Archive

  • Delighted McCarthy's tribute to reborn stars

    MICK McCARTHY last night paid a warm tribute to Sunderland's fearless heroes that have come in from the cold to spearhead the club's promotion drive. Of the 11 Black Cats players that began Tuesday's 3-2 win over Ipswich Town, none started more than 16

  • Silksworth hosts top event

    THE North of England Young Athletes Road Relay Championships are held in the North-East for the first time tomorrow. Sunderland Harriers have been rewarded for their unstinting support of road relay events, having hosted six senior championships since

  • Coroner delays verdict on coins

    A MAN whose hobby led to the discovery of one of the region's most exciting Roman settlements is waiting to find out if he can keep six coins found on the site. Over a period of 12 years, metal detector enthusiast Alan Luton has unearthed a series of

  • Delighted McCarthy's tribute to reborn stars

    MICK McCARTHY last night paid a warm tribute to Sunderland's fearless heroes that have come in from the cold to spearhead the club's promotion drive. Of the 11 Black Cats players that began Tuesday's 3-2 win over Ipswich Town, none started more than 16

  • Rod plans 'Blaine' stunt on top of bridge

    A 55-YEAR-old charity worker is preparing to become the North-East's answer to David Blaine. Rod Jones, the founder of Convoy Aid to Romania, plans to stay as long as he can in a tent lashed to the top of the Transporter Bridge, 160ft above the River

  • Bishop to embark on pilgrimage walk

    THE NEW Bishop of Durham is to see at first hand large parts of his new diocese on the run up to his enthronement next week. A pilgrimage walk will allow the Rt Rev Tom Wright to visit many churches in cities, towns and villages in the diocese. Among

  • 'Gospels for sale' fury

    CAMPAIGNERS who dropped their fight to bring the Lindisfarne Gospels back to the North are furious that the two replicas they were given are far from unique. They believe they were duped into dropping their protest after learning the British Library has

  • In The Picture: Playing lip service

    A gay kiss may have been a long tine coming in Weatherfield, but is the soap catching up with the 21st century or merely fighting the ratings war? The love that dare not speak its name finally finds a voice in Coronation Street tomorrow when Todd Grimshaw

  • Olympic star to open sports hall

    OLYMPIC champion Jonathan Edwards is to help a school celebrate the start of a new era in sports. The Hermitage School in Chester-le-Street has been left without a sports hall since November 2001, when the hall was razed to the ground in an arson attack

  • Contracted Collingwood aiming to seize chance

    NEVER one to take a backward step with bat or ball in hand, Paul Collingwood is equally combative off the field as he relishes his imminent Test debut. "I'm looking forward to Bangladesh - but I'd prefer to be facing a more established side. I'd love

  • Concern for missing boy

    POLICE are growing increasingly concerned for the safety of a teenage boy who has been missing from his foster home for more than a week. Richard Lynn, who is 14, lives at a foster home in Thirsk, North Yorkshire, but has not been seen since September

  • Darlington reduced to bare bones

    Darlington manager Mick Tait may have a bit more time on his hands in the dressing room today. It was perhaps inevitable that at some point this season Tait would be left with a squad reduced to the bare bones. Today his team picks itself, thanks largely

  • A United front as Sir Bobby rejects rumours

    SIR BOBBY ROBSON last night slammed the "bewildering, nonsensical and disturbing" speculation surrounding his future as Newcastle United manager. And as Gary Speed reaffirmed the players' total support for their boss, Robson told his squad to have "the

  • Playing lip service

    A gay kiss may have been a long tine coming in Weatherfield, but is the soap catching up with the 21st century or merely fighting the ratings war? The love that dare not speak its name finally finds a voice in Coronation Street tomorrow when Todd Grimshaw

  • Horror for family after pets killed

    A MOTHER has spoken of her horror after a thug stamped on her children's pet guinea pigs and then lined up their broken bodies as trophies. The killer struck at a home in Rosedale Avenue, Consett, on Saturday night, as the woman and her two children slept

  • McClaren fears facing the Chelsea backlash

    MIDDLESBROUGH boss Steve McClaren has warned his side to be wary of a backlash from Chelsea tomorrow in the wake of the Blues' Champions League defeat by Besiktas. Claudio Ranieri's mega-money side surrendered their unbeaten record this season against

  • Residents bullied by landscape gardeners

    POLICE are searching for landscape gardeners who tried to bully residents into hiring their services. Three men in a white pick-up truck with a green back were seen in Delves Lane, near Consett, at the weekend. The trio claimed to be from a firm called

  • Two cleared of helping plot which 'cost company £1.3m'

    THE son-in-law and sister-in-law of disgraced businesswoman Mary Blair were yesterday cleared of helping her to launder thousands of pounds from a North-East car dealership. A jury at Teesside Crown Court took less than two hours to return not guilty

  • Last-ditch bid to stop 'ghost fleet' arriving

    ENVIRONMENTALISTS could launch a last-ditch legal challenge through the UK courts in a bid to prevent a toxic "ghost fleet" from being dismantled in the North-East. Four defunct US naval ships are expected to leave this weekend for Hartlepool after a

  • TV Russian roulette stunt 'trivialises suicide' - expert

    THE organisers of a health conference about suicides have accused a TV illusionist of trivialising a major social problem. Tomorrow night, illusionist Derren Brown is scheduled to play Russian Roulette with a loaded gun live on Channel 4, at 9pm. Dr Chris

  • Family win justice at last for tragic Christopher

    THE family of tragic holidaymaker Christopher Rochester said they had suffered a 'rollercoaster of emotions' during a trial of five medical staff accused of neglecting him in his last hours. The 24-year-old, of Chester-le-Street, died in Rhodes Hospital

  • Simpson-Daniel poses threat

    THE World Cup may have taken some of the gloss off the opening exchanges in the Zurich Premiership, but tomorrow's match at Kingston Park should prove there is still plenty of talent on show. Among the candidates for the title of unluckiest player not

  • Regeneration scheme will create up to 1,000 jobs

    UP to 1,000 jobs could be created in the region by a regeneration scheme. Hartlepool's docklands are to be transformed by a £500m project which will see 200 acres of land become a leisure, business and housing complex. Tees Valley Regeneration said it

  • Event to jog memories of past carnivals

    HISTORY buffs in Bowes are in for a treat with an evening of film, videos and photos of past carnivals next Friday. A campaign to research the history of the Bowes Carnival began when the committee wanted to know the year it started. The chairman of the

  • Tribute in song to tragic Aleisha

    VILLAGERS will stage a third fundraising concert tonight in memory of a girl killed in a road accident on the eve of her fourth birthday. Aleisha Ord died in a collision with a bus as she crossed a road in her home village of Murton, east Durham, in May

  • Traders welcome store's upgrade to fill vacant site

    TRADERS in Darlington have welcomed the announcement that new owners are to move into the former Dressers store. The Northern Echo revealed yesterday that North-East firm Bertie Quality Clothing has bought the High Row premises. The stationers shop closed

  • Traders welcome store's upgrade to fill vacant site

    TRADERS in Darlington have welcomed the announcement that new owners are to move into the former Dressers store. The Northern Echo revealed yesterday that North-East firm Bertie Quality Clothing has bought the High Row premises. The stationers shop closed

  • At Your Service: Keld in high esteem

    The village of Keld, in Swaledale, may be lonely but it still puts on a fine harvest festival. JUST as, from time to time, it is tempting to leave a big white space with the message "He slept in last Sunday" - worse, "He couldn't think of anything to

  • Suspensions and injuries cut Quakers to the bone

    Darlington manager Mick Tait may have a bit more time on his hands in the dressing room today. It was perhaps inevitable that at some point this season Tait would be left with a squad reduced to the bare bones. Today his team picks itself, thanks largely

  • Plea for return of town regalia

    FRESH attempts are being made to get a town's silverware back. Thornaby Town Council is trying to have the town's mayoral chains of office and other regalia, including the mace, returned from Stockton Borough Council. Town councillors agreed at a full

  • McClaren fears facing the Chelsea backlash

    MIDDLESBROUGH boss Steve McClaren has warned his side to be wary of a backlash from Chelsea tomorrow in the wake of the Blues' Champions League defeat by Besiktas. Claudio Ranieri's mega-money side surrendered their unbeaten record this season against

  • Theatre offers packed programme of gigs

    SINGER Midge Ure is among the stars heading to the region next week. The former member of Visage and Eighties band Ultravox will play at Hartlepool Town Hall Theatre next Saturday. He will follow a performance, on Friday, from Elvis the Tribute, starring

  • Importers of rare hens dealt blow by thieves

    THE country's only importer of a rare breed of hens has been devastated by the theft of almost 300 birds. Raiders broke into East Grange Farm, High Shincliffe, near Durham City, rounded up the Bovans Nera and loaded them into up to 20 crates. They also

  • Benefit advice event for pensioners

    PENSIONERS are being offered help and advice about the benefits they may be entitled to at an event in Northallerton. The Pension Credit Awareness Day will be held in the town hall on Wednesday from 10am to 2.30pm. Local organisations will be at the event

  • Motorists warned of 'major' disruption

    MAJOR traffic disruption is expected because of planned roadworks on one of Harrogate's busiest routes. Two sections of Skipton Road are to be resurfaced. The first stage of the work is to be carried out between Dragon Parade and Regent Parade. Work will

  • School to be pulled down and rebuilt

    A SCHOOL which was built on shaky foundations is to be replaced. St Clare's RC Primary School, in Acklam, Middlesbrough, will be built on the playing field of the existing school, which will be demolished. Headteacher Sue Fall said: "The school is built

  • Space experts' lecture is out of this world

    TWO Russians will be telling stories on Teesside this month which are out of this world. Space walker Alexandre Alexandrov and space ballistics expert Alexandre Martynov, who was responsible for landing space vehicles on the Moon, Mars and Venus, are

  • News in brief: Safety boost for elderly

    PENSIONERS in east Cleveland have been given bags containing personal attack alarms, door bars and property marking pens. The security devices, handed over by Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's trading standards unit, are part of a continuing initiative

  • Student shaves head to help girl

    HUNDREDS of Darlington students watched as one of their friends had her long dark locks shaved off for charity yesterday. Alice Reid had her head shaved off by Naomi Heads of Tracy Chipperfield's salon, in Coniscliffe Road, at Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form

  • College course gives time in workplace

    A student apprenticeship scheme has been launched in Stockton. The Stockton Sixth Form College apprenticeship will give students a chance to spend two days a week in the workplace and three at college. The pilot scheme is for first year ICT or business

  • First aid centre opens

    THE £500,000 new headquarters of County Durham St John Ambulance have been officially opened by the new Bishop of Durham. The premises on the Meadowfield Industrial Estate, were dedicated by the Rt Rev Tom Wright on Tuesday. The organisation was based

  • Shop till you drop - in aid of good causes

    A CHRISTMAS shopping extravaganza in aid of charity will be held at the Ramside Hall Hotel, in Durham, on Wednesday, October 15, and Thursday, October 16. The established annual event will see more than 50 stalls offering goods ranging from designer clothing

  • Warning about firework misuse

    POLICE in east Durham have warned they will take firm action against anyone misusing fireworks in the run-up to Bonfire Night. With November 5 only a few weeks away, emergency services and council agencies are already preparing for the expected spate

  • Research centre to create 40 new jobs

    FIVE research centres are to be created at one of the region's leading universities. Part-financed by £12.5m in Government cash, the initiatives will create at least 40 jobs at York University. The announcement follows the creation of ten professorships

  • News in brief: Families sign on for course

    A free family sign language course is about to get under way at Greenfield Community and Arts Centre, Newton Aycliffe. Specialist Margaret Bain will lead the course every Tuesday between 4pm and 5pm. More details from (01325) 307147. CONCERT DATE: The

  • New hip surgery sparks interest of N-E hospital

    A North-East hospital wants to become a test centre for revolutionary hip surgery. Earlier this week, it was announced that an elderly women from Hertfordshire had made European medical history by leaving hospital only 27 hours after having a hip replaced

  • Keld in high esteem

    JUST as, from time to time, it is tempting to leave a big white space with the message "He slept in last Sunday" - worse, "He couldn't think of anything to write" - so is it inviting to leave today's column to the Rev Kenneth Wadsworth, deceased. It's

  • Scouts make tracks from Munich to Milan

    THREE teenagers have returned from a trek that took them from Munich to Milan. The trio, with the 2nd Chester-le-Street Scout Association, had to make a 200km journey through Europe largely on foot, via a route they had devised themselves, to earn their

  • Gardening: When a heron wreaked havoc

    I USUALLY pull out all the stops to try and encourage wildlife into the garden. I think, though, that I may have gone a little too far. The small pond that I created at the far end of the garden just over 18 months ago has reached a fairly stable and

  • Playing lip service

    The love that dare not speak its name finally finds a voice in Coronation Street tomorrow when Todd Grimshaw puckers up to Nick Tilsley. The sight of two men kissing in Weatherfield has been a long time coming. In the old days it might have caused Ena

  • Heard the one about the..?

    When two mums decided to ask celebrities for their favourite jokes for a book to raise awareness of life-threatening food allergies, they were overwhelmed by the response. One of them, Ruth Campbell, reports on how they raised a laugh. 'MUM," Patrick

  • Last-ditch bid to stop 'ghost fleet' arriving

    ENVIRONMENTALISTS could launch a last-ditch legal challenge through the UK courts in a bid to prevent a toxic "ghost fleet" from being dismantled in the North-East. Four defunct US naval ships are expected to leave this weekend for Hartlepool after a

  • Judge's warning for 16-year cannabis veteran

    A mother who admitted she had smoked cannabis for 16 years was given a "pack it in" warning by a judge yesterday. Lisa Blakemore is teetotal and prefers nights in to a night on the town. But Teesside Crown Court heard how police seized £120 of cannabis

  • Watchdog expected to give permission for bills to rise

    NORTHUMBRIAN Water looks likely to get the go-ahead to raise household bills. Water industry regulator Ofwat last night indicated it was considering raising the price limits Northumbrian and two other water companies can charge customers. Anglian Water

  • Christie enjoying calm after chaos

    MALCOLM CHRISTIE has admitted that Steve McClaren's meticulous Middlesbrough regime has come as a culture shock after the chaos of Derby County. Striker Christie played under former Boro manager Colin Todd, ex-Ayresome Park coach Jim Smith and John Gregory

  • Animal crackers

    FURRY, cuddly, good with people, makes strange welcoming noises and is about to be put down after ten years of active life: are we talking about Rolf Harris or Animal Hospital (BBC1, Wednesday) here? Fortunately for Rolf, it's the latter, but no one should

  • Pakistan's kilts curry favour with pipe band

    A NEW North East pipe band has revealed the secret behind its colourful Highland uniforms yesterday - the kilts and other items came not from Scotland but from Pakistan. Pipe major Barry Waldron expected to pay about £900 to kit out each member of the

  • In My View: Animal crackers

    FURRY, cuddly, good with people, makes strange welcoming noises and is about to be put down after ten years of active life: are we talking about Rolf Harris or Animal Hospital (BBC1, Wednesday) here? Fortunately for Rolf, it's the latter, but no one should

  • Not the weakest link in the chain

    'NO presents, no bonuses, no humbug of any sort." But via a long chain of supermarkets, a famous North-East name is mixed up in the battle to buy Safeway. Hinton's was founded by Amos Hinton in Middlesbrough in 1871. He was born in Hertfordshire in 1844

  • Two cleared of helping plot which 'cost company £1.3m'

    THE son-in-law and sister-in-law of disgraced businesswoman Mary Blair were yesterday cleared of helping her to launder thousands of pounds from a North-East car dealership. A jury at Teesside Crown Court took less than two hours to return not guilty

  • Not the weakest link in the chain

    'NO presents, no bonuses, no humbug of any sort." But via a long chain of supermarkets, a famous North-East name is mixed up in the battle to buy Safeway. Hinton's was founded by Amos Hinton in Middlesbrough in 1871. He was born in Hertfordshire in 1844

  • Region pioneers database of criminals

    A PIONEERING system to help police keep track of sex offenders and violent criminals is to be piloted in the North-East. From next month, Durham Police will be able to access a national database containing the details of about 53,000 criminals, including

  • Their destiny in your hands

    Two North-East hopefuls have their sights on fame and fortune when they take part in two of our best-loved TV shows tonight. Appearing simultaneously on different channels, they need the North's support to realise their dreams. Kate Bowman and Gavin Havery

  • Picnic site sex 'disgusting'

    SHAMELESS pleasure seekers indulging in public sex at a local beauty spot are being warned they could face prosecution. Causey Arch, near Stanley, has become a magnet for 'dogging' - the act where couples get their kicks out of inviting strangers to watch

  • Coalition celebrates poll blow for BNP

    NORTH-EAST voters have delivered a resounding "no" to the British National Party, say opponents. A total of 64 per cent of people voted in the Chester North ward by-election, in Chester-le-Street, contested by the BNP, Labour, Liberal Democrats and Conservatives

  • Success of scheme to recruit engineers

    A DRIVE to get more young people interested in engineering is proving a success. Derwentside Engineering Forum took its show on the road to raise the profile of the profession as a potential career. The forum, supported by nine organisations, including

  • News in brief: Health and safety courses

    Courses in health and safety and food hygiene are to run at St Stephen's Church Hall, in South Stanley. The free, three-hour taster sessions can lead to a recognised qualification. The health and safety course runs on Monday, October 13, from 9.30am to

  • Animal charity provides free health checks for dogs

    DOG owners can get free health checks for their pets this weekend thanks to a leading animal charity. The People's Dispensary for Sick Animals has taken its PetCheck Unit to the Pets at Home store at the Arnison Centre, Pity Me, Durham. The charity's

  • Grassroots: Washington

    DRIVERS WARNED: Two sections of the A1231 are to be closed for roadworks this month. The section from the A19 to the A15 will be closed on Sunday, October 12, with diversions along the A1290. The section from the A182 to the B1288, near Eighton Banks,

  • Upholstery firm breathes new life into old factory

    WHEN the doors of a clothing factory closed more than a decade ago, there were fears a town would struggle to find its way back from the loss of its biggest employer. In 1991 the Ramar factory, in Crook, closed after the company fell into receivership

  • The rise and fall of 'everybody's favourite auntie'

    TO those who see her now, Mary Blair cuts a pathetic figure. Her hands shaking, her face bare of make-up and her hair dishevelled, she has looked a broken woman since her "large-scale dishonesty" - as Judge John Walford called it yesterday - was uncovered

  • Football 'rape' girl demands justice

    THE parents of the 17-year-old girl who claims she was gang raped by premiership football stars last night vowed: "We want justice." The family came forward as football authorities and broadcasters faced up to the nightmare prospect of the names of players

  • Navy engineer fights for life after island fall

    A NAVAL aircraft engineer was fighting for his life in a Tenerife hospital last night after apparently falling from a balcony. The family of John Hutchinson, of Darlington, were anxiously waiting for news of his progress from Royal Navy chiefs as an investigation

  • £5.7m leisure centre is facing a one-year delay

    A LEISURE centre due to open this spring is facing a 12-month delay, following a string of problems at the site. The £5.7m swimming pool and gym at the Louisa Centre in Stanley, was vaunted by Derwentside District Council as a key factor in rejuvenating

  • Pupils create giant bird sculptures

    YOUNG artists have produced two scultures to brighten up their school. The Year Five and Six pupils at Moorside Junior School, near Consett, spent two days with artist Keith Alexander to create giant sculptures of birds. The pupils built wood and wire

  • Contracted Collingwood aiming to seize chance

    NEVER one to take a backward step with bat or ball in hand, Paul Collingwood is equally combative off the field as he relishes his imminent Test debut. "I'm looking forward to Bangladesh - but I'd prefer to be facing a more established side. I'd love

  • A United front as Sir Bobby rejects rumours

    SIR BOBBY ROBSON last night slammed the "bewildering, nonsensical and disturbing" speculation surrounding his future as Newcastle United manager. And as Gary Speed reaffirmed the players' total support for their boss, Robson told his squad to have "the

  • Comment from The Northern Echo: A tale of two leaders

    STAGE-MANAGED though his reception clearly was, there can be little argument that Tony Blair can look back on conference week with more satisfaction than was widely expected. Gordon Brown laid claim to his crown at the beginning of the week, only for

  • 04/10/03

    NEW LABOUR: I CANNOT believe it has taken Alan Milburn and Peter Mandelson all this time to realise that most people are fed up with Tony Blair. New Labour is destroying Great Britain with pro-Europe views and the thousands of illegal immigrants costing

  • University courses dropped

    DURHAM University is to cut several departments in an £8.7m reshuffle. This week the university officially decided to close its Department of East Asian Studies, phase out its European Studies programme and look into transferring its Linguistics course

  • Straight talking from a gambler

    A LAS Vegas poker player dealt advice to the region's young business people at a networking event organised by Eversheds law firm. Caspar Berry, a professional poker player for three years, turned his hand to teaching the region's young business talents

  • Bogus cop who conned women goes free

    A BOGUS policeman who conned thousands of pounds from three women was allowed to keep his freedom yesterday. Philip Hiskett claimed he was a sharp-shooting sergeant in the armed response unit on the Durham Force who lived with a giant boa constrictor

  • Plea to anglers after volunteer saves swans

    A WOMAN who rescues swans and other birds from fishing lines and hooks is calling on anglers to be more aware of wildlife. Volunteer Linda Charlton, from Berwick Swan and Wildlife Trust, patrols the River Wear at the Riverside Park, in Chester-le-Street

  • Air museum marks 60 years of freedom

    A POPULAR air museum has promised an exciting programme of events for the 2004 and 2005 calendar to mark the 60th anniversary of the Liberation of Europe. The Yorkshire Air Museum (YAM), at Elvington, near York, will be holding a series of one and two-day

  • Friends group gives diabetic teenager new lease of life

    A DIABETIC teenager has been given a new lease of life after receiving an insulin pump. Nina McGregor, from West Auckland, met with members of the Friends of South Durham Hospitals yesterday to thank them for the gift which means she no longer has to

  • Teenage killer's sentence reduced

    A TEENAGER who killed a youth he believed had stolen his shirt has had his sentence cut by judges. William Scott Heslop, 19, of Warkworth Avenue, South Shields, South Tyneside, was sentenced to three-and-a-half years' detention at Newcastle Crown Court

  • Commando training no obstacle for Mark

    A TEENAGER from Catterick has survived one of the toughest training regimes in the world to claim the coveted green beret of the Royal Marines. Mark Pownall, 17, finished the 30-week Commando course at Lympstone, in Devon, as a member of 847 Troop. "Commando

  • Tennis trials for youngsters

    CHILDREN aged between seven and 13 in east Cleveland are being encouraged to try out for the borough's tennis development squads, as part of its active sport programme. Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council is organising an assessment day for the under

  • German artist inspires exhibition

    AN exhibition inspired by a German-born artist has gone on show in a Newton Aycliffe art gallery. Rolf Wojciechowski has worked on the Art-Work-Art project with Volante PTIS, a Trimdon Grange manufacturing company producing interior panels for coaches

  • Paul gives racing team perfect start

    BUSINESSMAN and bike fanatic Paul Windale has delivered a boost to a racing team. The ex-para is sponsoring the Adrenalin-Moto Buell team in next year's New Era Sound of Thunder racing series. The 43-year-old, who owns Darlington's Pizza Perfekt firm,

  • Rugby stars pass on coaching tips

    FALCON power is helping to attract and hone young rugby talent in County Durham. Members of the North-East's premier team, Newcastle Falcons, are passing on coaching tips to youngsters on local development programmes. Among the clubs helping to develop

  • Space experts' lecture is out of this world

    TWO Russians will be telling stories on Teesside this month which are out of this world. Space walker Alexandre Alexandrov and space ballistics expert Alexandre Martynov, who was responsible for landing space vehicles on the Moon, Mars and Venus, are

  • Residents protest at plans to build multi-storey car park

    RESIDENTS came out in force to protest at plans to build a multi-storey car park in Darlington, yesterday. About 30 people from The Friends of North Lodge Park and residents from the area gathered at Kendrew Street car park to protest at plans to build

  • Relief for shoppers as town's car park charges put on hold

    MARKET town shoppers will get a reprieve as car parking charges are put on the back burner. It had already been agreed in principal that parking charges should be introduced for Crook town centre, but councillors have now voted to hold off on the idea

  • Clean-up campaign

    YOUNGSTERS are joining a competition to design a poster for a clean-up campaign. Middlesbrough Council is organising the scheme to improve communities. Councillor Bob Kerr, who sits on the executive, said: "We're planning a major co-ordinated effort to

  • Discount on gifts at TI centres

    REDCAR and Cleveland Borough Council's tourist information centres are branching out this winter to offer a range of services. The centre, at Saltburn, is offering a laminating service and along with the centres at Redcar and Guisborough, a faxing service

  • German artist inspires exhibition

    AN exhibition inspired by a German-born artist has gone on show in a Newton Aycliffe art gallery. Rolf Wojciechowski has worked on the Art-Work-Art project with Volante PTIS, a Trimdon Grange manufacturing company producing interior panels for coaches

  • Fab Four tribute band to embark on a magical mystery tour

    A BEATLES tribute band from the North-East have been chosen to play on a remake of the Sixties pop show Ready Steady Go! The group have been playing gigs around Europe for more than a year and their rapid success has been as meteoric as the Mop Tops themselves

  • Debate to decide on plan for flats

    BLUEPRINTS for flats, described as being among the worst ever seen by the local Civic Society, are to be debated next week. Developer Elevations Northern is asking Richmondshire District Council for permission to demolish garages behind the old post office

  • Villagers celebrate competition success

    YORKSHIRE villages have been presented with their awards after winning recognition in the regional rounds of the Calor Village of the Year competition. The victors in the contest, organised by the Yorkshire Rural Community Council, were the twin villages

  • For Your Benefit: Do I qualify for Pension Credit?

    Q I am 87, living alone on a pension of £79.01 a week and savings of £13,000. Will I get Pension Credit? A You will be one of the big gainers. Your savings have been too high for you to get Income Support, but Pension Credit will give you £18.42 a week

  • Convent Girl getting the winning habit

    PROVIDED Convent Girl is on her best behaviour she must have a terrific chance of landing this afternoon's Cambridgeshire Handicap. The £110,000 Newmarket showpiece has once again attracted a maximum 35-runner line-up, so the Nerys Dutfield-trained filly

  • When a heron wreaked havoc

    I USUALLY pull out all the stops to try and encourage wildlife into the garden. I think, though, that I may have gone a little too far. The small pond that I created at the far end of the garden just over 18 months ago has reached a fairly stable and

  • Provett makes case for the defence

    JIM Provett isn't the sort to be fazed by anything; his performances this season testify to that. Hartlepool United's new No 1 - or should that be No 19? - made his first appearance just two games into the campaign and since August 13, the laid-back 20

  • Watchdog expected to give permission for bills to rise

    NORTHUMBRIAN Water looks likely to get the go-ahead to raise household bills. Water industry regulator Ofwat last night indicated it was considering raising the price limits Northumbrian and two other water companies can charge customers. Anglian Water

  • Coroner delays verdict on coins

    A MAN whose hobby led to the discovery of one of the region's most exciting Roman settlements is waiting to find out if he can keep six coins found on the site. Over a period of 12 years, metal detector enthusiast Alan Luton has unearthed a series of

  • Regeneration scheme will create up to 1,000 jobs

    UP to 1,000 jobs could be created in the region by a regeneration scheme. Hartlepool's docklands are to be transformed by a £500m project which will see 200 acres of land become a leisure, business and housing complex. Tees Valley Regeneration said it

  • Grand reward for student's work

    A STUDENT has been awarded £1,000 to help him through university because of the effort he made to get there. David Barker, of Billingham, Teesside, was awarded the cash after he showed exceptional determination to further his studies. The 18-year-old