AN exhibition celebrating the career of pitman artist Norman Cornish ends this weekend. The work has been on show at Bishop Auckland Town Hall since April and records life in Mr Cornish's home town of Spennymoor over the last 70 years. Recently he was
A COUNCIL has asked householders to empty their own bins so binmen do not hurt themselves lifting the rubbish. About 2,000 letters have been sent out to residents in the Craven area of North Yorkshire asking them to remove glass and cans from their bins
A FATHER has admitted the attempted rape of a woman on a university campus - 11 years after committing the crime. Steven Sellars, of Bramham Grove, Chapelfields, York, carried out the attack in a wooded area of the University of York campus, in April
AFTER personal, darker movies like Schindler's List and Munich, director Steven Spielberg says he's made this one for the fans. Indiana Jones and the clumsy title, hereafter known as The Crystal Skull, ticks all the right boxes with chases, fights
A MAN who attacked a social club customer with a broken bottle has been jailed. Shaun Campell, 28, lashed out at John Burns' arm during at assault outside the Neon Social Club in Jarrow, South Tyneside, on August 4 last year. As a result Mr Burns had
Boasting the greatest Eurovision tracks of all time', this two CD compilation is a non-stop doo-wop of tip-top musique pop, from Sandi Shaw's triumphant Puppet On A String to Scooch's air hostess-themed campfest Flying The Flag (For You), which crashed
It's with no small amount of hype that this debut album arrives and makes the pasts of both singer Katie White and programmer/drummer Jules de Martino glaringly obvious. Salford lass White was a former girl band member who once auditioned to be
Most bands who made 21 albums over nearly 40 years would be sounding pretty stale by now, but Sparks have lost none of the strangeness, sparkle and scale which made This Town Ain't Big Enough For The Both Of Us so unforgettable. Drawing back a
Richard Simpson caught up with Paul Weller during the Teesside leg of his tour to discuss his new album, 22 Dreams WHITLEY Bay, September 1982 was the first gig where I saw Paul Weller. It was The Jam, of course. Since then Weller has been a staple
THERE'S something of a star-studded week ahead for local folk music fans, starting this very night with a concert by Irish supergroup Patrick Street at Newcastle's Irish Centre. Staying on Tyneside, top English duo Spiers and Boden pay a visit
WHAT'S ON Keith Stephen's Gypsy Jazz, with violinist Mike Piggott, Darlington Arts Centre, lunchtime Saturday and the C B Inn, Arkengarthdale, Sunday (probably sold out), and pianist Alcyona with saxophonist Robin Fincker, St Oswald's Church, Askrigg
WHAT'S ON Northern Sinfonia, conducted by Thomas Zehetmair, Sage Gateshead, 7.30pm, tonight. Mozart, Britten and Mozart.0191-443-4661. REVIEWS Celestial Harmonies (Naxos 8.557983) Now enjoying cult status, Hildegard von Bingen entered a convent
Various Artists: Let Me Be Your Sidetrack (Bear Family, BCD 16863FH) THIS year marks the 75th anniversary of the death of Jimmie Rodgers, country music's first superstar. Known as The Singing Brakeman, his catalogue of songs included originals,
AN advice service is hoping a change in the way it delivers its services will make life easier for its clients. From Monday, June 2, it will no longer be necessary to make an initial appointment to obtain information of seek assistance from Wear Valley
THE future of two town centre nurseries is in doubt after the council announced a review of childcare provision. Darlington Borough Council is to carry out a feasibility study to see if the Kids and Co nurseries at the Town Hall and Borough Road could
THE first phase of a major leisure centre revamp is due to reopen next week. The swimming pool at Glenholme Leisure Centre should be accessible from Thursday, May 29 at 9am following work to improve the facilities. The new changing room is a unisex
A JCB driver was flung from his cab and ended up under a lorry in a crash on the A19 in North Yorkshire. The collision took place on the southbound A19 close to Knayton, near Thirsk, at 11.40am today. The JCB was shunted across to the north bound lane
A LONG-SERVING police officer, who has served his community for more than 30 years, has retired. Inspector Chris Charlton, head of strategic roads policing at North Yorkshire Police, hung up his helmet for the final time yesterday. Mr Charlton, who
THE Tornado fighter jets may have gone - but a new chapter is about to begin at one of the region's biggest air force bases. RAF Leeming is about to become the new communications "hub" for the entire service. And it moved a step closer to its future
MORE than 60 manhole and gully covers - worth nearly £20,000 - have been stolen from Darlington streets in the last week. Drivers are being warned to take extra care after police confirmed that the thefts have already led to one road accident. In the
MARK SCHWARZER has ended an 11-year stay with Middlesbrough by signing a two-year contract at Fulham. The Australian goalkeeper is due to face Ghana in Sydney on Friday night and was keen to put the move to bed before the friendly. Schwarzer turned
THEY are used to the sound of the traditional hornblower in the historic cathedral city of Ripon. Every evening at 9pm he blows his horn by the obelisk in the city centre to "set the watch" - a ceremony that has taken place for 1,100 years. But now
DARLINGTON manager Dave Penney has told six more players they no longer have a future at the club. Clark Keltie, Micky Cummins, Julian Joachim, Neil Wainwright, Scott Wiseman and Shaun Reay have been told their contracts will not be renewed. On Tuesday
A BULLOCK caused chaos this morning when it escaped from a livestock centre and ran amok on a busy road. Police attended the westbound carriageway of the A64, between the Hopgrove roundabout and Grimston Bar, on the outskirts of York, at about 9.35am
COUNCILLORS will be asked to approve spending of more than £330,000 on a business plan aimed at securing funding for a bypass to serve three traffic-clogged communities. The proposed £36m road, which would divert traffic from Bedale, Aiskew and Leeming
NEWCASTLE United chairman Chris Mort is to step down to return to the London legal circuit, it has been reported today. Mr Mort arrived on Tyneside last summer ahead of Mike Ashley's full take over of affairs at St James's Park, before replacing Freddy
A COUPLE who were ready to give up their daughter for the sake of her education have won the fight to get her into their school of choice. Determined James and Stella Coils were ready to transfer guardianship of their ten-year-old daughter to a relative
How to discover your family's criminal past and other internet gems EVER wondered what skeletons might be hiding in the family cupboard? The Old Bailey Online site (www. oldbaileyonline. org) is a treasure trove of information about trials
AN Indian restaurant suffered minor damage after a loft fire. Firefighters were called to Saffron, in Market Place, Leyburn, North Yorkshire, at about 7.55pm, yesterday. A spokeswoman for North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said the fire was started
Currently odds on to finish near the bottom of the Eurovision poll, Andy Abraham reflects on his chances in Belgrade. Viv Hardwick reports ANDY Abraham is determined not to be yet another forgotten reality TV performer. After reaching 2005's X Factor
An Italian wine this week, with a name everyone knows, from Aldi's fine wine selection. It has a deep garnet-red colour with signs of ageing around the rim. Dark fruit and toasty oak flavours emerge on the palate blended with a rich and full character
He's the Eurovision presenter that the rest of Europe loves to hate. Sir Terry Wogan reveals all to Viv Hardwick about his views on Johnny Foreigner SIR Terry Wogan IS the Eurovision Song Contest. "I've always loved it," beams the presenter, who has
Can you really parody Eurovision? Australian-inspired Eurobeat is heading to a theatre near you in July and then to the West End. Viv Hardwick talks to host Mel Giedroyc about the show which the UK can actually win. EUROBEAT is the one theatre show
Viv Hardwick talks to Mark Thomas about pretending to be Bjorn from Abba for ten years as the boss of Abba Mania, the show which claims to be the top tribute to the sound of Sweden's best-known band. MARK Thomas claims to have enjoyed ten solid
Publisher: Sega Formats: PS3, Xbox 360 Price: £45 Family friendly? 18+ VIKINGS, bloody combat, giant dragons and scheming Norse gods - surely the gang behind Viking: Battle for Asgard couldn't
Ellie Genower talks to Julie Walters about her willingness to play Mary Whitehouse, who was viewed as the unacceptable face of censorship in the 1960s WITH Big Brother's brazen nudity, Gordon Ramsay's bad language, and the soaps' racy storylines
UK DVD/VIDEO RENTAL 1 (-) In The Valley Of Elah 2 (-) Alien Vs Predator 2: Requiem 3 (-) P.S. I Love You 4 (1) Charlie Wilson's War 5 (2) The Golden Compass 6 (3) I Am Legend 7 (-) Mr Magorium's Wonder Emporium 8 (5) Run, Fat Boy, Run 9 (4)
AN Indian restaurant suffered minor damage after a loft fire last night. Firefighters were called to Saffron, in Market Place, Leyburn, at about 7.55pm. A spokeswoman for North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said the fire was started by equipment
FOXY Chelsea Fox has come out of jail a changed woman. But unfortunately not for the better. The poor lass in EastEnders (BBC1) is on a downward spiral into the dangerous world of drugs. And not just the odd aspirin. As the eldest Fox girl heads
AS soon as we see the cover picture of a man in Pakistani clothes we think we know what this is about. We're wrong. This was shortlisted for the Booker and it's easy to see why. It is short and deceptively simple. At a Lahore café one evening, a
A CHARITY has unveiled details of awards to recognise the achievements of North- East children with a disability, as well as their families and friends. The Children's Foundation has launched the Stars Awards 2008, first set up last year by the
PLANS have been unveiled to give a new lease of life to a church known as the Pitman's Cathedral - including a free wedding service. Pastor David Taylor and his wife, Barbara, of the Lighthouse Christian Centre, said they want to keep St Hild
PEOPLE from across the region are being invited to put their best foot forward in a charity ramble. Staff at Castle Eden Dene Nature Reserve have teamed up with East Durham Trust to organise the countryside walk. Walkers will follow a route
DEVELOPERS have won a hattrick of victories in a controversial housing proposal, with three public bodies withdrawing their opposition to the scheme. The Environment Agency, Natural England and Sport England have all dropped objections to plans
A CRAFT group has been showing off its skills to encourage people to try their hand at working with wood. Teesside Woodturners' Association demonstrated handicraft work in the foyer of Stockton Central Library to mark Adult Learners' Week. Members had
AUTHOR George Orwell and a tramp called Tarzan may not appear to have anything in common, but both have enriched the history of a village. The colourful past of Thorpe Thewles, near Stockton, is being uncovered through a £10,000 project, run
THE outgoing Mayor of Redcar and Cleveland is celebrating after raising thousands of pounds for charity - while losing many pounds in weight - during her year in office. Councillor Wendy Wall will divide the £8,000 raised between her two chosen
THE latest edition of a what's on guide has been launched. The pocket-sized directory features leisure, entertainment, culture and shopping options across the Tees Valley. The Visit Stockton and Middlesbrough guide is a 52- page glossy magazine
YOUNGSTERS in Nunthorpe, Middlesbrough, could soon be enjoying new play facilities thanks to a £50,000 Big Lottery grant. The Avenue play area is to be given a facelift after Middlesbrough Council was given funding to improve three playgrounds
MONSIEUR (3.10) makes plenty of appeal at Wetherby, where due to problems on the chase track the card is made up of exclusively hurdles races. It's a great pity that spectators have been robbed of the chance to see some steeplechasing, however
THE four Barr brothers are a formidable bunch from a formidable family - Roland is a QC, Leo an MP, Bill a Catholic priest and, most brilliant of all, Charlie, who is seriously mentally ill. Then there's their mother, the elegant, aristocratic Imogen
THIS totally compelling novel, set in the 17th Century, tells the true story of a young maid who was hanged for allegedly murdering her stillborn baby, but miraculously survived the gallows and lived on to marry and have a family. It's simultaneously
Surrey v Yorkshire (County Championship) : Day One YORKSHIRE were left to rue a damaging evening session as Surrey's batsman took charge of the County Championship clash at the Oval on yesterday's opening day. All eyes were on ex-England man Mark
MOST teenage fiction seems to focus on trivia and emotional angst, so it's refreshing to read a novel about young people with real problems to contend with. Tal is a 17-year-old Israeli girl. Devastated by the deadly violence which blights her country
WHILE Durham await the arrival of Shaun Pollock and Albie Morkel in time for their opening Twenty20 match on June 11, they will also be keeping a close eye on the form of Shivnarine Chanderpaul. The first of three Tests between the West Indies
PIT bull terriers are regarded as the villains of the dog world, but this story will make its readers see them with different eyes. Mackenzie's pup, Cash, is a gift from his grieving, drunken dad. She's an ideal companion for a 12-year-old who's
GARETH Southgate last night revealed how a difficult start to his managerial career left him questioning his decision to succeed Steve McClaren in the Middlesbrough hot-seat. But two years on from his appointment, Southgate is now regarded as
XABI Alonso could be on the brink of a £12m move to Italian giants Juventus. Liverpool sources yesterday declined to comment on reports that there has been contact between the clubs. It has been reported in the Italian media that Juventus director
THERE comes a time in the life of any repeat offender when somebody has to say Enough is enough'. When it comes to footballer Joey Barton and his employers, Newcastle United, that time is now. Forget about second chances, a duty of care to a
MARK Schwarzer was last night reported to be on the verge of joining Fulham. After more than a decade at the Riverside Stadium, the Middlesbrough goalkeeper has been linked with joining the Cottagers on a free transfer. Despite interest from
DON Giovanni must be one of the most celebrated rogues in opera history. Some productions of Mozart's masterpiece afford the anti-hero a certain mischievous charm, but in the English Touring Opera interpretation, he had no redeeming features
FORMER pop heartthrob Ian H' Watkins has gone from a goody to a baddie after taking the role of the wicked child catcher in the acclaimed musical, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. The singing sensation, who was a member of the 1990s pop band, Steps, went
13 Kids And Wanting More (C4, 9pm) FROM her hospital bed, Noreen tells us that this is the last one. "She says that every time," husband Mohamed points out. She says enough is enough, but her other half thinks otherwise. The 35-year-old has just
THE once-familiar call of the cuckoo at this time of year is a becoming ever more rare. Where we live, the true harbinger of spring is the cry of two or three boys in unison: "Muuuuum - I can't find anything that fits." Once the weather turns
George Allison mingled with royalty, was the BBC's first sports commentator and managed Arsenal FC, but he never forgot his humble Hurworth roots IN a commodious carrier bag from Mrs Margaret Chapman arrives a wonderful quartet of books, formerly
FLEXIBLE working could boost the health of employees and cut staff sick leave at firms in the region, according to a not-for-profit organisation. Work Wise, which aims to encourage employers to adopt smarter working practices, yesterday marked
REMPLOY hopes to help put hundreds of North-East disabled workers into jobs, a year after it announced factory closures. Today marks the first anniversary of the firm announcing its modernisation programme, which involved the closure earlier this
A GROUND investigation company is expanding in a move that will almost double its workforce. Geocore Site Investigations, based in Redcar, east Cleveland, provides drilling services and ground condition assessments, including subsidence evaluations
FLIGHTS resumed yesterday on a North-East service to Norway. The Eastern Airways service from Newcastle to Stavanger was cancelled on Tuesday after ground staff went on strike in a dispute over pay. Passengers whose flights were cancelled and
THE Chancellor has pledged to consult business leaders on any significant tax changes which would affect the competitiveness of British industry. Alistair Darling said he was determined that British business would not be the "fiscal fall guy"
THE world's oldest designer of conservatories will only use environmentally- friendly wood from now on, it announced yesterday. Amdega, based in Darlington, said it had stopped the use of traditionally-sourced hardwoods. In future, the company
CINEMA lovers will get the chance to buy iconic images from recent film history at a charity auction. The film poster sale, at the Odeon Cinema, in Darlington, will feature promotional material from films including The Simpsons, Hulk and What
A MAN who smashed his way into a showroom hours before he was due in court for an earlier break-in at the garage has been jailed and banned from the roads. Dean Forrester was locked up for a total of 21 months and disqualified from driving for
AN MP has written to the Health Minister to express his "very serious concerns" over proposals to close mental health wards in the region. It follows proposals by the Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Trust to close challenging behaviour units
A GANG of burglars who led police on a high-speed chase using cars stolen from a family home have been sentenced. Four men appeared at Durham Crown Court yesterday in connection with the raid at a house in Wheatbottom, Crook, County Durham. A
AN Oxford professor who grew up in the North-East has joined Britain's scientific elite. Professor Brian Foster, pictured, who is from Roddymoor, near Crook, County Durham, has been elected one of 44 members of the Royal Society, one of the world's
DIESEL prices have suffered their highest increase this century - but the region is still one of the cheapest places in the country to fill-up. North-East diesel drivers are paying about 6p a litre more this month, figures reveal. Prices have rocketed
ARMY medics have raised more than £400 for Butterwick House Children's Hospice while serving in Iraq. Members of the 34 Field Hospital Unit, which is based in York, collected the money by raffling a signed Six Nations rugby shirt. Four of the
THE columns of Hear All Sides seem to be nearly full of descriptions of the personality of Gordon Brown. I question whether it is useful to make him the focus of the problems associated with the Labour Party. Within its rules, the coronation
JOE Wellthorpe should do some research before complaining about pensioners (HAS, May 17). My husband and I worked all our lives, paying our taxes when there wasn't any family credit or working tax credit and you did not get family allowance for
IN his attempt to defend Gordon Brown's role as Prime Minister, Ashok Kumar (Echo, May 15) ignores his catalogue of misjudgements and mistakes. These include doubling council tax, denying us the promised referendum on the EU treaty, selling gold
I MUST take columnist Rob Merrick to task for his grossly unbalanced and partisan line on the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill (Echo, May 15). He appears to laud the Bill's justification of abortion, overlooking the similarity with road
IN your article "We could be at the heart of recovery" (Echo, May 15), Councillor Simon Henig, leader-elect of Durham County Council, says the suspension of five councillors (over the issue of women candidates) needs to be resolved quickly. Well
WITH the 10p tax fiasco finally dealt with, relieved Labour MPs consoled themselves that Gordon Brown would never repeat such a blunder. But, with the ink barely dry on last week's emergency mini-Budget, many now fear their beleaguered Prime Minister
Tom Burlison - peer, union leader, and exprofessional footballer - died on Sunday aged 71. Owen Amos looks at his life, from FA Cup goals to the House of Lords and everything in between. A Lord for 11 years. A Labour Party treasurer. A deputy general
IT has been our view throughout the Government's on-going pay dispute with Britain's police officers that Home Secretary Jacqui Smith was in a tight corner. And though we applaud her for facing her biggest critics at the Police Federation's annual
SHORTLISTED sites for a £420m hospital have been revealed. The facility, which will serve east Durham, Hartlepool and patients living north of Stockton, could be built at Wynyard Business Park or Green Farm, in Wolviston, off the A19. Concern
JOURNALISTS and photographers from The Northern Echo have been nominated in this year's Regional Press Awards. The Press Gazette-sponsored awards honour the finest the regional press has to offer. The Northern Echo has emerged with no fewer
A YOUNG designer from County Durham has won a scholarship to one of the world's most famous motoring cities. Stephen Donald wants to be a car designer and has been accepted at the College for Creative Studies, Detroit, this summer. The 16-year-old
CRICKETING choristers yesterday donned their cassocks and pads to raise cash for a forthcoming tour. Eighteen boys from the Chorister School, in Durham, held a sponsored cricket ball throw on the city's College Green - managing 274 throws before
THE sights and smells of Europe will return to a city's street. The twice-yearly Continental Food Market takes place in Durham City, starting next Thursday. French crepes, Spanish paella and German sausages will be some of the delicacies on sale
THE family of a kidnapped oil worker who died during a failed rescue attempt believe the Nigerian government still has questions to answer. David Hunt was shot during an exchange of gunfire between rebels and the Nigerian navy. He was snatched
A REMARKABLE boom in engineering, with soaring employment and productivity, is threatened by a lack of skilled workers, MPs were warned yesterday. Companies that have battled against the strong pound and low-cost countries are struggling to find staff
A TEENAGER has told how he and a schoolmate escaped serious injury when they fell through the window of a moving school bus.The Arriva North-East double decker was negotiating a roundabout at Potters Bank, Durham City, taking pupils home from Durham Johnston
Drugs being smuggled into prisons is an ever increasing problem. Reporter Dani Webb visited Holme House Prison, in Stockton, to see how the issue is being tackled. HAVING been searched on arrival at Holme House and banned from taking in my mobile phone
CHILDREN in the first town in Britain to sign up for an Olympic fitness campaign have been warming up for a record-breaking run.Youngsters from primary schools in Darlington have been preparing for the Tesco Great School Run at Branksome Comprehensive
IT is a blueprint that has won Newcastle Falcons a lot of admirers. Fill your backline with bright young English talent, tell your forwards to give them the ball as quickly as possible, and then stand back and watch them fling it around. Lots of admirers
SIR Bobby Robson has achieved his goal of raising enough money to set up a cancer research centre in his native North-East.The former Newcastle United and England manager, who is battling cancer for the fifth time, raised the £500,000 needed to set up
TRIBUTES have been made to leading parliamentarian and former North-East footballer Lord Tom Burlison, who has died aged 71.The staunch trade unionist was understood to have been found dead in his London flat at the weekend.Born in Edmondsley, four miles
NO further action is to be taken against a man who was stunned with a Taser after a 16-year-old girl was knocked down and killed by a police car. The 23-year-old, believed to be the boyfriend of the dead girl, was arrested on Monday night in the Scotswood
DARLINGTON'S out-of-contract players will learn their fate today as manager Dave Penney begins planning for next season. Penney has already deemed three players surplus to requirements at the Darlington Arena after Guylain Ndumbu-Nsungu, John Brackstone
A COUNCIL workman who was struck by a car died after spending almost three years in a coma, an inquest heard yesterday. Robert Anthony Gate, known as Tony, died on February 19, 2006, in a nursing home in Peterlee, County Durham. He was in a persistent
HUNDREDS of children in the region could find themselves studying the movie blockbusters of today as part of a new GSCE media studies syllabus.Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, out this week, is only one film likely to be included in
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson hailed his side's ''fantastic achievement'' after they defeated Chelsea 6-5 on penalties to win the Champions League in Moscow. Cristiano Ronaldo and Frank Lampard exchanged first half goals but that was the
Former Newcastle coach John Carver is ready to offer striker Shola Ameobi the chance to make his name in the MLS, writes JACK LESLIE. Carver, who worked as Sir Bobby Robson's first-team coach at St James' Park and briefly acted as caretaker following
Manchester United became kings of Europe for the third time on a night of high drama and emotion in Moscow. Goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar was the hero with a penalty save to deny Nicolas Anelka after Chelsea captain John Terry had missed the chance to
WITH the number of foreign players in the Premier League continuing to rise, some would have you believe that the leading English clubs are not really representative of English football at all. So why, when Manchester United take on Chelsea in the Champions
ROY Keane has added Manchester City midfielder Stephen Ireland to his list of summer targets.With Sven-Goran Eriksson's City future expected to be resolved in the next few days, Keane is considering a bid for Ireland, as well as Eastlands team-mate Richard
QUESTIONS were being asked last night about how a bull mastiff was left free to maul a ten-year-old boy, despite having attacked a teenager days before.Joshua Paylor suffered deep wounds to his body and head during the attack on Darlington's Red Hall
AN emergency exercise involving a simulated plane crash is to take place at a North-East airport later this year. Durham Tees Valley Airport will hold the practice run to test procedures needed in the event of a major incident. The exercise is a Civil
TOUGH new environmental regulations could lead to another mass exodus of dairy farmers. Recent price rises of 7p-8p a litre have largely been gobbled up by rocketing feed, fertiliser and fuel costs. A dairy conference in Harrogate, North Yorkshire,
