A MAN who has been mayor of Bedale for only three months was still considering his future yesterday after he was fined for an offence involving tobacco products on which duty had not been paid. A statement is expected at the next town council meeting
BIG Brother star Jonny Regan is putting his return to work on hold in case North-East fans flood the fire service with hoax 999 calls. The 29-year-old, who works at Peterlee fire station, was runner-up in the hugely popular Channel 4 show and has a big
SOUTH Durham NHS Trust has been asked to investigate baffling statistics showing an abnormal number of deaths during routine orthopaedic operations. A Commission for Health Improvement(CHI) report published on Tuesday says the mortality rate was 81pc
TWO Gateshead sisters are celebrating double family success after winning top jobs on the same day. Claire Horrill, 20, and Nicola Horrill, 17, from Crawcrook in Gateshead, thought they had lost out on the chance of a successful career after flitting
GORDON WATSON'S T-shirt said it all. 'You have two chances of beating me - slim and none. And slim has left the building' A slogan which perhaps should be on the back of his Hartlepool United shirt this season because if the last campaign is anything
SURFERS and seaside holidaymakers will soon be able to enjoy a range of facilities housed in a eye-catching £600,000 building at Saltburn. Catering and retail businesses, perhaps looking for young customers and a sea view, are sought for the new foreshore
The rearranged fixture at Byers Green, where Ferryhill were the visitors had major implications on the three section tables. Ferryhill's odd point win at darts with points from Lee Richardson, Kenny Nicholson, Phil Nixon and Roy Brown edged out the home
East Rainton strengthened their grip on the leadership when they were able to stage their game with Medomsley which they won by six wickets. Roy Richardson sent down 15 overs in the East Rainton attack claiming three for just 28 runs and Ian Kitching
AFTER winning the first four rounds of the Ferodo Ford Puma rally championship, Castleton driver Ryan Champion's successful run finally came to an end on the Isle of Man when transmission problems forced him out of last weekend's Manx Rally. The 26-year-old
Langley Park had eight wickets to spare when they visited Crook Town, who, batting first, managed only 56 for seven from the allotted overs. Mark Bowey scored more than half his side's total, contributing 35 and in the Langley Park attack Andrew Smith
THE Advertising Standards Authority's criticism of a Worldwide Fund for Nature advertisement highlighting the use of chemicals in the production of food serves to illustrate the wide gulf between the food industry and the public. The ASA judgment ruled
OFFICIALS of Osmotherley Show made a pledge to be back as this year's event was called off. "There will be a show in 2003 come rain or shine," promised chairman Michael Read after announcing that last weekend's event was being abandoned because of the
FLY-TIPPERS and car thieves have been dealt a major blow thanks to two schemes by Durham County Council. The council has built an earth bank along a half-mile section of Waldridge Lane, near Chester-le-Street, which has been a notorious fly-tipping spot
RICHARD Caborn, our esteemed Sports Minister, sounds like Ray Illingworth talking political gobbledegook, yet it seems we are increasingly being asked to take him seriously. He sensibly kept a fairly low profile after his hugely embarrassing start in
THE evening primroses arrived from nowhere. The first plant grew by accident, the seed presumably blown in the wind or dropped by a bird, or perhaps trodden in on a country boot. There were no plants in neighbouring gardens and the nearest patch in the
The early placings in the Captain's Table show that the competition is going to be much tougher than last season. There are no unbeaten records although three teams have only dropped one point each. The positions and points are 1st equal Stanley Earl
DARLINGTON is to become the first town in the region to provide young single mothers with supported accommodation. Tees Valley Housing Group and Darlington Borough Council are planning to demolish Gladstone Hall, a former residential nursing home in Gladstone
Billingham Wolves, Sunderland Tomahawks and Whitley Braves are all competing in North A Conference of English Under-19 League. Whitley Braves gained promotion last season from North B League after winning the league boasting a 100 per cent record. Both
A MAJOR new funding package has been set up to fight crime on the railway lines. Railtrack has allocated £6.2m to its six regions to spend on local initiatives and campaigns targeting crime hotspots. The announcement comes just weeks after the industry
SCOTSMAN Shaun Campbell is hoping to make his fortune with the face of England football captain David Beckham. The Edinburgh-born 21-year-old, who lives near Durham City, often gets mistaken for the Manchester United star. And now, he has launched his
A DARLINGTON girl is taking her pet dogs to a training camp this summer. Joanne Irving, 12, will be attending the Young Kennel Club Training Camp with her labrador retrievers Fern and Holly. The aim of the camp, based at Morley, Derbyshire, is to teach
A £1.5m redevelopment scheme at a sheltered housing complex has been welcomed by councillors. Dalkeith House, in Darlington, is to get a hair salon, gymnasium and spa bath as part of the scheme approved by Darlington Borough Council's planning committee
LANDLORDS of neighbouring pubs in Darlington want extended opening hours. Applications to serve drinks at Aruba, in King Street, until midnight on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, and until 2am on Sundays before bank holidays; and at Route 66 until 1am
A DARLINGTON girl is taking her pet dogs to a training camp this summer. Joanne Irving, 12, will be attending the Young Kennel Club Training Camp with her labrador retrievers Fern and Holly. The aim of the camp, based at Morley, Derbyshire, is to teach
PLANS for a new school have emerged just hours after hopes for a city academy were dashed. Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council had hoped to build an academy, costing up to £16m, in Brotton but was forced to admit defeat after discussions with a commercial
A MEETING today between housing officers and tenants could decide the future ownership of council homes in Teesdale. The council housing situation in the area has reached crisis point, with Teesdale District Council facing a repair backlog of £758,885
A retiring chief constable says there is too much Government interference in policing. Durham chief George Hedges, whose five-year contract ends in four weeks, has already criticised ministers for imposing targets, which, he says takes bobbies off the
THE death of a woman in hospital after an overdose could have been avoided, an inquest has heard. Failings in the overworked accident and emergency department at the University Hospital of North Durham were partly blamed for the death of Maureen Matla
A SIMPLE bid at a charity auction of promises revealed a coincidence that has given a new insight into the life of a war hero. The complex story began in Keswick, near Norwich, where Jolyon and Jean Harris, from nearby Swarsdeston, bid at the auction
THE public could soon be given limited police powers in a part of the North-East - including the ability to detain people. Community support officers are included in the Police Reform Bill, which received the Royal Assent a few days ago. Cleveland Police
TWO youngsters have joined a gruelling trek across the Arctic to raise money for disabled ex-service men and women. Martin Keegan and Clare Lowes, from Shildon, are among 30 young people from all parts of the country taking part in the 130km Lapland Challenge
TEN positions for manufacturing apprentices have been created in the region. Corus is to recruit the ten for its operations on Teesside. The company, in conjunction with TTE Management & Technical Training, has developed a new apprenticeship based
PRISON officers last night hit back at criticism of a jail, saying they were forced to "warehouse" inmates because of chronic underfunding. Holme House Prison, in Stockton, was criticised in a report by the Prison Reform Trust for locking up prisoners
POLICE have released an e-fit of a bogus taxi driver who indecently assaulted a woman during a one-and-a-half hour ordeal. The 20-year-old woman was attacked on Sunday morning after she flagged down a car she thought was a taxi at the junction of Normanby
Leeds bricklayer Joseph Aspdin patented the cement formula in 1824 and called it Portland Cement because it resembled Portland stone when hardened. Weardale limestone and shale were quarried 450ft above the works, crushed and ground to powder before passing
HOTELS group Millennium & Copthorne yesterday reported a near-halving of profits over the last half year after being hurt by the fall in world travel following September 11. The group, which owns or operates 91 hotels around the world including the
A VICIOUS North-East stalker branded one of the most dangerous men in Britain was last night locked up in the country's highest security hospital. Psychiatrists warned that Robert Sowden was so violent other institutions could not cope with him. A judge
Horsforth and Bardsey look set to battle it out for the First Division title. Both have two matches in hand on leaders Whitkirk. Horsforth already have 32 points - the same number as Whitkirk - while current champions Bardsey are on 28 points. Division
AN American listening base is continuing to step up its security measures following the September 11 attacks in America and recent incidents involving peace protestors. New road barriers, a new guard hut and security areas near the main gates are being
CHILDREN are being encouraged to beat the summer holiday blues by taking part in workshops run by York Archaeological Trust. Activity days are being staged at the trust's excavation site at St Leonard's Trust. The area contains remains of Roman fortress
An initiative is being launched to harness the artistic potential to be found across the Yorkshire Dales. In an effort to give a boost to the arts and creative industries in Richmondshire, the district is about to appoint its first creative director.
YOUNGSTERS enjoyed a history lesson with a fun theme yesterday at a North Yorkshire museum. Rope-making, quilling and an old-fashioned wash day were on the agenda at the Ryedale Folk Museum, at Hutton-le-Hole, near Pickering. Museum volunteer Angela Hadman
A NEW clock is to be installed in Guisborough despite objections that it will not be visible enough. Permission has been granted for the clock, paid for by the Guisborough Town Pride residents' group, to be erected on the site of an earlier timepiece
JOHN Monks, General Secretary of the TUC, has called on the Bank of England to cut interest rates "as a timely insurance against the world economic position worsening". Whilst the merits, or otherwise, of such a demand can be argued, it shouldn't allow
TEENAGERS Charlotte Nichols and Matthew Brown are being helped on the road to sporting success. Both have received awards from Richmondshire District Council under its talented young sports people scheme. Charlotte, 18, from Barton, is a member of the
SEDGEFIELD has been a happy hunting ground for Brian Ellison over the past few years and the Malton-based trainer looks poised for yet further success at the course this afternoon via Chaparro Amargoso (2.50) and Toshiba Times (3.20). Chaparro Amargoso
A CIVIL engineer has come up with an action pack aimed at solving some of Northallerton's severe flooding problems. He says it could cost as little as £100,000 to implement his ideas for the North End of the High Street - scene of chaos in last week's
Gary Carr showed very good progress in the recent announcement of the Ranking List when he moved up to fourth place from eighth. Dave Hodgson moved into 11th place from 16th. John Mavin and Dave Lowery both moved up two places to ninth and tenth respectively
JANUARY may seem a long way off but I've decided to launch a campaign to gain recognition for one of Britain's greatest success stories. By the time the dark nights come round, columnists all over Britain will be putting forward their suggestions for
POLICE are appealing for a man who has not been seen since August 1 to get in touch. Concern is growing about the whereabouts of 41-year-old Thomas Brett Wilkinson, who is generally known as Brett, from Evenwood, County Durham. He was last seen in his
A TEENAGE girl was grabbed by three men who tried to pull her into a van in Ripon, North Yorkshire, on Tuesday night. The 16-year-old was walking along High Skellgate at about 7.30pm when she was approached by the men in a white Ford Transit-style van
Cricketer Jack Vickerman had senior batsmen stumped when the nine-year-old was asked to bowl for his village team. The adults could not believe their eyes when Jack was tossed the ball by his team captain - his father Martin - and asked to bowl in the
SOME of England's top sessions musicians will be taking part in a Boots and Beer Ball in the Yorkshire Dales next month. The event will be part of the first Boots and Beer Walking Festival to be held at Hawes, in Wensleydale, from September 13 to 15.
A flower show created to give Northern gardeners a fair chance of competing against their southern counterparts has bloomed into the country's top autumn show - and is set to attract 35,000 visitors. Harrogate's Autumn Flower Show, at the Great Yorkshire
BIG Brother runner-up Jonny Regan has been given a year's supply of free drink after admitting he liked cider when he was in the house. Drinks company Bulmers has given the 29-year-old, of Trimdon Station, County Durham, a 12-month supply of Woodpecker
UNION leaders are calling for a single national examination board after 140 A-Level papers were sent to the wrong address for marking. In the latest in a series of blunders by exam boards, the scripts were delivered to the home of Marc Patterson in Pittington
A TAXI driver who died after driving his car off a docks might have been lost, an inquest heard yesterday. Fellow cabbies told an inquest in Middlesbrough that Abdul Rashid, 49, took his last fare in an area that was poorly lit with ill defined roads
THE Bridges shopping complex in Sunderland is laying on entertainment for children during the summer holiday. Events during the Sunday fun days include a flight and feather show on Sunday, an art workshop on August 18 and a paddling pool on August 25.
SALTBURN'S bandstand and the decorative railings along South Bank's Golden Boy Green are among the winners of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's first design awards competition. A panel of judges with representatives from architecture, landscape and
THE Tories' new regions spokesman strode into the North-East yesterday and declared that a regional assembly was "a dreadful idea". "It will not bring a single new nurse, doctor, teacher or police officer to the region," said Eric Pickles, as he started
SALTBURN'S bandstand and the decorative railings along South Bank's Golden Boy Green are among the winners of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's first design awards competition. A panel of judges with representatives from architecture, landscape and
FARMERS were still debating last night whether to press ahead with their day of traffic chaos after the Government announced a relaxation of the controversial 20-day rule. Angry farmers - many facing facing ruin because of the standstill rule - were threatening
Tow Law Rose and Crown moved back to the top of the table after they whitewashed the visiting Tow Law Dan's Castle A, whilst the former leaders, Tow Law North Point's result was not sent in by their hosts from Tow Law Dan's Castle B. The Rose and Crown's
BARNARD CASTLE. - Wed. Fwd: 1,202 prime sheep. Prime lambs std to 110.05p av 101.7p; med to 110.2p av 103.8p; heavy to 105.2p av 100.4p. Cast ewes: Suff to £29.50; Cont to £32; Mule to £30; horned to £20. DARLINGTON. - Thurs of last week. Fwd: 38 cattle
CAMPAIGNERS a Cleveland village were defeated yesterday when permission to build a 12-metre high animal carcass incinerator was granted. About half of all households in Charltons, near Guisborough, had signed a petition against the plans arguing that
Lakeside FC have secured a sponsorship deal with North-East printing firm Hillprint Ltd. The Newton Aycliffe club, who play in the Bowman Anderson Accountants Spennymoor Sunday League, put pen-to-paper on the one-year shirt sponsor deal, with the option
RESIDENTS on a Barnard Castle estate have threatened to erect barricades and chain themselves to bulldozers to stop a waste transfer and recycling plant being built on their doorsteps. People living at Stainton Grove are furious that they were not consulted
Table (all played 15 games): Urlay Nook 20 points, Thimbleby 20, Stokesley 20, Oak Lodge 18, Spennymoor 17, Great Smeaton 16, Fox Hall 15, Marne 10, SDNY 9, Hardwick Hall 5.
Sunday Scarborough Derwent Valley League Division A: Snainton 76-6 (P Nicholson 27 no; E Swiers 3-10), *Ebberston 2nds 71 (R Lakin 5-11, L Watson 3-17). Scarborough 3rds 84-1 (T Watts 58 no), *Foords Hotel 2nds 93 (J Hunter 33; J Hall 4-30, P Hart 3-13
YOUNGSTERS who are on top form when it comes to the performing arts, have attended a special summer school. Twenty one children from primary and secondary schools across East Cleveland attended a two-week course during which they thought up, wrote and
SLOVAKIAN Szilard Nemeth has told Middlesbrough fans: you can expect to see a lot more from me. The striker, who scored six times in 15 appearances for Boro last season, struggled to find his feet during his first Premiership campaign after making the
Billingham Synthonia have been hit by the decision of leading scorer Lee Flanagan to move to Gateshead, writes Ray Simpson. Flanagan was Synners' leading scorer with over 40 goals last season, but he has decided to switch to UniBond League football. Synners
FLY-TIPPERS and car thieves have been dealt a major blow thanks to two schemes by Durham County Council. The council has built an earth bank along a half-mile section of Waldridge Lane, near Chester-le-Street, which has been a notorious fly-tipping spot
MICHAEL Shardlow is a farmer, regularly up at 4.30am - sometimes earlier - to see to his 150 cows and 300 acres. But after breakfast he changes hats, literally, and is the man who makes Hannibal's Haystack, Muddy Puddle and other wonderful ice creams.
In a field of 174 players in good weather conditions the results are as follows: 1 I Goldsbrough 46 pts, 2 D Vaulks 41 (back 9); 3 I Simpson 41. Seniors Cup (Stableford) In a field of 51 players the Seniors Cup was won by Alan Veitch with 42 points, second
Sherburn won the top of the table battle in convincing style when they whitewashed their hosts at Langley Park B. The visitors' won by 79 shots to 40. Rink scores (Langley Park names first): D. Cassidy 12 N. Mc Donald 27; D. Henderson 16 R. Smith 20;
THE hospital that appointed Richard Neale a year after he was struck off knew all about his appalling record, the disgraced surgeon has claimed. Victims of the North Yorkshire surgeon called for changes in the law last week when it emerged that Mr Neale
Brandon put pressure on the leaders when they moved up to share the second spot in the First Division following their victory at Ferryhill. The home side only managed one point when Neil Spender won, but Brandon coasted through with wins from Brian Graham
CALLS have been made for increased measures to prevent future flooding problems across East Cleveland following recent downpours. Dave Walsh, leader of Redcar and East Cleveland Borough Council, said a debate was needed. New defences at Skinningrove,
A competitive youngster has proved that girls can be as good as boys at football after recently becoming the first girl in history to win a contract with Darlington Football Club's Boy's Academy. Ashleigh Leighton has been labelled "one in a million"
AN INCINERATOR to burn complete animal carcases can be built at a Cleveland village under certain conditions, the North York Moors National Park Authority agreed yesterday. It will replace equipment at Stable House slaughterhouse, at Charltons, near Guisborough
TIGER WOODS PGA TOUR 2002. Publisher: Electronic Arts. Format: PS2 DVD-ROM. Price: £39.99 IF the title of EA's golf game gets any bigger it will have to come in an extra long box. When it was plain old vanilla PGA Tour, this title always lagged behind
THE fifth generation and the last in the line of much-loved family of lurcher dogs, Zonda, is bouncing back to health this week after almost dying from a snake bite. The drama began after it was discovered that the local vet had no antidote. A call was
SPOUT House have been confirmed as the 2002 league champions after they defeated High Farndale by 17 runs at Bilsdale. In an enjoyable encounter played in a good atmosphere, the champions must have had reservations that their total of 69-5 would be sufficient
Blaydon won the championship but not before they were involved in a nerve tingling tie with Consett. Had Blaydon lost, Burnopfield would have finished in pole position. Consett totalled 152 for three which included 86 by Ian Steward, who hammered five
ANGLERS and conservationists are joining together to improve the River Leven from Hutton Rudby towards Crathorne. Hutton Rudby Fly-Fishing Club has purchased two miles of riverbank at the cost of £20,000 and is embarking on a scheme of environmental work
FORTY years on, nothing much has changed for one of the most spectacularly beautiful corners of Britain as it faces a new struggle to escape from isolation. In sparsely-populated Weardale, in the far west of County Durham, people have been fighting for
BARCELONA coach Louis van Gaal has told Newcastle that the experience of Sir Bobby Robson and exuberance of the Toon Army can take them on a Champions' League adventure. Robson admitted that his side had learned a lesson in Wednesday's 3-0 friendly defeat
AUGUST does not contain a wealth of weather lore, with most of its few sayings, both in this country and overseas, stating the obvious - that a fine and warm August, perhaps with a few spells of rain, but with bright nights, is good for the ripening harvest
DARLINGTON is poised to become the first town in the region to provide single young mums with assisted accommodation. Tees Valley Housing Group (TVHG) and Darlington Borough Council have plans to demolish Gladstone Hall, a former residential nursing home
York is Europe's most haunted city, according to a world authority on psychic phenomena. Parapsychologist, Jason Karl, president of the Ghost Research Foundation International, said York has more ghosts than any other city not just in the UK but across
A MOTHER is campaigning to change a school uniform policy she says discriminates against less well-off families. Tracy Lean was outraged when she learnt she must buy her son's uniform sweatshirt and polo shirt from West Redcar School. She says she could
Darlington's bid to sign Carlisle United's Stuart Whitehead has hit the rocks. Quakers were hoping to bring him to Feethams on a free transfer, but the Brunton Park club have said that is not possible. Disappointed Darlington manager Tommy Taylor said
A ROW has broken out over a major piece of art described as being "like a particularly bad taste, LSD-inspired, Seventies album cover" planned for Redcar High Street. Councillors queued up to denounce a six-metre high sheet metal sculpture depicting seven
Northallerton are on course for a championship double. The club's A team has already clinched the Division Five championship while the first team, already promoted from Division Four, are on the verge of taking their championship too. Both Northallerton
A SAILOR stranded in thick fog for four days just yards from the coastline has told of his ordeal - and revealed plans to resume his voyage. Chirpy Alan McKeand said he was happy enough reading a book. The married father-of-two admitted he had not really
Since reforming Spraire Lasses two years ago the team has gone from strength to strength. In 2000-01 they were Tyne Tees Girls Under-10s League Champions. Rachel McKnight was awarded Player of the Year for the whole of the league from opposition manager's
THE family of a North-East man engaged to fashion designer Stella McCartney have denied rumours the couple are about to move into one of the region's finest properties. Rumours had been circulating that the 30-year-old daughter of former Beatle Sir Paul
The weather caused the cancellation of several games in the double weekend programme. Kildale managed to stage their fixture with Hutton Rudby on Saturday and were rewarded with a six-wicket victory. Although Pugh and Alexander both scored 30 and Swailes
ANGRY residents in Teesdale say they have been kept in the dark over plans to build a waste transfer and recycling plant on their doorsteps. People living at Stainton Grove, near Barnard Castle, are furious that they were not consulted by Teesdale District
One of the region's leading cricket leagues is 100 not out, prompting Mike Amos to open a nostalgic score book whilst the column pays its annual visit to the Little House on the Prairie. The Durham Senior Cricket League is celebrating its centenary. Ray
IT'S the Italian equivalent of Sunderland going bust and being forced to play in the Northern League. Fiorentina, the club that brought Gabriel Batistuta across from Argentina and gave Roberto Baggio his big break, will begin next season in Serie C2.
Apprentice opener Chris Taylor and captain Darren Lehmann both batted in their familiar styles to give Yorkshire a useful lead over Warwickshire at Headingley yesterday. When bad light ended play for the day, Yorkshire were 304 for nine and 71 runs in
ENGINEERING group GKN yesterday stuck by forecasts of trading progress later this year despite seeing signs of a faltering economic recovery. GKN, which supplies products to the automotive and aviation markets and is a major supplier to Nissan's Sunderland
Durham Tigers' slim hopes of progressing into the semi-finals of the Harry Jepson Trophy were dashed at Teesside Steelers, the reigning trophy holders defeating a lacklustre Tigers side 70-0. Following the disappointment of a close defeat by Bridlington
A ROAD run, that has sparked international interest, is expected to have the highest number of entrants in its history. The Darlington 10k road run has been swamped with hundreds of entries from runners eager to sign up to the event. Race organisers believe
"GET me to the church on time" is usually the plaintive cry of the hung-over groom, but for one unlucky wedding couple, that desperate plea came from the priest. A nightmarish sequence of events turned the marriage of Michael Snowdon and Joanne Harvey
FIRMS in the North-East have been forced to reduce prices over the last six months, leading to a fall in profits, it was claimed yesterday. The Business in Britain survey from Lloyds TSB Corporate claims the downturn in the US and global slump during
Although the sun shone for most of Saturday, rain during the previous four days decimated the programme. Only one game went ahead in Division A and Eryholme defeated Witton-le-Wear by six wickets. When they batted first, the visitors totalled 130 with
FARMERS still waiting for balance payments for 2001 from the Rural Payments Agency are becoming increasingly frustrated at the delays caused by the intensive cross-checking of records. Many have not yet received extensification, suckler cow and beef special
COUNCIL chiefs in Darlington have warned staff in a leisure centre to be extra-vigilant after a man committed an indecent act in the female changing rooms - the second incident in a year. A woman was left traumatised after she stripped naked in the Dolphin
THE Gipsy Council has failed in its effort to have barn conversion plans halted until the results of an appeal against the refusal to allow a neighbouring scheme are known. Darlington Borough Council has granted Ken Dryden's planning application to develop
A WALL will have to be dismantled and rebuilt if a proposed garage is built, councillors have said. Darlington Borough Council's planning committee gave its warning as it approved plans for the detached double garage at 6 Harewood Hill, Darlington. Councillors
A HOME-HELP who slipped on paving stones which a city council knew were dangerous was awarded more than £90,000 damages yesterday. Eileen Pickford, 55, was forced to retire from her job after she damaged her ankle in the fall, which happened after she
A SCHOOL has been praised by doubting parents. They said they were impressed with a college run by the Vardy Foundation, a sponsor of a super school being built in Middlesbrough. Some parents were worried that the Christian beliefs of the foundation could
A FAMILY that has worked tirelessly to raise money for research into a deadly brain condition after the death of their son has seen their funds boosted by £5,000. Peterlee couple Carole and Brian Lister founded The Clarke Lister Brain Haemorrhage Foundation
A HELICOPTER which crashed in a North Sea gas field last month killing all 11 people on board - including three from the North-East - had a "manufacturing anomaly", it was revealed last night. The helicopter plunged into the sea 30 miles off Norfolk without
THE North-East's two biggest clubs continue to head the league of shame for football hooliganism - despite a drop in arrests last season. Sunderland and Newcastle were among just three Premier League clubs who topped 100 football-related arrests for season
PENSIONERS are being offered a free cookery course to find out about the benefits of healthy eating. People in Byers Green, near Spennymoor will find out healthy eating can be fun and inexpensive at the sessions, which are being organised by Age Concern
PLANS to refurbish a village hall are progressing well, but more donations are needed to complete the work. A fundraising appeal for Bishop Middleham Village Hall was launched earlier this year. The hall committee is trying to raise more than £85,000
SUPERMARKET bosses have applied the brakes on shoppers who steal shopping trolleys - by investing in the latest hi-tech equipment. Three Asda stores in the North-East are declaring war on the trolley thieves by installing their own "techno trollies" -
IT was disturbing enough that the hospital officials who employed disgraced surgeon Richard Neale had apparently overlooked a professional record bad enough to have made headlines throughout the land. But the truth, it seems, is much worse. Mr Neale told
A pamphlet outlining a walk through Redcar has been published. Called the Redcar Town Trail, the walk takes about two hours and the pamphlet is available from local libraries and the tourist information centre.
HOUSEBUILDER Bellway yesterday showed it had smashed through profits targets for the past year after the housing boom pushed sales to a new high. The Newcastle-based group said it had reached a key milestone after selling more than 6,000 homes across
IT'S not so much the patter of tiny feet - more something of a stampede at a theme park enjoying a serious baby boom. And the host of new arrivals keeping staff on their toes at the zoo in Flamingo Land, near Malton, North Yorkshire, includes a couple
A HIGH-RANKING fire officer revealed how the service was stretched to the limit during flash floods which hit the North-East on Wednesday night. Crews from Darlington and County Durham fire brigade responded to 93 calls when storm water swept through
FLASH flooding in Darlington caused problems for hoteliers and residents as well as reports of coloured water emerging from drains. While residents called The Northern Echo with reports of blue water on West Auckland Road, on Wednesday night, roads all
INSURER Royal & Sun Alliance is to cut 1,200 jobs following a decision to close its UK life operations to new business, it said yesterday. The group said it would cut 970 jobs across three sites - Bristol, Liverpool and Horsham, in Sussex. In addition
young scientists from West Redcar Secondary School have had a few hairy experiences in the lab. The teenagers have been experimenting to create a shampoo as part of a project. Scientists and a qualified safety expert from local chemical firm Uniqema have
Disgraced North Yorkshire surgeon Richard Neale agreed to be interviewed yesterday, for the first time since he was struck off two years ago. This followed revelations that, just a year after being struck off for botching operations, he was appointed
BOSSES of Yorkshire Water (YW) have agreed to hold a public meeting for residents of a small North Yorkshire village who are worried about the cost of connecting to a multi-thousand pound sewage scheme. Great Barugh, near Malton, is one of several villages
A civic watchdog has won its campaign to control advertising by BT and other payphone operators on telephone boxes in environmentally-sensitive conservation areas. Last year, Harrogate Civic Society spearheaded a vigorous battle to clamp down on full
Sheila Smith's son Mark died in a boating accident, and his best friend, who was at the wheel at the time, was jailed for manslaughter. A year after the tragedy, Sheila tells Women's Editor Christen Pears why she is visiting her son's killer. TODAY, Sheila
A TALENTED singer is to give a boost to the Hambleton Citizens Advice Bureau. Soprano Diane Peacock, from Romanby, will perform a programme of music at St Oswald's Church, Sowerby, near Thirsk, on Saturday, September 28, at 7.30pm. She pledged to help
SCULPTOR David Gross is working on his latest piece in the grounds of a medieval manor house in Durham. Mr Gross is creating a large kestrel from reclaimed oak at Crook Hall as part of the Art in the Garden exhibition. The sculpture has been commissioned
TODDLER FUN: Bumps and babies is being held by Sure Start, in Stanley, at 10am on Monday. Children will be able to see the vehicles used by the emergency and council services at 1.30pm that day at Shield Row Primary School. The organisation is also holding
Health experts are awaiting the result of tests which may confirm an outbreak of sickness at a hospital was caused by the winter vomiting virus. Two wards at South Tyneside Hospital, in South Shields, were closed after nine people were hit by the illness
Health experts are awaiting the result of tests which may confirm an outbreak of sickness at a hospital was caused by the winter vomiting virus. Two wards at South Tyneside Hospital, in South Shields, were closed after nine people were hit by the illness
Health experts are awaiting the result of tests which may confirm an outbreak of sickness at a hospital was caused by the winter vomiting virus. Two wards at South Tyneside Hospital, in South Shields, were closed after nine people were hit by the illness
THE death of a North-East woman after a routine operation is to be investigated as part of a probe into the safety of disposable surgical instruments. Elaine Basham, 33, of Loftus, east Cleveland, died after an operation to remove her tonsils and adenoids
Peter Rowley, chief executive of Darlington Building Society, has been appointed chairman of Connexions Tees Valley. Connexions Tees Valley is part of a national support service for young people aged 13 to 19, and will be launched next month. Mr Rowley
LANDLORDS of neighbouring pubs in Darlington want extended opening hours. Applications to serve drinks at Aruba, in King Street, until midnight on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, and until 2am on Sundays before bank holidays; and at Route 66 until 1am
ONE of the region's cities has been given a new title - the most haunted city in Europe. Tourism chiefs are now selling York as the ideal place to go for those who wants to send shivers down their spine. The title comes from the Ghost Research Foundation
BEDROOM rockers should start tuning their imaginary guitars in preparation for the North-East heat of the UK Air Guitar Championships. Music lovers young and old will be invited to strum their stuff on stage in Middlesbrough on Wednesday. The contest,
A WOMAN who admitted being a charity cheat had acted under duress, a court heard yesterday. Susan Howells, 34, pleaded guilty to stealing £90 belonging to St Michael's Hospice, Harrogate, by selling badges on its behalf but keeping the cash. She also
AN initiative designed to give long-term unemployed people fresh hope in the jobs market has been launched by a local authority. North Yorkshire County Council will be taking on at least 30 people a year under the Government's New Deal scheme. But the
ONE of the region's magnificent stately homes has been transformed into a riot of colour for the Great Northern Flower Show. Until Sunday, the grounds of Castle Howard, near Malton in North Yorkshire, are playing host to the best efforts of hundreds of
A BID to forge closer links between food producers and consumers in the North-East has been launched. Community Supported Agriculture is genuinely local, involving a farmer or grower striking a real partnership with the local community, even to the extent
TRADING standards chiefs in North Yorkshire are warning people not to respond to the latest chain letter circulating in the county. The letter, which purports to originate in Norfolk, urges the recipient to earn £40,000 in cash by sending a gift of £10
A scheme to take homeless young people into local homes is to be launched in Ryedale next month. The Ryedale Nightstop project aims to prevent homelessness among people aged 16 to 25 by helping with emergency overnight accommodation. The scheme has been
AN air force hero who took part in one of the most famous and dangerous raids of the Second World War has died at the age of 81. George Chalmers was one of the bombing elite who, in May 1943, took part in Operation Chastise - better known to millions
A ONE-stop shop for council services is to be opened in Coxhoe next year. Durham City Council is to launch the facility, at Coxhoe Leisure Centre, on May 1. It will house customer services teams which will handle inquiries on council tax, refuse collection
POLICE in Stockton are appealing for people who buy stolen goods to stop the illegal trade. Detective Superintendent Brian Dunn, of Stockton police, is hoping that by asking people living in the town and the surrounding area to stop buying the goods,
WATER bosses are being asked questions by a council working group investigating floods in the Teesside area. Homes in Middlesbrough were flooded in June and again last week after heavy rainfall. "The incidents have highlighted the need for the council
A SCHEME to help tackle fuel poverty in Teesside has been given the thumbs up by the Prime Minister. The Stockton Warm Zone project involves Stockton Borough Council and Transco working together to tackle 80 per cent of problems caused by fuel poverty
HEALTH bosses have apologised for the "insensitive appointment" of disgraced gynaecologist Richard Neale to the role of checking standards of doctors at a hospital. Greater Manchester Health Authority admitted his appointment to an administrative role
WHAT is it with men and cars? Our weekend guest arrived bursting with the news of a bobby-dazzler which had overtaken him on the motorway - so it must have been shifting, I have to say. It was the road model which had to be available before a car could
The Under-11s had two teams in action at a tournament at Kader FC on Saturday which Rangers' 'Whites' won convincingly. The Under-12s also had two teams participating at the tournament. The Mount Pleasant Rangers Whites Under-11s played against Seaton
PLANS by Darlington Football Club's chairman George Reynolds to set up his own radio station are unlikely to get off the ground. Mr Reynolds claimed this week that he was building a "state-of-the-art" studio at the club's new stadium to house Quakers
Stephen Gale was in superb form for Dawdon when they hosted Murton. The talented youngster carried his bat for 101 out of a total of 145 for three before Murton were restricted to 85 for five as Anthony Monahan claimed two for just ten runs in four overs
Shildon: The end of the track and field season sees one of the club's senior coaches, Peter Davey moving on. Peter has been Shildon's senior sprint coach for a number of years, and has guided many athletes to county, area, regional and national titles
CHESTER-le-Street Under-18s continued their pre-season warm up with a victory at Northern Alliance First Division side Garden Farm (formerly Relton) on Wednesday evening. An own goal and strikes by Daniel Graham, Paul McDonald and Andrew Coulson earned
Just Sport Inter-league Trophy The weather decimated the first week's fixtures in the competition which is between the Boddington's Durham Coast League, The Readers Durham County League, Federation Special Durham Senior League, Fosters Northumberland
TARGET farms are to be set up across the North to demonstrate how different techniques and technology can help boost farm efficiency and incomes. The first demonstration farm is due to open in Wensleydale in April next year and was chosen because it is
SALTBURN have taken over as the new leaders of the premier division after Guisborough suffered their second defeat in three games when they surprisingly lost at Northallerton last Saturday. The visitors batted first and were bowled out for 126, the home
GRIEVING parents have come together to stop thieves stealing soft toys, flowers and precious mementoes from their children's graves. Police have branded the thieves, who sell the items door-to-door after stealing them from Eston Cemetery as 'despicable
FRESH claims have been made that salmon and trout are virtually unable to pass through the Tees Barrage at Stockton. A Sedgefield angler has backed a Darlington man by again claiming migratory fish cannot reach the middle and upper Tees because the barrage's
Quarter final draw: K. Chicken & W. Russell (Low Spennymoor & Merrington Lane) v G. Robson & P. Coulson (Leadgate); N. Evans & M. Tomkins (Ferryhill Station) v W. Condron & S. Land (Low Spennymoor & Merrington Lane); P. Haddrick
THIRSK bowler Barry Petty claimed 5-43 in a 25-over stint at Pocklington last Saturday, but it wasn't enough to secure victory for his side. Des Wyrill returned to the top of the Thirsk order and made 27, while his son Darren added 34 and Keogan Luiters
A NORTH Yorkshire sheep breeder has achieved a remarkable treble. Ruth Pedley not only won the overall fleece championships at both the Royal Show and the Great Yorkshire Show but went on to repeat the achievement at Sheep 2002, held at the end of last
New places, but the same old faces. THE best thing about this six-part drama series is the setting - Dublin. The Irish city makes a refreshing change from London, Liverpool, Manchester or any of the other half-a-dozen cities from which TV producers rarely
A CONTROVERSIAL application for a public entertainment licence at a Bedale pub was withdrawn at only 35 minutes' notice, Hambleton councillors were told on Wednesday. Some members of the licensing committee had travelled to Northallerton from Coxwold
TIGER WOODS PGA TOUR 2002. Publisher: Electronic Arts. Format: PS2 DVD-ROM. Price: £39.99 IF the title of EA's golf game gets any bigger it will have to come in an extra long box. When it was plain old vanilla PGA Tour, this title always lagged behind
Floods affected the match angling circuit in more ways than one at the weekend, writes Jeff Herbert.. Saturday's Yarm AA RAFA Open on the Tees and Sunday's Northallerton event on the Swale were cancelled but come Sunday on the lower Tees the third round
