Newcastle United’s Under-18s put up a spirited fight before crashing out of the FA Youth Cup at the hands of Chelsea this evening. In front of a remarkable crowd of 11,664 at St James’ Park, Newcastle held Chelsea, who have made the final of the
TWO women escaped injury after the car they were travelling in left the road and rolled into a field.The accident, which involved an MG car, happened in the Ripon area of North Yorkshire around 8.40am today (Monday).The pair were taken to hospital as
BRADFORD CITY, this season's FA Cup giant-killers, have been given a home tie in the last eight of the competition. After beating Sunderland on Sunday, the Bantams now face Reading. Arsenal, who beat Middlesbrough at the weekend, face a trip
A DURHAM University student is among five Britons shortlisted for a one-way trip to Mars as they hope to become the first humans to step foot on the Red Planet. Four women and a man from the UK are among the final 100 candidates for the Mars One
RUNNING care homes is no different to any other business – there are good operators and there are others who bring the industry into disrepute.Our story today about the way Matt Matharu was operating will alarm many people who have loved ones in care
DARLINGTON residents have renewed their calls for a bus station after a man was hit by a vehicle in the town centre today (Monday, February 16). The 59-year-old was struck by a bus on Tubwell Row just before noon and suffered chest and back injuries
TOWNSFOLK gathered today (Monday, February 16) to mark the anniversary of one of the North-East’s deadliest pit accidents. At exactly 3.45pm - the time the explosion tore through West Stanley Colliery on February 16, 1909 claiming 168 lives
A MOTIVATED teenager is fundraising for a month long trip in Ghana to teach young children and help build houses.Jake Timothy-Dorward is set to fly to Ghana’s capital, Accra, on May 4 and will return home on June 2. The 18-year-old, who is a keen boxer
A BUSINESSMAN whose clothing venture led to scores of complaints from customers has seen his fraud trial adjourned until October.Both sides in the case of Michael Smallman said they needed more time to make further enquiries.Mr Smallman, 51, of Castle
A TRAIN company has come bottom of the pile for having dirty toilets.Northern Rail was awarded just two out of five stars for the cleanliness of its toilets and the general condition of its trains in a survey by Which? magazine.The ratings were the joint
CREATIVE artists helped a Middlesbrough shopping centre create a huge piece of public art as part of Valentine’s Day celebrations.Hillstreet unveiled the Hillstreet He’art, an eight foot heart-shaped sculpture made up of individual jigsaw pieces that
POLICE are appealing for information to track down a man who allegedly performed sex acts near a cycle path. The incidents occurred along the Bilton to Ripley cycle path in August last year and February this year. On Thursday, August 21, 2014, between
PEOPLE are being urged to 'chuck out that chip pan' in a new safety campaign initiated by Cleveland Fire Brigade.The campaign has been planed to coincide with National Chip Week and forms part of the brigade’s month-long efforts during February to highlight
A FULL-SCALE, all-dancing pantomime production of Beauty and the Beast will be performed is coming will be performed at Billingham Forum this week.PMA Productions, who often put on shows at The Georgian Theatre in Richmond, will stage the show and using
A PET charity is appealing to owners of special pets to nominate their furry friends who deserve a medal for their achievements. Blue Cross animal charity is looking for pets worthy of its Blue Cross Medal, which celebrates all pets from assistance dogs
A SCHOOL has reinforced its green credentials by fitting two solar panel systems.Greenfield Community College, in Newton Aycliffe, hopes the panels will reduce energy costs, while educating pupils about the benefits of renewable power.Executive headteacher
JONAS GUTIERREZ could yet make an emotional final appearance for Newcastle United after a proposed return to Argentinian side Velez Sarsfield broke down. Gutierrez, who has successfully completed his recovery from testicular cancer, was given permission
POLICE are warning residents worried after a weekend spate of arsons to stay on their guard.A man arrested yesterday (Sunday, February 15) in connection with the attacks in Stanley, County Durham, has been released on police bail pending further enquiries.Officers
A PAIR of quick thinking police officers have been praised for saving the life of a young child who had turned grey as he struggled to breathe. The officers were on patrol in a Middlesbrough shopping centre on Friday, February 6 when the drama
TENS of thousands of the region’s teenagers risk losing their right to vote in the general election after a Government blunder, MPs are warning. Local authorities are failing to register “attainers” – 17-year-olds who could be adults by May 7 –
A PARCEL delivery firm employing more than 100 workers in the region owed suppliers £30m when it collapsed.City Link had a shortfall of £62.5m when it appointed administrators on Christmas Eve, and was losing about £500,000 a week.According to reports
POLICE officers on off-road motorcycles have been cracking down on anti-social riders in Darlington.Members of Durham Police’s bike section were on patrol at parks and grassed areas in the borough over the weekend and caught a number of people riding
A PATIENT group which supports people who have had abdominal surgery has been shortlisted for a national award.The Bishop Auckland Stoma Group, which works with the Durham Dales, Easington and Sedgefield Clinical Commissioning Group are finalists in the
AFTER almost 2,000 years, Hadrian’s Wall has acquired a new name following a vote by Chinese tourists.The Roman Wall is to be known by its new Mandarin name which translates into English as the “Wall of Eternity”.Tourism body VisitBritain polled the public
A FORMER nurse who was told almost 70 years ago she would live to be 99 celebrated her 100th birthday yesterday (Sunday, February 15).Ivy Potts was told her “lucky face” was a sign she would lead a long life by a door-to-door salesman in the late 1940s
A COMMUNITY radio presenter has joined an elite band of brothers after being sworn in as a Deputy Marshal of Dodge City. Sam Harris has had a memorable start to the years after the CVFM Radio presenter was also given an MBE in the Queen’s New Year
A VETERAN who credits a Help for Heroes recovery centre for turning his life around has become the first former soldier in the UK to receive a specialist archery qualification.Fred Bates, from Darlington, is a veteran of the Queens Royal Irish Hussars
THE world’s first ‘telepathic’ bank has moved closer to starting operations after signing a rental agreement with a difference. Atom Bank, which hopes to create up to 400 North-East jobs, says Durham County Council has taken 150,000 shares
MEMBERS of Darlington Indoor Bowls Club will be on hand at an open day to encourage people to take up the sport. The club, in the Morrison Centre, next to Morrisons supermarket on North Road, Darlington, will host a free open afternoon on Saturday, February
AN entrepreneur who says south Durham has played a big part in his childhood is hoping to become the area’s next MP.Christopher Adams has been selected by the Bishop Auckland Conservatives to be their candidate.He grew up in North Yorkshire, having attended
RAW sewage flowed down the streets of a village this weekend, sparking anger from residents who claim the local sewer network is not fit for purpose. Residents of Middleton St George, near Darlington, have described a terrible stench filling the
IT may not be what the doctor ordered, but we are going back to the Doctors Tunnel in Bishop Auckland. It was at the rear of Fore Bondgate and was filled with concrete in June 1981 but it is still fondly remembered as the venue of spooky childhood
AN offshore firm is cutting North-East jobs less than three years after grand plans were unveiled to employ hundreds of staff in the region. Drilling equipment firm MH Wirth is shutting its engineering offices at Preston Farm Industrial Estate, near
CENTRES in the region are among the first in the country to take part in the national roll out of the Government’s new Universal Credit, which began today (Monday, February 16).Universal Credit, designed to get people into work more quickly and making
A POPULAR Dales music and arts festival is this year focusing on the celebration of the human voice – with more choirs, soloists and speakers than ever before.The Swaledale Festival, which takes place from May 23 to June 6, has an emphasis on classical
A NEW feature on The Northern Echo website will showcasing the best photos of the week. Week in Pictures will tell the story of life in the North-East through the eyes of our award-winning photographers. Click here to view last week's selection
A ROMANTIC Durham dad swept his girlfriend off her feet this Valentine’s Day with a theatrical proposal of her dreams.Chris Laverick, 26, planned a secret proposal with the help of staff at Newcastle Theatre Royal the Theatre and a team of friends rushing
THE regeneration of one of the most historic parts of Darlington has taken a step forward with plans for a cycle path along the River Skerne. The Skerne Bridge, the oldest working railway bridge in the world and a Scheduled Monument, will form the centrepiece
AMATEUR boxers are to battle it out at the England Boxing Youth Championship finals for a chance to join the Great Britain squad. Young fighters aged between 16 and 18 are to compete at the Ferryhill Community Hub, in Ferryhill, County Durham,
A GREEN group is hoping to plot a map of all the allotments in County Durham to help gardeners find their nearest site.Transition Durham hopes to collect and share information about the county’s allotments as part of a project to increase the number of
A HI-TECH robot is helping to ensure patients at a North East get their medicines quickly and efficiently.The state-of-the-art automated system, based in James Cook University Hospital’s main pharmacy, dispenses and labels a required drug in just seven
AMBULANCE bosses have decided to take board meetings on the road in a bid to allow more people to attend meetings.Up until now, the North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) monthly board meetings, which are open to members of the public, have been held at
PLANS have been submitted for new changing facilities at a popular cricket club.Bishop Auckland Cricket Club received a Sport England grant for more than £53,000 last year after submitting an application to help fund improved changing rooms and a modernised
HISTORIC artefacts which inspired a children’s television show have gone on show to the public.The producers of the TV show Teacup Travels, now being screened on CBeebies, worked with the Oriental Museum in Durham to find artefacts to inspire the series
NISSAN says a North-East made vehicle fuelled stronger sales in January. The Sunderland-based firm revealed European sales hit 57,332 last month, which was higher than the 48,560 recorded in the same period last year. The figures included 19,985
THE family of marathon runner Jane Tomlinson said more than £7.6m has been raised in her name since her death from cancer.The mother-of-threeJane raised more than £1.8m herself by tackling endurance challenges in Britain and abroad, including the New
STUDENTS have been learning about a condition that affected some of the world’s most brilliant minds, including Albert Einstein and Bill Gates.Year 7 and Year 10 groups at The King’s Academy, Coulby Newham, spent the day with Michael Barton, a national
A WOMAN was punched in the face by a stranger as she walked along a track.Police are appealing for witnesses to the assault which happened on the track behind Whinside in Stanley on Thursday (Feb 12) lunchtime.The 26-year-old woman was walking along the
FAMILIES enjoyed homemade cake, coffee and Harry Potter-based activities at Catterick Garrison Library to celebrate National Libraries Day on Saturday, February 7.Children took part in crafts and a treasure hunt for objects that featured in the Harry
A CARE home boss was condemned as a remorseless penny-pincher as he was jailed for the death of an elderly resident. Judge Michael Taylor told Matt Matharu that his "reckless disregard" for health and safety was to blame for the 90-year-old's death
PEOPLE working in Richmondshire have only a few days left if they wish to be considered for a home on a new affordable housing development in the town. Broadacres, in partnership with Richmondshire District Council, is about to complete work on
A 25-YEAR-OLD man was helped from the shallows of the River Wear in Durham by police officers at the weekend.A police spokesman said officers received call from distressed male at 1am yesterday (Sunday, February 16).He added: “Officers officers attended
YOUNG cellists are being given the chance to take part in a mini-masterclass with internationally respected musician Julian Lloyd Webber.Two young musicians will get the chance to learn from Mr Lloyd Webber when he visits Darlington Civic Theatre next
SWIMMERS are being invited to take part in a charity challenge.The Belle Vue Swim Centre in Consett is taking part in the annual Swimathon 2015 challenge for the Marie Curie cancer charity.Held over the weekend of April 17 to 19, thousands of swimmers
MEMBERS of the public are being asked for their views on a new park in Nunthorpe.Senior Middlesbrough councillors will attend the latest consultation event on the proposals tomorrow (Tuesday February 17), and are urging local people to have their say.Three
A 17-year-old student from North Yorkshire, who already has an impressive record in the junior military, is forging a new career in the high-speed world of car rallying, writes Larry Carter. Georgina Smith, from Northallerton, is currently studying
TWO teams of youngsters from North Yorkshire have been praised for their public-spirited work at a national awards ceremony.Fresh from their success at the local police Lifestyle 2014 Awards, both the Bogus Babes and the Colburn Creators have been commended
A BUSY Post Office is to undergo a major renovation scheme to allow it to open seven days a week. The Yarm Road Post Office, within the One Stop store, will close at 5.30pm on Monday, March 9 and reopen to the public at 1pm on Thursday, March 12.The modernised
MINISTRY of Defence vehicle repair workers hailing a pay rise after days of strike action have received no more than what they were ever offered, company bosses have said. Staff at Defence Support Group (DSG), which has a base in Catterick Garrison
A CHURCH charity shop is celebrating its anniversary after raising £3,000 in its first year.The Northland Methodist Community Charity Shop was officially opened by The Northern Echo’s editor Peter Barron last February. Its aim was to raise funds for the
ONE of the nice things about being in the editor’s chair is that you get the chance to respond to pleas for help. A couple of weeks ago, I received a letter from Mrs Audrey Watson, of Peterlee. It was a heartfelt plea for help from a devoted mum
THE CBI has upgraded its forecast for economic growth this year amid low oil prices and falling inflation.Britain is now expected to grow by 2.7 per cent in 2015, up from a previous projection of 2.5 per cent, according to the business group.The CBI cited
HARRY MEAD congratulates Prince Charles on the latter’s discovery that “violent Islam” poses a danger in the UK (Echo, Feb 11). Well done Charlie but what took him so long? Anyone who has studied the history of Islam knows that violent Jihad
Darlington stay top of the table thanks to a 5-1 at play-off chasing Harrogate RA with Terry Galbraith the star of the show. He grabbed his first ever hat-trick, all of his goals coming in the second half, with the others scorers being Nelson Mota
REAL wages have fallen by more than £1,600 in the North-East and £2,300 in Yorkshire since 2010, says a leading union. According to new analysis published by the TUC today (Monday, February 16) average pay has dropped by 6.3 per cent in the North-East
JOHN CARVER has been backed to lead Newcastle United in to the Premier League’s top ten despite fans’ reservations about his appointment at St James’ Park. After a few days off the Magpies squad are focused on this weekend’s trip to Manchester
THE polls predict that Labour will lose quite a few seats in Scotland at the General Election. Afterwards, the Scottish Nationalists may well hold the national balance of power and they may well ally to Labour with Ed Miliband as Prime Minister
Goals: 1-0: Giroud (27, moved away from his marker to turn in Gibbs’ low centre from eight yards) 2-0: Giroud (29, left Friend to meet Sanchez’s corner with a cushioned first time volley) Bookings: Gabriel (55, foul); Vossen (85, foul
AITOR KARANKA was left puzzled by a costly first half display which led to an FA Cup exit at the Emirates Stadium last night and immediately challenged his players to make sure Middlesbrough return there next season. Two goals in two first half
Full-time: Arsenal 2 Middlesbrough 0 THIS was an afternoon when Middlesbrough, after memorably dumping the Premier League champions out in the fourth round, were no match for the reigning FA Cup winners as chants of ‘Wembley’ echoed around the
CARL Nielsen’s Clarinet Concerto was aimed at portraying the character of its dedicatee Aage Oxenvad, who could by all accounts be quite cantankerous. When the clarinettist first saw the score he remarked how the composer had managed to find the
FORMER Remploy worker Graeme Watson has been inundated with job offers after sharing his heartrending plight last week. The disabled 46-year-old was a dedicated and loyal worker who barely missed a day’s work in the 27 years of employment at Spennymoor's
Full-time: Darlington Mowden Park 27 Tynedale 18 WHILE Mowden Park bed in their new signings and look ahead with confidence to a second season in National One, Tynedale look doomed to suffer their first relegation. They defended stoically to
A MOTHER who helped save her daughter and other children from a coach minutes before it exploded has told how she finally broke down in tears when she arrived home. Kayleigh Wilkinson, 27, returned to Stockton with her daughter, Amelie-Jayde, aged
A YOUNG mother has told how she had to “literally throw” children from a coach which exploded minutes in a major French motorway smash. Kayleigh Wilkinson, her four-year-old daughter Amelie-Jayde and sister Sarah Dailey were among dozens of young
MORPETH Harriers turned in a record-breaking performance to regain the coveted Royal Signals Trophy in the North-East Six-Stage Road Relay Championships at Hetton Lyons Country Park.The Northumbrians, who won the North of England cross country relays
A MOTOR mechanic struggling to keep his business afloat dangerously bypassed the electric meter to obtain £20,000 worth of power, a court heard. Michael Grief, now living in Darlington, was found to have abstracted electricity on three visits by
A BOOK awarded to a schoolboy way back in 1871 has been returned after a global voyage spanning 144 years – only to be received by the descendent of the headmaster who first presented it.The leather-bound boys’ adventure book, 'In the Wilds of Africa'
Full-time: Harrogate RA 1 Darlington 5 Focus was expected to be on Nathan Cartman and his reunion with his former Harrogate RA team-mates, the Darlington striker playing against the club for whom he scored 36 goals this season before leaving last
GUS POYET last night insisted he had “no regrets” about Sunderland’s humiliating FA Cup defeat to Bradford City, and blamed the media for damaging his relationship with the club’s fans. On a calamitous afternoon that ended with Sunderland’s players
AN unremarkable wall once damaged by a clumsy builder has been revealed as a key part of the region’s rail heritage. Although many in the village of Middleton St George knew the history of the short stretch of brick wall on the outskirts of the
AN eight-year-old from the region is thought to have set the world record for her age for running five kilometres. Gabrielle Hall, from Stockton-on-Tees, ran Middlesbrough's Stewart Park's parkrun in just 20 minutes 30 seconds. Her time in
Goals 0-1: Martin (37, in behind Duckworth after ball sailed over defender’s head to finish) 1-1: Fenwick (48, close range strike in the area after taking possession) 1-2: Kennedy (53, free header from ten yards, unmarked after Fenwick
AN ovine identity parade is to be staged to allow members of an accused farming family to pinpoint sheep they claim to own. Members of the Raine family, who have farm holdings between Brough and Bowes, in County Durham, are to attend the inspection
HOSPITAL bosses have revealed that a £4.3m new purpose-built urgent care centre is unlikely to be ready until the end of next year. When it opens at the end of 2016 the new facilities at Darlington Memorial Hospital will mean patients will be able
POP legends Madness are set to play at the home of Durham County Cricket Club on a 19-date tour of sporting venues.The band, who have had 15 top ten UK hits and and a number one, famously performed on the roof of Buckingham Palace during the Queen’s Jubilee
DISCOUNT retailer Aldi is creating North-East jobs in a new store. The firm is opening a shop in Billingham, near Stockton, which it says will deliver about 30 posts. Aldi previously drew up plans for the outlet, and developer St Modwen says
A LABOUR MP says Prime Minister David Cameron’s pledge to spend £50m to ensure all trains are fitted with free wi-fi will only benefit the South-East. Tom Blenkinsop, who represents Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, said the plan to ensure
A COMMUNITY is joining forces to convince the council to allow a footpath that would ease access to the village church.Residents of Witton-Le-Wear, near Crook, want to lay an all-weather footpath just off High Street that would allow visitors to get up
A LAND deal has cleared the way for work to begin on a multi-million pound project that could eventually bring 81 homes and a new community centre to a village.Durham Villages Regeneration Company (DVRC) has taken over the site off Front Street, Sherburn
MORE than a million households in the North-East and Yorkshire are missing out on savings by sticking with their energy company.The Department of Energy and Climate Change estimates that in the North-East, 600,000 households are missing out on their share
