POLICE are still investigating a 10-year-old girl's claim that she was approached by a man who tried to abduct her. The girl was at the Barnard Castle annual Meet in County Durham on Bank Holiday Monday when she says a man grabbed her by the
Wigan are bracing themselves to fend off interest for boss Steve Bruce whom Sunderland are believed to want as their new manager. Bruce, 48, has been in charge of Wigan, who finished 11th in the Premier League, since he left Birmingham for the JJB
GARRY Park returned to haunt Durham in the Twenty20 Cup tie at home to Derbyshire, contributing 50 to a stand of 95 in ten overs with Australian left-hander Chris Rogers. The visitors made 175 for six then Park took two wickets with his medium
A story about a North Yorkshire farmer's enterprising deal with his local fish and chip shop is the subject of tomorrow morning's Headline Game on TFM radio. Philip Trevelyan, who farms at Spaunton, Kirkbymoorside, is negotiating a tasty deal
TELEVISION star Jeff Stelling is returning to his Hartlepool roots to help unveil a milestone in The Tall Ships' Races. The star of Channel Four's Countdown and Sky Sports' Soccer Saturday will be in town to officially mark 400 days to go until the races
AT a time when the British MP is a deeply unpopular species, I can see that David Cameron's proposal to slash the number of MPs will be attractive to many as a way of saving money. The Tory leader has pledged to reduce the number of MPs as part of his
TORNADO, the pride of Darlington's steam heritage, is set to appear on BBC TV's Top Gear. The loco, the first to be built in the UK for half a century, is to be the centrepiece of one of the programme's famous challenges. Lead presenter
POLICE are appealing for witnesses to a road rage incident that left one man in hospital and two in police cells. A white Saxo and a silver Vectra were spotted driving erratically in the Greenfield Way area, of Newton Aycliffe, at about 6pm on Saturday
Ridge tiles worth £700 were stolen from a barn in Hundertwaite, in Teesdale between 8am on Saturday, May 23 and 8am on Sunday. Anyone with any details should call Barnard Castle Police on 0345-60-60-365 or Crimestoppers on 0800-555-111.
Barnard Castle Ramblers Association is holding a Get Walking Day on Saturday. The group will walk three miles to Egglestone Abbey, meeting on the Lower Demesnes in Barnard Castle at 10am. The group will also go on a circular walk via Pecknell Wood,
A UNIVERSITY college is setting the standard for green tourism. Durham University’s Collingwood College has been awarded gold status from the Green Tourism Business Scheme - the first student accommodation in the region to receive the honour. The scheme
THE future of a £4.5m performing arts and media centre, which was refused over anti-social behaviour fears, will be decided this week. The New Life Centre, which would be built at St Hilds C of E School, in King Oswy Drive, Hartlepool, was turned down
THE last task of the outgoing mayor of Redcar and Cleveland was to hand over cheques to the four charities he supported throughout his year in office. Councillor Mike Findley successfully raised £12,000 despite the economic gloom in the country. The
A CAR has had its windows smashed while it was parked close to the Master Cooper pub in Acklam, Middlesbrough. The red Vauxhall Corsa was left with three smashed windows and damage to the boot lid following the incident, which happened just after midnight
RELATIVES from as far away as America and Canada flew into Middlesbrough to celebrate the 100th birthday of Doctor Patrick Barclay. Dr Barclay still lives in his own home in Marton but regularly attends Kirkley Lodge Day Centre where 16 members of this
A GANG tied up and tormenting a young disabled woman in a humiliating nine-hour ordeal which they filmed on a mobile phone. David Bradshaw, prosecuting, told York Crown Court the four made the 19-year-old victim lick a pair of trainers and drink washing-up
AN after school club for talented youngsters has visited the Centre for Alternative Technology in Wales. Wolsingham School and Community College organised the trip for its Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths club (Stemnet). The trip, to Machynlleth
CHAMPAGNE corks popped in Bishop Auckland today as a revamped high street chemist was unveiled to shoppers. Boots The Chemist on Newgate Street underwent an extensive refurbishment to incorporate an Opticians facility on the premises. The store stayed
DRINKERS put their money where their mouth is and took part in a sponsored pub crawl, raising nearly £1,000 for charity. The group of 11, who all live near Richmond in North Yorkshire, travelled to Whitby for the 18-pub trek, to raise funds for the Royal
Since the sport of Speedway was revived at the South Tees Motorsport Park in 2006 one visiting side has been a thorn in the flesh of the Redcar Bears - the Kings Lynn Stars. However with a powerful top five for the 2009 campaign this Thursday from 7.30pm
A KEBAB shop is under investigation after it erected new signs onto the former home of one of the North-East's most important historical figures. Industrial pioneer Edward Pease is thought to have lived at 146 Northgate when he met Tyneside engineer
THE Canadian bomber crews who lost their lives in the Second World War will be remembered later this month. The annual Service of Remembrance for the Canadian squadrons that operated out of North Yorkshire will take place at the Sundial Memorial
MARTIN Jol will not be Sunderland's next manager after he was appointed as the new boss of Dutch side Ajax. Jol, who started today as third favourite in the betting to succeed Ricky Sbragia, has signed a three-year contract with the Amsterdam-based club
A KUNG Fu Panda workshop takes place at Bishop Auckland Town Hall on Thursday. The craft event, based on the film, starts at 1.30pm, and costs £2. Places are limited to 20, and children under eight must be accompanied by an adult. The Kung Fu Panda
YOUNGSTERS from North Yorkshire have taken victory in a national football tournament. Stokesley FC Under-13s boys team were crowned UK champions at the Tesco Cup football final, held at the Reebok Stadium in Bolton on Sunday. The team, who progressed
TWO artists have created a thought-provoking new installation - with the help of 6,000 pieces of medieval pottery. Mosaicist Emma Biggs and art critic Matthew Collings have intricately arranged the fragmented pieces to create a huge mosaic in York St
COMMUNITY groups are being urged to attend a special meeting next month to find out how to access help with local projects. It is being held as part of the annual general meeting of the Stokesley and Villages Community Regeneration Group. It will be
THE mother of missing chef Claudia Lawrence said today she has a gut instinct her daughter is abroad. In her first full interview, Joan Lawrence also said she thinks the search for the 35-year-old needs some new input from the public. Miss Lawrence
A FATHER and son were assaulted in a north Durham town after a boxing event. It happened at around 11.20pm on Wednesday May 13 after a man and his 17-year old son were attacked and suffered bruising to their faces. The beatings took place in Consett
SAFETY chief Steven Fort literally took to his bike to raise awareness and much needed funds for a cancer charity. The health and safety officer at Lightwater Valley theme park near Ripon, he cycled 150 miles from Sunderland on the east coast
VILLAGERS have been left in shock following the death of a popular County Durham man in a hit-and-run incident. The victim, who was struck while walking in Sunderland on Sunday night, has yet to be publicly identified. However, he is understood to be
FISHING competitions, bat spotting and live music are just a few of the activities on offer this summer to celebrate Darlingtons parklife. Council countryside offers have launched a summer events programme which include educational, arts and
A PLAY featuring an all-female cast is coming to north Durham. Amanda Whittington's Be My Baby opens next month as the Gala Theatre in Durham. The in-house production, set in 1964, tells the story of 19 year-old-Mary who falls pregnant and is sent
NEWCASTLE Falcons have confirmed that full-back Steve Jones has signed with Edinburgh. Falcons officials have revealed that Ross Beattie, John Rudd, Tim Visser and Andy Long are also leaving Kingston Park. Director of rugby Steve Bates said: "We thank
THIEVES have targeted two van hire companies and stolen a number of alloy wheels. The first theft took place some time between 5pm on Saturday, May 9 and 8am on Monday, May 11 at North East Truck and Van Ltd on Cowpen Bewley Road in Billingham. Someone
ROCK and roll is proving a real money-spinner for eco-projects on the North York Moors. A wide range of green projects have benefited to the tune of more than £150,000 thanks to some of the top names in music including Jarvis Cocker, UB40 and James Morrison
A GROUP of children’s television characters have taken to the streets. Families in fancy dress yesterday (tue) took part in a sponsored walk to raise money for community funds. Parents and children from Thornley and Wheatley Hill children’s centres
WORKERS employed in the entertainment industry have been given hearing tests during a health and safety drive. Darlington Borough Council has offered the tests as part of a project to reduce exposure to excessive noise in music and entertainment workplaces
CHURCH SERVICE: Morning worship at Northallerton United Reformed Church, in the High Street, will take place at 10am, on Sunday. It will be led by Miss Lesley Bustard. The evening service, at 6pm, will take the form of a Bible study led by the Reverend
A VILLAGE football club which came close to being evicted is hoping for a brighter future, after drawing up plans to revamp its ground. Prospects for Brandon United seemed bleak in 2007, when landlord Durham City Council gave the club just two weeks
FORMER Newcastle owner Sir John Hall has branded the club's relegated squad rubbish and useless. Hall oversaw the Magpies rise to become a force in the top flight before selling his shares in the club to Mike Ashley in 2007. And, following
ARCHAEOLOGIST Nina Wilde and fiancé Eddie Chase discover an underwater site containing evidence of a settlement that existed more than 100,000 years before any previously known culture – a discovery which makes them targets for a sinister clandestine
MINOR noble Sir Charles Berkeley finds himself thrust into the centre of major events in 1641 as the country teeters on the edge of civil war and the main question facing men is King or Parliament? Berkeley has a military reputation, earned in
IN little bit more than a decade, Freya North has become one of the best-known female writers, with ten novels under her belt. I picked up Secrets because of its local link – it’s set in the North-East and North Yorkshire – and I’m an instant fan
AIR rifles get a very bad press because many of them end up in the wrong hands and are used for anti-social purposes, but in the right hands it is one of the most effective means of controlling rabbits and vermin while still enjoying the great outdoors
REVIEWED here a little while ago, but now reissued after being named Wisden Book of the Year. A truly glorious collection of writings marking the centenary of the birth of Jim Kilburn, for 40 years cricket correspondent of The Yorkshire Post
A GANG armed with a hammer and an axe have raided a MetroCentre supermarket. Four men wearing dark clothing and dark-coloured masks stole cash from self-service tills at the Gateshead shopping centre's Asda store. They made off in a K-registration Vauxhall
THE popularity of HPR is increasing all the time and Nigel Dear as chairman of the HPR Field Trial Association is the man to put the novice on the right track. His lavishly illustrated guide covers the whole world of HPR, from selecting the right
FOR quirky fascination it can’t beat JL Carr’s extraordinary Dictionary of Extraordinary Cricketers. Nothing can. For absorbing, largely statistical, detail over the illustrious canvas of the first-class game it can’t equal Wisden. Nothing can
WHERE do you begin to describe an experience like the Blue Man Group? Let’s try: part-cabaret, part rock concert, stand-up comedy without words questioning the loneliness of society – demented drumming on upturned pianos, lengths of pipe, sound
Blood, Sweat and Takeaways (BBC3, 9pm); Uncovering Our Earliest Ancestor: The Link (BBC1, 9pm); Britain’s Got Talent (ITV1, 8.30pm) ONE programme down and already one of the young Brits in Blood, Sweat and Takeaways has packed his bags and gone
LITTLE MAN IN THE STREET Adjudicator, Ombudsman, which masters do you serve ? Not the public, that’s for sure, have you lost your nerve? You should be independent, completely in control, Not a slave to government, that is not your
At a time when the male grooming industry in the UK is worth an estimated £1.4bn, Daniel Howlett finds out if he has what it takes to become a ‘modern male’. I WOULDN’T exactly say I was a man’s man. I am partial to the odd packet of steak crisps,
Cellulite is the bane of many women’s lives. Jenny Laue tries a treatment that claims to tackle the unsightly problem. VERY few women are lucky enough not to have it – the unsightly bumpy bits on thighs, bums and bellies, we know as orange peel skin
THE basic fault in British politics is that not all that many people belong to political parties and only a small number of people gather together to select a party candidate – and then there is a loyalty, almost equivalent to tribalism, to a party
DECIDING on surgery – be it for health or for cosmetic reasons – is a big step for anyone, so it helps to know that you are in good hands when you go under the knife. Vive Life Care, part of private hospital group Ramsay Health Care, has many years
Dave Mark talks to Christine Walkden, who is best known for her appearances on several gardening programmes and The One Show, and who has hosted her own series, Christine’s Garden, on the BBC. In these times of recession, why do you feel people
AS the “mother of parliaments” sinks slowly in the south, many politicians in it must be relieved they have arranged a large pension for themselves – as all the ruling classes do here. In 1940, Britishness asserted itself under Churchill
I WAS shocked to read as a result of a poll that only 45 per cent of the electorate would bother to vote if a General Election was called right now. I can only presume the other 55 per cent who couldn’t be bothered would thereafter keep any complaints
WE are told that no rules have been broken. The rules state that expenses must be reasonable and “wholly and necessarily” incurred in the performance of MPs’ duties. The Inland Revenue test of this used to be: could someone undertake the duty
IT has become more apparent and important that we need a complete change in the way we are governed and by whom, as the words of George Orwell ring with truth: “Political language is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable
WHAT is the Archbishop of Canterbury for? I sometimes think he’s just here to tease us, to wind us all up. After 9/11, he wrote a book which seemed to say that the terrorist atrocities in New York were the fault of the Western democracies. Even
After a £400,000 facelift, the North-East’s most continually controversial work of public art is ready to face its critics once again. David Taylor-Gooby leaps to its defence. UNTIL last week, a mysterious building stood in the centre of Peterlee
AN agreement to strengthen business, education and cultural links with one of the world’s fastest-growing economies has been signed. Representatives from Sunderland, including prominent members of the business and education groups, have been
THE health of the building society sector will be back in the spotlight this week when the Nationwide posts its annual results. Nationwide will report fullyear figures tomorrow after a dramatic year for Britain’s biggest building society. The
DURHAM Tees Valley Airport (DTVA) wants to persuade the Government to impose a socalled Public Service Obligation (PSO) on flights to London Heathrow in an effort to secure a future for the route. Bosses at the airport are understood to be drawing
LAST night’s damp ending to the weekend may have put a dampener on a few barbecues, but most people should be returning to work this morning with a touch of sunburn on their forehead and a smile on their face. From coast to Pennines, it has been
CAR manufacturer Nissan is hoping to recruit 20 trainee maintenance technicians for its 2009 apprentice scheme. The five-year programme begins in September. The first year will be devoted to training at Gateshead College’s Skills Academy, with
SIR ALAN SUGAR will be encouraging the North-East business community to take on apprentices of their own at an event in the region. The Apprenticeships seminar, hosted by Sir Alan, is aimed at employers who already have apprentices or those
FOR a split second Jonathan Richardson is literally between a rock and a hard place, essaying the sort of manoeuvre – this time for the photographer – that he’s completed countless times before. An unhappy landing sends him scurrying – teeth
REAL DIAMOND can make the best possible start to the year as she turns out in the Anderson Barrowcliff Handicap at Redcar. Allan Dickman’s charge is making a relatively late seasonal bow, but she was on the go until the end of October so a lengthy
AJMAL SHAHZAD and Simon Guy came to Yorkshire’s rescue with the bat in dramatic fashion yesterday as the Tykes snatched a three-wicket Twenty20 Cup victory from the jaws of defeat against Leicestershire at Headingley. Yorkshire looked nailed
IT WAS left to Mitch Claydon to seal a thrilling last-ball win for Durham yesterday after brilliant half-centuries by Dale Benkenstein and Ian Blackwell had left them with an apparent stroll to victory. They needed seven off two overs with
Burnley 1 Sheffield United 0 VICTORIOUS Burnley boss Owen Coyle distanced himself from the Celtic manager’s job after guiding the Clarets back to the top flight of English football for the first time in 33 years. Burnley were still attempting
The financial implications of losing Premier League status will severely affect Middlesbrough and Newcastle. Chief Sports Writer Scott Wilson examines the impact relegation will have on each club’s balance sheets. IF the reality of relegation
DAVID Wheater is desperately hoping he is not one of the Middlesbrough players who is asked to move on this summer as Gareth Southgate oversees some “big changes” in the wake of his side’s relegation from the Premier League. Southgate will meet
RICKY SBRAGIA’s first task as head of player recruitment will be to find a new striker after Sunderland confirmed they’ll not exercise their option to sign Djibril Cisse on a permanent basis. Chairman Niall Quinn is keen for Sbragia to oversee
MIKE Ashley will offer Alan Shearer a four-year contract as Newcastle manager when the pair meet for their end-of-season debrief later today. But Shearer will seek a number of assurances before he agrees to take up his first permanent managerial
A CHARITY bike ride has set the wheels in motion for a bumper fundraising day. The Middlesbrough Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre held its annual event in blazing sunshine yesterday. About 60 people of all ages took part in the bike ride,
A MOTHER has pledged to continue her fight for a change in the law – three years to the day since her son was killed by a teenage tearaway. Clare Conroy marked the third anniversary of the death of eight-year-old son, Daniel Conroy Curtin, by
ENCOURAGING dementia sufferers to wait at a fake bus stop and cradle plastic dolls might seem an unusual kind of therapy, but staff at one North care home say it is having a positive effect. Cleveland View Care Centre, in Middlesbrough, has
THE sunshine brought out the crowds at three popular events at the weekend. In Richmond, North Yorkshire, organisers said the town meet was the best in years, with record numbers attending the fancy dress float parade, family fun day, mayor’s
THREE young gymnasts from the North-East have been selected to compete for Great Britain. The girls, who train at Spennymoor Leisure Centre, in County Durham, secured their places with the squad after a successful past year. Beth Donaldson,
THE family of a baby born with a rare condition is supporting a charity appeal to raise £1m for a children’s hospital. Fourteen-month-old Joy McLaughlin, from Peterlee, in east Durham, suffers from gastroschisis, a condition which affects only
HUNDREDS of people turned out for the Labradoodle Trust’s first fun day, held this weekend. South Park, in Darlington, was the venue for the event, which featured judging of all breeds and agility classes. Taking centre stage though were the labradoodles
A POPULAR annual run for grand old knights of the road returns to its traditional home after an 11-year absence next month. The Beamish Run, the North-East’s premier safety and reliability trial for older cars, motorcycles and light commercial
A COUPLE are touring the coast of Britain for charity using a threewheeled van. Terry Archbold and his girlfriend, Romana Moffatt, are undertaking the challenge to raise funds for Cash For Kids. They expect the hike, in their speciallydecorated
A CAMPAIGN to fight the proposed privatisation of the Royal Mail got under way in the North-East yesterday with a balloon launch. A 20ft red pillar box, a 7ft postcard and unionists carrying out a public petition stopped shoppers in Durham’ Market
BINGE-DRINKERS who get into fights or fall over and hurt themselves will soon have their own street paramedic to tend their injuries. North-East NHS officials are planning to use Government funds to pay for an ambulance paramedic to be based
A MOTHER-OF-TWO and parttime personal assistant is on her way to a degree after 36 years away from the classroom. Susan Finnigan, 52, from Tudhoe, County Durham, left school as a teenager and started work as an office junior. Almost 40 years
THE grandfather who gave talented swimmer Lyndon Longhorne his first taste of the sport has been hit by rising prices at his local pool. Terry Wheeldon has complained that the cost of swimming at Glenholme pool, in Crook, more than doubled when
AN illustrated and harrowing diary of a prisoner of war’s ordeal has been uncovered after gathering dust for more than 60 years. Marilyn Buttery, of Billingham, near Stockton, made an emotional 6,500- mile round trip to retrieve the valuable
THE region basked in sunshine over the bank holiday weekend, with temperatures reaching 20C. But worse weather was on the way last night, with heavy rain hitting parts of the region. According to Rob Hutchinson, a forecaster for the MeteoGroup
A SOLICITOR from the region battled through 26 miles on the rainy hills of Cumbria to raise nearly £600 for a hospice. Callum Terry, from Durham, completed the Brathay Windermere Marathon in four hours and 32 minutes in aid of St Cuthbert’s
ROOF tiles were thrown at police after a man climbed on top of a house and refused to come down. Officers sealed off Thorntree Terrace, in East Stanley, County Durham, fearing residents could be injured. The incident began at 10am yesterday.
THE number of unemployed 18 to 24-year-olds has leapt by nearly 60 per cent in the past year, shock figures reveal today. The figures show the number of young people in the region claiming Jobseekers’ Allowance has increased to 27,000 – a jump
THE Darlington Countryside Team are inviting people to come along to Cockerbeck on 27th May. Here rangers will be on hand to encourage and help people participate in artistic activities. These are relating to wildlife in the area. The fee is £1.00
