Archive

  • Weekend TV: A Second Chance (C4)

    Questions to be asked and lessons learnt. LAST spring Ryan Bell was told to leave the South London comprehensive school he attended, or be thrown out. A pupil once thought bright and talented was branded "rude, disruptive and unmanageable". As far as

  • Mother's treatment under way in US

    A NORTH-EAST mother has started the treatment which she hopes will save her leg. Supporters of Ann Teasdale raised £20,000 to send her to the United States for specialist treatment. Mrs Teasdale, from Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, has already had to

  • News in brief: Stricken vessel towed to shore

    THREE anglers had to be towed to shore when the engine failed on their 20ft boat. The Humber Coastguard called out the Teesmouth lifeboat, which found the vessel half a mile from the entrance to the River Tees, yesterday. A tow line was attached to the

  • Idea for 'energy village' proposed

    GREEN power generated at a redundant cement site could help focus the eyes of the world on the North-East as a major centre for renewable energy. The natural assets of the former Blue Circle cement works, at Eastgate, in Weardale, were paraded before

  • Williams makes his point

    EIFION Williams insists he had nothing to prove on Saturday - although his goal won't have done him any harm. Hartlepool United's leading scorer was relegated to bench duty at Kidderminster, after failing to score since the win at Macclesfield on January

  • European hopes keep flickering for Boro boys

    STEVE McCLAREN has shown plenty of front - in more ways than one - since his late plunge through January's transfer window to swoop for four signings and revitalise Middlesbrough's season. An air of mid-term despondency had descended on Teesside until

  • Fifth case of killer virus is suspected

    A POSSIBLE fifth case of the killer Sars virus has been reported in the UK. The latest suspected case of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome was reported to the Health Protection Agency's Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre. It concerns a man who returned

  • Violent teens fined for breaking landmark order

    Two teenagers who plagued a North-East town centre with a campaign of violence and intimidation have been fined for breaching a landmark court order. Joanne Mafham, 18, and Claire Richards, 17, became the first female friends to be made the subject of

  • Huge rises likely for council leaders

    SENIOR councillors in the region could be in line for inflation-busting pay rises of up to 55 per cent. An independent panel, including Durham University vice-chancellor Sir Kenneth Calman, is recommending the huge increases for Durham County Council's

  • Hollywood couple may visit region

    HOLLYWOOD golden couple Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt will be welcomed with open arms if they decide to holiday in North Yorkshire. Sources close to the actors say they are planning to tour the region later this month. Friends star Jennifer is planning

  • Girls' poems make mums proud

    THREE youngsters with a talent for verse have written their way to treats for their proud mothers. Hundreds of pupils from primary schools in the Stanley area entered a Mother's Day poetry competition, sponsored by Asda. Each child was asked to write

  • Skipper's injury proves so costly for Quakers

    If caretaker boss Mick Tait had a pound for every time his side were hard done by he'd be able to buy a new striker by now. And while it remains common practice for most managers to contrive any old excuse in their post-match accounts Tait it seems has

  • Be a pass master with The Echo

    PEOPLE who sign up to The Northern Echo's CommuniGate scheme can now gain a web design qualification. The scheme, which has helped hundreds of community groups to set up their own websites, has become a member of the Teesside Region Open College Network

  • Goal-hero Christie tips McClaren's men for glory

    STRIKER Malcolm Christie has predicted that Middlesbrough's long wait for a major honour will end within two years. Christie opened the scoring for Boro in Saturday's convincing 3-0 home win over West Brom. The £3m signing from Derby has struck three

  • RAF policeman commended for life-saving action

    A ROYAL Air Force policeman from the North-East has received a commendation for his role in saving a man's life. Corporal Sean Reece, whose father Derek still lives in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, received the commendation after he and his colleague

  • Musical keeps it in the family

    A THEATRICAL family will tread the boards together in £75,000 performance of a hit Broadway musical. Husband and wife Chris and Lynn Richardson will play the lead roles of Annie and Frank Butler in West End Operatic Society's production of Annie Get Your

  • 'The sect that made my family's life hell'

    If a member of the Exclusive Brethren breaks the sect's strict rules, the punishment is severe. Women's Editor Christen Pears meets a woman whose family was cast out by the Brethren after her teenage boys went to a snooker club. BORN into the Christian

  • Firefighters on streets to help brave Rachel

    A COLLECTION by firefighters for a brave youngster touched the hearts of shoppers at the weekend. Retained firefighters based at the County Durham and Darlington brigade's headquarters spent Saturday in Durham City's Market Place collecting money for

  • Angry Shearer blasts Gravesen for lunge

    ALAN SHEARER last night branded Thomas Gravesen a coward for trying to end Olivier Bernard's career as Sir Bobby Robson confessed Newcastle United's title dreams had been "killed off" by Everton. Shearer, 32, was fuming with Gravesen after the midfielder's

  • Project to focus on ancient history

    A RESEARCH project by a team of archaeologists could greatly increase our knowledge of the prehistory of York. The £400,000 project will run until next March and is being led by Dr Mark Whyman of the York Archaeological Trust and Dr Andy Howard of the

  • Concession to rural areas in quest for 'home rule'

    VOTERS in Durham and North Yorkshire are to be given an option of keeping their counties in a referendum for setting up an elected North-East Assembly. The Government has backed down from a county council carve-up and accepted a Liberal Democrat proposal

  • Twins' artwork to go on sale

    ARTWORK detailing the rural history of Yorkshire is to go on sale in Northallerton later this month. The scenes - including farm animals and horses - are by the Alderson sisters who were well-known for their distinctive painting style. The sisters, who

  • Anti-bullying initiative gains support

    SCHOOLS are giving a good response to an accreditation scheme launched by County Durham's pioneering anti-bullying service. The scheme, which has the backing of ChildLine - the free 24-hour helpline for children and young people - will enable schools

  • News in brief: Work starts on sports pitch

    WORKS begins today on a £150,000 sports pitch with an all-weather surface and floodlights near a school in Scarborough. The pitch is being built at Edgehill, near Hinderwell School, and will operate under a joint use agreement between the school, North

  • Railway plan may be back on track

    PLANS to reopen a North Yorkshire railway line which closed more than 40 years ago could be revived. A scheme to put trains back on the former Harrogate-Ripon-Thirsk-Northallerton route has been stalled for more than four years. But in June, efforts will

  • Demolition work begins

    BULLDOZERS are about to move into a problem estate to try to clear a way to the future. More than 50 empty houses at Grangetown, near Middlesbrough, are to be demolished. Work on flattening the first batch of 31 properties in Borrowdale, Deepdale and

  • Council to go for Quality Status

    TOWN councillors in Helmsley are hoping to upgrade the status of the authority to enable them to take on extra responsibilities and to plan for its long-term future. They agreed at their monthly meeting to seek Quality Status under an assessment scheme

  • Motor group strengthens its portfolio

    INDEPENDENT North-East car retailer Benfield Motor Group has bought two dealerships in Leeds. The Toyota and Lexus dealerships, formerly owned by Hartwell Motor Group, have become part of the Benfield Group, which now has 22 dealerships in the North-East

  • Musical keeps it in the family

    A THEATRICAL family will tread the boards together in £75,000 performance of a hit Broadway musical. Husband and wife Chris and Lynn Richardson will play the lead roles of Annie and Frank Butler in West End Operatic Society's production of Annie Get Your

  • Couple die in blaze

    A COUPLE died in a blaze in their North-East home early yesterday. The man, aged 28, and his 43-year-old female partner were pulled out of their home near Gateshead, but were pronounced dead at the scene. Fire officers, police and paramedics were called

  • Pupils' workplace efforts pay off

    YOUNGSTERS have received certificates after showing readiness for the workplace. The group of youngsters, from Easington Community School, took part in an open college network certificate course at Seaton Holme, Easington Village, where they learned skills

  • New owner takes over historic pub

    A PUB dating back to the 17th Century has been taken over by a Cumbrian brewery. The Pack Horse Inn, Tanfield Village, is reputed to have been visited by Oliver Cromwell. According to folklore, one of his Roundhead soldiers was killed in what is now the

  • Crowds throng as spotlight turned on local history

    THOUSANDS of people delved into the past at a local history fair at the weekend. Yesterday Belongs To You was held at County Hall in Durham on Saturday and was aimed at enthusiasts of local and family history. The fair, hailed as the biggest event of

  • Who will pay for peace in Iraq?

    As the war in the Gulf moves inexorably towards its conclusion, Glen Reynolds asks how the international community will re-build a post-Saddam Iraq The discussions in Brussels between the US, the United Nations and European governments including the UK

  • 07/04/03

    PETER MULLEN: I READ the Peter Mullen column (Echo, Mar 25) with a mixture of amazement, anger and pity as he dismissed the opinions of practically everyone, including teachers and media people, because they didn't belong to some sugary-sweet, private

  • Foal is rescued by firefighters

    A NEWBORN foal was rescued by firefighters yesterday after it fell down a hole. The four-day-old animal was hoisted to safety after spending the night in a ditch near Teesside International Airport, at Middleton-St-George, near Darlington. Leading Firefighter

  • New windows 'cut down school blaze damage'

    NEWLY-installed double glazing may have saved a North-East school from being completely gutted by fire yesterday. Several thousand pounds worth of damage was caused to St Anne's CE Primary School, Bishop Auckland, County Durham, by the blaze, which is

  • News in brief: Stricken vessel towed to shore

    THREE anglers had to be towed to shore when the engine failed on their 20ft boat. The Humber Coastguard called out the Teesmouth lifeboat, which found the vessel half a mile from the entrance to the River Tees, yesterday. A tow line was attached to the

  • Exploding glass saves family from fire horror

    A MOTHER and her two teenage sons fled after being woken by the sound of exploding glass in the bathroom of their ground-floor flat. The glass broke after a fire started in a mattress and rubbish dumped outside the property in Eastport Road, Portrack,

  • Police export safety lessons

    A Police officer has been updating officials in Budapest on European Union requirements about the transport of dangerous goods. Sergeant Malcolm Davies is Cleveland Police's hazardous materials officer and a member of the Emergency Planning Team, whose

  • School reunion

    FORMER pupils who were 16 when they left Blackfyne Comprehensive School, Consett, in 1983, have been invited to a reunion party. The event will be held at the Demi, in Consett, at 7pm on Saturday, June 14. Tickets are £1.50 from Vivian Brown (nee Davison

  • Council signs deal over greener power

    ANOTHER County Durham council has signed up for greener electricity. Easington District Council is buying electricity made from sustainable natural sources to power the major part of its headquarters in Seaside Lane, Easington. The Government wants to

  • News in brief: Dance classes prove hot stuff

    SALSA dancing has proved popular at Durham's Gala Theatre, where a new class attracted 150 dancers on the first night. The organisers are now considering adding a second night. The North-East Latin American Dance Association is holding the sessions on

  • Swimming pool campaign facing funds plea rejection

    RESIDENTS' latest calls for a swimming pool to be built in Seaham seem likely to be rejected. The Seaham Environmental Association (SEA) has been campaigning for some time for the town to have its own baths. The nearest facilities are at Sunderland or

  • Burning Questions: The Prince and the first spin doctor

    Q Who was the Machiavelli who gave rise to the term Machiavellian, meaning a corrupt or unscrupulous politician? - C Parker, Peterlee. A The word derives from the name of Niccolo Machiavelli, a 16th century Italian political philosopher who has been greatly

  • Court to rule on return of confiscated birds

    A PARROT breeder who was convicted of smuggling rare breeds into the UK three years ago will return to court tomorrow in an attempt to keep more than 70 rare birds. Customs and Excise is appealing against a decision for the birds seized by officials to

  • Villages call to sign up for broadband

    COMPUTER users interested in broadband are being urged to express their interest with phone company BT. Several people in villages including Ushaw Moor, Esh, Esh Winning, Cornsay and Bearpark, which is served by the New Brancepeth exchange, say they want

  • Song and dance about workshops

    DAY care clients have given a fine performance as the finale to weeks of workshops. Groups from learning disability centres in the Wear Valley and Sedgefield districts celebrated with music, art, song and dance at an event called All Feet Forward, in

  • Positive reaction to amnesty

    More than 20 guns and other weapons have been handed in at police stations across the Cleveland Police area since last Monday, when a month-long gun amnesty began. Inspector Harry Simpson said: "We had two amnesties in the force last year, but this still

  • News in brief: Dance classes prove hot stuff

    SALSA dancing has proved popular at Durham's Gala Theatre, where a new class attracted 150 dancers on the first night. The organisers are now considering adding a second night. The North-East Latin American Dance Association is holding the sessions on

  • Couple die in blaze

    A COUPLE died in a blaze in their North-East home early yesterday. The man, aged 28, and his 43-year-old female partner were pulled out of their home near Gateshead, but were pronounced dead at the scene. Fire officers, police and paramedics were called

  • News in brief: Car destroyed in arson attack

    FIREFIGHTERS were called to a blazing car just yards from their station last night. A J-registered Skoda was believed to have been deliberately set alight at the rear of the Black Swan pub, in Hird Street, near Darlington fire station, at 5.30pm. "The

  • Author's magic wand for caring dancer

    HARRY Potter author J K Rowling has waved a magic wand for a North-East teenager. The author's personal charity has sent 17-year-old Zoe Woodcock a cheque for £1,000. The cash is to help Zoe, who has helped her wheelchair-bound mother for years, fulfil

  • Miracle worker Mick can't stop the inevitable

    LONG after Sunderland's vanquished players had departed to a standing ovation fit for victors, one question still lingered over the Stadium of Light. Why wasn't Mick McCarthy appointed sooner? After all, if a fortnight's worth of work with the Sunderland

  • Promotion joy for Darlington

    DARLINGTON emerged from a bloody battle with Aspatria as champions of North Division One after a 35-17 win. With one game left they have secured automatic promotion to join neighbours Mowden Park in National Three North. Between them they have put the

  • Youngsters get in line for unique skateboarding experience

    A REVOLUTIONARY skatepark using equipment never before seen in Europe has been launched in County Durham. Sedgefield Borough Council had been inundated with requests for skateboarding facilities - and its response was unveiled at the weekend. Based on

  • Hear All Sides: Gateway Project

    IN the March issue of the Town Crier, Coun John Williams describes Darlington as a wonderful place to live and work. He explains the proposals for Darlington to become the gateway to the region and says we are well placed because of our excellent rail

  • Horse and trap driver killed in road accident

    Police appealed for witnesses last night after a horse and trap driver was killed on a busy North-East road. The dead man was named yesterday as 33-year-old Wayne Walker, of Springwell Village, Washington, Tyne and Wear. Mr Walker was driving his horse

  • Major found guilty in TV show fraud

    An Army major, his wife and a college lecturer were today found guilty of cheating their way to the top prize on the TV quiz show Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? Disgraced Charles Ingram, 39, tricked game show host Chris Tarrant into signing the million-pound

  • Soccer charges

    Fourteen people have been charged with public order offences following trouble at the England-Turkey match at Sunderland's Stadium of Light on Wednesday. One man will appear before Newcastle magistrates on Thursday, and the remaining 13 before Sunderland

  • Sands plan 'shoud go to the top'

    CAMPAIGNERS fighting plans to turn common land into a car park claim such drastic changes would first need to approved by the Government. The Save Our Sands (SOS) Action Group is opposing proposals that could see nearly half of The Sands riverside area

  • Festival about to get under way

    THE 27th Newcastle Beer Festival will be serving up over 100 varieties of real ale and cider later this week. Beers from High House Farm Brewery, in Matfen, Northumberland, will be launched at the festival, staged at Newcastle University Students' Union

  • Romanian "doll' girl mourned in N-E

    FAMILIES in the North-East are mourning the death of a 13-year-old Romanian girl. Two years ago, generous Teessiders clubbed together to fulfil a wish for tragic Marina Lenta. Ostracised by people in her village after going into a hospital to be treated

  • Boy band have assembly date

    PUPILS will be given an assembly with a difference this morning. Irish boy band D-Side will perform at Stanley School of Technology, County Durham, after pupils registered more votes than any other school in a Metro Radio competition. D-Side won the 2002

  • Big guns blast to support the troops

    A frigate with strong ties to the region is among the fleet sent to the Gulf. In the first of a series, HMS Richmond reports on the role the crew have played in the conflict THURSDAY, MARCH 20 THE ship first saw action on the day the first cruise missiles

  • Drug treatment centre helps reduce street crime

    Street crime has plummeted since a pioneering new drug treatment centre opened its doors, according to the centre's boss. Since the new Castlebridge Centre opened in Bishop Auckland, County Durham last May, health bosses claim that it has already had

  • MP defends record in wake of league table

    A NORTH-East Labour MP has rejected claims that he is one of the quietest members in the House of Commons. A national Sunday paper published what it claimed was the "first official league table of MPs' performance" on the floor of the main chamber. It

  • Political party is rocked by probe

    THE North-East committee of a right-wing political party has been suspended amid allegations of irregularities. An investigation is under way into discrepancies in the selection of candidates to stand in the European Parliamentary Elections 2004 for the

  • British storm into the centre of Basra

    British forces were in control of large swathes of Iraq's second city last night after launching a lightning strike involving Desert Rats and Royal Marines. Three British soldiers died in the fighting for Basra, the Ministry of Defence said last night

  • Cyclist still in critical condition

    A CYCLIST remained in a critical condition last night three days after being knock-ed off his bike by a passing car. Dr Ceri Williams, 47, was taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital with serious head injuries after the accident on the B6279 Ingleton to

  • Falcons' boss slams crazy schedule

    ROB Andrew was delighted with Saturday's workout against the Borders, but unhappy that he might be forced to repeat the exercise next season. With a four-week gap between the morale-boosting win against Leicester and next Saturday's trip to Premiership

  • Homecoming celebrations at last for Chris and Elisa

    A MOTHER-TO-BE has finally been reunited with her Turkish husband after he was allowed into the UK. Elisa Aktas, 24, had not seen husband Murat - known as Chris - since October. The 27-year-old former waiter from Izmir was twice refused entry to Britain

  • What a week in Wayne's World

    ALAN SHEARER began his afternoon's work at Goodison by greeting Wayne Rooney shortly before kick-off and warmly shaking the 17-year-old's hand. Ninety exhilarating minutes of Premiership combat later, Shearer trudged disconsolately off the pitch, head

  • Thornton eyes an 'Irish Rooney' role

    SUNDERLAND teenager Sean Thornton wants to become the Republic of Ireland's Wayne Rooney by gatecrashing his country's Euro 2004 qualifying campaign. Three days after Rooney confirmed his international credentials at the Stadium of Light, Thornton belied

  • Conference date

    The Northern TUC will hold its inaugural annual regional conference in the Assembly Rooms, Newcastle, on Saturday and Sunday. More than 160 trade union delegates will debate issues ranging from pensioner and public services to racism and Iraq. The speakers

  • Soap stars and old boys make Paul's day

    TELEVISION soap stars took on a team of Darlington FC old boys in a fundraising match yesterday. Tom Craig, who plays Tommy Nelson in Coronation Street, assembled the celebrity team for the game at the club's Feethams ground, watched by an estimated 1,500

  • Splash out for birthday

    MOTHERS and mothers-to-be have celebrated the second anniversary of the East Cleveland Sure Start/Priory midwives aquanatal sessions at Loftus Baths. More than 50 expectant mothers have taken part in the pool-based exercise, launched to promote a healthy

  • Tree planting day in park

    FAMILIES have joined in a tree planting day at a Darlington park. The Friends of North Lodge Park organised the planting to help to improve the town centre park area. They invited local residents to help to encourage more people to take pride in their

  • Town reveals its top 20 personalities

    Middlesbrough Council will reveal the results of its search to find the town's top 20 personalities tomorrow. The search is part of the council's celebrations to mark its 150th anniversary. Earlier this year, a list of 150 people who were born or had

  • Anti-bullying initiative gains support

    SCHOOLS are giving a good response to an accreditation scheme launched by County Durham's pioneering anti-bullying service. The scheme, which has the backing of ChildLine - the free 24-hour helpline for children and young people - will enable schools

  • Pub raises cash for Gulf troops

    MORALE boosting parcels are on their way to British troops in Iraq after a Darlington pub raised more than £1,000. Lesley Johnson, landlady of Hogans in Victoria Road, has raised £1,120 for the troops so far, thanks to the efforts of her staff and customers

  • Accolade for council gardeners

    THE team charged with sprucing up and maintaining Darlington's parks is celebrating a Government accolade. The borough council's gardening team has been awarded a Charter Mark award for excellence in customer service. Eighty people carry out work in cemeteries

  • School is failing pupils - mother

    A SECONDARY school which was plunged into chaos last year is facing accusations of failing its pupils - nearly six months after a team of troubleshooters was sent in. Some pupils at Eastbourne Comprehensive Schools, in Darlington, are having lessons in

  • Centre for MS sufferers opens

    A CARE centre will unveil a resource centre dedicated to improving choice for people suffering from multiple sclerosis (MS). The £180,000 extension to Woodlands Respite Care Centre, in York, will provide access to a range of resources and reference material

  • School poised for £4m revamp

    A SECONDARY school will open its doors to the community after a multi-million pound redevelopment to bring it up to standard. St John's RC Comprehensive School, Bishop Auckland, is celebrating a £4.1m windfall from the Department for Education and Skills

  • Young and old united in song

    Three hundred grandparents joined their grandchildren for lessons and singing sessions recently. The event was held at Sunderland High School's junior school. Deputy headteacher Jim Turner said it was a "wonderful opportunity to allow the older generation

  • Pedestrian bid for town centre to be discussed

    PLANS to create a pedestrianised area in Darlington town centre are to be discussed by councillors tomorrow. Darlington Borough Council's cabinet will be asked to approve the appointment of an external consultant, at a cost of £500,000, to oversee the

  • Party invite for youngsters

    YOUNGSTERS are being invited to celebrate the launch of Richmond's latest website. Radio station TFM will help to mark the arrival of The Fence which advises young people on housing, health, money, learning and careers. The party, open to 13 to 17-year-olds

  • Tourism is vital to park's economy

    TOURISM is the biggest contributor to the North York Moors National Park economy, according to chief executive Andy Wilson. He was speaking at the first tourism forum at Pickering last week, attended by more than 60 representatives from leading tourist

  • John makes the final cut

    A HAIR stylist from Ripon has been picked from the Saks network to join the hair and beauty salon group's first Art Team Scholarship programme. John Goddard, 24, is one of only ten successful candidates who took part in a selection day at the Saks London

  • Good time had by all, whatever the weather

    CHILDREN and parents visiting an art gallery at the weekend saw representations of the weather. To tie in with the Mercer Art Gallery's Whatever the Weather exhibition, visitors tried their hand at a number of artistic techniques to represent changing

  • Conference date

    The Northern TUC will hold its inaugural annual regional conference in the Assembly Rooms, Newcastle, on Saturday and Sunday. More than 160 trade union delegates will debate issues ranging from pensioner and public services to racism and Iraq. The speakers

  • Return of the trail races

    A series of races is being arranged by the Tees Forest organisation across Teesside. The programme includes a series of six kilometre runs at selected sites, designed to encourage novices and club runners to compete for fun. The Tees Forest Trail Races

  • Accidents lead to appeals

    TEACHERS and schoolchildren are asking for speed humps to be installed on a busy road in the market town of Pickering because they fear a repetition of recent accidents. However, residents in Middleton Road and Swainsea Lane say they want a public meeting

  • Hair-raising charity drive for curate

    A CURATE faces a hairless Easter this year unless she raises enough funds. The Reverend Clare Maclaren, curate of St John and St Luke's church, Bilton, near Harrogate, is preparing to have her hair shaved off in a fundraising event that has already raised

  • Festival about to get under way

    THE 27th Newcastle Beer Festival will be serving up over 100 varieties of real ale and cider later this week. Beers from High House Farm Brewery, in Matfen, Northumberland, will be launched at the festival, staged at Newcastle University Students' Union

  • School wins praise from inspectors

    A SCHOOL has been given high marks and praise after a visit by Government inspectors. The inspectors from the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) found teaching and learning at Ormesby Comprehensive School were good overall, very good in a third

  • Roots Hall doctor stitched us up, says Liddle

    Darlington skipper Craig Liddle has fired an angry broadside at the Southend club doctor who kept him off the pitch for over ten minutes in Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Roots Hall. Liddle was forced to leave the field towards the end of the first half after

  • Positive reaction to amnesty

    More than 20 guns and other weapons have been handed in at police stations across the Cleveland Police area since last Monday, when a month-long gun amnesty began. Inspector Harry Simpson said: "We had two amnesties in the force last year, but this still

  • Today's racing prospects

    Atticus Finch, who got off the mark over fences at Wetherby last time, has conditions to suit and looks an interesting runner in the Pat De Clermont Handicap Chase over two miles and one furlong at Kelso this afternoon, writes Richard Young. Maxine Stirk's

  • Shaky Pool suffer more title jitters

    EIFION Williams has needed a goal, Hartlepool United a lift. And the striker's first strike in 13 games might have given his team a huge boost on Saturday. Pool have won just once in nine as a 14-point lead has been reduced to one, Williams failing to

  • Wearside League: Wolviston demolition job closes gap

    Wolviston are now only four points adrift of leaders Stokesley SC with a game in hand following their demolition of Barnard Castle Glaxo at Metcalf Park. After establishing a two-goal interval lead with early strikes from John Patterson and David Dowd

  • Cabbie in fresh row over red taxi

    A CABBIE is preparing to do battle in court again with a council that has seen red over the colour of his taxi. George Jenkinson defeated Darlington Borough Council in court last year after it told him to stop advertising on his Hackney carriage because

  • Fairytale for young stars

    CINDERELLA tried on her new rags this week, nearly nine months before her opening night at the Gala Theatre's Christmas pantomime. Kirsti McDonagh, 16, and Luck Gasper, are cast in the leading roles of Cinderella and Prince Charming. They were transformed

  • Get a taste of food in the mine

    A treat to rival the Cornish pasty has been unveiled. The Nent Miners' Pasty was launched at the tourist attraction, Nent Valley - the Secret Adventure, between Hexham and Alston, in the north Pennines, by writer and broadcaster Eric Robson. The pasty

  • Superb double for region

    THE men of Morpeth Harriers and Chester-le-Street's women's team scored a superb winning double in the North of England Road Relay Championships at Blackpool. The Northumbrians took the senior men's title for a fourth time as they successfully defended

  • Young footballers given star help

    A PROFESSIONAL footballer is helping revive a local club. Middlesbrough defender Colin Cooper is coaching youngsters from Port Clarence Football Club. The revival is being undertaken as part of a BBC Voices project that will see stations working with

  • Parish clerk's find revives hopes for memorial garden

    A PARISH council clerk turned detective to overturn a decision by a Government agency rejecting plans to landscape an area of land around a war memorial. A bid to landscape a patch of derelict and overgrown land surrounding the memorial in Egglescliffe

  • Bypass scheme is madness, says Green_Party

    A WRANGLE over plans for a bypass has taken a fresh twist following a political party's traffic survey. Teesside Green Party said the survey, which was carried out on one of Middlesbrough's arterial roads, showed 72 per cent of vehicles had one occupant

  • International festival cancelled

    It promised to be one of the best yet, with 19 folk groups from countries across the world preparing to converge on Teesside. But the 2003 Teesside International Eisteddfod, due to take place in Middlesbrough in July, has been cancelled. It has been an

  • Museum invaded by insect monsters

    AN outbreak of giant creepycrawlies has taken over the Life Science Centre, in Newcastle, setting up home among the centre's exhibits. Visitors are being warned to be on their guard against tarantulas, scorpions, wasps and other creepy-crawlies. The exhibition

  • Support urged for housing scheme

    PLANS for homes and a games area on the site of a disused school have been welcomed by councillors. Horden Parish Council is backing the proposal by Alexander Developments to build 41 homes on the site of the former Horden Dene Special School, which has

  • Anti-bullying scheme draws good support from schools

    SCHOOLS are giving a good response to an accreditation scheme launched by County Durham's pioneering anti-bullying service. The scheme, which has the backing of ChildLine - the free 24-hour helpline for children and young people - will enable schools

  • Climber rescued after fall from crag

    A HILL climber who fell over cliffs had been answering the call of nature, rescuers revealed yesterday. The unnamed 20-year-old tumbled 20ft down isolated Eston Nab, a popular beauty spot on the edge of the North York Moors, after he stepped out of his

  • Diamond wedding anniversary couple are the perfect team

    A TOW Law couple have been the perfect partnership on the tennis court and the dance floor during their 60 years of marriage. A tribute from the Queen was among the many cards, flowers and presents sent to Newrick and Lily Grant's bungalow for their diamond

  • Young and old united in song

    Three hundred grandparents joined their grandchildren for lessons and singing sessions recently. The event was held at Sunderland High School's junior school. Deputy headteacher Jim Turner said it was a "wonderful opportunity to allow the older generation

  • Police reshuffle criticised by council chief

    A COUNCIL chief has criticised plans to overhaul policing in County Durham. Barry Keel, chief executive of Darlington Borough Council, says Durham Constabulary's proposals for reducing the number of divisions in the force from six to two, are "flawed"

  • Police reshuffle criticised by council chief

    A COUNCIL chief has criticised plans to overhaul policing in County Durham. Barry Keel, chief executive of Darlington Borough Council, says Durham Constabulary's proposals for reducing the number of divisions in the force from six to two, are "flawed"

  • Protest at drug sales change

    A PETITION urging the Government to reject proposals to relax legislation on chemists has been handed to Durham's MP. Susan Cook, owner of Leak Chemists in Durham, visited the offices of Durham City MP Gerry Steinberg on Friday, to hand over a petition

  • Council chief on the move

    A SENIOR Hartlepool Borough Council official is leaving the authority to take a position with Middlesbrough Council. Tim White, director of regeneration and planning, has been appointed assistant chief executive (regeneration) for Middlesbrough. He will

  • News in brief: Car destroyed in arson attack

    FIREFIGHTERS were called to a blazing car just yards from their station last night. A J-registered Skoda was believed to have been deliberately set alight at the rear of the Black Swan pub, in Hird Street, near Darlington fire station, at 5.30pm. "The

  • Celebrations as port unveils whalebones

    Celebrations to mark the unveiling of replacement whalebones on Whitby's West Cliff began yesterday, and continue today. Having been transported thousands of miles, the bones are now displayed in their full splendour to locals and visitors in North Yorkshire's

  • UniBond League: Moors stay on the trail

    Spennymoor kept up the pressure on the leaders in the UniBond First Division with a 2-0 home win over Farsley Celtic. There wasn't much in the way of entertainment, but Moors will be happy with a victory which extends their unbeaten run to seven matches

  • Comment from The Northern Echo: Power to the UN people

    THE reputation of the United Nations has not fared well in the build-up to the war against Iraq. The lack of unequivocal support for action by America and Britain has undermined the UN's position and set a dangerous precedent for the world. But despite

  • Comment from The Northern Echo: Joy amid the sorrow

    WARS will always invoke extreme emotions, from intense sadness to unbridled joy. This week, those emotions have been encapsulated in two of the most moving human stories so far in the war in Iraq. The dramatic rescue of American prisoner of war Jessica

  • North-East lollipop wardens take safety lead

    LOLLIPOP wardens in the North-East are leading the way in safety training for colleagues across the UK. Town halls throughout Britain have been given a Government-funded training manual featuring Sylvia Burton, who supervises Redcar and Cleveland Borough

  • Veteran appeals for donations to troops

    GULF war veteran Fran Ryan knows exactly what troops serving in the desert need - and she is hoping people living near Catterick Garrison will be able to help. The 42-year-old mother of three served as a nurse with 32 Field Hospital in Saudi Arabia during