POLICE are looking for a youth after a car was severely damaged by fire in Glebe Road, Darlington, tonight. Police and the fire brigade were alerted to the incident at just after 8pm. The young male, who was seen smashing a window and throwing something
This was the Black Bulls first fixture against Wensleydale RFC. We played a combined team of under 16/17’s. After what has seemed like weeks of no matches the boys were very definitely ready for a match. Wensleydale provided a very warm welcome
A MAN from the North-East was tonight charged with a series of terror offences, police said. Rajib Karim, 30, of Newcastle, has been accused of committing three offences under the Terrorism Act. He will appear before London's City of
CAMPAIGNERS have finally secured a £120,000 scheme to create a new park play area. The proposals for Green Park, Darlington, which also includes improvements to paths and entrances, were yesterday approved by the borough council's planning committee.
A WOMAN who was honoured for her contribution to the arts will lead her academy for the first time since picking up the award. Rebecca McGarvie, who established Darlington Arts Academy and the Sing group, was a winner at last month's Best of Darlington
SUNDERLAND might not have safeguarded their top-flight future, but Ellis Short can rest a little easier until Sunday at least. Relegation was not what Short signed up for when it was confirmed he would agree to buy out the Drumaville Consortium
WARREN Hughes has completed the first two-day test with the ASM team in preparation for the forthcoming first round of the Le Mans Series. Along with team-mates Olivier Pla and Miguel Amaral, the Sunderland racer completed more than 200 laps at the Paul
IN reporting the guilt of Ashleigh Hall's murderer Peter Chapman on Tuesday, The Northern Echo's front page headline was "Fatal blunders". The sentiment was aimed primarily at Merseyside Police for taking nine months - yes NINE MONTHS - to
WORK on a £2.7m flood protection scheme at Chester-le-Street will take two months longer partly because of severe weather at the turn of the year. Northumbrian Water had planned to complete improvements to the sewerage system in the Garden Farm and
POLICE have confirmed that a body recovered from a city centre river today is that of a teenager reported missing from home almost two weeks ago. Jonathan Havron, from York, had not been seen since February 27, following a night out in the city. A body
A FANCY dress party based around the 1940s is being held to raise money for a north Durham church hall. The spirit of the Second World War is being recreated at St Mary’s Church in Blackhill, near Consett. It is being held on April 10 from 2.30-4pm
A BUDDING all round athlete has taken her first steps to becoming an Olympic competitor at future games. Nine-year-old Kari Dougall is already showing promise in the multi-sport events triathlon and biathlon. Triathlon was welcomed as
POLICE investigating last week's fatal bus crash have renewed their appeal for witnesses. Investigators have yet to find a witness who saw exactly what happened when a service bus and a coach collided head-on at Newfield, near Chester-le-Street
FITNESS fans have set a challenge to raise funds to boost the Sport Relief bid by travelling 2,012 miles in 20 days. The marathon event has been set by users of Thirsk and Sowerby Leisure Centre which has just undergone a £600,000 face-lift. To tie
BY booking in advance, leaving before 8am, with a senior railcard and when no one’s looking, you can get a single from Darlington to Leicester for just £13. It’s a bit early, but times are tight. So the Railroad to Wembley continues, Barwell
PLANS to build an A1 motorway services to create 200 local jobs are to go on show to the public at a fact-finding display. Bayford Developments is to showcase its 11 hectare scheme dubbed Ripon Services planned for the A1, near Ripon, North Yorkshire
BLUE comic Roy 'Chubby' Brown hit a 21-year-old woman in the face during a foul-mouthed dispute in a supermarket car park, a court heard today. The 6ft-plus 65-year-old punched slightly-built Kelly Oliver in the face after he nearly bumped his
A body has reportedly been found in the River Foss in York city centre. A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said: "Police are currently at Foss Islands Basin, following reports that a body has been seen in the water. "An underwater search unit
A CATHEDRAL is running a children’s opera school during the Easter holiday. The Durham Cathedral music outreach programme is open to young singers aged eight to 18 who are quick to learn music and happy singing either in a chorus or as soloists. Anyone
A CATHEDRAL has signed up its latest corporate partner. Brewin Dolphin, one of the country’s largest investment management firms, has joined Durham Cathedral’s corporate partner scheme. The agreement means Brewin Dolphin will support the Cathedral’s
THERE’S definitely something about a ghost story that makes it an ideal live experience. Stephen Mallatratt’s adaptation of Susan Hill’s bestselling novel, The Woman in Black, is certainly such an experience, with the atmosphere cleverly manipulated
AN HISTORIC village has been granted conservation area status. Proposals to designate Bolam, near West Auckland, County Durham, as a conservation area were approved by Durham County Council's executive cabinet today. Residents hope the move will strengthen
Rhod Gilbert’s Work Experience (BBC2, 10pm) Children’s Champion Awards (Sky1, 8pm) Inside John Lewis (BBC2, 9pm) WHAT’S the scariest job in the world? Bomb disposal expert, lion tamer, astronaut or comedian? Apparently,
PLAYWRIGHT Alan Bennett can claim to be ahead of his time with the premise of a back-to-back street in Leeds being moved brick-by-brick to an open-air museum site. The idea didn’t thrill critics in 1980, but he now points to Beamish Museum as
MOTHERS are people too. They may even have rights. Especially on Mothers’ Day. Or are they expected to spend their special day baking cupcakes for other people? Okay, Mothers’ Day as we know it now is a huge commercial rip-off. Which is why I
THE Memories room is undergoing a little of a tidy-up and, disgracefully, there are too many items that people have sent in that have never seen the light of day. This photo came from a lady whose distant relations are on the picture. It is of EM Geldart's
THE Independent Police Complaints Commission today confirmed it will carry out an investigation into how Merseyside Police monitored Peter Chapman, the convicted sex offender who raped and murdered Darlington teenager Ashleigh Hall. The force referred
UNIVERSITY towns – such as Durham – may become the first ghettos in modern Britain if new planning laws are misused. The Use Classes Order, controlling the change of domestic properties into shared houses in multiple occupation, comes into force
WHY can’t our politicians understand that wind turbines and solar panels simply cannot bridge the energy gap that will be created if the EU’s Large Combustion Plant Directive forces the closure of 40 per cent of our power generation capacity in
THE number of houses directly affected by the proposed coal transfer facility at Wolsingham is, of course, dwarfed by those at Fir Tree, Toft Hill, High Etherley, West End, Spring Gardens, West Auckland and the dozens of individual houses along
I MUST admit I am dreading the television debates with David Cameron, Nick Clegg and Gordon Brown. It will only be a platform for the three to try their best in conning the public to vote for them. I would much rather watch a repeat of Columbo
ON Sunday night as I walked home I noticed that, despite the sign saying not to, someone had left a load of things outside our local charity shop. I now wonder what pleasure it gave some mindless idiots to go to Sainsbury’s and buy a two-litre
I HAVE no wish to dampen the spirits of EV Hills (HAS, March 5), but my late brother, on reaching the age of 80 in 2007, said that if he saved his 25p pension increase for eight weeks he could then buy a pint at his local. This year, it is my
IN this column yesterday we said that Merseyside Police had serious questions to answer over their handling of Peter Chapman, the man who murdered 17-year-old Darlington student Ashleigh Hall. And it has become increasingly clear since then how
THERE has been a complaint. Last week’s column told the doubtless apocryphal story of the Viking warrior who discovered that he’d been away fighting for so long that his name had been left off the electoral register. The council official was duly
SORRY Shildon, but I can’t share your excitement and joy at becoming the showplace for Mallard, that megastar among steam locomotives, for an undetermined period from this summer. I regret I’m also not thrilled by the feverishly- heralded
OUT walking last Thursday I heard the skylark for the first time this year. It’s a joyful sound that tells you winter is as good as over, even though there may be a few fits and starts before you can safely welcome the spring. Listening to it,
DURING his evidence to the Chilcot Inquiry Gordon Brown tried to justify the invasion by claiming that Iraq did not comply with UN resolutions. It was a serial offender. He said that the international community wanted Saddam Hussein removed from
ON my recent visit to Darlington I had to ask if the law on the use of mobile phones while driving had been lifted as so many people were using them. They where not using them secretly – in fact, quite the opposite. How many road deaths are needed
IT’S very canny of Tesco and Sainsbury’s to provide Darlington with small “corner shops” in the town centre, but customers are immediately paying for this privilege. They should reflect their larger supermarket prices and special offers, but
Miner Jackie Toaduff is a real-life Billy Elliot who danced with royalty and was wooed by a Hollywood screen legend. He tells Steve Pratt how he overcame his parents’ objections to have a life on the stage. SEVERAL times Jackie Toaduff interrupts
A CONSTRUCTION company yesterday announced plans for more than £27m-worth of housing projects in the Tees Valley and County Durham. Southdale will build the social developments in Middlesbrough, Redcar, Darlington and Consett. The Yorkshire-based
THE growth in North-East exports is being shackled by problems with foreign trade credit insurance, research has revealed. An estimated £9.2bn of UK exports is at risk because of a lack of trade finance and one in eight exporters surveyed said
A DRESS that has attracted the attention of Lord Mandelson will be on show at an event in the region this month. The dress, which lights up with OLED technology, will launch an event dedicated to exploring the appliance of science to fashion.
WITH fewer than 100 days to go to the start of the World Cup and just over two years to the start of the 2012 London Olympics, a seminar is being held to show how firms can benefit from export opportunities offered by the events. UK Trade and Investment
CHEESEMAKERS in North Yorkshire announced expansion plans, jobs and business growth yesterday. The Wensleydale Creamery, in Hawes, will create seven jobs this year with the £750,000 expansion of its visitor centre. In addition, Shepherds Purse
A LUXURY North Yorkshire hotel has created rooms themed in honour of two of the world’s most famous hotels as part of a £250,000 investment. Crab Manor, at Asenby, near Thirsk, has created the rooms in tribute to the six-star Burj Al Arab, in
ONE of the UK’s well-known entrepreneurs said he believes the North-East is a prime place to start a business, and the recent collapse of heavy industries proves becoming an entrepreneur is no more risky than working for someone else. International
ENGLAND manager Martin Johnson described his selection decision for Saturday’s Calcutta Cup showdown with Scotland as the toughest of his 18-month tenure. The ‘‘marathon’’ deliberations following England’s 20- 16 defeat to Ireland resulted in
Bury 1 Darlington 1 TADHG PURCELL’S seventh goal in 11 appearances brought to an end Darlington’s run of five defeats with a satisfying 1-1 draw at promotion- chasing Bury. The Irishman’s penalty gave Quakers a first-half lead in a performance
It's good to see the national papers finally catching up on the Facebook scandal following the trial of Peter Chapman, the man who killed Darlington student Ashleigh Hall. Today's Daily Mail devotes its front page to Facebook being under
Maybe Next Time, are a pop punk band from Darlington consisting of four talented teenagers. The lead singer David Murphy has a passion for music, and his obsession lies in the pop punk genius of legendary bands like Green Day and Blink 182. Christopher
NEWCASTLE UNITED defender Steven Taylor has admitted to fears that his injured knee would prevent him from playing again this season. Taylor has been sidelined since the 2-2 draw with West Brom at St James’ Park in January when a tough challenge
AC Milan skipper Massimo Ambrosini has declared Wayne Rooney to be "a complete player". Rooney’s profile has shot up over the last few months, with both Fabio Capello and Sir Alex Ferguson declaring the 24-year-old to be among the best players
MIDDLESBROUGH coach Colin Cooper is desperate to secure victory in the Tees- Tyne derby this weekend, but admits he wants to see Newcastle win the Championship. Boro hope to be boosted by the return of Scott McDonald who will test his fitness
STEVE Bruce last night praised the support of Sunderland owner Ellis Short after a comprehensive 4-0 victory over Bolton ended a run of three-and-a-half months without a win. Having watched the Black Cats tumble down the table from afar, Short
SIR Alex Ferguson expects David Beckham to be consigned to the AC Milan bench for his emotional Old Trafford return. Beckham flew into Manchester yesterday lunchtime to the usual overwhelming greeting, covered live on TV no less, with fans eager
ENGLAND bowler Graham Onions has been ruled out of the first Test against Bangladesh with a back injury. The Durham paceman picked up the problem during net practice after joining up with the one-day international squad. Fellow bowler Stuart Broad also
POLICE searching for missing Leanne Chambers last night said it was not definite that she is in the river they have been searching. Detectives, who have made a renewed appeal for information after a two-week search, say they have broadened the
A WOMAN has spoken of her ordeal after she and her fiance were jailed for their part in the killing of a man in Spain. Bridget Elizabeth Stokes said she and her partner, Adrian Marshall, were convicted by a kangaroo court. The 49-year-old, who
OLYMPIC boxer Tony Jeffries has thrown his weight behind a wristband campaign for injured troops and their families. The boxer presented a signed glove to a group of women who have organised a fundraising event for 3 Rifles Swift and Bold wristband
Just back from a Durham Agency Against Crime meeting, discussing an educational campaign to highlight the dangers of the drug mephedrone. We've carried quite a lot of stories about mephedrone which has grown in popularity among young people in the North-East
DURHAM’S chief constable last night added to the mounting pressure on Facebook to adopt a safety feature which would allow its users to report abuse. The social networking site has so far refused to add the Child Exploitation and Online Protection
A BUSINESSMAN has died after being hit by a train on a level crossing. Ho Sanderson, a one time farmer, landowner and property developer, was killed after being hit by a train on the East Coast Main Line north of Widdrington station, near Morpeth
As pressure mounts on police over their handling of sex offender Peter Chapman, we reveal how he almost trapped other young girls. TWO teenage girls narrowly escaped the clutches of Facebook killer Peter Chapman only days before he killed North-East
NEWCASTLE FALCONS stepped up their future planning yesterday when they announced the retention of a quartet of players. Prop Micky Ward and fullback Alex Tait have signed new one-year deals at Kingston Park, with scrumhalf Chris Pilgrim and England
NORTHERN Rock today said it was paying staff £14.9 million in bonuses after losses narrowed last year. The Newcastle-based bank reported a pre-tax shortfall of £257.5 million for the 12 months to December 31, compared with a £1.36 billion loss
DURHAM’S failed bid to be named first UK City of Culture was not populist enough, judges claimed. Limited involvement of contemporary or populist culture may have restricted the appeal of the county’s cultural programme, campaign leaders were told
JOANNA LUMLEY was accused yesterday of deserting Gurkhas left destitute after her high-profile victory allowing them to settle in Britain backfired. Kevan Jones, the Durham North MP and Armed Forces Minister, turned his fire on the actress, telling
NEARLY 95,000 North-East manufacturing jobs have been lost in the past 12 years because of Labour policies, the Tories claimed last night. However, in an attack of their own, Labour warned that Conservative plans to scrap a job creation scheme
A FURIOUS row broke out yesterday over a claim that the Government has failed to revive the North-East’s former mining communities – despite spending hundreds of millions of pounds. A strategy designed to direct new investment and jobs into devastated
THE top earners at Darlington Borough Council should take a ten per cent pay cut to help the authority get through the recession, a councillor has claimed. Liberal Democrat Councillor Peter Freitag called for the chief executive and directors
