A HEARTBROKEN mother has told an inquest of the moment she found her daughter slumped unconscious on the floor after suffering an epileptic fit. Christina Hart told Teesside Coroner's Court how Samantha had battled for years' to combat the effects of
AFTER being criticised over the years for its dismal Christmas lights display, Bishop Auckland has been praised by professionals for its effort last year. Traders and organisations clubbed together to raise the £11,000 cost of lighting up the town centre
ONE of the UK's most promising young music stars is launching his pop career from a North-East studio. Schoolboy Tom Morley rose to prominence after coming third in the first Junior Eurovision Song Contest last year, which was watched by more than 100
A MAN was being treated in hospital last night after his arm was crushed by farm machinery. The 24-year-old, from South Bank, near Middlesbrough, was working at Come Bank Farm, Birk Brow Road, near Boosbeck, east Cleveland, when the incident happened
Last weekend Billingham swimmers competed at the Spa Town Distance Meet. Three silver and five bronze medals were achieved. Thirteen-year-old Christopher Wilkinson produced excellent swims to achieve silver in his 1500m free and bronze in the 200m fly
A FIRE in an outhouse affected a nearby house in the North-East yesterday. It caused smoke damage on the ground and first floors of the building in John Street, New Skelton, east Cleveland, said Cleveland Fire Brigade.
FAMILY and friends of a Chester-le-Street community figure yesterday dedicated a lift to his memory. Peter Scholey, who was treasurer with Chester-le-Street Community Association, died in December last year. Yesterday, centre manager Margaret Edwards
An elderly couple who had grown tired of the modern world died in each others arms at their family home. George and Barbara Purves both had more than twice the minimum lethal dose of morphine in their systems. But coroner Derek Winter said yesterday it
A MOTHER convicted of killing her two children has admitted murdering her first-born in an almost identical way 15 years ago. Maxine Robinson, 35, had always denied having anything to do with the mysterious deaths of any of her three children. But she
HAVING been named best small racecourse in the North by members of the influential Racegoers Club, Ripon embarks upon a 15-day Flat campaign with a later starting time and total prize money maintained at about £900,000. Highlights of the season include
WEBSITE cameras could soon be beamed from a North- East council's meetings into taxpayers' homes. Durham County Council's Cabinet will next week consider broadcasting its meetings live via the Internet in a pilot scheme. As well as taking residents directly
HEXHAM. - Last Fri. Special sale for beef breeding stock, fwd: 18 head. Lim X hfrs& bull calves: £1,150 Thornham Hills; £1,000 New Acres. With hfr calves: £950, £850 New Acres. AAX hfrs & bull calves: £900(2), £880(2) Brocks Farm. With hfr calves
TEN-YEAR-OLD Sophie Deighton, from Melsonby, took the overall supreme title on Gingerbread Man II, owned by Bev Ridley, against strong opposition at the NCPA spring championship show. The pair travelled to Newark and Notts showground, where a superb jumping
TWO young Irish dancers entertained shoppers in Bishop Auckland and Darlington to raised money for mental health charity MIND. Sadie Shirt and Beth Field, both from Barnsley, collected £246 in Darlington and £46 in Bishop Auckland, which will be added
POLICE are offering half-price wheel locks to people in Darlington as part of a drive to reduce car crime. The crime reduction unit will be selling the top-of-the range locks, which cost more than £80 in the shops, for £40 at Morrisons, in North Road
A YOUTH has been banned from playing his stereo at home after complaints about loud, offensive music. The silence rule was part of an Anti-social Behaviour Order (Asbo) imposed on 20-year-old Brad Storey at Durham Magistrates' Court. Storey, of Derwent-water
Yorkshire's new captain, Craig White, led from the front to put his side into a healthy position against Essex. After his six bowlers had taken wickets to send back Essex for 262, White opened the Yorkshire reply and was soon stroking the ball through
A 17-year-old was the only unbeaten player in the top division of the League this season. Adam Nowakowski, who plays for Harrogate Squash Club and is a member of the sport's national junior squad, won all 11 matches. And his progress over the past season
Tow Law Juniors: Tow Law Juniors strengthened their hopes of landing the League Championship when they beat the visiting Mulgrave Athletic from Hartlepool by four goals. The Lawyers began in fine style and took the game to the visitors, who kept the score
THE cost of flood damage could rise to more than £20bn a year unless radical changes are made to flood management policies, it has been warned. The risk of disasters like those that struck North Yorkshire and the North-East less than four years ago could
A reporter is looking for sponsorship for a 450-mile walk to raise funds for an campaign organised by The Northern Echo. Echo man Chris Webber plans to walk from the site of Britain's oldest mine at Cissbury Ring, near Brighton, to Stanley, County Durham
THE winning school in a stock market competition made £1,000 in real cash by ditching its Leeds United shares. The crucial move by Stockton Sixth Form College won it the Wise Speke School Share Portfolio Competition. The team of Chris Iredale, David McGowan
AN inqujry into the treatment of a former mental patient who turned a friend into a human fireball has found that the murder could not have been anticipated or prevented. In a report, an independent review panel, led by Newcastle barrister Kester Armstrong
A political party is hoping grey power will help it cause the biggest election upset in history. The newly-formed Senior Citizens' Party launched its election campaign in Tony Blair's Sedgefield constituency yesterday. Former Fleet Street journalist Terry
BEDALE High School has enjoyed a successful season on the soccer field, with both junior teams winning Hambleton and Richmondshire area cups. The year seven team, managed by Martyn Coombs, won 15 of their 17 matches this season, defeating Wensleydale
A NEW special needs facility at Middlesbrough's Pennyman primary school has been welcomed by staff and pupils. The facility takes children with a range of disabilities who benefit from the opportunity to learn alongside mainstream nursery children but
WITH the Riverside pitch looking exceptionally good for April, Durham will be keenly monitoring the progress of Shoaib Akhtar's back injury over the next week. The ease with which Durham advanced from 190 for six to 350 all out and Nottinghamshire replied
PLANS for Northallerton's annual May Fair are almost complete. For five days the High Street will be filled with rides and sideshows, bringing thousands of people into the district. Chairman of Hambleton District Council Councillor David Smith, who will
The squad of 24 players, and 16 support staff, that set off for the coastal resort of Noordwijk on Maundy Thursday were able to relax (some to a far greater extent than others) on a thankfully calm ferry crossing from North Shields. A day in Amsterdam
POLICE have taken action over the problem area around Saltburn town centre. Four youths, aged 11-14, had their details taken last weekend and sent to the Langbaurgh divisional HQ following incidents of anti-social behaviour. PC Stuart Smith, Saltburn's
FORMER Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Mark Hudspith was the fifth Briton home at Sunday's London Marathon, only 75 seconds outside the Olympic Games qualifying time, after battling bravely against illness and injury in his winter build-up to the
YOU are more than likely to get a cold shower in Ian Codling's new "bathroom". In fact, you would come out of it dirtier than when you went in, For Mr Codling has constructed and outdoor bathroom in his garden, complete with pink bathtub, loo, bidet,
Gary Wilson entertained Michael Rudd at High Howdon Social Club but lost the first frame, when Rudd made a 34 break Wilson took the second with two breaks of 63. Rudd took the third at 66-16 but went down 67-56 in the fourth. Wilson hit a purple patch
A SELF-employed baker has tickled the taste buds of judges in a contest run by a supermarket chain. Dawn Carvey, who runs Traditional and Scrumptious in Dalton on Tees, has been shortlisted within the bakery category of the Small Producers' Awards run
VIV HARDWICK talks to The Animals drummer John Steel as he looks back over 40 years of memories. THERE'S more fame than fortune to being a pop legend from the 1960s. John Steel should know, as drummer for Tyneside's international stars The Animals, the
COST-cutting moves by Royal Mail have left some Yorkshire Dales communities without daily postal deliveries. The Wensleydale village of Carperby has failed to receive post on one occasion and sorting office staff at Hawes had to drive to Leyburn to collect
RECENTLY, the landlord of an inn applied for an extension of licensing hours to hold festivities which would honour our national patron, St George. Extensions of this kind are permitted for what are known as "special occasions", but in this instance the
NEWCASTLE'S UEFA Cup crusade hangs in the balance after a fraught affair with French giants Marseille in the first leg of their semi-final at St. James' Park last night. United, who visit the hostile environs of the 60,000-capacity Stade Velodrome for
HEALTH chiefs are considering withholding treatment from violent or abusive patients to protect staff. A new report on behalf of six primary care trusts outlines the steps being taken to provide a safe environment for employees and patients. The report
Once noted for its superb bream fishing and arguably the best in County Durham, Wingate's Tilery Lake bounced back with a new match record after almost two decades in the wilderness. Fishing in the Hartlepool and District AC Match, Shotton Match Group's
Cleveland League, Division One: Carlin How B took another step towards survival when they chalked up a 4-2 home win against Ennis Square A. Mark Earl set the standard after winning both of his frames against Derek Leadbitter 50-20 and 61-28. Kevin Moon
IT was the evening of May 4, 1999, when George Reynolds - the chipboard tycoon on the brink of taking over Darlington Football Club - strode on to the Feethams turf to a rapturous welcome. "I promise you I will deliver the goods for Darlington," he told
THERE was nothing unlucky about the 13th league win of the season for Division One leaders Leadgate Golden Lion. It did, afterall, maintain their 100 per cent record and leave them requiring only three more victories from their final five fixtures to
Little is known of Lanchester's transition from Roman fort to medieval village. The Roman fort of Longovicium had fallen out of use by 400 AD when most Romans had returned to the continent. Anglo-Saxons from northern Europe arrived in their place establishing
THE debate on whether the North-East should have its own regional assembly is certainly picking up momentum. In the past fortnight, I estimate 20 different people, all with their own viewpoint and agenda, have raised the issue with me. Of equal interest
Reg Vardy is bringing 100 jobs to the region with the announcement it is to build a £10m car supermarket next to the MetroCentre. The 16.5-acre Gateshead site, which the group bought in 1999, will be transformed into one of the biggest used car retail
WHERE are they now, those names beloved of yesteryear? Where the Non Plus? Where the Marquess of Granby? Where the Alma? The practical answer is that they stand where they did, at Morton on Swale, at Whitby and at Cockerton but no longer commemorate a
BREWERY workers were today coming to terms with the news that the birthplace of Newcastle Brown Ale is to close with the loss of 110 jobs. Scottish Courage (ScotCo) will bring to an end 121 years of brewing in Newcastle when it sells the Tyne Brewery.
AN EMPTY shop on the Mowden estate in Darlington could be transformed into a youth centre to cut down anti-social behaviour in the area. Elm Ridge Methodist Church has submitted the proposal for a change of use to Darlington Borough Council planning department
A WAR HERO fought off a robber who conned his way into his home and attacked him. The 92-year-old who flew with Bomber Command in the Second World War, was attacked after confronting the thief who he found ransacking his home. The crook was holding a
Durham County Indoor Inter-Club League, Division A: Although Darlington inflicted the first defeat of the season on Hartlepool it was the latter who took the league title with a total of 65 points. Rink scores (Darlington names first): at Darlington:
THE Cleveland Repertory and Stokesley Advertiser was a monthly magazine, published in Stokesley by W Braithwaite from January 1834 to December 1845. Since it is now a very rare publication, Beryl Turner has transcribed extracts of the news items in a
REGIONAL GOVERNMENT: IN the 1930s when Ellen Wilkinson and the brave men of the Jarrow Crusade reached London, to bring to the attention of the government of the day the appalling levels of deprivation which existed in the North-East, they were not even
A DARLINGTON auction house founded in 1840 could move out of the town centre. Peter Robinson, who runs the Thomas Watson saleroom in Northumberland Street, is applying for planning permission to build a new auction room on Yarm Road industrial estate,
Seven out of ten of us will experience depression at some stage in our lives but according to the experts, we would be better off going for a brisk walk than swallowing a pill. Health Correspondent Barry Nelson reports. WE are in the middle of an exercise
A NORTH-EAST motorist pulled a pistol on a lorry driver during a terrifying road rage incident, a court heard yesterday. Lewis Lamb calmly pulled the weapon from its case and pointed it at a lorry driver as the pair drove their vehicles up the busy M1
THERE were those convinced of Maxine Robinson's guilt long before she was ever convicted by a jury in 1995. Her two children had died in their beds and, they thought, it had to be more than a coincidence. Added to that, a daughter from a previous marriage
Crook Town Ladies: Crook Town hosted a league game against South Durham Royals on Thursday, April 15 and Crook took the three points thanks to a hat-trick from Nicky Duckling and a superb performance by goalkeeper from Jodie Wakes. These points assure
POOL PARADISE; Publisher: Ignition Entertainment Formats: PS2, Game Cube and PC, Price: varies. Out now. IF you ever happen to meet Archer Maclean, don't challenge him to a game of pool over a few beers. Maclean's name will be familiar to older gamers
Little is known of Lanchester's transition from Roman fort to medieval village. The Roman fort of Longovicium had fallen out of use by 400 AD when most Romans had returned to the continent. Anglo-Saxons from northern Europe arrived in their place establishing
A HOLIDAY in Devon sparked an idea for a new business venture for one farming family and on Sunday David and Carol Newhouse officially opened their new farm-based visitor centre to the public. The couple live at Kirkby Field Farm, on the edge of Malham
On Sunday Peppers Draughting Services had an emphatic victory over Copper Beech DCS to keep pressure on the top spot. Goals from Paul Lowe, Mark Finn, John Jeffrey, Lee Hammond, two for David Raine and hat-trick apiece for Michael Carter and the excellent
THE new owner of Darlington Football Club's stadium yesterday sent out a clear message to fans that the George Reynolds era was over. On another remarkable day in the Quakers' recent history, the Reynolds Arena signs were pulled down from the south side
Sunday's games saw Smith and Allan secure three more points with a 5-1 victory away to Sherwoods. Danny Wilson found the net for the home side, the visitors saw Adam Gilroy, Ryan Wiggins and Chris Holiday get on the scoresheet along with a brace from
GOOD things come in small packages, I said to my wife in a consoling voice. It's something I do on occasions as, being just five foot two in her stocking feet, Sylvia is sometimes given to regretting her lack of inches and, endeavouring to be a decent
LEISURE group De Vere is considering a move to join the race for the £500m-rated budget hotel chain Premier Lodge. De Vere, owner of Slaley Hall, in Northumberland, confirmed it had been talking to investment group Sun Capital about buying the operation
WITH the Riverside pitch looking exceptionally good for April, Durham will be keenly monitoring the progress of Shoaib Akhtar's back injury over the next week. The ease with which Durham advanced from 190 for six to 350 all out and Nottinghamshire replied
Bishop Auckland: Bishop Auckland completed their home fixtures with a comfortable win against Stockton in the Tees Valley Social League, writes Malcolm Pratt. The first half saw Bishops back to something like their normal form with the forwards rucking
IT is rare for a planning inspector to be so bold but David Metcalfe did not pull his punches when describing how he reached his decision on the future of a Dales pub. Appointed to deal with an appeal against a decision not to allow the King's Arms at
TOWN criers from across the country will put their vocal skills to the test for the national championship, which will be staged in Durham, this summer. More than 25 criers, representing towns and cities across Britain, will take part in a full weekend
Crook League: The first qualifying night for the League Singles and Doubles Championships was held at Crook Coach and Horses with two from each competition going through to Finals Night. The winners from the 43 entries in the Singles were Gus Witton of
Teenager Dan Conway is looking forward to an exciting year having signed for Yorkshire Cricket Club (YCC) after bowling over coaches with his talent. The Teessider has signed academy forms and will play in Yorkshire's academy and second teams this year
EVERY woman holds a secret one group of (mostly) men would give their eye teeth to be let into. They'd love to know exactly what it is that gets us into a store and tempts us to buy. Unfortunately, it's such a close secret that most women couldn't put
All three junior clubs on the river Wear in Durham have had rowers selected to represent the region in the inter-regional regatta on Sunday, along with Queen Elizabeth's High School from Hexham and Yarm School. The Amateur Rowing association divides the
Annandale Hotel v Lealholm: A recent good run came to an end when they went 2-0 down to Lealholm. The visitors scored twice in the first ten minutes through Brown and Crooks, stand in keeper, Dewing helpless as poor marking let Lealholm take control.
MORE than 20 addicts have fallen victim to a potentially deadly batch of heroin being distributed on Teesside. Cleveland Police said the number of hospital cases arising from distribution of the contaminated heroin was soaring. Three more cases of respiratory
A BRAVE Scout is to take part in the St George's Day parade at Windsor Castle where he will be presented to the Queen and other members of the royal family. Thirteen-year-old Sam Vickers is one of only ten Scouts to be awarded the medal of meritorious
A FORMER footballer's funeral cortege will be halted today close to the spot where he carved his name in a town's history. George Hardwick won his spurs playing for Middlesbrough Football Club at Ayresome Park, which has since disappeared under a housing
VISITORS can have a peek behind the scenes at a North-East museum next week. Community groups from the region will be transported in restored buses to the Beamish Museum, near Chester-le-Street, County Durham, for guided tours and a look at the Beamish
The League Cup Final will be contested by Darlington Mowden and Darlington Archdeacon on Tuesday, May 11. Darlington Mowden struck first against Shildon Elm Road WMC, Steve Thompson taking advantage of hesitancy in the Elm defence to slot the ball home
VIV HARDWICK highlights some of the top acts arriving on Tyneside over the next two weeks for the Orange Evolution Festival. ONE of the headliners for this year's Orange Evolution Festival is Reggae superstar Horace Andy who will be performing with his
A MAJOR shake-up of car parking could be on the way in Hambleton. Yesterday, the district council's cabinet was being asked to approve a raft of measures in market towns across the area. The aim is to support the vitality of town centres and ensure there
A UNIVERSITY has been given the keys to a new science park that is expected to create more than 200 jobs. The St Peter's Gate Science Park, next to the University of Sunderland's riverside campus, is designed to attract knowledge-based businesses to the
A report this week about work starting on the conversion of Thorngate Mill brought to mind a tragedy that was witnessed by many of the men and women employed there in its heyday. They left their looms and watched from windows as a raging flood on the
Loss-making tram schemes such as the Tyne and Wear Metro are throwing the building of further light rail systems into jeopardy, spending watchdogs warn today. A hard-hitting report by the National Audit Office raised the alarm over the failure to attract
A YOUNG musician who has overcome huge odds to perfect his talent will be in action this weekend. A second-year student at Henshaw's College in Harrogate, 20-year-old Nick Shaw was born blind and was later diagnosed as having autism and severe learning
Sir, - Forbidden Corner (pictured above) is a great attraction for families staying in the Dales but why have the Yorkshire Dales National Park and the tourist information centre dreamed up such an environmentally-unfriendly way of getting tickets. I
TEN people were taken ill after an outbreak of salmonella in Durham's University Hospital restaurant. The outbreak happened one lunch time last November in Bede's Restaurant on the second floor of the £97m hospital, which opened in 2001. The victims of
WHEN Scottish and Newcastle went to the European Union in 1996 to beg for protection of the "One and Only" Newcastle Brown Ale, it was to safeguard a regional treasure. Champagne, Parma ham, Wensleydale cheese and Cornish pasties have all, at one stage
THREE WEEKS, three Nationals. It doesn't get much better than this for us, as Graham Lee took his second in a fortnight. Grey Abbey, trained by Howard Johnson, partnered by the tough Lee, was in the van all the way round Ayr for the Scottish version.
How inspiring to see last year's Local Heroes Awards winner, Laura Whitfield finally meet her mentor, Olympic swimmer Mark Foster. As part of her prize Laura had the opportunity to receive expert coaching from Mark, one of the UK's best known swimmers
Coxhoe Boys: Coxhoe are one game away from completing the league season unbeaten after drawing at Seaham last Sunday thanks to a marvellous performance from goalkeeper Tom Orton. Although it was Nathan Ward who grabbed the all-important equaliser, Orton's
DARLINGTON. - Thurs. of last week. Fwd: 461 cattle, 912 sheep. Steers lt to 106.5p/£468.60 av 102.57p; med to 135.5p/£650.40 av 108.37p; heavy to 128.5p/£843.15 av 106.26p; overall steer av 107.12p; hfrs lt to 101.5p/£400.93 av 98.52p; med to 133.5p/£640.80
FOUR gentle giants led a horse-loving grandmother on her final journey yesterday. A team of heavy horses carried Hilda Aspey, who died aged 57 last Sunday, to her resting place, in Shildon, County Durham, yesterday. The horses, rarely seen in teams of
BISHOP Auckland Schools skipper Richard Langthorne fired his team up for the crucial second leg of the English Schools Trophy by declaring: "If we play to our best no team in the country can stop us." Bishops' Under-15s face Portsmouth in the return leg
HOUSE prices in the North-East have experienced the highest increases in the country - doubling over the past three years. Darlington ranked in the country's top ten property hotspots, with a 58pc increase in house prices over the past 12 months. The
Cup finalists Hurworth Albion visited AFC Brinkburn and despite a man of the match performance in the Brinkburn goal by Neil Cockfield it was the visitors who came away with three points. They enjoyed a 6-0 victory thanks to goals from Darren Tate, Wayne
TOWN councillors want more public toilets to be provided in Guisborough. The town only has one public convenience open all year round, in Fountain Street, which is out of the town centre. At the town council meeting on Thursday of last week, members were
A LEADING Northallerton councillor says he is ashamed to represent such a litter-strewn town. Coun John Coulson launched a stinging attack on the state of the town and called for tough action to clean things up. Coun Coulson, a county and Hambleton district
A new exhibition showing how the North-East won its £10m battle of the beaches to reclaim the coastline in the face of industrial pollution opens tomorrow. A trio of regional artists have captured the essence of the County Durham coastline during the
A MOTHER convicted of killing her two children has admitted murdering her first-born in an almost identical way 15 years ago. Maxine Robinson, 35, had always denied having anything to do with the mysterious deaths of any of her three children. But she
THE NFU is extending and launching its virtual job centre earlier this year, after a successful trial last year. The summer months are among the busiest on farms and horticultural units as crops are harvested and fruit, vegetables and flowers picked.
Sir Bobby Robson last night dismissed suggestions that Newcastle have handed Marseille the initiative in their UEFA Cup semi-final clash. The Magpies will travel to the south of France in a fortnight's time with the tie on a knife-edge after a tense first
ONE of the UK's most promising young music stars is launching his pop career from a North-East studio. Schoolboy Tom Morley rose to prominence after coming third in the first Junior Eurovision Song Contest last year, which was watched by more than 100
CORUS has returned to operating profit and was last night still resisting the advances of Russian entrepreneur Alisher Usmanov. A representative of the metals company owner said that the Anglo-Dutch steelmaker's board of directors was on notice to improve
IT could not have been further from a Taliban prison in Afghanistan - peaceful Sedgefield on a sunny day. But peace campaigner Yvonne Ridley, the former Daily Express chief reporter captured at the start of the war with Afghanistan, was in Tony Blair's
PARENTS picking up their children from a school got a colourful surprise yesterday. A 12ft long black and yellow banner was unfurled by the children at the gates of Lingfield Primary School, Middlesbrough, highlighting the dangers of illegally parking
North Shields took another step towards the championship defeating Annfield Plain on Wednesday night but they had to withstand a good performance from the North West Durham League side who belied their lowly position. In fact, the Plain took the lead
CHRIS THORNTON expects a major run from his three-year-old gelding, Lets Roll (4.35), in the ten furlong Betfred Handicap at Sandown this afternoon. Lets Roll, who made a pleasing reappearance over one-mile at Ripon last week when chasing home ten-to-follow
NEWTON Aycliffe won the first trophy of the season when they lifted the First Division Cup at Spennymoor United's Brewery Field ground last week. Aycliffe beat Old Shildon 5-1 to clinch the cup - and Ben Stevens, son of Paul Stevens who tragically died
Reg Vardy is bringing 100 jobs to the region with the announcement it is to build a £10m car supermarket next to the MetroCentre. The 16.5-acre Gateshead site, which the group bought in 1999, will be transformed into one of the biggest used car retail
FROM this newspaper 100 years ago. - What might have proved one of the most disastrous railway accidents in the North of England in recent years was just averted by the presence of mind of the driver of a shunting engine just outside Bank Top Station,
NEWCASTLE United will be pinning their hopes on a Geordie striker when they look to book their place in the UEFA Cup final in Marseille in a fortnight's time. Nothing unusual there you might think given that Alan Shearer went into the first leg of the
DARREN WILLIAMS is refusing to even consider the possibility of Sunderland missing out on a play-off place. Wednesday night's defeat at Crystal Palace was the Black Cats' third successive league defeat. It is a run of form which has led to them missing
THE parents of a teenager who was killed in a car crash have thanked their local community for its support since their son's death. Individuals and groups in Chester-le-Street have raised more than £3,000 in memory of Ben Ellison. The 17-year-old apprentice
Leaders Coxhoe Athletic beat Durham University 6-0 to put them five points above second placed Belford House with a game in hand. A brace from Dean Smithson and a goal from Lee Thistlewaite had them 3-0 up in the first half. Andrew Soppitt hit two goals
POOL PARADISE; Publisher: Ignition Entertainment Formats: PS2, Game Cube and PC, Price: varies. Out now. IF you ever happen to meet Archer Maclean, don't challenge him to a game of pool over a few beers. Maclean's name will be familiar to older gamers
Steels are the Premier Division champions. they won 3-0 away to the Lord Seaham to clinch the title. Norton-Stockton continued their fight to avoid relegation by defeating Holywell Fat Ox 4-2 at home. This was a set back for the Fat Ox as they were hoping
THE Government provoked anger last night after performing an apparent U-turn over the fate of four dilapidated US Navy ships berthed in the North-East. Environment Minister Elliot Morley said the controversial "Ghost Ships" - unwanted craft from the US
CHILD care charity, the NSPCC, has benefited from a successful evening of entertainment. The annual Chairman's Charity Evening was staged by Brandon and Byshottles Parish Council. This year's parish chairman, Jean Chaplow, donated money raised at the
THE alcoholic daughter of a racehorse trainer tried to abduct two terrified children as they played with horses at a North Yorkshire riding stables. Married Chania Burgess also attempted to persuade two screaming young girls to leave with her after she
MEASURES to control parking on the streets of a village which has become a magnet for tourists could be introduced within six weeks. Traffic problems in Osmotherley are said to have become so serious that a working group of local people and councillors
Longhorn Hardware Darlington and District League: DGSOB 2 Killinghall Arms 5; In their final game of the season Old Boys gave a good account of themselves and reached the interval with the score at 1-1. The scores were level at 2-2 when with 15 minutes
DARLINGTON took a big step towards Division Three survival with last Saturday's 2-0 home win over Oxford United, but they cannot afford to relax just yet. The victory, coupled with defeats for bottom two Carlisle and York, gave them a six-point cushion
Bishop Auckland manager Brian Honour is almost certain to stay in charge after his team clinched promotion to the UniBond Premier Division on Wednesday. Bishops ended weeks of agony for their supporters by beating Farsley Celtic 4-2 to guarantee themselves
COUNTY Durham driver Barry Johnson snatched defeat from the jaws of victory as main County Saab Scottish Rally Championship rival Raymond Munro staged a stunning comeback to win the Aberdeen-based MultiWage Granite City Rally by just seven seconds last
THOUSANDS of unwanted, abandoned and ill-treated animals were found new homes last year by RSPCA branches in the region. The charity rehoused 935 dogs, 1,858 cats and 489 other animals in 2003. It gave almost 1,500 animals veterinary treatment, microchipp-ed
A HOUSEWIFE opened up her front room yesterday to the 117 voters in her east Cleveland village. Marian Cane's home in Redcar Road, Dunsdale, was used by the electorate of the village to vote in a by-election for Guisborough Town Council. Her front room
STRUGGLING retailer WH Smith said its high street shops had delivered an unacceptable performance as it confirmed City forecasts of a 29 per cent drop in half-year profits. WH Smith said the poor showing by the main retail business had been the culmination
TIME is being called on work-time drinking for council office staff and councillors. Last orders is being taken at the in-house bar at County Hall, Durham, during the working day. The decision is part of a new authority-wide policy on drugs, substance
In the Lasertech League Challenge Cup Final last year's runners-up Pelton RAOB went one better to win this year trophy by beating Houghton Glendale in an entertaining final. Held at Brandon United, the first half was a closely contested affair, both teams
SUNDAY drivers beware - the North Tyne Valley is no place for the faint-hearted this weekend. The country's top rally drivers, and some from further afield, will be in the North-East for the opening round of the Kwik Fit Pirelli British Rally Championship
THE owner of a well-known company which makes eccentric teapots this week revealed how he nearly had to move production abroad. The Teapottery at Leyburn was badly hit by the events of September 11, 2001. At the time, the USA was its largest market but
Byers Green St Peters won the Colin Waites Memorial Trophy for the third time when they defeated Crook White Swan 6-5 on penalties. Byers Green keeper Craig Littlefair was the hero saving two spotkicks. The game had ended all square at 3-3 after extra
The club have been awarded the Junior Golf Mark. In an attempt to identify and acknowledge junior friendly golf facilities in England. The Junior Golf Mark launched in September 2003 by the English Golf Union and English Ladies' Golf Association has already
ABBEY has revealed that its restructuring plan will affect forecasted profits. In a statement that was short on detail, the banking group said its annual figures would be in the black but told shareholders that further pressure on margins had left first
SLINGSBY'S decision to return to the Feversham League for the coming season was welcomed by the existing four member clubs - Gillamoor, Harome, High Farndale and Spout House - at an extraordinary general meeting. It was agreed there would be three matches
Any Northern League club that wants promotion in future may have to rely on the mood of the Football Association. League clubs have come under criticism from outside the league for not venturing into the UniBond League - the main reason given is the increased
Aprs nous le deluge - that's the Dam Busters motto and it seemed that the Woodham Golf Course dams had been breached last weekend as the rain water was overwhelming. Both the Mens and Ladies Competitions were abandoned on Sunday although some of the Mens
PERHAPS if I had tried pole vaulting or small-bore rifle shooting I might have been an Olympic champion. Who knows what hidden reserves of talent we are all harbouring? Such thoughts are inspired by a female optician qualifying for the Olympic marathon
Fiery cuemen Ronnie O'Sullivan and Andy Hicks finished honours even in their Embassy World Championship clash at the Crucible yesterday evening. Both tried to gain a psychological edge in the first session to their best-of-25-frames second-round clash
PJS 2 Coulby Newham 5: Coulby Newham FC are finishing the season on a high with only two defeats since February. PJS, on the other hand, have struggled and will be happy for this season to end allowing a re-group in the summer. Coulby started well and
NEIL WAINWRIGHT has challenged his Darlington teammates to banish lingering relegation worries by beating Lincoln City tomorrow. Quakers head to Sincil Bank knowing a win will ensure Third Division safety. They are six points clear of the relegation zone
Bishop Auckland League: Crook Travellers Rest maintained their good start in their first season with an odd point win at Toft Hill Three Tuns. The home side had two singles points from Vince Hunt and Shaun Foxton, whilst Jack Carr and Peter Carnigan added
A STOCKTON widower has criticised Reader's Digest for still sending mail addressed to his late wife, three months after they were notified of her death. Michael Bennington, 74, of Bishopton Road, settled his wife, Anne's, account with Reader's Digest
WE said on the day Darlington Football Club was placed in administration that the only way forward for the Quakers was without George Reynolds, who had lost the support of fans, local businesses and the wider community. And the removal of Mr Reynolds'
A TEAM of young engineers have invented a hazard warning system that could deter thieves from stealing lamps from roadwork safety barriers. Shaun Dixon, Michael Hall, James Matthews and Sam Proud, all students at Wolsingham School and Community College
A man and a woman have been quizzed by police investigating the distribution of a potentially lethal batch of heroin across Teesside. More than 20 addicts have been treated in hospitals in Middlesbrough, Stockton and Hartlepool for respiratory failure
In the premier division the battle continues at the top and bottom of the table. Metro Church were at home to Jesmond Parish Athentians and wanted to knock Consett Churches off top place while Athenians needed to win to avoid the drop. John Boyd gave
THE son of comedian Roy "Chubby" Brown has scaled new heights by climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa. Roofer Richard Vasey, inspired by his father's battle against throat cancer, trekked up the mountain in Tanzania to raise money for Teesside's holistic
PLANS to transform an empty building into a wine bar and restaurant in Darlington's Market Square have been welcomed by town centre officials. Les Mooney, owner of Caf Gulp in Priestgate, Darlington, is hoping to create a thriving restaurant, called the
TWO men were yesterday hailed as heroes by a judge for rescuing young road accident victims from a flaming car. Passing motorist Jim Brightwell and friend Nick Worthington went to the aid of the badly injured driver and two teenage passengers shortly
Cleveland Inn took the league title with a 6-2 victory over their closest rivals John Davey Ltd. JDL took an early lead through Gary Fagan but Cleveland Inn quickly hit back with a 20 minute hat-trick from Ray Woodhouse to more or less kill the game off
Tocketts Bridge, near Guisborough, is holding twice-weekly twilight car-boot sales from Sunday, May 2. The Thursday and Sunday events will start at 4pm, and will have family-sized marquees, chairs, tables, play pens and a pets corner. For details, call
Sunderland Tomahawks began their English U19 North Promotion/Relegation play-offs with two victories at the weekend. Bradford Vipers were visitors to Newcastle Arena and restricted Tomahawks to a goalless first period. Two minutes into the restart Michael
HUNDREDS of dales residents have given themselves a health boost by stopping smoking during the past year. Clinics linked with every GP surgery in Wear Valley and Teesdale are helping more people kick the habit every week. The first evening clinic opened
PUPILS at a Middlesbrough school have been making the news in more ways than one. A camera crew called at Archibald Primary School to help pupils produce and star in their own TV news report about the dangers of speeding motorists. The creators of the
THE county library in the centre of Harrogate could be in pole position to become an archive centre for North Yorkshire. A number of options are being considered by the county council, but the Harrogate plan has won significant support. If the project
CHILDREN at a village school are about to embark on a community arts project after winning a lottery grant. The Friends of Arkengarthdale CE School, near Richmond, have been handed £3,500 from the Awards for All scheme, which gives grants of between £500
TWO young Irish dancers entertained shoppers in Bishop Auckland and Darlington to raised money for mental health charity Mind. Sadie Shirt and Beth Field, both from Barnsley, collected £246 in Darlington and £46 in Bishop Auckland, which will be added
A TOWN football club is celebrating after it received the final funding it needs to redevelop its 93-year-old ground and safeguard its league status. Willington AFC has been awarded £44,000 to improve its Hall Lane Stadium to bring it up to revised league
The Transplant Trade (C4) ASK those who hand over money for organs why their action is right and they all give the same answer: "Because we want to live". This documentary spent 90 minutes debating the issue with patients at the centre of the arguments
RAIL chiefs last night offered an olive branch to passengers after they vented their anger over plans to cut North-East train services. The Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) conceded it had not consulted fully ahead of cuts to the Tees-Tyne direct rail link
THE world of dance in many of its colourful forms is to be celebrated at a three-day festival at the end of this month. Peculier Vision, the Mashamshire Arts Festival, gets under way next Friday and involves people of all ages. World music band Elephant
A North-East teenager who became Britain's first heart transplant baby opened a store yesterday - and then served customers. Kaylee Davidson, 16, launched the Matalan outlet in her home town of Washington, Wearside, where she has secured her first job
MIDDLESBROUGH boss Steve McClaren is confident his side will finish the season with a flourish after recharging their batteries in the Spanish sun. The Boro squad returned to training yesterday following a four-day break in La Manga that gave them a rare
THIRTEEN post offices in Teesside may be closed by August. The Post Office is considering closing four in Middlesbrough, four in Hartlepool, four in the Stockton area and one in Guisborough. The Cleveland Pensioners Forum group condemned the plan yesterday
AS the latest intake of young Gurkhas completes initial training at Catterick Garrison, the selection of next year's recruits is about to begin. The 230 young soldiers who arrived at the camp in January are due to finish their 11-week common military
PERHAPS if I had tried pole vaulting or small-bore rifle shooting I might have been an Olympic champion. Who knows what hidden reserves of talent we are all harbouring? Such thoughts are inspired by a female optician qualifying for the Olympic marathon
RESEARCH and consultation into traffic congestion in two North Yorkshire towns has suggested bypasses or relief roads would not necessarily solve their problems. About 25,000 vehicles a day travel along the A59 through Harrogate and Knaresborough while
IT was my friend Liz who inspired this column. She bought some red pepper relish and some ginger cordial at a market stall and raved about them throughout our Saturday afternoon walk. "You've got to find the makers and write about them," she said. And
MORE than 100 residents of a Darlington street are demanding action from council bosses over its "appalling state". People living in Salutation Road, in the west end of the town, say they are fed up with the poor road surface and pavements. A petition
THE new owners of Darlington Football Club's stadium yesterday sent out a clear message to fans that the George Reynolds' era was over. On another remarkable day in the Quakers' extraordinary recent history, the giant Reynolds Arena signs were pulled
Sir, - Having been involved in some conservation work at Cod Beck reservoir I feel that Mr Shuttlewood's reply (D&S letters, Apr 9) to Mr Lindsay (D&S letters, Apr 2) calls for some comment. Mr Shuttlewood refers to "evidence of the increasing
HEALTH chiefs say there are no problems with out-of-hours cover, following an urgent meeting. The North Yorkshire Emergency Doctors network (NYED) took over responsibility for responding to out-of-hours calls on April 1 when new Government guidelines
SUNDERLAND manager Mick McCarthy kick-started work on a facility to provide year-round football for the community. The visit of the former Irish international player and manager marked the start of construction of the first indoor six-a-side football
From hard-bitten journalist to dedicated peace campaigner, Yvonne Ridley's has been an unusual journey. She tells Nick Morrison why she's standing for election for the European Parliament. "MY parents can't stand cigarette smoke, so I can't smoke at home
THE leading ladies of a Darlington drama group's latest production have had become quick-change artists. Members of St Augustine's Repertory Society, STARS, are starring in The Farndale Avenue Estate Townswomen's Guild Dramatic Society Murder Mystery,
THIRTEEN post offices in Teesside may be closed by August. The Post Office is considering closing four in Middlesbrough, four in Hartlepool, four in the Stockton area and one in Guisborough. The Cleveland Pensioners Forum group condemned the plan yesterday
PUBLIC opinion on the future of local government in North Yorkshire seems to be coming down on the side of the campaign mounted by district councils. New research reveals that a third of residents want to see four unitary councils created - linking Hambleton
Police authority chiefs last night refused to comment on claims they were warned of cash problems years before a £7.3m financial "black hole" was discovered. Reacting to news that warnings were issued by the Government's Audit Commission watchdog as far
A NORTH-EAST delegation is missing St George's Day to take part in celebrations for a patron saint tailor-made for the region - St Jordi. As the rest of England commemorates our dragon-slaying saint, a team from the NewcastleGateshead Initiative (NGI)
A CHILDREN'S choir from Africa will visit Ripon next week. The African Children's Choir will perform at two concerts in Holy Trinity Church, on Wednesday and Friday. The choir is made up of children, aged from six to 12, from Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Nigeria
PLANS to build a £5m primary school have moved a step forward. The Stockton Schools Organisation Committee, an independent body, has backed proposals to build a school at Ingleby Barwick. They made their decision after the Government Office for the North-East
DEPUTY Prime Minister John Prescott yesterday shrugged off criticism of the £2.5m cost of his campaign to give power to the regions. Mr Prescott took his elected regional assembly campaign bus to North Yorkshire, visiting Fountains Abbey, near Ripon,
SEX scandals, she-devils, asylums and the Nestle factory in York are some of the topics explored in a series of open lectures at the University of York, focusing on women in the city from the Middle Ages to the present day. The series began this week
"THE best hoggs I have seen all year" said the judge, Les Thackray of Clayton Farm, Mickley, Ripon, of this champion pen of Mule hoggs with lambs, left, at the annual show and sale of ewes, shearlings, gimmer hoggs and hoggs with lambs at Craven Cattle
DIVISION ONE: Carlin How 3 Nunthorpe Ath 2; Carlin How kept their hopes of the championship alive after a narrow victory over Nunthorpe Athletic. The opening half hour was very tight between the two teams but in the 31st minute Carlin How took the lead
A YOUNG soldier based in the region has been awarded a Conspicuous Gallantry Cross for bravery under fire in Iraq. Corporal Shaun Jardine, 21, was among members of the King's Own Scottish Borderers sent to the Gulf when the North Yorkshire-based 19 Mechanised
MARY Poppins and other childhood favourites are casting their magic spell to bring happy memories flooding back. The Royal Pump Room Museum, in Harrogate, is holding an exhibition designed to delight all ages. Childhood: From Perambulators to PlayStation
RAIL chiefs last night offered an olive branch to passengers after they vented their anger over plans to cut North-East train services. The Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) conceded it had not consulted fully ahead of cuts to the Tees-Tyne direct rail link
RUSHDEN and Diamonds have sprung a suprise ahead of Hartlepool United's vital trip to Nene Park tomorrow. The Diamonds yesterday appointed a new manager to try and stave off relegation. Ernie Tippett, a former Wimbledon reserve team manager, has been
TEN "loud-mouthed ladettes" have descended on a former Teesdale finishing school with the aim of being turned into young ladies. The young women have moved into Eggleston Hall, near Barnard Castle - pictured left - where filming is under way as part of
THE Crown Prosecution Service last night defended its role in the unsafe conviction of a decorator accused of the theft of £57,000-worth of jewellery. Anthony Cormack, 38, of Deona Court, Darlington, had his theft conviction quashed by appeal court judges
ONE of the biggest events on the North-East horseracing calendar is to be run on a Friday night for the first time. Normally a Saturday event, the John Smith's Durham National will take place next Friday, at Sedgefield Racecourse. Now in its 39th year
Premier Division, Sports Bar 3 Blackhall CC 3: A see-saw encounter in which Blackhall lost the lead three times against their never-say-die opponents. Hall took the lead after just two minutes thanks to a Scott Burns penalty. The equaliser came on the
PJS 2 Coulby Newham 5: Coulby Newham FC are finishing the season on a high with only two defeats since February. PJS, on the other hand, have struggled and will be happy for this season to end allowing a re-group in the summer. Coulby started well and
YARM Town Council has been victorious in its fight to preserve the name of a 400-year-old High Street pub. Barracuda Ltd, which owns the Ketton Ox, had intended to change its name to The Ox, but following written objections from the town council highlighting
THIRTY workers have said they are prepared to accept voluntary redundancy as part of a cost-cutting exercise at a North-East factory. More than 60 jobs are to go at Mono Containers, in Durham City, after the company lost a major contract with German yogurt
TWO banks have adopted an Australian scheme to help wheat farmers tackle volatile prices. The Yorkshire and Clydesdale Banks, both members of the Australian-based NAB Group, are offering a package to allow growers to manage their selling price for wheat
HAMBLETON District Council's new flood line failed Thirsk residents on Monday morning when flood water from the Cod Beck rose, breaking its banks. The river rose 7ft and water came within 9in of properties. But after receiving a flood warning at 2.30am
IT was my friend Liz who inspired this column. She bought some red pepper relish and some ginger cordial at a market stall and raved about them throughout our Saturday afternoon walk. "You've got to find the makers and write about them," she said. And
A mixed week on the water with plenty of fish being caught on some days and quieter on others. There has been some strong winds on the reservoir and when the wind is cold it seems to put the fish down and reluctant to take. The successful flies have been
THE debate on whether the North-East should have its own regional assembly is certainly picking up momentum. In the past fortnight, I estimate 20 different people, all with their own viewpoint and agenda, have raised the issue with me. Of equal interest
THE Government is expected to announce soon whether it agrees to the industry's proposed three-region single farm payment system. Prof Allan Buckwell, chief economist with the Country Land and Business Association, this week said he hoped the proposal
A SUNDAY morning football league side had special reason to celebrate their cup final victory at the weekend. Newton Aycliffe won the Jackson Anderson Accountants Spennymoor Sunday League First Division Cup on Sunday with a 5-1 win over Old Shildon and
by Robin Twizell RMD Agriculture WHEAT prices have remained in the mid £90s but with very little activity. Both sellers and buyers seem happy to wait for something to happen. Old crop oilseed prices have been slowly improving on the back of limited supply
JOBS are still on the line at the Cleveland Bridge works despite the Darlington firm winning contracts worth £1.2m for a major new Scottish oil field. The company will make girders for platforms on the Encana (UK) Buzzard Field being developed in the
Sir, - My views are as a visitor to Richmond. I live in Newmarket but come to stay at Richmond with a friend twice a year. I have been coming for 20 years and love the countryside and the people, but in that time every year I notice another shop or facility
The Transplant Trade (C4): ASK those who hand over money for organs why their action is right and they all give the same answer: "Because we want to live". This documentary spent 90 minutes debating the issue with patients at the centre of the arguments
Willington Ladies League: Willington Club B took the darts title in style when they finished the season with a five points home win over Willington Cottles A. This pushed them nineteen points clear of Sunnybrow Brown Trout, who took the runners-up spot
ONCE he was a heart-throb to millions of teenage girls, with a string of top ten hits behind him and Kylie Minogue for a girlfriend. And even though Jason Donovan swapped the bright lights of London's West End for a North-East pub this week, he can still
