A TEENAGER denied a charge of causing suffering to animals when he appeared before Guisborough magistrates yesterday. David Lorraines, 19, from St Cuthbert's Walk, Liverton Mines, near Saltburn, east Cleveland, also pleaded not guilty to failing to feed
North Yorkshire's county town could soon be served by its own commercial radio station. Moves are under way to set up a broadcasting station to cover Northallerton and the surrounding area of Hambleton. A nine-day trial broadcast is scheduled to begin
RESIDENTS of Hartlepool's New Deal for Communities (NDC) area still have a chance to shape a £54m regeneration programme. Six vacancies are available for residents on the NDC Steering Group - two each in the northern, central and southern parts of the
ANN Widdecombe is an MP with an ample personality even though her figure is a bit less intimidating these days. But when she dropped in on a business that is close to many women's hearts, she made it clear a fitting was the last thing on the agenda. Ample
A WOMAN who said a gang tried to set fire to her hair at a crowded bus station, has criticised her fellow passengers for failing to help her. Sarah Iveson, 25, of Stockton, said she was shocked that no one at Durham City Bus Station came to her aid. The
Problems recruiting local pickers has led a firm to seek planning clearance for on site sleeping accommodation at a mushroom farm. Greyfriars UK Ltd has applied retrospectively for planning permission for the semi-permanent prefabricated bedroom at Greyfriars
A SHOP that appeals to people's sweet tooth is becoming one of North Yorkshire's fastest growing tourist attractions. The Little Chocolate Shop started out as a small basement business in Leyburn 18 months ago. But now it is drawing in visitors from all
Litter-free zones are being created around fast food outlets, nightclubs, entertainment venues and banks in the Harrogate district. Under new legislation, the borough council is also making some owners or operators of premises responsible for clearing
PATIENTS and staff at a diabetes centre can take a minute to sit and unwind thanks to the generosity of a bereaved family. The seat has been donated to the centre at the Friarage Hospital in memory of the late Malcolm McMonegal. His widow, Dorothy, son
EAST Durham voluntary organisations need drivers. Groups in the area are suffering a shortage of volunteer drivers and a recruitment day will be held next Thursday in Peterlee Market Place to overcome the problem. Stephen Metcalf, from the Durham County
THE police and the district council say their crime-busting partnership has succeeded in making Derwentside one of the most crime-free areas in the UK. Chief Insp Dave Hogg, head of Derwentside division of Durham Police, told a recent meeting of Derwentside
Teacher dies: Loretta McGowan, who was born in the Mill House, and later helped to run the Black Bush and taught at both St Bede's and St Joseph's RC primary schools, has died at the age of 72. Her family asked that donations be made to the Meningitis
POLICE are appealing for witnesses to a car smash that left a teenager with serious head injuries. The accident happened at about 2pm on Wednesday, in Hetton-le-Hole. A Rover 418 car was travelling south ,on North Road, in the village, when it collided
SIX residents from Sir William Turner's Almshouses, with a combined age of 430, have successfully completed a tourism customer care course. The three men and three women received their Welcome Host certificates and Welcome to Excellence badges from the
ONE of the original crucibles from the former Consett Steel Works was this week lifted into its new permanent home at a housing development in the town. The massive crucible, cleaned and mounted on Monday by Barratt Homes at a cost of over £20,000, will
A WOMAN who said a gang tried to set fire to her hair at a crowded bus station, has criticised her fellow passengers for failing to help her. Sarah Iveson, 25, of Stockton, said she was shocked that no-one at Durham City Bus Station came to her aid during
MILTON BRADLEY'S last minute decision to re-route The Tatling (2.40) from Ayr to Newbury looks to be a shrewd piece of placing by the evergreen 68-year-old sprint maestro. Bradley's speed-star was originally due to carry top-weight in the Ayr Gold Cup
Q My State Pension is £82.96 a week and my wife's is £46.35 and I get maximum Disability Living Allowance of £97.15 a week because of multiple sclerosis. I have never been able to get Income Support because my capital of £35,000 is too great. Will I get
A TEENAGE girl was locked in a flat with her uncle and forced to watch him kill himself. Depressed Paul Hampson dragged 17-year-old Kelly Louise Cockerill to his flat at the top of a tower block, turned the key in the lock, beat her when she tried to
A TWO-DAY health and safety course is being held next month for people looking to improve their CVs. The adult education department at Stockton Borough Council has registered with the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health to deliver the course -
HUNDREDS of pensioners are living on the breadline on Teesside because they are failing to claim benefit or are paying too much tax, says Age Concern. The charity launches a campaign to help pensioners with their finances, during Age Concern Week which
Attempts to take British television shows across the pond have been disastrous and the lastest export, saucy comedy Coupling, may prove to be too sexy for a US audience. Americans are a funny lot when it comes to watching versions of British comedy shows
THE 1,489-pupil Laurence Jackson School in Guisborough has a new head teacher. Rob Campbell, 37, has come to the area from Witchford Village College in Cambridgeshire where he was deputy headteacher from 2000 until earlier this year. Mr Campbell said:
Darlington arrived in Torquay last night in buoyant mood with manager Mick Tait and his team relishing this afternoon's Third Division clash at Plainmoor. Even a gruelling eight-hour coach journey to the 'English Riviera' has not blunted the team's enthusiasm
MART POOM makes an emotional return to Derby County today, claiming Sunderland's summer sales have improved their promotion chances and safeguarded the club from the financial meltdown that forced his former employers to cash in on him. Poom left Derby
RITCHIE Humphreys knows exactly the sort of position Paul Robinson found himself in - he's been there before. Humphreys started his career with a bang in the big time, but saw his hopes of making it at the highest level fade as his club suffered from
A NORTH-EAST man is flying out to Greece today to help care for his teenage daughter who was badly injured in a moped smash. Darren Stephens hopes 13-year-old Ashleigh will have recovered from a series of operations in an Athens hospital by the end of
MORE than 3,500 anonymous calls have been made in the past year to a crime-fighting charity in the region, new figures have revealed. North-East Crimestoppers, which covers Cleveland, County Durham and Northumbria, says the calls have led to almost 500
ANN Widdecombe is an MP with an ample personality even though her figure is a bit less intimidating these days. But when she dropped in on a business that is close to many women's hearts, she made it clear a fitting was the last thing on the agenda. Ample
FATHER John O'Gorman, who plays off 20, has a little private joke about his golf. If he cards over 90, he's neglecting his game, he says; if he gets around in under 80, he's neglecting his parish. So how frequently does he score under 80? "I can only
A FORMER sergeant in the Paras who attacked his 15-year-old daughter's drug-dealing boyfriend with a machete walked free from court yesterday. Judge Peter Bowers handed 44-year-old Lloyd Sargeant a suspended prison sentence and told him: "I can see it
CILLA is the one performer who still qualifies as a Black and White minstrel. Born Priscilla White, she changed her name to Black and has become the Queen Mother of Liverpool. Cilla In Black And White (C4, Thursday) took the former pop star and Blind
A SPORTS centre that will train the region's table tennis stars of the future was officially opened this weekend. The £200,000 Alan Westwater Hall, part of Oxhill Youth Club, near Stanley, is the first centre of excellence for table tennis in the North
A TEENAGE soldier has donned his great-grandfather's Victoria Cross for his passing out parade. Private David Heaviside, 17, from Consett, successfully completed his combat infantryman's course at the Infantry Training Centre in Catterick Garrison, North
A COALITION of trade unions, religious groups and political parties have joined forces to defeat a far- right party's by-election bid. Groups have put aside their differences to try to keep the British National Party (BNP) off Chester-le-Street District
CLASSMATES have proved they have some of the best brains in Britain, after scoring three of the country's top five marks in GCSE English. The three pupils, Laura Warwick, Rachael Barnwell and Mark Atwill, were all in the same Year 11 English class at
FAMILIES of four young soldiers who died at Deepcut Barracks vowed to fight on for justice last night after police ruled that there were no grounds for a prosecution - but called for a broader inquiry into Army deaths. The verdict on the deaths, after
SALLY GUNNELL last night confessed she fears the worst for the future of British athletics after seeing the sport's youth structure disintegrate. Gunnell, an Olympic gold medallist in 1992, reckons talented youngsters are not being given the same opportunities
NOLBERTO Solano is backing Sir Bobby Robson to ride out the early-season storm that has battered Newcastle. It's hardly been Hurricane Isabel, but United have certainly been caught in a whirl. Only two points from their first four games has left the Magpies
STEELMAKER Corus last night denied it had plans to close part of its Teesside works with the loss of 75 jobs. The bloom mill in Redcar is understood to be facing closure as the metals firm seeks a way to resolve its mounting debt problem. Staff at the
A TEENAGE motorcyclist died and his brother was leftseriously injured after their motorbike crashed with a car. The dead boy was named this week as Karl Allison, 16, of Stanhope Gardens, Annfield Plain, near Stanley. He died after a collision at around
Great Ayton and Wolviston will be battling for the one promotion place from Division One of the Darlington Building Society NYSD Premier League when the curtain comes down on the season today. Ayton have a one-point advantage over their rivals ahead of
THOUSANDS of young athletes were given a treat last night from their favourite pop stars as thanks for entering the Junior Great North Run. A star-studded line-up was hosted by CBBC presenters Konnie Huq and Adrian Dickson, at the Gateshead International
FORMER Commonwealth Games marathon bronze medallist Mark Hudspith is hoping to break his Great North Run jinx tomorrow as he sets his sights on qualifying for next year's Olympic Games. The 34-year-old Morpeth Harrier will be using the half-marathon as
AN injury to Gaizka Mendieta could mean a late reprieve for out-of-sorts Middlesbrough midfielder Juninho. Boro boss Steve McClaren had warned this week he was preparing to wield the axe for tomorrow's clash with Everton - even if it was going to prove
RITCHIE Humphreys knows exactly the sort of position Paul Robinson found himself in - he's been there before. Humphreys started his career with a bang in the big time, but saw his hopes of making it at the highest level fade as his club suffered from
TENS of thousands of fun runners and dozens of the world's elite athletes are making final preparations for tomorrow's Bupa Great North Run. The 23rd running of the annual half-marathon from Newcastle to South Shields has attracted 47,000 people, with
MICHAEL Kasprowicz must view Durham as a row of ducks in a fairground shooting gallery. For the second time this season the Queenslander took nine wickets in an innings against them yesterday as Glamorgan triumphed by 369 runs at Riverside. Kasprowicz
Wolviston manager Graham Howard will be looking for a big improvement from his defenders in the home game against Ryhope CW this afternoon. Fifteen goals have been leaked in the last four matches and the return of goalkeeper Simon Clark should help stem
A TV ACTRESS who began her life in a North-East children's home has told the heart warming tale of how she was taken in by a County Durham mining family. Angela Bruce, who starred in the BBC drama The Messiah 2: Vengeance is Mine, made an emotional return
CILLA is the one performer who still qualifies as a Black and White minstrel. Born Priscilla White, she changed her name to Black and has become the Queen Mother of Liverpool. Cilla In Black And White (C4, Thursday) took the former pop star and Blind
FAMILIES of four young soldiers who died at Deepcut Barracks vowed to fight on for justice last night after police ruled that there were no grounds for a prosecution - but called for a broader inquiry into Army deaths. The verdict on the deaths, after
A FORMER prostitute has revealed how she was saved from a life of vice and drug addiction when a Labour politician took her into his home. Julie Long, 27, was working the streets and hooked on heroin when she was picked up by Rod Hills, who until last
A MEMORIAL garden dedicated to victims of the Southall rail crash was opened yesterday on the sixth anniversary of the tragedy. About 150 survivors and relatives of those who died gathered near the crash site where a plaque of remembrance was unveiled
Northern Echo reporter Katie Bowman's fundraising run tomorrow will bring back poignant memories of much-missed grandparents. WHEN I was just a few months old I lost my first grandparent to cancer - an illness I wasn't able to comprehend for years, but
A BRITISH scientist may have saved millions of lives after inventing an affordable method of purifying contaminated water. Phil Souter's discovery led to the production of a sachet of powder, costing only 7p, that could dramatically cut death tolls in
SUNDERLAND'S Julio Arca has set himself an Olympic challenge. The Argentinian full-back wants to work his way into his country's squad for the Olympic 2004 qualifiers in January. If he were to earn a call-up he would miss a vital part of Sunderland's
A VILLAGE primary school is looking forward to work on an extension starting next week. The expansion at Barton Church of England school, near Darlington, will provide a new hall, kitchen, office and staff room. The old canteen building will also be demolished
GOLFERS teed off in a charity tournament yesterday to raise money for children suffering from diabetes. A total of 16 teams took part in the tournament organised by the Mayor of Great Aycliffe, Councillor Malcolm Iveson. Coun Iveson is raising money for
A SECLUDED country home hidden deep in a North-East forest has been hailed as England's best bed and breakfast establishment. Family-run Grove House, near Hamsterley, has been presented with the Good Hotel Guide's Cesar Award as the English Guest House
A SECLUDED country home hidden deep in a North-East forest has been hailed as England's best bed and breakfast establishment. Family-run Grove House, near Hamsterley, has been presented with the Good Hotel Guide's Cesar Award as the English Guest House
A 200-YEAR-OLD banknote issued when towns printed their own money is expected to sell for £150 at auction. The black and white one guinea note, produced by the now-defunct Darlington Bank on September 1, 1814, is being sold by a private collector at Spink
RESIDENTS are being asked their views on the future of Durham City Council's biggest flats complex. The council has plans to modernise the 54 flats at Churchill Square, Gilesgate. But first it is asking tenants whether other action, ranging from greater
A RESOURCE centre for charities and community groups in Darlington unveiled its new look yesterday. More than £420,000 has been spent transforming the Church Row Voluntary Sector Resource Centre into a wheelchair-friendly building. The facility, run by
PLANS to change the use of a shop selling car parts into a hot food take-away, in Oxford Road, Hartlepool look likely to be refused. Members of Hartlepool Borough Council's planning committee will meet on Wednesday to discuss plans to open the shop at
AN EXHIBITION about lacemaking has opened in east Durham. Cobwebs and Frost is a display of lace work at Seaton Holme, in Easington, put together by Marguerite Elliott. She worked as a design consultant to a Scottish tweed manufacturer after attending
A birthday party was held for dozens of toddlers on Teesside yesterday. Sure Start South Hartlepool held a fun and information day at its centre, on Rossmere Way, to celebrate its first anniversary. There was fun for children and specialist advice available
THE Government is to be urged to relocate Government departments to Teesside. Ashok Kumar, Labour MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, is to see junior Cabinet Minister Douglas Alexander to press his case. Sir Michael Lyons, one of the Tony
On September 17, The Northern Echo published an article about Miss Julie Yates' refusal to send her son to Branksome Comprehensive School, in Darlington, because of fears he would be bullied. Miss Yates had lost an appeal to send her son to Longfield
BT is offering schools, charities, and other groups in the North-East the chance to build and maintain their own website free of charge. The Community Website Builder, powered by ik.com, enables organisations to set up and manage their own websites without
A PROMISED clean-up of a rundown community is to be carried out by council work teams on Monday. Middlesbrough Mayor Ray Mallon recently pledged a blitz on rubbish in the town's St Hilda's neighbourhood. He said: "We want to show the people of St Hilda's
THE first concert of the new season for the Ripon-based St Cecilia Orchestra will take place at a new venue - the city's newly-refurbished Holy Trinity Church. The orchestra's usual venue is Ripon Cathedral, but another booking made it unavailable on
HEALTH trust chairman Dr Albert Day has proved he is cool under pressure - by checking his stress levels when organising an event for the public. The Harrogate Health Care Trust will be holding an exhibition to gives everyone a glimpse of life behind
A FRESH drive to cut car crime in Richmondshire has been hailed a success after 54 vehicles were etched with security markings at an event in Catterick Garrison. The Darlington branch of Auto Windscreens, the RAC and the Richmondshire Community Safety
VETERAN DJ Sir Jimmy Savile is to start Scarborough's big annual charity coal hump race on October 5. The sponsored race involves people of all ages carrying bags of coal on their backs, from a few pounds to several stones, to raise money for local charities
SINGLE mother Sarah Rouncefield saw red when she spotted her former boyfriend in a clinch on a nightclub dance floor, a court heard. Magistrates were told how Rouncefield, 22, who had hoped to resume her relationship with the man, took exception to him
A two-year A-level theatre studies course is under way. The free course covers aspects of theatre, including practical work, studies of plays and theatre criticism. It is open to those wanting to progress to degree level and also people who want to study
THE Centre for Lifelong Learning is offering the chance to learn about printmaking this month. Courses from North-East printmakers Carol Nunan and Rebecca Vincent will be held at the Centre for Lifelong Learning, Joseph Cowen House, St Thomas Street,
A VILLAGE primary school is looking forward to work on an extension getting under way next week. The expansion of Barton Church of England school, near Darlington, will provide a new hall, kitchen, office and staff room. The old canteen building will
WORK has started on a flagship housing scheme to provide care and support for older people. The £4.3m complex, on the site of the former Campbell Park House in Hebburn, South Tyneside, will have 42 two-bedroom flats. There will also be a range of communal
ANCIENT Chinese medicine is now on offer in a city centre high street, following the opening of a new shop. The Herbal Inn store opened several weeks ago in the Prince Bishops Shopping Centre, in Durham, and has served hundreds of shoppers. The shop stocks
DEVASTATED Kelly Turnbull will say goodbye to her fiance at his funeral today - the day they had once planned to marry. Gary Armstrong, 38, and Miss Turnbull had set today as their wedding day. They later cancelled it in favour of going on a family holiday
SCHOOLS in the borough of Stockton are celebrating after sharing more than £1m to boost sports facilities. The projects will receive funding from the New Opportunities Fund (NOF) to provide a wider range of curricular and extra curricular activities,
GOLFERS teed off in a charity tournament yesterday to raise money for children suffering from diabetes. A total of 16 teams took part in the tournament organised by the Mayor of Great Aycliffe, Councillor Malcolm Iveson. Coun Iveson is raising money for
PLANS to change the use of a shop selling car parts into a hot food take-away, in Oxford Road, Hartlepool look likely to be refused. Members of Hartlepool Borough Council's planning committee will meet on Wednesday to discuss plans to open the shop at
Despite concluding that there were no grounds for prosecution over the deaths of four soldiers at Deepcut Barracks, yesterday's report could still lead to radical changes in Army and police practices. Stuart Mackintosh reports. THE Surrey Police report
STUDENTS learned the art of sewing to make a multi-coloured quilt for charity. The first-year students, who have learning difficulties and disabilities, attend the Stockton Riverside College. As part of their studies, they attend enterprise lessons where
THE dangers of not wearing a seatbelt will be illustrated at two hard-hitting displays in Hartlepool next week. A taxi which was involved in a crash is to be put on show in supermarkets to mark National Road Safety Week. Two people in the taxi were seriously
THE Liberal Democrats' conference in Brighton next week will be in buoyant mood. The party's win in the Brent East by-election was a tremendous success, and an embarrassment of equal measure to the Labour and Conservative parties. The Lib Dems' new MP
NEWCASTLE Falcons have former All Blacks centre Mark Mayerhofler back for tomorrow's home match against Sale Sharks. He missed last Sunday's opening defeat by Saracens with a calf injury and his return sees Tom May switch to the wing and Ben Gollings
Attempts to take British television shows across the pond have been disastrous and the lastest export, saucy comedy Coupling, may prove to be too sexy for a US audience. Americans are a funny lot when it comes to watching versions of British comedy shows
EUROPE: THE letter form Joanne Thompson (HAS, Sept 18) rather typifies the current level of europhile panic, which has become even more evident since the result of the Swedish referendum. The reluctance to accept reality is akin to the batsman who refuses
Darlington arrived in Torquay last night in buoyant mood with manager Mick Tait and his team relishing this afternoon's Third Division clash at Plainmoor. Even a gruelling eight-hour coach journey to the 'English Riviera' has not blunted the team's enthusiasm
AN injury to Gaizka Mendieta could mean a late reprieve for out-of-sorts Middlesbrough midfielder Juninho. Boro boss Steve McClaren had warned this week he was preparing to wield the axe for tomorrow's clash with Everton - even if it was going to prove
Having just retired from the full time priesthood, Father John O'Gorman will be much missed by his flock, but the golf course beckons. FATHER John O'Gorman, who plays off 20, has a little private joke about his golf. If he cards over 90, he's neglecting
A FLEET of obsolete US warships heading for the North-East has escaped relatively unscathed after being hit by Hurricane Isabel. The US Coastguard said one of the dilapidated vessels was listing slightly while another had rotated 60 degrees after gusts
TRIBUTES have been paid to a former council boss who has lost her long battle with cancer at the age of 54. Carole Hughes, who died peacefully at her home in Bishop Auckland, was executive director of Wear Valley District Council until November 2000.
DAZZLING BAY (3.35) is fancied to foil David Nicholls' bold attempt to win the £100,000 Ayr Gold Cup for a record-breaking fourth year in succession. Nicholls lines up seven of the best in the 28-runner cavalry charge, but it is fellow Yorkshire handler
CONTROVERSIAL plans for an animal incinerator have been given planning permission by a national park authority - for the second time. The first application by Edward Noddings to build the incinerator at the Stable House Industrial Estate at Charlton's
A COUNCIL is resorting to psychological tactics to convince speeding drivers to slow down - with signs that smile or frown at passing cars. If a vehicle is within the speed limit, the driver will get a big grin from the electronic roadside signal, but
THE controversial subject of foundation hospitals is the theme of a public meeting organised by trades unions in the region. While the Government claims that foundation hospitals will improve health care for patients, opponents fear that they could be
NEWCASTLE boss Sir Bobby Robson is sticking with Laurent Robert for today's crucial home game against Bolton after accusing the Frenchman of dereliction of duty. Winger Robert infuriated Robson when he was sent off for a second bookable offence on his
SUNDERLAND'S Julio Arca has set himself an Olympic challenge. The Argentinian full-back wants to work his way into his country's squad for the Olympic 2004 qualifiers in January. If he were to earn a call-up he would miss a vital part of Sunderland's
A VILLAGE petrol filling station near Chester-le-Street has been recognised by judges in the North-East's annual floral pride competition. For among the mentions in dispatches after the main civic accolades at the annual Northumbria in Bloom awards, announced
For any couple, working together as well as living together can put a strain on a relationship. But if you're in the public eye as well, it can prove too much. Perhaps, as Steve Pratt advises, its best to stay together - don't play together. Ben and J-Lo
A TEENAGE motorcyclist died and his brother was leftseriously injured after their motorbike crashed with a car. The dead boy was named this week as Karl Allison, 16, of Stanhope Gardens, Annfield Plain, near Stanley. He died after a collision at around
'COMPENSATION water, that's the problem," someone said. He'd spent seven hours in this Indian summer on the riverbank and had only caught one grayling. All around the bar nodded sagely. "The gravel at the bottom of the Tees should be clean, but it's not
The weather did more than Gloucestershire at Headingley yesterday to deal a severe blow to Yorkshire's chances of winning the match today and gaining promotion to Division One of the Championship at the first time of asking. Only 7.5 overs were possible
A REDCAR athlete is urging people to support his nominated charity by sponsoring him to take part in Sunday's Great North Run. Terence Fahey, of Westfield Avenue, chose the Animal Care Trust, in memory of his pet Labrador-retriever cross, Honey, who died
A MOTHER who claims her son was crippled after tripping on a dangerous school step is planning to sue his local education authority. Anthony Gilmore, 13, fell while walking up steps at Whinfield Junior School, in Darlington, causing serious injuries to
THE fallout from one of the most memorable weeks in Hartlepool United's history continues. Neale Cooper was last night presented with his first award as Pool boss, to mark the 8-1 annihilation of Grimsby, while Tuesday's win at Stockport, which lifted
A HIT-and-run motorist who mowed down a pony and trap driver admitted killing him yesterday. Wayne Walker, 33, was sent flying into the air after he was hit from behind by speeding David Graham on the A182 Washington Highway in Washington, near Sunderland
DRY cleaning group Johnson Service is to implement an environmentally-friendly dry cleaning process in its UK stores. It has the UK rights to use the GreenEarth technology, a silicone-based cleaning process developed in the US. GreenEarth replaces traditional
ONCE he was the king of the road, inspiring defiant songs about citizens' band radios and making chocolate bars seem macho. But while the profile of the heavy goods driver may not be as high as it once was, he is more in demand than ever. Bill Taylor,
NEWCASTLE boss Sir Bobby Robson is sticking with Laurent Robert for today's crucial home game against Bolton after accusing the Frenchman of dereliction of duty. Winger Robert infuriated Robson when he was sent off for a second bookable offence on his
A SPORTS centre that will train the region's table tennis stars of the future was officially opened this weekend. The £200,000 Alan Westwater Hall, part of Oxhill Youth Club, near Stanley, is the first centre of excellence for table tennis in the North
STEELMAKER Corus last night denied it had plans to close part of its Teesside works with the loss of 75 jobs. The bloom mill in Redcar is understood to be facing closure as the metals firm seeks a way to resolve its mounting debt problem. Staff at the
A FORMER sergeant in the Paras who attacked his 15-year-old daughter's drug-dealing boyfriend with a machete walked free from court yesterday. Judge Peter Bowers handed 44-year-old Lloyd Sargeant a suspended prison sentence and told him: "I can see it
Americans are a funny lot when it comes to watching versions of British comedy shows tailored to their sense of humour. Take Snavely, a comedy set in an off-highway hotel run by a manic manager and his domineering wife, with the help of a bellhop who
A HELICOPTER yesterday joined the battle against one of the biggest moorland fires in recent years, bombing the flames with thousands of gallons of water. Scooping water from a specially-constructed dam, it was criss-crossing the moor to prevent the blaze
A DIVERSE collection of artwork by the Grosvenor Artists Collective has been unveiled at a town centre gallery. The group's annual exhibition of abstract painting, traditional watercolours, photography and drawing will be at the Discovery Centre, Bishop
A SHORTAGE of youth workers in the Sedgefield borough has resulted in an appeal for more people to take training courses. A basic course in youth work will start shortly, and a second level course in the New Year. Sedgefield borough councillor Maxine
GOVERNORS have given their backing to a controversial proposal to sell off a section of school playing fields in Darlington. The governing body at Longfield Comprehensive School is supporting Darlington Borough Council in its bid to sell part of its playing
COUNCILS in the region are being asked to consider flattening speed humps after it was claimed they cost lives by delaying emergency vehicles. The Government has written to local authorities telling them to consult ambulance, fire and police services
A CARE centre is to extend its opening hours for more evening and weekend activities. The Pioneering Care Centre, in the Cobblers Hall area of Newton Aycliffe, will start the new programme in October. Jane Hartley, chief executive of the Pioneering Care
COUNCILLORS who demanded a £50 wage cut from workers have voted themselves pay rises of £40. The Wear Valley authority upped its basic payment from £47 a week to £86.69 after a review by an independent panel. Council leader Councillor Olive Brown's allowance
A 200-YEAR-OLD banknote issued when towns printed their own money is expected to sell for £150 at auction. The black and white one guinea note, produced by the now-defunct Darlington Bank on September 1, 1814, is being sold by a private collector at Spink
AN information and advice centre for older people will open in Darlington next year. Age Concern plans to launch the facility in Clark's Yard, in the town centre, in January. The charity wants to offer people aged 50 and over a one-stop shop in the town
