FOR six hours, Catherine Dennis's parents thought they would not see their tiny daughter celebrate Christmas. When her mother was 21 weeks pregnant she was told that both Catherine and her twin brother had died in the womb. It was one heartbreak too many
A PART-TIME student at Teesside University is celebrating after she was awarded a prize for women in engineering. Sharon Lane, 22, of Gunnergate Lane, Marton, Middlesbrough, achieved a Higher National Certificate in mechanical and production engineering
FIREFIGHTERS in the region are warning people to make sure that smoke alarms are fitted with batteries. The appeal follows an incident in Redcar early yesterday morning. A flat in the town's Mersey Road suffered 80 per cent smoke damage and severe fire
A NORTH-EAST woman is celebrating after winning a prize in a farmers' writing competition. Freda Phalp, of Great Ayton, scooped the £50 prize in the annual Farmers' Weekly Frater Memorial writing contest. The theme for this year's competition was "A Kind
MEMBERS of Crook Golf Club's women's section braved a winter storm to raise £1,000 for three charities. They turned out in force for a fundraising event staged by businesses Winning Lines and Roses' Giftware, after bad weather prevented consultants from
VILLAGERS will soon be able to have their say on plans for a new community hospital in Sedgefield. Plans for the proposed £8m hospital will be on view on the notice board in Sedgefield Town Council offices for a week from Tuesday, January 2. The hospital
SHOPPERS did their bit to make it a happier Christmas for youngsters at a North-East special school. Visitors to the Galleries, in Washington town centre, were asked to make donations of gifts at the centre's "giving tree". The tree, supplied by Focus
A STRING of shops has opened to sell a range of equipment for people with disabilities. County Durham Care, a wing of the county's social services department, has opened "Home Independence" shops within day centres, for people with a physical disability
Darlington chairman George Reynolds last night jumped to the defence of under-fire manager Gary Bennett. Reynolds missed the Boxing Day fiasco at Chesterfield, when a section of the travelling fans demanded the sacking of Bennett as Quakers' brief revival
A REGENERATED area of Middlesbrough is becoming a popular location for people moving to the town, according to research. Wimpey Homes says it has sold three-quarters of the available sites in Grove Hill, between Linthorpe and Marton Road, in just under
NOT so long ago in 1995 trainer Kim Bailey was the toast of Cheltenham when sending out Master Oats and Alderbrook to complete a famous Gold Cup and Champion Hurdle Festival double. How times have changed for Kim. In the relatively short space of five
A BRIGHT future is forecast for a traditional North-East tipple, which is now proving more popular overseas than in this country. Latest figures from Scottish and Newcastle Breweries (S&N) confirmed that its old favourite brew, Newcastle Brown, is
Detectives investigating a North-East murder believe vital witnesses have not come forward for fear of prosecution. Known criminal Kevin Mawhinney was stabbed to death in a street brawl during the early hours of Boxing Day. The 33-year-old was found by
UNIONISTS reacted furiously last night after an IRA terrorist who murdered a special constable in North Yorkshire was told he can return to Northern Ireland without facing prosecution. They condemned a decision to grant the Royal prerogative of mercy
EYES narrowed, lips curled, the two gun-slingers face each other across a smoke-filled saloon. Dust-covered coats are swept aside to reveal shiny side-irons, low-slung six shooters, embraced by intricately carved leather holsters. It's a showdown and
OF leftish persuasion, as most readers know, I keep a sharp eye out for any act of New Labour that can be welcomed as advancing the common good - the litmus test of enlightened social policy. Such a moment came back in August when it was revealed that
BISHOP Auckland's long-awaited new hospital passed an important milestone when builders completed the shell of the £67m development. Now they are ready to start fitting out the interior, ready for the new Bishop Auckland General Hospital to take in the
When Phil Taylor begins his quest for an unprecedented ninth world darts crown at Purfleet tonight for once all the attention will not be focused on the man known as 'The Power'. That is because at around 2.15pm on Friday the 2001 Skol World Championships
BRITAIN'S biggest DIY retailer B&Q, is to create at least 4,000 jobs during 2001, the company said. The retailer, owned by Woolworth-to-Comet retailer Kingfisher, said it planned to open 25 of its large, 100,000 square foot B&Q Warehouse stores
OLD economy stocks will be the best investment for people looking to have a flutter on the stock market next year, according to an expert. Jeremy Batstone, head of research at NatWest Stockbrokers, has outlined his ten "best buys" for 2001 for the canny
A DARLINGTON college has celebrated the outstanding examination successes of its students at a ceremony attended by parents, governors, sponsors and education authority representatives. Guest of honour at Carmel RC Technology College's awards was Father
YOUTH workers in north Durham have issued an appeal to adults in the area to become involved in helping youngsters. Durham County Council Community Education Coordinator Martin Lightfoot said the service was desperately short of volunteers. He said that
BUDDING DJs in east Cleveland are to be given the chance to develop their mixing skills on a new course. The 22-week course, starting next month, is one of a series of ideas from Skelton Youth Empowerment. The project is managed by the Workers Educational
THE first two community wardens in Redcar and Cleveland have received positive reaction in their first year. Geoff Parry and Dave Simpson are delighted with the feedback from the people of Eston. Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council is so pleased with
THE family of a Wearside girl who battled back from a life-threatening illness, is planning a massive party to celebrate her homecoming. Melissa Gibson, aged ten, has suffered a traumatic year, which included undergoing four major operations in one month
A LOCAL historian is appealing for old stories, pictures and recollections of Durham and surrounding area, for a publication he is compiling. Michael Lee, of Meadowfield, on the outskirts of the city, plans to publish a collection ofstories and images
A COMMUNITY leader has told of plans which he argues will transform the fortunes of a north Durham town next year. The leader of Derwentside District Council, Alex Watson, said the year 2001 will see the "renaissance of Stanley" because of three major
SO there you are, you've eaten the chocolates, watched the video, played the game. You might even be wearing the new jumper or jewellery and have already hit the High Street to spend the voucher. But have you said thank you for them? An amazing number
A Major planting scheme is under way on the edges of Hartlepool, aimed at improving the town's environment. Volunteers and Hartlepool Borough Council's Countryside Action Team are behind the scheme in the Newton Bewley area. Andrew Craggs, Hartlepool
A COUNCIL initiative offering practical and emotional help to homeless young people has been chosen for an award. Durham County Council's Life Skills programme has been awarded Investing in Children status for its work supporting young people aged between
VEGETABLE growers have accused Thomas Cook of a tasteless slur on that old Christmas favourite the sprout. The travel chain has plastered adverts on hoardings nationwide, showing a less than appetising dish of the festive fair next to the message "It's
Ton-up king Kevin Phillips holds the key to Sunderland's chances of landing a Champions League place this season. Boss Peter Reid refuses to discuss the possibility of getting into Europe after Sunderland fell flat on their faces a year ago - going three
TERRY VENABLES is backing a fully-fit Alen Boksic to boost Middlesbrough's Premiership survival struggle. Boksic is easing his way back after enduring a stop-start first season on Teesside with niggling knee and hamstring problems. The £2.5m Croatian
ANIMAL sanctuaries in the North-East are already over-run by unwanted pets - a crisis highlighted in the past few days with a series of incidents of animals being dumped by their owners. And shelter managers have warned the situation could get even worse
SALES fever gripped the region yesterday as shoppers came out in force to bag the bargains on offer. Darlington and Middlesbrough town centres were full, with bargain hunters battling their way through the chaos to get to sale items in scenes repeated
REHEARSALS are nearing completion for a special pantomime performance on Teesside. Members of the South Bank Arts Group are preparing for the launch of the South Bank pantomime, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. It is the first time that a pantomime has
THE parents of a severely handicapped girl are looking at a brighter future in a dream home they are having purpose-built for their daughter. Mike and Louise Davenport are counting the days to moving into a country home designed to make life much easier
Snow Flakes A little icy snowflake falling to the ground, as big Bob saw it he said: "Now did they get found?" I said: "I don't know but they do go slow." If I were a snowflake falling into the snow where will the next place I'll go? Aaron Turner, aged
NATIONAL LOTTERY I HAVE read and re-read your editorial comment on the National Lottery (Echo, Dec 20), and I agree wholeheartedly with every word of it. As a staunch supporter of the Labour cause, I am particularly concerned that William Hague has been
Tottenham's travel troubles continued at The Dell last night as goals from James Beattie, his ninth in as many Premiership matches, and Kevin Davies inside two first half minutes condemned them to another blank. George Graham's side's woeful away record
FURIOUS passenger groups last night condemned rail companies for slapping on big fare increases after months of chaos. Many travellers face above-inflation rises when new ticket prices come in on January 7 - a decision described as "a smack in the teeth
STAND-IN skipper Warren Barton last night saluted the "gladiator'' Bobby Robson hopes will lead Newcastle United's frontline battle in a time of crisis. African-born striker Shola Ameobi was an instant hit with the Toon Army when he made his first senior
A PRIMARY school is appealing for former pupils to become role models for today's children. Having already held a display of photographs highlighting the achievements of one former pupil, Firth Moor Primary School, in Darlington, is looking for more success
EDUCATION watchdogs delivered a Christmas present to a North-East infant school, in the form of an official pat on the back. Teachers and other staff at Oakfield Infants, in Low Fell, Gateshead, earned the praise of inspectors from the Office for Standards
A COUPLE who came close to tragedy during their early years of their marriage celebrated their diamond wedding with a Christmas family reunion. Soon after Bill and Gladys Taylor moved to Bishop Auckland in the early 1940s, Mr Taylor was struck down by
A PHOENIX will rise from the ashes in Colburn in the coming year when work starts on converting the old Army barracks into a business park. Regional development agency Yorkshire Forward bought the site earlier this year, hoping the land could be used
A VILLAGE'S plans for a sports centre may be rejected because of flooding fears. Brompton Parish Council saw a decision on the complex deferred by Hambleton District Council recently, to allow members to make a site visit. The district council also wanted
PANTOMIME star Laura Main had a birthday to remember, with two parties to celebrate her special day. The youngster, who is performing in Cinderella at Darlington Civic Theatre, was whisked away to the second party in a chauffeur-driven limousine to mark
IT is not so much crime that affects the quality of most people's lives in Britain today, but the fear of crime. Similarly, our view of the effectiveness of our police service is often not based on the realities of our day to day lives, but on the headlines
THE PARENTS of North-East TV star Declan Donnelly have shunned the chance to live in luxury. Donnelly, half of the celebrity duo Ant and Dec, has made repeated offers to move his mother, Anne, and father, Alphonsus, into a new house on Tyneside. But they
AWARD winning public relations and marketing consultancy Karol Marketing has been appointed to handle the trade and consumer launch of a new bottled, blended spirit, called Green Fairy. The drink targeted at 18-35-year-olds is the first of its kind to
IT may have been a year in coming, but GlaxoSmithKline, the group created by the merger of pharmaceutical giants Glaxo Wellcome and SmithKline Beecham, got off to an inauspicious start on the London Stock Exchange yesterday. The merger of the two firms
