YOUNG people have taken part in an event to promote the benefits of sport. A day of football, cricket, netball and basketball culminated with the running of a Magic Mile at Maiden Castle Sports Centre, in Durham, at the weekend. It was organised by County
A WORLD of communications has opened up for five Richmond School students who gained their foundation radio amateurs' licences. The pupils can now transmit on selected amateur radio bands to contact other operators around the globe. Nathan McGarry, Stephen
Bad girls, a gay governor and a prospective Tory MP, actor James Gaddas has an interesting manifesto for the voters of Stockton. He tells Steve Pratt why he went into politics. James Gaddas isn't the first actor with aspirations of becoming a Member of
Yorkshire Phoenix wilted under a terrific assault from Owais Shah on their first visit to Southgate yesterday as Middlesex Crusaders extended their lead at the top of the Second Division of the totesport League. They were revived by a savage 96 not out
GIPSIES accused of defecating in bushes on a North-East recreation ground could face eviction tomorrow. Darlington Borough Council is to apply for eviction orders at the town's magistrates' court for ten travellers parked on land behind Estoril Road,
A CAMPAIGN is urging people to check their medicine cabinets for out-of-date medicines and pills. Yesterday, Sedgefield Primary Care Trust (PCT) joined forces with pharmacists to launch an advertising campaign called Time for a Clean Sweep, that will
TYKES at home and abroad were celebrating their heritage yesterday. It was Yorkshire Day and the only flower in every true Tyke's buttonhole was a white rose. And the owners of a family-run delicatessen in Pickering, North Yorkshire, were scotching the
PROTEST groups are joining forces to fight proposals for windfarm developments near their homes. The groups plan to present a united front against developments they say are unnecessary. The Durham Action Against Windfarms (DAAW) group has been formed
A JUDGE has cleared the way for some North-East miners to receive compensation for a crippling industrial disease. Roger Maddocks, a specialist lawyer with Newcastle solicitors Irwin Mitchell, said a number of miners were a step closer to being compensated
A JUDGE has cleared the way for some North-East miners to receive compensation for a crippling industrial disease. Roger Maddocks, a specialist lawyer with Newcastle solicitors Irwin Mitchell, said a number of miners were a step closer to being compensated
JOCKEY of the moment Seb Sanders remains on course to top his best tally of 123 winners in a year, a feat achieved in 2002. Sanders has already racked up over 90 winners this year and was seen to particularly good effect aboard Pivotal Point in the £100,000
REGIONAL ASSEMBLY: AS the North-East is alone in having a regional assembly referendum, surely now it's time the Government installed the Lindisfarne Gospels in Durham Cathedral to show how important it thinks we are? This would be beneficial to Durham
Turnaround, trained by Lynda Ramsden, is proving to be the best birthday present Wynyard owner Joe Musgrave has ever received and raced to victory in style in the EBF Thomas Lord Maiden Stakes at Thirsk on Saturday. An odds-on chance, having finished
NEWCASTLE and trophies don't exactly go together, so expecting the Magpies to win two in the space of a month was always going to be too much. But, while the Newcastle Gateshead Cup will not sit alongside the United Christian Service Charity Cup in the
ORGANISERS of a North-East folk festival have announced the line-up for this year. Over the past four years, Trimdon Festival, in County Durham, has featured international entertainers such as the late Lonnie Donegan, Kate Rusby, Lindisfarne and The Benny
A project established to help rejuvenate the region's rural economy shattered by the Foot-and-Mouth epidemic has been hailed a success. Newcastle University's New Rural Economy Project (NREC) was set up in the wake of the 2001 FMD crisis, to provide the
Teenagers as young as 14 are to be tested for drugs by police in a North-East town. Fourteen to 17 year olds who are charged with burglary, car crime and theft will be tested at Middlesbrough Police Station for heroin, crack and cocaine. From today police
VISITORS to Britain's broadest high street took a walk on the wild side at the weekend. An estimated 150 children took part in a community carnival parade at Stockton, donning a variety of animal masks, while others were made up to look like tribal savages
A UNIQUE seal colony has equalled its best-ever breeding year. Conservationists monitoring the Seal Sands colony near Hartlepool were overjoyed when they recently identified six pups along the River Tees. This year, seals have been reported by observers
IT'S the quintessential English summer scene - sunshine, a perfectly manicured lawn and a game of croquet. The gentle tap of mallet on ball fills the air as the players aim for the hoops. But if you thought croquet was a genteel game reserved for the
In the Shoulder of Mutton at Middleton Tyas, much loved of horse racing folk, we bump into retired Bishop Auckland trainer Denys Smith. "Can you not do anything about the Red Alligator?" he at once enquires. Named after Denys's legendary 1968 Grand National
A RADIO station is celebrating after an independent survey found more listeners tuning in. Figures show that 96.6 TFM, which broadcasts from Stockton, has attracted 5,000 new listeners. The station said that a live concert eight days ago proved its ability
The Football Association was rocked last night by the resignation of its chief executive and an offer to quit from its director of communications. After days of intense pressure over the sex scandal engulfing the FA, Mark Palios announced he was to resign
Workers in the North work harder and for longer than colleagues in other parts of the country, new research has revealed. A UK at Work report showed 38 per cent of workers in the region put in over 40 hours a week and nearly one in five work more than
WARTIME memories were stirred at a former prisoner of war camp that staged a 1940s theme weekend. Organisers of the show at Harperley Prisoner of War Camp, in Weardale, County Durham, are so pleased with its success that it is likely to become an annual
ORGANISERS of an ultimate fighting event were dealt a blow when passport officials refused visas for the Ukranian stars of their event. But they have vowed the show would go ahead at Eldon Leisure, in Newcastle, as planned on Saturday. Fighting legend
Real Life: My Mum Is My Dad (ITV1) THE scene appears to be a normal 21st wedding anniversary dinner with parents and their three children round the table - until you learn that both parents are women. Dad Clive became Sheryl after 15 years of marriage
FOOTBALLER Paul Gascoigne was at the centre of a health scare at the weekend after he was taken to hospital before kick-off at a match. Gascoigne, 37, was due to be guest of honour at St James' Park at Saturday's game between two of his former clubs,
FOR 99 years, Bridget Pinder and her family have been celebrating her birthday on July 1. And when her 100th birthday approached, staff at the nursing home where she lives contacted the authorities to make sure she received her telegram from the Queen
MANY hospitals in the region are breaking EU laws designed to limit the working hours of junior doctors, The Northern Echo can reveal. The deadline for compliance with the new legal limits was yesterday - but several of the region's biggest hospitals
HEALTH officials investigating an outbreak of salmonella infection last night revealed the number of people struck down by the illness had continued to rise - with 21 confirmed cases and seven suspected cases. Two people were comfortable last night in
SUPERB bowling by Graeme Bridge and a magnificent century by Marcus North rekindled Durham's totesport League promotion hopes yesterday. They overhauled Nottinghamshire's 229 for seven with six wickets and 14 balls to spare at Cleethorpes, with North
Concerns are being raised with the Government over the performance of two super-schools, opened as a town's new hope for the future. Protests have been made to Schools Minister David Miliband about the City and Unity academies in Middlesbrough which between
Darlington Building Society NYSD Premier League Pemier Division: Guisborough march on and the manner in which they saw off the challenge from Redcar suggests they could clinch the championship a fourth consecutive time. They opened up a clear lead at
SEBASTIEN Ferrero may have done little at the weekend to suggest he is the man to lead Darlington's attack this season, but manager David Hodgson insists the Argentinian could still be the answer to his striker problems. The 20-year-old failed to make
ORGANISERS of an ultimate fighting event were dealt a blow when passport officials refused visas for the Ukranian stars of their event. But they have vowed the show would go ahead at Eldon Leisure, in Newcastle, as planned on Saturday. Fighting legend
TWO brothers have shown they have the golden touch when it comes to racing pigeons. Fanciers Brian and Keith Simpson have recently won their fourth gold medal for pigeon racing after one of their birds was first home again. Explaining the duo's recipe
SECURITY cameras may be installed in a cemetery to monitor anti-social behaviour. The step may be taken at Middlesbrough's Linthorpe Cemetery, where concern has been mounting that yobs are causing problems in the 52-acre site. Police searched the cemetery
AIRMAN Chris Thompson-Chambers and his bride Victoria Shaw ensured their wedding blessing was an historic occasion. Mr Thompson-Chambers, 24, a senior aircraftsman based at RAF Leeming, and his 27-year-old bride, from Selby, share a love of history so
A leading clergyman says the country is in danger of losing touch with the saying all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy - because we're all working too hard. Dean of Ripon, the Very Reverend John Methuen, is concerned about the way British society
CHILDREN from Ferryhill have taken part in two summer schools to help develop their skills. Year seven pupils from Ferryhill Business and Enterprise College joined year six students from its feeder schools as part of a project to help the transfer to
THE benefits of home-composting were emphasised at a community garden event at the weekend. Sedgefield Borough Council, Groundwork East Durham and the Trimdon Community Allotment Group jointly organised the advice and information session. Free compost
FOUR people arrested in connection with an alleged firebomb attack have been released on police bail. Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident, which happened at about 9pm in West Cornforth High Street last Monday. Two home-made petrol bombs
HUNDREDS of runners will take to the streets of Darlington next weekend for the town's annual 10K road race. More than a thousand people have signed up for Sunday's event, which starts at 10.30am. There will also be a race for junior athletes, aged 13
BUILDERS have started work on a £2.1m office extension at North Yorkshire Police headquarters. Once complete, the 1,700sqm three storey building at Newby Wiske, near Northallerton, will accommodate about 200 staff. They will be relocated from the site
NEWLY-qualified teacher Victoria Holman has landed her first job - on the other side of the world. The 22-year-old from Great Ayton jetted off to Japan at the weekend to spend a year teaching English in a secondary school. Ms Holman recently completed
A tASTE of the Orient came to the North-East as the Orient Express train pulled into Tyneside. The Orient Express Northern Belle called at Newcastle Central Station to pick up travellers eager to experience a four-hour journey along the region's coastline
A PENSIONER was treated in hospital for bruises and severe shock after he was attacked by two youths who called at his home. The pair assaulted the 75-year-old, who lives at Brotton, east Cleveland, at teatime on Thursday before snatching a wallet from
THOUSANDS of people visited the Gateshead Summer Flower Show at the weekend to get gardening tips from the professionals and enjoy a host of activities. Organisers were confident they would attract the 35,000 visitors they did last year. The 16th annual
EIGHT gleaming traction engines proved to have crowd-pulling power at the weekend. They joined classic cars and motorbikes for the 11th Kirkleatham Vehicle and Engine Rally, near Redcar. The two-day event proved popular, with an estimated 3,000 people
A CHARITY has gone on line with the help of the BT Community Connections award. The Consett-based Community Enterprise Direct was awarded an NEC Internet-ready PC and 12 months connection to BT Yahoo as part of the BT scheme. In addition, Microsoft Office
HUNDREDS of people enjoyed a day of music, song, dance and picnics, at the Durham Gathering at the weekend. A folk picnic held in the grounds of the DLI Museum and Durham Art Gallery marked the culmination of the Folkworks summer schools. The event saw
CARE workers have completed a cooking course designed to keep old people healthy. Dieticians from Darlington and County Durham primary care trusts (PCTs) and catering staff at Darlington College of Technology have come up with the course, which is the
HAVING put Stockton on the map for water sports, enthusiasts have been pulling their weight to ensure the Teesside town retains world attention. Seven countries competed in the two-day European dragon boat championships held on the River Tees, at Stockton
NINE young people from north Durham have successfully completed their Duke of Edinburgh's silver award. The teenagers are part of the Derwentside Detached Youth Project at Stanley Youth Centre, which is part of Durham County Council's Education in the
PLANS to build eight bungalows for pensioners in a north Durham town are likely to be approved by councillors. Nomad Housing Group has applied to Derwentside District Council to build the bungalows at 72 to 86 Westfields in Stanley. A site notice was
A NORTH Durham community has set up a voluntary association to provide high quality training in traditional rural crafts and the prospect of long-term employment. The Burnhope Association for Rural Crafts (Barc) in Derwentside will teach skills such as
A CYCLIST who was planning a solo 1,000 mile ride from Land's End to John O'Groats has acquired a travelling companion. Mark Matthews, 41, from Middlesbrough, intended to do the two-week trip in September alone but will now be joined by friend Terry Lane
Readers Durham County League: EVENWOOD celebrated on Saturday night - even though they were without a game. Nearest challengers Kimblesworth failed to cash in claiming only three points at Esh Winning and Evenwood are 26 points ahead on the same number
TALES of eccentric characters, extraordinary events and obscure customs have been gathered together in a book. County Durham Strange but True is a collection of accounts of weird and wonderful events, people and phenomena from around the area. Written
A FORMER Darlington mayor and his partner are locked in a dispute with neighbours over an untaxed car standing on a tiny patch of land. Councillor David Lyonette, a member of Darlington Borough Council's cabinet, and his girlfriend, Angela Carlyon, say
VILLAGERS enjoyed the delights of a local nature reserve during an open day at the weekend. People in Middleton St George, near Darlington, were invited to The Whinnies nature reserve for an afternoon of fun organised by Darlington Borough Council's countryside
YOUNGSTERS in the borough of Stockton are being invited to take part in a number of summer workshops. The Stockton Primary Arts Kaleidoscope (Spark) is running workshops from Tuesday, August 10, to Friday, August 13, aimed at youngsters aged eight and
PEOPLE in County Durham with mobility difficulties can now share in a scheme to help them get out and about. The Access Bus will take members of the scheme from parts of Durham City and Newton Aycliffe to shopping centres in Washington, Sunderland, Chester-le-Street
THE scandal engulfing the FA may have claimed its first two victims last night. But the resignation chief executive Mark Palios and the news that director of communications Colin Gibson has offered to quit could actually strengthen Sven Goran Eriksson's
THERE'S an element of Emperor's New Clothes about contemporary circus which rejects traditional sawdust-style presentation in favour of sinister, in-your-face excitement. Without a mustachioed ringmaster or any other kind of introduction, the cackling
THREE customs officers are to face charges following an anti-corruption probe that led a North-East man to take his life. Amjad Bashir was found by his wife, Farida, hanged in the garage of his Middlesbrough home two years ago. The 37-year-old father-of-two
WHEN he took over as Health Secretary, Darlington MP Alan Milburn likened the task of transforming the NHS to turning round a super tanker. After decades of underfunding, it could not be done overnight. He had a point, of course, although that hasn't
THE sound of open-air opera is returning to North Yorkshire following the success of a show last year. Opera Brava's version of La Boheme proved a hit when it played at Fountain's Abbey, near Ripon, last summer. The company is returning to the same venue
Real Life: My Mum Is My Dad (ITV1): THE scene appears to be a normal 21st wedding anniversary dinner with parents and their three children round the table - until you learn that both parents are women. Dad Clive became Sheryl after 15 years of marriage
Bad girls, a gay governor and a prospective Tory MP, actor James Gaddas has an interesting manifesto for the voters of Stockton. He tells Steve Pratt why he went into politics. James Gaddas isn't the first actor with aspirations of becoming a Member of
CELEBRITY model Nell McAndrew proved she was a star in more ways than one when she gave up her time to help raise funds to fight cancer. She travelled to RAF Leeming, near Bedale, North Yorkshire, to add her support to a strength-sapping event in aid
THE peace and quiet of the English countryside will be shattered by the sound of gunfire later this month - but all in the name of a good cause. A North-East village is to be transformed into a battle- ground when enthusiasts re-enact scenes from the
A train driver was showered with glass on the Tyneside Metro system after thugs hurled a brick through the front windscreen during rush-hour. The attack happened as the Metro approached Tyne Dock station, South Shields, on Friday. Passengers heard a bang
CELEBRATIONS of a church's 900th anniversary are being marred by vandals. In recent months, the culprits have targeted St Mary's Parish Church on the cliff top at Whitby, North Yorkshire. They have smashed railings on the famous 199 church stairs leading
SECURITY is to be stepped up at a North-East cemetery after youths were spotted taking drugs and urinating on graves. A community safety meeting in Firthmoor, Darlington, was told that groups of teenagers were using the nearby cemetery to drink alcohol
PLANS to make a North-East town the largest centre for hip and knee replacements in the region have been unveiled. Health bosses hope that the creation of a regional centre of excellence in South-West Durham will end speculation about the long-term future
MUSICIANS and performers from around the world will take part in a festival in a North-East town next week. The event, in Darlington on Thursday, August 12, is being staged by YMCAs from around the region and will feature Russian singers, Ukrainian mime
A community has been shocked by the death of a 33-year-old motorcyclist. Michael Burdis, from Stanhope, County Durham, died at the scene of A crash, involving a car and lorry, on the M1 south of Barnsley, South Yorkshire. His wife, Jacqueline, who was
A kitchens manufacturer has opened a northern operations office in Scotland, building on major expansion at the company which could see new jobs created. Grange Interiors, based in North Shields, now employs more than 90 staff at its manufacturing site
DURHAM will shortly be seeking members' backing to restructure the company with a view to writing off the £1.8m of debt they have accrued in constructing Riverside. It's a financial millstone which prevents them from competing in the transfer market,
SIR Bobby Robson last night refused to comment on his future after chairman Freddy Shepherd set the clock ticking on his Newcastle career. Robson's side continued their pre-season preparations with a 1-0 defeat to Sporting Lisbon in the final of the Newcastle
SUNDERLAND'S preparations for the new season ended on a mixed note at Belle Vue yesterday with a confidence-building 3-1 win tempered by an injury to Julio Arca. The Argentinian limped out of the action just before half-time with a thigh injury, after
SEBASTIEN Ferrero may have done little at the weekend to suggest he is the man to lead Darlington's attack next season, but manager David Hodgson insists the Argentinian could still be the answer to his striker problems. The 20-year-old failed to make
FLAG waving music lovers burst into patriotic song at the climax of the North-East's own version of the Last Night of the Proms at the weekend. The Northern Proms attracted more than 2,700 people to the Riverside County Cricket Ground, in Chester-le-Street
FORMER European Tour golfer John Harrison is among the professionals competing in the Chester-le-Street Pro-Am on August 20. The Matfen Hall director of golf, coach to current Tour pro Kenneth Ferrie, said: "All the professionals are looking forward to
GEORGE Best tells (frequently) the story of his night of passion with some Miss World or other. Empty champagne bottles littered the five star hotel bedroom, his wallet lay bloated on the table, the lady made a pretty picture on the counterpane. A waiter
I WAS getting the shopping out of the car when a harried woman came running up and looked in beseechingly so that I would wind down the window. She spoke with a low, trembling voice and she looked as if she had been crying. She said she had run out of
Turning to the words of the great poets, a County Durham teacher has teased out the untapped potential of a group of special needs children. Marjorie McIntyre talks to Janet McHugh about her methods, which may soon become a benchmark learning system for
GUY WILKS is the new leader of the pack in the Super 1600 class of the British Rally Championship after sealing a terrific win in the Isle of Man at the weekend. The Darlington driver produced a stunning drive in his Suzuki Ignis on the Manx International
Federation Special Durham Senior League: WHILE the elements again affected the programme, there were no clouds in the Seaham Harbour camp when they registered a five-wicket victory at Durham City. The basement battle went Seaham's way and they were indebted
NORTH-EAST voters are being urged to ensure they are on the electoral register so they can take part in the referendum for a regional assembly. If people are not on the electoral register, they must complete a registration form and return it to their
Croquet is shaking of its genteel, garden party image. Women's Editor Christen Pears talks to champion player Sam Curry. IT'S the quintessential English summer scene - sunshine, a perfectly manicured lawn and a game of croquet. The gentle tap of mallet
Guisborough march on and the manner in which they saw off the challenge from Redcar suggests they could clinch the championship a fourth consecutive time. They opened up a clear lead at the top when nearest challengers Northallerton were held to a draw
Labour members seeking the successor to Peter Mandelson want somebody 'local' to replace the disgraced former cabinet minister. The Hartlepool councillors have poured cold water on a bid by a Downing Street adviser and ally of Mr Mandelson to become the
SHOPKEEPERS have come up with suggestions to help a city raise money so parking charges can be cut. Retailers David Cox and Simon Evans, who are leading campaigners against controversial new charges and restrictions, said they have had had a "useful and
A POOR performance in Germany on Saturday gave Middlesbrough boss Steve McClaren something to mull over after a full-strength side lost 3-1 to Hansa Rostock. Featuring all of their summer signings, the Teessiders were dominated by the Germans who deserved
Durham Coast League: There is no change at the top of the table after the three leading contestants won both games in the double weekend programme. Leaders Murton followed up Saturday's eight-wicket win at Houghton defeating Easington by a similar margin
PROTEST groups are joining forces to fight proposals for windfarm developments near their homes. The groups plan to present a united front against developments they say are unnecessary. The Durham Action Against Windfarms (DAAW) group has been formed
FIRST-time buyers unable to get their foot on the property ladder are being offered the home of their dreams for only £1,000 - but, predictably, there is a catch. For £1,000 will buy them one of 250 raffle tickets that could win a lovingly-restored three-bedroomed
A train driver was showered with glass on the Tyneside Metro system after thugs hurled a brick through the front windscreen during rush-hour. The attack happened as the Metro approached Tyne Dock station, South Shields, on Friday. Passengers heard a bang
THREE building projects have begun that will open up a world of outdoor activities to thousands of children in North Yorkshire. More than £800,000 is being spent on the projects to allow an extra 5,000 pupils, teachers, youth groups and others to benefit
A NEW partnership arrangement will give people easier access to the police. The police and Kirkbymoorside and District Community Office have joined forces to provide a police inquiry counter service for people in the area. The police office in Kirkbymoorside
PLANS for the redevelopment of health centres in Sedgefield borough were discussed at a public meeting. The Patient and Public Involvement Forum Sedgefield held the event at The Pioneering Care Centre, in Newton Aycliffe. Bob Parker, projects manager
COUNCIL chiefs believe changes to its pre-school provision in Newton Aycliffe will lead to a better service for parents. Great Aycliffe Town Council has decided to close pre-school groups at Elmfield School and St Clare's Church, and accommodate pupils
Members of a rollerskating club have raised more than £350 for a cancer charity. Durham District Roller Skating Club raised money for the Macmillan Mile Challenge by asking friends and relatives to sponsor members to skate for a mile. Skaters as young
AN ENVIRONMENTALLY friendly bus will take to the road next month to tour rural villages and promote recycling. The Green Box Recycling Scheme, which is being operated by district councils in Wear Valley, Derwentside and Teesdale, has been such a success
A NORTH Yorkshire author has had her sixth teenage novel issued by an international publisher in only four years. Chasing Rainbows by Julia Clarke, of Harrogate, is published this month by Oxford University Press. The novel tells the story of Rose, who
A CYCLIST planning a solo 1,000-mile bike ride from Land's End to John O'Groats has acquired a travelling companion. Mark Matthews, 41, from Middlesbrough, intended to make the two-week trip alone in September, but he will now be joined by a friend, Terry
A COMPLETELY refurbished care home offering a community's pensioners a range of services will be opened next week. The Executive Care Group, has unveiled its development at The Beeches, formally a vicarage built in 1854, in picturesque grounds close to
CARE workers have completed a cookery course designed to keep older people healthy. Dieticians from Darlington and County Durham primary care trusts, and catering staff at Darlington College of Technology, have devised the course, which is the only one
CONCERNS are being raised with the Government over the performance of two North-East super-schools. Protests have been made to Schools Minister David Miliband about the King's and Unity academies in Middlesbrough which have between them excluded more
HUNDREDS of runners will take to the streets of Darlington next weekend for the town's annual 10K road race. More than a thousand people have signed up for Sunday's event, which starts at 10.30am. There will also be a race for junior athletes, aged 13
RESIDENTS are planning to form a human chain around homes threatened with demolition. People living in the St Hilda's neighbourhood of Middlesbrough could block roads and bridges leading into the area today. This is in protest at plans to move out St
SIR Bobby Robson last night refused to comment on his future after chairman Freddy Shepherd set the clock ticking on his Newcastle career. Robson's side continued their pre-season preparations with a 1-0 defeat to Sporting Lisbon in the final of the Newcastle
TEENAGE girls have learnt engineering skills as part of a scheme to encourage them to consider a career in science. Thirteen girls from Longfield and Branksome comprehensive schools spent three days in Darlington College of Technology's engineering department
THE second highest ranking clergyman in the Church of England is to step down from his post and return to his roots. The Archbishop of York, Dr David Hope, is to swap all the trappings of his office for a humbler role as a parish priest. It was announced
FOR 99 years, Bridget Pinder and her family have been celebrating her birthday on July 1. And when her 100th birthday approached, staff at the nursing home where she lives contacted the authorities to make sure she received her telegram from the Queen
