A BUSINESSMAN has spoken of the frustration of having to take on an energy giant in court in a dispute over an electricity bill. Leo Gillen, a partner the Dunston Partnership which runs The Golden Lion, in Hartlepool, spent nearly four years trying
ROY Hodgson was rewarded for taking a chance on Tottenham winger Andros Townsend as the debutant took Montenegro apart and then scored the goal that helped England to a 4-1 victory that leaves them just one more win away from booking their World Cup
POLICE have arrested five men on suspicion of the murder of missing Darlington man, Alan Youngson. The men, from the Branksome, Cockerton and North Road areas were arrested this morning (Friday, October 12) as forensic teams continued several searches
A GIRL who beat boredom by writing a letter to the Queen was delighted to receive a response from Buckingham Palace. Ailish Wymer and her cousin Tom Brown, 16, decided to put pen to paper when they found themselves with nothing to do during the
A NORTH-EAST woman found dead in a hospital stairwell in America more than two weeks after going missing was not the victim of an attack, a family spokesman has said. Lynne Spalding, 57, disappeared from her room at San Francisco General Hospital
THE work of one of the region’s most gifted artists has brightened up a town centre shopping arcade. Paintings by Glynn Porteous have been showcased on shutters in Middlesbrough’s Samuel’s Arcade, the walkway which leads from Linthorpe Road North
A MAN has been pushed up against a shop and robbed. The 23-year-old was outside the William Hill betting shop in Newcastle’s Bigg Market when two men pushed him against the shutters, threatened him and stole cash. The incident happened at about
FORMER Newcastle United director of football Dennis Wise has won a High Court cash fight with soccer club boss Tony Jimenez. Mr Wise said he gave close friend Mr Jimenez £500,000 to invest in a golf course in France. He claimed that the agreed
THE statue commemorating the centenary of West Auckland winning the first World Cup will be officially unveiled on West Auckland Village Green at 4.30pm tomorrow (October 12) by Sir John Hall, former football David Thompson and actor Tim Healy.
A MAN has been conning people out of money by pretending to be injured and in need of help, police have said. Officers in Darlington are urging people who may have been approached by the man, who claims to have been assaulted, to get in touch.
A TOWN centre post office is set to be relocated inside another shop – despite the plans being criticised by community leaders. Stockton Post Office is one of 16 branches across the country due to be moved to WH Smith stores, the Post Office announced
COUNTY Durham residents are being asked to nominate their healthcare heroes as an NHS trust launches its annual staff awards. Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, which runs hospitals in Durham, Darlington and Bishop Auckland, holds
LEADER of the Labour Party Ed Miliband took a stroll down a Stockton street to chat to shopkeepers and small businessmen about how the high price of gas and electricity was affecting their businesses today, Friday, October 11. Mr Miliband, who
NORTH-East gymnasts have won four medals in an international contest. Tumblers from Deerness Gymnastics Academy, in Ushaw Moor, County Durham, represented Great Britain in competition in Denmark last week (October 2-6). British champion Steven
A BEST-SELLING author whose work has been adapted for television and radio has held a book signing at a Thirsk bookshop. Alexander McCall Smith spent this afternoon (Friday) at White Rose Books, Thirsk, to sign copies of his new book, The Minor
GLASS CONFERENCE: More than 100 delegates from the Contemporary Glass Society will attend their annual conference at the National Glass Centre, in Sunderland, this weekend. Julia Stephenson, head of arts for National Glass Centre, said "The conference
A NORTH-EAST soldier has spoken of his experiences fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan. Sergeant Carl Boyd, 31, from Stanley, County Durham, is coming to the end of a six-month tour in Helmand Province. The soldier serves with the Royal Regiment
A HOLLYWOOD executive behind some of the world’s most famous films is to pass on tips to North-east students. Rick Senat, whose film credits include Harry Potter, Batman and Superman, is to give a masterclass to students and Sunderland University
AN 88-YEAR-OLD motorist has sustained serious injuries after colliding with another car by a bridge. The woman, who suffered serious leg injuries, is being treated at Darlington Memorial Hospital, following the collision at 7.35am today (Friday
A FAILED asylum seeker and a man who over stayed his visa were arrested by Home Office immigration staff in the North-East. They swooped on The King’s Balti, Newgate Street, Bishop Auckland, and the Famous Food Store, Gresham Road, Middlesbrough
A LEADING authority on East-West relations will give a public lecture in the North-East later this month (Sunday, October 20). Robin Brooke-Smith, who has written a new book titled Storm Warning about north-west Pakistan, will explore the build
A CRIME victim has told of his outrage that he has to pay £150, plus £10 extra per day, to recover his stolen motorbike. Stephen Riley, 55, of Stockton, had his Honda 125 motorbike stolen from the back of his house but it was later found by police
A DISTRICT council has finally been handed the keys to its new premises in time to move in next month. The final stages of a 10 month, £2million scheme to create a new base for Richmondshire District Council are being completed, meaning all council
NINE young swimmers from Bedale took the top spots when they entered a life-saving competition. The youngsters are part of the weekly Rookie Lifesaving group which meets at Bedale Leisure Centre. They formed two teams to take part in the York
FOUR of the North’s arts venues have won £150,000 to commission new artworks which will tour the area. The Durham Light Infantry Museum and Durham Art Gallery, in Durham City, secured the cash from the Arts Council of England’s Strategic Touring
THE parishes of Richmondshire – and the number of councillors serving on them – are being subjected to review. The process will consider whether the existing arrangements are reflective of the identities and interests of the community in its area
After a tough start to the campaign, Hartlepool have really turned things around of late, losing just one of their last five in all competitions and picking up impressive away victories at Mansfield and Sheffield United in the last week. Nevertheless
WATER companies will be under the spotlight at a public meeting. The Consumer Council for Water’s Northern Committee is to hold a meeting at the Radisson Blu Hotel, in Durham City, on Thursday, October 17, at 10am. The watchdog will be discussing
A DILAPIDATED former farmhouse in the Yorkshire Dales has been restored to its former glory to save a slice of history. Top Building at Hall Farm, Gammersgill, Coverddale, is a grade ll listed building which was on the Yorkshire Dales National
A HOSPICE is taking part in national Hospice Care Week. St Cuthbert’s Hospice, in Durham City, is asking people to join the Count Me In pledge to spread the word about hospice care during the week, which runs until Sunday (October 13). Chief
A WOMAN has been left extremely shaken after she was attacked and robbed by two men - one wearing bright yellow rubber gloves - who forced their way into her home. The 58-year-old was assaulted and had a substantial amount of cash and property
FIRE chiefs say a second strike by firefighters planned for next weekend could be "more challenging" to cover. Members of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) are due to walk out next Saturday, October 19, from 6.30pm to 11.30pm. The strike would
CHILTON children dug in today (Friday, October 11) to help brighten up their community. Year five pupils from Chilton Primary School planted spring flowering bulbs along the north approach to the town, off West Chilton Lane. Chilton Town Council
A MAN has admitted starting the fire that killed a father-of-three in his own home. Paul Nash pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Andrew Simon when he appeared at Teesside Crown Court today (Friday 11). A basis of plea he entered - which
THE owner of a non-for-profit café has thanked the Darlington community for rallying round after the premises was targeted by vandals. A front window of Café Create on Parkgate was smashed by vandals leading to a £250 insurance bill for the building
MASTER craftsmen are helping the boss of the Tour de France keep an eye on the countdown to Le Grand Depart in Yorkshire next year. Family-run firm Beaver Furniture, based in Sutton-under-Whitestonecliffe, near Thirsk, has given a solid oak clock
A SHIP repair firm has been fined £75,000 following the death of a crane driver crushed by a falling three-tonne anchor. The family of Kevin Watson were at Teesside Crown Court to hear the outcome against A&P Tees, whose management admitted
MENTORS: A charity is calling on Darlington employers to join its new mentoring programme. Career Academies UK links young people to the real world of work and is seeking mentors for its Career Ready programme. Mentors will receive training
A VILLAGE playgroup under threat of closure has issued a plea for more members. Gainford Baby and Toddler group has been running in Montalbo village hall for more than ten years but a recent decline in numbers means it is now running at a loss.
PEOPLE in the North-East at risk from flu - including the parents of two and three-year-old children - have been urged to take up the offer of a free flu jab. Public Health England, the Chief Medical Officer and NHS England are appealing to all
THE FAMILY of a man who died of carbon monoxide poisoning has spoken out against a “farcical” judgement that cleared a guest house owner of any blame for his death. Kaiser Javeed Choudry, 46, was accused of health and safety breaches following
CLEVELAND Police are hoping to attract a number of volunteers as part of the first national Criminal Justice Volunteer Fair. The event is being organised by Police and Crime Commissioner Barry Coppinger, and the Force is one of a number of criminal
A PROPOSAL to convert a village house into a centre for five children with emotional and behavioural difficulties has led to a strong reaction in the community. About 175 people attended a meeting in Wolviston, near Stockton, on Tuesday largely
A POST office worker stole more than £8,000 after bailiffs threatened her over an unpaid loan, a court was told. Sub-postmistress Shamim Misbah's theft of the money was discovered when a routine audit took place at Linthorpe Post Office, in Middlesbrough
A MAN who disarmed a knifeman in a supermarket has been given a community order after he admitted a charge of affray. Graham Hull, 32, chased the man into Sainsbury's, in Murray Street, Hartlepool, and had already taken one knife off him, before
A PAIR of heroin addicts admitted stealing more than £100 worth of goods from a Darlington supermarket. Lucy Brack, 21, and Lee Roberts, 31, of Cumberland Street, appeared at Darlington Magistrates’ Court yesterday (Thursday, October 10) after
SCHOOLS in the North-East have been given a warning by Ofsted's regional director that they need to improve. Speaking at the North-East Leaders' Summit in Newcastle, Nick Hudson, Ofsted's regional director, told an audience of school leaders and
DARLINGTON FC is backing an international campaign to combat homophobia. The initiative, Football v Homophobia (FvH), aims to unite fans, players, communities, and the football authorities in opposing homophobia and prejudice against lesbian, gay
HEALTH bosses have outlined plans to reduce the opening hours of a popular urgent care centre. Currently the walk-in urgent care service offered by Doctor Piper House in King Street, Darlington is open from 8am to 11pm every day. NHS officials
A MOTORIST caught behind the wheel without a driving licence and insurance has been banned from driving for 18-months. Magistrates in Darlington also ordered 30-year-old Carl Wayman to pay £130 in court charges after he pleaded guilty to driving
WORK by one of the region's most celebrated artists has been sold at auction. The paintings by Norman Cornish, the last surviving artist of the famous Pitman’s Academy at The Spennymoor Settlement, were sold by Anderson and Garland Auctioneers,
A FORMER company chairman who led one of the country’s biggest financial institutions is donating the proceeds of his life-story to the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS). Ken Wilkinson, from Newton Aycliffe, penned his autobiography, The
THE holiday had been going so well. Two whole weeks in Italy and, aside from the odd outburst of brotherly bickering, there had been no major rows, no breakages, no trips to hospital, not even a highly charged argument over map reading after getting
POLICE say they have seen a surge in the number of hate crimes committed in Darlington since the murder of soldier Lee Rigby. The 25-year-old Drummer was hacked to death in Woolwich in May by two Muslim extremists, and police say the incident has
POLICE have confirmed there was nothing suspicious about an incident that involved officers forcing entry into a house in St Helen Auckland last week. Officers were called to the house on Melrose Drive at around 3pm on Wednesday, October 2, after
I KNEW it was a mistake the moment the words emerged from my mouth. I should never have said them out loud. When Albert's older brother William came back from hospital with his arm in a cast after breaking his wrist playing football, I uttered
A MAN aged 48 has been arrested on suspicion of illegal money lending and counterfeiting. The England Illegal Money Lending Team with Durham County Council and Durham Constabulary executed a warrant at a house in Sacriston, on Wednesday and seized
A derelict theatre has been granted £4m of lottery cash to finally re-open. Chris Webber ventured inside The Globe in Stockton to meet those who have vowed to return it to its former glory. THE sound of live music eminated from the stage
ROY HODGSON knows England expects – and he has complete faith in his players to deliver. Hodgson’s team entertain Montenegro at Wembley this evening knowing victory could virtually seal a berth in next summer’s World Cup finals if Poland were to
POLICE say a suspicious item which prompted a response from bomb disposal experts was a discarded child’s buggy containing wires and electrical items. Army experts were called to the centre of Scarborough this morning (Friday, October 11) when
The king of spooky, Linwood Barclay, and comedian Mark Watson talk to Steve Pratt on the eve of Durham Book Festival HE’S been dubbed “the king of spooky” but there’s one thing that scares bestselling Canadian thriller writer Linwood Barclay – the
A TEENAGER has appeared at court today (Friday, October 11) charged with assaulting his parents. Matthew Dale, of South Street, Spennymoor, County Durham, denied two charges of assault and a further charge of criminal damage when he appeared before
About a third of the heat lost from uninsulated houses disappears through the walls, so how can you make yours more energy efficient? Julia Gray explains how to fill in the gaps MILLIONS of UK homes have cavity walls – which means there’s a gap
An Afternoon Tea Dance is taking place at the Golden Lion Hotel in Northallerton on Sunday, November 3, from 2pm to 4.45pm. Entry is £4 including tea and coffee. There will be a mix of ballroom, sequence, line dancing and folk dancing. The event
A WAREHOUSE worker stole £1,400 worth of stock from his employer, a court heard. Daryn Blewitt, 35, was working for the Turtle Beach computer equipment wholesaler at Lingfield Point, Darlington, when bosses became suspicious of him for driving
BOMB disposal experts have carried out a controlled explosion in the centre of Scarborough. Police were called to the town centre just before 9am today (Friday, October 11), when a suspicious package was reported outside the Miss Selfridge store
Gabrielle Fagan reveals the key decor trends to ensure rooms are in seasonal style AUTUMN doesn’t just bring a change in temperature, it brings a change of mood for homes. Chilly winds encourage our natural desire to hibernate and cosy-up indoors
As we enjoy a bumper apple crop, one North Yorkshire farm is urging people not to let the fruit go to waste. Ruth Campbell joins those turning local-grown apples into delicious juice that doesn’t cost the earth BRAMLEY trees are groaning with fruit
North-East-based OddManOut theatre company are determined to produce and promote new work within the region. Founder Scott Young talks to Steve Pratt SCOTT Young says Tees Valleybased theatre company Odd- ManOut aims to give its audiences more
A SCHOOLBOY has been named the winner of an annual award scheme. Jack Naylor, from Murton, is to be presented with the annual Community Minded Child award, sponsored by Murton Parish Council and Dalton Park shopping centre. The 11-year-old
A COUPLE have marked their 30th anniversary of fostering children by appealing to older people in a county with a rising elderly population to consider providing a home for youngsters. Melvyn and Hilary Aubin, of Sowerby, Thirsk, who are both in
Whether your cake’s a calamity or your souffle’s supreme, Britain’s love affair with baking keeps on growing. National Baking Week’s sale challenge is the perfect excuse to get stuck in, says Andy Welch WE’VE gone baking mad. You’ve probably noticed
It’s a well known fact that Brits adore a curry, but did you know that tucking into the spicy dish could be good for you too? On the eve of National Curry Week, Nilima Marshall explores their hidden health benefits IN 1810, Hindoostane Coffee House
Reality TV star Sam Faiers might look confident and perfectly preened but, for years, she’s been plagued by the compulsive hairpulling disorder trichotillomania. She tells Gabrielle Fagan what triggered it and the impact it’s had on her life SAM
A CHARITY is urging children to champion England’s most threatened bird of prey after the only two pairs which attempted to nest in the North this year failed to breed. The RSPB has launched the Hen Harrier Hero Awards, a new scheme where children
A MOTHER who tried to cover up her teenage son’s brutal back alley killing of a man days before Christmas has been jailed for two years for lying to police. Maria Keane’s son George Keane and his friend Luke Garner, then both 16, murdered father-of-two
If you’ve used the same bank since you were a nipper, now could be the time to move on DON’T whinge about your bank. It’s not productive. Instead, switch it. Sadly, millions of people are with their bank account because they got free piggybanks
BLACKHILL Methodist Church’s Tuesday Group will celebrate its 50th anniversary next month. From 2pm on Saturday, November 2, there will be entertainment from soloist Joyce Shaw, followed by afternoon tea. A thanksgiving service will be held the
Sarah Connolly has loved charity shop fashion since being a teenager, but instead of trawling through the clothes rails, she now makes a beeline for dated bedding and psychedelic curtains, she tells Lucy Richardson SARAH CONNOLLY is a collector
LORD Stones Country Park, a 160-acre site on Carlton Bank, near Stokesley, has long been a pivotal spot for walkers tackling three of the country’s most popular trails – the Cleveland Way, the Lyke Wake Walk and the Coast to Coast. Now it has been
TWO of the star events of Durham’s spectacular year of culture have been shortlisted for honours at this year’s North East England Tourism Awards. The three-month Lindisfarne Gospels exhibition in Durham City and the staging of the region’s first
THANKS to those who asked for more information on the Yorkshirebased novels by best-selling German novelist Charlotte Link. The only one available in English at the moment is The Other Child, a thriller based in and around Scarborough and the North
YOU can’t care for people in 15 minutes. It just can’t be done. But increasingly, that’s all that many old or disabled people are getting, according to the Equality and Human Rights Commission. By the time a carer has phoned in to say they’ve arrived
A CAR maker wants hundreds of North-East workers after starting full 24-hour production for the first time. Nissan, in Sunderland, says its second production line, which makes thousands of Juke, Nismo, and the new Note models every year, will work
A NORTH peer has told school pupils of life in the Westminster bubble. Baroness Harris of Richmond, a former chairwoman of North Yorkshire County Council, addressed sixth formers at Durham School today (Friday, October 11), as part of the Lord
A TEENAGER seen by police riding an off-road motorbike with a child on the handlebars has appeared in court. Alan Adamson, 19, pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified and without insurance when he appeared before Darlington Magistrates’ Court
WE’RE going backwards. School pupils in England are worse at reading and maths than their grandparents. And they keep telling us standards are going up. That’s simply a lie, isn’t it? So it’s especially humbling to listen to the passionate
POLICE have arrested five men on suspicion of the murder of missing Darlington man, Alan Youngson. Officers looking for 25-year-old Mr Youngson, who has not been seen since August 15, found a man’s body buried in woodland near Jedburgh Drive, in
IT’S not cheap being a bride in 2013. Compared to their parents’ big day, today’s brides-to-be expect their hen parties to be bigger, wilder and more expensive than ever. Whether it involves barely-clad butlers or limo drivers and drag queens
WHEN Star Wars hit cinemas for the first time in 1977, it left an indelible mark on the minds of youngsters worldwide, not least because of the man who played cocky space pirate Han Solo. Harrison Ford, a jobbing carpenter and actor from Chicago
WHEN Agent Phil Coulson introduced himself to Tony Stark’s PA Pepper Potts five years ago, few people thought such a secondary character in Iron Man would go on to play such a major part in the Marvel Universe. Since then, the amiable G-Man has
BACK in the early 1970s, pioneering businessman Richard Branson knew that if he wanted to make millions, he had to gamble. And all his chips were going on a shy, multi-talented 19-year-old musician called Mike Oldfield. His debut album, Tubular
HATS off to Steve Burbridge who has written, directed and produced this cracking show. It takes the form of an Evening with... and the guest is Ethel Merman. Ethel who? My thoughts exactly but she was one of, if not, the biggest stars of Broadway musical
A TOWN’S mayor is urging people to support plans for an outdoor music festival in Shildon. Councillor Peter Quinn believes the event dubbed the Shildonbury Music Festival will give the town a welcome boost. The scheme is still at a very early
FOR all the miles chalked up, Hartlepool United don’t mind their trips to the West Country. As the team sets off this morning for tomorrow’s game at Exeter, they go confident following two impressive and positive away performances in the past week
FOUR good causes are vying for public support to win £3,000. The Lloyds Bank Community Fund is offering the grant to whichever wins a public vote. In Durham, the four in the running are St Cuthbert’s Hospice, the Heel and Toe children’s charity
A TEAM of call centre workers are on top of the world after conquering Mount Kilimanjaro for charity. Caroline Fisher, Christopher Harrison and Noz Islam from npower’s office in Rainton, near Durham City, and Patrick Dinsmore from the Peterlee
A MAN who groomed a schoolgirl on the internet before persuading her to travel hundreds of miles to meet him for sex was today jailed for six years. Sean Clode was told by a Teesside Crown Court judge that he created every parent's worst nightmare
OFFICIALS have urged people struggling with their pets to ask for help, after two dogs were found in a cardboard box in Darlington. Two male Jack Russell terriers, one adult and one puppy, were found in an alley way in Cotherstone Moor Crescent
TERRITORIAL Army recruiters are heading for the North-East hoping to attract potential recruits. Members of the public will be able to talk to TA members on Saturday, October 19, to find out what opportunities are on offer. The TA is a chance
The game of the day in the EBAC Northern League is between second placed Spennymoor and Celtic Nation, one place and one point below them, at the Brewery Field. Striker Gavin Cogdon is back in the Spennymoor squad after injury and he could start
GENERATIONS of Girls' Brigade members have been celebrating as the movement marks its 120th anniversary. The 1st Darlington Girls' Brigade in Cockerton has been at the forefront of the celebrations of the organisation, which started in 1883 in
STUDENTS from across the globe united in a love of music and dance as an African fundraising tour descended on a North-East school. The internationally acclaimed Pearl of Africa Children’s Choir entertained staff and students in a series of concerts
CHART topping singersongwriter Ellie Goulding admitted to being nervous after taking to the stage in front of a sell-out crowd. It was a confession which is hard to believe considering she has two successful albums behind her and is singing this
I AM pretty sure this column will divide opinion, so let’s start with something we can hopefully all agree on. One fewer extremist on the streets, one more person accepting that violence and abuse solve nothing, is to be welcomed. I am not yet
AS someone with both republican and Catholic sympathies, I cannot partake in the Bonfire Night tradition. However, I have no objection to others celebrating November 5 if they don't cause distress to dogs and cats. Since a dog’s hearing is
I MUST point out an error in the picture caption regarding Rocky Marciano (HAS, Oct 7). The boxer on the left is either “Jersey” Joe Walcott or Ezard Charles. Marciano, on the right, dealt out similar punishment to all his opponents. That great sports
A VISITOR from Westminster entertained students from the region with parliamentary tales and insights into life inside the House of Commons. John Bercow, Speaker of the House, visited Durham University yesterday (Thursday, October 10) and Darlington
ALREADY, the political effect of Ed Miliband’s proposal to freeze energy prices for a limited time if Labour wins the election is having an effect. The Tories have proposed not increase fuel duty until the General Election, if it can be afforded
BRYAN ROBSON and friends are preparing to do a sponsored trek to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro to raise funds for the Manchester United Foundation, a charitable trust. They are expecting donations from the general public. Manchester United is always
GOOD television programmes are hard to find with so many cookery programmes and X Factor-style talent shows etc. However, I feel one of the best is Educating Yorkshire, a fly-onthe- wall documentary set in a school in Dewsbury. It makes me
QUITE by chance I heard about plans for more houses on Middleton Lane, in Middleton St George. As I live only 100 meters from the proposed site I am curious to know what kind of consultation the development company has had with local residents.
WHEN will the powers that be realise that the reinternment of King Richard III is not a local issue. It is of national importance to reinter a King of England in an appropriate place, in a dignified manner, with a Catholic service and a tomb which
I RECENTLY visited Hawes. The highlights of my stay were a visit to the Wensleydale Creamery visitor centre, attending the special sheep auction on the Monday, and a return trip from Garsdale to Settle on the Leeds/Carlisle railway line. What a
DAVID CAMERON wants all young people to either get a job, go to college or go on a training course; otherwise they will lose their benefits. I personally disapprove of people choosing to live on benefits when doing so is avoidable. However,
NEWCASTLE Airport is a local success story going from strength-to-strength. Then there is the foolishlynamed Durham Tees Valley Airport (formally Teesside Airport). Obviously renamed by someone with visions of grandeur thinking it would put it
RALPH MUSGRAVE (HAS, Oct 7) rightly points out the corrosive and violent effect that religion has on the fabric of society, particularly in those countries where religious fundamentalism flourishes. Seneca the Younger, the Roman stoic philosopher
With the first energy supplier this week announcing price rises as winter approaches. Dani Webb looks at the options available to householders as they struggle to heat their homes CHOOSING between feeding the family or heating the home is a dilemma
West Auckland manager Peter Dixon wants all his players to be at their best when they go to Hednesford in the third qualifying round of the FA Cup today. West have a mountain to climb against the Conference North leaders if they are to reach the
CAMPAIGNERS have been left disappointed after a council refused to banish ‘To Let’ boards from Durham city centre. Under pressure from residents, Durham County Council introduced a voluntary code of practice in November 2011. Participating
THE arts have been hit hard by the public sector spending squeeze in recent years and financial challenges continue to cast a shadow over the future of venues in our region. It is, therefore, refreshing to be able to report this morning the excellent
A LEISURE centre which is the first in the country to use its members exercise efforts to generate electricity has won an award for its climate change credentials. The Spectrum Leisure Centre, in Willington, County Durham, has been producing its
TWO sporty mums are tackling the Yorkshire Marathon to raise money for a charity set up by the family of a girl who was diagnosed with a brain tumour aged just four. Bettina Bell, 40, and Ali Merifield, 30, both of Romanby, Northallerton, are running
After overseeing three wins in eight days, Darlington manager Martin Gray was glad of a break in the fixtures this week ahead of tomorrow's match with Prescot Cables. Last Saturday Quakers overcame Ossett Town 6-1 in the FA Trophy, three days after
A MAN has been warned he may be facing prison after admitting assaulting a child. David Jason Pattison pleaded guilty causing actual bodily harm when he appeared at Teesside Crown Court yesterday (Thursday). And the youngster’s father spoke
A COUNCIL leader has strongly defended holding cabinet meetings around the county, saying there must be a connection between politicians and the people. Durham County Council rotates its cabinet meetings around the 862sq mile county to encourage
A MAN caught badger baiting was photographed by the landowner armed with dogs, nets and a spade, a court was told. Alan Henderson was spotted making his way towards the badger sett in woods near Crook, County Durham, along with another man on the
JACOB BUTTERFIELD’S attacking mindset was one of the key reasons why Tony Mowbray was so keen to add the former Norwich midfielder to Middlesbrough’s midfield mix. Butterfield moved to the Riverside Stadium on transfer deadline day, and produced
WHEN the domestic calendar resumes at the end of the international break, Newcastle United will face their toughest spell of the season so far. Crucially, however, they will do so with their confidence and optimism renewed. The visit of second-placed
England entertain Montenegro tonight, with Group H rivals Ukraine and Poland meeting in Kharkiv at the same time. The Northern Echo examines the various scenarios that could unfold. England WIN and Ukraine WIN England will remain a point ahead
INTERNATIONAL rugby will return to the North-East next March when Kingston Park hosts an Under-20 international between England and Wales. The two home nations will meet at the home of Newcastle Falcons on Friday, March 7 (7.45pm) as part of this
NEW Sunderland boss Gustavo Poyet has claimed the passion of the club’s fans was one of the key factors that persuaded him to take over at the Stadium of Light despite inheriting a side rooted to the foot of the Premier League table. Poyet has
NATIONALITY is a thorny enough subject to address anyway – blend it with the passions ignited by sport, and you’re always going to have a volatile mix. This week’s discussions related to the Football Assocation’s ongoing interest in Manchester
A LAW firm has advised development bosses on a £27m regeneration scheme on the former home of Durham Wasps ice hockey team. A team of lawyers from Bond Dickinson, based in Newcastle, worked with the Homes and Communities Agency and Durham County
A LIFE sciences company employing about 100 North-East workers has revealed increased revenues. Immunodiagnostic Systems (IDS), based in Boldon, near Sunderland, develops vitamin D test kits and specialist instruments for clinical research.
A NORTH-EAST newsagent has gone into administration, The Northern Echo understands. Shocked workers at Finlays (North-East) Limited, which has headquarters in Whickham, near Gateshead, say the company has stopped trading, leaving scores of jobs
A NORTH-EAST engineering firm, which supported work on the UK's largest nuclear project, says it hopes to strengthen its order book again after moving into a new plant. SBV Fabrications, which supplies steel fabrication and pipework to nuclear,
TWO North East companies last night picked up national stock market awards at the 18th annual AIM awards dinner, in London. South Shields based Utilitywise picked up the award for Best Use of AIM and Robert Forrester of Gateshead based Vertu Motors
The region’s biggest awards for the tourism industry has seen a 34 per cent increase in applications since the event was taken over by NewcastleGateshead Initiative in 2012. A total of 98 businesses have submitted applications for the North East
BIDDERS that failed to win cash from the government's flagship job creation fund have been urged to submit stronger bids this time around. Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg is in the region today (Friday) to launch round five of the Regional Growth
A MAN who supplied the petrol so his friend could attempt suicide by setting himself on fire has been jailed for 12 years. A judge said Kevin Howe, 20, "took some delight" in knowing what his inseparable friend Stephen Walker, now 31, was about
A COUPLE whose parked car was damaged by a council grass cutter said they feel let down after the authority refused to pay for the £75 repairs. Joanne Kirkby left her car at about 8.30am next to a grassy area near the former Prince of Wales pub
THE family of an eight-year-old boy who died after falling into the River Wear have handed over £1,800 to various services that helped in the search for him. Friends and relatives of Ian Bell have raised £3,300 since he died in April last year.
STAND-FIRST: A campaign has been launched to create a monument to one of the north’s greatest war heroes. Chris Webber met his proud granddaughter. * MANY others have told many times of the bravery of Stanley Hollis, the only soldier to win a Victoria
Greater Willington Town Council will hold its civic service at the Phoenix Christian Centre,in Willington, at 3pm on Sunday, October 13. SILVER BAND: Stanhope Silver Band will perform at St Andrews Dawson Street Methodist United Reform Church,
A ONCE iconic theatre and concert hall is to be returned to its former glory, thanks to a £4m lottery grant. Millions of pounds have already been spent on the restoration of the Grade II-listed, art deco Globe Theatre on Stockton High Street but
OVERNIGHT joint leader Graeme Storm has slipped off the pace at the Portugal Masters. The Hartlepool golfer followed up Thursday's six-under 65 with a one over 72 in Vilamoura to leave himself seven shots short of a three-way battle at the top
FOUR decades ago, Dr Who's encounter with the mythical Yeti left a generation of children terrified and enthralled. The six part serial Web of Fear became one of the best-loved serials of the Patrick Troughton era. Sadly, in the 1970s the well-travelled
