TEN years ago this week, the region's air passengers suffered renewed misery after a cloud of volcanic ash put paid to thousands of people's travel plans.

Thirteen months after the last volcanic ash cloud from Iceland caused huge disruption to flights, dozens more were cancelled due to the eruption of the Grimsvotn volcano.

But there were hopes that the high-density levels of ash would not spread further south than northern England - which together with Scotland bore the brunt of the disruption.

UK air traffic control service Nats said the ash cloud was expected to affect flights from some airports in Scotland and northern England.

More than 500 flights were cancelled across Europe, according to air traffic organisation Eurocontrol.

Also that week, a delivery driver was told two barking Great Danes just wanted to "say hello" moments before one leapt at him and bit the end of his nose off.

Stephen McQuiggin spoke of the "sledgehammer" blow when one suddenly attacked as he stood on the path outside the address in Chester-le-Street.

Durham Crown Court heard the self-employed driver suffered "horrendous" injuries and he had needed four operations to rebuild his nose.

He told the jury: "It felt like I was hit with a sledgehammer. The dog jumped over the wheelie-bin and bit my nose.

Meanwhile, visitors to Locomotion: The National Railway Museum at Shildon during National Family were to have a magical time as the museum currently houses locomotive GWR 4900 Class 5972 Olton Hall, made famous as the Hogwarts Express of the Harry Potter films.

Olton Hall is on display inside the museum's Collection Building until early summer.

Footplate access to the locomotive was to be available daily, and there was to be free wizard themed craft sessions from Tuesday, May 31, to Friday, June 4.

The museum was also celebrating the magic of Meccano with a fabulous display of models organised in association with the North Eastern Meccano Society.