IF YOU ever bump into Ann Allison, the chances are she'll be rattling a bucket at you, wanting your money. Raffles, tombolas, cake bakes, fancy dress - she's very good at persuading people to part with their cash. What's more she's just as good at handing
ART by young people with learning and behavioural difficulties has been given pride of place at a university. The exhibition, being staged at the University of Durham's Queen's Campus at Thornaby, near Stockton, opened yesterday. It features paintings
PARISH and town councils and community groups are being urged to save children's playgrounds from closure by taking them over and running them themselves. The lifeline offered by Wear Valley District Council, County Durham, last night could hit council
A SEMICONDUCTOR company based in the region will be given £63,000 of Government funding for research. Durham Scientific Crystals (DSC) will receive the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) grant to strengthen the company's profile through research.
Jonathan Scoffield could be forgiven for having an aversion to Christmas, and particular festive puddings. For the past three years, the 38-year-old father of two has been general manager of Matthew Walker, a division of Northern Foods, responsible for
BRITAIN'S most senior policeman vowed yesterday to draw a line once and for all under the mystery surrounding the death of Diana, Princess of Wales. Scotland Yard Commissioner Sir John Stevens, speaking at the spot where Diana died in a car crash in Paris
DEFENCE and rail electronics specialist Joyce Loebl has landed three defence contracts that will generate millions of pounds-worth of business for the Gateshead company. The company has also taken a record number of orders for the second year in succession
A FATHER'S 16-year campaign to solve the mystery surrounding his daughter's murder took an unexpected turn yesterday when rumours surfaced that the son of a former African president was involved. Julie Ward, 28, of Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, was killed
A DEVOTED father who was beaten to death as he made his way home from a night out was last night named as Robin Chard. It is believed Mr Chard, 47, was the victim of a mugging as he took a shortcut to his home in Felling, Gateshead. He was found in a
CASH-STRAPPED Darlington Football Club is urging supporters to turn out in force for its last home game of the season - yet another historic occasion in the Quakers' history. Saturday's league match against Swansea City represents the last chance this
When North Yorkshire farmer Chris Gibbon and his friend agreed to be made over on television, they were hoping for Trinny and Susannah. Instead they got the Fairy Godfathers, as Steve Pratt reprots. THE setting is traditional North Yorkshire where men
AFTER failing to get Andy O'Brien's two-match ban overturned yesterday, Newcastle are facing a defensive crisis ahead of their crucial Premiership games with Wolves and Southampton. O'Brien will miss both matches and, with Jonathan Woodgate (thigh) and
FORMER England cricketer Phil Tufnell was in the North-East yesterday to promote his forthcoming charity walk - the npower 500. The ex-Middlesex spinner will tackle a month-long charity walk for Macmillan Cancer Relief. The npower 500 will see Tufnell
Periodically chronicled in these quarters, the extraordinary story of the cricket club which refused to die has completed another chapter - not necessarily a thriller, but the polliss were called in, as usual. Twelve years ago, Willington CC couldn't
I THINK I've read every word that's been written about the unfortunate Ron Atkinson over the last few days and I don't mind admitting the story depresses me. What I can't come to terms with is the savagery of the punishment that has befallen Ron. He no
AN employee who is to be dismissed for long-term capability issues is entitled, like any other employee, to a period of notice. All employees are entitled to the statutory period of notice set out in the Employment Rights Act 1996 - that is one week's
CAR maker Nissan yesterday announced record operating profits, passing the three million sales mark for the first time in 13 years. Nissan is one of the region's largest employers, with 4,500 staff at its Sunderland plant. It has announced profits of
NOMINATIONS are being sought for the third annual Women in Business Awards. The gala dinner and awards ceremony is one of the highlights of the calendar, attracting entries from across the North-East. The Northern Echo has once again pledged its support
All's well with the world as a perfect day in god's own country is punctuated by a memorable meal served by a smiling waitress. THE circular walk from Reeth up past the old Surrender lead mine and across into Arkengarthdale has become almost a Rite of
A woman has been left traumatised after she was allegedly raped in Stockton over the weekend. The incident is said to have taken place between 8pm and 9pm on Sunday, when the 25-year-old was walking along a small piece of land in the town's Portrack area
A SYMBOL of defiance and unity that was made during the miners' strike 20 years ago has gone on display. The Durham Colliery Mechanics' banner was created during the bitter dispute of 1984-1985. The Westoe branch, in South Shields, wanted a new banner
KENNETH FERRIE returns to the scene of his finest hour this week as he bids to continue his rise up the PGA European Tour Order of Merit. The Ashington golfer's first and only win on the Tour came in the Canarias Open de Espana 12 months ago. Ferrie will
A CASINO operator is opening the first of a planned series of Las Vegas-style casinos in the UK at The Gate, in Newcastle. Aspinall's started work this week on Aspers, its 45,000sq ft casino at the award-winning leisure venue owned by Land Securities.
EMPLOYEES of a North-East bakery chain have been told their jobs are safe, but they may have to wait a month before returning to work after a blaze destroyed their headquarters. Nearly 700 people who work for Peter's Cathedral Bakery will still be paid
TWO office developments that have brought thousands of jobs to Middlesbrough and Darlington have been shortlisted for a national award. The North-East's tallest office development, Middlesbrough's Centre North-East, and Darlington's Lingfield Point, have
IT could all have been so very different. If DaimlerChrysler had followed its instincts, the company would have taken a controlling stake in Nissan instead of Mitsubishi. But the German bean counters took a long look at Nissan's accounts, covered as they
A LEADING North-East psychiatrist has criticised the lack of NHS hospital places for adults with autism. The criticisms came as a private hospital for autism sufferers prepared to open. Dr Tom Berney, who runs one of the few in-patient adult autism units
The debate for and against a Regional Assembly for the North-East region, with an assembly capital probably located in Durham City, is well under way, with a vote to be held in October. Kevin Rowan, secretary of the TUC Norther Region, give his view.
PRIME Ministers are accustomed to harsh criticism from opposition politicians with axes to grind and debating points to score. However, they do not expect stinging rebukes from former senior diplomats living comfortably off their Foreign Office pensions
NOT knowing how to ski did not deter a North-East soldier from volunteering to be vice-captain of his regiment's Nordic skiing team. And the determination and dedication shown by Corporal Frank Kenyon, of Redcar, east Cleveland, won the 28-year-old former
Here is a tale for our time to send a wry grin around the whiskers of the Cheshire cat. Since big supermarkets muscled into the sleepy world of pet insurance five years ago, vets' fees have rocketed. Since 1999 in fact, vets' fees have been rising at
An animal charity is appealing for expert help to cure what it thinks could be the world's most miserable moggy. Mr Snugs, a depressed six-year-old black-and-white cat, has resisted all attempts to rid him of his sorrowful demeanour. The forlorn feline
THE region was hit by thunderstorms yesterday, causing power cuts and flooding. The worst of the bad weather was in the north of the region, with a heavy flash flood, accompanied by hailstones, in Gateshead and parts of north Durham, at about 3.30pm.
REGIONAL GOVERNMENT: RAY Mallon, in his column (Echo, Apr23) worries that, in a regional assembly, representatives would feel compelled to fight for their own backyard rather than the interests of the region as a whole. Inevitably this is what would happen
TESCO and Sainsbury were backed last night to emerge triumphant as the race for the North-East's remaining Safeway stores hotted up. The two chains are expected to snap up the bulk of the stores shed by Morrisons as a result of its £3bn takeover of Safeway
Argos plans to create 700 jobs in the North-East by building a massive distribution centre at a new business park. The retailer has applied for permission for a 740,000 sq ft development at Faverdale East Business Park in Darlington. If approved, the
THOUSANDS of people from the North-East will be given Britain's first ID cards under a voluntary trial expected to lead to compulsory cards within a decade. Home Secretary David Blunkett announced that Newcastle was one of four locations picked to test
TEESPORT is one of the few North-East businesses which is already reaping the rewards of EU expansion. Earlier this month, Business Echo revealed that PD Teesport had managed to entice Lithuanian shipping line Kursiu Linija to the region to begin a twice-weekly
Fallen (ITV1); Building The Ultimate... Racing Car (five): I CAN'T remember the last time TV screened a good amnesia thriller. Only joking, I recall it very well. It was the other week and, with startling originality, was entitled Amnesia to ensure that
COUNCIL chiefs hope to stop escalating property prices preventing people getting on the housing ladder. Half of all new homes in York are likely to be made "affordable", to try to cope with rocketing house values. The council's ruling executive is poised
Teachers get called all sorts of names by their pupils. Very rarely are they called 'cool'. Christen Pears reports on an exception to the rule. A TEACHER from York has been named Britain's coolest teacher by readers of the teenage magazine, Bliss. Tim
A COMMUNITY group is celebrating after being awarded £3,500 to tackle anti-social behaviour on Darlington estates. The money will be used by the Community Crime Reduction Independent Social Partnership (CCRISP) to organise activities chosen by young people
A MAN alleges he was threatened opposite a former filling station that has become a den for drug users. As reported in yesterday's edition of The Northern Echo, people have complained that hypodermic needles, empty cider bottles and other rubbish have
A MATURE rugby team from the region is preparing to tour South Africa thanks to the successes of its nude calendar. Clem's Pirates RFC raised so much money from the sale of the saucy calendar that it made a donation to the Cystic Fibrosis Trust as well
A MODERN learning centre has opened in Richmond to provide residents, employees and visitors with a wide-range of training opportunities. The YMCA Community Learning Centre has been set up in a refurbished video shop in the Market Place. It contains a
A MEDIEVAL village is celebrating the completion of its first car park. It will be officially opened on May 11. Ever since the advent of the car, motorists visiting Thornton-le-Street, near Thirsk, have had to leave their cars on the streets and verges
A MAN has been made the subject of an anti-social behaviour order (Asbo) to stop him causing trouble for a community. North Durham magistrates yesterday agreed to impose the Asbo restricting the activities of Thomas Coyle, 21. The order was made following
A FAMILY food chain has won an award for the third year running for being the most parent-friendly restaurant. Brewsters Dunelm Ridge, at the Arnison Retail Centre, Pity Me, Durham, has been awarded two Tommy's Parent Friendly Awards. The accolades make
TELECOMS group BT could be broken up to increase competition under plans being considered by industry watchdog Ofcom, it was revealed yesterday. Ofcom has asked its chief technology officer Peter Ingram to evaluate separating BT's network infrastructure
A NURSE is attempting to sugar the pill for children admitted to hospital - by producing an entertaining information booklet. "Admission to hospital can be a frightening time for children and their families. Lots of questions are asked and it's our job
THE last time Connie Ayre entered the red brick walls of her former college, King George V was on the throne and the Second World War had not begun. But yesterday, in celebration of her 91st birthday, she returned to Armstrong College, which is now the
A SYMBOL of defiance and unity that was made during the miners' strike 20 years ago has gone on display. The Durham Colliery Mechanics' banner was created during the bitter dispute of 1984-1985. The Westoe branch, in South Shields, wanted a new banner
A CHANCE meeting in a car park between two old schoolfriends has led to plans for a reunion. Members of the 1959/60 year of Chester-le-Street Modern School will meet at the Chester-le-Street Cricket Club, in the town's Ropery Lane, on May 21. Anne Blenkiron
SOLENOID manufacturer Mechetronics is in a stronger position today than at any time in its history. Despite a move to smaller premises, a mile from its former site, and the loss of almost half its workforce, the future looks bright for the Bishop Auckland
A Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) has won its plea for extra funds after warnings that it was in danger of folding. Kirkbymoorside Town Council has agreed to double its help to Ryedale CAB after pleas from Councillor Susan Barr. She said the current grant
PEOPLE have gathered to celebrate the contribution African cultures makes to the region at a festival. The North-East of England African Community Association (NEEACA) annual showcase event, which was held in Newcastle Civic Centre, featured traditional
A STOWAWAY ferret who travelled 200 miles in a lorry from the North-East, is to start a new life in the east Midlands. Yorkie - the nickname given by staff at the RSPCA's Woodside animal rescue centre in Leicester - has found a new home. He will be leaving
PRIME Minister Tony Blair has invited Czech artist and University of Sunderland professor Sylva Petrova to a celebration of the expansion of the European Union. Prof Petrova will be at the Foreign Office tomorrow to mark the inclusion of ten new members
YOUNGSTERS from all over Stockton took part in a challenge to bring maths to life. Year nine pupils from nine comprehensive schools took part in the Stockton heat of the Tees Valley Maths Challenge, a competition to raise awareness of maths in the workplace
POLICE have appointed super-sleuths in a bid to further reduce County Durham's already low house burglary rate. A team of six trained burglary support officers will lead investigations into every domestic break-in. The Durham force hopes to build up detailed
A HEROIN addict whose life went downhill after the death of his parents has been jailed for three-and-a-half years. Peter Haggerty, 24, was part of a team of robbers who went out in a stolen car and grabbed handbags from women in the street. He was sentenced
COUNTY education bosses are celebrating after getting top marks from Government inspectors. North Yorkshire County Council's education service was inspected by the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) in January. Their report, which was published
AFTER crashing out of the Pirelli International Rally on home turf at the weekend, Guy Wilks knows the pressure is on. Wilks, 23, is one of the rising stars of rallying and hoped to be at the head of the field during the opening round of the British Rally
A SUBURBAN shopping development has been hailed a success, bringing much-needed jobs the region. Only two units remain to be let at Cobblers Hall Village, in Newton Aycliffe, a £6m development which has brought about 100 jobs to the area. Five years in
NEALE Cooper has two main rivals for his first managerial award. The Hartlepool United boss has guided his side to five successive wins this month, but it still may not be enough for the manager of the month award. Pool lost April's opener at Brighton
Construction has been completed to transform a derelict piece of land close to Wellington Square Shopping Centre, in Stockton, which is about to become a home entertainment complex. Home Entertainment Corporation, trading as Choices Video, will open on
LEANDRO Scartascini has returned to Darlington in the hope of earning a permanent deal. The Argentinean is back in the North-East after spending a fortnight with his family in his homeland near Buenos Aires. Quakers' miserable financial situation meant
Argos plans to create 700 jobs in the North-East by building a massive distribution centre at a new business park. The retailer has applied for permission for a 740,000 sq ft development at Faverdale East Business Park in Darlington. If approved, the
ALAN SHEARER maintains that Newcastle and Liverpool are locked on an inexorable course for a last-day showdown in the battle to secure a Champions League place. Shearer's awesome winning goal in Sunday's 2-1 home victory over Chelsea ensured Newcastle
BUDDING artists from Hartlepool showed off their talents in a painting competition. Children from schools around the town created a range of colourful and original designs when they took part in one of the regional heats of the 2004 Children's Calendar
A microscopic speck of blood has solved a seven year mystery surrounding the brutal murder of a young woman. Julie Smailes, 27, was strangled and stabbed 45 times in a frenzied attack in the bedroom of her County Durham home in 1996. Police suspected
Distribution operative, Thirsk. £4.99ph, 39hrs pw, 7.30am to 4.30pm, Mon-Fri, temporary, until July 17. Required for loading and unloading vehicles. Some heavy lifting, picking and packing and warehouse duties. No experience necessary as training given
TESCO and Sainsbury were backed last night to emerge triumphant as the race for the North-East's remaining Safeway stores hotted up. The two chains are expected to snap up the bulk of the stores shed by Morrisons as a result of its £3bn takeover of Safeway
DETECTIVES investigating a seven-year murder mystery will today announce a "particularly significant" development in the case. Durham Police have arranged a media briefing for this morning to give an update on the inquiry into the death of Julie Smailes
SUNDERLAND are facing the prospect of being without influential Argentinian Julio Arca as they look to join Norwich and West Brom in the Premiership next month. Arca was a late withdrawal from the side that drew 0-0 at Wigan on Saturday after suffering
RINGMOOR DOWN'S run of bad luck could be about to take a turn for the good at Bath this afternoon. Nothing much went right for David Arbuthnot's speedy mare towards the end of last season and the same scenario applied on her recent Newbury reappearance
MIDDLESBROUGH are waiting anxiously to learn the extent of the knee injury suffered by Stuart Parnaby in the Reserves' 2-1 home defeat by Newcastle. Worryingly for Boro, the England Under-21 full-back has had a scan on the right knee which sustained cruciate
WITH her wagging tail, glossy coat and bright eyes it's hard to believe that Doris is Britain's most tragic dog. Staff at a North-East dogs home are desperate to find the affectionate Staffordshire bull terrier cross a loving home There is only one snag
Detectives hunting the killers of a family man who was found dead in a field are looking for three men who may have vital evidence. The potential witnesses were captured on CCTV walking past Robin Chard, 47, as he made his way home from the Heworth Metro
A SATELLITE channel dedicated to chills and thrills will begin broadcasting from the region next week. The Horror Channel, based in Gateshead, will begin broadcasting on Sky's digital platform on Monday, at 6pm. Former model Jade Fox, who will present
A man accused of killing a consultant pathologist in a road accident should never have driven because he suffered from severe tunnel vision, a court heard. Retired accountant Ronald Addy, 82, of Murray Walk, Darlington, denies driving dangerously, causing
As the pace of modern working life grows ever faster, companies are looking for new ways to ease stress, solve staff problems and boost performance. Business Editor Mike Parker met one man working magic for the mind. THERE is no flowing black cape, no
There are some things worth forgetting Fallen (ITV1) Building The Ultimate... Racing Car (five) I CAN'T remember the last time TV screened a good amnesia thriller. Only joking, I recall it very well. It was the other week and, with startling originality
RINGMOOR DOWN'S run of bad luck could be about to take a turn for the good at Bath this afternoon. Nothing much went right for David Arbuthnot's speedy mare towards the end of last season and the same scenario applied on her recent Newbury reappearance
A NORTH-EAST teenager has been chosen as only the second High Sheriff's cadet in the country. Cadet Sergeant Andrew Halliwell, 18, is based at the Martin Leake Royal Army Medical Corps Detachment of Durham Army Cadet Force (ACF), in Seaburn, east Durham
Q I am an ambitious manager with hopes of becoming a director at the company where I work in the next two or three years. I like my job and the company I work for, but one thing is holding me back - one of the directors with whom I have regular dealings
It is a crude equation: with the oil price staying at well above $30 a barrel, the oil companies will be making telephone-number profits. Forget what you read about boardroom fallout and reserve accounting issues at Shell, at the moment oil really is
PART of an initiative to bring Birmingham Royal Ballet to new, smaller venues, its visit to Durham's Gala marked a first for the company usually associated with the Sunderland Empire. As the Empire is currently closed for refurbishment, there was a ready-made
A CHARITY is hoping to sell pure nostalgia, and is appealing to people to search their wardrobes and lofts to help. Teesside Hospice, in Middlesbrough, operates ten charity shops in order to raise the £2,600 needed to cover its daily running costs. Now
Mourners packed a North-East church for the funeral of student Lee Walker, who died after being attacked during a night out. More than 250 people attended St Cuthbert's Church, in Darlington, to pay their respects. Mr Walker, 22, died on March 31, at
Three men have been arrested on suspicion of attempting to abduct a teenage girl. The 16-year-old was making her way home after a night out in Thornaby when a burgundy Ford Fiesta drove alongside her after 11pm on Friday night. One of the occupants grabbed
A TALENTED footballer who dreamed of playing for Manchester United was shamed as a sex attacker yesterday. John Moore, 28, attended a school of excellence at the same time as a young David Beckham and Ryan Giggs were making their way through the ranks
SHARES in engine maker Rolls-Royce soared yesterday following the announcement that Boeing had won its first customer for the 7E7 Dreamliner. Rolls-Royce is vying with US company General Electric to win a contract to supply engines for 50 Dreamliner aircraft
OLD friends of a railway classic celebrated its 50th anniversary on an historic stretch of track on Saturday . The last through passenger train on the Wensleydale Railway ran between Northallerton and Garsdale on April 24, 1954. About 120 people, including
COUNTY education managers are celebrating after getting top marks from Government inspectors. North Yorkshire County Council's education service was inspected by the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) in January. Their report, which was published
WITH her wagging tail, glossy coat and bright eyes it's hard to believe that Doris is Britain's most tragic dog. Staff at a North-East dogs home are desperate to find the affectionate Staffordshire bull terrier cross a loving home There is only one snag
On Saturday, the European Union officially welomes ten new member states tin to its ranks. Tony Kearney asks what effect enlarement will have on the North-East economy. LATVIA and Slovenia are the sort of nations only geography teachers, dedicated Eurovision
A man returned home from holiday to find a 4ft high electronic organ in his garden. The instrument came complete with music sheets and needed the strength of a number of police officers to move it. The householder returned to his home in the Lowfields
A SCHOOL has been forced to close its doors to most of its pupils because of subsidence. Structural problems were discovered at Dodmire Junior School, in Rydal Road, Darlington, when borough council workers checked the building for fox holes. They found
A GANG of England supporters who attacked Turkish fans after a crucial game was jailed yesterday. Violence flared as Turks left Sunderland's Stadium of Light following the Euro 2004 qualifier on April 2, last year. Newcastle Crown Court heard how chants
THE historical links with The Baltic through the North-East's ports may give the region something of a head start in dealing with new EU members Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. For the past three years, Girts Greiskalns has been employed by the trade and
A WOMAN says police have ignored her calls for help when her street has been plagued by youngsters drinking and being noisy. The woman, who has asked to remain anonymous, says every night in Melland Court, Darlington, groups of youths gather to drink
PARENTS of a girl left severely disabled at birth received nearly £4m in damages yesterday after a seven-year battle for compensation. Susan and Kevin Hubery have struggled to look after 14-year-old Emma, who has cerebral palsy. Her brain was starved
All's well with the world as a perfect day in god's own country is punctuated by a memorable meal served by a smiling waitress. THE circular walk from Reeth up past the old Surrender lead mine and across into Arkengarthdale has become almost a Rite of
A DARLINGTON student has launched a web service that could become as widely used as some of the Internet's biggest sites. Roger Stachis has launched hoowot.com - a service that allows users to make free announcements to people all over the world. The
FEW North-East businesses are as closely associated with the European question as Nissan, but the motor manufacturer believes that enlargement of the EU will have little or no immediate impact on its Wearside operations. But, it is the medium and long-term
THE setting is traditional North Yorkshire where men are men and gay means being in a merry mood, not being homosexual. Enter a pair of gay fashion and style experts, who decamp from London to introduce style and romance to the lives of two traditional
ABOUT 2,500 homes in east Cleveland were left without electricity until the early hours of yesterday after storms hit the region at the weekend. Customers in Brotton lost their supplies after transformers were damaged by lightning at 10.02pm on Sunday
STUDENTS from Durham University have taken part in an annual event to raise funds for research into meningitis. They left the city dressed in a variety of silly costumes to descend on the capital to take part in London Loot. For two days they collected
A SHOPPING development that has brought jobs to Newton Aycliffe has been hailed a success. Only two units remain unlet at Cobblers Hall Village, a £6m development that has brought 100 jobs to the area. Five years in the planning, the 3.5 acre site next
TENANTS who toil in the soil are set to reap more than just the fruits of their labours. Prizes in Harrogate Borough Council's Tenants' Garden Competition this year include family days out at a number of the district's attractions, meals at local restaurants
A DRUGS education project that has proved a great success is training a new group of youngsters. The Outthere Project is a peer-led drugs scheme that works with young people between the ages of 13 and 25. Project leaders are currently working in Greenfield
A DIGITAL media team has given commercial property experts Peter Freitag Associates a 21st Century makeover by designing and developing the company's new website. Media Factory, a subsidiary of Newsquest North East, was contracted to produce www.peterfreitag.co.uk
PRIMARY school pupils got a lesson in French cuisine yesterday. Children at Marton-cum-Grafton School, near Boroughbridge, visited Le Carolo, in Thirsk, to see Stephane Lablaine, chef and owner of the French cuisine takeaway and outside catering business
AFTER a full working life, centenarian Fred Campbell is still keeping busy helping in the garden at the care home where he lives. Mr Campbell celebrated his 100th birthday with a tea party for his family and fellow residents at Southfield Lodge, in Crook
HUNGER drove reforming drug addict Christopher Abbott back to shoplifting twice in two days, a court heard. Harrogate magistrates were told by Catherine Duffy, prosecuting, that Abbott, 28, walked out of the town's Gap store with a £48 pair of jeans tucked
A TOWN has been awarded £3.24m to tackle traffic congestion. Darlington is one of three towns in the country to share a £10m pot after winning the Government's Showcase Transport Town competition. Along with Peterborough and Worcester, it will act as
A woman was killed after being hit by a freight train on Saturday. Emergency services were called to Northallerton Station, at 9.35am after receiving reports that a woman had been struck by a train. The incident closed the East Coast main line for almost
POLICE have appointed "super sleuths" in a bid to further reduce County Durham's already low house burglary rate. A team of six specialist "burglary support officers" will lead the investigation into every domestic break-in. The Durham force hopes they
THE curtain goes up next weekend on a £500,000 facelift to a town hall. For the first time in a year, the public are being invited inside the revitalised hall at St John's Chapel, in Weardale, to view what years of dedicated fundraising have managed to
ANXIOUS parents are pleading with their local council to clean up waste land behind their homes after finding used hypodermic needles. The land behind Wharton Street, Coundon, near Bishop Auckland, is a popular place for children to play, but parents
A school under construction in Middlesbrough has received a cash boost. The Unity City Academy, in Ormesby Road, is being built to replace the town's Langbaurgh and Keldhome Schools. Ian Bruce, the former chairman of governors of Langbaurgh School, yesterday
PEOPLE are being urged to help support efforts to protect a Hartlepool nature reserve and clamp down on anti-social behaviour. Countryside wardens working for Hartlepool Borough Council are keen to set up a friends group to look after the Hart to Haswell
BROADCASTER Paddy MacDee got more than he bargained for when he agreed to present prizes at a charity golf day. The BBC Radio Newcastle presenter will hand out the prizes after a sell-out charity golf day at Hexham Golf Course on Friday, May 7, to raise
POLICE have appointed "super sleuths" in a bid to further reduce County Durham's already low house burglary rate. A team of six specialist "burglary support officers" will lead the investigation into every domestic break-in. The Durham force hopes they
ARSENE Wenger is not someone who hands out praise lightly. The erudite Frenchman might have eclipsed even the legendary Herbert Chapman by becoming the first Arsenal manager to lead his side to three league championships last weekend, but his background
POLICE are looking for a robber who knocked two middle aged women to the ground and snatched a handbag. His victims were going shopping at The Parkway, Coulby Newham, near Middlesbrough, when the attacker struck near the suburb's Fairy Dell Park. He knocked
A LABOUR Party stalwart who was snubbed for speaking out against the war in Iraq has died aged 81. Joan Smith was banned from attending Tony Blair's anniversary party last year, despite having been a party member for 65 years. Mrs Smith spoke out against
CASH-STRAPPED Darlington Football Club is urging supporters to turn out in force for its last home game of the season - yet another historic occasion in the Quakers' history. Saturday's league match against Swansea City represents the last chance this
A new squad of crime busters has been forged from the ranks of a police force. And it was revealed yesterday that the highly successful and continuing Operation Sabre all-out blitz on Teesside's criminals was also a dress rehearsal for Cleveland Police's
A MUSEUM'S dedicated team of firefighters have proved they are up there with the best of them when it comes to their job. The Yorkshire Air Museum, at Elvington near York, has its own fire brigade and appliances. The crew has just passed the Civil Aviation
CAR maker Nissan yesterday announced record operating profits, passing the three million sales mark for the first time in 13 years. Nissan is one of the region's largest employers, with 4,500 staff at its Sunderland plant. It has announced profits of
When North Yorkshire farmer Chris Gibbon and his friend agreed to be made over on television, they were hoping for Trinny and Susannah. Instead they got the Fairy Godfathers, as Steve Pratt reprots. THE setting is traditional North Yorkshire where men
Fourteen-year-old Tom Burton lives in Sunniside, near Crook, in the Durham Dales. A pupil at Wolsingham Comprehensive School, in Weardale, he is active in local theatre, writes a column for Wear Valley District Council's newspaper and has sat on community
IT was third time lucky for an Army helicopter pilot as he finally set off yesterday on an attempt to become the first person to fly around the world in an open-cockpit gyroplane. Warrant Officer Barry Jones, 37, aims to set a world record when he flies
It is more than 50 yars since Britian scrapped compulsory identity cards, and now the Government wants to brign them back. Nick Morrison asks if ID cards wil make us safer - or if they're the first step towards a police state. WHEN the man then considered
X-ray equipment maker Bede posted falling sales and pre-tax losses yesterday following a recession in its key markets. But despite a severe downturn in the semiconductor industry, the company, in Durham, has secured a record number of orders and predicts
PRIME Minister Tony Blair has invited Czech artist and University of Sunderland professor Sylva Petrova to a celebration of the expansion of the European Union. Prof Petrova will be at the Foreign Office tomorrow to mark the inclusion of ten new members
Post Office counter clerk, Chester-le-Street. 16-19 hpw, Mon to Sat. Permanent. Must be Horizon trained. Bank or building society experience an advantage. Ref: CHM 16847. Car paint sprayer, Consett. £7ph, 40hpw, Mon-Fri. Permanent. Must have 5 years'
