MIDDLESBROUGH manager Steve McClaren admits inspirational centre-back Gareth Southgate took a gamble when joining the club last summer. But the Boro boss has been delighted to see his £6.5m capture prove that it was a gamble worth taking. There were many
DESPAIRING police last night appealed to drivers to slow down after the worst start to an Easter weekend on Britain's roads for decades left four dead and scores injured. More than 30 vehicles were involved in an horrendous pile-up in dense fog on the
HEALTH bosses have had to bail out one of the region's largest hospital trusts, which was facing debts of £2m. South Tees Hospitals Trust, which is being expanded, had to ask Tees and County Durham health authorities for financial support to balance its
A NEW visitor centre is to be opened tomorrow by the Archbishop of York, the Right Reverend David Hope. The centre has been built in the ruined shell of a 17th Century mansion in the shadow of Whitby Abbey. English Heritage said the completion of the
A £500,000 government grant is to be invested in easing congestion on city streets. The Department for Local Government and the Regions has released the cash to help cover the cost of a system pioneered by the City of York Council, which will provide
SHOPPERS who turned up for the opening of a North-East discount department store could barely believe their eyes when Posh and Becks dropped in for a spot of bargain hunting. The celebrity pair were in Hartlepool for the opening of the new-look Designer
A VIRTUAL reality maze has been constructed by a student at a North-East university before the real thing is constructed in the Kielder Forest. The maze has been created by Andrew Paterson, who graduated from the computer- aided graphical technology applications
A NORTHERN Echo reader is hoping her lucky streak will lead to a win during her VIP day at the races. Amanda Price, 26, from Spennymoor, is the winner of The Northern Echo's competition to enjoy a special day out at the Grand National next Saturday. The
PROFESSIONALS living in the Tees Valley who want to improve their social lives can join a special events club. Tees Valley IVC is a non-profit making events club aimed at graduates and professionals living in the Tees Valley region, but stresses that
MUSIC legend Lonnie Donegan is making a welcome return to the region - and this time it will be a real family affair. King of skiffle Donegan, still going strong after more than 50 years in the music business, is to perform at the Hardwick Hall Hotel,
A FORMER Durham haulage worker is hosting his own late-night radio show next week. Jon Harle, of Birtley, Gateshead, quit his job as a haulage worker 17 years ago to follow his dream of a career in radio. Next week, he begins The Northern Nights, a late
TWO teenagers are taking part in a 600-mile fundraising journey to raise the awareness of being disabled after being inspired by the words of singer-songwriter Bob Dylan. The lyrics "Feel like falling in love with the first woman I meet/Putting her in
AT the time it was a handy way of filling a gap in a door frame, but 116 years later the newspaper, which a builder used in a County Durham home, has become an historical artefact. A copy of the North-Eastern Daily Gazette, dated October 23, 1886, was
Pop idol Will Young last night appealed to missing teenager Amanda Dowler to get in touch with her family. The singer made the TV appeal to the 13-year-old - known to her family as Milly - before going on stage before 12,000 fans at the Sheffield Arena
THOUSANDS of unwanted fridges are to be shipped abroad for disposal by a hard- up council desperate to reduce a mountain of unwanted appliances. Fridges are being stockpiled across the region, because local authorities have been banned from dumping them
Police are appealing for information about a fatal car crash in the early hours of Thursday. The incident happened shortly before 3.40am when a Ford Sierra collided with a fence post on Mainthorpe Terrace, Hartlepool, Teesside. No other vehicles are thought
FOOTBALL stars and super models are happy enough to pick up the ludicrously fat pay cheques which accompany their fame. So when these so-called role models are exposed as liars, cheats and hypocrites, their howls of protest about consequent publicity
Hull City 1 : Darlington 2 - It wasn't pretty and it was rarely entertaining, but for the first time since records began, or at least that's how it felt, Darlington are now able to savour a weekend victory. In ten previous games Darlington had failed
Action films were once box office gold dust, but as the public appetite seems to have changed, Film Writer Steve Pratt asks if their muscle-bound stars have lost their pecs appeal ARNOLD Schwarzenegger begins by declaring how happy he is to be back in
With a devoted audience, an eye for a bargain and a forthcoming visit to the North-East, Bargain Hunt presenter David Dickinson looks set to go from strength to strength. Steve Pratt meets the man as renowned for his personality as his presenting THE
Arsenal 3 : Sunderland 0 - THE GAP between the two sides - at different ends of the Premiership table - was immense. And even the most die-hard fans would admit that Sunderland, for all their second-half fight, were fortunate to escape a comprehensive
I WAS quite appalled at your right-wing attitude to the case of David Duddin, the prisoner who sued a hotel in Yarm for holiday pay earned while serving his sentence (Echo, Mar 23). I expect that he was employed by the hotel with an agreed set of terms
Mary Reveley never runs her horses out of their depth so the hint should be taken with Tees Components, who makes the long trip for the bluesq.com Queens Prize Showcase Handicap over two miles at Kempton this afternoon. Although he's making his handicap
SATURDAY - BEST FACTUAL Those House Detectives At Large (BBC2, 8.10pm) tackle the challenge of saving a villa outside Calcutta that was once the home of Clive of India. What they find surprises even these experienced investigators. BEST DRAMA Tony Parsons's
A SENIOR fire officer has confirmed that, in his view, it was a miracle no one died in yesterday's pile-up in fog on the A1 (M) in North Yorkshire. Four people had been killed in similar incidents, which dominated news bulletins the night before. Even
Middlesbrough 1 : Tottenham 1 - STYLISH Benito Carbone could scarcely have shone more if he had worn his sparkly matchday suit throughout the 90 minutes. The itinerant Italian striker, who has played for 11 clubs in an often controversial career, is tired
Angler Brian Douglas was stunned when he lost his watch out fishing only for his pal to reel it in two weeks later still ticking. Brian, 64, thought his timepiece was gone for good when it fell in the river while he was out salmon fishing. But by pure
SUNDERLAND club captain Niall Quinn insisted last night: "We are not thinking about being relegated." The Republic of Ireland striker, who returns to his old stamping ground at Arsenal this afternoon, admits that the Wearsiders have been sucked into anxiety
As the public lost its appetite for the anarchic style of The Big Breakfast, Channel 4 bosses decided to change the menu. But will the alternative dish up the goods? It's tempting to say that British early morning television will never be the same again
THE return of one spring tradition yesterday could epitomise the rebirth of the North Yorkshire Dales in the wake of last year's foot-and-mouth outbreak. The Middleham Stables open day was a casualty of the epidemic 12 months ago. The cancellation heralded
Five graveyards, the same number of villages, three churches and North Yorkshire police force are providing a new rewarding challenge for a North-East vicar THE column's multi-talented mother-in-law died last October, her loss felt only last Sunday morning
There is no doubt where the match-of-the-day is. Third-placed Redcar Town meet leaders North Shields with just five points separating the pair although the hosts have a game in hand on their rivals. "It's a massive match for both teams," declared Redcar
The Queen has made her first public appearance since the death of her mother on Saturday. Queen Elizabeth led the family in prayer and remembrance at the coffin of the 101-year-old royal matriarch. Dressed in a black suit, she led royal mourners into
Newcastle United 6 : Everton 2 - NEWCASTLE'S push for a Champions' League place is firmly back on track after Bobby Robson's side derailed Everton's revival under David Moyes. United, desperate to hang on to fourth spot in the Premiership and the promise
All Easter Monday football fixtures in England will go ahead as planned, with clubs paying their own tributes to the Queen Mother, it was announced today. There will be a minute's silence at grounds around the country during the packed holiday fixture
The Queen Mother was remembered at Easter services at home and abroad today. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr George Carey, asked the nation to pray for the Royal Family. In his Easter Sunday sermon at Canterbury Cathedral, he said: ''We meet this morning
The German president Johannes Rau described the Queen Mother as a ''great woman'' and US President George Bush said he and his wife were ''deeply saddened'' by her death. ''We remember the Queen Mother as a great woman who during her long life set an
Flags on all public buildings will be flown at half mast until midnight on April 9, the day of the Queen Mother's funeral, Downing Street said today. Following discussions with the Royal Family, the Government has issued guidance for the public observance
'Never write Manchester United off' has been a phrase used more often than most this season. But surely not even the might of United could bounce back to claim a record fourth successive Premiership title if they were to be defeated at Leeds today. Six
West Auckland have come to the aid of neighbours Evenwood by agreeing to share their ground for the rest of the season. Evenwood have had problems with their floodlights this season, and they had to postpone one game at short notice last week because
Bowls : SIXTEEN of the top teams in the UK are chasing over £10,000 prize money in a four-day Easter Bowls Festival at the Darlington Morrison Centre. Nearly 200 players are currently competing in the prestigious Famous Grouse Top Ten Classic 2002 - which
Shoppers have been warned about traces of a banned harmful substance found in a number of nutritional supplements. Environmental health officers at Sunderland City Council are working with chemists and health food shops to ensure none of the products
THE long-awaited Metro extension linking Newcastle and Sunderland will start operating tomorrow. Delayed by vandalism and bad weather, the first working week of the new line will be marred by a one-day strike on Tuesday when about a third of Metro train
A showpiece centre for sport is to be developed at one of the region's universities. The centre, at the University of Teesside, in Middlesbrough, is expected to be open by September next year and will cost in the region of £6m. The Olympia Building will
AMATEUR artist Neil Johnson is hoping that one of his paintings will receive royal approval. Mr Johnson, former chief executive with Derwentside District Council, has given his painting of a horse to the British Horse Society, which will raffle it during
CHILD killer Mary Bell is asking the courts to place a veil of secrecy over her daughter - for life. Bell, 44, is seeking an order in a bid to give her child a new start with a new name. An order which banned her from being named was made when she became
CHASING a ball in the spring sunshine is the most natural thing in the world for a dog. But for the animal lovers who cared for Meg, the simple sight brings a lump to their throat. Meg may look and act like any other dog but, until recently, the four-year
A TEAM of schoolgirls has beaten groups from around the world in an enterprise challenge. The group of five girls from Staindrop Comprehensive, in County Durham, represented the region at the European Young Enterprise trade fair, which attracted 60 teams
THE quick-thinking actions of a coach driver helped save the life of one of his passengers who took ill. Driver Graham Walker acted swiftly when told that Joe Wilson had blacked out while the bus was travelling on the A19. Sedgefield Borough Council's
EXPANDING a music festival could help with the regeneration of a run-down town centre. The Stanley Blues Festival, held in August, has become a major event in the North-East's musical calendar. Since its humble beginnings almost ten years ago it has grown
AS THE cinema's longest running franchise, the James Bond films are surefire box office hits these days. It wasn't always that way, as actress Eunice Gayson recalled at the opening of the Bond, James Bond exhibition. She played casino siren Sylvia Trench
POLICE officers are expecting to spend the rest of the Easter weekend completing an inch-by-inch search of an old rubbish tip where human remains were found. Bones were unearthed by a digger driver at the site near Strensall, north of York, on Thursday
VIRGIN Vie's new summer catalogue comes out on Wednesday and is packed with cosmetics, skincare and bath and body products. From the new Colour Drench lipstick to the popular aromatherapy products, there is something for everyone, including special ranges
NEWCASTLE Falcons welcome in-form Sale Sharks to Kingston Park tomorrow in what is a must-win game for Rob Andrew's flagging side. However, manager Andrew is well aware that despite the massive importance of the fixture to Newcastle's Heineken Cup ambitions
Worried about your child's Standard Assessment Tests (SATS)? Education.com has teamed up with The Northern Echo to bring you the chance to one of win 12 fantastic study guides to help your child surpass the class! StudyPlus is a fantastic online learning
THE future of a farmers' auction mart that has been an important part of the community for generations has been assured. Concerns were raised over the future of the mart in Masham, North Yorkshire, because it has not been open since last February, when
POLICE have arrested a man in Scarborough on suspicion of supporting a banned paramilitary organisation. It follows a swoop on the resort's Golden Last Hotel, in Eastborough. North Yorkshire Police said "various items of property were seized". Today,
A CEMETERY containing the remains of nuns and monks will remain undisturbed when a hospital closes. Officials at the St John of God Hospital at Scorton, North Yorkshire, have confirmed that the consecrated plot, behind the main building, would not be
The Premiership soccer star who fought a legal battle to prevent a Sunday newspaper exposing his adultery can today be named as Blackburn Rovers player Garry Flitcroft. The 29-year-old footballer's identity was revealed after a legal injunction ended
In 1995 Peter Reid took charge at Sunderland with seven games to save the club from relegation. As Sports Writer Frank Johnson discovers, seven years later he's in exactly the same position SEVEN YEARS ago yesterday Peter Reid was given seven games to
A HOPPING mad giant kangaroo skipped to a league game yesterday to urge fans to kick cruelty out of football. Campaigners yesterday joined Kylie the kangaroo at the main entrance of St James's Park, to call on Newcastle fans to boycott kangaroo leather
TEACHERS are demanding action to punish the children who wreck their careers by making false allegations of abuse. Members of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL), are calling for pupils to face suspension or expulsion and have their school
Athletics : NEWLY-CROWNED British Veterans cross country champion Rob Hand became the first over-40 to win the opening leg of the annual Elswick Road Relays yesterday. But the Durham City doctor was later disqualified for also running the anchor leg for
A SCHOOL is appealing for a private company to help it pay for a range of new facilities. Hurworth Comprehensive must raise another £15,000 in six months to reach its target of £50,000 to bid for specialist maths and computer status. If it fails to raise
A LORRY driver may hold vital clues to an horrific motorway pile-up which left 24 people injured, police believe. Detectives are appealing for public help to track down the man as they continue a criminal investigation into the crash which caused chaos
DETECTIVES fear they may never catch the dealer who supplied a North-East teenager with the heroin that killed her. It is nearly a year since the death of schoolgirl Catherine Longstaff, who had ambitions of becoming a doctor. A student at King James
HARTLEPOOL United's Easter programme has suffered a major setback after influential midfielder Mark Tinkler was ruled out of both games. The 27-year-old sustained a freak knee injury last Monday, when falling off a ladder, and he has been ruled out of
The Prince of Wales with Princes William and Harry visited Royal Lodge, Windsor this afternoon to pay their respects to the Queen Mother. The three royals arrived by car at the royal residence where she died yesterday. Earlier they had landed at RAF Northolt
Deadline came and went on Thursday without Darlington getting involved in the transfer whirlwind which always takes place at this time of the season, but Quakers will have a new face in their side at Hull this afternoon. However, the player isn't so much
BOBBY ROBSON last night hailed the return to form and fitness of Kieron Dyer and declared: "People can't live with him when he plays like this.'' World Cup hopeful Dyer was inspirational as Newcastle romped to a 6-2 victory over Everton at St James' Park
Buckingham Palace has announced that the Queen Mother has died "peacefully" in her sleep at Windsor. She died "peacefully in her sleep" this afternoon at Royal Lodge, Windsor. "The Queen was at her mother's bedside," said a Palace spokesman. "Queen Elizabeth
FA Vase preview : Durham City manager Brian Honour believes that his players will be "fully charged" as they try to salvage their FA Carlsberg Vase final dreams today. City go into their all-Northern League semi-final second leg against Whitley Bay trailing
Oxford United 1 : Hartlepool United 2 - JUST OVER three years ago Eifion Williams fired a hat-trick on his League debut for Torquay United to demolish Hartlepool United 3-0. On that March day in 1999, Pool boss Chris Turner had to watch on as the striker
MY mission was a failure. I had been planning to put the numbers 007 after my name but, after completing the spy training course at the new James Bond exhibition, it's more a case of oh-oh-dear. My efforts were more George Lazenby, who played the screen
