A HOME office minister visited the North-East yesterday to see how pioneering drugs strategies are being used to tackle crime. Caroline Flint met Cleveland Police chiefs to discuss how they are using new powers to treat crack cocaine users in Middlesbrough
A pair of troubled friends took a cocktail of painkillers and cannabis before killing themselves in a smoke-filled car, an inquest heard today. Paul Williams, 38, and Christopher John Howe, 32, who were friends for 15 years, took their own lives in Mr
JERMAINE JENAS is on the fast-track to stardom with Newcastle United and insists: "I wouldn't have it any other way.'' The 20-year-old midfielder, tipped as a future England captain by teammate Kieron Dyer, has enjoyed a rapid rise in under 18 months
BIG mother can now keep an eye on what her children eat at school after teachers installed an iris scanner in the canteen. The Venerable Bede Secondary School, in Sunderland, is the first in the UK to have an iris scanner installed to identify its pupils
ACTOR Philip Middlemiss has become a father for the first time - and had to compromise with girlfriend Leanne Davis over the name. The new-born boy, delivered on Sunday after the North-East-born television star dashed from filming in London to his home
WITH a huge grin on her face and a twinkle in her eye, Ann Ming declared triumphantly that justice for her murdered daughter was a step closer. Mrs Ming and her husband, Charlie, had travelled to London for a debate due to take place on the "double jeopardy
COUNTY Durham's seven district councils could be replaced by just three all-purpose authorities. If the North-East gets a regional assembly one of the current two tiers of local government will be abolished. And a team of experts says the all-purpose
NETWORK Rail and maintenance firm Balfour Beatty were preparing to defend themselves and their employees last night against charges of manslaughter in connection with the Hatfield train disaster. The Crown Prosecution Service said six managers from the
A KANGAROO and a koala made a dramatic descent from the roof of a pub to herald its opening at the weekend. The marsupials abseiled about 80ft from the roof of the new Walkabout in North Road, Durham, on Saturday in advance of its launch this Thursday
A GRIEVING family yesterday made an impassioned plea to find the killer of their drug-addict son. Darren Manders' badly decomposed remains were found in Starvation Clump, on the edge of Nunthorpe village, less than two miles from his parents' home at
MORE than 300 North-East school students are attending a two-day event aimed at attracting more youngsters into science. The event, staged yesterday and today, has been sponsored by the Royal Society of Chemistry. It is geared to providing links between
A TEAM of expert engineers will be joining some of the region's manufacturing firms in a bid to boost their performance. The experts will train staff across 16 companies in best practice. The project is part of a bid by the North-East Productivity Alliance
THREE former councillors with more than 60 years' service between them could be honoured by their local authority next week. Grace Buckle and Sylvia Golding stood down from Richmondshire District Council after both serving 20 years. Katherine Carr was
ONE of the floating stars of the hit TV series Hornblower will be sailing into the region's waters today. The tall ship Grand Turk is expected to arrive in the harbour at Scarborough at about 2pm for an 18-day visit. During its stay the ship will be one
Michael Lumb and Tim Bresnan both weighed in with half-centuries at Headingley yesterday as Yorkshire struggled to make a respectable score against India A's balanced attack. They were bowled out for 246 after winning the toss in humid conditions and
WORKS of art and catwalk collections created by up-and-coming designers are being exhibited in Darlington. Evolve is a ten-day exhibition of contemporary works produced by a 30-strong team of art and design students from Darlington College of Technology
FAR-REACHING plans to teach pupils via video link have been condemned by parents, unions and education campaigners. Youngsters in Darlington could be at the forefront of moves to bolster teaching at troubled schools by beaming in lessons from high-flying
A CHARITY football auction at the National Glass Centre raised £1,185 for two charities. The auction of footballing memorabilia was the highlight of the Legends of '73 celebrations to mark the 30-year milestone since Sunderland won the FA Cup. Alison
A SPORTS and gala day held by factory workers in Barnard Castle raised more than £2,000 for charity. The event, which took place at the GlaxoSmith-Kline factory, was in aid of Butterwick and St Teresa's hospices. Mountain bike stuntman Jez Avery performed
PUPILS were given a mole's eye view of a gas pipeline construction project in Darlington. Students from the town's Red Hall Primary School were given a tour of Transco's £2m pipeline reinforcement scheme - and witnessed an ambitious drilling operation
PUB regulars backed their landlord's efforts for a cancer charity by raising £1,555 in a few hours. Kevin and Shirley Hill ran the event at the Lion and Unicorn, in Willington, for Cancer Research UK. Hair and Beauty students Alex Carr and Luke Jones,
A FORMER soldier yesterday claimed she was driven out of the Army after a sexual assault resulted in the courts martial of a regimental sergeant major. Former corporal Lindsay Blair, 27, of Sunderland, has taken the Army to an employment tribunal alleging
A MOTORIST was four times over the legal alcohol limit when his vehicle was involved in a collision with a car containing a family, a court was told yesterday. James Robson, of High Street, Byers Green, admitted drink-driving and driving without due care
FORTY Bishop Auckland students are taking an action- packed Journey Through Art this week. The group, from seven primary and three comprehensive schools, are experiencing art, music, writing, drama and dance through workshops, museum visits and travel
The following cases were heard at Bishop Auckland Magistrates' Court yesterday: HARASSMENT CHARGE: Alex Ronnie Howe, 21, of Blencathra Crescent, Crook, is accused of intimidating a witness from another case on May 20 and harassment of the same woman between
PEOPLE have won a campaign to have their say on controversial proposals for a Darlington park. The council has agreed to re-open consultation on plans to create sports pitches and a pavilion in South Park after protests from people living nearby. The
MEMBERS of a children's boxing club have vowed to fight on despite facing closure next week. The Impala Fitness Club will close next Thursday after a disagreement with Stockton Borough Council over the Frederick Street club. About 40 youngsters and their
A MULTI-million pound cash boost for culture in the region will help build Europe's biggest treehouse, a world-class indoor cricket pitch and a visitor centre for Britain's oldest floating warship. Seven projects from across the North-East have won a
STOCKTON Borough Council's sports development team is expanding its activities programme this year with the introduction of an events programme. The Xplore programme, aimed at those aged three to 16, has been designed to allow youngsters to take part
TWO Dales farms were among award winners at the Great Yorkshire Show yesterday. David Metcalfe, of Washfold Farm, near Leyburn, was the winner of the category for best farm over 1,000 acres. Mr Metcalfe runs a Holstein herd on his 1,800-acre holding in
TONY BLAIR: IT seems rather strange that Tony Blair complains the BBC is putting doubts on his integrity when over 70 per cent of people polled recently think exactly that. Mr Blair and his regime are trusted much less than previous Conservative administrations
TRAFFIC systems in a town are in line for their biggest shake-up for years. Scarborough Borough Council, in North Yorkshire, is planning to reverse the flow of traffic in York Place, one of the busiest thoroughfares and to have designated bus-only lanes
A SUCCESSFUL kerbside recycling service is to be extended. The paper collection service in the Hambleton district of North Yorkshire has seen a three per cent rise in recycling since it was introduced to 20,000 homes last year. By September another 2,546
A HEADTEACHER will visit 10 Downing Street tomorrow. Ian Mowbray, headteacher of Peterlee's Shotton Hall School, in East Durham, will be accompanied by Ellen Foxton, head of the school's faculty of community development, and four students. In April Patrick
THREE police officers and a former detective accused of conspiring to frame a colleague will strenuously deny the allegations, their solicitor said yesterday. All four appeared in court for the first time to face accusations that they framed former colleague
HOSPITAL patients have benefited thanks to £210,000 in legacy donations during the past financial year. The amount is twice what the York Health Services NHS Trust received the previous year, with more people than ever making bequests. The money has been
AN army major stationed in the region is back on dry land after three weeks on the high seas. Major Robin Bolton, who lives in Leyburn, North Yorkshire, and is stationed at nearby Catterick Garrison, was part of a British Army crew who competed in the
STOCKTON Borough Council's sports development team is expanding its activities programme this year with the introduction of an events programme. The Xplore programme, aimed at those aged three to 16, has been designed to allow youngsters to take part
A STUDENT has proved he is a whizz kid after winning a prize for his eco-friendly design. Matthew Richards from Eaglescliffe, Teesside, invented a way to reduce noise in the cooling fans of built-in cookers - while cutting their energy consumption. His
A BUS driver ripped the roof off his double-decker after smashing it into a low level bridge. It was the fourth time a bus has had its roof torn off after trying to pass under the 13ft bridge in Gateshead. Despite flashing electronic warning signals to
AN inquest jury has returned a verdict of suicide on a former beauty queen found hanged in a psychiatric hospital bathroom. Carolyn Pick killed herself in April 2001 using a dressing gown cord after being convicted of trying to blackmail a former international
(Channel Five):TIME plays dirty tricks where Charlie's Angels are concerned. The name conjures up images of three hot chicks bouncing along, brandishing guns and boobs, as they chase the bad guys. The reality, as the current afternoon re-runs on Five
ALMOST 2,000 students are receiving degrees and diplomas from the University of York this week as the university celebrates its 40th anniversary. Another 900 postgraduate students are being presented with their awards. And people with distinguished careers
A HOSPICE with financial problems is planning a leaflet drop to raise money. Teesside Hospice, in Middlesbrough, is planning a mailshot campaign over the next two weeks as part of a 21st anniversary appeal to raise £210,000 this year. The 60,000 leaflets
CAR dealership Reg Vardy vowed to take its growth drive up another gear after posting a 19 per cent rise in pre-tax profits. The Sunderland group said changes to European Union rules designed to open up the car market, which take effect in October, would
INWARD investment from foreign companies coming to the UK fell seven per cent in the past year, according to the latest figures. Invest-UK, the Government's inward investment agency, said 709 investment projects from 35 countries began during the year
A LEISURE firm has created a South Seas island feel at a northern hotel. Vimac Leisure has spent £45,000 overhauling one of the rooms at its Crab Manor hotel, at Asenby, near Thirsk, North Yorkshire, to transform it into a replica of the Hotel Bora Bora
A CLUB for people with mobility problems has been given cash to buy equipment so more members can enjoy trips. Spennymoor and District Mobility Club, County Durham, has been awarded £1,660 from Christ Hospital, in Sherburn. The club, at Spennymoor Leisure
THOUSANDS of walkers will make a giant step towards a healthier lifestyle this weekend when they take to the Weardale countryside. Almost 5,000 people have signed up to take part in the Great North Walk on Sunday, which is being held in the district for
TWO 14-year-old girls who went missing were last night safe and well with their families in the North-East. Pals Sarah Louise Hewitson and Maxine Price, from Hartlepool, did not return home on Tuesday night. Sarah had a row with her mother and went to
FOUR teenagers who have made a special contribution to crime fighting in Darlington have been honoured for their efforts. The quartet - Graham Mitchell, Matthew Fleming, David Ancell and Alastair Taylor - received commendations from the divisional police
COOKERY guru Sophie Grigson was at the Great Yorkshire Show yesterday to launch an initiative that aims to make beef connoisseurs of the British public. Shoppers who buy meat at supermarkets often look for the leanest, reddest meat. But the TV chef, who
A GRIEVING family yesterday made an impassioned plea to find the killer of their drug-addict son. Darren Manders' badly decomposed remains were found in Starvation Clump, on the edge of Nunthorpe village, less than two miles from his parents' home at
A CHARITY football auction at the National Glass Centre raised £1,185 for two charities. The auction of footballing memorabilia was the highlight of the Legends of '73 celebrations to mark the 30-year milestone since Sunderland won the FA Cup. Alison
PUB regulars backed their landlord's efforts for a cancer charity by raising a massive £1,555 in a few hours. Kevin and Shirley Hill ran the event at the Lion and Unicorn in Willington, for Cancer Research UK. Hair and Beauty students Alex Carr and Luke
THE call to save hunting echoed across the North of England's biggest agricultural show as Westminster prepares for the third reading last night of a Bill that could lead to a ban. Discussion around the hounds and terrier rings was about the legislation
AXE-throwing may sound a slightly odd sport, but it's best not to say that when speaking to someone who's brandishing one. Unlike wellie-hurling or cap-throwing, which has become increasingly popular at Yorkshire village fetes, hurling a sharpened blade
A WIDE-RANGING Government blueprint aiming to tackle the skills gap in the North has been launched. Free learning for every adult, a further education support grant and an expansion of Modern Apprenticeships are among the measures being proposed. Thousands
The 51st annual Lanchester Show broke new ground at the weekend with its first ploughing contest. Combined with an exhibition of vintage tractors, the vintage ploughing contest was judged by former European and British vintage trail ploughing champion
SIR - We would firstly like to congratulate the five Liberal Democrat and Independent Durham County councillors who voted against the recent 'wage' increase. We would like to ask all councillors how they could justify such an increase when whole communities
RADICAL plans to ban traffic from a town centre have led to a surge of interest from companies wanting to carry out the work. Proposals to create a "pedestrian heart" in Darlington would see buses and taxis banned from four main streets in the town, leaving
AN exhibition celebrating the past and future of a single-track railway has opened to mark the arrival of trains on the line after a 49-year gap. Schoolchildren and volunteers have helped to create the Wensleydale Railway exhibition at the Dales Countryside
COLLEGE staff and student volunteers will be tying their shoelaces and slipping into promotional T-shirts at the weekend, before embarking on a five-kilometre run for charity. More than 40 female runners from Northallerton College will be taking part
VILLAGERS have launched a campaign to save their school from closure. Sherburn Hill Primary is one of 23 schools that could be axed under Durham County Council's "blueprint for excellence''. The council, which said its proposals will improve education
A FORMER soldier yesterday claimed she was driven out of the Army after a sexual assault resulted in the courts martial of a regimental sergeant major. Former corporal Lindsay Blair, 27, of Sunderland, has taken the Army to an employment tribunal alleging
CHILDREN from County Durham will be donning masks from the past to help celebrate National Archaeology Day. Durham County Council's Clayport Library is running a masks and mosaic craft session on Saturday, July 19, for youngsters aged from five to 12.
FOUR North-East teenagers whose lives were transformed by surgery will represent their country in the 14th World Transplant Games starting on Monday, July 21, in Nancy, France. This will be the first time that older children will compete with their opposite
A TV programme briefly transported me back to the early Seventies the other night. That was when Donny Osmond, wearing a purple velvet hat and smiling that wonderful smile, looked down on me from my bedroom wall. He was my first love. I had all the records
MORE than 27,000 free tickets to the Durham Country Show have been sent to children in Wearside. The County Show at Herrington Country Park at Penshaw, Sunderland, takes place on Saturday and Sunday. The agricultural show has been running for the last
MORE than 27,000 free tickets to the Durham Country Show have been sent to children in Wearside. The County Show at Herrington Country Park at Penshaw, Sunderland, takes place on Saturday and Sunday. The agricultural show has been running for the last
THE doors of Richmond's railway station will open again this month when the results of a study into the building's future will be unveiled. The old terminal has been shut since the lease for the Farm and Garden Supply Centre was terminated and Richmondshire
Memories of Bishop Auckland during the Second World War are so powerful for semi-retired chartered engineer Brian Joslin that he's written a play and is looking for a North-East company to put on a performance. Former pitman Brian moved to Northamptonshire
MIDDLESBROUGH boss Steve McClaren has told fans to forget talk of a Juninho-Emerson reunion at the Riverside. McClaren is excited by the prospect of a having a fully-fit Juninho at his disposal in the new season. The little Brazilian was sidelined for
THE FIRST brick has been laid at Derwentside's new £1.63m business centre. The construction at Consett Business Park will form the fifth phase of the development of the Business Complex and is on schedule for opening in January 2004. Providing high-quality
Amid constant talk of modernisation and improvement in public services, elements of the Royal Mail and the Post Office still have aspects which are very hard to fathom. The first, which has hit me twice in recent weeks, is in the interests of what the
A YOUNG man was taken to hospital with a head wound after a fight broke out in a supermarket car park. The man was injured during a fracas involving a group of teenagers at about 9pm, on Tuesday, outside Jennyfields Co-op in Harrogate, North Yorkshire
THE Crown Prosecution Service is to review its decision not to bring charges against a father who is suspected of being involved in the death of his nine-month-old baby. Gary Hughes, 20, was investigated by the police in the wake of his daughter's death
A FOUR-DAY public inquiry, which will seal the future of a derelict corner of Durham City, opened this week. A new dawn looked set for the down-at-heel Dragonville area when a local development company was given the go ahead to establish a large retail
ALMOST 200 dancers were practising some fancy footwork for one of their biggest shows of the year at Newcastle Playhouse this weekend. Pupils of the Joanne Banks dance school will mark a double milestone when their show Dancing to the Rhythm goes on stage
CRUELLY robbed of his maiden first-class century at Worcester last Friday, Gary Pratt duly reached the landmark yesterday as he held Durham together when they were in danger of under-achieving. With a mature blend of glorious strokes and commendable patience
A NEW leader has been appointed for the 300 members of Bishop Auckland Scout District. Ian Johnson has taken up the role after holding appointments within the district for more than 20 years. The role is to lead and support the leaders within the district
AN army regiment based in Catterick has the worst record for drug abuse. The 1st Battalion The King's Regiment, which draws its recruits from Liverpool and the North-West, is based at Bourlon Barracks in Catterick Garrison. Soldiers with the armoured
A schoolgirl is getting used to being in the spotlight after winning a major talent competition. Singer-songwriter Biba Christie was one of more than 1,000 hopefuls who entered the talentSTAR competition. Now the 14-year-old is looking forward to recording
A MULTI-million pound cash boost for culture in the region will help build Europe's biggest treehouse, a world-class indoor cricket pitch and a visitor centre for Britain's oldest floating warship. Seven projects from across the North-East have won a
PUPILS from two schools will be joining forces to make music. Children from Lord Lawson of Beamish Arts College, Birtley, near Gateshead, and Kenton School, Newcastle, will form an orchestra that will play a piece composed for them at Tyneside's Millennium
Charlie's Angels (Channel Five) TIME plays dirty tricks where Charlie's Angels are concerned. The name conjures up images of three hot chicks bouncing along, brandishing guns and boobs, as they chase the bad guys. The reality, as the current afternoon
ONE hundred and fifty years ago, coachman John Appleby felt the wind on his face as he sat at the top of a gently sloping hill, unaware that what he was about to do would change the world forever. He had to be coaxed into the latest contraption built
SOLDIERS from Catterick Garrison have played a part in the rescue of a hostage in their first 24 hours of duty in Iraq. Regiments which make up 19 Mechanised Brigade - usually based at barracks across North Yorkshire - took over as the security force
THE future of an award-winning play area that was under threat of closure is secure, after a housing developer came to its rescue. Volunteers who run the play park at Delves Lane village hall, near Consett, have been struggling for months to find the
Q IS for quiet, a rare commodity with teenage boys who need noise around them almost as much as they need air to breathe. Just to make sure that they're never plunged into silence - seriously scary - they usually leave something on in every room. Maybe
THE train's engine was running, the platform was bustling with people clutching their £95 tickets and the day marked a special occasion in rail history for the region. As the doors of the train opened more than 100 passengers stepped on board and made
A GRANDMOTHER was left shaken after her handbag was snatched by a teenager. The woman had taken her grandchild to East Thirsk School when the theft took place just before 9am last Thursday. The offender, believed to be about 17, took the handbag while
DOCTORS are to wear badges saying "Ask Me If I Washed My Hands" as part of a campaign to reduce hospital infections. Bosses at York District Hospital are so keen on hygiene that doctors will wear the badges on ward rounds. The unusual move is expected
MORE must be done to protect retail staff against the rising tide of attacks and abuse in their workplace, say unions. Retail union USDAW yesterday took its Freedom From Fear campaign to Downing Street, where it delivered a national petition of more than
AN appeal to increase a seven-year jail term given to a farmer's wife who stabbed her husband to death in front of their daughter will not go-ahead. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) announced last night that a decision had been made not to push for
UNIONS and business leaders yesterday welcomed Government plans to make changes to employment law and cut the number of industrial tribunals. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) plans would prevent workers from launching tribunal cases against
Zamyatina's shock 66-1 success under apprentice David Allan in the Middleham Suite Classified Stakes at Catterick yesterday brought back good and sad memories for Pat Clinton, who combines training with farming at his Doveridge, near Uttoxeter, stable
A GOVERNMENT task force is asking the region's business advisors to help reduce the red tape affecting small firms. Teresa Graham, deputy chairman of the Better Regulation Task Force, told a meeting of leading chartered accountants that they could play
Consett Afternoon WI : MEMBERS were welcomed to the June meeting by Linda Richardson, who opened the meeting with the singing of Jerusalem. Marian Tucker read the minutes. A verse was read by Joan Dance. The speaker, Mr Welch, gave an interesting talk
Wales and Newcastle soccer star Craig Bellamy appeared in court today to deny two charges of racially aggravated behaviour. The 23-year-old striker, of Jesmond Park Mews, Newcastle, was dressed in a dark suit and a lilac tie as he stood in the dock before
A NEW web site has been set up by the Highways Agency offering the public a chance to contribute to the future of the A1. Comments can be given online and will be used as a background for decisions on draft policies. Highways Agency project manager Keith
PARENTS in the North-East are urged to be on their guard after potentially lethal sweets were found on sale. The Food Standards Agency has issued an urgent food hazard warning following the discovery of mini cup jelly sweets containing the addictive konjac
CAR dealership Reg Vardy vowed to take its growth drive up another gear after posting a 19 per cent rise in pre-tax profits. The Sunderland group said changes to European Union rules designed to open up the car market, which take effect in October, would
THREE men shocked drivers on the A19 after stripping off. A motorist dialled 999 after spotting three naked men on the side of the A19 near Thirsk at about 1am on Monday. Police sent out a patrol car but found the men fully clothed by the time they arrived
AN ice cream manufacturer says it has saved £1.5m by using in-house skills to build its automatic mixing plant. The mixer, installed at Richmond Ice Cream, of Leeming Bar, near Bedale, North Yorkshire, can process up to 75,000 litres of ice cream an hour
TRAFFIC systems in a town are in line for their biggest shake-up for years. Scarborough Borough Council, in North Yorkshire, is planning to reverse the flow of traffic in York Place, one of the busiest thoroughfares and to have designated bus-only lanes
ARMY medics who have recently returned from Iraq claimed a famous victory this weekend. Members of the Normandy Band, who double as field hospital staff in times of crisis, claimed victory in the Richmond Festival It's a Knockout tournament on Sunday,
IT is undeniable that there is chronic congestion on the main roads in and out of the South-East. But it remains to be seen whether widening routes will provide an adequate solution. Without investment in improved public transport in and out of London
A MULTI-million pound cash boost for culture in the region will help build Europe's biggest treehouse, a world-class indoor cricket pitch and a visitor centre for Britain's oldest floating warship. Seven projects from across the North-East have won a
FIREFIGHTERS from Darlington ran up three mountains in a day to raise money for charity. The team from Darlington Fire Station's Green Watch competed in the Three Peaks Challenge. Five runners, supported by two drivers, ran up Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike
FOUR teenagers who have made a valuable contribution to crime-fighting in Darlington have been honoured for their efforts. Graham Mitchell, Matthew Fleming, David Ancell and Alastair Taylor received commendations from divisional police commander Chief
A CAMPAIGN to get broadband Internet services for Sedgefield and Fishburn is nearing a successful conclusion. The campaign for more efficient Internet access started in March with the purpose of bringing broadband to the Sedgefield exchange, which also
A SCHEME designed to provide a better quality of life for Darlington's burgeoning population of people over 50 continued with a jewellery-making session yesterday. The event at Richard Court was part of the Darlington Active, Independent, Staying Young
TWO women who were arrested in Bishop Auckland town centre last Friday have appeared at the town's magistrates' court. Charlene Jean Bell, 20, of McCullagh Gardens, Bishop Auckland, admitted stealing a pair of Kickers shoes worth £27.99 from The X Catalogue
PUPILS at a Darlington school took to the stage this week for their summer musical. Students at Carmel RC Technology College are staging a production of Anything Goes every night from Tuesday this week at 7.30pm, with the final performance on Saturday
HORSES: Irish Draught, Class S6 Champion: Mrs C J Saynor, Wakefield; Reserve: Miss K L Hurrion, Leeds. Class 22 Brood mare, in foal or with foal at foot: 1, Mrs C J Saynor, Wakefield; 2, Miss K L Hurrion, Leeds; 3, Ms S Kitching, Great Altcar. Class 22A
THE bands and banners will be out in force as the reviving fortunes of the Durham Miners' Gala continue on Saturday. Almost a decade after the closure of the last pits in the Durham Coalfield, the mining heritage of former colliery communities across
A STUDENT has proved he is a whizz kid after winning a prize for his eco-friendly design. Matthew Richards from Eaglescliffe, Teesside, invented a way to reduce noise in the cooling fans of built-in cookers - while cutting their energy consumption. His
A PRIMARY school remembered one of its former pupils at a sports day dedicated to his memory. The annual sports day at Heathfield Primary School, in Darlington, is a memorial to Iain Dixon, who died aged ten in September 1997 after being knocked off his
STOCKTON Borough Council's sports development team is expanding its activities programme this year with the introduction of an events programme. The Xplore programme, aimed at those aged three to 16, has been designed to allow youngsters to take part
STOCKTON Borough Council's sports development team is expanding its activities programme this year with the introduction of an events programme. The Xplore programme, aimed at those aged three to 16, has been designed to allow youngsters to take part
STOCKTON Borough Council's sports development team is expanding its activities programme this year with the introduction of an events programme. The Xplore programme, aimed at those aged three to 16, has been designed to allow youngsters to take part
CHILDREN from County Durham will be donning masks from the past to help celebrate National Archaeology Day. Durham County Council's Clayport Library is running a masks and mosaic craft session on Saturday, July 19, for youngsters aged from five to 12.
PUPILS from two schools will be joining forces to make music. Children from Lord Lawson of Beamish Arts College, Birtley, near Gateshead, and Kenton School, Newcastle, will form an orchestra that will play a piece composed for them at Tyneside's Millennium
ORGANISERS of what could be the country's first sales in a churchyard have hailed the event a success. The church of St Michael's and All Angels, in Copgrove, North Yorkshire, needs money to cover running costs. But rather than the usual jumble sale,
AN alien invasion is threatening the flower-rich roadsides in one of the region's areas of outstanding beauty. Volunteers are planning a day of action to fight the Himalayan Balsam. The plant is growing in the Ampleforth area of the Howardian Hills. "
PUPILS are sharing the experiences of teachers who visited South Africa. Eleven teachers from Sunderland spent a week in Pretoria on a government-run scheme looking at citizenship education. One of the aims was to establish links between South African
STREET wardens are protecting firefighters when they are called to put out blazes on problem estates. The presence of the wardens is not only discouraging yobs from attacking crews, but has led to a drop in nuisance fires. Middlesbrough Council and Cleveland
STOCKTON Borough Council's sports development team is expanding its activities programme this year with the introduction of an events programme. The Xplore programme, aimed at those aged three to 16, has been designed to allow youngsters to take part
BIG mother can now keep an eye on what her children eat at school after teachers installed an iris scanner in the canteen. The Venerable Bede Secondary School, in Sunderland, is the first in the UK to have an iris scanner installed to identify its pupils
PUPILS from two schools will be joining forces to make music. Children from Lord Lawson of Beamish Arts College, Birtley, near Gateshead, and Kenton School, Newcastle, will form an orchestra that will play a piece composed for them at Tyneside's Millennium
A HOME office minister visited the North-East yesterday to see how pioneering drugs strategies are being used to tackle crime. Caroline Flint met Cleveland Police chiefs to discuss how they are using new powers to treat crack cocaine users in Middlesbrough
A recent replacement hip operation has certainly put a new spring in the step of 67-year-old trainer Clive Brittain and so has the fantastic form of his Newmarket-based stable. Renowned for his eternal optimism, Brittain has never been afraid to shoot
THE Great Yorkshire Show was on course to maintain its attendance record after a bigger crowd yesterday. Gates were thought to be slightly down on the opening day on Tuesday when showers kept casual visitors away. However, although organisers emphasised
POLICE have renewed an appeal for help in tracking down a man who grabbed a young boy. Detectives in Darlington said they have had a disappointing response to an appeal following the incident at the weekend. A seven-year-old boy was grabbed by a man on
HARRY KEWELL was last night at the centre of a £4m transfer storm as Leeds United chairman John McKenzie accused Liverpool's new signing of holding his club to ransom. With Kewell's agent Bernie Mandic threatening to sue Leeds and Professor McKenzie for
THE loss of two consultant pathologists from the same NHS trust in separate fatal road accidents is continuing to cause difficulties months after their deaths. Dr Ceri Williams, 47, died in a cycling accident on a back road near Walworth, Darlington,
A NEW £4m training centre will be built on a Spennymoor business park as part of a college relocation scheme. Durham County Council is to move education facilities from Neville's Cross College to the Green Lane Industrial Estate in the town. The scheme
THE call to save hunting echoed across the North of England's biggest agricultural show as Westminster prepares for the third reading last night of a Bill that could lead to a ban. Discussion around the hounds and terrier rings was about the legislation
A TEESSIDE youngster has designed his future school's badge. Alderman William Jones and Attlee Road primary schools, in Grangetown, Middlesbrough, are set to join forces in September and will become Caedmon Primary School. Nine-year-old Zack Brown, a
SHARKS, jellyfish and pirate ships have lined the walls of every classroom at a village primary school, as children learn about life underwater. Inspired by a trip to a new ocean discovery centre, more than 100 children from South Otterington School,
HORSES: Irish Draught, Class S6 Champion: Mrs C J Saynor, Wakefield; Reserve: Miss K L Hurrion, Leeds. Class 22 Brood mare, in foal or with foal at foot: 1, Mrs C J Saynor, Wakefield; 2, Miss K L Hurrion, Leeds; 3, Ms S Kitching, Great Altcar. Class 22A
BUSINESS leaders last night condemned the Government for dealing out only a fraction of a £7bn congestion-busting package to the North-East. They were on a fresh collision course with Westminster following the announcement that the region had missed out
THE Great Yorkshire Show was on course to maintain its attendance record after a bigger crowd yesterday. Gates were thought to be slightly down on the opening day on Tuesday when showers kept casual visitors away. However, although organisers emphasised
AN ASIAN music festival in a North-East park will be enjoyed around the world. The sights and sounds of the Mela in Middlesbrough later this month will be relayed on the Internet. Thousands of spectators from the north of England are expected to converge
ANGLO-Chinese relations have been given a boost with the publication of the first edition of a dual language magazine. The Chinese Magazine is a glossy colour publication produced in Durham by The Chinese Association North-East Region. Established in
A PRIMARY school remembered one of its former pupils at a sports day dedicated to his memory. The annual sports day at Heathfield Primary School, in Darlington, is a memorial to Iain Dixon, who died aged ten in September 1997 after being knocked off his
IT WAS only a matter of time before someone became suspicious of Peter Barlow's movements in Coronation Street (ITV1). So when he goes missing yet again, his soon-to-be mother-in-law Bev smells a rat and that rat is called Peter. She puts on her deerstalker
A PIONEERING heart service is officially among the best in the country after winning high praise in a national award scheme. The community cardiac rehabilitation programme launched by Darlington Primary Care Trust (PCT) in October 2001 was one of the
When children struggle at school, they can be left to flounder, often going on to develop behavioural problems, but one school is trying a new way of keeping youngsters interested. Nick Morrison reports on a scheme which could provide a blueprint for
A SUCCESSFUL kerbside recycling service is to be extended. The paper collection service in the Hambleton district of North Yorkshire has seen a three per cent rise in recycling since it was introduced to 20,000 homes last year. By September another 2,546
A BUS driver ripped the roof off his double-decker after smashing it into a low level bridge. It was the fourth time a bus has had its roof torn off after trying to pass under the 13ft bridge in Gateshead. Despite flashing electronic warning signals to
Q IS for quiet, a rare commodity with teenage boys who need noise around them almost as much as they need air to breathe. Just to make sure that they're never plunged into silence - seriously scary - they usually leave something on in every room. Maybe
THE quest for fitness has started for dozens of people who aim to reach a ton this summer. The Wear Valley Walking for Health Ton-Up Challenge was launched for the second year running last week at Peases West Athletics Ground in Crook. People taking part
PARENTS and governors fighting village school closures are preparing to put their case to Durham County Council. The local authority has set a deadline of July 18 for responses to a proposed shake-up, which could see up to 23 schools closing and dozens
CALLS are being made for more stringent traffic speed controls after an accident in which a nine-year-old boy was injured. The child was taken to hospital with injuries to his leg and back after a collision with a car in Manor Drive North, York. Although
AN inquest jury has returned a verdict of suicide on a former beauty queen found hanged in a psychiatric hospital bathroom. Carolyn Pick killed herself in April 2001 using a dressing gown cord after being convicted of trying to blackmail a former international
BUS company Go North East has teamed up with children's charity Chernobyl Children Life Line to give 18 sick youngsters the chance to recuperate in the UK. Go North East is providing luxury coaches and volunteer drivers to collect the youngsters from
ALMOST 200 dancers are practising some fancy footwork for one of their biggest shows of the year at Newcastle Playhouse at the weekend. Pupils of the Joanne Banks dance school will mark a double milestone when their show Dancing to the Rhythm goes on
A TEESSIDE youngster has designed his future school's badge. Alderman William Jones and Attlee Road primary schools, in Grangetown, Middlesbrough, are set to join forces in September and will become Caedmon Primary School. Nine-year-old Zack Brown, a
FLYING hundreds of miles south in his microlite aircraft to sunnier climes such as Italy is an annual event for paramedic Jon Ker. But, fuelled by pints of beer in the pub one night, Mr Ker, who works for the Great North Air Ambulance, and his friends
SHOPPER-FRIENDLY car parking arrangements for Wear Valley's two main shopping centres could be introduced from next autumn. The move means that shoppers will have to pay to park in the centre of Bishop Auckland for the first time. And there could be new
A MAN who survived a frenzied machete attack was sent a chilling warning not to testify in court - a heart-shaped gravestone with his name carved into it. But Simon Baxter, 29, continued with the case and last week saw the men who mutilated him jailed
TEENAGE swimming star Joanne Jackson was following in her sister's footsteps as she jetted off for her first major international competition this week. Joanne, from Richmond, North Yorkshire, has been selected for the 32-strong squad to compete in the
AN OPERA singer is taking time out from his hectic schedule to perform traditional folk songs in his native North-East. Graeme Danby, of Consett, principal bass with English National Opera, will be travelling hundreds of miles between the North and South
ENTREPRENEUR Ed Lawson has returned to his native North-East and brought valuable wisdom with him. Mr Lawson, 59, took a year out from running his construction and maintenance firm in the Middle East, intending to spend 12 months at home relaxing. But
SUNDERLAND are in serious danger of missing out on Shaun Goater - the man Mick McCarthy wants to fire the club back into the Premiership. Despite yesterday's (wed) departure of Lilian Laslandes to Nice, McCarthy is still struggling to strengthen his squad
MORE than 1,000 people once lived in Page Bank, two up and two downers most of them and with the netty at a safe distance out the back. Now there are just four houses. Once there was a pit, a school, two chapels, institute, post office and several shops
(Channel Five): TIME plays dirty tricks where Charlie's Angels are concerned. The name conjures up images of three hot chicks bouncing along, brandishing guns and boobs, as they chase the bad guys. The reality, as the current afternoon re-runs on Five
A FARM worker has been rewarded for half a century of hard work and loyalty. Peter Irvine has been presented with one of the Royal Agricultural Society of England's greatest honours marking 50 years with the same employer. Ten years ago Mr Irvine received
BEER-LOVING jugglers hope to avoid living up to the name of their new bespoke brew. Members of Durham City Jugglers were honoured to have a beer made in their name following their approach to a local micro-brewery. The end product, a high-quality cask
Darlington midfielder Neil Maddison last night paid an emotional tribute to Quakers fans who he feels made it impossible for him to leave his home-town club. The 33-year-old yesterday put pen to paper on a new one-year deal with Quakers despite interest
STEEPED in tradition, it was a symbolic spectacle which brought scores of well-wishers to the old bridge linking County Durham and North Yorkshire. At noon on Sunday, the crowds on Croft Bridge, over the River Tees, witnessed a ceremony being performed
JOHN INMAN'S camp cry "I'm free" is the greatest comedy catchphrase of all time, an expert claimed yesterday. The 1970s slogan from BBC sitcom Are You Being Served was named by author and comedy historian Robert Ross. "Don't mention the war," uttered
FIVE new nature reserves will be designated in Sedgefield borough this month in a project aimed at bringing people and wildlife together. The idea of the Wildspace Project is to encourage local people to become involved in the creation and development
NETWORK Rail and maintenance firm Balfour Beatty were preparing to defend themselves and their employees last night against charges of manslaughter in connection with the Hatfield train disaster. The Crown Prosecution Service said six managers from the
VISITORS to Darlington's Market Place were treated to an unusual sight last week. Sportsmen and women from around the region were taking part in a pole-vaulting competition. It was the first time that the pole-vaulters have performed in a market place
Q IS for quiet, a rare commodity with teenage boys who need noise around them almost as much as they need air to breathe. Just to make sure that they're never plunged into silence - seriously scary - they usually leave something on in every room. Maybe
WITH only hours to live, John Gamblin was frantic to fulfil his dying wish to marry the love of his life. As time tragically ticked away, nursing staff at the University Hospital of North Durham arranged the eleventh hour wedding of John and his beloved
CRUELLY robbed of his maiden first-class century at Worcester last Friday, Gary Pratt duly reached the landmark yesterday as he held Durham together when they were in danger of under-achieving. With a mature blend of glorious strokes and commendable patience
THE man leading the Government think-tank on the future of farming urged landowners to continue working with Westminster on initiatives aimed at ensuring the industry remains sustainable. Sir Don Curry told those attending the launch of a regional farming
THE bands and banners will be out in force as the reviving fortunes of the Durham Miners' Gala continue on Saturday. Almost a decade after the closure of the last pits in the Durham Coalfield, the mining heritage of former colliery communities across
A recent replacement hip operation has certainly put a new spring in the step of 67-year-old trainer Clive Brittain and so has the fantastic form of his Newmarket-based stable. Renowned for his eternal optimism, Brittain has never been afraid to shoot
ONE of the largest aircraft in the world will touch down in the region tomorrow. A giant C-17 Globemaster III will be landing at the Yorkshire Air Museum to transport four aeroplanes to the Royal International Air Tattoo at Fairford in Gloucestershire
THE glory days of a Darlington park were revived at the weekend during its centenary celebrations. Saturday marked the 100th anniversary of the opening of North Lodge Park, a once-declining part of the town which is scheduled for extensive refurbishment
A STUDENT will be well-versed on the history of a regiment from the region when he completes a six-week attachment. Anthony Perkins, 20, from Darlington, has joined the Green Howards Regimental Museum, in Richmond, North Yorkshire, where he will help
COLLEAGUES of the North-East airman who died during secret military chemical warfare tests 50 years ago have suffered a setback in their battle for compensation, after early tests revealed no pattern of ill-health among them. Medical assessments of 117
