Billions of dollars of Iraq's own money cannot be accounted for by the occupying forces responsible for the funds, it is claimed today. Two reports, compiled independently, show glaring gaps in the handling of about $20bn (£11bn) generated from Iraq's
PLANS for a large Argos distribution centre on the outskirts of a town would not cause traffic problems, council officials have said. The development on the Faverdale East business park, in Darlington, would bring 700 jobs but concerns have been raised
A KALEIDOSCOPE of colour and design has gone on show at Darlington College of Techology. Work by students is being exhibited in the art department and the media and design centre, in Cleveland Avenue. First and second year students on National Diploma
AN art exhibition with a difference starts this weekend. Works of art will be exhibited in Thirsk shop windows between Saturday and July 11. Maps showing the Thirsk Art Trail will be available from the tourist information centre, the library and locations
FIREFIGHTERS have issued a warning after two blazes almost ended in tragedy. In one case, a man could not find the keys to his door and was found perched on the ledge of an upstairs window when emergency crews arrived at his home. And a family had a lucky
A serial drink-driver who killed a teenage moped rider in a crash on Christmas Eve was facing jail today. Estate agent Shamsi Ahmed was one-and-a-half times over the limit when he crashed his car into the back of the 50cc moped ridden by 16-year-old David
THE flies plagued Yorkshire Phoenix at Arundel yesterday and Yorkshire in turn attacked Sussex Sharks, crushing them by eight wickets to stay top of Division Two of the totesport League with six wins out of their last seven matches. Yorkshire's yellow
PEOPLE in the North-East put their southern counterparts to shame in the generosity stakes, research published last night shows. While the high-fliers of London are the most miserly in the country when it comes to giving to good causes, the good people
A BUSINESSWOMAN on a mission to transform the fortunes of a derelict Victorian church building has received a boost. Chris Moore has been granted planning permission to convert St Luke's Church in Sedgefield, County Dur-ham, into a health and fitness
A CONSERVATION group has voiced its opposition to a proposed windfarm off the Redcar coast. EDF Energy wants to build a windfarm half a mile off Coatham Sands, with 30 turbines capable of generating energy to power 72,000 homes. The town's MP, Vera Baird
COUNCIL officials have rendered a village CCTV system useless, by installing a security camera next to a tree. Plans to fell the 100-year-old tree have been put on hold, after it emerged that a colony of endangered bats could be using it as a roost. Two
ORGANISERS of a rally against the closure of a theatre and leisure complex were delighted after about 300 people supported the event. Nearly 4,000 people from across the North-East have signed petitions following anger at the proposed demolition of Billingham
FIT over-50s are celebrating thanks to a £2,550 cash boost for their Health Through Activity Group. The grant will pay for new equipment and help fund fun fitness sessions for the members, who meet weekly at the Neighbourhood Centre, St Paul's Road, in
HIGH-achieving youngsters have been rewarded with a weekend in the Lake District. Five pupils from Blackfyne Community School in Consett took part in a drama residential weekend on the shores of Derwent Water. They joined others pupils from Fyndoune Community
VISITORS to a market town will be able to enjoy a taste of France next month. The March de France will be bringing a 23-stall French Market to Westgate, in Guisborough, from Thursday, July 8, to Saturday, July 10. There will be a cheese lorry with a large
THE sound of rock legend Bruce Springsteen comes to Derwentside this weekend in the form of a tribute show. Born To Run, the only regularly gigging Springsteen cover band in the country, will play at The Lamplight Arts Centre, Stanley, on Saturday at
A TRAGIC North-East family have said farewell to their little angel. Heartbroken family and friends of Catherine Readshaw filled All Saints RC Church, in Ferryhill, County Durham, for her funeral on Saturday. They were determined not to mourn the loss
A NORTH-EAST motoring expert has backed calls by police for more cameras on the roads - including the controversial use of covert devices. Mick Bennett, head of the Cleveland Safety Camera Partnership, has welcomed the call by Richard Brunstrom, chief
DURHAM City was filled with music, dance and drama as more than 100 children joined a festival of street theatre. The event in the city centre on Saturday was staged by the Government-funded body Creative Partnerships Durham Sunderland. It was the culmination
PRIOR to Kyle Coetzer's excellent debut for Durham it was interesting to hear him say he wished Scotland all the best but had little further interest in playing for them. Why would he? In fact, what is the point of Scotland playing in the totesport League
The Elgin Marbles (Saturday BBC2); Stars In Their Eyes - Celebrity Special (Saturday ITV1): WAS Thomas Bruce, the seventh earl of Elgin, a common thief or a man concerned with saving historic art that would otherwise have been lost to the world? The Elgin
He has left his violent past behind him to found a charity for drug addicts, but how much has he changed? Nick Morrison meets former hard man and career criminal Ceorge Craig. IF you're expecting him to be full of remorse, then you'll be disappointed.
A FLORAL tribute in the shape of a pool table was a fitting goodbye to a father and son who died together. Mally Gellatly, 48, and his son Shaun, 28, used to play together at the Kicking Cuddy Inn, the venue for their wake. Villagers in Coxhoe, County
MIDDLESBROUGH will have to wait until Holland's quest for Euro 2004 glory is over before finalising a deal with defender Michael Reiziger. Reiziger has been a big part of the Dutch side's progress into the semi-finals in Portugal and early talks over
THE former manager of a troubled theatre has won a payout from the council that sacked her. Durham City Council is believed to have paid £10,000 to Janice Marthen, who used to manage the Gala Theatre, in Durham. The deal was struck to settle a claim for
TRADITIONAL and modern crafts were showcased at their finest when women's institutes from across County Durham held a craft and home produce fair at the weekend. The Durham County Federation of WIs held the contest for all 96 of its groups as a preview
A North council has a new official. David Archer has been appointed director of operational services at Scarborough Borough Council. Mr Archer, 49, will be in charge of a wide range of services, including tourism, economic development, planning, engineering
The women of one Middlesbrough SureStart centre have produced a poetry anthology about their experiences. Women's Editor Christen Pears meets some of them. A LIGHTED candle, hands of different colours joined together, a bird in flight, an open door, a
A TEAM of volunteers from a vet's practice has raised nearly £7,000 for Guide Dogs for the Blind after taking part in a mountain challenge. Three vets, three receptionists, and one nurse from Marske Vets in Marske, near Redcar, along with a nurse's son
A DAVID Beckham look-alike received some light-hearted abuse after England were knocked out of the European Championships. Shaun Campbell, 23, from Brandon, County Durham, came in for some ribbing after the country's dream of cup glory ended on Thursday
Police are investigating the sudden deaths of two people in flats in the same town. A man found in a flat at Grosvenor Crescent, Scarborough, has been named as Steven Dunn, 26, of Burnside, Eastfield, in the town. Police have not yet revealed the identity
SHOPLIFTERS will soon be banned from stores at a retail park following fears that persistent thieves, banned from a nearby town centre would change their targets. More than 30 prolific thieves were banned from entering about 60 stores in Middlesbrough
YOUNG DJs are being offered a chance to shine behind the decks in a Pop Idol-style competition at a North-East nightclub. With a date to perform in a top clubbing venue as the prize, the contest at the Cube, in Spennymoor, County Durham, is expected to
THE weather may have been wintry but the fashions were the height of summer - apart from the brollies. Rain failed to dampen the spirits of racegoers who flocked to the Northumberland Plate meeting at Gosforth Park, Newcastle. A total of 45,000 people
HUNDREDS of tourists are to be encouraged to visit the Wear Valley, with travel companies pledging to promote what the area after seeing what it has to offer. As part of a drive to maximise tourism in the district as a way of boosting the local economy
PROGRESS has been made on tackling anti-social behaviour in Darlington, a conference has been told. But the message from the meeting, held to update an action plan on the issue, was that everyone needs to work together to solve the problem. The meeting
COUNCILLORS have rejected plans for three homes. Wear Valley District Council's development control committee refused planning permission for a house in Witton Park, one in Fir Tree and two flats in Coundon. A two-storey detached house and garage at Alexandra
A PRIMARY school has been given a good report by the Government's Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted). Etherley Lane Primary School, in Bishop Auckland, was described by Ofsted inspectors as a very effective school. They found the achievement of
THE streets of Darlington were taken over by a host of mythical figures at the weekend as the annual community carnival came to town. Youngsters shrugged off the rain on Saturday to put on a spectacular procession with the theme of myths and legends.
VILLAGERS have celebrated the completion of a play area for teenagers with a fun day. The event was held in Ludworth Community Centre, on Saturday, by Ludworth Play Area Group to mark the opening of Teenzone. The project was developed by Groundwork East
A SCHOOL community is appealing to dog owners to clean up after their pets. Parents and governors at Escomb Primary School, in Escomb village, near Bishop Auckland, say irresponsible pet owners who allow dogs to foul footpaths near their homes are ruining
POLICE are warning people to check their homes are secure before going to bed after reports of late-night burglary attempts in the Sedgefield borough. On at least three occasions in the past fortnight insecure homes in Shildon and Newton Aycliffe have
A FLORAL tribute to a community's mining past could salvage its chances in a regional competition to find the most attractive villages. Residents of Fishburn were devastated last weekend when thoughtless vandals wrecked displays of bedding plants and
PLANS for a £7.3 m discovery centre in North Yorkshire are to be reviewed by county councillors following complaints. The scheme is earmarked for Harrogate but Gordon Gresty, county council director of business and community services, said some councillors
TWO councils have been criticised by conservationists. The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) said Ryedale and Richmondshire district councils were among 25 in the country allowing the growth of urban sprawl. It said the councils allowed low density
DURHAM'S Prince Bishops Shopping Centre has given a cash boost to a charity supporting people with a muscle wasting illness known as Rag Doll Disease. The centre has given the Tyne Tees branch of the Myasthenia Gravis Association £250 for research into
PEOPLE in the North-East put their southern counterparts to shame in the generosity stakes, research published last night shows. While the high-fliers of London are the most miserly in the country when it comes to giving to good causes, the good people
A £45m Darlington shopping centre could be larger than originally planned. Proposals have been submitted to Darlington Borough Council seeking permission for a former church and Inland Revenue building to be demolished to provide more retail space in
I TRIED hard to ignore it last Thursday but I just couldn't. Football is about as interesting to me as watching a bunch of shrieking men wearing silly face paint, watching other men running around with a small ball. But I got drawn in to the hysteria
A folk singer will perform an extra gig in his hectic schedule on Yorkshire Day to celebrate Redcar and Cleveland's move into Yorkshire. Vin Garbutt, born in South Bank, will perform at Redcar's Coatham Memorial Hall on Yorkshire Day, Saturday, July 31
SURVEYS are being carried out across North Yorkshire to record the amount of wildlife on the county's most important sites. Surveyors are being employed by North Yorkshire County Council to record wildflowers, grasses, trees, shrubs and breeding birds
THOUSANDS of cyclists from across the country attended the 60th anniversary of the York Cycle Show at the weekend. The show, held at York Racecourse, brought together enthusiasts, trade and cycling organisations. Attractions included championship racing
CAMPAIGNERS fighting proposals to move a public bench have vowed to battle on, after suffering an embarrassing setback. Protesters called a public meeting with councillors to argue their case - but lost a crucial residents' vote on the issue, when none
FIREFIGHTERS have issued a warning after two blazes almost ended in tragedy. In one case, a man could not find the keys to his door and was found perched on the ledge of an upstairs window when emergency crews arrived at his home. And a family had a lucky
A FIRE brigade in the North-East has won an award for its dedication to staff training. County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service has been re-awarded Investor in People status. It follows a comprehensive internal review. The service was also
Home Secretary David Blunkett was refusing to give way last night in the face of fierce criticism of his handling of the Soham inquiry. Both Kevin Wells, father of victim Holly Wells, and former top policeman Lord Mackenzie opposed his proposed action
Home Secretary David Blunkett was refusing to give way last night in the face of fierce criticism of his handling of the Soham inquiry. Both Kevin Wells, father of victim Holly Wells, and former top policeman Lord Mackenzie opposed his proposed action
DURHAM City was filled with music, dance and drama as more than 100 children joined a festival of street theatre. The event in the city centre on Saturday was staged by the Government-funded body Creative Partnerships Durham Sunderland. It was the culmination
A FARMER'S wife has won a £20,000 grant to support her business. Christine Thompson runs Reagarth Farm Administration Services from her family's tenanted farm at Helmsley. The business provides farm secretarial services, including book-keeping and VAT
Henmania roared through Wimbledon on People's Sunday as the British number one gave another rollercoaster performance yesterday to ensure his place in the fourth round of the tournament. Tim Henman was buoyed by the energy of a madcap crowd which cheered
BEEFY bodybuilder Eddie Ellwood is encouraging people to keep fit and improve their environment at the same time. The former Mr Universe has been called in to give some essential fitness advice to teams of volunteers taking part in the North-East's Bloomin
THE countdown to a spectacular opera production has begun in earnest after performers recorded a CD of music from the show. Teesside soprano Suzannah Clarke joined young singers from Northern Stage at The Forum music centre, in Darlington, for the recording
THE team from the North-East proved yet again yesterday how much they like batting in the South-West as Durham amassed their third highest one-day league total at Taunton. But they had to suffer a few alarms and a nasty injury before they could secure
Ballyhurry, who can be excused a poor run on easy ground last time, is worth another chance back on his favoured fast ground in the George Wimpey East Scotland Ltd Handicap over seven furlongs at Musselburgh. From the in-form Jim Goldie stable, the seven-year-old
CREATIVE youngsters will be competing to make the best sandcastle in the North-East. Children from 45 primary schools, stretching from Hartlepool to north Northumberland, will converge on Sandhaven beach, South Shields, on July 9, for the annual Sandcastle
A TOWN hopes to launch a scheme to help to tackle violence on its streets and in its pubs. Police say street violence and violence in pubs in Guisborough is on the increase but say the No Winners in this Fight campaign would help to improve the safety
STUDENTS have been given a taste of Greek culture as part of a topical summer learning project. More than 40 year nine pupils from Hartlepool's six secondary schools took part in a Greek language lesson and Greek food tasting session at Hartlepool Education
A folk singer will perform an extra gig in his hectic schedule on Yorkshire Day to celebrate Redcar and Cleveland's move into Yorkshire. Vin Garbutt, born in South Bank, will perform at Redcar's Coatham Memorial Hall on Yorkshire Day, Saturday, July 31
A police chief has slammed the "staggering arrogance'' of a hard core of drink-drivers who put the lives of others at risk. Cleveland's Assistant Chief Constable Adam Briggs said: "What is worse despite repeated campaigns about the dangers of taking drink
WIND FARM HOW disappointing to read English Nature adding its opposition to the plans by EDP Energy to construct a wind farm off Coatham Sands near Redcar. Vera Baird, Dari Taylor, Ashok Kumar and Frank Cook should support our government's ambitious target
THE chief constable of an under-fire police force has been called to appear before a council's influential scrutiny committee. Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council is trying to set up the meeting with Cleveland Police's Chief Constable Sean Price for
THE Stanley Blues Festival, whose future had appeared to be in doubt, has announced this year's line-up. The 12th festival will be held on Saturday, August 7, from noon until 6.30pm, on the King's Head Field. The free event will feature six acts, including
WIND FARM: HOW disappointing to read English Nature adding its opposition to the plans by EDP Energy to construct a wind farm off Coatham Sands near Redcar. Vera Baird, Dari Taylor, Ashok Kumar and Frank Cook should support our government's ambitious
MIDDLESBROUGH will have to wait until Holland's quest for Euro 2004 glory is over before finalising a deal with defender Michael Reiziger. Reiziger has been a big part of the Dutch side's progress into the semi-finals in Portugal and early talks over
A SCHOOL that played host to a popular national radio programme has hailed the event a success. Radio Four's Any Questions? was broadcast live from the dining hall at Durham School, Durham City, on Friday. Rodney Thomas, the school's senior master, said
DETECTIVES hunting the murder weapon used in the brutal slaying of Julie Smailes began digging up a garden this week. Miss Smailes was found dead in her home in Wingrove Terrace, Leadgate, near Consett, in October 1996. The 27-year-old sales manager,
IT wasn't the wonder of what I might find at the other end of the grotto that enticed me further in, but the sweet, soft scent of mock orange in full bloom. The large bush was growing just above the exit and the warmth of the midsummer's day sunshine
IT wasn't the wonder of what I might find at the other end of the grotto that enticed me further in, but the sweet, soft scent of mock orange in full bloom. The large bush was growing just above the exit and the warmth of the midsummer's day sunshine
Tim Henman has called for 'People's Sunday' to become an annual event at Wimbledon after beating Morocco's Hicham Arazi to move into the fourth round for the ninth year in a row. Cheered on by a fanatical partisan crowd who had queued from Saturday night
A woman was bitten on the ankle and her terrier savaged by a Japanese Akita as she walked behind a community centre on Elm Tree Avenue, Stockton, at the weekend. The owner of the Akita, a 29-year-old Stockton man, has been reported for summons by Cleveland
Militants loyal to suspected al Qaida terrorist Abu Musab al-Zarqawi have threatened to behead three Turkish hostages, fanning tensions as US President George Bush arrived in Turkey. The Arab television station Al-Jazeera broadcast a video issued by the
THE Northern Echo has launched this year's Big Chance competition, which aims to find the best band or artist from the region. The competition, presented with Music Zone, will help a local artist or band along the road to success with a fantastic package
DURHAM University students will earn a total of £9m doing summer holiday work, says a bank. A study by the Royal Bank of Scotland shows that four-fifths of the university's undergraduates plan to take a vacation job. And the bank says its study revealed
FLYBE has today announced it will open up new routes to the South East from Newcastle International Airport this winter. Europe's third largest budget airline will add Southampton and Exeter to its destination list from October. The low-cost flyer already
THE decline of some of the region's most threatened wildlife species has been reversed with the help of ten years of National Lottery money, according to figures published today. The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) revealed that £7.3m had been invested in
FIVE-HUNDRED balloons were released to celebrate the opening of a centre for children and young families. North Durham Labour MP Kevan Jones did the honours on Saturday as Stanley's SureStart scheme moved into premises in the centre of the town. The scheme
A driver who was talking on a mobile phone when he crashed his delivery van into a pensioner's vehicle has been warned he is facing jail. Alan Milbanke, 32, admitted causing the death of grandfather Derek Davies after he lost control of his Mercedes Sprinter
PUPILS have been given an insight into the harsh realities of life, at a session designed to highlight safety issues. Darlington Primary Care Trust and the police staged the event for 12 and 13-year-olds at the town's Eastbourne Comprehensive School.
THE first out-of-hours civil marriage ceremony to be performed in Darlington took place at the weekend, as a couple celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. Des Thirtle arranged a surprise wedding vows renewal service for his wife, Betty, at Darlington
FIVE-HUNDRED balloons were released to celebrate the opening of a centre for children and young families. North Durham Labour MP Kevan Jones did the honours on Saturday as Stanley's SureStart scheme moved into premises in the centre of the town. The scheme
AN arts and theatre company has launched a community enterprise putting items it has collected over more than a decade to good use. Jack in the Box is a new company that, from September, will hire costumes, props and specialist equipment for use in schools
ENVIRONMENT groups hope birds could help hospital patients on the road to recovery. Groups across Chester-le-Street banded together to install a bird feeding station in the grounds of the town's new hospital. Spokesman Paul Griffin said: "Lots of studies
SERVICES provided by Durham County Council for people with learning disabilities are on target to achieve an excellence rating. A team from the Social Services Inspectorate, which includes an assessor with learning disabilities, found that the county
TEENAGERS have been letting their hair down after finishing their GCSE exams. Easington Community School pupils took part in a prom night at Lumley Castle, Chester-le-Street. The boys wore tuxedos and the girls wore fishtail dresses. Most travelled in
CONTROVERSIAL plans to extend the opening times of a town centre bar could be blocked after police told of their concerns of increased late-night disorder. Vienna, in Exchange Place, Middlesbrough, which can open until 1am, wants to extend its opening
GATESHEAD is proving a popular place for Yelena Isinbayeva. A year after breaking the world record in the pole vault at the International Stadium, she repeated the feat at yesterday's Norwich Union British Grand Prix. The Russian cleared 4.82m 12 months
MARION Jones is confident she will be at the Olympic Games, despite the fact she is currently at the centre of the biggest doping scandal to hit US athletics. The American sprinter, who finished second in the women's long jump at yesterday's Norwich Union
CHILDREN were joined by Redcar MP Vera Baird when they learned about rail safety. More than 1,800 pupils in east Cleveland are taking part in the tenth annual Crucial Crew Scheme aimed at educating them about dangerous situations. Scenarios to teach the
PEOPLE in the North-East put their southern counterparts to shame in the generosity stakes, research published last night shows. While the high-fliers of London are the most miserly in the country when it comes to giving to good causes, the good people
RICHMOND pupils helped give children an insight into the harsh realities of life at a session designed to highlight safety issues. Darlington Primary Care Trust (PCT) and the police staged the event for children aged 12 and 13 from Eastbourne Comprehensive
IT may not have been a world or European record but smashing the best time for 10,000m ever seen at Gateshead still held great significance for Paula Radcliffe. The darling of British women's distance running knocked around two minutes off the mark in
PEOPLE in the North-East are being asked to help shape the priorities of the new distributor of National Lottery money. The Big Lottery Fund has been formed from the New Opportunities and the Community Fund, which previously made donations to good causes
IT is apparent that the Prime Minister will have his work cut out to get the support of the British electorate for the proposed EU constitution. Even taking into account that the referendum is still a considerable time away, opposition to the constitution
Milan Baros staked his claim to be named the player of the tournament with a superb double to send the Czech Republic surging into the semi-finals of Euro 2004. The 22-year-old Liverpool striker took his tally in the competition to five goals and has
Two North-East families are paying tribute to their fun-loving sons - killed in a horrific accident near Manchester on Friday afternoon. Kevin Mallows, 20, of Potter Place, in Stanley, County Durham, and Neil Armstrong, 20, of Staithes Road, Redcar died
THE first woman ambulance service cyclist outside London has been appointed in the region. Kate Walker, 31, has joined the Tees East and North Yorkshire Ambulance Service's Life-Cycle team in York, with Neil Green, 27. They are the newest members of the
THE world-famous 199 Whitby steps have been saved after a major fundraising campaign reached its target in only three months. Each of the steps, which feature in Bram Stoker's classic horror story Dracula, has been sponsored for £1,000 and will now be
A GARDENING show which was axed in its 30th year has been saved. Organiser Durham City Council decided to drop the city's annual autumn horticultural show, also known as the garden produce show, because of falling entries, rising costs and access problems
