CAR giant Nissan has announced a "short term" reduction in volumes at its UK factory. The Japanese firm said the move will affect its Sunderland plant, but declined to say if jobs will be lost. A statement said: "As previously communicated,
SWEDISH DJ Avicii has died aged 28, his representative has confirmed. The electronic dance music producer, real name Tim Bergling, was found dead in Oman on Friday afternoon. In a statement his publicist said: "It is with profound sorrow that
IN a week the season will be over for another year, yet Darlington could be forgiven for wanting it to last longer due to their current fine form.Thursday evening’s 2-1 win at Spennymoor Town made it eight victories in 12 games, marking a terrific turnaround
A PENSIONER was seriously injured after being knocked over by a cow. The woman, believed to be in her 70s, was hurt by the animal in Frosterley, Weardale, shortly before 12.15pm today. The Great North Air Ambulance Service was called to assist
RAJ SINGH, the former Darlington owner, has completed his takeover of Hartlepool United. Singh, who has formed a consortium along with the club’s president Jeff Stelling, has been awaiting clearance from the National League after passing the FA
Andrew Hodd’s resolute 62 followed by runs and wickets for Jack Brooks helped Yorkshire hit back from early strife against Nottinghamshire on day one of their Specsavers County Championship match at Emerald Headingley.Yorkshire slipped to 93 for five
Aiden Markram endured nightmare start to his Durham career as he collected a pair on day one of his side's Specsavers County Championship Division Two clash against Kent as 21 wickets fell at the Emirates Riverside.Markram and his team-mates were
A DOG miraculously survived falling 130ft off a cliff and spent all night lying injured on the beach.Eight-year-old New Zealand huntaway and border collie cross Dexter had to be rescued by the fire service after breaking his front legs.His owner, Bethany
RONNIE O’Sullivan doesn’t normally turn down a challenge – he’s a man more accustomed to scaling the heights of every obstacle he comes across.Yet Stephen Hendry’s record of seven world snooker titles is one mountain even the Rocket claims he won’t set
CONTROVERSIAL plans to convert a former police headquarters into a children's activity centre have been quashed.Planning permission and listed building consent for the change of use of the former North Yorkshire Police site in Newby Wiske Hall, near
A MILITARY parade will be taking place in the North-East on Saturday. Soldiers from the 5th Battalion Royal Regiment of Fusiliers (5RRF), based in Newcastle, will march from Newcastle Civic Centre to the Cathedral of St Nicholas to mark the closest Saturday
A SECOND man suspected of the murder of a man who suffered fatal head injuries during an attack is to go on trial this summer. Christopher Hills, who is accused of killing 36-year-old Michael Price, entered a ‘not guilty’ plea at Newcastle Crown Court
CLEARANCE of a protest camp set up at the entrance of a planned opencast mine between two rural villages came was completed yesterday with the removal of the last two activists holding out in a tree today. Seven people were arrested during a two-day
Durham started their County Championship season at Emirates Riverside this afternoon amid a backdrop of uncertainty about the future of the four-day game. Chief Sports Writer Scott Wilson was watching to assess where Championship cricket should go
A MOTHER-of-four who was inspired by her family to set up a craft and confectionary business will support a new charity when she trades at a festival this weekend. Linsey Wraith developed her love of making things after leaving civil service to care for
AN open air theatre is to offer a pair free tickets to each of its summer gigs this weekend.Scarborough Open Air Theatre has announced 16 headline concerts including Lionel Richie, Steps and Britney Spears, and on Sunday will hide a pair of tickets for
A 23-YEAR-OLD man has appeared in court following an incident in a Teesdale village on Wednesday night. Samuel Heys arrested following the incident at a house in Mickleton.Mr Heys, of Parkside, Ladgate Lane, Middlesbrough, was charged with breaching a
A MAN been arrested in connection with the unsolved murder of schoolgirl Nikki Allan 25 years ago. Officers from Northumbria Police raided a house in the Stockton area of Teesside on Tuesday, during which the suspect was detained. Seven-year-old
TONY PULIS thinks Arsene Wenger will go down as a managerial legend after deciding to call time on his 22 years as Arsenal manager at the end of the season. Gunners fans have been split over whether it is the right time for the Frenchman to leave
A STRUGGLING theatre has been forced to temporarily close its doors as it faces up to a cash-crisis. Darlington’s Majestic Theatre announced the decision on its Facebook page today. A Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) was presented on behalf
DESPITE losing 2-1 to Darlington last night, Spennymoor Town remain on course for reaching the play-offs and Quakers boss Tommy Wright would like to see them do it.Moors are seventh, the final play-off spot, two points ahead of Bradford PA and York City
Bishop Auckland manager Colin Myers says that his players must start games better as they continue their fight against relegation at home to Whitley Bay on Saturday. Bishops go into today’s clash just two points above the relegation zone after
Spennymoor manager Jason Ainsley says that he will make changes to his team when they go to Curzon Ashton on Saturday afternoon. Moors will be playing their third game in five days on Tameside, and at the same looking for their first win in five
A STAR-STUDDED red carpet event held in the North East last month has raised more than £80,000 for a leading charity. A host of famous faces turned out to the gala performance of Sting’s musical, The Last Ship, to raise money for The Graham Wylie
A YOUNG mixed martial arts fighter has scooped up a pair of diamonds after entering a raffle hosted by the Unity Fighting Championship.The event was held at the Dolphin Centre in Darlington to showcase professional and amateur mixed martial arts.Professional
RAFAEL BENITEZ has paid tribute to outgoing Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, and described the Gunners as a “massive club” amid mounting speculation linking him with a possible move to the Emirates. Wenger will leave his position as Arsenal boss
HARTLEPOOL UNITED will end their season dressed as clowns. The theme for the club’s final away game of the season annual fancy dress extravaganza has been announced. And this time, for the game at Tranmere on Saturday, April 27, supporters will
PEOPLE can take a trip down memory line when an OK bus returns to the roads of County Durham for the first time in more than two decades this weekend.Tim Phillips, of Cambridgeshire, has restored a Leyland Tiger dual-purpose coach that was new to OK Motor
PATRICK BAMFORD will not face former club Derby County in tomorrow’s huge tussle for a play-off place, Middlesbrough manager Tony Pulis has confirmed. Bamford has not trained since being knocked out on the pitch at the Riverside Stadium against
THE final whistle has finally blown on an illustrious career as one of a police force’s fondest four-legged friends heads into retirement. Paddington, also known as Bob, has closely followed the fortunes of Newcastle United and Sunderland in recent
FIVE men accused of murder have today made their first appearance before a judge. The group are alleged to have killed Steven Willis, 27, in Middlesbrough on Monday. Judge Simon Bourne-Arton, QC, set an expected trial date in October. Teesside
KENT hold a narrow lead over Durham after the second session of their County Championship Division Two contest at the Emirates Riverside. The visitors lost Daniel Bell-Drummond early to Chris Rushworth in their reply to Durham's innings of 91,
A CHEF whose North Yorkshire restaurant has been called the best in the world is opening a new venue. The Black Swan at Oldstead, near Thirsk, was named the world’s best rated restaurant in the annual TripAdvisor awards in October last year, and
THERE has been much made recently of the abuse suffered by referees in Premier League and international football matches and the criticism from players and managers.The laws of football already prohibit swearing and abuse at the referee punishable by
IT’S great to see more council street workers out and about trying to keep our little town of Darlington tidy, which will be an ongoing requirement due to a few irresponsible people who don’t care less what state our town is kept. I walk through
DRUNK thieves attempting to flee police had to abandon their slow-moving vehicle after realising a tractor could not outpace a police car. In one of the most unusual police pursuits early on Friday morning, the hapless criminals in east Cleveland
A FREE workshop will give adults a taste of the ancient practice of Longsword dancing tomorrow.The Music at the Heart of Teesdale (M@HoT) project is offering a the practical workshop at Winston Village Hall, from 10am until 2pm. "Though planned mainly
A TRIO of charities are set to be supported by staff and restaurant goers invited to join a fundraiser with free refreshments.Nando's in Darlington will be swapping piri-piri chicken for homemade cakes for shoppers feeling peckish on Saturday, April
THE sun is shining, but not sure what to do this weekend, here's a few ideas Tale of St George, Richmond Castle on Saturday/Sunday, 11-4pm Join us as we celebrate St George's day at Richmond Castle. Bring the whole family along to watch
A dilapidated building in Richmond town centre has been transformed into an upmarket place to eat, sleep and live. It even has a penthouse, says Jenny Needham THE Victorians had a flair for creating grand buildings for all types of uses, employing
As traditional British flowers make a comeback, Ruth Campbell talks to a North Yorkshire photographer capturing the beauty of these blooms, while celebrating the domestic growers who are nurturing them WHILE wandering through the marketplace in
SAVANNAH MARSHALL is hoping to use her professional UK debut as a stepping stone to some of the biggest fights on offer in women’s boxing. The Hartlepool middleweight will fight on the undercard of Hughie Fury’s British heavyweight title bout with
REIGNING Olympic champion Greg Van Avermaet is the latest star cyclist confirmed to ride the 2018 Tour de Yorkshire.Van Avermaet is one of the biggest names in the sport who has also won two Tour de France stages, the 2017 Paris-Roubaix title, and numerous
Chef-turned-businessman James Whetlor is trying to get goat on the menu, he tells Ella Walker The thing is, most of us are more than happy to eat goat's cheese, but goat meat? "People think it's 'too goaty'," says James Whetlor, author of new book
Henry Firth and Ian Theasby tell Prudence Wade about their mission to make plant-based eating simpler for everyone Veganism has been on something of a PR rollercoaster in recent years. Not that long ago, it was the remit of shoe-less hippies, then
The former TOWIE star and entrepreneur spills to Sophie Pearce about the beauty products she just couldn't be without. For reality star, entrepreneur and fitness enthusiast Lucy Mecklenburgh, what she puts onto her body is just as important as
TRYING to make more planet-conscious choices? Abi Jackson highlights four companies championing sustainable kit However you like work up a sweat, these four brands and stockists could all help ensure your fitness kit supports your performance and
ARIANA Grande has released her first new track since the Manchester Arena attack which claimed the lives of 22 concertgoers. No Tears Left To Cry was teased by the 24-year-old through her social media channels this week and dropped at midnight
ARSENE WENGER will leave Arsenal at the end of the season, bringing to an end 22 years with the North London club. The 68-year-old, who is the club’s longest serving manager having joined in 1996, announced the news in a statement this morning.
As the vegetable plot comes to life, chard is among the first to sprout At this time of year, the kitchen garden at RHS Garden Harlow Carr is looking pristine and tidy if somewhat bare: seeds have been sown, plants are waiting to come out of the
Downton Abbey star Lily James returns to the past in the big-screen adaptation of The Guernsey Literary And Potato Peel Pie Society. She talks to Laura Harding about the film LILY James looks so exquisite in period dress that it is almost a surprise
Nicola Walker’s latest venture, The Split, is set to shine a new light on the complex world of high-profile divorce. But it’s far more than just another legal drama, she tells Gemma Dunn Turning 40 has been somewhat of a revelation for Nicola Walker
HALF of drivers (50%) think it is acceptable to break speed limits, new research suggests. The average speed at which motorists feel it is reasonable to drive above the legal limits includes 26mph in a 20mph zone and 79mph on a motorway, a poll
Meet the style maverick who will inspire the next generation of designers SHE’S worked with such famous designers as Oscar de la Renta and Calvin Klein. Now Dr Carol Harris is bringing her passion for fashion to the North-East to head up at new
ONE episode in, and it's fair to say Britain's Got More Talent, the sister show to the ITV talent contest, is as compelling as ever. Presenter Stephen Mulhern tells Georgia Humphreys about overcoming the health scare that could have ended his career
BUSINESS leaders have stepped up calls to reform the Government's apprenticeship levy after new figures showed a huge fall in the number of apprenticeship starts since it came in. Between August 2017 and January this year there were 206,100 apprenticeship
A SEVENTH arrest has been made in connection with the alleged murder of a man in Middlesbrough earlier this week. Cleveland Police have now arrested a seventh man in connection with the alleged murder of 27-year-old Steven John Willis in Normanby
THURSDAY night’s game between Jarrow Roofing and West Auckland was briefly abandoned by the referee with just four minutes left. The referee took the action after he red-carded Jarrow striker Dennis Knight for a foul, but the player hotly disputed
THE closure of public buildings is a source of sadness and controversy across the country, and the small community of Startforth is no exception. The former Startforth Morritt Primary School, overlooking beautiful Barnard Castle, closed in December
THERE'S still time to buy plug plants to fill your hanging baskets and containers, which can work out half the price of regular bedding. It's your last chance to buy plug plants, the baby plants which start off at around half the size - and half
Durham captain Paul Collingwood is adamant that he still has the drive to lead the team forward ahead of the 2018 season. Collingwood, who turns 42 in May, was key last season and will continue to be at the forefront in the new term as he once again leads
THE North-East requires recognition as the leading centre for the newest offshore wind technologies according to a new report which calls for the sector to be put on a par with the pharmaceutical and car industries. The ‘Winning Locally, Going
FASHION advice is on hand this weekend as a regular event returns to Durham.Stylist Belinda Alexander will be giving people tips and advice as part of Fashion InDurham. The event, organised by Durham’s Business Improvement District (Bid), is designed
RESIDENTS living across Hambleton and Richmondshire are being urged to join a network to have their say on health services.The local Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) has a statutory responsibility to encourage patient and public involvement when buying
MATT RITCHIE feels Newcastle United’s surge to safety in the last few weeks has provided further vindication of his decision to step down to the Championship when he left Bournemouth two summers ago.Ritchie swapped the Premier League for the second tier
TUESDAY afternoon, Sandhill View Academy in Sunderland, and a football coaching session is taking place in the school sports hall. Jack Ramsey, a second-year coaching student, takes a couple of pupils to one side to run through what he expects from
The heartbreaking story of a stalking victim murdered by her boyfriend has formed the basis of an award-winning podcast.University of Sunderland graduate Emma Casson had interviewed Alice Ruggles only a year before she was killed.So moved by the tragedy
A PROTRACTED row over plans for an opencast mine between two rural villages came to a head yesterday when bailiffs moved in to tear down a protest camp. Three people had been arrested by police at the Pont Valley Protection Camp, at the Bradley
THE Northern Echo has been highlighting the Spice crisis in North-East jails for almost a year now. We have told of prison officers “dropping like flies” after being exposed to the dangerous psychoactive drug. Our reporters have spoken to an officer’s
A FAKE grass specialist has been jailed for 14 weeks after drink-driving – despite having been disqualified for previous offences. Peter Ronald Blackbourn, of Tayside, Darlington, was pulled over in his Audi A3 by police just off Neasham Road in
AN ambitious scheme to transform Darlington railway station and the surrounding area is close to receiving government backing, it has been claimed.Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said he held a “really productive” meeting with transport minister Jo Johnson
A MARKET town is set to come alive with a blaze of colour as morris dancers from across the region descend next month.Barnard Castle will host the Black Sheep Border Morris’ Day of Dance 2018, a bi-annual celebration of the ancient art, on Saturday, May
IN training they are fiercely competitive, but when one steps into the ring the other two are their biggest fans.And that level of drive and support is serving Sonny, Brooks and Konniegrace Sowerby well as the siblings have just landed five Thai boxing
THE A184 Felling bypass, in Gateshead, will be closed to traffic on Sunday night as work on the final phase of the major repairs at Heworth Roundabout gets underway.It will be closed in both directions between Stoneygate Lane and Lingey Lane from 11pm
GREEN fingered care home residents have been out in the garden. Taking advantage of the good weather, residents at The Beeches Care Home, on Green Lane, in Stockton, have been getting into the garden to plant flowers and vegetables. Pansies
SOME of the Commonwealth’s best young fencers are heading to the region later this year.More than 600 young athletes from across the globe will be competing in Newcastle at the junior Commonwealth Fencing Championships in July. Event coordinator Beth
DARLINGTON Scouts has shown an increase in not only its youth members but also adult leaderships, with more than 550 young people meeting weekly and more than 115 adults enabling this to happen.And now thanks to youth investment funding, the Scouts are
ON an autumn day in 1933, thousands of Stockton people rose up against a rising tide of fascism and chased 150 ‘blackshirts’ out of their town. Members of the British Union of Fascists had travelled from across the country to stage a rally in the
TOWN Criers are swapping exotic destinations including Bermuda and Nova Scotia for North Yorkshire to take part in a major competition. Helmsley is hosting its first ever Town Crier competition this summer and it is attracting criers from the other
TWO successful women dressed up for a formal occasion sit sipping tea in the grand surroundings of the mayor’s parlour. As they chat, they recall the first time they met alone – two virtual strangers nervously peering at each other at an everyday kitchen
HE might have inherited a somewhat impossible situation when he agreed to replace Simon Grayson in November, but if Sunderland are relegated to League One, Chris Coleman is adamant the blame should fall squarely on his shoulders.The Black Cats will drop
PEOPLE are being invited to have a look behind the scenes at a popular steam railway. The North Yorkshire Moors Railway is set to throw open its doors and invite people to learn about the inner workings of a heritage railway during the first May Bank
CHILDREN are set to enjoy free concerts from professional musicians as part of a festival education programme.Swaledale Festival’s community and education programme has been steadily growing, and this year the festival is sending musicians to perform
A THIRSK business is pushing to expand its global reach by appearing at an international show for the first time.Langver Engineering, which makes ratchet tensioners for truck trailer curtains, is preparing to showcase its products at the Commercial Vehicle
A NATIONAL award ceremony celebrating women in digital industries have named a Richmond woman as a future leader.Lyndsay Morgan, 31, has been crowned winner of the Women in Advertising and Communications London (WACL) future leaders award, through her
HUNDREDS of youngsters have been given the chance to try their hand at cooking healthy, tasty meals as part of a North-East food fair taking place this weekend. Organisers behind Bishop Auckland Food Festival have been drumming up support ahead
A CHARITY has been given almost £100,000 to help disadvantaged families learn how to grow their own fruit and vegetables.OASES (Outdoor and Sustainability Education Specialists) was given the grant to help it deliver four Growing Together clubs around
PEOPLE have been given an opportunity to have a say about rural crime in the 2018 National Rural Crime Survey.The survey is now available at www.nationalruralcrimenetwork.net and is open until Sunday, June 10.In response to community concerns and the
MEMBERS of Cleveland Model Railway Club are putting the finishing touches to their Spring Open Day to be held on Sunday, April 29.There will be a number of working layouts for fans to enjoy as well demonstrations, club sales and tombola stalls, amenities
ONE of the world’s rarest sheep breeds has given birth to triplets at a County Durham tourist attraction. The Cameroon triplets were born at Adventure Valley, Brasside, Durham, on Wednesday.Teeny, Tot and Tiny were born at about 8pm, with the smallest
MUSICIANS from across the world and closer to home are descending on North Yorkshire for the Musicport on the Moors festival.The event, from May 4 to 7, will take place in The Hut at Goathland and surrounding venues.Musicport have also recently taken
A NEW “teapot” ten pence has been produced in a collaboration with the Royal Mint and one of Yorkshire’s most famous tea rooms.The Royal Mint’s new limited edition 10p coin features a steaming pot of tea in its design and will appear in tills across Bettys
AN NHS trust boss has revealed it withdrew its services at a North-East jail over safety concerns for its staff due to prevalence of prisoners taking drugs such as Spice. Tees Esk and Wear Valley NHS Trust, which provides mental health care at
A RETIRED headteacher received an MBE at Buckingham Palace after being praised in the Queen’s New Year Honours for her 'important and sustained impact' on a corner of County Durham. Stefa McManners' 'commitment, dedication and energy'
COMEDIAN Tommy Cannon is performing in the North-East this weekend in a black comedy about the afterlife.Seriously Dead tells the tale of Thelma Henderson who cannot gain entry to heaven through the pearly gates as the system has gone digitalised and
A RESIDENT of Trimdon Village is calling for “vandalism” of grass verges to stop.Cllr Paul Trippett, of Roseberry Road, says damage to the grass verges on the street is an ongoing problem caused by “thoughtless” drivers.In recent months the once green
