A WOMAN had to be given oxygen by firefighters after a blaze at her home. The fire started in the bedroom of a property in Carter Close, Colburn, Catterick Garrison, on Sunday evening. Although no-one was injured a female occupant, believed
COUNCILLORS have hit out at the organisers of a popular food festival accusing them of not putting local traders first. Market traders who operate from the Market Place in Bishop Auckland on a weekly basis have been moved from their regular positions
A MAN from North Yorkshire, wrongly imprisoned in Africa over the deaths of 13 gold miners, has returned to the continent only to find himself at the centre of a military coup. David Simpson, 25, astonished everyone when he said he was planning
WORKERS at a North-East factory have been forced to work in freezing temperatures for the last two weeks, despite specialising in making furnaces. Clinotherm staff have endured the bitter cold on the shop floor because the gas has been turned off
PAOLO Di Canio has been confirmed as Sunderland's new head coach and will officially take over his managerial duties tomorrow. Di Canio has signed a two-and-a-half year deal at the Stadium of Light to replace Martin O'Neill, who was dismissed from
A TEENAGER was flown by air ambulance to hospital after a fall from her horse. The teenager, whose exact age has not been disclosed, was treated at the scene by a doctor from the Great North Air Ambulance Service following the accident in Ebchester
CHRISTIANS from different denominations braved the bracing spring weather to be immersed in a tank of cold water as part of an Easter baptism ritual. The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, baptised eleven people from nearby churches outside York
A FIRE engine was in collision with a car on Saturday when it was travelling through Stockton town centre. A Honda Accord collided with the engine from Thornaby station which was on a blue light call on Church Yard link road on the entrance to
STUDENTS formed a reporting team and took an indepth look at issues that will affect their future lives recently. Year 7 to 10 pupils at Risedale Sports and Community College, in Hipswell, Catterick, recently spent a day working with visitors including
The Auralio String Quartet will be giving a lunchtime concert on Thursday, April 4 at St Andrew’s Church in Grinton from 1pm. This year they have been joined by two new members Jonathan Acton and Kate Waterworth who played at a schools’ concert
A COUPLE mourning the loss of a third child have told how they are comforted by knowing their son’s death will help others through organ donation. Paul Carruthers, 32, from Ryhope, Sunderland, wished to donate his organs after he lost his brief
TINY triplets who were born prematurely at 29 weeks have finally been able to return home. Emily, Sam and Will Ackinclose were so small that their parents were not able cuddle them for the first weeks of their life. But after spending four
THE first North Pennines Walking Festival is to be held this year to help the area to mark 25-years as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The area was granted ANOB status in 1988 and the walking festival is one of many events to be held to
AN elderly man has been left injured and shaken after two burglars forced their way into his home and stole cash. The 70-year-old victim answered the door at his home in Oak Crescent, Whitburn, South Tyneside, at 9.15pm on Saturday. He was
POLICE have said the fire that claimed the life of North-East grandmother Betty Metcalf is not being treated as suspicious. The 83-year-old was alone in her bungalow when the blaze broke out at around 1am on Good Friday. An investigation by
THE opening weekend for the Redcar Beacon has proved to be a success. The controversial 80ft structure has dominated the topic of debate in the town for months, but now that people have access to the £1.6m building it is proving to be more popular
A PAIR of talented schoolgirls treated shoppers to a musical extravaganza when they busked for a charity close to their hearts. Marina Gears and Parisa Shariati, also known as Those Two Girls, took to the streets of Thornaby in support of the Butterwick
A DECISION to close a road near an industrial site in Spennymoor has angered company bosses and staff who say they now face an additional four-mile journey to work. Employers on the Green Lane Industrial Estate, in Spennymoor, have criticised Durham
EASTER eggs have been delivered to sick children across the North-East by a group of bikers. The Easter Egg Run, organised by Durham’s motorcycle policing unit, set off from the Park and Ride facility on the A690 at Carrville, near junction 62
A MUSEUM celebrating the region’s railway heritage is to host a series of events as part of the Festival of the North-East. The festival is a month-long celebration of the region’s creativity and innovation, held in May and June. With more
Regarded as one of the great conservation successes, otters have made a return in areas where once they were forced to extinction. But their comeback hasn’t been welcomed by everyone, as STUART ARNOLD reports. Who wouldn’t admire an otter? These
A WELL known North-East tourist attraction will be transforming into the land of Oz for one night only. Hartlepool’s Maritime Experience will play host to the Adventure of Oz for a fun packed event for all of the family. For one evening only
THE challenges faced by a farming family in a remote corner of County Durham have been chronicled for a documentary. Freelance director, producer and photographer Magali Pettier spent a year following the fortunes of tenant farmers Tom and Kay
CHARITY grants for local health initiatives funded by the NHS will continue despite the abolition of the primary care trust. County Durham and Darlington Primary Care Trust (PCT) will cease to exist tomorrow (Monday, April 1), replaced by clinical
AMBULANCE staff in Yorkshire are preparing for strike action on Tuesday (April 2), after attempts at last minute talks over the Easter weekend failed. Members of Unite are to hold a 24-hour strike over proposals to introduce emergency care assistants
GALA DAY: The Friends of Smith's Dock Park War Memorial are holding another Community Gala Day in Smith's Dock Park, Middlesbrough, on Saturday, July 6 from noon to 4 pm. The Parklands public house is organising a pool and darts competition on the
TWO young snooker players from the North-East are hoping to break the world record for playing snooker by holding a marathon session over the Easter weekend. Phillip Marshall, 20, and Ross Terrington, 22, from Consett, County Durham, aim to play
David Miliband has resigned as vice-chairman of Sunderland after the club appointed Paolo Di Canio as the new manager. The South Shields Labour MP, who announced he was quitting politics on March 26, said he was leaving the club "in the light of
A GOOD Samaritan who stopped to help a cyclist who suffered a heart attack while out riding has told how several people worked to save his life. The unnamed cyclist, a man in his 50s, collapsed after coming to a stop on Salters Lane, Sedgefield
BARELY seven miles separate Spennymoor and Shildon, but the emotions felt in the County Durham towns were worlds apart on Saturday evening. For while Spennymoor were celebrating reaching the final of the FA Vase after defeating Guernsey in the
A GROUP of club members are to stage a testing 12-hour snooker marathon in aid of a hospice in memory of a friend. The 14 men from the Athenaeum Club in Church Street in Hartlepool will be raising cash for the town’s hospice to mark the death of
THE managing director of a furniture store has swapped the comfort of his car for running shoes as he prepares to take part in his first marathon in aid of charity. Chris O’Connor, joint MD of Michael O’Connor Furniture, is running to and from
A NORTH Yorkshire hotel restaurant has been named as a finalist in the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence. Samuel’s, the fine dining restaurant at Swinton Park, near Masham, North Yorkshire has reached the finals in the awards’ Taste of England
The campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) is urging people to celebrate the cut in beer tax by supporting local pubs. It is launching its Community Pubs Month this month (April), which aims to get people to use their local pubs, following the budget announcement
HIGHS Debut game against Blackburn O'Neill's reign could hardly have got off to a better start as Seb Larsson's dramatic stoppage-time winner secured a much-needed win over Blackburn that lifted Sunderland clear of the relegation zone at a
MOTORIST INJURED: A 61-year-old man suffered serious pelvic injuries when his motorcycle was in a collision with a car. The accident took place at Winston, near Barnard Castle, at 3.35pm on Saturday (March 30). The man was treated at the scene and
TIDE WARNING: The Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade has warned people to be aware of the tide after a Darlington man was cut off by the sea. The brigade was paged by the Humber Coastguard after receiving a 999 call reporting a man possibly cut off by
A FAMILY fun day had in a Yarm pub has proved to be a huge success – helped with the sun finally putting in an appearance. Visitors to The Keys on the High Street were treated to balloon modelling and fun activities while for the more adventurous
CRISTIANO Ronaldo and swimming pools. A familiar sight in the close season as the Real Madrid superstar is pictured in the fabulous hotels of places like Las Vegas or Los Angeles. But the former Manchester United star is part of a growing group of players
POLICE are investigating after a number of tractor batteries were stolen from premises in the Urpeth area of Stanley. On March 14, three six-volt and ten 12-volt batteries were reported missing from the property in Stoney Lane where several tractors
A MUSEUM has officially opened an interactive centre with the help of a well-known author. Writer Gervase Phinn helped Richmondshire Museum in North Yorkshire marked the opening of its new Discovery Centre on Saturday, March 30 at a special ceremony
HISTORY WALK: A guided walk organised by the Bowes Museum will take place along the River Greta and Brignall Banks to explore the landscape that inspired Walter Scott and JMW Turner. Meet at the Morritt Arms, Greta Bridge, on Wednesday (April 3) at
THE Archbishop of York has questioned the decision to suspend children's heart surgery at a Leeds hospital - and spoken of his fears over the impact it will have on young patients and their families. Dr John Sentamu, who has supported the campaign
A FREE secondary school in Durham is to be opened this September, it has been confirmed. The Durham Free School has announced it will be up and running for the next academic year in Gilesgate, while preparations continue to secure a permanent site
BOYS RESCUED: Two boys had to be rescued by the coastguard after getting stranded on a spit of land after wading out to it from the beach at North Gare, Seaton Carew, near Hartlepool, on Saturday. The pair’s escape route was over 80m of very sharp
CHILDREN’S WORKSHOP: Youngsters can make a streamlined aircraft at Locomotion: The National Railway Museum in Shildon at free family activity events. The sessions run daily until Sunday, April 14, between 11.30am and 3.30pm, last admission 3pm. Details
OUTDOOR SERVICE: A larger-than-usual crowd of about 100 people stood outside Sainsbury's supermarket, Saltburn, to take part in the annual Good Friday reflection-service. Emmanuel church curate, the Rev Adam Young, led the service. FITNESS WORKOUT
EGG HUNT: A Peter Rabbit Easter egg hunt is to take place at Whitworth Church, near Durham, today (April 1). There will also be face painting and stalls at the event which runs between 2pm and 5pm with free entry.
MODEL RAILWAY: The Rotary Club of Newton Aycliffe will hold its Model Railway Exhibition on Saturday, April 20, at Newton Aycliffe Youth Centre, on Burn Lane. There will be working layouts and trade stands at the event which runs between 10am and 5pm
A MAN has been charged with criminal damage following a stand-off with police that included armed response officers. The 23-year-old, who remains in custody, was arrested after being holed up in his home in Wynrose Gardens, Stockton, for several
THREE people were arrested for minor offences during a far right demonstration in the North-East over the weekend. Around 250 people attended the site of the new mosque in St Marks Road in Millfied at around 1.45pm, while anti fascist groups were
QUIZ NIGHT: A quiz night is to be held at Shildon Methodist Church on Friday (April 5). Entry includes pie and pea supper and is by donation with at least £3.50 requested. Details from 01388-773171. MUSIC CONCERT: Violin duo Rhys Watkins and David
A SECOND man has died after being held in custody by Northumbria Police in the space of a week. An investigation was launched by the Independent Police Complaints Commission on Saturday after Stephen Berry, 43, from Houghton-le-Spring, died as
CAMPAIGNERS in a seaside town gathered to celebrate victory over their local authority in row over parking charges, while others used it to issue a vote of no confidence in the council leader. More than 100 people turned out in Saltburn at the
AN army of dedicated walkers are getting prepared to hike across the Cleveland Hills and the North York Moors in aid of a vital life saving service. The long-established Boosbeck Station Hotel charity walk for the Great North Air Ambulance is a
Easter-themed games, stories and songs will be on offer for children aged between four and seven at Northallerton Library on Tuesday, April 2, between 11am and midday. The event is free but advance booking is required. EAST COAST WALKS: Northallerton
UNSEASONALLY cold weather has prompted the organisers of Yorkshire in Bloom to cancel the spring round of judging for the first time in its history. Officials were due to begin the process of judging the eagerly contested floral competition by
A SHOPPING centre security guard has waved goodbye to his ponytail to raise funds for a charity close to his heart. Sean Eddy, who works at Middleton Grange Shopping Centre in Hartlepool, has had long hair since the age of 13 but after ten years
VANDALS are being urged to come forward and own up to damage to avoid getting a criminal record. Those responsible for graffiti and damage in the Craghead regeneration area have been offered an amnesty against arrest and criminal prosecution.
For ten tantalising and delightful minutes, Shildon were seriously thinking of a place in the final of the FA Vase – but then it all went horribly wrong. The Railwaymen cancelled out the two goal deficit from the first leg at Tunbridge Wells by the
THE brother of a young woman who died hours after being diagnosed with a brain tumour has set himself a gruelling charity challenge to raise £10,000 for the intensive care unit where she was treated. Claire Gardiner died in January at the age of
Spennymoor reached Wembley for the first time in their history with an efficient 1-0 second leg win over Guernsey at the Brewery Field, and a well-deserved 4-1 aggregate victory . Moors ensured that the Ebac Northern League will be represented
Durham City striker Anthony Falcon swooped to score twice on his debut to help his new team to three valuable points at Marske on Saturday – and he hadn’t even met his team mates until an hour before kick off. City have been badly hit by injuries
YOUNGSTERS are being urged to get involved in plans to develop a skateboard and BMX park. The design session has been organised by Stockton Borough Council to ensure that the people who are going to be using the £250,000 facility play a key part
FORMER England international Steve Coppell believes the sacking of Martin O'Neill by Sunderland's hierarchy yesterday is a sad indictment of foreign ownership of Barclays Premier League clubs. O'Neill, 61, was shown the door at the Stadium of Light
A DECISION on whether to remove a planning condition on a windfarm development that could protect residents from unacceptable levels of noise has been deferred to look at alternative legal safeguards. Banks Renewables applied to Darlington Borough
A GROUP of bikers brought a smile to faces of hundreds of people when they took part in a charity Easter egg give away. Members of the Boundary 500 Motorcycle Group collected around 600 chocolate eggs and spent Saturday riding between different
DARLINGTON Flower Club cultivated cash for charity at its annual Spring Fling fundraising event. Club members presented their finest floral wares to raise money for the Macular Degeneration Society at the sell-out show on Wednesday. (March 27)
AN operation to tackle unruly behaviour by young people at the start of the school holidays saw police officers speak to dozens of teenagers. Operation Staysafe is run by Darlington Police at the start of each school holiday period with the aim
