WHILE most people have a phobia about snakes one North-East man has turned his obsession for them into a highly successful business. Graeme Skinner, 39, from Guisborough, is a herpotologist, which means he spends his time studying reptiles and amphibians
THE other day I watched a grown man use a scooter. Not a scooter of the Vespa variety, but a good old fashioned foot-powered version. He was scooting (if that's the right word) past Darlington's Civic Theatre heading in the general direction of the town's
POPULAR North-East actor Tim Healy last night gave his full backing to The Northern Echo's Justice For The Miners campaign. Mr Healy, who sprang to fame in the 1980s comedy Auf Wiedersehen Pet, described the wait faced by dying miners and their families
POLICE are appealing for help to determine how an eight-year-old boy came to have a fractured skull. Dale Bennett told his grandparents he fell off a wall near his home in Greenfields Road, Bishop Auckland, on Thursday afternoon. But doctors at the town's
A QUARTER past six in the morning may not be when many stop to contemplate life's meaning - or much else, come to that - but it's when Radio 2 has its God slot and Paul Walker puts in his two penn'orth most willingly. He's been doing Pause For Thought
IT is one of the hardest issues a parent has to deal with - discovering their child is gay. A mixture of emotions envelops that person, leaving them confused and bewildered. A North-East support group was established to help parents in this situation.
A TEENAGE thug dubbed Laughing Boy is back on the streets after notching up his 139th arrest from his latest crime spree. After appearing before magistrates yesterday - for the third time in ten days - the youth, one of Britain's most prolific young offenders
Captain Nasser Hussain punched the air in delight as he rushed off the Headingley pitch last night after his England side produced a performance bristling with hostility and determination to complete the quickest Test victory in 54 years. Hussain sprinted
WHILE most eyes will be on a backline featuring Jonny Wilkinson, Liam Botham, Inga Tuigamala and John Leslie, the real test of Newcastle Falcons' mettle this season will lie in the back row. Other than having home advantage, they could hardly face a tougher
ARMED police arrested a man after an operation involving dozens of officers yesterday. Police surrounded Swallow Court in Killingworth, North Tyneside, at 12.30pm after reports that a man, who had escaped from police custody, was seen in the area and
THE reincarnation of Newcastle's Quayside as a high-class centre continued yesterday with the completion of 91 luxury apartments. Each apartment costs between £150,000 and £350,000. They were officially opened opposite the site of the 'winking eye' pedestrian
PROTESTORS took to the streets yesterday to highlight the need for tough new legislation to prevent small arms being sold to countries where they are likely to be used to kill civilians. Members of Oxfam and Amnesty International staged their demonstration
A WOMAN fractured a teenage girl's skull by banging her head against the side of a car, a court heard. Gillian Boyle, 25, attacked 16-year-old Paula Deeham after she accused her of still being a heroin junkie, Teesside Crown Court was told. Boyle tried
SOME of Middlesbrough FC's most prominent fans held mixed views on the club's kit change policy. This is what they said: Glen Cooper, secretary of the Middlesbrough Football Club supporters' club, said: "There is simply a market for it, and if there is
POPULAR North-East actor Tim Healy last night gave his full backing to The Northern Echo's Justice For The Miners campaign. Mr Healy, who sprang to fame in the 1980s comedy Auf Wiedersehen Pet, described the wait faced by dying miners and their families
A team of NHS troubleshooters should be sent into the hospital at the centre of the Richard Neale scandal, according to Britain's leading patient watchdog. Victims of the former Friarage Hospital consultant have been campaigning for a public inquiry into
Alan Shearer, the man who helped turn Jack Walker's Blackburn dream into reality, yesterday led the tributes to the Ewood Park owner. Walker's death at the age of 71 followed a long battle against cancer. Although he turned his hometown club into a respectable
TELECOMS giants British Telecom and AT&T are in merger talks which could create a £250bn telecoms behemoth. BT chief executive Sir Peter Bonfield is believed to have discussed the tie-up on an informal basis with the US group's chairman, Michael Armstrong
EUROPEAN qualification is the next target for Sunderland after their seventh place last season. That's the view of England fullback Michael Gray, who believes that the Wearsiders begin their second Premiership campaign in a stronger position with a year's
CRAZED knife murderer David Hamilton has been given the go-ahead to marry his former prison art teacher. The killer slashed 39-year-old mother-of-three Sharon Metcalfe 65 times at her home in Coundon, County Durham, in 1997. The Northern Echo revealed
TAXI driver Palinder Randhawa was terrified by a violent attack on her cab by two drunken louts, a court heard yesterday. Her ordeal began at 2.38am after she picked up pub licensee Stephen Burns and his friend Andrew Mee, both aged 30. Burns punched
SUNDERLAND manager Peter Reid last night described ever-increasing transfer fees as "crackers." But the Wearside boss believes the possible scrapping of fees for players by the EEC under the Treaty of Rome could have a devastating effect on the European
SUNDERLAND manager Peter Reid last night described ever-increasing transfer fees as "crackers." But the Wearside boss believes the possible scrapping of fees for players by the EEC under the Treaty of Rome could have a devastating effect on the European
DETECTIVES hunting three sex attackers on Wearside have renewed their appeal for information. Officers believe there are still witnesses to come forward who could lead them to a rapist who attacked a 15-year-old girl on a footbridge. The teenager was
A FUNDRAISING sale is to be held to help secure the future of facilities at the heart of a small North Yorkshire community. The special 50/50 attic auction will be raising money to help the village hall and playing field in Coxwold. The village hall was
ATHLETICS enthusiasts are set to see a dramatic pre-Olympic showdown between snubbed Welsh ace Iwan Thomas and his 400m rivals at the Norwich Union Classic at Gateshead International Stadium on Bank Holiday Monday. The European and Commonwealth champion
A County Durham horse rider died from a fall after her mount bolted, an inquest heard yesterday. Gail Jackson, 50, was an experienced horsewoman and was wearing a riding hat, but she died from severe head injuries. Mrs Jackson, a divorcee, had been drinking
THE sight of a 22-year-old woman tied to a lamppost is guaranteed to turn heads. That is just what happened when workmates played a pre-wedding joke on secretary Melanie Close. Staff at A1 Windscreens in Northgate, Darlington, tied Melanie up with tape
A schoolgirl whose life was made a misery by bullies wrote a heartbreaking note shortly after taking a cocktail of painkillers and alcohol, an inquest heard. Tormented Danielle Goss, a pretty blonde-haired 15-year-old, took the lethal mixture following
A FARMER is being plagued by fly-tippers dumping anything from dead rabbits to gas cylinders on his land. Tony Wilson, who has farmed at Old Wingate Farm, near Trimdon Station, County Durham, for 34 years, is fighting a rising tide of rubbish dumped by
A FARMER is being plagued by fly-tippers dumping anything from dead rabbits to gas cylinders on his land. Tony Wilson, who has farmed at Old Wingate Farm, near Trimdon Station, County Durham, for 34 years, is fighting a rising tide of rubbish dumped by
A TEENAGE thug dubbed Laughing Boy is back on the streets after notching up his 139th arrest from his latest crime spree. After appearing before magistrates yesterday - for the third time in ten days - the youth, one of Britain's most prolific young offenders
ARMED police arrested a man after an operation involving dozens of officers yesterday. Police surrounded Swallow Court in Killingworth, North Tyneside, at 12.30pm after reports that a man, who had escaped from police custody, was seen in the area and
ONE north Durham man had a birthday to remember recently when he won £1,000 in holiday vouchers. And the very first thing Colin Waldock of Lesbary Close in Chester-le-Street did was rush out to buy a holiday to Roquetas De Mar in Costa De Almeria, Spain
PLANS by the Yorkshire Dales National Park authority to improve the quality of its services will be driven by public consultation. As part of the Government's approach to getting best value from local government services, the authority is reviewing its
A MURDER inquiry was launched yesterday after mugging victim David Bruce lost his fight for life. Mr Bruce died on Thursday at Newcastle Royal Victoria Infirmary, where he had lain in a coma for two weeks. The 32-year-old father was attacked and robbed
THEY'RE an American boy band on the verge of hitting the big time with the chance of playing prestigious venues across the world. But now they're about to perform at one County Durham venue which is not quite on the international pop circuit - the Allensford
Darlington manager Gary Bennett has pledged an adventurous approach to his first home game in charge against Exeter City this afternoon. Bennett started managerial life cautiously with a 1-1 draw at Rochdale last week, but he will change his approach
BRITAIN'S most unwanted dog has found a home after ten years. Sandy, a 12-year-old mongrel, spent ten years at Bryson's Animal Refuge, in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, without attracting any potential owners. But then more than 1,000 inquiries about him arrived
ANGRY Newcastle United manager Bobby Robson last night stepped up his campaign to rid football of agents he claims are holding the game to ransom. Robson has been stung by the saga surrounding Duncan Ferguson's £4m return to Everton, which finally went
A man shot his brother-in-law in a bitter family feud, a court heard yesterday. James Smith, 32, fired both barrels of his shotgun, injuring Owen Moloney in the leg. The attack occurred outside Smith's caravan home at Thirsk, North Yorkshire, after Mr
ONLY four children's play areas in Darlington meet European standards, it has been revealed. The town has more than 40 residential play areas, but a recent review has indicated that the majority are in an unacceptable condition by modern standards. Darlington
WHILE most people have a phobia about snakes one North-East man has turned his obsession for them into a highly successful business. Graeme Skinner, 39, from Guisborough, is a herpotologist, which means he spends his time studying reptiles and amphibians
PLANS to introduce caf society to Durham's Market Place have been dashed because they will obstruct shoppers. County councillors have decided that tables and chairs outside the Market Tavern will get in the way of people walking through the narrow space
A VILLAGE community centre is opening its doors for a week of festivities to promote itself to potential users. The management committee of Sherburn Hill Community Centre is holding events, starting next Saturday, to coincide with a visit by Durham City
A FAMILY fire-fighting business set up only seven months ago in Durham is expanding rapidly - in more than one direction. Brian Hogg and Paul Bainbridge set up Fyr Fyter (UK) to provide a one-stop service to the business and domestic market. Both families
A WOMAN in a County Durham unemployment black-spot area has praised a women-only training scheme for helping her find permenant work. Norma Twomey, of Ouston, near Chester-le-Street, had problems finding work after taking a four-year break to raise her
THE last place you would expect to find a polar explorer is on a desert island. But 44-year-old Robert Swan, the first person to walk to both Poles unaided, said he would relish the experience when he became the latest guest to appear on Radio 4's Desert
STAFF and regulars at a Darlington pub and restaurant have raised more than £1,000 for a local hospice. The Old Farmhouse, near Middleton St George, Darlington, adopted St Teresa's Hospice as its charity earlier this year. A craft fair and fun day were
A TOWN could soon launch a shoppers' shuttle - with council taxpayers picking up the bill. Stockton Borough Council is considering a plan to bus customers out to the shop of their choice following the closure of the Kwik Save store, behind Stockton High
CAKE decorating enthusiasts are staging their first exhibition to demonstrate their skills and attract new people to the craft. The Wearside Branch of the British Sugarcraft Guild will hold the exhibition and competition on Saturday, September 9, in Sunderland
TALKS are to be held over the future of a North Yorkshire highways depot and its town-centre site. The depot, in North Road, Stokesley, has long been regarded as out-of-keeping with the town's historic character. The county council owns the 2.4-acre site
WHILE most people have a phobia about snakes one North-East man has turned his obsession for them into a highly successful business. Graeme Skinner, 39, from Guisborough, is a herpotologist, which means he spends his time studying reptiles and amphibians
VANDALS have been condemned for pulling out the headstone of a soldier's grave in a village cemetery. The attack on the grave of an unknown soldier buried at All Saints' Church, Langley Park, is the latest in a recent spate of incidents of vandalism in
A busy stretch of a Hartlepool road will close this weekend for vital improvements. A section of Stockton Street, between the roundabout and Victoria Road, will close to traffic from 7pm, today, to 6am, on Monday. The scheme is part of the work to replace
NOVICE angler Natalie Redden has put more experienced enthusiasts in the shade with her humble fishing rod which cost less than £10. For the seven-year-old schoolgirl has landed a catch on all three visits accompanying her grandad, Colin Parnaby, to Grassholme
WE know fine well what would have happened if there was a disaster at sea involving a vessel from the Soviet fleet when it was under Communist command. The Kremlin would have hidden the true facts from its own public and the western world. It would have
SCARBOROUGH boxing hero and dog lover Paul Ingle is helping an environmental clean-up campaign to pack a punch. Paul is launching National Poop Scoop Week in the town on Monday and is aiming to encourage dog owners to clean up after their pets. He said
A CHARITY shop plagued by thieves is appealing for a volunteer store detective. Shoplifters are proving such a menace that a security guard is urgently needed for the Oxfam shop in Chester-le-Street, County Durham. Oxfam yesterday described the thefts
UPBEAT Hartlepool United boss Chris Turner last night issued a passionate rallying call to fans. Pool start their Victoria Park campaign against Chesterfield this afternoon on a high after the opening day win at Lincoln. And the Pool boss, who was praised
A SEAMAN has been taken to hospital with a paralysed arm and an injured hand - after being stung by a fish. The man, a member of the crew of the tanker, Manuella, was fishing over the side of the vessel when it is thought he landed his four inch long
PLANS to introduce caf society to Durham's Market Place have been dashed because it will obstruct shoppers. County councillors have decided that tables and chairs outside the Market Tavern will get in the way of people walking through the narrow space
A CELEBRATION is planned for flood-hit Skinningrove as the first set of residents prepare to move back to their renovated homes. Just over a month ago, freak floods destroyed dozens of homes in the small east Cleveland village, and devastated residents
A RAPIST who videoed his attack on a teenage girl was jailed for ten years yesterday. The jury, who watched the 20-minute tape filmed in John Hind's living room, rejected his claim that the 16-year-old consented to have sex. Hind, 54, threatened to show
IT'S forward to the past for one of Durham's oldest pubs. Mike Leonard, who has taken over the Dun Cow in Old Elvet, is spending more than £20,000 restoring the back bar to its former glory. The main part of the building dates from the 16th Century, but
MIDDLESBROUGH today parade the striker they wanted ahead of former Riverside star Fabrizio Ravanelli. Crack Croatian Alen Boksic makes his long-awaited debut in the season opener at Coventry, more than four years after Boro first tried to sign him. Manager
THE raiders came from Norway, more than 100 of them. "I had never seen anything like it," said Pilot Officer Harry Welford. "They were in two groups - one of about 70 and the other about 40 - like two swarms of bees." It was Welford's first encounter
IT is one of the hardest issues a parent has to deal with - discovering their child is gay. A mixture of emotions envelops that person, leaving them confused and bewildered. A North-East support group was established to help parents in this situation.
THE jewel in the crown of the National Trust will be seen in a new light later this month. The floodlighting season at Fountains Abbey, near Ripon, begins over the Bank Holiday weekend. Visitors to the estate will be able to enjoy the tranquil atmosphere
A County Durham horse rider died from a fall after her mount bolted, an inquest heard yesterday. Gail Jackson, 50, was an experienced horsewoman and was wearing a riding hat, but she died from severe head injuries. Mrs Jackson, a divorcee, had been drinking
THE last place you would expect to find a polar explorer is on a desert island. But 44-year-old Robert Swan, the first person to walk to both poles unaided, said he would relish the experience when he became the latest guest to appear on Radio 4's Desert
A schoolgirl whose life was made a misery by bullies wrote a heartbreaking note shortly after taking a cocktail of painkillers and alcohol, an inquest heard. Tormented Danielle Goss, a blonde-haired 15-year-old, took the lethal mixture following an argument
THREE men have been arrested after a brick attack left a young clubgoer fighting for his life. The man was waiting in the queue to get into The Tuxedo Princess nightspot, Gateshead, on August 4, when he was hit on the head by a brick hurled from the Tyne
THE national debate over university elitism was re-ignited last night after A-level results revealed the talent of youngsters rejected by Oxford and Cambridge. The row erupted again after news that state-educated Laura Spence, who was rejected by an Oxford
BRITAIN'S most unwanted dog has found a home after ten years. Sandy, a 12-year-old mongrel, spent ten years at Bryson's Animal Refuge, in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, without attracting any potential owners. But then more than 1,000 inquiries about him arrived
CLASSIC cars and magnificent flying machines are recreating a bygone era at a race track in the North-East this weekend. The Croft Circuit, near Darlington, is featuring displays of aircraft from yesteryear, including the only Mark 11 photo-reconnaissance
A HAVE-A-GO parish councillor is nursing two broken feet after tackling a burglar who broke into his holiday apartment. Mike McBride, who is a member of Middleton St George Parish Council, near Darlington, shattered both heels when he jumped over a wall
A LEADING County Durham brass band is urging former members to join in its 50th anniversary celebrations. Bearpark and Esh Colliery Band is holding a concert that will feature world famous cornet virtuoso Alan Morrison next month. And it is inviting former
CRUCIAL talks are to be held over the future of a North Yorkshire highways depot and its prime town centre site. The busy depot, in North Road in Stokesley, has long been regarded as out of keeping with the town's historic character. The county council
THREE men have been arrested after a brick attack left a young clubgoer fighting for his life. The man was waiting in the queue to get into The Tuxedo Princess nightspot, Gateshead, on August 4, when he was hit on the head by a brick hurled from the Tyne
POLICE have pledged to crack down on groups of drunken men and women plaguing passers-by in a Darlington town centre churchyard. The drinkers congregate at all hours of the day in the grounds of St Cuthbert's Church, off Church Lane. Complaints have been
SPORTING youngsters in Guisborough decided they could not wait for next month for a taste of the Olympics so they decided to hold their own competition early. Three teams took part in a mini-Olympics on Thursday at the King George V Playing Fields in
THREE teenagers will be flying the flag for Britain when they play in an American Football tournament next week. Jim Welch, Toby Taylor and David Hall, all from Darlington, are members of the American flag football team, from the Eastbourne Sports Complex
MORE than 100 Teesside teenagers were waved off from Middlesbrough yesterday as they set off for the biggest youth sport event of the year. The 13 to 15-year-olds were off to Southampton for the British Athletics Association Millennium Youth Games national
A PROPERTY investor has promised to help turn around the fortunes of a former mining village. A London-based investor has bought three empty houses in Haig Street, Ferryhill Station, to rent to tenants, and may buy up to 15 more. The village has suffered
A MURDER inquiry was launched yesterday after mugging victim David Bruce lost his fight for life. Mr Bruce died on Thursday at Newcastle Royal Victoria Infirmary, where he had lain in a coma for two weeks. The 32-year-old father was attacked and robbed
A CARPET shop was almost destroyed in the second major blaze to hit Helmsley in just three days. The store is next to the Old Meeting House arts venue that suffered severe damage in another fire earlier this week. But fire investigators last night ruled
THE raiders came from Norway, more than 100 of them. "I had never seen anything like it," said Pilot Officer Harry Welford. "They were in two groups - one of about 70 and the other about 40 - like two swarms of bees." It was Welford's first encounter
THIEVES operating in villages around Darlington have been targeting car airbags. At least six vehicles were attacked in the Hurworth area overnight on Thursday and Friday, two weeks after three cars suffered similar thefts in Neasham. Police believe there
