Archive

  • End of the road for bus depot

    THE closure of a bus depot has been described as a fresh blow to the region's rural public transport. Arriva has announced it will close its depot in Richmond, North Yorkshire, from March 4. The firm will continue to run services between Darlington, Richmond

  • Workwear Express mining a rich seam

    A CORPORATE clothing company has seen a record year of success and is doubling the size of its workforce. Workwear Express has moved into a factory on Belmont Industrial Estate, in Durham, which houses more than £1m of stock. The company, which employs

  • Carr's ready for growth

    AGRICULTURAL and food group Carr's has grown by about 20 per cent in the past year and is on course for more growth this year, its chairman said. The group, which has sites in Askrigg, North Yorkshire and Barnard Castle, County Durham, said Carr's remained

  • Mother's plea after cancer tragedy

    A WOMAN who was told her back pain was a muscular problem died six months after being diagnosed with breast cancer, it was revealed yesterday. Susan Appleby, 38, first went to the doctors with back pain and was told she had pulled a muscle. Despite her

  • Cash-hit council to axe 100 jobs

    A COUNCIL has announced plans to cut up to 100 jobs in a bid to claw back a £7m budget deficit. Redcar and Cleveland Council yesterday said it would invest £4m into its services, which would include care for the elderly and vulnerable children. But its

  • On TV

    Life On Mars (BBC1) IN this new series from the makers of Spooks and Hustle, John Simm stars as a policeman... oh dear, I can hear you switching off already as you think to yourself, "Not another police series". The whole point about Life On Mars is that

  • Rachel looking forward to new challenge

    RACHEL SIMPSON has been appointed information manager at Business Link in County Durham. The 36-year-old, from School Aycliffe, near Darlington, will provide information services to Business Link account managers, and will be responsible for developing

  • Knife shame of shopkeeper

    A SHAMED shopkeeper apologised last night after being featured in a BBC documentary selling a 16-inch hunting knife to a schoolboy. Salesman Khalile Maqsood said he was upset and alarmed after being caught by the BBC's undercover Inside Out programme

  • Ripper hoax: accused in court

    A MAN accused of being the Yorkshire Ripper hoaxer known as Wearside Jack is to face trial after denying perverting the course of justice. John Samuel Humble, 50, of Flodden Road, Sunderland, was charged in connection with letters and an audio tape sent

  • McCarthy ready to open talks with Scimeca

    SUNDERLAND will open talks with Riccardo Scimeca later today after West Brom boss Bryan Robson gave the defender permission to negotiate a move away from the Hawthorns. But another transfer deal is now in doubt after Swiss club Grasshoppers told the Black

  • No longer cooking on gas

    Heating bills are set to soar with warnings of a steep hike in gas prices over the next few months. Nick Morrison looks at what lies behind the rise and what it means - to both consumers and the economy. IT was less than a decade ago that we seemed to

  • Prison row judge jails drug addict

    A JUDGE criticised for not sending a drug dealer to prison locked up an addict for three years yesterday. Judge Guy Whitburn decided to jail Colin Clark after Teesside Crown Court heard that the 24-year-old was found with two 30g bags of heroin, with

  • Surprisingly merry Christmas for high street retailers

    RETAILERS enjoyed their best Christmas for four years, figures revealed yesterday. The increase in sales comes after months of reported retail gloom on the high street, with a downturn in customer spending blamed on soaring energy and fuel costs and an

  • Dales pony Molly finds her place in the California sun

    SHAGGY-HAIRED Dales pony Bolam Molly is starting a new life in sunny California. The two year old pony, from a prize-winning County Durham herd, has been airlifted to the West Coast of the US after an American breeder took a fancy to the hardy North-East

  • Access awards

    ORGANISATIONS which go the extra mile to make sure they are accessible to all in County Durham could be in line for an award. Durham County Council is launching an Access+ Award for public and private sector bodies which make an extra special effort.

  • Anger over nuclear power station plans

    plans to build a nuclear power station in the UK have been criticised by environmentalists. Regional development agency One NorthEast has posted a tender application on its website asking people to bid to create a business plan for a new nuclear station

  • Banners recall the glories of Test Match cricket series

    THE teams which competed at Durham County Cricket Club's International Test Match Series last year are being celebrated in a range of colourful banners. Fifteen cricket banners, produced last year by various community groups and schools, have gone on

  • Town's first referendum confirmed in protest

    THE date for the first parish referendum in Darlington was confirmed yesterday, as campaigners stepped up their efforts to save a landmark pub. The Save the White Horse protest group has been battling against the demolition of the pub and hotel, at the

  • "Replace my unreliable, but fast, turbo or i'm not paying"

    A MOTORIST whose car turbo was replaced with a less powerful system has demanded it be replaced - or she will stop repaying its £18,000 cost. Although Janet Thorburn has been warned that her Nissan Almera could be damaged if a high-power turbo was to

  • Youngsters first to see new-look town library

    YOUNGSTERS got to grip with arts and crafts yesterday to mark the reopening of a library. Cockerton Library, in Darlington, has undergone its first major refurbishment since the 1970s. The facility was closed for more than a month to allow the work to

  • Council compromise allows cabbies use of bus lanes

    TRANSPORT chiefs last night announced an 11th-hour compromise that would allow taxi drivers in Darlington to use bus lanes. But the move could set the borough council on a collision course with the police and bus companies, which fear passengers' safety

  • Allotment security stepped up

    SECURITY measures have been stepped up at a town allotment following thefts from the site. Ferryhill Town Council has installed security gates at the Storehouse allotments to help to try to prevent unwanted visitors to the site. It is the latest move

  • Cash-hit council to axe 100 jobs

    A COUNCIL has announced plans to cut up to 100 jobs in a bid to claw back a £7m budget deficit. Redcar and Cleveland Council yesterday said it would invest £4m into its services, which would include care for the elderly and vulnerable children. But its

  • Multitude of services in Operation Clean Sweep

    HUNDREDS of homes are being targeted in a clean-up operation which has rejuvenated a town. The latest Operation Clean Sweep is hitting the Central Estate in Hartlepool, backed by Mayor Stuart Drummond. Work, which started yesterday, will be concentrated

  • Reward offer for arrest of dog snatchers

    A TEACHER is offering a reward for information leading to the arrest of two men she believes stole her pet dog. Diane Tennet has been searching for her two-year old West Highland white terrier, Tayler, since it disappeared from outside her home in Norham

  • Man denies murder outside pub

    AN arm-wrestling contest ended with a man carrying out a "frenzied attack" that left his opponent with 26 stab wounds, a court heard. Alan Jones, 37, known as Bally, got the better of Wayne Gates, 30, during an arm-wrestling contest in Hogans bar, in

  • Launch for history DVD

    THE first screening of a new history of Lanchester is to take place in the village tonight. The DVD was created from an idea by Eric Burns, who compiled a history of the village in pictures. However, the work has now been turned into a DVD by Shotley

  • Advice line set up thanks to Lottery

    PEOPLE with problems can call an advice and information phoneline set up with a £54,000 Lottery grant. Wear Valley Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) is running the service for the next three years with cash from the Big Lottery Fund. Advisor Alison Walker

  • Latest improvement work is under way

    A revamp of the centre of Crook started a new phase yesterday under an action plan to create a more shopper-friendly environment. Work started on a £480,000 16-week contract transforming the area around the war memorial with paving, footpaths and lighting

  • Police warn about tablets

    POLICE are warning thieves to hand in potentially dangerous tablets stolen during a burglary on Teesside. Officers are appealing for information about the theft which occurred sometime between 5pm on Saturday and 8.50am yesterday morning. The offenders

  • Information sought on house burglary

    POLICE are appealing for information about a house burglary in Trimdon Colliery at the weekend. The break-in happened sometime between 9pm and midnight on Friday, at a house in Laurel Crescent. The thief or thieves used a ladder found in an adjoining

  • Free publicity initiative

    EVENT organisers are being urged to sign up for a free annual leaflet. Tourism managers at Hambleton District Council want to include as many local events as possible in the regular listings publication. Everything from village agricultural shows to charity

  • Accolade for health leaflets

    LEAFLETS providing information on health services in County Durham were announced as the runner-up in a national awards ceremony. They were produced by the County Durham NHS Communications Service on behalf of Durham and Chester-le-Street, Derwentside

  • Delight as almshouses saved

    VILLAGERS have won their battle to prevent a terrace of three small almshouses, built in the 1800s for poor people, from being converted into two larger properties. Residents were delighted yesterday after trustees changed their minds and agreed to keep

  • Violinist to perform Beethoven

    VIOLINIST Andrew Watkinson is to make a welcome return to Durham City later this month. The Glasgow-born musician will join the Durham Sinfonia for the performance at the city's Gala Theatre, at 7.30pm, on Sunday, January 22. Mr Watkinson is a former

  • Ripper hoax: accused in court

    A MAN accused of being the Yorkshire Ripper hoaxer known as Wearside Jack is to face trial after denying perverting the course of justice. John Samuel Humble, 50, of Flodden Road, Sunderland, was charged in connection with letters and an audio tape sent

  • Awards launched as tribute to groups which go extra mile

    ORGANISATIONS which go the extra mile to make sure they are accessible to all in County Durham could be in line for an award. Durham County Council is launching its Access+ Award for those public and private sector groups which make a special effort for

  • Scheme to improve leisure activities for young people

    YOUTH clubs and services are to get a makeover in a bid to rejuvenate the lives of youngsters. Councillors in Stockton hope the next 12 months will see huge changes to after-school clubs and activities. The changes, brought about following a review of

  • Family GP jailed over child porn

    A FAMILY doctor who was found with sado-masochistic images of boys as young as six on his computer has been jailed for 15 months and banned from working with children. Dr Riccardo Benci, a GP with Sedgefield Primary Care Trust (PCT), in County Durham,

  • New business venture puts military history in the frame

    A FATHER and son have gone into business producing prints and embroideries of military cap badges. Victoria Prints is run by Graham Prince MBE, a former soldier with 36 years experience and his son, Ian Sixsmith. They began by producing prints, but now

  • Group for young people to create history DVD

    THE history of a group for young people in a Teesdale market town is to be recorded for posterity on a DVD. Young people working with the YMCA in Barnard Castle have been awarded a grant of £24,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund to explore the history

  • Council's new phone system

    A new telephone system for Ryedale District Council will be introduced on Monday. The main switchboard number - (01653) 600666 - will not change, but engineering work over the weekend will mean callers are unable to leave messages. However, anyone wanting

  • Death blamed on chronic alcohol abuse

    A WOMAN who overcame breast cancer died as a result of chronic alcohol abuse, an inquest heard. A verdict of misadventure was recorded in the death of Ruth Barron, who was found dead at her home in Ash Hill, Coulby Newham, near Middlesbrough, on July

  • I'll stand for Lib Dem leadership - Willis

    NORTH Yorkshire MP Phil Willis emerged last night as a surprise contender to succeed his ally Charles Kennedy as Liberal Democrat leader. The Harrogate and Knaresborough MP - who has told of his anger at the toppling of Mr Kennedy - said he was determined

  • Dangerous driving by recovering addict

    A RECOVERING heroin addict who drove dangerously when he was approached by police appeared in court yesterday. Andrew Sewell was spotted by officers on January 22 last year in a car at a set of traffic lights in Hartlepool. Teesside Crown Court said police

  • New housing association office opens

    HOUSING association customers can now pay their bills at a new office in Stokesley. Hambleton District Council has set up the facility at Town Close, in North Road. Customers of Broadacres Housing Association can pay rent, garage and support charges using

  • Living up to the Liberal tradition

    THE LibDems - or as they used to be called before the days of our modernisation, Liberals - have an unsurpassed reputation for claiming the moral high ground. They have always boasted that they are not as other men - not like the Tories and Labour, full

  • Skating onto our screens

    IT'S been nearly a decade since Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean skated together. Eight years ago they announced the end of one of the most enduring skating careers in sport - one that had lasted 23 years - but it didn't mean the end of their friendship

  • Family GP jailed over child porn

    A FAMILY doctor who was found with sado-masochistic images of boys as young as six on his computer has been jailed for 15 months and banned from working with children. Dr Riccardo Benci, a GP with Sedgefield Primary Care Trust (PCT), in County Durham,

  • Maurice will be no minor player at Sedgefield

    FERDY MURPHY is a force to be reckoned with at Sedgefield where the Wensleydale handler rarely lets punters down. The genial Irishman, who has generously been a mine of information to readers of this column over the past ten years, heads to the track

  • Sage buys payment company for £184m

    ACCOUNTING software group Sage yesterday agreed to buy a US payment processing company for about £184m. The Newcastle company, which is listed in the FTSE 100 Index, said the addition of Verus Financial Management would benefit existing customers and

  • £2m nightclub revamp

    A NIGHTCLUB has undergone a £2m revamp after moving to larger premises in Newcastle. Fluid Design Solutions, based in Newcastle, has designed the Powerhouse nightclub, which has moved from Times Square to Westmorland Road. Powerhouse, owned by Trafalgar

  • Policeman accused of planning raids on cash machines

    A policeman appeared in court today accused of using insider knowledge to raid cash machines. Jason Singh, 22, is accused of being part of a gang behind planned raids on ATMs in Dunston and Gateshead. It is claimed the South Shields officer may have used

  • Six of the best head for London

    SIX companies from the region are joining forces to showcase their products and services in London this week as they take part in the UK's largest education technology exhibition. As part of the Teaching with Technology stand, which is hosted by North-East

  • Tourists are not put off by Turkey's bird flu

    THE Turkish bird flu outbreak has so far failed to put tourists off travelling to the country, according to travel agents in the region. Two siblings have died from bird flu in the eastern city of Van, and a third is also suspected to have died from the

  • Sage buys payment company for £184m

    ACCOUNTING software group Sage yesterday agreed to buy a US payment processing company for about £184m. The Newcastle company, which is listed in the FTSE 100 Index, said the addition of Verus Financial Management would benefit existing customers and

  • Faiz Ahmad

    NEWLY qualified solicitor FAIZA AHMAD has joined the commercial property team of Crutes Law Firm. Ms Ahmad has been with Crutes since July 2003 and qualified at the end of November. Originally from Newcastle, Ms Ahmad studied law at Sheffield and returned

  • Stephanie Murphy

    THE Two Castles Housing Association has appointed its first female chief executive. STEPHANIE MURPHY has been appointed to work on the association's affordable homes agenda, becoming one of the few women to run a housing association. Housing corporation

  • Peter Harrison

    A MAN who began his career as a nurse with private healthcare company Castlebeck has been given responsibility for the operation of seven of its units in the Tees Valley. PETER HARRISON has been made Tees Valley area manager with Castlebeck, which has

  • Murray lets game do the talkiing

    Andy Murray rolled into round two of the Heineken Open in Auckland with plaudits for his handsome victory and criticism of his momentary lack of good judgement. Britain's number three was a 7-5 6-2 winner against Denmark's Kenneth Carlsen - world number

  • 10/01/06

    BIRD FLU: AS the scattering of bird-to-person transmission cases spreads, the important question still remains: what our Government will do if and when person-to-person transmission emerges? One option would be prompt closure of the airports. This could

  • Ex-partner is charged with murdering father-of-three

    A WOMAN appeared in court yesterday charged with the murder of her former partner, as detectives continued trying to piece together his final movements. Louisa Ovington appeared before magistrates in Peterlee, County Durham, charged in connection with

  • Eating Owt: A Dog star in the making

    These aren't the dog days at all. As first foot becomes dragged feet and Christmas past remains wintry present, it just feels that they should be, that's all. The dog days are actually the period from July 3 to August 11 when the Dog Star rises and sets

  • US firm buys Darchem for £68m

    AEROSPACE engineering company Darchem has been bought in a £68m deal that could see further acquisitions in the UK. The company, in Stillington, near Stockton, provides thermal components for clients including Airbus, Boeing, BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce

  • Don Gunning

    Smart and Cook Insurance Brokers, in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, has appointed DON GUNNING at its Newcastle offices. Mr Gunning, formerly of HSBC Insurance Brokers, is an account executive. Denis James, director of Smart and Cook's Newcastle offices,

  • Louise Coppick

    BUSINESS Link in the Tees Valley has appointed LOUISE COPPICK as Women into Enterprise Officer. Ms Coppick will focus on the needs of women in business. She is also working with organisations such as banks, regional Business Links and the University of

  • Pompey bid will trigger McClaren move for Jussi

    STEVE McClaren will make Bolton goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen his number one target if unsettled Australian Mark Schwarzer completes a move to Portsmouth later this week. McClaren is still hoping to keep Schwarzer at the Riverside despite accepting his

  • Andy Scaife, Michelle Legg and Greg Limb

    KPMG's Newcastle office has made some senior appointments and promotions. ANDY SCAIFE, who has been with the firm for eight years, has been promoted to assistant director in corporate finance. He has specialised in that area since April 2000 and has been

  • Marine Projects closes in on offshore turbine deals

    OFFSHORE windfarm company Marine Projects International (MPI) is close to winning a multi-million-pound deal that will secure the future of the business for several years, The Northern Echo can reveal. Teesside's MPI, which is in the process of a management

  • Girls speak of killer twins

    TWO schoolgirls who became embroiled in a murder hunt when their boyfriends boasted of killing their step-grandmother have spoken for the first time. The two 15-year-olds, from Darlington, chatted to twins Jonathan and Robert Maskell, 19, over the Internet

  • Knight blow forces Quakers to look again

    Darlington are lining up another loan goalkeeper should David Knight fail to recover in time for Saturday's game with Peterborough United. The keeper left the pitch in great pain after suffering a hip injury on Saturday at Notts County and Quakers are

  • Souness in no hurry to seal deal for Lachor

    NEWCASTLE boss Graeme Souness will wait until the end of week before making a decision on whether or not to sign French trialist Yoann Lachor. Lens full-back Lachor arrived on Tyneside yesterday morning, and some reports had suggested Souness would offer

  • More things change, more things stay the same

    New year, old habits, we turn again to Shildon to find as before that there is nothing new under the sun. It was March 13, 1909, Shildon Athletic v Hartlepools United in the North Eastern League. The game ended 2-2, but it was only after the final whistle

  • Hundreds say farewell to man of the community

    HUNDREDS of people queued outside a North-East church yesterday to say goodbye to a well-loved community figure who died on New Year's Day. About 600 people attended Bob Carnell's funeral. Friends, colleagues and associates filled the seats, aisles and

  • Comment from The Northern Echo: An abuse of patients' trust

    THE relationship between a family doctor and a patient is a very special one. And trust is at the heart of it. Dr Riccardo Benci was trusted by his patients at the North-East practice where he worked. He betrayed that trust by indulging first in adult

  • A life that spanned three centuries comes to an end

    WARM tributes have been paid to one of the region's oldest residents after she died at the incredible age of 108. Lillian Bell, of Darlington, passed away on Saturday after suffering with a chest infection for the past month. The staunch Labour supporter

  • Nash bridges the gap left by loss of Collins

    MARTIN Scott last night signed Ipswich Town defender Gerard Nash on loan. The Hartlepool United boss has been looking to boost his defensive numbers after Neill Collins returned to Sunderland after an impressive half-season loan. "He is a promising player

  • Warm unw welcome for Andrew

    BUSINESS services firm unw has appointed a new partner. ANDREW WILSON has joined from Pricewaterhouse-Coopers, where he has worked for the past 20 years. Mr Wilson specialises in advising entrepreneurial privately-owned businesses from start-up to exit

  • Cup travels for Premier League trio

    THE North-East's big three all drew tricky away ties in yesterday's FA Cup fourth round draw. Newcastle United were once again drawn against League Two opposition with under pressure boss Graeme Souness taking the Magpies to either Cheltenham or Chester

  • Asim Arshad and Eric Collins

    THE Newcastle office of chartered accountancy Tait Walker has made two appointments, taking its total number to more than 100. Joining the tax department as senior tax consultants are ASIM ARSHAD and ERIC COLLINS, both from Newcastle. Mr Arshad, 28, who

  • Betting shop is hit by fire

    A BETTING shop blaze spread to five nearby properties yesterday. The fire, at Ladbrokes, in St Andrew's Street, Newcastle, at 9.30am, was believed to have started in an electrical box and spread between the buildings through electrical ducts. Paving slabs

  • Man jailed over knife threat to accuser

    A MAN who threatened another man with a knife on Christmas day has been sent to prison. Gary James Benson, 22, of Haughton Road, Darlington, yesterday pleaded guilty at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates Court to carrying an offensive weapon and causing affray

  • Cash boost for sports

    A QUARTER of a million pounds is being allocated by a North-East council as part of a drive to help people get fit. Newcastle City Council has earmarked £250,000 over normal sport and leisure spending in support of Newcastle's Year of Exercise and Sport

  • CAB forges new link with local solicitors

    FOUR Darlington companies have joined forces to help with the launch of a legal service this week. The town's citizens' advice bureau (CAB) is offering a one-stop shop every Wednesday, from 5pm to 6pm, with solicitors available to offer free advice to

  • Recycling prizes for schools

    SCHOOLCHILDREN on Teesside are being urged to cash in on a competition to recycle as many old Yellow Pages directories as possible The Yellow Woods Challenge is the environmental competition for schools organised by Yellow Pages, working with the Woodland

  • Sale away!

    Purple mini skirts snapped up for £1; crushed floppy hats plucked out of bargain bins - we can all fall victim to sale fever. This month style guru Nadia Clark give advice on the savvy sales buys to take us into spring. HAPPY New Year! The festivities

  • Working solution to resolutions

    WORKERS at a Darlington business park now have no excuses for breaking New Year keep-fit resolutions. For Lingfield Point, which is home to more than 30 firms, is offering employees the chance to join a range of fitness classes. The Zone Active sessions

  • Burglar nabbed by police after his sleeve was caught on door

    A DRUG addict caught red-handed after a failed shop break-in was jailed for 12 months. John David Warrener, 31, and an accomplice tried to flee the Food Weighhouse store, in Chester-le-Street, when police arrived on the scene shortly after 6pm on December

  • Book on history of church

    A BOOK detailing the six decades of a north Durham church has been released. A History of The Grove Methodist Church has been published and is available to purchase at a cost of £6 per copy. It attempts to span a history of more than 60 years in the life

  • Easy-access companies' efforts to be recognised

    ORGANISATIONS which go the extra mile to make sure they are accessible to all in County Durham could be in line for an award. Durham County Council is launching an Access+ Award for public and private sector bodies which make an extra-special effort.

  • Exhibition presents the hit toys through the decades

    FROM Star Wars and Harry Potter to Meccano and Barbie - this is the Must-Have Toys exhibition. The Museum of Hartlepool is playing host to the event, which could be described as any child's fantasy. Toys have been selected from classics like the teddy

  • Ex-inmate caught bringing drugs into jail, court told

    A FORMER inmate was caught trying to smuggle drugs into prison for his former cell mate, a court heard. Stephen Crichton, 48, who unsuccessfully tried to breach security checks at Durham Prison to pass on tranquilliser pills, has since joined him "inside

  • Airbase wins award for collisions-warning system

    AN airbase has won an award for a public-private safety initiative. Since 2002, military and civilian engineers at RAF Linton-on-Ouse, near York, have collaborated on a system which warns of potential mid-air collisions. The Traffic Alert and Collision

  • Future of paddling pools is secured

    THE future of three North Yorkshire paddling pools has been secured. Harrogate Borough Council had feared it would have to shut the pools because it could not afford expensive filtering systems. Guidance issued by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)

  • Police hunt for chimney thief

    POLICE are appealing for information after a valuable ornamental chimney pot was stolen from a woman's home. The chimney pot, which was being used as a plant pot in the woman's front garden in Woodhouse Lane, Bishop Auckland, was taken in daylight on

  • Police search for witness to assault

    POLICE are appealing for help to trace a witness they believe could help with an inquiry into an assault that happened more than a month ago. Officers investigating the late-night assault of a teenager in November say they urgently want to speak to a

  • Change in hospital visiting hours are welcomed, say bosses

    SHORTER visiting hours and new restrictions on visitor numbers at a North Yorkshire hospital are generally being welcomed by patients, say hospital chiefs. For decades, visiting times at Harrogate District Hospital were between 2pm and 8pm with no limit

  • Lender needs 2020 vision

    SECURITY specialist 2020 Vision has signed a £120,000 deal with Northern Rock to upgrade its surveillance facilities. 2020 Vision, based in North Shields, North Tyneside will install a closed-circuit television control room at the mortgage lender's head

  • Plans for expansion of pilot fostering scheme in region

    AN innovative fostering scheme that gives hope for troubled youngsters is to be expanded in North Yorkshire. The county's social services department is one of only 18 in this country piloting the US-developed Fostering Change scheme. Following trials

  • Trusted worker stole CDs to sell on Internet

    A TRUSTED store assistant was secretly helping himself to thousands of CDs, DVDs and videos to sell on Internet auction site eBay, a court heard. Thirty-four-year-old Simon Watkinson pinched an estimated £20,000 worth of goods and cash while working on

  • Pressed Steel receives go-ahead for expansion

    A METAL fabrication company has announced plans to invest £1.3m, doubling the size of its factory and creating 24 jobs. Pressed Steel Products confirmed its plans after being given the go-ahead by councillors to extend its plant on All Saints Industrial

  • House prices rising

    The housing market continued to show signs of recovery last month, but price growth for 2005 was the lowest for ten years. Britain's biggest mortgage lender, Halifax, said UK house prices rose by one per cent during the final month of the year. But, despite

  • Armaguedon repays faith

    Tony Dobbin was seen at his brilliant best when getting Armaguedon up to win the Pimms Winter Novices' Chase at Newcastle. The lightly-raced eight-year-old put Dobbin on the floor on the gelding's debut over fences last month, but the jockey remained