AS Sam Torrance walked on to the 18th tee, the galleries up on the green looked down the hill where hundreds of spectators slowly gathered to watch his final drive of the day at Rockliffe Hall. The vast majority of his followers had stayed with
Tomorrow's Northern Echo editorial comment.... IT is not an exaggeration to say that Paul Gascoigne – one of the most gifted footballers the North-East has produced – is fighting for his life. It has been increasingly clear for a long time
GEORGE Friend has signed a new four-year deal with Middlesbrough. The 26-year-old has been a key member of Aitor Karanka's team since the Spaniard took over and has been handed a new deal. Friend, a left-back, had entered the final year of
A BOY, 15, has been arrested in connection with a knifepoint robbery at a Sainsbury’s in Redcar. No one was hurt in the incident but staff were left shaken after a male brandishing a knife entered the store on Larkswood Road at about 6.40am on Thursday
LOCAL golfers Roger Roper and John Harrison will be among the early golfers to tee off when the second round of the English Senior Open gets underway on Saturday. Roper and Harrison, from Rockliffe Hall and Matfen Hall respectively, are out at
THE number of homes being built across the region still lags behind the tally when the Coalition came to power four years ago, official figures show.Ministers have hailed “clear progress” in their efforts to speed up developments, with the
THE daughter of troubled former North-East football star Paul Gascoigne has thanked well-wishers after he was pictured being put into an ambulance after reportedly being found slumped outside his home.The ex-England player has a long history of problems
HELPING rather than prosecuting women caught stealing food to feed their families is reducing reoffending, says a North-East police commissioner.Durham police and crime commissioner Ron Hogg has declared an innovative scheme to tackle shoplifting by providing
ENGLAND Women will play at the new Wembley Stadium for the very first time in a friendly against European champions Germany.Mark Sampson’s side booked their place at next summer’s World Cup in Canada after beating Wales 4-0 in their penultimate
The Betfred Ebor is the big betting race of the day and having backed Mighty Yar (3.50) antepost I am glad he has scraped into the race at the foot of the weights. Frankie Dettori, successful in the race two years ago, with Willing Foe takes the ride
THE Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu is set to fast for a week in an attempt to bring peace to war-torn areas of the world.Dr Sentamu will be praying on the hour, every hour, from 6am to 6pm, from Sunday, (August 24) in St John’s Chapel at York
A BRAVE teenager whose battle with cancer meant she missed a year of school is hoping to pursue a career in nursing after excelling in her GSCEs.Amid the celebrations at Woodham Academy in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, yesterday (Thursday, August 21
THE families of two friends killed when their car hit a tree have today (Friday, August 22) spoken of their devastation.Grant Benson, 21, and Nicky Davidson, 27, died at the scene near Barnard Castle, County Durham, in the early hours of last Saturday
A MAN has appeared in court following separate police investigations into a series of public sex acts.North Yorkshire officers appealed for public help after a flasher struck in Bedale and Catterick in June.A similar exposure was reported in Darlington
PLANS to clear overflowing bins and mattresses dumped in a town’s streets have been welcomed by a councillor who feels the problem has been ignored.Concerns have been voiced that Durham County Council has let rubbish gather in streets in Shildon.Mattresses
TELEVISION programmes such as The Great British Bake-off, River Cottage and children's Mr Bloom's Nursery are being credited with sparking a resurgence in all-things home-grown and home-made.For the last two years, rural shows across the region
A FAMILY’S fundraising campaign has paid off for a hospital ward which will use its donation to make life a little easier for cancer patients.When Marie Bear was diagnosed with breast cancer in November 2012 her sister and niece, Kathleen and Laura
VINTAGE Jaguars lined up alongside modern vehicles for enthusiasts to view at a car show based in Bishop Auckland.The third New Car Show organised by the Bishop Auckland Town Team was held in the Market Place today. (Friday, August 22) New vehicles from
A 21-YEAR-OLD man has been charged with causing a public nuisance after a two-hour incident in which large parts of a town centre was cordoned off.Emergency services were called to Darlington on Wednesday (August 20), after a man made his way onto a fourth
AN ISOLATED rural community has taken charge of a new defibrillator for use in case of emergency.The new Cardiac Science Powerheart G3 Community Public Access Defibrillator (cPad ) will be in a secure metal cabinet outside the Punch Bowl in Satley, near
ONE of the region's iconic bridges is to be closed to traffic for several weeks while it undergoes a major facelift.The Newport Bridge, which links Middlesbrough with Stockton, has been undergoing a deep clean since July 28, ahead of it being repaintedAs
A WOMAN who led a campaign to commemorate the heroic actions of a Royal Canadian Air Force pilot officer during the Second World War has welcomed his memorial aircraft into the country. Betty Amlin and her son, Edsel Amlin, were part of the official
CONCERNS about anti-social behaviour at a Yorkshire Dales beauty spot have prompted calls for visitors to improve their behaviour or face public access being restricted.Police have urged people to report visitors causing a nuisance beside the River Ure
A CHARITY boss is the latest to take on the ice bucket challenge.Barbara Gubbins, chief executive of the County Durham Community Foundation, volunteered to have a bucket of icy water dumped over her head to raise money for research into Motor Neurone
THE North-East Chamber of Commerce has congratulated North-East students and teachers for achieving a strong set of GCSE results.NECC policy adviser, Lucy Humphreys, said: “The North-East has done exceptionally well, with the number of students
DEFENSIVE duo Billy Jones and Santiago Vergini are in line to return for Sunderland against Manchester United on Sunday. Both players missed the opening day draw at West Brom with Poyet forced to play Wes Brown at right-back at the Hawthorns.
DRAGON’S Den star Duncan Bannatyne will be considering a different set of figures next month.The Darlington-based millionaire entrepreneur will be the star judge in the final of Miss Sunderland beauty pageant.Mr Bannatyne, 65, who will leave the
BUILDER Henry Boot ?is to start work ?on the former Terry’s chocolate factory in York? early next year.The contractor revealed its plans as it reported pre-tax profits nearly doubled to £13.4m in the first half of the year.Chairman, John Brown
IAN WOOSNAM Date of birth: March 2, 1958 Place of birth: Oswestry, England Residence: Jersey, Channel Islands Turned professional: 1976 Career wins include: Volvo PGA Championship, Scottish Open, Johnnie Walker Classic, Dunhill
AFTER decades of neglect apprenticeships are flavour of the month. Business Editor Andy Richardson looks at one training provider adapting to the demands of a 21st century workplace. FOR generations apprenticeships were a keystone of North-East industry
It was pretty much honours even across the four meetings between Sunderland and Manchester United last season but bookmakers aren’t reading much into those contests ahead tomorrow’s Stadium of Light game, which is a slender-looking 3/4 (William Hill
A MAN who developed “an addiction” for depraved images featuring young children has been jailed for two years.John Michael Johnson, who claimed he began seeking such material on the internet, “out of curiosity”, conceded he became
RESIDENTS angry social services for vulnerable families are being moved into their area have won a string of concessions from council chiefs.People living on the exclusive Smithfield estate, in Pity Me, Durham, vented their fury at Durham County Council
A BURGLARY victim was sent a foul-mouthed text message from a neighbour who helped her criminal boyfriend sell the stolen loot.The woman was branded "a grass" and warned she would "get a good kicking" for blaming Donna Stevens for
ATHLETES from across the world descended on Darlington as the town hosted its first ever kettlebell competition.The sport, involving athletes holding weights on handles above and around their bodies, has grown in popularity after a number of celebrities
A STARRY line-up of North-East heroes has pledged support to plans to create a dedicated children’s cancer research centre in Newcastle.Musician Sting and TV writing duo Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais of The Likely Lads and Auf Wiedersehen Pet
JAMIE SPENCE will be taking nothing for granted when he tees off in the second round of the English Senior Open on Saturday despite “smashing” his way to the top of the leaderboard at Rockliffe Hall. Spence, from Tunbridge Wells, turned in a flawless
THE fruits of a scheme to recruit more volunteer gardeners will be showcased next month.The Pioneering Care Centre, in Newton Aycliffe, is inviting the public to view its community garden on Wednesday, September 24, from 10am to noon.It is part of Edible
ONE of the region’s fastest improving schools has secured record results for the third time in the past four years since new management transformed its fortunes.Darlington School of Mathematics and Science underwent a £3m makeover and complete
Spennymoor Town manager Jason Ainsley says that it’s too early to judge his side after a mixed first week in the Evo-Stik First Division North. Moors started the season well with a 2-0 win at Padiham last Saturday, but they were brought back down
Steve Skinner will take temporary charge of West Auckland when they face Durham City at the Seagrave Stadium on Saturday. Former Carlisle pro Skinner, who joined the club from Celtic Nation during the summer and also resigned as chairman of that
A DARLINGTON couple have completed the challenge of climbing all 214 Wainwright peaks after almost ten years.Peter and Philippa Sinclair started fell walking in 2005, when a friend encouraged Mrs Sinclair to climb Hellvellyn after she had been treated
A DERELICT prison site could be given a new lease of life to become part of an economic redevelopment scheme in a Hambleton market town.Hambleton District Council has announced it could become the new owner of Northallerton Prison under ambitious plans
A FAMILY sports day will raise money for the emergency services which helped rescue children from a horrific bus crash.Two drivers and 28 children were taken to hospital after two buses carrying children to school crashed at Oxhill, near Stanley on June
A SERVICE providing essential advice for older people is under threat as it faces a struggle for funding. In the last year, Age UK Darlington’s Information and Advice centre helped the town’s older population boost their income by more than £1.6m
AN ENGINEERING company celebrating its fiftieth year on Teesside has welcomed the latest set of recruits onto its established ‘Year in Industry’ undergraduate programme this summer.ElringKlinger (GB), which is ranked among the top three automotive
POLICE are appealing for information after arsonists lit fires in a farmer’s field near Lanchester twice in a matter of days. Officers say someone went into a field off the Lanchester Valley Walk, near Dora’s Wood, on Monday, placed cut straw at the
THE Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) has appointed experienced civil engineer Penny Marshall as its director for the North-East and for Yorkshire and Humber. Mrs Marshall has been working as interim director for the North-East region for the
A SAILOR has been rescued after abandoning his burning yacht off the North-East coast this morning (Friday, August 22). The alarm was raised by the lone skipper at just after 6am when his 36ft yacht Julia was 15 nautical miles east of Seaham, County
AMERICAN Gary Rusnak is the early clubhouse leader on the first day’s play at the English Senior Open at Rockliffe Hall. Rusnak turned in a flawless display which included three birdies – at seven, 12 and 16 - to post a 69 which has powered him
AITOR KARANKA wants three new players added to his Middlesbrough squad before the transfer window closes on September 1 – and all his recruits could still arrive from Chelsea. Despite being in discussions with a number of Premier League clubs over
COLIN COOPER has confirmed striker Luke James has reiterated his desire to leave Hartlepool United. The striker put a transfer request in on Monday, but followed up with a second on Tuesday evening, after playing in Pools’ 2-0 home defeat to Dagenham
AT their most recent meeting the Bank of England’s monetary policy committee surrendered their unanimity on keeping rates as they are, voting 7-2 in favour of no change, rather than the preceding three years of 9-0 landslides, writes Nick Williams,
FANCY taking someone else’s husband on holiday? Mariella Frostrup did. When work commitments meant her husband had to drop out of a family canal holiday at the last minute, she borrowed good friend actor Vince Leigh, boyfriend of her friend
THE great advantage of a typewriter over a computer – apart from the ability to work through power cuts and not baffle you with idiotic unpredictable behaviour – is that it’s just the right height for a nap. Arms folded, head down and the worst
You don’t have to go far to explore one of Europe’s most fascinating cities. Julia Breen takes her seven-year-old daughter for a night in Edinburgh EDINBURGH has been described as the Athens of the North, but as I wait in a queue for tickets
DEAR SHARON, Your comments about BT Infinity strike a chord with me as our broadband connection is pitifully slow and sometimes in frustration I have been tempted to defenestrate my computer and make a present of it to next door’s dog. Alan
IRISHMAN Philip Walton has taken the early lead at the English Senior Open at Rockliffe Hall this morning. In wonderful golfing conditions in Hurworth, County Durham, Walton has birdied three of his opening six holes to sit on two-under after recovering
A LADIES DAY crowd on the Knavesmire was left as surprised as connections of Taghrooda as the unbeaten record of a filly that had looked little short of exceptional was ended by Tapestry in the Darley Yorkshire Oaks. After her heroics in the Investec
COUGAR MOUNTAIN can ensure the sponsors keep hold of the winner’s purse with victory in the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes, the highlight of the third day of the Ebor meeting. The three-year-old, who is owned by the Coolmore team, made an impression
DURHAM are in danger of losing John Hastings for the final two matches in their battle to avoid relegation. The big Australian, who has been in fine form recently, is wanted by Chennai Super Kings for the Champions League Twenty20 tournament in
Match Of the Day At 50 (BBC One, 10.35pm) IT is with a heavy heart that I recommend a programme about groin-strains and glory hunting (and it isn’t Game Of Thrones) as the main highlight of another feeble Friday lineup. Yes, it’s football
YORKSHIRE rounded off their Royal London One-Day Cup group campaign in style last night against Hampshire, to set up a home quarter-final against Durham next week. With his best bowling figures in List A cricket, Adil Rashid was the Vikings hero
AFTER being so critical of the English cricket team over the past few weeks I must now eat my words and congratulate them on a remarkable performance beating India so easily. In fact, they didn’t beat India so much as steamroller them - by three
FURTHER to the recent bus crash in Tubwell Row where members of the public were very lucky to avoid been badly hurt when a bus collided with a bus shelter. Darlington badly needs a bus station. Indeed, it used to have a bus station, in Feethams
THIS week I received a leaflet from Saga offering car insurance from as low as £176. The quote I received was far in excess of this figure. I cited my 60-year accident free record and quoted the leaflet’s figure asking why my quote was not
WHEELCHAIR racer Jade Jones insists she has enough left in the tank to complete her IPC Athletics European Championships medal haul tomorrow after securing yet another success. A Commonwealth Games bronze followed by another medal of the same colour
MALKY Mackay is “very concerned about seriously inaccurate and misleading reports” in the media and has said he will fully cooperate with any Football Association investigation. However, the League Managers’ Association have said text messages
I HAVE pondered long on what would be required to make Israel accept a Palestinian state as its neighbour. It is obvious to me now it wants a vassal state of Palestine. Such a state would not have its own independent armed forces and would
Denis Beecroft is one of many eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Mynarski Memorial Lancaster in the North-East. It will be a special occasion for Mr Beecroft as he was one of the brave men who served with Bomber Command during the Second World War
TROUBLED lender the Co-operative Bank has reported a £75.8m pre-tax loss for the first half of the year but said it was encouraged by its progress since it was rescued from near-collapse last year.The bank's interim results are the first since
WE were recently promised tougher action against motorists who use their mobile phones and send text messages while at the wheel. It is not before time because it is not difficult to spot those flouting the law. But what about North-East comedian
HE played a big part in defeating Manchester United on three occasions last season, and now Sunderland goalkeeper Vito Mannone hopes to be smiling again after Louis van Gaal’s side have visited the Stadium of Light on Sunday. Mannone was the hero
Newcastle were stung on both occasions when their failure to replace both players was highlighted with bad results, and after those experiences Pardew insists the club has a contingency plan should the same happen again.He said: “I'm confident
A MAN who smashed a glass jug in the road shortly before the arrival of the Tour de France peloton has been fined £1,000. Self-employed builder Michael Lee Simms admitted causing a danger to road users outside his home in Ripon, North Yorkshire
A STAR student who went from the wreckage of an horrific bus crash to sit a GCSE exam is celebrating an A grade for the paper. Determined to sit her English language exam, Charlotte Crawford called her grandfather to take her and a friend to school
COUNCIL chiefs have announced a multi-million pound roads shake-up aimed at tackling a city’s growing air pollution problem. Durham County Council traffic bosses want to install ‘smart’ traffic lights on the Leazes Bowl and Gilesgate roundabouts
ROCKLIFFE HALL is used to having a Spaniard driving for glory and another wants to be celebrating on the 18th green on Sunday, with the full support of Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka. The Boro boss has just embarked on his first full season
KENNETH FERRIE has made an impressive start to the Czech Masters and sits two shots off the lead after day one.The Ashington golfer posted a 68, four under, to sit just adrift of overnight leader Jamie Donaldson going in to Friday’s second round
ON the face of it the English Senior Open provides a platform for sports fans from across the region to head for Rockliffe Hall to get a glimpse of golfers who, for decades, have made a career out of hitting the finest greens and lushest fairways around
NEWCASTLE International has topped a Which? magazine readers poll as the best large airport in the UK. The airport scored higher overall results than the likes of Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester. Dave Laws, the chief executive of Newcastle
THE holiday business is booming in North Yorkshire and the North-East with overseas visitors flocking to the area and their numbers soaring.Summer holiday visits to the North-East by overseas tourists are growing at a faster rate than those to Scotland
HOUSE sellers' asking prices in London and the Home Counties have made the strongest gains since the financial crisis struck, while those in County Durham and Teesside have among the furthest distance still to recover, according to a property website
