MOST of Gordon Ramsay's dishes come liberally sprinkled with insults, garnished with swearing and topped off with general abuse, as a dozen hapless celebrity chefs discovered in ITV1's Hell's Kitchen. But for those of us who love his cooking but don't
THOSE wishing to belittle the achievements of England's cricketers thrive on the opportunity to question the strength of the opposition they are up against. After England secured an unassailable 2-0 series lead over New Zealand yesterday, they are running
AFTER securing his maiden victory in the Junior World Rally Championship at the weekend, Guy Wilks is determined to keep the good times rolling. The 23-year-old Darlington rally driver's campaign has gone from disastrous to fabulous in the space of two
ORGANISERS of an annual riverside pop concert have announced the headline act for this year's event. Pop Idol Will Young will perform a 20-minute set at the Stockton TFM Live concert, in conjunction with 96.6tfm and Stockton Borough Council, at Stockton
COMPANIES hoping to make trade agreements in South Africa have until the end of next week to register for a fact-finding mission to the continent. UK Trade and Investment is running a North-East trade mission to South Africa from July 10 to 17. Companies
The Durhams D-Day Diary, Sgt Charles Eagles 9th Battalion Durham Light Infantry: Part 8: Drink. A CARRIER pulled up and a Captain Phillips dropped in on us. "We have found a distillery," he said. "Would you give it the once over, Eagles?" S Company of
Entertainment group Sanctuary - which has stars including Beyonc Knowles on its books - said hits in the past six months helped boost profits, despite a global slump in CD sales. Sanctuary, owner of the world's biggest live tour booking agency outside
SCOTLAND'S largest independent regional brewer maintained its strong profits record after reporting sparkling performances at both its divisions. Belhaven, Scotland's largest independent regional brewer, posted annual pre-tax profits of £14.2m, up 31.4
A music facility has opened in the North-East aimed at giving the region's musicians the chance to shine. The Forum is the brainchild of David Cox, a businessman passionate about music but frustrated by the lack of facilities for people in the region.
BUSINESS start-up organisation InBiz has launched a national service centre - believed to be the first of its kind. InBiz, based in Stockton, Teesside, which guides unemployed people into self-employment and business, has opened the centre in Peterborough
A PICTURE depicting a North-East scene has been sold for more than £100,000. The oil painting of Hartlepool's Headland was the work of LS Lowry, famous for his pictures of matchstick men. It was sold recently at Sotheby's, in London, on behalf of a private
Sixty years on, a memorial is dedicated to soldiers who drowned as they trained for war. DOWN below, the river rushes over the weir, falling so fast that its noise almost drowns out the lament of the bugle some 30ft above. It was at the weir, nearly 60
People are invited to enjoy an out-of-the-world experience today. A safe viewing solarscope telescope has been set up at the Captain Cook Birthplace Museum in Middlesbrough to allow visitors to see the passage of the planet Venus. Venus will look larger
A RECENT unusual and sad case heard by the Employment Tribunal in Newcastle recently demonstrated all too clearly that employment relationships can still break down, even when the employee and employer are related. The case also serves as a reminder to
A FOOTBALL-mad chocolate maker from North Yorkshire has devised a new range of sweets for soccer fans to celebrate the start of the European Championships. Chris East, who runs the Chocolate Factory, at Thornton-le-Dale and Hutton-le-Hole, with his brother
NEWCASTLE will step up their attempts to sign French international Sidney Govou at the end of this summer's European Championships in Portugal. The Magpies have accepted that they will not be able to make any progress in their attempts to entice the striker
SOARING North-East council tax bills have cancelled out state pension increases, the Conservatives have claimed. The Tories yesterday produced new figures which they said showed how pensioners on fixed incomes had been hit as Labour allowed council tax
AN aircraft enthusiast who built a working replica of a 1930s biplane in his own backyard has won an award for his work. John Rogerson took four years to lovingly hand-craft the Isaacs Fury in a garden shed at his home in Ferryhill, County Durham. The
CAMPAIGNERS are hoping today's inquiry into two psychiatrists who sexually assaulted women patients will help to prevent similar offences in the future. Former patients claim that complaints against the two North Yorkshire psychiatrists, Dr Michael Haslam
SUMMER SHADES (3.30) represents a thoroughly topical tip at Redcar this afternoon. Baking hot sunshine over the past few days means the ground will ride very fast at the track, but that won't worry Summer Shades, who proved her effectiveness on similar
A series of events being held at Teesside University this month aims to shatter the stereotypes that are putting children off science. Christen Pears reports. HAVE you ever wondered why snot is green, or what happens to the germs on your hands when you
NEWCASTLE Falcons will kick-off next season with a trip to newly-promoted Worcester, after the fixture list for the 2004/05 Zurich Premiership campaign was unveiled yesterday. Rob Andrew's side will follow that up with another tricky away game at Bath
An exhibition of Pat Maycroft's photographs and poetry is making its way around the North-East. Women's Editor Christen Pears reports. EVERY picture tells a story and as Pat Maycroft thumbs through her collection, the anecdotes flow. "The taxi drivers
HAILED by Prime Minister Tony Blair as a shining example of forward thinking, Innovation House reflects the change in fortune for Wear Valley's economy. A year ago, the district's leading business and community figures vowed to tackle the sharp decline
Supporters of amateur theatre in a County Durham dale are facing a series of setbacks which threaten to bring down the final curtain. One music group has had to temporarily disband because the Methodist church hall where it staged its productions has
With figures from politics, business and regeneration agencies at last year's jobs summit, Wear Valley District Council set out its aims for the area. Catherine Jewitt looks back at the wish list - to see what progress has been made. WISH - Tier 1 Assisted
A walk fron Warrenby, via Paddy's Hole and Noah's Ark, ends with a pub meal and some time to rabbit, rabbit, rabbit. MUCH of the three mile walk from Warrenby to the sea end of the South Gare may be considered neither the scenic route nor the fragrant
STUDENT William Allison is busy smoothing off the rough edges as he prepares to pit his skills in a national joinery competition. The 16-year-old student at Darlington College of Technology amazed his tutors after winning the regional competition of Skillbuild
DARLINGTON will learn next week if their ambitious move for former Middlesbrough striker Dean Windass has been successful. The 35-year-old is expected to make a decision on his future when he returns from holiday in La Manga early next week. Windass is
FRESH from making promising strides in the British Amateur Championship, Robert Dinwiddie wants to follow up an encouraging display by forcing his way into the England reckoning. Dinwiddie made it through to the fourth round at St Andrews after overcoming
You've settled into the armchair, opened a can and taken control of the remote - but are you in shape to watch England? With the Euro 2004 kick-off only days away, physiotherapists are helping England football fans support their team safely from the sofa
PLANS to overhaul car parking in five market towns will go before councillors this week. Officers at Hambleton District Council have come up with a car parking strategy with the aim of encouraging development and growth in the town centres. The strategy's
In September 2002, Johnson Matthey acquired catalyst sompany Synetix, in Billingham, and renamed it Johnson Matthey Catalysts. Business Editor Mike Parker went to see Teesside's contribution to global business. THE contrast could not be more stark. Across
PANTOMIME producers have issued a last call in their search for a North-East star. The team behind the award-winning Customs House pantomime, at the Customs House, in South Shields, South Tyneside, is offering a young woman the opportunity to shine in
TWO border collies are in need of a new home within the next two weeks, before their owner moves house. Kim is nine and Katie is eight and although they have been together since Katie was a puppy, they can be rehomed separately. However, Pauline Wilson
STUDENT William Allison is busy smoothing off the rough edges as he prepares to pit his skills in a national joinery competition. The 16-year-old student at Darlington College of Technology amazed his tutors after winning the regional competition of Skillbuild
SCHOOLS across Darlington have been targeted by vandals and burglars over the half- term break. Caretakers at schools returned to work yesterday after the holiday to discover broken windows and intruders had been inside the premises. Windows were smashed
A FUNDRAISING strategy to save a town's open spaces will be launched at a public meeting next week. Richmondshire Landscape Trust has until the end of July to raise £40,000 to buy 88 acres of land in and around Richmond, including Westfield, Sleegill,
A BRICKLAYER who bit part of a man's lip off in a drunken brawl has been sentenced to three-and-a-half years in jail. William Hardman, 35, of Nickstream Lane, Darlington, carried out the attack on Paul Taylor following an innocent remark made about a
OPPORTUNITY is knocking for would-be Steven Spielbergs and David Leans. Teesside University is offering young film-makers a chance to follow in the footsteps of North-East director Ridley Scott with the offer of a free film course. Students will be trained
TWO community projects have benefited from grants awarded by Ferryhill Town Council. The Mayor of Ferryhill, Councillor Christine Woods, presented cheques to Sedgefield Borough Council's Splash play scheme and Mainsforth and District Community Association
TWO border collies are in need of a new home within the next two weeks, before their owner moves house. Kim is nine and Katie is eight and although they have been together since Katie was a puppy, they can be rehomed separately. However, Pauline Wilson
AN organisation which helps forces personnel and their families is appealing for prizes to raffle during a charity night. The Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA) aims to relieve need, suffering and distress among its beneficiaries
SCHOOLCHILDREN have the chance to leave their classrooms to learn about history in the open air. Primary schools in Hartlepool are invited to book up for two-hour sessions at the town's Summerhill park where the annual month-long Tees Archaeology dig
EURO MP Stephen Hughes visited south Durham yesterday to see how European funding has been spent in the area. With the Euro elections taking place on Thursday, Mr Hughes met members of Spennymoor Chamber of Trade to see the first phase of a streetscape
A COMEDIAN is organising a 24-hour show to buy a a wheelchair for a paralysed teenager. Daniel Woodhouse, from the Stainton area of Middlesbrough, suffers from Morquio's syndrome, a genetic skeletal disease which stunts growth. But when he had an operation
HEATHER from the North Yorkshire Moors may hold some of the secrets to a greener future in a project that has brought academia and industry closer together. Scientists from the University of York Clean Technology Centre are searching for new raw materials
Acrylics manufacturer Lucite International has gained national recognition for sustaining a world-class safety performance on Teesside. The firm, which has a 330-strong workforce at Billingham, has won the Chemical Industries Association Diamond Award
HUNDREDS of flowers are being planted in a North-East town as it prepares for its entry in the Britain in Bloom competition. Last year, Rowlands Gill, in the borough of Gateshead, was selected to compete in n the Urban Community category of the national
cyclists young and old are encouraged to get out and about in National Bike Week which starts on Saturday. A ride from Lingfield Countryside Centre, Coulby Newham, sets off at 10am on Saturday, while guided rides start from Middlesbrough Cycle Centre,
BRITAIN'S most successful wheelchair athlete, Tanni Grey Thompson, is to meet pupils from a Chester-le-Street school. Students at Roseberry Sports and Community College have taken part in Sports Leader Awards, which have equipped them with the skills
VILLAGERS are concerned that the temporary closure of a post office could hit vulnerable residents. The village post office at Marske, near Richmond, is to close temporarily on June 28 until new premises can be found. Sub-postmaster John Simpson, who
A COMEDIAN is organising a 24-hour show to buy a a wheelchair for a paralysed teenager. Daniel Woodhouse, from the Stainton area of Middlesbrough, suffers from Morquio's syndrome, a genetic skeletal disease which stunts growth. But when he had an operation
FIREFIGHTERS in the region have praised the smoke alarm after it was voted the best innovation in the past 20 years in a national survey. County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service applauded the findings and outlined how it has helped keep residents
AN IT consultant has swapped computing for the pub trade after buying a County Durham pub. Neil Pearson decided to fulfil his lifetime's ambition by buying the freehold of the Brown Jug Inn, in Evenwood Gate, between Staindrop and West Auckland, County
POLICE have arrested a suspected flasher after a string of complaints going back more than two years - and are appealing for more of his victims to come forward. The man, dubbed the Belmont Flasher, is alleged to have exposed himself in front of women
A COMMUNITY education service employing more than 1,000 staff has achieved Investors in People status. The service, run by North Yorkshire County Council, provides a wide range of adult learning and youth work opportunities. It operates from more than
STUDENT William Allison is busy smoothing off the rough edges as he prepares to pit his skills in a national joinery competition. The 16-year-old student at Darlington College of Technology amazed his tutors after winning the regional competition of Skillbuild
Crying tears of joy, dying mother-of-three Jane Tomlinson embraced her husband and children after cycling into Leeds yesterday to complete her epic Rome to Home bike ride. "You're not home until you are with your family," she said tearfully, after hugging
RISING oil prices have been blamed for a £4m fall in profits at budget airline easyJet. The carrier said it expected pre-tax profits of at least £52m this year if global oil prices ease slightly and the pound stays reasonably strong against the US dollar
THOUSANDS of people will gather for a party in a north Durham park this weekend. The free event, taking place in Blackhill and Consett Park in Consett, marks the end of the We're Celebrating Your Success in Derwentside initiative. The year-long project
As part of The Northern Echo's Lifeblood campaign, which aims to encourage more people to give blood, the following donor sessions are being held in the region: Thursday Town Hall, Raby Road, Hartlepool, 10am-6pm St George's Church, St George's Close,
WET weather failed to dampen a competitive get-together for some of the North-East's leading female golfers. Almost 200 players from clubs across the region took part in Mount Oswald Golf Club's ladies captain's charity open tournament. The Macmillan
A LEADING architectural historian will explore the world of a middle-class Victorian painter this weekend. Jane Hatcher, who was born in York, will look at house interiors through the eyes of artist Mary Ellen Best, at Durham County Council's Clayport
A PICTURE depicting a North-East scene has been sold for more than £100,000. The oil painting of Hartlepool's Headland was the work of LS Lowry, famous for his pictures of matchstick men. It was sold recently at Sotheby's, in London, on behalf of a private
Chef de partie, Consett. £12,000pa, 45hrs pw, 5 days from 7, between 10am and 10pm. Must have at least two years' experience with NVQ Level 2 or equivalent and basic food hygiene certificate. Ref: CON 17653. Commis chef, Consett. 40hrs pw, 5 days from
RESURGENT Darlington Football Club last night cleared the final hurdle in its remarkable escape from the threat of closure. The Sterling Consortium said the Football League had approved its takeover of the Quakers, to the delight of the club's long-suffering
SHOAIB Akhtar has yet to taste defeat with Durham this season and they will be looking for the Pakistani to repeat last season's effort against Yorkshire at Riverside in the four-day match starting today. After losing to Durham for the first time in 11
England Rugby World Cup hero Jonny Wilkinson is to receive an honorary degree from the University of Durham. The fly-half, who struck the dramatic extra-time drop goal that won England the William Webb Ellis Trophy, will be awarded an honorary doctorate
MOTORISTS searching for this summer's must-have car accessory are set for disappointment. Thousands of drivers across the region have attached small England flags to the roofs of their vehicles, to show their support for the national football side as
A CONSORTIUM led by two retailers raised the stakes in the battle for convenience store business Londis. Lancelot, set up by former directors of corner shop chain T&S Stores, said it had raised its offer for Londis in a bid that would value the group
A NEWLY-opened concrete plant in Darlington has won a contract worth hundreds of thousands of pounds to supply heavyweight concrete for offshore pipelines. Bardon Concrete, a subsidiary of Aggregate Industries, based in Leicestershire, opened a plant
A BUSINESS park will be developed on the former Samsung site near Teesside. Developer Priority Sites has entered into a joint venture agreement with Wynyard Limited to develop the former Samsung factory site for commercial use. Priority is the lead developer
MORE details about the jobs below are available from Jobseeker Direct on (0845) 606 0234. Chef de partie, Consett. £12,000pa, 45hrs pw, 5 days from 7, between 10am and 10pm. Must have at least two years' experience with NVQ Level 2 or equivalent and basic
A NORTH Yorkshire cheesemaker has benefited from the takeover of Safeway by Wm Morrison. Shepherds Purse, based in Thirsk, now supplies two of its award-winning cheeses to Morrisons and some Safeway stores across Yorkshire and the North-East. Its best-selling
A RUNDOWN 18th Century walled garden has been transformed into a modern attraction in North Yorkshire. Sir Charles and Lady Legard, owners of Scampston Hall, near Malton, have used the expertise of Dutch designer Piet Oudolf, to create a 21st Century
THREE holidaymakers had a lucky escape after a silo caught fire next to the cottage in which they were staying. John and Gaynor Edwards and John's father, Jesse, were staying at Deepdale Farm, Hummersea Lane, in Loftus, when they were startled by a big
A BUSINESS centre is reaching capacity as a £200,000 investment programme nears completion. The Tyneside Economic Development Company (Tedco), which opened its business centre in the Viking Business Park, Jarrow, in 1994, is due to complete a six-month
A FAMILY butcher has announced an £825,000 package of improvements that will safeguard up to 230 jobs. MI Dicksons, in South Shields, is to extend its factory and head offices and open more shops. The extension will allow Dicksons to expand further into
BOSSES of British Airways have given up their annual bonuses despite a 70 per cent rise in the company's annual profits. The company's annual report shows that chief executive Rod Eddington voluntarily waived a bonus of about £175,000 - a third of his
A battle is being fought in the convenience store sector, but for the Mills Group, it is only the lastest skirmish in a war it has been fighting for 18 years. Mike Parker reports. SOMEONE in the queue for the Lottery in your local shop may have a chance
THE project was one of those outlined at the Business and Environment Conference, held at The Central Science Laboratory, Sand Hutton, York. Sir Ben Gill, former National Farmers' Union president and a farmer in North Yorkshire, was the keynote speaker
AMBULANCE crews have voted for industrial action in a move that could lengthen 999 response times and threaten major sports events. Unless a dispute over meal break payments is resolved a damaging overtime ban could be in place within a week. Such a ban
FRESH from making promising strides in the British Amateur Championship, Robert Dinwiddie wants to follow up an encouraging display by forcing his way into the England reckoning. Dinwiddie made it through to the fourth round at St Andrews after overcoming
BUSINESSES in the region are taking a keen interest in the current debate on whether the region should have a regional assembly. This is because a regional assembly for the North-East would significantly alter how the region is governed and this would
WOMEN wear 18 times as much underwear as men. This was the staggering statistic for UK manufacturing sales of underpants, briefs and boxer shorts last year. Assuming that women do not wear 18 items a day, the figures point towards a particularly disgusting
COMPANIES attending InterTech 2004 will learn how they can become involved in turning pioneering defence innovations into commercial ventures. The opportunity comes as a result of the Defence Diversification Agency (DDA) signing up for the international
Kirby Sigston is a microdot of a place, so insignificant that - though there is Kirkby Overblow, Kirkby Misperton and Kirby Ravensworth - the Echo's near-ubiquitous library declines to signal poor Sigston's existence. The Internet, of course, is different
The North-East environmental business sector continues to grow rapidly, according to figures just released. Researchers for the Environmental Industries Federation (EIF), which is based in Newburn, Newcastle, and represents businesses throughout the region
A walk fron Warrenby, via Paddy's Hole and Noah's Ark, ends with a pub meal and some time to rabbit, rabbit, rabbit. MUCH of the three mile walk from Warrenby to the sea end of the South Gare may be considered neither the scenic route nor the fragrant
RONALD Reagan is one of the greatest heroes of the 20th century, because he did more than anyone else to bring about the demise of the most destructive ideology of that century: Communism. And the dominating power in Communism was the Soviet Union. Reagan
A KEY business figure in the Tees Valley has said that the area is showing increased commitment to becoming a major centre for the renewable energy and recycling industries. Doctor Dermot Roddy, the chief executive of Renew Tees Valley, which is driving
THE deadline for the European elections is just two days away. Voters are advised that they should post their completed ballot papers today so that votes for local and European Parliamentary elections reach local authorities by the deadline of 10pm on
AMBULANCE crews have voted for industrial action in a move that could lengthen 999 response times and threaten major sports events. Unless a dispute over meal break payments is resolved a damaging overtime ban could be in place within a week. Such a ban
Senor business chiefs are to hold crunch talks with the Royal Mail as the region's traders continue to be hit hard by a delivery crisis. The North-East Chamber of Commerce pledged to seek an end to the troubles by calling representatives of major companies
Welder, £4.84 to £5.80ph plus bonus, 39hrs pw, 8am to 4.30pm Mon-Fri. Required to MIG weld steel pallets and other duties. Ref: SPE 12625. Embroidery/pressing machine operator, £4.50ph, 39hrs pw. No experience necessary. Ref: SPE 12848. Labourer, 37hrs
A TEACHER who dresses as a flamenco dancer during Spanish lessons was yesterday named North-East Teacher of the Year. Judges said Natalie Peacey went to extraordinary lengths to inspire her pupils at West View Primary School, in Hartlepool. She was the
The crisis of confidence in the Wear Valley economy caused by a catalogue of high profile job losses led to the establishment of the Weardale Task Force. Chaired by John Hamilton and combining the expertise and assistance of all the relevant agencies
SUMMER traffic problems in a tourist spot could be ended if plans for a 630-space park and ride area is given permission. North Yorkshire County Council is being recommended to approve the scheme, on the outskirts of Scarborough, despite fears it could
Graduates from the University of Teesside are being encouraged to stay in the region and become entrepreneurs. Deputy Business Editor Julia Breen reports. SURROUNDED by plants and computers and the chaos of a recent move, three students sit in their new
SUMMER SHADES (3.30) represents a thoroughly topical tip at Redcar this afternoon. Baking hot sunshine over the past few days means the ground will ride very fast at the track, but that won't worry Summer Shades, who proved her effectiveness on similar
THE Butterwick Hospice is urging people to step out in aid of the charity by completing one of three sponsored walks in their name. The hospice, in Bishop Auckland, is challenging people to join at least one of three events and collect sponsorship in
HORSES: I HAVE read an article on dog fouling and a lady being fined for the offence. Recently, coming out of my house, I was confronted by a much larger pile on my doorstep, not dog dirt but horse muck. Is it not time something was done about this. If
A music facility has opened in the North-East aimed at giving the region's musicians the chance to shine. The Forum is the brainchild of David Cox, a businessman passionate about music but frustrated by the lack of facilities for people in the region.
A NORTH-EAST student has been selected for the national American football team. Rhys Bingham was a stranger to the sport when he enrolled at the University of Teesside, in Middlesbrough, until he decided to join its American football society. Rhys enjoyed
A Line In The Sand (ITV1); Cathouse 2: Back In The Saddle (C4); Secret History: Beasts Of The Roman Games (C4): IT'S the story of a man who left his family behind and assumed a new identity. So how fitting that he should be played in A Line In The Sand
MARIO MELCHIOT has warned Middlesbrough and any other admirers he will not be rushed into a decision regarding his future. Melchiot has been courted by a number of clubs since it emerged he will leave Chelsea this summer with his contract due to expire
BARCLAYS will cut 800 management and support jobs as part of a restructuring plan that will see it recruit an extra 1,000 branch workers, it emerged last night. The job losses form part of a move to get rid of duplication following the merger of three
The chief executive of Darlington FC today told of his delight at securing the Quakers' place in the Football League next season. League bosses approved the Sterling Consortium's take-over of the club on Monday, paving the way for the new owners to begin
A FUNDRAISING strategy to save a town's open spaces will be launched at a public meeting next week. Richmondshire Landscape Trust has until the end of July to raise £40,000 to buy 88 acres of land in and around Richmond, including Westfield, Sleegill,
TWO policemen who risked their own lives to save a man from drowning have been honoured for their courage. PC Martin Usher and Ministry of Defence Constable Russ Howarth, have been presented with Royal Humane Society awards for their bravery during an
A waiter accused of raping and murdering British schoolgirl Caroline Dickinson had a history of preying on children in youth hostels across Europe, a court heard yesterday, Francisco Arce Montes, 54, from Spain, had a preference for girls aged between
TWO members of staff are leaving a troubled North-East theatre to pursue careers elsewhere. Box office manager Claire Chisholm and bar manager David Mortemore have both resigned from the council-run Gala Theatre in Durham. Last week, councillors heard
THE large-scale introduction of postal voting in this week's local council and European elections has been ill-starred. Misprinted ballot papers and late deliveries have tarnished the experiment. So too has the rather cumbersome and complicated means
The fabric of the Wear Valley economy was ripped apart by a series of high-profile job losses. Mike Parker and Catherine Jewitt spoke to the organisations that have spent the past 12 months trying to resurrect the rual economy. IN THE tranquil setting
INCREASING numbers of farmers are being encouraged to improve habitats under a Government scheme that awards grants for better countryside management. Countryside Stewardship has been helping farmers improve hedgerows for wildlife, leave unmown field
Spy in need of a moustache A Line In The Sand (ITV1) Cathouse 2: Back In The Saddle (C4) Secret History: Beasts Of The Roman Games (C4) IT'S the story of a man who left his family behind and assumed a new identity. So how fitting that he should be played
A £15M war chest is being gathered to boost business growth in the region's rural areas. Regional development agency One NorthEast's board has approved the funding to address the needs of west Durham and Northumberland. The improved funding has yet to
VOLUNTEERS who provide support for coronary care patients in Darlington were double winners at an awards ceremony. Darlington Coronary Support Group was honoured at the town's first Volunteering Awards, along with six other teams of local volunteers.
MILLIONS of pounds are to be spent on housing and regeneration schemes across the district. Wear Valley District Council has secured more than £3m to improve its homes and clean up neighbourhoods under a Government initiative. The money was secured by
SIXTH-form students are busy cooking to raise money for their school's hockey and rugby team. The 14 teenagers from Barnard Castle School, County Durham, have been taking weekly cookery lessons at the Morritt Arms Hotel, Greta Bridge, near Barnard Castle
Power workers have helped to boost a baby hospice's funds following a fun-packed charity evening. Staff from px limited's Teesside Power Station were joined by contractors and suppliers for the event at Westgarths Social Club in Middlesbrough and raised
A TEENAGER who was caught with a bag of cocaine by police has been spared jail by a judge. Kiel Johnson, 18, told officers he had paid £1,000 in cash for the drug - a quarter of which was for his friend. Teesside Crown Court was told that Johnson, of
A WATER confidence session for parents and toddlers is due to start in a Newton Aycliffe health care centre. The hydrotherapy pool at the Pioneering Care Centre offers an opportunity for parents to spend time with their children to help build water confidence
As more and more schools hold American-style proms, Sarah Foster finds out what's involved and asks if they're a fitting finale. IN an interview with an American newspaper, Brandon Holley, executive editor of New York's ELLEgirl Magazine, rates the importance
A FORMER North-East teacher was jailed for two years yesterday after an affair with a teenage girl. Married Christopher Battenbo twice booked into a hotel with the 15-year-old for sex after she showed him her diary in which she wrote that she fancied
CYCLING enthusiasts Lee Gowland and Phil Jones aim to complete one of the most gruelling routes in Europe this month in aid of two local charities. The County Durham pair will spend their summer holidays cycling across the backbone of the French Pyrenees
ROLLER hockey teams from Durham have come back with more than holiday souvenirs after a tournament on the Isle of Wight. Young people from Durham City Rollers came back with The Seagrove Hotel Challenge trophy. A team spokesman said: "Not only did the
Police constables, North Yorkshire area. £19,227 to £21,462pa, 40hurs pw, 24hr shift patterns. Must be 18- plus with good standard of education. Provisional driving licence an advantage. Will be required to pass police initial recruitment aptitude test
A CAREER in dance beckons for a Hartlepool teenager after winning a £27,000 college scholarship. Daniel Todd has won a three-year scholarship to Bird College of Performing Arts, in Kent. He begins in September. Daniel, 18, is studying an AVCE Performing
VILLAGERS are coming together for an open garden day on Sunday for the final money-making effort of a four-year fundraising campaign. People living in Coxwold, near Easingwold, have been raising cash since 2000 to restore a Victorian stained glass window
People living in the Stockton area are being encouraged to adopt a healthier lifestyle. A free Active-Health event has been organised by the borough council's Healthy Lifestyles Team in conjunction with North Tees Primary Care Trust next Wednesday, June
TWO primary care trusts joined forces with New College Durham to treat their employees to a "stress-relieving" pamper day. More than 40 student beauty therapists from the college delivered treatments to nearly 150 employees. They included pharmacists,
The latest charity quiz night at RAF Linton-on-Ouse, near York, raised £400 for the Macmillan Nurses Cancer Fund. Flight Lieutenant Al Macintosh, who runs Linton's community centre, said: "Thanks go to everybody for all their support at the quiz night
A COUNCIL has toughened up its policy against litter louts and irresponsible dog owners. People who regularly allow their dogs to foul and litter bugs will be fined under a policy brought in by Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council. Coun Joyce Benbow,
THE Sir William Turner's Almshouses at Kirkleatham near Redcar have received a welcome cash boost of £3,000 from The Northern Echo. The money is from the Gannett Foundation, which is run by The Northern Echo's parent company, Gannett. It will be used
THOUSANDS of stickers are about to go up in houses around the county in a bid to deter salesmen cold calling on the doorstep. The double-sided stickers warn doorstep sellers that they are "Not welcome here". The reverse side features North Yorkshire County
A DISTRICT councillor has criticised a new police telephone system which left her waiting a full night before she was able to get a response. A meeting of the Teesdale Police Community Consultative Group was told that calls to police stations in County
VIOLENCE broke out at a Christmas party as a row over two Territorial Army regiments got out of hand, a court heard. The festive gathering turned sour when Timothy Potts struck his partner's brother, Mark Pearson, after both had been drinking. Durham
A CAMPAIGN to tackle the health dangers of obesity in children is proving a success. Since its launch six months ago, more than 600 youngsters have signed up for activities through the Kidzpower and Teen Spirit projects in Sunderland. Kidzpower offers
A TEAM of hospital workers are to take part in a fundraising run. Nurses and doctors from the Freeman Hospital, in Newcastle, are running in the 5.6-mile Blaydon Race tomorrow. They will be raising cash for the British Lung Foundation. Respiratory research
A NEW bus service taking commuters from villages in the heart of rural North Yorkshire to Leeds will be launched next month. From Monday, July 12, people living in Masham and surrounding villages will be able to catch a bus shortly after 7am to Leeds
SPORTS company JJB has agreed a deal to create a multi-million pound Soccerdome in the North-East. The facility will be established on a ten-acre site at Royal Quays, in North Shields, North Tyneside, and will include 11 indoor sports pitches, a health
SO what's the fuss about Incubus? The five-piece from Los Angeles aren't a household name, yet can claim to be one of the most influential rock bands of the past ten years. The term nu-metal was almost invented for them as the squeaks, squawks and robotic
OUTSOURCING specialist Mitie has posted a 20 per cent rise in profits after another strong performance from its support services operation. The group increased its dividend by almost a third as it described prospects for the future as promising. Mitie
SUNDERLAND are being priced out of the market in their hunt for Norwegian starlet Morten Gamst Pedersen. Pedersen has been watched by Mick McCarthy and the Black Cats boss has weighed up whether to make a move for the striker, who can also play on the
