In this week’s Mercury

Making the headlines this week:

Barney’s last bank branch set to close;

Toddler’s health battle inspires family’s fundraising effort;

Tiny parish faces difficult tax decision;

Plans to turn pub into four homes;

Police probe shots fired from car near Hamsterley;

New plan aims to secure Startforth’s development options for the future;

Doug fouling drive launched in Barney;

Toft Hill holiday park built entirely from recycled materials proves a hit;

Gainford’s volunteer gardeners launch in-bloom group;

Plus readers’ letters, puzzles, complete events guide listing, Bob’s quiz and news from the world of sport.