A NEW logo has been revealed to mark a Pets' Corner in the centre of Middlesbrough. Emma Gill, ten, from Easterside Primary School created the winning logo which will be used on future merchandise and promotions for the pets' area in Stewart Park. Emma's
A NORTH-EAST company is creating lots of new jobs following an investment of £500,000 in robotics at its Bishop Auckland plant. Ebac, one of Europe's leading manufacturers of water coolers and dehumidifiers, has installed a robot, which means that product
WHEN Sarah Steele was a little girl she went to Whitby and found her first piece of jet. It was the start of a fascination with rocks and stones that led to her doing a degree in geology, a course in silver smithing and now she's making unique jet jewellery
LEADERS from steel communities across Britain will arrive in Redcar tomorrow to hold emergency talks on the beleagured steel industry. The representatives from 30 local authorities, known as Steel Action, intend to mobilise a lobby group which will travel
THRIVING engineering group Tanfield has boosted its employment levels to more than 200 just six months after it was established. The Tanfield Lea, near Stanley, based business was formed at the turn of the year by bringing together the operations of components
THRIVING engineering group Tanfield has boosted its employment levels to more than 200 just six months after it was established. The Tanfield Lea, near Stanley, based business was formed at the turn of the year by bringing together the operations of components
DETECTIVES remain hot on the trail of a constable who mysteriously appeared among its ranks 65 years ago. But, despite numerous inquiries, they admit that so far they have drawn a blank. The curious case of Constable X was featured in The Northern Echo
A MAN who terrorised a teenager into starring in sex films with him was convicted of multiple rapes yesterday. John Hind, 54, claimed he bought a video camera to record his first baby, but instead scared the 16-year-old into sordid shoots at her home,
House of Commons Speaker Betty Boothroyd surprised Westminster last night by announcing she would resign from the post and her seat before the next General Election. Miss Boothroyd, 70, told MPs that she would end her eight-year tenure of the Speaker's
A man told a court yesterday he could not remember a teenager whom he left brain-damaged after a street attack. Mark Hobson, 24, hung his head as he added that he could not even recall the incident because he had been drunk. But he accepted that he was
TEARS of joy flowed after a woman was reunited with her nephew after years apart, with the help of The Northern Echo. Mary Maugham, 91, was featured in Tuesday's paper after becoming the oldest person ever to abseil down a cliff - a feat recognised by
IT WAS amazing really that Robert Runcie ever made it into the church, let alone became one of its leaders. His father, an electrical engineer, had "a love of horse racing and a dislike of clergymen'' and it wasn't love of God that drew young Robert to
PUPILS and staff at the Children's Centre at North Tees Hospital are celebrating after it was praised in an Ofsted report. The inspection noted many areas worthy of praise and said the centre "meets all the needs of the children". It was commended for
STRUGGLING supermarket group Somerfield has reported a steep fall in profits for the full-year and sales declines at its supermarkets and Kwik Save stores. For the year to April 29, pre-tax profits before exceptional costs fell to £70.7m against £208.5m
A DISABLED sportsman is appealing for help to buy equipment that could turn him into a world-ranking champion. Robert Parker narrowly missed joining the British Paralympic air rifle team, which flies out to the games in Sydney, Australia, in October.
A CIRCULAR walk has been launched to allow some of the region's most treasured parkland to be seen on one route. A new leaflet, produced by Middlesbrough Borough Council and The National Trust, promotes the walk which links Stewart Park and Ormesby Hall
THE British National Party is using the homes of North-East football thugs to peddle race-hate literature around the region. An investigation by The Northern Echo has discovered that a base being used by the BNP is the home of a convicted hooligan, who
A JAPANESE tourist was knocked unconscious by muggers when he asked them for directions. The 67-year-old was returning to his hotel when he approached three men in the Thornleigh Road area of Jesmond, Newcastle, at 9.15pm on Tuesday. The men demanded
A HAUL of fake CDs worth £20,000 recovered by North-East trading standards officers is just "the tip of the iceberg", retailers say. In a joint operation with Cleveland Police, 1,000 computer and music CDs were seized at a car boot sale in Cleveland Park
A FLEDGLING farmers' market could become a permanent event, despite opposition from regular stallholders who fear it could affect their businesses. Cledale Farmers Group has already held three markets at Sam Turner's, on the outskirts of Northallerton
PRIMARY school children have been experiencing life at a Billingham secondary school through a series of trails. The year five pupils from a selection of local primary schools have taken part in a series of tasks and games based on the Phantom Tolbooth
THERE have been suggestions that Tony Blair is in crisis, a man under pressure. But I cannot recall a Prime Minister who has taken so much on at once. Education, health, law and order, transport and Northern Ireland, how many other premiers have put so
THE people of the North-East would rather drink water from the tap than shelling out on designer bottled water. Despite having a reputation as being full of chemicals and not as pure as bottled spring waters, it seems tap water is not only good for us
UNION leaders from across the region will meet today to discuss the crisis in manufacturing in the North-East. The meeting is part of the union's overall strategy to persuade the Government to help regions hit by manufacturing job losses. On Monday, the
RUNNERS have just five more weeks to get fit for the 15th Darlington 10km Road Run. Each week, The Northern Echo is printing a fitness programme which should help even those with minimum fitness to complete the Tees Valley TEC Darlington Road Run, on
THE people of Middlesbrough joined in the birthday celebrations of a South Pacific king yesterday. For the past week, the people of the Tonga islands have been celebrating the 82nd birthday of their king, Taufa'ahau Tupou IV, and the organisers of this
BARCLAYS Bank's decision to close scores of rural outlets hit many communities hard earlier this year. But one Wear Valley group is hoping to create something positive out of the loss. The bank's former branch in Willington High Street might become a
A TOUCH of Latin American style has brought a dash of colour to a residential school. Breckenbrough School, near Thirsk, has been playing host to two volunteers under the American Field Service scheme, which places people from Central and South America
POLICE investigating the rape of a 14-year-old girl at the weekend have made an appeal for information. A police spokesman said the victim was sitting on a bench in Westoe Road, Westoe, South Shields, at 2.30am on Saturday when she was approached by her
VILLAGERS are being warned to be on the lookout for a gang of young thieves. Police have advised people living in Hurworth, near Darlington, to contact them if they see strange youths in the village after a spate of vehicle-related crime during the past
A COMPLEX of flats has been officially opened by the mayor of Middlesbrough, Councillor Kath Bevington. The Tees Valley Housing Group's latest scheme is in Oliver Street and features two specially designed bungalows for wheelchair users as well as 14
COMPETITORS from day centres across County Durham clashed on the sports field in what has become an annual fixture yesterday. More than 150 sportsmen and women, representing ten centres for adults with learning disabilities, competed in a range of events
Andrew Flintoff emerged from the worst week of his international career to steer England to an emphatic opening victory in the NatWest Triangular Series against Zimbabwe under Old Trafford's lights last night. The 6ft 5in giant has attracted more attention
Everton's Don Hutchison will today complete a £2.5m move to Sunderland. Wearside boss Peter Reid persuaded the Scottish international to sign during talks at the Stadium of Light last night - then Hutchison had to convince his London-born wife it was
THE nation's North-South health divide was vividly illustrated by the Government's new NHS league tables last night. Despite good performances from many hospitals, the tables illustrate that living in the North-East appears to be bad for your health.
TRAIN services in the region are getting later, with commuters suffering more and more delays, new figures reveal. Punctuality worsened on routes run by two of the region's main train operators, GNER and Northern Spirit, in the period April to June 2000
YOUNG scientists are taking a leaf out of nature's book in a bid to save the environment from man-made pollution. The humble caddis fly is the key to a pioneering project linking teenage students at King James I Community College, in Bishop Auckland,
IT seemed ironic in a week when "The History of Shipbuilding" exhibition opened in Sunderland, plans to breathe new life into the area's former industrial heartland were a million miles away from the shipyards. The past will certainly be giving way to
A BLUEPRINT for 10,000 new jobs in one of the North-East's economic blackspots was unveiled today. The 15-year plan, commissioned by trade and industry secretary Stephen Byers, promise to create thousands of new jobs and lead to the development of more
A SCHOOL project aimed at breaking down barriers between generations through reading newspapers to pensioners has won five students the adventure of a lifetime. The students from Chantry Middle School, Morpeth, Northumberland, were among several from
THE company behind the failed Cavalcade of Steam event could face legal action from debtors seeking to recover their costs, The Northern Echo can reveal. Rail 2000 announced last week that the much-heralded celebration of the North-East's historic railway
Beamish Museum is hoping to salvage the August Bank Holiday weekend for lovers of steam planning to head to the North-East for the now cancelled rail carnival. Bosses at the County Durham open air museum are in talks with tour operators who had parties
Detectives hunting for missing eight-year-old Sarah Payne were last night sifting through thousands of possible sightings from across the country. Police have received a massive response from the public since releasing a computer-generated e-fit picture
A NORTH-EAST MP last night came out fighting after he was cleared of allegations of working against a charity dedicated to helping landmine victims because it would not pay his expenses. Stockton North Labour MP Frank Cook angrily told The Northern Echo
A SUPERMARKET in Darlington is to introduce a charge for motorists who park at the store for more than three hours. Managers at Safeway, in Grange Road, want to deter people who park there all day while they are at work. They say genuine shoppers are
A MOTORCYCLIST died after his Yamaha collided with a van on a country road. Robert Lowe, 44, of Station Avenue, Brandon, near Durham City, died of multiple injuries in Darlington Memorial Hospital following the accident near Darlington on Tuesday. The
A HEADTEACHER has criticised plans to make Darlington school governors sign contracts promising they will back council policy. Trevor Drury, head of Hurworth Primary School, near Darlington, believes the proposals will put people off becoming governors
A LORRY driver could hold vital information about the crash that claimed the lives of two bowling club members. Police investigating last Wednesday's tragedy on the A19 near Peterlee in County Durham have appealed for the driver to get in touch with them
HUNDREDS of children from southern Africa have pledged allegiance to Middlebrough FC - all thanks to a Newcastle fan. Alistair Baker, 47, appealed to every Premiership club for donations of footballs to distribute to children in Zambia. Only Middlesbrough
NEWCASTLE United boss Bobby Robson last night rounded on Rangers chairman David Murray over claims that Duncan Ferguson is being hawked about the transfer market - and insisted the Scottish striker is staying at St James' Park. Murray revealed last week
A FIVE-MONTH project to give an historic hall a facelift gets under way on Monday. The £50,000 scheme will see repairs carried out on the outside of the grade-one listed Bedale Hall, and a trench dug around the building to try to counter the effects of
AN event to raise awareness of drugs is to be held in Hartlepool this weekend. It will take place in Owton Manor Community Centre, in Wynyard Road, on Saturday, from 10am to 3pm, organised by the Hartlepool Community Safety Partnership in conjunction
FANS of police drama The Bill who fancy themselves as a bit of an actor have the chance to test their talent. For police trainers are looking for volunteers from all walks of life to play burglars, drunk drivers, yobs and crime victims. Rookie officers
LEADERS from steel communities across Britain will arrive in Redcar tomorrow to hold emergency talks on the beleagured steel industry. The representatives from 30 local authorities, known as Steel Action, intend to mobilise a lobby group which will travel
WHEN your baby grows a beard, then you know you must be getting old... Smaller Son grew the beard at Easter to celebrate the end of his compulsory school career. It was an impressive effort for a 16-year-old - looked rather splendidly Viking-like - but
DETECTIVES remain hot on the trail of a constable who mysteriously appeared among its ranks 65 years ago. But, despite numerous inquiries, they admit that so far they have drawn a blank. The curious case of Constable X was featured in The Northern Echo
A SCHOOLBOY was plucked to safety by firefighters last night after becoming trapped 50ft up the face of a quarry at a beauty spot. Eight-year-old Patrick Gallagher, from Willington, had been enjoying a day out with his mother at the Hill End picnic site
A TRUCK company is celebrating its 25th anniversary by helping schools and organisations throughout the North-East. To get its charitable year off to a flying start, it has helped put a school on the road to starting a gymnastics team. Bell Truck Sales
LUGGAGE chaos at Teesside International Airport has been caused by problems with a new handling system in Holland. Some passengers have had to wait several days for their luggage to arrive after a mix-up in Amsterdam. A spokesman for Teesside Airport
A WOMAN was cleared yesterday of murdering a pensioner when the trial involving herself and three men collapsed. Pamela Wilkinson, 24, walked free from Teesside Crown Court after the judge, Mr Justice Silber, directed the jury to find her not guilty of
A STUDENT is about to travel half-way around the world after winning a national competition. Teenager David Gunn is one of 18 youngsters from across the country who won the chance to take part in a four-week expedition to Chile. David, 18, and the other
A BRIDGE damaged by floods could be partially reopened within weeks under a schedule of work drawn up by contractors. The Mercury Bridge, at Richmond, has been closed since severe floods washed away part of its stonework at the beginning of last month
PEGGY Snow passed away on Sunday. Her family gathered round her hospital bedside as she lay unconscious. They switched off the life support machine when she was declared brain dead. The funeral takes place in Skelthwaite next Sunday. Millions are expected
AN Internet centre at the University of Sunderland has attracted £200,000 in European Social Funding to train Internet entrepreneurs throughout the North-East. The Centre for Electronic Commerce offers a unique e-business success programme (ESP) aimed
DARLINGTON chairman George Reynolds last night hit back at critics who have labelled his first season at Feethams a failure, writes NICK WOOD. The former safe-cracker has endured growing unrest among the Quakers' faithful following the side's failure
HONORARY awards were yesterday presented to leading figures promoting the North-East in the education and acting fields. Sunderland University conferred honorary degrees on its former vice-chancellor, Dr Anne Wright, and on actor and dramatist Edward
A MULTI-MILLION pound bid is being drawn up to improve the use of public transport in Hartlepool. The major improvement scheme depends on the success of a £12m bid to the Government to integrate transport such as taxis, railways and pedestrians, improve
TWEED jackets and wax cotton coats rub shoulders with anoraks and fleeces as the British crowd switches into mooch mode. A sea of people moving round a huge showground, hunched and with collars pulled high against the cool wind. On park benches the general
MIDWIFE Janice Knights has taken delivery of a new award, after a vote of thanks from a grateful mum. The Thirsk-based community midwife has been named regional winner for the North of England in a search to find the Midwife of the Millennium by toy makers
TEARS of joy flowed after a woman was reunited with her nephew after years apart, with the help of The Northern Echo. Mary Maugham, 91, was featured in Tuesday's paper after becoming the oldest person ever to abseil down a cliff - a feat recognised by
A CHARITY is appealing for help to employ a medical student to work as a doctor in one of the poorest areas of Romania. Convoy Aid Romania, based in Stockton, has taken medical and food supplies to the north-east Romanian village of Bivolari for a number
THERE have been suggestions that Tony Blair is in crisis, a man under pressure. But I cannot recall a Prime Minister who has taken so much on at once. Education, health, law and order, transport and Northern Ireland, how many other premiers have put so
CONSTRUCTION starts next week on a city centre station in preparation for the Tyne and Wear Metro network's extension to Sunderland. The Sunderland Direct scheme will double the number of stations and enhance rail and Metro links for the people of Wearside
LABOUR POLICIES THIS Government spins so fast it is in danger of disappearing. Successes are all their own work, failures all inherited. Ministers smugly claim credit for reduced prices in retailing, cars and now banks, when both they and business were
Battling Tony Blair declared his Government was getting it right as he came out fighting for his second face-to-face clash with Tory leader William Hague in 24 hours. The Prime Minister, presenting Labour's 'end of term report' to the Commons, said they'd
IS it a case of art imitating life or just a coincidence? A new television series to be screened in the autumn tells the story of an investigation into the actions of a senior police officer, famed for his "zero tolerance" approach to tackling crime.
A TEAM of six swimmers calling themselves the Stanhope Park Sharks have raised more than £200 for animals in need. Veterinary nurse Mark Gent, auxiliary nurse Carole Maxwell and practice receptionist Janet Lear, from the Stanhope Park veterinary surgery
THE childhood misadventures of one of the region's MPs are to be revealed to the nation. Mo Mowlam, the MP for Redcar, is to appear on a new BBC comedy show called You Only Live Once. The show, a spoof on This Is Your Life, invites famous people to remember
THE childhood misadventures of one of the region's MPs are to be revealed to the nation. Mo Mowlam, the MP for Redcar, is to appear on a new BBC comedy show called You Only Live Once. The show, a spoof on This Is Your Life, invites famous people to remember
NEWCASTLE United stars mingled with members of the Toon Army last night as the club's new away strip was launched at midnight. Hundreds of fans enjoyed three hours of street entertainment, music and a spectacular fireworks display at St James' Park, in
PREMIERSHIP giants Sunderland FC were yesterday accused of poaching a highly-rated women's football team from a North-East college. Blyth Spartans Kestrels were sponsored by East Durham and Houghall College in its successful promotion campaign last season
A church ravaged by fire could disappear from the skyline after townsfolk voted for the crumbling ruins to be demolished. Stockton's Holy Trinity Church is the major feature on one of the entrances into the town, set in its own attractive green. The future
MIDDLESBROUGH yesterday welcomed Cameroon striker Joseph-Desire Job after finally nailing suggestions that Duncan Ferguson could be a cut-price target. Boro tried to sign Ferguson before he joined Newcastle from Everton in an £8m deal more than 18 months
MOBILE phone company Orange has unveiled its online strategy, aimed at "putting a human face on the Internet". The group said it had made a number of recent acquisitions and set up ventures which would be combined into an Internet platform, to be called
POLICE are looking for a gang of youths after a major fire ripped through a supermarket causing thousands of pounds worth of damage. Firefighters managed to prevent the fire at Netto in Stanley from spreading out of control. No-one was hurt in the fire
Sunderland was last night rated the third-worst club in the Premiership in the "first-ever football hooligan league tables". The Black Cats were way ahead of arch-rivals Newcastle and Middlesbrough in new "tables of shame" released by Scottish Labour
A boy who already has one of his grandmother's kidneys is set to have another transplant operation - thanks to his mum. Nine-year-old Mark Bailey had his first transplant operation five years ago. But recent tests have revealed he has started to reject
RAIL 2000's position as a private limited company means that any liability for debts would be restricted. The law says that if such a company is put into liquidation or goes bankrupt, the owners - or shareholders - would be unlikely to be responsible
WORKSHOPS are being held in Darlington to give local musicians the chance to develop their skills with a professional orchestra. They have been organised by Darlington Borough Council and Northern Sinfonia. A chamber music evening at Darlington Arts Centre
VILLAGERS have launched a petition against their own councillor in protest at his plans for new homes. The Burnopfield residents are against Derwentside District Councillor Robert Alderson's plans to build two homes on the site of allotments which, they
A GROUP of professional teachers have given up a week of their holiday to help youngsters get into dance and theatre. The Millennium Summer School is being held at the Amanda McGlynn Academy of Dance and Theatre, in Middlesbrough. Students will be given
POLICE aim to put the brakes on motorists who speed and ignore traffic signs in Bishop Auckland. More officers on foot and in traffic cars will be targeting drivers who break the law, and closed-circuit television footage will be monitored to catch offenders
A PROSTITUTE was beaten with a hockey stick by a naked customer who raped her twice, a court heard yesterday. The 21-year-old said she was driven to the man's home from a red light area, after agreeing a price for oral sex. But in his bedroom he demanded
AN assortment of well-cuddled teddies and their little owners took part in a giant picnic with an educational theme. About 60 youngsters took their furry friends to the home of Tees Valley Wildlife Trust, to learn about the importance of trees to animal
PUPILS are helping younger children in their school gain a good start in reading and language skills. Year nine students at Westlands School, Thornaby, have spent some of their homework club time organising a library for the toddlers of Westlands Parent
Although Saeed Bin Suroor has had only 12 winners this season it is a great tribute to the quality of his horses that they have notched almost £900,000 in prizemoney in this country. Dubai Millennium has undoubtedly been the highlight, with wide-margin
MIDDLESBROUGH boss Bryan Robson is walking a disciplinary tightrope after being fined £7,500 by the FA and warned about his future conduct. Robson, who has incurred the wrath of the authorities more than once before, was found guilty of misconduct after
AN American choir has made an emotional return to the North-East 350 years after its members' ancestors left the region to start a new life across the Atlantic. Members of the Second Congregational Church Youth Choir, from Greenwich, Connecticut, agreed
IN the space of four races since September 1998 59 horses have tried to beat Mark Johnston's Ice on the Knavesmire at York but not one of them has been successful. And the four-year-old can complete a nap hand of victories at his favourite track by taking
