Archive

  • Helping to shed light on burglars

    RESIDENTS wanting to keep one step ahead of burglars will soon be able to shed some light on their criminal activities. With the winter months rapidly approaching, crime prevention officers are taking over a town centre shop to give away items aimed at

  • Police hunt sand dunes for man

    POLICE yesterday began searching sand dunes along a North-East coast for a missing man. Police are growing increasingly concerned for Derek Tony Franks, 43, of Blyth, Northumberland. Officers, helped by a police helicopter and 20 search and rescue team

  • TV presenter puts wedding gown on display for charity

    THE wedding dress worn by television news presenter Carol Malia will be among the exhibits at a charity fashion show. The gown worn by the BBC1 Look North presenter will be on display in The Three Tuns Hotel, Durham City next Thursday. The show is being

  • Bodies of 100 cats found in city flat

    THE bodies of about 100 cats, some stuffed behind radiators and inside fridges, were found inside a flat, the RSPCA said yesterday. Inspectors made the discovery after they were called to the flat, in the Beechwood area of Leeds, by a cleaning company

  • Deepcut case open despite inquiry being closed

    A police force which investigated the deaths of four recruits at the Deepcut army barracks today revealed that the case was still open two years after the inquiry was apparently completed. Families of the dead soldiers spoke of ''amazement'' at the revelation

  • Couple's urge to merge on the verge

    A COUPLE'S lust got the better of them in front of shocked passers-by at a village bus stop. Pedestrians rang police after seeing Michelle Randall and Michael Langley having sex on a patch of grass behind the shelter in Commercial Street, Brandon, near

  • Police say no let-up in hunt for Jenny

    POLICE said last night that there would be no let-up in the search for missing teenager Jenny Nicholl, three months after she vanished. Detectives also issued a new photograph of the 19-year-old. Miss Nicholl was last seen by her parents at their home

  • Boumsong to prove his worth

    Jean-Alain Boumsong wants to win the critics over for the good of the Newcastle United manager, as much as himself. The £8m Frenchman has looked anything but value for money this season after a string of errors, most notably a horror show in the 2-0 defeat

  • 'Hooligans aren't bad people'

    At the heart of a firm of football hooligans, Paul Debrick wreaked mayhem up and down the country for 20 years. But while he may have given up his life of violence, it doesn't mean he has any regrets. Nick Morrison reports. PAUL Debrick wants to make

  • Lost engineer fell on sharp railings

    AN engineer from the North-East with a "hopeless sense of direction" died after he took a short cut and fell on to railings, an inquest heard. Father-of-two Keith Stevens, 27, tried to scale a fence in London's West End after losing his way on a drunken

  • Mine claims inquiry delayed

    AN inquiry into the Department of Trade and Industry's handling of the multi-million pound compensation scheme for former miners is now set to report its findings next month. It was expected it would reach its conclusions by the end of this month, but

  • Honoured - the team who caught a four-time killer

    POLICE officers and civilians who helped bring quadruple killer Mark Hobson to justice have received awards. Earlier this year, Hobson was convicted of murdering twin sisters Claire and Diane Sanderson and elderly couple James and Joan Britton. The bodies

  • Typist fleeced £2,500 from solicitor

    A TEENAGER who stole £2,500 from her solicitor employers and attempted to take thousands more narrowly escaped a jail sentence yesterday. After previously being warned that custody was almost inevitable for such a serious breach of trust, magistrates

  • Strikers protest outside CIS

    PROTESTS were held outside some North-East branches of Co-operative Insurance Society (CIS) yesterday as a 48-hour strike continued. Workers for the Co-op's insurance arm were staging the strike in protest against new contracts which they claim will reduce

  • New dad in car plunge tragedy

    A TEENAGER died after his car plunged 200ft down a cliff - weeks after becoming a father. Luke Demsey, 18, was driving a Ford Escort on the racecourse gallops near Middleham, North Yorkshire, when he lost control. The vehicle rolled down the cliff and

  • Stockton's spuggie spreads her wings

    FIRST an apology. A grovelling, fawning, knees-bent apology of the sort usually reserved for High Court and humble pie factory. Two weeks ago, a favour to a friend, we previewed a folk music evening at the Redworth Hall Hotel near Shildon in aid of worthy

  • Kruis takes top award as Yorkshire celebrate

    South African fast bowler Deon Kruis received Yorkshire's player of the year trophy at the end of season dinner and presentation night at Headingley. Kruis, signed as a Kolpak player, bowled 584.3 overs in the Championship and claimed 64 wickets, the

  • Villagers get direct bus link into city

    VILLAGERS will get a direct bus link to Newcastle in time for the Christmas shopping rush. Stanley Buses plan to extend the route of the MC1, which runs from Lanchester to Gateshead's MetroCentre, to the city's Eldon Square bus station. The company intends

  • Lucky pensioners win hamper prizes

    TWO pensioners and a residential care home have won luxury hampers in a prize draw. Stockton Borough Council's community wardens put together gift baskets from donations made by local shops and businesses, helping to give something back to some of the

  • End of BSE ban brings hope to UK's farmers

    THE end is in sight for the nine-year ban on exports of British beef. A favourable EU inspection report published yesterday on the success of BSE prevention efforts at British farms and slaughterhouses signals unrestricted worldwide sales could begin

  • Wake Up call for Channon's Flashy star

    THE right to be crowned this season's top two-year-old filly could well be decided by the outcome of today's Group 1 Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket. Having already bagged a couple of Group 2 races, Mick Channon's Flashy Wings is currently the pretender

  • McClaren determined to repay Gibson's faith

    FRESH from receiving a glowing and timely endorsement from Steve Gibson, under-fire Middlesbrough manager Steve McClaren would love nothing more than to repay his chairman by delivering sustained success on the field this season. McClaren, who insists

  • Surgical tools caused tonsil patient's death

    Disposable surgical instruments caused a woman's death and hampered efforts to save her life, an inquest jury ruled yesterday. The verdict came at the end of a much-delayed inquest on 33-year-old Elaine Basham, from Loftus, east Cleveland, who died in

  • On TV last night

    The Story Of 1 (BBC1) The Day That James Dean Died (five) TWO and two make four - that much I can manage. Otherwise mathematics don't add up for me. The BBC, in its infinite wisdom, wants to educate me and, knowing they can't count on numbers to pull

  • It's adults who see the differences

    THE lithe brown skinned Italian boy - about eight perhaps - was being coached by his older brother as they splashed in the hotel pool. "Doo yoou larve mee?" he recited, for all the world like Manuel in Fawlty Towers practising his English. He tried it

  • Murder-charge man extradited to Singapore

    A BUSINESSMAN brought up in the North-East is in a Singapore jail after he was extradited to face double murder charges. Millionaire Michael McCrea, 48, has been flown out of Australia, sources in the Asian city state told The Northern Echo. The extradition

  • New dad dies as car goes over cliff

    A TEENAGER died after his car plunged 200ft down a cliff - weeks after becoming a father. Luke Demsey, 18, was driving a Ford Escort on the racecourse gallops near Middleham, North Yorkshire, when he lost control. The vehicle rolled down the cliff and

  • Man sent to jail for groping girl, 15, in street

    A MAN who groped a teenage girl in a street was yesterday jailed for 18 months. Darren Peacock, 34, who had been drinking, followed the 15-year-old girl into the street near his home and placed one hand on her stomach and the other down her trousers,

  • Wake Up call for Channon's Flashy star

    THE right to be crowned this season's top two-year-old filly could well be decided by the outcome of today's Group 1 Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket. Having already bagged a couple of Group 2 races, Mick Channon's Flashy Wings is currently the pretender

  • Zoe's teddy is off on its travels

    A HOSPICE'S cuddly bear mascot is to become a much-travelled teddy. Chemical giants Huntsman on Teesside have had the teddy bear logo of Normanby-based baby hospice Zoe's Place painted on the back of a road tanker. The firm also gave cheques totalling

  • Too much respect proving costly for Quakers

    David Duke believes Darlington are going through a rough spell because opposition teams are paying them too much respect. The former Swindon full-back made his fourth start of the season in Tuesday's home draw with Boston United, a game which saw the

  • Round the twist with lists

    ONE rugby shirt, two pairs of sports shorts, one calculator, one wallet, four locker keys, a blazer, tie, three pairs of swimming trunks, four towels, countless sports socks and one pair of football boots. These are just a few of the things my particularly

  • School chefs are one step ahead of Government's junk food ban

    AS Education Secretary Ruth Kelly announced plans to outlaw junk food in schools, more than 100 cooks celebrated raising meal standards. The school cooks in County Durham passed a nutrition and diet qualification. The cooks, who work for catering company

  • Parishes join forces to sort out the mess left behind by dogs

    PARISH councils in Teesdale have said they must work together to solve the problem of dog mess in the county. At a meeting organised by Etherley Parish Council, parish councillors said they needed to persuade Teesdale District Council that dog waste was

  • Whisky and crisps for Charlie, aged 100

    PEOPLE at Middlesbrough's Newport Day Care Centre have raised their glasses in salute to a regular visitor. Charlie Simpson who is fond of whisky and crisps, had plenty to celebrate his 100th birthday with this week. Sainsbury's sent the former railway

  • Service benefits from major changes

    A COUNCIL says residents are benefiting from a shake-up of one of its main services which was once rated among the lowest in the country. Sedgefield Borough Council is now in the top 25 per cent of local authorities in the UK when it comes to processing

  • An hour extra drinking at club

    A NIGHTCLUB was yesterday granted permission to serve alcohol for longer. The Lounge, in Commercial Street, Darlington, was granted a licence to sell alcohol from 11am to 3am, Mondays to Sundays. The venue previously had a licence for 11am to 2am, from

  • Innovative fostering scheme is launched

    AN innovative fostering scheme is to be piloted by North Yorkshire County Council. The project, known as Treatment Foster Care, is aimed at helping young people with complex needs to turn their lives around. It will provide youngsters with an intensive

  • Police seek information on taxi collisions

    Police are appealing for information after a series of collisions involving a taxi at several locations in south Durham at the weekend. The white 14-seater minibus left the Crosshills Hotel, in Sedgefield village, at about midnight on Sunday (September

  • Homeless couple lose last possessions in tent blaze

    A HOMELESS couple who have been living in a tent for the past five months have lost all of their possessions in a fire. Kevin and Susan Howe say youths may have started the blaze which destroyed their tent at the side of the River Tees at Barnard Castle

  • 'Treasure' Lily marks century

    FORMER cleaner Lily Pringle is celebrating reaching her century. One of the Hambleton district's oldest residents, Mrs Pringle has lived at St Catherine's Care Home in Shipton-by-Beningbrough for nearly five years. Councillor Mollie Haigh was among the

  • Police hunt sand dunes for man

    POLICE yesterday began searching sand dunes along a North-East coast for a missing man. Police are growing increasingly concerned for Derek Tony Franks, 43, of Blyth, Northumberland. Officers, helped by a police helicopter and 20 search and rescue team

  • PM facing second defeat over NHS plans

    A £3bn scheme to expand the "privatisation" of the NHS will go ahead despite its almost certain rejection by Labour's conference, the government vowed last night. Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt pledged to press ahead with plans for a second wave of

  • Focus on optician staff who plan charity dip

    STAFF at an opticians will be raising cash for charity when they take a dip in the North Sea next month. As October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, the team from Specsavers opticians, in Redcar, have decided to take the plunge on Saturday, October 22

  • Call for controls on colour of buildings

    A CONSERVATION chief is urging action to control the painting of stonework facades on buildings to halt further erosion of a town centre's special character. Harrogate Civic Society is calling for planning controls amid growing concern over commercial

  • Appeal to kind helper

    POLICE are seeking a mystery helper who called an ambulance after a man was attacked. A man in his 60s, and described by police as vulnerable, had been drinking in Redcar on September 21 and was on his way to the police station to report an incident.

  • Teenagers aim for a higher degree of study

    A GROUP of Darlington teenagers spent two days looking around Oxford University. The visit was organised by the Government's Aimhigher initiative. Among those who attended was 16-year-old Jonathan Murray, a student at Carmel RC Technology College. He

  • Teeing off in charity match

    A CHARITY golf match takes place tomorrow. The chairman of Easington District Council in east Durham, Councillor Joyce Maitland, will launch the annual tournament between council staff and police officers at Hartlepool Golf Club. All money raised from

  • Another delay in assault sentence

    TWO men who assaulted a bus driver had their case adjourned again by a court. Christopher Fothergill and Anthony Cooper, both from Darlington, have pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm on Keith Marsden on November 19 last year. Fothergill

  • Students brush up on challenge

    YOUNGSTERS are being challenged to produce a design that promotes a positive attitude to cultural differences. Durham County Council wants an emblem that includes the phrase, Many Nations, One World, to put on 12,000 bookmarks and 500 posters that will

  • Man faces jail after sentence breaches

    A MAN who skipped appointments with the probation service was warned by a judge he will almost certainly be jailed. Martin Paul Mason was told by Recorder Taryn Turner he had "cocked a snook" at a 150- hour community punishment order imposed in November

  • Over 60s group in wartime nostalgia event

    AN exhibition of wartime memorabilia opens next week to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. The Deerness Over 60s group is staging the Home Front Recall celebration at the Newhouse Parish Centre, in Esh Winning, from next

  • Multi-million pound makeover for centre

    THE owner of a Durham City shopping centre plans to give it a multi-million pound makeover and a new name. The 29-year-old Milburngate Centre will become The Gates and will be revamped to attract new traders and shoppers. Earlier this year, the ING Retail

  • Boro willing and Abel to become a force in Europe

    ACCORDING to Abel Xavier, silverware is not the be all and end all of professional football. Fifteen years of playing for some of the biggest clubs in Europe have taught him that. In the earlier days of his career, he was part of a Benfica side that celebrated

  • Mum At Large

    ONE rugby shirt, two pairs of sports shorts, one calculator, one wallet, four locker keys, a blazer, tie, three pairs of swimming trunks, four towels, countless sports socks and one pair of football boots. These are just a few of the things my particularly

  • Hip hop hustler in training

    A RAPPER has ditched the capital to study for a qualification in the North-East. Potential teenage hip hop entrepreneur Mike Prempeh has enrolled on a two-year BTEC national diploma in music technology at Darlington College to expand his musical knowledge

  • Soccer-loving cop issues red and yellow cards

    A soccer-loving cop is ensuring fair play on his beat by dishing out red and yellow cards to yobs. PC Kevin Stockley has come up with the idea of acting as a referee if he sees trouble-makers, producing a yellow as a warning and a red for an arrestable

  • Catalyst for strong sales

    CHEMICAL company Johnson Matthey said yesterday that pre-tax profits would be ahead of last year as it issued a pre-close trading statement. Matthey, which employs 450 people at the UK headquarters of its catalysts business in Billingham, Teesside, is

  • Spring target for plan to expand port

    PD Ports said yesterday that its application to invest £300m in Teesport and create 7,000 jobs would be in the hands of the Government by the spring. In a trading update, the ports and logistics group announced work was under way on the Harbour Revision

  • McClaren determined to repay Gibson's faith

    FRESH from receiving a glowing and timely endorsement from Steve Gibson, under-fire Middlesbrough manager Steve McClaren would love nothing more than to repay his chairman by delivering sustained success on the field this season. McClaren, who insists

  • Chef joins helicopter tour of food companies

    A GROUP of food magazine journalists and a nationally renowned chef have enjoyed a whistle-stop tour of the North-East, tasting some of the best food the region has to offer. The group, including Newcastle chef Terry Laybourne, travelled in a helicopter

  • MP supports demolition of school to improve village

    THE future of a community is resting on the demolition of a prominent listed building, an MP says. John Cummings has called for a swift decision on the future of the former Easington Colliery Primary School, in County Durham, which he believes is pivotal

  • Student helps profits soar

    A WEB solutions company expects to increase its profits fivefold thanks to an award-winning student. Visualsoft UK, in Middlesbrough, said profits were likely to jump from about £50,000 to £250,000 a year after university student Ali Zaidi created a web

  • Reactor shutdown hits prices

    THE shutdown of Hartlepool nuclear power reactor may affect owner British Energy's level of output at fixed prices this year, it said last night. British Energy said it benefited from higher power prices after posting profits of £64m for the three months

  • Boro willing and Abel to become a force in Europe

    ACCORDING to Abel Xavier, silverware is not the be all and end all of professional football. Fifteen years of playing for some of the biggest clubs in Europe have taught him that. In the earlier days of his career, he was part of a Benfica side that celebrated

  • Van hire firm continues takeover talks

    VAN hire group Northgate said yesterday that takeover talks were continuing with an unnamed party. But at Darlington-based Northgate's annual meeting, chairman Martin Ballinger would only say: "Northgate continues to be in discussions with regard to an

  • Kruis takes top award as Yorkshire celebrate

    South African fast bowler Deon Kruis received Yorkshire's player of the year trophy at the end of season dinner and presentation night at Headingley. Kruis, signed as a Kolpak player, bowled 584.3 overs in the Championship and claimed 64 wickets, the

  • Housebuilder grows stronger

    HOUSEBUILDER Barratt Developments posted record annual profits yesterday - but resisted the temptation to forecast a pick-up in the property market. Newcastle-based Barratt said it was working on the assumption that the market would remain challenging

  • Thieves stealing from son's grave

    A GRIEF-STRICKEN mother has told how heartless thieves are stealing mementos from her son's grave. Mark Burns, 40, died after he was punched in the face outside a pub in Stockton, in September, last year. He is buried in Durham Road Cemetery, Stockton

  • Comment from The Northern Echo: Oliver should get the credit

    THE Government has talked for a long time about the importance of preventative measures to help ease the ever-growing burden on the National Health Service. Where better to start than in schools? If healthier diets are targeted at children, there has

  • Long arm of law reaches out to children

    YOUNGSTERS at a North Yorkshire pre-school had an exciting start to their new term. Romanby Pre-school, near Northallerton, enjoyed a visit from local police community support officer Angie Preston and traffic warden Brian Tongue. They brought with them

  • Plans to restore listed bungalows

    TWENTY listed bungalows are to be restored to their former glory. Coast & Country Housing plans to modernise the Grade II-listed properties in Dormans Crescent, Dormanstown, near Redcar, which were built in 1931. The company has been working with

  • Sports coaching offer for disabled

    PEOPLE with disabilities are to be encouraged to participate in sport this weekend. Building Bridges, hosted by Tees Valley Sport, will look at ways to support and help disabled people to take part in a variety of sports they enjoy. Held at the Sportsdrome

  • Prizes incentive for university students

    STUDENTS are being given the chance to win prizes worth more than £1,000 in a free competition. The University of Teesside has joined forces with Middlesbrough's Hillstreet shopping centre to bring students a Something For Nothing competition where they

  • 'Labour ignoring racial issues'

    THE mother of murdered teenager Stephen Lawrence accused the Government of lacking interest in race issues during a hard-hitting speech to black police officers in the North-East. Addressing a conference on Teesside yesterday, Doreen Lawrence hit out

  • Scott is confident Clarke will return in style

    DARRELL Clarke still has a big part to play at Hartlepool United, insists boss Martin Scott. The midfielder was this week allowed to join Port Vale on loan and, after a year out of the first-team picture because of injury, Scott will welcome Clark back

  • Ace Arca takes pleasure in team triumph

    MODEST Julio Arca played down suggestions his performance in Sunderland's derby-day victory over Middlesbrough last weekend was his finest yet in a red and white shirt. The 24-year-old midfielder was inspirational in the Black Cats' first Premiership

  • Healthy food decision is well received in schools

    THE news that healthy food will be on every pupils' plate in the next few years has been welcomed by schools across the region. Education Secretary Ruth Kelly yesterday announced plans to outlaw vending machines selling chocolate, crisps and fizzy drinks

  • City gets gold in bloom awards

    THERE were celebrations in Durham last night as the city was declared blooming marvellous. After years of trying, Durham finally struck gold in the country's leading environmental competition, the Britain in Bloom Awards. The city has claimed silver in

  • 29/09/05

    SOUNDS GREAT: I WOULD like to send my thanks and congratulations to Darlington R&B Club, Darlington Borough Council and Radio Cleveland for organising and promoting another excellent free rhythm and blues festival. This highly enjoyable gig once again

  • Planning ahead to produce a wealth of entrepreneurs

    ABOUT 100 children from schools across Durham took the first step towards becoming the business magnates of the future yesterday at the launch of a competition. Former Newcastle United manager Sir Bobby Robson was at The Gala Theatre to kick off the Future

  • UEFA Cup Diary

    GREEK supporters are renowned for being passionate and occasionally going over the top. Olympiacos and Panathinaikos are two of the biggest clubs in Greece and their fanatical fans have often gone a step too far in trying to intimidate opponents. Newcastle

  • School chefs are one step ahead of Government's junk food ban

    AS Education Secretary Ruth Kelly announced plans to outlaw junk food in schools, more than 100 cooks celebrated raising meal standards. The school cooks in County Durham passed a nutrition and diet qualification. The cooks, who work for catering company

  • Question time debate

    RESIDENTS of Teesdale could soon be allowed to ask questions at council meetings. Teesdale District Council's executive committee is expected to implement new rules, which would allow 30 minutes for a public question time at each meeting of the full council

  • City gets gold in bloom awards

    THERE were celebrations in Durham last night as the city was declared blooming marvellous. After years of trying, Durham finally struck gold in the country's leading environmental competition, the Britain in Bloom Awards. The city has claimed silver in

  • Multi-million pound makeover for centre

    THE owner of a Durham City shopping centre plans to give it a multi-million pound makeover and a new name. The 29-year-old Milburngate Centre will become The Gates and will be revamped to attract new traders and shoppers. Earlier this year, the ING Retail

  • News in brief

    HISTORY TALK: Cleveland and Teesside Local History Society presents a talk called Non-Conformist Chapels in the Darlington Area on Thursday, October 20, at 7.15pm. It takes place in the committee room at Middlesbrough College, Marton campus, Marton Road

  • Winning leeks convert into cash

    EXHIBITORS turned out in force to display their produce at an annual leek show in Shildon. Elm Road Workingmen's Club put on an impressive display of leeks, flowers and other exhibits at the weekend. At the end of the show, those taking part dug deep

  • Rotarians aid teenager with cerebral palsy

    A TEENAGER has been given help to communicate by the Darlington Rotary Club. Angela Ferguson, 17, has cerebral palsy, is in a wheelchair and has very little speech. But the £400 donation from the club has allowed her teachers and parents to buy a communication

  • More recycling as council struggles to reach the target

    MAJOR changes to a district's weekly refuse collection rounds could be introduced to meet national recycling targets. Proposals being investigated by Wear Valley District Council would see 29,000 homes getting additional green wheelie bins earmarked solely

  • Taking the services to the residents

    THE emergency services are among a host of agencies taking part in two open days next month. Residents in Bishop Auckland and Crook are invited to the events to find out what services are available in the area. Among those taking part are respresentatives

  • Craft shop seeks knitting helpers

    A Cleveland craft shop is looking for help to build the biggest knitting ball in Guisborough in aid of Help the Aged. Stan Frank, from Leven Crafts, Guisborough, is asking people to donate yarn for the project which will take place during National Knitting

  • Writing talk

    Creative writing events are being run at the Mercer Art Gallery in Harrogate. Next Thursday, poet Mary Sara will run a writers' workshop called Finding The Words, then, on October 15, Australian Aboriginal writer and poet Herb Wharton will give a talk

  • Central bar is up for sale

    A RESTAURANT which opened in the centre of Darlington less than two years ago is up for sale. The Circus Bar and Brasserie, on the corner of the market Square, is on the market with the Newcastle office of estate agents Christie and Co. Owner Les Mooney

  • Plea over coma victim

    THE family of a disabled man left in a coma after one punch have spoken of their anguish. Disabled George Spence has been in a coma since he was attacked while trying to save his girlfriend, Beverley Yeoman, from a mob of men, on Saturday. He was trying

  • Off-licences join the fight against under-age drinking

    OFF-LICENCES in Darlington have been signing up to a project to reduce anti-social behaviour. The over-21 scheme is designed to cut the amount of alcohol being drunk by children, by preventing people aged 18 to 20 buying drink for younger children. The

  • Tip closure rescheduled

    COUNCIL officials last night confirmed the date for the temporary closure of Darlington's main waste recycling centre. The tip, off Whessoe Road, will close on Sunday, October 16, for six weeks to allow work to start on a number of improvements. The project

  • Sheep rustlers hunted after lambs taken

    POLICE are hunting a gang of sheep rustlers who struck at a farm in North Yorkshire. About 100 texel lambs were taken from a farmer's field at Thornton Steward, near Leyburn, some time between Wednesday and Friday last week. The lambs, white-faced and

  • School cooks taste success

    HEALTHIER school menus could be on the way after more than 100 school cooks working across County Durham passed a test in nutrition and diet. The cooks, who work for catering company Scolarest, earned the NCFC intermediate certificate in nutrition and

  • Jazz legends are back in the dale

    TWO top jazz artists are to play at a Teesdale community hall. Alan Barnes and David Newton will perform at the Witham Hall, in Barnard Castle, on Sunday. The pair a re well-known for their appearances as a duo and last visited Teesdale in October 2002

  • Charity teams with legal eagles

    THE charity Age Concern has teamed up with a Bishop Auckland solicitors to offer free expert advice on making a will. An advice day has been organised on Monday at the Four Clocks, in Newgate Street, where people aged 50 and over can meet a lawyer from

  • Cornforth rave

    A TEENAGER from West Cornforth has answered local pleas to give young people something better to do than hang around the streets. Shane Parkins has organised a rave for 13 to 17-year-olds on Friday, in response to calls from local teenagers for evening

  • Lost engineer fell on sharp railings

    AN engineer from the North-East with a "hopeless sense of direction" died after he took a short cut and fell on to railings, an inquest heard. Father-of-two Keith Stevens, 27, tried to scale a fence in London's West End after losing his way on a drunken

  • Street wardens ringing the changes

    STREET wardens are ringing the changes at Middlesbrough for everyone's benefit. The town's 68 wardens, who deal with about 1,000 incidents a month, can be contacted on two new landlines from this weekend. Calls to the new numbers will be answered by the

  • Milestone as library reborn as one-stop community shop

    A THREE-YEAR programme to upgrade libraries across North Yorkshire reaches a milestone today. Pickering Library is reopening after a £500,000 makeover. The building has been extended and now boasts a cafe and information technology area with free Internet

  • Community officers receive new radio system

    COMMUNITY safety officers will tune in to a new communications system this week. The £36,000 investment by Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council links them to Airwave, a secure digital radio network dedicated for the exclusive use of the UK's emergency