A BLAZE which quickly spread through an end of terrace house in Middlesbrough gutted the first floor and roof. The fire is thought to have begun upstairs in the home in Levick Crescent, Acklam, at about 6pm tonight (Thursday, November 6) and quickly
SCHOOL pupils paid tribute to those lost at war by launching an exhibition in their honour. Students from across Darlington commemorated the First World War by collaborating to create the exhibition, which opened at the Crown Street Library this
GOVERNMENT cuts have left the country’s jails a riot, fire or murder waiting to happen, a leading prison reform campaigner claimed tonight (Thursday, November 6). Frances Crook, chief executive of the Howard League, said a 42 per cent drop in officers
A BRAZEN conman duped a company by paying for a £12,600 truck with a bouncing cheque - then did exactly the same just two months later. Daniel Harding quickly passed on the two vehicles and one was later found at Tilbury Docks in Essex, bound for
A MAN accused of murdering his friend in a street brawl told police: "I remember hurting him really bad . . . but I didn't go out to hurt." Craig Conway, 30, claimed he was unable to recall all of the late-night incident in May which left Middlesbrough
POLICE officers behaved in a “disgraceful” and “shocking” manner, the family of Kirk Williams said after an inquest jury revealed its verdict. Melanie and John Williams are “devastated” that police did not take their 26-year-old son, who was agitated
AMATEUR historians spent more than two years researching a town’s fallen soldiers to give them the recognition they deserve in a special book of remembrance. Bishop Auckland Civic Society will present the commemorative book to Canon Neville Vine, at St
ARTWORK inspired by the childhood of a man who grew up when Consett was hive of industrial activity is on show in the town.The exhibition by Phil Bartle, entitled Red Dust, is on display at Consett Library and features paintings depicting his memories
AN army of knitters are needed to help a flourishing wool shop and business. Woollyback, in Stanhope, Weardale, is owned by professional knitter Lynne Dent, who gave up a full time career with the police to keep up with demand for her wooly items
FORMER world champion Steve Davis will take on the in-form Ricky Walden in the pick of the first-round ties in snooker’s UK Championship.York’s Barbican Centre will host the UK Championship between November 25 and December 7, with 128 players contesting
A FAMILY-RUN freezer maker has officially opened its new factory as it returns a British-made product to the market. Ebac, in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, is making Norfrost chest freezers. The company, known for its dehumidifiers and water
DEAN RICHARDS will have half an eye on the return of the Aviva Premiership when his Newcastle Falcons side entertain Cardiff Blues in the LV=Cup tomorrow. Falcons host their Welsh opponents at Kingston Park having won two of their three knockout
AN exhibition exploring the history of a landmark Catholic church is marking its 150th anniversary. The Church of our Lady of Mercy and St Godric, better known as St Godric’s, towers over Durham city centre from off North Road and is one of the
RAIL enthusiasts who restored a steam locomotive as part of a £137,000 project are now seeking somewhere to run it.The Merlin Locomotive Group built the engine at Shildon Engineering on the Hackworth Industrial Estate, Shildon, County Durham.The project
Middlesbrough artist Mackenzie Thorpe talks to Viv Hardwick about the thrill of his First World War artwork DESPITE being an artist in demand around the world, Middlesbrough-born MazKenzie Thorpe is determined to maintain his “ordinary bloke” status
GUS POYET will name Liam Bridcutt as a like-for-like replacement for Lee Cattermole when Sunderland entertain Everton this weekend.Cattermole picked up his fifth booking of the season in Monday’s 3-1 win at Crystal Palace, and will therefore be suspended
Steve Pratt catches up with Oxbridge-educated comedian Al Murray who reveals how he copes with life on the road as the guvnor of rowdy comedy AL MURRAY remembers his first time as the Pub Landlord. The birth of the publican two decades ago was
A BUDDING artist has donated her first painting to a charity pop-up gallery – which now hangs below her mother’s own offering.Six-year-old Eden Porritt has been a keen artist since she was very young and is skilled in various techniques including lino-carving
THE bells of York Minster will ring out in a special act of Remembrance on Sunday afternoon.They will be rung half-muffled to mark the centenary year of the outbreak of the First World War.The heaviest 10 bells of the peal hung in the south-west tower
A woman who suffered serious head injuries after her Mini was involved in a collision with a lorry on the A66 yesterday (Wednesday November 5) is said to be in a comfortable condition. The woman, believed to be in her 20s, was airlifted to the James
SPORTS were centre stage at a school when it hosted an awards night and launched a new initiative to help students reach their full athletic potential.Whitworth Park School and Sixth Form College, in Spennymoor, held its inaugural sports award evening
A WAR hero dubbed “The Great Escaper” has published his memoirs to raise money for charity. Proceeds from Jim Mulhall’s Military Memories will go to the British Red Cross. Mr Mulhall, originally of Langley Moor, near Durham, joined up in October
A COUNCILLOR who has admitted sexually abusing a teenage boy has resigned. Peter McLaughlin, a former chairman of Stanley Town Council, continued serving as a councillor despite the ongoing case against him. The 61-year-old initially denied indecently
Steve Pratt talks to Edward Petherbridge about turning his darkest hour into a successful play A STROKE robbed Yorkshire-born actor Edward Petherbridge of the chance to play one of Shakespeare’s greatest parts, King Lear. As he recovered, he found
A PENSIONER has strummed her way to slimming success – by playing ‘Oh My Darling Clementine’ on the ukulele. Dot Rogan, from Darlington, lost four stone by picking up her trusty instrument to stave off hunger pangs. The 64-year-old combats
A HOSPITAL in the North-East is the first in the UK to offer a new technique which increases the accuracy of breast surgery.The pioneering new approach offered at Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary is called Radioactive Seed Localisation.During the
COUNCILLORS have agreed to extend the hours a convenience store can sell alcohol to the early hours, despite fears about increased crime and anti-social behaviour. Tharmarajah Sriskantharajah, owner of TRO Food and Wine, on Northgate, Darlington, had
Classical music fans are in for a triple treat over the next couple of weeks, with the Albany Piano Trio, performing at Central Hall, Darlington, plus a keenly anticipated Chamber Concert and a Sunday afternoon Classical Cafe at Middlesbrough Town
PETER Barlow is out, released from prison after Temptress Tina’s real killer was revealed as Rotten Rob. Free man Peter heads back home to Coronation Street (ITV1) where he receives a warm welcome from father Ken and sister Terrible Tracy. But there
MILKSHAKES, jam and vintage clothing are just a few of the products available in Stockton's new Enterprise Arcade. Homemade cupcakes and IT support can also be found in the premises, which has been renovated and was reopened yesterday. Councillor Barbara
THOUSANDS of residents and visitors attended Stockton's annual spectacular fireworks display last night. (Wednesday)An estimated 25,000 people came to the town's Riverside and surrounding areas to see the night sky illuminated with an amazing pyrotechnic
DRIVERS are being offered free car safety checks this weekend (SATNOV8) to ensure their vehicles are ready for the dark nights and winter weather.Cleveland Fire Brigade, Road Safety GB North East and Middlesbrough Council are working with a group of car
A ROMAN Catholic official has expressed regret and sorrow that a North-East primary school teacher was able to sexually abuse children for more than a decade. Several parents and one of his young victims made complaints about Ronald Wotton's behaviour
TWO North-East hospitals earmarked for replacement are likely to need further investment , an NHS chief executive has admitted.North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust are still hoping to replace ageing hospitals sat North Tees and Hartlepool with
A NEW hairdressing business has been given a head start with a small grant – enabling an Upper Dales resident to stay and work in her home town.Edie Peacock, 27, has lived in Hawes all her life, but feared she would have to move if she couldn’t set up
A TEAM of women footballers are showing pride in their shirt after gaining a £500 sponsorship deal.Broadacres Housing Association is providing the funding to buy a new strip for Brompton Ladies, who play in the North Riding Women’s League. Brompton Ladies
A SAFE place for vulnerable adults being detained by police under the Mental Health Act has opened at Northallerton’s Friarage Hospital.The Section 136 place of safety is part of a £1m investment by NHS commissioners for extra mental health provision
AN EVENWOOD pensioner has won £1m on the Lottery. The 67-year-old man, who did not wish to be named, bought the winning ticket at Tesco, in Bishop Auckland, last month. However, he says he has not decided how to spend the money and is currently discussing
As children’s television programme Byker Grove commemorates 25 years since the first episode aired, former stars talk to Lydia Willgress about the highs and lows of being in the cult show“HE cannit see man.”These unmistakable words were uttered by Duncan
IT never ceases to amaze me that, even after 26 years of marriage, I’m still discovering things about my wife and our relationship that I didn’t know. Take the other night, for example. We'd come in from a nice night at the theatre and, being the
A NURSE who volunteers as an army medic is back in action after facing her own battle with cancer. Army reservist Angela Landells, from Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, discovered a lump in her breast while serving in Afghanistan two years ago.
FA Vase winner Keith Graydon has today signed for Northern League club Morpeth Town. Graydon, who scored the winner for Moors in the 2013 final against Tunbridge Wells at Wembley and has been a major part of their success in recent years, had a
MOTORISTS heading into the weekend will be able to take advantage of the lowest petrol prices for nearly four years. In the face of plunging international oil prices, four leading supermarkets all announced they were cutting 1p a litre off their
PETROL firms have been warned that the Government will be "watching very carefully" to make sure the fall in the price of crude oil is passed on to motorists at the pumps. Treasury Chief Secretary Danny Alexander will demand an assurance from the
DARLINGTON’S popular ice rink is returning to the town centre for the third Christmas running.The Christmas Wonderland rink, at the Market Square, will officially open on Saturday, December 6, with costumed characters entertaining skaters to celebrate
CLIMBING the ship’s mast and firing a canon are among the corporate team building challenges being offered by HMS Trincomalee at Hartlepool.The corporate experience is open to up to 12 people at a time and will include a traditional nineteenth century
A DAY of remembrance has given students on Teesside a glimpse of life during the first world war.Pupils at St Michael’s Academy, Billingham, took part in a host of events exploring the outbreak of the First World War, its impacts on the country and the
SUPERMARKET chain Morrisons has revealed another big drop in sales as it grapples with an intense period of competition in the sector. The Bradford-based business admitted its recovery will take time after it posted a 6.3 per cent drop in like-for-like
Dunston UTS striker Scott Fenwick is on the point of signing for Hartlepool on an 18 month contract. Fenwick, who signed for ENL club Dunston during the summer from Durham City, played for Pools in a reserve game on Tuesday and scored twice for
AN inquest jury has concluded that it was “inappropriate” for police officers to take a naked and crazed man into custody – where he suffered a fatal heart attack – instead of hospital. Kirk Williams, 26, from Stockton, should have been taken straight
HAVING watched his side sweep to a comprehensive 4-0 win over Norwich City on Tuesday night, Middlesbrough head coach Aitor Karanka is hoping to see his side beat Bournemouth on Saturday to receive the morale boost of going to the top of the Championship
REIGNING North East Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Jo Hand is ready to pass on her crown at next week’s awards ceremony.The recruitment boss received the accolade at the Women Into the Network (WIN) Awards last November and is part of the judging panel
HIGH-ACHIEVING students have been recognised for their efforts at a school awards ceremony.Former GCSE students at Longfield School gathered with their parents, teachers and the Mayor and Mayoress of Darlington Gerald and Ruth Lee for the annual event
AN aerospace firm operating Ministry of Defence services at a North-East airport says it expects to continue cutting costs as it faces challenging markets.Cobham, based at Durham Tees Valley Airport (DTVA), says it is looking to make year-on-year savings.Earlier
FORMER Middlesbrough midfielder Stewart Downing has been handed his first England call-up for two-and-a-half years after impressing for West Ham United. Downing last played for the Three Lions in a 1-0 friendly win over Norway in May 2010 – Roy
A GROWING construction firm has strengthened its order book further with £400,000 work on a school’s swimming baths.NCS, based in Chester-le-Street, County Durham, refurbished the 1960s-style pool at Harton Technology College, in South Shields, South
A WOMAN grew cannabis in her bedroom to help save money as she spent £120 a month on buying the drug.Angela Davison, 35, of Buckingham Terrace, Leeholme, near to Bishop Auckland, pleaded guilty to producing a controlled B class drug.Police visited the
INTEREST rates were left on hold at 0.5 per cent for another month amid fears that the pace of recovery in the UK economy is slowing.The Bank of England base rate has been at its current level for more than five years, with economists not expecting an
North-East young male dancers are a-buzz with Matthew Bourne’s latest project, says Steve Pratt STEPPING out on stage at Newcastle Theatre Royal this week, 17-year-old Andrew Ashton isn't facing his biggest audience. He’s already played Mr Mistoffelees
ARTISTS are being challenged to help create a series of public artworks for a 925-home development as part of a £153,000 project.Mulberry Homes Yorkshire, the developer of the Sowerby Gateway estate, near Thirsk, has been granted £58,250 by Arts Council
COUNCILLORS are claiming victory in their campaign to save a suburban post office.The Post Office will still close its Newton Hall branch, on Alnwick Road, and move services to the nearby McColl’s shop. However, local county councillors say services which
RESIDENTS are preparing to fight £15m plans to build another 200 student rooms in Durham city centre.Gilltown, a Dorset-based developer, wants to build 211 rooms, a mix of “cluster flats” and studios, on the Kepier Court site, off Gilesgate.The accommodation
OFFICIALS are investigating fresh allegations that Jimmy Savile abused patients at two North-East hospitals. An inquiry has been launched at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Gateshead into claims the entertainer committed assaults at the site. Royal
SOME employers could find ways to get around the ban on zero-hours exclusivity clauses, a report has warned. Conciliation service Acas says it could be "relatively straightforward" for unscrupulous employers to avoid any ban aimed at preventing
A TEENAGER has appeared in court accused of planning a deadly attack on a college armed with pipe bombs, a pistol and expanding bullets. Liam Lyburd appeared before North Tyneside Magistrates' Court this morning charged with possessing a firearm with
HOUSE price growth fell back in October to its weakest levels in almost two years in further signs that the market is cooling, Halifax has reported.Property values in the three months to October were 0.8 per cent higher than in the previous three months
DURING her whistle-stop visit to the North-East, the Countess of Wessex officially opened the first specialist facility for young adults with life-limiting illnesses in County Durham and Teesside. She praised staff and volunteers at Butterwick
TRIBUTES have been paid to a keen singer and family man who won a standing ovation when he appeared on the X Factor in 2012. Ray Patterson brought judge Nicole Scherzinger and hundreds of people in the audience to their feet when he performed Westlife
GERMANY'S Muller has increased its grip on the UK dairy market with an £80m deal to buy the operations of Cathedral City maker Dairy Crest.The yoghurt maker, which operates as Muller Wiseman Dairies in the UK following its acquisition of Robert Wiseman
Darlington completed a league double over Spennymoor Town last night, with Graeme Armstrong's first minute goal enough to seal the points in an incident-packed contest. Armstrong header came on 35 seconds after a corner taken by Adam Mitchell,
A HEAD-ON crash between a silver Ford Focus and a Stagecoach bus headed to North Tees Hospital caused traffic jams in Stockton on bonfire night. The crash happened outside Hardwick Social Club, in Harrowgate Lane, Stockton, at about 4.45pm.
AMBITIOUS businesses have a greater chance of qualifying for grant support for further growth thanks to changes in funding criteria. According to accountants and business advisers, Clive Owen & Co LLP, there have been significant changes to
MORE than two dozen pigs have died after a lorry carrying about 200 of the animals overturned when it crashed into a bread wagon. About 35 of the animals died or had to be put down following the accident, which happened on the A59, near its junction
A MOTHER told an inquest of her “total shock” as she closed the eyes of her son following his death in hospital. Melanie Williams, 51, described 26-year-old Kirk Williams as a “happy go lucky lad” who always had a smile. Update: Police
YORKSHIRE batting trio Joe Root, Kane Williamson and Gary Ballance have been recognised by the International Cricket Council for their excellent form throughout the last year. Root and New Zealand overseas star Williamson have both been named in
A FORMER teacher, who systematically abused children in his classroom at a Catholic primary school, has been jailed for five years for his ‘reprehensible’ crimes. Ronald Wotton carried out a prolonged series of abuse on a number of pupils at the
PROSTATE cancer patients are due to be the first in the Tees Valley to benefit from leading-edge robotic surgery today (Thursday, November 6). A team of urologists at The James Cook University Hospital are due to use a da Vinci surgical robot to
SUNDERLAND head coach Gus Poyet believes Wes Brown’s own goal in the win at Crystal Palace on Monday could be a “key moment” in his side’s season. The Black Cats put the defeats to Southampton and Arsenal behind them with victory at Selhurst Park
THE largest taxi firm on Teesside has written to Transport Minister Baroness Kramer calling for a legal loophole to be closed which could put vulnerable children at risk of sexual exploitation. Boro Taxis has raised concerns about the lack of scrutiny
AN Indian restaurant in Darlington has been named one of the top ten best eateries in the UK offering food from the sub-continent. Cafe Spice, in Clark’s Yard, off Skinnergate, was named the best restaurant in the North East by the Bangladesh Caterers
A WOMAN spotted driving erratically while drinking wine has been banned from the roads for 28-months. Christine Starkey, 54, of Front Street, Cassop, near Durham, was reported to police by residents in Fir Tree, near Crook, who became concerned
FOR SIDNEY SCHMELTZ, football wasn’t on his agenda a couple of weeks ago; now the new Hartlepool United signing is relishing a second chance. Signed six days ago, the Dutchman made an instant impression in playing his part as Pools turned around
A TEENAGER who has been backed by an organisation that supports youngsters from military families has been selected to take part in a Remembrance service at the Royal Albert Hall. Lauren Eckersley, 15, from Northallerton, has attended 10 different
A NORTH-EAST manufacturer expects to recruit more staff in the year ahead as it targets a breakthrough deal to supply industrial quantities of ‘wonder material’ graphene.Bosses at Applied Graphene Material (AGM) said yesterday’s first set of results since
GRANT LEADBITTER has spoken of the need to live up to rising expectations on Teesside ahead of a weekend when Middlesbrough could climb to the top of the Championship for the first time in two years. It will be 24 months on Sunday when Boro moved ahead
MORE than a quarter of North-East small firms are in the dark about how much money they are owed in unpaid invoices, new research has revealed.In total, 28 per cent of SMEs in the region were unable to say how much they have outstanding, Bibby Financial
DARLINGTON Golf Club is pressing ahead with ambitious plans to improve facilities after being awarded a Sport England Inspired Facilities Grant of £57,000. The Haughton Grange club aims to create an environment where golf can thrive by providing
THIS week has been another of achievement for Daniel Brown as the young man from Bedale familiarises himself with life on the England scene. Brown has been at Formby Hall in Southport with the rest of the 17-man squad and when he returns to North
A VICTORIAN “graffiti artist” whose signature tag on a Durham Cathedral bookcase lay forgotten for more than a century was a two-time mayor who lunched with Charles Dickens, his great-great-grandson has revealed. As reported in The Northern Echo
AN assessment and marking boycott at Durham, Newcastle and York universities gets underway today as part of a row over proposed changed to staff pensions.The University and College Union (UCU) has written to all 69 universities affected by the dispute
SOPHIE, Countess of Wessex, will visit the region today. Her Royal High Highness will officially open the new County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue headquarters in Durham before attending an event organised by SAFC’s official charity the
Full-time: Darlington 1 Spennymoor Town 0 DARLINGTON scored inside the first minute and went on to make it a perfect ten by doing the double over promotion rivals Spennymoor Town in a thrilling encounter. Graeme Armstrong’s header after only
