THE aunt of lying Lisa Philips told last night how she was tricked by the fraudster into handing over her savings. Philips convinced Tracy Sedgwick her Turkish boyfriend was plotting to steal the money and flee the country. The schemer told
GATESHEAD conceded a stoppage-time equaliser as they were held to a 3-3 draw with Lincoln City that leaves them third in the Vanarama Conference table. Alan Power fired Lincoln into an early lead with the first of what would eventually prove to
Ryhope CW used three keepers in their 5-2 defeat by Consett in the Durham Challenge Cup tonight. Ryhope took an early lead through David Pounder, but Aris Guerin-Lokonga quickly equalised. Ryhope then had keeper Barry Poskett dismissed on 15 minutes
Spennymoor bounced back from their defeat last weekend by winning 3-0 at Ossett Albion in the Doodson Sport League Cup tonight. Both clubs drastically changed their line ups and fielded a number of reserves, so it was no surprise that there wasn
A NORTH-EAST training company has taken steps to redress the dramatic gender imbalance in the offshore industry. Only 3.6 per cent of the offshore workforce is female, according to industry studies, so AIS is celebrating after the first female
CHILDREN led the service to commemorate the centenary of the First World War at a newly-refurbished village war memorial. The youngsters from Victoria Lane Academy and St Joseph’s RCVA Primary, in Coundon, near Bishop Auckland, read poems and sang
A GATHERING to mark the anniversary of a man’s death was marred by an outbreak of drink and drug-fuelled violence by one of his sons. Michael Adam West was jailed for 14 months for what a crown court recorder described as, “an ugly incident”, in
MEMBERS of the Romany community from all over the country joined friends and family to pay tribute to a mother-of-three who lost her battle against cancer.As mourners said a tearful farewell to 50-year-old Lorraine Stephenson, her hometown of Bedale in
A PAIR of burglars who targeted a social club to help themselves to drink have been jailed for sentences totalling seven years. Durham Crown Court heard that although there was no confrontation in the overnight break-in at Peterlee Catholic Club
RESIDENTS of Weardale are invited to a forum event next week to decide what the Weardale Action Partnership's priorities should be next year.The WAP will hold the event on Wednesday, November 19, from 5.30pm at Wolsingham School and Community College.Stuart
A MAN has accused the council of forcing him and his neighbour to pay a £7,000 bill to re-route drains that were leaking human waste onto a nearby grass bank since the house was built in 2005. Wilf Moralee, of Stanley Crook, was served notice from
A LEADING consultancy has recruited one of the region's most experience planners from an executive role with Newcastle City Council. Harvey Emms has joined Nathaniel Lichfield & Partners as a senior director having previously been director
SUNDERLAND midfielder Lee Cattermole has been named the North-East Football Writers’ Association’s Player of the Year for 2014. The Stockton-born midfielder beat his former team-mate, Newcastle United’s Jack Colback, who was second in the poll,
AN ANNIVERSARY couple who enjoyed tandem riding together in their younger years have proved they are still in sync after 65-years of marriage. Ron and Alice Willis, originally of Horden Colliery near Peterlee, married at St Mary’s Church in Horden
MIDDLESBROUGH winger Albert Adomah has agreed a new contract that will keep him at the Riverside until the summer of 2017.Boro officials initiated a round of contract discussions in the summer, following increased interest in Adomah from a number of Premier
MEMBERS of a community theatre group are hoping to match their previous successes with the production of an award-winning musical.Darlington Operatic Society will stage Hairspray, at the town's Civic Theatre, in April next year.Hairspray will be the group's
A MAN accused of stealing over £23,000 from his father has appeared in court.Robert Simpson, 62, of Alington Place, Durham, is accused of the theft between March 1, 2010, and January 31.He appeared Consett Magistrates’ Court today. (Tuesday, November
A NEW runway at Heathrow Airport will bring bigger economic benefits to the North-East than expansion at Gatwick, said the government’s independent airports commission, who warned either scheme will cost billions more than previously estimated.Newcastle
A DEVELOPER has questioned the legality of planning policies used by a council to determine housing need in the borough as it fights a decision to turn down plans for a 250 home estate. The public enquiry brought by Gladman Developments Ltd against Darlington
A FORMER teacher is preparing for his first world championships, in the growing sport of kettlebell. Simon Trenholm, from Stockton, will head to the championships in Hamburg, Germany as part of the England squad.His selection represents a remarkable achievement
BARNARD CASTLE could soon get a Wetherspoon's pub. Company spokesman, Eddie Gershon, confirmed they are “interested in the town” and are currently looking at potential sites. Mr Gershon said he wouldn’t comment on individual sites unless a
MORE suspected travelling criminals have been arrested in North Yorkshire as part of a county-wide operation.Two men from Manchester were arrested at about 2pm on Monday, November 10, at Wetherby Services, Kirk Deighton.They were arrested following reports
COUNCILLORS are being asked to approve a County Durhamengineering and manufacturing taskforce to help create jobs, investment and improve skills.The proposed public and private sector partnership would include business leaders, manufacturing networks
TICKETS are still available for an 'in conversation' event featuring North-East actor, writer and novelist Mark Gatiss. The Doctor Who, Sherlock and League of Gentleman star, who is originally from School Aycliffe, County Durham, will be chatting
A HIGH-powered motorbike was stolen from a car park by thieves who are believed to have hoisted it into an old van.The red Triumph 1050 Sprint ST, registration number YJ07 UWU, was taken from the rear of Lister’s Farm Shop, Langthorpe, near Boroughbridge
AN Irish dance spectacular has returned to the North-East next week for its 20th anniversary tour.Riverdance fans can celebrate an incredible milestone all this week at Sunderland’s Empire Theatre.The show that first burst into the public’s heart at the
CONSTRUCTION firm Southdale has appointed Craig Knowles as its new North-East operations director.With more than 20 years of experience in the construction industry, Mr Knowles joined Southdale in 2012 as Commercial Manager for the Yorkshire Region, overseeing
CAMPAIGNERS fighting the closure of a well-used medical centre have won a one-year reprieve.People in Hemlington, Middlesbrough have held public meetings, lobbied politicians and signed a 500-signature petition to protect Hemlington Medical Centre, which
“I started avoiding anywhere with a Santa,” said a single father who struggled to get through Christmas.The Darlington dad spoke out in a bid to encourage others to donate to the charity toy appeal that helped him give his children a Christmas Day last
NORTH-EAST exporters will need to cast their nets farther afield is they want to tap into fast growing markets, industry experts said yesterday. With most European economies tipped to be sluggish next year, companies should shift their focus towards Africa
A COUPLE who had a stolen bike belonging to a disabled girl in their house have been spared prison. Steven Henley, 33, and Davina Copeland, 36, admitted handling the cycle belonging to Tilly Lockey when they appeared before Consett Magistrates’
A SCHOOL has paid a poignant tribute to a former pupil killed in Afghanistan by unveiling a bench in his honour.About 40 Hamsterley Primary School pupils assembled in memory of Captain Richard Holloway during a special Remembrance Day service this morning.The
A TOUCH of Hollywood is coming to a North-East charity fundraiser this weekend.Characters from the cast of Star Wars will be making an appearance at the Children in Need appeal in Stanley County Durham.Members of the 99th Garrison costume group will be
A NEW luxury hotel is to be created in a historic former university headquarters, after councillors approved the £7.5m scheme today (Tuesday, November 11).The Grade II-listed Old Shire Hall was built in 1896 as a home for Durham County Council and later
ANIMAL rights campaigners have called on the organisers of Christmas entertainment in the region to cancel plans to use live reindeer as part of events.Harrogate Christmas Market and a reindeer parade organised by Darlington's Cornmill shopping centre
THE long-standing leader of Stockton's Conservatives has stood down from the role.Cllr Ken Lupton, 68, a former leader of Stockton Borough Council, has been replaced by Cllr Ben Houchen.Cllr Houchen, a Yarm councillor, was voted leader at a meeting on
YOUNG people working with Stockton Borough Council’s Youth Direction have been jumping on their bikes to raise money for BBC Children In Need. The Youth Direction team have been visiting locations all across the borough with their On Your Bike Challenge
A MOTORIST who suffered a fractured kneecap and a broken foot as result of a two vehicle crash has successfully undergone surgery on his injuries. The 46-year-old Bishop Auckland man was injured following a car accident on the B6072 West Auckland
TOBY Chapman, a student from Stockton-on-Tees, has started life at an elite university thanks to the support of Lloyds Banking Group’s Scholars Programme. The Lloyds Scholars Programme offers talented young people from lower income households the
A SPENNYMOOR school has received a cash boost to help create a new multi-skills sports area.Housebuilder Taylor Wimpey has donated £500 to St Charles RC Voluntary Aided Primary School to pay for resurfacing work of the outdoor area already in place.The
ETON College, probably the most famous and exclusive public school in the UK, is targeting the North-East in a bid to attract more applicants from working class families.Although fees cost an eye-watering £34,000 a year, not many people realise
THE demolition of parts of a former hospital to make way for a food store and restaurant is to be discussed by councillors.Hambleton District Council's planning committee will debate the proposals, which have been recommended for approval by officers,
High cholesterol is a common - and potentially serious - problem, but there's a lot you can do to help, as Lisa Salmon highlights OUR bodies need cholesterol, and we actually produce it naturally. However, as we all know, having too much of it
Crowdfunding has become a popular way for people to raise capital and now a professional investment fund is asking for your money to re-invest in start-ups - exciting times indeed, as Peter Jenkinson reports GETTING funding for any new project
BARACK Obama was first sworn in nearly six years ago and it was big news. The election of the USA’s first black president was going to change everything and many assumed that he’d sail through his two terms with the whole world treating black and white
A TEACHING assistant accused of seducing a pupil in the back of her Mini threatened to have him shot by gypsies when he ended their affair, a court heard. The boy told how he believed married mother-of-two Helen Turnbull, 35, has accessed school
A MAN on trial for murdering a friend in a street fight has told a jury: "I didn't intend to take his life . . . no chance." Craig Conway entered the witness box at Teesside Crown Court for the first time today (Tuesday, November 11) to give his
RESIDENTS in Hartlepool who fail to bring their bins in could be charged up to £85, the council has warned.Abandoned wheelie bins are making problems such as arson and burglary worse, council chiefs in Hartlepool say.A pilot scheme is being launched in
THERE only ever seemed to be the three main cuts for steak - fillet, sirloin and rump – on offer and people would discuss the relative merits of each. I was always a rump or sirloin man because I found the fillet, with its shorter fibres and lack of
A TINY charity has overcome competition from eight Premier League football clubs to win an accolade for its work to tackle dementia, depression and isolation.The Sporting Memories Network, which is based in Topcliffe, near Thirsk, scooped the best community
Following major restoration work, former royal residence Rudby Hall has become the latest new luxury venue for a wedding or a relaxing break in North Yorkshire. As it opens its doors to the public for the first time, Ruth Addicott looks at what it
In her new poetry collection, Katrina Porteous draws on the North-East traditions of fishing, coal mining and hill farming to reflect its strong identity and celebrate its uniqueness. Sarah Foster meets her KATRINA Porteous stands amid a group
He’s TV’s Mr Nice Guy, but Dermot O’Leary isn’t short on the ‘cool factor’ either. He tells Hannah Stephenson why he’d never work with his wife, how telly isn’t as cut-throat as people think and why X Factor contestants get more and more impressive
Tracy Campbell, owner of The Little Bra Shop in Yarm, is on a mission to get more women in the perfect cup size, she tells Ruth Addicott THE Little Bra Shop may be small, but what it lacks in size, it makes up for with a friendly welcome and guaranteed
HOSPITAL staff have been warned of potential job losses as the South Tees Hospitals Trust tries to save £91m within three years. Employees who work for the trust - which runs the 1,000-bed James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough and the
AT a time when economic development has been stifled by prolonged austerity, the sale of a North-East business park this week should not go unnoticed, because it underlines what can still be achieved when the right people are involved. Lingfield
Celebrity chef Rachel Allen and Currys PC World are encouraging the nation to bake their own Christmas cakes this year. Why not try this one... INGREDIENTS 150g sultanas 150g raisins 110g chopped dried cranberries 110g chopped candied
FOR the first time in almost 20 years, Squeeze’s Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook will be heading out on the road as a duo with ‘The At Odds Couple’ tour that will see them present their songs and story in a unique way. The 12-date tour will visit Newcastle
WHILE it will not grab the attention quite as much as the 100th anniversary of the First World War, November 11, 2014, also marks the 20th anniversary of the Darlington bus wars. It was an extraordinary few days, as 300 buses an hour leapfrogged
SPORTS Direct is opening hundreds of cut-price gyms to continue its expansion. The firm, founded by Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley, aims to set up 200 gyms across the UK. Bosses say the company with charge £5 a month. Its first purpose-built
IT’S 50 years next week since lifelong teetotaller Rowena Hutchinson took over running the bar at the Red Lion in Langthwaite, a wonderful little pub in an incomparable Dales village. Back then, she recalls, a pint of Starbrite was 1/8d and a pint of
The Nation’s Favourite Queen Song (ITV, 9pm) THE great Noddy Holder once told Queen “you’ll never get that played on the radio”, but it turns out it’s the one that tops the poll of 20 classic songs which ITV stretches over 90 minutes tonight. Matt
GEOLOGY students from Queen Elizabeth (QE) Sixth Form College, in Darlington, recently enjoyed a week-long trip to the Alps.The main purpose of the trip was to study the landscape and geological evolution of the mountains.Students participated in a number
ENQUIRIES into the death of a teenager found hanged at a house party last December are progressing, a coroner heard. Sarah Clerkson, originally from Sunderland, was discovered at a house in Ash Grove, Spennymoor, County Durham, during the early
HUNDREDS of equestrian fans have paid tribute to a revered horse which helped secure a silver medal for Britain at the London 2012 Olympics. Opposition Buzz, who had been ridden by three-day eventer Nicola Wilson, of Morton-on-Swale, near Northallerton
I AM sure that I am not alone in having serious concerns about the latest major road works being overseen by Darlington Borough Council and the negative impact this is likely to have on local road tax payers. Over recent years the council’s attempts
THIS Christmas 850,000 people will be living with dementia. My mother died with the condition, so I know from personal experience the devastating impact dementia has on everyone touched by it and how important it is to know that support is out there
THREE family members have denied assisting an offender to conceal a murder weapon.It arises from the conviction of Luke Garner, who, as a 16-year-old, took part in the killing of David Scott, in South Moor, Stanley, County Durham, in December, 2012.Garner
STAINED glass windows donated to a village church were blessed by the Bishop of Durham on Remembrance Sunday.The windows in St Philip and St James, Kimblesworth, near Chester-le-Street, were created by Whitby artist Alan Davis and paid for by Muriel Suddick.Mrs
A CHARITY which provides home care to terminally ill people has launched its own lottery, which should provide a weekly £25,000 jackpot. Herriot Hospice Homecare, which provides care to people in Hambleton and Richmondshire, will receive 50p from every
THE Louisa Centre in Stanley will host an open day on Friday (November 14) to mark World Diabetes Day.The County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust is holding the event at the venue in Front Street between 9am and 5pm so that visitors can get
A NUMBER of North-East businesses are recording turnovers higher than the national average, a report has revealed. A national league table said companies in 16 of the region’s 29 Parliamentary constituencies had annual turnover larger than England’s £510,000
CITY centre workers can enjoy discounts and special offers thanks to a new loyalty card scheme.Durham Business Improvement District (Bid) has introduced a free InDurham card for staff at the 70-plus levy-paying businesses in the Bid area. Bid chairman
SANTA and his reindeer are on their way to Darlington’s Cornmill shopping centre for a festive event on November 30.The centre will host its annual reindeer parade beginning at 11am at Tubwell Row where Santa will start his journey through the town centre
STUDENTS challenged a parliamentary hopeful to come up with ideas to narrow the North-South divide. Teenagers at Northallerton College spent an hour quizzing prospective parliamentary candidate for Richmond Rishi Sunak on a host of issues affecting
MORE than 500 people had their say on how £20,000 in public money should be spent.Durham Area Action Partnership (AAP) held its second annual It’s Up To You event at Durham Town Hall on Saturday (November 8).Residents and workers in the AAP area were
WE seem to have Remembrance inflation, when I was a schoolboy in the 50s we had Remembrance Sunday with its two minute silence, now this period of reflection and dedication seems to have been lengthened to a Remembrance Weekend. I’m not sure this is an
A DRUG addict who faced losing his legs through infection and deep vein thrombosis could have them saved – after he was sent to prison for two years. Ian Mullholland became the 14th person to be locked up after a crackdown on dealers in Darlington
CONSTRUCTION firm Carillion has agreed terms with Sunderland City Council on a massive regeneration scheme worth up to £800m. The initial £100m contract is expected to kick-start the largest development the city has seen, with a business district planned
NORTH-East students will appear on University Challenge next week (Monday, November 17).Following a comprehensive 250-35 win over Brasenose College, Oxford in the first round, the Durham University team’s second round match will be screened on BBC Two
AN MP has highlighted the danger of the flu virus and is urging people to get vaccinated this winter.Phil Wilson, MP for Sedgefield in County Durham, learnt about the potentially devastating consequences of the virus at an event organized by Lloyds Pharmacy
SAFEGUARDING reports concerning a teenage girl found dead at a children’s home last December are expected to be handed over to a coroner next month. Danielle Formosa, 14, of Nawton Avenue, Sunderland, died at the privately-run East Farmhouse Children’
The British Army is in a period of transition and the importance of reserve troops has never been greater. Lizzie Anderson discovers how part-time soldiers in the North-East are rising to the challenge IT is a cold, windy morning and rain beats
CONTRACTORS are being sought for a multi-million pound North-East transport upgrade. Nexus, which owns and manages the Tyne and Wear Metro, aims to revitalise Central Station, in Newcastle. Bosses say work is expected to start next autumn as
A FANCY dress costume shop is due to close its doors soon as the owner has decided to call it a day after 25 years. Bernard Jackson, a former milkman, ran Maskerade on Bishopton Lane in Stockton, after he swapped his milk float for platform boots
A MAN has made a floating island for himself near Cancun, off the coast of Mexico, using 150,000 recycled plastic bottles.It is not the first time Mr Sowa, 61, originally from Hemlington, Middlesbrough, has made floating paradise homes and was first featured
DARLINGTON dancers twirled and twisted their way to more than 50 trophies in a competition last weekend. Eight competitors from Born To Dance took part in the Muriel Harrison Festival of Dance, at the Deptford and Millfield community centre, in
DAVID CAMERON says he would like to see an Asian become Britain’s Prime Minister. I must say, I am tempted to say: “Then move over Dave and let’s have our Asian Prime Minister next week.” But I couldn’t care less about the ethnic identity of our Prime
HOW ironic for G. Bulmer (HAS, Oct 23) to advise the Labour party to stick to its principles regarding immigration. Just a few years ago the main principle Labour had about immigration was the cynical, reckless, one of flooding the country with
CRIMINAL compensation for a child suffering from foetal alcohol syndrome is being opposed by those wishing to avoid the suggestion of criminality on the part of the mother. The test case raises complex questions about whether the mother’s drinking
CONTRARY to the letter written by Ken Kemp that I had swallowed the Tory/Lib Dem line on the 2008 recession ‘hook, line and sinker’ ( HAS, Nov 7) he is very wrong. In fact, was it not a Labour cabinet minister who left a letter after the last General
A TOP international event rider has been left devastated after thieves ransacked his yard and stole more than £25,000 worth of equipment. James Adams said his life’s work had been taken by the crooks, who stripped the tack room at his professional
THE car a gang of "brazen" armed robbers used to escape after targeting a Yarm jewellery shop has been recovered by police. Armed raiders strike at Yarm jewellers The heavily armed men stole hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of
Working on Danny Boyle's new drama Babylon has given American actress Brit Marling a new found love for all things British. Particularly our work ethic, the rising star tells Keeley Bolger BRIT Marling is contemplating packing her bags and moving
SPENNYMOOR manager Jason Ainsley will give his fringe players an outing when they go to Ossett Albion for their Doodson Sports League cup tie tonight.Ainsley was furious with the performance of his some of his players in the 6-1 defeat by Bamber Bridge
THE SPONSORS are unable to split Present View and Oscar Whisky at the five-day declaration stage for the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham on Saturday.Jamie Snowden's Present View, a Festival winner in March, and Nicky Henderson's former top-class hurdler
South Africa are steeling themselves to face an England pack regimented by "one of the best forwards coaches in the world" at Twickenham on Saturday.Springbok forwards coach Johann van Graan hailed England counterpart Graham Rowntree for creating
ED Miliband has so far failed to convince us that he was the right choice as Labour leader – and that is a view we have expressed on more than one occasion. Even in the Labour heartlands of the North-East, there are continuing questions about whether
Joe Marler has urged England to use the anger caused by Saturday's collapse to New Zealand to fuel their backlash against South Africa.The 2015 World Cup hosts took a deserved 14-11 lead into the interval of their QBE Series opener only to be comprehensively
The NFL could be a step closer to bringing a team to London following the end of a run of sold-out games at Wembley this year. Mark Waller, the vice president of the international NFL, said he and the NFL commissioner were getting "a lot of good
A TEENAGER who groomed young boys before raping and abusing one and sexually assaulting a further three has been jailed for more than nine years. Mark Smith was told by a judge that his crimes - committed when he was aged just 17 - had left his
Andy Murray vowed to come back fighting against Milos Raonic today as he bids to keep alive his ATP World Tour Finals campaign. The Scot's hopes of progressing to the semi-finals were dealt a serious but not quite terminal blow on the first day
VODAFONE is to launch broadband and television services in an attempt to ward off the challenge from BT’s forthcoming attack on the consumer mobile market.Vodafone already offers home broadband in television services in countries including Germany, the
YOUNG people who train as plumbers have a better chance of securing a good job than those studying maths, law and history at university, according to parents.A survey of more than 3,500 mothers and fathers found concerns that school leavers taking large
Tonight, I will be at St Mary's Church in Norton, Stockton-on-Tees, to be part of a "Lest We Forget" service. I've been asked to read the 1915 poem "In Flanders Fields", by John McCrae, along with the following letter: December 17th,
AYOZE PEREZ’S team-mates at Newcastle United think the Spanish hot-shot could soon have Premier League defences paying extra attention to him after a blistering start to life in England. Perez’s audacious flick to put the Magpies on course for
PAUL MURRAY will be busy this week trying to make more additions to his Hartlepool United squad. The Hartlepool United boss has three new recruits since taking over and is fast understanding the need to improve in numbers and quality.And, while he accepts
IT is not just the quality of Adam Reach’s football that has impressed Aitor Karanka this season – the Middlesbrough head coach also feels the 21-year-old has grown up. Having forced his way to the fringe of the first-team picture last season,
LIAM BRIDCUTT has identified Gus Poyet’s positive outlook as one of the key factors in enabling Sunderland to bounce back from last month’s eight-goal humiliation at Southampton. Having suffered the joint-heaviest defeat in their club’s history
A TEACHING assistant groomed a schoolboy with sweets and cuddles then had sex with him in her car next to a crisp factory, a court heard. Helen Turnbull, 35, sent the lad a photo of herself in her underwear and they swapped suggestive messages
THE future of the region's rail network will be debated at York's National Railway Museum next week. Rail Minister Claire Perry will be joined by campaigners and experts to discuss issues arising from the refranchising of the the Northern Rail
A STRONG Halloween lifted retail sales in October, despite unseasonably warm weather for the second month in a row.A survey by the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and KPMG reported unchanged like-for-like sales for last month compared to a year ago, while
OVER 11,000 teenagers across North Yorkshire are being asked to take part in a pilot flu vaccine trial to help prevent the spread of the potentially deadly disease. It is estimated that around 8,000 people a year die across the country because
A ONE-TIME teenage sporting hopeful was today (Monday, November 10) starting a prison sentence following a conviction for supplying drugs. Daniel Joseph Hart sold cocaine in a street in the vicinity of a further education college. The former
A BRAVE mum turned health campaigner - who spent the last few months of her life urging people to quit smoking and live longer - has lost her battle with lung cancer. Michelle Barthram, 48, from Birtley, died a year after being diagnosed with small-cell
