When Didier Drogba scored the only goal of Ivory Coast's African Nations Cup success over Morocco on Saturday, his strike was hailed as a sign of the continent's new-found footballing strength. One of the world's greatest strikers, who normally plies
Efforts to protect one of Britain's most endangered birds, the black grouse, are proving a major success in three North-East valleys, a survey shows. Their numbers have grown in recent years in Teesdale, Weardale and South Tyne-dale, although they have
OFFICIALS in the North-East are involved in a major initiative to scrutinise the health of the nation. Experts at the region's Public Health Observatory (PHO) have joined colleagues from all over the country to collect and analyse data that will be used
AN MP from the North-East has given her backing to a bill to protect the jobs of the disabled. The bill calls for the introduction of rehabilitation leave. This would be available to anyone who finds themselves newly disabled, or experiences a change
THE victim, and former wife, of shamed teacher William Gibson has criticised the decision to let him work in schools again. Gibson, 59, was convicted in 1980 for indecently assaulting the teenage schoolgirl he later married. Despite the conviction, he
RESIDENTS of a North-East town have backed plans for a direct rail service to London. A petition, signed by 1,200 people, has been presented to Parliament by Hartlepool MP Iain Wright, supporting the link to the town. The bid to run the service by Grand
TRADERS affected by controversial plans to demolish 1,500 homes in Middlesbrough have expressed concern over their livelihoods. About 40 businesses will be affected by Middlesbrough Council plans to regenerate terraced housing in the town centre. The
PATRICK HASLAM currently holds a strong hand with his juvenile hurdlers, spearheaded by Wetherby-bound Dan's Heir (1.30). Most jumpers are given at least a fortnight between races, however Dan's Heir took precious little out of himself when coasting to
Football bosses at a 122-year-old club have unveiled a new mascot. But how will Darlo Dog be welcomed by the fans? Reporter Olivia Richwald went "undercover". Football mascots have an illustrious history in the North-East - one even went on to become
IN August Stewart Downing was forced to give up the battle against a knee problem that had plagued him all summer. When he did he left a Middlesbrough side with serious ambitions to break into the Premierships's top six. He returned on Saturday to a team
YOUNG volunteers are helping to put a bite into Chinese New Year celebrations. Groups of young helpers will be helped by the region's Chinese community to make a traditional lion's head mask, which will be worn during the Chinese New Year good luck dance
LEADING church figures gave their backing to the anti-global poverty movement, in the North-East at the weekend. The former Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Carey of Clifton, was the main preacher at the Regional Service of Thanksgiving and Recommitment
THOMAS Butler could be out of action for two months, after breaking down on his return to action from a groin injury. The Hartlepool United winger damaged a groin in the defeat to Southend on December 28 and suffered a recurrence just 25 minutes into
IT was a case of Groundhog Day in the Blaydon dressing room at half-time of Saturday's clash with Leicester Lions, according to director of rugby Nick Gandy. Leading 13-10, the North-East side had dominated proceedings without really stamping their authority
THE North-East is still bottom of the nation's regional recycling rate league table. Figures released by Defra today reveal that although more household waste was recycled during 2004/5 in the North-East, the region is still doing less than other regions
A PEDESTRIAN was being treated for serious injuries in hospital last night after being hit by a car while walking his dog. The 46-year-old local man, who has not been named, was struck by the car, in Shadforth, near Durham, late on Friday, and was pinned
GIVEN Freddy Shepherd's demands for a maximum return from Newcastle United's last ten home games, it is little wonder he sat stern-faced in the directors' box as manager Graeme Souness failed to guide his side to their first three-points towards that
MR Ian Wilkinson, a PE teacher and tennis coach who once played 25 minutes football for Shildon, has been anxious for some time that we watch Newcastle Eagles basketball team. The football was a 1970s preseason friendly, against Middlesbrough. "They played
A RESEARCHER is to publish a book uncovering the hidden history of a Northern village's religious past. For decades, tourists have gone to the beauty spot of Rosedale Abbey, near Pickering, in search of its abbey, but to no avail. However, after three
THE opening of a new Darlington department store has been postponed until April, more than four months behind schedule. The TK Maxx store, in Crown Street, was originally due to open before Christmas, but the opening was put back until March. Now, it
Praise for the referee from David Hodgson occurs about as often as whales swim down the River Thames, but the Darlington manager's gratitude was entirely justified following Saturday's win at Oxford United. In opting not to send off Quakers' Simon Johnson
DETECTIVES last night charged a man after an incident that resulted in the death of a "loving father" who went to the aid of his injured son. Lorry driver Lawrence Steel, 44, died from stab wounds he received as he went to assist 23-year-old Craig, who
HORRIFIED ambulance crews arrived at a road crash at the weekend to find one of their colleagues fatally injured and trapped in his car. Mark Maughan, a 29-year-old ambulance technician from Churchill Road, Barnard Castle, County Durham, was killed as
A CHURCH which rose from the ashes of a devastating 1950s fire launched its golden anniversary celebrations yesterday. The reopening of St Paul's, Spennymoor, by the late Queen Mother in 1956 will be one of the events commemorated by the congregation
A NUMBER of community projects proposed for Wear Valley this year have gone before the council. Groundwork West Durham has put forward several schemes to continue its regeneration role within the district, and councillors gave initial approval for them
A SERIES of events are being held in Darlington to mark Holocaust Memorial Day. A service, led by the Reverend Robert Williamson from St Cuthbert's Church in the town, will be held in the central hall of the Dolphin Centre on Thursday from 2pm. The theme
POLICE are investigating three reported child snatch bids in a mile area within four days. Two girls ran off after being approached by men in separate incidents in Low Teams, Gateshead, in under half-an-hour, last Monday, while a 13-year-old boy also
TWO renowned Army bands and an award-winning North-East choir will join forces for a charity concert next weekend. The event, called the Very Special Concert, will see the Normandy Band of the Queen's Division and the King's Division Waterloo Band perform
A MARKET town's war memorial is to be renovated in time for this year's Remembrance Day service. Barnard Castle Town Council has set aside £4,500 for maintenance work on the town's memorial and it also hopes to obtain grants to help with the work. A survey
A STRUGGLING youth scheme is to be offered the services of a consultant to improve the way it is run. Ryedale Child and Youth Projects (RCYP) had asked the district council for £15,000 to help pay running costs of its office and the wage of an administrative
A PARISH council has agreed to accept a £42,000 grant to improve its sports field. Heighington Parish Council voted to accept the money, and the conditions which come with it, at a majority of six to one, with one abstention. The total cost of work to
Work starts this morning to remove temporary classrooms from a Bishop Auckland Auckland school. The buildings behind Bishop Barrington School, in Woodhouse Lane, were used by Murphy Crescent special school until children moved out under a shake-up of
A MOTHER gingerly turns to her culinary skills to create a mouth-watering masterpiece to entertain her children every winter. In what has become an annual tradition each December in the Dubov household, in Durham City, mother-of-four Lara bakes a giant
THE public have a chance to have its say over matters of interest affecting villages on the Durham coastal strip. A meeting of Easington district's Coastal Area Forum will be held at Blackhall Primary School, in Middle Street, Blackhall, on Wednesday,
A REDCAR stand-up comedian has criticised his council after he received a court summons for underpaying his council tax bill by £7.11. Chris McGlade, of Durham Road, a campaign leader against Redcar's seafront development, feels he has been victimised
TAXI ranks in north Durham are to be marshalled by security guards to crack down on late-night drink-fuelled violence. Four security guards are to work at trouble spots in Consett and Stanley between 11.30am and 3.30am on Friday and Saturdays. Cab stands
A preacher has raised more than £300 for charity through the sale of his first book. Bob Brunger, 67, said he spent five years researching The Miracle of Jesus - a book which chronicles the life of Jesus, "written as if Jesus was a real man". Mr Brunger
A BUSINESSMAN fought off an intruder with a golf club after he was attacked in his home. Millionaire nightclub and building entrepreneur Allan Rankin, a neighbour of footballer Alan Shearer, woke as a youth broke in. Once inside, he chased the former
RESIDENTS in Hambleton have recycled or composted more than any other area in Yorkshire and Humberside. Figures released by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs show 34.5 per cent of household waste was recycled or composted in 2004/
TWO County Durham butchers have proved they are a cut above the rest after winning national qualifications. Ivan Lowther, 35, manager of H Coates and Son butchers, in Coxhoe, and Jason Kane, 33, a butcher at the same company's Framwellgate Moor outlet
STAFF generosity and hard work has raised more than £4,000 for Macmillan Cancer Relief. The Smart Corporation, Hartlepool, challenged its 12 stores to raise money for the charity throughout last year and they raised £4,229. A variety of events included
NETWORK gaming sessions are being offered free at libraries and youth centres. Stockton Borough Council's Library Service is teaming up with CyberChaos Ltd to run the sessions on Saturdays next month, from 10am to 1pm and 1pm to 4pm, at the following
A SERIES of open meetings will be held across North Yorkshire as county councillors tackle the proposed budget for the next financial year. The council is consulting in various communities about its proposed council tax levels. The Harrogate meeting will
Crook Town manager Alan Oliver thinks that the odds on his side winning the FA Vase will have decreased dramatically after they beat St Blazey 3-1 at the Millfield on Saturday. Crook were 250-1 to win the competition three rounds ago, but three successive
A SMALL dimple in his cheek is the only visible sign that nine bullets were pumped into Curtis Jackson's body. That mark is the exit wound of a 9mm bullet that hit him in the face. Amazingly, he survived. Not only did he live to tell the tale but he became
DARLINGTON outcasts Stephen Thomas and Adrian Webster could enhance their first-team opportunities by following the example set by born-again defender Joe Kendrick. That was the message of encouragement from manager David Hodgson, who insists Thomas and
Bishop Auckland suffered their worst defeat of the season when they were hammered 7-2 at Bamber Bridge on Saturday. It was the old familiar story for Bishops with their defence punished for some bad mistakes, and manager Brian Healy said: "Some players
DAVID HODGSON thought his side were fortunate not to finish the game with ten men on Saturday, but the player who he feared could have been sent off was quick to contradict his manager's sentiments. Simon Johnson insists there was no malice intended,
A CONVICTED child killer could be about to launch an appeal in the hope that new expert evidence will clear her name. The move by Suzanne Holdsworth will lead to further heartache for the family of her victim, Kyle Fisher, who were last year forced to
ROB Andrew, paid tribute to his side's professionalism as Newcastle Falcons secured a 24-17 European Challenge Cup win over Brive. The win on Saturday ensures home passage to the final should the Falcons progress through the knock-out stages, having drawn
As Chinese New Year approaches, people throughout the world are gearing up for celebrations. Sarah Foster finds out about the festival and its traditions. I'M sitting in a reception on the campus of Sunderland University, listening to a convoluted debate
A retired lieutenant colonel is taking the Army to an industrial tribunal today over racial discrimination allegations in one of the first cases of its kind. Dr Surinder Saggar, a veteran of the first Gulf War, claims he was the victim of racial abuse
DEFENDING double champions Morpeth Harriers again swept the board at the prestigious Start Fitness Sherman Cup cross country event - and topped a magnificent performance by sportingly giving away a gold medal. The Northumbrians had provided the individual
A CONVICTED child killer could be about to launch an appeal in the hope that new expert evidence will clear her name. The move by Suzanne Holdsworth will lead to further heartache for the family of her victim, Kyle Fisher, who were last year forced to
CONTROVERSY and good fortune surrounded Sunderland's first Premiership victory since September, but manager Mick McCarthy didn't care a hoot. The industrious Liam Lawrence appeared to have fouled former Black Cats loan signing Darren Carter on the halfway
In a recent poll by GQ magazine the chief executive of Tesco, Sir Terry Leahy, was voted as the most powerful man in Britain outside the Government, second only to Prime Minister and Chancellor. The 49-year-old retail supremo has helped to make Tesco
David Hodgson paid tribute to the courage of Matt Clarke after the big defender led from the back during Darlington's away win on Saturday. Alongside the equally impressive Shelton Martis, the captain's commitment meant he was a shining example to his
RENAISSANCE man Kelvin Davis hailed Sunderland's fanatical following after Saturday's win and insisted his side had to build on its recent success. Black Cats fans were in buoyant mood throughout the basement encounter and roared their side on to only
LAST week, Middlesbrough installed a new heart defribulator at the Riverside to treat players, staff or supporters suffering a cardiac arrest. By Saturday evening, after a last-minute shock that was as dramatic as it was disastrous, the equipment was
REALITY TV sailed into new waters at the weekend with the moving sight of the struggle to save the London whale. The nation held its breath and viewers tuned in from all over the world as the rescue team battled on behalf of the lonely and disorientated
I'M sitting in a reception on the campus of Sunderland University, listening to a convoluted debate. Ding Lan, who for the past seven years, has organised the Chinese New Year event, is deep in conversation with Sandra McLuckie, another member of staff
HEADING back home from South Wales, Eifion Williams with a big goal to his name, Jon Daly having made a big impact and a contentious decision going against them, Hartlepool United have been there before. A trip to Swansea in League One may not have had
Stokesley SC romped into the semi finals of the North Riding County Cup, but New Marske and Teesside Athletic failed to join them. There was no stopping Stokesley though and the goals rained in against Guisborough Black Swan. A Ben Walker hat-trick, James
TWO County Durham butchers have proved they are a cut above the rest after winning national qualifications. Ivan Lowther, 35, manager of H Coates and Son butchers, in Coxhoe, and Jason Kane, 33, a butcher at the same company's Framwellgate Moor outlet
DRIVERS were forced to take emergency action when a motorist drove the wrong way down a busy dual carriageway. Motorists couldn't believe their eyes when they saw the small hatchback driving down the A19 on Teesside. The woman driver narrowly avoided
DEFENDING double champions Morpeth Harriers again swept the board at the prestigious Start Fitness Sherman Cup cross country event - and topped a magnificent performance by sportingly giving away a gold medal. The Northumbrians had provided the individual
DRIVERS were forced to take emergency action when a motorist drove the wrong way down a busy dual carriageway. Motorists couldn't believe their eyes when they saw the small hatchback driving down the A19 on Teesside. The woman driver narrowly avoided
FOOD businesses in Teesdale are being encouraged to take advantage of hygiene courses being run by the council. Teesdale District Council is running two day-long courses in food hygiene next month. People taking part in the training will gain the Foundation
FOOD businesses in Teesdale are being encouraged to take advantage of hygiene courses being run by the council. Teesdale District Council is running two day-long courses in food hygiene next month. People taking part in the training will gain the Foundation
A MULTI-MILLION pound learning centre will be at the heart of the renaissance of Darlington, the town's MP Alan Milburn has predicted. Mr Milburn has had his first tour of the £34.5m Darlington College, being built off Haughton Road, and said it promises
YOUNGSTERS in Darlington are preparing to elect the town's new Youth Parliament representative. Yesterday, five candidates revealed they were standing in the ballot, which will elect the new Member of Youth Parliament (MYP) and a deputy. The positions
FUNDRAISERS are to abseil from one of the most famous locations in the North-East. Newcastle's Tyne Bridge will host the charity abseil to raise funds for Cancer Research UK. Karen Redfearn, 34, from Norton, near Stockton, is tackling the 100ft drop as
A NORTH-EAST academic's pioneering photography has gone on display for the first time, at the university where he taught. Tom Willmore, who died last February, aged 85, was an eminent professor of mathematics at Durham University. But in his spare time
A SERVICE to help victims of domestic violence has re-launched its advice circle to give support to people in need. The circle, run by Darlington Domestic Violence Forum (DDVF), helps provide multi-agency support to men or women who suffer physically
HORRIFIED ambulance crews arrived at a road crash at the weekend to find one of their colleagues fatally injured and trapped in his car. Mark Maughan, a 29-year-old ambulance technician from Churchill Road, Barnard Castle, County Durham, was killed as
THE postcard archives of a North-East cobbler, who bequeathed his cottage to a council, have helped create a DVD. A Glimpse of History in Marske-by-the-Sea has been produced by Marske man George Lambelle, who has used the postcard collection to help bring
A WRESTLING legend will step into the ring as Wrestle Zone Wrestling (wZw) returns to Shildon next month. Johnny Kidd, who is known to many for his fights alongside the likes of Big Daddy, Giant Haystacks, Mick McManus and Kendo Nagasaki during the sport's
A preacher has raised more than £300 for charity through the sale of his first book. Bob Brunger, 67, said he spent five years researching The Miracle of Jesus - a book which chronicles the life of Jesus, "written as if Jesus was a real man". Mr Brunger
A COMPUTER expert from the North-East accused of distributing child pornography was helping in the development of a national sex offender database. Vincent Barron, who is on bail, was working with Northumbria Probation Service, who confirmed he had been
A MEMORIAL service will be held on the 70th anniversary of the death of a young goalkeeper who helped to bring the Football League title to the North-East. Jimmy Thorpe died in a diabetic coma in hospital four days after being kicked about the head and
TRADERS affected by controversial plans to demolish 1,500 homes in Middlesbrough have expressed concern over their livelihoods. About 40 businesses will be affected by Middlesbrough Council plans to regenerate terraced housing in the town centre. The
A GROUP of largely housebound people were taken on a trip down memory lane, thanks to funding from a community grant scheme. Memories rekindled among members of St Michael's Catholic Housebound Group, in Houghton-le-Spring, on the nostalgic trip to Eden
A VACANT council seat is expected to be keenly fought later this week, despite having little bearing on the balance of power. The Liberal Democrats are making a big push to try to attract voters in the Durham South seat, on Durham County Council, which
Ebony Light added fuel to Ginger McCain's dream of making Grand National history with a stunning 33-1 success at Haydock. Despite being 22lb out of the handicap, the outsider of five came home an unchallenged nine-length winner of the Peter Marsh Chase
A town's public library is to be closed for six weeks while an access is fitted for disabled people and parents with children in buggies. Sheets will be fitted to shelves to protect thousands of books while the work is carried out on the building in Hall
THREE charity supporters are preparing for the daunting task of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. Darlington Centenary Rotary Club members Jo Daly, Mike Applegarth and Alasdair Ross will be aiming to reach the summit of the peak in Tanzania. Their efforts,
A CONCERT of popular music - from Mussorgsky to Shirley Bassey - is being held to raise money for charities supported by the Mayor of Darlington. The Cobweb Orchestra, conducted by Andy Jackson, and the Darlington Orchestra, conducted by David Plews,
THE number of public rights of way in the North York Moors National Park now classed as "easy to use" is on the increase. Figures pubished by the park authority show that more than 60 per cent of the hundreds of footpaths and bridleways on the moors have
Bride Rachel McAvany had her own love island when she married sweetheart Keith Shell. The couple wed on remote Lindisfarne, in Northumberland, where their families have lived for generations. It was the first wedding between islanders in 30 years - with
NORTH Yorkshire Fire and Rescue is still failing to meet key targets on road deaths and fire injuries, according to a report. But the service's performance in other areas is greatly improved. The latest performance report will be presented to the county
A DISTRICT council spends only 70p per resident on sports development. The figure, which equates to £36,000 a year, is the lowest net expenditure within Ryedale District Council's family group of authorities. Members of a council scrutiny committee have
AN event this week aims to create a town full of young readers. Hartlepool youngsters and their parents can find out the Bookstart scheme on Thursday, from 9am to 5.30pm, at an information stand in the Middleton Grange Shopping Centre. Run by Hartlepool
LORD TRANSCEND, responsible for starting Graham and Andrea Wylie's multi-million pound interest in racing, has been retired after sustaining a ligament injury in the Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock on Saturday. The Howard Johnson-trained grey went off the
A FUGITIVE who smuggled 6.7 million cigarettes inside hollowed-out logs is behind bars after he was found hiding out in a Spanish holiday resort. Scrap metal dealer Paul "Jimmy" Stanley fled the country after he was convicted in November 2004 of using
With football very much in vogue, Premiership grounds frequently attract top notch celebrities such as Sir Richard Attenborough, Ant 'n' Dec, Robbie Williams and the like. But it's not only the Premiership which attracts A-list stars. In League Two on
Praise for the referee from David Hodgson occurs about as often as whales swim down the River Thames, but the Darlington manager's gratitude was entirely justified following Saturday's win at Oxford United. In opting not to send off Quakers' Simon Johnson
STEVE McCLAREN took his Middlesbrough squad off for warm weather training yesterday but, according to Stewart Downing, the only thing the players want to do is stay home and put things right on the pitch. Saturday's demoralising home defeat to a 93rd
The Romantics (BBC2) The Virgin Queen (BBC1) HERE'S the latest incarnation of Doctor Who speaking the words of French philosopher Jean Jacques Rousseau. And David Threlfall, who plays drunk and dishevelled Frank Gallagher in Shameless, reciting the work
AS a Geordie, Lee Clark understands more than most the frustrations felt by Newcastle United's supporters. But the experienced midfielder believes calls for manager Graeme Souness' head are un-necessary, and claims the disgruntled fans don't appreciate
Spennymoor director of football Ken Houlahan has admitted their promotion hopes are all but over after they were thumped 6-2 at home by Penrith on Saturday. The new Moors collapsed in the second half, conceding four goals, leaving them in ninth place,
GEORGE REYNOLDS: I READ with interest Margaret Gordon's letter castigating Mike Amos for his opinions on George Reynolds (HAS, Jan 17). Now the last time I looked, this was still a country of free speech and I don't think Mike Amos, who I do not know
