Archive

  • TV stardom beckons

    A STUDENT is about to appear in a television series about adult learning. David Metcalfe, a second year physiotherapy student at Northumbria University in Newcastle was filmed at University Hospital of North Durham in Durham City, where he is on placement

  • Death victim's friend wants halt on drug changes

    THE neighbour of a pensioner bludgeoned to death by his cannabis-smoking daughter has written a heartfelt plea to Home Secretary David Blunkett to rethink the downgrading of the drug. Cannabis, which is to be reclassified as a class C drug under Government

  • Fight for village bypass will continue, campaigners warn

    SAFETY campaigners yesterday pledged to continue their fight for a bypass to divert traffic away from their homes. People living in Thormanby, near Thirsk, were furious when plans for a £2m bypass were dropped by North Yorkshire County Council because

  • The day the region closed for business

    COUNCIL services across the region were crippled yesterday as thousands of striking workers took to the streets. Pickets took place outside libraries, council offices and in parks as angry council workers demonstrated for more pay. Dozens of schools,

  • Nappy toddler found in the street

    A TODDLER has been safely reunited with her parents after slipping out of her home and wandering for more than half-a-mile, at times perilously close to main roads. The 23-month-old girl, who is not being named, was spotted wearing only her nappy on Essington

  • Gala hits an optimistic note

    INSTANTLY recognisable by his shock of white hair, the former Labour leader Michael Foot epitomised the spirit of the day. Frail he may have been, at 88, but he stood resolute throughout the long proceedings, punching the air with his walking stick as

  • School celebrates year of success

    PUPILS at a Darlington school gathered in front of local VIPs as part of a celebration of their success during the last year. Eastbourne School's Annual Awards Evening took place at the school's Alderman Jim Skinner Hall last week. Guests at the event

  • Racing pigeon stops to lay egg and comes last

    Northern Echo the racing pigeon scrambled any chance of winning the final race of her yearling season - by stopping off to lay an egg. Owner Peter Matthews had hoped it might have made her fly a little faster to allow her to lay in the comfort of her

  • Teenagers swing to a new beat

    A YOUNG steel band is playing to the beat of its own drums after its members were inspired by a workshop at their school. Teenagers at Hummersknott School, in Darlington, were visited in February last year by a team from Steel Bands North, from Gateshead

  • Two words that give hope to family's fight for justice

    AS tearful Ann Ming left the Home Office building in London 12 years after she began her fight for justice, she signalled her triumph to the waiting crowd of journalists crying out two words: "It's retrospective!" "Those two little words are magical,"

  • Hear All Sides: Durham puma

    THE report of a possible puma inhabiting the quiet precinct of Scar Top, Barnard Castle, (Echo, Jul 11) has disturbed me greatly. I regularly sit on Scar Top eating an ice cream after cycling over from Bishop Auckland. I find it a place of tranquility

  • 'Divine intervention only thing that can stop Woods', Monty

    Colin Montgomerie last night pinpointed the only opponent standing between Tiger Woods and the Grand Slam - God! Montgomerie believes Woods, who has already won this year's US Masters and US Open, will add The Open and USPGA Championships to his collection

  • Ferguson prepared to turn up Rio heat

    Manchester United were last night preparing a fresh raid for Rio Ferdinand as the Leeds defender headed for showdown talks with Peter Ridsdale. Having had a £20m offer for Ferdinand rejected this summer, United are waiting on the outcome of today's meeting

  • Pizza girl 'killer' may face new trial

    THE man who confessed to killing pizza delivery girl Julie Hogg may be the first to face a re-trial for murder after yesterday's historic proposal to change the 800-year-old double jeopardy rule. Julie's mother, Ann Ming, who spearheaded a 12-year fight

  • Take a gamble on Escalade

    Sometimes the way to get ahead from a punting perspective in racing is to steer away from the obvious. At first glance Sir Mark Prescott's pair, Chivalry and Blue Mantle, look to hold outstanding claims at the weights in their respective races at Hamilton

  • Last Night's TV: Big Brother (C4): Out Of The Game (C4)

    Watching and waiting There is some justice in the world after all - Ginger Tim and sulky Alex have both been nominated for eviction in Big Brother. The drawback is that only one of them will leave the house on Friday. A bigger punishment for inflicting

  • Record set at pre-school sports event

    A RECORD number of children and parents took part in the Heighington Pre-School fourth annual sports day. The 34 youngsters took part in flat, bean-bag, sack and hoop races, and there were events for parents. Play manager Helen Moody helped to organise

  • Private finance aids surgery expansion

    DOCTORS in Crook are among the first in the county to extend their surgery using a Government private funding scheme. A £1m project to more than double the size of the Hope Street surgery has been approved by the Durham Dales Primary Care Trust. The North

  • School given environmental care award

    ENVIRONMENTALLY concerned youngsters have earned an international award for their school. Timothy Hackworth Primary School, Shildon, has received the International Eco Schools Award from Encams, formerly the Tidy Britain Group. Leading the school's environmental

  • Events programme marks town's £450,000 overhaul

    BISHOP Auckland's improved town centre will be unveiled this week after a £450,000 environmental programme. The alterations in Newgate Street are the latest in a £750,000 package of measures to improve the appearance and vitality of the town. Durham County

  • Grassroots: Crook

    LIBRARY ACTIVITIES: Summer activities at Crook library are as follows: Monday, July 29, 10am to 11.30am, cartoon workshop, eight to 12-year-olds; 2pm to 3.30pm, storytime and teddy bears' picnic, under-sevens. Monday, August 5, 10am to noon, book extravaganza

  • Accident PC wins £325,000 damages

    A POLICE officer who was mown down by one of his force's own patrol cars while chasing a suspect has been awarded £325,000 damages. Stewart Kennedy, 28, was retired from active service with Northumbria Police after the accident, which happened while he

  • Vandals stop bus services to estate

    ATTACKS on buses by youths on a Darlington estate have prompted Arriva North East to cancel its services. After a series of complaints to police, the company has decided to withdraw services in the Minors Crescent area of the town from tomorrow. The decision

  • £88,000 of improvements to nature reserves completed

    A SERIES of improvements to four urban nature reserves in the Darlington borough have been completed. The £88,000 scheme has involved the construction of three kilometres of surfaced pathways, installation of disabled-friendly kissing gates and an environmental

  • Work colleagues reunited at care home

    THREE friends who worked together more than 30 years ago are to be reunited at a residential care home. Mary Bramley, Leonard Sharp and Isobel Young worked in the Stockton and Thornaby Hospital before it closed in 1974. Now the friends will all be living

  • Children's theme for concert

    AN open-air concert is being held at the Tees Barrage next month in aid of the Butterwick Children's Hospice. Following the success of Handel's Water Music held at the barrage last year, British Waterways, Aria and Butterwick Children's Hospice is holding

  • Website boosts pottery business

    POTTERY specialist Jim Shaw is making contact with pottery enthusiasts from around the world, as well as collectors closer to home, thanks to his new website. He is one of 70 people benefiting from a new training suite set up at Teesside Tertiary College

  • Show enjoys new home

    THE CATTLE, sheep and goats may not have made it to this year's Durham County Show - but people still arrived in their droves to make the event a resounding success. Following its cancellation due to the ravages of foot-and-mouth last year, this year's

  • Controversial play arrives

    A TOURING theatre company which caused controversy after changing the title of The Hunchback of Notre Dame has arrived in the North-East. The Northern Echo reported last month how Oddsocks Productions had renamed Victor Hugo's classic The Bellringer of

  • Union takes legal action on lost jobs

    Union leaders are to launch legal action against a major trailer manufacturing firm, which closes today with the loss of 70 jobs, The Northern Echo can reveal. Utility International is shutting down its huge premises on the outskirts of Northallerton,

  • Harbour clean-up begins

    WORK to remove a mass of contaminated silt from Scarborough Harbour got under way yesterday. The grid area of the harbour next to Vincent's Pier will be freed of the silt, which is contaminated with traces of Tributyltin, a bi-product found in paints

  • Save our tents from the mice

    A Guides group is looking for somewhere to store its tents after discovering that they are being eaten by mice. The Guides, at Yarm, near Stockton, Teesside, say the mice are now placing one of their favourite activities in jeopardy. They are looking

  • Minister visits

    Local Government and Regions Minister Nick Raynsford will speak on the White Paper, Your Region, Your Choice, when he addresses North-East government campaigners at the Laing Gallery, New Bridge Street, Newcastle, on Wednesday, July 31, as a guest of

  • Pupils find great place to think

    YOUNGSTERS at a Stockton secondary school have gone the whole nine yards for their Buddhist garden. Simon Cross, presenter of ITV's Whole Nine Yards programme, visited Grangefield School recently to give advice on setting up a Buddhist garden in the school

  • Protestors petition council over plans for phone mast

    PARENTS and residents have signed a petition protesting at plans for a mobile phone mast which could be built near their homes. An application for a 15m telegraph pole in Sowerby Way, on the Durham Lane Industrial Estate, in Eaglescliffe, has been submitted

  • Residents dress naturally for carnival parade

    COLOURFUL costumes made by residents were the star attractions at a carnival parade yesterday. Residents of Cassop and Quarr-ington Hill made the costumes as part of an arts project funded by a Government grant and supported by Durham City Arts. Workshops

  • Crackdown on rogue riders

    POLICE stopped 19 motorcyclists and seized two stolen bikes at the weekend during a crackdown on off-road riders in Redcar and Cleveland. Officers arrested three men and will officially caution several others, following the two-day Operation Rogue Rider

  • Young enterprise advisor gains award recognition

    A business advisor has won a regional award for her enterprising work with local young people. Barbara Peacock has become the first North-East winner of the Institute of Chartered Accountants' Young Enterprise Business Advisor Award. The scheme recognises

  • Star service from taxation division

    THE taxation division of Stockton Borough Council has earned a two-star rating for the service it provides. The Audit Commission carried out an inspection of the taxation service, which collects council tax and business rates across the borough, in April

  • War veterans march again

    VETERANS of one of the major battles of the Second World War will be marching together at the weekend. The battle of Kohima, in Burma, was one of the turning points of the war, halting the advance of the Japanese in Asia. In 1944, after battling through

  • Quality time for young families

    PARENTS have teamed up with their children to make books as part of a learning scheme. The Quality Time project, based at the recently-built Pennywell Early Years Centre, in Sunderland, is funded by grants totalling half a million pounds, and runs in

  • Warship to visit region after action

    THE Royal Navy vessel HMS York will be paying a call on the North-East this weekend, spending three days at Newcastle. The warship, the adopted ship of the city of York, will enter the Tyne at about 10am on Friday and dock at Spillers Wharf about 90 minutes

  • £125,000 - the cost of a whistle-blower

    A SELF-STYLED whistle-blower has defended his long-running campaign against a local authority - despite allegations he has cost its ratepayers at least £125,000 in the last eight years. Bernard Borman has taken Richmondshire District Council to task on

  • Four in court over stabbing of officer

    FOUR people have appeared before magistrates charged in connection with the stabbing of an off-duty police officer. PC David Myers, an officer with the Metropolitan Police, was visiting relatives in Hartlepool when he was injured late on Monday night.

  • Gala spirit includes ex-miners

    A SUPERMARKET depot ensured former miners did not miss out on the Durham Miners' Gala celebrations. Many residents from the Durham Aged Mineworkers' Homes Association (Damha) were not fit enough to attend the colourful big meeting in Durham at the weekend

  • Demand for rural Internet service

    A CAMPAIGN has been launched to persuade the Government and British Telecom to speed up access to broadband Internet services in rural areas. The campaign has been launched by the Country Land and Business Association (CLA), which claims rural areas have

  • Stepping out in the footsteps of Turner

    A SPECIAL walks leaflet featuring some of the views around Richmond painted by the artist JMW Turner, has just been published. The leaflet, In the Footsteps of JMW Turner, Richmond 1816, is the result of collaboration between Richmondshire District Council

  • New appointment is 'a major boost'

    YOUNGSTERS will receive better sports training after a new scheme secured the help of one of Britain's top athletes. Jared Deacon, who has been selected to represent Team England in the forthcoming Manchester Commonwealth Games, has agreed to lend his

  • News in brief: Teacher returns to council life

    SPECIAL NEEDS teacher Christine Freestone, who lost her seat on Scarborough Borough Council three years ago, has now won a place on Whitby Town Council. Standing as an independent, she received 133 votes, beating town crier Andy Lowe (106 votes) and Ian

  • Shining examples

    ABOUT 200 North-East youngsters have received awards after proving they are assets to their communities. The youngsters were the second group to complete Sunderland AFC's Shining Through programme, which aims to make local children better citizens. Launched

  • CCTV images may help find Rachel

    Police are hoping CCTV footage of a missing North-East prostitute could hold the key to her disappearance. Vice girl Rachel Wilson, 19, went missing from her hometown of Middlesbrough on May 30 and has not been seen since. Now, officers investigating

  • News in brief: Police probe allotment fire

    POLICE are investigating an arson attack on the St Peter's Homing Society, in the St Peter's allotments, Walker Road, Newcastle, between June 24 and 25. The fire, only made public by police yesterday, caused £6,000 worth of damages to clocks, baskets

  • Delayed reaction to a first class mistake

    ROYAL Mail boss Allan Leighton is rethinking the plan to charge customers £14-a-week for early post after revealing the first he heard of it was when it was announced on the radio. I cannot believe the man in charge of the postal service wasn't made aware

  • Byas v Gough thriller

    The scene is set for the Roses showdown at Headingley tomorrow between David Byas and Darren Gough - a confrontation which the former Yorkshire captain has already likened to that between Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis. When he made that light-hearted comment

  • Car company backing for N-E inventor

    GERMAN motor firm Audi is backing a North-East pensioner whose invention could revolutionise motoring. The company has pledged £3,000 towards Edward Allen's bid to build a prototype of his innovative crankshaft design Having received a patent on the bicycle

  • Nature sites sitting pretty

    A SERIES of improvements to four urban nature reserves across Darlington has been completed. The £88,000 scheme has included the construction of three kilometres of new surfaced pathways, new disabled-friendly kissing gates, and the creation of an environmental

  • Prize falcon flits from show

    A FALCONER is offering a £500 reward for the return of his prize bird which disappeared during a performance at Lanchester show at the weekend. It was a routine part of Rob Allott's act, sending his pair of Lanner falcons Jack and Jill up into the air

  • £3bn steel merger deal will cut costs not jobs - Corus

    BRAVE claims underpinning behind a £3bn merger between steelmaker Corus and Brazilian steel group CSN were given a cautious welcome last night. Under the deal Corus, formed in 1999 from a merger between British Steel and its Dutch counterpart, will own

  • Changes to justice system in place soon

    Sweeping changes to the British legal system could be in place by January - leaving the way clear for Billy Dunlop to be retried for the murder of Julie Hogg. The Home Office has revealed that the White Paper, announced on Wednesday by Home Secretary

  • Men named in helicopter tragedy

    The names of some of the men who died in Tuesday's helicopter crash off the cost of Norfolk have been released. Five of the victims were named as an inquest was opened into their deaths by Great Yarmouth Coroner Keith Dowding. The men were named as Philip

  • Mixed fortunes for Darlington hopefuls

    Darlington's friendly with Durham City on Tuesday night saw yet more trialists in Quaker colours, and their performances drew a mixed response from the management team. Despite already having players in mind he would like to sign, notably left-back Ryan

  • If only I could remember what memories are made of...

    ONE of the disturbing consequences of being a dad and gettiing old is that my memory - never much to write home about - is going completely to pot. More like a colander than a sieve. I've forgotten what its like to have any money. I've forgotten what

  • National champ performs a treble

    GRAND National winner Red Marauder helped a village to celebrate its own success by being the guest of honour at a triple opening event. The steeplechaser, who triumphed in last year's race, was accompanied by victorious jockey Richard Guest and his owner

  • Call for intervention in rail bridge dispute

    THE head of an influential pressure group yesterday urged the Government to intervene in the dispute over who should pay for repairs to potentially lethal railway bridge barriers. Campaign group Rail Future is backing The Northern Echo in its campaign

  • Youngsters put PM on the spot

    YOUNGSTERS at a Darlington school challenged Tony Blair with a question time he described as 'probably harder than from the Opposition' in Parliament.' The Prime Minister was at Gurney Pease Primary School as part of a tour of the region on Friday. Ten-year-old

  • Charity run success

    MORE than 1,000 women joined together on Sunday to run for charity. Organisers were delighted by the number of runners who signed up for the 5km Race for Life event held at South Park in Darlington. It is the first time that the female-only run, which

  • John North: The story of the village that would not die

    THE village that refused to die today marks another stage in its near-miraculous resurrection. Witton Park has been down, kicked when it was down, allowed remission only when its aggressors hurried to find bigger boots. It was the community, said an ill-remembered

  • Babb setting his sights on international return

    NEW Sunderland centre-back Phil Babb is refusing to close the door on his international career after completing a summer switch to Wearside. The 32-year-old, who has 34 caps for the Republic of Ireland, has not played for his country since a 2-1 win over

  • Semi-conductor market steadier

    THE semi-conductor industry seems to be stabilising, it was claimed yesterday. The claim came in the wake of Irish IT firm Parthus Technologies announcing it had achieved profitability ahead of schedule. The chip design firm from Dublin generated underlying

  • Disabled to pay for parking

    CAR PARKING charges for disabled drivers will be introduced in Durham City, councillors have decided. The move will save Durham City Council an estimated £50,000 in parking fees each year. Councillors have decided to give parking permit holders for Durham

  • Post office alarm over benefits plan

    GOVERNMENT proposals have caused an exodus of post office customers, threatening the future of the service, according to unions and staff. And the Association of Chartered Accountants has warned that the livelihoods of people running smaller post offices

  • Fans say farewell to Feethams

    AN exhibition marking the rich history of Darlington FC's Feethams football ground has opened. Farewell to Feethams - which it is hoped will attract more than 15,000 people - is a project run by the Darlington Supporters' Trust to mark the end of the

  • Teacher avoids prison despite child pictures

    A TEACHER who downloaded indecent pictures of young girls on his home computer yesterday avoided jail. But Durham Crown Court was told the offences cost Martin Andre Pauc his job, his good name and his standing in the community. Pauc, 56, who is married

  • Cash windfall for community groups

    COMMUNITY groups in the Wear Valley and Teesdale are sharing a £1,500 windfall from Co-op shoppers. Money from the North-Eastern and Cumbrian Co-op's Community Dividend Fund has been given to four projects chosen by the group's South West Durham area

  • News in brief: Home wanted for terrier Toby

    Toby, a terrier-cross found outside an empty house in Thornaby, Teesside, by a supporter of the National Animal Sanctuary Support League, in Darlington, needs a home. League spokeswoman Pauline Wilson said: "I would guess he is about four. He is a very

  • Let's go fly a kite

    ALL eyes will be aimed towards the skies this weekend when an annual kite festival takes place in Darlington. The event, organised by Darlington Rotary Club, will take place at Eastbourne School from noon to 5pm on Sunday. Visitors can see Indian fighting

  • Battling Moors frustrate Pool

    HARTLEPOOL United were held to a goalless draw at Spennymoor United's Brewery Field last night, writes Paul Fraser. Pool, who hit 24 goals in two games on a pre-season tour of Holland last week, could not find a way past Tony Lee's non-League outfit.

  • Debate on contract for park revamp

    CONCERNS about awarding a contract for the restoration of Darlington's South Park are likely to be raised at a council meeting tonight. A proposal to waive the contract rules for the project is to be discussed at a meeting of Darlington Borough Council

  • Takeaway targeted by armed robbers

    ARMED robbers attacked and slightly injured a member of staff during a robbery at an Indian takeaway on Tuesday night. One of the raiders, who were both masked, was armed with a sawn-off shotgun, the other had a claw hammer. Police said the men entered

  • Ladies add bounce to a night at the races

    SEDGEFIELD Racecourse held a meeting to remember for the ladies last night. The Northern Echo hosted the first ever ladies night at the course, with a programme of events specially tailored to appeal to the fairer sex. The entertainment included a Space

  • Fun way to promote health and fitness

    Darlington Primary Care Trust is holding its second Happy Hearts Fair in the town's Market Square, in partnership with Darlington Borough Council, on Friday, July 26. The event starts at 1pm, with the release of 500 heart-shaped balloons, and focuses

  • Engineering pay deals hit 18-year low

    PAY deals at engineering firms are at their lowest levels for 18 years, figures showed yesterday. Average settlements for the three months to the end of June slipped to two per cent, compared with 2.1 per cent in the quarter to May. The number of pay

  • Risking lives to tap the black gold

    The deaths of 11 men in a helicopter crash have highlighted the dangers of working offshore. Nick Morrison looks at the risks people take to get oil and gas out of the North Sea. JUST three weeks ago, Ray was gripping the side of his seat as the helicopter

  • Call to speed up plans to ease traffic issues

    A NORTH-East MEP has written to the Transport Secretary urging him to rapidly approve plans for a second Tyne Tunnel. In a letter to Alistair Darling, Dr Gordon Adam, wrote: "I live virtually at the junction of the A19 and A1(M) and therefore have a good

  • News in brief: Fisheries boost of licence sales

    ENVIRONMENT AGENCY figures show that anglers are flocking back to favourite fishing spots this summer after last year's foot-and-mouth outbreak. The crisis left North-East rivers deserted last summer, but this year adult and junior anglers are queuing

  • Flood defence row ends

    A ROW over work on crucial flood defences for neighbouring towns has been resolved, it emerged yesterday. Work on the Mill Beck pumping station for Malton and Norton was put on hold after engineers discovered a gas main running close to a railway signal

  • Eyesore transformed into beauty spot in two years

    A POLLUTED stream has been transformed into a beauty spot teaming with wildlife. And now visitors can learn about the transformation of Cong Burn at Edmondsley near Durham, which until recently was stained red by ochre released from old mine workings

  • Vintage motor rally heads for the Hall

    MOTOR enthusiasts are preparing for the North of England's largest historic vehicles rally. The one-day event will be held at Newby Hall, near Ripon, on Sunday, and is promising to be the best held at the stately home. More than 1,000 vintage, veteran

  • Youngsters don their glasses to experience life in the shade

    CHILDREN from a North Yorkshire nursery were given a taste of what life could be like for the partially sighted - while raising cash for charity. Youngsters attending the creche at Darlington College in Catterick were encouraged to pay to wear sunglasses

  • Brassed on at bands festival

    TOP brass from around the region will be taking part in this year's Durham Brass Festival. The event takes place today at Durham Town Hall and includes a double bill featuring the Ever Ready Brass Band, based in Craghead, near Stanley, County Durham,

  • Car boot kitten sale condemned

    TEENAGERS who sold a litter of unwanted kittens at a car boot sale have been condemned by animal lovers. The group were spotted at the market in Pannal, near Harrogate, North Yorkshire, on Sunday and were reported to the RSPCA. The charity's regional

  • Agency stands by its report

    THE Environment Agency has hit back at criticism of a long-awaited report aimed at protecting large parts of North Yorkshire from flooding. Earlier this week, Hambleton District Council called on the agency to re-examine its proposals to save the North-allerton

  • Ex-soldier drops opposition to memorial garden

    A FORMER soldier, who brokered a meeting to debate a memorial to 16 conscientious objectors, has confirmed he will be taking no further action. An open day held at Richmond Castle at the weekend was the first since the Cockpit Garden reopened to the public

  • A grand effort by bank's running girls

    STAFF from a Stockton bank have raised £1,000 for a regional children's cancer charity. The group from Barclays Bank were among 10,000 runners to take part in the recent North of England Children's Cancer Research Run. A cheque was presented to charity

  • News in brief: Police probe allotment fire

    POLICE are investigating an arson attack on the St Peter's Homing Society, in the St Peter's allotments, Walker Road, Newcastle, between June 24 and 25. The fire, only made public by police yesterday, caused £6,000 worth of damages to clocks, baskets

  • Exhibition that challenges boundaries of art

    BLOOD, sweat, tears and sperm have provided the unlikely inspiration for an unusual art exhibition coming to the North-East later this week. Fluid, a collection of pieces by 15 artists based on bodily fluids and functions, will be at Middlesbrough Art

  • News in brief: Warning to school vandals

    POLICE in Redcar and Cleveland have issued a warning to school yard vandals as the summer holidays approach. Officers will step up patrols at all primary and secondary schools. Superintendent Dee Collins, of Langbaurgh police, said: "Schools are vulnerable

  • Comment: A bold and timely reform

    THE Northern Echo's campaign for a review of the double jeopardy law - one of the cornerstones of the British criminal justice system - was not launched without reservations. We acknowledged the dangers in enabling defendants to be tried a second time

  • It's time to move on for digital designers

    A DESIGN agency has moved on to pastures new after being given a helping hand by a business centre. Urban River, which offers print and digital design solutions to its clients, has moved out of Ezone's office facilities at Team Valley after more than

  • ATE expansion plans win investment boost

    A £70,000 investment is funding a major business expansion at Alexander Technologies Europe Limitedd (ATE), in Peterlee, and it could lead to the creation of 12 jobs. ATE employs 37 people at its facility on Peterlee South West Industrial Estate, where

  • Fun way to promote health and fitness

    Darlington Primary Care Trust is holding its second Happy Hearts Fair in the town's Market Square, in partnership with Darlington Borough Council, on Friday, July 26. The event starts at 1pm, with the release of 500 heart-shaped balloons, and focuses

  • Copter crash 'very quick'

    Mechanical failure may have caused a helicopter crash in the North Sea, which killed five people and left another six feared dead. Two Teesside workers are feared to be among the victims of the disaster. Five bodies and some wreckage were recovered within

  • Brave youngsters know how to party

    BRAVE youngsters touched by cancer gathered yesterday for the annual party of the Katie Trust, a North-East cancer charity. Each year since its formation in 1999, the Katie Trust has held a party for children either being treated for cancer or in remission

  • Record set at pre-school sports event

    A RECORD number of children and parents took part in the Heighington Pre-School fourth annual sports day. The 34 youngsters took part in flat, bean-bag, sack and hoop races, and there were events for parents. Play manager Helen Moody helped to organise

  • News in brief: Warning to school vandals

    POLICE in Redcar and Cleveland have issued a warning to school yard vandals as the summer holidays approach. Officers will step up patrols at all primary and secondary schools. Superintendent Dee Collins, of Langbaurgh police, said: "Schools are vulnerable

  • Accolade for entrepreneurs

    VENUE-finding agents Accommodate Total Travel is celebrating after winning an award. The company took the Mature Entrepreneur 2002 title at the Darlington Business Venture Awards, held at Croft Spa, near the town. Jacky Cooper and Maureen Ferguson, who

  • Mother and daughter share honours

    A MOTHER and daughter kept it in the family as the pair graduated from university. Yvonne and Angela Canning from Sunderland celebrated together after passing with flying colours from the city's university. While Angela was studying for her BA (Hons)

  • Grassroots: Yarm and Eaglescliffe

    TWINNING ACTIVITIES: Members of Yarm Twinning Association had a very successful visit to Vernouillet, France, for celebrations on June 1 with members of the other twin towns in Germany and Austria. Time was spent with their host families, visiting local

  • Carnival resurrected

    VILLAGERS are reviving their summer carnival to promote community spirit. West Auckland Village Partnership, which has already converted a former library into a meeting and activities centre, has set aside the August 26 bank holiday Monday for the event

  • Bands strike up for Angels

    TOP brass from around the region will be taking part in this year's Durham Brass Festival. The event takes place tonight at Durham Town Hall and includes a double bill featuring the Northern Region Brass Champions Ever Ready Brass Band, from Craghead,

  • An artistic collaboration creates 'a beautiful book'

    A COLLECTION of poems and quotations has been published to give an insight into the lives of people living with spinal injuries. The book, entitled Voyages, was created after poet Kevin Cadwallender visited the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough

  • Getting in the swing to give tourism a boost

    IN a year that has seen the region's tourism industry hit by the foot- and-mouth crisis, attracting new tourists is just the tonic the North-East needs. Norwegian Air Shuttle, of Newcastle, has been trying to do just that by promoting golfing holidays

  • Damselfly making a comeback

    ONE of the North-East's more uncommon insects is thriving on a nature reserve where reedbeds were saved from disappearing. The banded demoiselle damselfly (Calopteryx splendens) is increasing its numbers significantly at Billingham Beck Country Park,

  • Man dies after supermarket fight

    A 31-year-old Teesside died today after a fight outside a supermarket. Peter David Cronin, of Crowland Avenue, Middlesbrough, was taken to Middlesbrough General Hospital on Wednesday afternoon with head injuries after the incident outside the Lidl store

  • News in brief: Police probe allotment fire

    POLICE are investigating an arson attack on the St Peter's Homing Society, in the St Peter's allotments, Walker Road, Newcastle, between June 24 and 25. The fire, only made public by police yesterday, caused £6,000 worth of damages to clocks, baskets

  • Warning as thieves target costly cars

    POLICE are warning owners of top-of-the-range cars to be on their guard after two thefts in North Yorkshire. Intruders forced their way into two properties in the Richmond area in the early hours of Tuesday, took keys and used them to steal cars from

  • Boro admit Geremi is a target

    MIDDLESBROUGH have stepped up their bid to land Cameroon World Cup star Geremi from Spanish giants Real Madrid. Negotiations are said to be at an advanced stage and the 23-year-old right-back is expected to sign on loan until the end of the forthcoming

  • News in brief: Home wanted for terrier Toby

    TOBY, a terrier-cross found outside an empty house in Thornaby, Teesside, by a supporter of the National Animal Sanctuary Support League, in Darlington, needs a home. League spokeswoman Pauline Wilson said: "I would guess he is about four. He is a very