A COUPLE who won the right to have fertility treatment after protesting at a football stadium are celebrating the birth of the baby they waited eight years for. Gary and Laura McGee, who live in north-west Durham, were caught in a postcode lottery trap
INFORMATION new to science has been revealed during survey work into one of the most mysterious creatures on earth. North Yorkshire ecologists Brian and Susan Morland are into the second year of their research into the eel-like lampreys. Their work on
Auf Wiedersehen Pet (BBC1) Down To Earth (BBC1) Dalziel And Pascoe (BBC1) SOME things never change. Like Oz's baggy underpants in Auf Wiedersehen Pet. They first appeared 20 years ago in the original series and there they were making an appearance in
George Smart, of Chester-le-Street, was one of eight readers who won a prize in The Northern Echo newspaper's Christmas Wish competition. More than 1,000 people entered the competition, which ran for eight weeks. Prizes included bikes and toys.
HOMEOWNERS on an estate earmarked for demolition say they are getting a raw deal. Plans have been drawn up to bulldoze and rebuild parts of the run-down Whitehill estate in Pelton Fell, near Chester-le-Street, in an attempt to regenerate the area. Nearly
A COBBLER at loggerheads with his council is to publish a book. Tony Martin is launching the self-published book on his bitter dispute with Durham City Council. Provisionally called Cobblers to the Council, it should be ready next month, to coincide with
Stokesley SC made further inroads into Birtley Town's lead when they defeated Jarrow while their chief rivals for the championship were held to a draw. Craig Johnson gave Stokesley a half-time lead during which Jarrow just about held their own but in
Middlesbrough can look forward to facing Fulham on Wednesday after finally ending their Riverside scoring drought - but it was a Notts County player who did it for them. Boro went on to complete a professional job to reach round four but Ian Richardson's
Skipper Neil Maddison could not believe he ended up on the losing side on Saturday. As Quakers' dismal away run continued in the capital, so did their miserable luck in front of goal - David Hodgson's men squandered a whole host of opportunities at Brisbane
YOU will have heard of the television programme, even if you have never watched it. Holidays from Hell holds a particular fascination for those who take pleasure in witnessing the misfortune of others. Well, let me assure viewers that when you become
MOST of us probably dread getting the sack and few would regard it as a joke. Those horror stories about getting your cards and being told to clear your desk and leave the building immediately are, for the majority, the stuff of nightmares. But in a new
COUNCILLORS fear a Government underestimate of Durham's population could hit council taxpayers. The Liberal Democrat-controlled city council is seeking a review of its funding allocation because it believes the Government figures for the number of residents
HAIR and beauty salon owner Dean Jackson is a walking advert for his business. The 32-year-old is so dedicated to looking good that he gets through an estimated £25,544-worth of designer clothes, haircuts and beauty therapies each year. Dean, of Newton
JUST when it seemed Jonny Wilkinson's deputy, David Walder, had emulated the World Cup hero with a winning drop goal, back came Harlequins to cruelly deny Newcastle yesterday. Quins became the third team this season to storm the Kingston Park fortress
Notts County did little to help themselves at the Riverside; first scoring an own goal and then having their captain sent-off. But even without Magpies' assistance Middlesbrough would probably still have won because they were clearly the better side and
Increasingly sophisticated computer progammes are helping the police to identify criminals. John Dean looks at the lastest technology in the fight against crime. IT is the technology which has given police a powerful new weapon in the fight against crime
A BUSINESS offering holiday homes for dogs has been set up. Barking Mad matches host families with the pets of owners who might have concerns about leaving their animals in a kennel while they go away. Alison Liddle, who runs the franchise, in County
A POLICE report into the deaths of four soldiers at a military base is likely to criticise Army chiefs and lead to renewed calls for a public inquiry. The report, compiled following the death of 17-year-old North-East soldier Geoff Gray, is believed to
A ROW that has seen grass cutting suspended for more than a year in 20 churchyards across North-West Durham looks set to be resolved. Cemeteries have grown wild for months after Derwentside District Council became embroiled in a row with the Bishop of
NORTH-EAST driving instructors are threatening to stage a mass protest after being told they must sit new road safety tests. The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) is to make every approved instructor in the country sit a hazard perception test on a touch-screen
AMY Dium lay in bed, her husband asleep next to her and her Jack Russell, Tim, curled up on the duvet. As she dozed , she began to feel uneasy. It was almost like the energy in the room was vibrating and reaching out towards her. Tim whimpered and dived
SIR Bobby Robson labelled the response of his players as 'fantastic' after putting one of his most difficult weeks in charge at Newcastle United well and truly behind him. Robson and, more particularly, the first-team squad appeared hurt by the comments
HOPES of reopening a number of festive ice rinks faded as the company responsible ceased trading. Financial problems led to the closure of the temporary ice rinks in Stockton, Durham, Middlesbrough and Darlington on Christmas Eve. It was hoped that an
EIFION WILLIAMS and Chris Westwood have paid tribute to the 'magnificent' Hartlepool United supporters and urge them to turn out in their thousands to boost their Division Two play-off push. Approaching 10,000 Pool fans made the 48-mile round trip up
MANY will see it as a measure of Sunderland's decline that Mick McCarthy regards an edgy FA Cup victory over Hartlepool as a potential "catalyst'' for the Black Cats' redemption. Sunderland, seeking an immediate return to the Premiership, were certainly
A CENTRE aimed at encouraging new musical talent in Darlington is nearing completion. The Forum, in a converted Victorian school in Borough Road, will have three fully-digital recording studios, five rehearsal rooms, a graphics suite, a 170-capacity auditorium
DETAILS have been published on how £9.4m Government cash will be spent by a Teesside council. Hartlepool Borough Council has received the Neighbourhood Renewal Funding as one of the UK's 88 most deprived areas. The borough was originally granted £6.3m
A DARLINGTON mother-to-be had a New Year's Day surprise when she gave birth to her little girl more than two weeks early. Maddison Raw was delivered by caesarean section at Darlington Memorial Hospital at 12.18pm. The 4lb 1oz baby was not due until January
UNDER-THREAT sub post offices in the North-East and North Yorkshire could offer free Internet kiosks to help secure their future. Plans are being drawn up to provide the service in the UK's 18,000 sub post offices to allow customers to pay bills online
STEPS are being taken to root out age discrimination in the Darlington area as in-depth questionnaires land on almost 2,000 doormats. A task force set up the Growing Older Living in Darlington (Gold) group is conducting research into age discrimination
A WOMEN'S charity has opted out of a scheme supplying condoms to under-age girls over fears that they are falling prey to older men. Wearside Women in Need (WWIN), based in Sunderland, has decided against giving condoms to under-16s, after its research
A LARGE sand and gravel quarry in North Yorkshire is set to get a ten-year extension, after a warning it could close in a year without it. Hanson Quarry Products Europe Limited wants to expand Wykeham Quarry, at Long Causeway Road, Hutton Buscel, near
A YORKSHIRE couple raised money for Cancer Research at the weekend by walking round the ancient walls of York seven times. Cathy and John Stanton, of Back Lane, Copmanthorpe, both lost fathers to cancer and are raising money to take part in a fundraising
PEOPLE are being warned about a doorstep conman who has tricked several elderly householders out of money. A well-spoken young man has struck at least four times over the past few days in the West Lane area of Middlesbrough. On each occasion, he has knocked
THREE bids to attract millions of pounds of funding to North Yorkshire schools have been submitted to the Government. Education officials from North Yorkshire County Council are hoping to attract funding from the first phase of the Government's Rural
A DEVASTATED father told last night how he found his daughter lying dead in the road near their home - in a second tragedy to hit their village in less than a week. Melanie Lisa Mullally, 16, collided with a car as she crossed the road outside her grandmother's
AN innovative school programme is helping a young boy overcome problems to realise his potential. Jake Burgess, from Catterick, North Yorkshire, suffers from autism - a condition which leaves him isolated in a confusing world of colour and sound. However
THE Post Office service in Ferryhill has been revitalised, despite the closure of two branches. When two of the four post offices in the town were closed in September, residents feared they were losing a vital community service. But the move, part of
A LARGE housing development looks likely to be approved despite objections from residents. Proposals have been put forward by Persimmon Homes NE Limited to build 210 homes in Willington. The development would be built on land formally occupied by the
PLANS to bring a town's hidden history to light will be unveiled this week. Chester-le-Street Heritage Group, the district council and other organisations have been working for months to develop a heritage trail through the town. In Saxon times, Chester-le-Street
PEOPLE in Darlington are being urged to include recycling in their New Year's resolutions. In some areas of the town, very few households are recycling glass, paper, plastics, tins and textiles using Darlington Borough Council's kerbside recycling scheme
A ONE-OFF performance of a traditional fairytale, with a modern twist, will be staged at Wood View Community Centre, Langley Park, County Durham. Jack Drum Arts, in conjunction with Esh Parish Council, present Little Red Riding Hood and Her Amazing Grandmother
PROBLEMS over a shortage of student accommodation in Durham has sparked a war of words between an MP and a council leader. Following a meeting with Durham University officials, MP Gerry Steinberg said he was more hopeful that the accommodation crisis
THOUSANDS of enthusiasts from around the region turned out in a show of strength to mark what could be the last Boxing Day hunts. Pro-hunt campaigners believe the Government is preparing to force legislation banning foxhunting on to the statute book,
A workshop and master class for young flautists is being held on Saturday. David Nicholson, one of the country's leading flute teachers, will run the session, held by Darlington and the Dales Youth Orchestra. To book a place, call (01325) 467814. Published
A North-East medium has hopes her new book will dispel some of the myths surrounding spiritualism. She talks to Women's Editor Christen Pears. AMY Dium lay in bed, her husband asleep next to her and her Jack Russell, Tim, curled up on the duvet. As she
CARING Joanne Rowley has launched a magazine to raise awareness and money for animal charities. For the past three years, Joanne, who lives at a rescue centre in County Durham, has been surrounded by animals, each with their own sad story. Her parents
THEY came, they saw, they were conquered. But as the 9,200 Hartlepool United fans snaked their way back down the A19 on Saturday evening, jamming every exit out of Sunderland in the process, they headed home with heads held high. Sunderland and the Stadium
A SERVICE to help men who suffer violence at the hands of female partners is proving a success. David Regan, a community worker at the Cockerton and Branksome Living Enterprise (Cable), in Darlington, set up the Men's Advice Line Enquiries (Male) helpline
AN innovative scheme for rural communities to promote tourism in their own villages is to be introduced across the northern region. The scheme has won £20,000 backing from the Carnegie UK Trust to allow the Hidden Britain Centre (HBC) project to be extended
A HARDY band of countryside-loving volunteers is doing its bit to aid the rural landscape of County Durham. Members of the county council's voluntary countryside ranger team have been out in force, even on Christmas Eve, helping to transform former coalfield
NEW style "walk-in" health centres are to be opened throughout the North-East as part of a radical shake-up of NHS services. Three new centres, designed to make it easier for people to see a doctor or nurse, will open in Darlington, Sunderland and Gateshead
PRIME Minister Tony Blair issued a plea to so-called rogue states yesterday to give up their illicit weapons programmes. In an apparent message to countries such as Iran and North Korea, Mr Blair told UK troops during a whistle-stop visit to Basra that
THE cold spell has not put off visitors to one of the region's most popular attractions. Families have been flocking to Whitworth Hall County Park, near Spennymoor, County Durham, with the deer park proving a particular favourite of children. The ancestral
Life afloat loses its glamour as a cruise line sails into stormy waters. Mel Mason recounts the experiences of passengers on the liner Triton, who found themselves all, at sea when their ill-fated cruise was curtailed part-way through its itinery. YOU
IT'S a hard life being single and, in the past, I have found the one way to cope with this is to take up an imaginary lover, a bit like an imaginary friend for grown-ups. But having gone steady with my fantasy boyfriend for two years now, the time has
KIERON DYER has been provided with precious few positive football memories by the city of Southampton. Before Saturday he had failed in his near five years with Newcastle to enjoy success at the Hampshire venue and, at 5.35pm, the Magpies wait for a win
Guisborough lifted themselves out of the first division relegation zone with a 4-1 win at Whitley Bay - a victory which prompted the resignation of Whitley Bay boss John Charlton. Guisborough are now above Washington and Chester-le-Street in the relegation
A PROJECT to boost language skills at a school has proved so successful that it is being expanded. South Stanley Infants School has been running an initiative to increase powers of communication in reception-age pupils for the past two years. It has had
A DOCUMENTARY filmed by students from a Newton Aycliffe school has received national recognition for its work in bringing young and old people together. The film, Kenton Investigates, was screened as part of a national event in promoting intergenerational
IRANIANS living in the North-East are appealing for help from the region to aid victims of an earthquake tragedy in their homeland. More than 30,000 are thought to have died and thousands were left homeless in the earthquake in Bam, in Iran, last week
David Hodgson is fast running out of explanations for Darlington's inability to dispose of teams at their mercy. On Saturday he left that to opposite number Martin Ling. While Hodgson was left to rue another game of missed chances, it was the Leyton Orient
Shildon-based SLB Steelwork Limited has gone into voluntary liquidation. The decision was taken after the members of the company, based at the All Saints Industrial Estate, held an extraordinary general meeting at the Eden Arms Hotel, in Rushyford. It
THE Bank of England is expected to relieve homeowners by keeping interest rates on hold this week, experts say. The bank's monetary policy committee is likely to maintain base rates at 3.75 per cent on Thursday, according to economists. But strong economic
Tim Henman has given his cautious backing to plans to build a roof over Wimbledon's Centre Court. Speculation is rife that the All-England Club are set to finally announce the project at a press conference this week. Henman admitted that while he had
STAFF at a North-East company that helped to create the Beagle 2 are keeping their fingers crossed that the missing probe is contacted soon. Northern Precision Engineering (NPE), of Tyneside, was heavily involved in the design and construction of vital
MANY will see it as a measure of Sunderland's decline that Mick McCarthy regards an edgy FA Cup victory over Hartlepool as a potential "catalyst'' for the Black Cats' redemption. Sunderland, seeking an immediate return to the Premiership, were certainly
A SIX-GAME winning streak has carried Mowden Park into third place in National Three North, but they are dependent on Halifax slipping up to allow them into a play-off for a place in Division Two. The winning run might be halted in three weeks away to
David Hodgson is fast running out of explanations for Darlington's inability to dispose of teams at their mercy. On Saturday he left that to opposite number Martin Ling. While Hodgson was left to rue another game of missed chances, it was the Leyton Orient
IT was entirely appropriate for the Prime Minister to visit Iraq and acknowledge our debt of gratitude to members of the British armed forces. Amid the concerns about terrorist attacks, British soldiers continue to make progress in the herculean task
THE Chief Constable of Cleveland Police is to make a plea to councils and the public for another large rise in the Police Authority's share of the council tax. Sean Price has contacted all four borough councils in Teesside to request permission to talk
DARLINGTON are still searching for their first away win in National Three North after hopes of a double over Tynedale came unstuck on a heavy Corbridge pitch. Tynedale won 19-3, effectively sealing victory with tries after 23 and 29 minutes when they
Spennymoor owner Benny Mottram yesterday revealed his delight at the response of the club's supporters to their current crisis. Moors' Brewery Field clubhouse was destroyed in a fire on Christmas Day, but the supporters have rallied to the club's cause
HEROIN addict, who hanged himself in prison, had a packet of the drug in his tracksuit pocket, an inquest was told. Twenty four-year-old addict Mark Anthony Allen was probably suffering heroin withdrawal when he hanged himself using a bed sheet, in his
A POLITICAL storm has erupted over planned cuts of £1m to council services - after bosses pledged to uphold their promise of keeping council tax rises to a minimum. In its 2003 election manifesto, the ruling Labour group of Derwentside District Council
PUPILS were warned "don't mention the war" when they decided to recreate a famous scene from Fawlty Towers in their school production. They had decided to act out the scene - in which Basil horrifies German guests by goose-stepping through his hotel -
ASYLUM SEEKERS: I HOPE F Wealand understands why Roma people, from Central Europe, may be allowed to enter Britain and stay here (HAS, Dec 29). Since the fall of the Berlin Wall, there has been an appalling rise in racism in those countries which were
RAIDERS broke into a pub cellar and stole £400-worth of beer while a party went on upstairs. Kevin Woodford, landlord of the Hope Inn, in Yarm Road, Darlington, was holding a karaoke and disco event when the break-in occurred between 8.15pm and 10.15pm
ATTEMPTS to create a nature reserve in Darlington have taken an important step forward. A steering committee has been set up by people in the Neasham Road area, who are working with Darlington Borough Council to improve Geneva Wood. The eight hectare
A NEWTON Aycliffe community centre has begun to hold citizens advice sessions on one morning a week. The drop-in sessions, at the Neighbourhood Management Centre, in Silverdale Place, are held every Wednesday from 9.30am to 12.30pm. Myra McMenamin, the
A DOCUMENTARY filmed by students from a Newton Aycliffe school has received national recognition for its work in bringing young and old people together. The film, Kenton Investigates, was screened as part of a national event in promoting intergenerational
A WEBSITE offering a one-stop shop for council services in the North-East has been launched. The Community Services Portal aims to make it easy for residents to access local authority services and information from one point. Along with Internet access
PLANS for two bungalows to be built in the back gardens of homes in Sedgefield village will be debated today. Planning officers at Sedgefield Borough Council are recommending that the application is refused, saying it would be out of keeping with the
PLANS for two bungalows to be built in the back gardens of homes in Sedgefield village will be debated today. Planning officers at Sedgefield Borough Council are recommending that the application is refused, saying it would be out of keeping with the
THE number of bed-blocking cases in North Yorkshire has fallen. Over the past few months, county council staff have worked with local hospitals and primary care trusts to reduce the number of patients having to stay in a hospital bed longer than necessary
WENSLEYDALE'S first paramedic has retired after he spent 22 years helping the people of North Yorkshire. Alan Bowe, 60, worked at Bainbridge ambulance station throughout his career. When he first joined the service, there were no defibrillators and the
A WITNESS who could hold vital information to a New Year's Day murder has been urged to come forward. John James Wells, 55, of Doncaster Road, Sandyford, Newcastle, died from a single stab wound to the neck. He was last seen alive at 8.35pm on Thursday
A NORTH Yorkshire health trust has mounted a search in India to find radiologists because of an acute shortage in Britain. Scarborough and North East Yorkshire Trust, which covers hospitals at Scarborough, Whitby, Malton and Bridlington, sent two senior
RIVALRIES between two North-East cities date back more than 400 years, academics have revealed. Experts from Durham and Sunderland universities working on a history of Sunderland have discovered fascinating facts about the city vying with Newcastle to
IT might have been a ram-raider who smashed the windows of two country houses - but it was a ram-raider of the four-legged kind. Rambo the ram was apprehended by police for attacks on the houses in the village of Gayles, near Richmond, North Yorkshire
A DISTRICT council is due to recruit a new chief executive in 2004, following the departure of its current head. Mick Waterson has left Chester-le-Street District Council and Bernadette Marjoram has been appointed as interim chief executive in his place
SUNDERLAND goalkeeper Mart Poom praised the verve and versatility of Julio Arca after the Argentinian star emerged as a match-winner in Saturday's FA Cup clash with Hartlepool. Arca's cultured 53rd-minute finish was all that separated the sides in an
Auf Wiedersehen Pet (BBC1); Down To Earth (BBC1); Dalziel And Pascoe (BBC1); SOME things never change. Like Oz's baggy underpants in Auf Wiedersehen Pet. They first appeared 20 years ago in the original series and there they were making an appearance
Shildon-based SLB Steelwork Limited has gone into voluntary liquidation. The decision was taken after the members of the company, based at the All Saints Industrial Estate, held an extraordinary general meeting at the Eden Arms Hotel, in Rushyford. It
VILLAGERS are a step closer to getting a long-awaited library. Residents in the growing community of Langley Park, near Durham, have been pressing for seven years for a permanent building. After five months of public consultation, Durham County Council
A YOUNG athlete is hoping to emulate her hero after jumping into the North-East record books. Long jumper Chloe Gill, 11, of Blackhill, Consett, has twice broken the region's under-13 record. The youngster trains with Gateshead Harriers, the club where
A GEORDIE author has vowed to represent his home territory at a summit of Newcastles from around the world. Representatives of more than 50 towns and cities called Newcastle will gather next month in Newcastle, South Africa. Newcastle-under-Lyme, in Staffordshire
VOLUNTARY and community groups are to meet to review plans for the future of a town. A public consultation is being carried out on a draft of a community strategy for Chester-le-Street. The strategy takes a long-term look at the district's social, economic
A CHARITY is planning to use a £10,000 grant to raise awareness of the need for disabled access. Disability Action in Richmondshire has been awarded the money by the Lloyds TSB Foundation and will spend the cash on a development worker. The charity deals
AN EAST Durham school has launched a series of initiatives to build on its successful partnership with the community. In less than three years, Shotton Hall School, in Peterlee, has seen a dramatic improvement in its academic and vocational achievements
DARING AFFAIR'S value as a potential brood-mare will increase significantly if as expected she wins the opener at Southwell this afternoon. Karl Burke's filly is a daughter of Daring Destiny, successful in the Ayr Gold Cup as well as a Group 2 event during
FAMILIES of murder victims have criticised tougher sentencing tariffs for murder as not going far enough. From today, judges must hand out sentences which in effect will ensure that life will mean life for terrorist murderers, sadistic multiple murderers
CUSTOMERS who lost electricity for up to two days could be entitled to compensation. Power was restored this weekend to all homes and businesses across the region that were cut off by heavy snow. Energy company NEDL said the last house was reconnected
AN EAST Durham school has launched a series of initiatives to build on its successful partnership with the community. In less than three years, Shotton Hall School, in Peterlee, has seen a dramatic improvement in its academic and vocational achievements
A BANK is urging people to donate their unwanted Christmas presents to a charity shop. The Chester-le-Street branch of the Abbey has started accepting gifts that people did not like or had already and will hand them over to the town's Help the Aged shop
A DRIVER could hold vital clues in the hunt for an armed gang who stole hundreds of thousands of pounds in a bank robbery before Christmas. Three masked raiders struck at the Lloyds TSB branch, in Sherburn Terrace, Consett, at about 5pm on Thursday, December
TEACHERS are demanding changes to the law to give anonymity to those facing malicious allegations of abuse. One of the country's biggest unions is launching a campaign to save members from personal trauma and professional stress which has led, in extreme
