TELEVISION presenter Wendy Gibson has been disciplined by BBC bosses for appearing in an unauthorised video. The Look North news programme host fronts the 15-minute tape, called The Way Forward, which promotes council houses being transferred into private
A POND may sound like the perfect place to keep fish - but one North-East authority disagrees. Darlington Borough Council is planning to "evict" fish from a pond and move them elsewhere - in order to protect other species. Anglers are enraged at the decision
HUNTING MPs have voted in favour of a ban on hunting with dogs so these people and the MPs they bully into submission are a monumental bore (Echo, Jul 4). It seems if you are anti-hunting you are a bore and a bully. If your MP is against hunting you haven't
Puppets made by youngsters across Derwentside will be on stage this week. Gobby Base Puppet Club, part of Busy Ape Arts, has been working with primary school children to create a show that combines puppetry, dance and drama. The result, called When Puppets
The Under-9s played in the Community Challenge Trophy tournament run by Mount Pleasant FC on Sunday. In the group stages they played their first game against Mount Pleasant Whites winning 1-0 with Zac Tervit scoring. The next game they defeated Bedale
SIX young designers had an unexpected surprise when they won first prize in a regional competition. The group, from Tanfield School, near Stanley, turned up at Newcastle Airport for a ride in a helicopter, but discovered they were getting a flying lesson
Final planning clearance has been given for change of use from a home and shop into a beauty therapy centre at the Gas House, Horsefair, Boroughbridge, North Yorkshire, by Harrogate Borough Council planners. Permission has been granted for the centre
Juniors and seniors competed at the Newton Aycliffe road races. In hot temperatures Nathan Nicholson produced another superb performance finishing third male in 13.7 overall in 13.30, as did Sarah Douthwaite for fourth female 13 in 22nd position in 16.18
COASTGUARDS are warning bathers not to take inflatables out to sea, after a scare on the North-East coast yesterday. Lifeboats were launched at Redcar, east Cleveland, at about 2.30pm after inflatables were spotted two miles out to sea. It proved to be
Kirby Sigston and Maltby continued to share the leadership and both won at the weekend. Kirby Sigston had 126 runs to spare at Chopgate where they posted the healthy total of 248 for a loss of just six wickets. The runs flowed from Raynor (48), Thompson
A DECLINE in the Kielder Forest population of Britain's commonest falcon is being linked to a comeback by a rarer bird of prey - the goshawk. Scientists believe the number of kestrels - and also of short-eared owls - in the 200 square miles of forest
HUNTING: MPs have voted in favour of a ban on hunting with dogs so these people and the MPs they bully into submission are a monumental bore (Echo, Jul 4). It seems if you are anti-hunting you are a bore and a bully. If your MP is against hunting you
A mum admitted her 11-year-old son is destined for prison after he became one of Britain's youngest joyriders. The North-East lad, who is under four feet tall and weighs just a few stones, is starting a year's driving ban - even though he legally can't
Sunderland Cherokees lifted the Peterborough U12 tournament at the Planet Ice Arena, Peterborough, at the weekend. They defeated Chelmsford Mini-Chieftains 5-2 in an absorbing final. They twice went ahead before being pegged back by a resilient Chelmsford
Delsarte, whose run of progressive form came to an end in the Group 1 Coral Eclipse last time, is well worth another chance in the less-competitive Daily Record Scottish Derby over a mile-and-a-quarter this afternoon. Mark Johnston's three-year-old had
COUNCIL workers filled a dozen skips with rubbish after being called out to a retired school teacher's home. Pam Pearson, 62, had piles of rubbish reaching up to the ceiling in a number of rooms. She claims she is a harmless hoarder but neighbours were
Star Trek - After They Were Famous (ITV1); Elephant: Spy In The Herd (BBC1) IT'S life Jim, but not as we knew it. Like the rest of us, the Star Trek cast have aged in the 35 years since the series was first shown, although they still have hair (not always
A VISITOR attraction dedicated to glassmaking has been awarded £726,000 by the Arts Council. The National Glass Centre (NGC) in Sunderland has had mixed fortunes, including financial problems and cracks which appeared in the glass roof not long after
THE closure of a Chester-le-Street sub-post office has been confirmed despite the opposition of local people. The branch in Picktree Lane, a few hundred yards from the town centre, will shut on Wednesday, August 13, as part of a nationwide shake-up by
THE leader of the UK Independence Party (UKIP) is backing the North-East to make history by providing its first MP. Roger Knapman is confident that Euro-sceptics in the region will turn to his party when they become disillusioned with the policies of
DETECTIVES are appealing for witnesses after a man was found lying in the street with a serious head injury. The 42-year-old was found in South Bank, near Middlesbrough, in the early hours of yesterday and taken to Middlesbrough General Hospital where
POLICE have given descriptions of two men they believe went on a day-long spending spree across the North-East with counterfeit credit cards. The men first used the two cards in Cleethorpes, before visiting shops in Grimsby, Hull, Darlington, Durham,
THE achievements of learners in County Durham have been recognised at an awards ceremony. Thirteen individual and three group awards were presented at the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) County Durham Lifelong Learning Awards, held at Hardwick Hall,
A REPORTER who was captured by the Taliban has taken a job with controversial Arabic news channel al Jazeera. Former Northern Echo journalist Yvonne Ridley has secured a two-year contract with the channel that was criticised for showing graphic images
Thirsk and Sowerby Harriers: A bumper turnout 32 Harriers were among the 184 finishers in the latest Harrogate League Road Race on Wednesday over a two-lap course around the streets of Thirsk. Once again the temperatures were very high but Ian Fisher
Police have been criticised over their handling of the case of a 12-year-old girl whose family claim was stalked by a man on the Internet. The Northern Echo revealed last month how Cleveland police had received a complaint from the girl's grandparents
Yorkshire Women's League: Newly-promoted Harlow are continuing to make their mark in Division One. The side chalked up its second win of the season, beating Bradford side Heaton 7-2. Harlow finished top in Division Two last season with just two defeats
CHILDREN from Chernobyl were treated to free eye tests and glasses to welcome them to a holiday in the North-East. The youngsters, aged between eight and 12, are in the region for four weeks. Doctors think the visit will help prolong their lives for two
Hartlepool fruit and vegetable merchant Keith Middleton is enjoying the sweet taste of success as an owner after Conquering Love gave him his third winner from his last three runners when coming out on top in a thrilling finish to the Ripon Bell-Ringer
POLICE have arrested two more men following a bank robbery that led to an armed stand-off. Police marksmen surrounded a house on the Croft Estate at Ryton, near Gateshead, on Friday after the raid on the Lloyds TSB bank in Station Road, Newburn. Residents
FOOTBALL: After last night's game with UniBond Premier League, Whitby Town, Darlington RA have three more home pre-season matches. The RA face two Northern League sides in Horden on Wednesday, July 23 (6.30pm) followed by Benfield Saints on Saturday,
Proposals to amalgamate two schools in Stockton will be discussed by councillors later this week. Members of Stockton Borough Council's cabinet will meet on Thursday when they will be asked to recommend consultation be held on the plans to amalgamate
FOR services to cricket Durham would be hard pushed to find a more dedicated man than their acting chairman Bob Jackson. Like Colin Milburn, the county's most famous cricketing son, he comes from Burnopfield and among many other positions he has held
THEY were dark, dirty and dangerous places to work but coal mines were once the lifeblood of communities across the North-East. Rows of red brick terrace houses grew around the pits which provided work for generations of boys and men. The work was far
TWO shopping centres in a North-East town are hoping to attract visitors with a variety of entertainment. The rival shopping centres in Middlesbrough, have launched programmes of events and activities aimed at attracting shoppers and their children during
A FLOCK of television celebrities got to know their sheep over the weekend as they took part in the filming of One Man and His Dog in the grounds of one of the region's historic homes. The long-running television series was being hosted at Castle Howard
The Forestry Commission is staging a host of eco-events at Hamsterley Forest, County Durham, from this weekend. On Saturday, from 1pm, there will be a guided cycle ride exploring routes around the 4,000 acre woodland with a ranger. Storyteller Pascal
North Bitchburn CC put an eight-man Wearmouth CC team to the sword on Saturday, July 12 scoring a club record total of 333 runs for three wickets. Chief run getter was 47-year-old Graham Dalton, who hit 115 runs, almost a year to the day when he hit his
Evenwood Town have launched an appeal to buy some new floodlights, and save their Northern League place. The club, which had its best season for several years last time round when they finished mid-table in the league and reached the Craven Cup final,
THE Spennymoor Sunday League has yet again rewarded its members by paying all Durham FA affiliation fees for the forthcoming season. And the forward-thinking league has also taken the unique approach of paying all Public Liability cover for the 24 teams
NEWCASTLE UNITED arrive in Malaysia this morning ahead of the club's pre-season Asia Cup exploits. And Magpies boss Sir Bobby Robson will touch down in the Far East fresh in the knowledge that Manchester United and Chelsea are reportedly planning a raid
A NORTH-EAST actress has landed her first professional role on the London stage. Sharon Jones will appear in the comedy drama TAJ at the Gatehouse Theatre, in Highgate, from August 5 to 16. The 30-year-old, who has previously had a walk-on part in TV's
PRIMARY schools in the North-East are being the chance to earn the famous Co-op divi. The Co-operative Group is inviting over 650 school in the region to sign up its Cash for School scheme. It offers teachers, parents and friends the chance to earn cash
A BEER brewed in the North-East is being exported to ale drinkers abroad. Camerons Brewery, in Hartlepool, has sent its first container of Strongarm beer to the US. The first order containing more than 35,000 bottles of its flagship ale is heading for
THE Jets and Sharks are putting the finishing touches to preparations for their first major public performance. Members of Durham's Gala Theatre Stage School have staged two one-night productions since their formation last year. But the cast of 48 teenagers
THE BBC's credibility was questioned last night after Dr David Kelly was confirmed as the prime source for reports that intelligence on Iraq was "sexed up". Defence official Dr Kelly committed suicide at a beauty spot three days after telling MPs he had
Crook Belle Vue won the top of the table match in the darts section against the visiting Cockton Hill to go three points clear. Ferryhill beat the visiting Willington by a similar score to stay in second place, four points ahead of Cockton Hill, who have
Loftus still command a sizable lead in division one and they won for the tenth time in 11 outings defeating Normanby Parklands by nine wickets. Although Mead opened the Parklands innings scoring 30 and Scrafton added 20 the innings only produced a total
CHILDREN joined renowned cellist Julian Lloyd-Webber on stage when he played in the region Saturday. Six young musicians were chosen to accompany him in a performance of I Don't Know How To Love Him, from Jesus Christ Superstar, at the Tees Barrage, Stockton
TEENAGERS from across the North-East are getting the chance to sample student life to whet their appetites for higher education. About 100 children aged 15 and 16 from 39 secondary schools across the region are staying in halls of residence at the University
An international engineering services firm has strengthened its hold on the oil, gas and process markets by snapping up a rival. Amec has bought Wrights Engineering (UK) Ltd which provides repair and refurbishment services for bulk storage tanks for the
MIDDLESBROUGH boss Steve McClaren has pinned his hopes on Alan Wright proving he can solve the club's left-back problem. First-choice Franck Queudrue is ruled out for the first five games of the new Premiership season through suspension and young deputy
Tow Law Area League: Tow Law Station and Sunniside Comedian fought out a tight top of the table battle with the visiting Comic winning in the decider but the result did nothing for either team as both Esh Stag's Head and Billy Row Club produced wins which
GEORGE Reynolds last night called for the fullest possible investigation by police into the collapse of one of his former businesses. A creditors meeting last week revealed that George Reynolds UK (GRUK) went into liquidation with debts of £4.7m. Mr Reynolds
DEATHS from glue and substance sniffing have doubled in parts of the region over the past decade. Figures released by St George Hospital Medical School, London, show that over the past ten years, the region had the highest death rate for volatile substance
Star Trek - After They Were Famous (ITV1); Elephant: Spy In The Herd (BBC1) IT'S life Jim, but not as we knew it. Like the rest of us, the Star Trek cast have aged in the 35 years since the series was first shown, although they still have hair (not always
A VISITOR attraction dedicated to glassmaking has been awarded £726,000 by the Arts Council. The National Glass Centre (NGC) in Sunderland has had mixed fortunes, including financial problems and cracks which appeared in the glass roof not long after
A date has been set for a resumed public inquiry into whether an amusement arcade can open in Darlington town centre. The Noble Organisation wants to turn a shop and offices in Northgate into an amusement arcade and tanning centre. It appealed to the
A sponsored dog walk will be held in Saltburn next month. The walk, in aid of Saltburn Animal Rescue Association's appeal to build an animal sanctuary, will leave the town's bandstand, at 10.30am on August 25.
A MURAL created by young artists in memory of a former mayor has been unveiled. The 100-ft painting depicting Spennymoor through the seasons has been installed along the John Kitson Archway, which runs from the town hall car park to the main street. Children
POLICE are appealing for help to identify a man who was seen watching a woman in the changing rooms at Newton Aycliffe Leisure Centre. A woman using a changing cubicle in the leisure centre at about 2pm on Tuesday, May 20, looked up to see a man staring
TOWN centre families are joining forces to clean up their community and create two outdoor havens for residents of all ages. Home-owners in Spennymoor formed Eden Residents' Association last September to drive drug users away from their doorsteps. Less
PEOPLE who keep their local footpaths in good order have been honoured for their efforts. The County Durham Parish Paths Partnership (P3) celebrated its tenth anniversary with an awards ceremony. Durham County Council held the event to recognise the work
A PLEA by a religious group to build a new place of worship should be refused, according to a planning officer. Members of the Wetherby Road Trust have applied to Harrogate Borough Council to build the new meeting place, with a 129-space car park, on
THE Moors Centre at Danby, a one-time shooting lodge in the heart of the North York Moors National Park, is to be revamped. The park authority's information and education working group has backed proposals to give the visitor centre a new look. Mike Pratt
HOT on the heels of their success at two prestigious shows, college students and staff have begun work to recreate an award-winning garden back on their home turf. The garden, with an archaeological-design concept, gained a Silver Medal at the recent
The Readers' Durham County League: Kimblesworth wasted no time seeing off Crook Town to maintain their challenge for the championship. But with Evenwood and Willington also winning, there is little change at the top. Tudhoe, the other side in contention
A DARLINGTON school has had its bid for specialist sports college status turned down. Longfield Comprehensive School campaigned last year, with the support of The Northern Echo, to raise £50,000 in order to submit its bid for special status. The money
SCHOOL friends who had not seen each other for more than 40 years held an emotional reunion in Darlington on Saturday. Thirty three former pupils and four retired teachers from the town's Queen Elizabeth Grammar School met for the first time since summer
A SPONSORED exercise bike marathon has raised more than £600 for a Christian project in Africa. Members of Chester-le-Street's Christian Youth Fellowship cycled a total of 540 miles, the land perimeter of Rwanda, on Saturday and Sunday at St Cuthbert's
A FAMILY-RUN farming and haulage business saw a £500,000 expansion of its premises opened by the president of the National Farmers' Union at the weekend. Sir Ben Gill attended a special ceremony at Whitkirk Produce Company's Easingwold site, where an
PARENTS and members of the community have rallied round an infants school which is under threat of closure. St Oswald's Church of England Infant and Nursery School, in Durham, is among 23 schools being considered for closure by the county council in its
ENTERTAINMENT has been organised at a shopping centre during summer. The Cleveland Centre will welcome Punch and Judy, face painters, clowns and a French street musician. Throughout the school holidays there will be competitions, with vouchers as prizes
A SCHEME to combat the problem of anti-social behaviour in Stockton has proved successful. Operation SCARAB (Stockton's Combined Action to Reduce Anti-Social Behaviour) took place on July 11. Officers patrolled the cycleway between Marske Parade, Bishopsgarth
FAMILIES were given an insight into firefighters' work during a community fun day in Stockton, on Saturday. Entertainment included fairground rides and face-painting, with ladder, hose-reel and road traffic accident demonstrations. Cream teas, a barbecue
THOUSANDS of pounds are to be invested in an attempt to recruit 100 new foster carers in North Yorkshire. More than £370,000 will be spent over three years on North Yorkshire County Council's 'Help us raise 100 smiles' campaign. Rosemary Archer, director
THE theft of hundreds of pounds from elderly patients at a North-East hospital has been reported to police. Two women in Ward 44 of Darlington Memorial Hospital say they have had cash stolen from their bedside lockers. Staff have also reported clothing
Joanna Banks pulls pints and lifts weights. Landlady of the Three Coopers in Bedale, North Yorkshire, she is also British power lifting champion in her class and was recently third in Europe - just two years after taking up the sport competitively. If
THOUSANDS of people visited one of the region's biggest steam rallies at the weekend. The annual Steam Engine and Fair Organ Rally, at Masham, North Yorkshire, took place on Saturday and Sunday. Attractions included a parade of vintage cars and classic
ONLY days after the funeral of Lance Corporal Ben Hyde, the Royal Military Policeman (RMP) killed in Iraq, his parents took part in a memorial parade in their home town yesterday. Sandra and John Hyde joined the procession in Northallerton, North Yorkshire
CORONATION Street star John Savident proved a crowd puller when he opened a new butcher's shop in the region. The actor, who plays butcher Fred Elliott in the soap, was at Castlegate Shopping Centre in Stockton, on Saturday for the opening of the new-look
Puppets made by youngsters across Derwentside will be on stage this week. Gobby Base Puppet Club, part of Busy Ape Arts, has been working with primary school children to create a show that combines puppetry, dance and drama. The result, called When Puppets
THREE school nurses who have become familiar faces to primary pupils have received recognition for their work. Rosemary Simpson, Helen Smith and Paula Scott, who are based at Chester-le-Street Health Centre, have been regular visitors to Framwellgate
Yorkshire's apprentice wicketkeeper Simon Guy earned nods of approval at Riverside last week for possibly his most convincing performance yet behind the stumps in Championship cricket, despite conceding a total of 22 byes. Many of those unwanted extras
Foster's ECB North-East Regional Premier League: Norton are still rooted to the bottom of the table after suffering an eight-wicket defeat at the hands of neighbours Stockton. Although Marc Symington struck an impressive 92, the Norton total of 159, compiled
Carmel College of Darlington capped a great year, in which they captured a haul of silverware in several different sports, by winning the cricket County Cup for the first time in their history. The year seven pupils brought the County trophy back to the
Bedale - July Medal: Roger Parry, having played at Thirsk and Northallerton golf club representing Bedale B team in the Harrogate Union's first division championship, went round in a gross 72 and then rushed back to his home club and played another 18
SENIOR police officers have praised a pioneering scheme which has helped the police to deal with hundreds of mentally ill offenders more effectively. Since the scheme was introduced three years ago, hundreds of people who have fallen foul of the police
A scheme by Knaresborough Town Council to build a music pavilion and stage in the town's castle grounds should be given the go ahead, according to planners. The pavilion would be made with a natural timber floored stage and reached by three steps and
After serving two years of his sentence, Jeffrey Archer will be releasd from prison today. Nick Morrison looks at what the future holds for the disgraced novelist and politician. THIS morning, prisoner number FF8282 will walk out of Hollesley Bay open
OVER 1,000 football fanatics turned out to witness a scintillating day's action at Trimdon Community College last weekend. Forty-eight teams from across the region displayed their ball skills and the annual seven-a-side event - sponsored by training young
The George Mann Cup: Wolsingham Mill Race will have a chance to retain the 1928 cup, which they won last year, when they play Eastgate Cross Keys in the final of the competition sponsored by Weardale Steel and played at Wolsingham School and Community
SENIOR police officers have praised a pioneering scheme which has helped the police to deal with hundreds of mentally ill offenders more effectively. Since the scheme was introduced three years ago, hundreds of people who have fallen foul of the police
A NORTH Korean flag flew from a North-East town hall at the weekend to mark the anniversary of a football match that made history. It was July 19, 1966, that Pak Do Ik, the North Korean number seven, scored a magnificent World Cup goal against Italy at
Spennymoor manager Alex Mathie is delighted with his two latest captures. After signing Gary Hobson a fortnight ago, Mathie has now recruited the well-experienced Nick Richardson and youngster Anthony Shandran. Richardson knows his way around the Football
The man who steered Europe's largest man-made lake to commercial success is stepping down. John Lackenby is retiring from Northumbrian Water after 30 years. He hands over management of the leisure business to Sunderland University graduate David Hall.
Iraq's daily barrage of attacks took the lives of two more American soldiers and an employee of a UN-affiliated relief agency yesterday. It came as thousands of followers of a hardline Shiite Muslim cleric marched on a US headquarters in the holy city
THOUSANDS of people attended a multicultural event in the North-East yesterday. Malkit Singh - the biggest selling Bangra star of all time - headlined at Middlesbrough Mela, performing for a 20,000-strong crowd. Stallholders from across the country flocked
On Wednesday, July 9, nine Quakers competed at the Darlington Harriers Pitstop 10K. On an extremely warm evening, Barry Stephenson flew round the three-lap flat course to finish a clear first in a time of 33:03. Alasdair Tatham was next home for the club
TWO shopping centres in a North-East town are hoping to attract visitors with a variety of entertainment. The rival shopping centres in Middlesbrough, have launched programmes of events and activities aimed at attracting shoppers and their children during
SHOPPERS looked on in horror as an asylum seeker slashed his wrists in a busy street after his application to stay in Britain was refused. Moments earlier, the Iranian had scribbled a note saying: "You have to kill yourself in this country to prove that
Darlington Building Society NYSD Premier League Division One: Wolviston had no difficulty defeating Barnard Castle in Saturday's programme. The visitors innings stuttered to only 107 all out in 32 overs with the introduction of Ian Brooksbank and George
A chemicals company will today be presented with the Queen's Award for Enterprise and the Royal Grant of Appointment. The presentation to Uniqema will be made by the Lord Lieutenant of Cleveland, Lord Crathorne, at an event attended by MPs Vera Baird
Durham Coast League: Castle Eden won the match-of-the-day against championship rivals Silksworth to keep the pressure on leaders Murton. Hopes that they would avenge their only defeat of the season soon evaporated for the Wearsiders when they were reduced
DOCTORS have saved the life of a three-year-old boy by repairing his punctured lung with glue. In a procedure similar to fixing a tyre, the hole in Hassan Chaudhary's lung was plugged with surgical adhesive. It is the first time the operation has been
CONSULTANTS are being called in to restore one of the region's ageing conference centres into a world-class attraction. The Spa Conference Centre, in Scarborough, is one of the seaside town's key buildings set to benefit from the Government's Urban Renaissance
A MAN was killed as he crossed a busy dual carriageway in a towed car yesterday. A Vauxhall Astra was pulling a Ford Escort southbound on the A19 and attempted to turn right, across the northbound carriageway, at the junction for Dalton Lodge, near Hartlepool
DURHAM seem to have signed a real Jekyll and Hyde character in Shoaib Akhtar, who at times looks as though he can't be bothered to live up to his nickname. "Rawalpindi Express?" one member was heard to ask. "He's more like the Rawalpindi Rickshaw." But
Central Ladies League: Vane Tempest moved two and a half points clear at the top of the table after they reversed the result from the opening match of the season and became the first team this season to inflict defeat on the visiting Durham City. The
Darlington Building Society NYSD Premier League Premier Division: The way Redcar swept aside Marske on Saturday suggests they will take some stopping in the race for the championship. Their performance, especially at the wicket, was breathtaking. And
DURHAM County Cricket Club was plunged into disarray last Friday only weeks after realising its dream of bringing Test match cricket to the North-East. Chairman Bill Midgley quit amid recriminations at the way his efforts to reform the club's finances
Durham League: Leeholme are threatening a repeat of their Championship win of last season after they closed the gap at the top of the First Division to only one point following their whitewash of the visiting Wingate. Leeholme demolished the visitors
A MUSICAL evening in Northern Ireland raised £700 for the Great North Air Ambulance. The 1st Battalion, The Green Howards, is a well known North Yorkshire regiment and has been supporting the flying doctors this year, raising more than £1,000 in the last
Spennymoor A maintained their lead at the top of the First Division at ten points when they whitewashed their hosts at Fishburn A, creating a new experience for the home team as they face a relegation fight for the first time, as they share the bottom
A MOTHER is considering taking legal action against a bus company after she and her two-year-old daughter were pinned against railings by a bus. Hayley Walker, 19, and daughter, Terri-Lee, from Hartlepool feared for their lives when the bus reversed,
ALMOST 1,000 women put on their running shoes to help the battle against cancer yesterday Women and young girls from the region took part in Cancer Research UK's Race for Life at Herrington Country Park, near Sunderland, one of a series of events to raise
THE death of Dr David Kelly reduces the already low level of public trust in politicians and the media. The BBC's admission that Dr Kelly was the source of claims that the Government had "sexed up" intelligence of Iraq will do nothing to stem criticism
CAMPAIGNERS armed with placards will be staging a protest march today to stop a waste plant being built near their homes. Objectors to the plant, in Stainton Grove, near Barnard Castle, County Durham, planned to camp out on the development site last night
Q What is the difference between a butterfly and a moth? - Michelle Smith, Durham A For most people, the distinction is simple. Moths fly at night and butterflies fly during the day. Some might also add that butterflies are usually brightly coloured,
50 years ago: Spectators at Kingsway, Bishop Auckland, watch in horror as professional Norman Owen, playing in his own benefit match, lofts a huge six on to the football pitch where it strikes a child. The child turned out to be his two-year-old son John
A plan to convert a former public house into a home has been refused by Harrogate Borough Council. The owners wanted to convert the King William IV Inn, in Church Hill, Spofforth. Refusing the application, planning officials said the scheme would mean
A WOMAN who walked down a motorway after a row with her boyfriend is in hospital after being hit by a car. The 23-year-old suffered head and leg injuries in the accident, which happened on the A1M near Bowburn, County Durham, on Saturday night. The woman
Arriva Trains Northern has issued a fresh warning about the dangers of playing on railway tracks with the summer holidays now underway. The train operator has again teamed up with British Transport Police (BTP) in an effort to try to prevent any serious
Two of the biggest 'match caught' Tees barbel elevated Darlington's Barry Stephenson into top sport during the Thornaby AA July Cup on the Croft to Hurworth reaches on Sunday. Barry on peg 63, the run in to the salmon pool extracted the brilliant specimens
A COMMUNITY was in mourning last night after a helicopter crash claimed the lives of a family. Jim and Judith Lehany, of Catterick Garrison, in North Yorkshire, were told the news at the weekend that their daughter, Jean Price, 33, her husband Mark, 39
THE youngest pupils at Fishburn Primary School had an extra reason to celebrate as they broke up for their summer holiday. A National Lottery grant of £4,906 has paid for a play area for the school's nursery unit, where staff organised a special party
A date has been set for a resumed public inquiry into whether an amusement arcade can open in Darlington town centre. The Noble Organisation wants to turn a shop and offices in Northgate into an amusement arcade and tanning centre. It appealed to the
PUPILS at a Darlington school took delivery of new play equipment thanks to fundraising efforts by a local firm. Youngsters at Skerne Park Primary School were presented with a log train and equipment for a story-telling area by staff from mobile phone
COUNCILLORS in Hartlepool have agreed to investigate long-standing flooding problems in the town. The decision follows a meeting of Hartlepool Borough Council's environmental stewardship and regeneration scrutiny forum. Councillors will be paying a visit
CHILDREN from a Hartlepool school have recorded a song to raise awareness of the plight of the endangered Thai elephant. Pupils from Ward Jackson School joined musician Phil Swinburne for the recording at The Studio, in Hartlepool. The song is to be dubbed
COMPANIES on an industrial estate say they are in danger of collapsing because they are being targeted by criminals. Burglars and vandals have wreaked havoc at Lawson Industrial Estate, in Middlesbrough, leaving some companies facing bankruptcy if they
PUPILS and staff at a Wear Valley primary school are celebrating receiving a national award which recognises its commitment to the arts. Escomb Primary School, near Bishop Auckland, received the Arts Council of England's Artsmark award at a ceremony at
A wealth of artistic talent will be on show in the beautiful setting of the Royal Horticultural Society's Garden Harlow Carr. On Sunday, the attraction on Crag Lane, Harrogate, opens its gates to the Summer Art Exhibition. Twenty-four painters, printmakers
POLICE are appealing for help to stop the misuse of air weapons in Spennymoor. A series of incidents involving airguns were reported to police last week. One woman was shot in the shoulder while walking along Front Street, in Tudhoe, at 10pm on Thursday
THE Durham Wildlife Trust opens its summer programme at Low Barns Nature Reserve, Witton-le-Wear, with a mini-beast Safari, from 1.30pm to 3.30pm, on July 30. It costs £1.50 per child and booking is essential. Call Helen Cheetham on 0191-584-3112. Under
POLICE are appealing for help to identify a man who was seen watching a woman in the changing rooms at Newton Aycliffe Leisure Centre. A woman using a changing cubicle in the leisure centre at about 2pm on Tuesday, May 20, looked up to see a man staring
A NEW scheme is allowing pensioners and the disabled to shop on-line even if they do not have a computer. The scheme is being pioneered by Durham County Council social services' People At Home And In Touch project. Some people are using the project to
SUPPORT from a nearby factory has helped Aycliffe Village children win National Lottery funding for outdoor play equipment. Aycliffe Village Primary School and the Aycliffe Village Pre-school group were putting together a joint bid for funding from the
A CARE home with a long history held its annual summer fair yesterday. Christ's Hospital, at Sherburn House, near Durham, is better known at Sherburn Hospital and dates from 1181, when it was a treatment centre for lepers. Today it is a care home with
Darlington striker Danny Mellanby faces up to six weeks on the sidelines after suffering a suspected cracked rib in Saturday's 1-1 draw at Durham City. The 24-year-old will undergo a scan today to determine the extent of the injury after colliding with
Q What is the difference between a butterfly and a moth? - Michelle Smith, Durham A For most people, the distinction is simple. Moths fly at night and butterflies fly during the day. Some might also add that butterflies are usually brightly coloured,
A FORMER Mayor has vowed to continue his campaign for improved road safety at a spot where a widow was killed. Retired civil engineer and former Harrogate mayor George Crowther is leading calls for improvements at the exit to Safeway's store in the town
AN artist has been shortlisted in a national competition which could see his work displayed in bars across the country. Ashley Kay, of Victoria Avenue, Bishop Auckland, County Durham, is one of three art students to reach the final of the Bar Culture
CHEFS in Darlington old people's homes are being given unique training to tackle malnutrition in the elderly. Cooks are being sent on a five-week course, the only one of its kind in the country, to ensure the food they produce is rich in nutrition and
WORK begins this week on a package of measures to slow down traffic on a dangerous school route in Darlington. The work, costing £50,000, will be carried out near Corporation Road Community Primary School, where speeding motorists have long posed a threat
FORMER football star Gary Pallister awarded trophies to young soccer players at a ceremony in Darlington. The former Middlesbrough, Manchester United and England star presented medals to children at the Master Skills Football Academy at Haughton Community
A charity shop may have to close for part of the week unless it can find more volunteers. The shop in Front Street, Stanley, raises money for children's charity Barnardo's. Manager Norman Waite is appealing for volunteers to help keep the shop going.
A VINTAGE bus ferried passengers between Darlington's Railway Museum and the town's Brick Train sculpture yesterday. Scores of people hopped aboard the former United company 1949 single-decker bus that featured in ITV's Heartbeat series and was in service
PEOPLE who keep their local footpaths in good order have been honoured for their efforts. The County Durham Parish Paths Partnership (P3) celebrated its tenth anniversary with an awards ceremony. Durham County Council held the event to recognise the work
A SCHOOLBOY's design is helping a council's drive to reduce the use of plastic carrier bags. Durham County Council is campaigning to reduce the number of carriers that end up in landfill sites. It has spent more than £2,000 on about 2,000 bags made of
A MAN was found on a York street in the early hours of yesterday bleeding heavily after being assaulted. Police spent much of Sunday making inquiries into the attack after the victim was taken to York District Hospital with serious injuries. The man,
A SCHOOL celebrated the end of the academic year with a pantomime. Sixty-two year six pupils at Blue Coat CE Aided Junior School, Newton Hall, who will start secondary school in September, staged a production of Ali Baba on the last day of term. The school
A NEW scheme is allowing pensioners and disabled people to shop online, even if they do not have a computer. The scheme is being pioneered by Durham County Council social services' People At Home and In Touch project. If a client does not have a computer
A chemicals company will today be presented with the Queen's Award for Enterprise and the Royal Grant of Appointment. The presentation to Uniqema will be made by the Lord Lieutenant of Cleveland, Lord Crathorne, at an event attended by MPs Vera Baird
AN application for a sewerage scheme in Marske has been approved. Protestors raised concerns about a sewage pumping station in the town, but Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's planning committee has agreed to the development, which Northumbrian Water
A SCHOOL has won an award from Middlesbrough Football Club's Willie Maddren Centre, after taking part in a homework competition. St Peter's RC School, in South Bank, won the contest and received a signed football shirt and a certificate to mark the achievement
SHOPPERS looked on in horror as an asylum seeker slashed his wrists in a busy street after his application to stay in Britain was refused. Moments earlier, the Iranian had scribbled a note saying: "You have to kill yourself in this country to prove that
Durham City Arts has won funding from the European Regional Development Fund and the Arts Council England North-East to offer more support to artists. The organisation's creative business support worker will help people develop ideas for creative businesses
SUNDERLAND last night insisted they can prove David Bellion was offered a new contract at the Stadium of Light. It has been claimed that the Black Cats stand to receive nothing from Manchester United after a blunder over the player's deal. The suggestion
A PILOT scheme that aims to show young offenders the consequences of car crime has been launched in Hartlepool. Hartlepool Youth Offending Service (YOS) is working with Cleveland Fire Brigade under the scheme, which involves offenders watching and taking
A health research department will be opened at the University of Teesside this week. The Department for Emergency Medicine will be based at the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough, and is a partnership with the university's School of Health
A full-house was treated to a great night of boxing at the Dolphin Centre, Darlington, last Friday, as three home favourites entertained a thrilled crowd. Darlington duo, Argie Ward, Francis Jones, appeared in their home town for the first time and both
CALLS for a public inquiry into the deaths of soldiers in barracks were increased last night following the death of another young private. Robert Hugh Jones, of the 1st Battalion Royal Welch Fusiliers, was found dead at the regiment's base at Mons Barracks
A GROUP of North-East building workers have raised more than £800 for an international charity by spending part of their leisure time climbing more than 3,000ft to the summit of Hellvelyn in blazing sunshine. Staff from Lovell Partnerships North-East
Middleton St George maintained their position at the top of the table defeating Barningham by four wickets. The hosts though produced a good score making 175 for nine in just 40 overs as the runs flowed from Scott Walker, who hit one six and five boundaries
Thousands of call centre workers in the North-East could lose their jobs over the next five years, it was revealed yesterday. Business analysts Key Note say companies are likely to start locating the jobs in countries like India to cut costs. BT and Tesco
Puppets made by youngsters across Derwentside will be on stage this week. Gobby Base Puppet Club, part of Busy Ape Arts, has been working with primary school children to create a show that combines puppetry, dance and drama. The result, called When Puppets
FIRE chiefs have praised the quick-thinking of a father and son who sawed open a front door to rescue a pensioner from a house fire. Kevin and Paul Banks braved thick smoke when they went to the help of a 76-year-old woman, in Melville Street, Chester-le-Street
Foster's Northumberland and Tyneside Senior League: Tynedale threw the race for the championship wide open when they inflicted a first defeat of the season on Lanchester, who conceded pole position to Newcastle City. The visitors posted a useful near-
CAR maker Nissan attracted about 5,000 visitors to its annual family day yesterday. The Wearside plant's sports centre and surrounding field hosted fairground attractions including a runaway train rollercoaster, circus clowns, giant inflatables, face
Durham Coast League - Under-18s: Despite a good innings of 35 not out by Gary Snowball, Houghton still lost by five wickets to Hylton. Houghton posted 115-4 and in reply Hylton made 119-5 which included 57 by Andrew Martin and 28 from Liam Foster. Phillips
THOMAS SORENSEN is expected to become the first big name departure at Sunderland this week when he finally seals a move to Aston Villa. The Danish goalkeeper, who was missing for the Wearsiders' 1-1 draw at Grimsby Town on Saturday, has been a target
SIX young designers had an unexpected surprise when they won first prize in a regional competition. The group, from Tanfield School, near Stanley, turned up at Newcastle Airport for a ride in a helicopter, but discovered they were getting a flying lesson
AFTER cycling the length of the country for charity Stewart Hurst wanted nothing more than a pint of his favourite beer. Stewart, of Pelton, completed the 970-mile marathon ride from Lands End to John O'Groats to raise money for Marie Curie Cancer Care
CORUS is to sell its Teesside coil plate mill to China as part of a multi-million pound deal. The mill, which has been closed for two years, is to be dismantled and shipped out to the Far East. Bosses of the Anglo-Dutch company are yet to reveal who they
