BOSSES at car maker Nissan confirmed last night they are waiting for the final instalment of a multi-million pound grant - but do not know when it will arrive. The Japanese company is due the final quarter of a £40m Regional Selective Assistance (RSA)
THE mother of a teenage girl who was persistently absent from school was fined £100 by magistrates yesterday. The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty at Bishop Auckland Magistrates' Court to failing to ensure her 14-year-old daughter
OFFICIALS are to clamp down on illegal advertising signs that could prove a danger to the blind, partially-sighted, infirm or disabled. Despite protests from some traders, North Yorkshire County Council plans to take action against the signs - mainly
Want-away Ashley Nicholls saw a move to Cambridge United hit the buffers last night when Darlington turned down a request to take the midfielder on loan. The Us have offered the homesick 22-year-old a chance to move closer to his home town of Ipswich
SEDGEFIELD borough lei-sure centres have announced sports and activities during school half-term, from Monday to February 20. Shildon Sunnydale and Ferryhill centres are offering Splash Active sessions, which include five-a-side, basketball, netball,
RECRUITS to a fire brigade scheme that encourages young people to become model citizens have been honoured at a passing-out ceremony. Eleven teenagers who completed the 12-week course, run by Durham Fire Brigade, carried out a drill in front of trainers
A NEW support group for visually impaired people has been given a £750 boost by Age Concern. The money was given to the County Durham Macular Disease Support Group's chairman, Len Lane, by Age Concern's Durham's chief executive, Harriet Gibbon. The group
RELATIVES of a North-East couple were trying desperately to get in touch with them last night after a burst pipe spewed more than 25,000 gallons of water into their home. The pensioners' bungalow was among the worst hit when a mains pipe fractured, sending
Entries are flowing in for a writing competition launched in the region last month. The Short Story Competition is organised by Inscribe Media, of Darlington, backed by The Northern Echo, telecommunications company Orange and Darlington Arts Centre. A
SATURDAYS are sacrosanct. It was only when the last pitch had been inspected, the final feet sunk six inches into the mire and the ultimate thumb turned reluctantly downwards that we headed instead for the hills. Though not a ball was kicked in the Albany
Terry Jones' Medieval Lives (BBC2) Men Of Iron (C4) HISTORY programmes on TV come in various shapes and sizes as experts parade their opinions, key events are re-enacted and computer graphics are used to conjure up a past age. Few have the sense of fun
LORD Mountgarret, the ebullient peer who died at the wheel of his car near his North Yorkshire country estate was described as a "big daddy" to his workers and tenants. In a tribute to the former cross-bench peer, his personal assistant and housekeeper
A former housemaster at a top private college is under police investigation. Detectives have questioned Father Jeremy Sierla about allegations relating to events a decade ago at Junior House at Ampleforth College in North Yorkshire. It is not understood
Town clerk: Middleham. £7.20ph, 18hrs pw, Mon-Fri. Required for administration of council. Must be computer literate with administration experience. Ref: NOE 21145. Resource centre works: Northallerton. £14,196 to £18,582pa pro rata, 18.5hrs pw, includes
Production operative: £202.15pw basic plus shift allowance, 39hrs pw various shifts, 9 days on 5 off. Must have own transport due to location. Required for production line. Experience an advantage. Some heavy lifting up to 25kg. Ref: DUR 38220. Sign fabricator
POLITICS students are jetting off to Washington DC to visit the House of Representatives and the Senate. The group, from Prior Pursglove College, in Guisborough, are all in the second year of their A-level government and politics course. They have received
AN inventor who created a flame-retardant plastic 14 years ago has still not found a company willing to use it. Amateur scientist Maurice Ward, from Hartlepool, made headlines around the world when he invented Starlite. He appeared on numerous documentaries
Bruce Springsteen tribute band Born to Run will perform at the Clarendon Hotel in Redcar, east Cleveland, on Sunday. Further information can be obtained from the hotel on (01642) 484301. Published: 10/02/2004
A SCHOOLGIRL who almost drowned after being washed into the North Sea by a freak wave, spoke yesterday of the moment her best friend was torn from her grasp. Beth Gardner and Jade Anderson clung to each other as they fought for their lives after being
A CAMPAIGN to save Richmond's sports centre from closure has won town council support. Already struggling to balance its books for the next financial year, Richmondshire District Council claims the crumbling building is in such a state it is not worth
NEALE Cooper last night admitted he has no worries about fielding a revamped defence. Pool went to Barnsley last Saturday with two debutants in Scott Walker and Hugh Robertson, and Chris Westwood was moved from the middle to right back. Skipper Micky
BRAMLYNN BROOK (2.50) should have little difficulty defying top-weight in the Northern Echo Novices' Hurdle at Sedgefield today. There has been a good turnout for the race we are sponsoring, but despite having to concede at least 7lb or more to all 12
TONY BLAIR announced plans for a "British FBI" yesterday - and said the burden of proof might be lowered in organised crime prosecutions to snare more gangsters. The Prime Minister said he believed the public would back making it easier to secure convictions
Paul Hunter should copyright his famous 'Plan B' after his magic formula did the trick again in a stunning Masters final against Ronnie O'Sullivan. Three times Hunter has won the Wembley crown in the last four years. Each time he's needed some interval
FIGURES released today will cast doubt on the strength of the recovery in the manufacturing sector after output unexpectedly fell during December. The 0.1 per cent fall reported by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) goes against recent data which
Expansion plans at Teesside International Airport are being backed by a leading training organisation. Learning and Skills Council Tees Valley will help train extra staff needed at the airport to cope with the growth. Teesside will see more passengers
A FRESH injury scare to Jonathan Woodgate is threatening to hamper Newcastle United's push for a Champions League place. The Magpies centre-back's chances of playing his part in England's Euro 2004 campaign could also be hindered if it emerges that the
THE fight against crime has become a great deal more difficult since the days of Dixon of Dock Green. It is now a highly complex global challenge to fend off the growing menace of international terrorism, drug dealing, people smuggling, and fraud. The
COST cuts were the driving force behind a sharp improvement in profits at British Airways. The group, which has reduced staff numbers by almost 13,000 in the past two years, announced profits at the top of City expectations - £125m in the final three
AN MP has called for more information about the proposed Yorkshire Regional Assembly before a referendum later this year. York MP Hugh Bayley has carried out his own consultation on the issue, writing to community leaders, voluntary groups, schools and
A SEVEN-day-old badger that survived flooding in its native Cumbria is being cared for in the region. The tiny creature has been christened Bear by his new mother, Jean Thorpe, 52, who is looking after him at Ryedale Rehabilitation, in Malton, North Yorkshire
PRESSURE was growing on the Government last night to force so-called gangmasters to apply for licences to prevent a repeat of the tragedy in which 19 Chinese cockle pickers drowned in Morecambe Bay, Lancashire. Detectives investigating the deaths of the
ICI: I WAS a little shocked to see the old ICI headquarters in Billingham in a sad and sorry state. I was there a few days ago visiting an old workmate of my father and was shocked to see it. I can remember it standing proud on Belasis Avenue. It's a
ONE of my parishioners, a talented and likeable man in his early 20s, has just died. He endured months of various unpleasant treatments for cancer, and the last five weeks of his life in hospital here in London. Things were looking good for him. The doctors
THE first Tyne and Wear Commercial Property Show is being held this month. The event, organised by Tyne and Wear Development Company, is being held at Newcastle Marriott Hotel, the MetroCentre, Gateshead, on Thursday, February 19, from 10am until 6pm.
Terry Jones' Medieval Lives (BBC2); Men Of Iron (C4): HISTORY programmes on TV come in various shapes and sizes as experts parade their opinions, key events are re-enacted and computer graphics are used to conjure up a past age. Few have the sense of
RISING interest rates will make 2004 the year of the saver, according to a leading figure in the financial world. Peter Rowley, chief executive of Darlington Building Society (DBS), expects prudence to be rewarded following several years in which the
A rapist jailed for a string of attacks on North-East prostitutes failed yesterday in an Appeal Court attempt to have his conviction quashed. Paul Kennedy, 39, formerly from Hartlepool, was jailed for 15 years at Teesside Crown Court last May after he
A benefit without doubt, play-for-fun footballer Brett Cummings is to be given a testimonial in April. The citation might simply say "For loyalty". Brett's been 11 seasons with Willington, his 388 appearances believed to be an all-time record for the
MUSICIAN Rod Hall was staring death in the face when he was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer just over a year ago. When he underwent emergency surgery it was just in time - and the fact that he would not be able to have a baby again was the last
The Internet has brought a world of information into our homes, but it has also brought our children within reach of dangerous predators. Nick Morrison reports on how child abusers are using it to trap their prey. ALL William wanted to do was make friends
A VISIT to their local library promises to be a trip down memory lane, for some Grangetown residents. For taking pride of place at Grangetown Library is a painting depicting a long vanished landmark - one of three blast furnaces which used to stand in
A DARLINGTON estate is to host a Stars in their Eyes-style contest for young people. The event will be one of the first to take place at Firthmoor's new £1.4m community centre, Maidendale House, at a date to be decided in April. City and Northern, developer
A RESIDENT is calling on a council to take better care of a cemetery amid claims it is being neglected. Albert Yarrow's family has four plots in Darlington's Geneva Road East Cemetery, but he has been increasingly concerned about the way it is maintained
A CAMPAIGN to provide help for young people leaving care in Stockton is making progress. The Open Up Your Spare Room campaign, run by the borough council, is designed to recruit householders who can provide accommodation and support for the young people
NEW powers to close alleyways to prevent people falling victim to serious crime have been handed to Middlesbrough Council. The authority was among eight given the powers yesterday by Local Environment Quality Minister Alun Michael. All have provided sufficient
SCHOOLchildren who persist in racial attacks on asylum seekers risk losing their family home - as well as landing themselves in court. Cleveland Police are to apply for anti-social behaviour orders for children as young as 13, while housing landlords
MEMBERS of a travelling community are benefiting from basic skills training in numeracy and literacy. The community project, funded by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) County Durham, allows basic skills tutors from Bishop Auckland College to visit
A DARLINGTON hair salon celebrating its 30th anniversary has won two prizes at its company's national awards ceremony. The Saks salon, in Blackwellgate, was named best beauty salon of the year for the fourth year in succession and best L'Oral salon, at
TWO long-established housing groups have teamed up to lead a drive to provide affordable homes in former coal mining areas. The partnership between Durham Aged Mineworkers' Homes Association (Damha) and Nomad Housing is believed to be the first to be
Extrusion machine operator: £5.30ph, 36-48hrs pw week one 6am to 6pm, week two 6pm to 6am, temporary, must be experienced. Ref: NEU 18150. Test bench operator: £14,000pa dep on exp, 37.5hrs pw, must have electronics experience and five GCSEs or equivalent
RESIDENTS are planning a show of force later this week over proposals to build a new village hall. Plans to build the hall on the outskirts of Borrowby, near Thirsk, have split the village. Some say there is nothing wrong with the existing building in
NINE people were taken to hospital yesterday after a minibus collided with a Metro train. Passengers on the bus were treated for shock at Newcastle General Hospital following the collision at Fawdon Metro crossing in the city. Onlookers rushed to help
A COUNCIL is to clamp down on advertising signs that could prove a danger to blind, partially-sighted or infirm people. North Yorkshire County Council will take action against people displaying mainly pavement A-boards. Such signs are defined as an obstruction
RUGBY World Cup star Jonny Wilkinson has scooped yet another honour. The Newcastle Falcons player, whose famous drop-goal clinched the trophy for England in last year's final, was named the region's sports personality of the year at the One NorthEast
A STUDENT with the Army Cadet Force has been recognised for the good service she has provided. Sarah Edgar, 18, a sergeant with Durham Army Cadet Force, was today due to be awarded a Certificate of Good Service by Sir Paul Nicholson, the Lord Lieutenant
THE football community in the region will unite in mourning the death of North-East legend Bob Stokoe today. Family and friends are expected to be joined by football figures past and present for the service and cremation at West Road Crematorium in Newcastle
THE Friends of the Friarage Hospital, Northallerton, have received a £260 donation for their endoscopy fund. Northallerton Alverton Townswomen's Guild raised the money for the fund at its golden jubilee celebration in December. The friends are fundraising
DELEGATES from market towns across England will attend a conference in Richmond later this month. They will hear how the town is using its heritage to help regenerate its economy. The one-day event, called A Postcard from Richmond, has been organised
IRISH business tycoon Des Kelly was last night weighing up a bid for beleaguered Darlington Football Club - according to the man who claims he could be the next Quakers manager. Mr Kelly, the owner of a Dublin carpet and flooring chain, is said to be
CHILTON Community Partnership club for disabled children has been launched. Councillor George Porter performed the opening ceremony at Chilton Community College. The organiser of the group, Chris Heal, was joined by partnership members, parents of disabled
A HAPPY couple shed tears of joy yesterday when they received a letter from the Queen congratulating them on their diamond wedding. Former butcher Harry Lunsden, 82 and his wife Olive, of Coningsby Close, Hartlepool, celebrated 60 years of marriage with
BOSSES at car maker Nissan confirmed last night they are waiting for the final instalment of a multi-million pound grant - but do not know when it will arrive. The Japanese company is due the final quarter of a £40m Regional Selective Assistance (RSA)
MUSICIAN Rod Hall was staring death in the face when he was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer just over a year ago. When he underwent emergency surgery it was just in time - and the fact that he would not be able to have a baby again was the last
PROPOSALS to build warships in the region could mean the North-East misses out on two other multi-million pound contracts. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) is still reviewing its project for two aircraft carriers. About a third of the work is expected to
TONY BLAIR announced plans for a "British FBI" yesterday - and said the burden of proof might be lowered in organised crime prosecutions to snare more gangsters. The Prime Minister said he believed the public would back making it easier to secure convictions
A NEW report on housing claims the Government is ignoring a growing crisis faced by people living and working in rural areas. The report from the Country Land and Business Association says inadequate affordable housing provision and soaring house prices
A WOMAN who suffered a long spell of unemployment and a series of dead-end jobs is now running her own business and teaching at a college on Teesside. Clare Hansford, 27, from Saltburn, gave up her plans to make use of her degree in textile design after
BRAMLYNN BROOK (2.50) should have little difficulty defying top-weight in the Northern Echo Novices' Hurdle at Sedgefield today. There has been a good turnout for the race we are sponsoring, but despite having to concede at least 7lb or more to all 12
As a North-East schoolgirl, her whole world was the stage. Now Barbara Marten has a growing family and is a familiar face on television too. She talks to Steve Pratt about her latest role. BARBARA Marten's first taste of fame was in the pages of The Northern
A CONSTRUCTION equipment depot may benefit from new links with a leading motorcycle manufacturer. HM Plant, which distributes construction equipment, has become the lead sponsor of Honda Racing's British Superbike Championship team. It is hoped the partnership
A family meal in a North-East restaurant turned to tragedy when a man choked on his food and died. Human resources manager Ian Redshaw, 31, decided to take his grandparents to The Tree Bridge Hotel, Middlesbrough, while visiting from his home in Minnesota
ANDREW HOYLE, senior partner at legal firm Watson Burton, has been named as one of the top 100 lawyers in the country. Mr Hoyle was chosen by The Lawyer magazine's Hot 100, which named the legal stars of last year and who to look out for in 2004. The
THE mystery guest star of Darlington Civic Theatre's The Play What I Wrote gave the closely-guarded secret away on opening night by shopping in the town's Marks and Spencer yesterday afternoon. Ladies' man Nigel Havers, 54, was seen buying a bottle of
INVESTORS are undermining entrepreneurs in creative industries by failing to support them, a study released today will show. Industries such as computer games, fashion, design and architecture are failing to achieve their full potential due to lack of
THE mother of a Royal Marine killed during the Iraq War has attacked Tony Blair, claiming her son died for a lie. She accused the Government of pulling the wool over the public's eyes. Julie Maddison, whose son Christopher was a Royal Marine, says she
A TEENAGER was taken to hospital after sustaining a serious head injury when he was thrown from a motorbike. The 17-year-old was travelling on a Honda motorbike that was involved in a crash with a Ford Escort in Hartlepool on Monday evening. Police are
IN the video for Sam and Mark's debut single, a cover of perennial Beatles favourite With A Little Help From My Friends, we see the Pop Idol stars moving in together. The same thing would be happening in real life as well, were it not for the pesky pop
UK Land Estates (UKLE) has expanded its property portfolio with the purchase of two properties. The first property is the former Huwood's site, at the Northern entrance to the Team Valley Trading Estate, in Gateshead. The 13.5-acre site is only 100 meters
VETERANS of the Second World War have welcomed an announcement that a £10m fund has been set up to pay for visits to the foreign battlefields where they fought. The Heroes Return Programme, paid for by the National Lottery's New Opportunities Fund, was
THE football community in the region will unite in mourning the death of North-East legend Bob Stokoe today. Family and friends are expected to be joined by football figures past and present for the service and cremation at West Road Crematorium in Newcastle
THE first Tyne and Wear Commercial Property Show is being held this month. The event, organised by Tyne and Wear Development Company, is being held at Newcastle Marriott Hotel, the MetroCentre, Gateshead, on Thursday, February 19, from 10am until 6pm.
Britain's debt mountain is growing as spending spirals out of control but one young North-East businesswoman is on hand to help. She talks to Women's Editor Christen Pears about debt and juggling a career with family life. VICKY Hodgson is only 24 but
VETERANS of the D-Day landings gathered at the launch of an exhibition to mark the 60th anniversary of that momentous day. The four men, who were among the many thousands who stormed the Normandy beaches, were special guests of the Green Howards Regimental
PROPERTY speculators are forcing North-East house prices through the roof. Homes in Darlington have shown the second sharpest rise in the country during the past year and local estate agents believe the increase is due to investors pumping money into
RODDY COLLINS is renowned as a brash, tough-talking character, never far from controversy and generally not a man to be messed with. Born into a fighting family - his younger brother is Irish boxing legend Steve "Celtic Warrior" Collins - he chose a different
SATURDAYS are sacrosanct. It was only when the last pitch had been inspected, the final feet sunk six inches into the mire and the ultimate thumb turned reluctantly downwards that we headed instead for the hills. Though not a ball was kicked in the Albany
SUNDERLAND striker Marcus Stewart has issued a rallying call to his teammates as the club approach the finishing straight in their bid to bounce back to the Premiership at the first attempt. Stewart began the Wearsiders revival on Saturday at Watford,
KERRY McFadden became the first queen of the jungle last night when she was voted the winner of ITV's I'm A Celebrity . . . Get Me Out Of Here! After sobbing her way through her first few days in the jungle, it was widely predicted that the former Atomic
As a North-East schoolgirl, her whole world was the stage. Now Barbara Marten has a growing family and is a familiar face on television too. She talks to Steve Pratt about her latest role. BARBARA Marten's first taste of fame was in the pages of The Northern
SATURDAYS are sacrosanct. It was only when the last pitch had been inspected, the final feet sunk six inches into the mire and the ultimate thumb turned reluctantly downwards that we headed instead for the hills. Though not a ball was kicked in the Albany
VETERANS of the D-Day landings gathered at the launch of an exhibition to mark the 60th anniversary of that momentous day. The four men, who were among the many thousands who stormed the Normandy beaches, were special guests of the Green Howards Regimental
A GRANDMOTHER from the North-East who took her battle for access to her grandchildren to court, is urging others in her position to do the same. The County Durham woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, this week won the legal right to see her ten-month-old
VOLUNTEERS have been making life brighter for youngsters in hospital. Members of the Millennium Volunteers in Northallerton, have been busy painting a mural of a jungle scene in the children's ward of the Friarage Hospital. They spent three afternoons
FURNITURE retailer ScS Upholstery showed signs of a trading revival after reporting a rise in orders during the past four months. The company, based in Sunderland, has 59 shops in the UK. It said like-for-like sales rose six per cent in the first 18 weeks
STEVE McCLAREN is ready to turn to Joseph Job in a bid to help Middlesbrough find the cure to their Carling Cup hangover. Job has had to settle for cameo substitute appearances for Boro in their last three matches as McClaren has opted to start with Massimo
MURDER, jealousy, religion, passion, love and betrayal - all are covered in this larger-than-life opera, making it an all-time favourite. This version was by Chisinau National Opera, a regular visitor to the Sunderland Empire, renowned for show-stopping
RUGBY World Cup star Jonny Wilkinson has scooped yet another honour. The Newcastle Falcons player, whose famous drop-goal clinched the trophy for England in last year's final, was named the region's sports personality of the year at the One NorthEast
THE RAF honoured one its heroes on Saturday when the funeral was held of a Battle of Britain pilot. Spitfire ace Squadron Leader George Bennions of Catterick Village, died on January 30, aged 90. Family and friends filled St Anne's Parish Church in Catterick
TRACK legend Lord Sebastian Coe met youngsters bidding to be future Olympians yesterday. The double Olympic gold medal winner joined North-East triple jumper Jonathan Edwards at Gateshead International Stadium. The pair presented medals to youngsters
A SPECIALIST nurse has been taken on to help combat heart disease in Derwentside. Nicola Glenndinning has been appointed by Derwentside Primary Care Trust to the coronary heart disease team. The PCT's team aims to reduce the risk of people with heart
AUSSIE rugby league team Penrith Panthers demonstrated some feline agility as they tackled a problem solving task set by the Army. The Panthers, from New South Wales, took time out of their busy training schedule to touch base with staff and junior soldiers
A TEAM of cooks has been tasting sweet success after gaining a clutch of industry qualifications. Fourteen members of the bakery team at Thomas The Baker have achieved a City and Guilds NVQ Level 2 qualification in food and drink manufacturing. Thomas
Bruce Springsteen tribute band Born to Run will perform at the Clarendon Hotel in Redcar, east Cleveland, on Sunday. Further information can be obtained from the hotel on (01642) 484301.
RESIDENTS of a Darlington street say shoppers are making it impossible for them to park outside their homes. People in Lodge Street asked Darlington Borough Council to introduce a residents-only parking scheme in the summer to stop non-residents using
A LARGE rock is being put up for grabs to the most innovative bidder. The two-ton rock is in the foyer of the Asda store, in Darlington, engraved with "Lower Prices Forever". Manager Seane Wilkinson said the 4ft rock was installed a few years ago to promote
THE football community in the region will unite in mourning the death of North-East legend Bob Stokoe today. Family and friends are expected to be joined by football figures past and present for the service and cremation at West Road Crematorium in Newcastle
THE way mining has shaped County Durham is being rediscovered as part of a local history project. Although the pit heads and the physical signs of mining have been flattened, the folklore and sense of identity that went with it are still in evidence.
Bookings are being taken for a residential conference later this year, which will look at the Myth of the Celtic Church. The course, which will be held at St John's College, Durham University, runs from September 20 to 23. Participants will look at historic
A pioneering new project to provide green energy could see wind farms springing up across England's largest county. Powergen is introducing Community Power to North Yorkshire. Under the scheme, small-scale wind farms containing two or three turbines would
