A MOTORING correspondent's scornful attack on Durham has provoked fury in the city. Mike Rutherford's rant in the car magazine Auto Express, against the imminent road toll scheme in Durham City, has incensed residents and officials. In his article the
A grand total for Rotarians A COMMUNITY group has raised £10,000 for charity in the past 12 months. The Rotary Club of Redcar raised the cash through a number of fundraising events, including a trolley dash and Christmas raffle, and has donated to a number
NURSES' ideas on improving patients' experiences in hospital are being promoted in a good practice guide. More than 50 ideas from senior nurses at the University Hospital of North Durham, ranging from simple information leaflets to nurses taking on extra
SIR BOBBY ROBSON last night told Kieron Dyer: "You've got the world at your feet.'' Dyer was Newcastle's inspiration at St. James' Park last night as the Geordies ultimately crushed Bosnians Zeljeznicar to secure their place in the Champions' League proper
I'm A Celebrity - Get Me Out Of Here (ITV): Britain's Sexiest (ITV) Oone thing prevented me from naming I'm A Celebrity as a new all-time low for ITV - the programme that followed, Britain's Sexiest. Put them together and you have I'm A Viewer - Get Me
ONE-TIME naughty boy Big Bad Bob was on his best behaviour when slamming a big field to get off the mark at Newcastle a couple of weeks ago. But on his previous outing at Folkestone it was a different story because John Dunlop's colt lived up to his name
IN her never-ending search for a bargain, my wife came home from the shops with a "professional home haircut set". We have a perfectly good hairdresser called Nigel, who's been doing the kids' hair ever since our eldest first sat on a pile of towels and
TOURISTS are to be asked for their views on how to shape the long-term future of one of North Yorkshire's most picturesque areas. A five-year management plan is being drawn up for the Howardian Hills, which has been designated as an area of outstanding
A MURDER hunt is under way after a football fan was killed during a violent struggle with a gang who tried to steal his car. Glynn Ellis, of Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, was left trapped under his Ford Mondeo after being attacked by a five-strong group
Walking 20 miles for a good cause is an achievement. Doing it barefoot is even more of a feat. No wonder John Robinson deserved a pint at the end of his amazing deed. Church Mouse car park, 7am, Bank Holiday Monday. John Robinson is preparing to walk
BISHOP Auckland student Katie Reed has landed one of the highest English GCSE marks in the country. Katie, a pupil at Bishop Barrington School, gained one of the top five marks in the country out of 362,913 people who sat the duel award English literature
PROTESTORS fighting plans to build a waste transfer and recycling plant near their homes were yesterday celebrating after councillors opposed the scheme. People living in Stainton Grove, near Barnard Castle, are hailing a decision by members of Teesdale
DEATH PENALTY RE. the article by Liz Lamb (Echo, Aug 21) about the Bishop of Durham speaking out against the return of the death penalty. He says to put the penalty back in place would be detrimental to society. I and many others have different views.
AN UNLICENSED drug which restored speech and movement to a helpless stroke victim within minutes was last night being hailed as a "miracle" cure. The relatives of 83-year-old Doris Holmes, from Bishop Auckland, County Durham, pleaded with doctors to do
IT'S celebration time at Kingsway with Bishop Auckland back in the Darlington Building Society NY and SD Cricket League premier division after just one season in the first division. They notched promotion at the weekend with three brilliant victories
SIR - There is a spirit of meanness in Durham today and this is due solely to our council. There are two reasons for this. Firstly, the council's greed has put the rents and council tax so high that many shops have had to close. Claypath and North Road
STUNNING Auckland Castle was the backdrop to one of Britain's top road races over the bank holiday weekend. The fourth New Balance/ Running Fitness Auckland Castle 10km race was dominated by Kenyan runners as they took the first four places in the men's
IN her never-ending search for a bargain, my wife came home from the shops with a "professional home haircut set". We have a perfectly good hairdresser called Nigel, who's been doing the kids' hair ever since our eldest first sat on a pile of towels and
A CONCERT will be held at the Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle, next Wednesday, at 7.30pm. Artists include mezzo-soprano Alison Hudson, bass Graham Danby, of English Opera, baritone Richard Morrison and soprano Valerie Reid. They will perform a selection
A SERIES of guided walks around Darlington starts next month. Twelve informative walks will take place between September and November. Guides will talk about everything from the history of headstones to the Darlington and Stockton railway. A guided tour
THEY bring a whole new meaning to the term boy-racer but they're among the safest drivers in town. The world's first driving school for four and five-year-olds has opened in Teesside where pre-school age children are put through their paces - in toy cars
THE first plans for a development which promises to create as many as 400 jobs on a new business park have been revealed. Developer Highbridge Morton Palms hopes to build two office blocks on the business park of Darlington's Yarm Road. Although no company
A BID by Newcastle and Gateshead to become European Capital Culture 2008 was given a boost with the visit of two Government ministers yesterday. Arts Minister Baroness Tessa Blackstone visited a number of attractions, including the Gateshead Millennium
A NEW Government minister visited a regeneration project on Teesside yesterday. Tony McNulty, a minister in the Deputy Prime Minister's Office, toured Middlehaven, the Tees Valley Urban Regeneration Company's flagship project. The company's chief executive
POLICE are hunting the owners of a dog which ripped apart a girl's face, leaving her scarred for life. Nichola Jackson, 16, had to have about 60 stitches to her bottom lip, chin and mouth following the attack in Consett. The youngster, from South Shields
A CLEAN-UP is poised to start at a disused cokeworks site prior to redevelopment. The former Lambton Cokeworks, on the Sunderland and County Durham boundary, between Burnmoor and Shiney Row, has remained derelict since closure in 1984. Although ovens
DO you work long hours and spend much of your time going nowhere fast in increasingly frustrating traffic jams or overcrowded trains while constantly worrying about the future and the state of your pension? If you, like me, are aged 35 to 54, you are
Sunnydale School Shildon: (Passes at grades A*-C) Michael Anderson 4; Ann Marie Atkinson 6; Karen Avison 1; Clint Bainbridge 9; Leanne Bainbridge 3; Stuart Beach 4; Craig Bendelow 2; David Bowes 5; Gillian Bradley 9; Andrew Brown 3; Craig Brown 3; Nicola
WORK has begun on a £4m breast screening unit in the region. The new facility at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Gateshead will include state-of-the-art cancer detection, treatment and training facilities. It is a key project in a £30m modernisation drive
A BOOK looking at the history of a County Durham village - Memories of Sedgefield - goes on sale on Monday. Sedgefield librarians asked readers to send them photographs to include in the book. The response was so good that library staff had to sift through
A SMOKE alarm has saved a teenager's life after a chip pan fire threatened to destroy his home. The 19-year-old, from Boyne Street, Willington, County Durham, had fallen asleep after leaving a pan of chips on, just before midnight. Firefighters from Crook
YOUNGSTERS are being put through their paces at a fame academy. Ninety-two children joined a week-long summer school at Durham's Gala Theatre which will reach a finale on Saturday. Putting It Together will be a variety show featuring songs from popular
Dogs from the North-East that help disabled owners with day-to-day life are being celebrated in a special event. The Dogs for the Disabled charity, which trains dogs to help people open and close doors, pick up dropped items and even take laundry out
HOLIDAYMAKERS Daniel Owen and Alan Barker have both landed prizes and a place in the finals of resort competitions. Nine year-old Daniel, of Albert Street, Shildon, won a freestyle dance contest on a family break to Pontin's Wall Park centre, in Brixham
A CONCERT will be held at the Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle, next Wednesday, at 7.30pm. Artists include mezzo-soprano Alison Hudson, bass Graham Danby, of English Opera, baritone Richard Morrison and soprano Valerie Reid. They will perform a selection
A FARM has proved it is streaks ahead of the rest when it comes to bringing home the bacon. For bacon produced by Tracy and Matthew Betney, of Hummerbeck, West Auckland, County Durham has been named as the Best of British in a round of national awards
VIRTUOSO Helen Crayford will give her own rags to riches portrayal of various piano classics to launch a lunch- time concert series next month. The former child prodigy returns to the DLI Museum and Art Gallery in Durham to open the new autumn season
RURAL campaigners have claimed a significant victory after forcing the Government to back down on changes to planning law. Ministers had issued a consultation paper earlier this year proposing to introduce a requirement for planning permission even when
REVELLERS enjoying the pubs and clubs on the Gateshead Quays are being advised by Northumbria Police to hang on to their belongings. Personal items such as handbags, purses, wallets, mobile telephones and pieces of clothing are being reported stolen to
UNIONS fighting to save the jobs of hundreds of workers at a Tyneside power generation business were this morning meeting with management. Dave Harrison, regional organiser for the Amicus/AEEU union, representing about 700 staff at Siemens Power Generation
FORMER fliers and members of ex-servicemen and women's associations are to join a parade marking the Battle of Britain. The annual Battle of Britain Service will be held at Durham Cathedral on September 8. Members of the Durham City Royal Air Force Association
BIG Brother star Jonny Regan is to receive an award from his home town. Runner-up in the reality TV show, local lad Jonny is to be presented with a memento to mark his achievement on the show which attracted an audience of millions. Mayor of Peterlee
POLICE have issued a warning about car safety following a spate of car radio thefts in Stockton. In recent weeks, thieves have made off with numerous car stereos, targeting CD players in particular. The models most at risk appear to be later versions
FRIENDS and colleagues of an architect who died from cancer are backing the hospice fund-raising campaign he launched. People who knew Darlington architect Rob Niven have donated £3,500 to the St Teresa's Hospice appeal since his death earlier this month
ENGINE maker Cummins has axed 65 more staff in a latest round of cost-cutting measures. Bosses at the plant in Darlington said shop floor assembly workers, who are employed on temporary contracts, were being made redundant from the start of next month
A POLICE force claiming to be at breaking point has been visited by an MP. Barry Shaw, chief constable of Cleveland Police, hit the headlines last week when he told the Police Authority that public demands were sometimes more than the force could handle
HUNDREDS of businesses across the region have been helped to export success by a Government trade promotion body. Trade Partners UK has helped 28,000 UK companies to success in international trade, according to the organisation's latest annual review.
THE organisers of the Reeth Show yesterday declared that it was good to be back after last year's event fell prey to foot-and-mouth restrictions. Treasurer Steve Charlton estimated that 5,000 people had visited, thanks partly to the warm, dry weather.
PEOPLE are invited to make a pizza for Marie Curie to raise money for the cancer care charity. The fundraising evening, on September 30, will take place at Pizza Express, in Darlington's Skinnergate. Carol Oliver, community fundraising manager for the
TOP recruits to the region's fire-fighting teams are to be honoured in a passing out parade tomorrow. Tyne and Wear Metropolitan Fire Brigade holds a presentation day for 23 trainees at 11am in the brigade training centre in Barmston Mere, Washington.
Problems in neighbourhood shopping centres in part of the region are being tackled with the help of a hefty cash boost. The £35,000 of funding for east Durham has been warmly welcomed by Easington MP John Cummings. The additional resources have been allocated
A LETTER addressed to Hollywood actor Paul Newman in Fifth Avenue, New York, was delivered by the Royal Mail to Irene Stoner in Fifth Avenue, York, it emerged yesterday. Irene Stoner has lived at her address for 15 years and receives letters intended
LARRY the Ladybird and Becky the Bee have got the holiday bug - and are hoping to give summer visitors a real buzz. The fancy dress insects are inviting children to Lingfield Farm Countryside Centre to cheer the pupils up at the end of their holidays.
A YOUNG collie is looking for a new home after its owners' relationship broke up. Sam, a one-year-old Border collie crossbreed, needs energetic owners to take it for regular walks. The dog is being looked after by foster carers in Darlington under the
A PARROT has left his North-East owners in a flap by fleeing the nest. Jabba, an African Grey parrot, flew away in Sedgefield, County Durham, while being taken for a breath of fresh air on a lead. Owner Janet Stubbings said: "My five-year-old had him
A GRADUATE is preparing for a trip to the Bahamas to study coral reefs by staging a six-hour sponsored swim. In October, Frances Berry will fly to the Bahamas with the organisation Greenforce, to help scientists carry out a survey of one of the world's
A NORTH Yorkshire woman is helping to plead the case for developing countries at the Earth Summit in Johannesburg. Penny Fowler, originally from York, is part of an international Oxfam delegation to the conference on sustainable development. The 34-year-old
Newcastle United have been drawn into Group E of the UEFA Champions League. The draw held in Monaco at 3pm today put Newcastle against Juventus, Feyenord and Dinamo Kiev. Newcastle's last meeting with Kiev ended a 2-2 draw with a couple of goals from
While most supporters have been bowled over by the arrival of Faustino Asprilla, Darlington boss Tommy Taylor has taken a calm approach to the surprise signing and says the high-profile name is not guaranteed a first-team place. Asprilla has not yet trained
TRADING standards chiefs in Hartlepool are urging people who buy goods on the Internet to brush up on their consumer rights. The warning comes after a flood of complaints from residents who have experienced problems with online purchasing. A trading standards
A WHITE rabbit which was banned from appearing in public as part of a magic act has won a reprieve. Sapphire the rabbit was banned from appearing in Newcastle after the city council sent letters to entertainers telling them animals were not to be used
COMMUNITY groups and organisations in South Durham are celebrating more than £54,000 in grants to develop their work. Cash payouts of between £500 and £5,000 have been made in the latest round of grants from the Lottery funded Awards For All organisation
MEMBERS of Ryedale District Council have voted overwhelmingly against proposals for a Yorkshire Assembly. In July the Government unveiled its White Paper on devolution of power to the regions and has promised to give Yorkshire residents the chance to
TWO Stockton schools have been broken into by thieves. Burglars struck at Newtown School, near the town centre, and Saltergill Primary School, in Kirklevington, on Tuesday night. A safe containing a small amount of cash was stolen from Newtown school's
A BULLYING nurse who hurled abuse at two mentally ill patients when they refused to carry our their chores has been cautioned by a conduct committee. Paul Lloyd, 43, pinned one patient over a food trolley and another against kitchen cupboards, the hearing
RE-OPENING Melsonby quarry, near the A1 Barton interchange, would damage the countryside and create possible dust and noise problems, planners have warned. A report due to be delivered to Richmondshire district council's environment committee on Tuesday
A MAN accused of murdering his mother has made his first appearance at crown court. Steven Parker, 43, is said to have stabbed 71-year-old Jean Charlton at the home they shared in Berwick, Oxclose, Washington, on August 17. No plea was taken during the
St Peter's School, York: (Passes at grades A*-G) B Adams 10, J Ash 10, M Baker 10, T Bartram 10, S Bell 10, J Bennett 10, S Binns 10, A Black 10, A Brandon-Davies 10, T Burckhardt 10, J Butterworth 10, D Clark 10, E Cogbill 10, E Cook 10, D Cross 10,
Egglescliffe School: A* in brackets Z Adamson 10(2); J Alderson 10(10); M Aneese 10(5); E Armatage 10(5.5); S Armstrong 10(7.5); M Ashbourne 10(10); J Aston 10(10); T Axon 10(8.5); P Barry 9.5(4.5); H Beadle 9.5(9.5); N Bennett 10(5.5); H Bishop 10(4)
THREE names have emerged as leading contenders for the Bishop of Durham's post as speculation mounts over who will replace The Right Reverend Michael Turnbull. Bishop Turnbull, who will be 67 in December, announced his retirement last Saturday during
POLICE hunting for a rapist with a North-East accent, who attacked two women in London, have widened their search to the region. The Metropolitan Police's Serious Crime Group is approaching other forces across the country to see if the rapist has struck
Police today appealed to a community for calm in the wake of the murder of an Iranian asylum-seeker. The 28-year-old was stabbed to death in a "racially motivated" attack, police said. Northumbria Police have yet to name the dead man but ethnic minority
A TALENTED teenager is facing the tough choice of following his father into professional golf or emulating his grandfather's success in football. David Hartley is only 15-years-old, but already he looks set for a glittering career in sport. But at the
MIDDLESBROUGH are expected to complete their sixth summer signing later today with the capture of winger Jesper Blomqvist. And Boro boss Steve McClaren will also decide whether to sign trialists Emanuele Brioschi and Tony Vidmar on a permanent basis before
KIERON DYER showed he is worth his weight in gold to Newcastle as Sir Bobby Robson's side hit the Champions' League jackpot at St. James' Park last night. Dyer, who scored the only goal in the first leg of this third-round qualifier in Bosnia, cut a swathe
IN her never-ending search for a bargain, my wife came home from the shops with a "professional home haircut set". We have a perfectly good hairdresser called Nigel, who's been doing the kids' hair ever since our eldest first sat on a pile of towels and
Church Mouse car park, 7am, Bank Holiday Monday. John Robinson is preparing to walk 20 miles barefoot; eight of us, sole concessionaries, will accompany him. Geoff Wilde bristles a yard brush over his shoulder. "If he can be the first to walk 20 miles
THREE names have emerged as leading contenders for the Bishop of Durham's post as speculation mounts over who will replace The Right Reverend Michael Turnbull. Bishop Turnbull, who will be 67 in December, announced his retirement last Saturday during
Passenger groups last night warned of overcrowded trains on the East Coast Mainline as a result of major engineering works being planned next summer. The Rail Passengers Committee said it feared months of track closures on the West Coast Mainline could
SUNDERLAND are today expected to be confirmed as the hosts of England's prestigious Euro 2004 qualifier against Turkey. The Football Association are understood to be announcing the decision to play the game, which will take place on April 2, at the Stadium
SIR - There is a spirit of meanness in Durham today and this is due solely to our council. There are two reasons for this. Firstly, the council's greed has put the rents and council tax so high that many shops have had to close. Claypath and North Road
DURHAM City Council will continue running the Gala Theatre for the foreseeable future. The authority took over in May when the management company it appointed crashed with debts of £700,000. It gave itself 13 weeks to decide the £14m venue's future management
AN innings of 67 was good enough to continue Michael Gough's late surge into Player of the Year contention against Northamptonshire at the Riverside yesterday. Other contenders among the batsmen were unable to enhance their chances as Durham crumbled
A TALENTED teenager is facing the tough choice of following his father into professional golf or emulating his grandfather's success in football. David Hartley is only 15-years-old, but already he looks set for a glittering career in sport. But at the
PETER Reid praised the battling qualities of his Sunderland side last night after they withstood a Leeds United barrage to win 1-0 at Elland Road. Jason McAteer scored the only goal of the game just 28 seconds after half-time as Sunderland ended Leeds
MILITARY enthusiasts have vowed to support plans to reopen a former prisoner of war camp as a tourist attraction. North-East-based members of the Military Vehicles Trust drove from across the region in restored wartime vehicles to Harperley POW camp,
MOTOR sports fans saw drama on and off the track when an air ambulance was twice called to a bank holiday motocross meeting. Two people had to be airlifted to hospital from a motocross event on Monday after separate accidents at Wooley Grange Farm, near
Matthew Elliott again proved to be the perfect replacement for Darren Lehmann with a fighting innings of 92 at the Rose Bowl yesterday. However, although Yorkshire gained a first innings lead of only 11 over Hampshire they finished the day poised to record
FOUR women bowlers refused to be put off their stride even when a male streaker sped past during a crucial point in the game. The quartet from Consett Park Bowling Club, kept their cool and bowled their way to win the right to represent England at an
A COUNCIL has been accused of unnecessary secrecy for meeting in private to discuss the future of a showpiece theatre. Labour-controlled Durham City Council's cabinet met behind closed doors yesterday, and decided to continue running the £14m Gala Theatre
THE famous Chariots of Fire theme tune heralded the start of a challenge straight from the movies on Monday. Cheered on by an excited crowd at Palace Green, Durham Cathedral, nine nervous athletes took their marks for the region's first ever npower dash
A disgruntled businessman launched a bizarre hate campaign against an innocent family who purchased a fish farm which he wanted to buy, a court heard today. Robert Walker, 50, threw leaflets from a moving car stating that the children using the Oakbank
JEAN Carlton is a woman who really gets into her work. Petite Mrs Carlton, 56, who lives at East Stanley, is offering a wheelie bin cleaning service. For just £2 a time, householders can have their large containers cleaned both inside and out. Standing
FOUR women bowlers refused to be put off their stride even when a male streaker sped past during a crucial point in the game. The quartet from Consett Park Bowling Club, kept their cool and bowled their way to win the right to represent England at an
A TEENAGER is one step closer to her dream career as a barrister after landing an impressive set of GCSE results. Rebecca Khan, a pupil at the Tudhoe Grange Comprehensive School, gained eight A* and three A grades. The 16-year-old, of Mayfields, Spennymoor
JEAN Carlton is a woman who really gets into her work. Petite Mrs Carlton, 56, who lives at East Stanley, is offering a wheelie bin cleaning service. For just £2 a time, householders can have their large containers cleaned both inside and out. Standing
SPENNYMOOR United were hoping to persuade the FA to lift its ban on the club this week in time for Moors to play their FA Cup preliminary round tie at home to Consett on Saturday. The ban has caused Spennymoor to miss their opening four games of the season
A COUNCIL looks likely to stop providing meals on wheels under new criteria making fewer people eligible for them. Since 1974, Durham City Council and Durham County Council have jointly distributed meals to the elderly and disabled throughout the city
POLICE are hunting the owners of a dog which ripped apart a girl's face, leaving her scarred for life. Nichola Jackson, 16, had to have about 60 stitches to her bottom lip, chin and mouth following the attack in Consett. The youngster, from South Shields
THE Prime Minister led the tributes this week to the Bishop of Durham, who announced his retirement on Radio 4's Test Match Special. The Right Reverend Michael Turnbull, 66, revealed his decision during the lunch interval of the Headingley test on Saturday
IT was only a flash of colour in the distance, but for birdwatcher Ron White it was enough. For nearly 50 years, the North-East pensioner has savoured the memory of being one of a fortunate few to see the first pair of colourful bee-eaters nesting in
A COUNCIL looks likely to stop providing meals on wheels under new criteria making fewer people eligible for them. Since 1974, Durham City Council and Durham County Council have jointly distributed meals to the elderly and disabled throughout the city
JASON McAteer, the subject of abuse and jeers from Sunderland fans on Saturday, went from villain to hero last night with a goal to lift the gloom that has enveloped the Stadium of Light for the entire summer. The midfielder capitalised on good work from
PASSERS-BY averted a potential rail accident after frantically flagging down a train just metres away from a damaged bridge, it emerged yesterday. The Middlesbrough to Whitby train was about to cross a badly-damaged bridge in the remote North Yorkshire
TONY Blair returned from holiday last night to be faced with arguably his most difficult decision since becoming Prime Minister. Does he support George Bush's clear desire to bomb Saddam Hussein out of power and by doing so risk his political future?
A COUPLE who met on a blind date are celebrating 65 years of wedded bliss. When Lena Appleby, 87, was first introduced to her husband Don, also 87, she vowed never to see him again as he was wearing boots. But during their first date boating in Durham
Although there will be no sheep or cattle classes at Saturday's agriculture show at St John's Chapel, in Weardale, there are still lots of attractions lined up for families and children. Sections include photography, produce and industry, horticulture
THE annual Middleton St George Allotment and Garden Association show takes place on Sunday. The association has more than 200 members and has classes for vegetables, flowers and cookery, followed by the sale of produce. It has been given £300 sponsorship
THE parents of jailed charity worker Ian Stillman told of their determination to have him freed yesterday, on the second anniversary of his arrest in India. The 52-year-old charity worker, whose parents live in Tadcaster Road, York, is profoundly deaf
POLICE are lending out crook locks to deter criminals from stealing cars left by people enjoying a town's leisure venues. Ten highly-visible Disklocks - steering wheel clamps - have been handed to Redcar Leisure Centre and Lovetts amusement park so they
A streaker failed to stop four North-East women bowling their way to international status. The quartet, from Consett Park Bowling Club, County Durham, had to cope with the male exhibitionist during one of their qualifying games. "It was quite exciting
THE University of Teesside is holding an open day for prospective students. Pat White, schools and colleges liaison officer at the university, said: "The university open day is an ideal opportunity to look around the campus, speak to staff and students
A BID by Newcastle and Gateshead to become European Capital Culture 2008 was given a boost with the visit of two Government ministers yesterday. Arts Minister Baroness Tessa Blackstone visited a number of attractions, including the Gateshead Millennium
SHOW TIME: Although there will be no sheep or cattle classes at Saturday's agriculture show at St John's Chapel, there are still lots of attractions lined up for visitors. Sections include photography, produce and industry, horticulture, horse and pony
North-East folk tales and legends will be told at regular storytelling sessions at Chester-le-Street Community Centre, from September 25. The sessions take place on Wednesdays, between 1.30pm and 3.30pm, and cost £10 for four weeks. For details or to
NEW life is coming to a crime-hit shopping centre on Teesside. After years of gradual decline and several months of vandalism, arson attacks and break-ins, a new supermarket will replace 20 shopping units at Eston, near Middlesbrough. Councillors yesterday
A BAND of rock'n'roll superheroes are coming to the region next month. Rock'n'Roll Heaven is a tribute to the greats, including Eddie Cochrane, Roy Orbison and Buddy Holly. All the cast are look-a-likes and sound-a-like and perform original hits from
PROLIFIC Tyneside playwright Tom Kelly will see five of his short plays created at the Customs House, South Shields, South Tyneside, next month - all of which deal with the theme of love. The collection, called Love in NE32, is set in and around Kelly's
TWO North-East GPs are to face separate allegations of serious professional misconduct. Dr James Francis Turley, from Newcastle, is accused of having a sexual relationship with a patient. South Shields GP Dr Nabil Awadalla Naroz is accused of not acting
IT was only a flash of colour in the distance, but for birdwatcher Ron White it was enough. For nearly 50 years, the North-East pensioner has savoured the memory of being one of a fortunate few to see the first pair of colourful bee-eaters nesting in
ENGINE maker Cummins has axed 65 more staff in a latest round of cost-cutting measures. Bosses at the plant in Darlington said shop floor assembly workers, who are employed on temporary contracts, were being made redundant from the start of next month
A parish council in North Yorkshire has become embroiled in a row with the US defence department over the future of a kindergarten. Plans for a kindergarten at Menwith Hill, the top secret American listening base near Harrogate, have caused anger among
RISING rock talent Pete Shoulder is hoping for a sell-out crowd when he plays his first theatre gig next week. The 18-year-old's appearance at Durham City's 500-seat Gala Theatre on Friday, September 6, could be the last for some time, due to recording
DURHAM City Council will continue running the Gala Theatre for the foreseeable future. The authority took over in May when the management company it appointed crashed with debts of £700,000. It gave itself 13 weeks to decide the £14m venue's future management
A TASTE of Italy comes to the region next month, with a fresh exhibition by a North-East artist. Leanne Mullen, 24, of Seaham, County Durham, is showing a collection of her works in contemporary florals and Italian architecture at the McGinn Art Gallery
A CLEAN-UP is poised to start at a disused old cokeworks site prior to redevelopment. The former Lambton Cokeworks, on the Sunderland and Durham county boundary, between Burnmoor and Shiney Row, has remained derelict since closure in 1984. Although ovens
A PET superstore group is searching the North-East for its Pick of the Pooches competition. Dog owners in Darlington and Stockton are being invited to enter their pet in the nationwide competition taking place on Saturday and Sunday, September 7 and 8
Durham Gilesgate Sports College P Allen 8; F Archer 10; J Askew 9; D Atkinson 9; G Atkinson 10; M Bellis 1; D Blake 8; M Bromley 5; A Brown 11; S Bryan 4; D Clark 1; G Cooper 1; S Cooper 7; P Coulthard 10; H Fisher 9; R Hall 11; S Hall 9; C Harmer 9;
THE Rector of Thirsk and Rural Dean of Mowbray Deanery, the Rev Eric Norris has a new job. He is to be the next Vicar of Booosbeck with Moorsholm and Lingsdale and is also to be appointed as the Archbishop's advisor on tourism and the Church. Mr Norris
THE Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) is spearheading a campaign to encourage people to pursue a career in environmental health. The number of people training to enter the profession has fallen dramatically in recent years and research
SHEEP have returned to Ruswarp auction mart for the first time since the Whitby area was struck by foot and mouth disease over 18 months ago. Auctioneer Robert Smith said: "We are delighted with the number of sheep which was good for this time of the
A FAMOUS cartoon character appeared at a Darlington shopping centre yesterday. Film star Scooby Doo paid a visit to the Cornmill Centre to help celebrate its tenth birthday. Crowds of children turned up to catch a glimpse of Scooby as he toured the centre
DOG owners from across the region are being encouraged to join in a fun day this weekend, The Yorkshire Terrier Rescue and Rehoming charity in the North-East is hosting a fundraising tea party on Sunday to promote its work. Owners of small dogs from throughout
A scheme to identify faulty electric blankets has been set up. Teesside Health Action Zone is urging people to book appointments to have their electric blankets tested for free in Hartlepool. The tests will be carried out at the Civic Centre on September
A NORTH-EAST authority has celebrated the success of a discount environmental project. Joan Heron, of the Old Fold Estate in Gateshead, was the 10,000th resident to buy a composting bin from her local council. Gateshead Borough Council's environmental
YOUNGSTERS will be competing for the chance to record their own compact disc tomorrow. The grand final of the pop contest, called Sunderland's No 1, takes place tomorrow at the Sunderland Empire. A total of 21 finalists, picked from hundreds of North-East
FUSCHIA enthusiasts are looking forward to a blooming good weekend when they celebrate their 21st annual flower show. People will travel from all over the country to help the Durham and Northumberland Fuschia Society celebrate its anniversary at its show
ONE-TIME naughty boy Big Bad Bob was on his best behaviour when slamming a big field to get off the mark at Newcastle a couple of weeks ago. But on his previous outing at Folkestone it was a different story because John Dunlop's colt lived up to his name
WOODHAM College is celebrating its most successful year so far with its exam results. The technology college, in Newton Aycliffe, which earlier this year was named one of the top 50 most improved specialist schools in the country, has achieved high results
A SURVEY by the North-East Rail Passengers Committee (RPC) has found that lack of information at train stations is the biggest bugbear for travellers. The rail users watchdog, which is based in York, quizzed passengers using the region's train network
A HORSE breeder and his partner were taken for a ride when their horses were sold off by financial advisors, a court was told yesterday. Liquidators sold the horses for £10,207 when their true worth was closer to £100,000, it was claimed. Lawyers for
STOCKTON is looking to the continent to help educate adults in the region. The adult education service at Stockton Borough Council is linking up with towns in Spain, Greece, Slovakia, Germany and Norway to come up with new methods of training adults.
JUDITH Chalmers is not expected to turn up with a camera crew and bottle of suntan lotion. However, wish you were here greetings could soon be winging their way through the post - from a cemetery. The Friends of Linthorpe Cemetery, Middlesbrough, who
A FORMER military barracks in Richmond which has served as a drill hall, a school canteen and dance studio, may now be converted into homes. A planning application to turn the Garden Village building into six two-bedroomed houses and three two-bedroomed
WORK has started on a control room to monitor a security camera system in Hambleton. Contractors moved into the civic centre in Northallerton this week to begin creating a new closed circuit television (CCTV) monitoring centre on the ground floor. It
SACKED clothing factory workers hoping to share £250,000 compensation will have to wait until next year to find out if they will get the cash. Former employees of the Susie Radin factory in Crook, celebrated in May after an employment tribunal awarded
AN exhibition outlining proposals to improve traffic management in Richmond will be unveiled next Friday. Various options will be explained to give local people an opportunity to comment. North Yorkshire county council has worked with the district and
A MEETING is to be held after more than 120 travellers and their caravans invaded Whitby causing damage and leaving extensive rubbish in a field on the outskirts of the resort. Residents and leaders of businesses on the Whitby industrial estate next to
A LOCAL man has been appointed as the general manager of a new supermarket in Redcar. Paul Lee, 35, will take charge of the Morrisons Supermarket which is due to open in November. More than 3,000 people applied for 350 jobs at the supermarket and most
A LOCAL authority's transport planners are to attend the York Youth Forum Festival on Saturday. Council officers are going to York St John College to hear the views of teenagers. And while the topics being raised will range from education to sexual health
FENG Shui experts have given their verdict on a landmark building on Teesside. Owners of Middlesbrough's Centre North-East building are investigating ways to harness positive energy following the receipt of their Feng Shui assessment. The Chinese art
THE first plans for a development which promises to create as many as 400 jobs on a new business park have been revealed. Developer Highbridge Morton Palms hopes to build two office blocks on the business park of Darlington's Yarm Road. Although no company
A COUPLE suffered the constant torment of racial abuse - because they were Scottish, a court heard yesterday. Stephen and Lorraine Beaton were told by police to keep a log of the abuse they suffered at the hands of their neighbours. Three women and two
DARLINGTON chairman George Reynolds last night breathed a huge sigh of relief after his audacious attempt to sign Faustino Asprilla cleared a vital hurdle. And the arrival of the former Newcastle striker could be the first of many high-profile signings
PASSENGER watchdogs have urged caution over the awarding of two key rail franchises in the region. Arriva Trains Northern's current franchise is due to be split into two separate businesses from next February. Repeated delays have set back the award of
A COMMUNITY group has raised £10,000 for charity in the past 12 months. The Rotary Club of Redcar raised the cash through a number of fundraising events, including a trolley dash and Christmas raffle, and has donated to a number of local and national
