THIS week, ten years ago, North-East scientists became the first in Europe to create a part-human, part-animal hybrid.

The breakthrough at Newcastle University was created by implanting DNA derived from human skin cells into eggs taken from cow ovaries.

The work, led by Dr Lyle Armstrong was condemned by the Catholic Church who branded the research as monstrous.

Professor John Burn, head of the Institute of Human Genetics at Newcastle University, said: "Human eggs are very precious and the idea came forward that you could get around the shortage by using cows' eggs instead."

He added: "Now, it is illegal and unsafe to put these cells into a human being, but they are very useful for research purposes."

The embryos were created by using the nuclear transfer technique which involves removing the nucleus from the cow egg and replacing it with human DNA.

At that time, professors at the university hoped the research would lead to the development of new therapies for human conditions, such as Parkinson’s and strokes.

Also, that week, soldiers from the North-East and North Yorkshire were celebrated after returning home from Afghanistan.

Nearly 150 troops from the 2nd Battalion, The Yorkshire Regiment, arrived at Manchester Airport after spending six months fighting the Taliban in Helmand Province, southern Afghanistan.

The troops were met by their families at their base at Weeton Barracks, near Preston, in Lancashire.

Corporal Carl Storr, 30, from North Yorkshire, was met by his wife, Mandy, and their three children.

He said: "It's good to be back. I think what we've done has improved the country, but I guess time will tell.”

Meanwhile a three-year-old boy from Darlington was branded a hero after saving his mother’s life.

Francine Kempley was saved by her son after collapsing and slipping into a diabetic coma.

Her son Graham, ran along the street to get his uncle for help after finding his mother passed out on a chair.

His uncle, Jason Kempley, said: "All the family are really proud of him. He did so well, and really helped his mother when she was in trouble. I just think he is great."