Archive

  • Oh brother, this will be a year with a difference

    IF the first day of Durham University's very own Big Brother house is anything to go by, they've got it all wrong. Where are the tantrums, the banal dialogue and the desperate need to show off as much wobbly flesh as possible? No one has stunned housemates

  • Generation's bid to make break through

    A NEW generation of pop stars is being given the chance to shine at a one-day event next month. Music development agency Generator North-East is holding the New generation Pop and DJ School for people under the age of 18. The event takes place at the

  • Anger at decision to open pool after swim tragedy

    THE reopening of a swimming pool hours after a teenager died has been described as insensitive by her grieving family. Anne-Marie Readshaw, 13, was on a Saturday trip to the swimming pool at Spennymoor Leisure Centre, County Durham, when tragedy struck

  • Operatic society show tinged with sadness

    THE terrorist attack on the World Trade Centre had unlikely repercussions in Darlington because the town's operatic society was busy making final preparations to stage West Side Story, which is set in New York. "I don't think we could have gone on if

  • Flowers and music on bill

    Anniversaries are the theme of a flower festival in St Paul's Church, Whitworth Terrace, Spennymoor, today and tomorrow. Visitors are welcome today between 10am and noon, and 2pm to 6pm. The festival opens from noon until 5pm tomorrow. Durham Constabulary

  • 'Get me to the hospital on time' attempt fails

    TAXI driver Dorothy McVey found herself with an extra passenger halfway through a journey - when an expectant mother gave birth. Michelle Dawson, 27, decided to take a taxi to hospital when she realised she was going into labour. But baby Bobbi could

  • Hunt for man after theft from jewellers

    POLICE are appealing for information about the theft of a gold neck chain from a Newton Aycliffe jewellers. A man, posing as a customer, entered Taylor's Top Value store, in the Thames Centre, just before midday on Thursday. He asked the sales assistant

  • Villagers are urged to provide snaps

    VILLAGERS preparing a new book about their past are appealing for snap-happy residents to send in their photographs. The St Helen and West Auckland Amenity Association has been given cash from the Heritage Lottery fund to produce its own publication,

  • Victory as park reopens to cars

    CAMPAIGNERS and local residents were celebrating victory yesterday after the National Trust bowed to mounting public pressure and reopened the famous Studley Royal Deer Park, near Ripon, to vehicles. The World Heritage Site parkland had been closed to

  • Rally crew gears up for marathon drive to the Saraha

    A NORTH-EAST rally crew is going into overdrive for a three week 6,000-mile endurance test from London to the Sahara desert and back. Nicky Porter, from West Auckland, and his co-driver Malcolm Sinclair, from Sunderland, are competing against 70 other

  • Mixed reaction as opencast mining plan gets go-ahead

    BRITAIN'S biggest coal producer was given permission to start work on a new opencast mine in the heart of County Durham yesterday. At a planning committee meeting at Durham's County Hall, councillors voted to accept revised plans for a UK Coal Mining

  • Masked sex attacks: Man on new charge

    A man accused of a series of masked sex attacks on women faced an extra charge in court yesterday. Timothy Din, 44, from Hartlepool, is now alleged to have struck in the homes of five women in Thornaby, Teesside. The new charge alleged that he burgled

  • Expert planting advice

    A MEDIEVAL castle is preparing to be besieged by an army of plants today. Raby Castle, near Staindrop, County Durham, will open its gates to hundreds of orchids as part of a popular plant show held at the castle every year. The show had to be cancelled

  • Town centre loses manager - but cash injection secured

    RICHMOND'S town centre manager has confirmed his imminent departure - but the leaders of the community's quest for a more vibrant future are confident they are still on track. Ken Wilson has helped the historic market town win a number of grants from

  • All about deer

    A TALK about deer in Britain will be given by Richard Ramsey at Darlington and Teesdale Naturalist's Field Club at the Arts Centre in the town, on Tuesday, October 9 at 7.30pm.

  • Mayor aids charity 'jailbreak'

    MIDDLESBROUGH Mayor Councillor Pat Walker aided and abetted a jailbreak yesterday - but all in a good cause. Desperate for funds, Teesside Hospice is next week hosting a two-day sponsored jailbreak in the Cleveland Centre, Middlesbrough when local people

  • Cash boost for regeneration partnership

    REGENERATION workers have welcomed a £187,000 boost to help expand their work. The Grove Hill 2000 regeneration partnership, in Middlesbrough, was awarded the cash in the latest round of grants from the Lottery's Community Fund. It will be used to help

  • Anger at decision to open pool hours after tragedy

    THE reopening of a swimming pool hours after a teenager died has been described as insensitive by her grieving family. Anne-Marie Readshaw, 13, was on a Saturday trip to the swimming pool at Spennymoor Leisure Centre, County Durham, when tragedy struck

  • Indecent images stored on computer

    IMAGES of children in indecent poses were found among 2,000 pornographic pictures downloaded from the Internet on a domestic computer. Durham Crown Court heard that police officers visiting the home of 61-year-old Michael David Williams noticed a computer

  • Cleanliness is next to godliness for hotel

    CHEFS in a Middlesbrough hotel have beaten off competition from more than 60 hotels and guest houses in the North to clinch a hygiene award. Kitchen staff at the Thistle Hotel in Middlesbrough were grilled with hygiene questions by experts, and went on

  • Hague supports theatre appeal

    THE Conservative Party's former leader said he was hoping to become a more regular visitor to a historic theatre when he handed its management a cheque for £32,340 yesterday. Talking to supporters of Richmond's Georgian Theatre Royal, William Hague admitted

  • Volunteers to bridge gap in life-saving

    A TEAM of volunteers trained in life-saving first aid is preparing to bridge the gap between the 999 call and the ambulance arrival. The Community First Responder Scheme is to be launched at Seaham Town Council's Civic Offices on Monday, October 15. A

  • Wildlife expert solves possum mystery - it's his

    THE MYSTERY surrounding an Australian possum found dead on a North-East country road has been solved. It has emerged that the marsupial had escaped 18 months ago from Durham Police wildlife liaison officer Eddie Bell's animal collection. Sergeant Bell

  • Buses used in drive for mental health awareness

    BUSES will be used to drive home the message that mental health problems can affect anyone. Throughout October, buses in Redcar and Cleveland will take part in the Department of Health's national campaign, MindOut for Mental Health. They will carry posters

  • Indian doctors hold concert

    The Society of Indian Doctors of Cleveland is holding a charity concert tonight, at 7.30pm, in Middlesbrough Town Hall. Anuradha Paudwal, a famous Bollywood singer from India, who has performed in more than 600 Hindi films, will perform with 11 other

  • North tee-d off as it loses Ryder Cup bid

    THE WORLD'S leading golf tournament will not be coming to the North-East for at least a third of a century. News that Slaley Hall, the region's premier golf course, has missed out on both the 2010 and 2014 Ryder Cup tournaments was greeted with disappointment

  • Donations give hope for animal sanctuary

    AN animal charity is hopeful of realising its dream of setting up a sanctuary following a flood of donations. The sanctuary appeal, being run by Saltburn Animal Rescue Association (Sara) hopes to raise £300,000 to build and run a facility for the whole

  • Mother's anguish at lack of justice for tragic son

    A MOTHER told yesterday of her continuing heartache at the lack of justice for her son who died after an unprovoked attack. Pat Gibson was one of the speakers at a forum on court sentencing arranged by Darlington MP Alan Milburn in response to a Government

  • Three beautiful reasons to celebrate

    Rather like that bit in the Bible, the lady of this house reckons that whenever two or three are gathered together, at least one will have played football for Shildon. So it unexpectedly proved on Sunday, when the father of one of those to be baptised

  • Burglar loses last chance to stay out of prison

    A BURGLAR who escaped prison by being put on an anti-drugs scheme soon reverted to his old ways, a court heard. Scott Harrington, 25, pleaded guilty to burglary at Teesside Crown Court in March. But rather than impose a custodial sentence, Judge David

  • Living in the shadow of the mystery mansion

    FOR years I walked past the front gates of Bletchley Park on my way to school and speculated about what the military-style sentry post could be guarding. "Somewhere for politicians and military chiefs to relocate from London," said some, but the more

  • Expert planting advice

    A MEDIEVAL castle is preparing to be besieged by an army of plants this weekend. Raby Castle, near Staindrop, County Durham, will open its gates to hundreds of orchids as part of a popular plant show held at the castle every year. The show had to be cancelled

  • Soldiers' kindness helps war victims to pick up the pieces

    AMID the thunder of gunfire and the acrid smell of burning, Mohamed Fofana ran for his life. Earlier that fateful day in 1998, the rebels had descended on his village in the north of Sierra Leone. Twenty-eight of his friends and neighbours had been captured

  • Wannabe Billy Elliots prepare for stage debut

    TWELVE young "Billy Elliots" come to the Arc in Stockton, Teesside, tonight for the premiere performance of the newly-formed Northern Youth Dance Company. The company is about to embark on its first regional tour, after members completed a vigorous rehearsal

  • Safety survey reveals flaws in 21 taxis

    SCORES of defects were uncovered when police made a check of all 140 east Durham taxis. Four cabs were ordered off the road during the inspection by officers from the accident investigation unit, and a further 17 were issued with defect notices requiring

  • Listening to concerns about crime

    PUBLIC consultation over the future of policing in Sunderland continues this weekend when survey teams take to the streets of Fulwell and Washington. Trained experts will be visiting the main shopping centres to listen to the views of residents about

  • Association finishes £1.8m sheltered housing project

    A sheltered accommodation development worth £1.8m has been completed. Enterprise 5, the housing association behind the scheme in Consett, County Durham, will officially open the development, in Sherburn Park, at the end of next month. The development,

  • Shelter targets town

    A CHARITY working with the homeless is targeting a North-East town for help. Shelter estimates 1,001 people found themselves homeless in Middlesbrough last year. The town is being blitzed with 20,000 leaflets promoting a free, national, 24-hour helpline

  • Dental health shame of county

    HEALTH chiefs say tackling poverty is the key to combating County Durham's appalling record on child tooth decay. A report by the County Durham and Darlington Health Authority reveals that half of all five-year-olds have suffered some form of decay. The

  • Muslim's shop target of boycott

    A VILLAGE has boycotted a Muslim shopkeeper's store in protest at the September 11 terrorist attacks on the US. Residents in Shotton Colliery, County Durham, have shunned Pakistani shopkeeper Kaiser Choudry's two local businesses. He claims his family

  • No old pals act for Reid until after final whistle

    SUNDERLAND manager Peter Reid crosses swords this afternoon with one of his best friends in football, Sam Allardyce, boss of high-flying Bolton Wanderers - and whatever happens at the Reebok Stadium they'll be having a drink together afterwards. But for

  • Hear All Sides

    WAR ON TERRORISM I WAS disgusted by John Pilger's article (Echo, Sept 21) calling America a terrorist and warmonger. Does he want Israelis swept into the sea and obliterated and the same fate for the Kurds and Marsh Arabs of Iraq, which would certainly

  • Firefighter to clean up for charity with washing machine push

    A FIREFIGHTER'S plans to raise £20,000 for charity are sure to leave him in a spin. Dave Ibbertson and three friends are to push a washing machine around Scotland and the North of England, visiting various landmarks. The Washer-Roamer Challenge will see

  • Walker set to end 53 years of Murray-isms

    BIGGEST sport story this weekend? Newcastle taking on Liverpool? Nope. Sunderland at the Reebok Stadium to face the might of Bolton? You must be joking. No the biggest sporting event this weekend is the Indianapolis Grand Prix. It's not just any old Grand

  • Quakers held by Diamonds

    Darlington put in their worst display of the season on Saturday as they were held to a scoreless draw at home to Rushden and Diamonds. Quakers never showed any of the form they have produced so far this season and a draw seemed a fair result. The visitors

  • N-East journalist held by Taliban

    A FORMER Northern Echo journalist was last night being held by the ruling Taliban after she was arrested in Afghanistan. Yvonne Ridley, 43, originally from Stanley, County Durham, was detained yesterday near the eastern city of Jalalabad. Reports by the

  • Three beautiful reasons to celebrate

    Rather like that bit in the Bible, the lady of this house reckons that whenever two or three are gathered together, at least one will have played football for Shildon. So it unexpectedly proved on Sunday, when the father of one of those to be baptised

  • Your vegetable garden needs you

    Now that autumn has well and truly arrived it is time to make winter preparations in the vegetable garden. Digging or cultivation can start now, although it is wise to plan the crop rotation for next year, before you start work. It is important to know

  • Support for 'superloo' bid

    A NEW "superloo" block could be open in Northallerton within the next year after a long-running saga. The £115,000 scheme to replace the toilets on the Applegarth with an attendant-operated block of 16 toilets has won the backing of Hambleton District

  • Four-vehicle crash victim named

    A VAN driver who died in a collision on a notorious road has been named. Craig Eaton, 37, of Surrey Street, Middlesbrough, was killed in a four-vehicle crash on the A171 Guisborough to Scarborough Road, near Charltons Village, at about 2.15pm on Thursday

  • Are you ready for the toughest test?

    REVIEWS: Title: Paris-Dakar Rally. Publisher: Acclaim. Format: PS2 CD-ROM. Price: £39.99 ACCORDING to Hubert Auriol, the brains behind the world's toughest motor sport event, the Paris-Dakar Rally is founded on two values: courage and endurance. Anyone

  • Bosses agree to pay for sextuplets' care

    The £500,000 healthcare bill owed to a UK hospital by the Libyan father of sextuplets is to be paid by his bosses. Following a meeting with the NHS trust, the Libyan Oil Sector confirmed that, under the terms of its sponsorship, it would meet the costs

  • Varga back in the picture for Bolton clash

    SLOVAKIAN outcast Stanislav Varga gets his make-or-break chance for Sunderland at high-flying Bolton this afternoon. And if the giant central defender does not earn himself an extended run in the team he could well be bidding farewell to Wearside. Varga

  • Transport company rejects drivers' gag claim

    UNDER-FIRE transport group Arriva has denied that it has banned its drivers from talking to the media. The Sunderland rail and bus operator has faced a barrage of criticism from passenger groups recently. Arriva has been forced to cut train services in

  • Trainer Talk

    THIS week has seen two top jockeys retire, Peter Niven and John Reid. Niven, 37, rode his first winner at Sedgefield for his mother on May 25, 1984, and his last winner on May 9, 2001, at Wetherby - number 1,000. Niven's most notable winner was Monsieur

  • Travel - If you can't stand the heat...

    HERE'S a hot tip, visit the Eden Project in Cornwall on a scorching day because most people head for the Doctor Who-style Biomes on wet days, reasoning that it's an attraction with instant shelter. Be patient, the long and winding road from the busy A30

  • Root of the problem in child tooth decay linked to poverty

    HEALTH chiefs say tackling poverty is the key to combating County Durham's appalling record of child tooth decay. A report by the County Durham and Darlington Health Authority reveals that half of all five year olds have suffered some form of decay. The

  • Bennett wants a Feethams fortress

    CONFIDENT Gary Bennett last night revealed his determination to ensure his Darlington side continue to make Feethams a fortress. Rushden and Diamonds visit the ground today and Quakers boss Bennett is hopeful of another win. Darlington are unbeaten in

  • Deal to save microchip factory ready for signing

    A MULTI-MILLION pound deal to rescue Filtronic's North-East microchip plant could be tied up in the next few weeks. The electronics company confirmed in the summer heads of agreement with American based M/A-Com and BAe Systems Avionics to boost capacity

  • Cancer patients forced to travel

    MORE than 500 patients on Teesside will be forced to travel for major cancer treatment under new plans by a health trust. Major cancer treatments at the University Hospital of Hartlepool are to be moved to North Tees, it was decided yesterday. Patients

  • Three off as Pool seal victory

    HARTLEPOOL United finally got the victory Chris Turner has been demanding with a fiery win over Carlisle at Victoria Park. Three players were dismissed - Pool's Kevin Henderson and Carlisle's Lee Andrews for fighting in the penalty area and the visitors

  • Speedy recovery may not be enough for Gary

    NEWCASTLE United manager Bobby Robson could pull Gary Speed out of the Wales squad for the World Cup game against Belarus in Cardiff a week today. Robson yesterday admitted he was undecided over whether Welsh skipper Speed, who has been out for five weeks

  • Trainer Talk

    THIS week has seen two top jockeys retire, Peter Niven and John Reid. Niven, 37, rode his first winner at Sedgefield for his mother on May 25, 1984, and his last winner on May 9, 2001, at Wetherby - number 1,000. Niven's most notable winner was Monsieur

  • No Excuse for failure at Ascot

    THERE'S a truly international line-up for this afternoon's Group 1 Queen Elizabeth 11 Stakes at Ascot, with six countries represented in the £300,000 showpiece. Frankie Dettori's mount, Noverre, the winner of this season's French 2000 Guineas and the

  • My secret life as a codebreaker

    It was Vera Kirby's skill at crosswords that landed her a job at Britain's top secret intelligence headquarters. She had just completed her WRNS induction course when she was asked to stay behind for a mysterious interview. Now 78 and living in North

  • Are you ready for the toughest test?

    REVIEWS: Title: Paris-Dakar Rally. Publisher: Acclaim. Format: PS2 CD-ROM. Price: £39.99 ACCORDING to Hubert Auriol, the brains behind the world's toughest motor sport event, the Paris-Dakar Rally is founded on two values: courage and endurance. Anyone

  • Husband faces murder charge

    A MAN charged with the murder of his teenage wife appeared before Teesside Crown Court yesterday. Stephen Butters, 41, of High Row, Loftus, east Cleveland, is accused of killing 19-year-old Claire Amy Butters, nee Cummings, in May, shortly after the couple

  • Ian hopes sponsor will leap to rescue

    A COUNTY Durham high jumper is looking for sponsorship to put a spring in his step. Ian Holliday, the North-East indoor and outdoor high jump champion, hopes to achieve his dream of competing in the Commonwealth Games, in Manchester next year. The Bishop

  • Careers drive

    STAFF at careers centres across North Yorkshire are gearing up for a Government drive to help disabled people back into work. The Guidance Enterprises Group - which has centres in Northallerton, Scarborough, Harrogate, and York - has been awarded the

  • Hunt for car-wheel raiders

    THIEVES who broke into a car at the back of a Darlington road jacked it up and stole three alloy wheels. Police are appealing for information about the attack on the Vauxhall Cavalier at the rear of Haughton Road, which happened between 12.45am and 10.30am

  • Youngsters defy rain for 'toddle waddle'

    WADDLING toddlers took the streets of their local village to raise funds for charity. More than 20 youngsters from Bakers House Day Nursery, in Staindrop, took part in a sponsored "toddle waddle" to raise funds for the Meningitis Trust. A team of six

  • No building row, says headteacher

    RUMOURS about a row over the completion date for a school extension have been scotched by the headteacher. Croft CE Primary School, at Croft-on-Tees was awarded £52,000 from the National Lottery Community Fund in May to build an extension to house an

  • Thieves take stereo after keys bungle

    FAILED efforts by thieves to steal keys from a house saw them make off with a personal stereo instead. The thieves carried out their raid at a house in The Mead, Darlington, without even stepping inside. After breaking two windows in the porch, they used

  • Deal to save microchip factory ready for signing

    A MULTI-MILLION pound deal to rescue Filtronic's Newton Aycliffe microchip plant could be tied up in the next few weeks. The electronics company confirmed in the summer heads of agreement with American-based M/A-Com and BAe Systems Avionics to boost capacity

  • Double blow for victims of burglary

    RAIDING a Darlington house was not enough for greedy burglars who decided to steal their victims' car as well. The back door of the house, in Mallard Road, was forced open and a haul of items was taken. However, as well as the Nokia 6150 mobile phone,

  • Holiday clubs open through grant

    A ONE-OFF grant has helped cover the cost of more out-of-school holiday clubs than ever before in the Richmondshire area. At least 230 new childcare places have been created in the past year, with funding from Westminster channelled through North Yorkshire

  • News in brief

    Phone mast plan rejected Plans by a mobile phone firm to add microwave dishes and antennae on a telecommunications mast used by the emergency services in the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty at Greenhow Hill, near Pateley Bridge, has been

  • Ian hopes sponsor will leap to rescue

    A COUNTY Durham high jumper is looking for sponsorship to put a spring in his step. Ian Holliday, the North-East indoor and outdoor high jump champion, hopes to achieve his dream of competing in the Commonwealth Games, in Manchester next year. The Bishop

  • Seats swap soothes irate Tory

    SOME semblance of peace has returned to a town council which was headline news when a row blew up over who sat where. Conservative David Johnson was adamant that he should be allowed to sit next to fellow Tory, Oliver Blease, in the Richmond council chamber

  • Ex-miner jailed for 'vile' sex acts

    A MAN who terrorised a town by exposing himself in front of schoolgirls while wearing his ex-wife's underwear was jailed for four years at the Old Bailey in London yesterday. Former North-East coal-miner Michael Croney, 34, exposed himself or committed

  • Ex-miner jailed for 'vile' sex acts

    A MAN who terrorised a town by exposing himself in front of schoolgirls while wearing his ex-wife's underwear was jailed for four years at the Old Bailey in London yesterday. Former North-East coal-miner Michael Croney, 34, exposed himself or committed

  • Families have say in review of services

    FAMILIES are being urged to have their say on social services as part of a Government review. Next month, the Independent Joint Review Team will begin a three-month analysis of the effectiveness of Middlesbrough Council's social services. The team, comprising

  • Women grow in confidence

    WOMEN took the top two places at the annual Traveller's Rest Leek Club show at Skeeby, near Richmond. The show was won by Pat Hall, who was awarded best leek in show and best matching pair, although hers was not the biggest stand. Second place went to

  • Woman left 'recluse' by attack

    MAIMED Tracey Bourn has told how a spurned lesbian attacked her in a nightclub, leaving her scarred for life. The 20-year-old said jealous Shelly Thompson smashed a bottle on her forehead before plunging the glass into her cheek. Ms Bourn needed almost

  • Wannabe Billy Elliots prepare for stage debut

    TWELVE young "Billy Elliots" come to the Arc in Stockton, Teesside, tonight for the premiere performance of the newly-formed Northern Youth Dance Company. The company is about to embark on its first regional tour, after members completed a vigorous rehearsal

  • Husband faces murder charge

    A MAN charged with the murder of his teenage wife appeared before Teesside Crown Court yesterday. Stephen Butters, 41, of High Row, Loftus, east Cleveland, is accused of killing 19-year-old Claire Amy Butters, nee Cummings, in May, shortly after the couple

  • For your benefit - Who gets bereavement pay?

    Q I had never heard of the £2,000 Bereavement Payment you recently mentioned. Am I eligible, as I am 66 and my husband recently died aged 73? A I am afraid not. Bereavement Payments can be made if you are under pension age when your spouse dies. If older

  • Comment: Bunkering our chances

    IT is no surprise that the North-East has missed out on hosting the Ryder Cup in 2010 and the chance for our great region to be promoted to a worldwide audience of 700 million. Even those who put together such an impressive bid for golf's biggest event

  • Developer Terrace Hill gets nod for £250m Tyne project

    A DEVELOPER has been chosen to build a huge business park on Tyneside, with the potential to create 5,000 jobs. Terrace Hill Group, currently developing Teesdale Business park on Teesside, has been chosen by Gateshead Borough Council to build the £250m

  • Indecent images stored on computer

    IMAGES of children in indecent poses were found among 2,000 pornographic pictures downloaded from the Internet on a domestic computer. Durham Crown Court heard that police officers visiting the home of 61-year-old Michael David Williams noticed a computer

  • Teleware makes move to £4m headquarters

    TELEPHONE applications and software business Teleware has moved into a £4m headquarters in Thirsk. The company has moved its 80 head office staff from a base in the town to the new 30,000sq ft premises on Thirsk Industrial Park. Teleware was founded in

  • Safety survey reveals flaws in 21 taxis

    SCORES of defects were uncovered when police made a check of all 140 east Durham taxis. Four cabs were ordered off the road during the inspection by officers from the accident investigation unit, and a further 17 were issued with defect notices requiring

  • Bid to cut waiting times

    A GP'S surgery is spearheading a drive to cut waiting times for people needing to see their doctor. Ryhope Medical Centre is the first surgery in Sunderland to introduce new measures to enhance levels of healthcare and make it easier for patients to see

  • City centre nuisance back in court again

    A JUDGE has agreed to a new approach to prevent a persistent drunk causing more nuisance for emergency services. John Newman, 36, became one of the first people in the North-East to be made the subject of an anti-social behaviour order in June last year

  • Pupils lap up milk day event

    YOUNGSTERS milked the chance to dress up for a celebration at an infant school. The pupils and nursery children at St Oswald's, Durham,were asked to adopt appropriate outfits for Word School Milk Day, on Wednesday. Headteacher Kathleen Linsley said many

  • When fiction becomes fact

    IN the face of an increasing threat from extremists, fuelled by escalating conflict in the Middle East, western countries come together to form an anti-terrorist alliance. Not just events unfolding in and around Afghanistan, but also the plot of thrillers

  • Airlines 'using US attacks as an excuse to axe jobs'

    THE outlook for the world economy was bleak before the recent terrorist attacks on the US. That was the message from economic advisor Roger Bootle at the inaugural Deloitte & Touche North-East businessmen's dinner in Newcastle. But he told the assembled

  • Holiday Shorts

    WHERE can your read how a Minster, the largest Gothic church in England, survived three major fires seemingly unscathed; discover how vast tracts of Yorkshire and Northumberland, laid waste for more than 100 years after the Norman Conquest, mounted a

  • Thieves jailed for raids on lorries

    A GANG of thieves who targeted lorries parked at night along the Al and Ml was put behind bars yesterday. The gang was kept under observation by officers from North Yorkshire Police, who were concerned about the number of thefts and attempted thefts from

  • Three face murder charge

    A TEENAGER and two men have appeared before Teesside Crown Court charged with murder. Derek Angus, 29, of Carnarvon Close, Eston, Darren Hart, 19, of Upper Oxford Street, South Bank, both Middlesbrough, and a 16-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal

  • Beattie bags the points for Saints

    Middlesbrough's recent run of good form came to an end at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday. The visitors to Teesside, Southampton, deservedly returned south with three points in the bag after ending a run that had seen their opponents take seven points

  • Falcons' youngsters go into European battle

    TWO front row pals who have scrummed down together since they were 11, are in the Newcastle Falcons team for the club's Heineken European Cup debut tonight. "I can't wait," said hooker Christian Balshen, generally known as Billy, as he prepared for the

  • Pool boss confident of steady climb up table

    CHRIS Turner is well aware of the perils of the play-offs. After losing to Blackpool in last season's end of season shake-up, Pool have yet to find the form that catapulted them into fourth place in Division Three. A return of six points from nine games

  • Gallery turns page in Japanese picture book

    ARTWORK from the other side of the world is about to enliven a North-East gallery. A five-week exhibition has opened at the Hatton Gallery, Newcastle, on the art of the Japanese picture book, alongside an education programme dubbed Eastern Puzzles. The

  • City Diary : Economic statistics in the spotlight

    ECONOMIC data should have the most bearing on the London market next week as corporate reporting takes a back seat. Of those companies issuing results, retailers will provide a useful glimpse of conditions on the high street. The Bank of England's monetary

  • Hague supports theatre appeal

    THE Conservative Party's former leader said he was hoping to become a more regular visitor to a historic theatre when he handed its management a cheque for £32,340 yesterday. Talking to supporters of Richmond's Georgian Theatre Royal, William Hague admitted

  • New plan to develop land for recreation

    PLANS have been drawn up to redevelop recreational land in Northallerton for the benefit of all. Councillors are attempting to balance the needs of sport and recreational users with those of dog owners and walkers on land behind Hambleton Leisure Centre

  • Bird comes back from the brink of crisis

    ONE of the region's most common birds appears to have pulled back from the brink of crisis. Reports in recent years had suggested a worrying decline in mallard ducks, traditionally a regular sight on ponds and lakes across the North-East and North Yorkshire

  • Facing danger with a smile

    AMID all our grave concerns this morning for Yvonne Ridley, those of us who know her will still find time for a little smile. A smile which says that if any journalist was going to be caught up in the world's biggest crisis for half a century, then it

  • McClaren's young guns helping fire Boro revival

    MIDDLESBROUGH manager Steve McClaren last night hailed the performances of his young guns during the club's recent run of good results. Struggling Southampton visit the Riverside this afternoon and the Boro boss admits he is delighted to be faced with

  • N-East journalist held by Taliban

    A FORMER Northern Echo journalist was last night being held by the ruling Taliban after she was arrested in Afghanistan. Yvonne Ridley, 43, originally from Stanley, County Durham, was detained yesterday near the eastern city of Jalalabad. Reports by the

  • Newcastle United : 3 Liverpool : 2. August 21, 1971

    NEW signing Malcolm Macdonald had yet to make his mark in a black and white shirt when he lined up for his home debut in front of 39,720 fans at St James' Park. Macdonald was a prolific scorer for Second Division Luton when Joe Harvey swooped to sign

  • Men get jail terms for selling Ecstasy

    SEVEN men have been jailed for a total of more than 11 years after selling Ecstasy to undercover police officers. During a six-month operation centred around several pubs in Crook, County Durham, the men were arrested by police. All seven admitted being