Ashington are looking for a new manager following the resignation of Gary Middleton after six seasons in charge. Middleton and assistant Perry Briggs decided to quit after Ashington were beaten 5-2 at Billingham Synthonia last Saturday. Briggs
Harrogate RA 5 Spennymoor Town 1. Spennymoor never recovered from a three goal blast in the first 16 minutes as they went out of the Doodson Sport Cup at Harrogate RA last night. Harrogate took the lead against a second string Moors on 6 minutes
MUSTAPHA Carayol made his long-awaited comeback from an injury lay-off for Middlesbrough’s Under-21s.The speedy winger, playing his first game since appearing at Bournemouth ten months ago, came through 58 minutes of Boro’s 3-0 defeat at Brighton, which
SUNDERLAND RESERVES recorded one of their best results of the season as Mikael Mandron’s second-half strike secured a 1-0 win over Manchester City. Mandron struck five minutes after the interval at Eppleton as a Sunderland development side that
A FORMER nightclub which once hosted stars such as Take That and Ant and Dec has been bought by Stockton Council.Glam nightclub on Stockton High Street, formerly known as The Mall, Visage and then Zanzibar, which closed down two years ago, has been purchased
THE Church of England took an important step today when the Reverend Libby Lane was consecrated as its first female Bishop in an historic ceremony at York Minster. Indeed, it is hard to believe that it has taken until 2015 for the Church to finally
A FLORAL light installation will ensure January is anything but blue in two North-East towns.Greenfield Community College launched Winter in Bloom at its campuses in Newton Aycliffe and Shildon in County Durham this evening (Monday, January 26) to bring
OPPONENTS of fracking claimed victory after the Government agreed tough new protections to head off a major revolt by Tory MPs. Ministers sprang a surprise by caving in to Labour demands for 13 new environmental safeguards, including site-by-site
MIDDLESBROUGH’S reward for last weekend’s FA Cup victory over Manchester City is a trip to Arsenal in the fifth round of the competition. Having already played at Anfield and the Etihad Stadium this season, Boro will head to the Emirates on the
NEW research shows that the East Coast Main Line (ECML) has received a fraction of the investment of its West Coast counterpart, prompting claims the line has become the "Cinderella" of the rail network.Civic leaders have called on the current
A TEENAGE athlete who dreams of running in the Olympics is hoping to represent Great Britain at the World Youth Championships in Colombia.Markhim Lonsdale, of Crook, trains six times a week with Crook and District Athletics Club and travels around the
PARENTS, pupils and teachers have rallied in support of their closure-threatened Christian academy, staging a ‘save our school’ protest and firmly rejecting claims of rife racism, sexism and homophobia. Dozens of parents, children and staff at
A WOMAN has complained after a 999 operator asked her to investigate an explosion.In the early hours of Sunday, January 25 residents of Parkside in Darlington were woken up by a “loud explosion”.One resident’s van was left smoking from the engine after
A UNIVERSITY will “leave no stone unturned” to keep students safe following its third river death in just over a year. Police today (Monday, January 26) confirmed the body recovered from the River Wear on Friday was that of Durham University law
AN award-winning auditorium is to open its doors next week to one of the leading professional orchestras in the North East.Royal Northern Sinfonia, orchestra of Sage Gateshead, and the UK’s only full-time chamber orchestra and the leading professional
POLICE have defended their decision not to use divers in the search for missing student Euan Coulthard. The 19-year-old's body was found in the River Wear in Durham City on Friday by commercial diver Trevor Bankhead. Mr Bankhead found the student
A MAN classed as a potential danger to the public by a judge was given a ten-and-a-half year prison sentence for an apparently unprovoked knife assault. Dean Williams carried out the attack on a fellow resident at the Changing Lives hostel, run
BOSSES of a social enterpise which encourages people to enjoy the countryside on horseback have told of their shock after hackers claiming to be Islamic militants closed its website.Ride Yorkshire, which runs riding trips in the Yorkshire Dales and North
A TWO million pound plan has been unveiled to see a burnt out school once attended by Stan Laurel turned into offices.The South Durham Enterprise Agency has joined forces with Durham County Council in an attempt to secure a future for the former King
A HOUSE fire which killed a pensioner probably started accidentally, a fire brigade investigation found. Fire crews put out a blaze in the living room of a dormer bungalow on Barningham Road, Newsham, near Richmond, at 10.30am on Saturday (January
THE Met Office has issued a severe weather warning for snow later this week. People have been warned to take extra care as cold weather, strong winds and snow sweep across the country. Snow joke - click here for winter weather images from
Darlington Supporters Club are accepting bookings from fans wishing to travel to Quakers' game at second-placed Salford City on Saturday. Due to demand the club have arranged an extra coach to take fans to the match against one of Quakers’ promotion
A NEW community association will help residents brush up their computer skills, get out and about and voice concerns on the issues that matter.We Are Simpasture People Speaking (Wasps) residents’ association has received £7,000 of funding from the Big
TEESSIDE artist Mackenzie Thorpe is lending his creative talents to support a charity campaign to raise awareness of heart disease.The Middlesbrough-born and world-renowned artist has joined forces with the British Heart Foundation’s ‘Wear It, Beat It
POLICE are appealing for witnesses to a collision on the A1085 Trunk Road westbound at Brambles Farm in Middlesbrough.A Mercedes E270 collided with a traffic island and two lamp posts before turning on its side at about 11.10pm on Saturday, January 24
DURHAM Tees Valley Airport has rejected a passenger's claims that users are now faced with a total lack of facilities - despite paying a £6 airport levy.Oil and gas industry consultant Les Fawcett described the airport as the most ill-equipped he had
A GRASS airstrip is set to become the focus of a fourth public inquiry in as many years after a council launched enforcement action to limit the size of aircraft using the airfield.Pilots at Bagby Airfield, near Thirsk, which is used by hobby pilots,
PETERLEE Leisure Centre is bringing back its fun-filled activity camps this half term, due to popular demand. The holiday camps will provide an opportunity for children to take part in fun-filled activities and keep fit at the same time. The leisure
A PAINTER and decorator who slashed a love rival with a machete as he slept has been branded a coward by his victim after being found guilty of attempted murder. Gary Johnson carried out a frenzied attack on 26-year-old Christopher Spinks as
A COUNTY councillor says he is serious about his £25,000 bid to buy a former local authority-run care home which closed despite a high profile campaign by protestors.John Shuttleworth said he hoped the written offer would force Durham County Council to
MICKEY the three-legged mouse is still going strong thanks to the expertise of North-East vets – three years after having a limb amputated when he was run over by a wheelie bin. Mickey came to grief when Debra Tuck of Seaham, Count Durham, accidentally
A MAN was left with a broken eye socket and misaligned jaw after being attacked at a concert venue in Middlesbrough.The 36-year-old was assaulted at the top of the stairs in TFM Soundworks, Linthorpe Road on Saturday, January 17, by a number of people
YOUNG athletes from Teesdale School, in Barnard Castle, braved the elements last weekend (January 17) to take part in the County Cross Country Championships.Eight students represented the school at the event, based in Meadowfield, ahead of the All England
YOUNG farmer Sam Leng is about to take the next step in his fledgling career – with the help of a sheepdog called Ella. The agricultural apprentice’s new canine companion is a fully-trained former trials sheepdog who is now giving him a helping
A COUNCILLOR has urged residents to report owners of lurcher dogs to the police following an ‘intimidating’ incident in his ward. Councillor Gerald Lee, ward councillor for Heighington and Coniscliffe, recently expressed his concerns about lurcher
TWO women have gone on trial for alleged animal welfare offences after horses in their care were found suffering from rain scold and lice.Pamela Brown, 60 has denied four offences of failing to ensure an animal’s welfare and two charges of causing unnecessary
POLICE were called to a secondary school after two men scuffled with pupils and threatened staff on the playing fields.The incident, which was over within minutes, saw a 24-year-old man and 16-year-old youth scale a fence to enter Woodham Academy in Newton
CONCERNS have been raised over motorists speeding on a busy Darlington road which became the scene of two crashes within 24 hours.The accidents happened last week on Longfield Road and one of the drivers involved had to be taken to hospital for treatment
PLANS have been submitted for a multi-million pound historical leisure park in the North-EastThe park, which will be set in the shadow of Auckland Castle, in Bishop Auckland, hopes to attract up to 800,000 visitors a year and provide a major boost for
A COMMUNITY speed watch campaign spotted seven drivers exceeding the limit during a two hour period.Officers from Gresham Neighbourhood Policing Team carried out the high profile initiative on Parliament Road, Middlesbrough, between 9am and 11am.The officers
TWO linked projects which could create up to 80 jobs have received a cash boost in a bid to regenerate coastal communities.The creation of a catering academy and the restoration of the walled gardens at the Kirkleatham Estate in Redcar are set to become
FOUR North-East Labour MPs have urged Ed Miliband to swing to the Left and rip up his “tragic” commitment to further deep spending cuts. Grahame Morris (Easington), Ian Mearns (Gateshead), Dave Anderson (Blaydon) and Ian Lavery (Wansbeck) are among
PUPILS have celebrated the official opening of their improved playground following an ambitious year-long project.The playground, including a tunnel climber, trapeze rings and a rope climber and clatter bridge, was created at South Stanley Infants School
RESIDENTS of a North Yorkshire market town are drawing up their own Neighbourhood Plan in a bid to have more control over who builds what and where in their community. Over the last couple of years, Stokesley has been the focus of a number of planning
PLANS have been unveiled for a new annual community carnival in West Auckland. Greg Robinson, chairman of West Auckland Community Partnership, is spearheading the campaign for the new event in an effort to boost community spirit in the village.
TWO teenagers enjoyed a date with royalty when they attended a Duke of Edinburgh presentation ceremony in London.Emma Partridge and Kara Ward, of Newton Aycliffe, attended St James’s Palace this month to receive their Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award.The
VOLUNTEERS have helped plant trees along the banks of a stream to help local wildlife.A total of 70 trees were planted alongside Newhouse Burn, a small stream near Lanchester, to provide new habitats for wildlife and an improved food source for fish.Late
THE next Mr Darlington will have to wrest the title from its current holder – the town’s mayor, Councillor Gerald Lee. The coveted title will be up for grabs in May at a bodybuilding competition at the town's Dolphin Centre. While Cllr Lee
VILLAGERS whose church hall was destroyed by fire last year can see designs for a £500,000 replacement this weekend.Supporters were left devastated after St John’s Church hall, in Meadowfield, near Durham, was ruined in a suspected arson attack last March.Plans
AN AMATEUR dramatics group returns to the stage this weekend (Sunday, February 1).Members of Durham Dramatic Society will present Entertaining Angels at the City Theatre, off Fowlers Yard, Durham City, from February 1 to 7.The Richard Everett play, premiered
FOUR men have been released on police bail following their arrest on suspicion of attempted murder after a man was violently assaulted in Hartlepool.The men, three in their 30s and one in his 40s, were arrested on Sunday morning when a 33-year-old suffered
COASTAL communities along the North York Moors are set to benefit from £455,000 of funding.The cash is expected to support at least 100 businesses and create 80 indirect jobs along the coastline between Saltburn and Cloughton.The garn t has been secured
PRAISE has poured in for a diver who brought missing student Euan Coulthard home to his family.Commercial diver Trevor Bankhead travelled from Scotland to Durham to carry out an underwater search for the teenager who had been missing for more than a week.Within
DARLINGTON residents with autism and learning difficulties are being offered support in registering to vote ahead of the general election. Dimensions, a national not-for-profit care provider, is opening up its Darlington office for the people it
A MUSIC teacher is taking time out from inspiring youngsters in Darlington to impress judges on a major talent show.Howard Rose left judges on The Voice spinning in their chairs with his take on classic rock song My Generation.Mr Rose, a teacher with
MORE than 100 cathedral supporters have completed essential training.Durham Cathedral workers and volunteers have taken part in sessions on health and safety, conflict management and customer service.The courses were run by City and Guilds at Newcastle
SUNDERLAND LADIES have been handed a daunting start to life in the top-flight of the Women’s Super League as they will travel to reigning champions Liverpool for their opening fixture of the new season. The Lady Black Cats won promotion from WSL
SEB LARSSON admits Sunderland underperformed dramatically in Saturday’s goalless draw with Fulham, but claims the only saving grace from another disappointing afternoon at the Stadium of Light is that the club’s FA Cup run continues.On a day that saw
CAMPAIGNERS fighting to secure tax free status for a former leisure centre are celebrating after an Ombudsman backed their case against a county council.Ferryhill Community Partnership took over the running of Ferryhill Hub, the former leisure centre
POLICE are hunting a red-haired woman who they believe was involved in a fight at a Middlesbrough nightclub.The woman, described as short, with dyed red hair and wearing a black dress, was involved in the incident at about 3am on Saturday, January 10
NEWCASTLE UNITED have confirmed John Carver's appointment as head coach until the end of the season. Having spent the last month searching for Alan Pardew's permanent successor at St James' Park, the Magpies hierarchy have instead opted to install
BEDALE’S Daniel Brown has edged a step closer to appearing in this year’s Walker Cup team.Brown was named on an initial 20-man Great Britain & Ireland squad by The R&A so that captain Nigel Edwards can keep an eye on them as preparations build up towards
Royal Northern Sinfonia’s latest concert at Sage Gateshead was directed by violinist Kyra Humphreys, who opened proceedings with a magnificently moulded rendition of Barber’s Adagio for Strings before taking to the podium to perform Mozart’s Violin
THE region will benefit from a £1.5m special award from the Northern Rock Foundation as part of its final programme of work in 2015.Grants of £375,000 will go to each of the region’s four community foundations in the North East and Cumbria, meaning that
AER Lingus is considering a sweetened £1bn takeover offer from British Airways' owner.The Dublin-based carrier's board is expected to back the latest proposal from International Airlines Group (IAG), which values Aer Lingus at £1.01bn.As well as a recommendation
A BODY recovered from the River Wear in Durham city on Friday has now been formally identified as that of Durham University student Euan Coulthard. Police say there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the student's death. Diver
A NEW initiative is being launched with the aim of offering support and advice for people whose lives are affected by dementia.The new “memory café” will be held on Mondays at Malton library between 2pm and 4pm with the first to be held next week on
ENERGY supplier SSE is reducing household gas prices by 4.1 per cent on April 30 before extending its energy price freeze until at least July 2016. The move is the latest cut by one of the UK's Big Six energy firms, although SSE's reduction will
THE Co-operative is investing £325,000 in a revamp of their Northallerton store which they say will turn it into a hub for the local community.The store in Boroughbridge Road will have an extended bakery, focusing on meal ideas, essentials and healthy
CLASSROOMS don’t always have to be quiet places – as youngsters at one Northallerton school have been proving.For learning proved to be right on the beat for a group of students studying the art of drumming.Young teenagers at the Allertonshire School
BOSSES at a waste-to-energy factory have invited unions for talks to ease a row over alleged poor working conditions.Sita Sembcorp UK says it wants to meet officials face-to-face after claims of unrest over the wage rates and safety of more than 300 construction
IN what would be the biggest corporate lay-off ever, IBM is set to axe more than 111,000 of its staff this week.Dubbed Project Chrome internally at IBM, the process will see 26 per cent of the IT company's workforce laid off in one fell swoop, meaning
The Church of England's first female bishop has been consecrated in a historic service which was disrupted by a lone protester. The Reverend Libby Lane, who was trained in Durham, was ordained as the eighth Bishop of Stockport during a service
A CATERING equipment supplier, which works with restaurants across the North, is expanding as it marks its 25th anniversary. Crosbys has moved to an 18,000sq ft warehouse, complete with larger offices and showroom space. The firm supplies items
Chris Lloyd is to launch his new book on the history of Darlington on Saturday, February 21, 2015, in Darlington library with a free, illustrated talk. The book is called Darlington in 100 Dates and contains a selection of favourite historical stories
THE A19 was closed for several hours this morning after a collision between a heavy goods vehicle and a Mercedes Sprinters van in the early hours. Cleveland Police has thanked motorists for their patience during the closure of the A19 northbound
SPORTS Direct founder Mike Ashley said that he does not propose to make a bid for Debenhams after he increased his financial interest in the retailer. The Sports Direct chain controlled by the billionaire owner of Newcastle United said it had agreed
A ZOO is offering jilted lovers the chance to adopt a cockroach or scorpion in the name of a former partner. San Francisco Zoo is receiving bids of up to $1,000 to name the creepy-crawlies. A zoo spokesman said: "Nothing says 'I've moved on' like
EIGHTY jobs could be lost at two businesses.Redundancies are looming at York sister firms Portasilo and Portastor, which employ about 250 staff.A spokesman said the businesses, which are part of the family-run construction company Shepherd Group, were
A NORTH-EAST hotel has been voted one of the best in the country – and the best in the North of England. Five star Seaham Hall in County Durham was the only hotel in the region to be included in the annual TripAdvisor Top 25 Luxury Hotels Travellers
CHILDREN are to get the chance to take part in a fun workshop as part of National Storytelling Week.Peter Barron, Editor of The Northern Echo and children's author, will be at Crown Street Library in Darlington between 10.30am and 11.30am this Saturday.The
A HALT on fracking plans are needed amid concerns over local environmental risks and climate change, a committee of MPs has demanded.The cross-party Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) warned extensive production of unconventional shale gas, which is
US investors have agreed a £680m deal for the Jurys Inn hotel group. The business, which has four hotels in London, another 21 across the UK, five in Ireland and one in Prague, has been sold by a group of investors less than two years after restructuring
Ossett Albion 0 Darlington 2 “It’s just another game,” is how Martin Gray refers to this Saturday’s trip to Salford City, attempting to downplay the importance of the top-of-the-table fixture. It’s not. It’s a match that could prove pivotal
RONNIE MOORE admits he was humbled by the response afforded to him on his return to Tranmere. The Hartlepool United boss was back at Prenton Park for the first time since he was axed towards the end of last season amid FA charges related to betting irregularities.He
THREE goals in five starts as a professional footballer, Scott Fenwick is laying down firm foundations as a professional footballer.But it remains to be seen if Hartlepool United are on solid ground on and off the pitch.It’s not that long ago he was playing
MESSIAEN’S masterpiece La Nativite du Seignur is a firm favourite of organists and audiences alike. Cathedral sub-organist Francesca Massey, performing at Durham Cathedral’s organ recital series, gave a refined performance that took nothing for
SUNDERLAND 0 FULHAM 0WHEN Jermain Defoe was negotiating his move to Sunderland, he pushed hard to ensure he was able to sign a three-and-a-half year deal. After his home debut for the Black Cats at the weekend, he must already regret having adopted such
DARLINGTON MOWDEN PARK maintained their 100 per cent start to 2015 as they edged out mid-table rivals Esher in a game that exploded into life in the second half at The Northern Echo Arena.Mowden ran out 30-22 winners in a game that saw all six tries come
SEB LARSSON admits Sunderland underperformed dramatically in Saturday’s goalless draw with Fulham, but claims the only saving grace from another disappointing afternoon at the Stadium of Light is that the club’s FA Cup run continues. On a day that
Sunderland 0 Fulham 0 WHEN Jermain Defoe was negotiating his move to Sunderland, he pushed hard to ensure he was able to sign a three-and-a-half year deal. After his home debut for the Black Cats at the weekend, he must already regret having adopted
THE body of missing Durham University student Euan Coulthard was found by a professional diver who travelled from Scotland to bring closure to the family, it has emerged. Trevor Bankhead said he discovered the body within seconds of entering the
JOHN CARVER expects to be in charge for Newcastle United’s return to Premier League action at Hull City as the search for a new head coach looks set to carry on until the summer.After failing to win any of his opening four matches as caretaker boss, Carver
PATRICK BAMFORD thinks Aitor Karanka has shown the managerial traits of Jose Mourinho after masterminding Middlesbrough’s heroic FA Cup victory over Premier League champions Manchester City.Boro displayed top tier class all over the pitch to clinch a
FOR a club eyeing up a return to the Premier League this season, Middlesbrough delivered a Champions League performance. Manchester City could be crowned the best team in Europe come May, yet this was the day they were no match for brilliant Boro.The
THE CAPTAIN’S too hungover to play, the goalie’s been fielded for the first time ever and Sean’s so muddy that his mam won’t let him back in the house – a typical Sunday League match for the Darlington side dubbed the country’s worst football team.“I
THE number of legal claims made by drivers against the region's councils for damage caused to their vehicles by potholes almost halved last year - but the amount paid out remained almost the same, new figures have revealed.The region's authorities dealt
A GROUP of MPs will today (Monday, Jan 26) launch a twin-pronged bid to slam the brakes on fracking for shale gas – warning of the threat to “water supplies, air quality and public health”. A report by an all-party Commons select committee calls
AN independent estate agent has expanded its North-East presence with another branch.Venture Properties has moved into Bishop Auckland, which it says will complement existing bases in Durham City, Chester-le-Street and Darlington.The firm also has sites
A RENOWNED subsea firm is being forced to shed a third of staff as it battles industry challenges, The Northern Echo can reveal. DeepOcean UK says more than 40 of its 136-strong North-East workforce face losing their jobs. The company, which
FORMER North-East steelworkers who have suffered serious health problems through exposure to toxic gases and chemicals are set to launch a landmark legal bid for compensation. The law firm which won payouts for 19 children born with deformities
STEELWORKERS and their families who have campaigned for justice for men who have suffered from industrial diseases say legal action is ‘long overdue’. A law firm based in Watford is launching a group claim on behalf of hundreds of steel men from around
COASTAL communities in the North-East are to benefit from a share of £36m of Government cash to improve facilities for visitors.Seaside resorts around the region are being upgraded with the money being made available by the Coastal Communities Fund.Seaham
A NATIONWIDE campaign to raise awareness of the link between persistent heartburn and cancer is launched today (Monday, September 26) after a North-East pilot scheme led to a large increase in urgent referrals for suspected cancer.The Be Clear On Cancer
