THE MPs expenses scandal claimed another victim tonight when Tory Sir Peter Viggers announced he would quit at the next election over a massive taxpayer-funded gardening bill. Sir Peter, the MP for Gosport, was told to retire or be thrown out of the
NEW Darlington boss Colin Todd said managing Darlington as they came out of administration would be the biggest challenge of his career. Todd said Darlington was in a much worse state than when he took over during Bradford City's second period in administration
Items of interest from the May meeting of Cockfield Parish Council. Retirement. Alderman John Priestley retired from the Parish Council: John has devoted 40 years of his life to public service as a County, District and Parish Councillor
It was reported today that the sat-nav system could break down within the next year. I hazard to guess that if it does, numerous marriages will follow. Outdoor Man and I get along famously until he wants directions in the car. He accuses me of being unable
Ferryhill Town Council has received numerous complaints about some irresponsible dog owners. They are not discarding of their used dog bags in one of the numerous dog bins around town. In particular those at the entrances to Dean Bank Park.
MOTORING bosses have apologised after a grandfather was arrested because his MOT certificate was the 'wrong' shade of green. Michael Cook was left in a police cell for three hours and questioned by officers for 30 minutes over the validity
POLICE investigating the death of a North-East mother-of-three said tonight there are no suspicious circumstances. Sheena Foster, 40, from Shildon, County Durham died in hospital on Tuesday morning after her life support machine was switched off. Ms
Jason Kennedy has today left Darlington and signed for League Two rivals Rochdale. Earlier today the 22-year-old had revealed his frustration at not being able to leave Quakers, saying administrators had blocked the move. He said: "I
HALF-CENTURIES by left-handers Phil Mustard and Ian Blackwell helped Durham to a four-wicket win in their final Friends Provident Trophy tie at home to group winners Gloucestershire. After putting the visitors in they reduced them to 72 for
AN ELDERLY man died following a house fire this afternoon. Firefighters discovered the body of a man, thought to be in his 60s, after smashing their way into the blazing house in the village of Bearpark, on the outskirts of Durham City. Crews were called
I’VE never heard anyone say they don’t like Victoria Wood’s work. There seems to be something for everyone – comedy sketches, songs and serious drama. Her most popular song, The Ballad of Barry and Freda (Let’s Do It), contains the erotic suggestion
IT was not so much a dip as a complete immersion into the sound world of Chopin when Canadian Louis Lortie took to the stage at The Sage Gateshead. The pianist showed a particular affinity to the music of the Polish composer when he gave a
Extraordinary People: Electric Human (five, 9pm) The Apprentice (C4, 9pm) Why Poetry Matters (BBC2, 9pm) PUERTO Rican TV repair man Jose Rafael can light up a room with his presence. Literally. He’s a human conductor who has nothing to do with
A BUSINESSWOMAN who helped rescue a century-old traditional sawmill from certain closure has been named as Yorkshire’s entrepreneur of the year. Emma Woods, who bought Duncombe Sawmill, in Helmsley, North Yorkshire, less than six years ago, received
THE newly-elected Mayor of Redcar and Cleveland Council will proudly wear the Borough's red civic robes for the first time at his installation on Friday. Councillor Brian Briggs is pledging to devote the next 12 months promoting the borough and raising
THE regional director of ITV in the North-East is to leave the company at the end of next month. Graeme Thompson, who has been with the company for 20 years, plans to set up a new venture in the region. Mr Thompson has held a number of roles
OVER 120 vehicles and drivers were stopped and checked by Cleveland Police during a clampdown on suspected rogue traders. Officer deemed the operation a success after four arrests were also made. A 39-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession
A SPECIALIST steeplejack and building restoration firm has signed a contract to carry out repairs to the birthplace of British democracy. Darlington-based Stone Technical Services will work alongside English Heritage on spire repairs and lead work
NUISANCE drivers who causing obstructions and damage by parking on the pavement are the target of a new clampdown. Stockton Borough Council’s scrutiny review on pavement parking has been approved. It concentrates on safety of residents, cost of repairs
A TEESSIDE council has launched an investigation into the running of a care home for people with mental health needs. Officers at Hartlepool Borough Council have placed their own manager and team of staff in the privately-owned Pangbourne Residential
RESIDENTS in Stockton could soon be able to report problems with the roads on the internet. Stockton Borough Council is looking at ways in which residents can easily access information about roadworks, report faulty roads and pavements A scrutiny review
The story for tomorrow morning's Headline Game on TFM radio is about a dog which called 999. Bailey, the golden retriever, pinched the phone and ran out into the garden, inadvertently dialling 999 as he ran. The emergency services thought there was
DARLINGTON will come out of administration this summer after former chairman George Houghton put together a package to rescue the club and immediately named Colin Todd as his manager. Houghton made the decision to put the club into administration
A NORTH Yorkshire creamery is hoping to become a big cheese in the US after signing a £1m a year deal. The Wensleydale Creamery, in Hawes, has signed an exclusive export deal with Anco Fine Cheese. Anco, based in New Jersey, is the largest importer
A HOTEL is to sponsor an annual community event which could provide a major boost to small businesses in a North- East town. The Tall Trees Hotel, in Yarm, near Stockton, is to sponsor the town’s gala on June 21. As well as celebrating Yarm
AN offshore engineering firm is enjoying a boom in the marine and subsea sectors, having secured international contracts worth more than £80m this year. CTC Marine Projects, which has its head office in Coniscliffe Road, Darlington, said the
“Anita, have you got your yoghurts out!?” The stage adaptation of Victoria Wood’s hit sitcom Dinner Ladies has come to Darlington! As part of an extensive six month tour of the UK, the play presented by The Comedy Theatre Company is visiting
LEADERS of a students’ union have attended an exclusive reception to celebrate their award-winning success. Durham Students’ Union’s Dunelm House was overall winner of Durham’s first Best Bar None awards, a scheme aimed at promoting safer drinking in
THE following statement has just been released by Darlington FC: AN agreement has been reached to take Darlington Football Club out of administration securing the club’s future for next season and allowing Administrators Brackenbury Clark and
ONE of the region’s MPs received a chilling death threat after admitting his daughter lived in a London flat he bought on the taxpayer. The anonymous caller threatened to attack Phil Willis, Liberal Democrat MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough
A PROLIFIC offender who was twice caught carrying a knife in the street has been locked up for nine months. Peter Ludgate's appearance before Judge Brian Forster, QC, was his 55th time in court for a catalogue of crimes. Teesside Crown Court heard he
Public health experts in County Durham and Darlington are urging parents to vaccinate their children against Measles after six confirmed cases and at least ten further suspected cases of the serious disease have been reported in local children
Earlier today assistant sports editor, Craig Stoddart, and Darlington reporter, Paul Cook, answered questions on the future of Darlington Football Club in a live online debate. Paul Cook: Welcome readers to The Northern Echo's live debate on
MEMBERS of the Northallerton Talking Newspaper recently held their annual meeting in the town’s Methodist church hall. Chairman Eddie Morris welcomed members and production manager Anne Boersma gave a full report on the publication of the talking
WHITBY Abbey has been the inspiration for many great writers, including Dracula creator Bram Stoker and the 7th century poet Caedmon. For budding writers in 2009, an English Heritage competition is looking for the best stories to be included in a book
A CAST of actors have been taking tea to get behind a charity campaign which is raising funds to combat a life-limiting disease. The cast of Dinnerladies, who are performing at Darlington Civic Theatre until Saturday, visited Diabetes UK in
A HOSPITAL will hold a special celebration to mark 60 years since the opening of its nurse training school. The Friarage Hospital in Northallerton first opened its doors to trainees in 1949 and still trains new nursing staff today. All
A REGION-WIDE road safety campaign has been launched to mark the beginning of summer. Officers from three police forces joined with firefighters and council safety officers for to promote the 95 Alive partnership at Scotch Corner, North Yorkshire, today
CAMERA crews have filmed a reconstruction of the last known movements of missing chef Claudia Lawrence for the BBC’s Crimewatch programme. The shoot at Melrosegate Bridge in York recreated the moment a passing cyclist saw a woman fitting Claudia
Motoring bosses have apologised after a grandfather was arrested because his MOT certificate was the 'wrong’ shade of green. Michael Cook was left in a police cell for three hours and questioned by officers for 30 minutes over the validity
POLICE have named a North climber who died after a fall on a Scottish mountain on Monday. He was Matthew Elliott, of Harrogate, North Yorkshire. The 31-year-old was one of two climbers involved in the incident, near the Am Bastier Ridge, on the Isle
IS your terrible teenager getting you down? If you are having trouble understanding your teen or need help to deal with their behaviour a new Relate counselling service may help. The free, confidential course, at Youth Hub, Connexions
CHARITY singers are to take to the catwalk to raise funds for Richmond Operatic Society by being models. The Edinburgh Woolen Mill is to host the fashion show for the group which will feature clothes for men and women. Members of the Richmond Operatic
CHARITY golfers are needed to help raise funds for a Multiple Sclerosis charity by playing a round at in Northallerton. Romanby Golf and Country Club is hosting a charity golf day where teams of four compete in a stapleford competition. The event on
GUY Wilks returned from Latvia with mixed emotions after his debut on the Rally Tasli at the weekend. The County Durham rally driver was debuting the MML Sports Mitsubishi Evo X. While engine problems meant he could only finish seventh in Group N and
FERRARI have failed in their bid to acquire an injunction against the FIA and their decision to introduce a budget cap into Formula One from next season. Amidst fears of F1 becoming a two-tier championship from 2010, the sports most iconic name sought
You always know there's an election round the corner when you start receiving emails putting forward conspiracy theories or suggesting you are biased. I received one earlier today from Andrew Ward, election agent to Tony Morrell, who is standing as an
The number of days it takes to re-let a council house in east Durham has been slashed by more than 40 per cent during the past year. Newly released figures for 2008/09 reveal that it now takes East Durham Homes (EDH) an average of just 24 days to prepare
THE back-from-the-dead canoeist and his wife will be reunited for the first time in more than a year when they face a hearing to claw back the £250,000 they conned out of financial institutions, a judge said today. The legal saga of Anne Darwin, 57,
THE expenses row has plunged the House of Commons to what many commentators say is the lowest point in public esteem in its 800-year-history. The question I ask is: why hadn’t the public’s disillusionment reached that nadir earlier? In the rubble
AS we said yesterday, Michael Martin could not continue as Speaker if the House of Commons were to stand a chance of rebuilding its reputation. He had failed to fully appreciate the seriousness of the crisis unfolding all around him and, as the
YOUR Wordsearch game (Echo, May 16), which was based on words connected with the MPs’ expenses scandal, offered scope for a new game similar to Monopoly. Let’s call the new game Fiddleum and it can be played by any number of MPs, Lords and Speakers
I WOULD like to correct a few misconceptions concerning our dealings with the European Union. Ms E Whittaker (HAS, May 15) believes that education, health, and local government, for example, are safe from EU interference. At a recent debate on
IN response to Pete Winstanley (HAS, May 14), the answer to the “constitutional aims to restore the racial balance to 1948 levels” question (referring to Mark Walker on the BBC’s Politics Show in January) is fundamental to the British National Party
The Government is coming under growing pressure to improve its treatment of ex-Gurkhas. Joe Willis talks to former soldier Ajitkumar Limbu about the issues facing his countrymen. BEING chosen to fight for Britain is a proud moment for a young Nepalese
THE relegation battle finally comes to a head on Sunday, and all three of the region’s Premier League sides head into the final match of the season with their top-flight status on the line. It has been a miserable season for all concerned, and
GRAHAM Onions has emerged from the Riverside Test with an Achilles heel injury and is to have a scan today. It is not believed to be related to the heel injury which spoilt his excellent start last season, ruling him out for six weeks. Following
GODOLPHIN have seen a major turnaround in their fortunes over the last week, and Sheikh Mohammed’s operation can continue rejuvenating in the Cocked Hat Stakes at Goodwood. This Listed event closes a busy fortnight of Derby trials, although it
A MUSEUM housing historic collections of international importance opens to the public this weekend. The Great North Museum, in Newcastle, is expected to become one of the region’s major tourist attractions after £26m worth of investment. It
IT may well prove one of the most expensive rounds yet. For a group of drinking pals have quite literally run up a £250,000 bar bill – to save their beloved local. The four men clubbed together to raise the money to buy The Buck Inn at Maunby,
SCHOOLCHILDREN could face crossing a dangerous road without a “lollipop lady”, says a headteacher. Fears are mounting that not enough will be done to protect youngsters making their way to Tow Law Millennium Primary School after Durham County
A 90-YEAR-OLD celebrated her birthday in style when she frolicked in a soft play area with her young family. Anne Jennings, who turned 90 on Monday, held a birthday party with her family at Joegio's Italian restaurant, in Northgate, Darlington the day
TRAINEE Robin Hoods can try out archery as part of a series of fun half-term events lined up on the North York Moors. The Whitby Company of Archers is to provide hands on experience to visitors. It forms part of the North York Moors National Park’s
ANDY Monkhouse yesterday extended his stay at Hartlepool United by a further two years – as another left winger opted to leave Victoria Park. Matty Robson has turned down Pools’ contract offer and the homegrown talent is interesting Danny Wilson
GARETH Southgate has questioned the value of this summer’s European Under-21 Championships, and admitted he is delighted David Wheater will be missing the tournament because of injury. Wheater will undergo surgery in the summer to solve a knee
NEWCASTLE are hoping to have Michael Owen and Jose Enrique available for Sunday’s relegation decider at Aston Villa – but Sebastien Bassong will miss the trip to Villa Park after the Football Association upheld his dismissal in last weekend’s
NIALL QUINN has reassured Sunderland supporters he will remain as club chairman next season even if the Black Cats are relegated this Sunday. But while Quinn’s announcement offered calm to an increasingly agitated Wearside public, striker Kenwyne
Colin Todd is expected to be confirmed as Darlington’s new manager in the next 24 hours. Chief Sports Writer Scott Wilson profiles the man who has been charged with the task of turning the Quakers around. AS a player, Colin Todd was renowned for
DARLINGTON Football Club will begin to exit administration before the end of the week, by which time Colin Todd is expected to have been confirmed as the club’s new manager. Todd has agreed to succeed Dave Penney as Quakers boss, and his appointment
RELEGATION-haunted North-East trio Newcastle, Middlesbrough and Sunderland have dismissed claims they could sue Manchester United if they field a weakened team this weekend. Reports today suggested the three clubs had held discussions as they prepare
KENWYNE Jones refused to commit his future to Sunderland should the Black Cats drop out of the Barclays Premier League. The North-East club head into the final round of fixtures still not safe from relegation should results go against them. And Jones
A CORONER is seeking the North East-based relatives of a Yorkshire man who died at the weekend. Malcolm Johnson Pennick, 35, was found dead at his home in Dent Drive, Eastmoor, Wakefield on Sunday. His death is not being treated as suspicious. West
TWO Chinese graduates were savagely executed as a warning to others who might cross those involved in the shady world of organised crime, a court heard. Sadistic killer Guang Hui Cao was yesterday found guilty of the murders of Xi Zhou and
NEWLY-ELECTED MP Roberta Blackman Woods claimed for a bed, cabinet and two sofas for her second home after coming to office in May 2005. But the MP for Durham City said she bought most of the furniture for the one-bedroom flat in London with
A FORMER Government minister claimed more than £1,000 for bedding and a dishwasher. Hilary Armstrong, the MP for North-West Durham and a former Chief Whip, billed the taxpayer £341 for bedding in July 2004 and requested £705 for a dishwasher
HELEN GOODMAN attacked a newspaper’s attempts to make a scandal out of the fact that her family stayed in a holiday home – rather than a hotel – soon after she became a minister. The Bishop Auckland MP, who is a Government whip, claimed £519.31
ITEMS in former health secretary Alan Milburn’s claim file include new tables, chairs and a four-metre square rug for his second home in the capital. The Labour MP for Darlington was also reimbursed £1,565.25 when he redecorated the property
A BUSINESSMAN who nearly destroyed a North-East company following a £2.4m fraud has been jailed for seven years. Douglas Brown, 61, used his role as managing director of Palmer UK, in Hartlepool, to swindle the company out of millions of pounds
A SERIAL conman who tried to target schoolchildren was given a five-year anti-social behaviour order (Asbo) yesterday. Lee James Flaherty, of Grange Road, Darlington, made himself a fake ID and advertisements for a bogus youth service called Arelate
A STEAM engine that used to aid Britain’s Second World War effort has been restored to its former glory and is to go on display in the region. The Duchess of Hamilton is to feature in a new free display at the National Railway Museum, in York
A JUDGE has called for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding an onfield assault and careerthreatening injury suffered by a talented footballer. Jonathan Carroll’s ankle was broken in a tackle during a pre-season tournament and was
Being a huge Maximo Park fan, I was extremely excited to hear that the local lads were releasing their ‘third’ studio album, ‘Quicken The Heart’. I have decided to share my experiences that took place the week of the album release (11th May 2009
FIREFIGHTERS last night issued a fresh safety warning over the dangers of chip pans after pulling a man from a blaze in his home. The 60-year-old was rescued from his first-floor flat in Cloverfield, in the Whinfield area of Darlington, shortly
DARLINGTON Football Club is expected to emerge from administration this week with former chairman George Houghton still in control. Negotiations were continuing last night. Officials hope they can make an announcement this morning, bringing the
AN unprecedented crackdown on MPs’ expenses was unveiled by outgoing Speaker Michael Martin last night, signalling an end to the moneyspinning free-for-all that has ruined Parliament’s reputation. The announcement followed an emergency political
We're back in business in the Headline Game on TFM radio. This morning's story was about a 14-day old mule called Pedro, who was born at a farm near Consett, and is thought to be the world's smallest mule. Our headline was "Short ass". TFM couldn't
Little BIG Planet Little big planet is one of the most colorful, inventive and imaginative games on the market. You have the option to play story mode levels, Community levels (created by online users and only available online) or make your own
PARAMEDICS restarted a man's heart in an air ambulance following a car crash in Darlington tonight. The man suffered a suspected heart attack at the wheel and his car crashed. Pedestrians who saw the man clutching his chest at around
A 50 YEAR old man was rescued by the fire brigade from his upstairs flat this evening. All of the emergency services attended. The man was transferred to the Memorial Hospital with a suspected wrist fracture, sustained while trying to escape from
