A PHOTOGRAPHER is hoping his first exhibition will be the springboard to a new career. Alan Evans, 57, from Saltburn, east Cleveland, was made redundant in February from a laundry firm after 41 years' service. Now the former North York Moors National
THE wheels turned quickly while we were on holiday - the bogie's back better than ever. You may recall that there'd been a little accident with our new bogie -ECHO 1 - while yours truly was in the driving seat a few weeks back. She'd careered out of control
TEENAGER Deborah Johnson has won a regional heat of the Camping and Caravanning Club's Young Achievers Award. The 15-year-old, from Northallerton, who first camped when she was six-weeks-old, impressed the judges with the time and energy she spends with
AS a rather greedy woman who can eat most men under the table, especially if we are dealing in puddings, I have always been contemptuous of the girly tide of compulsive dieters around me. I am embarrassed by women who shy away from eating a hearty meal
BUDDING young artists are getting the call of the wild at a summer holiday workshop. About 60 youngsters are learning about the area's creatures great and small at sessions organised by the Durham Wildlife Trust and the Bearpark Artists' Co-operative.
STARS from the television soap Emmerdale have been lined up for a charity match at Bishop Auckland Cricket Club. Favourites such as actor Chris Chittell, who plays Eric Pollard, Patrick Mower, who plays Rodney Blackstock, John Middleton, who plays Ashley
THOUSANDS of jubilant youngsters woke up to a record high in A-level pass rates today. About 300,000 North-East students and 400,000 from Yorkshire and Humberside are getting their results. Nationally, the pass rate this year rose by 1.1 per cent to 95.4
We've all been worrying about Chris Tate in Emmerdale (ITV1). He's been zooming around in his wheelchair without due care and attention, so much so it looked as if Soapland's first death by dangerous wheelchair driving would occur. Now we know why he's
ESCAPING the office to experience the great outdoors six metres from the ground, and zipping from tree to tree via swinging logs and rope bridges, was both thrilling and frightening. The challenge is not one for the faint hearted, with the Aerial Extreme
Battlefield Detectives: Bloodbath At Hastings (five) THE thing most people know about the Battle of Hastings is that King Harold was killed by an arrow in his eye. That's the most enduring image of one of the longest battles in medieval history and, according
AT LAST! At the 11th time of asking, and more than five months after his appointment as Sunderland manager, Mick McCarthy had the winning feeling for the first time last night. And remarkably, the much-maligned Kevin Kyle was the hero with a stoppage-time
AN auxiliary nurse has been suspended from a North-East hospital and a police investigation launched after a suspected attack on an elderly patient. The assault on the 73-year-old man is alleged to have taken place on Ward 44 of Darlington Memorial Hospital
CONSTRUCTION and rail maintenance firm Balfour Beatty raised its dividend to shareholders by 11 per cent after half-year profits improved six per cent to £51m. Balfour, which has pledged to defend itself against manslaughter charges in connection with
LOCAL authorities across the country have been looking to the North-East on setting up uniformed warden schemes. Darlington Borough Council's community warden initiative featured in the BBC Real Story programme on August 4, focusing on the work authorities
THE bid to revitalise a disused Dales mill has won planners' unanimous backing. The North East Civic Trust has spent the past five years developing a project which will see Gayle Mill reopened as a rural resource. Workshops inside will be used to teach
Dilys McCaffrey will be demonstrating the ancient art of spinning linen from flax this weekend. The Dales Countryside Museum, in Hawes, hosts workshops between 10.30am and 4.30pm on Sunday. All are welcome. For more information call (01969) 667450.
CAMPAIGNERS have been criticised for using "scare tactics" and exaggerating the perceived problems of living close to an auction market by fellow town residents. An action group has been set up in objection to plans to move Northallerton Auction Mart
A concert in the grounds of St Andrew's Rectory, Haughton-le-Skerne, Darlington, on Saturday, August 30, from 4pm to 8pm, will feature Richmond Town Pipes and Drums, The Kentucky Kickers and The Shining. For tickets telephone (01325) 468142.
GOVERNMENT plans to push homeowners into long-term, fixed-rate mortgages are flawed, despite fears that interest rates will rocket over the next 18 months, according to a senior financial executive. Robert Hollinshead, chief executive of Newcastle Building
A MOTHER-OF-TWO has won £5,000 playing bingo in a Darlington social club. Carol Wilkinson, 51, had only played the game twice before when she won the prize at the Darlington East End Social Club. Mrs Wilkinson, of Skeeby Road, who is a part-time cook,
A COMMUNITY house project will soon have an outdoor play area thanks to a gift of thousands of pounds worth of equipment. The Ferryhill Ladder project, which has been a big success since it opened six months ago, took delivery of the equipment yesterday
A DARLINGTON musician performed at the Edinburgh Festival after winning a national competition. Singer-songwriter Sam Upshall, 24, played a half-hour set of original material on the Meadows Stage, on Sunday. He said the crowd was the biggest he had ever
A MOTHER-OF-TWO is planning to run the New York marathon in memory of her late husband. Ken Albrighton, a Darlington magistrate, died last November, aged 49, after battling cancer for seven months. His widow, Melanie, 41, of Middleton Tyas, is now training
SOME of the country's top pole vaulters will be in the North-East this weekend. They will be taking part in the Baltic Square Pole Vault Challenge, sponsored by Northumbrian Water, Sportmatch and Gateshead Council, which will be held at Baltic Square,
A STUDENT from Darlington has travelled to Italy to take part in the country's oldest puppet festival. Andrew Hutchinson, 21, from Hummersknott, performed three shows with fellow students at the Arrivano dal Mare International Puppet and Figure Festival
CABBIES have accused Darlington Borough Council of acting outside of the law by ordering them to take a controversial driving test. The Driving Standards Agency tests were introduced last November for new drivers, and in April this year for experienced
SCIENTISTS in the North-East are claiming a joint UK first after growing a colony of stem cells extracted from human embryos. Last night's momentous announcement in Newcastle came within hours of a similar claim by a rival team from King's College, London
FAMILIES living in houses scheduled for demolition have vowed to fight to stop the bulldozers moving in on their homes. Wear Valley District Council last week decided in principle to demolish 248 houses on the Woodhouse Close Estate, in Bishop Auckland
MORE than 100 Newcastle United fans who were held under armed guard in a Belgrade hotel returned home today and launched a stinging attack on Serbian officials. Supporter and tour operator Keith Barrett described the situation as "a farce" and "a total
COUNCIL officials have voiced their support for an event promoting religious harmony in Darlington. The second annual Khalsa Day on Sunday, August 24, offers a series of events, including an appearance by Dya Singh, who was voted best male artist of the
A nature reserve in North Yorkshire has become a blueprint for success for schemes to create wildlife habitats. The Nosterfield Nature Reserve was created on the site of former sand and gravel workings, near Ripon, and is owned and managed by the Lower
A MOTHER-OF-TWO is planning to run the New York marathon in memory of her late husband. Ken Albrighton, a Darlington magistrate, died last November, aged 49, after battling cancer for seven months. His widow, Melanie, 41, of Middleton Tyas, is now training
A VILLAGE pub that is running at a loss looks likely to be saved from plans to close it and convert it into a house. Gillian Russell had applied for permission to change the use of the White Horse Inn, in Beadlam, near Helmsley, which she said has incurred
A STUDENT who spent a year at her dying boyfriend's bedside has had a song dedicated to her vigil. Phillippa Robinson took a year out from her studies to care for her boyfriend, James Skillington, after he was diagnosed with leukaemia. Now, Mike Craft
Nolberto Solano and Shay Given ensured that Alan Shearer's birthday celebrations went with a swing as they handed Newcastle a priceless Champions League qualifier victory in Belgrade. The Peruvian and his Irish team-mate, along with Gary Speed both making
EXTENSIVE refurbishment of a bowls centre is on target to be completed by the end of the month, bringing it up to international standards. A body of keen bowlers took over responsibility at Alexandra Bowls Centre, in Scarborough, and restored the ageing
Darlington manager Mick Tait is pinning his hopes on a home draw after Tuesday night's Carling Cup victory over First Division Bradford City. The second-round draw of the competition takes place on Saturday and while European qualifiers such as Arsenal
PLANNERS are recommending the go-ahead for a detached home in a village paddock following the ruling of an independent Government inspector. Alan Speight has applied to build the property north of Oakfold, Skelton-on-Ure, near Ripon. The application will
A PUBLIC health expert has called for an increase in state benefits to combat deprivation in the North-East. The call is made in an assessment of how income, education, employment and housing affect the health of people in County Durham and Tees Valley
BUS-users in Billingham are to be given some cover from the weather after planning permission was granted to build five shelters in the town's Marsh House Avenue. The two existing bus shelters on the eastern side of the road outside The Merlin and south
AN auxiliary nurse has been suspended from a North-East hospital and a police investigation launched after a suspected attack on an elderly patient. The assault on the 73-year-old man is alleged to have taken place on Ward 44 of Darlington Memorial Hospital
GOVERNMENT plans to push homeowners into long-term, fixed-rate mortgages are flawed, despite fears that interest rates will rocket over the next 18 months, according to a senior financial executive. Robert Hollinshead, chief executive of Newcastle Building
A COUNCIL has launched a helpline for reporting racist incidents. In line with Government guidance to all local authorities Sunderland City Council has opened the 24-hour facility. The service has been developed in response to the McPherson report on
FAMILIES are being urged to get out their bicycles and take part in a 15-mile ride for charity this weekend. Cancer Research UK is running its 15-mile Durham Cycle for Life event on Sunday to raise money for research into men's cancers. The event, which
MORE than 200 homes will be demolished as a council attempts to clean up a troubled estate. Wear Valley District Council has decided to knock down 248 properties on the Woodhouse Close Estate in Bishop Auckland because many are standing empty and are
A register of keyholders is held by Darlington police to assist officers who might need to gain entry to a property if a house alarm goes off. Householders are being encouraged to ensure their contact details are on the list. For more details call PC
COUNCILS are facing a race against time to find illegal signs after a loophole was revealed which could see hundreds of drivers dodge speeding fines. Local authorities throughout the Cleveland Police area are carrying out surveys of their signs to make
FEARS are growing for a teenage girl - possibly smuggled into Britain - who disappeared from the council home where she was placed into care. Coi Kamell, 16, arrived in England from Kenya with no family six months ago. She was put into care and provided
Residents are being invited to hand over high-tech rubbish to raise money for the British Red Cross. The recycling initiative has been devised to turn empty cartridges, toners and unwanted mobile phones into cash to help those in crisis in the Durham
A state schoolgirl rejected by Cambridge University today vowed to win the Nobel prize for peace after achieving five As in her A-Levels. Candice Clarke, 17, a pupil at Colchester County High School for Girls in Essex, grew up on a council estate and
A CITY'S mayor has accused a mini children's fair of spoiling the area's chances in the Britain in Bloom competition. Ripon's market place had looked its best with hanging baskets and flower tubs ready for the arrival of the national competition judges
DURHAM Police has announced the officers who will lead its new areas. The force is scrapping the current six divisions and instead having two areas, north and south, which will both have a five-strong management team. The north division, in Chester-le-Street
THOSE poor students who've taken media studies as an A-level only to find it derided today by headteachers as "a soft subject" will no doubt be heartened by examining this week's newspapers. Reading them would make you think that there were two entirely
PAUL JOHNSON'S small yard has been having a fairly quiet season, but there is hope on the horizon should Hormuz (5.00) come back to anything like his best form in this afternoon's one-mile Amateur Rider's Handicap at Beverley. To say Hormuz is well in
Married to the most controversial British politician of the last century, Lady Diana Mosley was a friend of both Winston Churchill and Adolf Hitler. Nick Morrison looks at the turbulent life of the greatest society beauty of her age. ADOLF Hitler was
BOY-RACERS are using the Internet to organise race meetings in a seaside town. A report into the problem at Seaton Carew coach park, near Hartlepool, will be considered by the local council tonight. Police say the 400-place car park has been a cause for
Colin Montgomerie goes into his 50th major championship today determined to avoid falls outside his hotel room and with three vital ingredients appearing to be in place - good form, good memories and good mood. Second to Ian Poulter in the Nordic Open
Coffee growers working on a remote Costa Rican co-operative are to benefit from a £100,000 machine. Laser engineering and design firm Malton Laser teamed up with fellow North Yorkshire firm Bioflame, of Pickering, to develop the burner. The equipment
A RECORD number of people are in work - but the gloom overshadowing the manufacturing industry remains, according to figures. Union leaders urged the Government to intervene in a bid to halt the haemorrhaging of jobs in manufacturing firms, while employers
CALL centre group CJ Garland has had state-of-the-art IT infrastructure installed at its new Middlesbrough site. The Hartlepool service provider has new computers and other IT equipment put in place for 600 staff, with the capability of growing to 1,000
PEOPLE can join in a museum's 50th birthday celebrations. An exhibition of photographs is being put together for display at Preston Hall Museum, near Stockton. The display marks the opening of Preston Hall as a museum in 1953 and Stockton Borough Council's
ONE of the policemen at the centre of a row over illegal road signs has escaped another speeding charge because of a second legal technicality, it was revealed last night. PC David Burlingham sparked fury after he, and his colleague PC Andrew McFarlane
A MAN who subjected his neighbours to a hate campaign as a dispute over access spiralled out of control has been told he can appeal against his two-year jail term. Francis Goble, of Front Street, Dipton, near Stanley, County Durham, pleaded guilty to
A COUNCIL has launched a helpline for reporting racist incidents. In line with Government guidance to all local authorities Sunderland City Council has opened the 24-hour facility. The service has been developed in response to the McPherson report on
A teddy bear shop's window display has been declared blooming wonderful. Bear Bottoms, Elvet Bridge, Durham City, which was started by Joanne McDonald four years ago, has won the Durham City Forum's best dressed shop window competition. The competition
CYCLISTS are being urged to use pedal power to help to fight cancer. Cancer Research UK's Cycle for Life will take place on Sunday, starting at Meadowfield Leisure Centre, near Durham City. Cycle for Life is a national series of 18 bike rides to raise
A stunt biker is to make an attempt to break the world record for ''doughnuts'' at a charity event in Durham this weekend. Darlington daredevil Dave Coates will attempt to complete 20 full circles on his motorbike while keeping his back wheel spinning
A council is to carry out a probe into the drainage of agricultural land to help combat a repeat of extensive flooding in its towns and villages. Ryedale District Council, in North Yorkshire, has announced it will work with the Environment Agency and
Callum Randall made a real splash into the world when he was born in the bath - as his mother didn't even know she was pregnant. Shocked Carolyn Randall, 23, had been feeling ill but did not discover why until she gave birth to her 7lb 7oz baby. Carolyn
A sponsored swim in aid of children's charity NCH will be held on Saturday, September 13, at Thirsk Swimming Pool. Local people are invited to take part in the hour-long swim, starting at 4pm. For details and an entry form contact Stella Wilson, on (01845
People who want to look after their heart are being urged to join an exercise class in Consett. The classes take place at the St John Ambulance Hall every Wednesday, between 7pm and 8pm, and are for those who have suffered heart attacks, or wish to keep
A CAMPAIGN to get broadband internet to Sedgefield and surrounding villages has been successful. More than 350 people have registered an interest in the service - the target set by BT before the Sedgefield exchange could be enabled. Now the target has
POLICE are looking for two 14-year-old girls who went missing from foster care last week. Emma Phillips and Sabrena Dean disappeared from the Kenton area of Newcastle, at about 12.15pm on Friday. Emma, who is about 5ft 7in, is of of large build and has
MASCULINITY: WHY does Sharon Griffiths think that it is acceptable, even in jest, for any mother to threaten to cut off her son's "willy with a rusty bread knife"? (Echo, Aug 7). If any father threatened to cut off his precocious daughter's bust, the
A SUSPENDED Labour councillor has kept his pledge to donate his 'immoral' allowance increase to local causes. Paul Trippett, a friend and ally of Tony Blair, was banished from the Labour group on Durham County Council for six months after he criticised
AID agencies are asking people in the North-East to give generously to help the displaced population of war-torn Liberia. The country's biggest aid agencies have launched a massive appeal for Liberia under the banner of the Disasters Emergencies Committee
A GIANT inflatable has proved a huge draw at Darlington's Dolphin Centre. The 18-metre pool float, Lunar 2, was introduced at the start of the school holidays and has attracted hundreds of swimmers. A Darlington Borough Council spokeswoman said: "It has
Battlefield Detectives: Bloodbath At Hastings (five): THE thing most people know about the Battle of Hastings is that King Harold was killed by an arrow in his eye. That's the most enduring image of one of the longest battles in medieval history and,
A HORSE drowned after it was left tethered in a swollen river for more than four hours. Horrified youngsters tried to drag the horse from the rising water but failed after one of the ropes used to tether it worked loose, tangling around its legs. One
PAUL JOHNSON'S small yard has been having a fairly quiet season, but there is hope on the horizon should Hormuz (5.00) come back to anything like his best form in this afternoon's one-mile Amateur Rider's Handicap at Beverley. To say Hormuz is well in
One dramatic event followed hard on the heels of another at Scarborough yesterday where 25 wickets crashed and 358 runs were scored on the first day of Yorkshire's Championship match against Division Two leaders Worcestershire. Things looked bleak for
A blind man set a world record yesterday by reaching a speed of 144mph in a £58,000 car. Mike Newman was alone behind the wheel of a super-charged 155mph Jaguar XRJ 4.2 during the record drive at a former aerodrome near York. The 41-year-old, who has
A COUNCIL'S housing workforce faces an uncertain future after contract talks collapsed leaving it with a huge fight to keep the work. Months of discussions between Wear Valley District Council chiefs, trade unions and about 60 staff from the council's
RSPCA inspectors in the North-East are to be balloted today on a possible strike over job losses. Members of the Amicus union will vote on whether to strike over plans to cut 230 jobs nationally as part of restructuring aimed at saving millions of pounds
A CHARITY set up in memory of murdered backpacker Caroline Stuttle is in the running for an award. Caroline's Rainbow Foundation was set up by Marjorie Stuttle, her son, Richard, and partner David following the death of the 19-year-old in Bundaberg, Australia
A PLAN has been drawn up to end bed blocking in County Durham hospitals. Under new legislation councils will be fined £100 each day if social service clients cannot leave hospital because care at home is not available. Durham County Council and local
ORGANISERS of a popular summer festival have received an increased number of complaints from local people. At least six people have complained about noise and drunkenness at the week-long 39th Billingham International Folklore Festival. The problems arise
SCIENTISTS in the North-East are claiming a joint UK first after growing a colony of stem cells extracted from human embryos. Last night's momentous announcement in Newcastle came within hours of a similar claim by a rival team from King's College, London
FOR nearly 20 years, Mavis Humphrey has worked tirelessly to ensure one of the last agricultural shows in the North Pennines carries on. She has turned her hand to most things, from judging the children's pets section and running the horse classes to
A POLICE force has used a baton gun, firing plastic bullets, for the first time - to bring down a man who slashed an officer's dog with a knife. North Yorkshire Police first used CS gas and a police dog to try to restrain the man during the incident in
CHRIS Turner never won a League Cup tie as Pool manager - last night his old club ensured his misery continued in the most dramatic of circumstances. Pool won 5-4 on penalties at Hillsborough on a night of high drama as Sheffield Wednesday, the club who
MASCULINITY WHY does Sharon Griffiths think that it is acceptable, even in jest, for any mother to threaten to cut off her son's "willy with a rusty bread knife"? (Echo, Aug 7). If any father threatened to cut off his precocious daughter's bust, the police
THE economy will pick up a "little later" than expected with a slightly lower growth during 2004 than previously forecast, the Bank of England said. In its quarterly inflation report, the Bank stuck by its earlier forecast, saying inflation was set to
FEARS are growing for a teenage girl - possibly smuggled into Britain - who disappeared from the council home where she was placed into care. Coi Kamell, 16, arrived in England from Kenya with no family six months ago. She was put into care and provided
A FIVE-DAY youth festival for the young people of Newton Aycliffe is in full swing. The Momentum Youth Festival has been organised by the Christian Life Centre to provide a range of activities during the summer holidays. The event starts on Tuesday with
A MOTHER-OF-TWO is planning to run the New York marathon in memory of her late husband. Ken Albrighton, a Darlington magistrate, died last November, aged 49, after battling cancer for seven months. His widow, Melanie, 41, of Middleton Tyas, is now training
A FEAST of strawberries and cream was being prepared yesterday to feed visitors to Darlington's first dedicated food festival. The event, which will be held in the Market Square, from 11am to 3pm on Friday, will feature locally-produced specialist and
THE latest phase of a crackdown on dog owners who allow their pets to foul the streets of Darlington was launched yesterday. Community wardens left their uniforms at home to go undercover as pet owners in an effort to eradicate the problem of dog fouling
A PHOTOGRAPHER is hoping his first exhibition will be the springboard to a new career. Alan Evans, 57, from Saltburn, east Cleveland, was made redundant in February from a laundry firm after 41 years' service. Now the former North York Moors National
A CAMPAIGN encouraging more people to take on an allotment in Darlington has proved a big success. The town's residents have been digging their way to a healthier lifestyle after a year-long initiative by the borough council. Since the launch of the campaign
RESIDENTS are objecting to plans to build a block of flats in their neighbourhood. Members of Stockton Borough Council's planning committee will meet tomorrow to discuss plans to build a three-storey block of 12 flats in Yarm Road, Stockton. The council
POLICE have arrested two teenagers after the death of a pensioner who was hit on a pedestrian crossing by a stolen car. Bernard Darby, 75, of Penrith Close, Redcar, east Cleveland, died in the intensive care unit of Middlesbrough General Hospital on Tuesday
A FREE evening of music is planned at Knaresborough's Henshaws Arts and Crafts Centre on Saturday. The Henshaws Hotspots will headline at the Midsummer Music Madness evening, which is run under the Knaresborough Festival umbrella. Cat on Hot Bricks, Tinky
THE owners of two dogs, which were stolen along with a pick-up truck, have appealed for their safe return. They were in a Mitsubishi vehicle which was taken from Crathorne, near Yarm, on Saturday afternoon. One dog, a black Labrador, was discovered in
ORGANISERS of an annual show in Stockton are promising that this year it will be bigger and better than ever. About 15,000 people are expected to attend the Stockton Summer Show at Preston Park this month and each of the four days will be themed. The
A STEPFATHER and his stepson have been awarded the same degree from the University of Teesside after three years of study. Ian Brelsford and Tony Standing, both from Redcar, have both been awarded BA (Hons) degrees in history. Mr Standing, 26, was first
MEETING the demand from thirsty customers during the heatwave has been keeping workers at Harrogate Spa Water. They have been working flat out to keep their customers cool as temperature levels have soared. But they found time to take the town's Mayor
RESIDENTS are objecting to plans to build a block of flats in their neighbourhood. Members of Stockton Borough Council's planning committee will meet tomorrow to discuss plans to build a three-storey block of 12 flats in Yarm Road, Stockton. The council
DARLINGTON Football Club's new stadium has been given the go-ahead to open on Saturday - but will have a temporary capacity of only 11,000. Council bosses will tomorrow issue the crucial safety certificate allowing the Reynolds Arena to open in time for
THE regeneration of an old Teesside neighbourhood is about to reach a milestone. Offices have been found and are soon to be unveiled for the North Ormesby Neighbourhood Management Pilot. The base will be used by the Tees Valley Housing Group which has
TWO disabled canoeists hope to raise more than £1,000 for the Great North Air Ambulance when they cross the 100km Caledonian Canal in Scotland next week. Stuart Carter, of Guisborough, East Cleveland, and Stuart Vallely, of Middlesbrough, are taking part
YOUNGSTERS have been lending a helping hand to visitors to their town. Billingham Kids Club was formed earlier this year for children aged between seven and 16. It is an educational youth group which encourages children to have fun and learn about the
We've all been worrying about Chris Tate in Emmerdale (ITV1). He's been zooming around in his wheelchair without due care and attention, so much so it looked as if Soapland's first death by dangerous wheelchair driving would occur. Now we know why he's
People who want to look after their heart are being urged to join an exercise class in Consett. The classes take place at the St John Ambulance Hall every Wednesday, between 7pm and 8pm, and are for those who have suffered heart attacks, or wish to keep
athletes of the future got on track at the fourth annual Children's Athletics Camp at Gateshead International Stadium. The stadium, which has just held the Grand Prix athletics meet, is this week hosting the stars of tomorrow. The camp, which is for boys
A MAN appeared in court yesterday accused of endangering a road user and resisting arrest after a police officer was allegedly caught in the crossfire of a water fight. Road worker Gary Parker was squirted with CS spray and arrested after a police officer
A dancing rottweiler and his owner will perform at Dalton Village Hall on Thursday, August 28. Heather Stevens, from Ravensworth, and her dog, Joshua, will be at the hall from 7pm to 9.30pm. There will be two demonstrations and advice on teaching dogs
WHILE the difficulties surrounding the fielding of two overseas players remain all too evident, home-grown talent came to Durham's rescue at Cardiff yesterday. Helped initially by Graeme Bridge in a stand of 96, Nicky Peng steered Durham off the rocks
CABBIES have accused Darlington Borough Council of 'acting outside the law' by ordering them to take a controversial driving test. The Driving Standards Agency tests were introduced last November for new drivers and in April this year for experienced
THE wheels turned quickly while we were on holiday - the bogie's back better than ever. You may recall that there'd been a little accident with our new bogie -ECHO 1 - while yours truly was in the driving seat a few weeks back. She'd careered out of control
MORE than 850 runners managed to complete Darlington's annual road run despite Sunday's storm. Thunder and lightning broke out just before the 10km race began at 10.30am and competitors had to dodge flooding on the roads as they made their way along the
RESIDENTS are working together to improve the look of their streets. The Brougham Area Residents' Association (Bara) in Hartlepool took over the responsibility for the flowerbeds in Perth Street last year. They have since won The Northern Echo's community
POLICE have arrested two teenagers after the death of a pensioner who was hit on a pedestrian crossing by a stolen car. Bernard Darby, 75, of Penrith Close, Redcar, east Cleveland, died in the intensive care unit of Middlesbrough General Hospital on Tuesday
THE body of a little boy who was knocked down while on a family holiday in Ireland was flown back to the North-East yesterday. Four-year-old Rio Singh Ranja Potiwal, from Middlesbrough, died after he was hit by a car as his family prepared for a trip
A YOUNG golfer is celebrating success after winning a tournament and getting a hole-in-one. Stuart Bainbridge beat 16 of his work mates from 3M, Newton Aycliffe, in a competition on Friday. The event, which was held at Blackwell Grange Golf Club in Darlington
ENGINEERS managed to lay a major gas pipe under the four-lane A19 on Teesside without causing a single delay. Contractors working for Transco used a new technique that meant the 300mm-diameter pipe was pulled into place without disruption. The two-day
BRITISH worm-breeding expertise has wriggled across the Atlantic to head off a shortage of bait among US anglers and to keep South America's booming fish and shrimp farms supplied with food. Seabait Ltd, a worm farming operation set up by scientists at
CHILDREN'S book illustrator Liz Million shared some of the secrets of her craft with youngsters in Darlington on Monday. The artist, who lives locally, was at the town's central library for a morning workshop. She read stories, gave a demonstration of
A CAMPAIGNER chained himself to a council's doors yesterday, only a week after holding a protest up a tree. John Greaves, 34, was demonstrating against a waste transfer plant which is being built in woods at Stainton Grove, near Barnard Castle, County
THIRTEEN out of the 17 largest hospitals in the region have been awarded a top rating for both cleanliness and food. Most of the hospitals were already rated, by the Department of Health, as "green" - or good - on a traffic light system of assessment.
A FORMER Durham teacher was back in jail this week for possessing indecent images of children - only two years after being released from prison for distributing child pornography. Gary Anderson, 37, who changed his name from Simeon Hope following his
A ROOFING business has won its largest contract, promising to keep it busy for the next five years. Hathaway Roofing is responsible for the specialised aluminium and steel roof for Heathrow's new Terminal Five project. About 80 per cent of the roof will
STUDENTS who fail their A-levels should think carefully before accepting the first university place they are offered, careers advisors advised last night. Instead of rushing out to drown their sorrows, pupils whose grades, out today, are not up to scratch
People who want to look after their heart are being urged to join an exercise class in Consett. The classes take place at the St John Ambulance Hall every Wednesday, between 7pm and 8pm, and are for those who have suffered heart attacks, or wish to keep
People who want to look after their heart are being urged to join an exercise class in Consett. The classes take place at the St John Ambulance Hall every Wednesday, between 7pm and 8pm, and are for those who have suffered heart attacks, or wish to keep
THE wheels turned quickly while we were on holiday - the bogie's back better than ever. You may recall that there'd been a little accident with our new bogie -ECHO 1 - while yours truly was in the driving seat a few weeks back. She'd careered out of control
FAMILIES are being urged to get out their bicycles and take part in a 15-mile ride for charity this weekend. Cancer Research UK is running its 15-mile Durham Cycle for Life event on Sunday to raise money for research into men's cancers. The event, which
ONE of the policemen at the centre of a row over illegal road signs has escaped another speeding charge because of a second legal technicality, it was revealed last night. PC David Burlingham sparked fury after he, and his colleague PC Andrew McFarlane
Battlefield Detectives: Bloodbath At Hastings (five): THE thing most people know about the Battle of Hastings is that King Harold was killed by an arrow in his eye. That's the most enduring image of one of the longest battles in medieval history and,
A famous DJ is to start a European tour in the North-East. Jazzy Jeff, who has worked with rapper and actor Will Smith, star of the film Men in Black, will appear at Atlantic, in Darlington, next Thursday. The DJ produced songs with Smith under the name
BIRTHDAY boy David Whitelaw had no idea that hitting 40 would also mean the end of his bachelor days. But he had reckoned without the plans of mischievous fiancee Michelle Cooper. For Michelle had secretly colluded with family and friends to get him to
THE downfall of a £100,000-a-year financial advisor, who once lived in a £450,000 house and put her three children through private school, ended in a prison sentence yesterday. Denise Baran, bankrupt and £90,000 in debt after a divorce, duped an 82-year-old
BIRTHDAY boy David Whitelaw had no idea that hitting 40 would also mean the end of his bachelor days. But he had reckoned without the plans of mischievous fiancee Michelle Cooper. For Michelle had secretly colluded with family and friends to get him to
