Parts of the North-East have the highest rates of young people not in education, work or training, new figures show. Stockton Borough Council had the highest percentage of 16-18 year-olds Neet - not in education, employment and training - according
SOLICITORS for a dog breeder have been given two weeks to provide evidence that his American bulldogs are not dangerous – as the police bill for keeping them continues to mount. Stephen Potts, who had an arm amputated after himself being attacked
Darlington 1 York City XI 1DARLINGTON captain Gary Brown marked his first appearance since going on the transfer list by scoring in last night’s 1-1 draw with York City.He wishes to leave for family reasons, but as yet none of the offers from clubs interested
FAMILY and friends of a 12-year-old girl still battling the affects of a brain tumour which was removed two years ago are raising funds for a wheelchair to give her greater independence.Amy Stockill from Sedgefield, County Durham, was diagnosed with a
YOU really couldn’t make it up. No, honestly, you couldn't. One of the most high-ranking members of the House of Lords – the figure charged with enforcing standards and conduct in the Lords, no less – appears on the front of a national tabloid
A FORMER soldier today (Monday, July 27) described how a car accident triggered memories of an IRA bomb blast he survived. David Sutherland has admitted fraudulently claiming more than £85,000 in benefits since his medical discharge from the Army
AN MP is seeking the views of more than 70 charities over the future of the voluntary and community sector following a report predicting a £4.6bn funding gap over the next five years.Sedgefield MP Phil Wilson is conducting a survey of charities and community
A CINEMA is to be dismantled brick-by-brick and moved to a new home as a museum piece.The former Grand Electric Cinema in Ryhope is to be rebuilt at Beamish as the centrepiece of the museum’s new 1950s town.The pit village picture house was built in 1912
A 68-year-old man was fined £500 and had a sexual harm prevention order imposed by magistrates after he admitted possessing indecent images of children.Retired John Henderson of Ashtree Close, Bedale, admitted having the images when he appeared at Northallerton
A DISUSED former care home could be demolished to make way for new housing.Cash-strapped Durham County Council agreed to close Cheveley House, in Belmont, Durham along with four other residential homes last April in an effort to cut costs. However, elderly
A COUNCIL has defended the £45,000 sale of a Grade II listed building.Hetton House, in Hetton-le-Hole, Houghton-le-Spring, which is thought to date back to the middle of the 18th century, was previously used as council offices but fell into disuse after
MAGISTRATES have agreed to continue a court order giving the police new powers to stop a HIV positive man carrying out threats to infect others. North Yorkshire police are understood to be one of the first forces in the country to use the new powers
THREE men have today (Monday, July 27) appeared at Durham Crown Court accused of robbery after an alleged car-jacking from a 91-year-old man.The pensioner had driven onto the driveway of his home in Eden View, Shotton Colliery, County Durham, when he
A CAR dealer has donated a new vehicle to be raffled off by the region’s air ambulance service.The Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) is giving one lucky ticket-holder the chance to win a VW Move up! worth £9,295, after it was handed over by the
SHEEP have been killed, injured and have gone missing in a field near Fylands Bridge in Bishop Auckland. The farmer, who does not wish to be named, reported four sheep had been injured to police just before 11am on July 19. Two of them had to put
ROADWORKS to improve safety at an accident blackspot in Bishop Auckland will begin soon.Eldon crossroads, at the junction between Eldon’s Main Road, Eldon Bank and Close House, will undergo major safety enhancements, including improved signage and road
A PET dog has become an internet sensation because of his ability to solve mathematical problems. Cooper, the Shih Tzu, who lives with owner Kirtsy Forrester, in Lytham St Annes, in Lancashire, is said to be more advanced with numbers than an average
A TEENAGER accused of plotting mass murder at his former college told a jury he amassed a kill bag of deadly weapons in his bedroom because it was "Halloween and everyone was buying costumes". Liam Lyburd, 19, said he was an internet troll and
A CHARITY is boxing clever with its latest initiative to counter stress among young people who have to care for a loved one. They are inviting them to work out their worries by donning a pair of gloves and pounding the punchbags. Boxing is
A MOTORCYCLIST has been seriously injured in a road smash.A 50-year-old man from Bearpark, near Durham had to be airlifted to James Cook University Hospital after the Honda bike he was riding collided with a car on Friday night (July 24).The crash happened
A MAN has appeared in court charged with attempted murder after another man was stabbed several times at a pub in the early hours of Sunday morning. Forty-year-old Steven Robinson, from Elliott Road, Peterlee, appeared briefly at Peterlee Magistrates
AN afternoon of live music kicked off an annual concert season in a North-East town.The free Blues in the Park event took place at North Lodge Park, in Darlington, yesterday (Sunday, July 26) and attracted scores of music-lovers.The events are organised
A THIEF who left his blood at the scene of a garage break-in has been spared immediate jail by a judge who said he was taking a chance on him.Daniel Lawrence said he was paid £45 in order to take part in the raid on a car compound belonging to Lookers
HATS will be donned, cakes eaten and tea supped as ‘Britain’s Smallest Park’ celebrates its first anniversary.Dressed in their finery, Darlington’s mayor, guests and other visitors will descend upon the Gerald Lee Pocket Park on Wednesday, July 29.The
THE second phase of major city centre roadworks is about to get underway with the overnight closure of a busy city centre bridge. A seven-week renovation of Milburngate Bridge in Durham, which carries an average of 48,000 vehicles a day over the
BARNARD Castle police are appealing for information after a post office was burgled on Monday morning (July 27).Intruders broke into Woodland Post Office at 3.10am after forcing open the front door.Neighbourhood Inspector, Kevin Tuck, said the thieves
RESIDENTS of all ages gathered to celebrate the transformation of a dilapidated pavilion into a much-needed community sports facility.The pavilion at Chilton’s Miners Welfare Recreation Ground was left abandoned for six years until almost £50,000 in funding
YOUNGSTERS are a step closer to securing their own skate park as residents vote for their favourite designs this week.Four designs for a concrete floodlit skate park in Spennymoor will be displayed in the town hall until Thursday, July 30. Fed up of travelling
AS the Tour De France came to an end at the weekend, one teenage cycling fanatic was enduring a mammoth 500-mile charity ride of her own. Grace Stewart-Piercy, 14, of Lanchester, County Durham, cycled from Edinburgh to London in just six days,
A PLEA has been made for people to nominate police workers who have made a difference within their local community. For the first time, the public will be able to nominate an individual who has gone above and beyond their day-to-day duties.They are looking
CLUB MATCHES THE Teesside Union team played against Teesside and halved the match 12-12 Ladies Medal 12 1st. Val Carveth net 72, 2nd Tracey Snowden net 72, 3rd Margaret Ferguson net 74 Lady Captain's Charity Day 1st Jit, Lila, Bish
A POPULAR toy brand has announced that two North Yorkshire towns have been shortlisted to be twinned with the fictitious village of Sylvania.Masham and Staithes are both in the running to be paired with the picturesque village, home to the Sylvanian Families
Ruth Campbell discovers how a small stone cottage with outstanding views was transformed into a substantial family home IT was the wrap-around views of open fields, as far as the eye could see, that won Kelcey and Steve Lavens over when they first
After undergoing yet another remarkable transformation for a role, Jake Gyllenhall is fighting fit for his new boxing Southpaw. DIRECTOR Antoine Fuqua, a dedicated boxer and the man behind Training Day starring Denzel Washington, was determined
When it comes to student finance, all is not always as it seems. here is a guide to the options available in terms of loans and grants SUMMER’S here, and across the UK, universities are opening their doors to sell their wares to a new batch of
The stress and hassle of a family holiday abroad is unnecessary, so long as the unpredictable British weather is kind, as Gavin Havery discovers ON the A69, out of Northumberland, into Cumbria, heading for Scotland, I got my first ‘motorhome wave
Sam Wylie-Harris embraces the spirit of summer and recommends some colourful cocktails With National Rum Day (August 16) and National Whiskey Sour Day (August 25) on the horizon, it's time to reach for the summer cocktail menu One of life's
Following some tough times, under new ownership Seaham Hall is experiencing a renaissance. Sarah Foster meets the man behind the new vision for the historic building TWO guests arrive at the reception of Seaham Hall, pulling cases and looking weary
Herbaceous perennials really come into their own around now During the summer months, flowers with spires really come into their own. Many are herbaceous perennials which are waiting to burst into flower but have been delayed due to the cold and
Queen of 'chick lit' Jane Green had had more ups and downs than one of her heroines. She tells Kate Whiting how, even in the face of cancer, she's still smilingOnce upon a time - last summer to be exact - Eva Cassidy saved Jane Green's life. If it weren't
THE diverse wildlife that can be seen across the region has been the focal point of a photography competition that captured some of nature's true glories. The North East Wildlife Photography Awards attracted 1,661 photographic entries which included
James Norton, from Malton, continues his period projects with a drama detailing the Bloomsbury Group. He tells Susan Griffin why he enjoys stepping back in timeIT'S one of the hottest days of the year, so James Norton couldn't be more relieved to be rid
ENGINEER JNP Group is marking the 10th anniversary of the opening of its Teesside office by announcing an expansion. The consulting engineering company was the first business tenant to move into UK Steel Enterprise’s multi-million pound Innovation
THE RUGBY World Cup trophy will be taken round the region next month (August). The William Webb Ellis trophy is on a 12-month world tour ahead of the tournament being held in England this autumn. It will be on public display at: Gateshead International
Never assume anything when dealing with people. It can only lead to trouble I RECENTLY had a disagreement with a council worker who is convinced that the definition of customer service is to give the customer exactly what they ask for; no questions
A HOUSEBUILDER has added to its senior team in a North-East office.Story Homes says Sarah Armstrong, Keith Redford and Rebecca Carr have joined.The trio will work from its base in Newcastle.Ms Armstrong joins from Barratt Homes as Head of Land (North-East
A NAUGHTY shih tzu got clean away with it when he swallowed an entire kitchen sponge and scouring pad. Alfie’s life was saved by PDSA vets after he swiped the sponge as owner Maria Bird was cleaning the bathroom at her home in Jarrow and swallowed
MY first car was a two-tone, 2.4 litre Vauxhall Cresta from 1954. It was owned by my dad who had bought it as a 16-year-old car from the owner of a business in Loftus called Daisy Dairy, a local provisions store. My dad owned it for a couple of
A FORMER Durham Cathedral chorister is returning to his home city to sing with a new group.Sylvan Rackham, who also attended Durham Johnston School, is now a member of Exeter University’s a capella outfit Semitoned.The group will perform at St Oswald’
PATIENTS have rated doctor surgeries across Hambleton, Richmondshire and Whitby as the best in the country for the third year running. Hambleton, Richmondshire and Whitby Clinical Commissioning Group (HRW CCG) said a GP patient survey found 95
WORK to provide a better environment for endangered water voles has won lottery funding.Lakes at the Minsteracres Retreat Centre, near Consett, County Durham, will be cleared of weeds and the banks will be cleared to allow voles to nest and feed.The Wind
FIREFIGHTERS have been working closely with one of the area’s major haulage firms to help ensure that the company’s drivers stay safe at the wheel.Cleveland Fire Brigade have been supporting Bertschi UK Ltd’s driver training programme delivering a number
A WOMAN suffered a serious eye injury after being attacked by another female during a night out in York.The 26-year-old victim was taken to hospital by ambulance after the assault in the early hours of Sunday, July 27, and will require further surgery
A NORTH-EAST firm is exporting Down Under as it aims to dive into a £300m market. WRL Glass Media, part of Ward Recycling, is doing business in Australia to help clean swimming pools. Bosses say demand has risen significantly for its recycled
MIDDLESBROUGH have confirmed the signing of Diego Fabbrini on a season-long loan from Watford. Like the Echo's Boro news Facebook page The 24-year-old, who travelled to Doncaster with the rest of the Boro squad on Saturday and participated
A DALES boutique hotel and restaurant has launched a competition for guests to design one of its new themed bedrooms.The Wensleydale Heifer, in West Witton, near Leyburn, is well known for its various themed rooms, with designs inspired by James Bond,
THE family of a baby suffering from a rare medical condition affecting the shape of his head are raising money for a special helmet which is not available on the NHS. Six months-old Leighton James Brown suffers from two conditions known as plagiocephaly
THE case of a North-East grandmother facing execution by firing squad has been raised by David Cameron in talks with the Indonesian government. Lindsay Sandiford, from Redcar, was sentenced to death in Bali in January 2013 for drug trafficking
DUKE the disabled dwarf bullock who was saved from the bullet by the owner of a calf sanctuary is learning to walk again with the help of a wheelcart built specially for him.Duke is on the moo-ve thanks to Sharon Lawler, who raised more than £11,000 over
Darlington RA have been drawn away to Birtley in the opening round of the new season's Ernest Armstrong Memorial Cup, which was won last season by Norton and Stockton Ancients. The draws for the first two rounds of the competition are: First round
A MAN has lovingly created a 30,000-piece Lego town for children at an autism charity to enjoy.The town, which features a cinema, a football stadium, a harbour and four railway lines, took only six hours to build.Put together using almost 30,000 pieces
A DOMESTIC abuse charity is in with a chance of winning a national award after being selected as the regional winner of the Championing Change Award.My Sisters Place received a prize of £1,000 and will now compete against charities from across England
THERE’S still time for people to come forward if they are interested in leasing a former park keeper’s lodge.Ward Jackson Park Lodge has not been used for a number of years and Hartlepool Council is currently seeking expressions of interest from anyone
SCHOOLCHILDREN experienced their first taste of college life in an initiative designed to help them start to plan their futures.More than 240 Richmond School students swapped uniforms for casual dress to experience life in the sixth form college.The transition
DETECTIVES investigating a knifepoint robbery believe it may be connected to an incident earlier the same day. At 7.45am on Sunday (July 26), a man with a kitchen knife and wearing a bag over his head carried out an armed robbery at the One Stop
COURAGEOUS, hardworking and determined students have all received the highest honours at their school’s end of year prize-giving ceremony.Star pupils from the Education Village Academy Trust, in Darlington, were presented with their trophies at a glittering
A ROCK’N’ROLL day in the park awaits visitors to Darlington this weekend.Some of the region’s best live acts will take to the stage as part of the upcoming Music on West Park Hill festival.This Sunday, crowds will descend upon Darlington’s West Park to
A UNIQUE school that provides much-needed help across the region to children with social, emotional and mental health issues has won high praise from inspectors. Marchbank Free School has been awarded good across the board in its first ever inspection
MOTORISTS on the A1 have faced congestion after a five-vehicle collision. The incident occurred at about 11.30am this morning on the northbound carriageway near the Darlington A66 turn-off. Police from North Yorkshire and Durham attended the
A FULL scale replica of a Roman artillery catapult attracted hundreds of people to an ancient fort at the weekend. Visitors to Binchester Roman Fort, near Bishop Auckland, were transported back thousands of years at the event, which featured live
FAIR play was the order of the day as a women's football tournament was completed without a single red or yellow card being dished out.Fourteen teams from across the North-East competed in the seven-a-side tournament, at Eastbourne Sports Complex, in
A TELECOMS firm central to a £12.5bn takeover says its superfast internet access has lured more customers and increased revenues. EE, which is Darlington’s largest private employer with about 2,000 call centre workers, says its 4G network has maintained
A SHORTAGE of carpenters and bricklayers threatens recovery in the building trade, the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) has warned. Brian Berry, chief executive of the the largest trade association in the UK construction industry urged George
A MOTORCYCLIST has been seriously injured after colliding with a car. The collision happened at 5.10pm on Friday in Durham City on the A177 near to the New Inn pub. "The driver of the Honda motorbike, a man aged 50 from Bearpark, was air lifted
JOHN HASTINGS will return for a third successive season as Durham's overseas player after signing a new contract for the 2016 campaign. The powerful 29-year-old has been an outstanding contributor in all three forms of the game since making his
AITOR KARANKA claims Jordan Rhodes’ critical comments have made it all but impossible for Blackburn Rovers to hold on to the Scottish striker. Like the Echo's new Middlesbrough FC Facebook page Middlesbrough’s hopes of signing Rhodes suffered
Dunston UTS manager Billy Irwin says that the team is making a fresh start this season. Dunston finished sixth and reached the last 16 of the Vase last season, but Irwin decided to replace some of the older players in the team. “We had eleven
AS all good rock n rollers know, less can often mean more."I help businesses to get sales", is how David Anderson introduces himself on his LinkedIn page. Six simple words that sum up a wealth of experience gleaned from roles as diverse as a
SUNDERLAND are ready to listen to offers for Steven Fletcher, with Swansea City poised to solidify their interest in the Scotland international later this week. Like the Echo's New Sunderland news Facebook page Swans officials are understood
NORTH-EAST manufacturers may lead the way on European exports, but they lag behind the rest of the UK on business confidence, a report has claimed.A study, from manufacturers’ organisation EEF and law company DLA Piper, says firms’ resoluteness has been
JUST as we are absorbing David Cameron’s thoughts on what is behind the threat of terrorism and extremism, Peter Mullen condemns the attempt to follow up the nuclear non-proliferation treaty as it is seen to apply to Iran to attack Barack Obama for
FRUSTRATED Martin Gray has warned that Gary Brown will be staying at Darlington unless his valuation of the defender is met. Brown reluctantly handed in a transfer request just over a week ago, explaining that due to having a young family and the
James Norton, from Malton continues his period projects with a drama detailing the Bloomsbury Group. MALTON-RAISED, North Yorkshire actor James Norton describes his latest role of Duncan Grant of the Bloomsbury group as "they lived in squares
Darlington Building Society NYSD ECB Premier LeagueRICHMONDSHIRE overcame a bruising battle with newly revitalised Great Ayton to stay as championship leaders, but Barnard Castle are again in hot pursuit after cutting their advantage from 16 to four points.Barney
A SEX attacker is behind bars today for trying to rape a woman at knifepoint in her home. Brian Jones confessed to his crime in a letter from prison after his arrest earlier this year. Jones said he "just flipped" before forcing himself onto
A COMPUTER expert who was caught with hundreds of indecent images of children hidden on an encrypted DVD has dodged prison. Married man John Thompson shared some of his sick pictures with other paedophiles and had online chats about having sex
HUGE congratulations are due to the DLI Museum and Gallery, in Richmond, for the excellent exhibition John Tunnard - Nature, Politics and Science. Superbly curated by Lucy Jenkins, the summer-long event in galleries one and two shows that the North-East
I AM writing to thank all those who came to our consultation event at Bowburn Community Centre to hear about our plans to transform the 73 hectares of land just to the south of Bowburn at J61/A1. We were delighted to see that the majority of residents
STEVE McCLAREN insists he does not want to lose Fabricio Coloccini during the current transfer window, but Crystal Palace are increasingly confident of taking the Newcastle United skipper to Selhurst Park. Like the Echo's new Newcastle Utd
AN 11-YEAR-OLD girl is in hospital with serious head injuries after being hit by a car on Saturday night. The incident took place on Ladgate Lane near to Overdale Road in Middlesbrough at 6.25pm. Like the Echo's new Middlesbrough news
HAS readers will probably remember that I campaigned against the cheap substance called slurry seal for the treatment of residential footpaths. When I was a councillor I used most of my member’s budget to treat paths, using tarmac, which is much
A 69-YEAR-OLD man is in hospital with burns and suffering from smoke inhalation after being rescued from his burning home. Fire crews were called to a flat at Deepdale House, in Deepdale Way, in the Red Hall area of Darlington, at 8.45pm on Saturday
THE body of a missing 77-year-old man has been found after a major search. North Yorkshire Police appealed for help to find Peter William Johnson, from the Cropton area of Pickering, North Yorkshire who had not been seen by neighbours for a couple
AFTER a wet and miserable May and chilly July five species of butterfly resident at my local nature reserve for more than 40 years have disappeared. I’ve been monitoring them carefully and can’t quite believe their demise. Perhaps it has something
I ENTIRELY agree with PA Aspinall (HAS, July 18) describing the Angel of the North as “one man’s tribute to his own ego”.Were it not for its inspired name, this monstrosity would be dismissed as a costly indulgence, uninspiring and downright ugly. It
CHRIS FROOME finally enjoyed an easy ride on the final day of the Tour de France yesterday as he joined the ranks of cycling’s greats. The 2013 champion has endured a gruelling three weeks - and not just as a result of competing in cycling’s greatest
I HAVE written to Tim Farron the newly-elected leader of the Lib Dems about the plight of Afghan children who are being deported. These children were unaccompanied when they fled to this country to escape the chaos and devastation in their own
I SIT here in tears thinking of Tobias Ellwood, the MP for Bournemouth East. Last year he earned a salary of £67,060 plus £20,000 for being a junior Foreign Office minister. Its alleged he has claimed £55,828 in expenses, £27,192 in rent, £148
WE recently took two football teams to the Barcelona Junior Cup tournament for Under-16 girls and boys. Everyone had a fantastic time and it was an amazing experience for all 25 players and 32 parents and coaches. I just want to say a massive
STAFF at Dogs Trust Darlington would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who came to our Fun Day on Sunday (19 July). This year we raised more than £7,000 making it one of our most successful years. More than 370 dogs took part in the
