Popular tourist attraction Saltburn Miniature Railway will be closed over the Easter break because the track is being re-routed. Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council has granted permission for the move by the railway, which runs through Saltburn's Valley
Campaigners for regional government have stepped up their call for a better deal for deprived areas in the North- East. New Government figures underline how Treasury rules on public spending favour Scotland over many of the English regions. A major pressure
A prisoner serving life for a series of rapes has been awarded £12,000 after suing the Home Office over his treatment in jail. David Stenning, 44, who was jailed in 1994, was barricaded in his cell and tied to a chair by attempted murderer John Purkiss
Marske United played three games in five days, winning each by a scoreline of 4-1. Against Hebburn, United's goals came from Sankey (2), Reeve and Hodgson. Hebburn pulled one back with a goal from Diamon before the interval. United produced a superb display
Angie Winstanley-Smith (Sedgefield), Northumberland and Durham swimmer of the year for 2000, defends five Twin Counties titles when the third and last of this year's individual championship galas is held at Darlington tomorrow and Sunday, writes ERIC
PRESSURE is to be put on the government to ease the financial burden of rural businesses crippled by the foot-and-mouth crisis. The newly formed Richmondshire council working group, set up last week to look at the effects of the disease on the district's
UNTIL the other day I hadn't realised how seldom we see Amanda Burton smile on television. Interviewing her about her new BBC1 drama The Whistle-Blower, the conversation is punctuated with merriment of various degrees including a Burton rarity, laughter
An era ended at the weekend when one of the area's oldest and best-loved family businesses closed its doors for the last time. Dressers (Stationers) Ltd announced in January that it was to shut its stores in Darlington and Northallerton. It was the final
WORK experience for Wensleydale school student William Hague, aged 17, meant building 20 computer stations in nearby primary schools to help them become part of a far more cost-efficient system. Thanks to this system, the Wensleydale school,, and most
A man was today charged with murdering slaughterman Steven Smart. He was shot in the head at the site of a mass foot-and-mouth cull in Cumbria. Keith Hubbard, 37, of Atherstone, Warwicks, was appearing before Carlisle Magistrates today charged with murder
CONTAMINATED animals are being exhumed after Government officials buried them on top of a farm's water supply. The burial blunder at Houslop Farm, in Tow Law, near Bishop Auckland, has caused great heartache in the small farming community. Confusion reigned
A NATIONAL park is being urged to throw out a Guisborough homes scheme. Opposition to the plans for Home Farm gathered pace this week as members of the North York Moors planning committee prepared to consider the issue. Dr Ashok Kumar MP registered a
The Tom Leonard Mining Museum in Skinningrove has is reopened for its summer season after being closed for the winter. A new team of volunteer guides has been trained to give visitors a tour of the underground world of the area's ironstone past. Although
MORE than 6,000 people throughout Redcar and Cleveland will be able to enjoy extra travel benefits thanks to a new Government scheme. The Government's Concessionary Travel Scheme offers a free bus pass and half fare travel to men over 65, women over 60
REDCAR MP Mo Mowlam has branded steel firm Corus's treatment of its workers as 'inhuman.' Speaking to a conference of regional newspaper editors in London on Tuesday, she said: "Corus behaved appallingly and there is no nicer way to put it than that."
AN independent watchdog has called for an end to uncertainty about the future of Northallerton remand centre and young offenders' institution. Any decisions about the future and possible role of the establishment in East Road must be communicated swiftly
BOBBY Robson's transfer dealings have helped get Newcastle United back into the black. The sale of high earners as part of his overhaul of the squad he inherited from Ruud Gullit has reduced the wage bill by 14 per cent and cut the club's player trading
SOCIAL services bosses hope to raise the department's profile and back up its work by seeking sponsorship. Durham County Council's social services section has appointed a development officer to look for sponsors and heighten awareness of the department's
WHAT influences your decision when you buy a product or service? Apparently, it is often corporate social responsibility that affects our purchasing decisions. Research by Business in the Community/Research International (UK) Ltd identified that that
The Mallard went down 3-1 at home to Whitehill. They were the stronger team in the first-half and went one up on 30 minutes with a goal from Barry Cougle. Just before half-time John Todd equalised for Whitehill who were in control of the second-half with
A FLY-HALF who uses Newcastle's Jonny Wilkinson as his role model played a big part in spoiling Durham School's day out at Twickenham, writes IAN LAMONT. Michael Whitehead showed why several Premiership clubs are on his trail as Campion, from Essex, became
VILLAGE cricket across the region faces a summer of major disruption as the foot-and-mouth crisis continues. With precautions against the disease ruling many rural grounds out of bounds and farmers making up a high percentage of players in many teams,
BOLD-JUMPING Bindaree (3.45) has an outstanding chance to lift this afternoon's John Hughes Memorial Chase run over the National fences at Aintree. The Nigel Twiston-Davies trained chaser, provided he is operating on a left-handed track, has a reputation
HEFTED flocks should be left on the fell, says the Sheep Veterinary Society. In most cases, these flocks will have been there since the turn of the year and are highly unlikely to have had any bought-in stock introduced since, possibly, rams last autumn
DANCERS have been going through their routines to make sure every step is perfect when they take to the stage later this month. Northallerton Operatic Society is putting on West End - Broadway, at the Hambleton Community Centre from April 25 to 28. The
A BIG-SCREEN broadcast of Monday's North-East football 'derby' match is being staged at Chester-le-Street's Relton Terrace Workingmen's Club. The club's upstairs lounge is the venue for the live screening of the Middlesbrough v. Sunderland match, which
AT 7.30am on July 1, 1916, whistles blew along the lengths of the British trenches on the Somme. Thousands of men climbed out of their trenches, poured over the top and rushed into the morning mist - and headlong into the German shellfire. By nightfall
Willington, already Second Division champions, were hoping to complete the season unbeaten but they crashed at Wingate in the decider. Alan Tupling put the home side ahead but Paul Atkinson levelled. Dave Hammond restored Wingate's lead only to see Jeremy
WHEN a self-styled king of football met the queen of chat shows there was an instant spark of friendship. No stranger to mixing with the rich and famous, Darlington Football Club's ebullient chairman George Reynolds scored an instant hit with the legendary
A SCHOOLS' football tournament took place yesterday to open a £50,000 games court in the heart of a town. The multi-purpose area, in Ayresome Gardens, Middlesbrough, is designed as a safe and accessible facility for a range of sports, including basketball
YOUNGSTERS gathered for a tree planting service at a village church this week. Key stage two pupils from Ingleton CE primary school joined in a service to plant a yew tree sapling, taken from a 2000-year-old tree, at St John's churchyard. The children
FOOTBALL teams at a County Durham school are enjoying unprecedented success in competitions this year. Every boys team from years seven to 11 at Woodham Community Technology College in Newton Aycliffe stands proudly at the top of its respective league
AT last some good racing to savour as Aintree goes forwards with the Grand National tomorrow - and the Irish are allowed to come over and join in the fun. This was better news, as the re-arranged Cheltenham Festival fell victim to the foot-and-mouth prohibitions
IT has been an order directed at children for generations: "Eat your crusts." I was always told to eat my crusts or I wouldn't get curly hair. I didn't particularly want curly hair but ended up with hair so curly that, as a child, I used to secretly go
THE parents of a toddler suffering from a terminal disease are appealing for help to make her life as comfortable as possible. Two-year-old Olivia Webster suffers from spinal muscular atrophy type II - a genetic disorder that has left her confined to
TAXI drivers who disturb sleeping neighbours by sounding their horns late at night fares could lose their licences. The amount of 'taxi tooting' late at night has so concerned Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's licensing committee that it has launched
THE North York moors centre at Danby was this week accused of being the main cuplrit in the possible spread of foot-and-mouth. A parish councillor launched a stinging attack on the national park authority for not putting down disinfectant mats around
Big Breakfast presenter Paul Tonkinson was today axed from the wacky early morning show after just two months. North-Yorkshire born Tonkinson joined the Channel 4 show in February but was told of his sacking after yesterday's programme. A statement from
Newton Aycliffe turned on the style in winning the Northern League Division Two with a 9-0 victory over Horden. The first-half was full of great promise with plenty of chances, one of which Katie Hewitson converted with an excellent strike, her first
YEAR five pupils from a Darlington have proved that fast food can be healthy. The children, from Mowden Junior School, teamed up with the Pizza Express restaurant in Skinnergate, to design healthy pizza toppings. The children researched and designed the
PUPILS at a Durham school swapped text books for TV tubes with the help of Philips Components. More than 200 Year Nine pupils at Framwellgate School took part in an industry day which was designed to give them experience of the working world. The pupils
TWO new windows are out of place at Saltburn's largest Victorian building, according to councillors. They considered the unauthorised replacement at the Zetland hotel had seriously damaged the special architectural and historic character of the listed
NEW displays got Guisborough museum off to a good start as it reopened this week. Better access and extra information are other new features for the museum's 13th summer season. The displays have been re-arranged and there new display cases. New displays
LONDON'S Burning star Steven Houghton roared into town for a production of the hit musical, Grease. Steven, who also starred in the TV show Bugs, will be performing at Newcastle's Theatre Royal later this month. He posed for photographers astride a chrome-plated
RACEHORSE trainer Mr Chris Thornton is now certain he can stay at Middleham with his horses and eight staff, thanks to a grant obtained by the newly-formed mid-Wensleydale community partnership. Since Spigot Lodge was taken over in February by another
THE first plants have been installed at Sunderland's Winter Gardens. A container load of more than 100 exotic plants, trees and shrubs arrived this week from Van der Arend Nursery, in Holland. The plants, which come from temperate regions across the world
Nissan reached their second Durham cup final of the season with a 95-52 demolition job on Second Division Hartlepool Hornets A in their delayed Men's County Cup semi-final at Peterlee. Chris Maddison opened the Nissan scoring with a pair of three-point
POLLS should always be regarded with suspicion. For example, do we really believe that Labour, despite all of its recent difficulties, is really 19 points in front of the Tories as all the polls suggest? This would mean an even bigger Labour majority
THE region's tourism chiefs are backing a call for an extra bank holiday. The holiday for September, proposed by Cumbria Tourist Board, would help the industry recover some of the trade lost through falling visitor numbers to the countryside. With rural
Hopeful treasure hunters braved the weather to turn out in their thousands yesterday, when the Antiques Roadshow visited the North-East. FROM crumpled newspaper wrappings and battered boxes, curious and unusual artefacts began to emerge as people waited
Darlington 21st Allstars - THE club's season went into overdrive last week with midweek and Saturday matches in addition to the usual Sunday games. The Under-15s were in Alternative Cup quarter-final action at home to Hartlepool Power Station and started
IT'S a tough job, but someone's got to do it. Chocolate spreads, like scooters and sharp suits, are one of the greatest Italian inventions. Being Italian, they mixed the chocolate with hazel nut so you get a more interesting flavour and the result is
A PROSPECTIVE Tory MP says the decision to build a controversial bail hostel in County Durham was made on purely political grounds. Addressing a packed public meeting in Chester-le-Street, Matthew Palmer told anti-bail hostel protesters that Labour Party
A COUPLE who are ensuring that the village post office at Osmotherley remains open have been unable to take anything for granted. Mr Dave Burgon and his wife, Sybil, said this week that so far they had not seen any of the millions of pounds proclaimed
A HOTLINE to take calls from North-East farmers on foot-and-mouth disease opened this week. The inquiry line in the Newcastle Emergency Disease Control Centre will handle calls from farmers who suspect their livestock may have contracted the disease.
Spraire progressed through the preliminary round tie by easily beating Classic World Of Fitness 6-1 in the Northern Echo League Cup. In a physical encounter, Spraire opened the scoring when Richie Hindle headed home a Scott Davison cross. Classic fought
QUAKERS continued to inch their way to safety with two draws against promotion-chasing opponents. Manager Gary Bennett must have been pleased with the fighting spirit shown by his injury-ravaged side, but once again the lack of a proven finisher cost
Norton and Stockton Ancients overcame Sunderland Fulwell Juniors as well as bitterly cold weather and to take home the Durham FA Under-12s Youth Cup, writes CRAIG STODDART. There were no goals in the game, taking it into a penalty shoot-out. But the first
POLICE have launched a high-profile safety scheme in an attempt to curb the number of accidents on the A171 Guisborough to Whitby moors road. Over the past four years, 63 collisions have been reported; five people have been killed, 18 people seriously
A COUNCIL has launched a crackdown on illegal advertising. The blitz forms part of Stockton Borough Council's Care For Your Area Campaign, to maintain a cleaner borough. It is now running, following a covert surveillance operation, including the use of
The first of the season's night matches Cleveland Bridge maintained their title challenge with a 4-1 victory against Speedy Hire. Lee Cloke (2), Duane Beagle and Ross Ainslie scored for Bridge, Aron Radstock replied. Cleveland Bridge, who have informed
THREE North-East students will be performing for visitors to Gateshead's Shipley Art Gallery this month. The musicians, all aged between 15 and 16, are students at Cheetham School, Manchester, which specialises in music studies. All three, Rebecca Topping
A TEENAGE thief snatched a woman's handbag from her car as she loaded shopping into the vehicle. The theft happened in the car park at Morrisons, in North Road, Darlington. It is the latest in a string of handbag and purse snatches around the town in
Inventors who are worried about getting their ideas off the ground are being given a helping hand by development agency One NorthEast. Its Innovation Action Plan provides businesses with advice, information and skills, and help with research, development
HERE'S your chance to make history by attempting to beat one of the world's oldest sporting records? The Greatest Throw On Earth marks the bid by The Northern Echo and Durham County Cricket Club to beat the record for throwing a cricket ball. The record
YOUNGSTERS in the region have the chance to follow in the footsteps of some of their cricketing heroes. We have teamed up with Durham County Cricket Club to organise a knockout tournament for under-15 teams from schools throughout the region. The final
A family-run North Yorkshire ice-cream business and tourist attraction which has already lost £50,000 because of the foot-and-mouth crisis has decided if the public can't visit it, it will take its business to customers. Brymor ice-cream parlour at High
CHILDREN from a Darlington junior school cooked up a treat when they got to grips with a challenge to create "healthy" pizzas. Year five pupils from Mowden junior school were given the task of designing healthy pizza toppings as part of a combined design
AS the George Best obituaries are being dusted off and polished up, how many of them, I wonder, will end with the words: "we may never see his like again." Anyone tipped to be the next Best in the last 30 years has usually been put down with the observation
A WOMAN has been left badly shaken and afraid to go out after she was indecently assaulted and mugged. The incident happened at about 10pm on Tuesday, when the 21-year-old was approached by two men in Brabourn Gardens, Hemlington, Middlesbrough. They
A THRIVING Stockton firm which helps companies get a foothold in Europe has been named the area's best young business of the year in a top awards scheme. Frontier Europe has taken top prize in the 2001 Shell Live Wire challenge, open to people aged 16
RESIDENTS and a parish council have won their fight to prevent development on the fringe of Masham, near Ripon. Councillors voted against planning officers' advice to refuse an outline application for two homes in Rodney Terrace. Planning officer Mike
A PAIR of teachers were given a Gallic send-off as they embarked on a fundraising trip to Paris yesterday. Richard Harrison and Phil Latham were surprised by Alan Sharpe, dressed as an onion seller, complete with bike and beret, as they set off to compete
A FIFTH of the workforce at Cleveland Potash have worked for the company for more than 25 years. Cleveland Potash 25-year-club received 20 new members at a special ceremony at Rushpool Hall, Saltburn, bringing the total club membership to 170. Keith Jackson
Sir, - The countryside is being closed by stealth. The government say it's open, but it isn't. Where is Tony Blair going for his Easter family holiday - some warm foreign part? If the priority is to stop the spread of the disease, why isn't the government
STOCKTON missed out on their bid to lift the title. They were pipped 2-1 by Norton, falling to a last-gasp goal and although gaining a win over champions Roseberry it wasn't enough, edged out on goal difference. The skill of Stockton's defence and excellent
A FORGOTTEN archive of voices has revealed how the Geordie dialect is in danger of dying out and disappearing within 30 years. Linguistic experts from Newcastle University say the lilting brogue made famous by the likes of Gazza, Jimmy Nail and Ant and
VILLAGERS meet tonight to discover details of a 200-acre burial site less than half a mile from their homes. Former opencast land at Inkerman, near Tow Law, was identified yesterday and approved by the Environment Agency and Durham County Council. The
BUS company workers have proved to be just the ticket with a couple struggling to unlock the autistic world of their child. Ben Collins, aged four, is making progress in his development thanks to an American therapy programme, which has included two visits
Sir, - Have you noticed when travelling south of Darlington and the road crosses a river you are informed of the river name? Drive down the A1, just this side of Catterick, and there's the sign... River Swale. Further on, near Ripon, and there's the sign
A hospice is running a volunteer recruitment campaign to attract extra helpers to all aspects of hospice work, especially its charity shops. The drive, by Teesside Hospice, comes in the run-up to national Volunteer Week, which runs from June 1 to 7. Anyone
THE general manager of the Newcastle Jesters ice hockey club is in talks to leave the side as a wages delay continues. Mike O'Connor has already had preliminary talks to replace Dave Simms, his opposite number at the Sheffield Steelers. He met one of
The jury in the Leeds United footballers trial was sent home today without returning any further verdicts. The seven men and four women had been deliberating during the past three days when the judge Mr Justice Poole discharged them until next week. The
A PAIR of teachers were given a Gallic send-off as they embarked on a fundraising trip to Paris yesterday. Richard Harrison and Phil Latham were surprised by Alan Sharpe, dressed as an onion seller, complete with bike and beret, as they set off to compete
COMMUNITY leaders are putting together a bid for up to £1.5m on behalf of three deprived communities. Derwentside District Council has identified South Stanley, South Moor, and Craghead, all near Stanley, as one of the district's biggest areas of unemployment
Letters from the Northern Echo RAY MALLON I WAS once sympathetic towards Ray Mallon, but his recent Thursday columns have begun to worry me. The article (Echo, Mar 22) was worse than usual. He tells us that, in an enormous exhibition of power, the Government
ATTENTION all ex-soldiers - a former comrade needs help in his academic research about how ex-soldiers survive in civilian life. Arnie Reed, who hails from Stanley, spent more than 25 years in the army, but is now working on an academic study. He wants
TOP Shop to Dorothy Perkins retail group Arcadia is in talks to sell five of its 14 fashion chains after a strategic review of the business. The group is in discussions to sell off Warehouse, Principles, Racing Green and Hawkshead to a management buy-out
MORE than 6,000 people throughout Redcar and Cleveland will be able to enjoy extra travel benefits thanks to a Government scheme. The Concessionary Travel Scheme offers a free bus pass and half-fare travel to men aged 65, women aged 60, and people who
Tony Blair today pledged to step up the bid to bring overseas tourists back to Britain. The Prime Minister headed to North Yorkshire as it was predicted the foot-and-mouth crisis would cost the UK tourist industry £5 billion. Earnings in the worst hit
Bishop Auckland will take on Lancaster in the final of the UniBond League Cup after their superb 3-0 semi final win at Marine on Tuesday night. Danny Mellanby was their hero, scoring a hat-trick to seal Bishops' second final appearance. Manager Tony Lee
A STUDENT who only picked up a rugby ball four years ago is to play with the best women rugby players in the world. Up until four years ago, Caroline Bell, 21, of Newsham, near Thirsk, had never even thought about playing rugby union. Since then the Leeds
A FORMER Green Howard soldier accused of murdering a neighbour by knifing him 26 times with a Gurkha kukri knife told a court yesterday that the man's account of their bitter feud was not accurate. Roy Campbell, 61, appearing at Teesside Crown Court,
Middlesbrough-based Sgt Graham Shaw, 39, will captain the British police cricket team in a forces tournament in London in July. The tournament will include top players from the Army, Navy, Air Force and clubs in the London area. Sgt Shaw said: "We have
PARENTS seeking a Catholic education for their children are being penalised by council transport plans, it has been claimed. As part of a £250,000 cost-cutting exercise, Darlington Borough Council wants to scrap free concessionary bus travel for pupils
INDUSTRIAL output slowed during February as new figures provided more evidence the global economic slowdown was hurting UK business. Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed overall production slipped 0.3 per cent during the month and
COUNCILLORS' surgeries are being held in the following Redcar and Cleveland wards: Today: Coatham, 156 High Street West; Dormanstown, Park Court Community Centre; Guisborough, Stumps Cross Community Centre; Redcar, Laburnum Road Library. All 6-7pm. Tomorrow
WITH election fever bursting out all over, politicians' minds should now be turning to how they harness the power of the Internet. While all the major parties want to be seen to be a part of the online world, none have yet demonstrated any great ability
FROM this newspaper 100 years ago. - Col Ropner MP, on Monday informed his constituents that he had made up his mind not to speak on any subject during the greater part of the first session, for the reason that he had a great deal to learn, and generally
THE disgraced former chairman of the Yorkshire Dales National Park is seeking re-election to North Yorkshire County Council. Mr Robert Heseltine, who resigned from both authorities after being convicted of fiddling expenses, confirmed his nomination papers
THE heroes of last week's piece about British prisoners of war in Italy trekking hundreds of miles to meet the advancing Allies, I now learn, are to return to that country next month to thank the contadini who gave them hospitality. More than half a century
VALENCIA are on alert after Terry Venables' refusal to rule out a return to coaching in Spain. Venables, due to leave Middlesbrough at the end of the season, has already been shortlisted by the Champions' League quarter-finalists to succeed current coach
THE first plants have been installed at Sunderland's Winter Gardens. A container load of more than 100 exotic plants, trees and shrubs arrived this week from Van der Arend Nursery, in Holland. The plants, which come from temperate regions across the world
MR Derek Foster, MP, was due to meet agriculture minister Mr Nick Brown yesterday afternoon to discuss his continuing concern that the operation to combat foot-and-mouth needs to be improved, particularly in County Durham. The meeting came as local farming
HUNTS are having to take emergency measures to survive as their incomes plummet due to foot-and-mouth disease. The virus did what the Blair government has - as yet - failed to do when it brought hunting to an abrupt end in February. And there are fears
ALL praise to Darlington's MP and Health Secretary Mr Alan Milburn who, according to one Sunday newspaper at least, was the only member of the Cabinet who thought the general election should be delayed. Every other member thought Mr Blair should stick
A CATERING company which provides meals to almost 300 schools in County Durham has backed the introduction of new nutritional standards. But Chartwells says the rules must be backed by other measures. The new standards came into force on Monday. Rules
A POTENTIAL £100m development of 'regional importance' in Stanley has suffered a serious knock-back. Derwentside District Cou-ncil officers have never released full details of what proposals for the King's Head field in Stanley entails. But at a packed
HARRY Clarke, former Durham County cricketer and Darlington, Hartlepools and Leeds United footballer, hit 80 last week. He is also the man to whom the observation about it looking black over Bill's mother's is credited - a weather forecast plagiarised
THE country's longest serving college governor was on familiar ground when he received his MBE yesterday. Ken Handley received his "gong" in the suite at Bishop Auckland College named after him. In his 49 years on the college governing body, Ken, now
A TEENAGER'S tireless efforts to educate his peers on substance abuse has seen him nominated for a national award. David Moralee, who lives in Lowmown Meadows, Crook, was labelled disruptive as a 13-year-old, but he turned the tables to become a shining
Willington League - Howden Australian B held on to the top spot after beating the visiting Willington Burn to stay one point clear of Oakenshaw Club. The Aussie had singles wins from Michael Burke, Steven Burke, Paul Davidson and Michael Lee with Gordon
FOR the first time during peacetime, the 150-year-old Barnard Castle Meet, traditionally held over the late May bank holiday, has been cancelled. The decision came following an emergency meeting to discuss plans for this year's celebrations in light of
FOOT-and-mouth continued to claim more victims in Weardale and Teesdale this week. The Tallentire family of Low Lands Farm, near Cockfield, was one. They were taking one day at a time since foot-and-mouth was confirmed at their premises on Sunday. "We
A TEENAGER will appear in court this morning charged with trying to rob a County Durham store with a 10in knife. The youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is accused of threatening staff at the Village Store, Sacriston, near Durham, on Wednesday
Darlington are to offer their management team of Gary Bennett and Mick Tait new contracts at the end of the season. Bennett and Tait complete their present deals when the season finishes and Quakers are to move quickly to tie them to the club once they
Newcastle United star Nolberto Solano was today arrested for drink driving. The Peruvian international was pulled over by a patrol car in his silver £30.000 BMW 3-series sports car in the early hours of this morning. Salono was flagged down by traffic
A MAJOR new arts development is on the way - should National Lottery chiefs look favourably on the project. Rural Arts North Yorkshire (Rany) left its cramped premises and moved into thee old courthouse in Thirsk, in March last year. Now its members have
A TEENAGER looks set to be at the sharp end of sporting success. Felicity Hemlin, aged 14, from Great Broughton, came fifth in a public schools' championship in London. Her trainer, Mr Geoff Thompson, said such a placing at that level of competition was
A TROUBLED teenager responsible for a reign of fear in a city became one of the first girls in the country to be given an anti-social behaviour order yesterday. Marianne Cullerton, 17, has run up 99 convictions since 1999, including 42 in 123 days from
A GOVERNMENT quango has been told to apologise to four people who took the blame for the acrimonious collapse of a race watchdog. Middlesbrough lecturer Mehdi Husaini, his wife, Sophie, Suku Ramoutar and Dennis Lane, have been fighting for five years
TWO children spent the day as civic dignitaries yesterday, when they became Darlington's junior mayor and mayoress for the day. Ten-year-olds Stephen Howey and Rebecca Eldrington won their day out in an essay competition. Their packed schedule of civic
A GOALKEEPER stunned a soccer crowd with an 85-yard wonder goal - but then confessed later it was his hat-trick of soaraway strikes. Chris Hill, the 26-year-old Harrogate Town keeper, dropped the ball on to his foot for the mighty punt from his own penalty
A RESIDENTS' panel set up by Darlington Borough Council for tenants to air their grievances could expand. The panel, which acts as an umbrella group for the town's residents' associations, is to hold a meeting to consider changing its constitution. The
A collection of work by textile artist Ruth Spaak will go on show at a North-East art gallery tomorrow. The vibrant wall hangings, which have been made using specially-produced glass components, will be part of a new exhibition at the Shipley Art Gallery
Sir, - By the date of publication of this letter it will be known whether elections for North Yorkshire County Council are to go ahead on May 3 as intended or else postponed to a more appropriate time. As members and former members of Yorkshire Dales
A RENEWABLE wood energy crop grown on NFU president Mr Ben Gill's farm at Easingwold has been harvested for the first time. The short rotation coppice was cut with a Claas Jaguar forage harvester using a specially designed header which chips the wood
Double flicks are all in a day's tumbling for 12-year-old gold medal gymnast Fay Kirkbride. And now Fay, a member of Acklam Gymnastics Club in Middlesbrough, has tumbled her way to the national gymnastics finals in Stoke on Trent on April 7. Following
WORKING out in the gym doesn't help us lose weight after all. Now they tell us. Scientists have confirmed what, if we're truthful, we knew all along, that the best way to keep fit is by eating less and keeping moderately active throughout the day. So
REDCAR High Street is to get a new fast-food chain restaurant. Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's planning committee approved plans for Kentucky Fried Chicken to turn a former shop into a restaurant and takeaway, opening 11am-midnight Sunday to Thursday
PRIZE sheep destined for the Great Yorkshire Show were among those slaughtered this week after the outbreak of foot-and-mouth at Danby Wiske, near Northallerton. West Farm was confirmed as being infected on Tuesday. Slaughterers moved onto the farm, run
TALENTED young gymnasts from a Guisborough school have been in outstanding form recently. The girls' under 13 team from Laurence Jackson school took first place at the North of England schools' competition at Biddick school, Washington, where Katie Ditchburn
Pupils from year four visited Chester-le-Street, on Wednesday, March 21. We went in to see Saint Mary's and Saint Cuthbert's Church. Our guide Frank xxxxxxx told us about the Romans and Vikings. In the church, we saw an effigy next to the pews. There
TWO North-East firefighters were taken to hospital after they inhaled toxic fumes from a chemical fire at a notorious fly-tipping spot. Fire crews were called to what they thought was a rubbish fire at Phoenix Sidings, Stockton, on Wednesday night then
A FOOT-and-mouth help centre has been set up in Wensleydale. A small band of leading local figures have formed Rejuvenate, a self-help group and helpline, to provide speedy and accurate information for local farmers and businesses. It is in direct response
THE world's biggest urban wind farm could be built in the North-East, it was announced with some fanfare this week. An area of derelict industrial land on the south bank of the Tees estuary has been earmarked for the building of 30 or more wind turbines
PET llamas at a show farm which attracts thousands of visitors a year were victims of the foot-and-mouth epidemic this week. More than 1,400 sheep, five cattle, two pigs, three llamas, 12 goats and three deer were among the pet animals destroyed by Maff
Cleveland Ladies Super League - In the Hartlepool derby, Burn Valley lost 4-3 at home to the Royal Hotel. Claire Stainsby (17.02) beat Jean Robinson (14.97) 3-2 to put the home side in front. Jean Atkinson (14.04) overcame Pat A Smith (15.09) 3-2, Babs
Bedale and West of Yore PC. - All mounted activities cancelled until further notice. Cleveland Hunt PC. - All mounted events are cancelled until further notice. East Cleveland PC. - Postal quiz to be returned by April 13. All events cancelled until further
"WE Want You!" was the message issued by the Territorial Army at the weekend as it launched a drive for recruits. Units from Darlington and Newton Aycliffe opened their doors to the public to mark TA Day on Saturday. On display were weapons and specialist
A YORKSHIRE Dales institution has been abandoned in its landmark year - and two other agricultural shows have been cancelled. The 50th annual Tan Hill Swaledale Sheep Show, the premier gathering in the dales for top breeders, was due to be staged in Arkengarthdale
Tow Law manager Graeme Forster has paid tribute to his "fab back four" despite defeat at Bedlington last Saturday. Because of injuries and unavailability, Forster put together an untried, but very experienced quartet of players with a total age of 145
FULL-BACK David Glendenning is hoping it will be third time lucky for Darlington and fifth time lucky for himself in the Durham Challenge Cup final against Blaydon at Durham City tomorrow. Apart from being in the Darlington side which lost the 1996 and
POLICE have issued a warning against a security alarm company currently operating in the Derwentside area. In an official press release Durham Constabulary has criticised high pressure sales tactics used by Stockton-based Catch Security. They say the
COUNCIL critic Tony Martin is hoping to launch his political career - by standing as a councillor. The outspoken cobbler is standing as an Independent in the elections for Labour-run Durham County Council in June. Mr Martin, lives in North Shields and
THE past will be brought to life on Saturday when Durham County Council stages its biggest ever local history fair. Yesterday Belongs To You 5 at County Hall, Aykley Heads in Durham City, is aimed at enthusiasts of local and family history. The event
CAMPAIGNERS will be asking members of the public to back their calls for regional government for the North-East tomorrow. Following successful visits to Alnwick, Sedgefield, Hexham and Consett, the Campaign for a North-East Assembly (CNA) will be in Newcastle
TWO Dales firms hope to make their mark on the Internet with specialist help from agencies. Compris, the Information Society Initiative for Yorkshire, and Business Link have helped Outhwaites, the ropemakers in Hawes, to develop a website to publicise
A CAMPAIGN to block plans for a tip and waste recycling plant has won the backing of another vital ally. Richmondshire District Council has agreed to resist Yorwaste's plans for Tancred Quarry, between Scorton and the A1. The Environment Agency has also
POLICE hope to block a company's bid to convert Durham's Robins Cinema into an Australian theme nightspot. Later this month, Regent Inns will ask magistrates for a drinks licence and permission to open until 2am for the Walkabout bar, in North Road. But
ROAD safety campaigners are celebrating the end of a 20-year battle to stop motorists speeding through their village. Villagers in Stapleton, near Darlington, have fought for measures to slow the speed of traffic through their community since the early
WETHERBY stages an additional meeting today after the British Horseracing Board granted the fixture in light of meetings abandoned due to both the foot-and-mouth crisis and inclement weather. The seven-race programme is scheduled to start at 2.25, with
THE owners of a Yorkshire Dales holiday cottage have sent a bill to the local Tourist Information Office after a customer cancelled following a conversation with staff about the impact of foot-and-mouth disease. Paul Wood and wife Pam, who live in Derbyshire
A MAN who has lived with continually hearing his great-great-grandfather pilloried as the cruel schoolmaster in a Charles Dickens novel is setting the record straight after years of research. Since the 19th century, the popular myth has grown in Teesdale
CIU League - In an early top of the table clash in the darts section, Crook Belle Vue retained their unbeaten record when they beat the visiting Stanhope by two points and now lead the table by six points from their visitors. The Crook dominoes team are
THE head of Binns department store in Darlington wants the law to be tougher on persistent shoplifters. Speaking at the re-launch of a more pro-active Darlington Crimenet, Mr Steve Pashley, manager, referred to magistrates courts and the Crown Prosecution
PARENTS at a Catholic school are being urged to object to council proposals to withdraw free and concessionary school transport. On Monday, Carmel technology college, Darlington, wrote to all parents urging them to support the school's concerns over proposals
A MURDER inquiry will continue today after police confirmed that a man found lying in a country lane had been attacked. Medical tests have now shown that David Williamson, who was found unconscious on a quiet road between Sutton-on-the-Forest and Huby
Darlington Gymnastics Club is restructuring to help move the club into the 21st century. It has elected Brian Everett as vice-president to spearhead a business plan for the short, medium and long-term future of the club. The long-term aim is to raise
THE future of a highways depot branded a nuisance by residents is to be resolved with a move out of a town centre. Council officers are putting the finishing touches to plans to relocate the busy Stokesley depot in North Road, which had long been considered
Stokesley's Nigel Hargreaves just can't go wrong on the new Maple Lake at Sessay, writes JEFF HERBERT. Winner the previous week Nigel stormed ahead once again leading a terrific match of 39 double figured weights. Nigel of Pole Pullers tackled peg 16
NEWCASTLE United boss Bobby Robson has been given the go-ahead to make a major summer transfer plunge. Robson, whose hands have been tied by club chairman Freddy Shepherd's frugal approach after years of big spending on Tyneside, has drawn up a close-season
IN addition to the emotional and financial effect upon farmers due to the spread of foot-and-mouth disease, it has already had a devastating impact upon the entire economy of the countryside. Its lengthy tentacles have touched many individuals who might
POLICE called out a search and rescue team to help find a man lost in the woods at night. However, after an hour-long search the man, who was thought to be in his 40s, was found safe at his home in Burnhope, near Stanley. The man, who was known to go
A RANGE of improvements to museums will be carried out after a funding boost. The Yorkshire Museums Council has awarded £11,633 to museums in Harrogate, Knaresborough, Ripon, and Pateley Bridge. Projects which have been supported include computer technology
TWO aspiring actors will star alongside the professionals in the summer season at Darlington Civic theatre. James Wilkinson, aged 19, from Woodham, near Newton Aycliffe, and 20-year-old Donna Marie Young, from Darlington, won scholarships from producer
A LITTLE girl was hailed a heroine after she calmly called an ambulance as her father fought for breath. Five-year-old Alexandria Hodgson kept a cool head when father Malcolm suffered a panic attack at their home at Marshall Drive, Brotton. With nobody
TWO teenagers appeared before a court after a sex romp in in a North-East city centre street. Shane Harland, 19, and Stacy Arnett, 17, were in the throes of passion when police arrived to arrest them. They had been out drinking in Sunderland, and as they
