NOTHING quite gets the adrenaline flowing like the Cheltenham Festival, four days of stunning jumps action, starting on Tuesday with the first of 24 breathtaking races worth a whopping £2.87m in total. Granted a crowd capacity of 70,000, Prestbury Park
A BOXER floored three committee men and security staff trying to eject him from a village workingmen's club. Richard Bowser, 28, was yesterday jailed for a year after he admitted attacking the three as violence flared during Wolsingham Show weekend, in
BACK to St John's at Shildon on Wednesday night, not so much like the good old days as like Old Testament days and, more specifically, like the Great Flood. It had been absolutely tossing down. Still, the welcome was as warm as ever. "Look out, the rabble's
Tow Law are looking for revenge against Shildon this afternoon to virtually ensure safety from relegation. Lawyers lost 3-1 at Shildon a fortnight ago to drop deeper into the relegation fight, but victory over leaders Blue Star in their following game
DON'T Call Me Derek (3.20) will be in his element on the predicted heavy ground for Sandown's Imperial Cup. There are all sort of clues pointing to the Malton raider's chances, starting with his 11-length demolition of George Moore's mudlark, Toldo, on
THE man asked to step in and fill the void left by the sacked Mick McCarthy has warned officials up and down the country that a bungee rope could be needed to stop him from playing a part in Sunderland's final ten games. There are managers who prefer
BUSY women headed into town from all over Teesdale on Wednesday - Maureen Mason, of Whorlton, with jam, Cherry Simpson, of Westwick, with snowdrops, Molly Orton, of Winston, with knitted gloves, Mavis Grimley, of Staindrop, with decorated aprons and others
GLENN Roeder has told his Newcastle players they need to overcome their Old Trafford "fear factor" if they are to maintain the stellar progress they have shown under his caretaker control when they take on Manchester United tomorrow. While the Magpies
BACK to St John's at Shildon on Wednesday night, not so much like the good old days as like Old Testament days and, more specifically, like the Great Flood. It had been absolutely tossing down. Still, the welcome was as warm as ever. "Look out, the rabble's
A COUPLE'S £400,000 dream home is to be demolished because they failed to get planning permission. Builder Peter Howell had hoped he and his wife, Kay, could retire to the five-bedroomed property in Ingleby Arncliffe, near Stokesley, North Yorkshire.
OUTDOOR performance footwear manufacturer brasher has teamed up with British menswear designer Nigel Cabourn to launch a new fashion range. Richard Cotter, managing director of the Sunderland-based firm said the partnership would help develop a younger
A PATRIOTIC Steve Caldwell believes becoming Sunderland captain is something he can handle. Why? His answer is simple: "I'm Scottish and I'm a centre-back.'' With Gary Breen suspended for today's visit of Wigan, caretaker boss Kevin Ball will not only
A CONFERENCE focusing on the role of tourism in the rural economy is being called for by a local MP. Bishop Auckland MP Helen Goodman is opening up the debate on tourism in Teesdale and wants local people to get involved. She cites strengths such as the
PERFORMING arts training sessions will be on offer to student actors and musicians. Stagecoach Theatre Arts is providing a weekend of tuition from April 21 to 23 at The Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College, Vane Terrace, Darlington. The sessions, open to
THOUSANDS of security guards could find themselves out of work later this month amid claims the Government's new licensing scheme is in chaos. Companies fear they will be unable to meet work commitments as 50,000 security guards nationwide, and at least
YOUNGSTERS made a splash yesterday when they took part in the first Sedgefield schools swimming festival. Pupils from five primary schools - North Park, in Spennymoor, Tudhoe Colliery and St Charles', both in Tudhoe, Bishop Middleham and West Cornforth
TAXI marshals are to be introduced into a historic university city centre to reduce late night alcohol-fuelled violence. Trouble in Durham City after closing time used to happen during clashes between locals and students from outside the area, or 'townies
VANDALS left a trail of destruction on Teesside this week after seven cars had their windows smashed. Police are appealing for information after the attack which happened at about 8pm in Blenheim Terrace, Redcar, east Cleveland, on Wednesday. A Cleveland
YOUNG performers are limbering up for the performance of their lives. The Gala Theatre Stage School held open auditions in Durham and Newcastle to find a group of talented youngsters to join the Fame cast. The auditions attracted nearly 50 people, from
TEESSIDE is to host its firstworld music festival this month. There are three events in the festival - WinterFest 06 - which has been organised by Tees Valley Arts and the African Arts Association. A spokesman for the organisers said: "There are three
MORE than 370 workers were dealt a blow last night when one of the region's biggest furniture retailers announced its imminent closure. Stag Furniture is to shut down its manufacturing site in Sunderland in the coming weeks after seeing continued losses
IT'S so easy losing your way in France, especially on the final run after a very long drive from home. Brain fuzzy after hours at the wheel and nerves frayed by my understandably bored teenage children, I invariably miss a turn. On one previous trip,
MEMBERS of a youth centre are to be rewarded for their efforts in developing initiatives to improve the heath and well-being of young people in the community. Moorside Youth Centre, in Consett, is to be awarded the County Durham Healthy Youth Work Standard
A £1.5m scheme to encourage tourism, create employment and improve public transport is gathering steam. Hambleton District Council and Wensleydale Railway have signed a contract that will see Station House, at Bedale railway station, renovated and used
A CASUALTY nurse tried to poison his housemates when they fell out over the cleaning rota. Andrew Percy has been suspended from his job at Newcastle General Hospital's accident and emergency department and has been told he is facing jail for putting bleach
A READY Steady Cook-style contest is to be held in Darlington next week. Shoppers will see cooks challenged to prepare a first-class feast from the products available in the town's farmers' market. The contest is being held on Friday as part of the Foodiefest
BRAVE pupils George Alley and Hannah Colvin have been pushing themselves through the pain barrier to raise money for a school trip. The Hummersknott School students are part of a group of pupils who will travel to Nepal next year to visit schools and
A TEENAGER was found with ecstasy tablets when his friend's car was pulled over for a routine police check, a court heard yesterday. The youth, 17, was found to have several of the tablets with him, and a police search of his home later that night revealed
SCHOOLCHILDREN with learning difficulties will find adjusting to student life a piece of cake after completing a catering course at Darlington College. For the past 20 weeks, year 11 pupils from Beaumont Hill School in the town, have been learning how
A PARTY of German students from Darlington's twin town has paid a visit to the town hall. The 23 students and three teachers from Bremen, Germany, have been visiting the town for work experience. On Wednesday, the pupils who are aged between 14 and 15
A COMMUNITY school earmarked for closure has vowed to battle on, after councillors narrowly voted to give it the axe. Dene Community College, in Peterlee, faces closure as part of a £90m scheme to refurbish and repair secondary schools in east Durham,
IT was a case of from Teesside with love for cancer-stricken children from the former Soviet Union yesterday. Ten terminally-ill visitors to Middlesbrough from Belarus were not even born when the Chernobyl nuclear reactor blew up in 1986. Their region
A CHURCH choir will benefit from a charity fashion show in Teesside. Staged at Gisborough Hall, east Cleveland, the event will showcase women's and children's wear. Local businesses are supporting the event, which has been organised by Chrysalis Solutions
ALMOST a quarter of a million pounds is to be spent on improving four underused railway stations. Durham County Council plans to upgrade facilities and improve the appearance of Bishop Auckland, Newton Aycliffe, Heighington and Seaham stations. At a cabinet
FOUR of Bath's first-choice front five are on England duty this weekend, but Newcastle Falcons still expect a fierce battle at the Recreation Ground today. Locks Danny Grewcock and Steve Borthwick, plus prop Matt Stevens, are in the England team to play
UNPOPULAR car parking charges have been reduced despite warnings that the move could cost a council thousands of pounds. Richmondshire District Council sparked an outcry when it doubled rates in some car parks last year. Businesses claimed they lost trade
Wednesday: Forward 161 store/breeding cattle and calves, plus 55 store and breeding sheep. Cattle: bulls, Bel Blue £528, Lim 450, Sh 350, Here 298, Holst 240, Ab Angus 320. Heifers, Lim 595, Blonde 574, Bel Blue 485, Char 468, Sh 250, Sim 418,. Bullocks
MORE than 370 workers were dealt a blow last night when one of the region's biggest furniture retailers announced its imminent closure. Stag Furniture is to shut down its manufacturing site in Sunderland in the coming weeks after seeing continued losses
A JEALOUS husband who bludgeoned his wife to death with a hammer was last night beginning a life sentence after being found guilty of murder. Michael Luke, 45, faces at least 14 years behind bars after the Teesside jury returned a unanimous verdict. His
A CONTROVERSIAL plan to build steel and PVC polyester sports hall in the shadow of an ancient church and listed house, is set to be rejected by planners. Governors at Brompton Hall School, near Scarborough - the former home of the pioneer of aviation
A COUNCIL worker has celebrated her retirement by demolishing her workplace. Christine Thwaite has been a warden at Sycamore Close sheltered housing complex in Bainbridge, near Hawes, for 25 years. However, the centre has been replaced by an extra care
ANDREW MULLEN bids for the biggest win of his career on My Paris (3.35) in the £50,000 Lincoln Trial at Wolverhampton. Kevin Ryan's promising young jockey is well acquainted with My Paris having previously steered his partner to victory on turf at no
FRIDAY night football at Hartlepool United is all about wind, rain and spectacular goals. Last April Adam Boyd won the North-East goal of the season award with a stunning strike against Sheffield Wednesday in awful conditions. Last night the weather may
UNWANTED handbags could be turned into lifesaving equipment as part of a heart campaign. The British Heart Foundation (BHF) is appealing for people to donate unwanted goods to raise money for heart monitors and other equipment. Shops across the county
A CASUALTY nurse tried to poison his housemates when they fell out over the cleaning rota. Andrew Percy has been suspended from his job at Newcastle General Hospital's accident and emergency department and has been told he is facing jail for putting bleach
A PILOT crash-landed on a deserted beach after he got lost in fog and his plane ran out of fuel. The light aircraft landed at Goswick Sands, near Holy Island, off the Northumberland coastline, after the pilot made an emergency call to the flight control
THE man asked to step in and fill the void left by the sacked Mick McCarthy has warned officials up and down the country that a bungee rope could be needed to stop him from playing a part in Sunderland's final ten games. There are managers who prefer
CONSTRUCTION work which will see a three-fold increase in bed numbers at a North-East private hospital has got under way. Affinity Healthcare, owner of Middleton St George Hospital, near Darlington, has ambitious plans for the site. The expansion plan
WHEN Arsenal secured one of the most memorable victories in their history in midweek, dumping the Galacticos of Real Madrid out of the Champions League, a season fast looking like becoming a stain on their illustrious history was suddenly reignited. Out
A RED-FACED sign-writer will be sent back to school to correct the misspelling of the word technology on a sign. Bungling officials put up a welcome sign outside the new Education Village, in Salters Lane, Darlington, including the word "technolgy". The
NOTHING quite gets the adrenaline flowing like the Cheltenham Festival, four days of stunning jumps action, starting on Tuesday with the first of 24 breathtaking races worth a whopping £2.87m in total. Granted a crowd capacity of 70,000, Prestbury Park
POLICE yesterday displayed the forklift truck that was used in a hole-in-the-wall raid on a post office. Officers leading the investigation into the robbery at Murton post office, in County Durham, hope that publicising the vehicle will prompt witnesses
A JEALOUS husband who bludgeoned his wife to death with a hammer was last night beginning a life sentence after being found guilty of murder. Michael Luke, 45, faces at least 14 years behind bars after the Teesside jury returned a unanimous verdict. His
WITH Middlesbrough closing in on two cup finals, Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink last night admitted he came close to missing one of the biggest months in the club's 129-year history because he feared he had kicked his last ball on Teesside. Tomorrow's Premiership
A SOLICITOR could be struck off after an investigation was launched into his business dealings. Richard Melville Thomson's company was closed down at the end of last month following intervention by the solicitors' watchdog, the Law Society, after serious
Q My daughter, aged 58, has worked for 42 years for the same employer, paying full National Insurance. Presumably, she will be entitled to the full basic State Pension when she is 60. Is this all she will receive, or will she get additional pension as
Since revealing all as chubby Dave in The Full Monty, Mark Addy has spent most of his time making movies and sit-coms in the US. Now he's back home with his family in York and looking for work but not, as he tells Steve Pratt, as a stripper. HARDLY a
MIDDLESBROUGH'S progress on three separate fronts has given Steve McClaren plenty of selection dilemmas but he believes the gruelling fixture schedule is the envy of the rest of the Premiership. Since the turn of the year Boro have already played 16 matches
WHEN Michael Schumacher spent more time out of his car than in it last season, the cheers from the grandstands were almost as loud as they were when he was lifting his seven World Championships. From Formula One's darling, the German automaton had become
THE jury at the inquest into the death of Private James Collinson could have returned a verdict of suicide or accidental death. Instead, it returned an open verdict. The only conclusion that can be drawn is that members of the jury believe that something
MODIFIED plans to build barracks for more than 2,000 soldiers at Catterick Garrison have been given the blessing of councillors. The development, off Plumer Road, will link Bourlon, Cambrai and Alma barracks with new accommodation, a mess, recreation
A CORONER has backed calls for a public inquiry into non-combat deaths in the Army, saying the armed forces had nothing to fear. Michael Burgess said it was his personal view that a probe would help to restore public confidence in the recruitment and
MOVE over Changing Rooms - people in a north Durham community are learning to master their own DIY skills. Durham County Council's Return to Learn Centre (Education in the Community) has designed the free ten-week introduction to DIY course to encourage
A GUIDE to best practice in family learning is to be launched in County Durham next week. About 200 people are expected at the launch and celebration of the work of the Family Learning Project, at Durham County Cricket Ground, Chester-le-Street, on Thursday
TRANSPLANT baby Lennox Nicholson is likely to remain in hospital for at least another week. Lennox, from Guisborough, east Cleveland, who underwent a life-saving liver transplant before Christmas, was readmitted to hospital three weeks ago. Although the
A NEW home is being sought for a real-life scamp. Staff at the Dogs' Trust Darlington Rehoming Centre, in Sadberge, are appealing for a home for terrier crossbreed Scamp. They say the three-year-old is a real bundle of fun. He was brought in as a stray
AN Italian restaurant is opening specially for Mother's Day, with a portion of the proceeds going to charity. Che Vita restaurant, in Gilesgate, Durham, will make a contribution to Marie Curie Cancer Care, which provides nurses to care for cancer patients
A VOLUNTEER football coach has been given the chance to promote the beautiful game across the Atlantic next summer. Paul Ginsberg, 19, a former pupil at Wolsingham School and Community College, was chosen from thousands of applicants to coach youngsters
A NORTH-EAST university celebrates big band music tomorrow. More than 350 musicians from across the UK will gather for the third annual "Big Sunday" Jazz Festival at Sunderland University's St Peter's Campus, at Manor Quay, overlooking the River Wear.
A GOVERNMENT minister has been visiting Teesside to see how people are endeavouring to live healthier lives. Faced with several areas where health is particularly poor, Stockton Borough Council and its partners set out to encourage local people to adopt
A GIRLS' school has been taken back in time - to play a starring role in one of TV's most popular shows. Harrogate Ladies' College was transported back to the Swinging Sixties for the prime-time ITV drama The Royal. Set designers turned it into the Fairlawn
BUSY women headed into town from all over Teesdale on Wednesday - Maureen Mason, of Whorlton, with jam, Cherry Simpson, of Westwick, with snowdrops, Molly Orton, of Winston, with knitted gloves, Mavis Grimley, of Staindrop, with decorated aprons and others
DOUBLE STANDARDS: WE seem to be besieged by a plethora of loan and mortgage deals invading our space, whether on our TV screens or on the Internet. The message is the same from all companies promoting their products - apply for a loan or mortgage to consolidate
A COUNCIL chief has blasted claims made by campaigners fighting redevelopment plans on Teesside as "distorted and exaggerated". Opponents of the Coatham Links Development, in Redcar, east Cleveland, have produced a protest tabloid, which is being distributed
AN appeal for old football shirts has been launched. Northallerton Methodist Church parishioner Sarah Mark wants at least 500 shirts to give to prisoners in Ethiopia. Ms Mark visited the country in January with a rehabilitation organisation, the Friends
A COUPLE'S £400,000 dream home is to be demolished because they failed to get planning permission. Builder Peter Howell had hoped he and his wife, Kay, could retire to the five-bedroomed property in Ingleby Arncliffe, near Stokesley, North Yorkshire.
PERFORMING arts training sessions will be on offer to student actors and musicians. Stagecoach Theatre Arts is providing a weekend of tuition from April 21 to 23 at The Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College, Vane Terrace, Darlington. The sessions, open to
A NEW home is being sought for a real-life scamp. Staff at the Dogs Trust Darlington Rehoming Centre, at Sadberge, are appealing for a home for terrier crossbreed Scamp. They say the three-year-old is a real bundle of fun. He was brought in as a stray
A POPULAR town centre chain store in Darlington is to be given a complete facelift. The new look Marks & Spencer, in Northgate, will include a caf Revive and in-store bakery. Work begins later this month and should be completed by the summer. The
WINNERS of the first Best of Darlington awards were announced last night, in a ceremony attended by some of the leading figures from across the borough. Thirteen of the people from across Darlington who have dedicated themselves to making the borough
POLICE arrested a man on suspicion of attempted murder yesterday in connection with a pub shooting. A man brandishing a handgun was tackled by people in the JD Wetherspoon pub, in the Market Place, Hexham, Northumberland, at 4pm on Wednesday. It is believed
THE headteacher of the second oldest nursery in Britain is to retire after 40 years' service in education. Pat Pennington, who has spent 23 years of her career at George Dent Nursery School, in Darlington, will step down next month. She moved to the North-East
COUNCIL chiefs are backing a scheme to help support the economy in poorer nations. Stockton Borough Council has unanimously agreed to support the district in becoming a Fairtrade Town. The resolution, passed with all party support, will see Fairtrade
CHILDHOOD sweethearts who first met at school when they were five celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary yesterday. Raymond and Gladys Shaw, of Dene Grove, Bishop Auckland, were in the same class at Shildon Council School in the 1940s, but did not
ALMOST a quarter of a million pounds will be pumped into improving four under-used railway stations. Durham County Council plans to upgrade facilities and improve the appearance of Bishop Auckland, Newton Aycliffe, Heighington and Seaham stations. At
EMRE has urged Newcastle's board to make Glenn Roeder the club's next permanent manager, despite admitting he had no idea who the current caretaker was when he arrived in England in July. The Turkey international, who has fostered a productive midfield
THE search is on for the missing wells of Northallerton. The town's Churches Together group is running a festival this summer when the theme will be water as the source of life. As part of the festival, organisers want to find as many of the town's wells
SARAH JONES is a young woman who likes to throw her weight around. And she will be doing just that in front of a crowd in Middlesbrough next Saturday. Ms Jones, from Sunderland, will appear at the town hall under her show name, Minx, when US wrestling
MORE than 370 workers were dealt a blow last night when one of the region's biggest furniture retailers announced its imminent closure. Stag Furniture is to shut down its manufacturing site in Sunderland in the coming weeks after seeing continued losses
The A178 is a journey to the end of the world, to the place where the North-East fades away into the sea and the sky, where land loses its form and gradually churns into water. The houses peter out into sodden farmland, damp horses and shaggy cows stand
FRIDAY night football at Hartlepool United is all about wind, rain and spectacular goals. Last April Adam Boyd won the North-East goal of the season award with a stunning strike against Sheffield Wednesday in awful conditions. Last night the weather may
A BOY feared paralysed for life after a freak accident has baffled the medical world with his outstanding progress. Parents of nine-year-old Daniel Largan said it was a miracle their son survived after a metal rod pierced his brain when he was 18 months
GREAT Britain international Stephen Hepples, now fully recovered from a troublesome Achilles injury, is hoping to throw off the effects of a chest infection in time to defend his North-East title in tomorrow's Redcar Half Marathon. The 25-year-old Redcar-based
A MAN arrested after an armed police siege in a North-East street yesterday was still being questioned last night. The 39-year-old, who has not been named, was overpowered in a house in Scott Street, Shildon, County Durham, early yesterday after a stand-off
A MAN who was repeatedly beaten over the head during an attempted robbery has spoken about the terrifying attack. Fred Lawton, a councillor on Darlington Borough Council, suffered at least six heavy blows to his skull with a blunt instrument after refusing
UNIBOND LEAGUE: Bishop Auckland are still without defender Sonny Parker because of suspension for their home game with Fleetwood today. The ban has dragged on because Bishops have had their last three matches postponed, and that inactivity has also contributed
DAVID Hodgson has sought to reignite Darlington's play-off push by drafting in striker Jemal Johnson from Champions League chasing Blackburn Rovers. The American frontman will go straight into today's squad for the match against Chester with Hodgson telling
A RED-FACED sign-writer will be sent back to school to correct the misspelling of the word technology on a sign. Bungling officials put up a welcome sign outside the new Education Village, in Salters Lane, Darlington, including the word "technolgy". The
