WITH spectacular coastlines, moors and valleys, the North-East and North Yorkshire provide some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. The Advertiser is encouraging amateur photographers to capture the area on film, memory card or camera phone for
FIVE Victim Support offices in the region will close as the charity restructures in a bid to save itself from financial difficulties. The Trustees of Victim Support County Durham have decided to go ahead with the shake-up, despite concerns among volunteers
FORMER councillor Stephen Allison has been selected to fight the Hartlepool by-election for the UK Independence Party (Ukip). Mr Allison, 44, from Hartlepool, was last night selected by local members from a shortlist of three, which also included farmer
JOHN Foster lives in the small terraced house where he was born 67 years ago, alone save for about 12,000 theatre programmes and other stage memorabilia. "I suppose I'm a bit of a squirrel," he says, a man who in a throwaway society keeps absolutely everything
ON what was possibly the wettest night of the year, the Theatre Royal audience was treated to a taste of the Caribbean in Brett Bailey's stunning production. Led by Vodou-rock band RAM, the music was a marvellous mix of African and Caribbean influences
A JOKER who was sprayed with CS gas after squirting a policeman with a water pistol has had charges against him dropped on a legal technicality. Gary Parker, 27, of Bondisle Way, Stanhope, County Durham, squirted a lone officer's police van during a water
NORTH-EAST residents will be given an extra push to get fit with messages from stars. Some of the region's sporting celebrities, including Jonathan Woodgate, Tanni Grey Thompson, Jonny Wilkinson and Sir Bobby Charlton, have teamed up for a campaign to
DADS are always expected to come up with the answers when kids have a problem. And so it proved again with the mission to track down a flock of ducks. "Dad, I need a dozen plastic ducks. Me and Mum have tried everywhere. She said you'd know what to do
UNEMPLOYMENT in the North-East rose by more than five per cent between April and June, Government figures have shown. The number of people unemployed in the region rose to 64,000, up by 2,000, the highest level since Christmas. Despite the rise, the number
AN inquest will open today into the death of a 14-year-old who became the youngest person in the country to die while in custody. Adam Rickwood was found hanged in his room at the Hassockfield Centre, in Consett, County Durham, in the early hours of Sunday
Match Of The Day returns to BBC1 after a controversial period where ITV1 tried and failed to make football an early evening fixture. Steve Pratt reports on the rise of Gary Lineker, the striker who keeps the Beeb on the ball. AS a lad of nine, young Gary
TV critic Brian Sewell, who criticised the North-East last year for being too unsophisticated to appreciate good art, will return to the region in October in search of the next leading artist. Mr Sewell will be joined by designer Wayne Hemmingway and
NEARLY 1,200 runners pounded the streets of Darlington on Sunday when the annual 10k Road Run was staged in glorious sunshine. Some roads were closed for up to two hours to make the circular route around the western side of the town centre safe for the
MORE people are recycling in the North-East and North Yorkshire. Recycling of paper, organic waste, glass, plastic bottles and tin cans was up 2.5 per cent in 2002-2003 compared with the previous year in North Yorkshire, and up 28 per cent in the North-East
THE MEDIA: IT is so pitifully symbolic of the British tabloid media that a woman, such as Faria Alam, should receive, according to reports, half a million pounds, for selling her story about having affairs with men in the public eye. Yet almost at the
A YOUTH theatre group that closed due to falling numbers last year is to be re-launched. Consett Theatre Workshop Juniors was disbanded in September after 12 years. Producer Margaret Darroch made the decision after the group attracted only half the cast
CAMPAIGNERS are demanding a public inquiry into the treatment of children by the criminal justice system after a 14-year-old became the youngest person in the country to die while in custody. The call came after Adam Rickwood was found hanged in his room
MARY Clark, who has just celebrated her 100th birthday, was bringing up her two daughters when she was sent to work at the Aycliffe munitions factory during the Second World War. She grew up in Wingate and moved to Fishburn after marrying her husband,
FEARLESS motorbike riders showed off their skills to a record crowd of 12,000 at the annual Bikewise event at Durham Police headquarters in Aykley Heads, Durham City. Visitors enjoyed a display by trials bike champions Andy and Chris Huddleston, and stunt
Animal Games (BBC1); My Breasts Are Too Big (C4); Nip/Tuck (h4): YOU may have thought you were dreaming if you turned onto BBC1 last night to see giant maggots and fleas competing in the high jump and caterpillars taking on fish at shooting, but it was
MARCUS Stewart has urged boss Mick McCarthy to tread carefully with strike partner Kevin Kyle as he continues to recover from a niggling hip problem. Kyle made his first start of the season as Sunderland eased to a 3-1 win over Crewe on Tuesday night,
MOTOR salvage yards are being warned they face large fines unless they comply with new legislation aimed at halting car "ringing" and the trade in cannibalised vehicle parts. Under regulations introduced across the country, anyone involved in the recovery
THREE new officers have joined the region's regiment after completing their training at Sandhurst. The three, all from North Yorkshire, will join the 1st battalion of the Green Howards once they complete their infantry platoon commanders course in Wales
A CHARITY looking after the interests of blind people is challenging the Pension Service over its attitude to people who cannot use pinpads for banking. Viv Wright, chief officer of Scarborough Blind and Partially Sighted Society, which covers Whitby
A BUDDING archaeologist yesterday joined a team digging into the Viking past of a stately home. Ten-year-old Thomas Westley won the opportunity through a competition in the Young Archaeologist magazine. Thomas, from Cumbria, joined the excavators working
RESIDENTS filling out a questionnaire about a plan for the Greater Eston area could be in line for a cash prize. Hundreds of homes will be receiving questionnaires through the post from Monday asking for information on housing needs and aspirations. Returned
TWO dog owners have been fined for breaking anti-fouling laws. North Durham magistrates heard that an Easington District Council dog warden spotted a man walking his two dogs near the beach and failing to pick up the mess from one of his animals. The
A PRIVATE landlord received housing benefit for a tenant even though the man had moved out, a court was told. North Durham magistrates heard Derwentside District Council paid £550 directly to landlord Raymond Ives although the tenant had left the house
THE colour orange could be at the centre of a High Court drama if a compromise cannot be found between Stelios Haji-Ioannou and a leading telecoms group. The founder of easyJet yesterday announced his latest venture would be an assault on the budget end
GOLDEN oldie Marjorie Batey claimed her best medal haul at the British Transplant Games. The 65-year-old has competed in every games since they were held in Newcastle in 2000. But despite being one of the oldest entrants, she has never done better than
CONFIDENCE in air travel has returned to pre-September 11 levels for the first time, airports operator BAA has announced. The group said the number of passengers using long-haul routes last month was similar to those flying in August 2001 - the month
THE underwear manufacturer which invented Y-fronts is pulling out of Tyneside with the loss of 50 jobs. Jockey is closing its warehouse at the Team Valley trading estate and has already moved its UK headquarters staff to an office in Manchester. Its underwear
OFFICIALS are planning to reorganise care for some mental health patients. Six beds for patients needing continuous care at St John's nursing home in Darlington, could be moved to Auckland Park Hospital, Bishop Auckland, or to Sedgefield Community Hospital
FARMERS are being urged to challenge land the Government has classified as moorland, which will affect hill farm incomes. Land categorised as moorland will attract the lowest level of the new Government Single Payment, which replaces livestock and arable
SHARES in troubled engineering company Jarvis slumped further yesterday after it said the completion of its 2004 audit would result in a £9m increase in pre-tax losses. Jarvis said the increased losses related to changes in the timing of accounting for
SWEET pea champion Frank Walton used his wife's hairdryer when the lashing rain threatened his entry in Shrewsbury Flower Show. Mr Walton is something of a rare breed among growers of lathyrus latifolius, that most fragile and scented of flowers. Today
WITH spectacular coastlines, moors and valleys, the North-East and North Yorkshire provide some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. The Advertiser is encouraging amateur photographers to capture the area on film, memory card or camera phone for
NORTH-EAST actor David John Watton has won a scholarship to a top drama school. Mr Watton, born in Thornaby, begins a three-year BA in acting at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, in London. It is where stars such as Amanda Holden and Nick Moran, of the
THE 12th Stanley Blues Festival, whose future was in doubt earlier this year, proved to be one of the best festivals so far. Good weather, a bumper crowd thought to exceed 12,000 and a great line-up made for a fine day for music fans from all parts of
A MEN'S magazine last night claimed responsibility for the theft of a scarecrow dressed as a policewoman that had put the brakes on speeding motorists. "Nancy" was created for the carnival in Middleton-in Teesdale but fooled some drivers into thinking
OFFICIALS are planning to reorganise care for some mental health patients. Six beds for patients needing continuous care at St John's nursing home in Darlington, could be moved to Auckland Park Hospital, Bishop Auckland, or to Sedgefield Community Hospital
RETURNING to the era of trenchcoats and trilbies seems hardly out of place when it's raining stair-rods outside and we have to make-believe that a retired top British tennis star (OK that is difficult) has decided to murder his wife. Steven Pinder, familiar
A PROJECT dealing with young offenders has halved the number of youths passing through some of the region's courts. A team of Government inspectors ran the rule over Durham County Council's Youth Engagement Service - formerly its Youth Offending Service
JOHN REYNOLDS has declared there will be no let up in his charge to the British Superbike title. The Rizla Suzuki rider, champion on two occasions previously, has won fives races this season and heads to Croft at the weekend looking to add to his tally
THE rain clouds looming over the region in the past few days had a silver lining for a tourist attraction. Meet the Middletons, which opened in Middleton-in-Teesdale in May, has seen visitor numbers soar because of the weather. When it opened, one of
YOUNG people from the Wear Valley and Teesdale have been offered a fun way of getting fit as part of a national initiative. They are taking part in an adventure camp in upper Weardale, experiencing a range of outdoor activities. Canoeing and rock climbing
A MINI-SHAKE UP of care for mental health patients is being planned in County Durham. Six beds for patients needing continuous care at St John's Nursing Home, in Darlington, could be moved to Auckland Park Hospital, in Bishop Auckland, or the Sedgefield
A MINI-SHAKE UP of care for mental health patients is being planned in County Durham. Six beds for patients needing continuous care at St John's Nursing Home, in Darlington, could be moved to Auckland Park Hospital, in Bishop Auckland, or the Sedgefield
YOUTHS are being urged to meet parish councillors and police representatives in an effort to improve facilities for young people. Young people between the ages of 11 and 17 from West Auckland, near Bishop Auckland, have been invited to a meeting next
OWNERS of motor salvage yards in County Durham are being warned they face large fines unless they comply with legislation designed to combat car ringing and the trade in stolen vehicle parts. Under regulations recently introduced by the Government, anyone
OWNERS of motor salvage yards in County Durham are being warned they face large fines unless they comply with legislation designed to combat car ringing and the trade in stolen vehicle parts. Under regulations recently introduced by the Government, anyone
SEVEN people became British citizens in the first official public citizenship ceremony in Darlington yesterday. The ceremony was introduced in England and Wales in April this year and is now the only way to become a British citizen. It requires those
TRIBUTES have been paid to a local historian who has died aged 71. Bill Colley, of Byers Green, near Spennymoor, devoted much of his life to ensuring that the heritage of nearby villages was not forgotten by future generations. He produced matchstick
A REQUEST for tennis fans to support improved facilities in Ferryhill has met with a disappointing response. Ferryhill residents were asked if they would be interested in using upgraded facilities. But only three people contacted the council to say they
PROPOSALS to increase councillors' allowances has sparked criticism from opposition members. Councillors at Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, who will consider the proposals at a full council meeting today, look likely to get a 22 per cent increase
WITH spectacular coastlines, moors and valleys, the North-East and North Yorkshire provide some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. The Advertiser is encouraging amateur photographers to capture the area on film, memory card or camera phone for
GEORDIE television stars Ant and Dec returned to their home city yesterday to open a wing at Newcastle Airport. The TV entertainers opened the £7m redevelopment of the terminal. High Street companies which have also moved into the 3,000sq metre extension
POLICE were last night becoming increasingly concerned for an elderly Alzheimer's disease sufferer who is missing from home. Alan Richmond, 78, was last seen by staff in Darlington's Asda supermarket, in Whinbush Way, at about 8am on Tuesday. His son
VILLAGE police officers are settling into their new offices in a redundant factory. A former industrial unit in Derwent Road, Blackhill, Consett, has been converted into a section police station over the summer. Placemat manufacturer Pimpernel, which
CLEVELAND Bridge's withdrawal from Wembley Stadium could delay the venue's opening by a year because the company holds crucial construction plans, The Northern Echo can reveal. Those close to the project say the instructions for raising the stadium's
A BABY hippo that made a splash when he was born unannounced a year ago is about to give zoo staff a different sort of headache. Zippo the hippo was born at Flamingo Land, near Malton, in North Yorkshire, in August last year. Staff did not know that his
POLICE and other officials last night distanced themselves from a call made by Middlesbrough Mayor Ray Mallon to smash down doors and drag out criminals. Mr Mallon had told street wardens: "I want you to go out there and smash the doors down, tear the
STEM cell pioneers in the region are warning that they still have a mountain to climb if they are to achieve their world-beating goal. Newcastle is poised to become the leading world centre for stem cell research following yesterday's decision to grant
A SEX attacker who won £7m on the National Lottery was invited last night to give his fortune to his victims. Iorworth Hoare, sentenced to life imprisonment in 1989, was on weekend release on Teesside when he bought a Lotto Extra ticket and won £7,039,369
A song once performed by Bing Crosby is being revived in the region by the granddaughter of the Maori who penned the song's arrangement. Tai Tipuna is a member of a New Zealand dance and music troupe performing at the Billingham International Folklore
CONFIDENCE in air travel has returned to pre-September 11 levels for the first time, airports operator BAA has announced. The group said the number of passengers using long-haul routes last month was similar to those flying in August 2001 - the month
RAIN and Ricky Ponting conspired to put a huge dampener on Durham's totesport League promotion hopes in last night's floodlit game at Riverside. While every other batsman struggled in difficult conditions, the Australia captain made run scoring look ridiculously
A HOSPITAL cook is featuring in a national slimming magazine after a spectacular weight loss. When Christine Tonge, of Bishop Auckland, first stepped on the scales at her local slimming club she weighed in at 21st 1lb and wore a size 32 dress. Now, three
WATER pistol prankster Gary Parker has to pay £300 in fines and court costs after being found guilty of endangering a motor vehicle by interfering with it. The 27-year-old, of Stanhope, County Durham, was charged after he squirted passing policeman Pc
A CONSTRUCTION worker escaped serious injury after he fell more than 20ft from a lift yesterday. The 56-year-old man was working with his son on the roof of a new car showroom when he fell off a scissor lift. He fell into bushes and rolled down an embankment
A mother of two from Middlesbrough has been recruited by crime fighters in Florida. Forget Crockett and Tubbs, Wendy James from Ormesby is going to be tackling real Miami Vice as crime scenes investigator with the Florida Sheriff's department - after
AN auction mart that closed during the foot-and-mouth crisis will be turned into a visitor attraction after officials gave the go-ahead for a £5m redevelopment. Hawes Auction Mart, in North Yorkshire, has been given planning permission to create a multi-purpose
FEARLESS motorbike riders showed off their skills to a record crowd of 12,000 at the annual Bikewise event at Durham Police headquarters in Aykley Heads, Durham City. Visitors enjoyed a display by trials bike champions Andy and Chris Huddleston, and stunt
FEARLESS motorbike riders showed off their skills to a record crowd of 12,000 at the annual Bikewise event at Durham Police headquarters in Aykley Heads, Durham City. Visitors enjoyed a display by trials bike champions Andy and Chris Huddleston, and stunt
THE Cleveland Bridge factory is awash with rumours right now. It is not surprising, as next month the number of workers on the shop floor will drop to its lowest level for four decades. Workers, and others in Darlington who remember the engineering firm's
THREE men have each been sentenced to 21 months in jail for their part in a brawl at a workingmen's club that led to the death of a pensioner. Father and son Michael Henry Royal, 42, and Michael Douglas Royal, 19, both of Geneva Road, Darlington, and
A FUNERAL service for twin sisters who were murdered in a quiet village will take place next week, police said yesterday. The badly beaten bodies of Claire Sanderson, 27, and her sister Diane were found in a flat in Camblesforth, near Selby, North Yorkshire
PROPOSALS to increase councillors' allowances has sparked criticism from opposition members. Councillors at Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, who will consider the proposals at a full council meeting today, look likely to get a 22 per cent increase
A MAN is seriously ill in hospital after he was beaten up outside a packed pub. The 25-year-old victim suffered serious head injuries in the assault outside the Barmston Club, in Washington, Wearside. A pub row is thought to have spilled into the street
A RARE Roman coin with its images of a warlike emperor went on display yesterday. The bronze penny, which is about an inch and a half in diameter, had lain undisturbed for about 1,800 years. Archaeologists discovered it during a dig at Arbeia Roman Fort
A print company that produces 30 million plastic products a month is keeping up with the latest technology. A business grant scheme available to small businesses in North Yorkshire has allowed the Ryedale Printing Group, of Kirkbymoorside, to double its
A MISTAKE filling in a housing benefit form has cost a Consett man £500. North Durham magistrates heard that 64-year-old George Butler failed to declare to Derwentside District Council that his income included Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit.
Cavin Cornwall is unusual in making the journey from athletics and karate to stage musicals. Steve Pratt talks to the star of hit touring show Chicago about the challenges of playing larger-than-life lawyer Billy Flynn. THE man on stage in the black suit
A FARMER'S bid to diversify by creating two fishing ponds on the North York Moors could be scuppered by planners. Mike Cowling's plans for the ponds, south of Urra, near Chop Gate, have the support of almost 100 people who have signed a petition backing
A RECEPTIONIST has conquered her deepest fears and returned to her old job - 21 years after taking a career break. Julie Tweedy, 41, of Beamish Village, near Stanley, left law firm Pawson and Murray aged 20, when she was due to have her first child, Debra
NORTH Yorkshire County Council has defended its policy of selling its farms. The move follows criticism by the Tenants Farmers' Association (TFA), which said it was alarmed at the disposal of the farms. Chairman Reg Haydon said the council had decided
Northallerton and District Horticultural Society's annual show will be held in the Methodist Church hall, Romanby, on Saturday next week. Admission is free and the show will be open to the public from 1.30pm. Exhibitors must be members of the society
A BID to earmark a large garden for housing development has been unanimously rejected by councillors. The outline application by Mrs J Ryan for the garden at Primrose House, Primrose Drive, Ripon, was recommended for refusal by planning officer Mark Williams
CYNICS are welcome - so says a psychic performing in North Yorkshire next month. Medium Stephen Holbrook will appear at Richmond Town Hall on Wednesday, September 8. Mr Holbrook, of Wakefield, West Yorkshire, is a longstanding friend of singer Jane McDonald
Team GB chief Simon Clegg yesterday issued a rallying cry to Great Britain's Olympic hopefuls, calling on the athletes to end what he described as a ''sorry summer'' for British sport by claiming medals in Athens. Aside from England's cricketing success
A MOTHER and son are praying for a "fairy godmother" to help revive their dreams of opening a social club. Freda Gilmore and her son Stephen Winner are hoping to sell the fire-damaged building housing the KO's Social Club in Grangetown, near Middlesbrough
Rapist Iorworth Hoare's £7m National Lottery win has ingited a debate over who should be allowed to play. Sarah Foster asks if it should be open to convicted criminals. IORWORTH Hoare's solemn mugshot accompanies headlines screaming "Rapist scoops £7m
A SCIENTIST at a North-East hospital has won a medical award for work developing a revolutionary blood monitoring device. Dr David Harrison, of the University Hospital of North Durham, was awarded the Manufacturer's Prize by the Institute of Physics and
DADS are always expected to come up with the answers when kids have a problem. And so it proved again with the mission to track down a flock of ducks. "Dad, I need a dozen plastic ducks. Me and Mum have tried everywhere. She said you'd know what to do
YOUNGSTER Jemma Whaley made all the right moves at a dance contest. Jemma, six, of Castledene Road, Consett, won a freestyle dance competition while on holiday at the Pontin's holiday centre, in Southport. As well as winning the dance heat, her mermaid
UK DVD/VIDEO RENTAL: 1 (-) Gothika 2 (-) The Girl Next Door 3 (1) Monster 4 (2) Starsky And Hutch 5 (4) Welcome To The Jungle 6 (3) School Of Rock 7 (6) Along Came Polly 8 (8) Cold Mountain 9 (9) Cold Creek Manor 10 (10) Dogville Published: 12/08/2004
ROTARY members from Stokesley and Hartlepool joined forces to make sure a group of disadvantaged children had a day out to remember. Last year the Teesside branch of Chernobyl Children's Life Line organised a holiday for a party of children from Belarus
A sequel and a new version of a comic book character go toe-to-toe at the British box office this weekend, with most critics expecting to see the Matt (Damon) in Bourne Supremacy quite a few million up on the Cat (Woman) starring Halle Berry. Steve Pratt
THE harsh economic climate facing the manufacturing sector has led to lower pay deals for workers, new figures have shown. The average settlement for manufacturing workers fell to 2.5 per cent for the three months to the end of last month, compared with
THE contract to run a forces radio station at Army bases across the UK has been retained by a North-East company. The Army has renewed the contract of Garrison Radio Limited, of Hartlepool, to broadcast to the country's biggest bases, including Catterick
Detectives investigating the shooting of a North-East pensioner have arrested three men in a series of raids across the North-East. The arrests were made just a day after the funeral of Fred Fowler, the 72-year-old who was shot last month as he sat enjoying
MIDDLESBROUGH chairman Steve Gibson has reacted with 'amazement' to Newcastle's attempts to have Saturday's Tees-Tyne derby postponed. The Boro supremo believes the Magpies should leave the players with conjunctivitis back on Tyneside and select a squad
YET another young teenager has been found hanged in a detention centre, this time in Medomsley, County Durham. Police claim "there is nothing to suggest the circumstances were suspicious". When a 14-year-old boy awaiting trial is found hanged in a cell
YOUNG performers brought Bollywood to Wolsingham at an arts workshop with an Indian theme. After two weeks of rehearsals, the youngsters are ready to stage three performances of their version of a Hindu epic, The Ramayana, led by the Jackass Youth Theatre
THE colour orange could be at the centre of a High Court drama if a compromise cannot be found between Stelios Haji-Ioannou and a leading telecoms group. The founder of easyJet yesterday announced his latest venture would be an assault on the budget end
STEVE McClaren has been backed for the England job - but only after he's finished his work on Teesside, writes Adam Murray. The Middlesbrough coach received the glowing praise from Steve Gibson, but the Boro chairman wants to keep the reference firmly
POLICE last night confirmed they were investigating a complaint from an off-duty constable over a motoring incident involving England cricket legend Ian Botham. Durham Police said they had received a complaint about a blue BMW being driven erratically
MORE than 100 call centre staff in the region have been given redundancy notices by cable TV operator ntl. The company is cutting 1,500 jobs nationwide, including more than 100 at its Stockton call centre in Preston Farm. The Northern Echo understands
RITCHEY TAGG plc plans to expand its export operations after buying a healthcare company for £270,000. The animal care and management group, based in Masham, North Yorkshire, will use the established trade links and manufacturing facilities of Marabo
A CAMPAIGN aiming to shed the region's reputation as one of the UK's worst areas for the bootleg DVD trade was launched yesterday. A billboard poster has been put up next to St James' Park, Newcastle, urging members of the public not to buy pirate movies
Darlington thought they'd seen the end of Andy Collett when he announced his retirement last season but the fans' favourite remains at the club as a coach and wishes he was still first choice between the sticks. Shortly before the end of last season,
DEFENCE officials are buzzing after millions of new recruits landed at a secluded base in the moors. The army - of bees - will stand tall in the grounds of protected Ministry of Defence land at Fylingdales Early Warning Station on the North York Moors
Proposals to relocate a psychiatric unit have caused worry among service users. Mental health managers want to close a five-bed psychiatric intensive care unit in Durham and transfer the facilities to Darlington. Officials describe the proposal - which
RELIABLE Rotuma (3.15) represents a solid bet at in the feature event at Beverley, the £14,000 mile-and-a-quarter Nick Wilmot-Smith Memorial Handicap. Trainer Michael Dods has done great job with Rotuma, who won for the third time this season when getting
TRAFFIC police are planning one of their biggest safety operations in the run-up to one of the region's biggest sporting events. Officers from six forces will be awaiting the thousands of cars and motorbikes expected to head for North Yorkshire this weekend
Animal Games (BBC1) My Breasts Are Too Big (C4) Nip/Tuck (h4) YOU may have thought you were dreaming if you turned onto BBC1 last night to see giant maggots and fleas competing in the high jump and caterpillars taking on fish at shooting, but it was all
RELIABLE Rotuma (3.15) represents a solid bet at in the feature event at Beverley, the £14,000 mile-and-a-quarter Nick Wilmot-Smith Memorial Handicap. Trainer Michael Dods has done great job with Rotuma, who won for the third time this season when getting
FEARS over flooding across the region subsided yesterday as the 48-hour torrential downpour ended in sunshine. Flood warnings on dozens of waterways across the region were called off by environmental officers, who feared rivers and streams would burst
A NURSERY which recently opened in Darlington is preparing to thold an open day for children and parents. Visitors will be able tour the Tiny Turners Day Nursery, in Brinkburn Road, on Sunday, from 11am to 5pm. Activities will include a bouncy castle,
A COUPLE are celebrating 65 years of marriage today. Denis and Audrey Towlard married in Darlington, at St Luke's Church, in Corporation Road, in 1939, three weeks before the Second World War started. Mr Towlard described how he fell in love at first
THE first lap-dancing club in Darlington is likely to win official approval from the borough council. The doors closed on private-dance nights at The Lounge nightclub two months ago because the facilities for performers were not up to standard. Darlington
A HERITAGE project focusing on horse-drawn vehicles is to be discussed on Monday. People are being invited to an information evening to examine creating a Shildon Community Rail Trail, exploring the history of transport before cars. It is being organised
A BOY with spina bifida has been devastated after his specially designed tricycle was stolen from his back garden. The three-wheeled bike gives Barry Laing, who spends most of his days in a wheelchair, some independence. But the hand-propelled bike, which
COUNCIL bosses have rejected claims that rats could be creating serious health problems in a Darlington park. Resident June Shute said two of her dogs, a Staffordshire bull terrier and a lurcher, had to be put down in the past four months after contracting
THE seaside is moving inland to Bishop Auckland next week for a family fun day in the town centre. Children are invited to take along their buckets and spades, and watch sand sculptors create sea creatures. There will also be face- painting, balloon modelling
AN event at Gisborough Priory will still go ahead despite the cancellation of the main entertainment. Entertainers Humbrenses, who were to present their show Bad Habits, in Gisborough Priory, next Thursday, have pulled out due to illness. Ann Roe, of
A LEADING Government minister yesterday visited a successful small Teesside pre-school children and parent centre. Treasury Secretary of State Dawn Primarolo praised the Government-funded Redhill Sure Start Centre, in Stockton. She visited the centre
A FARMER'S bid to diversify by creating two fishing ponds could be scuppered by local planners. Mike Cowling's plans for ponds on a hillside south of Urra, near Chop Gate, have the support of almost 100 people who have signed a petition backing the scheme
DADS are always expected to come up with the answers when kids have a problem. And so it proved again with the mission to track down a flock of ducks. "Dad, I need a dozen plastic ducks. Me and Mum have tried everywhere. She said you'd know what to do
Buildings of interest are to be opened to the public for free in the Durham area next month. Visitors can see more than 37 properties, many never or rarely open to the public, as part of the city's contribution to Heritage Open Days 2004. The days are
THERE is something unsavoury about Iorworth Hoare winning £7m on the National Lottery. There is a resentment not created by envy at someone having such good fortune, but rather by the fact that a rapist serving a life sentence is able to become a multi-millionaire
A PATIENT was following doctor's orders when he got behind the controls of a mechanical digger yesterday. Managers of Middlesbrough's Park Surgery enlisted the help of 95-year-old retired partner Dr Patrick Barclay, now a patient with his former practice
A COUNCIL is to spend £100,000 improving a theatre that opened two years ago. Durham City Council hopes to make the £14m Gala Theatre, which is getting an estimated £650,000 subsidy this year, more attractive to theatregoers. The Liberal Democrat-controlled
A HEALTH worker is continuing a run of charity fundraisers to pay back the research organisation whose work helped save his son. Darlington Primary Care Trust nursing assessor John Conlon is training for next month's Great North Run to raise funds for
