Team Northumbria went third in the STL Second Division with a 1-0 home win over Brandon on Monday night. TH clinched their second win in four days with a goal by Graeme Cairns just seven minutes from the end, and go ahead of Whickham on goal difference
The Choir of King’s College Cambridge presented a programme of music spanning 450 years, holding a capacity audience at The Sage Gateshead captivated throughout. More familiar to sacred settings, the choir proved equally at home in the secular
THE family of a missing 36-year-old man have released a new photograph in an effort to help find him. Darren Waller, was last seen at an address in the Rossmere area of Hartlepool, at about 5.30pm, on January 9. His family are desperate for news and
There are too many parents who fail to take responsibility for their children's actions, so I applaud Gary Miller for making his teenage son apologise for his unacceptable behaviour during the Wear-Tyne football derby at the weekend. Ross
A FAST-FOOD restaurant planned to be built near a proposed cinema would create up to 70 jobs if approved. McDonalds have submitted plans for a new drive-through store at Abraham Enterprise Park in St Helen Auckland. The fast-food chain hopes to build
PUPILS and staff are reaping the rewards of up-to-date facilities after moving into their new school buildings. The 860-pupil Sedgefield Community College has completed a gradual move from its old premises in Hawthorn Road to the new site nearby,
A PUB landlord is hoping to hit the right note with the introduction of opera to his menu. The Old Well on The Bank in Barnard Castle will welcome international opera star Penelope Randall-Davis to the pub on Tuesday, January 25. Ms Randall-Davis moved
A NEW way of budgeting is giving people in south Durham an opportunity to say how their council tax is spent. The initiative, which gives people a choice about the projects going on in their area, is being delivered by Greater Willington Town Council
THE youngster who pushed Newcastle United 'keeper Steve Harper at the end of yesterday's derby game has been made to apologise by his dad. Gary Miller took his son Ross to both Newcastle and Sunderland football clubs so he could apologise.
RESIDENTS who fear losing library services as part of county council belt-tightening are being asked to be a part of their future. North Yorkshire County Council is looking to save 2.3m out of its library budget of 7.5m, including 1.1m in the next 12
THE man up the ladder in this fantastic picture of Hurworth from the equally fantastic book, The Road to Rockliffe, is Alfred Rutherford. Alfred was the grandfather of Sue Anderson, who has read the book and spotted him going about his business
POLICE say targeting a handful of known offenders is helping cut crime in a city. Figures released by Durham Police reveal recorded crime across Durham City has dropped by nine per cent year-on-year, with 350 fewer offences committed. Paul Anderson,
Sunderland’s Premier League fixture with Liverpool at the Stadium of Light has been switched to Sunday, March 20 after being selected for live transmission by Sky.The game against Kenny Dalglish’s side, originally scheduled for Saturday 19th March
COMRADES joined hundreds of mourners today for the funeral of a soldier who was a father figure to younger recruits. Corporal Steven Dunn, 27, of the 216 Parachute Regiment, was killed in Afghanistan four days before Christmas when his vehicle
THE electricity firm responsible for Darlington's power network claims there is no connection between a number of power cuts over the past few weeks. Much of the town centre was without power for about an hour from 11am this morning. Areas known
Ready, Steady... Drink (BBC3, 9pm); Birth Of Britain (C4, 8pm). THERE can be no drinking game more pointless than doing vodka eyeballers. This is a trend where people pour a shot of neat vodka into their eyes. I can hear you all asking the obvious
JANUARY BLUES Busy, busy everywhere, Lots of buildings need repair, Spouting broken, guttering down, Builders’ ladders from roof to ground Plumbers rushing here and there. Boilers not working, pipes all frozen, People almost in despair, Oh, what
A FORMER Woolworths store is to reopen next month as a council office. Durham County Council is to move its Customer Access Point, where residents can speak to council staff and access services, from the Civic Centre on Medomsley Road, Consett to the
A TEENAGER alleged to have shoved Newcastle United goalkeeper Steve Harper during the Wear-Tyne derby has reportedly tried to apologise to the player face to face. The 17-year-old Sunderland fan, who was held by Northumbria Police following yesterday's
Steve Pratt speaks to a North-East author who finds inspiration in strange places. TEACHER and prison lecturer Peter Taylor saw and liked a lot of western films when he was younger. So when he decided to switch from writing poetry to writing fiction
BOWEL cancer is the UK’s second biggest cancer killer but it doesn’t have to be. Early diagnosis is the key to saving lives from this disease. Bowel cancer screening is available free to anyone over 60 in England, but currently only about half
SUNDERLAND striker Darren Bent is on the verge of a sensational £18m switch to Aston Villa. Bent, who is the Black Cats' record signing, is currently travelling to the Midlands to discuss a move that could eventually see his fee rise as high
I KNOW and appreciate councillor Ben Ord’s long history of campaigning for new jobs for the North-East (HAS, Jan 12). However, I also know that throughout Britain every council has people working together to bring jobs to their constituencies
AS the Tories raise VAT, their tax of preference, to a new high we are told that it is solely because of the situation inherited from Labour. However, as far back as 1692, when records began, every outgoing Government has left record debt to its
HARRY MEAD seems to feel that the grey squirrel is being persecuted because of bad press (Echo, Jan 13). Along with other species of animals and birds, the grey is classed as vermin. The term is used for those creatures that are regarded as being
HOW nice it is to hear that the presence of the Queen’s head on British postage stamps has been assured ahead of impending postal privatisation. British stamps are the only ones in the world that do not carry the country’s name – just the portrait
IN her Christmas message, The Queen spoke of the value of sport in bringing communities together. “It is as important as ever to build communities and create harmony, and one of the most powerful ways of doing this is through sport and games,”
INCREASING hostility towards Christians in Muslim countries is a predictable but distressing consequence of the vicious attacks on Iraq and Afghanistan, themselves a tragically misguided response to the dreadful act of mass-murder on September
AS a life-long Tory I have decided to switch sides. I am not interested in the nanny state mentality of Labour or the woolly thinking of the Liberals so I plan to join the UK Independence Party (UKIP), not for their normally silly rhetoric
Painful childhood memories of abuse and neglect could have ruined Tracey Johnstone’s life. The mother-of-two tells Jim Entwistle how she has finally come to terms with them. 'TRACEY is a waif-like, fair-haired, brown-eyed little girl with the
A PLAY centre in Darlington is offering half-price admission as part of a national campaign to help make children healthier. Award-winning soft and outdoor play facility Adventure Point, in Morton Park, Darlington, is giving 50 per cent off child
ALMOST a year has passed since Peter Chapman was locked up for murdering North-East teenager Ashleigh Hall, after posing as a teenage boy on the internet. The death of 17-year-old Darlington student Ashleigh has inspired improvements in internet
A TV and a laptop were taken from a house while the owners were away, police said. The house in Lunedale Road, Darlington, was burgled between 11.30am on January 8 and 1pm on January 10 after the kitchen window was broken. A vehicle which may
FRIENDS and colleagues have paid tribute to a man who volunteered as a radio presenter, engineer and manager for more than 20 years. Mike Smith, from Darlington, died aged 44 a week before Christmas after a brief battle with cancer. He was a long-serving
AN event which gave young people and families the opportunity to have their say on forthcoming budget cuts was met with an indifferent response from the town. Darlington Borough Council hosted the consultation in the Dolphin Centre on Saturday.
A QUARRY inspector who also works with troubled children has combined his two roles to write a book based on his experiences. Drawing on a decade working in quarries and mines throughout County Durham, Mike Tweddle, of Bridge Road, Darlington, has
A MAN sexually assaulted a woman and a girl on a footbridge at Darlington railway station. British Transport Police (BTP) are reviewing CCTV footage from the area and last night appealed for witnesses. The assault happened on Friday at about 9.30pm
Darlington have been handed a tricky FA Trophy tie away to AFC Telford who they must overcome if they are to reach the quarter-finals. Today's draw paired Quakers with the Shropshire club who are fourth in the Blue Square North and have lost
OWNER Clive Smith disagrees with the view that age may have caught up with Kauto Star, and is looking forward to the top-class chaser making his annual appearance in the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup. The 11-year-old was found to have bled
A BOY with a serious lung condition has been gifted a bike by a generous reader after his previous one was stolen Adam Cameron, from Darlington, suffers from obliterative broncholitis, a rare condition that results in permanent scarring of the lungs.
Darlington Mowden Park 22 Chester 3 CHESTER went into this match lying second in National Three North, but they were second best by a long distance to a Mowden team who can now challenge for promotion. Mowden trail their visitors by six points
MIDDLESBROUGH responded to the previous week’s woeful display at Bradford and Bingley with a vastly-improved performance in a 23-14 home win against Birkenhead Park. It lifted them nine points clear of the bottom three in National Three North
Charl Schwartzel successfully completed the defence of his Joburg Open title after a four-under-par 67 in the final round helped him finish four shots clear of Garth Mulroy. After his second round 61 he failed to produce his best golf in round
MIDDLESBROUGH Mandale’s Ade Babatunde shot to the top of the UK senior rankings when he won the North- East Indoor Championships triple jump with a lifetime best leap of 15.59m, improving his own championship record by a huge 32cm. The 23-year-old
SHANE Watson expects his career-best unbeaten 161 will be quickly put into context when he visits his floodstricken home town of Ipswich today. Watson inspired Australia to a six-wicket win in the first one-day international, batting through
ENGLAND captain Andrew Strauss believes his side made too many errors as Shane Watson’s unbeaten 161 condemned them to a six-wicket defeat in the first one-day international against Australia in Melbourne. Watson’s career-best innings guided
ANDY Murray does not believe slipping to number five in the world will hamper his chances of grand slam success at the Australian Open. The Scot slipped below Robin Soderling this week following the Swede’s tournament success in Brisbane, although
BOLDON CA upset the form book when they defeated championship contenders Ashbrooke Belford House. The visitors went into the game with only two wins in 18 games but outplayed the Wearsiders to deny them a move into second position. Ashbrooke
DARLINGTON RA surprised promotion-chasing Whickham with their first win at the Glebe and assistant manager Jamie Smith said: “It felt like winning a cup final.” The RA won 5-3 and are now seventh in the table – their highest position for three
DUNSTON became the sixth STL Northern League side through to the last 32 of the FA Carlsberg Vase, but manager Billy Irwin admitted they nearly blew their chance in the 2-0 home win over Heather St John. The Tynesiders improved the league’s
ERIC GENDLE is trying to finding former presidents of Cleveland Naturalists Field Club. Mr Gendle is secretary of the club and putting all the reports and records onto CD. He wants to put images of all the presidents onto the record but has a number
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A RELIEVED Steve Bruce last night admitted Asamoah Gyan's fortuitous late equaliser against Newcastle had epitomised the striker's display, and his side's overall performance, in the Wear-Tyne derby.Sunderland claimed a 1-1 draw at the Stadium of Light
Tottenham Hotspur 0 Manchester United 0 BRAZILIAN full-back Rafael was sent off but ten-man Manchester United still kept their unbeaten record as they went back to the top of the Barclays Premier League on goal difference after a frantic encounter
Liverpool 2 Everton 2 LIVERPOOL manager Kenny Dalglish believes the performance in their 2-2 draw in the 215th Merseyside derby with Everton showed confidence was returning and proved the players are better than results have shown this season.
Birmingham 1 Coventry City 1 BIRMINGHAM boss Alex McLeish was left to rue his side’s failure to kill off Aston Villa as their derby clash ended in a 1-1 draw at St Andrew’s. Roger Johnson gave the home side the lead early in the second period
Sunderland 1 Newcastle 1 AS the clock ticked past the 90-minute mark in yesterday's Wear-Tyne derby, Steve Bruce was staring down the barrel of his most damaging result as Sunderland manager. Forget losing 5-1 at St James' Park, forget
AS Hartlepool United’s firstteam coach, Mick Wadsworth doesn’t get too carried away when Pools win, likewise he doesn’t get too down when they lose. After collecting the December award for manager of the month last Friday, he managed a smile
NEIL AUSTIN could be on the sidelines with skipper Sam Collins for tomorrow’s trip to Bristol Rovers. The right-back was forced off in the second-half of Saturday’s loss to Dagenham after being kicked in the calf. Collins has missed
DARLINGTON are continuing their pursuit of Carlisle midfielder Marc Bridge- Wilkinson, but they appear set to miss out on another of their targets. Former Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie is ready to sign for Mansfield Town, who have declared
The practice of paying transfer fees between Northern League clubs could have ended following a statement by the FA. At the moment, if a Northern League club wants to sign a non contract player from another Northern League club during the playing season
A TEENAGER who allegedly invaded the pitch and pushed Newcastle United goalkeeper Steve Harper during the Wear-Tyne derby has been released on bail, police said today. The 17-year-old Sunderland fan was held by Northumbria Police following yesterday's
Darlington 4 Bath City 1 WHEN Darlington were last in the Conference they had a great chance of progressing to the FA Trophy final, and 21 years on a similar opportunity awaits after they progressed to the third round. When the draw
MIDDLESBROUGH manager Tony Mowbray was visibly frustrated when asked about the long drawn out David Wheater saga after his side’s 4-0 win at Bristol City. The Boro boss revealed a deal had been struck between the seller and a buyer last week
WHAT was merely a bit of fun came within seconds of being an appropriate starting point for an afternoon that looked like being another to forget for those of a red and white persuasion. Two giant mascot Black Cats, which go by the name of Samson
ALAN PARDEW last night admitted it felt like Newcastle United had lost after conceding a late equaliser in the Wear-Tyne derby, but he now wants to make up for it by ensuring Sunderland finish below their old foes come May. Despite claiming
THE Government was last night facing fresh calls to site a green investment bank in the North-East after a minister appeared to suggest it may be heading to Scotland. The Government wants the bank, which could be funded with £1bn of taxpayers
A REPORTER and a photographer from The Northern Echo picked up a brace of awards each at the Tom Cordner North-East Press Awards. David Roberts, who was named North-East journalist of the year and who won the online video award, was praised
A FUNDRAISER who is halfway through a 100-day charity cycle ride through south-east Asia has told of his wonder at visiting some of the region’s most stunning sights. Since leaving home in Neville’s Cross, Durham, in late November, Seb Coady
THE family of a young man who battled a muscle-wasting condition throughout his life have paid tribute to the science-fiction fan, who died this month. Michael Winterbone, 23, from Ferryhill, County Durham, died in hospital on January 5, the
NORTH Yorkshire haulage company Prestons of Potto has been voted by an industry publication in the top five UK all time greats of the trucking industry. Truck and Driver Magazine, said: “They are cool; they run an immaculate fleet, have distinctive
A TEESSIDE company that makes door kits has revealed plans to create up to 40 jobs after moving to bigger premises. Cotswold Manufacturing has seen sales grow to more than £3m and moved to a 53,000sq ft unit on the Teesside Industrial Estate
TWO organisations at the forefront of taking research out of the laboratory and turning it into businesses have developed a partnership. The tie-up between NETPark, near Sedgefield, County Durham, and venture capital firm IP Group should help
DRINKING organic milk could offset one of the impacts of climate change, North-East scientists say. Researchers at Newcastle University found that milk collected during a wetter, cooler English summer and the following winter had more saturated
PROTESTS are growing over a looming benefit cut that will leave 5,000 of the region’s disabled people “imprisoned” in their care homes. The Government is being urged to rethink its plans to scrap a transport allowance of up to £50 a week for
TEES Valley-based radio station TFM Radio is launching a campaign today which it hopes will help generate £1m-worth of jobs across the region. Show presenters will be appealing for local employers to inform them of any vacancies they currently
A COUNTY Durham man has overcome serious injury to set up a driveway cleaning business. Malcolm Oliver, 49, from Seaham, shattered his leg when he fell off a ladder in an accident at work last year and his injuries meant he was no longer able
A TRADER has dubbed a council’s new parking restrictions in loading bays as “draconian” and “bonkers”. Health food shop owner Mike Barker says Darlington Borough Council’s decision to alter waiting times in loading bays from 30 minutes to ten
A DRIVING instructor has been jailed for life after he was found guilty of murdering his former partner. Nigel Pickard, 45, strangled 29-year-old hairdresser Laura Smith, the mother of his one-year-old daughter. Leeds Crown Court was
A COMMUNITY is preparing to remember a 12-year-old dubbed a town’s princess during her battle against an incurable brain tumour. Chloe Clark, from Shildon, County Durham, was dubbed Shildon’s Princess after she fulfilled her final wish of becoming
Bristol City 0 Middlesbrough 4 LEROY Lita has been something of an enigma since his arrival at Middlesbrough with supporters not really knowing what to expect from their fleet-footed forward. Gareth Southgate brought the striker to the Riverside
TREASURED possessions of a soldier were stolen from an Army barracks days after he was killed in Afghanistan, it has emerged. Serjeant Steven Campbell, of Pelton, near Chester-le-Street, died in a bomb blast near Sangin on March 22, last year
THE Football Association will investigate the violent scenes that marred yesterday’s Wear-Tyne derby between Sunderland and Newcastle United at the Stadium of Light. A supporter was arrested after he ran on the pitch and pushed over Newcastle
MISSING council files may hold the key to a woman’s pursuit of justice over claims that she was sexually abused while being cared for in a North-East children’s home. Tracey Johnstone, from Darlington, is demanding to know where the paperwork
TWO renowned choirs joined forces for a special Sunday service at Durham Cathedral. The Durham Cathedral Choir was joined by the choir of King’s College, Cambridge, for a sung Eucharist service yesterday morning. The Cambridge choir is best
FIVE years ago, when the last of Jane Locke’s three children left home, she had more time to socialise with friends. It was only when the doctor told her that her liver wasn’t working properly that Mrs Locke, 55, from Newcastle, realised her
NEARLY half of all people in the North-East are at greater risk of cancers, heart attack and stroke because they drink too much alcohol, too often. Shock research reveals two in five people across the region are drinking at or above the Government
THE region’s children are still taking risks on the internet despite warnings about predators, youth workers say. Children’s charity Barnardo’s said youngsters have admitted meeting strangers they talked to online. The charity is working
A WIND turbine blade crashed to the ground as the region was buffeted by high winds over the weekend. The device, in the grounds of Tesco, in Consett, County Durham, is thought to have broken off on Saturday. There were no reports of injuries
Mother’s heartbreaking revelation to her son, A WOMAN who became pregnant when she was raped 16 years ago last night spoke of the agonising moment she had to tell her son how he was conceived. The Darlington mother told The Northern Echo of her
Panama fraudster John Darwin visits home town on day release. SWINDLING canoe couple John and Anne Darwin are taking full advantage of being allowed out of prison as they prepare for their freedom. John Darwin, who cameback from the dead in 2007
