A WAR veteran was recognised for his work in the Arctic Circle – more than 70 years after being posted there.

Douglas Sayles, from Heighington, near Darlington, was awarded the Arctic Star, a retrospective medal given to members of the Royal Navy and the British Armed Forces for operational service undertaken North of the Arctic Circle during the Second World War.

The 93-year-old, who spent nearly 23 years serving in the Navy, added the medal to his collection of ten, but says it means more to him than any other.

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He said: "I am delighted, but I think a lot about the thousands of people who died in the Russian convoys.

"I look upon this medal as the one I will treasure.

"My whole life has been devoted to the Navy and it was my life until I was pensioned off."

Speaking of his memories of his time on the Russian convoys, which sailed from the UK and other countries to deliver supplies to the Soviet Union, he said: "I am grateful to have got through the war without being killed.

"I saw so many who died – the Russian convoys were the worst conditions I had to deal with. The conditions cannot be described."

A council agreed to spend £40,000 to promote the Tour de France even though it would pass through its area for only 1.7 miles.

Hambleton District Council cabinet was unanimous in backing the donation, after being told they should milk the race for all it was worth and maximise the legacy of the largest annual sporting event in the world.

In July 2014, the Grand Depart of the Tour de France would travel through the Dales to Leyburn, Masham and Ripon before finishing for the first day in Harrogate.

Cyclists on the first stage, a total of about 188 miles, would travel through Hambleton for less than two miles – at West Tanfield on the road from Bedale to Ripon.

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However, Coun Peter Wilkinson said: "This is a real coup to bring it to Yorkshire, it will have significant benefits for the district."

Finally, Bon Jovi lit up the North East on June 12, 2013 – as Sunderland heralded the start of a summer and rock and pop.

The New Jersey rockers were the stars of the first of three major concerts at the Stadium of Light in nine days, with Rihanna next up, followed by JLS, Stooshe, The Wanted and Rita Ora for North-East Live.