THREE young children have been rescued by firefighters after they got stuck up a tree this afternoon. Firefighters attended Honister Place in Newton Aycliffe shortly after 4pm following reports of youngsters, including a five-year-old, getting
THE new Tees Valley Development Corporation has got off to a flying start. The body that has been charged with creating jobs in communities hit by the closure of Redcar steelworks doesn’t officially launch for a few weeks yet it’s already boosting
The Butterwick Hospice has appointed Debbie Jones as its new chief executive. She speaks to PETER BARRON about her aspirations for one of the North-East’s best-known charities WHEN Debbie Jones left college, she was on the verge of joining the
A CLOSURE order has been granted on a home in following complaints against a nightmare neighbour.Magistrates in Gateshead granted the order against the address in the town’s Fontwell Drive after an application from the local housing association supported
A £140,000 funding boost has been granted to support audiences of children visiting the new Theatre Hullabaloo.The site, which is attached to the Darlington Hippodrome within the former Edwardian fire station, is currently under construction and due to
VOLUNTEERS can help tie thousands of handmade fabric poppies onto nets for a community's memorial to soldiers killed in the First World War. The Great Cornforth and Ferryhill Poppy Project will hold a poppy tie-in at Holy Trinity’s Parish Hall, in
POLICE are planning “robust” action against groups of youths running wild and terrorising a city neighbourhood.There have been more than 25 incidents of anti-social behaviour in the Chaplefields area of York in a period of just eight days.The incidents
A WOMAN was sexually assaulted while walking in Northallerton, police have revealed.Officers are now appealing for witnesses following the report of a sexual assault on Wooden Hill Lane in Romanby, off Ainderby Road. The incident reported just after 7pm
TV veteran Sir Bruce Forsyth has died at the age of 89, his manager has said. The statement read: "It is with great sadness that the Forsyth family announce that Sir Bruce passed away this afternoon, peacefully at his home surrounded by his wife
AN aircraft had to make an emergency landing in a field in North Yorkshire after it experienced mechanical problems. The pilot, aged 67, and a 12-year-old boy were on board the light aircraft that came down in a field near Dunsley Hall, a country
LIFEBOAT volunteers proved their worth when they completed one of their fastest ever rescues just off the coast North Yorkshire yesterday Two male sailors got into difficulties at Runswick Bay when their dinghy capsized - and the Staithes and Runswick
NICOLA WILSON is lying after seventh position after an excellent dressage display at the European Eventing Championships. The North Yorkshire Olympian rode Bulana to record a score of 35.1 penalties, with her performance helping the British squad
DARLINGTON has been selected to lead a nationwide search for 200 "pioneering members of the community".The Member Pioneer scheme will run from the town's Co-op supermarkets to build relationships with charity and resident groups, encouraging
PLANS to convert a barn into a cottage and playroom have been submitted to Durham County Council.The application was submitted to the council by Louise Whitburn and her husband on July 13.The couple, of The Limes, in Cotherstone, Teesdale, are hoping
TOBY FLOOD will make the first start of his second spell at Newcastle Falcons tomorrow when Dean Richards’ side continue their pre-season preparations with a home game against Rotherham Titans. The 60-times-capped England fly-half played the second
A NEW scheme has been launched by police to tackle long-term problems in a North Yorkshire seaside town.Operation Culture is now underway in Scarborough following complaints about antisocial behaviour, street drinking, the visible use of illegal substances
A MAN who laundered in excess of £100,000 – proceeds from “extensive” cigarette smuggling activity – has been jailed for two years.Andrew McKnight was said to be holding down a responsible job while he was engaged in a profitable criminal operation on
ONE of the challenges of writing this particular column in this particular newspaper is that a majority of the places one might reasonably eat out are pubs. It’s just the nature of the D&S patch. There will not be many pubs in the 2,000 square
DOZENS of items of jewellery of “great sentimental value” have been stolen during a house burglary.Two gold diamond engagement rings, a gold engagement ring with five stones, and a platinum and diamond eternity ring have gone missing since the incident.A
A £1.7 million fund has been launched to increase opportunities for young people who want to improve their communities.The Virgin Money Foundation and Big Lottery Fund have set up the social action programme and have launched it with five grants worth
RAFA BENITEZ is determined to stay focused on delivering the points as Newcastle United manager by leaving transfer business in the hands of managing director Lee Charnley. The Magpies are preparing for Sunday’s trip to Huddersfield Town knowing
Spennymoor face their toughest game so far when they go to Brackley on Saturday afternoon in the Vanarama National League North. Moors have collected a maximum of nine points from their three games so far, their latest victory being by 3-0 over
Newton Aycliffe manager Deano Browne is looking for more quality from his team in their FA Cup preliminary round tie at Albion Sports on Saturday. Browne went to watch his side’s opponents in Northern Counties East League action on the ground they
Darlington assistant manager Brian Atkinson says that Quakers must take the season one game at a time as Quakers prepare for the visit of AFC Telford United this afternoon – and defender Terry Galbraith is poised to make his 200th appearance. Quakers
ONE aspect of duty free sales I have never understood is why the system operates at the departure terminal resulting in hundreds of passengers taking alcohol thousands of miles or drinking it surreptitiously while on board. If the system operated
I WONDER whose bright idea it was to introduce Colour Runs to our charity sporting calendar. I cannot quite believe that throwing coloured corn starch at runners which is inhaled when they are struggling to breathe anyway, is a good idea at all
FOR those who enjoy a good comedy story I read a smashing one this week. The latest jobs figures were released and apparently there are more people in employment since records began in 1971. Yosser Hughes’ “Gizza’ job!” catchphrase has been
I HAVE a simple solution to the forthcoming problem that will arise when the UK leaves the Federal Europe or the EU as it disguises itself. The answer is for The Republic of Ireland to leave the EU. That would mean they would regain their own
VJ CONNOR (HAS Aug 15) rightly argues that we cannot negotiate with Daesh (Islamic State). There can be no compromise with this fanatical death-cult. Their ultimate objective is to establish an oppressive Islamist caliphate across the entire globe
MARK Anderson’s Pro-Brexit epistle contained the words “absurd lies and false information” (HAS, Aug 2). Considering the porkies told by the Leave brigade over the last two decades, surely a case of people in glass houses. D Cook, Sacriston
I DON’T think 900,000 passengers a year will leave Newcastle Airport and travel to Edinburgh to save on this air passenger duty if it ever comes into force (Echo Aug 8). I know people who travel to Manchester because some flights are cheaper than
I AM the education officer for Durham County Badger Group. I read with interest, the letter in Aug 14th’s Northern Echo, by Jennifer White from PETA. I have emailed Jennifer on the subject, and I thought you might also be interested. I am a
THERE appears to be something amiss with the powers of the United Nations when so many dictators throughout the world can commit atrocities on their people without fear of severe punishment. When the UN was established after the end of the Second
WITHOUT wishing to sound melodramatic, money was tight when I was growing up on a council estate in the 1960s, so treats weren’t always easy to come by. Luckily, my Mum was resourceful. When my Dad came home from the steelworks, she worked evenings
I WATCHED in horror and disgust at last Friday evening’s news footage inside a slaughterhouse. It showed animals being beaten, thrown about, given shocks and worse we didn’t see. Not all slaughter houses can be tarred with the same brush but these
TONY Kelly is right: the massive drop in under 17s arrested is an “abnegation of responsibility,” not an excuse for the Howard League for Penal Reform to congratulate North East Police forces. (HAS, Aug 12). A crime victim once too often, I’m not
THERE is speculation regarding the title to be conferred upon the consort of the next monarch, but little attention is paid to the more general question of titles for future consorts. The Cameron-Clegg reform of the royal succession secured gender
BIRTH is a natural process. So is death. Yet we try and do our best to make death as comfortable and painfree as possible. So why not do the same with childbirth?For years having a natural birth was a sort of competition among certain types of women –
THIS Saturday is World Humanitarian Day, a chance to pay tribute to aid workers who risk their lives in humanitarian service and a day to remind us what more must be done. This week’s deadly mudslides in Sierra Leone have highlighted the daily
THERE were mostly smiles – but there were tears too. Dreams were realised but, as always on A-level results day, there were disappointments. In covering the results coming in from across the region, The Northern Echo has published scores of inspirational
A GUNMAN on a bicycle shot a car in an incident being linked to a shooting at a house in Billingham on Wednesday. Police insisted they are doing all they can to find those responsible for the two shootings during a public meeting held to reassure
AJ Productions present Beauty and the Beast, The Garden Rooms, Tennants, on Saturday and Sunday at 1:30pm and 6:30pm A family pantomime packed with slapstick comedy, audience interaction and lavish set and costumes. The story takes you on a journey
ROMALDKIRK'S traditional village fair will take place tomorrow, from 1pm with the fancy dress parade meeting outside the Teesdale village's Reading Room.It will be followed by the fun dog show from 2.30pm.Entertainment includes Middleton & Teesdale
THE £17m upgrade of River Foss Barrier and pumping station in York should be fully operational by Boxing Day - the second anniversary of the flooding disaster that hit the city in 2015.The Environment Agency has also confirmed that low level flood defence
A MAN who had his sickness benefits stopped was found dead on a beach just a matter of days later. David Metcalfe was found on the shore at Horden but an inquest into his death heard there was no evidence to show how he got there from his Hartlepool
THE Roman Army will march on County Durham this month to reinforce the garrison at an historic fort.Members of the Roma Antiqua reenactment group will welcome visitors to Binchester Roman Fort, near Bishop Auckland, on Bank Holiday Monday, August 28.
FIFTEEN new solar-powered litter bins have been bought by Hartlepool Council as part of its on-going drive to keep the town clean and tidy.The sun’s rays charge a 12-volt battery which, in turn, powers a compacting system that allows the Bigbelly bins
THE sun shone on Darlington’s town square as people came together to enjoy lively music and a tasty afternoon tea.The popular Tea Dance returned this Thursday, where a crowd of guests were treated to music, live dancing, and free scones in the glistening
If it’s good enough for David Cameron… Jenny Needham takes a look at how the humble shepherd’s hut has been given a modern-day makeover Until the early 20th Century, shepherd’s huts with iron wheels and hinged stable doors could be seen dotted
A PLAN to build a pedestrian and cycle bridge across the River Tees has been blocked after it was branded an 'unnecessary eyesore'. Yarm School had been hoping to span the river in a bid to link it to the Heritage Park in Eaglescliffe. But
A ROLLER skating club’s winning streak shows no sign of coming to an end after it scooped ten medals at a major event.Spectrum Roller Skating Club travelled all the way to Cardiff in Wales for the national three-day contest last weekend.The team of 12
Samuel L Jackson and Salma Hayek are husband and wife in The Hitman’s Bodyguard. They tell Laura Harding about filming their passionate scenes and why Jackson never usually plays a romantic lead SAMUEL L JACKSON does not kiss many women on screen
Motel One is on the march. The brown and turquoise-themed budget beauty, which was born in Munich back in 2000, now boasts 55 hotels across the UK and Europe, and has another 26 planned, bringing the total to 81 in ten countries by 2020. This year
Increase the value and appeal of your home with an external revamp IT'S time to get up front and personal with your home's exterior. Take a long hard look at it, because if it's drab and unloved with peeling paint, a shabby door and an overgrown
TWO people were taken to hospital after suffering minor burns and smoke inhalation in a house fire in York. Three crews were called to the blaze at about 6.30pm yesterday in Tostig Avenue, Acomb, which broke out upstairs in a semi-detached house
AN MP has described a Government job advert as a “sick joke” in a London-based position to lead a project to support the regeneration of the former SSI steelworks. Redcar MP Anna Turley raised her concerns over the job description for a project
SUNDERLAND Simon Grayson has confirmed that Robert Snodgrass is on Sunderland’s wanted list, as first revealed in The Northern Echo at the beginning of July. The Black Cats’ interest has never disappeared but the chances of him moving to Wearside
SIMON GRAYSON admits he would like to sign Robert Snodgrass – but Sunderland will struggle to put together a financial package for the West Ham United midfielder. Snodgrass has been told he is free to leave West Ham this month on either a loan
Hannah Stephenson catches up with celebrity hairdresser Steven Smith, to find out what really goes on behind the scenes in the world of showbiz hairdressing. He's cut, styled and blow-dried the hair of celebrities from London to Hollywood, from
The right blend of nutrients can work wonders on all three problem areas. When you look in the mirror and sigh because you're met with the sight of dull skin, red patches or a flare-up of spots, what's the first thing you do to remedy the problem
How to make sure every penny you save is working its hardest SAVINGS rates are on the up. Yet it’s not time to whoop and holler just yet. While we’ve got the best easy access rates we’ve seen for over a year, they’re still paltry, pitiful, spitworthily
EYE witnesses have described their shock at seeing a bus engulfed by flames within minutes of it catching on fire in a residential street last night. Emergency services were alerted to the fire on board the single deck Lambton Worm bus, in The
A BROKEN down train is causing disruption to trains running through Durham. Passengers have been warned that trains may be cancelled or delayed. Train operators affected include TransPennine Express, Virgin East Coast, Northern and Cross Country
A HORSE was spooked after a driver stopped to shout abuse at its rider. Crook Police want to speak to a female who was driving a dark blue car on the A689 between Crook and Howden-le-Wear, near to The Hollow, at around 2pm on August 10. A police
FIVE terrorists wearing suicide belts rammed civilians with a car in a Spanish seaside town before being shot dead by police in a second attack to hit the country. Seven people including a police officer were injured during the incident in Cambrils
TRAFFIC chaos was caused on a busy Darlington road during rush hour as police were called to deal with violence following a crash. Eyewitnesses saw the drama unfurl at around 4.15pm as a van and a 4x4 were involved in a chase along McMullen Road
PERFORMERS are gearing up for a rock festival which returns for the second tomorrow. Stanley Burning Rock Festival takes place at the Stanley Community Football Centre on Tyne Road, Stanley, and gates will open at 1pm, with live music until 9pm.The main
RESIDENTS are up in arms following the sudden appearance of a 70 ft phone mast, which has been put up on the greenbelt on the outskirts of Durham City. The mast, which is 22.5m high, appeared on land at the bottom of Neville’s Cross Bank on Monday
JONATHAN FRANKS has rejoined Hartlepool United. The winger left Victoria Park two years ago, but has been training with his former club after his departure from Ross County and has been a regular at the club’s Durham base in recent weeks.
A CALL has gone out to the public to nominate dedicated volunteers to be invited to take afternoon tea with the mayor.In September, it will be 150 years since Queen Victoria granted Darlington its Charter of Incorporation.The charter led to the founding
A MICHELIN starred restaurant in the region has come in the top 50 eateries in the country, according to the Good Food Guide. The Raby Hunt, near Darlington, which has recently undergone a £400,000 revamp, came in at number 37. Run by James
A TRAINBUILDER has ramped up testing on rolling stock destined to be made in the North-East. Hitachi Rail Europe trialled one of its Azuma trains during an inaugural trip to Scotland. The stock, due to run on the East Coast main line next year
A PLAN for a multi-million pound care home and hotel development in North Yorkshire's county town has been given the go-ahead. Hambleton District Council’s planning committee approved the ambitious plans, which will see a total of 113 full-time
NUISANCE off-road bikers have been warned they face arrest and having their vehicles seized.Durham police has launched Operation Endurance to rid the streets of illegal bikers, with support from Durham County Council, Darlington Borough Council, the Woodland
AN internationally acclaimed Chinese Circus is in the North-East for four days.The show by the Chinese State Circus is in Durham and opened last night at The Sands. The Dynasty show features acrobats, aerial artistes and jugglers as well as the legendary
A WOMAN who was sexually abused as a child by her uncle has seen him jailed after bumping into him in Asda 40 years later – and punching him in the face. Mother-of-two Tracey Davison, 50, shouted "this is for all the abuse" as she hit Douglas Richardson
AN adventurer is urging young people across County Durham to speak out about their mental health issues.Alex Staniforth, ambassador for the youth charity, YHA, has just completed an epic 72-day, 5,000 mile challenge called #ClimbtheUK, which involved
A BRIDE left with nowhere to stay before her wedding night has thanked those who rushed to ensure her big day goes off without a hitch.Abbi Fluen was left devastated when Walworth Castle, close to Darlington, unexpectedly cancelled the rooms she had booked
GARRY MONK is keen to sign a defender and a forward before the transfer window closes in just under a fortnight, and is hoping Ryan Shotton arrives to plug the first of those gaps “sooner rather than later”. Middlesbrough have made eight senior
A CLUMSY cockatiel has rediscovered her wings after an accident that left her with only one leg. Poor Mindy dislocated her left leg after flying into a mirror in her owner’s living room in Crook. But, thanks to the care and expertise of veterinary
A COUNCIL has pulled out of a proposed deal to have a mobile phone mast erected on a park depot that could have earned it tens of thousands of pounds.Spennymoor Town Council will no longer consider allowing the mast to be sited in its depot in Jubilee
LEE CATTERMOLE has issued a stark message to any Sunderland players still uncertain about whether they want to be part of Simon Grayson’s rebuilding job at the Stadium of Light: “You know where the door is.” Sunderland’s squad has been subjected
A BANK robber stole £45,000 by blowing up an ATM has been jailed for ten years - two of them for a failed prison escape. Russell Snowdon and an accomplice blasted open a cash machine at an RBS branch in Langholm, Dumfriesshire, in the early hours
A COUNCIL temporarily closed down a farm shop and café in Hambleton after inspectors found serious health risks when investigating an allegation of poor hygiene. Environmental health officers with Hambleton District Council visited Langthornes Buffalo
THE table was turned on Hambleton District Council chairman David Hugill – when his parents received a special civic visit.John and Jean Hugill celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary – and that meant a special visit from the local council.But as
MATT RITCHIE is convinced Newcastle United will not be struggling in the Premier League this season – regardless of what happens during the rest of the transfer window.The Scotland international is certain Rafael Benitez can guide the Magpies to a relatively
