incident had "all the hallmarks of a hoax".

The pilot decided the notes were a hoax and opted to carry on.

Police carried out a search of the plane and its luggage compartment but found nothing suspicious.

Also, that week, a spectacular opening ceremony marked the beginning of Beijing Olympics.

More than 90,000 spectators packed the Bird's Nest stadium to witness the start of the games.

In a speech at the end of the ceremony, Jacques Rogge, president of the International Olympic Committee, said: "For a long time, China has dreamed of opening its doors and inviting the world's athletes to Beijing for the Olympic Games.

"Tonight that dream comes true."