Staff and councillors were asked to put forward their ideas to celebrate 35 years of the authority as it prepares to call time on its service next April.

A long list of suggestions has been drawn up, such as commissioning artwork or sculptures, holding sports fun days, compiling a book of the council's history, staging a march, setting up a bursary for young people, holding an ecumenical service and staging a party for those involved with the authority.

Other proposals included a day off for staff or providing aromatherapy and massages for workers.

Council chief executive Ken Dunbar said: "We did write to staff to ask them to put forward ways of how we might celebrate 35 years.

"It is fair to say we got a broad range of ideas, some of which were probably flippant, but a number were very respectful of our traditions."

The borough's civic committee agreed to form a working group of officers and members to come up with final proposals.

The council is being shut down to make way for a new Northumberland unitary authority.