WORD spread around the Sunderland nightclub that a 91-year-old woman with a walking stick had arrived to audition. If these were showbiz trials for Opportunity Knocks or a Michael Barrymore talent show, the news wouldn't have caused a stir. Those kind
FEM-ALE: Girls who are sick of stocking up on vodka or wine at the supermarket could soon be in for a treat. Tesco is targeting the fairer sex with a new drink which is described as subtle, full of flavour and with a great bouquet. But it's not champagne
A HOTEL owner has discovered his building was the first in Britain to have a telephone. And the installation in 1877 was by none other than its inventor Alexander Graham Bell. David Wood made the discovery while he was converting the cellar of the former
THE country's first market trader to be prosecuted for selling his goods only in pounds and ounces will learn his fate later today. The case, at Sunderland Magistrates' Court, has been labelled the one which will shape the future of Britain's weights
CAMPAIGNERS fighting the demolition of a pub hope that putting it on a register might save it. Last month, Whitbread launched an appeal after Middlesbrough Borough Council banned it from demolishing The Ladle, at Marton, Middlesbrough. The company had
CHAMPAGNE greeted the region's latest sporting hero as Grand National winner Red Marauder made his triumphant return to the North-East. Less than 24 hours after the 11-year-old gelding, caked in Aintree mud, stormed passed the finishing post and into
Great Britain completed a 5-0 whitewash of Portugal in the Davis Cup and gave a glimmer of hope that Tim Henman and Greg Rusedski may not always be left to shoulder the burden of a nation's hopes. With victory in the Euro/African Zone Group One tie already
DARLINGTON'S hopes of avoiding relegation were strengthened on Saturday - even though they didn't kick a ball at Mansfield. Quakers had to sit back and cross their fingers because they received a 10am call just before they departed on Saturday morning
ANIMALS buried at a second North-East farm may have to be exhumed following fears they have not been disposed of correctly. Ministry of Agriculture officials are investigating whether the carcasses at High Hedley Hope Farm, near Lanchester, County Durham
French coach Bernard Laporte surveyed the wreckage left by another Twickenham trail of Six Nations destruction, and then admitted: ''We are way behind England.'' Records tumbled in trademark England fashion as France collapsed mentally and physically
STAND-IN skipper Robbie Mustoe reckons manager Bryan Robson deserves more recognition for the role he has played in Middlesbrough's struggle against relegation. Boro have lost only twice in 14 Premiership games since the arrival of Terry Venables as head
SUNDERLAND goal-ace Kevin Phillips warned his teammates before tonight's Tees-Wear derby at Middlesbrough: "Beware Alen Boksic." Premiership Golden Boot winner Phillips rates the 12-goal Croatian as one of the best hit-men in the top division and he made
A WOMAN has died in hospital after fire ripped through her home. A rescue attempt by neighbours and a motorist, and the efforts of firefighters failed to save the life of Jean Nicholson, 61, who had been smoking in bed when the blaze started. She managed
The Royal Family last night fought back to limit the damage from the "Sophie tapes" affair after the Countess of Wessex stepped down as chairman of her public relations company. The Queen gave her full support to Sophie and her husband Edward, the Earl
