A PENSIONER missing from home for four days has this evening (Friday, July 31) been found safe and well. Peter Bond, 68, disappeared from the Acklam area of Middlesbrough at around 4pm on Tuesday and he was later said to have been seen in the centre
A COUPLE who have spent most of their lives together credited their ability to take the rough times with the smooth as the secret to their lasting love.Gordon and Pam Clare, from Borrowby, between Thirsk and Northallerton, celebrated 70 years of marriage
A NASTY virus turned teachers and pupils into zombies as a school prepared for the summer holidays.But fortunately year seven pupils at Wolsingham School managed to save the day by putting their language skills to good use.The gruesome event unfolded
Stocks of the sixth book in my Monstrous Morals series - Day-dreaming Daisy McCloud - arrived today, ready for the launch on Saturday (August 8). Illustrator Paul Wick and I will be staging a story-writing workshop at Crown Street Library in Darlington
DURHAM'S run of Royal London Cup wins hit the buffers yesterday when a sub-standard batting display brought a 49-run home defeat by resurgent Surrey.The teams went into the match as joint leaders of Group A, but after fighting back in the field to restrict
THE spread of the deadly Ebola virus has been a frightening yet heart-warming experience. Frightening because it took hold so fast, killing more than 11,000 people and infected 28,000 more. Heart-warming because it inspired the best in human nature
RESIDENTS can learn about the social and natural history of their community thanks to a new publication.Last year the 400 page Ferryhill Village Atlas was launched following two years of research and a summary of the findings is now available.Archaeologists
A YOUNG mother diagnosed with deadly skin cancer after her parents bought her a sunbed at the age of 16 has warned others to use spray tans instead.Lisa Guthrie used a sunbed for an hour every day as a teenager and, after giving birth to her two children
DURHAM'S Chris Rushworth is high on the list of candidates to replace the injured Jimmy Anderson in the England squad for the fourth Test.As division one's leading wicket-taker with 69, he was watched yesterday by national selector James Whitaker, who
ONE man's relationship with a piece of wood and youngsters creating their own miniature figures took centre stage for the first full day of this year's Stockton International Riverside Festival (SIRF). For more pictures from the festival, click
CANNABIS campaigners from across the country will descend on the region for a demonstration this weekend.Teesside Cannabis Club is set to host its second annual Canna Camp Fest, taking place in Redcar on Saturday, August 1 and Sunday, August 2.Pro-legalisation
A ROTARIAN braved a cut-throat razor for charity when he had his head shaved for the second time in memory of his friend. Former president of Newton Aycliffe Rotary Club, John Burrows, had his head, eyebrows and trademark beard shaved off as part of Macmillan
EXTRA tickets have been released for a North-East music festival to cope with record breaking demand.Hardwick Live, held annually in the grounds of Hardwick Hall Hotel, Sedgefield, returns on Saturday, August 22, headlined by James.Organisers, Ramside
A £120M scheme for a further 662 homes on a site near the centre of York has been submitted to planners.The proposals for the last four phases of one of Yorkshire's largest residential regeneration projects will take the total number of new homes to more
SUNDERLAND have stepped up attempts to strengthen Dick Advocaat’s attacking options after sanctioning Connor Wickham’s departure to Crystal Palace in a deal worth £9m. The Black Cats have been working on ways to free up a sizeable chunk of the
A ROBBER wearing an Ali G mask has raided a filling station.Police say that at around midnight last night, a man wearing a mask and red skull cap went into the BP petrol station in the Pennywell area of Sunderland and demanded staff hand over cash from
RUGBY boots were ditched in favour of wheels when local sporting stars took part in a match with a difference.Players from Darlington’s Mowden Park tackled a tough team of veterans and serving military personnel in a hard-fought tournament of wheelchair
THOUSANDS of drivers have been caught using a mobile phone or tablet behind the wheel over the last three years.Since 2012, 3,616 motorists have been fined by North Yorkshire Police for making a call or texting as they travelled along the county’s roads.A
A BUS company is to invest several million pounds in its flagship route through a North Yorkshire town by adding 14 new vehicles.Transdev has announced it is to spend £3.2m upgrading its 36 route, which passes through Ripon, ferrying passengers to Leeds
A FIFTH pervert snared by paedophile hunters Dark Justice is behind bars after trying to meet what he thought was a 14-year-old girl for sex.Divorced dad Barry Scott, 50, bought vodka and condoms after arranging to meet teenager “Donna” on the Millennium
US blue-rock guitarist Walter Trout very nearly wasn’t around to tour to Stockton's Arc on November 17. In summer last year he underwent an incredible life-saving liver transplant. He had lost 13 pints of blood and was in a coma for three days, when he
SOUTHAMPTON defender Jack Stephens has become the latest summer arrival at Middlesbrough. The 21-year-old, who spent last season at Swindon, trained with the Boro squad today and could figure against Getafe in a pre-season friendly at the Riverside
TRIBUTES have been paid to former Darlington mayor Stella Robson, who has died after a short illness.On Saturday, July 25, the 80-year-old veteran councillor passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her family.Born in Leeds in 1935, Mrs Robson was
IF you were annoyed about the terrible weather this week, I have to offer my apologies. It is all my fault, as I decided to take the family camping. Naturally, it proceeded to tip it down for most of our three days over in the Lakes. Disaster
THE fascinating world of reptiles and amphibians will be brought to life in a free talk.The Heart of Teesdale Landscape Partnership has teamed up with Hartlepool Borough Council ecologist Ian Bond to help people identify the elusive creatures at large
TWO men accused of conning an elderly cancer sufferer out of thousands of pounds of his pension money have walked free. A jury cleared Lee Renton and his uncle Mark McCarthy of stealing almost £18,000 from the 79-year-old over three years.
AS rugby supporters reach fever pitch ahead of this year’s World Cup tournament, fans will have a chance to see the coveted trophy for themselves. The Web Ellis Cup is touring the country ahead of the start of the tournament on September 18, including
A TWO-car collision on the A1(M) on the northbound carriageway has caused major congestion as the road has been closed to one lane. The crash, near the junction to Bedale, involved two cars, one which is still in the carriageway and the other which
TRIBUTES have been paid to a local historian who was a longstanding fundraiser for the RNLI.Vera Robinson MBE has died at the age of 101 after a short illness.She had been raising funds for the Redcar RNLI lifeboat station since the age of 16 and was
A TWO-car collision on the A1(M) on the northbound carriageway has caused major congestion as the road has been closed to one lane. The crash, near the junction to Bedale, involved two cars, one which is still in the carriageway and the other which is
A TWO-car collision on the A1(M) on the northbound carriageway has caused major congestion as the road has been closed to one lane. The crash, near the junction to Bedale, involved two cars, one which is still in the carriageway and the other which is
A FAMILY is appealing for the public’s help in finding their missing pet. Pony, a greyhound, went missing at Maiden Moor, near Derwent Water in the Lake District, on Wednesday, July 22. The four-year-old dog was out with owner Dan Seale, 43
A MAN has appeared in court charged with the murder of Liam Miller and the attempted murder of a second man.Samuel Frederick Donley, 19, of Hamilton Drive, Acomb, York, is accused of killing 20-year-old Mr Miller who was found outside a house in the same
AS England gears up to host the rugby World Cup later this year, Hartlepool is joining in the excitement with a long weekend of rugby and other sports activities.The events take place tomorrow (Saturday 1), Sunday 2 and Monday 3 at West Hartlepool Rugby
A LEISURE trust that provides sports and social activities has made giant leaps in growth and has even more grand plans for the future.Richmondshire Leisure Trust, which runs Richmond Swimming Pool, Liberty Leisure Centre in Richmond and Colburn Leisure
INSUFFICIENT warning has been given in relation an upcoming closure of the A66, according to a Darlington councillor. Work is set to begin on repairing the Grade II-listed Blackwell Bridge after it was damaged by a HGV recently. Repair work
A FRAUDSTER is behind bars for fleecing his fiancée by using her details to apply for loans and credit - and leaving her business on the brink. The woman - who owns a clothing shop - needed financial help from her parents to keep it afloat after
A NATIONAL charity has received £1,000 thanks to the partnership between a hospital and a town mayor. The mayor of Bishop Auckland, Councillor Lee Brownson worked with Darlington Memorial Hospital to put on a ball at Redworth Hall, County Durham on July
A DEVOTED daughter has raised almost £4,000 for two dementia charities after watching her father deteriorate from the illness. Jackie Gee began fundraising for Alzheimer’s Society and Auckland Park Hospital near Bishop Auckland when her 87-year-old father
CELEBRATIONS to mark Yorkshire Day ranging from offers of free Yorkshire Tea, to jousting and Yorkshire Pudding throwing will be taking place up and down God’s Own County. All things Yorkshire will be on the menu, to celebrate the annual event tomorrow
PEDESTRIAN and cycle routes will be improved as part of a master plan that aims to rejuvenate a town.As part of its plan for Spennymoor, Durham County Council wants to improve the link between Merrington Lane, where industry is being largely replaced
WORK has begun on a new police memorial to remember officers in a North-East town.Specialist Darlington stonemason, David France, has started work on the £20,000 memorial which will be in place at the town’s police station to remember lost police officers
CONNOR RIPLEY has joined Motherwell on loan from Middlesbrough. The 22-year-old is third choice at Boro behind Dimi Konstantopoulos and Tomas Mejias and has been allowed to move to Fir Park until January. Ripley, the son of former England winger
PIRATES and a Caribbean atmosphere will be on hand to spur punters to come along Redcar Racecourse next week.The annual event, which expects over 4,500 people, will include a steel band, Carmen Mirandas, Caribbean cocktails and of course pirates who will
A SCHOOLGIRL has been airlifted to hospital after being knocked down as she crossed a busy road. The seven-year-old girl was hit on Genesis Way, in Consett, between the town’s Tesco supermarket and Park Road, at around 1.30pm today (FRI). She
Both Newcastle and Sunderland left it late to guarantee Premier League survival last term, but it’s the Magpies that are expected to make the more significant strides in the forthcoming campaign.United appointed Steve McClaren as manager and are now 5
THOSE with claustrophobia look away now. Newcastle’s little-known Victoria Tunnel is about to become an unlikely theatre venue next month, with a maximum audience per show of 25.The idea of returning the tunnel, which was originally built as a 19th Century
AN INTERNATIONAL women’s group elected a new official in Darlington recently.Jackie Heaton has been welcomed as the president of the Darlington Inner Wheel Club.The organisation, affiliated with the Rotary movement, operates internationally as one of
A CHEF is investing £500,000 in a flagship restaurant that aims to offer Michelin star-style food at affordable prices.Oven, owned by Tarek Thoma, who famously cooked for George Bush and Tony Blair, when he worked at the Dun Cow in Sedgefield, will open
AN animal rescue sanctuary is launching a new scheme to keep children entertained during the six-week summer break.The 'Keeper for a Day' programme, set up by Wetheriggs Animal Centre at Thorpe Farm, County Durham, is designed to appeal to young animal
TIME is running out to see Durham’s Magna Carta.Durham Cathedral’s unique 1216 edition of Magna Carta is on public display for the first time in its 799-year history to mark the 800th anniversary of the sealing of the original agreement between King John
POLICE have arrested a man in connection with a string of robberies.A 34-year-old man has been detained on suspicion of robbery after four incidents in as many days.The arrest has been made in relation to two robberies on Wednesday where a man entered
FIREFIGHTERS and council staff have been working together to get across the message to families to stay safe around water over the summer holidays.Teams from Durham County Council and County Durham Fire and Rescue Service have been speaking to families
A NEIGHBOURHOOD plan for Durham city centre has moved a step closer to becoming a reality.In June, more than 150 people attended a Town Hall public meeting called to discuss what should be in the plan, which will aim to shape future development in the
CHILDREN can expect a wild time when TV star Michaela Strachan makes a return visit to a tourist attraction.The BBC Springwatch presenter will be at Adventure Valley in Durham on Tuesday (Aug 4) to present her live Really Wild Adventures show and sign
VILLAGERS fear their GP surgery and school will be overwhelmed if a £160m development - including 300 new homes - goes ahead. Citrus Durham first announced its plans to build industrial units, offices, a hotel, shops, a gym, a nursery and up to
PROFESSOR George Norton – who do you think you are?He said he was a magician, a sign-writer, an army officer, a multi-linguist, a tattooist, an inventor and even a killer. He said he was born to live in a castle, but he ended his days in 1953 in a council
A PENSIONER who has tended the grave of a schoolfriend for more than six decades is set to reunite her with her parents after a Good Samaritan came to his aid.Harry Maddison was heartbroken when he lost close schoolfriend, 14-year-old Moira Jones, to
LAST week’s front page picture, taken on April 1, 1967, showing the construction of Milburngate Bridge in Durham City caught the eye of Billy Mollon. “I’d left Whinney Hill school the day before the photo was taken, and I remember the bridge being
DURHAM fought back strongly after coming under early fire from the Surrey openers in the Royal London Cup clash between the joint group leaders at Chester-le-Street. As Durham showed their 50-over pedigree by tightening up, left-hander Steve Davies
THE thing with potential is that for it to mean anything at all, eventually it has to be realised. Connor Wickham has spent more than four years at Sunderland and, for the majority of that time, we have been told that his breakthrough in a red-and-white
JUDGES found something to crow about at a competition held in Darlington recently.A winning entry for a local retirement village’s scarecrow competition was deemed outstanding in her field.Mabel the cleaner was just one of many homemade scarecrows made
A SWALEDALE sculptor who has spent years creating characterful depictions of crows has his own feathered helper in his studio to inspire him.Michael Kusz, who works from a studio on Silver Street in Reeth, says he has always felt an affinity with rooks
THE founder of a successful brewery has been honoured – with a new ale created in tribute to his pioneering spirit.Paul Theakston created the Black Sheep Brewery in Masham, near Ripon, back in 1992, as he fought back against what he saw as a deluge of
A COUPLE who have spent almost their entire lives together have credited their ability to take the rough times with the smooth times as the secret to their lasting love.Gordon and Pam Clare, from Borrowby, between Thirsk and Northallerton, celebrated
A THREE-day folk festival is just a fortnight away (August 13-15). The Folkworks Durham Gathering will take place in Durham from August 13 to 15, showcasing the talents of traditional and folk musicians teaching at the Folkworks Summer Schools
A CAMPAIGN to encourage residents to recycle their household waste has been extended following its success.Durham County Council launched the Bin it Right campaign last April to help inform people about what they can and cannot recycle and which bin they
A COMPANY’S application to carry out fracking in North Yorkshire has now been validated by North Yorkshire County Council, after two failed previous attempts. An application from Third Energy, to carry out test fracking at Kirby Misperton, near Flamingo
YOUNG athletes swapped the school grounds for the athletic stadium for their annual sports day.Students from Richmond School spent the day at the Catterick Athletics Stadium competing for honours on the track and in the field.Budding athletes tackled
CHILDREN’S favourites Peppa Pig and SpongeBob SquarePants will take to the cricket field this month to join a star-studded sports line-up.Young fans will be bowled-over by the TV characters at Durham’s Big Birthday Blast – a joint celebration of 20 years
A MUSEUM has opened a new park in time for a national celebration of play.The play area at Killhope: the North of England Lead Mining Museum in Weardale, County Durham, has large wooden equipment to encourage children to climb and explore and baskets,
A LUXURY £13m retirement village has been proposed for a parkland site in North Yorkshire. The proposed five-star development at Great Ayton will feature 44 extra-care bungalows and apartments, and 40 full-care beds. Heritage Care Villages, part of the
A WEBSITE offering up-to-the-minute information on North-East rail departures is now available on mobile phones.The Bishop Line also offers residents of Darlington and South Durham facts about the history of the historic train line as well as the rail
AN events company has secured a deal to oversee project management on the official opening of an £82m North-East train building plant.She’s Gott It will help deliver the ceremony for Hitachi Rail Europe’s factory, in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham.The
The quaint, higgledy piggledy houses of Staithes are about to play host to a record-breaking 145 artists THE Staithes Arts and Heritage Festival is in its fourth year and the line-up is bigger than ever on September 12 and 13 when the historic
Cerificate: 12A Running Time: 131 mins Star Rating: 4/5 CALL it testosterone-fuelled recklessness, hubris or feeling the need... the need for speed, Tom Cruise certainly puts on a show in the fifth instalment of the Mission: Impossible
ANOTHER soap wedding, another day that all participants will live to regret. Hadn't they considered TV's Love At First Sight? Over in Emmerdale (ITV), as Debbie's marriage to Pete draws closer, she still can't stop thinking about Ross – and what he's
Malcolm Warne tries out Mickleton's crowning glory and finds Sunday dinners going like Jack Robinson WITH Yorkshire Day looming fast, a trip to Mickleton in County Durham (oh, yes it is) seemed highly appropriate. Actually, that is really a poor
£200,000 boost for Newcastle's Northern PrintARTISTS, school children, students, community groups and art lovers across the North-East are set to benefit from £200,000 of capital investment funding that has been awarded to Northern Print, the region’s
THIS year’s first major weekend of festivals was blighted by wet weather, with events at Warwick, Sheffield and Trowbridge (where I was) all suffering downpours and muddy fields. The resilient folky audiences seemed to grin and bear it, and a good
AN offshore firm is opening a new head office and teaching centre in the region.Wescott Coatings and Training Services offers support across the offshore, renewable energy and rail sectors.The company delivers painting and blasting maintenance, project
Ian Anderson's North-East dates for rock operaPROGRESSIVE rock pioneer Ian Anderson's six- date UK tour, entitled Jethro Tull – The Rock Opera, visits York and Gateshead next month.The performance honours the 18th Century English agriculturalist after
A GROUP from the Jim Connell Society travelled from County Neath to the 131st Durham Miners Gala recently. We were not disappointed.We were picked up in Newcastle and taken to the Miners Hall in Red Hills where we met up with Dave Hopper, general secretary
HOLLYWOOD is said to be planning a remake of All Creatures Great and Small. The revised version is apparently going to be “sexier and glossier.” Perish the thought. Does that mean romps in Dales’ hay-lofts? – watch out for goosebumps and scratchy
North-East dates for Charlie LandsboroughCHARLIE Landsborough takes to the road again this autumn for a series of major UK dates, accompanied by his own four-strong band.Hugely popular in Ireland, purveyer of fine songs and the odd winsome country and
I AM delighted that Darlington council leader Bill Dixon has taken my advice and signed up to a deal supporting devolution to a locally elected person to ensure the Tees Valley gets its fair share of the government offer under the Northern Powerhouse
ONE has to wonder if the Durham Police and Crime Commissioner Ron Hogg has lost his marbles over the foolish idea not to have police arrest cannabis users or minor growers (Echo, July 21). I thought it was an offence in itself to knowingly turn
I DARE say all readers will sympathise wholeheartedly with teacher Karen Hall (Echo, July 20) over the disgraceful way she has been treated by Durham County Council. By trying to wriggle out of its obligations, both moral and legal, for no less
I FIND it ironic that sculptor Antony Gormley is trying to make the people who paid him a large sum of money for the eyesore on the hill get rid of the trees that are now growing up around it. It brought to mind a song I learnt in school circa
IF Joseph Stalin were alive today I have no doubt he would be looking on in admiration as comrade Cameron pursues his relentless policy of creating a one party state. Silencing the BBC in true Pravda tradition, crushing the unions and bankrupting
SUNDERLAND have confirmed that three of their Premier League games have had to be rearranged for television broadcast. The Wear-Tyne derby at the Stadium of Light will take place on Sunday, October 25 at noon when the Black Cats will look to continue
Lynn Watson, from Bishop Auckland, reflects on the challenges - and joys - of raising a child with autism.I HAVE the privilege of having two wonderful boys. My eldest is aged 24 and was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome when he was five. I was only 24
A TRAIN manufacturer which is creating more than 700 jobs in the North-East has won the £360m contract to make high speed trains to run between London and Cornwall.Hitachi has secured the deal to replace the 40-year-old trains on the First Great Western
I AM a retired miner. For many years I worked at Thrislington, Mainsforth, Blackhall and Easington collieries. When I talk to ex-miners about the coal face, we all wish those happy days would return, if only for those tall stories that dare only
Here's the latest list of pre-season friendlies, please note they are subject to change. Saturday August 1st. Billingham Synthonia v Guisborough, Birtley v Sleaford, Brigg v Ashington, Chester-le-Street v Bedlington, Consett v Workington, Crook
A NOVICE poker player’s name has earned him a place in a one of Europe's biggest tournaments.David Atkinson, of Willington, County Durham, was one of 12 contestants selected for Grosvenor Casinos' Dave vs Goliath hunt with the aim of finding players whose
A FUNDING boost from Finance Yorkshire has enabled an independent wine merchant to complete its relocation to new premises.Bon Coeur Fine Wines Limited, which is based near Masham, North Yorkshire has used a £100,000 investment from the funding body to
FOOD lovers are in for a treat at the weekend when thousands of them check out the Saltburn Food Festival.Throughout Sunday (August 2) there will be around seventy of the best independent food producers from the North East and North Yorkshire, a kitchen
Chester-le-Street’s ambitions of success on three major fronts have been hit by the news that key strike bowler Graeme Cessford won’t be available to them after this weekend following a posting by the RAF.Cessford spent a short spell with Worcestershire
HARTLEPOOL UNITED: Supporters have until 4pm today to take advantage of reduced season ticket prices. Pools broke past the 3000 barrier yesterday for sales, ahead of this afternoon’s early bird deadline.Luke Pilcher, 26, a joiner from Bishop Cuthbert
AFTER a cracking start in their defence of the Royal London Cup, Durham must find a way past Kumar Sangakkara at home to fellow group leaders Surrey today.Both teams have two wins and one washout and Surrey have impressed without so far requiring a big
THE rate of economic growth strengthened in the three months to July, with business and professional services the driving force, according to the latest CBI growth indicator.The survey of 736 businesses across the manufacturing, retail and service sectors
TOM PORTAS has been given a clear order: Get forward and score more goals. The Darlington midfielder found the net only three times last season, but two were contenders for the club’s goal of the season accolade with a strike in the league against
AYOZE PEREZ is not concerned about the arrival of more forwards at Newcastle United, and is determined to show Steve McClaren he deserves to start in the Premier League. Like the Echo's new Newcastle Utd news Facebook page The Magpies confirmed
A TEACHING assistant whose life was left in ruins after a fling with a schoolboy is facing a potential prison sentence for running down a motorist while appearing "intoxicated" at the wheel. Helen Turnbull, 36, lost her career, her marriage and
Ripper Street (BBC1, 9pm)EVEN the BBC can't kill off the ripper era it seems. Amazon Prime Instant Video (formerly known as LOVEFiLM) took over series three when "low audiences" accounted for the Victorian police drama in 2013 and began showing
BLACKBURN Rovers have told Middlesbrough to forget about signing Jordan Rhodes for £12m - the offer that remains on the table - after giving Rudy Gestede the go-ahead to conclude an £8m deal with Aston Villa. Like the Echo's new Boro news Facebook
A YOUNG driver who tore through a town centre at nearly 90mph narrowly avoided wiping out a minibus full of autistic children before smashing into a parked car, leaving its front seat passenger fighting for her life. Matthew Dale’s legal team claimed
CAN ANYONE DETHRONE CHELSEA? Almost certainly not. The reigning champions have been surprisingly quiet in the transfer window so far, although their ongoing pursuit of Everton defender John Stones should eventually end in a successful bid of around
A MOTHER who pretended she had separated from her husband when he secured a job in Dubai dishonestly claimed more than £10,000 in benefits, a court heard. District judge Stephen Harmes said Abby Mumford’s crime was so serious custody was an option
A BUSINESSMAN who dodged jail for a bottle attack in a nightclub was told by a judge he came "within a whisker" of being locked up. Leon Fay, 29, struck a 21-year-old drinker at the bar of the Skyy Lounge in Hartlepool because his victim got served
A RAPIST who attacked a 34-year-old woman in Middlesbrough is being hunted. The incident occurred at around 10.40pm on Tuesday (July 28) when the woman left the Junction Pub, at the junctions of Borough Road and Union Street. Like the Echo's
MY first car, costing £635, was an Almond Green Morris 1000 Traveller, registration 480 WTN. It was bought brand spanking new in 1962 from Buist's garage off the Coast Road at Longbenton. I was aged 19 years and had not yet learned to drive.
ELEVEN family doctor services make up Darlington Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG). Its clinically-led governing body, chaired by Dr Andrea Jones, is made up of a number of local GPs, a range of other health and care professionals and lay members
