A WOMAN was chatted up by her attacker in the street before being raped, a court was told yesterday. The 22-year-old said Mohamed Hassan, 33, targeted her as she walked to her boyfriend's home in Middlesbrough at 4am, after they had rowed earlier. Teesside
CLEVELAND Police's Chief Constable Sean Price was put in the hot seat at a tenants' forum when about 50 people questioned him about policing issues in their area. The force's recent poor performance in the league tables was the focus of some of the questions
IT'S not exactly Army issue but squaddie Sarah Wright just can't get enough of her new pink car. The military clerk, based at Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, is following in the footsteps of Thunderbirds puppet Lady Penelope, cartoon heroine Penelope
A COURT hearing to determine the fate of nine former US navy ships destined to be scrapped in the North-East has been delayed. The hold-up means there is now virtually no chance of the so-called ghost ships being towed across the Atlantic to a breakers
Foster's Northumberland and Tyneside Senior League Under 15s: Swalwell dismissed Greenside for only 30 who then conceded six wickets before reaching the low target. Joe Wright captured three wickets conceding just one run in nine deliveries, Chris Todd
EMMA Sedman is in her element. The young Yorkshire jewellery designer has just moved in to a purpose built workshop in Swaledale. "All this space! And a chance to meet the people who buy my work. It's perfect," she enthuses. Until now, Scarborough-born
Echo Memories ponders a missing monument to the ingenuity of a Victorian inventor who helped to revolutionise farming by designing an automatic steam plough Look yonder where the engines toil! Victorious over wave and soil, With these she sails, she weaves
A BUSINESSMAN at the centre of a row over an animal incinerator has been found dead after a shooting incident. Edward Noddings, the owner of a slaughterers' firm at Charltons, near Guisborough, was found dead at his premises. A spokesman for Cleveland
A SICKENED minister is struggling to make sense of an orgy of vandalism at his Northallerton church. More than 40 missiles were hurled at the United Reformed church last Friday night and in the early hours of Saturday. Valuable Victorian stained glass
Bishop Auckland have been boosted by the news that Shaun Hope has signed a new deal. Hope was one of the stars of last season, playing in a variety of positions in the centre of defence, midfield and up front. Manager Brian Honour said: "Shaun had a great
Police are hunting a sex attacker who grabbed a woman as she walked home last night. The attack happened in the Southbank area of Middlesbrough at 10pm last night. A woman was approached by a youth aged between 16 and 19 as she walked home. When she ignored
THE franchise for the North's railway services has gone to a Holland-based operator. The Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) yesterday announced it had selected Serco-NedRailways as preferred bidder for the Northern Rail network, which stretches from Tyne
SUNDERLAND are ready to make a fresh attempt to sign Michael Chopra on loan from neighbours Newcastle after dropping their interest in Darren Byfield. The Black Cats have told Byfield that he has no future at the Stadium of Light, and withdrawn the offer
A STUDENT went berserk and attacked a female friend hours after learning he had made it on to a prestigious TV quiz show. Undergraduate Mark Philip Davies, 21, had just won a place on the BBC's University Challenge, when he became embroiled in a row with
THE traditions of African culture were brought to life for primary school children through the latest in visual communications technology. Using video conferencing storyteller Malcolm Green shared his tales of Africa with more than 100 children from eight
Matthew Atkinson turned in a fine all round performance to help the Bishop Auckland U15 cricket team lift the Teesside Valve and Fitting Shield at Sedgefield CC's ground on Sunday, June 27. Playing against the Willington U15 cricket XI Bishop Auckland
Prior Pursglove 6th Form College in Guisborough, will benefit from £200,000 from the Learning and Skills Council Tees Valley. The Further Education performance-related funding forms part of the Success for All programme of reform, recognising institutions
A survey of Bishop Auckland town centre is assessing access for people with disabilities. Town centre manager Derek Toon has commissioned a report for the Town Centre Forum, asking Wear Valley Disability Access Forum to investigate any aspects that could
AN inquest was opened yesterday into the death of a businessman following a shooting incident. Edward Noddings, the owner of a slaughterers firm at Charltons, near Guisborough, east Cleveland, was found dead at the offices of JE Noddings and Son, on Tuesday
TWO youths who were part of a vicious mob who attacked a champion athlete walked free from court yesterday. Jared Deacon, 29, was pelted with makeshift missiles before being punched in Horsley Hill Square, South Shields, South Tyneside, after visiting
THE importance of allotments to the local community is coming under the scrutiny of councillors in Middlesbrough. A panel of councillors will be taking evidence from a national society representing allotment holders, local gardeners, the Countryside Agency
Not a disaster, was how Club Captain, Steve Haslam described the Woodham Men's Teams 10-4 defeat at the hands of table topping rivals Brancepeth GC in their North Durham Golf Union League Match. James Ivil suffered his first defeat of the season, going
A boy of ten who has been accused of raping a younger boy may not be fit to stand trial, a court was told yesterday. The alleged attacker is thought to be one of the youngest suspects in the country to be charged with serious sex offences. He had been
POLICE officers who helped jail two prolific thieves were given commendations at a ceremony yesterday. The six officers were commended for the tenacity, determination, analytical and investigation skills that led to the arrest and the conviction of two
The stars are turning out for a charity match at Crook Town tomorrow afternoon. The club is hoping that several big names will be able to appear in the game at the Millfield, which is in aid of Cancer Research. Former England, Middlesbrough and Manchester
THE Cleveland Hunt Pony Club again hosted the Area 2 Prince Philip Games competition last month. Despite the last-minute loss of the planned venue, the competition went ahead thanks to the generosity of Mr and Mrs Peter Chapman of Thornton Grange Farm
Darlington MP Alan Milburn has shown his support for people with dementia and their carers across the borough in the run-up to Alzheimer's Awareness Week, which starts on Monday. It will focus on younger people and the impact of dementia. Mr Milburn said
A DOG which was pining for its owner has found a new home, thanks to an appeal in The Northern Echo. Jack, a collie-spaniel cross, was being cared for by the National Animal Sanctuary Support League (NASSL), in Newton Aycliffe, after the death of his
A HEADTEACHER for Darlington's largest primary school is likely to be appointed at a meeting today. The Northern Echo has seen a confidential report that reveals that Sheila Williams, wife of council leader Councillor John Williams, has been recommended
CHILDREN from schools across Darlington swapped the classroom for manual work as joiners, electricians, builders and painters yesterday. About 200 primary pupils visited the town's Branksome School to take part in a one- day Branksome Builders challenge
CONSERVATIVE councillors in Darlington say a decision on controversial car parking charges should have been taken to a full council meeting. Darlington Borough Council's cabinet approved the plan for on-street car parking charges without discussion when
A BURGLAR was jailed yesterday after he was trapped by his trainers. John Thomas, 20, was arrested six months after committing a night time house burglary when police searched his home and seized his trainers. The soles matched the prints left behind
SACRISTON developed from a little mining village of the 1840s into what was almost a small town by the 1890s. It was a thriving mining community of hard-working miners, with a good share of drinking places to quench their thirsts. Pubs such as the Robin
THE mother of murdered schoolgirl Sarah Payne will visit the region at the weekend to attend a conference for murder victims. Sara Payne, along with Denise Bulger, the mother of murdered Liverpool toddler James, will be guests at the North of England
MORE householders in Hartlepool are being urged to prove their commitment to the environment by signing up to a free community composting scheme. The council has joined forces with the town's Owton Fens Community Association (OFCA) to launch fortnightly
THREE school dinner supervisors were treated to lunch to reward their long service. Catering company Scolarest, which feeds County Durham's pupils, took Margaret Horseman, assistant cook at Fyndoune Community College, Sacriston, Carol Hinks, unit manager
A COMMUNITY chest of £25,000 is to be put aside by a council to provide grants to groups in part of County Durham. Organisations in Chester-le-Street will be able to apply for minor awards worth up to £250 and major awards of up to £2,000. Chester-le-Street
A DOG which was pining for its owner has found a new home, thanks to an appeal in The Northern Echo. Jack, a collie-spaniel cross, was being cared for by the National Animal Sanctuary Support League (NASSL), in Newton Aycliffe, after the death of his
A RETIRED police officer's son took a deadly cocktail of drink and drugs after spurning his parents' help, a Harrogate inquest was told yesterday. Coroner Geoff Fell recorded a verdict of death from alcohol and drugs abuse after hearing how Paul Hubbocks
IT'S almost criminal to welcome wet weather, especially when you know your offspring is at Glastonbury (Mummy said it would be muddy and Mummy knows best, so no sympathy there). There is, however, another reason for being glad people have to don their
THE AA motoring organisation was driving towards a stock market listing last night after being sold in a £1.75bn deal. Energy group Centrica announced an agreement to sell the AA to a company formed by venture capitalists CVC and Permira following a hotly
FARMERS are joining forces with police officers in a new crackdown on rural crime which could help to pinpoint thieves at the push of a button. The new Farm Watch scheme covering Derwentside - using a combination of both high-tech and traditional methods
THIRSK Falcons FC recently celebrated yet another record-breaking season for the club at their annual presentation evening held at The Angel, Topcliffe. The first team finished third in the Harrogate and District League premier division to equal their
METAL fillings in teeth burned during cremations will soon be creating more pollution than power stations, it has been warned. Experts predict that crematoria will become the country's biggest mercury polluter within 15 years. Councils running ten crematoria
TONY Blair has made it clear that Iraq must be allowed to decide the fate of Saddam Hussein. As a newly-established sovereign nation, the country which suffered so terribly at the hands of Saddam must be seen by the world to be in charge of his destiny
THE world-famous 199 steps at Whitby - featured in Bram Stoker's classic horror story Dracula - are in line for a major restoration after a fundraising campaign reached its target in just four months. Each of the steps, which link the harbour with St
DONORS to a £9m appeal for Ampleforth Abbey and College were called "heroes" by appeal president Sir George Bull at a reception held at the abbey on Sunday. He said the college's old boys, friends and families had beaten the target by £250,000 in four
A POSTMAN with a passion for orchids showed his love for his wife by naming an award-winning flower after her. Tom Watson, from Darlington, picked up three accolades for an orchid he entered at the Newbury International Orchid Show, in Berkshire. The
NOW I'm beginning to understand the need for all those flags. Just over a week ago thousands of them were fluttering proudly; now only a defiant handful remain as the country is enveloped in gloom. It is one of the mysteries of our age that as a nation
Bedale & West of Yore PC. - July 22: ODE at Newfield, Mickley, PC and open classes, sae to secretary Mrs F Blaine, 7 Stoneybrough Lane, Thirsk YO7 2LS. Braes of Derwent PC. - July 11: senior horse trials at Houghall, Durham, open to non-members, novice
A MAN who held a woman hostage in a knifepoint siege has been jailed for a total of three years. Stephen Foster, 32, of Walker Drive, Bishop Auckland, County Durham, held Zoe Burnett in his flat for up to two hours while police outside pleaded with him
TROOPS intended to protect the North-East and Yorkshire from terror attack have been sent to Iraq because the Army is overstretched, MPs warned yesterday. A highly-critical report by the Labour-dominated Commons defence committee raised the alarm over
A FEW weeks ago, I drove from the south of England to North Yorkshire via the A1. It was a Sunday and traffic levels were moderate, there being a welcome absence of heavy goods vehicles. On two occasions, I was in a line of cars all moving smoothly, when
A DIRECTORY of services for pensioners in Durham and Chester-le-Street has been published. The guide contains details of all the services that older people in the area may need. It has been produced and funded by the Durham and Chester-le-Street Primary
It has been a very good week with the rod average up to 4.1 fish. There has still been no reports of any of the large blues being caught although one angler reported hooking a fish which went like an express train. He was well down on his backing when
New meaning to "old Bill", Bill Smith played his regular weekly game of football on Monday - a couple of days after his 80th birthday. "I just wish I could get a game more often," he said. "I still play up front, there's plenty of time to go into defence
Sir, - The election results recently announced have provoked the usual reactions from the various political parties but the one that really matters is the obvious view of the electorate. When "New Labour" got into power, one of the first things Gordon
A DOG and her six puppies are recovering after being abandoned at the back of allotments. Thanks to the quick thinking of a member of the public and care received from officers on Stockton Borough Council's animal welfare team, the cross-bred bitch, known
THE fight to save Billingham Forum has been joined by a councillor from east Cleveland. More than 4,000 people from across the North-East have signed petitions following anger at the proposed demolition of Billingham Forum, on Teesside. The protest follows
DURHAM have waved a less-than-tearful farewell to Shoaib Akhtar and will not be inviting him back next season. After insisting all along that he would be not be taking part in the Asia Cup, the Pakistani paceman received a call late on Wednesday night
MORE than 100 veteran allied airmen who help turn the tide in the Second World War gathered yesterday to remember their fallen comrades. The Yorkshire Air Museum at Elvington, near York, played host to the annual reunion of the Air Gunners Association
ALLOTMENT holders are hopping mad about wild rabbits eating their crops. The town council heard how the rabbits were destroying and eating crops in the brick yard allotments. A representative for the allotment association said: "The problem is getting
VISITORS to a market town are being urged to rediscover its history and attractions this weekend with two days of events. Residents and businesses in Bedale have joined forces to stage the weekend in a bid to reinvent the town as a destination for all
A WIDE-RANGING programme of events is under way as part of the celebrations for the first National Parks' Week. The week runs until July 9 and aims to raise awareness of the landscape, lifestyle and recreational opportunities offered by the 13 national
THE decision to close seven post offices throughout Cleveland has been met with dismay. On Wednesday, it was confirmed that offices in Station Road, Eaglescliffe; Upsall Grove, Fairfield; Hartburn Village; Esk Close, Guisborough, and three in Middlesbrough
A TOWN is getting its skates on to create the biggest sports arena of its kind in the region - and one of the largest in the UK. After hundreds of enthusiasts signed a petition, a disused Middlesbrough tennis court is to undergo a £350,000 transformation
CLERK of course Barry Overy engineered a first class conclusion to Guisborough and District MC's five Saturday night trials with a three-lap, ten-section course among the rocks and gullies of Skelder Farm, Commondale. Well supported throughout the summer
WEIGHT is pub singer Gemma Taylor's forte. As the UK's strongest woman, it is officially what she tackles best. Ms Taylor, 20, of Bagby, Thirsk, beat off opposition from seasoned competitors at Kesh, Northern Ireland, at the weekend to take the UK title
ACORN Dairy received the thumbs up from down under last week. A group of dairy farmers from Albany, Western Australia, visiting the UK to look at organic production methods, enjoyed a two-our tour of the farm, organised by the NFU. They particularly focused
SPEED CAMERAS: RICHARD Brunstrom, Chief Constable of North Wales, has just confirmed that speed cameras are there to make money. He wants to install more cameras, but to have them hidden. He has succeeded in alienating 80 per cent of drivers in North
The annual presentation of awards took place at Richmondshire Cricket Club on Friday June 25. The awards were presented to the winners by Michael Dawson from Leyburn who plays for Nottingham Forest and England U21. The Cricket Club was full of junior
English Schools' Association National Championships: While many will be disappointed 70 young athletes from Durham and Northumberland will have received notification, of their selection, to represent their County at the English Schools' Athletics Association
BARNARD CASTLE. - Wed. Fwd: 815 sheep. Std lambs to 121p av 109.7p; med to 115p av 110.8p; heavy to 111p av 108.8p; lt hoggs to 100p; std to 85p; med to 86.7p; owt to 100p. Cast sheep: Texel £46.50; Blue-faced Leics £46; Cont £45.20. DARLINGTON. - Thurs
Foster's Cleveland League: The weather again played havoc with the programme. Three games failed to start and the match between Boosbeck and Moorsholm was quickly abandoned. Loftus though managed to complete their fixture with Ormesby Hall and were rewarded
No Going Back (C4); A Place In Spain (C4): The optimism of Brits abroad never fails to amaze me - in the face of the most trying conditions and financial heartache, ex-pats dig in their heels and continue with their dreams. Peter and Shirley Piscina,
WORK on new offices for Durham City Council has started. The Liberal Democrat-controlled council is building a £2m information centre or one-stop-shop at Lobley Hill Road, Meadowfield. When it is finished in March, people will be able to access a wide
NOW I'm beginning to understand the need for all those flags. Just over a week ago thousands of them were fluttering proudly; now only a defiant handful remain as the country is enveloped in gloom. It is one of the mysteries of our age that as a nation
MAKE sure Muqbil (4.20) is on your shortlist for this afternoon's mile-and-a-quarter Listed Gala Stakes at Sandown. John Dunlop's superbly bred son of Swain appeared to be on the downgrade during a disappointing end to his 2003 campaign, but just when
IT HAS to be said, the Brownlow Arms is not the place to eat if you have a pressing after-dinner engagement. Three hours from prompt arrival for an 8.15 booking to draining the last of the coffee was a little longer than we'd envisaged. We'd been before
MIDDLESBROUGH are awaiting the results of Mark Viduka's medical before finally landing the Leeds United striker. The Australian forward, who has never had a serious injury during four years at Elland Road, was at Boro's Rockliffe Park training HQ yesterday
AN UNSEASONABLY cold June wind, whipping the ears and rustling the black-tied flowers fixed to the front of the train, could not wither the warmth of the shared memories. It seemed that things had come full circle for Walter Hartley, one of the strongest
David Lilley of Hebburn, The English Amateur Champion, proved too strong for his host, Paul Davison at Durham Snooker Club when he recovered from a two frames deficit to take the remaining five points to boost his standing in the table. Davison opened
Billingham enjoyed a full weekend of competition, the Masters competing on the Saturday and the Juniors on the Sunday, both competitions were held at Felling. On the Saturday the Masters showed the way with a successful competition achieving 17 Golds
A COUPLE are preparing to complete a sponsored walk to raise money for their village brass band. Judy and Derek Evans plan to walk from Fishburn to Durham on Saturday, next week. They will leave the village at 9am, arriving in Durham three hours later
AN AWARD winning brass band has performed abroad for the first time in 20 years. Members of the Reg Vardy Band, formerly known as the Ever Ready Band, were invited to take part in a four-day festival in the south of France. The band, which is based in
SOME may think just getting on a motorbike is an achievement in itself for sidecar racer Ruth Laidlow. Forced to call a halt to her career as a passenger for Martin Whittington after an horrific accident four years ago, Laidlow opted against hanging up
THE league will kick off on Sunday August 15th, with the Following Teams in each Division. PREMIER DIVISION Hetton Lyons, Brandon United, Sherburn Lambton Arms, Sedgefield St Edmunds Pelton RAOB, Houghton Glendale Social, Burnmoor Cricket Club, Fatfield
TOP Darlington rider Keith Murray (Science in Sport.com) continued his preparation for the National Three-up Team Time Trial Championship next weekend with a convincing victory in Hartlepool CC's 25-mile event at Borrowby, North Yorkshire, on Saturday
REASSURANCES about the closure of a North Yorkshire trunk road junction were dismissed as "rubbish" this week. Anxious parish councillors in nearby villages still fear that many summer events will be hit by the blocking-off of the notorious Black Swan
A MOTHER spoke tearfully yesterday of her relief at seeing the start of work to demolish the flat where her son died. Theresa Cave, whose son, Chris, was stabbed in the flat at Burnmoor Close, Redcar, east Cleveland, last June, has been campaigning for
AN AWARD winning brass band has performed abroad for the first time in 20 years. Members of the Reg Vardy Band, formerly known as the Ever Ready Band, were invited to take part in a four-day festival in the south of France. The band, which is based in
NEWCASTLE are set to miss out on long-term transfer target Hatem Trabelsi after Premiership champions Arsenal entered the race for his signature. The Magpies first made contact with the Tunisian right-back in late May and, while their initial advances
PUBLIC opinion has forced councillors to lift a cloud of uncertainty surrounding plans by fundraisers to buy and preserve 88 acres of open land around Richmond. Richmond Landscape Trust and its fundraising arm, Richmond Open Spaces Appeal, protested last
A MOTHER and son have set off on an 85-mile walk to raise money for a gymnastics club. Christine and Nathan Glover, from Leeholme, Bishop Auckland, started out on their sponsored trek from Fort William to Inverness yesterday. The pair hope to raise hundreds
Roseberry Group North East Durham League: Only two games out of six were played in Division One and there were wins for Newton Aycliffe and Sunderland Hospitals. Belmont struggled to 38.1 overs making just 87 on the rain affected wicket at Newton Aycliffe
THE North Yorkshire Schools' Symphony Orchestra will perform in Ripon Cathedral at 7pm on Thursday. Musicians from schools across the county will take part in a residential course all week, and will be conducted by Simon Wright. He has earned acclaim
ONE local supplier who has been with Asda for about a year is Gordon Tweddle, owner of Acorn organic dairy at Garthorne Farm, Archdeacon Newton, on the outskirts of Darlington. The dairy, a member of Northumbria Larder, supplies many independent retailers
Thirsk Falcons recently held their Annual Presentation Evening at The Angel, Topcliffe. The event, attended by over a hundred people, celebrated yet another record-breaking season for the club. The first team finished in third place in the Harrogate &
MONTHS of hard work by a devoted band of Bedale Golf Club members, led by Craig Harrison and club chairman Ian Smith, reached fruition last Saturday with the presentation of the Junior Golf Mark award by Anthony Abraham, chairman of the National Coaching
A SECOND attempt to omit Middleton St George from the name of its new primary school has prompted a backlash from angry villagers. A year ago, governors faced an outcry when people learned their new £3m school was to be called St Andrew's and St Laurence's
Crook Ladies League: Willington New Inn went down to their first defeat of the season when they were beaten by the odd point by the visiting Tow Law New Market B, who moved up to fourth place in the table. Crook Queen's Head A won by three points at Tow
EMMA Sedman is in her element. The young Yorkshire jewellery designer has just moved in to a purpose built workshop in Swaledale. "All this space! And a chance to meet the people who buy my work. It's perfect," she enthuses. Until now, Scarborough-born
MURDER squad detectives want to trace five men seen close to where a body was found, half concealed under a pile of logs. As the parents of battered to death drugs addict Darren Manders appealed for people to help in finding the killers of their son,
Chester-le-Street District Council plans to ban the drinking of alcohol in some public places. The council has harnessed powers enabling it to ban booze in areas that are blighted by drink-fuelled crime. Anyone caught consuming alcohol in such a designated
Must start with huge commiserations to the England football team for their sad exit from Euro 2004 last week. Contentious refereeing decisions are a fact of life in football whatever the level but at the very highest level they can be very costly as we
NEWCASTLE City Hall has seldom seen anything quite like it. A rapturous audience swinging and swaying in a supercharged atmosphere generated by jazz scion Hugh Masekela and the formidable Jazz Jamaica All Stars. The special event marking the tenth anniversary
THERE is a double programme in the premier division, with newly-installed leaders Guisborough visiting Bishop Auckland before hosting Darlington in what promises to be a difficult weekend. A blow to Guisborough's chances is the unavailability of captain
Sir, - Valerie Whitby's attempts to smear polling commissioned by the Countryside Alliance (D&S letters, June 18) shows how sensitive obsessive anti-hunting campaigners are about the lack of public support for their campaign. To put the record straight
A MATERNITY ward that prompted a patient revolt when it closed has reopened after 18 months. Campaigners formed a 'Mums' Army' when South Tees Hospitals NHS Trust closed Guisborough Hospital's maternity unit in November 2002 because of a national shortage
THE people of Whitby are in for a surprise today when the pride of Peter the Great's fleet comes in on the morning tide. A replica of the Tsar's 28-gun frigate Shtandart will spend the day at the port, berthed at the Endeavour Wharf and open to the public
Spraire Lads: Next season's Under 11s who begin to play 11-a-side football in the new season played there first pre-season friendly at 11 a side away to Greatham. Spraire started well going close in the opening ten minutes a couple of times. They finally
Crook League: Crook Belle Vue lost possession of the top place in Division One when they went down in the deciding doubles at Crook Coach and Horses A. Their defeat allowed Crook Queen's Head A, who won by three points at home to Hunwick Club, to go two
A FILM has depicted the changing face of a school building. The film was commissioned by Greenfield Community and Arts Centre and Greenfield School, in Newton Aycliffe, in partnership with Creative Partnerships Sunderland and Durham. It aims to provide
A NEW extension has been opened to the visitor centre celebrating the life and work of Robert Thompson, the famous "Mouseman" of Kilburn, near Thirsk. The work of the legendary craftsman, who died in 1955, is to be found in cathedrals and village churches
DARK clouds and a few showers did nothing to diminish the dazzling success of the North's first Festival of Horses, hosted by local horse whisperer Sarah Kreutzer. Almost 1,000 people flocked to the celebration of the horse at Ilton, near Masham, to see
A HOSPITAL for people with autism will feature on an international news channel this weekend. Newbus Grange, a 19-bed private hospital run by Darlington company Castlebeck, in Hurworth, near Darlington, is one of the subjects of a programme on CNN called
IN what could be seen as a departure from the large-scale purchasing power of parent company WalMart, supermarket chain Asda is signing up local food producers in a bid to put more regional delicacies into its stores. Although 200 producers countrywide
A YANKEE Doodle Day will be held at Redcar racecourse on Sunday to celebrate American Independence Day. There will be American-themed promotions and attractions at the family event, including Disney characters, roaming entertainers, go-karts and a bouncy
THE way has been cleared to allow a second major store in Darlington's new £45m Commercial Street shopping mall. The amended outline plans submitted to Darlington planning committee on Wednesday will allow St Martin's Property investments to acquire more
A HEALTH trust was fined £50,000 yesterday for the death of a woman who was lowered into a bath of scalding water. The court heard that the tragedy could have been avoided had a £750 temperature valve been fitted to the bath. Catherine Hourie, 39, who
The skyline became a weaving riot of kites yesterday, as experts gave a taste of a festival this weekend. The International Festival of Kites, Music and Dance takes place in Washington, Wearside, tomorrow and Sunday. Kitemakers from across the world,
TWO years of fundraising have paid off for children who can enjoy a £14,000 play area at their school. Pupils, staff and parents at St Wilfrid's Primary School, on the Woodhouse Close Estate, Bishop Auckland, raised the money to turn a barren playground
SIX schools in the North-East have won specialist status, it was announced last night. In the largest round of designations by the Government, 268 schools across the country gained the status in ten subject specialisms. The region now has 100 specialist
WHILE teenage tennis sensation Maria Sharapova was playing her way into her first Wimbledon final yesterday, dozens of young hopefuls were displaying their talents in a schools tournament at Bishop Auckland. Sixteen primary schools took part in the event
THE University of Teesside has been awarded £3.1m to help convert academic excellence into commercial success. The grant, from the Higher Education Funding Council for England, was one of 124 awards made nationwide that will see more than £185m distributed
CHILDREN affected by the Chernobyl disaster toured a fire station yesterday. Twenty-six youngsters from Belarus toured the headquarters of County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service, in Durham City. They were given the opportunity to dress up
PENSIONERS are being urged to make sure they are not missing out on council tax and housing benefits. An advice day will be held on Tuesday at the Kirkbymoorside area office of Ryedale District Council to ensure all local pensioners can find out about
children in Teesside have designs on improving fire safety. They have devised games, educational packages and working models, all with a fire prevention message. Pupils at eight schools across Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Saltburn, Redcar and Stockton,
THE campaign to erect a memorial to the forgotten victims of the area's worst mining disaster is nearly over. Trustees charged with spending the cash raised by readers of the Advertiser and The Northern Echo believe they are just months away from unveiling
MIDDLESBROUGH BEARS recorded their biggest ever victory against the Oxford Academy at Cowley Stadium last weekend easily winning by 26-10pts. The Scott Bros Bears won every heat and three of their riders were unbeaten by an opposing rider. York-based
YOUNGSTERS have taken part in a series of workshops that gave them an opportunity to experience cultures from around world. The annual multi-cultural day at Hurworth School Maths and Computing College, in Darlington, was a great success. Year nine students
THE day Rothmans ceased cigarette production in Darlington, Argos was given the green light to create an expected 700 jobs. Residents and councillors expressed concerns about noise and extra traffic which would be generated by the huge distribution centre
A PIONEERING fast-track medical service for drug addicts on Teesside is to be used as an example to others. Nearly 200 users and their families have been helped in the three years the ground- breaking Fulcrum medical practice has been in existence. The
STOCKTON drugs squad has recovered £114,000 worth of heroin following a raid on an address in Dunster Road, Billingham. Three people were arrested at the house following the discovery of the 1kg block of the drug which was hidden in an item of clothing
EASINGTON District Council chairman Bruce Burn is urging everyone to take part in the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association's Shades for a Day. Councillor Burn will be among thousands of residents, workers and schoolchildren who will be playing their part
PHOTOGRAPHS and memorabilia belonging to a surviving relative of North-East comic legend Stan Laurel have sold for more than £24,000. The family snaps and documents trace the showbusiness career of one of the world's most influential and best-loved comics
A NUMBER of Teesdale motorists have had their vehicles clamped as part of a national crackdown on tax disc evasion. In a joint operation between the DVLA, police and traffic wardens, ten vehicles in the dale were discovered without a valid tax disc, leading
Federation Special Durham Senior League Under 15s: Hetton Lyons had seven wickets in hand overtaking the Burnmoor total of 76. Ian Marchant was in top form for the Lyons contributing 31 to his team's total of 77 for three, writes Malcolm Pratt. Felling
Chris Rawlinson is adamant he can he can bring to an end the lengthy unbeaten streak of world 400 metres hurdles champion Felix Sanchez when they meet in Rome tonight. The Commonwealth champion has frequently claimed he can defeat the Dominic Republic
Worthington CIU Summer League: Wheatley Hill A beat the visiting reigning champions, Spennymoor A to move three points clear at the top of the table as second placed Fishburn lost by the odd point at Newhouse. Despite losing by the odd point at home to
THOSE creative advertising industry types leave no stone unturned in their quest to find ways of getting their message across. Brands and exhortations get plastered on almost everything and anything as marketing people dream up more and more ways of influencing
THE UK manufacturing industry continued to grow last month, although at a slightly slower pace. The closely-watched Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply's (CIPS) purchasing managers' index, which draws together data from a number of indices to
PEOPLE will next week be able to get an impression of what a pedestrianised Darlington town centre could look like. Plans and sketches of the £6.5m scheme will go on display in the Queen Street shopping arcade from Wednesday until Saturday, July 10, and
A STUDENT from Askham Bryan College made it on to the shortlist of four for a national dairy student of the year award. Jonathan Adamson, an HND agriculture student from Nawton, near Helmsley, received a £50 cash prize and memento in the Royal Association
MARKS & SPENCER announced it is renegotiating deals with suppliers to try and save £100m a year. The retailer has held meetings with merchandise and food suppliers. Stuart Rose, M&S's new chief executive, has pledged to reveal his vision for transforming
CARIBBEAN Coral, winner of the Vodafone Dash at Epsom recently, took another valuable sprint for trainer John Quinn at Newcastle last Friday night. Robert Winston had the ride and won in confident manner. The Settrington trainer paid 48,000gns for the
BENEFIT cheats in the North-East are to be targeted in a series of hard-hitting adverts. The Department of Work and Pensions launched a campaign yesterday featuring former Bond villain Stephen Berkoff in a bid to crack down on fraudsters. The adverts
THE countdown is well under way for the 146th Great Yorkshire Show. The three-day event takes place in Harrogate from Tuesday, July 13, until Thursday, July 15. Some of the finest livestock in the country will compete, with classes for cattle, sheep,
A SCHOOL had to be evacuated after a nine-year-old girl took an artillery shell to show her classmates. The youngster's primary class had been doing a project on the Second World War and she thought her contribution would help. But when teachers saw the
THE chief executive of Easington District Council, Paul Wilding, has announced his early retirement. Mr Wilding, who has spent 28 years with the council in nine different roles, was appointed to the post in 2000. He has been influential in regenerating
No Going Back (C4) A Place In Spain (C4) The optimism of Brits abroad never fails to amaze me - in the face of the most trying conditions and financial heartache, ex-pats dig in their heels and continue with their dreams. Peter and Shirley Piscina, the
THREE dinner ladies were treated to lunch after clocking up a total of 75 years' service. Catering company Scolarest, which feeds County Durham's pupils, took the long-serving employees to lunch at Bistro 21, Aykley Heads, Durham City, to celebrate the
THE controversy over the imminent closure of the Black Swan crossroads on the A19 has got bogged down in arguments about the impact on village events close to the junction. No doubt some events will be affected by potential attendees finding it difficult
CLEVELAND Police Chief Constable Sean Price was put in the hot seat at a tenants' forum when about 50 people quizzed him on policing issues. Tenants of Coast and Country Housing questioned him at Park Court Community Centre, Redcar, on the force's recent
VOLUNTARY and community groups in east Cleveland can find out what free advice and support is on offer to them at a conference today. The event, Make Time For Health, at Skelton Civic Centre, from 9.30am to 2.30pm, will be hosted by BBC Radio Cleveland
PLANS for local communities to take over some under-used branch line railways have received strong support, says the Strategic Rail Authority. As part of a consultation exercise it has identified 60 routes across the country that could be managed locally
THERE were 31 instances of trains passing danger signals in May - one fewer than in the same month last year. Of the May 2004 incidents of signals passed at danger (Spads), 13 were considered serious, the same number as in May last year, said the Health
Solicitors Property Shop has opened a display centre in Durham City. The centre is in Saddler Street and offers a comprehensive property marketing service, including estate agency and legal services. SPS north regional manager Paul Hilton said: "The launch
A CAMPAIGN to attract more foster carers has been hailed as a success. Hartlepool Borough Council launched the campaign two months ago with the aim of recruiting at least 20 more foster carers, to meet the demand in the town. Figures show that 130 people
A district governor has been appointed for the 69 Rotary Clubs in the North-East. Syd Howarth, from Newton Aycliffe, County Dur-ham, will lead the region's 2,200 members in Rotary's centenary year. The editor of the Newton Aycliffe weekly community newspaper
CAMPAIGNERS in favour of an elected regional government in the North-East met this week to drum up support. Over 50 high profile people gathered at Durham County Cricket Club to check on progress of the Yes4thenortheast. Key speakers included former MEP
Defiant Saddam Hussein rejected war crimes and genocide charges at his first court appearance yesterday in Iraq, saying: "The real criminal is Bush." Asked to identify himself, the toppled tyrant declared: "I am Saddam Hussein, the President of Iraq."
ARTS projects across the county have been awarded thousands of pounds in the latest round of grants from the Arts Council England, Yorkshire. Forty-five projects in Yorkshire and the Humber region will receive grants from the National Lottery and the
THE University of Teesside has been awarded £3.1m to help convert academic excellence into commercial success. The grant, from the Higher Education Funding Council for England, was one of 124 awards made nationwide that will see more than £185m distributed
A FLAGSHIP building on Saltburn's seafront is in danger of becoming a white elephant after council chiefs branded it unusable. Construction work on the £570,000 Foreshore building was completed two years ago, but the building - which includes a cafe,
YOUNGSTERS from two primary schools helped make the earth move at a multi-million pound parkland restoration. The children, from Sedgefield Primary and Hardwick Primary schools, brought the huge diggers under starter's orders to begin excavating a lost
SOME of the country's loudest voices will ring out in Durham this weekend as the city hosts the National Town Crier Championships. About 20 upholders of the ancient tradition hope they will be in with a shout of being declared the best in Britain. Durham
Clay Court Series: Local 12s and under tennis starlet Abi Curry has recently increased her chances of a trip to Center Parcs, Sherwood Forest, to play in the finals of the Sunday Telegraph/Center Parcs Junior Tennis Grand Prix after her latest victory
A £3M plan to bring a hospital into the 21st Century has been given the go-ahead. Work can now get under way on bringing all the facilities at Malton Hospital under one roof for the first time. The main alterations will be to the old-fashioned Fitz-william
THE continuing battle between institutional investors and company directors has claimed a high-profile scalp with the announcement Sir Peter Davis is to step down. An official statement suggested the Sainsbury's chairman jumped, but industry insiders
ANGRY residents have form-ed an action group in a bid to halt a three-storey development on a field behind their homes. People who live in the College Road area of Ripon are protesting over newly tabled plans by the Hanover Housing Association for a greenfield
CHILDREN performed 50 years of pop music to celebrate the 50th birthday of their school's opening. The grandchildren of the founder of Harry Dack Infant School attended the event at the Loftus school where staff and pupils dressed up for the concert.
SACRISTON developed from a little mining village of the 1840s into what was almost a small town by the 1890s. It was a thriving mining community of hard-working miners, with a good share of drinking places to quench their thirsts. Pubs such as the Robin
Yorkshire league commitments coupled with torrential rain and lightning played havoc with the league fixtures, leaving only one match out of nine played on the scheduled night. The only course, not affected by flooding or in the interests of player safety
HOBBS Racing Suzuki rider Dennis Hobbs became the first rider in history to win the prestigious Ken Redfern Trophy four times in succession with a masterful display at Croft last Sunday. The 22-year-old from Guisborough tested his 1000cc machine at the
A BUSINESS organisation has urged the lead contractor on the Wembley stadium project to reconsider its decision to sever ties with Cleveland Bridge. The Darlington engineering company was due to work on the stadium until its completion in 2006, but Multiplex
Pupils have donated £280 to help buy medical supplies for Romanian orphans. Member of 9CE at Allertonshire School, Northallerton, presented the money to charity worker John Appleton. Students in the form have been involved in charity work throughout their
Cleveland travelled to York for the prestigious Cleveland Juniors U14s Nestle Rowntree Festival of Football. Cleveland travelled to York for this prestigious Nestle Rowntree Festival of Football with confidence high after their recent success at the high
CRICKETERS are appealing for help following a series of vandal attacks and thefts. The latest in a catalogue of incidents at Yarm Cricket Club's Leven Road ground saw a large section of practice nets cut away and stolen. Since the end of last season the
DARLINGTON manager David Hodgson has revealed how he had no hesitation in signing a new contract at the New Stadium following assurances the club were heading in the right direction. On the same day the Quakers squad returned for pre-season training,
Well, it's half time in the league, everyone has now played everyone for the first time and last year's winners of the League, Oak Lodge had the night off and are still four points clear and seem to be having the same type of form that Arsenal had in
A PRIMARY school football team is enjoying success after bringing home some silverware for the first time in 25 years. The team of nine, ten and 11-year-olds from Woodhouse Close Junior School, in Bishop Auckland, has claimed a perfect double by lifting
A COUNCIL leader claims public money is being wasted on an argument between Labour authorities. One tier of local government in County Durham will be scrapped if the North-East votes in favour of a regional assembly in a referendum. Voters will be offered
DRIV3R. Publisher: Atari. Formats: PS2, Xbox. Out now. Price: £44.99 (but should be cheaper): THE launch of Driv3r - the stupidly titled second sequel to a popular PSOne franchise - has been eagerly awaited by the gaming industry as one of the events
DRIV3R. Publisher: Atari. Formats: PS2, Xbox. Out now. Price: £44.99 (but should be cheaper): THE launch of Driv3r - the stupidly titled second sequel to a popular PSOne franchise - has been eagerly awaited by the gaming industry as one of the events
A RELATIVE of a Polish RAF pilot who crashed on a North-East hill during the Second War will attend a memorial ceremony next week. The nephew of Sergeant Wladyslaw Wasolewski will leave Poland for the first time to attend the 9th annual Aviation Day held
THE headteachers of Yarm preparatory and early schools got well and truly plastered last week - all in a good cause. Gillian Taylor and Wendy Young had their left arms put in plaster casts, then charged children to sign them as part of a fundraising drive
This week I'm going to give a special tribute on behalf of all the Tees anglers to Darlington's Don McMasters. Don, now aged 74 years, has just retired after 40 years of sterling work as secretary of Darlington & District and the North York South
CIU League: Crook Belle Vue were stretched in the darts section before they held on to their unbeaten record with an odd point win over their hosts, third placed Byers Green. Cockton Hill are in second place, eight points behind crook and five ahead of
Billingham Ice Hockey Club held their annual presentation night at the Billingham Social Club last weekend before players, families and friends. A well attended awards night saw several players receive two awards apiece. Vanessa Hill picked up two trophies
MIDDLESBROUGH are awaiting the results of Mark Viduka's medical before finally tying up a deal for their long-time target. The Leeds United striker, who has never had a serious injury during four years at Elland Road, was at Boro's Rockliffe Park training
NORTH Durham has the highest rate of teenage mothers in the UK, according to a new study. The report shows that the deprived district of Derwentside has more gymslip mums than anywhere else in Britain. The neighbouring districts of Wear Valley and Easington
AN AWARD winning brass band has performed abroad for the first time in 20 years. Members of the Reg Vardy Band, formerly known as the Ever Ready Band, were invited to take part in a four-day festival in the south of France. The band, which is based in
THE number of dumped cars removed from the streets of the North East and North Yorkshire doubled in just 12 months, new figures have revealed. A total of 7,063 vehicles had to be towed away in the 12 months to March 2003, which works out at 136 every
BEAT bobbies in County Durham are proving a hit with ethnic minorities and teenagers - but losing favour with older residents. An independent survey of more than 1,000 people across the county showed that Durham Constabulary has improved relationships
Durham Under 11 academy coach, John Windows, gave the Durham squad extra fielding work after their match last week with Cleveland county and when their match with Northumberland was cancelled also last week, he spent a further three hours working on catching
Following Saddam Hussein's first appearance in court, Christen Pears looks at what the future might hold for the former Iraqi dictator. HIS handcuffs and chains removed, Saddam Hussein was as defiant as ever when he made his first appearance in court.
CATTERICK golfer Roger Roper added another prestigious title to his CV when he won the Scottish Open Mid Amateur Championship at Hamilton. More than 80 players contested the event, which is open to golfers of all nationalities who have reached the age
A BUSINESSMAN is about to make a 1,300-mile road trip to honour a promise. When a couple asked furniture shop owner Peter Dobson if he delivered, Mr Dobson was happy to oblige. But he almost had a change of heart when he found out the address - the Loire
THERE was disappointment this week following the resignation after 30 years in the league of Whickham Glebe. Formerly Beamish, the club only moved to Whickham during the close season but found it increasingly difficult to field full strength sides. Secretary
THE hunt for the weapon used in the murder of Julie Smailes has been called off. A specialist police search team spent last Wednesday and Thursday digging up a garden behind a semi-detached council house in Briardale, Delves Lane, near Consett. Officers
LUMLEY made a clean sweep of the silverware in a successful Yorkshire raid on Sunday. The County Durham club was offered a late invite to take part in Rothwell Town's tenth anniversary festival against dozens of teams from across Yorkshire. They repaid
WHAT started out as an exercise for schoolchildren in a tiny village near Thirsk has become its most famous landmark. Kilburn's White Horse is "stabled" high above the picturesque village and, although not the only such horse, it is the largest in England
SOME of the country's loudest voices will ring out in Durham this weekend as the city hosts the National Town Crier Championships. Saturday's event, on Palace Green and in the Market Place, forms part of the annual Summer Festival and is expected to draw
by Robin Twizell RMD Agriculture. OLD crop wheat prices have generally continued their slow drift to new crop prices. The biggest problem is that new crop prices do not seem to like the approach, so have also moved a little lower. There is, however, very
DARLINGTON eventer Lucy Bell made the journey up to Scotland worthwhile when she finished ninth at the Burgie CCI* international three-day event in Moray. The 22-year-old rode her 15.2hh mare Miss Inca, her partner of the past 2 years, and the pair made
THREE men were arrested and 32 young people were issued with anti-social behaviour campaign notices during a police operation in Redcar. The aim of the operation on the troubled Lakes Estate last Friday night was to send a clear message that anti-social
A ZIMBABWEAN asylum seeker, who gave false details to police after being caught speeding in his BMW because he feared a report would be sent to his home government, escaped a prison sentence yesterday. Simbarashe Taruvinga had been driving south on the
FROM this newspaper 100 years ago. - The North of England is represented in a unique and specially interesting way at the St Louis World's Fair. One of the attractions at the great American exhibition is a facsimile of the first railway bridge ever erected
The British Paralympic Association has completed the selection of its tennis squad for Athens by adding Durham-based David Gardner to its team. The 32-year-old completes a nine-strong tennis squad for the Athens 2004 Paralympic Games. Gardner is a twice
COWS and sheep may disappear from parts of the countryside - including the Dales - according to a new report. The Country Land and Business Association fears political and economic circumstances could lead to the disappearance of many grazing animals
MAKE sure Muqbil (4.20) is on your shortlist for this afternoon's mile-and-a-quarter Listed Gala Stakes at Sandown. John Dunlop's superbly bred son of Swain appeared to be on the downgrade during a disappointing end to his 2003 campaign, but just when
TWO youths who were part of a vicious mob who attacked a champion athlete walked free from court yesterday. Jared Deacon, 29, was pelted with makeshift missiles before being punched in Horsley Hill Square, South Shields, South Tyneside, after visiting
County Super League: Crook Town B lost by two points on their trip to Shildon A but still managed to move to the top of the table, one point ahead of Spennymoor, who have a match in hand. The home side had two points from Kevin Stewart, who knocked Gerald
Durham & District League: The leading two teams in the First Division were both beaten, whilst the Second Division leaders, Mainsforth suffered the same fate. First Division early pace setters, Wingate crashed to their second consecutive whitewash
ROAD safety campaigners have expressed disappointment at a council decision to maintain the 70mph speed limit through Chester Moor and Plawsworth. Local people wanted to see the stretch of the A167 to 50mph, but Durham County Council's highway's committee
CHILDREN at a Chester-le-Street school staged a play of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Pelton Community Primary School youngsters worked hard to bring the Roald Dahl story to life. Their show was based on the film starring Gene Wilder and featured
IT WILL cost at least £40,000 for remaining work to make all public lavatories in Richmondshire accessible to the disabled, district councillors will be told next week. Local authorities and other bodies running public services must consider by October
Sir, - Once again we hear there is going to be yet another Government Green Paper to give fathers who don't have full access to their children more rights. Can I just ask them not to bother; all they will be doing is paying certain people a lot of money
THE regional assembly referendums will be scrapped in September if the Government is heading for a humiliating defeat, the Conservatives have claimed. Spokesman Bernard Jenkin predicted Tony Blair would use a report by the Electoral Commission on abuse
Sir, - I have long admired the hard-working Coun John Coulson, and usually applauded his efforts, but for once he surely is wrong. According to your report of the Northallerton Town Council meeting (D&S, June 25) he (and Couns Law and Wake) opposed
