EVER fancied sharing a hot bath with glamorous cheerleaders or hunky rugby players? Premier league rugby club Newcastle Falcons is offering fans an unusual opportunity to catch all the action from the comfort of a hot tub surrounded by gorgeous members
THE North-East Employer Coalition, which creates job opportunities for disadvantaged people, has appointed JILL WHEELER as its Jobcentre Plus project manager. She will carry out policy and research work. Ms Wheeler, from Sunderland, previously worked
MORE than half the available space at a 700-acre industrial estate has been let to businesses, developers said yesterday. The site, at Wynyard, near Stockton, Teesside, was initially two rival business parks, but they merged after Gateshead MetroCentre
Reflex Vehicle Solutions, of Stockton, Teesside, has appointed ALI FORREST to manage its business adminstration. The former PA to the Bishop of Durham will be responsible for stock control for the van hire company. Her other roles have included PA to
Allison Agius runs her own complementary health business and is celebrating the publication of her first novel. But it's a long way from her humble beginnings she tells Lindsay Jennings. ALLISON Agius was three months into her A-level course when her
BRAIN tumours could be triggered by a virus, according to international research led by a North-East scientist. The discovery could lead to better treatment for this potentially life-threatening form of cancer. Despite the discovery, the researchers have
In response to the minefield of choices facing parents-to-be, former au pair Krisztina Horner has organised the region's first baby fair. She talks to Sarah Foster. IT was while shopping with a pregnant friend, in summer 2004, that Krisztina Horner came
PERSIMMON Homes has appointed a sales and marketing trainee at its Teesside office. Having just left Newcastle University, 23-year-old architecture graduate Christina Carlsson lives in Newcastle, but is originally from Sweden. She said: "I've always been
GRAEME Souness and Freddy Shepherd were locked in a stand-off last night as Newcastle's crisis-riddled season continued to lapse into farce. Shepherd has finally lost faith in his manager after Saturday's 1-0 defeat to Blackburn sent his side crashing
LAW firm Watson Burton has made two appointments. Employment lawyer RICHARD RYAN , 27, joins from Thompsons Solicitors, in Newcastle, where he has worked since completing his training with Olswang solicitors. He has experience of tribunals and all aspects
PEOPLE who want to nominate for the Best of Darlington awards have only one week left to send in their entries. Nominations for the first awards have been pouring in from people across the borough who think an individual, group or business they know deserves
CHILDREN at a Darlington primary school have been making their views known on a controversial topic. The year six pupils at North Road Primary School have written to The Northern Echo with their views on proposals to ban smoking in public places. The
A LOCAL authority is warning of cuts to services after a freeze on its funding from the Government. Chiefs at the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA) say education, public transport, traffic management and cycling are likely to suffer. The
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
WORSHIPPERS across a diocese that spans North and West Yorkshire have raised £238,392 for restoration work in Sri Lanka following the Asian tsunami. Money given to the appeal, launched by the Right Reverend John Packer, the Bishop of Ripon and Leeds,
A BISHOP has paid tribute to the retiring Archdeacon of Richmond, the Venerable Ken Good, who is retiring in July. The Right Reverend John Packer, Bishop of Ripon and Leeds, said Mr Good had proved himself a friend and advisor to parishes. He said: "He
A MEETING will take place tomorrow to decide whether to try to make Richmond a Fair Trade Town. The meeting, hosted by the Richmond Justice and Peace group, will take place in the Methodist Hall, in Dundas Street, at 7.30pm. Speakers will spell out the
THE search for the next generation of Ripon Cathedral choristers has received a welcome boost. The Royal Masonic Trust has agreed to pay the cost of one child's education as a chorister. The bursary includes 100 per cent funding for school fees, free
COUNTY Durham people in chronic pain now have someone to talk to when their condition gets them down. A volunteer-manned phoneline is available night and day, but so far there have not been many calls. It was launched in June by the Durham City-based
RARE glimpses of the lives of remote North African tribes have gone on show. Memories features a number of etchings and photographs by an exiled member of the Berber tribe, who now lives and works in the borders. Allal Yamine came to Britain from Morocco
BURGLARIES from student digs have almost halved following a crime-prevention campaign launched by the police. Officers have been working with student groups and university staff in Durham City to cut the alarming rate of break-ins at student accommodation
MEMBERS of the public are invited to attend a board meeting of Derwentside Primary Care Trust, tomorrow. The trust oversees GP surgeries, clinics, health centres and community nursing, as well as taking a lead role in developing local health services
PARENTS and carers in Hartlepool are being urged to take advantage of a childcare service. Sure Start South, a Government-funded initiative, has been operating in Hartlepool for about two years. The daycare service, based at the Rossmere Centre, in Rossmere
PUPILS at two schools are preparing to share their views on important issues with children around the world. Hummersknott School and Language College, in Darlington, is partnered with School No 639 in St Petersburg, in Russia, which teaches children of
MUSICIANS are tuning up to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the birth of one of the world's greatest composers. Barnard Castle School Choral Society will pay tribute to Mozart with a concert in Bowes Museum on Friday. Directed by the school's head of
Plans for a multi-million pound shopping complex in Bishop Auckland have been revealed. Work could start on the retail centre towards the end of the year or early next year should proposals for three to four units and accompanying parking space be given
PEOPLE from Bishop Auckland churches will be united under the same roof when St Mary's RC marks its 50th anniversary next week. Priests, vicars and ministers across the town have been invited to a celebration Mass on Thursday, February 2, which will launch
WORKERS made redundant when a carpet maker went into receivership are getting less compensation than they expected, because the Government is paying for the redundancy package. The 140 former employees of Hugh Mackay, based at Meadowfield, near Durham
A MAN who was called up to work in a North-East mine during the Second World War has welcomed a campaign to honour the Bevin Boys. Alfred Gaddas, 79, from Northallerton, North Yorkshire worked in Ferryhill, County Durham, for three years from 1945 to
PEOPLE from the Parkfield and Mill Lane areas of Stockton are being urged to take part in a campaign aimed at raising their pride in the local area. The Pride in Parkfield Mill Lane campaign will run throughout the year, with a launch event taking place
THERE are times when people in responsible positions in public life are so unbelievably stupid that it is right to question whether they are fit to carry on in their jobs. And, although 2006 is still in its early stages, Liberal Democrat MP Mark Oaten
HOUSEBUILDER Barratt Developments said there were signs buyer confidence had returned to the market following a lift in sales completions and profits. The Newcastle company said that despite "testing market conditions" during the six months to December
TWO experts from Microsoft and Mitel are to advise company bosses in the region on how the latest technology can be used to help businesses make progress. Waterstons, of Durham, has secured the services of Mark Deakin, of Microsoft, and Campbell Williams
HOUSEBUILDER Barratt Developments said there were signs buyer confidence had returned to the market following a lift in sales completions and profits. The Newcastle company said that despite "testing market conditions" during the six months to December
THE Government was last night facing the biggest industrial dispute since the 1926 General Strike after union leaders decided to ballot 1.5 million council workers in a row over pensions. Eight trade unions representing workers including school dinner
A MARKETING brand borrowed from an illustrious neighbour could help sell a Durham dale as a holiday destination. Council tourism chiefs in the Wear Valley are stressing the district's close proximity to Durham City in advertisements carrying their new
AGE OF EMPIRES III, Publisher: Microsoft, Format: PC, Price: £34.99: Family friendly? 12+. IF you enjoy strategy, the chances are you'll already own the first two games in this long-running series. Along with Command & Conquer, Total Annihilation
An inquest into the death of a man found unconscious in a police cell heard detailed analysis of CCTV footage today. John McDonnell, 33, from Ripon, North Yorkshire, died in March 2003 after being taken to Scarborough Police Station from his parents'
THE mad megalomaniac Emperor Nero is notorious for having fiddled while Rome burned. I thought of him last Saturday. I mean, the world is engrossed in the most serious international crisis for 45 years - when the Russians and Americans were threatening
THE UK's largest van hire group Northgate has paid £5.7m for a fleet management company. The move comes only weeks after Northgate, which is based in Darlington, announced that it had experienced its toughest six months in history, and hinted at moving
AGE OF EMPIRES III Publisher: Microsoft Format: PC Price: £34.99 Family friendly? 12+ IF you enjoy strategy, the chances are you'll already own the first two games in this long-running series. Along with Command & Conquer, Total Annihilation and Dark
Police have condemned as despicable a bogus caller who charged a 90-year-old woman more than £6,000 for a £5 roof tile. The trusting woman, who is partially deaf and blind, handed the caller a blank cheque - only to find out later that he had filled it
A SUPPORT group has been set up to fight in favour of a controversial education academy. A group of residents and parents in Darlington have decided to band together to back plans for a multi-million pound academy in the town. Darlington Borough Council
It is the answer to our energy problems and will help slow climate change, or it is dirty, expensive and dangerous. As the Government launches a review into our future energy needs, Nick Morrison looks at the debate over nuclear power. IT is probably
LYN AYRTON moves from Gordons, in Leeds, and will be based in Watson Burton's offices in Newcastle and Leeds. She has more than 15 years' experience in complex and high-value divorce and separation settlements.
ANDREW PARKER'S decision to send D J Flippance back over hurdles at Sedgefield should not hinder his chances one jot in the Weatherbys Insurance Handicap Hurdle. D J Flippance (3.10) was on duty over fences at Ayr last time out, plugging on dourly to
I Don't Like Mondays (C4) Gay Muslims (C4) BOB Geldof and the Boomtown Rats had a number one hit in 30 countries with their single I Don't Like Mondays. Hearing how the song was inspired by America's first school shooting makes you realise how insensitive
MORE than half the available space at a 700-acre industrial estate has been let to businesses, developers said yesterday. The site, at Wynyard, near Stockton, Teesside, was initially two rival business parks, but they merged after Gateshead MetroCentre
LOUISE DORAN, from Sunderland, has joined Young Enterprise North East to help recruit volunteers from businesses. After working in the legal and recruitment professions, the 24-year-old decided to make the move to business relations manager at education
THOUSANDS of pounds-worth of prizes were handed out to schools, companies and young achievers in the chemical and pharmaceutical sectors on Friday. The North East Process Industry Cluster (Nepic), which represents more than 350 companies in the region
A COMPANY that manufactures sensors is hoping to break into the eastern European market following a trade visit to the Czech Republic. Triton Controls, which is based in Evenwood, near Bishop Auckland, County Durham, made the visit before Christmas to
NEWSPAPER group Trinity Mirror yesterday confirmed Sir Victor Blank was standing down as its chairman. The group, which publishes Middlesbrough's Evening Gazette and the Newcastle Journal, Newcastle Chronicle and Sunday Sun, said Sir Victor would retire
Just like the good old days at Crook Town on Saturday, right down to sending a little lad with a slate around the ground so that the winner of the half-time sausages might be made aware of his sizzling good fortune. The crowd, admittedly, was some way
A RETIRED lieutenant colonel of Indian origin yesterday claimed he had been the victim of racist comments in a confidential Army appraisal of his skills. A report written by his commanding officer said Dr Surinder Saggar had "the ready smile and the wit
Jonjo Dickman is not afraid to admit that goals aren't usually a strong part of his game, but after scoring against Oxford at the weekend, the Darlington midfielder wants more. For a player who wears the No 10 shirt, Dickman was on target for only the
England captain Michael Vaughan and Test fast bowler Matthew Hoggard are extending their contracts with Yorkshire and will stay at Headingley until at least the end of the 2009 season. Like Yorkshire's other senior players they are on rolling contracts
POLICE have warned people to be on their guard after a spate of handbag and mobile phone thefts over the weekend. The four thefts were carried out by youths on bicycles in the Eastbourne area of Darlington. The victims, who were all women, had the handbags
TAXI drivers in Darlington have been left confused after being told they are still unable to use bus lanes in the town. The drivers had thought they were allowed to use bus lanes, following a decision made by Darlington Borough Council's cabinet earlier
A SELF-EMPLOYED loan company worker made up the names of clients to pocket thousands of pounds for himself, a court heard. Lee Howard was even making regular payments on the deals so his company would not get suspicious about his law-breaking. But the
THE driver of a car involved in a fatal collision while being pursued by police appeared in court yesterday. Colin William Surtees was at the wheel of a Ford Fiesta car which crashed head-on with a taxi in Lizard Lane, South Shields, at about 11.35pm
A farmer who was always willing to pass on advice or offer a helping hand has died at the age of 82. Kind-hearted Len Cooper spent all his life at Lady Myres Farm, in Gilmonby near Bowes, County Durham, and became known in the area for his knowledge of
THE Government was last night facing the biggest industrial dispute since the 1926 General Strike after union leaders decided to ballot 1.5 million council workers in a row over pensions. Eight trade unions representing workers including school dinner
GARDENERS are hoping to cross their first hurdle today in getting their allotments back from the council. Hartlepool's Borough Council's cabinet will decide whether to give approval to the £75,000 redevelopment of the Briarfields site after a dispute
MARTIN Scott has hailed the impact of his three Hartlepool loan signings. Gerard Nash and Jon-Paul Pittman impressed in the weekend's draw at Swansea and were joined on the pitch in the closing stages by James Walker. All three are at Hartlepool on a
THE new year has brought a change of leadership for two Hambleton leisure centres. Stokesley's Paula Ferguson has moved 16 miles south to take over at the Northallerton centre, which she helped create 15 years ago. Replacing her at Stokesley is Mike Readman
A PENSIONER awoke to find two men burgling his home at the weekend. The 71-year-old had fallen asleep downstairs at his home in Meadow Terrace, New Herrington, Wearside, on Saturday afternoon when the pair let themselves into his home through an unlocked
THE chief executive of development agency Yorkshire Forward has told how he hopes a new development will become a thriving business community. Martin Havenhand was speaking at the official opening of the £1.5m Innovate Centre, in Colburn, near Catterick
A CANCER charity has thanked local volunteers who helped raise thousands of pounds over the Christmas holidays. Cancer Research UK volunteers in the Neville's Cross area of Durham City raised £2,631 over the festive season. Among the highlights were a
RAY Parlour has told his Middlesbrough team-mates to face up to the reality of their Premiership predicament and admitted Saturday's defeat to Wigan has left them embroiled in a "relegation fight". With Birmingham firing five past struggling Portsmouth
A training course is to start next week for volunteers who want to become tutors at a learning centre for adults. The volunteers will be able to gain a City and Guilds Level 2 certificate for adult learner support at the Leap Skills for Life Centre, in
FARMERS who sell their produce at monthly markets have launched a campaign to show how all the items can be used in healthy diets. They are distributing recipe leaflets at farmers' markets in Barnard Castle and Stanhope, explaining how locally grown vegetables
A TEESSIDE pub is celebrating after it was named winter pub of the season. The Causeway, in Stranton, Hartlepool, received the Cleveland Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) Pub of the Season award in recognition of its commitment to real ale and the consistently
POLICE warned farmers to take extra care yesterday after a spate of thefts of equipment totalling thousands of pounds during the past few days. Two quad bikes, a sheep trailer and a tractor fitting have been stolen from farms in the area around Barnard
A HOCKEY coach has taken a job at a school after becoming fed up of the stick he received in his previous job as a tax inspector. Middlesbrough player and coach Chris Gregory, who has started work at Barnard Castle School, County Durham, spent eight years
WILLIAM GIBSON: ONCE again the media has conducted a campaign this month and totally destroyed a mans life.I have a special interest in the case of William Gibson as he was my grandsons maths teacher in Bournemouth. Yes, 25 years ago he made a mistake
WILLIAMSON Motors in Hartlepool, Teesside, has recruited vehicle technician DAVE WILLIAMS and sales administrator MICHELLE KING. Mr Williams has worked for Holloway and Jennings dealerships in Hartlepool and Sunderland, as commercial workshop foreman
ANDREW PARKER'S decision to send D J Flippance back over hurdles at Sedgefield should not hinder his chances one jot in the Weatherbys Insurance Handicap Hurdle. D J Flippance (3.10) was on duty over fences at Ayr last time out, plugging on dourly to
A MAN was shot in the throat with a crossbow when a disagreement over a nuisance dog erupted into violence, a court has heard. Allan Spensley is alleged to have fired a crossbow bolt into the neck of his nephew, Kenny Beal, after turning up at his home
BINGO and snooker clubs will go to the wall if workingmen's clubs are exempt from a smoking ban, MPs were told yesterday. Trade group Business in Sport and Leisure (BISL) warned of an exodus of smokers from privately-owned clubs unless the habit is outlawed
A COUPLE who have helped raise thousands of pounds for victims of the Sri Lankan tsunami are to hold a tea party for 33 orphans in a village hit by the disaster. Garage owner Tony Watson and his wife, Myrtle, who launched the Weardale Tsunami Relief Fund
Just like the good old days at Crook Town on Saturday, right down to sending a little lad with a slate around the ground so that the winner of the half-time sausages might be made aware of his sizzling good fortune. The crowd, admittedly, was some way
WITH the feelgood factor from Saturday's win at West Brom refusing to fade, Sunderland boss Mick McCarthy had more reason to smile last night after Stephen Elliott stepped up his return to fitness. After scoring 16 goals as the Black Cats clinched the
LISA MOORE has been appointed marketing assistant at investment management firm Wise Speke. She joined the firm, which employs 300 people in its Teesside and Newcastle offices, in 1999 after graduating from Northumbria University in marketing and business
AMBULANCE crews who provide emergency cover for much of the region have voted to take immediate industrial action. Paramedics and other qualified crew members will not work overtime, reducing emergency cover at peak times. It will also mean ambulance
A taxi driver raped a woman when she got into his vehicle after a night out, a court was told. Shiraj Miah, 35, is accused of attacking the woman in the front seat of his cab after driving her to an isolated alley in the early hours of April 9. Newcastle
LONG-held ambitions of re-opening a railway link that disappeared as part of the Beeching cuts in the 1960s will move a step closer next month. Talks on a preferred route for an 11-mile £40m-plus link between Harrogate and Ripon, in North Yorkshire, will
ENGLAND manager Sven-Goran Eriksson will leave his £4m-a-year post after the World Cup, the Football Association said last night. The news came after the Swede spent the day in a series of meetings with his bosses at the FA's London headquarters in Soho
KEN HAWLEY has been appointed managing director of building and architectural firm the LHL Group. He is the founder of Hawley and Partners, of Leeds and Doncaster, which merged with Lightly and Lightly, in York, to form the LHL Group last month. As the
