Police have questioned two care home workers after a 91-year-old woman suffered scalding while being washed. It is understood she suffered the injury when part of her body was lowered into a basin of scalding water. The injured pensioner, who has not
He brought Samba football to Teesside and enchanted a generation of football fans, writes STEVEN BAKER. He has revived Brazil's fortunes after five years in the international wilderness and the agony of an horrific broken leg. He is Juninho, and he will
THOUSANDS of holidaymakers across the region face further misery today because of a general strike in Spain. Tour operators and airports in the North-East are bracing themselves for airline chaos - with an estimated 80,000 holidaymakers nationwide expected
A growing band of football fans are making Durham's recently-opened Gala Theatre their venue of choice to watch England's World Cup matches. Hundreds of people have taken advantage of the free admission offer to follow the national team's progress in
IT is not only diehard England fans who will be hoping for victory in tomorrow morning's World Cup showdown with Brazil. With football fever sweeping the nation, the region's pubs and clubs are seeing record profits. As fans pack pubs from 7am for the
The cold, hard facts make for sober reading. Roberto Carlos versus Danny Mills; Cafu against Trevor Sinclair. Finalists in each of the last two World Cups meeting a side who have reached the semi-finals just twice. But in Shizuoka tomorrow England and
THEY may have sailed centuries apart but Captain James Cook's legendary ship, Endeavour, and its modern-day replica undoubtedly share a common spirit of adventure and discovery. It is 234 years since the original vessel set sail for the uncharted waters
A FINANCIAL crisis at a £14m theatre could leave scores of staff out of pocket, The Northern Echo has learnt. Staff at Durham's Gala Theatre were thought to have been unaffected by the collapse of its management company. But last night, the Gala's owners
A county Durham man died from severe head injuries after the motorcycle he was driving collided with a car on a holiday island, an inquest heard today. The inquest at County Hall, Durham, heard that Sean Owen, 36, of Rowley Link, Esh Winning, Durham,
A rural monastery which was at the forefront of a medieval technological revolution is to produce iron for the first time in 450 years this weekend. Historians hope the experiment will reveal more about the colourful past of Rievaulx Abbey, near Helmsley
EFFORTS were continuing last night to trace the owner of a lucky dog - saved from a watery grave by a passing seal. Initially, it was feared that the dog's owner might also have fallen into the Tees, but a two-hour lifeboat search drew a blank. As revealed
Radiation from mobile phones may allow toxic chemicals to leak into the brain, a new study suggested yesterday. The research from Finland, although at an early stage, strengthens fears that mobiles could be harmful to health. A study of rats by a French
A GANG of burglars who targeted old people were yesterday jailed by a judge who said they must expect to suffer for preying on elderly victims. Among the victims of the three men and one woman were a 91-year-old man and a woman who suffered from Parkinson's
RED tape has caused the cancellation of an event which was aiming to raise thousands of pounds for charity. Help The Aged had planned to run a country fair over the weekend of July 13 and 14 at Whitworth Hall, Spennymoor. But an endless stream of rules
A FARMER from the region has become one of the first in the country to take part in a project aimed at helping cash-strapped landowners and reducing global warming. As a result of National Wind Power's (NWP) Windworks scheme, Michael Eggleston, of High
PEOPLE have accused a council of withholding information about the amount of asbestos found in their houses. Wear Valley District Council will hold a second information evening tonight to discuss the future of the Drury homes built on the St Andrew's
AN environmental roadshow will be handing out advice to visitors at this weekend's North Yorkshire County Show. Hambleton District Council's sustainable development team will be pitching its trailer on the show field at South Otterington, near Northallerton
THE last England player to score two goals against Brazil is still remembered fondly by Sunderland fans as the "singing winger" in their Bank of England side. Colin Grainger signed for Sunderland nine months after making his international debut as England
THREE teenagers were warned they could end up behind bars after a court watched video footage of violence in a North Yorkshire market town. A two-minute tape from closed-circuit television cameras in Knaresborough was shown to Harrogate magistrates yesterday
TRAIN operator GNER has achieved two safety awards, underlining its improvement in safety. The York company won a gold award from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents at its first attempt.The award recognises the high levels of safety management
THERE will be a chance to travel back in time at an event in Hartlepool this weekend. An archaeology open day is to be held at Summerhill, off Catcote Road, from 10am to 4pm on Sunday. Organised jointly by Tees Archaeology and staff at Summerhill, there
MILLENNIUM DOME: The criticism of the Millennium Dome goes on and on, all because the project was a financial flop. But the dome was not built for profit. The then Prime Minister, John Major, appointed his deputy, Michael Heseltine, to build the dome
A LOCAL authority says it is aiming to improve public access to its services as part of a major review. New technology giving a round-the-clock cover and closer links with other service providers are to be explored by Hambleton District Council. Council
A COUNCIL is celebrating after its magazine won a national award. Chester-le-Street District Council's District News is the first winner of the Northcliffe Press Awards prize for community involvement. The magazine, which is produced four times a year
ONE of the joys of football is that it breaks down boundaries. In a couple of weeks, "Mist-aah Beck-ham" has done more to unite the Japanese and English than was achieved in each of the 57 years since the end of the Second World War. Back home, springboarding
WITH Lynn Pearson as cook, the children of Wolsingham Primary School are the luckiest in County Durham. She has been named the best school cook in the county for the second year running by the Local Authorities Catering Association. The competition was
TWO bakers from Darlington have won a national competition. Manager Irene Benson and assistant manager Trudy Bowe, from the Baker's Oven, in Queen Street, Darlington, won the company's competition to find the best bakers in the business. The pair had
A YOUNG man had £900 worth of cannabis in his home when it was raided by police, a court heard yesterday. Stephen Butterfield, 29, of Roseberry Road, Redcar, has gone on trial at Teesside Crown Court accused of possession of cannabis with intent to supply
FORGET Spiderman, what of spiderwoman? After two weeks of feebly flirting with temptation, we return, besotted, to Lola Montez - "Spanish dancer". She appears briefly - "a wastrel among the worthies," the column had concluded - in a new volume of Durham
ENDEAVOUR Housing Association's flagship £430,000 conversion at Webb House in Middlesbrough enables residents to enjoy living independently and at the same time allows them to access a 24-hour support system. Charlie Hughes, chief executive of Endeavour
FASHION store The Designer Room has gone into administration, just months after it was relaunched. A buyer is being sought for the operation, at Jacksons Landing, at Hartlepool Marina. It is part of a chain of 46 outlet stores across the country. However
A FORMER security guard to the Saudi Arabian royal family beat up a good friend and threatened to kill him in a row over a party, a court was told. Ex-paratrooper Bradley Stewart, who was also said to have been on the security staff of the US Ambassador
THE region's second largest airport is to branch out into the private sector in an effort to secure future investment. Teesside International Airport has revealed that it plans to invite proposals from potential private partners to drive forward its long-term
MORE than a thousand young people will gather on Teesside this weekend for the biggest youth event in the area's sporting calendar. The Teesside Sport Partnership Youth Games will see 1,100 able-bodied and disabled youngsters from Middlesbrough, Hartlepool
The North-East's most inspiring and unforgettable teachers and teaching assistants were today honoured in the Oscars of teaching world. The BT Teaching Awards held at Newcastle's Assembly Rooms paid tribute to the tireless work carried out by teachers
WINNERS of this year's Spirit of Innovation Awards were announced yesterday as the achievements of individuals and companies from across the region came under the spotlight. More than 200 businessmen and women packed into Hardwick Hall in Sedgefield for
GROOM Gareth Godwin has even more reason to be nervous about his wedding day than usual - he's marrying a Brazilian only hours after tomorrow's World Cup showdown with England. Gareth, 36, arranged the ceremony with South American fiancee Paula McGrory
MPs are expected to be told about a controversial investigation into child abuse in the North-East when a Government inquiry gets under way today. Claire Curtis-Thomas, MP for Crosby, near Liverpool is expected to criticise the controversial methods used
St Cuthbert's RC Church in Old Elvet, Durham, is celebrating its 175th anniversary with a flower festival this weekend. The festival, on the theme of St Cuthbert's heritage, will begin with a gala evening of music and refreshments tomorrow at 7.30pm.
THE unlikely talent scout who brought Brazilian star Juninho to the North-East is hedging his bets over who will win the big match tomorrow. Pundit Ian Wilson, who is a council tax collector for Darlington Borough Council, wrote to Bryan Robson and Boro
NO matter what happens to England tomorrow, it's been a World Cup to remember. For the first time as a dad, I've had a World Cup ally - football-mad Jack, aged eight - to share the settee, the ecstasy and the agony. He's phoned me at work to discuss great
The motorist who triggered the Selby rail disaster, which killed ten people, has been denied a chance to appeal. Mr Justice Mackay, the judge at Gary Hart's Leeds Crown Court trial, made the decision after reviewing the case again earlier this month.
Police are not treating as suspicious the death of a Hartlepool man whose body was found in a quiet walkway on Wednesday evening. It was around 6.30pm when officers found the body of 33-year-old Michael Bruce hanging from a tree on the Castle Eden Walkway
DNA tests have proved that Hollywood producer Steve Bing is the father of actress Liz Hurley's baby son Damian. Hurley, who has always maintained that Bing was the father, now stands to receive millions of dollars in child support. The test results were
THE Royal National Lifeboat Institution has rescheduled its annual open days because of the World Cup final. The RNLI is to open the doors of 229 lifeboat stations on July 6 and 7. In the North East, the following stations will be open: Cullercoats, July
It's the biggest football match for more than a decade. Chris Webber reports on how the region will be watching England vs Brazil. The Prime minister will take his place alongside hundreds of thousands of fellow North-Easterners at 7.30am tomorrow to
AN EXECUTIVE officer with the Passport Agency used his work-issued credit card for personal expenditure, a court heard. Andrew Witt bought a laptop computer and accessories, totalling £2,230, and a mobile phone as a present for his girlfriend, costing
TWO care home workers were arrested after a 91-year-old woman was taken to hospital with severe injuries. Last night, the pensioner was seriously ill but stable in the University Hospital of North Durham, in Durham City. She suffered severe burns after
PASSENGERS on the busy East Coast Main Line may have to wait more than five years for new trains, it was revealed yesterday. The boss of train operator GNER told a committee of MPs that only an immediate three-year extension of its current franchise would
MOST of the runners in this afternoon's two-and-a-half-mile Ascot Gold Cup will have hoisted the white flag in honourable surrender by the time the winning post comes into view. The stamina-sapping distance is enough to break the hearts of even the doughtiest
FESTIVAL bosses were celebrating a cash windfall yesterday after being selected for a grant from Yorkshire Arts. The Ripon International Festival has been awarded £11,000 in the latest round of the Regional Arts Lottery Programme. The festival, which
A LIFE-SIZE model of soccer superstar David Beckham was being unveiled yesterday as the centrepiece of a fine art exhibition. The England captain is depicted as a Subbuteo figure with a plastic base, and rather than holding aloft the World Cup - a pose
THE children of a County Durham primary school know they are lucky to have Lynn Pearson as their cook. Miss Pearson, of Wolsingham Primary School, was named best school cook in the county for the second time by the Local Authorities Catering Association
A MAN repeatedly hit his friend of 20 years in the face with a pool cue, a court heard yesterday. Violence broke out in the Royal George pub, Shildon, on December 13 last year, a jury at Teesside Crown Court was told. Darren Taylor told the jury he had
SCHOOLS across County Durham are joining a scheme to get pupils to walk rather than travel by car. A further 24 schools are joining the 33 who have produced school travel plans with the help of Durham County Council. The idea is to encourage youngsters
DURHAM'S dreadful one-day form continued yesterday when they lost their C & G Trophy fourth round tie against Gloucestershire at Bristol by eight wickets. The absence of Martin Love and Paul Collingwood proved too big a handicap against a side with
WE are told that there is a realisation within Government circles that it has come to rely too heavily on spin and presentation. We have yet to see the evidence of any conversion. Last week, we heard from Labour Party chairman Charles Clarke, attacking
A FAMILY are pinning their hopes on a new home after having their lives ruined by young thugs, who have vandalised their house. Single mother Shirley Ridley said holes have been drilled in her wooden front door and lighted paper pushed through from outside
MEMBERS of Stockton Borough Council's cabinet will today be asked to defer a decision on regeneration proposals for Billingham to allow a final round of consultation with the town's residents. With a reorganisation of the Billingham Regeneration Partnership
ALPHA 103.2, the North-East radio station, has confirmed it is to apply for a further eight-year licence. The station, which broadcasts in Darlington, Sedgefield and Newton Aycliffe, will apply to the Radio Authority, which regulates all commercial radio
Weddings From Hell 2002 (ITV): Here comes the bride - walking down the aisle, miming to the Steps song Tragedy. Guests are standing up in the pews imitating the hand choreography from the Steps video. Even the priest is throwing his arms around like H
A MAN repeatedly hit his friend of 20 years in the face with a pool cue, a court heard yesterday. Violence broke out in the Royal George pub, Shildon, on December 13 last year, a jury at Teesside Crown Court was told. Darren Taylor told the jury he had
PLANS for the biggest road improvement scheme in Weardale for more than 20 years have brought protests from councillors, farmers and businesses. The resurfacing scheme, costing £400,000, will involve closing the A689 - the main route through the dale
A COFFEE morning at a Darlington church has raised more than £500 for a hospice. The event at Northland Methodist Church was held as part of national Go Yellow month, which aims to raise thousands of pounds for hospices around the country. Cakes and yellow
NO matter what happens to England tomorrow, it's been a World Cup to remember. For the first time as a dad, I've had a World Cup ally - football-mad Jack, aged eight - to share the settee, the ecstasy and the agony. He's phoned me at work to discuss great
HARTLEPOOL College of Further Education has been presented with a national award for its New Deal provision. The award was presented by Margaret Hodge MP, minister for life-long learning to Hartlepool College Principal and chief executive Anthony Sutcliffe
FOSTERING officers and carers are using pedal power to promote fostering. Eleven are going on a 150-mile cycle through the county from tomorrow to Sunday, setting off from Consett and finishing at the Seaham Hall Hotel, Seaham. Durham County Council fostering
AN initiative has been launched to help reduce the stress and pressure on headteachers. Consultants will help Newcastle headteachers develop a better work-life balance for themselves and their staff in a £40,000 project funded by the Department of Trade
TELECOMS company Vodafone has defied shareholder pressure and awarded chief executive Sir Christopher Gent a controversial £1.5m bonus. The group's annual report said Sir Christopher, who received a £2.4m pay package last year, had achieved necessary
CONCERNED residents fear Darlington could become known as the sex capital of the North-East after councillors approved plans for a third sex shop in the town. An application for a sex shop licence by Provincial Enterprises, a national company which has
PAY deals in engineering and manufacturing firms remain at an historically low level, figures from the Engineering Employers' Federation (EEF) reveal. For the three months to the end of May, the average settlement was 2.1 per cent, the same as the previous
If England win against Brazil tomorrow, there could be far-reaching effects on the economy. Christen Pears looks at how the World Cup may score for business. It's not only England fans who are celebrating the team's success in the World Cup - retail sales
A former married man now living as a woman today failed in a High Court bid to amend her birth certificate to reflect her change of sexual identity. A judge told Paula Wilhemina Ryder, 53, that the law currently did not allow such an amendment. But Mr
DURHAM'S MP has objected to plans to increase the size of a controversial village housing development. Gerry Steinberg is backing campaigners at West Rainton, who are fighting proposals by Wimpey Homes and Bryant Homes to build 308 houses near Rainton
A supermarket will close its doors for the last time this weekend. Morrisons, in Neasham Road, Darlington, is closing on Saturday to make way for clothing giant Matalan. The supermarket announced in May that it wanted to concentrate on its other Darlington
