FOR the home fans inside St James’ Park on Monday night, it was pretty clear how much they enjoyed seeing Newcastle United score the crucial second goal that helped seal three more points in the battle for promotion. Not only was it a goal that
A COUNCIL has admitted new guidelines make it “difficult” to protect all children at risk of sexual exploitation.Darlington Borough Council’s children and young people scrutiny committee heard there were 30 referrals of child sexual exploitation CSE in
Bride and groom Lizzie and Ky Gatherer love their hens so much they decided to have a chicken-themed wedding. The couple, from Aldershot, used their pet rescue hens Blossom and Clucky as ring-bearers, while guests were asked to wear red latex gloves
TEMPERATURES hit 18.3C (64.9F) as the country basks in the warmest day of the year so far – beating the likes of Ibiza, southern Spain and the whole of France.The record temperature was logged at Kew Gardens, west London, yesterday where visitors enjoyed
EXOTIC creatures, mysterious objects and mythical beasts are the subject of a new exhibition at Durham Cathedral. Beasts! explores some of the animals and mythical creatures which adorn the cathedral and appear in early Christian texts. It
A BUSINESSWOMAN is swapping her laptop for her running shoes after signing up to take part in The Great North Run in memory of her grandmother.Lisa Johnstone, of Gainford, in Teesdale, recently started her own business in web development and e-learning
GERVASE Phinn, one of Britain’s best love comic writers and raconteurs, is to bring his stories to life for audiences in Barnard Castle next month.On Saturday, March 4, Phinn will share his acclaimed tales of life as a school inspector in the Yorkshire
MACE bearers from all over the country will be descending on Ripon next week to see the instalment of a new Prime Warden.Serjeant at Mace for the City of Ripon Jim Vauvert will be installed as the Prime Warden for the Guild of Mace bearers for 2017 to
YOUNG schoolchildren with energy to spare are exploring the world of free running and computer coding as part of their curriculum. Timetabled activities at Yarm Preparatory School now include Parkour – a form of obstacle course training – as well
A UNIVERSITY a cappella group is celebrating after winning a regional heat of an international singing group. Northern Lights, Durham University’s a cappella group, won their quarter-final heat of the International Championship of Collegiate A
HUNDREDS of people are expected to descend on a North-East town’s green next week for its annual sporting tradition.Shrouded in secrecy, the Shrove Tuesday Ball Game has taken place every year for what is believed to be centuries.It sees residents young
AN investigation is underway after thieves smashed their way into a family-run garage on Monday morning. Intruders broke into Weardale Motor Services’ office in Stanhope, County Durham, at 2am and left a trail of destruction in their wake.
A FOOTBALL charity has launched a campaign to promote successful women in the region. MFC Foundation’s Boro Makes Me Campaign will bring together athletes, TV presenters and businesswomen with Middlesbrough heritage to celebrate International Women
PARTS of a major hospital are being left in a poor condition because of problems with staffing, hospital cleaners have claimed.Cleaning staff at York Hospital claim gaps in cover, caused by unfilled vacancies and staff sickness, amount to 750 hours a
THREE neglected dogs found abandoned on the side of the A66 have had the happy ending they deserve after all have been rehomed. Two beagles, Lily and Blossom, and a pug, called Ralph, were discovered by a farmer on the busy trunk road between Gilling
TWO men are due to appear in court after a dog was found buried alive with a nail through its head.The small, terrier dog – which the RSPCA named ‘Scamp’ – was found by walkers at Kirkleatham Woods in Redcar in October.Walkers heard whimpering in the
A YOUNG woman who kicked her boyfriend out of bed because his loud snores woke her up was horrified to discover that his heart had stopped and he had actually died hours earlier. Heartbroken Lisa Lee says she had been assured by medics that her
A WOMAN who used CPR to save her husband’s life is calling for compulsory life-saving skills to be taught in all schools and workplaces.Carolyn Bjelan’s emergency first aid training – updated just a month earlier – kicked in when husband Jovan suddenly
THOUSANDS of Sunderland fans turned up at the Stadium of Light on Monday to watch the Black Cats train. The club threw open the gates with half-term in full effect and 5,000 people took advantage of the offer to watch their heroes in action.
AN MP has taken the fight to prevent the loss of 83 civil servant jobs to the House of Commons Helen Goodman, MP for Bishop Auckland, has vowed to do all she can to protect the Child Support Agency staff at the town’s Vinovium House after the Department
THE imaginative tale of a nine-year-old boy who embarks on a stuffed-animal adventure after adopting a snow leopard is being brought to Darlington.Sammy and the Snow Leopard was piloted during a tour in 2015 after New Zealand actor, director and writer
COUNCILLORS are due to decide on a planning application for a major housing development this week.Cheviot Holdings is hoping to get the go ahead to build 73 homes on land near Fulforth Way, in Sacriston.The proposal will go before members of the Durham
A MAN broke into the home of his former partner while she slept with their toddler daughter and smashed it up during a drink and drug-fuelled rampage. Andrew Lee's victim – who had to barricade herself in a bedroom – said afterwards: "I can confidently
POLICE are carrying out an ongoing campaign to crackdown on underage drinking.Officers from the Chester-le-Street police team are taking part in the Staysafe operation in the town and the surrounding villages.On Friday they were joined by members of Durham
A CHARITY single recorded by a mayor has been officially launched with hopes of selling 3,000 copies.Barry Hunt, the Mayor of Redcar and Cleveland, has released his version of Hurry Home recorded alongside the original songwriter, Steve Thompson.The song
FURTHER to The Northern Echo’s story (16 Nov) "Candidate criticised for ‘reckless’ SSI remarks" should one be surprised that the Tory candidate for the new Tees Valley Mayor, Ben Houchen, should defend the Government’s handling of the SSI steelmaking
THE pricing policy of train tickets has recently been in the news and, in my view, an overhaul of the system cannot happen soon enough. It is downright overcharging. I needed to travel to Filey from Yarm. I entered the details and was offered
POLICE have released a CCTV image of a man they would like to speak to after a brawl at a city centre pub.A fight involving several men took place inside the Three Cranes pub in St Sampson's Square, York, at about 11.45am on February 2 and during
NORTHERN Echo Camera Club member Keith Corner posted these intriguing photos today. "Found this carving on a tree between Croxdale and Hett today, it's from 1946, over 70 years old," he wrote. "The tree is almost inaccessible now, so the landscape
RAILWAY modellers can learn how to create “a slice of life” next week.Graham Eason, of Vintage Transport in Miniature, will give a talk at Locomotion: The National Railway Museum at Shildon, County Durham, on Saturday, March 4, at 10.30am.The talk, entitled
THIS week we enjoy a break from our domestic politicians, who bless them, are so worn out by being in work for a couple of weeks, needed a holiday to get over the Christmas break. However, the uproar about Article 50 has provided the smoke screen
A DARLINGTON man has completed his transformation from a civilian into a Royal Navy sailor after passing an intensive training course.Martin Bowers spent ten weeks training at HMS Raleigh in Cornwall to become a Royal Navy communications and information
I AM acting on behalf of the authorities at the United Nations Memorial Cemetery, in Busan, South Korea, where more than 800 British servicemen are buried. The authorities wish to obtain photographs of the servicemen interred there, and also of
I READ with dismay, on The Northern Echo’s business page that the North-East has a recorded seven per cent unemployment rate during the past three months – an increase of 11,000 people registered out of work. This compares to a 4.8 per cent national
A VILLAGE hall’s future is looking bright thanks to a £2,000 donation.Cowshill and Lanehead Village Hall Committee has used the money to replace the building’s existing lights with more efficient LED lights. The wiring has also been extended and new plug
OUR son, Lance Corporal Ben Hyde, was one of six Royal Military policemen who died in Iraq on June 24, 2003. Since that time we have been closely involved, not only in still trying to get a full inquest into our son’s death, but also in the Chilcot
POLICE have named a cyclist who died in a collision in County Durham on Sunday. Stuart Price, from Murton in County Durham, died following a collision with a black Jaguar on Colliery Lane next to the junction with Murton Lane, near to Easington
A CHALLENGE designed to test enterprise skills amongst Dales schools saw last year's winners retain the trophy.Organised by the Wensleydale Rotary Club, several schools were each given a £40 cash start-up and encouraged to turn it into a profit for
A VISIONARY retailer who set up a popular North Yorkshire shoe shop and went on to establish an international chain has died aged 88. Catherine Kinloch Paver started Pavers in 1971 with a £200 loan, but leaves behind an organisation with 160 shops
THIRSK Community First Responders are holding an awareness evening on Thursday to enable people to learn more about fundraising for defibrillators. The Responders want to raise enough money to install and maintain up to four community public access defibrillators
AN INDEPENDENT bookshop has been presented with a new award for excellence in retail.The first David Doorbar Award for Inspiring Innovation and Excellence in Retail was handed to the late Richmond businessman in 2015 at the launch of the award, just months
THIRSK Racecourse is hosting a theatre production for the first time.Cold Comfort Farm will be performed by The Livewire Theatre Group on March 9, 10 and 11.The group have previously taken successful productions to the Edinburgh Festival and the cast
ANYONE still looking for a place in the Great North Run are in with a chance of securing a place on the starting line thanks to a charity.Teesside Hospice is offering places to runners who are up for raising vital funds for the charity.Leanne Irvine,
SHOCKING new research has revealed that almost 20 per cent of the food made available to consumers is lost through waste or over-eating.Researchers found the world population consumes around 10 per cent more food than it needs - while almost nine per
A BRING and buy sale with a difference will help Stockton's most needy next month.An event organised by the Labyrinth Holistic Cafe will give people the opportunity to help others as they shop themselves.On Thursday, March 2, the cafe's team will
SCHOOLS in Darlington are being encouraged to get behind plans to improve the lives of disabled pupils.A report for Darlington Borough Council’s children and young people scrutiny committee highlighted the need for schools in the town to help support
LEGENDARY musician Brian Wilson is bringing the Pet Sounds album tour to the North-East this summer. The Beach Boys star will be in Newcastle on Sunday, August 6, bringing Live From Times Square, an outdoor music festival, to a stunning and memorable
POLICE are hunting for vandals who are reported to have desecrated dozens of graves at a cemetery.Headstones were knocked over in at least two separate incidents at Hebburn Cemetery in South Tyneside, Northumbria Police said.Officers launched an appeal
CHILDREN hope their artistic creations will stop “careless” driving outside a Newton Acyliffe school.Pupils from St Joseph’s RCVA Primary School have designed and stuck up posters around the premises to highlight the importance of parking and driving
A VILLAGE shopkeeper is set to close his doors after almost three decades serving the community.Mick Shuib, 63, opened Costcutter in West Cornforth 28 years ago and with a heavy heart will lock up for the final time next month.The dedicated businessman
A CAFÉ with a heart has beaten competition from across the country to win a prestigious award. The team at Stockton’s Labyrinth Holistic Café, impressed judges with their social conscience to came out top at the annual Free From Eating Out awards
PRINCE Harry will be in the region on Tuesday to learn more about a military charity which provides veterans with mental health support and helping those coming in contact with the criminal justice system. His Royal Highness, who has been supporter
A COATINGS company has unveiled £10.7m plans to bolster operations at a North- East research hub. Dulux maker AkzoNobel says it is bringing together more than 100 scientists to work on next generation products. Bosses, who have refused to rule
A TOWN cricket team had double cause for celebration when it landed league and cup titles at the weekend.The Specsavers Indoor Cricket League, based at Wolsingham Sports Hall, in County Durham, was won by Willington A.The side also lifted The Arthur Nunn
MEMBERS of the former Darlington Independent Advisory Group (DIAG) have agreed to produce a new mission statement after adopting a new name.During a meeting last week, members decided to become the Darlington Unity Group, as part of a commitment to working
POLICE have confirmed a 15-year-old boy was missing for more than a week has been found safe and well. The teenager from Spennymoor had last been seen on Sunday, February 5. He was found safe and well at the weekend and has returned to his
A MIDDLESBROUGH man is facing a trial after denying sexual assault.Mohammed Mahbubur Rahman appeared at Teesside Crown Court this morning.The 35-year-old, of Cumberland Road, pleaded not guilty to a sexual assault alleged to have happened at around 3am
THREE vehicles were broken into during a football match in Crook last week. A Skoda, Peugeot and Ford were targeted by thieves while parked in the Millfield car park opposite the football ground on Friday, February 17 between 7pm and 9.30pm.
WHETHER it's at home, at work, on the bus, in the pub or on social media, everybody is talking about Kodi and what it can do. Over 20 million people across the UK are reportedly using Kodi, but for those that think it's the latest craze in dodgy
TRAIN services have resumed after engineers inspected a railway bridge following a collision involving a lorry. Delays occured for two hours after the incident on Monday morning near Stockton, Teesside.
MINISTERS are facing a backlash over long-delayed plans to update business rates for the first time in seven years, which are set to come into effect this April. Out-of-date rates need to be brought in line with property values to better reflect
A QUICK-THINKING farmer caught a van driver fly-tipping on his land near York and blocked him in using farm machinery until police arrived. Officers were called to the scene, near Appleton Roebuck, at about 1pm on Sunday. North Yorkshire Police's
A SHOPPING centre owner running a North-East retail park has seen profits collapse after heavy property losses. Hammerson says full-year pre-tax profit fell 56 per cent to £322.8m after what it called “lower revaluation gains” on its shopping centres
A WOMAN will face a trial over an allegation she murdered another woman in her home. Julie Gowling, 43, is alleged to have killed Charlene Walker, who is also known as Jamie Paylor, at a house in Darlington in December. The victim was found
A SUBSEA power cable maker will support America’s largest wind farm in a £220m deal. JDR will work with US Wind Inc on the Maryland Development. The Northern Echo understands the contract is the largest in JDR’s history, surpassing a 150-mile
FRESH from receiving their 'Godlike Geniuses' honour at last week’s NME awards, Pet Shop Boys opened their 'Super Tour' at Leeds Arena on Saturday. With their impressive catalogue of perfect pop hits combined with theatrical, often bizarre stage
SUNDERLAND fans can welcome the club’s new signings, Bryan Oviedo, Darron Gibson and Joleon Lescott at a club signing session later this week. The players will be at the club store at the Stadium of Light on Thursday at 3pm. Manchester
MUSIC legend Tom Jones has confirmed he will play Scarborough Open Air Theatre on Sunday July 2. Tickets for the show at Europe’s largest open air theatre will go on general sale at 9am on Friday, February 24. Rod Stewart to play County
JUST one week since there was snowfall on the south coast temperatures may hit 17C (62.6F) in some parts later. But the fleeting glimpse of spring is set to be blown away by gales by the end of the week, with snow flurries forecast once again for
DURHAM Police have issued their weekly appeal for the public to identify suspects caught on CCTV. Durham Police would like to speak to this man, pictured above, about a serious incident on Front Street, Sacriston, on January 13 after two men
ONE of the best-selling artists of all time has announced a date in County Durham – one of just two UK mainland concerts this year. Tickets will go on sale later this week for Rod Stewart’s concert at Durham County Cricket Club, in Chester-le-Street
GOOD Morning Britain host Piers Morgan said he has pulled out of hosting the Royal Television Society (RTS) Programme Awards over a "silly" campaign to ban him. The former tabloid newspaper editor was only announced as host on Thursday, accepting
THE volunteers of Cleveland Mountain Rescue Team have started 2017 with an unprecedented number of callouts, averaging two incidents a week. In 2016 the total number of incidents was 37. In the first two months of this year they have attended 14
ENGLAND all-rounder Ben Stokes will earn £1.7million for playing in the Indian Premier League after being signed by the Rising Pune Supergiants. The 25-year-old, recently named England's Test vice-captain, became the highest-paid overseas player
TOWN halls will be forced to carry on making deep cuts to services despite imposing inflation-busting tax rises, councils have warned. Local authorities are being pushed "perilously close to the financial edge" and most will have to continue to
IF this article is written correctly, it will do two things.After capturing your attention, it should encourage you to keeping on reading through to the end. For training company boss Simon Corbett, one of the key principles behind his business is the
EMBRACING the fashion of bringing on finishers off the bench paid rich dividends for Darlington Mowden Park as they overturned a 19-0 deficit at Moseley on Saturday. Chief impact man, centre James Fitpatrick, scored with five minutes left and Garry
NORTH-EAST Labour MPs have hit out after a report published today suggested more than half of transport infrastructure spending is going to London.A study by IPPR North shows 54 per cent of investment in the country’s transport networks is going to the
AN amateur historian and Army veteran hopes to trace descendants of the men and boys honoured on a war memorial ahead of its restoration.The First World War Memorial at Tursdale, in County Durham, pays tribute to 41 soldiers from the former pit community
THERE was an FA Cup shock at the Riverside on Saturday – Middlesbrough scored three goals. In terms of surprises, it might not have been on a par with National League Lincoln City winning at Premier League Burnley, but in the context of the Teessiders
HEADTEACHERS from the region last night issued a stark warning about schools funding ahead of a conference to discuss a predicted £3bn shortfall in the education budget. The National Association of Headteachers (NAHT) is organising the conference
A COUNTY Durham grandfather who was faced with the prospect of leg amputation is urging people to quit smoking.Wilfred Rowan Curry, from Peterlee, decided to give up the habit after being told it was probably the cause of a blockage in the artery of his
A NORTH-EAST MP who is campaigning for tougher sentences for animal abusers has received the backing of a charity.Anna Turley wants to see those who commit cruelty against animals punished with up to five years in prison.The legislation, which would increase
AITOR KARANKA claims Cristhian Stuani “does not get the credit he deserves”, with the Uruguayan’s 86th-minute strike having propelled Middlesbrough into the FA Cup quarter-finals for the first time in nine years. Stuani struck in the closing stages
NEWCASTLE UNITED will attempt to reclaim top spot in the Championship tonight, with Jack Colback admitting their promotion rivals’ form is becoming “irritating”. The Magpies host Aston Villa knowing they need to win to leap back above Brighton,
A MAN who fractured the skull of another pub-goer walked free from court after a judge heard how the victim had been "aggressive and foul-mouthed". Richard Lonsdale caused the injury with a single punch when the pair clashed outside The Keys on
TWO games with Plymouth, two draws, two occasions when Hartlepool United drew when they should have won. After Craig Hignett’s side were robbed by a late penalty at Home Park back in September, this time the Dave Jones select were denied a deserved
