DETECTIVES are using the latest forensic techniques in a bid to solve hundreds of sex attacks going back two decades. Northumbria Police yesterday launched Operation Phoenix - billed as the first and biggest operation of its kind in the country. Police
A ONE-LEGGED man was yesterday found guilty of going berserk in a hospital - kicking out at a nurse and throwing a telephone. The jury at Teesside Crown Court found disabled Keith Jones guilty after deliberating for almost an hour. They heard how it took
DURHAM'S Paul Collingwood showed his England class by thrashing a century off 115 balls in the practice match against Yorkshire at the Riverside yesterday. He dominated a second wicket stand of 155 with Jimmy Daley, reaching his hundred with his third
REPAIRS to a medieval river crossing, which serves as a city centre thoroughfare, have been prolonged as a result of flawed Victorian engineering. Routine maintenance work began on Durham's Framwelgate and Elvet bridges in January, in what was expected
A plan to protect parts of the region vulnerable to flooding has been approved by the Environment Agency. The £378m plan was given the go-ahead by the organisation's regional Flood Defence Committee yesterday, which sets its priorities for the coming
HUNDREDS of youngsters could lose free bus travel to and from school. Durham County Council is considering charging the parents of about 480 children who fill surplus places on free school transport. A proposed £1 daily charge for pupils up to 16 would
WAITING lists could be cut if health secretary Alan Milburn agrees to back an innovative Teesside firm. The Marske Machine Company, of Middlesbrough, has developed a pre-fabricated operating theatre which has already won the backing of Hartlepool MP Peter
A FORMER fire chief is preparing to answer an emergency call which will take him on a 5,000-mile mission to Afghanistan's war-torn capital Kabul. Carl Sobota, from Thornley in County Durham, will be one of a four-man team delivering the beleaguered city's
PLANS for a £25m water treatment works in the North-East have been unveiled. The works, the first to be built in the region for a decade, will serve 200,000 Northumbrian Water customers in Sunderland, Seaham, Peterlee and Wear Valley. It will treat 35
A COUNTY Durham service which helps the parents of children with special educational needs is looking for volunteers. Parent Partnership, based in Peterlee, east Durham, is seeking people to become parental supporters, who listen to parents and help them
MORE than 70 untaxed vehicles - including a Porsche 924 and a Mercedes convertible - have been taken off the streets of a North-East town during the first seven days of a clampdown. Owners are now being offered a choice of paying up or seeing their cars
A FEMALE soldier who braved a blazing aircraft to rescue a trapped colleague has been decorated for bravery. Bombardier Helen Burnley, 29, helped to pull out a trapped crew member from the Puma helicopter as smoke poured from the exhausts and fuel leaked
EX-Rolling Stones bassist Bill Wyman and comedian Joe Pasquale are among the stars coming to Darlington this summer. Darlington Civic theatre has announced a packed programme of music, drama and comedy for the season. The former Stone brings his band
This week is Parkinson's Awareness Week, which aims to raise awareness of the condition and to give victims and their families a boost. BARRY NELSON talks to sufferer Shaun Wood, who has had the illness for ten years. RUNNING was Shaun Wood's speciality
ELEVEN homes could be demolished on a Darlington estate in a bid to stop nuisance families terrorising their neighbours. The houses in Jedburgh Drive and Minors Crescent, on the Branksome estate, are all empty and have been severely vandalised. In the
THE director general of the CBI, Digby Jones, has visited a North-East college. Mr Jones went to South Tyneside College's School of Maritime Studies and Engineering during a visit to see at first hand the excellence achieved by the region's training providers
Bad Girls (ITV) The unthinkable has happened. The Two Julies have lost their privileges. So no more cleaning or serving in the canteen for them. Some would consider this was a good thing. But when you're in prison, you need a change from the drug-taking
BATTLING youngster Jamie Woodend is overcoming his cerebral palsy by kicking it into touch with his karate skills. The 11-year-old boy from Darlington, County Durham, has just gained his brown belt in Sukona karate, after taking it up two years ago. When
A renewable energy project for the future has been developed with the help of a firm of accountants. Joanne Whitfield, Andrew Rowe and Beverly Goodall, of accountants Keith Robinson and Co, in Middlesbrough, have helped Stuary Goldie, managing director
THE recent sad loss of HRH Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother must refocus attention on the role of the Royal Family in the UK. Is it time for constitutional change? Looking back over history, there has seldom been a century where royal marriage with a
City of Durham The Dragonflies maintained their place at the top of the league with two clear victories. Beating second placed Newbottle 2-1 with an excellent footballing display with goals from Johnny Hosler and Joe Hirst. In their second game defeating
A half-mile exclusion zone was thrown around a chemical plant this evening (Friday) after a huge explosion at a chemical plant. Hundreds of homes were evacuated as the fire raged, filling the sky with acrid black smoke. Flames shot 150ft into the air,
THE foot-and-mouth crisis has forced an ambitious farmer to put on hold his plans to build a holiday centre and golf course on the site of a Second World War Army camp. Dairy farmer John Richardson was severely affected by the epidemic, losing thousands
A man questioned over the murder of a nurse has been released on police bail. Sandra McKean, a divorcee and mother of two, was found stabbed to death in her home in Camberley Road, Howdon, North Tyneside, on Tuesday. Police found her body after a resident
A SERIES of events at Darlington Railway Museum this year should help boost visitor numbers. The museum has undergone a facelift, with new displays and the former waiting room being converted to a picture gallery and video room. The area next to the museum
A TERRITORIAL Army company has adopted Darlington's St Teresa's Hospice as its chosen charity. The 125 Recy Company, in Newton Aycliffe, is part of the 102 Battalion REME (V). The company has been a keen supporter of the hospice over the years, and has
POLICE in Whitby are hunting gangs who have vandalised cliff-top gardens and lit fires on the town's beach. Fences and seats have been stolen from gardens in the town's Henrietta Street area and then set on fire on the beach below. Residents have also
A rift in a medical practice could prompt major changes in the way GPs conduct themselves in similar disputes across the country. The controversy which followed the split at York Medical Group (YMG), in which six GPs took out an injunction against two
A FAMOUS spa town will be hoping to muscle its way back into the bottled water market after launching its own branded product yesterday. Affluent Harrogate, in North Yorkshire, was at its height in the Victorian era, when the weal-thy would travel from
FIRE chiefs are treating a blaze which ripped through a house as suspicious. The fire, which started in the early hours of yesterday, caused an estimated £30,000 worth of damage to the house in Newton Street, Ferryhill, County Dur-ham. Fire crews from
A PRISON officer who suffered mental health problems was found hanged at his home shortly after the break-up of his marriage. Police were alerted after John Logie's estranged wife, Janet, became concerned when none of the family was able to make contact
A man broke into a house and stole a DVD player, cash and a Sony PlayStation, a court heard yesterday. Jamie Fannon, 22, of Turnbull Street, Hartlepool, admitted the burglary on December 7 last year at a house at Irvine Road, Hartlepool. He was remanded
A LORRY driver accused of causing the death of two road workers denied falling asleep at the wheel, a court heard yesterday. Asda lorry driver Brian Smith, 57, is standing trial at Teesside Crown Court where he denies two charges of causing death by dangerous
METHODIST churches in east Durham are set for a mini windfall, thanks to a mother's efforts in a long-distance run. Christine Bailey, of Peterlee, has been training for weeks in preparation for this weekend's London Marathon. When she heard from a friend
A NEW performance area in Darlington's Cornmill Shopping Centre will be opened next month with a talent show. About 30 people will be selected to take part in the event, on Monday, May 6, and more than 500 application forms have already been sent out.
A MAN facing allegations of cheating the benefits system out of more than £15,000 over a nine-year period denied in court yesterday that he had done anything wrong. Gary Edward Simcoe, 44, pleaded not guilty at Harrogate Magistrates' Court to four charges
Durham County Super League Horden continued their good start to the season and remain the only team unbeaten when they came from 3-1 down to beat Aycliffe A 9-5. Winners for Horden with two wins were John Bourne and Steve Nixon, one win each for Darren
YOUNG people and community groups across County Durham are being encouraged to get involved in a scheme which promotes good citizenship. The aim of Millennium Volunteers is to do 200 hours of voluntary work in a year as a group. It is supported by charitable
Police hunting the killer of a teenage British backpacker in Australia yesterday released an e-fit image of a man they would like to trace. The man was seen walking behind 19-year-old Caroline Stuttle, from York, shortly before she was killed in the Queensland
PARKINSON'S disease afflicts tens of thousands of people in the UK. It is no respecter of age, and at present, there is no cure. It has had its share of celebrity sufferers; former boxer Muhammad Ali is a sufferer and Canadian actor Michael J Fox has
LEARNER swimming pools at four County Durham primary schools are to be closed to save money. Durham County Council's cabinet has approved the closures at Fishburn, Shildon, Kelloe and Barnard Castle. The closure of the first three pools - the county has
A weekly insight into the latest issues in health, fitness and the medical profession GET switched on to MS - that's the message Pam St Clement and the Multiple Sclerosis Society are sending out. Next week is national MS Week and the EastEnders star,
CIU League The three top darts teams all recorded good wins to retain their unbeaten record and set up a mouth-watering competition for the title. Byers Green and Cockton Hill share the top spot six points ahead of Crook Belle Vue, who have a match in
Web development company Virage is launching a new web-hosting product aimed at small businesses and individuals wanting to set up their own sites. The East Cowton, North Yorkshire business is launching Host 50 to banish overpricing for web-space and to
Game's modern-day clash of the Titans Knockout Kings 2002. Format: PS2 and X-Box. Publisher: Electronic Arts. Price: £39.99 (PS2) KNOCKOUT Kings retained the title of undisputed PS2 boxing sim last year thanks principally to the no-show of a Mike Tyson
FORTY years ago Arnold Coates spearheaded Crook Town's attack against Hounslow in the FA Amateur Cup Final at Wembley. Crook were attempting to win the trophy for the fourth time in their history. Coates, born in Crook, is now retired and lives in Burnley
COUNCILLORS have ignored the advice of their own planners and refused permission for a 15m-high mobile phone mast on proposed green belt land. The decision will be seen as a victory for residents in the Picktree area of Chester-le-Street who packed out
Chungdokwan Taekwondo At their European HQ at Ferryhill, more than 70 Chungdokwan Taekwondo Dan Grade students attended a two-day course presided over by top international referee Chris Codling. Chris has taken part in championships at European level
Pubs group Enterprise Inns has continued its expansion by agreeing a £875m deal to buy 1,860 pubs from rival Laurel. Enterprise, which owns 3,500 leased and tenanted pubs, said the acquisition fitted with its existing portfolio and "further enhances the
A FOUR-YEAR-OLD boy and his uncle were seriously injured when a motocross rider lost control and careered into them. David Robson, suffered a crushed leg and his uncle Darren Robson, 31, has severe pelvic injuries following the pile up, as they watched
THE first tenants for a leisure and retail park in County Durham have been revealed. Work on London and Amsterdam's £50m Dalton Park scheme, near the former mining village of Murton, south of Sunderland, has begun and the park is scheduled to open next
Yamaha 2002 British Quad Championship British quad national champion Paul Winrow opened up his defence of the British quad title with a double victory at Long Edge Moto Parc, Castleside, where he raced his 660cc Yamaha Raptor to clear cut overall victories
Darlington's improving table tennis youngsters continue to enjoy success across the country. Twelve-year-old David Meads played his first match for England in the Home Nations Championships last week in Dublin but he is only one of a growing number of
Aero engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce is investing £2.5m in its Sunderland facility to manufacture new products for engines that will power Airbus aircraft and the Eurofighter Typhoon. The facility on the Pallion Industrial Estate, which currently employs
HERE'S your chance to play cricket at the world's newest Test match ground. England are scheduled to play Zimbabwe at the Riverside, Chester-le-Street, next year. But before that the ground will host the final of The Northern Echo/Local Heroes Under-15s
THE city of Durham had to admit defeat yesterday as rival Sunderland was granted its own version of the popular board game Monopoly. The two cities had ended up in a head-to-head clash after Darlington, Northumberland and Middlesbrough were eliminated
A 13-year-old boy was today fighting for his life after being struck by a bus. The youngster suffered serious head injuries in the accident which happened at 3.55pm yesterday. Police said the accident happened in Front Street, Hetton-le-Hole, Wearside
A ROAD will be closed from next week to allow bridge-strengthening work to be carried out. Work will start on the C11, at Wardles Bridge, Edmondsley, near Chester-le-Street, to bring it into line with recent safety standards and enable it to carry 40-
Vandal attack condemned COUNCILLORS have called for a police crackdown after vandals targeted the office of a Bedale estate agent. Police were challenged to say what they were doing to deal with teenagers who, according to deputy mayor John Noone, had
THREE teenage boys from County Durham, who were introduced to angling only two years ago but are now allrounders, are able to fish competently in all three main branches of the sport, will be among the star demonstrators at this year's Chatsworth Angling
THE family of a diver who died in an industrial accident are hoping to trace a man from the region who may have information which could be vital to an 18-month investigation into what happened. Gary Miller was an experienced, ex-Royal Navy diver who was
Sunderland goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen has agreed to play for Denmark against Israel next week despite the threat of terrorist violence. Sorensen revealed that all the Danish players had been offered the chance to pull out of the friendly in Copenhagen
Sunderland Catholic Club Over-40s League Billingham Wanderers are once again top of the Premier Division. They defeated The Lord, Seaham 3-2 at home. The Lord, Seaham took the lead after ten minutes courtesy of Dave Jones and although the play swung from
West Auckland manager Alan Oliver is delighted to appoint former Darlington and Hartlepool player Paul Cross as his new assistant manager. Cross, who now works as a physio in Darlington, replaces Dale Swainston who quit a fortnight ago. "Paul's got loads
Shotton and District AC have just installed 5 floatable islands on their Shotton Pond and when anchored in place these will create features to fish towards but more importantly enhance the spawning potential with roach in particular responding to the
ROBBIE MUSTOE, Middlesbrough's longest-serving player and one of their unsung heroes, is refusing to be intimidated by the looming prospect of FA Cup semi-final combat with the prodigious midfield talents of Arsenal's Patrick Vieira. The unassuming Mustoe
AS killer Peter Hastings meticulously polished his shoes, little did he know that he was zealously sealing in evidence of his horrific crime. Hastings had realised he had the blood of his girlfriend Jean Bellis on his footwear after stabbing her to death
AFTER spending much of the winter in the doldrums, Sue Smith's stable is staging a pleasing springtime rally, which could continue at Carlisle via Billy Nomaite (4.20) in the Hart Fell Handicap. Billy Nomaite has yet to find the winners' enclosure this
PRODUCTION was disrupted for two hours at the Nissan car plant when a fire broke out early yesterday morning. Staff were evacuated from the Washington plant at 3.15am when the blaze broke out in an unused section of the plastic plant. No one was hurt.
A LANDLORD who kicked and punched a lodger in an attempt to get rent from him was warned yesterday that he could be sent to prison. Alexander Armour, 33, pleaded guilty to causing actual bodily harm to Peter Lydon. Harrogate magistrates adjourned the
A DAMAGED memorial marking the site of The Battle of the Standard just north of Northallerton has been repaired. The stone obelisk was vandalised last spring when thieves stole its bronze shield and metal plaque. Repairs had been delayed because of a
Hank Marvin, whose sound with The Shadows influenced a generation of guitarists, plays Sunderland Empire on Saturday, June 1, on a 50-date British tour that he says is his last. He will perform tunes from his new album Guitar Player, including Hotel California
REVISED plans have been submitted to Sedgefield Borough Council for the redevelopment of the Avenue site, in Newton Aycliffe. The changes do not fundamentally alter the scheme, but address issues raised by the Commission for Architecture and the Built
FRENCHMAN Olivier Bernard is poised to end uncertainty over his future by agreeing a new deal with Newcastle United. The left-sided midfielder, who arrived on a free transfer early last season after winning a legal battle to secure his release from Lyon
THE region's 25,000 allotment holders have been asked to take part in a national survey. The Digging for Victory 2002 survey hopes to establish the extent of allotment gardening, and the facilities gardeners enjoy, across the North-East and the rest of
THE captain of a school netball team died after she hit her head warming up for a PE lesson, an inquest heard yesterday. Rebecca Cooper, 14, of Hide Close, Stockton, was described as a very intelligent, confident, positive and happy teenager at Our Lady
WORK on creating a car parking area for people in Newton Aycliffe was halted for a day after a woman protested she had not been consulted. Helen Collin, 33, of Crosby Road, said the first she heard of the plan to build seven car parking bays near her
THOUSANDS of monastic tiles, regarded as the finest in Europe still in their original setting, have been unveiled for visitors after spending the winter under protective covers. Every year English Heritage takes the precaution to prevent frost from damaging
FACTORY staff have been turning on the specs appeal for charity. Workers at the Flymo lawnmower plant, in Newton Aycliffe, wore orange sunglasses for a day to raise thousands of pounds for the Vision Aid Overseas charity. All staff, suppliers retailers
TWO quick-thinking railway staff have been honoured for their efforts to save the life of an elderly man who collapsed on a station footbridge. The pair were presented with the Royal Humane Society's Resuscitation Award for their concerted attempt to
A CONSULTANT who was told she would not go far in her profession because she was black and a woman has won a damages battle against her hospital. A tribunal found that Feyi Awotona was fired because she began amassing evidence for a racial discrimination
CRIME-FIGHTING groups in the region are to benefit from a £1m fund. The Home Office has pledged the cash to the Safer Communities Initiative, which will filter the award to 23 crime and reduction partnerships in the North-East. They include Darlington
A MAN was sent for trial by jury by magistrates at Harrogate yesterday after allegations that child pornography from the Internet had been found on his computer. Shane Neil Hare, 21, of Canal Side, Ripon, pleaded not guilty to making indecent photographs
AN event to encourage more people to think about starting their own business will be held in the region tomorrow. The Start Your Own Business event, organised by Business Link Tyne and Wear on behalf of the region's Business Links and regional development
KEEP-FIT fanatics were not only thinking of their own health when they donated blood this week. More than 100 members of Bannatyne Health Club, in Haughton Road, Darlington, donated just under a pint each. The pilot event at the club is expected to be
A DARLINGTON Brownie leader who has given 30 years' service was rewarded with a surprise party last night. Joy Storey has spent three decades working with the 3rd Haughton pack at St Andrew's Church, in Salters Lane. The 18-member pack of seven to ten-year-olds
A CHARITY is seeking volunteers to take young people leaving care into their homes. The National Children's Home Tubwell Project, in Darlington, wants to encourage people to join its supported lodgings scheme. The scheme helps the homeless and those leaving
A DALES farm hit by foot-and-mouth disease has won approval for its second venture into the tourist trade. Ashes Farm, on the edge of Hawes, had already won national park planning chiefs' support for barns at the farm to be converted into stables and
PRIME Minister Tony Blair last night delved into the North-East's original industrial heartland as he examined a recently unearthed Roman settlement in his County Durham constituency. Experts from Channel 4's Time Team have discovered an important Second
JONATHAN Woodgate provides an example of why stardom is wasted on those with only a modicum of wisdom. Capped by his country as a teenager, this young man is one of the most talented footballers of his generation. He earns in a week what most men of his
A DISPLAY of mining memorabilia will be staged to mark the 120th anniversary of a disaster at a village colliery. Thirty-five men and boys were killed in an explosion at Tudhoe Colliery, County Durham, in April 1882. As part of the commemorations, the
AN author is helping to fund two more Macmillan nurses, with the sale of her third book. Jean Kendall, 69, from Hurworth, spent months writing the book, The Women In My Life, which covers a century of her family's life. Her last two books raised money
A COUPLE whose house was destroyed by fire have applied to Darlington Borough Council for planning permission to rebuilt it. Tony and Eunice Keeligan were devastated when the blaze ripped through their home in Merrybent, killing the family pets and destroying
An exhibition to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the closure of Stainmore Railway will be held on May 11 and 12, at the Parish Hall, Newgate, Barnard Castle. The exhibition will be open between 10am and 4pm. Entry is £1.50 for adults and 75p for pensioners
PLANS to develop a play area for disabled children are expected to become a reality this year. North Lodge Park, in Darlington, has been selected as the proposed site for the development by a review group which has been considering the proposals. Parents
VILLAGES across the country could soon be emulating the success of a North Yorkshire community. Sheriff Hutton, between Malton and York, was crowned the Community Village of the Year in 2000. Now the secrets of what makes the village so special are to
ORGANISERS of Darlington's Community Carnival have every reason to fear an England victory in the World Cup Final, because the football showpiece event clashes with the final day of the event's big fundraiser. The weekend of June 29 to 30 has developed
Bishop Auckland are making their final preparations for their last ever game at Kingsway next Saturday. Assuming Bishops don't end up in the play-offs with a dramatic late slump, then the home game against Bradford will be the last at Kingsway to end
A PARISH councillor who was removed after being accused of failing to attend council meetings has won his fight for reinstatement at London's High Court. Alexander Abiola, a member of Eastfield Parish Council, Scarborough, took his case to court after
THE Army is to create a purpose-built Hindu temple so that its elite Gurkha soldiers can worship while they train in the North-East and North Yorkshire. The temple is to be created at Imphal Barracks, York, along with new accommodation for the Nepalese
Chungdokwan At their European HQ at Ferryhill, more than 70 Chungdokwan Taekwondo Dan Grade students attended a two-day course presided over by top international referee Chris Codling. Chris has taken part in championships at European level and world
A postal pervert who plagues a devout churchgoer with obscene messages has a second target. For five years the man has sent sexually explicit messages and pictures of his private parts to a seriously ill woman in her late 40s. After police highlighted
Whitfield's Building Services Durham and Cleveland Men's League Nunthorpe have successfully defended their title, finishing the 2001/2 campaign 20 points ahead of Morton, realising a total of 219 points from 11 wins out of 14 fixtures. Captain Neil Harrison
THE Football Task Group suggested this week that clubs should take a more inclusionary approach towards their key stakeholders. Such gobbledegook is worthy of the utmost ridicule, although it is only what we have come to expect from task groups, think
Worthington CIU Winter League At Last! After 18 consecutive defeats, Leeholme B finally managed a victory when they came through to take the decider at Durham City. Leeholme started well with wins from Gary Golightly and Brian Harrison but the home side
Ben Hennon, 16, from Crook, proved his skill on a BMX bike when he finished sixth in an international BMX tournament at Telford, recently. Ben said: "Forty-eight riders from Britain, Europe and the USA were in the competition, which was called the Backyard
North-East manufacturers have welcomed tough new recycling rules even though the prices of all electrical and electronic household goods are likely to rise to meet the cost. From fridges to mobile phones, TVs to singing greetings cards, toasters to torches
Auckland & District EBAC Youth League Spennymoor Legion Under-18s gained their first win of the season last week, coming from behind to beat visitors Coundon & Leeholme 2-1. Matthew Moffit opened for Coundon, Lee Atkinson levelling to make it
Knockout Kings 2002. Format: PS2 and X-Box. Publisher: Electronic Arts. Price: £39.99 (PS2) KNOCKOUT Kings retained the title of undisputed PS2 boxing sim last year thanks principally to the no-show of a Mike Tyson game from Codemasters and JVC's decision
MOVEMENT restrictions affecting dozens of farms were reimposed last night after one cow was found to be showing possible symptoms of foot-and-mouth disease. Livestock movements were banned within a five-mile radius of the village of High Worsall, near
The Dolphin Centre in Darlington play host to another night of boxing next week and two of the town's best fighters will be in action. Michael 'Oscar' Hall and Andy Vickers are both on the bill next Friday (April 19) as is Micky Thompson of Spennymoor
Junior Round-up Billingham Wolves got their English U19 North promotion/relegation play-offs off to a winning start by defeating Sheffield Scorpions 17-1. Wolves were at full strength which included Stephen Wallace following his return to the Billingham
A HUGE manhunt was launched last night after a teenage backpacker from North Yorkshire was found dead under a bridge in Australia. Police in Queensland believe Caroline Ann Stuttle, 19, from York, was robbed and then thrown from the 65ft bridge in the
THE HUNT is on to find young hopefuls to star in a musical show planned for Lumley Castle in July. Celebrate, written by former Dr Who Colin Baker and composer George Hastings, of Chester-le-Street, will be staged on the castle lawn on July 6. Starlets
The Northern Echo Darlington Sunday Invitation League The big game of the weekend was between reigning Division One champions Coundon Forresters and current top dogs Spraire RA. However, it's a game that has no bearing on the league table as it took place
Farmers are facing a nervous 48-hour wait to learn whether foot-and-mouth disease has struck the region again. Initial tests on samples taken from premises at High Worsall, near Yarm, came back negative today - but movement restrictions on dozens of farms
AN OPERATION in Darlington to target young hooligans has proved so successful it is to be repeated in the summer holidays. Operation Buchanan, which ended on Friday, was launched after complaints about young people causing criminal damage and drinking
After surpassing his own expectation levels this season, Darlington defender David McGurk has targeted a permanent place in the side next year. The youngster has been one of the club's few success stories this season after coming into the side in November
Poison pen letter writer who described children as the "Spawn of Satan" and threatened a Dunblane-style massacre yesterday admitted a two-year campaign of sending threatening mail and making malicious calls. Ian Julian Walker, who earned the chilling
THE EXPERTS are divided on whether David Beckham's fracture will keep him out of the World Cup. But even if he can play, England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson could decide to leave him out in the long-term interests of the Manchester United midfielder.
MORE than 1,000 youngsters are returning to classes after their Easter break to resume their lessons in new surroundings. Following the biggest single primary school building project undertaken by North Yorkshire County Council, four replacement primary
Bishop Auckland opened their programme at the 15th annual English Schools FA Under-14 Festival in the Isle of Wight with a 2-0 victory over East Cornwall. Bishop Auckland started well pressuring East Cornwall from the outset, but the bumpy pitch made
Keeping an eye on things It's a wonder, really, that any mascara is made NOT to be waterproof. Think about it. We hope there's hardly a day goes by when you don't shed tears of laughter. Then there are weepy days, the cold winds of winter, seasonal sniffles
A village school which many years ago came under threat of closure because of falling numbers has tabled plans to build a new one. An application to build a single-storey school near the site of Grewelthorpe Church of England Primary School, near Ripon
AMATEUR actors are setting the stage for mystery and intrigue as part of their latest production in Chester-le-Street. Cestria Amateur Operatic Society are performing the Revenge of Sherlock Holmes, in Park View Community School theatre, Church Chare,
JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS: Commemorative mugs and spoons have been ordered as part of Harmby's plans to celebrate the Queen's Golden Jubilee, the parish council was told. It was agreed to hold the following events: children's sports, a fancy dress competition
SEAT AVAILABLE: A vacancy for a parish councillor has arisen following the resignation of Councillor Kilburn. Public notices had been displayed and a request for an election must be received by Richmondshire District Council from ten parish electors.
Tony Blair today heard at first hand the problems facing the NHS during a visit to Heath Secretary Alan Milburn's constituency hospital. The Prime Minister was on a fact-finding mission at Darlington Memorial Hospital when he met a consultant who had
HUNDREDS of youngsters in County Durham could lose their free bus travel to and from school. Durham County Council is considering charging the parents of about 480 children who fill surplus places on free school transport. The proposed £1 daily charge
GEOLOGICAL SEARCH: Geographer and geologist Maurice Holliday will lead an eight-mile geological excursion from Hunstanworth at 10am on April 19. The outing starts from Hunstanworth Village Hall. BARD MUSICAL: Kiss Me Kate is being staged by the CBS Amateur
BISHOP Auckland are preparing to wave goodbye to its Kingsway ground after more than 100 years of football. Kingsway has been home to Bishops for more than a century. However, the club's relocation means the ground will be sold following the completion
Prime Minister Tony Blair was yesterday forced to defend his handling of the health service as he toured a hospital in Health Secretary Alan Milburn's Darlington constituency. A report from the King's Fund health thinktank said the NHS had been ''overwhelmed
There are no ghosts around Kingsway, only poltergeists. We, that is to say Shildon, always got beat there. There are those who will not only recall Sharratt building snowmen on the goal line, but the length of Sharratt's carrot and that it came from Cockton
Durham City had a double water polo success at home to Sunderland, winning the women's match 6-3 and the junior mens 15-2. The women's game was played with much enthusiasm. Both teams included some 12 and 13-year-old players who made a significant contribution
Durham Alliance League Leaders Hartlepool Boys Welfare won the Mark Blake Memorial Trophy final Tie 1-0 against Belford House at Peterlee's New Town football ground. Both teams played it tight with Hartlepool getting the only goal. Mick Birkbeck latched
Durham County Super League Horden continued their good start to the season and remain the only team unbeaten when they came from 3-1 down to beat Aycliffe A 9-5. Winners for Horden with two wins were John Bourne and Steve Nixon, one win each for Darren
Supermarket chain J Sainsbury has showed its recovery was firmly on track by posting a surge in sales. The group, which has been attempting to reassert itself in the face of stiff competition, said like-for-like sales for the 12 weeks to March 30 were
