Three pub doormen have denied killing a father of three who was out on a stag night at a city centre nightspot. Steven Doyle died in hospital three weeks after sustaining head injuries in an alleged assault at the Quilted Camel on Newcastle's popular
ITINERANT traders are targeting older people in a scam which falsely promises swaps for better three-piece suites. Durham County Council's Trading Standards service says the traders cold call offering to swap people's three-piece suite for a "better version
In a hostile environment, Leah Pattison, from County Durham, is on a mission to care for Indian women blighted by problems such as leprosy. In the first of a series of articles from Nagpur, Sarah Foster gains an insight into her remarkable life. IN the
A NORTH-EAST woman known as the Angel of Nagpur is devoting her life to helping victims of HIV and Aids in India. After spending ten years in Nagpur helping people with leprosy, Leah Pattison, from Frosterley, in Weardale, County Durham, has now set up
IN 1605 Guy Fawkes was foiled in his attempt blow up the Houses of Parliament - on the day his plot was commemorated Darlington manager David Hodgson was ruing his own lack of firepower. At the beginning of the season Clyde Wijnhard and Simon Johnson
ITINERANT traders are targeting older people in a scam which falsely promises swaps for better three-piece suites. Durham County Council's Trading Standards service says the traders cold call offering to swap people's three-piece suite for a "better version
IN the run-up to Christmas, our thoughts are of enjoyment, yet for Leah Pattison, it will be business as usual. Unlike most of us, she won't be spending time with her family, but at her clinic in Nagpur, or treating HIV patients on the streets. She won't
NEWCASTLE United skipper Alan Shearer is targeting a return to action in time to face Wigan in the Carling Cup on November 29 - with the striker still seething over the goal that never was at the JJB Stadium in October, writes ADAM MURRAY. Shearer goes
THE new deck of a Darlington car park opened on Saturday - creating more than 160 extra parking spaces for motorists. The short stay car park on East Street opened its second deck after several months of work, in time for the Christmas shopping rush.
AN influenza pandemic co-ordinator has been appointed in Darlington to make plans in case of a possible global outbreak. Darlington Primary Care Trust's (PCT) director of public health, Nonnie Crawford, has become the official co-ordinator, and is working
SANTA came to town yesterday - more than a month before Christmas. Father Christmas swept into Darlington town centre on a sleigh pulled by reindeer, to the delight of young onlookers. Children lined the route as the sleigh went from Tubwell Row onto
SHOCKED residents found a mobile phone mast being installed in their village despite councillors opposing it. Villagers in Sheriff Hutton, near Easingwold, were relieved when Ryedale District Council told them phone company Orange would not be allowed
A TRANSPORT project has received a cash boost which will ensure its future for the coming year. The Lloyds TSB Foundation revealed this week that it is to fund the annual rent for premises used by East Durham Community Transport (EDCT) The £4,800 award
A WEEK of arts activities are planned to celebrate the re-launch of a renovated arts and media centre. Free films, workshops and exhibitions will be held at Rural Arts, in the Old Courthouse, Thirsk, from Friday, November 18 to Friday, November 25. Rural
GEORGI Hristov did not exactly endear himself to his new fans when the Bulgarian striker signed for Barnsley in 1997 and promptly labelled the town's female population as 'ugly'. And when the first round draw of the FA Cup was made a fortnight ago Darlington
A PLANNING application has been given the go-ahead despite protests from residents. Derwentside District Council received 31 letters of objection over plans to build two blocks of flats on Snows Green Road. Planning officers advised the development control
PUPILS have started planting fairy rings as part of the landscaping of a new multi-use games and toddlers area in a north Durham community. Twenty six students from Bloemfontein Primary School worked with staff from Barclays and Groundwork and local residents
RESIDENTS fighting an unpopular parking scheme in a leafy Victorian terrace have submitted a petition to the European Parliament. People living in the streets around Western Hill, in Durham City, say the unwanted scheme breaches both environmental rights
A SPATE of alcohol-fuelled vandalism across Egglescliffe village, near Eaglescliffe, is hampering the council's efforts to improve facilities for children. Newly-installed adventure trail equipment in the Amberly Way play area, and facilities at St Margaret's
FLOWER expert Anthony Coatsworth insisted before a garden show on Saturday that he had no chance of winning major prizes - but walked away with six trophies. He was awarded five silver cups for his chrysanthemums, including one for the best vase of them
DARYL Murphy has revealed the reason for his sudden switch to the left wing - it is the only way he can get a game in training. The 22-year-old made his first senior start at Highbury on Saturday but, while he was originally signed as a striker when he
A NEW skateboard park has been opened in Middlesbrough at a cost of more than £500,000. The Prissick Skate Plaza, off Marton Road, opened its doors on Saturday. Middlesbrough Council received a petition signed by 500 youngsters. It is hoped the venue
A TAXI driver has spoken for the first time of the terrifying moment he was stabbed in the face by a teenage robber. Father-of-three Roy Mc-Arther, from Darlington, was slashed across the face and stabbed in his hands with a 6in blade as he dropped the
RESIDENTS have called for further action to be taken at an accident blackspot where a 15-year-old boy was badly hurt. The teenager was hit by a Volvo car on the A174 near Lazenby village on Friday evening. He suffered serious head injuries and was taken
SHOPPERS got the chance to experience hairstyles and beauty treatments from wartime Britain at the weekend. The workshop was held at the McArthur Glen Designer Outlet Village at Fulford, near York. Saturday's event was part of the Imperial War Museum's
IN the midst of an Indian slum, thronged by barefoot children, stands a lone white woman. All eyes are on her, watching with quiet reverence as she speaks in their native tongue. I don't know what she's saying, but her voice is calm and measured, with
A MOTHER-OF-FOUR has described how her family has been devastated by a holiday accident in which her husband was left paralysed from the neck down. Ian Corkhill, 36, is recovering in the spinal unit of the James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough
CONSISTENCY has been an overused word by manager Steve McClaren and at Goodison Park it became evidently clear why it has always been on the tip of his tongue. Yesterday's defeat to Everton means it is now 12 months since McClaren last tasted back-to-back
DARLINGTON No 8 Alan Brown became the leading try scorer in National Three North when his second successive hat-trick helped to earn a 27-27 draw away to Leicester Lions. As in last week's win at home to Hull Ionians, all Brown's tries came in the first
ARMED police tackled a man with a crossbow on a town centre street packed with weekend drinkers and families on their way to fireworks displays. Duke Street, in Darlington, was sealed off for about 30 minutes on Saturday night while armed police disarmed
HIV sufferers are urging young people to practise safe sex and not repeat the mistakes they made. People have spoken out because of rising numbers of newly diagnosed HIV (human immunodeficiency syndrome) cases in the region. HIV causes Aids (acquired
AN organisation that aims to prevent young people slipping into a life of crime and anti-social behaviour has received £700,000. The money has been given to North Yorkshire's youth offending team (YOT). It will be spent on identifying children at risk
THE BLAYDON club is buzzing after a lucrative weekend. It began with 2,500 attending their Friday night bonfire, continued with an outstanding Powergen National Trophy win and ended with the usual successful Sunday car boot sale. By beating the National
A mother accused of murdering her baby in a house fire appeared before a court today. Danielle Wails appeared in a red slash-necked jumper and blue jeans. The 22-year-old was charged with the murder of her baby, four-month-old Alexander Lee Gallon on
AN HONEST Graeme Souness freely admits that he and Emre enjoy a special relationship. Before the nudge-nudge, wink-wink brigade start working overtime, it's fair to say that if the Turkish midfielder continues to score match-winners at St James' Park
A BURGLAR who preyed on elderly female householders to feed a drug addiction has been jailed for four-and-a-half years. Andrew Savage was confronted during a break-in at the home of an 87-year-old woman who was awoken by a noise, at 2.45am, on July 4.
IT is a truism borne of wisdom to say that you should never judge another person unless you have walked a mile in their shoes. Unfortunately our legal system is not in a position to provide the judiciary with either the time or the ability to place themselves
THOUSANDS of plastic ducks were tipped into River Wear at the weekend to raise money for charity. Durham mayor John Lightley and crew members of HMS Invincible were on hand to see the ducks dropped from a digger at the Elvet Bridge, in Durham. The ducks
A FRUSTRATED Steve McClaren last night illustrated that Middlesbrough's ineffectual forward play was the major factor in his side's failure to continue a recent turnaround in fortunes. Everton's third win of the season lifted them out of the relegation
A FATHER-of-three is threatening to take his primary care trust to the High Court to force them to pay for cancer treatment. Jeff Hurrell, 57, has been told by a hospital consultant that he would probably benefit from Alimta, a recently licensed drug
Both Robert Downey Jr and Val Kilmer have something of a reputation in Hollywood, so it should be no surprise that they hit it off when making a film together. Steve Pratt meets actors both labelled "difficult", although for very different reasons. THE
Second Division strugglers Guisborough are facing more uncertainty after manager Craig Morley walked out before Saturday's 7-1 defeat at South Shields. Morley, who took over from previous boss Tim Burn a month ago after Guisborough were thrashed at Consett
Bishop Auckland manager Brian Healy gained plenty of encouragement from his side's 2-0 defeat at Brigg Town on Saturday. Bishops are still bottom of the table after this latest setback, six points away from safety, but Healy said: "We just don't seem
A LIFELINE for drug addicts and alcoholics was cut off by a telephone firm. It meant that staff at the pioneering treatment unit for addicts, could not field "life or death" calls. Workers at the Lazurus Centre, in Sunderland, who provide round-the-clock
Cleadon SC passed up several good scoring opportunities and paid the penalty, conceding the last unbeaten record when they lost 3-1 at Whitehaven. The Cumbrians went ahead on 37 minutes through Craig Robson and three minutes later a defensive lapse presented
A tenancy empowerment officer has been appointed to help Darlington residents improve their own neighbourhoods. Simon Callaghan is working with Darlington Borough Council tenants to give them a voice in the decisions that are made about their communities
CLEVELAND Fire Brigade generated nearly 350 safety visits in two days when crime prevention and fire safety officers set out their stall in a local shopping centre. The brigade joined Cleveland Police, Safe in Tees Valley, Middlesbrough Council and the
ANOTHER £800 has been raised by Weardale villagers to help victims of last year's tsunami in Sri Lanka. The money came from a table top sale held in Frosterley Village Hall at the weekend by the Weardale Tsunami Relief Fund, set up by garage owner Tony
BULLDOGS will be giving greyhounds a run for their money at the second annual beer festival at the Pelaw Grange Stadium, near Chester-le-Street. The Westerhams British Bulldog is just one dog-themed tipple available trackside at 6.30pm from Thursday,
A CHURCH has been declared unsafe leaving its congregation facing an uncertain future. Members of Shildon Spiritualist Church say they have been dealt a devastating blow with the news that their meeting place of almost 100 years could be beyond repair
A PROJECT working with thousands of young people across Derwentside has been shortlisted for a national award. Derwentside District Council's innovative Special Project to Initiate Children's Elections (Spice) programme is one of 11 across the country
GEOGRAPHY students at Teesside High School in Eaglescliffe enjoyed a field trip with a difference. For while the school held an open day on Saturday, one party of year 12 took the opportunity to make a flying visit to Iceland. Geography teacher Katherine
A GARDEN has been created by students taking part in a community project. It was unveiled on Friday at The Vane Tempest hall in Gilesgate, Durham, by members of the Prince's Trust team. Eleven young people, aged between 16 and 30, took part in the project
PLANS to transform a former hospital site into a massive housing development are causing concern for residents in a picturesque north Durham village. English Partnerships wants to find a developer to build up to 450 homes on the Shotley Bridge Hospital
A DEFIANT 96-year-old widow vowed she would not be intimidated as she recovered from a mugging that left her battered and bruised. Eva Huddart had her handbag snatched as she waited at a bus stop near her home. She said: "What has happened is terrible
Youths stoned fire crews as they were called out to a series of unauthorised bonfires over the weekend. Stones and lumps of wood were hurled at firefighters who were called out to blazes by youths thought to be responsible for starting the fires. Crews
A PLAN to turn a shop in a Teesdale market town into offices is expected to be approved. Barnard Castle Town Council has requested that the change-of-use application at 47 and 47A The Bank, Barnard Castle, is refused. However, planning officers at Teesdale
FOOTBALL club bosses last night quashed speculation linking them to the sponsorship of a £25m city academy planned for Darlington. Middlesbrough FC said it had no interest in lending its name to the controversial development, for which borough council
THE DURHAM and Chester-le-Street Primary Care Trust has been recognised as one of the top 100 health care organisations in which to work. The study, which was conducted by the Nursing Times magazine as part of their centenary celebrations, looked at thousands
FASHION students at a North college have been cutting a dash on the catwalk in preparation for an awards night tonight. Eighteen fashion, clothing, art and design students from Darlington College of Technology have been working on their moves and creations
HEALTH promotion events offering help and advice will be held this week in North-allerton, Stokesley and Thirsk. The days have been organised by Hambleton and Richmondshire Primary Care Trust's district nursing teams. As well as advice, nurses will also
Baby Barry, who ran a blinder on his first start for Richard Fahey at Newcastle last time, is fancied to open his account for his new yard in division two of today's In Running Tonight On Skytext 293 Handicap at Wolverhampton. The ex-Geraldine Rees gelding
A husband who made a courtroom plea for mercy after his wife plunged a blade into his chest was murdered by her in a second stabbing four years later. John Williamson, 59, told a judge in 2001 he could not live without his wife Jacqueline, 45, who had
Wolf urine replaced the traditional scent of foxes as South Durham Hunt rode out for the official start of the season on Saturday. Reporter Catherine Jewitt joined them. Hounds bounding across the patchwork landscape followed by a parade of horsemen and
MICHAEL BRIDGES has made it clear he sees his future back in the North-East with Darlington. The Bristol City striker has failed to settle in the south-west after moving to Ashton Gate on a free transfer last summer. And, after Hodgson made an approach
LAST week, Jose Mourinho accused Arsene Wenger of being like a man who used a "telescope" to "spy on his neighbours". On Saturday, it was Sunderland boss Mick McCarthy who needed something to enhance his vision. When it came to the respective quality
A TAXI driver has spoken for the first time of the terrifying moment he was stabbed in the face by a teenage robber. Father-of-three Roy McArther, from Darlington, was slashed across the face and stabbed in his hands with a 6in blade as he dropped the
DARLINGTON No 8 Alan Brown became the leading try scorer in National Three North when his second successive hat-trick helped to earn a 27-27 draw away to Leicester Lions. As in last week's win at home to Hull Ionians, all Brown's tries came in the first
SVEN-GORAN ERIKSSON has never been one to keep his admiration for Jonathan Woodgate out of the public eye. Always complimentary and always keen to keep the door to an international return wide open. So when Woodgate's name was not announced in the latest
Backlash (BBC2) When The Moors Ruled In Europe (C4) Mariella Frostrup has nice breasts. There, I've said it. And without fear that the presenter will raise any objections because she gave me permission to say it in front of millions of TV viewers in Backlash
THREE people were stabbed as a wake in a pub ended in a brawl at the weekend. Trouble broke out among 40 mourners at the wake in the Warriors Arms, in Front Street, Great Lumley, County Durham, at about 7.15pm on Friday. Three people in the pub were stabbed
GOAL hero Thomas Butler revealed his match-winning goal on Saturday was born straight out of the Hartlepool United training ground. The 24-year-old winger skipped past the challenges of two defenders and played an old fashioned one-two with striker Eifion
A 30-year-old wood machinist today admitted murdering his girlfriend, whose body was found more than a month after she went missing. Paul Dyson pleaded guilty at Hull Crown Court to murdering 22-year-old Joanne Nelson. Job Centre worker Miss Nelson was
Matty Appleby's return to Barnsley may have ended in defeat but he left Oakwell on Saturday having enjoyed a trip down memory lane at his former club who welcomed him back with open arms. Appleby is fondly-remembered at Oakwell where, after leaving Quakers
A CAMPAIGN to get a fairer deal for Yorkshire businesses from gas and electricity companies has been launched. The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) and watchdog Energywatch said small businesses were getting a raw deal from energy suppliers. They
IN 1605 Guy Fawkes was foiled in his attempt blow up the Houses of Parliament - on the day his plot was commemorated Darlington manager David Hodgson was ruing his own lack of firepower. At the beginning of the season Clyde Wijnhard and Simon Johnson
CONTROVERSY may have surrounded the nature of Hartlepool's FA Cup triumph at Victoria Park on Saturday, but all Pool fans were concerned about was the fact their name went in to the hat for the second round draw. Former England and Spurs striker Martin
THE region's X Factor contestants, Journey South, have raised the bar for the competition after they sang without backing tapes on Saturday's show. Brothers Carl and Andy Pemberton, from Middlesbrough, were voted through to the final eight artists, and
