'WHERE'S Alvin?" whinged my wife as yet another smarty pants programme about being thrifty arrived on our screens this week without the avuncular US presenter Mr Hall. His rib-tickling and slightly camp Your Money Or Your Life series on BBC2 has been
Keanu Reeves sees demons in his latest movie, Constantine, and has his sights set on more ghostly goings-on for his next project. He talks to Steve Pratt about bonding with the bard. If anyone out there is contemplating making a film out of Shakespeare's
GARETH SOUTHGATE has highlighted the importance of Middlesbrough's match with Southampton by claiming there is an even bigger urgency for victory than there was in Lisbon on Thursday. The Saints arrive at the Riverside Stadium tomorrow struggling against
THE architect who designed one of the region's most famous modern landmarks has died. British-born architect Ralph Erskine, the man who created Newcastle's Byker Wall, died in Stockholm, Sweden on Wednesday. The 2,000-home housing estate was built in
ON the face of it, an old cowshed does not sound like the ideal place for a slap-up meal - but John and Sue Morley thought otherwise. They wanted to expand the bed-and-breakfast business at their farm overlooking Whitby and the Esk Valley, North Yorkshire
HIGH UK gas prices are threatening the competitiveness of the region's chemicals industry and could lead to companies pulling out of this country, a pressure group has warned. Prices for gas have been so volatile in recent weeks that the Chemical Industries
A DALES artist has an exhibition of watercolours opening on his own doorstep tomorrow. Jason Lowes, from Weardale, paints the landscapes and wildlife of the North Pennines. Mr Lowes has worked full-time on his paintings since a car accident five years
When Ken Levine and David Isaacs were writing scripts for the TV series M*A*S*H, they had no idea that nearly 30 years later they'd still be watching and discussing the episodes. But here they are - on the line from Los Angeles - recalling their work
POLICE searching for a former miner who mysteriously disappeared three years ago have made an arrest. Edward Donnelly, 56, went missing from the home he shared with his sister in Fynway, Sacriston, near Chester-le-Street, County Durham, on March 25, 2002
Darlington's destiny is their own hands. They are almost within touching distance of securing a place in the play-offs and a fair estimate suggests they need five wins from their remaining nine games to achieve that goal. But manager David Hodgson has
GRAEME Souness believes Newcastle can still win an automatic UEFA Cup place this season. The United boss made the claim with the dust yet to settle on rumours circulating St James' Park suggesting they may resort to the much-maligned Intertoto Cup as
LAWYERS representing the family of a North-East airman killed when he was deliberately exposed to a deadly nerve agent have held preliminary compensation talks with the Government. Consett-born serviceman Ronald Maddison died in 1953 at the MoD base at
LAWYERS representing the family of a North-East airman killed when he was deliberately exposed to a deadly nerve agent have held preliminary compensation talks with the Government. Consett-born serviceman Ronald Maddison died in 1953 at the MoD base at
WE live beneath a rookery. It's a dangerous place at this time of year. For the last fortnight, the rooks have been viciously vandalising the tree tops, wrenching off long twigs and flapping them unsteadily back towards their nests. But the twigs are
STUDENTS battled it out in the water at an annual swimming tournament. The Darlington large primary schools swimming gala took place at the Dolphin Centre this week. The results were: One Length Freestyle Boys: 1st Josh Thompson - Abbey, 2nd Andrew Wilson
THE election date has not been announced but the campaigning is at full throttle. Tony Blair is refusing to back off from his attack on the Tories for allegedly planning £35bn "cuts" in public spending, despite being accused of misrepresenting the figures
FRANCK QUEUDRUE has warned his team-mates he doesn't want to be mixing with any depressed faces after their UEFA Cup exit, and expects to see an instant reaction at the Riverside Stadium tomorrow. Boro's first European campaign ended in the Estadio Jose
'WHERE'S Alvin?" whinged my wife as yet another smarty pants programme about being thrifty arrived on our screens this week without the avuncular US presenter Mr Hall. His rib-tickling and slightly camp Your Money Or Your Life series on BBC2 has been
FRANCK QUEUDRUE has warned his team-mates he doesn't want to be mixing with any depressed faces after their UEFA Cup exit, and expects to see an instant reaction at the Riverside Stadium tomorrow. Boro's first European campaign ended in the Estadio Jose
THE family of a teenager murdered by double-killer George Leigers have reacted with anger to a ruling that he could be released from prison. Judges at the Criminal Appeal Court in London have ordered that Leigers should be considered for parole after
IT'S do-or-die for Darlington Mowden Park today when they entertain Tynedale knowing that defeat could prove terminal in their battle to preserve national league status. With five games left this and the visit of Fylde on April 30 are the best chances
TWO top football figures took part in a fans' forum this week. Darlington FC assistant manager Mark Proctor and midfielder Craig Hignett visited The Green Tree pub, in Brompton, Northallerton. The forum was arranged by the Darlo Tykes supporters. Fans
IT'S do-or-die for Darlington Mowden Park today when they entertain Tynedale knowing that defeat could prove terminal in their battle to preserve national league status. With five games left this and the visit of Fylde on April 30 are the best chances
KEEN ramblers are welcome to join a pilgrimage to mark the feast day for a Northern saint, tomorrow. Members of the Northumbrian Association are following the route taken by monks carrying the remains of St Cuthbert to Durham, where the cathedral was
BOSSES at Darlington Football Club have rejected a plea from an independent supporters' group for an open debate about the uncertainty surrounding the Quakers' future. Rumours about the club's future ownership have spread in recent weeks, with former
A CONSTRUCTION company which puts together buildings in its factory before transporting them to a building site has completed the design and building of a £2.3m cardiac centre for a hospital. Yorkon, the York-based subsidiary of Portakabin, completed
AN environmental group has organised two meetings to discuss the possibility of a "super ship" breaking yard in the region. An international dispute about bringing US Navy so-called ghost or toxic ships to Able UK's Graythorpe yard, near Hartlepool, will
THE NHS: I AM 44 years old and have been schizophrenic for 27 years. In this time, I have seen big changes in the mental health field. The new emergency psychiatric team told me that I should come into the new hospital at West Park in Darlington. The
Darlington's destiny is their own hands. They are almost within touching distance of securing a place in the play-offs and a fair estimate suggests they need five wins from their remaining nine games to achieve that goal. But manager David Hodgson has
A TERRIFIED burglary victim has urged the culprits to search their consciences and return her irreplaceable jewellery. The 63-year-old retired teacher was mortified when she returned home to find a masked burglar on her doorstep and all the rooms ransacked
DARREN Craddock admits he's in an unenviable position at Hartlepool United. The defender, recently turned 20, is back in the Pool side after spending most of this season on the sidelines. Ahead of today's game at play-off rivals Bradford City, the right-back
PUPILS from schools across the North-East brought their detective skills to bear after being set an unusually hot challenge by a university. Eight sixth-form teams were tasked with solving the mystery of how an old lady had been poisoned - home-made curry
A YOUNG lurcher dog is back home recovering after becoming impaled on a metal pole while being exercised by his owner on a riverbank run. Banjo is slowly getting back to fitness and becoming more adventurous after overcoming a two-and-a-half hour operation
KITCHEN equipment group Aga said increasing international demand for its legendary cookers helped it serve up another record performance. The company said its products now had an established presence outside the UK, with an adapted version of its Rangemaster
A COUNCIL hopes its new headquarters will help residents access vital services on their doorstep. The £125,000 transformation of Chilton Town Council's offices could pave the way for more service providers to move in. The work to Hutton House was initially
HIGH UK gas prices are threatening the competitiveness of the region's chemicals industry and could lead to companies pulling out of this country, a pressure group has warned. Prices for gas have been so volatile in recent weeks that the Chemical Industries
A YOUNG lurcher dog is back home recovering after becoming impaled on a metal pole while being exercised by his owner on a riverbank run. Banjo is slowly getting back to fitness and becoming more adventurous after overcoming a two-and-a-half hour operation
A COLLEGE teacher is taking part in a South African exchange scheme aimed at improving schools at home and abroad. Melanie Lyons is one of a dozen teachers from across the United Kingdom, taking part in the British Council-funded project to forge new
WHEN Patrick Vieira's deflected winner looped over Shay Given to end Newcastle's 2004, the miserable manner of the goal summed up the mood of malevolence sweeping across Tyneside. Graeme Souness, the manager the fans did not want, had been unable to prevent
WHEN Plymouth boss Bobby Williamson described Sunderland's squad as "one of the strongest in the division" on Tuesday night, few were prepared to disagree. After all, you do not get to the top of the table unless you are able to beat most of the teams
A RETIRED couple are selling their £300,000 home and setting sail on a 500-mile voyage across France. Barry and Kath Dickens, from Darlington, plan to take their time journeying along the Canal du Midi, from the Mediterranean Sea to the Atlantic Ocean
Jermaine Jenas spoke yesterday of his frustration at being left out of the Newcastle first team, as manager Graeme Sounness issued a 'hands-off' warning to the England midfielder's potential suitors. Jenas has spent time on the United sidelines recently
EDUCATION chiefs are holding talks with the Vardy Foundation that could lead to two more schools coming under its control in the North-East. The Durham evangelical charity is in talks with Sunderland and Northumberland local education authorities. It
A SMALL North hospital has been rated as among the best in the country when it comes to dealing with strokes. Figures released by the Royal College of Physicians and the Healthcare Commission show that the Rutson Rehabilitation Hospital, in Northallerton
POLICE searching for a former miner who mysteriously disappeared three years ago have made an arrest. Edward Donnelly, 56, went missing from the home he shared with his sister in Fynway, Sacriston, near Chester-le-Street, County Durham, on March 25, 2002
AFTER a stunning three-winner Cheltenham Festival haul, the Howard Johnson bandwagon moves much nearer to home at Newcastle, where Top Style (1.40) has a great chance in the opener. The money was down when Top Style justified favouritism in clear-cut
HEALTH expert Professor Ara Darzi could have been forgiven for expecting a hostile reception at yesterday's extraordinary meeting of Hartlepool Borough Council. After all, the leading surgeon was brought in by Health Secretary John Reid to advise on a
NEWCASTLE will be meeting some "old friends" when they take on Sporting Lisbon in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup next month - but chairman Freddy Shepherd has confirmed Hugo Viana will not be amongst them. The Magpies have already met the Portuguese
A NORTH-EAST bus station will close after the last bus tomorrow as work starts on a £250,000 facelift. Little has been done to the 1970s-built facility in Durham City in recent years which has been criticised for giving visitors arriving by bus a poor
HEART transplant patient Stuart Watt is returning to his home village to hold the latest in his series of charity fund- raising events. For the past decade, the 59-year-old, who had his first heart attack in 1993 and received a transplant two years later
ORGANISERS of a major event encouraging teenagers in Darlington to say no to drugs have issued a warning after scores of invalid tickets were sold. The Muaythai Against Drugs initiative, backed by Darlington Boxing and Martial Academy, was launched last
CIVIC leaders joined family and friends yesterday to pay their last respects to a prominent councillor who gave decades of public service. James "Jim" Mackintosh died, aged 81, after a short illness in Dryburn Park Nursing Home, alongside the University
HORSE racing fans saluted the North-East yesterday as a County Durham trainer and jockey secured their places among the sport's elite. Trainer Howard Johnson and jockey Graham Lee beat the odds to claim the titles of leading trainer and jockey on the
Retailers are set to dominate the financial headlines next week, although firms in a range of other sectors will also update the market with trading figures. The City will be anxiously waiting results from supermarket group Morrisons on Wednesday - less
POLICE searching for a former miner who mysteriously disappeared three years ago have made an arrest. Edward Donnelly, 56, went missing from the home he shared with his sister in Fynway, Sacriston, near Chester-le-Street, County Durham, on March 25, 2002
A STUDENT drama festival that has attracted actors Richard Wilson and Prunella Scales got under way yesterday. The National Student Drama Festival, in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, is celebrating its 50th anniversary. It features students from all over
MORTGAGE lending by banks rose slightly higher than expected last month, figures showed yesterday. Net mortgage lending in February increased by £4.8bn, according to data from the British Bankers Association (BBA). The figure was £600m stronger than January's
When Ken Levine and David Isaacs were writing scripts for the TV series M*A*S*H, they had no idea that nearly 30 years later they'd still be watching and discussing the episodes. But here they are - on the line from Los Angeles - recalling their work
TWO doorstep conmen who preyed on old and vulnerable people were yesterday beginning lengthy prison sentences. Michael Price and Andrew Thompson, who posed as gardeners, were jailed thanks to an off-duty police officer's swift actions. Durham Crown Court
LAWYERS representing the family of a North-East airman killed when he was deliberately exposed to a deadly nerve agent have held preliminary compensation talks with the Government. Consett-born serviceman Ronald Maddison died in 1953 at the MoD base at
A man who tried to abduct a girl as she walked home after visiting a friend is being hunted by police. The nine-year-old was grabbed by the shoulder and dragged by the scruff of her collar on a pathway at Greatham, near Hartlepool. Police said the girl
POLICE have launched an advertising campaign to highlight the continuing fight to tackle car crime. Since the launch of Operation Hatch, figures have fallen, and Cleveland Police are trying to drive home the message to motorists. Radio advertisements,
MOST Sunderland fans would admit to dreaming about promotion to the Premiership and, for manager Mick McCarthy, things are no different. The Black Cats boss has endured a run of sleepless nights ahead of this afternoon's Championship clash with Coventry
NEWCASTLE will be meeting some "old friends" when they take on Sporting Lisbon in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup next month - but chairman Freddy Shepherd has confirmed Hugo Viana will not be amongst them. The Magpies have already met the Portuguese
AN outdoor adventure centre has received a welcome funding boost thanks to the Big Lottery Fund. The £53,000 grant will pay for work on shower and toilet facilities and better disabled access at the Stainsacre Hall Residential Education and Activity Centre
MUSEUM bosses face an anxious weekend before they learn if they have been shortlisted for one of Britain's biggest arts prizes. Locomotion: The National Railway Museum, in Shildon, County Durham, will hear on Tuesday if it has made it to the finals of
VILLAGERS' efforts to further improve the appearance and image of their community have received a boost. Hartlepool Council has approved funding of £500 after a request for support from the Greatham in Bloom organisation. The money, which has been made
A NORTH-EAST shopping centre has been sold for more than £25m. Darlington's Queen Street Shopping Centre has been bought from St Martin's Property Group by the Halladale Group and an unnamed co-investor. Halladale would not comment on the sale last night
