Staff from across the 25 Frank’s the Flooring Store locations in the North East – including stores in Ashington, Cramlington and Blyth – have been getting in the Christmas spirit as part of the company’s final charity fund-raising push of the year. It has already hit the 25,000 mark, following donations from staff, customers and suppliers, and expects this to rise to in excess of 28,000, with money still being counted and collected.

Nick Dunn was hoping to be reunited with his loved ones after four years in India but a decision on his appeal is not expected until New Year Six British ex-soldiers will spend Christmas Day in a “hell hole” Indian jail after their hopes of coming home were dashed again. The six, who a British lawyer says are victims of a miscarriage of justice, hoped their appeal in court last month would allow them to be reunited with their loved ones back home for the first time in four years.