A GUN-TOTING householder who went into the street to remonstrate with children playing cricket has been told to prepare for prison. Christopher Jones pleaded guilty to racially-aggravated fear or provocation of violence and possessing a firearm
A HOMELESS woman is facing jail for a burglary during which she stole a mobility scooter. Jessica Magee will be sentenced at Teesside Crown Court next month for the February break-in at a house in Hartlepool. The 21-year-old also took a bottle
IT has been just another quiet week in the crazy world of Sunderland AFC, it Monday saw Stewart Donald’s takeover confirmed and the new owner conduct his first press conference. He didn’t rule out bringing Chris Coleman back in as boss, while fellow director
AN ICONIC hotel has seen its first guests check-in after a major refurbishment to bring it back to its former glory.The Fleece Hotel in Richmond first opened in 1897 and has a grand and imposing gothic facade, but in recent years has been used a nightclub
CHILDREN at a primary school have paid tribute to a much-loved teaching assistant by releasing hundreds of balloons in a special memorial service. All 400 hundred children at Skerne Park Academy in Darlington headed to the school grounds where
JACK ROSS didn’t spent much time at Hartlepool United, but during his short stay he made an impression.Signed by Neale Cooper in 2004, the resolute right-back appeared only 23 times for the club. His time was ended by injury, homesickness and a refusal
MARSKE welcome Middlesbrough to Windy Hill Lane, fielding a full-strength side for the first time this season. Skipper Lee Hodgson said: “We make one change from last weekend, Tom Urwin coming in for his first game of the season for the unavailable
VISITORS to a market town's 1940s weekend will be able to get up close to military vehicles. That's as the Durham Tees Valley Military Vehicle Club will be providing seven military vehicles for the event in Bishop Auckland, on Saturday, June 9,
MIDDLESBROUGH will take on Hartlepool United on the weekend before the start of the 2018-19 season.A Middlesbrough XI will make the short trip to Victoria Park on Saturday, July 28, seven days before the new Championship season is due to begin.It will
Sacriston travel to Benwell Hill in the Dukes ECB North East Premier League and are without former Durham bowler Melvyn Betts who has a hamstring problem. Director of Cricket, Iain Bestford said: “The side has started well and is just below mid-table.
THE entrance to an accident and emergency department of a hospital has been given a makeover. A new entrance has been created at Darlington Memorial Hospital for all patients other than those arriving by ambulance, Bosses say the makeover will
IT is curious how we don’t really record things until they’ve gone. So it is with Marks & Spencer in Darlington. Even though the M&S name has been integral part of all of our lifetimes, we have tended to rush on by without noting any changes
DURHAM County Cricket Board have announced a new women’s tournament that will launch next month.The Super 4s will feature four teams drawn from the 49 best female players from Durham, Cumbria, Northumberland and Yorkshire, and has been designed to showcase
A FOUR-day food festival has got underway with a Fusion twist. Darlington Food and Drink Festival, otherwise known as “Darlo Dines Out” started with a demonstration to school children by BBC Fusion Chef Aazam Ahmad. Jean-Christophe Novelli,
POLITICS students have travelled to London for a tour of Parliament.During their visit, A Level Students from Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College in Darlington took part in a question and answer session with the town's MP Jenny Chapman, and also visited
A VISITOR attraction has been forced to close today after a break in last night. Butterfly World at Preston Park, near Stockton, is closed today following a break in at the gift shop last night. A statement published on the Butterfly World
DURHAM’S county team will attempt to secure some national glory on Sunday when they grace the hallowed turf of Twickenham in the Division Two final of the Bill Beaumont Senior Men’s County Championship. The county side, which features players from
A RESTAURANT recently named the best curry house in England has been convicted of food hygiene offences.Customers at Bombay Spice in Goodramgate were kept in the dark that soya oil used there was genetically modified, said Victoria Waudby, prosecuting
A SHOPPING centre and one of its stores are preparing for a summer of football with a chance to trade stickers.The Cornmill Shopping Centre has teamed up with WH Smith to run a pop-up sticker swap station ahead of the 2018 World Cup.Each Saturday between
THIS month, the Darlington Centre for Local Studies, in the town's main library, has held a Whessoe exhibition. Whessoe, of course, is one of the world's great engineering firms. It began in Tubwell Row, Darlington, in 1790 when William Kitching
A MAN has told how armed police shouted at a suspect at least six times before they fired at him. The incident happened in Bishop Auckland on Friday morning. It began at Cockton Hill Working Men's Club around 10.45am and was brought to a dramatic
JACK Ross faces a huge job as he looks to begin the rebuilding job at Sunderland, but the new Black Cats boss has already succeeded in a daunting recovery project at St Mirren. Chief Sports Writer Scott Wilson looks at how the Scotsman turned his
SUNDERLAND have appointed Tony Davison as their new managing director. Stewart Donald and Charlie Methven have moved quickly to completely remodel the Black Cats' executive management structure, with Davison having been handed a key role. A
SUNDERLAND have confirmed the appointment of Jack Ross as their new manager. Ross has left St Mirren to take over at the Stadium of Light, having guided the Scottish club to the Championship title last season. A new era begins. #JacktheLad
Yet another bank holiday is here, here's a few ideas of what to do this weekend Food and Drink festival, Market Place, Darlington on Friday-Monday A great outdoor event to showcase and sell great food and drink in the North-East. With celebrity
PHIL TURNBULL has left Darlington to join hometown team South Shields. He was under contract for another year, so Quakers will receive a transfer fee for the services of a midfielder who had been with the club since 2015. The 31-year-old made
5:30pm We are not expecting any more developments today. Stay tuned over the weekend for further information.
Columnist and trained counsellor Fiona Caine offers her advice to a woman who feels betrayed her husband, and a 20-year-old whose parents open their mail. WHY CAN'T I TRUST MY HUSBAND? My husband has been very down for much of the past year
IT'S been no surprise that Marks & Spencer are closing stores around the area. It seems now that only in the big cities can the large retail shops survive.The one reason that they are struggling is one word, price. Blaming online shopping isn’t the
ANYONE laying the blame of Marks & Spencer’s decision to close its Darlington store on the Borough Council are missing the bigger picture. M&S, like most chain stores, are systematically shutting town centre shops and shifting to retail parks. They are
A PROPERTY on Stokesley Road was burgled over the weekend. The premises was broken into some time between 2pm on Friday 18 and 6.45pm on Sunday, May 20. A police spokesman said they would like to hear from anybody who saw anything suspicious over the
A DRUG-CRAZED lout who savagely attacked three Good Samaritans who tried to help his stricken girlfriend is starting a prison sentence of more than three years. Two of Liam Purdy's victims – a mother and daughter – were out socialising with family
This Government, and all other come up with some really stupid ideas, now they’re going to ban burning fuel unless it’s up to standard, and here’s me thinking it was meant to be in the first place. Exactly how are they going to police this? The Police
MEMBERS of the public are being urged to be vigilant in Newton Aycliffe following reports of alleged bogus calls being made from HMRC. Three residents contacted police in the town yesterday morning to report calls being made from someone claiming
A STUDENT is to stand trial later this year accused of controlling behaviour and assaulting a former partner on several occasions in 2017. Ex-Durham University under-graduate Imran Damji-Laurenson is alleged to have carried out the pattern of repressive
A £15m transformation of Durham’s Old Shire Hall has resulted in a vibrant mixture of Victorian luxury and modern vibes, says Jenny Needham IF you were led into Durham's newest hotel blindfold and let loose in your room, it wouldn't take you long
The Fox Hole in Piercebridge has been through a number of incarnations. Now it’s enjoying huge popularity as a fantastic gastro-pub WHEN Jack Bowles and Ellie Richmond decided to move up North, it was London’s loss, our gain. As well as packing
ST MIRREN chief Tony Fitzpatrick has confirmed Jack Ross' departure to take over at Sunderland, describing the Scotsman's exit as "like a death in the family". Ross is set to be confirmed as Sunderland's new manager later today, and the 41-year-old
A PROJECT which brings together young and older people to increase understanding between the generations has been hailed a success.Residents living Derwentdale Court, Blackhill, and students from Consett Academy have been forming friendships for the last
AN ANNUAL garden party will be hosted by the Elm Ridge Methodist Church, in Darlington, in aid of a charity supporting African communities. Hurworth’s Sans Pareil Singers will perform, with stalls and activities also on offer.Popular Elm Ridge teas will
Sampling a legendary feast night dish no longer means a schlep to Cornwall because Hidden Hut finally has a cookbook. Ella Walker finds out more. It's hard not to daydream about upping sticks, moving to the beach and opening a cafe - the thing
A common lung condition, asthma can be very serious – but it is possible to manage symptoms. Liz Connor speaks to pharmacist Francesca Brenca This common lung condition can be very serious - but it is possible to manage symptoms. Liz Connor speaks
A WALK in Darlington has been set up to celebrate National Walking Month. Groundwork representatives have organised the walk that will begin at 10am on Wednesday, May 30, at the bridge off Hutton Avenue. The walk will lead around Rockwell,
The successful team behind high-fashion store Jules B are taking a softer, more layered approach with their latest venture, Zen FOLLOWING on from the success of their renowned luxury clothing store, the team behind Jules B are stepping in a much
NEWCASTLE NICOLAI JORGENSEN has left the door open for a renewed approach from Newcastle United this summer, despite admitting his intense disappointment at the collapse of January’s transfer talks. Jorgensen was Rafael Benitez’s top transfer
TAXIS have been pulled over in Darlington to crackdown on speeding and anti-social behaviour. Operation Mahlia saw two taxi companies reported for licensing offences on Saturday in the town centre and eight verbal warnings were given following
High & Dry (Channel 4, 10.30pm)Rachael PopowIf you've been watching High & Dry, Marc Wootton's sitcom about the survivors of an air crash who find themselves stranded on a desert island, you might be surprised to discover it was inspired by a
A NORTH-EAST manufacturer of formulation processing equipment has its sights set on expansion in India after seeing its export sales rocket by 150 per cent over the past three years.Micropore Technology, founded in 2003, designs and produces machinery
AN investigation into the cause of an early morning town centre fire in Darlington is underway. A fire broke out at the former St T’s Home Shop on Skinnergate in Darlington at around 4am on Thursday morning. A 47-year-old who was rescued from
THE UK may be forced to remain in the EU's customs union beyond 2020 because of the Government's failure to set out alternative plans, MPs have said.The cross-party Commons Exiting the European Union Committee has issued a withering report on
ROMANIAN has become the second most common non-British nationality in the UK, figures show. The number of Romanian nationals living in the UK in 2017 was estimated to be 411,000 - a jump of 25% on the previous year, and the largest increase for
IS IT not time for our political leaders, to make it compulsory for all dogs to wear a lead in public places at all times?I have on several occasions been out walking without dog and caught sight of a dog leaving a pile of poo and no sign of the owner
A MAN who assaulted two policemen has been ordered to pay them compensation. Scott Gregory, of Pine Tree Grove, Middleton St George, was found in his father's loft when officers exercised a search warrant on April 1. Yesterday, Newton Aycliffe
While the world was focused on the Royal Wedding sneaky Mother Theresa was sticking nine Conservative cronies in the House of Lords. I couldn’t find anything about it in The Northern Echo. Either they didn’t want to print the story or their reporters
PETER Sotheran is spot on that the £3.3bn bid by Virgin East Coast (VTEC) for the East Coast rail franchise was “ludicrous, unrealistic and totally unsustainable” (HAS, May 22).But far from paying the government £1m per day (averaged over eight years)
THE Universal Jobsmatch government website has been replaced with a brand new one titled ‘Find A Job’.This site is aptly named as you’ll need a map and compass to find one. In my home town of Redcar there are 7 jobs. There are only 1,564 in the whole
THE NHS is run by NHS Trusts set up across the country. Am I right in thinking mental health is also run by a separate series of NHS Trusts but the boundaries are not always the same?To this has been added a further layer of administration called Strategic
A WOMAN who was airlifted to hospital after being hurt in a crash yesterday afternoon is said to be in a stable condition. Emergency services were called to the scene of the two-vehicle collision in Bishop Auckland at around 3.35pm yesterday (May
A MAN who was rescued from a fire on Thursday morning has been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life. The 47-year-old was rescued by firefighters from the three-storey building in Skinnergate, in Darlington. He was taken
A CONVICTED sex offender was given an extended sentence for public protection after a judge told him: "You are an obvious and serious risk." Online predator Jay Lamb asked schoolgirls for "naughty pictures" and encouraged one to touch herself while
A MAN has been given a community order after admitting he stalked a woman for nearly six weeks. Ian Watkins pleaded guilty to one charge of stalking without fear, alarm or distress, when he appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court yesterday
MEDICS performed open heart surgery on the roadside to save a victim savagely stabbed in the chest during a robbery - the first person in the region to ever survive such a procedure, a court was told on Thursday. Although the 38-year-old victim
A YOUNG motorist has denied causing the death of a motorcyclist by dangerous driving.Wayne Richard Gascoigne was at the wheel of a BMW 330 car which was in collision with a Honda CBR motorcycle travelling in the opposite direction on the A68, in County
NATIONAL park bosses have spoken of their concerns about conserving its landscapes as uncertainty surrounding Brexit and Government policies has seen a dramatic decline in the area covered by environmental stewardship schemes. Chairman of the North
TYNESIDE councils have announced that they have formally submitted a joint bid to bring Channel 4 to the North-East.Led by Newcastle Gateshead Initiative on behalf of both Newcastle and Gateshead councils, the bid is based on strengths in the creative
AN international craft retailer is celebrating the anniversary of its North-East flagship store with a bank holiday bash.Crafter’s Companion will mark its second year of operation from Newton Aycliffe with a four-day event.Visitors to the store, on Aycliffe
A KOREAN internet star known for his videos tackling dialects from across the UK has turned his attention to Geordie quirks and sayings. YouTuber Korean Billy has created the video to help students in Newcastle settle in by giving them a guide
STOLEN goods have been recovered by police who followed bike tracks left by bungling burglars in deep snow.Cleveland Police made light of the incident that happened during storms in February.A force statement released yesterday said: “At frost glance,
THREE top chefs will be serving up a unique dining experience at a North-East music festival this summer.Regional professionals Terry Laybourne, Marcus Bennett and Chris Finnegan will each be cooking up a storm as part of the packed programme at Hardwick
A NEW pop-up festival of exhibitions, events and activities for all ages will run in York Minster’s Dean’s Park this summer.The Heart of Yorkshire Festival will see the space transformed for a range of events, including an international stone carving
A CROSSFIT competitor from County Durham showed her strength when she won gold at a national games.Vicki Finn Smith, of Newton Aycliffe, fought her way through four challenging workouts to secure first place at the CrossFit BodyPower Games 2018, in Birmingham
A PRISON has opened its doors to a new facility to ensure visitors feel safe and comfortable when seeing their loved ones.A Welcome Centre has been formally opened at the HMP Kirklevington Grange, which is a category D men's and young offenders open
A HUGE 60ft kite in the shape of a puffin could be taking to the skies this weekend as part of a balloon festival. As part of the Balloons InDurham event, taking place for the second time this weekend, husband and wife team Doug and Linda Richardson
BUILDING work on a new housing development in Chilton is now underway.A regeneration project in the West Chilton ward has reached the next stage with construction starting on 18 bungalows.In 2014, Durham County Council acquired and demolished 52 terraced
AMATEUR actors and actresses in Sedgefield are putting the final touches to their latest production.The Sedgefield Players will perform a series of small plays as part of The Jewish Wife and Other Plays from Thursday, June 14, until Saturday, June 16.
A PROJECT to open previously hidden parts of Durham Cathedral has won a number of regional architectural awards. The cathedral’s Open Treasure exhibition by Purcell, which houses some of its collections, is one of five winning buildings announced by the
A CENTRE which has helped “catalyse” business in Teesdale has celebrated its 20th anniversary.Enterprise House, based at the Harmire Enterprise Park, in Barnard Castle, opened in 1998 as a "one-stop shop" and has been supporting Dale businesses
TRADERS and visitors are being encouraged to share their love of their local market as part of a national campaign.Hambleton’s markets in Bedale, Easingwold, Northallerton, Stokesley and Thirsk are taking part in the National Association of British Market
SUNDERLAND’S new owners admit the club has to forget its Premier League past and focus its undivided attention on rebuilding in League One.One of the biggest steps in the regenerative process should take place today, with Jack Ross set to be confirmed
PLANS for an extension to a caravan park have been recommended for refusal by planning officers. The plans, which are to be brought before Hambleton District Council retrospectively on May 31, are recommended for refused due to it causing a flood risk
WORK to transform a blighted industrial estate with a £4m investment is paying off after one company revealed they’re ploughing millions into a new plant.A major scheme to upgrade Dalton Industrial Estate, near Thirsk, is underway with replacement of
EX servicemen were bowled over by the welcome they got when a school invited them to take part in a cricket season opener.The Help for Heroes cricket team played two matches against Barnard Castle School students, staff and Old Barnardians.The first 16
AN art exhibition at the Methodist church in Richmond is aiming to shine a light on the issue of isolation.Part of the church's Mindful May initiative, Isolation is an exhibition made up of several artists and any proceeds will go the Friends of Garget
A PLEDGE has been made by North Yorkshire Police to visit every community in the region in their fight against fraud.Enhancing their recently launched ‘Take Five North Yorkshire’ fraud awareness campaign, the ambitious plan will see a team of dedicated
THE family of a 12-year-old who has just undergone spinal surgery in Germany say she is recovering well. Lauren Rennie, from Ushaw Moor, near Durham, travelled to Germany on Monday for a life-changing operation on her back, which has a 54 degree
A STUDENT hockey club has won national praise for its innovative community work.Durham University Hockey Club was shortlisted for the Innovation prize at the England Hockey Awards 2018 for its Hooray for Hockey programme.It follows the launch of four
TEMPORARY traffic lights will be in place on Leven Bank Road in Yarm from June 25 for ten weeks as essential work to strengthen the nearby river bank gets under way.Stockton Borough Council is carrying out the work on a 40 metre section of riverbank which
A COUPLE have been left distraught after a fire destroyed the entire upstairs of their home just days before their dream wedding. Gavin Armstrong and Amii Lambert, who live in Bishops Way, Catterick Village, are devastated after a fire at their
A MAN who defecated in a shop doorway is set to be sentenced next month. David Kenneth Gash appeared from the cells when he answered a single charge of committing an act of outraging public decency, at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court yesterday
MORE than 200 people have signed up a for series of community cycle rides.A five mile route will follow the perimeter of Herrington Country Parks setting off from 10am on Saturday, June 16, as part of the Active Sunderland Big Bike Ride.The following
NATIONAL Park bosses are urging visitors to take their litter home after it emerged up to 40 bags full are routinely left at beauty spots. The North York Moors National Park Authority is using the upcoming World Environment Day to remind people
A THREE-week arts festival featuring music, comedy, theatre and exhibitions is set to start this week.The Durham Festival of the Arts, which runs from Friday, June 1 to June 25 is organised by Music Durham and Durham Student Theatre.The festival is hosting
A COMMUNITY police officer has had her hair chopped off in support of Dementia Action Week.Durham PCSO Leesa Bennison had her long hair cut off, raising £300 for the Alzheimer’s Society and donating her pony tail to The Little Princess Trust, which specialises
A CHARITY worker is taking a leap from a plane in aid of the hospice she works for. Claire Longworth, from Craghead, is taking part in the sky dive for St Cuthbert’s Hospice, which is holding the event as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations.Ms Longworth
