OF THE three deaths of famous people over Easter, the Queen Mother's inevitably took the lion's share of the headlines. But the passing of the comedian Dudley Moore was also well noted, with many glowing tributes. However, the death of a man whose name
A ROUTINE investigation into an abandoned car led to the discovery of the body of a 38-year-old health worker who had been stabbed to death in her home. Police were called out by a resident concerned about a green R-registered Vauxhall Corsa who told
A HOLD-UP to repair work on a crumbling railway bridge was no closer to being sorted out today. North Yorkshire County Council is hoping to carry out urgently-needed improvements to the bridge barrier at Dalton-on-Tees, near Darlington, after it was highlighted
AS millions watched the televised proceedings of the Queen Mother's funeral, some sought quieter contemplation and reflection. Few settings could have been more tranquil and fitting than Gibside Estate, near Gateshead, ancestral home of the Queen Mother
THE Tenor bell is tolling once a minute, 101 times in all to mark 101 years. Its pulses, deep and sonorous, floating over the heads of the crowds lining the pavement and over the big black busbies of the guardsmen flanking the road. Their sergeant-majors
Soldiers who took part in the Queen Mother's funeral procession yesterday described their mixed emotions of pride and sadness as they performed their duties. Members of the Irish Guards, who carried the coffin, and of the army band which led the procession
Hollywood Greats: Doris Day (BBC1) THE skimpiness of this biography of Doris Day is illustrated by the fact that presenter Jonathan Ross stated she married for a fourth time and that the union was "shortlived" without bothering to mention the name of
TWO road workers were killed when an HGV ploughed into them without even braking, a court heard. John Corkin, 29 and Kevin Barker, 40, died in the accident after a juggernaut hit the back of their flat bed maintenance truck as they laid out cones for
THE foot-and-mouth epidemic which ravaged much of Britain's holiday and leisure industry last year has proved a mountain too high to climb for businessman Ian Perrin. Thirteen years ago Mr Perrin had the distinction of starting the first specialist mountain
VANDALS caused thousands of pounds worth of damage to a Darlington school. Police answering calls about youths on the roof of Alderman Leach Primary School, at 6pm on Sunday, found classrooms ransacked. Windows had been smashed and the youths had tried
SIX new healthcare groups in County Durham and Darlington have launched their own websites. The Primary Care Trusts were created on April 1 to oversee care in the community by GPs at clinics, health centres and in people's homes. They bring together doctors
A FELL rescue team is heading for a record-breaking year as the number of call-outs soar. The volunteer Cleveland Search and Rescue Team has been called out eight times in a little more than three weeks. Spokesman Pete Mounsey said Easter proved to be
FORMER Detective Superintendent Ray Mallon is being challenged to explain in detail on the worldwide web why he admitted to 14 disciplinary charges. The challenge comes from Cleveland Police Authority chairman Councillor Ken Walker. Suspended from duty
FARMERS have been urged to take greater safety precautions on their premises following an alarming rise in the number of deaths and injuries in agricultural accidents. One person dies in a farming accident every week, according to figures for last year
THE brother of a rock legend who has helped raised funds for charity is to receive a guitar autographed by skiffle king Lonnie Donegan as a thank-you for his efforts. Mick Jagger's lesser-known brother, Chris, has for a long time been quietly working
SCIENTISTS have devised the world's first solar power stained glass window for England's oldest cathedral. Designs for the window in Ripon, North Yorkshire, have already been prepared and when complete it will be used to power a bronze water feature.
A TEENAGE gang which has made the lives of a small community "an absolute misery" has been banned from the streets. Two of the youths have been issued with banning orders keeping them off the streets of South Moor, near Stanley, while another three have
Nestl UK has given its Volunteer of the Year Award to Colin Laidler, of Washington, who works at the company's Fawdon factory, in Newcastle, for his dedication to community projects. Colin, a volunteer at Washington's Citizens Advice Bureau for 14 years
A KEY player in helping defence companies in the North-East win more business is retiring. Colin Smith, from Ripon, is standing down from Northern Defence Industries (NDI), where he was membership development manager, after seeing the organisation welcome
LEISURE bosses in Hartlepool have unveiled their latest recreation guide, which contains dozens of ideas for things to do in the town. The free, 16-page booklet - called Recreation - includes information about sports courses, countryside walks and wildlife
PATIENTS on the children's ward at the University Hospital of Hartlepool were presented with special gifts. Jason Mawhinney and his mother, Lesley, presented the children with a basket of 173 chocolate eggs, which he won as a prize at Lightwater Valley
AN apple tree marking a headteacher's achievement has been planted at a school. The ceremony took place at Houghton Kepier School, Houghton-le-Spring, to mark the success of headteacher Sue Hyland, who was named 2001 UK winner of the Leadership Trust
OF course it went perfectly. You didn't expect anything else, did you? There was split second timing, soaring singing, polished boots, everything organised, disciplined, immaculate and controlled. Britain at its most splendidly efficient. Ho ho, said
AN attack victim who is now afraid to leave her home after dark has appealed for help to catch her assailant. The 30-year-old woman from Evenwood, near Bishop Auckland, was left bruised and shocked by a mugger who tried to snatch her purse as she walked
KNOWING that this is a column of catholic tastes but Protestant upbringing, Ernie Reynolds in Wheatley Hill invites consideration of the term "left footer". In the North-East as possibly elsewhere, it is a reference to Roman Catholics - and so far as
IT had been a long goodbye. At the beginning, many made the mistake of assuming that love for the Queen Mother did not run as deeply as it did. In contrast to the death of Princess Diana, there was no shock, no shuddering disbelief, so the consequent
A NORTH-EAST man has won his battle with the bulge. Stephen Clarey, 34, of Shildon, County Durham, decided to embark on a strict exercise programme after his weight crept up to 16st. Mr Clarey joined Sedgefield Borough Council's Fit For Life programme
TEESDALE farmers are being offered the chance to meet with an adviser to discuss sharing in a £1.6bn cash grant for the countryside. The money has been reserved by the Government to help rural development in the aftermath of the foot-and- mouth epidemic
ATTEMPTS are being made to tackle illegal tipping in a village after nearly 100 tyres were found dumped on the banks of the River Wear. Fly-tippers are plaguing Witton Park, near Bishop Auckland, which campaigners are attempting to turn into a tourist
TWO local authorities are celebrating receiving national awards for the excellence of their services. Sedgefield Borough Council has received a Charter Mark award for its outstanding work in the health profession. The authority's Fit for Life scheme helps
AN all-black police dog has been issued with a special reflective collar to make it more visible at night. Despite impressing experts at the regional police dog training centre, at Harperley Hall, near Crook, to pass an initial course, Ricky the German
PLANS to install a lavatory at a village church have been delayed because of confusion over which system to install. An architect is considering how the facility could be most cheaply and effectively installed at St Andrew's Church, Sadberge. A church
A BUSINESSMAN is hoping to cash in on a former bank building by turning it into a pub. The prominent building in Bishop Auckland Market Place has become a rundown eyesore since Barclays Banks closed its operation there in November 1999. Now it is to get
TRANSPORT company Arriva was drawn into a "fat cat" row last night, after details of the pay packet given to its top director emerged. Chief executive Bob Davies was paid a salary of £316,000, last year, plus a bonus of £201,000 and "benefits in kind"
RUG-MAKERS have taken centre stage at a rural museum in an exhibition which attracted visitors from across the country. Dozens of rugs went on display at the Ryedale Folk Museum, in Hutton-le-Hole, near Pickering, recently. The success of the exhibition
THE winner of the North-East battle for the next edition of the board game Monopoly is due to be announced tomorrow. Maker Winning Moves has refused to reveal whether Durham or Sunderland won an e-mail vote, because the nation has been mourning the death
A CHARITY is looking for volunteers to help raise £65,000 to launch an odd job scheme. Help the Aged in Durham and Wearside is asking for helpers to take part in fund-raising events throughout the year. Money raised will go towards the charity's Handy
A GREEN scheme for Sunderland youngsters has won £10,000 from the County Durham Environmental Trust. The trust (CDENT) is giving the money for the sustainable waste element of the EcoRangers project, aimed at nine-year-olds. The fourth consecutive Eco
MANUFACTURERS appear to be on the road to recovery after official figures showed the first monthly improvement in output since August. The sector, which has been in recession for the past year, enjoyed a 0.4 per cent increase in output in February, the
PLANS for speed humps in an east Durham road could win approval despite objections from some of the residents. Durham County Council is proposing the traffic measure in Haverley Drive, Seaton, near Seaham, to curb drivers' speeds. But 12 of the 106 people
The next general meeting of the North Richmondshire Partnership will take place in Gilling West Village Hall on next Wednesday, at 7.30pm. This will concern finalising a questionnaire for the production of the Community Investment Prospectus and consider
THERE was much ado at a leisure centre when a sports hall was turned into a theatre. The transformation took place at the Rainbow Leisure Centre, Coulby Newham, near Middlesbrough, and included installing a 400-seater auditorium complete with lighting
PEOPLE in Middlesbrough are being urged to find out what is being done to improve the town, by hopping aboard a roving bus. A community strategy plan by the Middlesbrough Partnership is being taken all over the town this week. Partnership manager Rob
FIREFIGHTERS were called to tackle a blaze in a derelict building at the waterside, Frankland Lane, Durham, just along from the National Savings and Benefits Agency offices, at about midnight yesterday. They extinguished a small fire on the first floor
OF course it went perfectly. You didn't expect anything else, did you? There was split second timing, soaring singing, polished boots, everything organised, disciplined, immaculate and controlled. Britain at its most splendidly efficient. Ho ho, said
Come back Italian coffee bars. Last week we were down Memory Lane in Dimambros in Houghton le Spring with Norman Cuthbertson. Well Ethel Dobson and Mary Miller were there too. Mary, who now lives in Durham, was a regular in the 50s "the days when we soaked
VANDALS who broke into a North-East woman's car recorded the sounds of them smashing the glass and tearing up the upholstery - then left it for the devastated owner. Margaret Thompson found the recording in the back of her wrecked VW Polo. On it one of
Transport funds boost FUNDING to help people get about more easily has moved a step closer for residents. Easingwold Town Council's bid to buy another scooter as part of its shop mobility scheme has received the support of Rural Transport. An application
THE search is on to find a town's top young musician. Stockton Rotary Club is holding the Stockton Young Musician of the Year 2003, as part of the club's 75th anniversary celebrations. The competition will be for musicians who either live in Stockton
Newcastle's hopes of Champions League entry next season hinge on how quickly they can get Craig Bellamy off his training bike and back into first team action. Newcastle, who blew the chance to open a three-point gap on rivals Chelsea with a nervy 1-1
A PROJECT is hoping to secure enough funding to provide a future for an east Cleveland landmark. Gisborough Priory, in Guisborough, dates back to the 12th century. The monument is owned by Lord Gisborough, but under the care of English Heritage and managed
A JEWELLER has celebrated 30 years in business. Robin Finnegan set up his own business in Darlington after leaving school at 18, dealing in coins and unusual medals before expanding into jewellery. Finnegan Jewellers became a partnership 19 years ago.
The Professional Footballers' Association last night admitted they had been unable to progress with the proposed free transfer of Darlington skipper Craig Liddle. PFA sources confirmed that plans had been made to add Liddle's name to the list of players
THE region paid its quiet respects to the Queen Mother yesterday with many towns and cities coming to a standstill. The battlements of Lumley Castle, near Chester-le-Street, County Durham, echoed to a lone piper who played a lament to a great servant
THE Royal Family sat together in sorrow at Westminster Abbey as the world bade farewell to the Queen Mother. The Prince of Wales's grief was etched on his face as he sat staring at his grandmother's coffin a few feet in front. Flanked by his sons, William
It was the day a million people took to the streets to pay tribute and celebrate the life of the Queen Mother. But it was also a day of mourning for a family coming to terms with the death of its 101-year-old royal matriarch. The Queen was stoical as
A TELEPHONE mast is likely to be installed in a residential area of Darlington, despite people's claims that it contravenes their human rights. Communication company Hutchinson 3GUK, will install the mast in Abbey Road after councillors, meeting today
IN-FORM Republic of Ireland international Kevin Kilbane believes Sunderland can sweep aside lingering relegation worries by winning two of their last four Premiership matches. But the speedy left-winger acknowledges that the Wearsiders will have to sharpen
SUNDERLAND plc remains focused on achieving long-term, sustained success, despite reporting an operating loss of £181,000 for the six months to January 31. Although developments on the pitch this season have not be so good, with the team in the lower
ONE of football's all-time greats was recovering at home yesterday after being taken ill at a speaking engagement. Soccer legend John Charles was rushed to hospital after becoming unwell at the Civil Service Club in Scarborough earlier this week. But
Police yesterday issued a rogues gallery of football hooligans who brought terror to a city after a Premiership grudge match. The thugs were captured on film as trouble flared outside the away supporters' exit at Sunderland's Stadium of Light after the
AN indoor bowls club could face ruin if Darlington Borough Council fails to throw it a financial lifeline. Darlington and District Indoor Bowls Club has been based at the Morrisons shopping complex in North Road since 1979. Morrisons leases the bowling
POLICE have made an arrest following thefts from vehicles in the Bishop Auckland area. A 37-year-old man is helping police with their inquiries after he was arrested in possession of a radio allegedly stolen from a car in Clarence Gardens, Bishop Auckland
PARTNERSHIP MEETING: A recent Crook Community Partnership meeting was told by PC Graham Milne that there had been three house burglaries, 15 public disorder offences, eight thefts of motor vehicles and 22 cases of criminal damage in the Crook area in
A strike by medical secretaries on Wearside is expected to be called off today, after five weeks, following an improved pay offer. More than 130 secretaries are due to vote on whether to accept the offer from City Hospitals Sunderland Health Care Trust
AN 11-year-old runaway stunned drinkers in a North-East pub by singing and dancing for money while she was being hunted by police. Chantelle White, who has a rare medical condition which leaves her with no concept of danger, gave two care staff looking
ROCKY, a ginger tomcat, has astonished vets after it survived being thrown 100ft down a cliff. The cat was found wedged between rocks on the edge of the North Sea when its cries were heard by walkers near Ryhope, Sunderland. It was taken to a vet, where
A TOTAL of £5m has been awarded for two new schools in the North-East. Two years ago Durham County Council presented a bid to the Department for Education and Skills to replace four crumbling special schools. It hopes to replace them with a new primary
PATIENTS with serious head injuries cannot be treated in the casualty department of a Government showpiece hospital. A shortage of casualty nurses means patients with head injuries have to be transferred to the orthopaedic wards a specialist department
UNIVERSITY experts are taking part in a conference today to encourage more working class youngsters to enter higher education. The conference, in Bradford, will look at how universities can work with school teachers to encourage applications from children
A FOUR-YEAR-OLD boy and his uncle were seriously injured when a motocross rider accidentally careered into them. David Robson and uncle Darren Robson were watching a rally when the bike flew out of control. The youngster's mother kept a vigil at his hospital
EXPERTS from television's Time Team have begun an investigation to try to reveal the mysteries of a village's Roman past. A Channel 4 film crew is spending three days at Hardwick Park, in Sedgefield, County Durham, in the hope of finding evidence of Roman
BUDGET airline easyJet is expecting to report a profit for the past six months, helped by favourable weather and an early Easter. The firm has traditionally made a loss for the first half of its financial year but yesterday said it would report a modest
A PRISONER who made a daring escape from a security van was still on the run last night - as police tried to reassure the public that he posed no threat. Daniel Crane, 22, broke free from a Group 4 van just minutes after he had appeared before magistrates
With the death of the Queen Mother the Royal Family has lost its most well-loved member. NICK MORRISON asks: what now for the monarchy? TO some, she was a cosseted relic of the past, whose principal achievement seems to have been to prop up sales of the
A MOTORCYCLIST from the North-East died after suffering severe head injuries when his 600cc Yamaha Fazer was in collision with a Peugeot 306 car on the A686 Penrith to Alston road in Cumbria. Amarjit Singh from South Tyneside was taken to Cumberland Infirmary
WHAT a disappointment the new Durham Millennium Square and its buildings are. The open space is sterile - three benches stuck in a row, looking at nothing. Where is the sculpture that could have been a focus? Where are the plants and shrubs? On more prosaic
STEEL group Severfield-Rowen said it was confident for the coming months despite posting a slide in full-year profits. The firm, of Dalton, North Yorkshire, said turnover for the year to December 31 rose 13 per cent to £145.8m. But tough economic conditions
THE NORTH-EAST Assembly and Association of North-East Councils have appointed a new member of their senior management team. As head of communications, Hilary Knox will be responsible for raising the profile of assembly and association issues, policies
MORE wardens are to patrol the streets of a North-East town. The move to recruit 16 extra wardens in Middlesbrough is being defended by the town's council. "The wardens will complement policing arrangements, but are not in any way a substitute for them
A MEMORIAL to 183 children who perished in a theatre tragedy has been restored to its original state. On Friday, the Grade-II listed Victoria Hall Memorial will be rededicated in Mowbray Park, Sunderland, where it originally stood. The white marble statue
FURTHER redevelopment is poised to create a friendlier gateway to Newcastle city centre. The latest phase of the £120m Grainger Town Project will focus on the area opposite the Central Station, providing a "stylish cosmopolitan look" to a key entry-point
mountain rescue volunteers were called out eight times in just 22 days over the Easter period in an area ranging from Middlesbrough to Goathland. In the latest incident, on Sunday, Cleveland area team members were helping police look for a 74-year-old
A PUBLIC meeting has been called to try to solve the problem of stray horses plaguing a village. People in Hunwick have complained that animals roaming on a former railway line between Bishop Auckland and Willington have strayed on to their cricket field
AMENDED plans for a new village hall at Aldbrough St John, near Richmond, could to be approved if details of the scheme can be finalised. Richmondshire District Council's planning committee agreed to delegate power to senior officers and members to grant
ANXIOUS police are appealing for help after guns and ammunition were stolen during a daylight raid on a North Yorkshire home. Three shotguns, an air rifle and jewellery were among the haul taken in a break-in at Shipton-by-Beningbrough, near York. It
AN investigation into a county councillor accused of branding a member of a residents association "disgraceful" has been discontinued. North Yorkshire County Council's standards committee agreed there was no case to answer involving the complaint against
TWO dogs who are the best of friends need a new home after their owner was taken ill. Sooty, a seven-year-old border collie-cross, and Tina, a five-year-old spaniel collie-cross, were living in Durham, but their owner, who adopted them from the National
A YOUNG film-maker is making her mark with a documentary about her Indian family's emigration to the North-East. Sandhya Suri's father, Yash Tal and his wife, Susheel, came to England in the 1960s and spent the next 17 years sending audio and video observations
AN animal charity's new shop is appealing for volunteers and gifts of goods. The People's Dispensary for Sick Animals' (PDSA) store, at 120c Front Street, Chester-le-Street, County Durham, will open on Friday, April 26 and play a vital role in raising
A COUPLE preparing for their clairvoyant wedding are predicting the event will be a first. John Anthony Pattinson, 38, a medium, and his future wife, Vera Smith, 43, will marry at a civil service in Spennymoor Spiritualist Church, County Durham, on Saturday
SIX North-East councils have been praised by the Government for their delivery of public services. They have been awarded Beacon status for excellence and ground-breaking work in areas including regeneration of neighbourhoods, tackling fuel poverty, provision
MUSIC retailer HMV Media could confirm plans to float on the stock market later this week after another strong quarter of trading. Sales at HMV have continued to climb and its book business Waterstone's has continued to improve. The privately-owned group
EVERGREEN George Duffield can get favourite backers off to a winning start at Warwick today aboard Rowan Express (2.00). Duffield, 55, currently the senior jockey in the Weighing Room, has been booked to partner the Mark Tompkins-trained filly in the
ARMY cadets Shaun Lamb and Peter Regan took part in a course on Scottish Highland piping and drumming. The Washington-born pair, members of Borneo Band Durham ACF, were among 140 youngsters who spent a week at the Cameron Barracks, in Inverness, Scotland
A MAN whose body was found on a footpath early on Monday has been named by police. Darren Conrad Bovis, 35, of Park House Green, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, was discovered by a postman at about 5am. His death is not being treated as suspicious, but police
YOUNG Beanie collector Michelle Bosomworth has turned her hobby of collecting cuddly bears into a booming business thanks to help from local enterprise agency Tyneside Economic Development Company (Tedco). The 20-year-old from Hebburn, South Tyneside,
INTERNATIONAL fruit producer Del Monte has opened a base on Tyneside, creating 42 jobs. Del Monte Fresh Produce (UK) has moved into a new 33,000sq ft production and distribution facility on the Team Valley estate in Gateshead. The company, which has invested
YORKSHIRE raider Stay For John will be favourite to lift the £2,000 first prize in the Ladbrokes Webcasting Trophy at Sunderland after his two smash-and-grab visits to Tyneside this year. The Malton-based flyer, trained by former jockey Johnny Seagrave
YOUNG tennis players will be given a chance to brush up on their serves at coaching courses in east Cleveland next month. From April 23, Saltburn Tennis Club is hosting a ten-week course on Tuesdays, for under- nines from 4pm to 5pm and under-13s from
A CITY'S newest bridge will be opened on Friday. Durham MP Gerry Steinberg will perform the ceremony at the Pennyferry bridge, spanning the River Wear to the Sands car park. The £500,000 footbridge is one of the final elements of Durham's £30m Millennium
THE volunteers of Cleveland's mountain rescue team have already responded to 13 call-outs this year. Eight call-outs in just 22 days over Easter kept the team in action in areas including Middlesbrough, Norton and Goathland. In the latest incident, on
INDIAN culture will be the theme at Hartlepool's Central Library this weekend when there will be a series of free demonstrations and activities. On Saturday, between 10am and 2pm, events include costume displays, traditional eyebrow shaping and henna
A YOUNG rally driving enthusiast saw his dream come true - when a high-performance sports car was delivered to his front door. Three-year-old Charlie Ridgewell, who has suffered heart and lung problems since he was born prematurely, had an action-packed
A North-East prison is at the forefront of efforts to cut the number of suicides among inmates. JULIA BREEN reports Suicide and self-harm rates among prisoners have risen dramatically over the last few years, particularly among first-time offenders and
VILLAGERS will learn tomorrow whether their only shop is to be lost for good, under controversial plans put forward by its owners. The owners of the post office at Kirklington, near Bedale, have submitted proposals to Hambleton District Council to close
THE Mayor of Durham's Ball is to be held in the city's new Gala Theatre. The event is due to take place on Friday, April 19, at the multi-million pound venue, which opened at the start of the year. The current holder of the mayor's office is George Copwer
KNOWING that this is a column of catholic tastes but Protestant upbringing, Ernie Reynolds in Wheatley Hill invites consideration of the term "left footer". In the North-East as possibly elsewhere, it is a reference to Roman Catholics - and so far as
THE RSPCA has said the way a dog was deliberately drowned in a flooded quarry was a "cold and calculating" act. An investigation was launched after the decomposing body of a young dog was found on Friday tied inside a weighted bag. Around the neck of
HUNDREDS of young dancers will be putting their best feet forward during the Sunderland Schools Dance Festival tomorrow. The event, in its 17th year, has been organised by University of Sunderland dance lecturer, Lesley Younger. She will be welcoming
A TRADITION begun in a Dales market town at the beginning of the last century returns this weekend after missing a year due to the foot-and-mouth crisis. Leyburn's spring fair was originally held when farmers were recruiting young men to work through
CRUCIAL repairs to one of the most dangerous railway bridges in the region could be delayed by three months, it was revealed last night. The crumbling bridge over the East Coast main line at Dalton-on-Tees, near Darlington, has been the scene of at least
A REUNION of former colleagues has proved so popular that plans are under way for another event in September. The reunion of staff who worked in the Cargo Fleet pay office, in Langbaurgh, was attended by 25 ex-colleagues. Organiser Linda Brough said:
CHILDCARE places in Hartlepool are to receive a boost, thanks to plans which have just been approved. The work will include creating more places for children up to the age of 14 and recruiting and training more specialist childcare workers. The plans
