A new scheme to boost Britain's otters was launched today by conservationists. Otters, which had been increasing in numbers after almost disappearing from the UK in the late 1970s, are again facing severe problems. They were badly affected by last year's
'I WOKE up when I heard crying. He was kneeling on the road, praying and saying his Hail Marys. He was screaming for help. That kid thought he was going to die because he was taking drugs or something. I thought, 'that poor lad is somebody's son', but
PREPARATIONS are under way for the North-East's celebration of a new annual event. The first Merchant Navy Day was held last year with an official march in London and an added procession in Redcar. Now the Dormanstown and Redcar branch of the Merchant
A VILLAGE bowls club has suffered a second serious blow in six months. More than £7,000 worth of specialist gardening equipment belonging to Fishburn Parish Council was stolen at the weekend. The equipment, used to keep the bowling green in pristine condition
TOURISTS who park in Masham's market place are to be encouraged to pay for the privilege through the introduction of honesty boxes. The town has always fought shy of ticket machines in the square, locals believing the parking perk has helped to attract
Police have appealed for information after two young anglers were robbed of their rods by older youths. A group of teenagers forced the youngsters to hand over their tackle as they fished off the beach at Marine Walk, Roker, Sunderland, on Friday, at
TWO men who stepped in and chased thugs who hit a 21-year-old woman with a bottle have been asked to contact police. The men, who gave their names as Mark and David, chased the attackers through Newcastle before losing them on Percy Street. "David" was
PATIENCE is wearing thin in a North Yorkshire community after young vandals went on the rampage, leaving a trail of destruction through the village. Scotton villagers have already met twice to discuss methods of tackling the tearaways, who have been making
RAIL travel in the region came under further attack from watchdogs yesterday after a survey highlighted growing concern within the industry over punctuality and reliability. Research carried out by management consultants Cap Gemini Ernst & Young found
SOUTH Durham Health Care NHS Trust is likely to overspend by up to £2m in the current financial year. At the end of May, the trust showed a deficit of £350,000, with significant overspends in clinical directorates, as well as on drugs, medical and surgical
The Northern Echo wants to hear from you next season. We are on the lookout for supporters to contribute to our Fans' Forum column every Monday. If you are a Riverside regular or a St James' supporter who regularly travels away from home to support your
NOT too many horses get the better of Kieren Fallon, so it was a major surprise when Silver Band reared and lost ground at the start on her debut at York, effectively putting jockey Fallon and partner out of the contest before the action had even realistically
CELEBRITY DIY experts from the BBC's home makeover show Changing Rooms were in the region yesterday to encourage locals to learn something new. Linda Barker and "Handy" Andy Kane gave a DIY masterclass at the Dolphin Centre in Darlington, using an old
A policeman cleared of any involvement in an alleged road rage incident is to face an internal force investigation. The officer, based at Peterlee, County Durham, was accused with his passenger of criminal damage and assault. The 53-year-old complainant
A SUSPECT at the heart of an alleged blackmail plot involving a Nazi treasure and a missing dog will appear in court tomorrow. Derek Clifford Smith, 50, is accused of holding a dog to ransom in exchange for a chalice that's thought to have belonged to
THE region's manufacturing companies are set to benefit from a £600,000 boost, thanks to the University of Sunderland. The Institute of Automotive and Manufacturing Advanced Practice (Amap), based at the university, has been awarded the money by the European
MORE details about the jobs below are available from the Employment Service Direct on (0845) 606 0234. Warehouse salesperson, Northallerton. £10,000pa, 8am to 5pm, Mon-Fri, noon finish Sat. Experience within builders' merchants an advantage. Forklift
PRIMARY school children from Cleveland jumped into the saddle yesterday to learn more about horses. Youngsters from Lingfield Primary School, in Marton, took the reins as part of the Jeep National Riding Festival roadshow. The festival included Trigger
MORE details about the jobs below are available from the Employment Service Direct on (0845) 606 0234. Cad layout engineers, Stockton. Full-time. Must be educated to HNC/degree level, and posses background/experience in 3D layout in engineering capacity
TWO people were killed last night and another person was seriously injured in a four vehicle pile-up on one of the region's most dangerous roads. A lorry, a Range Rover and two other cars were involved in the collision on the notorious A171 Guisborough
Newly-selected Chief Whip Hilary Armstrong takes time off from the pressures of Government to carry out a commitment in Durham City on Saturday. The North-West Durham MP will perform the opening of a summer fair in the grounds of St Cuthbert's Hospice
A moment's carelessness by Darren Lehmann proved fatal for Yorkshire who crashed to defeat by 97 runs against one-day kings Gloucestershire in the semi-final of the Benson and Hedges Cup at Headingley yesterday. Chasing a tough 240 target, Yorkshire lost
AN operatic society is limbering up for a one night performance that, hopefully, will benefit from some decent summer weather. Music for a Summer Evening, by the Lanchester and District Choral and Operatic Society, is being held in the village's Endowed
A MOTHER and her daughter had to smash their way to safety when a fire started in their home. Denise Gallagher, 35, and 11-year-old daughter Nicole were asleep when the fire broke out at 10.10pm on Sunday night. A neighbour noticed smoke coming from the
A WAYWARD owl did not give a hoot when it terrified a sleeping woman at the dead of the night. Patricia Pennack screamed when she woke up in the early hours of yesterday to find a big pair of brown eyes staring back at her. They belonged to a barn owl
A YOUNG mother who used her two-year-old son to mask a drugs hand-over in prison was locked up herself yesterday. Katrina Lumsden, 20, said her actions at Northallerton Young Offenders' Institution, followed threats of violence from her boyfriend. She
A HORRIFIED woman walked into her living room yesterday to find a 5ft python slithering across the floor. She ran to a neighbour's house in Saltaire Terrace, Greatham, Hartlepool, where she called the police. It is thought that the snake belonged to the
ORGANISATIONS in east Cleveland are to benefit from the latest round of grants from the local parish council. Saltburn, Marske and New Marske Parish Council has given out more than £1,700 in its latest round of grants to help local organisations. The
A flock of 60 pigeons were killed when arsonists set fire to an allotment. Intruders are thought to have broken into sheds at the Brierton Lane allotments, in Hartlepool, and started the fire on Sunday evening. Some of the birds were saved by two of the
THE NORTHERN ECHO THERE have been recent reminders of the great journalists once associated with The Northern Echo, people such as WT Stead, giants of the literary profession. What would they think if they could read the puny efforts of today's pygmies
SUNDERLAND have introduced an interest-free season ticket payment scheme for next season. Supporters unable to pay the full price for a season ticket will be able to pay a one-third deposit and then pay the balance in four monthly installments. The new
A DRINKS price war between pubs is causing a rise in violence and an exodus of respectable customers from a town centre, according to police. Cleveland Police made the claims at a special meeting of town centre pub managers and licensees at Middlesbrough
HOUSEHOLDERS have voiced concerns at plans to open a drugs and alcohol centre in their street. The centre, which will cost about £55,000 and have a needle exchange, is due to open on the corner of Roseberry Terrace and Palmerston Street, in Consett, in
A NORTH-EAST member of the Army's motorcyle display team has vowed to return to action despite cheating death by inches at the weekend. Lance Corporal Malcolm Hildreth, from Darlington, was performing with the White Helmets team when a stunt went wrong
British outsider Jamie Delgado today stunned Andrei Medvedev 6-2 6-4 7-5 in a massive Wimbledon upset. The unseeded Brit roared to one of the best wins of his career after knocking out the ex-world No4 and French Open finalist. Delgado, 24, is now set
ORGANISERS of a carnival have found themselves mirroring the plot of a blockbuster movie trilogy in their race against time to free a giant whale. While Hollywood's heroes faced a challenge to Free Willy from captivity, the fate of one float at the Darlington
NINE cancer patients died after a surgeon failed to give them potentially life-saving treatment, NHS bosses admitted today. An investigation has been launched following claims that patients of North-East consultant Ron Rhind had not been offered every
PASSENGER numbers at budget airline Ryanair have soared by 35 per cent as customers take advantage of its cut-price tickets, the company said. A series of promotions offering return flights for as little as £4 saw the number of people travelling with
MORE details about the jobs below are available from the Employment Service Direct on (0845) 606 0234. Mechanic, Byers Green. Full-time. Required to work with horticultural, light agricultural and forestry machinery. Ref: SPE 9223. Kitchen porter, Bolam
A SOCIETY set up to deal with sheep stealing before the formation of the police force is still going strong in a County Durham village. The Society for the Prevention and Prosecution of Felons was one of the first organisations set up to deal with law
A SCHOOL has expressed anger at being left out of consultations on transport plans that may affect it. Neither the governors nor the headteacher of Nunthorpe School, Middlesbrough, have been asked their views on the East Middlesbrough Transport Corridor
A WAYWARD owl did not give a hoot when it terrified a sleeping woman at the dead of the night. Patricia Pennack screamed when she woke up in the early hours of yesterday to find a big pair of brown eyes staring back at her. They belonged to a barn owl
Not the least disturbing aspect of the release of James Bulger's murderers is the fact that it was held back until after the General Election. Such is the public's disgust at this travesty of justice, that, had the killers been freed three weeks ago,
THE people of Durham are to be asked to vote on whether they want a directly-elected mayor to run their city. A referendum is to be held asking citizens to choose between a directly-elected mayor and the current arrangement of a council leader with cabinet
AN east Cleveland woman will be joining her husband in the church when she is ordained this weekend. Rachel Harrison, 48, from Brotton will be ordained as a deacon by the Lord Archbishop of York, in a ceremony at York Minster on Saturday. She will take
AN attempt by a troubled riding school to go into the house building business looks likely to fall foul of strict rules on development in green belts. Belmont Farm, on the edge of Harrogate, where a green wedge separates the town from Knaresborough, wants
POLICE are hunting a cowboy who wears a Stetson and answers to the name of "Tex", following an ugly bar room brawl. The man, aged about 50, dresses like a wild west gunslinger, has long grey hair and a beard. He is wanted following a fracas at a pub over
New entrepreneurs in Darlington received recognition at the New Business dinner and awards ceremony at the Croft Spa Hotel. Hosted by Darlington Business Venture in conjunction with Darlington Borough Council through its New Enterprise Initiative and
A Bishop Auckland man was remanded in custody by magistrates after an incident at the weekend in which a 15-year-old boy was allegedly attacked with a sledgehammer. The man appeared before Sedgefield magistrates charged with grievous bodily harm and affray
Teenagers who struggle with academic work are to receive new awards designed to improve their self-esteem. Estelle Morris, the education secretary, has said the award will be presented in the form of leaving certificates at graduation-style ceremonies
VICTORY celebrations were cut short when brass band members found their headquarters vandalised for the tenth time in 12 months. Instead of toasting a competition triumph, Ripon City Brass Band members found themselves replacing six windows shattered
THE Autumn Flower Show in Harrogate, which has become the biggest of its type in Europe, will play host to 13 national amateur society events this year. The show, which runs at the Great Yorkshire Showground from September 14 to 16, will see the National
AN open-air production of Robin Hood, among the ruins of the Grey Friars' Tower, is one of the curtain-raisers for the 2001 Richmond Festival this weekend. Richmond Amateur Dramatic Society and Richmond Operatic Society combine forces for the first time
Craig Bellamy today joined Newcastle from Coventry for £6 million. The Wales striker, 21, agreed personal terms with boss Bobby Robson after passing a medical. Bellamy said: "When you have such quality around like Speed, Alan Shearer and Kieron Dyer,
SIX years ago, Calvin Bailey was a school leaver, facing the prospect of finding work in a Britain still recovering from recession. But, since 1995, he has travelled to Norway, Cyprus, Italy and Greece - all with the Royal Signals Regiment, which he joined
A YOUNG man who has accused a former aide to Prime Minister Tony Blair of rape, only told his psychologist about the alleged attacks to "get her attention" because he was in love with her, a court was told yesterday. The trial of Martyn Locklin, at Teesside
RECORD-BREAKING Craig Glanville looks set to challenge for the junior boys 400m gold medal at next month's English Schools Championships. The 16-year-old Washington schoolboy, who set the only new record at this month's Durham Schools Championships -
COMMUNITY groups that work to make life safer for the people of Hartlepool, have been rewarded at a special ceremony. The Hartlepool Neighbourhood Watch and Community Safety Awards honoured individuals and groups working on behalf of others in the area
A WOMAN was killed and her husband injured when their car left the A1M and crashed into a tree early yesterday. The couple were nearing the end of a long journey returning to Darlington from Stansted Airport in Essex. Linda Hannah Hauser, 52, from Darlington
GLORIOUS sunshine and good luck blazed down for once on Chester-le-Street's sports fans. Following last weekend's disastrous weather, which put paid to the one-day cricket match between Australia and Pakistan at The Riverside, leisure bosses were hoping
MORE details about the jobs below are available from the Employment Service Direct on (0845) 606 0234. Security/porter, Chester-le-Street. £3.71 to £3.85ph, 7pm to 1-2am, 5 out of 7. Required for hotel. Experience preferred, uniform provided. Ref: CHM
POLICE are hunting a cowboy who wears a Stetson and answers to the name of "Tex", following an ugly bar room brawl. The man, aged about 50, dresses like a wild west gunslinger, has long grey hair and a beard. He is wanted following a fracas at a pub over
Martina Hingis' Court One curse struck again yesterday as she provided the Wimbledon Championships with another seismic first round shock. The world number one and top seed blamed injury for her 6-4 6-2 defeat to Spain's Virginia Ruano Pascual, but no
NEWCASTLE United has managed to establish its star player Nolberto Solano is safe after the earthquake in Peru. The club contacted the playmaker in his native country yesterday as the bodies of the dead were counted. The player, who had spent time in
THE tobacco tax debate is even more unwinable for the Government than the fuel tax debate. At least with fuel tax, the Government could reduce it to European levels, so giving Britain's hauliers and farmers a chance against their nearest competitors.
ANGER erupted last night when it was revealed that the RAF has used one of Britain's most dangerous roads for a military convoy carrying nuclear weapons. Up to six 100-kiloton warheads are believed to have been ferried along the notorious A66 Scotch Corner
Robbie Elliott has snubbed Blackburn to rejoin hometown club Newcastle on a four-year contract. The versatile Geordie quit newly-promoted Bolton on a Bosman in order to return to the club he left in a £2.5m deal four years ago. Elliott, 27, made his debut
A YOUNG man who has accused a former aide to Prime Minister Tony Blair of rape, only told his psychologist about the alleged attacks to "get her attention" because he was in love with her, a court was told yesterday. The trial of Martyn Locklin, at Teesside
Tony Blair is expected to summon trade union leaders to Downing Street in an attempt to allay fears about the Government's plans for greater private sector involvement in the public services, it emerged last night. Downing Street would not confirm that
NORTH-EAST customs officers last night revealed the true scale of tobacco smuggling in the region. The latest figures show that between April 2000 and March this year, more than 45 million contraband cigarettes were confiscated in the region, compared
AN 86-year-old woman was left shocked but unhurt after she was mugged at the weekend. The woman was walking along Mosman Terrace, in Middlesbrough, at about 1pm, on Saturday, when a man jumped from a light-coloured Renault 5 car and approached her from
HEALTH workers at the North's newest hospital are considering industrial action over the increasing influence of the private sector in the NHS. Union chiefs in the region have also branded the £97m University of North Durham Hospital a "disaster area"
ANYONE interested in a career in health care is invited to recruitment events in the region. As part of NHS Week 2001, Tees East and North Yorkshire NHS Trust is hosting recruitment days for its mental health, learning disabilities and community care
A SCHOOL aims to tell the world about important environmental issues with its new website. The environment group at Sedgefield Community College, County Durham, has entered The Northern Echo's Web Power competition. In the competition, supported by Northern
Not the least disturbing aspect of the release of James Bulger's murderers is the fact that it was held back until after the General Election. Such is the public's disgust at this travesty of justice, that, had the killers been freed three weeks ago,
DURHAM are again likely to be without Stephen Harmison as they attempt to break their Hampshire hoodoo in the Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy third round at the Riverside tomorrow. The paceman is still struggling with a calf injury, and with Neil Killeen's
SCIENTISTS in the region are to become world leaders in leukaemia research after receiving a £1.7m boost. The money from the European Union will be used to improve pioneering research which has already helped North-East leukaemia victim and mother Peggy
A HORRIFIED woman walked into her living room yesterday to find a 5ft python slithering across the floor. She ran to a neighbour's house in Saltaire Terrace, Greatham, Hartlepool, where she called the police. It is thought that the snake belonged to the
Lovely where we were, thanks, though back home - not least in Chester-le-Street - the weather seems to have been frustratingly familiar. Graeme Holmes, Liverpool luminary, was among many who headed to the Riverside for the Australia v Pakistan match,
A PUB landlord has vowed to continue caring for birds of prey after a charge of illegally using endangered species for commercial purposes was dropped. Francis O'Neil, who runs the Foresters Arms, at Coatham Mundeville, near Darlington, was celebrating
Wimbledon champion Venus Williams today launched the defence of her crown in devastating fashion. The American second seed, 21, was centre stage on Centre Court as she demolished Japanese opponent Shinobu Asagoe 6-2 6-3. Williams is spurred on by the
