15 years ago: Baby boom at Orange in Darlington

The Orange Business Solutions centre in Darlington saw, for the first time, the highest number of employees expecting since it opened in 1994.

The staggering statistics led to a work bonding experience between all the mothers-to-be.

Emma Fielding said: "More and more people are announcing they are pregnant.

"We cannot believe it – it just seems to be catching.

"We must have women at all stages of pregnancy now, and it is the talk of the centre who will be next."

Also that week, a popular Stockton statue was set to return to the high street to the delight of passing shoppers.

The missing dog from the middle of the three greyhounds, known as 'Racing Ahead', in the town centre was reunited with its friends after being damaged during the previous year’s Riverside Festival.

Councillor Suzanne Fletcher, who was chairman of the public arts panel that agreed to the sculpture, thought it had been forgotten about and had asked what happened at a meeting.

She said: "It is a well-known and much-loved piece of art.

"People have been asking me where the middle dog is and I thought it was about time we found out.”

The dog was reinstalled in time for that year’s Riverside Festival.

Finally, a school celebrated its 125th anniversary with a series of concerts and activities.

Ferryhill Station Primary School, in County Durham, was established in 1878 and its pupils had spent weeks learning about its history.

The children paid a visit to Beamish Museum to learn about how lessons would have been when the school first opened.

Museum staff also visited the school for a day where they brought artefacts with them and performed a drama.

As part of the celebrations, children performed a concert for parents and the community based on what they learned.

Headteacher Val Jago said: "It has been really interesting to research it. It has been a look at a different world for the children, and they have really enjoyed it."