With Halloween giving us all an excuse to let our quirky side out, Rita de Brún celebrates oddness and looks at the celebrities who aren’t afraid of letting their whimsy show.

Calls for a public inquiry into the year-long miners’ strike are being stepped up as communities across the country gear up to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the start of the most bitter industrial conflict in living memory.

Newcastle United’s decision to agree a sponsorship deal with loan company Wonga has prompted an angry reaction in the North East.

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew was celebrating tonight after learning that he will be sending his team out at St James’ Park once again.

Informal talks have opened between the UK's mineworkers’ union and the biggest rail union in Britain with a view to a merger, it was learned today.