Long in Edinburgh but among the most knowledgeable Newcastle United fans alive, Paul Joannou yesterday launched his latest book on his beloved Magpies. "Shirt of Legends" is a treasury of Newcastle's number nines - the one thing more important to a Geordie
MANUFACTURERS in the region want the Government to set a standard retirement age of 65 when it introduces European Union legislation on age discrimination in October 2006, a survey has found. The survey of companies, by The Engineering Employers Federation
THE National Railway Museum in York has received an award for its contribution to railway preservation. The Heritage Railway Association has presented the museum with the Peter Manisty Award. The award was given for a number of achievements including
THE new owners of Debenhams reported a sharp rise in profits in the first set of results since its sale. Debenhams is owned by a group of private equity companies, who said trading profits grew by 14 per cent to £184.7m, with turnover up five per cent
TICKETS have gone on sale for the latest production by Bedale Dramatic Society. The group will give four performances of 101 Dalmatians at Bedale High School later this month. Rehearsals are well advanced and, as part of the preparation, children from
AFTER a season spent negotiating the twists and turns of the world rally circuit, Darlington's Guy Wilks is set for some negotiations of a different kind. With his deal at Suzuki up for renewal the 23-year-old - who finished third in the Junior World
A POLICEMAN has appeared in court accused of assaulting two young men in custody. PC Paul Ions, from Ingleby Barwick, Stockton, denies kicking and punching a teenager when they were in Stockton police station's yard and holding room on September 26 last
EXCITING LOW-CARB RECIPES by Carolyn Humphries (Foulsham, £5.99) MELDING Dr Atkins's diet to the Mediterranean diet, Carolyn Humphries presents a range of tasty recipes that offer an exciting alternative to traditional Christmas cake. They allow you to
A SPATE of sightings of Siberian birds in the North-East could be the start of a massive invasion by colourful waxwings to the region this winter, say bird lovers. The RSPB has had a number of calls from people baffled by the appearance of the "berry
A pensioner died and another is fighting for his life after they were hit by a car at a pedestrian crossing. The 92-year-old man and 85-year-old woman were crossing a busy main road when they were struck by a Vauxhall Nova car. The accident happened on
TYNE Tees Television has unveiled plans for a brand new multi million pound production centre on the banks of the River Tyne. The move marks the end of four decades of television production at the Company's sprawling former warehouse complex in Newcastle's
REGIONAL ASSEMBLY: ALTHOUGH your newspaper openly claimed to be supportive of the Yes campaign, your integrity and democratic principle in permitting all sides of the debate a fair airing in your readers' letters page and elsewhere is admirable and I
A drive to encourage more families to adopt a child has been launched. North Yorkshire has 18 children waiting to be placed and plans to spread the word about the need as part of National Adoption Week. The total includes one family group of four - aged
THIS was a rare treat for fans of the hugely popular television programme, Peter Kay's Phoenix Nights, although the Bolton comic was not there himself. However, you got the impression he was there in spirit and the four Manchester-based comedians were
WORKS of art from European masters will go under the hammer in one of the region's auction houses this month. Tennants, in Leyburn, North Yorkshire, has several paintings that could fetch more than £50,000. Among the star attractions in the company's
A CAR retailer in Teesside is to create a dealership and bodyshop as part of £700,000 expansion plans. BMW and Mini dealer Preston Hall, in Stockton, will create about ten jobs when it converts its bodyshop into a Mini dealership. The company, which is
A SCAFFOLDER who twice disrupted a city's historic horn blowing ceremony by dropping his trousers was told by a court yesterday that he could have gone to prison under new sex offences laws. Magistrates heard how Lee Armitage struck as hornblower George
A SHIP in a bottle made by a German prisoner of war is now on display at a war museum. The pint-sized bottle containing the ship bears a small swastika. It was made during the Second World War by a German sea captain who was being held in York. He swapped
A company in the region has started work on a £10m contract to build three energy efficient care homes in London. Metnor Ecosystems, in Newcastle, is making the timber-framed buildings off-site. They will then be delivered and erected in Islington, Richmond
A PENSIONER has had £330 stolen from her by bogus officials. The 70-year-old woman was at the rear of her council-owned property in Evenwood, near Barnard Castle, County Durham, when she was approached by a man who said he had come to check the drains
A DOCTOR is fighting a legal battle to raise awareness of the dangers of asbestos after his wife died from exposure to the substance. Julian Little's wife Becky died aged 53 in February 2002, two years after being diagnosed with mesothelioma. Experts
A CAR retailer in Teesside is to create a dealership and bodyshop as part of £700,000 expansion plans. BMW and Mini dealer Preston Hall, in Stockton, will create about ten jobs when it converts its bodyshop into a Mini dealership. The company, which is
MYSTERY surrounds the death of a young father who killed himself two months after the birth of his son. John Bailey was found dead below a bridge days after telling friends he was going home to make up with his partner following a row. Yesterday, Gateshead
A ROOFING company owner has been fined £2,000 after a sub-contractor fell through a roof light. Michael McPherson, of Middlesbrough, fell ten metres to the concrete floor of the industrial unit, breaking bones in his pelvis, back, heel and elbow. When
NEALE Cooper last night sang the praises of new recruit Ben Clark. Clark has enjoyed an impressive introduction to his Hartlepool United career - Pool winning the three games he has started since his switch from Sunderland. Saturday's win over Doncaster
A project to make the North East the 'green fuel' centre of the UK has taken a major step forward today with a ceremony to mark the start of the groundworks on the main site of the world's largest biofuels production complex on Teesside. Representatives
THE achievements of students and staff at a leading college were celebrated last night. Darlington College of Technology's annual awards ceremony was staged at the town's Civic Theatre and saw dozens of people honoured. The event was compered by BBC Radio
County Durham trainer Howard Johnson has good reason for thinking that the current National Hunt season could be his most rewarding since taking out a licence. With the backing of Graham Wylie, the Crook-based handler now has strength in depth in many
A FASHION student has won a Christmas design competition. Samantha Ramsey, who is studying for a National Diploma in Fashion at Darlington College of Technology, won £70-worth of vouchers to spend on art equipment in the Winter Wonderland design contest
THE achievements of students and staff at a leading college were celebrated last night. Darlington College of Technology's annual awards ceremony was staged at the town's Civic Theatre and saw dozens of people honoured. The event was compered by BBC Radio
PLANS to return a late-17th Century cottage to a community museum look likely to be approved. Winkies Castle, in Marske, is a rare example of a period cottage, with a partial cruck frame supporting the roof and retaining many other original features.
A BLUNDER by planners which cost council taxpayers £15,000 in compensation has sparked calls for changes in how applications are handled. Wear Valley District Council has agreed to reimburse a Bishop Auckland homeowner who claimed he lost money on the
TWO men suffered facial injuries and cuts and bruises to their bodies in an attack by a group of 20 to 30 youths in the Davedale Road area of Sunderland at 10.55pm on Friday. The men were walking home after a night out. Seven youths were arrested and
AN initiative to make recreation facilities in Middlesbrough smoke-free zones has been launched. From December 1, the council has imposed the ban on public venues it runs - including leisure centres, golf centre, Middlesbrough Theatre and the town hall
POLICE investigating the death of a man following a house blaze started by a firework are following fresh lines of inquiry, it was revealed last night. Arthur Lonsdale died in hospital of respiratory failure caused by smoke inhalation. The 52-year-old
VANDALS are threatening the safety of riders and walkers in rural east Cleveland. Safety signs on an off-road route shared by horse riders, ramblers and cyclists between Saltburn and Marske have been removed. There are an estimated 500 horses being ridden
TEESDALE District Council's housing department has relocated. The department has moved into Woodleigh offices, Flatts Road, Barnard Castle. The department will share the Woodleigh offices with Environmental Health and the Tourist Information Centre. Council
AN east Durham village is leading the way with the county's first purpose-built children's centre. Work is under way on the complex, which will provide a range of key services for children under five and their families, in the grounds of the former Haswell
POLICE are renewing efforts to re-unite stolen equestrian equipment with its owners. Items are to be put on display at Boroughbridge Sports Association, in Aldborough Road, Boroughbridge, from 2pm until 4pm on Sunday. The equipment, including saddles,
SOCCER star Alan Shearer is backing train operator GNER's attempt to retain the East Coast Main Line franchise. The England football legend and Newcastle captain signed GNER's online petition during a visit to Newcastle Central station. The company, which
A firework display will be held at Asda, in Portrack Lane, Stockton, tomorrow in aid of Children in Need. The event starts at 6pm with a fun fair and face painting before the firework display at 8pm. Admission is free.
COUNCILLORS in Hartlepool will be asked to give the go-ahead next week to a scheme to improve support for foster carers. A report from Ian McMillan, acting director of social services, to Hartlepool Borough Council's cabinet, which meets next Tuesday,
THE sound of silence will fall on a funfair when a 20-minute pause will take place to allow hornblowing to take centre stage. Operators of the bi-annual fair in Ripon Market Place have been told to apply the interval between 8.50pm and 9.10pm each night
A hotel owner is to celebrate her first year in business with an open house invitation to her supporters. Kate Daykin took over the Kirkgate House Hotel, in Thirsk, last November. On November 24, she has invited all the people and organisations that supported
AN initiative will be launched in Hartlepool in an effort to improve the diets of residents in the town. The Fruit and Vegetable Bag Scheme is aimed at residents who do not live close to a greengrocer's shop and who are unable to reach a supermarket.
A NORTH Yorkshire vicar has criticised conditions in which prisoners are being held in Bellmarsh Prison and at Guantanemo Bay. Canon Tony Shepherd, vicar of St Peter's Church, Harrogate, is concerned that Guantanemo Bay prisoners are being held indefinitely
A FAMILY has offered a home to a puppy whose plight was featured in The Northern Echo. Five-month-old cross-breed Meika was living in foster care in Eaglescliffe after being taken to The National Animal Sanctuary's Support League in Darlington. Her plight
A VILLAGE surgery's plans for new premises could face opposition if it is built next to a play park. Durham City Council has agreed in principle to lease land next to Sherburn Leisure Centre to the Sherburn and Belmont Surgery Group Practice. The practice
Schoolchildren were amazed to hear how far news of their new hall had spread. Pupils at Topcliffe Primary School, near Thirsk, North Yorkshire, received a note from across the Channel after a balloon race took word of their £115,000 building across Europe
A MOTHER is warning parents to be careful after her son was given six penalty points on his driving licence for riding a battery-powered scooter. The North-East youngster does not even have a licence that can be endorsed. Michelle Fishpool warned people
YOUNG performers have put the finishing touches to a magical production that opens at 7pm tonight. Stanley Variety Troupe is staging a musical version of the Wizard of Oz at the Lamplight Arts Centre in Front Street, Stanley, until Saturday. Tickets are
NEW writers with new ideas were commended at the weekend at the awards presentation of A Novel Approach, a national writing competition sponsored by Bishop Auckland Town Hall. They also received some good, gritty advice on how to get published. This year
THE COLDITZ MYTH by S P Mackenzie (Oxford University Press, £20) : COLDITZ has a lot to answer for when it comes to assessing what it was really like to be a prisoner of war in Nazi Germany. While the image is all about plucky and resourceful POWs pulling
A BLACK WATCH soldier was killed and two were injured in Iraq yesterday as thousands of US troops fought their way into Fallujah. The Ministry of Defence said there would be a full investigation into the latest attack, which takes the regiment's death
AFTER a season spent negotiating the twists and turns of the world rally circuit, Darlington's Guy Wilks is set for some negotiations of a different kind. With his deal at Suzuki up for renewal the 23-year-old - who finished third in the Junior World
Commercial law firm Robert Muckle, based on Tyneside, has appointed MIKE PLEWS as a solicitor in the construction unit of the property services group. Mr Plews trained at law firm Denison Till, also specialising in construction work, dealing with developers
A BID to create more affordable housing could see restrictions placed on the sale of former council houses. Richmondshire District Council is proposing to force owners who buy their house under the 'right to buy' scheme to sell only to local people. Colin
NEW writers with new ideas were commended at the weekend at the awards presentation of A Novel Approach, a national writing competition sponsored by Bishop Auckland Town Hall. They also received some good, gritty advice on how to get published. This year
A MOTHER plans to sell her home after a bitter dispute with neighbours over a right of way through her back garden ended in court. Melissa Glen plans to put her house in Crosby Street, Darlington, up for sale after a legal battle with neighbours Trevor
A ROBBER pointed a knife in the face of a terminally ill man in the victim's home to demand money. Police said the 61-year-old victim was extremely distressed and frightened after the attack on Friday. He answered the door at his home in Thornaby, near
STEPHEN ELLIOTT has been rewarded for an impressive start to life at Sunderland by being called up by his country. And Republic of Ireland boss Brian Kerr has claimed that in Elliott the Black Cats have a striker with the potential to fire Mick McCarthy's
A FAMILY spoke of their relief last night after a joyrider who struck and killed their son on a playing field was jailed for ten years. Multiple offender Dean English was showing off to young passengers at the wheel of a stolen Ford Escort after drinking
The Haven (C4) Lawless (ITV1) The Curse Of Noel Edmonds (five) IF it wasn't raining, I'd go outside and hug a tree. Does you a power of good, if The Haven is to be believed. There are those at Findhorn, the centre for spiritual enlightenment in the remote
A SHOPPING centre has reported a rise in sales from fashion retailers at the centre, despite a nationwide slump in retail spending. The Bridges, in Sunderland, which is owned by Land Securities, said more than 90 per cent of fashion retailers have reported
GARETH SOUTHGATE has insisted that Middlesbrough have come of age as a Premier League club, and have finally earned the respect of their footballing peers. The Teessiders spent the mid 1990s yo-yoing between the old first division and the Premiership,
TWO grandmothers who have been compared to veteran TV sleuths Rosemary and Thyme have fallen foul of the law after illegally blocking a footpath linking two primary schools. Ethel Cummings, 71, and Pauline Gates, 58, have been praised for their crimefighting
County Durham trainer Howard Johnson has good reason for thinking that the current National Hunt season could be his most rewarding since taking out a licence. With the backing of Graham Wylie, the Crook-based handler now has strength in depth in many
SOARING fuel costs continued to cast a shadow over British Airways yesterday despite better than expected half-year results from the airline. Cost-cutting measures and an improvement in passenger numbers helped drive the performance as profits in the
CAR dealer Reg Vardy has made two appointments at its Fiat dealership in Stockton. SHELDON COCKBURN is the new used car sales manager and Darrin Minto has been appointed franchise manager. Mr Cockburn, 31, sold his first car from the same site nearly
YOUNGSTERS have been putting the final touches to preparations for their Christmas show. Members of Cleveland Theatre School in Billingham, Teesside, will this year perform Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, based on the classic book by Roald Dahl. Members
A CHILDREN'S hospice was given a boost as scores of signed copies of Dad at Large 3 were sold at the weekend. Peter Barron, the editor of The Northern Echo, was signing copies of his new book at Ottakar's bookshop, in the Cornmill Centre, Darlington,
A Duchess has been granted permission to grow cannabis, cocaine and opium in her gardens -- in a bid to teach youngsters about the dangers of the drugs. The Home Office has granted a licence to grow cannabis and the caco plant, from which cocaine is made
AN employment initiative in one of the region's most deprived areas has helped 100 people find work, making it one of the most successful projects of its kind. Working Neighbourhoods, known as the WiN project, is operated in Thorntree and Brambles Farm
Bradford City boss Colin Todd has admitted his interest in Clyde Wijnhard, but insisted the Darlington striker is one of several players he is looking at. Todd is weighing up his options after failing to sign Dele Adebola on a permanent basis following
After the demise of Tupperware and the popularity of Ann Summers, Women's Editor Lindsay Jennings is invited to the latest home party craze - tanning. THE nibbles are laid out on a trendy Perspex table in the cosy front room. David Gray croons invitingly
TELECOMS group BT unsettled investors yesterday after a £520m deal revived memories of its last disastrous foray in the US. The acquisition of Californian company Infonet, which provides companies with internal communication systems, was hailed by BT
BLUE Peter and the British Red Cross are urging North-East viewers to dig out unwanted clothes in aid of the TV programme's Welcome Home Appeal. Launched today, the appeal is aimed at supporting the vital work the Red Cross carries out in Angola by putting
ONE of Britain's smallest schools has won an award from the British Council for its work to promote international goodwill and understanding. Headteacher Carole Connolly yesterday said she was thrilled that the honour has been given to her 12-pupil school
WHEN Alan Sillitoe penned "The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner" in 1957, he provided one of the first insights into the psychological challenges that go hand in hand with a career in distance running. Sent to a borstal after a crime-filled upbringing
Business Link Tees Valley has appointed RICHARD WATTS as an access to finance advisor, joining a team of six to help small and medium-sized businesses find financial support. Before joining Business Link, Mr Watts worked in Chartered Accountancy for more
A FASHION student has won a Christmas design competition. Samantha Ramsey, who is studying for a National Diploma in Fashion at Darlington College of Technology, won £70-worth of vouchers to spend on art equipment in the Winter Wonderland design contest
A SCULPTURE will arrive in the North-East at the weekend in anticipation of the long-awaited reopening of a university gallery. A 6.5-metre bronze sculpture by Norwegian artist Nicolaus Widerberg will soon be outside the new wing to the University Gallery
THE work of a North-East pitman artist is being celebrated in the month of his 85th birthday. Norman Cornish's distinctive scenes of life in a County Durham mining community are featured in an exhibition that runs until November 28 at Sunderland's Museum
The Haven (C4); Lawless (ITV1); The Curse Of Noel Edmonds (five): IF it wasn't raining, I'd go outside and hug a tree. Does you a power of good, if The Haven is to be believed. There are those at Findhorn, the centre for spiritual enlightenment in the
THE chief executive of Darlington Football Club last night told of his regret at leaving the resurgent Quakers. Andy Battison has stepped down from the hot-seat at the Williamson Motors Stadium, with chairman Stewart Davies now in charge of the day-to-day
The column pays a half term visit to the Moors Inn at Appleton-le-Moors and finds the pickings rich. THE second agricultural revolution having replaced tatie picking week homogenously with half term, we spent it, semi-detached, on the North Yorkshire
A LENGTHY inquest into the death of a North-East airman in secret nerve gas tests 51 years ago is nearly finished. Ronald Maddison died aged 20 after being exposed to sarin in 1953 at Porton Down, on Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire. Leading Aircraftsman Maddison
SOCCER star Alan Shearer is backing train operator GNER's attempt to retain the East Coast Main Line franchise. The England football legend and Newcastle captain signed GNER's online petition during a visit to Newcastle Central station. The company, which
THE Richmond support group for St Teresa's Hospice, in Darlington, will hold its annual Christmas concert at Aske Hall on Wednesday, December 1. The Carol Andrew Singers will be performing. Tickets cost £10, including mulled wine and mince pies, and can
Vandals have gone on a Jackass-style golf cart rampage, causing thousands of pounds-worth of damage to an idyllic country club course. Police are hunting the gang after they broke into the golf club's garage early yesterday morning, smashed the dashboards
A £4.6M plan to improve a North garden will be discussed by councillors next week. The Harrogate Valley Gardens plan aims to create quality gardens that conserve and celebrate the town's heritage, as well as provide an all-weather, year-round attraction
THE company building Europe's largest single biodiesel plant in Teesside, the Biofuels Corporation, has appointed CLARE SPOTTISWOODE as a non-executive director. Mrs Spottiswoode is a non-executive director of a number of energy companies, including British
A PETITION has been handed in by protestors objecting to proposed town centre parking charges A county council traffic management strategy for Leyburn suggests parking metres would improve congestion and road safety in the town centre. But local businesses
GARAGE owners who say their customers were driven away by a controversial flats development claim they warned the council they would be forced to move. George and Irene Stephenson are looking for new premises for their motor business after last week moving
GARAGE owners who say their customers were driven away by a controversial flats development claim they warned the council they would be forced to move. George and Irene Stephenson are looking for new premises for their motor business after moving out
A VOLKSWAGEN dealership in Darlington is under new ownership. Mill Garages, owned by European Motor Holdings, sold its dealership in Faverdale to the Lookers chain for £800,000. The business will extend the group's Volkswagen territory in the region and
A 23-YEAR-OLD man injured in a crash on Sunday night was last night described as stable. Both the man's legs were broken in the incident, on the A167 at Chester Moor, near Chester-le-Street, County Durham. He was taken to the University Hospital of North
SHOWMEN turned out to help one of their colleagues raise thousands of pounds for a children's charity yesterday. A charity golf tournament, held at Ramside Hall Golf and Country Club, near Durham, raised £5,500 for the Mayor of Spennymoor John Culine's
A COUNCIL service that helps disabled people live more independently has again won an award for excellence. Durham City Council's Housing Adaptation Service has received the Charter Mark, having received the award, which lasts for three years, in 2000
A COMMUNITY scheme has proved so successful it is to be extended throughout Easington district. The award-winning Street Wardens Scheme has been running in Easington Colliery, Horden and in the west of the district for the past three years. The project
A TEENAGE girl was fighting for her life last night after an accident. The 17-year-old from Redcar, in east Cleveland, sustained multiple injuries after the crash in the early hours of yesterday. The car's 20-year-old driver escaped with only minor injuries
A MOVE to create more affordable housing could see restrictions placed on the sale of former council houses. Richmondshire District Council wants to force owners who buy their home under the right to buy scheme to sell only to local people. Colin Dales
MULTIPLE karate champion and North-East police officer Ed Gillespie is facing the toughest week of his life - working with some of the poorest children in Brazil. The Sunderland PC, who has more than 22 years' experience in karate will spend the week
THE achievements of students and staff at a college were celebrated last night. Darlington College of Technology's annual awards ceremony was staged at the town's Civic Theatre and saw hundreds of people honoured. The event was compered by BBC Radio Cleveland
VILLAGERS have produced a blueprint to improve their community life. The Appleton-le-Moors Parish Plan has taken two years to complete, aided by Margaret Farey, from the Yorkshire Rural Community Council, and a committee led by Janet Haytn. "We got everyone
AN organisation set up to support disabled children in Darlington has been praised for its work. The Pathfinder Children's Trust was established in the town earlier this year. Its aim was to find out how people felt about local services for parents, carers
PLANS to return a late-17th Century cottage to a community museum look likely to be approved. Winkies Castle, in Marske, is a rare example of a period cottage, with a partial cruck frame supporting the roof and retaining many other original features.
PLANS to demolish the former Warsett School in Brotton and redevelop the site for the Freeborough College will be discussed by Redcar and Cleveland Council's planning committee on Thursday. The outline proposal involves a four-storey building. The detailed
YOUNGSTERS who have difficulties coping with mainstream education have been rewarded for their hard work with a bowling trip. The Behaviour Attendance and Truancy (BAT) Team, a multi-agency team comprising police officers, an educational welfare officer
A TEAM of employees from east Durham's Intermediate Labour Market (ILM) will carry out a garden makeover. The workers will transform land at the Sure Start House centre, in Shotton Colliery, into a recreational resource. The area is being reseeded, planters
FRESH blood is required for a North-East theatre production of the horror story Dracula. The stage show of Bram Stoker's classic, adapted for the stage by Scottish playwright Liz Lochhead, will be performed at Sunderland's Royalty Theatre next year. Auditions
BROADBAND agency Adit has recruited a business development manager for the north of the region. GARY BROWN, 47, has left his previous job as a telecommunications consultant to join the agency set up by the Department for Trade and Industry to increase
SAFETY services on industrial sites in Teesside have received an investment boost. SembCorp Utilities UK, in Wilton, has spent £130,000 on three ambulances to respond to medical emergencies at Huntsman, Invista, Lucite International and Petroplus, at
A SHELL-SHOCKED Jermaine Jenas has warned his Newcastle team-mates that their four-pronged assault on silverware will be halved this week if they fail to bounce back from Sunday's devastating defeat to Fulham. The Magpies were hit by a second-half blitz
MULTIPLE karate champion and North-East police officer Ed Gillespie is facing the toughest week of his life - working with some of the poorest children in Brazil. The Sunderland PC, who has more than 22 years' experience in karate will spend the week
Stable person, 30hrs pw 8am to 4pm and 4-6pm, experience with thoroughbred horses essential, own transport required due to location. Ref: DUR 42587. Cleaning operative, £5ph, 16-30hrs pw various shifts, experience an advantage but not essential. Fireplace
SCHOOL pupils have experienced life in a military band. Six students from Richmond School spend a day last week with the Normandy Band of the Queen's Division at Catterick Garrison. The young musicians rehearsed and then marched with the band. "We told
The column pays a half term visit to the Moors Inn at Appleton-le-Moors and finds the pickings rich. THE second agricultural revolution having replaced tatie picking week homogenously with half term, we spent it, semi-detached, on the North Yorkshire
By the time Clare Short left the Cabinet last year, she had managed to exasperate many of her friends as well as her enemies. But, she tells Nick Morrison, she doesn't regret not resigning. WHAT would have been surprising is if Clare Short had gone to
NORTH-East businessman TIM CANTLE-JONES is to spend a year on Sport England's national board. The 44-year-old, who is chairman of Sport England's regional sports board, is director of the event management and marketing company Polar Productions. He will
RUGBY referees from the US and South Africa were welcomed to the North-East yesterday. They are spending three weeks in the area as part of an annual exchange that involves local referees visiting South Africa and the US. The exchange, which was organised
UNLIKELY as it might sound, a space probe lands on the seared surface of Venus and a man steps out into temperatures of 485 degrees C, where the atmospheric pressure could crush a submarine and where the clouds consist of hydrochloric and sulphuric acid
WORK is about to start in the region on the world's largest biofuels plant. Today marks the beginning of work on Biofuels Corporation's plant, with a ceremony taking place at the site at Seal Sands, on Teesside. It is expected that the plant will be in
WORK is about to start in the region on the world's largest biofuels plant. Today marks the beginning of work on Biofuels Corporation's plant, with a ceremony taking place at the site at Seal Sands, on Teesside. It is expected that the plant will be in
TEENAGERS could study amateur boxing as part of their A-levels for the first time after an appeal by a North-East college. The OCR exam board said yesterday that amateur boxing was to be added in principle to the list of sports that can be studied for
THE cost of goods leaving UK factories rose at the fastest annual rate in nine years last month as companies passed on soaring oil prices. Rising crude prices were the main factor in output costs rising by 3.5 per cent in the year to last month, up from
A devoted mother searched the internet and helped diagnose her son with a rare disease after he was bitten by a tick. Brave Alex Benn is one of only 200 people a year who are diagnosed with Lyme's Disease which can trigger ME, multiple sclerosis, dementia
THE first phase of an £800m development that incorporates living space and businesses in the same place is being launched today. Newcastle Great Park's business park will be officially opened with an event at Newcastle Falcons Rugby Ground. Work on the
Just as you lot up North seem to be growing even more sane and sensible, we here in London are getting barmier by the minute. You wisely blew a raspberry to Commissar Prescott's ambitions for a regional assembly, because you understand very well that
IT is fair to say that a breath of fresh air has blown through Darlington Football Club. From being a club which alienated the local community, many bridges have been built around the Williamson Motors Stadium. Fans are made to feel welcome and so are
WORK is about to start in the region on the world's largest biofuels plant. Today marks the beginning of work on Biofuels Corporation's plant, with a ceremony taking place at the site at Seal Sands, on Teesside. It is expected that the plant will be in
JOHN PRESCOTT admitted yesterday that a blow-up white elephant had killed off his dream of elected regional assemblies, as he ruled out any further referendums in the North. In a statement to MPs, the Deputy Prime Minister formally abandoned the postponed
INCOMING European Union commissioner Peter Mandelson last night warned against what he called exaggerated gloating over Labour's economic success. The former Hartlepool MP's speech to the Confederation of British Industry conference risked provoking allies
A company in the region has started work on a £10m contract to build three energy efficient care homes in London. Metnor Ecosystems, in Newcastle, is making the timber-framed buildings off-site. They will then be delivered and erected in Islington, Richmond
STRANDED on a sheer rock face in deadly conditions, five resourceful students used the flashes on their mobile phone cameras to save themselves. The Newcastle University Mountaineering Club members became stranded on a ledge 800ft up Snowdon, in North
THE average price of a new-build home in the UK fell by 3.1 per cent last month to £261,645. Prices are now 3.1 per cent lower than they were at this time last year - the first negative annual rate of change since the housing boom began, a report by website
POLICE investigating the death of a man following a house blaze started by a firework are following fresh lines of inquiry, it was revealed last night. Arthur Lonsdale died in hospital of respiratory failure caused by smoke inhalation. The 52-year-old
