Watching an old game show on UK Gold the other night put me in mind of the time David Jobling and Steven Raw appeared on Bullseye. ‘Bullseye’ was the most popular game show of the eighties. It was a ‘must watch’ show for most of us on a Sunday afternoon
The drivers of two cars involved in an accident in Bates Avenue, in the Branksome area of Darlington, tonight have been taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital. Paramedics and firefighters initially gave first aid to the men following the collision at
CUSTOMS officers have arrested three people - two of whom are from the North-East - after enough hand-rolling tobacco to make 3 million cigarettes was discovered in two separate seizures, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) said today. On October 26, UK Border
A CONVICTED burglar who fled from the dock of a court after being found guilty is back behind bars. Neil Paul Hodgson, 29, of The Avenue, Pelton, near Chester-le-Street, County Durham, was on the run for two weeks. But he was arrested this afternoon
A LIFEBOAT was launched this afternoon after an unmanned jet ski was spotted still under power about half a mile north of Roker Pier, Sunderland. Volunteers from Sunderland RNLI were alerted after staff at Sunderland Coastwatch reported the
AN extra £50,000 has been made available for local retailers in Darlington through a Home Office scheme The Partnership Grant offers groups of local retailers the opportunity to bid for a share of funding to be used for capital expenditure projects designed
CHIC FLICK: Darlington Arts Centre screens Coco Before Chanel (12a), the film about the life of the legendary French designer, on Monday November 16, at 1.30pm and 8pm. Tickets cost 3 from 01325-486555. GOLDEN OLDIES: The stage version of the long
A WOMAN who works with victims of domestic abuse in Darlington has had her work recognised with a national award. Wendy Collins travelled to London to collect the Crisis Changing Lives Support Worker of the Year prize. The award was
A DOG control order for a Teesside park came into force this week. Middlesbrough Council’s executive agreed on the order for Albert Park at a meeting in the Summer. Dog owners must now adhere to a number of measures, including using a lead of no more
The mother of a teenager allegedly killed by a man she met on the internet today urged social networking sites to stop people creating false on-line identities. The body of Ashleigh Hall, 17, was found in a field in Sedgefield, County Durham, on Monday
NEW safety measures have been introduced to protect skateboarders and BMX riders using a popular park. The Prissick Plaza, on Marton Road, Middlesbrough, has proved a huge success with youngsters since it opened four years ago. It attracts up to 80,000
The interview with Ashleigh Hall's mum Andrea has arrived and is very moving indeed. Andrea, from Darlington, talks about the last time she saw Ashleigh before she was found dead this after meeting a man via the internet. She describes her as a typical
DETAILS of a new transport interchange will be revealed at a meeting next week. Hartlepool Council’s regeneration and planning services scrutiny forum will discuss the findings of an inquiry into the Hartlepool Transport Interchange on Thursday. Despite
The new County Durham edition of Monopoly has been launched - and The Northern Echo has pride of place instead of Fleet Street. We are worth M220 - M standing for the new Monopoly international currency - which is M200 less than Durham Cathedral but
STANDARD Impreza STI not fast enough for you? Then Subaru UK has a new model that could be just your cup of Castrol. It has taken a standard STI and handed it over to Prodrive - the company that masterminded the Subaru world rally effort for
In the 250th anniversary of the death of Handel what better way to mark his legacy than putting on his personal favourite - the oratorio Theodora. It may not have been popular with 18th century audiences, but has enjoyed a renaissance of late.
In the 250th anniversary of the death of Handel what better way to mark his legacy than putting on his personal favourite - the oratorio Theodora. It may not have been popular with 18th century audiences, but has enjoyed a renaissance of late.
RICHARD MONEY has left his job as Newcastle's academy chief to become manager of Blue Square Premier side Luton Town. Former Walsall boss Money succeeds Mick Harford, who left Luton earlier in October. "I'm looking forward to getting stuck in,
MARCUS Bent will go straight into the squad for Gordon Strachan’s first game in charge, at home to Plymouth, after joining Boro on loan from Birmingham City until December 28. The 31-year-old is Strachan's first signing and his switch from Birmingham
A VETERINARY charity is appealing for donations of furniture to help raise funds for sick and injured pets. The PDSA shop in Chester-le-Street is on the look-out for good quality furniture such as beds, sofas, tables and chairs, coffee tables and
WORK to fell two diseased ash trees overlooking a children's play area was held up for more than an hour today, while a peaceful protest was held. Jane Markham, of Northallerton, North Yorkshire, was spoken to by police officers after stepping over
WORK to fell two diseased ash trees overlooking a children’s play area was held up for more than an hour this afternoon, while a peaceful protest was held. Jane Markham, of Northallerton, North Yorkshire, was spoken to by police officers after stepping
SCHOOLGIRL Ellena Suddick will be getting Redcar and Cleveland Council's annual fireworks display off to a sparkling start when she presses the button to begin the display. The seven-year-old, from Eston, won a competition in the latest edition of Primary
The mother of Ashleigh Hall, the Darlington student killed after meeting a man via the internet, is giving her first interview today. Andrea Hall has so far only responded to the tragedy through Facebook but she is talking to the national news
THE Mayor of Middlesbrough has taken to the airwaves as he helped launch a new community radio station for the town. Community Voice FM (CVFM) was recently awarded a five-year community radio broadcasting licence by Ofcom following several years of hard
POLICE have devised an innovative way to combat anti-social behaviour around a war memorial - they have drafted in the army. Youths regularly congregate at Hartlepool's Centotaph to drink and cause a nuisance but soldiers from the Queen's Royal Lancers
POLICE are looking for this man in connection with an alleged shoplifting. A police spokesman said a quantity of meat products were stolen from the Co-op store in Lowlands Road, Brandon, Durham, at 7.10pm on Saturday July 18. The suspect
A DRIVER and his mother were rescued by two brothers just moments before their car dramatically burst into flames. The Rover 25 caught fire at the roundabout at the end of Crown Street, Darlington, at 11.25am on Friday in front of scores of
DEVELOPERS and ward councillors have met with local residents to discuss concerns about a new housing application. Northstar Housing has submitted plans to demolish a garage on Hutton Avenue, Darlington, and build a bungalow to accommodate disabled persons
A FORMER miner who has celebrated his diamond wedding anniversary recalled how he first caught the eye of his wife on the dance floor as he played in a band. Ronny Smalley, then 18 years old, got a friend to mention him to Joan, then 15, to make sure
TOURISM chiefs have warned that Bedale could be turned into a “ghost town” if plans for a new car park alongside a proposed bypass do not become a reality. Yvonne Rose, chairwoman of the town’s chamber of trade and tourism, says the so-called “gateway
DRIVERS who put their foot down on roads through villages in the Durham City area are to be monitored by residents. Community Speed Watch schemes are to be launched by the Mid Durham Rural West Area Action Partnership, which covers villages including
PART of Darlington town centre was closed off this morning after a car caught fire and exploded. The car caught fire in Tubwell Row close to the town's Cornmill Shopping Centre at 11.20 am. As smoke poured from the bonnet the owner abandoned the stricken
POLICE have named the farmer killed when a car hit his tractor on the A66 near Barnard Castle, County Durham on Thursday night. Raymond Handley, 71, died when a Jaguar car hit his tractor. This afternoon a 49-year-old man from Muirhead in
WHETHER you’re a gym bunny, a city cyclist, a weekend walker or a long distance runner, you can be stylish and kind to the environment with a new range of 100 per cent recycled sports gear. Clothing brand Yew have come up with a collection of
Looking for something for free? Join thousands of other people on freebie sites and swap your stuff for theirs. IF I told you I went into a total stranger’s home at night and left with their DVD player and Playstation, your first instinct might be
Reader's question: Graham, from Darlington, is enjoying the fantastic display of colour that the trees are giving us this year as the autumn marches on. He wonders if I could explain why the leaves, which start out as green, turn various shades
MONOPOLY fans can pass go and collect Durham Cathedral for £400, with the launch of a County Durham edition of the world-famous board game. More than 20 Durham landmarks and institutions are included in the game, which is expected to prove popular for
Ex-soldiers in the region, who have mental rather than physical scars, can now be seen by specially-trained NHS staff. Health Editor Barry Nelson investigates. MOST of us have seen the ancient, flickering film showing First World War victims of shell
THERE is no question that Funeral For A Friend are a popular choice, filling the Empire with raw teenage spirit. The band carry energy, passion and a lot of commitment in their music. The quintet wasted no time and flew into an enthusiastic
IT is an absolute joy to review these two. With both approaching 60, they’ll never again get the recognition they fully deserved in the late Seventies, when they were feted by the likes of Pete Townsend and appeared on The Old Grey Whistle Test
A WARNING to those expecting to see a version of the successful film on stage: this production is very different. It’s a stage musical, written after the film’s success, with original music and songs. Also the Sheffield steel workers have all
IN her letter on the forthcoming Copenhagen Conference on climate change (HAS, Oct 28), Charlotte Bull writes that we are “actually cooling” as though this is remotely relevant. Given that a variety of factors affect global temperature, any short-term
The Sarah Jane Adventures (BBC1, 4.35pm); The Car Scrap Trap: Tonight (ITV1, 8pm); Bill Bailey: Tinselworm (Channel 4, 10pm) MANY remember Elisabeth Sladen when she first played intrepid journalist Sarah Jane Smith in Doctor Who back in the mid
COULD anyone advise me why 646 MPs are required to run this country? Surely the time has now come when this should be reduced to one member per county – giving a considerable fiscal saving in the straightened circumstances in which the country
I WAS totally opposed to the BBC’s decision to allow BNP leader Nick Griffin to take part in Question Time. I believe the decision has backfired and, unfortunately, given the BNP far too much publicity. Having said this, I did watch the programme
IF Christopher Wardell feels he is being haunted by a horse each time he visits the covered market in Darlington (HAS, Oct 24), it is easy to see why – 100 years ago horses were the main means of transport, both for people and goods and 200 years
THE UK Youth Parliament and BT are inviting young readers from the North-East and North Yorkshire to enter this year’s Seen & Heard awards, which recognise the positive differences young people can make in today’s society. We’re looking for inspiring
LAST YEAR, Bishop Auckland Labour MP Helen Goodman invited me to a meeting in Spennymoor regarding the BNP’s rise in popularity. Not only was I surprised the BNP had not been invited, but the room was on the whole, barring a couple of very nice
TOMORROW is Halloween and I am vastly excited as it is one of my favourite days of the year. As a ghost investigator, it is my FA Cup Final day and I always try my best to make sure that my kids and the good lady have a spooky time. This year, we
MOVE up the value chain and keep ahead of the curve. I am sure regular readers of this newspaper will recognise the source of these two gems of management speak. It was Business Secretary Lord Mandelson, who graced the region with a visit last weekend
Brian Laverick has moved from protecting top politicians to raising thousands of pounds for charity. Lucy Richardson hears how the former bodyguard used his passion for motorcycles for fundraising. A FORMER bodyguard with a passion for motorcycles
THE sound of the gnashing of teeth at Westminster has been heard for miles around in the wake of MPs being brought to account over the expenses scandal. But the case of former minister Tony McNulty underlines why there was such public outrage over
RE stories suggesting Tony Blair must break his silence over whether he wants to become the first European President. Perhaps we should be focusing more on the underlying issue – whether that role will have real power and British support. There
RUM King has shown marked improvement with each start and looks the one to be with in the NGK Spark Plugs Conditions Stakes at Newmarket. The juvenile failed to fire on his debut in a maiden won by the smart Al Zir first time out, but then ran
DAVID Haye has continued to fan the flames ahead of his WBA heavyweight title challenge against Nikolai Valuev on November 7, describing the Russian giant as the ‘‘bogeyman’’ ahead of their fight in Germany. Outspoken former cruiserweight champion
FIRST the obvious. Well, obvious if you’re not Mike Ashley. St James’ Park should stay St James’ Park and 117 years of history should not be sold off like an overly-paid player seeking a new challenge. With the exception of Ashley, and his
MANCHESTER United are breaking Michael Owen in gently at Old Trafford following his surprise free transfer move from Newcastle in the summer. Owen marked his return to the starting XI at Barnsley, after being on the bench against Liverpool, with
DANNY Collins is aiming to prove he made the right decision to turn down his old boss Mick McCarthy and instead move to Stoke in the last transfer window. Ex-Sunderland defender Collins will line up for his new club tomorrow against Wolves and
MANAGER Phil Brown is desperate to turn Hull’s fortunes around on the pitch – and hopes the club’s new chairman can do the same in the boardroom. Paul Duffen stood down as executive chairman yesterday morning after pressure mounted on him and
DARLINGTON hope to agree a deal to land a former Middlesbrough midfielder whose career was almost ended when he contracted cancer as a teenager. Assistant manager Kevin Richardson has revealed that Norton and Stockton Ancients right-sided playmaker
WIGAN manager Roberto Martinez has phoned Sir Alex Ferguson to explain remarks attributed to him in a Spanish newspaper. Martinez has also contacted Steve Bruce, Sam Allardyce and Rafael Benitez after they were all implicated in the article.
JAMES Brown will be absent from the Hartlepool United squad that heads off to Brighton this morning. The forward, who has been playing an attacking role on the right wing in recent games, hobbled out of last week’s win over Tranmere with an ankle
GORDON STRACHAN has wasted no time in his search for a striker and is on the verge of adding Marcus Bent to his Middlesbrough squad. Strachan identified the forward line as a real weakness on day one of his term as Boro boss this week, particularly
ROB Andrew remains convinced the autumn series is a fair gauge of England’s progress under Martin Johnson, despite their injury crisis. England are missing half their first choice line-up for the Tests against Australia, Argentina and New Zealand
JON Benson, who has played at the top level with West Hartlepool, Leeds and Rotherham, is the new Community Rugby Coach for Darlington and Stockton and brings the number of RFU coaches working in the area to five. Originally from Wolsingham,
JONNY Wilkinson claims he is undaunted by expectation over his England return as he resumes an international career he once feared was over. Wilkinson has been ravaged by injury since helping England lift the 2003 World Cup but his move to
BERNIE Ecclestone has categorically confirmed there will be no British Grand Prix at Donington Park. Speaking at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, in the paddock of the new Yas Marina circuit, Ecclestone said: ‘‘There’s no Donington. ‘‘They’ve missed
CHRIS HUGHTON is eager to play down suggestions that Mike Ashley’s promised £20m investment in Newcastle United will strengthen the manager’s hand in the transfer market. Confirmation that Hughton had agreed to become permanent manager on Tuesday
■ Sunderland boss lays out his demands ■ Disappointment after Carling Cup exit ■ Cats fail to build on big displays HE may have given his Sunderland players a reminder of what he is demanding from them this season, but Steve Bruce admits he has
A WOMAN who filled her house with gas told police she was going to strike a match to blow it up. She said she had turned on the gas rings of her cooker four hours earlier and intended to cause an explosion. Fearing she would carry out her threat
TWO of the UK’s biggest transport firms, based in the North-East, yesterday revealed they are continuing to weather the recession after announcing solid trading in their bus and rail operations. Sunderland-based Arriva said revenues at its Cross
THE Ministry of Defence (MoD) has come under fire following BAE Systems’ announcement that it is to shed a third of the workforce at a North-East armoured vehicle plant. Having announced 50 job losses at its Newcastle plant in April, the defence
EAST Coast Main Line operator National Express yesterday rejected a takeover approach from rival transport group Stagecoach and will instead look to shareholders for a way out of its financial troubles. Stagecoach had made a preliminary offer
SKILLED workers in larger firms facing redundancy or short-time working are to take part in a football-style loan-scheme to pass on their expertise to smaller businesses. More than 90 small and medium-sized North-East firms are to benefit from
ROYAL Dutch Shell yesterday warned of a long haul to recovery after the oil company reported a 73 per cent slide in profits between July and September. The Anglo-Dutch company said third-quarter earnings fell to £1.83bn as a result of weaker oil
SCORES of off-licence workers across the region faced an uncertain future last night as First Quench Retailing went into administration The owner of Thresher, Wine Rack and The Local, with dozens of stores throughout the North-East and North
TENS of thousands of people across the region will enjoy firework displays over the next few days. As the days count down to November 5, the North will be alight with sparklers and illuminations. One of the biggest displays in the region
A WOMAN who stabbed her lesbian lover’s brother when he turned up on her doorstep with an angry mob of relatives walked free from court yesterday. Jenna Horner plunged the camping knife into the stomach of Mark Spence when he put his hand to
A BOOKER Prize-winning novelist was among those who braved burning embers to raise money for charity. Pat Barker, 66, and her daughter, Anna Ralph, 35, were among a crowd of about 30 who walked barefoot across 20ft of embers in Durham Market
A VAN driver has emerged as a potential key clue in the hunt for missing York chef Claudia Lawrence, it has been revealed. Police have confirmed that a witness contacted officers to raise concerns about the driver of a vehicle parked in the city
A HUGE crowd will gather this weekend at a North-East motor racing circuit for the climax of the British Rallycross calendar. As many as 8,000 people are expected at Croft Circuit, near Darlington, for the 2009 Rallycross Superprix, which will
TRADING standards officers have appealed to the public to identify so-called “tab houses” where illicit cigarettes are sold to children. Richard Ferry, a specialist officer from the North-East Trading Standards Association, said the public’s help
CONTROVERSIAL parking charges are having a mixed effect on four town centres according to local officials. Parking fees at short and long-stay car parks in Bedale, Northallerton, Thirsk and Stokesley, North Yorkshire, were brought in two weeks
A TEENAGE girl and her dog are lucky to be alive after her family’s static caravan was burnt to the ground. Stacey Easthaugh, 17, was left in charge of the caravan, which was home to her entire family, while her parents enjoyed a week’s holiday
FORMER minister Tony McNulty apologised unreservedly yesterday and promised to repay more than £13,000 in second home allowances which he claimed on a house where his parents live. In a statement to the Commons, Mr McNulty said he accepted the
THE postal dispute remained deadlocked last night as a fresh wave of strikes caused more disruption to the post – and there was a further threat of longer walkouts next month. Thousands of members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) staged
THE family of TV presenter Matt Baker are showing that a love of the countryside is in the blood by joining a scheme to help the region’s threatened woodland birds. The Countryfile front man grew up on his parents’ organic sheep farm near Tow
AN eye-catching bridge is the latest addition to a miniature version of the River Tees. The distinctive design of Infinity Bridge, which spans the river at Stockton, has been lauded since the £15m crossing opened in May. Now a model version will
POPULAR television chefs the Hairy Bikers rode into the region yesterday to film an episode of their Christmas series. Simon King and Dave Myers’ filming tour took in a visit to the Georgian Theatre Royal, in Richmond, North Yorkshire. This year
POLICE searching for a missing pensioner Billy Jones admit hopes of finding him alive are fading. The 88-year-old has not been seen since he left his home in Derwent Road, Ferryhill, County Durham, at about 4pm on Friday, October 16, for his
A COUNCIL faces paying out hundreds of thousands of pounds in compensation to residents affected by a multi-million pound road. The Eastern Transport Corridor road opened in Darlington last year, but the project was plagued with problems. A series
A COLLECTION of precious artefacts found on a riverbed could be heading for a remote monastery. It had been thought the value of more than 30 items that belonged to former Archbishop of Canterbury Michael Ramsey would be shared between brothers
MORE parents are unhappy with the region’s primary schools after a big leap in the number appealing against the places allocated to their children. The number of protests heard in 2007-8 rose sharply in both the North-East – from 630 to 980
PARENTS were given an assurance last night that hundreds of sex offenders living in the region are being closely monitored. The pledge came as Merseyside Police confirmed it had launched an inquiry into how Peter Chapman, a registered sex offender
Bring the family and have some fun in Green Park on Halloween. Come and join in the family fun on Saturday 31st October in Green Park from 4pm – 6pm. There will be Face Painting from 4.00 –5.00pm Arts and Crafts, A Story Teller and Lantern
A NEW high-speed rail line in the UK would produce, at best, only very modest environmental benefits, a report commissioned by the RAC Foundation said today. Taxpayers would have to foot a bill of between £17 billion and £27 billion for the construction
FIRST the obvious. Well, obvious if you're not Mike Ashley. St James' Park should stay St James' Park and 117 years of history should not be sold off like an overly-paid player seeking a new challenge. With the exception of Ashley, and his
