A TEENAGER who set fire to an 82-year-old woman's hair to prove he wasn't "boring" has been warned he is facing a substantial prison sentence. Phillip Lee Wooton set fire to Elizabeth Collins's hair on a train after a friend accused him of being boring
STEVE McCLAREN last night paid tribute to the character and attitude shown by his Middlesbrough players in bouncing back from Sunday's derby defeat by booking a place in the group stage of the UEFA Cup. Boro went through to the second stage by earning
IF Mark Johnston is to have any chance of lifting the trainer's championship then Prince Of Light (2.40) has to win Newmarket's £170,000 Middle Park Stakes. Current leader Aidan O'Brien will move out of reach if either of his top-class duo, Ivan Denisovitch
A FARM in the region will open to visitors tomorrow to celebrate British Food Fortnight. Kath and Maurice Toward are inviting people to their Herdship Farm, near Harwood-in-Teesdale, in County Durham, British Food Fortnight, which runs until October 9
THOUSANDS of people today will raise a cup of coffee in aid of Macmillan Cancer Relief. The charity is holding its annual world's biggest coffee morning to raise vital funds to support cancer sufferers and their families. Events that are taking place
VILLAGERS have vowed to boycott a store chain after it closed the only remaining shop in their isolated community. People living in Wearhead, Upper Weardale, say they feel let down by the Penrith Co-operative Society following the closure of the village
THE swinging Sixties were brought back to life for a new generation yesterday as a school celebrated its birthday. Teachers and pupils at Abbey Infant School ditched their usual school wear for flares and flowers to mark the school's 40th birthday. The
A SOCIAL club with a history of disorder was yesterday refused permission to increase the hours it sells alcohol. Councillors refused to grant Rise Carr Sports and Social Club, in Darlington, a licence beyond 11pm on the grounds of public nuisance. The
POLICE are appealing for help finding a man who conned a hotel owner out of hundreds of pounds. The man stayed at the Tudor Lodge on Turner Street, Redcar, earlier this month and told staff he fitted bathrooms. He offered to do some work and was given
A MOTORIST who flagged down a police officer to help him change a tyre on his car was more than three times over the drink-drive limit, a court heard yesterday. Nicholas Buck, 26, was spared jail by magistrates in Darlington yesterday. Instead Buck, who
An emergency was sparked when smoke was seen coming from a Pegasus Boeing 737 after it had landed at Newcastle Airport at 9.11am yesterday. A Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service spokes-man said it was initially thought smoke was coming from the engine
THE case of a North-East soldier who died in suspicious circumstances is still open two years after the inquiry was apparently completed, it has emerged. The father of Private Geoff Gray has spoken of his amazement at the revelation from Surrey Police
A FARRIER from Yarm has had a successful time at the inaugural Oatbridge College Farriery Challenge, in Scotland. Stephen Beane secured a one, two, three in the competition which took place in the West Lothian countryside. He hammered his way to first
AN actor has returned home to perform in a hit musical this week. Stephen Uppal, originally from Middlesbrough, is a professional actor and dancer and is appearing in Joseph and His Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat at the Billingham Forum. The 27-year-old
ASPIRING artists will get fresh inspiration when they move into a £1.25m centre in Durham City next week. As well as studying for A- level visual art subjects, students from Durham Gilesgate Sports College and Sixth Form Centre will be able to exhibit
AGE is no barrier when it comes to raising money for charity, as one group of happy toddlers have proved. The youngsters from the Toddlers Group at Romanby, Northallerton, raised more than £535 in a sponsored toddle. Accompanied by their families, they
REDCAR and Cleveland Borough Council is to start its latest six-monthly road maintenance programme across the borough's main routes. The work, which includes gully cleansing and repairs to road signs, plus street lighting and safety barrier maintenance
A SERIES of sport days for youngsters is being organised for the half-term break. Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's sports development team is hosting the days, aimed at eight to 16 year olds, which will run from 9am to 4pm. The days will begin with
FAMILIES can take a journey of discovery through the wonders of physics in a day of events at a Teesside library. Hartlepool Central Library will be the location for Einstein in the Library on Saturday, October 15, which has been organised to coincide
DURHAM school pupils have tried out some of the country's finest dairy delicacies. Youngsters at St Joseph's Primary School, in Gilesgate, took part in a cheese taster session held to mark British Food Fortnight. The children tasted samples of British
HELMSLEY Market Place could be given a revamp. As part of the Renaissance Market Town scheme, car parking is one issue being looked at. Consultants have suggested car parking should be reduced and up to 100 places provided in the Cleveland Way park. Twenty-minute
A MOTORIST who flagged down a police officer to help him change a tyre on his car was more than three times over the drink-drive limit, a court heard yesterday. Nicholas Buck, 26, of Lawrence Street, York, was spared jail by magistrates in Darlington
BEATDOWN: FISTS OF VENGEANCE Publisher: Capcom. Formats: PS2, Xbox. Price: £39.99. Family friendly? 16+ WITH a title that wouldn't have disgraced a Bruce Lee karate classic, Beatdown: Fists of Vengeance is clearly not a flower arranging simulation. Set
Two North-East cocaine dealers were jailed yesterday. Karl Leddy, 27, worked as an electrician when he began using drugs and he fell into debt with his supplier who put him to work in pubs. Teesside Crown Court was told how he was arrested with a friend
PEOPLE living in isolated rural communities across Wear Valley and Teesdale were given a transport lifeline yesterday. A community minibus service launched by botanist and conservationist Dr David Bellamy is the first major achievement for the Weardale
A MATERNITY unit moved a step nearer to closure yesterday after a long battle to keep it open. Langbaurgh Primary Care Trust decided at its board meeting that the number of births at Guisborough Maternity Unit did not justify its existence. They conducted
A COUNCIL has cautioned its tenants to check the identities of callers valuing the price of their properties. A Chester-le-Street District Council spokesman said the authority had commissioned the company Savills to carry out a stock condition survey
A confidential sexual health drop-in service has been launched for young people in the Durham and Chester-le-Street area. The service is run on Mondays, from 3.30pm to 4.30pm, at the newly-opened Sure Start Centre, in Durham Road, Ushaw Moor, Durham.
THREE rare Hungarian wire-haired vizslas have returned triumphant from a dog show in Europe. Zach, Sarika and Usko all won individual prizes at the international working tests and European Vizsla Cup, held in Holland. Vizslas were bred for hunting and
THE family of a teenage father who died after his car plunged down a cliff visited the scene of the accident yesterday. Relatives and friends of 18-year-old Luke Demsey made the trip from Liverpool to lay flowers at Pinker's Pond, near Middleham, North
A RAPIST who won a £7m lotto jackpot while living in a bail hostel has begun a secret new life in the North-East. Iorworth Hoare, 52, has been hidden by a £10,000-a-month operation, but last night he was reported to be living under a new identity in Sunderland
A YOUNG pervert tried to entice females by flashing at them, a court was told yesterday. Gillan Ross, 23, of Dunstanburgh Close, Washington, Wearside, shocked ten women in his home town by exposing himself to them in the street. Ross was first spotted
Wayne Rooney is set to face another major test of his fragile temperament in England's final World Cup group tie, with Kim Milton Nielsen having been appointed to referee the clash against Poland. Rooney was sent off by the Danish referee for sarcastically
MARK PROCTOR is confident former Middlesbrough midfielder Phil Stamp will turn his back on a return to Scotland and sign for Darlington instead. Quakers are ready to offer Stamp a short-term deal after the 29-year-old expressed his desire to return to
GRAEME Souness last night gave Turkey international Emre his controversial blessing to put country before club next week. The Newcastle boss revealed he has allowed his midfield play-maker permission to play in Turkey's crucial World Cup qualifier with
A TEENAGE girl endured the journey from hell when a taxi driver went on an erratic tour of County Durham, leaving a trail of destruction in his wake. During the late-night drama, the minibus crashed at least four times and only stopped when it smashed
JONNY Wilkinson will be on the bench for Newcastle Falcons' Powergen Cup tie at home to Sale Sharks on Sunday. Four weeks after undergoing keyhole surgery to remove his appendix the World Cup-winning fly half is ready for another comeback. He is certain
THE summer heroics of England's Test cricketers, including the Durham and Yorkshire contingent, really got the Aussies licked. Now their achievement, winning the Ashes back from the previously all-conquering Australians for the first time in 18 years,
CHILDREN as young as 11 are being sold for sex by professional businessmen in the North-East, it was revealed last night. The children's charity Barnado's uncovered the allegations of perverts preying on the youngsters. Shocked child protection agencies
TROOPS IN IRAQ: I DO not believe that now is the time for our troops to be brought home from Iraq (Echo, Sept 24). It is surprising that people should speak of an exit route when the situation in the country is unstable. Following the removal of Saddam
TWO mothers spent a night in prison after a feud with another parent ended with them assaulting him, a court was told. Denise Jakeway, 33, and Elizabeth Squire, 39, both of previous good character, were convicted of assaulting the 47-year-old man, causing
CHILDREN from 12 schools have an extra spring in their step today after they were given trampolines. The schools, from across County Durham, have taken part in a trial that found evidence that taking dietary supplements of fatty acids produced a startling
Yorkshire have not re-engaged 31-year-old Dewsbury-born wicketkeeper Ismail Dawood, who joined them in the middle of the 2004 season, and there is no new contract for former Nottinghamshire paceman, David Lucas. Director of Cricket, David Byas, also confirmed
Elizabeth I (C4) Mike Bassett: Manager (ITV1) I DON'T know which is more difficult - running a football team or running a country. On reflection, I suppose the Virgin Queen has the advantage because her courtiers, unlike Bassett's players, don't have
DESIGNER department store Psyche held its biggest catwalk show last night to raise funds for a children's charity. The store, in Middlesbrough's Linthorpe Road, showcased its autumn/winter collection, featuring clothing from Paul Smith, Armani, Hugo Boss
Garlands Call Centres has opened the first phase of its contact centre in Stockton, which has created 120 jobs. Once completed, the centre, at Preston Farm, will be made up of five buildings, each capable of housing 200 workers. Construction is under
AN era comes to an end today with the closure of one of the most famous names in the history of confectionery. Tears will be inevitable as the final shift clocks off at Terry's of York, ending a local institution that can trace its history back almost
ONE of the city of Xanthi's most famous inhabitants was the laughing philosopher Democritus, but Middlesbrough comfortably avoided becoming a laughing stock last night. There was never any danger of them suffering the humiliation of being dumped out of
ASPIRING artists will get fresh inspiration when they move into a £1.25m centre in Durham City next week. As well as studying for A- level visual art subjects, students from Durham Gilesgate Sports College and Sixth Form Centre will be able to exhibit
Maggie Bosanquet, head of Durham County Council's sustainability team, will address a conference in Sweden, on Monday, on green issues. She said: "Everyone can do their bit from giving up the daily school run and walking, to sustainable construction."
A DARLINGTON bar has gone European with its latest real ale additions. Number Twenty 2 bar, in Coniscliffe Road, has added six continental ales to its selection. The bar has already won awards for the choice of English real ales on tap. Owner Ralph Wilkinson
POLICE have ruled out foul play after a garage workshop fire that badly damaged two cars. The fire at the Williamson Motors Peugeot dealership, in Chesnut Street, Darlington, started just before 8.15pm on Wednesday. The surrounding area was cordoned off
AN independent school has said goodbye to a long-serving governor. Barnard Castle School, in County Durham, has also appointed a new vice-chairman of the governors. Reay Atkinson, 79, joined the board of governors in 1988 and three years later became
A SEAGULL that has impaled itself on a stick is likely to die unless it is caught and treated, the RSPCA said. The charity said it had been called out three times in the past month by members of the public who had seen the gull at Redcar Stray, east Cleveland
THE case of a man convicted of shooting dead a teacher on his own doorstep 15 years ago is to be referred to the Court of Appeal. Andrew Adams, now 35, of Newcastle, was jailed for life in 1993 after being convicted at Newcastle Crown Court of murdering
EXILED South African Kevin Pietersen may have played a big part in the regaining of the Ashes, but I can't say I'm happy about New Zealander Mark Van Gisbergen being drafted into the England rugby squad as soon as he became eligible. Scotland embraced
A PARISH council claims it has not had enough time to comment on plans for a controversial development of 83 homes. Councillor Colin Douglas, the chairman of Low Coniscliffe and Merrybent Parish Council, near Darlington, said more time was needed to consult
PHOTOGRAPHERS are being invited to produce images of Teesside to be given a chance of winning a camera phone. The pictures can be of people, architecture, landscape or anything which represents Teesside to the photographer. AW4E! 05 (Arts Week for Everyone
SOME lucky youngsters are literally to be given central stage this Christmas. Headteachers are being pressed into talent-scouting gifted youngsters in their classrooms to star in the switch-on of Redcar's Christmas lights, and appear on the High Street
THOUSANDS of people will come together today to share a cup of coffee and raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Relief. The charity is holding its annual World's Biggest Coffee Morning to raise vital funds for cancer sufferers. Events are being held across
THOUSANDS of people will come together today to share a cup of coffee and raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Relief. The charity is holding its annual World's Biggest Coffee Morning to raise vital funds for cancer sufferers. Events taking place today (unless
THE parents of missing Jenny Nicholl will make a public appeal for help to trace their daughter next week. Brian and Anne Nicholl will publish a notice in the local press on Thursday - the day their daughter should be at home celebrating her 20th birthday
A TEENAGER who set fire to an 82-year-old woman's hair to prove he wasn't "boring" has been warned he is facing a substantial prison sentence. Phillip Lee Wooton set fire to Elizabeth Collins's hair on a train after a friend accused him of being boring
Community groups in the Bowburn area can apply for grants of between £50 and £5,000 from the Bowburn and Parkhill Community Partnership. For details and an application pack call 0191-377 0653.
HOSPITAL bosses are being criticised for ordering staff to pay their own taxi fares to work over Christmas and New Year. Hundreds of nurses and other workers at Newcastle's three main hospitals have traditionally had taxis provided for them if they worked
A GROUP of entrepreneurs have launched a £30m venture that will help first-time buyers get on the property ladder. Launchpad, based at Doxford Business Park, Sunderland, will buy properties for first-time buyers who will rent for 12 months before being
A GYM for people with disabilities will be opened in Chester-le-Street today. The facility at the town's leisure centre - now an accredited Inclusive Fitness Initiative (IFI) site - will be opened by North-East disabilities campaigner Desi Gillespie.
A SCHOOL is celebrating the pledge of a £50,000 cash boost from a leading North-East entrepreneur which it hopes will help it achieve specialist status. Greencroft Comprehensive School, in Annfield Plain, near Stanley, will now prepare a bid to specialise
ONE of North Yorkshire's main hospitals will become smoke-free from Monday. Smoking by staff, patients and visitors will be banned in Harrogate District Hospital, including its entrances. The local health trust said the move was mainly in response to
SIX jobs have been created by the opening of a builders' merchant in Ripon. Travis Perkins, which has 950 UK branches, has moved into 12,000sq ft premises at Ripon Business Park. The jobs include sales and administration, drivers and goods yard staff.
TOWN halls will face a legal duty to ensure people are registered to vote to tackle the growing problem of "democracy deserts", it was revealed yesterday. Lord Falconer, the Lord Chancellor, told Labour's conference that alarming falls in the numbers
PLANS to cut homelessness by tackling the cause of the problem have been unveiled. Ryedale District Council has put together a strategy to reduce the number of people applying as homeless by ten per cent by the end of March. The strategy aims to encourage
A HEALTH trust that covers a large part of the county is opening a centre for medical students. The Scarborough and North East Yorkshire Trust, which covers hospitals in Scarborough, Malton, Whitby and Bridlington, was told by medical director Keith Beverley
BLAYDON expect to recall their two highly-rated back row signings, Ed Thorp and Pat Segi, for tomorrow's Powergen National Trophy tie at home to Darlington Mowden Park. Both have missed the last two matches through injury, but Blaydon hope their only
HOSPITAL bosses are being criticised for ordering staff to pay their own taxi fares to work over Christmas and New Year. Hundreds of nurses and other workers at Newcastle's three main hospitals have traditionally had taxis provided for them if they worked
GROWING concern about abuse of vulnerable elderly people has sparked action by churches. The Anglican Diocese of Ripon and Leeds is so concerned about the issue that it is arranging two workshops to help people discuss and take action about abuse. Psychotherapist
AN investigation has been launched into traffic in Pickering. Locals have been asked to help decide how the town's roads will be laid out over the coming years. Questionnaires, information leaflets and a week-long exhibition will help collect residents
CHILDREN as young as 11 are being sold for sex by professional businessmen in the North-East, it was revealed last night. The children's charity Barnado's uncovered the allegations of perverts preying on the youngsters. Shocked child protection agencies
CHILDREN as young as 11 are being sold for sex by professional businessmen in the North-East, it was revealed last night. The children's charity Barnado's uncovered the allegations of perverts preying on the youngsters. Shocked child protection agencies
A COUNTY council officer is a key speaker at an international conference. Maggie Bosanquet, head of Durham County Council's sustainability team, will address a conference in Sweden, on Monday, on green issues. She said: "Our reputation on sustainability
A residents' association is looking forward to holding more community activities after receiving a cash boost. Chilton West Residents' Association was given almost £500 to help it buy a marquee to host events that its base at Henderson Community House
HEALTH and fitness events designed for people over 50 are to be held at three Sedgefield venues. The 50plus your health roadshow will include three events co-ordinated by Sedgefield Primary Care Trust and the Pioneering Care Partnership. Health care staff
A MUCH-LOVED maternity unit in the North-East was earmarked for closure yesterday after a long battle to keep it open. Langbaurgh Primary Care Trust (PCT) decided at its board meeting that the number of births at Guisborough Maternity Unit did not justify
A WATCHDOG says it needs to hear what people have to say about plans for a chemical recycling plant. The Environment Agency says it wants views on an application to store and treat hazardous and non-hazardous waste at the Seaton Meadows landfill site
THOUSANDS of people today will raise a cup of coffee in aid of Macmillan Cancer Relief. The charity is holding its annual World's Biggest Coffee Morning to raise vital funds. Events that are taking place include: DARLINGTON: Sharps Bedrooms, in Skinnergate
A MAN who sent letters, flowers and an abusive message to his estranged wife has been warned he faces jail. David Pybus, 42, of Oxford Terrace, Cockfield, had a restraining order imposed on him by Newton Aycliffe magistrates, which was intended to prevent
A VILLAGE beat bobby will hold a surgery next week in response to reports of drug dealing in his area. PC Jamie Rielly, the designated beat officer for Tudhoe and Low Spennymoor, will attend a joint police and council surgery next Tuesday afternoon. PC
EFFORTS to make County Durham greener will be discussed at an international conference next week. Maggie Bosanquet, who leads the county council's sustainability team, has been invited to address a conference in Malmo, Sweden on Monday, which will also
He starred in just three films, but still became an icon to millions across the world. On the 50th anniversary of his death, Nick Morrison looks at the life and legacy of James Dean. DURING his brief life, James Dean was already on the way to becoming
TOWERING over the city of Xanthi stand the mountains of Rodopi. Eighty five per cent of the mountain range is across the Bulgarian border, while to the south runs the Thrace Sea. It is just below the Rodopis where the old Xanthi stadium lies. A very small
THE smokescreen that has covered events at the Deepcut army barracks gets thicker all the time. Two years after Surrey Police announced that no-one would be prosecuted over the deaths of four young recruits - including Private Geoff Gray from County Durham
NORTH-EAST MP Vera Baird has accused Cleveland Police of failing to take seriously the rising menace of loutish behaviour by "neighbours from hell". The Redcar MP told a fringe meeting at Labour's conference that the force was failing to adopt proper
A TOY manufacturer is to produce miniature versions of Triumph patrol cars used by a North-East police force in the 1970s. Produced as part of Corgi's Vanguards range of classic cars, the 1:43 scale model of the Triumph 2.5Pi - which is still under wraps
This week an inquest jury ruled that controversial single use surgical instruments caused the death of a North-East woman. Health Editor Barry Nelson follows the disturbing sequence of events which led to tragedy. ELAINE Basham was unfortunate in being
WORK has resumed on a £15m redevelopment scheme that will provide homes for hundreds of students. Derelict ten-storey Teesside House and its two car parks are to be transformed into student accommodation in the centre of Middlesbrough, only two months
A FOOTBALL-mad bobby has come up with a novel way to tackle troublemakers. PC Kevin Stockley is issuing yellow and red cards to rowdy youths as he attempts to kick offenders on his beat into touch. The officer, who regularly tours his patch on his mountain
THE case of a man convicted of shooting dead a teacher on his own doorstep 15 years ago is to be referred to the Court of Appeal. Andrew Adams, now 35, of Newcastle, was jailed for life in 1993 after being convicted at Newcastle Crown Court of murdering
MICK McCarthy believes Jonathan Stead can take inspiration from Stephen Caldwell and win a place back in his starting line-up. The Sunderland boss revealed Caldwell has been smarting ever since he was axed from the Black Cats' opening day defeat by Charlton
WHEN Annabel Townsend worked high up in the Andes as a gap year student, she fell in love with Peru. The love affair continues. So much so that Annabel, now studying for her master's degree at the University of Durham, has just started Cyberllama, an
A 65-year-old woman has been raped and robbed in her own home in "one of the most sickening incidents" a North-East police force has ever had to deal with. The woman was attacked in her home in The Grove area of Marton, Middlesbrough, on Thursday night
A PRODUCER of environmentally-friendly fuel has announced that its first biodiesel refinery is under construction and destined for Teesside. D1 Oils said several of its factory-built refineries were being made. The first will go to Teesside. The second
JONNY Wilkinson will be on the bench for Newcastle Falcons' Powergen Cup tie at home to Sale Sharks on Sunday. Four weeks after undergoing keyhole surgery to remove his appendix the World Cup-winning fly half is ready for another comeback. He is certain
THE number of serious and fatal road crashes in the region fell last year, statistics reveal. Road deaths and casualties also fell nationally since 2003, according to Department of Transport figures. The number of drink-driving-related road accidents
BEATDOWN: FISTS OF VENGEANCE: Publisher: Capcom. Formats: PS2, Xbox. Price: £39.99. Family friendly? 16+: WITH a title that wouldn't have disgraced a Bruce Lee karate classic, Beatdown: Fists of Vengeance is clearly not a flower arranging simulation.
HEALTH bosses are warning people not to attempt to buy a "cure" to bird flu over the Internet. In the past few months fears of an avian flu pandemic have grown, with health agencies and the police practising emergency procedures. One drug, Tamiflu, has
POLICE have praised members of the public whose help led them to suspected drugs dealers. Four people were arrested yesterday morning in a police operation targeting areas of east Durham as a result of information passed to officers. A warrant to search
YOU can tell it's party conference time because law and order is back on the agenda. Once again the Government has talked tough in announcing a raft of hardline measures to deal with crime and anti-social behaviour. Forgive me for being a little cynical
A GROUP of entrepreneurs have launched a £30m venture that will help first-time buyers get on the property ladder. Launchpad, based at Doxford Business Park, Sunderland, will buy properties for first-time buyers who will rent for 12 months before being
A COMPANY specialising in electrically-powered vehicles is poised to win a multi-million pound contract from a major dairy. Smiths Electric Vehicles (SEV) has entered final negotiations for a five-year contract to maintain and service Dairy Crest's fleet
