We’ve heard of it, but how many of us have followed its course through quiet farmland? GARY HOLMES sets off in search of the upper reaches of the elusive River Blyth.

IAN KERR profiles the great grey shrike, a rarely seen visitor which flies in to spend winter here at this time of year.

Shepherds will tell you that there are basically three types of collie…..classified by the technical terms – ‘useful’, ‘moderate’ or ‘completely donnert’.