What's making the news in this week's Mercury

GOOD sports from Barnard Castle fundraising group The Clique dived into the Tees on Boxing Day and we were there to capture the fun.

Teesdale's fell rescue service is to maintain a local presence despite moving its centre of operations up to Durham.

The secretary of the Cockfield pigeon federation is stepping down after clocking up 55 years in the job.

Volunteers served up Christmas Day lunch to more than 30 people at Barnard Castle's Parish Hall.

Evenwood is in line for a major spring clean as part of a Durham County Council pilot programme.

Music tuition at The Hub is Barnard castle is to be extended thanks to a £14,000 boost.

In sport, meet the ladies of Barnard Castle RUFC who are embracing rugby.

Plus... our fun quiz, review of the year, letters, policing County Durham with Ron Hogg and the latest on The Bowes Museum's ground-breaking WW1 project.

All in this week's Mercury, in the shops today.