Cleveland League The Merlin had nine wickets to spare defeating Boosbeck when Graham Sutherland (41no) and Mark Cauldwell with an unbeaten 28 figures in an unbroken second wicket partnership of 28, steering the side to victory in 26.1 overs. When Boosbeck
FURNITURE manufacturer Beaver is celebrating a 25-year partnership by carving some unique furniture featuring the Queen's Coat of Arms at the request of a loyal customer. John Aitken, from Belgium, first contacted the Thirsk-based firm 25 years ago requesting
A TEAM of university researchers has revealed that the northward march of many butterflies is being hindered by a serious loss of habitats in the region. For a number of years, scientists have argued that climate change is pushing southern butterflies
Durham City The senior men's team travelled to Portobello to play in the Warrender Baths club five-a-side tournament. City were in the tougher half of the draw and lost to Dunfermline 4-3 and Burnley 6-1, but drew with Fleetwood 3-3. The young Durham
Worthington CIU Winter League Sherburn Village took the Second Division Championship after they won a play-off against Meadowfield by taking the decider after never leading in the match at Tow Law. However. Meadowfield will still be promoted with Sherburn
WE stopped off with the children to see the Angel of the North on the way to Northumberland last week. They had learnt about it at school and couldn't wait to see and feel the real thing. As they raced ahead of us along the path, the sun broke through
LABOUR councillors toed the party line yesterday, offering a warm welcome to the prospect of regional assemblies. But behind the public facade of a united front, a free-for-all is beginning to determine which councillors will be left in a job when the
A 15-year-old boy denied 10 allegations of indecent assault before Darlington Youth Court today. The boy, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, pleaded not guilty to the charges and will appear in court again on June 14 for a pre-trial review.
Billingham performed well at the Junior Open Meet at Felling with some impressive results. Eight gold, four silver and four bronze places were achieved. Anthony Brown, Chris Wilkinson, Shane Hassall, Emma Wilson and Ian Kelly all taking home trophies.
Crook Mill House were taken to the deciding doubles before they beat the visiting Crook Olde Horse Shoe B to retain their top spot in the First Division. The home side had singles wins from Alan Bibby, John Winning and Stephen Heyes, whilst the Olde Horse
A SET of temporary traffic lights are still driving villagers barmy - six years after they were erected. The lights were put in place after a landslide, but have now been concreted into the ground. Residents in the tiny village of Mickleton in Teesdale
City of Durham The Dragonflies had two final games this weekend and a 1-0 victory over Tyneside Storm goal scorer and MOM, Stevie Ramm gave the boys the points they need to ensure the League Championship. In their second game ended 1-1 against Whitburn
INWARD investment is not enough to drive successful regional development - that is the message contained in new research from regional development agencies One NorthEast, the Welsh Development Agency and Barclays Bank. The report, called Competing with
TWO former RAF servicemen left disabled after major accidents yesterday started a 3,000-mile journey around the British coastline. David Abrutat, 28, from Scarborough, cycled across London's Tower Bridge on a hand-bike to start their mammoth trip to raise
Claims of 'medieval' bullying over rents as tenants face eviction. A PICTURE-POSTCARD village used as a set for a series of films has become the scene of a real-life drama with tenants pitted against their landlords in an almost feudal dispute. Chris
New Marske SC 1 Thornaby YC 1 Both clubs were playing their penultimate matches hosts New Marske were in 14th in the league against visitors Thornaby Youth Club's 8th, but it was the lower placed team who took the lead in the 29th minute through Gary
BUS company Arriva North-East has defended its safety record amid increasing fears over attacks on drivers. The operator says it places paramount importance on the safety of its staff and has denied that it is failing to take steps to boost security on
The Premier Division championship is still unresolved. Steels Social Club defeated Northumbria Police 4-0 and now lead. Billingham Wanderers must win their last game to be champions. Usworth's 5-0 win against Seaton Delavel on Tuesday puts them clear
NORTH Yorkshire's chief crown prosecutor has weighed into the debate over a controversial rape trial. Phillip Nicholas was formally found not guilty of rape at York Crown Court this week when his alleged victim said she could not bear to give evidence
THIS newspaper believes passionately that the North-East deserves a better deal than it gets. For far too long, the region has suffered from decisions - or lack of them - taken hundreds of miles away by politicians and bureaucrats who have only a flimsy
THE colourful atmosphere of Spain was recreated for primary school children for the county's biggest Europe Day celebrations. More than 400 children and staff from 40 schools arrived at Durham County Hall for a day of activities with a Spanish theme yesterday
Medomsley Methodist Church will hold a coffee morning tomorrow, from 10am to 11.30am. There will be cake, bric-a-brac and plant stalls.
A MAN has been arrested by police in connection with a "savage" attack on a horse. The black and white traveller's cob was repeatedly slashed with a broken glass. The five-year-old stallion was stabbed in the shoulder and again in the back leg, with the
A MOTHER was facing jail last night for trying to poison her baby by secretly adding dangerous amounts of salt to her milk. For six months, 20-year-old Rebecca Graham added salt to her daughter's bottles hoping to have the baby admitted to hospital so
TEESSIDE Airport chiefs have objected to plans to build a warehouse on an ecologically sensitive part of the site. The scheme by Dutch logistics company LV Shipping of the Netherlands to create the warehouse and offices could create up to 28 jobs. The
THREE years ago, Lesley Earnshaw could not even clean her teeth without help. The fitness enthusiast suffered from a rare lung condition which meant she could not breathe in properly. Now, after a double lung transplant, the 52-year-old is taking part
Crook Belle Vue took over at the top of the darts section when they maintained their unbeaten record after they only dropped one point to the visiting Crowtrees. Cockton Hill are in a second place, two points behind Crook but four ahead of Byers Green
FUNDRAISERS hope to gather thousands of pounds for charity by walking all over a TV star. More than 600 people raised £20,000 for prostrate cancer research and the children's ward at the James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, by trekking across
A COMPUTER expert has become the first civilian to win Durham Constabulary's top award. The force's system support manager, Rob Green, 49, has won the Matt Wilkinson Trophy, given annually for outstanding police work and ideas that make a major contribution
A COLLEGE is making sure that word travels about the courses it offers. It is taking to the roads with a technology bus, which has 12 laptop computers. The Redcar and Cleveland College bus will be stopping at Loftus, Guisborough and Saltburn, among other
A MAN may have been crushed to death sleeping off a drinking session in a skip full of rubbish as it was compacted for recycling. The body of father of four David Griffiths was found by a worker sorting a delivery at a recycling plant in Middlesbrough's
SALMON skin jewellery and stained glass angels from the North-East could soon be exported to Finland, after a crafts group turned to the British Embassy in Helsinki for help. Angela Colbridge, from Eurocrafts Northumbria will be taking the work of nine
GRANDFATHER David Donkin would have died long before his grandson was born without the expertise of North-East heart surgeons. He tells Barry Nelson why he's now giving something back. BEFORE his illness David Donkin was not what you would call a sporting
A TREASURED work of art from one of the region's museums is featured in a new television series by the BBC. The painting, Tears of St Peter, by the 16th Cenutury artist El Greco, will be part of the BBC's Painting the Weather exhibition and TV series,
A country house is embracing the 21st Century today when a contemporary sculpture park opens to the public. About 40 exhibits, some by internationally renowned artists, are going on display at Newby Hall, near Ripon, North Yorkshire. The show was arranged
The Acorn Trust has been awarded £1,000 from the European Social Fund to create a series of nine How To guides on environmental topics. The topics include: pond creation, organic vegetable gardening, taking cuttings and pruning, compost creation, creating
THE future housing needs of many parishes across Hambleton are to come under the spotlight this year. More than 6,000 residents will be surveyed to help district council officials analyse the type and quantity of housing needed in their communities. The
FORMER hardman Rod Jones would be mayor of Middlesbrough - not former Robocop Ray Mallon - if a class of local children had their way. Youngsters attending the town's Langbaurgh School voted the 54-year-old charity worker in as mayor in an on-line mock
CHARITIES and voluntary organisations can add recruits to their ranks at a forthcoming charity fair. The annual Chester-le-Street charity and community fair, in which charities, community groups and learning organisations can take up a free stall and
THE rural recovery is gathering pace with a little help from Business Link York and North Yorkshire. The agency has helped more than 320 rural businesses to get grants in excess of £4.1m to help them recover from the foot-and-mouth crisis. All were assessed
THE Bank of England cheered homeowners and borrowers by keeping interest rates steady at a 38-year low. The Bank's Monetary Policy Committee has kept the cost of borrowing at four per cent in a move that was widely expected by City experts. Most had forecast
May 4 A Division J Brown 64 for Raby Castle against Cockerton. M Poole 103no for Raby Castle against Cockerton. M Poole 5 for 39 for Raby Castle against Cockerton. M Batey 70no for Ingleton against Barningham. D McGarr 6 for 69 for Barningham against
TRAINEE Gurkhas have been learning more about British military history - with the help of the Green Howards Regimental Museum. The Gurkhas, aged between 18 and 22, have been studying English at the language wing of the Gurkha Training Centre in Catterick
EURO MP Stephen Hughes opened a Darlington school's new computer suite to mark Europe Day yesterday. St Augustine's Primary School, in Beechwood Avenue, now has 17 computers in a dedicated room, which are all linked to each other and to the Internet.
POLICE are anxious to trace a depressed man who has been reported missing from home. Joe Wakefield, 62, from the Branksome area of Darlington, is said to be very vulnerable and depressed. He was last seen at 1pm on Bank Holiday Monday in Woodland Road
A DRIVE to raise awareness of problems faced by pedestrians will take place in Darlington's Market Square today. Darlington Association on Disability, with Darlington Borough Council, is highlighting the problems in its Pavements for People awareness
A MOBILE youth club where young people in Darlington can meet and socialise has won Government praise. The Blitz Bus, which also offers people aged 11 to 25 advice on sexual health, drugs, debt and welfare issues, was driven to the House of Commons on
TWO Darlington children were treated to a day as mayor and mayoress after winning a competition. Sean Kelly, ten, from Corporation Road Junior School, and Laura Arkle, ten, from Whinfield Junior School, were chosen to be Darlington's Junior Mayor and
Lassie, a timid five-year-old cross-breed, is in need of a new home. The dog is being cared for by the National Animal Sanctuary Support League, in Darlington, after its elderly owner had to move into a residential home. Anyone interested in offering
TEESSIDE Airport chiefs have objected to plans to build a warehouse on an ecologically sensitive part of the site. The scheme by Dutch logistics company LV Shipping of the Netherlands to create the warehouse and offices could create up to 28 jobs. The
PLANS for a multi-million pound development in Newton Aycliffe town centre have finally been submitted, after months of delays. Planning officials at Sedgefield Borough Council will discuss the proposals for a £25m extension to the town centre today.
YOUNGSTERS from Aycliffe Young People's Centre have held a sponsored run to help a children's charity. A total of 27 young people aged between 12 and 17 took part in the run, with five members of staff. They collected £227 for Whizz Kidz, a charity for
OLD buildings in the Durham Dales could be renovated under a £180,000 scheme. Durham County Council, English Heritage and Wear Valley and Teesdale district councils have joined forces to launch the refurbishment project. Over the next three years, 28
NEWCASTLE United midfielder Kieron Dyer last night banished doubts about his fitness and promised England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson that he is ready to take on the world. Dyer was yesterday confirmed in Eriksson's 23-man World Cup squad after over a year
REGIONAL assembly rallying cry. Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott last night issued a rallying cry to the North-East to lead the country by voting for a new regional assembly. Hours after delivering his long-awaited White Paper on regional devolution
Clubs and traders are being invited to reserve places for a charity country fair organised by Help the Aged. The event, on July 13 and 14, at Whitworth Hall Country Park, Spennymoor, will feature modelling clubs, antique and craft fairs, a farmers' market
A COUPLE who broke bail and sent a judge a holiday postcard from Spain were behind bars yesterday. Victoria Ford and her boyfriend, Glen Mitchell, both 25, flew to Benidorm and sent police the postcard saying they would rather have "sex on the beach".
THEY say that every dog has his day - and any which live in Richmond will have a chance to prove it this weekend. The Swale Veterinary Clinic on the town's Gallowfields Industrial Estate is hosting a Fun Dog Show on Saturday to help boost the funds of
NEARLY 200 people are now known to have been affected by a virus which has forced the closure of a top hotel. The Grand Hotel, in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, will be shut down this weekend as a precautionary measure against any further spread of what
A scheme aimed at revitalising a derelict eyesore by creating new housing for elderly people collapsed yesterday. McCarthy and Stone Developments was denied in its bid to transform former industrial land behind Bedale Market Place - because it refused
THE Yorkshire press were rubbing their hands when their boys were thrashing Durham in the Benson & Hedges Cup the day after Durham had beaten Lancashire. "This means Lancashire must be very poor," they observed, only to be given half a day off when
The fourth Ranking Tournament of the Year was held at Durham Snooker Club with Michael Rhodes maintaining his excellent form with another victory, although Andy Seal stretched him in the final. Rhodes took the winners purse of £60, whilst Seal won £30
AN art gallery becomes a showcase for local artistic talent this weekend. Half a dozen art clubs from the district are joining forces to present a major exhibition at the Mercer Art Gallery, Harrogate, from tomorrow. Some will be familiar to regular visitors
A TEESDALE village plans to celebrate the Queen's golden jubilee with events for all the family on Monday, June 3. Hamsterley and South Bedburn will celebrate with a bring-your-own picnic on the village green from 1.30pm. Children can enjoy games, sports
TWO projects have begun which should significantly improve the treatment of waste water for two North Yorkshire villages. Yorkshire Water has started work on the projects, at Kirby Misperton and Marton, near Pickering, and they should be completed by
Clairville Boys FC Under-14s have been awarded a prestigious sponsorship deal by DC Daniels, a local dentist, who has offered the club ongoing sponsorship. Colin Hudson, chairman of Clairville Boys welcomed the news and said it will be fantastic for the
Mowden Juniors Over the Bank Holiday weekend, an amazing display of highly competitive boys' and girls' rugby centred upon the newly-built Commonwealth Games Stadium in Manchester. Under-15 boys' county teams and Under-16 girls' regional teams played
Evenwood Gary Atkinson produced a club record race at the Blythe Valley 10-mile road race with an exceptional sub hour personal best of 59.26 finishing in 28th position. Missing out on PB was Neil Douthwaite as he finished in 68.57 in 126th position.
George Mann Cup The competition, which was saved by the donation of a Flix pitch from Durham County Cricket Board, Nat. West, and Sport England will begin at Wolsingham School and Community College on Monday 13 May. Weardale Steel again is the sponsor
THE Under-13s completed their programme in the Russell Foster Junior League with three wins in six days last week, beating Peterlee Spartans 8-0 away and 11-0 at home and Washington Juniors 4-1 away. MoM Lewis Hope netted a hat trick in the first game
Daisy show set to bloom into top TV. Daisy Daisy (C4) Right, girls, stand up straight and follow these instructions: "Lean back, your hands are going to swing from side to side, your chin goes over each shoulder and your feet cross in the front, so your
THE glittering strokes the world has come to expect from the Sri Lankans were finally unfurled by Russel Arnold to save the tourists from an innings defeat by Durham at the Riverside yesterday. After Marc Symington took four for 27 to dismiss Sri Lanka
Middleton St George posted the huge total of 244 for nine when they entertained Aldbrough St John in Division A. Ayub led the way with 95 and the next highest contribution was extras on 36. In the Aldbrough St John attack Harker returned figures of four
Newton Aycliffe hosted Plawsworth and after sending their opponents back with 129 runs on the board went on to win by seven wickets. Karl Wheeler opened the innings and scored 52 and Stephen Bell made 40 before being run out. Earlier Mike Fletcher top
The region's carp lakes once again demonstrate that the North-East is up with the best in the country now with consistent big weights from all venues, writes JEFF HERBERT. The Woodland Lakes hit the spotlight on Saturday when Team Mosella's Lee Barrett
The Darlington Supporters Trust is looking to attract a sponsor for it's Farewell To Feethams project. The project has been organised to commemorate the end of Darlington's 120-year stay at Feethams which will come to and end midway through next season
Those commendably curious souls who wonder how these little stories come about - this one concerns the only county cricketer to nail Geoffrey Boycott for a pair - may like to know that it began because someone didn't wear a black tie to a funeral. The
TRADITIONALLY Nintendo has always been late. The Mega Drive arrived before the SNES; the PlayStation was on sale for more than a year before we even had a glimpse of the N64. In the past Nintendo could always rely on fans of its games to wait for a new
Durham League The Durham County basketball season ended this week with its traditional week of cup finals. Middlesbrough College Academy were the undoubted heavyweights of the week as they not only lifted the two most prestigious cups, but also snatched
Bishop Auckland under-18s clinched the League title with a 3-2 victory at home to Chilton YC in the last game of the season last week. Gary Whittaker gave Bishops a 16th minute lead, Adam Reid equalising for Chilton three minutes later. The score remained
Bishop Auckland are hoping their appeal against demotion to the UniBond League First Division will be heard next week, writes Ray Simpson. Bishops were told last week their proposed groundshare at Shildon did not reach the required standard at the time
THE unusual point about the Wilkinsons' farm shop is that it's not on a farm. Instead, Katie's Kitchen is slap bang in the middle of Sedgefield, which makes it handy for people popping in for anything from an instant wholesome supper to a salad box for
SOME semblance of common sense prevailed yesterday when Sven-Goran Eriksson named the squad he hopes is full of Eastern promise. Despite intense speculation to the contrary, the England coach decided against including Blackburn striker Matt Jansen in
THREE people are feared dead today and 12 injured after a passenger train derailed, smashing into a bridge and a station platform at Potters Bar, north of London. The four-carriage 12.45pm West Anglia Great Northern service was near Potters Bar station
Crook Mill House were taken to the deciding doubles before they beat the visiting Crook Olde Horse Shoe B to retain their top spot in the First Division. The home side had singles wins from Alan Bibby, John Winning and Stephen Heyes, whilst the Olde Horse
A BID to crackdown on lucrative cigarette and alcohol smuggling has been boosted by calls to a confidential customs hotline. Customs and Excise officials have reported a 20 per cent increase in calls following the launch of a publicity campaign in the
TRADITIONALLY Nintendo has always been late. The Mega Drive arrived before the SNES; the PlayStation was on sale for more than a year before we even had a glimpse of the N64. In the past Nintendo could always rely on fans of its games to wait for a new
AFTER four decades of service in the NHS a North-East brain surgeon is stepping down. But now Newcastle consultant Robin Sengupta hopes the people of the region will help him to realise a lifetime's dream. MORE than 40 years ago, a nervous, excited young
The end of season Presentation Evening was held at Hunwick Club with the Championship Trophy going to Tom Ward of Hunwick and the runners-up trophy to Charlie Donaghy of Tow Law. Prior to the presentation the players present took part in a series of comeptitions
Harrogate and District League Northallerton extended a remarkable unbeaten run to 27 matches with their debut in Division Four of the Slazenger Harrogate and District Tennis League. Promoted in successive seasons after joining the league they kicked off
The Bishop Auckland King's Head lead the league this week after a convincing victory against the Spennymoor Victoria. The King's did not drop a point in the singles with wins from Malcolm Parry, Andrew Tuesday, David Jacomb, Steve Bainbridge and Peter
Junior round-up The eighth annual junior inter-conference championships were held at Hull Ice Arena over three days at the weekend. North Midlands, Scotland, South East and South West conferences came together at U11, U13 and U15 age groups, play a round-robin
Philadelphia, who have just joined the league, recorded their first victory in two outings defeating Sunderland at Bunker Hill. After losing their first game at Tynemouth, Phili bowled out the visitors for just 94 as Nathan Gray claimed five wickets for
South Cleveland Garages Teesside League New Marske SC 1 Thornaby YC 1 Both clubs were playing their penultimate matches hosts New Marske were in 14th in the league against visitors Thornaby Youth Club's 8th, but it was the lower placed team who took the
Ladies singles Knock-out Louise Etherington is this year's years singles champion of Middlesbrough after coming through some tough matches. In the quarter finals Louise, playing from the Red Lion, defeated Jacky Stephenson from the Green Tree 3-0. In
It's been a great day for Jarrow," enthused chairman Jimmy Kane following his side's nail-biting victory over Birtley Town in the final of the Sunderland Shipowners' Cup. "We have all waited a long time for this and let's face it, we were the underdogs
DETECTIVES investigating the rape of a North-East woman are to speak to clubbers in an effort to find her attackers. Police officers will patrol the streets close to where the attack happened, in Askrigg Street, Darlington tonight and tomorrow night in
A sponsored cycle ride will take place on Sunday, May 26, at 11am to raise money for Willow Burn Hospice. The route will run from Lanchester to Broompark on the disused railway line. Forms are available from Mrs Burt at the hospice on (01207) 529224.
SKATEBOARDERS have been warned to steer clear of a potentially dangerous building which has proved a magnet for teenagers taking up the craze. Police are concerned that young skateboarders converging on the former Northern Electric premises, overlooking
The White Paper on regional government released yesterday took even supporters of a powerful elected assembly for the North-East by surprise. In its 111 pages are proposals to give the new body, likely to be based in Durham City, tax-raising powers and
NEWCASTLE'S Nolberto Solano believes Alan Shearer should be spearheading England's attack at the World Cup. The Peru winger yesterday admitted his surprise that his skipper turned his back on the international game after Euro 2000. Shearer, who will be
Gateshead's Millennium Bridge is due to tilt at 2.10pm, 2.45pm and 3.40pm tomorrow, to allow the parade of vessels at the 6th NorthumbrianWater University Boat Race, which is taking part on the river, to pass under the bridge. Times are provisional only
A HUNGER striker accused of murdering his girlfriend has taken his first food in 49 days. John Collings, 47, was on hunger strike in protest at being charged with killing Victoria Barker, in August 2000. A prison spokesman said an inmate, who The Northern
THE first vet sent to a pig farm suspected of having foot-and-mouth disease at the beginning of last year's outbreak knew there was ''big trouble'' just minutes after he arrived, a court heard yesterday. Jim Dring, a vet from the Ministry of Agriculture
CLOSING speeches have begun in the case of a factory boss accused of manslaughter. Factory Cover managing director John Elders is standing trial at Teesside Crown Court accused of the manslaughter of father-of-three Stanley Dawson. Teesside Crown Court
Lassie, a timid five-year-old cross-breed, is in need of a new home. The dog is being cared for by the National Animal Sanctuary Support League, in Darlington, after its elderly owner had to move into a residential home. Anyone interested in offering
HOSPITALS in the region will be lucky if new consultants from Germany are seeing patients before the end of the year. Dr Peter Royle, medical director of North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust, organised a trip to Berlin in search of specialists to fill
A MAN was jailed for six years for drugs offences at Teesside Crown Court yesterday. Andrew Bunn, 32, of St Barnabas Road, Middlesbrough, pleaded guilty to two charges of supplying class A drugs, crack cocaine and heroin, and one of possession of a Class
Joyce Quin, MP for Gateshead East, hinted that she would be willing to be a candidate to lead the new assembly as First Minister. ''I would love to have the opportunity to get the thing off to a good start. I would have to look at the timing and look
MOUNTAINEER Alan Hinkes was celebrating last night after becoming the first Briton for 32 years to conquer Annapurna. His success in reaching the summit of the Himalayan mountain has brought him a step closer to his goal of climbing all 14 of the world's
Ponies missing from paddock RICHMOND police are trying to trace two ponies that went missing from their paddock. The Shetland ponies were last seen in the field near the owner's home in Gayles, on Tuesday. When Mrs Burchnall went to feed them the next
A PALESTINIAN student gloated after the September 11 terrorist attacks and said he would blow up a UK pub if ordered to do so by the Islamic militant group Hamas, a court was told yesterday. Adnan Abdelah denies being an active member of the banned military
COLLEAGUES last night paid tribute to a 48-year-old teacher who suffered a fatal heart attack in a busy leisure centre. Stephen Simpson collapsed and died at the Dolphin Centre, in Darlington, on Sunday, despite the efforts of staff to save him. Friends
YOUNGSTERS in Thornaby have named a new young people's centre. They have chosen to call the centre, on the site of the old Walkers Bingo Hall, Youthy. Work on the centre is due to be completed next month. It is hoped to have it open in time for the summer
People interested in education and the future of schools in their communities are being asked to consider filling an important role. Councillor Ian Jeffrey, lead member for lifelong learning with Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, said it was delighted
A GROUP of leisure and tourism students from a Teesside college have been making a splash in aid of charity. The students, studying for a GNVQ Intermediate in Leisure and Tourism or an AVCE in Travel and Tourism, held a sponsored car wash for staff at
Blue Bell B remain ten points ahead of Mill Race with a game in hand. Results: Rookhope WMC 2 Blanchland Sports Club 6; St Johns Chapel Golden Lion A 1 Westgate Hare and Hounds 7; Wolsingham Black Lion A 6 St Johns Chapel Blue Bell A 2; Wolsingham WMC
TUC regional secretary Paul Nowak leaves the North-East next week to take up a new position with the TUC in London. Mr Nowak, 29, will work at the organisation's Congress House headquarters in London, on the unionism project, which encourages unions to
THE net is tightening on street robbers in Hartlepool as a police operation begins to bite. Operation Cobra targets robbers who prey on vulnerable people throughout the town. So far, it has resulted in several arrests and detectives have promised more
SCHOOL children got a shock history lesson when two Viking warrior re-enactors traded blows - just for fun. The set piece mock combat was a warm up for a Viking weekend at the Lingfield Farm Countryside Centre, Coulby Newham, Middlesbrough when Sunday
WORK is progressing on a project to return a Hartlepool landmark to its former glory. New railings are being erected on the walls around Redheugh Gardens, which surround the war memorial on the Headland. Old concrete walls surrounding the gardens have
A NORTH-East man faces prosecution for allegedly using false passports. Former Middlesbrough car dealer Brian Charrington was formally acquitted of conspiracy charges at Leeds Crown Court this week, but the Crown Prosecution Service plans to proceed against
TYRE safety checks will be carried out by police in Northallerton next week. From Monday to Friday, North Yorkshire Police and experts from the Tyre Industry Council will be making spot checks on vehicles in the county town. Campaign co-ordinator, Traffic
A community awareness weekend is being organised by the Akal Federation Sikh group, in Darlington, on June 2. The event is being held at the Singh Sabha Gurdwara, starting at 9am with hymns. Anyone interested in attending can contact Parminder Singh on
THREE chicks were rescued yesterday after they fell from their nest into a wall cavity. Julie Hardy, of Spennymoor, discovered the chicks when she heard frantic tweeting noises in her kitchen. Her dog located the three baby birds in a cavity in the wall
TWELVE children from Etherley Primary School, in Teesdale, dressed in traditional Spanish costumes to join 400 youngsters at a European Day at County Hall, Durham City, yesterday. The annual event invites County Durham children to learn about the cultures
FOUR people will appear in court this morning charged with being concerned in the supply of heroin, after breakfast-time police raids in South Durham yesterday. A fifth person, a 16-year-old youth, was arrested and released on police bail. The raids were
Laura Raynard has been chosen as the flower queen for this year's Sedgefield Medieval Fair. The eight-year-old, who attends Hardwick School, was chosen for the honour at the annual flower queen disco, held in Ceddesfeld Hall. Her attendants will be Carolyn
FOUR people will appear in court this morning charged with being concerned in the supply of heroin, after breakfast-time police raids in South Durham yesterday. A fifth person, a 16-year-old youth, was arrested and released on police bail. The raids were
OLD buildings in the Durham Dales could be renovated under a £180,000 scheme. Durham County Council, English Heritage and Wear Valley and Teesdale district councils have joined forces to launch the refurbishment project. Over the next three years, 28
SUPPORTERS criticising Durham County Cricket Club because we have only won one out of the first five games should look to the positives, of which there are many. Let us get rid of the one negative first. Of the 23 contracted players, ten are injured.
A PIONEERING scheme set up to rescue otters from extinction has itself been saved with the announcement of fresh sponsorship. Now a new phase of the project will concentrate on the protection and improvement of wetlands across the Durham Wildlife Trust
UNIONS are to meet with management at the Caterpillar plant in Stockton next week over proposed job cuts. Caterpillar announced yesterday that it planned to cut about 98 jobs from its workforce of 450 at the heavy plant manufacturing site at Preston Farm
LANDOWNERS are being asked to help save a bird in danger of extinction. The wild grey partridge is one of Britain's true native species, having been recorded as far back as the Iron Age. Last year, the Game Conservancy Trust was appointed by the Government
RESIDENTS in an area of Hartlepool are fighting back against crime, thanks to a cash boost. Stranton Residents' Association is issuing anti-intruder alarms to anyone in its area, in return for a small donation. The association has been able to buy 100
Young Graeme Barella (Redby CA) was selected to represent the Northern Region in the ETTA (English Table Tennis Association) National Regional Squad Championships held at Stoke on Sunday. This is a competition organised by the ETTA, where the ten regions
AN estimated 1,500 young athletes converge on Catterick Garrison this weekend to take part in the North Yorkshire Youth Games. The event on Sunday showcases the best young talent the area has to offer, with classes for athletes aged between nine and sixteen
Petty thief Alan Morris got the shock of his life when he went to collect his swag - and was confronted by a team of armed police officers guarding the Royal Train. For the unsuspecting criminal dumped his booty only yards from the carriages being used
ONE of the region's best-known hotels has been forced to close this weekend as health chiefs try to kill off a stomach bug which has struck almost 130 guests and staff. Bosses at the seafront Grand Hotel, in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, yesterday urged
A TOWN'S new mayor vowed last night that his programme of change would go ahead - with or without the backing of the council's controlling Labour group. Former detective Ray Mallon said squabbling Middlesbrough councillors should either sort out their
Crook Golden Fleece clinched the League Championship when they only dropped two points on their visit to Crook Royal Sun. This leaves them 14 points clear of Crook Mill House with only one match left. The Mill seem certain runners-up as they lead Crook
Thompson Brown Mixed Open has always been a very popular event and has attracted a full entry list for an event held so early in the season. A day of mixed weather greeted the players but this did prevent some good scoring with prizes being awarded to
Forty people were injured in a crash between a coach and a lorry which closed a motorway early today, police said. The London-bound carriageway of the M20 between Junction 9 at Ashford, Kent, and Junction 8, near Maidstone, was still shut at breakfast
THE glittering strokes the world has come to expect from the Sri Lankans were finally unfurled by Russel Arnold to save the tourists from an innings defeat by Durham at the Riverside yesterday. After Marc Symington took four for 27 to dismiss Sri Lanka
A DRUG addict has been found dead in a Teesside flat after turning down hospital treatment for injuries sustained in an apparent assault days before. Robert Parkin, 29, was found lying on a makeshift bed by a friend at the flat in Shaftsbury Street, Stockton
Young taekwondo enthusiast Tom Smith looks to have a golden future in front of him after winning four medals at a local competition recently. And at the same event, which was the Kim Chung Do Kwan competition, held at Gladstone Street, Darlington, Hurworth
The Northern Echo Darlington Sunday Invitation League Coundon Foresters overcame the odds to become champions for the second season in succession, and also complete a remarkable league and cup double. Remarkable as they have become the third team to complete
North East Christian Fellowship League In the League Cup final two mistakes by Stranton Saints - Hartlepool goalkeeper Stuart Morrow gave Monkwearmouth Christians a 2-0 lead George Churchill scoring the first followed by Elliot Ord. Churchill got his
SIX directors of Bowey Construction have completed a management buy out of the company. The deal marks the final stage of the demerger of the company from the Bowey Group, started two years ago. The demerger process began in May 2000, when the Bowey Group
THE lurch towards regional government seems likely to meet with responses as diverse as the towns, cities and villages that are found across Yorkshire and the Humber. Bradford and Hawes may be no more than 40 miles apart, but the gulf between the needs
For the second year in succession, Bedale Athletic have won the South Cleveland Garages Teesside League RT Raine Trophy. In a well-fought affair, Bedale came out 6-1 victors against Stokesley SC. After a nervy start by both sides, Bedale's strike partnership
A pioneering scheme set up to rescue otters from extinction has itself been saved with the announcement of fresh sponsorship. Now a new phase of the project will concentrate on the protection and improvement of wetlands across the Durham Wildlife Trust
The first vet sent to a pig farm suspected of having foot-and-mouth disease at the beginning of last year's outbreak knew there was "big trouble" just minutes after he arrived, a court heard yesterday. Jim Dring, a vet from the Ministry of Agriculture
The University of Sunderland and the city's Rotary Club are offering football fans a chance to park near the Stadium of Light for Niall Quinn's charity match. Supporters going to Tuesday's game can park at the city centre campus and the business school
Many teams had competed for a position in this final however the two to manage it were Chester-le-Street Whitehill and Spennymoor Black and Decker. As it has done for the past 11 years, the match kicked off at 11am at Sacriston Welfare Ground on May Bank
