ANDY Murray suffered one of the most chastening nights of his career as he was humbled by Roger Federer at the ATP World Tour Finals. Qualifying for the eight-man event at London's O2 Arena appeared to have ended Murray's troubled season on a high
MULTI-million selling singer Faye Tozer got a city’s Christmas underway when she switched on its festive lights.The former Steps star, who has made the North-East her home after marrying a local man, did the honours in Sunderland at a special ceremony
A DISUSED Weardale quarry is the unlikely setting for a prime-time TV blockbuster. ITV has submitted a planning application to Durham County Council for temporary use of the former Eastgate Cement Works site to film a new series that is planned
POLICE are hunting two thieves who stole a Royal British Legion Poppy collecting tin from the counter of a shop. It happened just after 5pm on Friday, November 7, at Redz in Silksworth Lane, Sunderland. Anyone with information is asked to contact Northumbria
A CLASSIC car dealer drove while disqualified because he succumbed to temptation, a court heard today (Thursday, November 13). Simon Robinson, owner of Ketton Garage, in Coatham Mundeville, Darlington, drove a Jaguar and a Porsche Boxster on two
WITH the public sector squeeze hitting hardest in our region, there has never been a greater case for joined-up thinking between councils. It makes sense for local authorities to share expertise and resources, and to present a unified front to
A BRITISH biking legend was given a 'cycle' of honour and his coffin accompanied by a jazz band playing his favourite music at his funeral. Jack Taylor started making lightweight bike frames in his mother’s shed as a teenager and launched
SINGERBoy George has developed a throat condition which has led to his re-formed group Culture Club pulling out of a planned gig in Newcastle.The star needs treatment for a polyp which has led to the UK and US tour - due to begin in Glasgow next month
PATRICK couldn’t wait to leave home and fend for himself when he headed to university in September: “You’re not going to see me again,” he said, only half-jokingly.“I think you’ll be back before long. You’ll miss your home comforts, home cooking and getting
NORTH-East TV star Declan Donnelly has got engaged to his manager, Ali Astall.The Geordie presenter, currently in Australia for the new series of the reality show, I'm A Celebrity ... Get Me Out Of Here! is expected to marry next year.Talking about their
Babylon (Channel 4, 10pm) FROM movie Slumdog Millionaire to a golden Olympics opening ceremony and February’s one-off pilot of Babylon, Danny Boyle certainly knows how to catch our attention. Babylon returns with scripts by Sam Bain and Jesse
A GRADE II listed building in Northallerton is to be converted into an upmarket food store and pub – despite councillors’ fears about ‘traffic chaos’.The former Rutson Hospital in Northallerton High Street, which also runs around a larger site with entrances
THE wind whistles through my room in the parliamentary press gallery, because the ancient windows are like paper and – because they are listed – they can’t be changed. In winter, it’s sometimes hard to type because it’s so cold – while, in summer
A MUSIC video featuring an autistic teenager with a passion for singing is being featured in a national anti-bullying campaign. Alice Jordan, from Coundon, County Durham, wrote 'You Won’t Hurt Me Anymore' about the isolation and name calling
CROWDS lined the streets of a market town to celebrate the homecoming of an RAF squadron after protecting Camp Bastion, in Afghanistan, for seven months.The 34 Squadron, Royal Air Force Regiment parade through Bedale was accompanied by the Band of the
A TAXI driver can remain in business on the road after overturning a bid to remove his licence. But a judge warned Branislav Kobylan over his future behaviour if he wants to retain his licence, following several brushes with authority in recent
A TEACHING assistant accused of having sex with a pupil told police she sent him a picture of herself in her underwear "for attention", a court heard.Helen Turnbull admitted to detectives she may have told the 16-year-old she loved him at the
A DRIVER has died two days after a minor road accident.And police are appealing for witnesses to the collision in case it had any bearing on the woman’s death.Durham Police have named the dead woman as Margaret Dawson, 61, of Stanley, County Durham.Her
DOZENS of dogs have been seized in a raid at a suspected illegal puppy farm near Darlington. In a joint operation, officers from Durham Police and the RSPCA executed search warrants at a property in Middleton St George yesterday. Three people
BROADCASTER Jeremy Vine will help host the UK’s first collegiate universities conference in the region next week (November 18-22).The BBC presenter, a Durham University graduate, will chair a panel discussion at the summit, to be held in Durham from November
STAFF at a North-East opticians are helping to bring festive cheer to families being cared for by a women’s refuge this Christmas.Toys and other presents are being collected by staff at Specsavers, in Darlington, for women and children living at the town
YOUNGSTERS got an insight into the world of politics from one of the region’s biggest political figures.Lord Wrigglesworth, the Stockton-born politician who is treasurer of the Liberal Democrats, spoke to youngsters at Acre Rigg Academy, Peterlee, County
YOUNGSTERS joined veterans to unveil a granite memorial plaque to those who died in the First World War and other conflicts.The black memorial featuring a red poppy is on Durham Road, in Chilton, and cost £2,050.It is located close to one of the town’
TWELVE months after agreeing to take his first job in frontline football management, Aitor Karanka has said ‘thank you’ to chairman Steve Gibson for taking a chance on him at Middlesbrough. Karanka has worked his magic so far at the Riverside Stadium
AN EVENT has been held aimed at promoting better lives for people with disabilities.The free Fulfilling Lives event was held at Stanley Civic Hall today (THURS) and is the second event of its kind to be held in County Durham this year, following the success
IT'S usually millionaire pop stars who are expected to release a CD just before Christmas. But the latest hit has come from a bit closer to home. For more than 240 children at Kingsley Primary School, Hartlepool, have gone the extra mile
A POPULAR Santa Run that has raised thousands for a hospice has moved to a new location for the 2014 event.The St Teresa’s Darlington Santa Run encourages people to don red hats and suits and a fluffy white beard before tackling one of three courses designed
A WOMAN who stole a condom machine from a train station is today (Thursday, November 13) starting an 18-week prison sentence.Amanda Armstrong appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates Court for stealing the £75 machine from Darlington railway station toilets
A COMBINED authority for the Tees Valley would lead to greater prosperity, it was claimed today as plans were unveiled for the area's five authorities to come together to seek devolved powers and greater funding.The proposed Tees Valley combined authority
A SCHOOL commemorated the First World War in its own way – by handing out packets of jelly babies.Pupils at Heworth Grange Secondary School, Gateshead, handed out the sweets on Armistice Day, which were originally called ‘Unwanted Babies’ when introduced
DETECTIVES have begun interviewing former prison officers over allegations that young inmates were physically and sexually abused.Since August 2013, 915 men have told police that as teenagers they were abused at Medomsley Detention Centre, near Consett
THE UK’s first ever successful baby heart transplant survivor, now a gold medal winning athlete, has launched the return of the British Transplant Games to her home region.Twenty seven years ago, Kaylee Davidson-Olley of Houghton-le-Spring was the UK’
NORTH-EAST innovator Polyphotonix has won a major national award for its patented mask that could prevent diabetic blindness. The Sedgefield, County Durham firm this week took the Market Gravity Innovation Award at the 2014 UK National Business Awards
SUNDERLAND have been charged by the FA following an alleged incident during their 1-1 draw against Everton on Sunday. The FA have charged the club with failing to ensure its players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion in an incident around
YOUNG people often get a bad press. The truth, of course, is that for every youngster causing problems in society, there are many more who make a positive contribution. Take nine-year-old Caspar Clyde, for example. He appears in today's edition
A former Teesside chemical engineer has launched a business that is helping farmers he befriended in the Sumatran jungle. Emily Flanagan reports DAVID Beattie had been working as a Teesside chemical engineer when he decided to take a train from
ASDA reported its worst quarterly sales performance in nearly a decade today as it launched a war of words against the "panic" promotional tactics of its rivals.Like-for-like sales fell by 1.6 per cent in the third quarter to the end of September
A HEALTH trust, which runs a range of community-based health services across North Yorkshire is asking local people to help shape its future.The Harrogate trust is holding a by-election for a governor to represent the interests of the people residing
THE housebuilder behind two new developments worth a total of £65m has been named. The firm to build houses off Browney Lane, near Meadowfield, and Willowtree Avenue, Gilesgate Moor, will be Bett Homes. The North-East company has bought the
BUSINESSES interested in working at the final frontier will be gathering at a major space conference and trade show in the region. The event, expected to attract up to 230 delegates, is hosted by the North East Satellite Applications Centre of Excellence
OFSTED inspectors have rated the quality of education provided by a Darlington secondary school as “inadequate”. Following a visit to St Aidan’s Church of England Academy, in Hundens Lane, in early October the inspection team found the school has
THE work of Red Cross auxiliary hospitals in the region will be explored during a First World War talk at the Durham Light Infantry Museum, Durham City, on Saturday (November 15) at 2pm. Tickets for “Home Comforts – the work of the Great War auxiliary
A SCHOOLBOY who was inspired by a Remembrance concert took it on himself to raise £50 for the cause.Matthew Docherty was so captivated by the Festival of Remembrance at Durham Cathedral on Saturday night (November 8) the next day he knocked on neighbours
PYROTECHNICS, digital projections and evocative music will be among the attractions at a free outdoor event in a North-East town.All are welcome to attend the performance of Homecoming, in Darlington's Market Square, from 6pm to 7pm, on Friday (November
A PUBLICAN from North Yorkshire has become the 3,000th patient to undergo what has been described as an “unsung” form of prostate cancer treatment.Edward Boynton, 62, who runs the Nag’s Head at Pickhill, near Thirsk, underwent brachytherapy at the Leeds
A BISHOP has welcomed plans to get children as young as four to join savings clubs in an attempt to prevent them getting into debt later in life.The Church of England wants a network of clubs in primary schools, run by credit unions.The Archbishop of
SIXTH-FORMERS studying Government for A-level have quizzed a prospective parliamentary candidate about his motivation to become a politician.Kevin Hollinrake, who was selected in July to contest the Thirsk and Malton seat for the Conservatives at the
AN attempted murder enquiry is following fresh leads after a car that went missing on the night of the assault has been recovered.Cleveland Police is probing an incident on Brookside in Boosbeck, east Cleveland in which a 66-year-old man was found with
LEE DAVIE felt Durham Wildcats took a step in the right direction despite defeat to Cheshire Phoenix last weekend – but they will have to take a further stride if they are to beat in-form Manchester Giants on Sunday.Wildcats were eventually edged 83-79
A FREE fun day will reveal which youth projects have secured a share of a £40,000 funding pot.The East Durham Rural Corridor Area Action Partnership will announce the successful projects at the event at Sedgefield Community College on Saturday, December
A TEACHING assistant accused of having sex with a pupil told police she sent him a picture of herself in her underwear "for attention", a court has heard. Helen Louise Turnbull, 35, admitted to detectives that she may have told the 16-year-old
MUSIC students from Richmond have impressed on an international stage after a series of performances in Paris.Students from Richmond School and Sixth Form College spent six days in St Aubin de Cormier, Richmond’s twin town in Normandy, and Paris in a
HE may be only 19 - but already Ashley Thompson has carved himself out a completely unique position in life.The teenager with a love for woodwork has become the only brewery-employed apprentice craft cooper in the country.He has been taken on by Masham-based
SADDLE sore charity cyclists raised £1,000 for an air ambulance by pedalling 110-miles from Chilton to Whitby.Scott Weldon, 24, formerly of Chilton, now near Brighton, Sussex, and Bryan Craig, 41, of Chilton, cycled from the town to North Yorkshire and
GOATS dressed as reindeer will help bring festive cheer to a Christmas fair this weekend.The festive farm animals, together with tinsel-clad Shetland ponies, will welcome guests to the annual Christmas fair at The Clervaux Trust on Saturday (November
A MOTHER who fraudulently claimed almost £40,000 in benefits didn’t enjoy a lavish lifestyle, a court was told. Lisa Hutchinson, of Scafell Gardens, Crook, claimed the extra benefits that she wasn’t entitled to over a six year period, from 2007
STUDENTS fell silent in tribute to fallen heroes including an ex-pupil killed in the conflict in Afghanistan.For pupils at Darlington School of Mathematics and Science the centenary remembrance events have had added poignancy as they remember former pupil
A LEADER of a prestigious student debating society has been arrested on suspicion of rape.Louis Richardson, 20, was detained by Durham Police on Friday, October 31.Mr Richardson, a student at Durham University’s Josephine Butler College, was secretary
VIDEO footage of robbers fleeing a jewellers after stealing thousands of pounds worth of gems and watches has been released by police in a bid to catch the thieves. Staff at Market Cross Jewellers on Yarm High Street were left traumatised after
COUNCIL chiefs drawing up measures to tackle student ghettos have been accused of holding secret meetings with housebuilders. Two weeks ago, Harold Stephens, the independent inspector leading the examination in public of Durham County Council’s
A TEESSIDE University graduand who set up a fundraising page to raise money for his start-up has made £20,000 in just four weeks.James Drew, who studied web development and spent his third year placement setting up JDrew Creations, wants to raise £100,000
A YOUNGSTER born with one leg longer than the other has won an award for his bravery.Jack Bissett, ten, of Coronation Avenue, Shildon, won the Shildon and Young People’s Award Chloe Clark Special Achievement and Recognition prize.Caroline Bissett, the
AN investigation into a fire which killed a mother-of-two in her home is now a murder case, The Northern Echo can reveal. David McCabe is charged with murdering Teresa Ryan within hours of her returning from a meal to mark her 50th birthday.
A SWAP Shop style event this weekend will enable people to trade in unwanted items and pick up something new without spending a penny.The New to You project was launched in Spennymoor as part of a wider initiative aimed at helping residents manage their
A BUS depot has been awarded the highest level of accreditation for Investors in People (IIP) status, one of only three per cent of companies to achieve the award. Arriva North East's Darlington depot has secured IIP gold status, which is described as
AN international engineering and design firm running North-East offices says energy work and Middle-East successes have helped results.WS Atkins, which has bases in Stockton and Newcastle, revealed underlying operating profits stood at £53m for the six
HAMSTERLEY Forest is set to have a new mountain bike trail after a County Durham mountain biking club donated £2,750 to the cause.The trail, which is currently under construction, will be named in honour of The Beamish OddSox club, the North-East’s biggest
A ROADSHOW is set to help people find out how they can have lower bills and warmer homes if they install renewable heating. The Department for Energy and Climate Change will be in Barnard Castle, on November 20, to talk to people about the benefits
AN application to build residential flats for over-55s that was pulled by the developers hours before going before a council planning committee has been resubmitted with slight amendments.The proposed development of 46 flats on wasteland off Woodland
A MAN has been arrested after climbing onto the roof of a historic library close to Durham Cathedral. The police and fire brigade were rushed to Palace Green Library, in Durham, at about 4.30am this morning (Thursday, November 13) after a bag was
A TRAIN builder has officially unveiled a locomotive to be made at its North-East factory.Hitachi Rail Europe, which is moving into an £82m plant at Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, has shown off its Class 800 series.The first trains built in the region
ITV says it's focusing on improving its on-screen performance after disappointing audience figures.The broadcaster, home to shows such as Downton Abbey and Coronation Street, reported a five per cent decline in share of viewing across its family of channels
RUGBY players are hoping to cap a triumphant season with a triple haul of trophies for the second year running.The under 14s rugby squad at Carmel College, in Darlington, are looking to double up on a hat-trick of awards to emulate their success of last
PETER Mullen’s views on the latest garbage that the Prime Minister spouts is an example of what is truth and good common sense (Echo, Nov 11). I suggest Rob Merrick take note when he suggests who would make the best leader to govern the UK.
ED MILIBAND is worried about his approval ratings. Trust would improve if he showed some recognition of Labour’s past mistakes and apologised for them. Mistakes such as increasing our national debt by spending our money like there’s no tomorrow
UNLESS G Bulmer (HAS, Nov 10) offers an alternative description of hypocrisy, then Tony Benn, the arch-socialist, has been found guilty as charged, another lefty name added to shameless list of similar lefty hypocrites. Were I so financially disposed
AM just about old enough to remember when a “public consultation” was just that, not a tick-box exercise in going through the motions before carrying on with what you’d already decided. North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, the body charged
SMALL city cars are supposed to be cheeky. They're the Artful Dodgers of the motoring world. But Toyota's advertising campaign for the new Aygo - built around the phrase 'Go fun yourself' - takes 'cheeky' to new heights. I can't recall such
A PUB will honour the life of one of its regular customers with live music to raise funds for the hospital ward where he was treated in the months before he died. Ray Patterson, who appeared on the 2012 series of The X Factor, was a popular figure
By James Bolton, David Huntley, Poppy Kennedy & Karl Simmonds TRAINEE journalists have joined forces with a touring theatre group to cover the opening night of World War One play Regeneration at the Darlington Civic Theatre. Based on North-East
AN engineering consultant employing hundreds of North-East workers says it has successfully concluded an offer for all shares of a rival.Amec, which has its European engineering division headquartered in Darlington, says a deal to buy shares of Foster
WHEN Bryan Adams plays Newcastle this Sunday, an enthusiastic audience will greet him. There are two reasons for this: first, Adams is a brilliant live performer. Secondly, his current tour is a 30th anniversary celebration of his most well-received
Lizzie Anderson is spoilt for choice at the Cinnamon Club Indian Restaurant, Trimdon Village THE phrase “your eyes are bigger than your stomach” was often directed at me when I was younger. It was usually when I had greedily requested a second
VIRGIN Money has revealed its shares will be priced at 283p each when it lists on the London Stock Exchange. The firm, which bought the ‘good bank’ part of Northern Rock, will be valued at £1.25bn. Taxpayers will recoup £50m from the sale as
Conquering the falsetto voice required for the Jersey Boys has put Darlington's Matt Corner into prime position to launch the show at Sunderland, reports Steve Pratt MATT Corner has always been ambitious and aimed pretty high. “I remember saying
Steve Pratt talks to North Yorkshire director Nikolai Foster about the serious future of shows AWARD-WINNING director Nikolai Foster had been asked to take a workshop for students at a Harrogate secondary school aiming for drama training. Would
It’s been an especially turbulent 18 months for Professor Green. Andy Welch finds out why the chart-topping artist is happier to live the quiet life PROFESSOR Green is having a terrible time of it lately. Given his image as a rapid-firing rapper
COMEDIANS always used to make jokes about mother-in-laws, in the days before political correctness took over. But Robert Sugden, newly-returned to Emmerdale (ITV1), has a few unkind words to say about his future father-in-law, latest lord of the manor
STEWART Downing had been resigned to the fact his England career was over, making the Teessider all the more determined to make the most of his recall. With England boss Roy Hodgson looking at building for the future, the 30-year-old former Middlesbrough
Ben Morgan insists England must employ a mixture of brain and brawn to subdue the South African onslaught coming at Twickenham on Saturday.The Springboks have been described as "the big green machine" by Mike Catt, while prop Joe Marler assessed
JAMIE Donaldson, Sergio Garcia and Marcel Siem will have to achieve something only Rory McIlroy himself has done this season to deny the world number one a second Race to Dubai title in three years. McIlroy did not play in either of the first two
Andy Murray is looking forward to pitting his wits against Roger Federer once again at the ATP World Tour Finals. The pair will clash for a 23rd time in the final match of Group B at London's O2 Arena this evening. They are currently locked
Andy Murray is hoping to emulate coach Amelie Mauresmo after keeping his semi-final hopes alive at the ATP World Tour Finals with victory over Milos Raonic.Roger Federer's win against Kei Nishikori on Tuesday meant Murray knew he had to match that to
Novak Djokovic's status as the man to beat at the ATP World Tour Finals was enhanced by a demolition of Stan Wawrinka last night.It was the eighth successive match at the O2 Arena to be decided in straight sets but there was no shortage of quality on
AN appeal has been made to tackle the soaring number of deaths among the North-East’s bird of prey population.According to the RSPB, the region is one of the worst in the UK for bird of prey persecution.In April 2013, a dead buzzard was found on farmland
ADAM CLAYTON believes Middlesbrough’s position in the Championship promotion race won’t become clear until after Christmas. The Teessiders sit third in the table following Saturday’s stalemate with second-placed Bournemouth, in which they missed
By Mark RamsayMICK Mulhern hopes to carry on coaching despite stepping down from his role as Sunderland Ladies manager.The decision to leave The Lady Black Cats yesterday brings an end to his 15-year tenure, which has seen the side accumulate seven league
WHEN the curtain comes down on another year of European Tour golf for Graeme Storm, he will be able to reflect on 12 months of emotional lows and satisfying highs.As he heads in to what could be his last outing of the year at the lucrative $7m Turkish
FORMER Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate believes the Riverside Stadium is the ideal place for his England Under-21s to take on Germany in the run up to next summer’s European Under-21 Championships. The Football Association confirmed yesterday
HARTLEPOOL UNITED’S FA Cup second round tie against Blyth Spartans has been moved to Friday, December 5 (7:55pm kick-off) after being selected for live television broadcast on BBC2.It’s the first time Pools have been selected for live television coverage
THREE of the region’s Wildlife Trusts have teamed up with the Natural History Society of Northumbria (NHSN) and the Great North Museum to launch the 2015 North East Wildlife Photography Competition.The competition, which is also organised by Alan Hewitt
A REGISTERED sex offender gained a position of trust at a football club and ended up selling club merchandise and even helping out at a family fun day, a court heard. A judge who jailed Andrew Neil Gordon for three years branded him as 'calculating
A US billionaire is expected to visit the region in days as he bids to take control of North-East steel mills.Gary Klesch will come to the region as talks continue over a deal for Tata Steel’s European long products division, The Northern Echo understands.The
A SOLICITORS' secretary is facing jail for faking her new husband's will to pocket his £1m fortune - by cutting out his daughters. His devious wife drew up the bogus document in her office before the death of wealthy 61-year-old Darlington businessman
A CONSERVATIVE MP has been attacked by a key political ally for refusing to back aborted plans for a new £300m super-hospital in the North-East. Ken Lupton, a former Tory leader of Stockton Borough Council, accused Stockton South MP James Wharton
AN incompetent heating engineer with no gas qualifications who carried out work that could have left tenants’ lives at risk has been warned he faces jail. Keith Downie, who traded as a heating engineer under the name All Systems in the Darlington area
BALANCE , the North-East alcohol office, is challenging adults to start the New Year with a clear head by ditching booze for a month. Alcohol Concern’s Dry January campaign, regionally partnered by Balance and backed by North-East local authorities
THE Football Association of Ireland has voiced its support for former Sunderland boss and now assistant Republic of Ireland manager Roy Keane amid allegations that he was involved in an altercation at the team hotel. The FAI issued a statement
