Archive

  • In The Picture: A television survivor?

    ITV programme chief David Liddiment's successes include Cold Feet, Who Wants To Be A Millionaire and Pop Idol but the failure of Saturday evening football and reality show Survivor meant he became a casualty of the company's downturn. WITH what some considered

  • News in brief: Health scheme gets under way

    A PROGRAMME teaching people how to become experts in dealing with health problems began in County Durham yesterday. The Expert Patient Programme is a national scheme developed by the Department of Health, which offers courses to help people cope with

  • Leadership qualities

    There aren't many big races in the calendar that have eluded master trainer Sir Michael Stoute. However, the John Smith's Cup (formerly the Magnet Cup) is one of the more prestigious races that hasn't as yet had Stoute's name etched into its history.

  • Army 'cover-up' on 23 deaths, says MP

    A SENIOR MP last night accused the Army of staging a cover-up over the "suspicious" deaths of 23 young soldiers at Britain's biggest base. Labour MP Kevin McNamara, who is calling for a public inquiry into the mysterious deaths of Army personnel around

  • Anger will inspire Pool's promotion bid

    CHRIS Turner belives a burning sense of injustice and anger will help fire his side next season. Pool are back today from a five-day training stint in Holland, where they romped to 12-0 victories over Theole and SV Nootdorp on Wednesday and Thursday.

  • At Yor Service: Walking in sunlight all of my journey

    IN the black and white days when Tyne Tees Television closed down for the night and the epilogue helped put it gently to bed, the column was once (inexplicably) invited to record a five minute contribution. For reasons connected to the 1970s' space race

  • Deacon blue about hurdles

    TYNESIDER Jared Deacon has scrapped plans to race over the hurdles as he reverts back to his favoured 400m in a bid to qualify for the European Championships at the AAA Championships in Birmingham this weekend. The 26-year-old Border Harrier, who has

  • News in brief: Health scheme gets under way

    A PROGRAMME teaching people how to become experts in dealing with health problems began in County Durham yesterday. The Expert Patient Programme is a national scheme developed by the Department of Health, which offers courses to help people cope with

  • News in brief: Battle lines drawn in sand

    The search is on to find Teesside's top soccer beach boys and girls. A five-a-side beach soccer competition is being organised by Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, in partnership with KFC and Middlesbrough Council, on Wednesday, July 24. It will take

  • US-style cafe bar sparks protests

    PLANS for a themed cafe bar have prompted protests from residents of nearby flats. Permission has already been granted to build a Chicago Rock Caf on Front Street in Chester-le-Street. Now the company behind the development, Luminar Leisure, is waiting

  • Public meeting today over 'Richmond 16' controversy

    A public debate will take place today over English Heritage's decision to commemorate the stand made by 16 conscientious objectors, who were locked up in a North Yorkshire castle for refusing to fight in the First World War. The 16 men spent six weeks

  • Bill's latest qualification tops lifetime of achievement

    A GRANDFATHER who has held a senior position in the World Bank and travelled the globe will today crown his lifetime's achievements by becoming a North-East university's oldest PhD graduate. The event at Newcastle University will also mark a homecoming

  • Guiders head for Scotland

    MEMBERS of a Darlington Guide unit will head to Scotland for two training schemes. Carole Wilkinson and Megan Craggs, of the St Matthew and St Luke's unit, have been selected to attend SingOUT, a course which explores music. The two girls will join others

  • Focus on fitness in pre-season blitz

    Darlington continue their pre-season build-up today as they head for Kingstonian to play two games in as many days on the back of a strenuous last fortnight. The players have been put through their paces both morning and afternoon since the beginning

  • School's young athletes way out in front

    YOUNG athletes at Carmel RC Technology School have been acclaimed after excelling on the track and breaking 70 school records in two months. A sports award evening is planned for Tuesday, where guest of honour will be Jill Bolts, a double Olympian and

  • Pupils' teamwork wins netball title

    Youngsters at Riverdale Primary School have just been declared netball champions of East Cleveland. The school team, coached by teacher Sarah Metcalfe and governor Graeme Wright, represented Redcar and Cleveland at the Youth Trust Games 2002 on Teesside

  • Bail blast by new chief constable

    THE new chief constable of Durham was appointed last night - and lost no time in calling on courts to do more in the fight against crime. Paul Garvin, the current deputy chief constable of Durham Constabulary, discovered yesterday that he will take over

  • Man found guilty of role in conspiracy

    A GAMBLER who said it was unbelievable that drugs were found in the house where he was arrested, was yesterday found guilty of taking part in a conspiracy to supply crack cocaine. When the police raid took place,Colin Noble, 29, was carrying more than

  • 'Jobs before safety' rail repairs row

    AN MP is challenging maintenance company Jarvis over a suggestion that it put jobs before safety in the wake of the Potters Bar rail crash. Durham City MP Gerry Steinberg said it "beggars belief", and accused the company's boss of trying to intimidate

  • Thousands to celebrate rich mining heritage

    THE centre of Durham comes to a standstill today as former colliery communities hark back to their coal mining roots. The Durham Miners' Gala is very much a reminder of the county's past, a decade after the closure of the last pits in the coalfield. But

  • Flour power used to launch arts centre

    A PROCESSION of men with bread strapped to their heads and other bread-related entertainment will mark the Baltic Flour Mill's conversion to an arts centre today. The £46m Gateshead Baltic Arts Centre opens to the public at 10am today until 7pm and will

  • Strike will hit many services

    COUNCIL buildings and schools across the region are to shut on Wednesday during the first local government strike since 1989. Local authority unions Unison, GMB and TGWU have called the pay strike after members' demands of a six per cent pay increase

  • Mass to go ahead despite 'setback'

    A SELF-styled priest who incurred the wrath of the Catholic Church for planning to carry out mass in a 500-year-old Church last night vowed to go ahead regardless. Philip-James French had planned to hold a service in St Andrew's, but Redcar and Cleveland

  • Blair's massive boost for schools

    TONY BLAIR returned home to the North-East yesterday to announce a massive cash boost for education - fuelling hopes that the Government is going to tackle the North-South divide once and for all. Speaking in Middlesbrough, where he opened a community

  • New look for gala day model

    A STATUE of a former Lord Mayor of London has been transformed into the Queen for a jubilee-themed gala today. Organisers in Grangetown on Teesside chiselled away at the 6ft tall papier mache figure so it resembles Her Majesty, and plan to parade it in

  • Four national accolades for dancing star Elle

    FIVE-year-old Ell Baister's dancing talents have won her four national titles. Ell, from Kirk Merrington, near Spennymoor, swept to victory at the Nationwide United Kingdom Alliance competition, in Blackpool. The youngster, who attends Martingrove Dancing

  • Trailer firm shuts down with loss of 70 jobs

    A LARGE trailer manufacturing firm with a chequered history shuts down for good next week with the loss of dozens of jobs. Seventy workers at Utility International, on the outskirts of Northallerton, North Yorkshire, are to be made redundant after the

  • A tough-talking man of peace

    The new chief constable of Durham Constabulary was yesterday named as the current deputy, Paul Garvin. He tells Sarah Foster about his vision for the future of policing in the county. A BRIEF perusal of Deputy Chief Constable Paul Garvin's history, as

  • BMX bike track call answered

    A BICYCLE track for youngsters in Newton Aycliffe could be finished by the end of the month. The dirt track for BMX bikes will be built at Woodham Park, as a result of a request to Great Aycliffe Town Council from youngsters. Councillor Alan Gray said

  • Retailers join forces to set up town's first traders' forum

    RETAILERS in Ferryhill have joined forces to form the town's first traders' forum. The group, which seeks to promote the interests and views of traders, and give them a better chance of qualifying for grants, met for the first time last week. The idea

  • NUM offensive over industrial disease payouts

    THE Durham area National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) will today launch an attack on the Government for failing to compensate miners for industrial diseases. In an address at the annual Durham Miners' Gala, Durham area NUM president Dave Guy will highlight

  • Motorists given free locks to beat thieves

    POLICE have stepped in tohelp stem car crime in the Redcar and Cleveland area by giving locks to victims. In the previous 12 months, research highlighted 40 people who had their vehicles taken or suffered from an attempt to steal the car. In each case

  • Pyjama party raises serious issue on poverty

    RAILWAY employees earned their stripes yesterday - by casting off their suits and uniforms in favour of some rather more casual wear. Employees at Arriva Trains Northern, in York, took part in an all-day pyjama party to raise cash for destitute children

  • Farewell creates big interest

    AN exhibition marking the rich history of Feethams football ground opened yesterday in Darlington. Farewell to Feethams - which it is hoped will attract more than 15,000 people - is a project run by the Darlington Supporters' Trust to mark the end of

  • Shop workers celebrate 30 years' service

    TWO dedicated shop staff have celebrated 30 years service at a Darlington store. Barbara Weeks, 58, and Judith Abbott, 56, both sales assistants have worked for Boyes in Darlington's Blackwellgate, since 1972. Both women received a long service award

  • Pupils battling for tennis glory on new courts

    THE annual tennis tournament at a Newton Aycliffe school has started on new courts. Greenfield Tennis Club is one of a handful of clubs bucking the North-East trend, where dilapidated courts are the norm, and is an example of what can be achieved given

  • Musicians steeled for success

    A YOUNG steel band is proving a success after its members were inspired by a workshop held at their school. In February last year, pupils at Hummersknott Comprehensive School, in Darlington, received a visit from members of Steel Bands North, from Gateshead

  • Carrying the torch for Sport Relief

    Secondary school pupils in the borough of Stockton got together yesterday to help raise money for Sport Relief. Mayor of Stockton Councillor Jean O'Donnell started a torch carry relay from Stockton Town Hall. About 30 youngsters took part in the relay

  • News in brief: Old chapel to become house

    PLANNERS have agreed to a village's disused chapel being converted into a house. Ryedale District Council's central area committee decided that, despite on-street parking problems at Welburn, near Malton, an attractive stone wall should not be demolished

  • Church a riot of colour for flower festival

    A FLOWER festival is taking place at Holy Trinity Church, in North Ormesby, for the next week. The festival, called How Great Thou Art, was opened yesterday by the speaker of Middlesbrough Council, Councillor Ken Hall. It will run until Tuesday. Floral

  • Clean-up to mark end of school term

    A GROUP of schoolchildren from Middlesbrough are taking part in a clean-up of their area on Monday morning. The youngsters, aged seven to 11 and from Rosewood Primary School, will tidy up the area around the school, and The Garth estate, as part of their

  • The doleful tale of Black Dick's island

    MOST of us would have sailed through life oblivious of Lord Howe Island had the Royal Navy's HMS Nottingham not sailed into it this week. At seven miles long and nearly two miles wide, you might have thought it difficult to miss, but then the RN did recently

  • Hard work adds up to success for pupils

    TALENTED primary school children from Thornaby are celebrating mathematics success after passing a high level test. The 11-year-olds passed level six of key stage two. Normally, children of their age sit a paper that assesses them at level three to five

  • Sheriff's car helps police target dealers

    A SHERIFF'S squad car will patrol the streets of Middlesbrough next week as part of the police Dealer a Day initiative. The 1992 Ford Crown Victoria will tow the Crimestoppers trailer in a bid to persuade people to provide information on drug dealers.

  • Campaign against tipping of rubbish

    A CRACKDOWN on traders wrongly using a household waste recycling centre has been launched by Stockton and Middlesbrough councils. The Haverton Hill site, operated by Sita and used by the councils, is also visited by thousands of residents from both boroughs

  • For Your Benefit: Widow may be due more help

    Q I am a widow of 77, living with my son, aged 43, who gets Jobseeker's Allowance of £53.95 a week. As he spends this on fares and other expenses to do with looking for work he cannot pay me anything for his board and this is a real burden on me. Can

  • Rewarding endeavours

    AS a garden designer, one of the most rewarding moments is when you see a plan become reality. It was over six months ago that a colleague asked me to step in and visit a garden that needed designing. I consequently found out that the job was more than

  • 'Colossus' completes United move at last

    TITUS BRAMBLE has completed his protracted move to Newcastle United. The England Under-21 defender signed a five-year deal at St James' Park yesterday morning to rubber-stamp his £5m-plus switch from Ipswich Town. Bramble agreed personal terms and underwent

  • Parents seek inquiry after boy's playground accident

    THE parents of a boy who was injured when park swings collapsed on him say he is lucky to be alive. Eight-year-old Jim Howe, from Sunniside, near Crook, had to have staples in his head after the swings at the village park collapsed while he and his friends

  • Gardening: Rewarding endeavours

    AS a garden designer, one of the most rewarding moments is when you see a plan become reality. It was over six months ago that a colleague asked me to step in and visit a garden that needed designing. I consequently found out that the job was more than

  • Finalists compete for trip to Africa

    A CHALLENGE that has involved more than 5,000 teenagers in environmental, crime prevention or social projects reaches its climax next week. The Square Mile Project, which has been running for ten years, is open to teams of North-East youngsters aged from

  • Minister praises Swan's green chemical processing plant

    A PIONEERING processing facility that guarantees faster and cleaner chemical manufacturing was praised by Science and Innovation Minister Lord Sainsbury yesterday. Lord Sainsbury was speaking as he officially opened the facility at Thomas Swan and Co

  • Skipper Eckels relishes clash with old enemy

    IT is a long time since Darlington RA looked forward with so much anticipation to a visit from Darlington but captain David Eckels reckons his side is raring to go! "For years they have had the edge on us and it is some time since we beat them but we

  • Spinner Phillips sews up Durham's first triumph

    FEETHAMS continued to prove a happy hunting ground for Durham as they swept to their first championship win of the season yesterday. They beat Derbyshire by 89 runs to record their fifth victory at the Darlington ground, but must now wait until July 24

  • Hopes fade as Juninho talks of staying in Brazil

    JUNINHO has insisted that he would be prepared to stay in Brazil at Flamengo and forge a winning partnership with Romario. Middlesbrough were yesterday still refusing to accept defeat in their battle to persuade Juninho to return for a third spell at

  • Siren will give village extra warning if floodwaters rise

    RESIDENTS who have been plagued by flooding from their local beck have welcomed the introduction of a siren to alert them when the water level is rising. Two years ago, following days of heavy rain, a wall of water stormed down Skinningrove beck. In the

  • Final preparations for blooms judging

    WITH just a week to go until Northumbria In Bloom judges visit Darlington, residents are being encouraged to get their premises into shape. A week ahead of the official visit, representatives of Darlington Borough Council toured the town yesterday to

  • Budding car racers get tips from the top

    A TOP British touring car driver visited a Darlington school yesterday to talk to about his life as a racing driver. York-born James Thompson answered questions from Hummers-knott School and Languages College pupils about his adventures behind the wheel

  • Rival keeper Myhre backs Sorensen

    THOMAS Sorensen was last night tipped to bounce back from his World Cup nightmare by the goalkeeper aiming to take his place in the Sunderland team. The normally reliable Sorensen, a £10m rated shot-stopper, will be still angry with himself for the part

  • News in brief: Appeals for rate relief

    THE Chatterbox Caf, on Darlington's Skerne Park Estate, and Developing Initiatives for Support in the Community (Disc) have applied to Darlington Borough Council for rate relief. Both organisations benefit from 80 per cent compulsory rate relief, but

  • News in brief: Appeals for rate relief

    THE Chatterbox Caf, on Darlington's Skerne Park Estate, and Developing Initiatives for Support in the Community (Disc) have applied to Darlington Borough Council for rate relief. Both organisations benefit from 80 per cent compulsory rate relief, but

  • Spectacular line-up

    THE largest annual air show in the region returns this year with an impressive array of wartime aircraft and modern jets. Elvington Airfield is hosting the Yorkshire Air Show on the bank holiday weekend of August 25 and 26. Event organiser Ken Cothliff

  • Dates fixed

    Elections are taking place in two Hambleton communites next month. One seat on Tollerton Parish Council and one on Bedale Town Council will be contested on August 1. Three candidates are standing for the Tollerton vacancy - Suzanne McIntyre, Pauline Metcalfe

  • Trams an option in bid to cut road congestion

    THE return of trams to Darlington's streets is being considered as councillors look at ways of reducing traffic congestion. Other possible solutions to the traffic problem include the building of a Darlington northern bypass, improving goods train services

  • Malcolm sniffs out a cure after judge raises a stink

    INVENTOR Malcolm Doherty reckons he can save the man with the world's smelliest feet from a prison sentence. Pungent Dutchman Teunis Teun, known as Rancid Tuen in his home country, found himself in trouble with the law after clearing a public library

  • World champions celebrate

    THEY are the champions of the world and have put their native North-West Durham on the map as the UK's centre of junior kick-boxing . At just 12 years old Jamie Bates of Lanchester has become the world's youngest kick-boxing champion. He beat Hungarian

  • Boro revitalised Venables

    Terry Venables thanked Middlesbrough last night for granting him the chance to rebuild his managerial career. Venables won plaudits throughout the game for keeping Boro in the Premiership last year when he was called in by Bryan Robson in December 2000

  • Touring Cars speed to Croft for a third time

    THE UK's premier saloon car series roars off the grid at Croft Circuit near Darlington this weekend. Two rounds of the British Touring Car Championship have been held at the track since it was upgraded in the late 1990s and, although the weather has not

  • Application still required as Tykes dig in

    YORKSHIRE owed a big debt of gratitude to their three left-handers at Scarborough yesterday for giving them a chance of holding out for a draw against Somerset. Facing the stiff task of making 349 to avoid the follow on, Yorkshire closed on 258 for six

  • Rapist gets seven years

    A WOMAN who woke to find a rapist had crept into her home was subjected to a three-hour sex ordeal. Leslie Stone, 38, threatened to sexually mutilate her and repeatedly assaulted her while she lay "frozen with fear" in her bedroom. Newcastle Crown Court

  • Bravery award for fire rescue police officer

    A POLICE officer who dragged a teenage boy from a burning house has been given a bravery award. PC Rick Callaghan, 40, saved a 15-year-old boy who was trapped inside his smoke-filled bedroom on December 12 last year. PC Callaghan had been the first at

  • Ladies race night goes under starter's orders

    THE Northern Echo is hosting an evening of horse racing specially designed to appeal to the fairer sex. Ladies Night will be held at Sedgefield Racecourse on Wednesday with the first race due off at 6.40pm. There will be various competitions, demonstrations

  • Pop Idol Zoe honours region's most artistic schools

    THE region's favourite Pop Idol, Zoe Birkett, presented awards to top performing schools in the arts. The Artsmark awards from the Arts Council of England celebrate schools whose pupils have made a strong commitment in the field. There are three awards

  • Something to digest about waste

    PRIME Minister Tony Blair was shown an "aerobic digester" yesterday when he opened a processor that could help solve the country's landfill problem. Mr Blair visited Thornley Waste Transfer Station, County Durham, where he switched on a sophisticated

  • Time capsule buried at new sports centre

    A TIME capsule was buried under a £2.6m sports complex yesterday. Pupils past and present buried the capsule at the new Brierton School facility in Hartlepool. The centre is due to open on August 12 and will provide facilities for the school and the wider

  • Comment: Shaking the past aside

    THE DAY after the threat of criminal charges is removed from Ray Mallon, the Prime Minister Tony Blair arrives in Middlesbrough to shake his hand. It looks like the final act of rapprochement following Mr Mallon's embarrassing defeat of Labour in the

  • Youth council report tabled

    YOUNG people have presented the findings of a year-long study into the issues that concern them. Durham Youth Assembly, made up of secondary school students from all parts of the county, presented the findings yesterday, to North Durham MP Kevan Jones

  • Trust role for accountant

    AN accountant with more than 20 years' experience has been appointed as director of finance and corporate affairs for the Darlington Primary Care Trust. Peter Chrisp qualified as an accountant in 1980. He has worked in National Health Service finance

  • Meet the mayor

    WHEN they first met, Tony Blair was leader of the Opposition and Ray Mallon was head of Middlesbrough CID and pioneer in Britain of American zero tolerance policing techniques. Yesterday, five years on, they shook hands again - Mr Blair as Prime Minister

  • Lover of singing Eva dies aged 105

    ONE of Darlington's oldest residents has died at the age of 105. Eva Clapham put her longevity down to hard work, a good sing-song and a banana a day. Born in Aycliffe Village, in 1896, Mrs Clapham's fiance was killed during the First World War. While

  • Show's return is hit with the crowd

    THE Great Yorkshire Show attracted its biggest crowd for nearly 20 years, official attendance figures showed yesterday. The North's showpiece agricultural event, which made a spectacular return after it was cancelled last year because of the foot-and-mouth

  • No quitting when things get tough

    YOUNGSTERS at a North-East school challenged Tony Blair with an assembly question time he described as "probably harder than from the Opposition" in Parliament. The Prime Minister was at Gurney Pease Primary School, in Darlington, as part of a tour of

  • Schools link

    THREE Darlington schools joined yesterday to celebrate the results of an information and communications technology (ITC) pilot project. Harrowgate Hill Junior School and St Bede's RC Primary School met up for the open afternoon at Bishopton/Redmarshall

  • Neighbourhood Watch scheme an inspiration to others

    A VILLAGE Neighbourhood Watch scheme has proved so successful that it is being used as a model for others. The Sedgefield Village Neighbourhood and Crimewatch Panel has managed to recruit 95 per cent of villagers as members. The scheme has seven co-ordinators

  • Lifeguard's accolade for sea race rescue

    LIFEGUARD Anton Wouters has received an award for saving a swimmer during a race in Scarborough's North Bay. Mr Wouters, 26, a borough council lifeguard, rescued a French swimmer when he got into difficulties while taking part in the European Sea Swim

  • Women get lift in work quest

    THREE women at Lafarge Cement's Weardale works tackled a training course in forklift operating to help them find jobs when the works closes. They are among the 147 workers affected by the closure of the former Blue Circle plant - the main production process

  • Championship race to go down to wire

    WITH just a couple of points separating Murton from Peterlee, the leadership could change hands tonight even if both sides draw. Every point is crucial and with Hylton and Silksworth waiting in the wings for any slip-up by the two leading contestants,

  • Revamp from floor to ceiling

    WORK on the £400,000 revamp of the Hambleton Community Centre, in Northallerton, has finally got under way. The centre closed at the end of last month to undergo two months of refurbishment work which will see a new roof, floors and tiered seating installed

  • Classes power up for future

    COLLEGE pupils are to be part of a classroom revolution as the humble blackboard is sidelined in favour of the latest technology. A £28,000 investment has seen the introduction of 30 laptop computers, with almost every member of staff now able to access

  • Lintz heading the field

    FOLLOWING their outstanding victory over second-top Lanchester last weekend, Lintz have a great chance of winning their first championship in 20 years. They host third-from-bottom Ryton this afternoon and field a near full-strength side, the only absentee

  • Young football stars just champion

    THE boys and girls at St Joseph's Primary School are celebrating their most successful football season ever. The youngsters at the voluntary aided Catholic school in Stanley have no fewer than four trophies and ended up runners-up in another four competitions

  • CCTV cleared despite fears

    THE installation of more security cameras at RAF Fylingdales will result in "unlawful snooping" on walkers using bridleways and public rights of way near the station, members of the North York Moors National Park Authority were told yesterday. Anne Lee

  • Showing potential

    THREE young athletes from Northallerton are heading to Nottingham this weekend, to compete in the English Schools National Championships. The trio from Northallerton College - 400m runner Tyrone Crow, discus thrower Gareth Waton and long jumper Ben Darville

  • Crunch time for league

    THE match of the day is between Esh Winning and Crook Town and with little to choose between the sides, the outcome is crucial to their title hopes. "It's a big weekend for the League. We are third and play fourth-placed Crook Town while leaders Evenwood

  • Residents to move as home replaced

    RESIDENTS of an elderly people's home are to be temporarily relocated for a year while a new facility is built. Final plans for extra care housing accommodation to replace Manor Grange residential home, in Knaresborough, will be considered by councillors

  • Pupils assess award books

    A SMALL group of Year 9 pupils from Hurworth School, near Darlington, has been following the work of the Carnegie Literary Awards. The group, in conjunction with Darlington Library, has been reading books on the shortlist, writing reviews and posting

  • Climber Graham inspires pupils to aim high

    A MOUNTAINEER gave an inspirational talk to pupils at a County Durham school. Graham Ratcliffe, the only Briton to have conquered Everest twice, visited Roseberry Comprehensive School in Pelton, near Chester-le-Street. His appearance was part of the Government's

  • Summer club for children

    A SPECIAL Summer holiday club is on offer to children aged four to 11 in Darlington. The sessions include arts and crafts, sports and games. There will also be trips to the cinema, Life, Beamish Museum, Hall Hill Farm and Blue Reef Aquarium in North Shields

  • Community groups in plea for cash

    A NUMBER of community groups are requesting financial assistance from Darlington Borough Council. The authority's cabinet will consider the requests for cash from the community leisure chest when it meets on Tuesday. Darlington Community Carnival, which

  • Hear All Sides: PROSTITUTION

    THE remarks by Coun Stephen Smailes (Echo, July 6) were interesting but confusing. He states that the police in Middlesbrough have been successful in dealing with the problem of prostitution and the solution seems to be that the prostitutes have moved

  • Transplant patient's fundraiser

    A WOMAN who underwent a double lung transplant three years ago is preparing to abseil down the Tyne Bridge to raise money for research. Lesley Earnshaw, 53, has been joined by friends in fundraising efforts for research into transplant rejection at the

  • Fewer complaints levelled against police officers

    THE number of complaints about Durham police officers being dealt with by an official body has fallen by more than the national average, it has been revealed. Durham's outgoing Chief Constable, George Hedges, gave the news in the wake of the publication

  • Rail union chief to support strikers

    RAIL union chief Bob Crow will be in the North-East today to support striking Arriva Trains Northern conductors. The Rail Maritime and Transport Union (RMT) general secretary is in Durham City where he will meet those taking part in a 24-hour stoppage

  • Inquiry as blaze wrecks town centre nightclub

    AN investigation has been launched into a blaze which wrecked a nightclub. Fire ripped through the two floors of Strings, in central Middlesbrough, and damaged ground-floor shops underneath the nightspot. Announcing a joint investigation with the fire

  • 'Bonniest' banner back after 63 years

    ONE of the "bonniest'' banners is returning to the gala for the first time in 63 years. The last time Browney Lodge's banner was paraded was in 1939 when the world was on the brink of war. The Dorman Long-owned colliery, a few miles from Durham, had closed

  • News in brief: Health scheme gets under way

    A PROGRAMME teaching people how to become experts in dealing with health problems began in County Durham yesterday. The Expert Patient Programme is a national scheme developed by the Department of Health, which offers courses to help people cope with

  • Writer delights children as library opens

    A NEW £8,500 library was opened at Moorside Community School by children's laureate Anne Fine. The author, from Barnard Castle, read some of her books to primary and secondary school pupils from Consett. "It was fantastic of her to come and visit us,"

  • Children receive gift to treasure

    A VILLAGE celebrated the Queen's Jubilee in style. The children of Wolviston received a unique gift at their special celebratory feast. Wolviston parish councillor Sheila Corr presented each child with a unique certificate to commemorate the special year

  • Old favourite is new face

    ONE of the Big Meeting's firmest friends has been immortalised on an banner. Tony Benn, who is among today's speakers, is featured on a new version of the Blackhall Lodge banner. The Labour MP has spoken at several galas and is regarded as one of the

  • News in brief: Battle lines drawn in sand

    The search is on to find Teesside's top soccer beach boys and girls. A five-a-side beach soccer competition is being organised by Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, in partnership with KFC and Middlesbrough Council, on Wednesday, July 24. It will take

  • Grassroots: Washington

    Stage call sounded: Fatfield Amateur Operatic Society, which meets at 7.30pm on Thursdays, in the Harraton Community Centre, is appealing for new members, aged 15 and over, to take part in next production, Calamity Jane, next February. More information

  • A television survivor?

    ITV programme chief David Liddiment's successes include Cold Feet, Who Wants To Be A Millionaire and Pop Idol but the failure of Saturday evening football and reality show Survivor meant he became a casualty of the company's downturn. WITH what some considered