Archive

  • Teenager on cue to boost centre

    A TEENAGER has raised almost £300 towards a snooker table at a day care centre for people with dementia. Bekki Godfrey, 15, of Bensham Road, Darlington, decided to raise funds for St Hilda's Day Centre for the over-65's, in Parkgate, in the town, by completing

  • Hotline launched to report misuse of fireworks

    A fireworks hotline will be launched next Monday so residents can report anti-social behaviour in the run-up to Halloween and November 5. The 24-hour freephone telephone hotline - (0800) 013 13 57 - will be launched by Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council

  • Bat offence

    Lee Knowlson, 21, of Ashlands Road, Northallerton, was given 60 hours community service yesterday after admitting possessing an offensive weapon - a baseball bat - in a public place in Northallerton on September 18.

  • Warning after bogus caller strike

    A warning has been issued for people to be on the alert for bogus callers. Powergen Warm Front is warning people in North Yorkshire to be on the look- out after two incidents when bogus workers pretended to represent it. Spokesman Terry Booth said: "Warm

  • Lil raises £1,766 for hospice

    A TIRELESS charity supporter, who has overcome personal setbacks, has boosted a hospice appeal. Lil Sowerby, backed by fellow members of the women's darts club and officials at Ushaw Moor Catholic Club, County Durham, organised fashion and variety shows

  • Guild shows off creative works

    DARLINGTON Embroiderers' Guild is celebrating a landmark anniversary with a spectacular exhibition. The organisation was founded in the town in 1979 and has welcomed stitching enthusiasts of all ages and abilities. Its members have been a regular fixture

  • Roman takes visitors back in time at event

    VISITORS to Bishop Auckland will be transported back in time to meet a Roman at an exhibition. Roman Life in County Durham is the latest exhibition in The Discovery Centre, in Bishop Auckland's Market Place. Organised by local historian Gordon Henderson

  • Strategy is unveiled to take transport to isolated people

    A COMPREHENSIVE strategy to bring transport to the disabled and people in rural areas has been compiled. North Yorkshire County Council, the Countryside Agency, Hambleton and Richmondshire Primary Care Trust and Ripon Council for Voluntary Services have

  • Taste of continent arrives

    DURHAM is preparing for the arrival of a French market team this weekend. The March de France, from Normandy, will bring 24 stalls to the city from Friday to Sunday. They will set up in the Market Place on the Friday and the Sunday and outside The Gala

  • Pair won't be rushed back

    DARLINGTON manager David Hodgson has insisted experienced duo Craig Hignett and Craig Liddle will not be rushed back into his first-team plans. The former Middlesbrough team-mates did not play in Sunday's 2-1 win at Oxford, despite recovering from injury

  • Blushing Russian capable of leaving the bookies red-faced

    BLUSHING RUSSIAN is well worthy of support in this afternoon's Gary Owen Nursery at Ayr. Patrick Haslam's two-year-old has shown steady improvement on all three racecourse outings to date, most notably on his latest foray to Thirsk where he stayed on

  • Animal lovers in fear

    A horse ripper who left a mare near death has left animal lovers in fear. Terrified horse owners Rob and Ann Dalton arrived moments after their mare Ruby was injured, suffering deep eight inch gash in her chest. They believe their year-old mare was slashed

  • Fundraisers' boost cot death families

    MEDICAL centre staff and parents are embarking on a series of fundraising events to help families who may have suffered as a result of cot death. The fundraising drive by St Andrew's Medical Practice, in Spennymoor, will raise money to buy an apnoea monitor

  • Crash witnesses call

    police investigators are appealing for witnesses to a road accident which left a motorcyclist badly hurt at the weekend. A biker was travelling on Lodge Lane, near Preston-le-Skerne, Newton Aycliffe, when the accident happened shortly after 7pm on Sunday

  • School teams take up construction challenge

    YOUNG engineers who have designs on a construction title were given an insight into the work behind some of the region's newest landmarks. Eight teams from south Durham schools, who have entered an Enterprise in Construction Challenge, toured the Newcastle

  • Farmer's keen eye solves five crimes

    A farmer called police after he saw a white transit van being driven suspiciously near his land - and it led to three crimes being solved. A police officer searched for the vehicle after it was seen leaving the Marwood area, near Barnard Castle, and caught

  • Man stole from father of boyfriend

    A MAN stole £5,000 from his boyfriend's father and spent the money on furnishing their flat, a court heard yesterday. Karl Nugent, 22, of High Street, Northallerton, admitted taking the money between March 1 and May 31. At the time, he was living with

  • Photographer thinking big as gallery opens for business

    A PHOTOGRAPHER who uses digital technology to create artworks has opened a gallery in rural north Durham. Dave Foster, 48, has launched Northpoint Multimedia in Front Street, Shotley Bridge, near Consett. He said: "The sleepy hollow of Shotley Bridge

  • Guided tour of town hall for residents

    RESIDENTS in the borough of Stockton are being urged to make their voices heard as part of Local Democracy Week. Making Your Mark is the theme this year and Stockton Borough Council's democratic services has organised a series of events to run throughout

  • Search for aspiring rock stars

    YOUNG musicians are invited to take part in an event at Peterlee Leisure Centre on Friday, October 29. No booze, No Drugs - Just Rock and Roll will take place over two sessions. The first session will be for under-16s and the second for 16-year-olds and

  • Focus on achievements by young film-maker

    AN aspiring film-maker could soon be walking in the footsteps of two of his home town's most famous exports - Ridley and Tony Scott - after he collected an award for his debut project. Ashley Holland, 19, from Hartlepool, received a Young Achiever of

  • Mother inspires other people to learn

    A WOMAN who became a learning champion despite serious health problems is inspiring families to take part in a learning week. Allison Munro, 38, from Redcar, was diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago and underwent a mastectomy. As well as coping

  • Print company supports award

    A PRINT firm is donating £2,000 to an annual Tees Valley awards scheme. Mawers Talbot Print, in Darlington, will co-sponsor the Arts Achiever Award, one of 14 Celebration of Learning Awards designed to recognise and reward the achievements of young people

  • Teenagers can aim higher

    TEENAGERS on Teesside are to be set some challenges this week to get them interested in higher education. Year nine pupils from Freebrough Community College in Loftus, Saltburn, will be challenged to "make something of themselves," as part of National

  • Husband jailed for drug dealing

    A FATHER-OF-THREE is starting six years in jail after his heroin dealing was uncovered by Buster the drugs dog. Mark Walker, 30, admitted three counts of possessing Class A drugs with intent to supply and was locked up for two years for each charge. His

  • Man and Superman

    As the Man of Steel, he saved the world time and time again; confined to a wheelchair, he became a worldwide advocate for research which could help spinal injury victims walk again. Nick Morrison looks at Superman's two lives. THE irony was not lost on

  • M&S falls behind in children's wear sales

    Marks and Spencer was dealt a fresh blow last night when a report highlighted the growing impact of supermarkets on its children's wear market. The high street retailer, which was once the biggest player in the market, has now been relegated to joint

  • Sunderland Remembrance Day preparations under way

    VETERANS from across the North-East have begun preparations for one of the largest Remembrance Day parades in the country. The event in Sunderland, joined by veterans of the Second World War, the Suez, Korea and the Gulf, will mark several important anniversaries

  • Flood map raises fears

    PUBLICATION of a new multi-million pound flood-risk map has led to fears it could create a postcode lottery for homeowners seeking insurance. Concerns have been expressed that premiums in flood-prone areas could soar sky-high and some homeowners could

  • Families book in for reading party

    YOUNGSTERS, parents and grandparents came together yesterday to enjoy a tall tale or two at a Books for Babies party. The event, at the National Railway Museum in York, was part of the national Bookstart Day celebrations, which is a scheme that offers

  • The women who work with murderers and rapists

    Rehabilitating criminals must be one of the most challenging jobs. Alison Lewis speaks to some County Durham probation officers to find out why they choose to work with offenders. HELPING a murderer or rapist to come to terms with their crimes and rehabilitating

  • Nugget the Invincible

    Keith Miller, the Australian all-rounder known as 'Nugget' for the way he illuminated cricket in the post-war era, died yesterday after a period of ill-health. He was 84. Dubbed by Neville Cardus as ''the Australian in excelsis'', Miller was a dashing

  • Danielle was 'innocent victim of gang culture'

    Detectives investigating the murder of 14-year-old Danielle Beccan last night stressed she was a completely innocent victim of a culture in which young people aspired to join gangs and carry guns. The "popular and bright" schoolgirl's horrific murder

  • Mother and children taken to hospital after their car overturns

    A MOTHER and her two children were taken to hospital for checks after they were involved in a car accident. The incident happened as the woman, from Scotland, was driving her VW Golf along Front Street in Hart Village, near Hartlepool, Teesside, on Sunday

  • Comment from The Northern Echo: A courageous legacy

    CHRISTOPHER Reeve lived a life of remarkable extremes. From handsome square-jawed actor, who was perfect for the Hollywood role of Superman, to a pathetic shell of a man due to a freak equestrian accident. His death at the age of 53 has inspired worldwide

  • Newcastle Comedy Festival, Exhibition Park

    Dylan Moran: Dylan Moran, or mourn as it is more aptly pronounced, delights with dark humour. Complete with tousled hair and shabby clothes, he is every bit the Bernard Black character, mythical book store owner from the hit Channel Four comedy Black

  • Folklore congress meets in N-E

    ARTS delegates from across the globe arrive in the region today as part of a special congress. More than 150 delegates will arrive from the International Council of Organisations of Folklore Festivals and Folk Art (CIOFF). Organisers of Billingham International

  • Jobsearch: Vacancies

    Field credit manager. £12,000pa, 40hrs pw, 9.30am to 6.30pm, Mon-Fri. Experience in finance sector an advantage but not essential as training given. Driving licence essential. Ref: DUR 40805. Barber. £6ph, 39hrs pw, 9am to 5.30pm, Mon-Fri, 8.30am to 5.30pm

  • Sun 'dazzled driver' before fatal crash

    A DISABLED pensioner in an electric wheelchair was hit by a bus while its driver was dazzled by the sun, an inquest heard. Robert Rickaby, 66, died after suffering multiple injuries in the accident near his home in Catterick, on January 12. School bus

  • 12/10/04

    DARLINGTON: I FIND it totally depressing that a council can decide, without consulting the townspeople, totally to destroy a town centre, as appears to be happening in Darlington - for a cost of £6.5m. What is proposed to replace the High Row is unworthy

  • Family in court bid for £6.6m damages

    A FAMILY is claiming more than £6.6m in damages from a health trust for their daughter who suffered severe brain damage when she was born. Newcastle Crown Court was told yesterday that Rebecca Alderson, who is now nearly seven, is unable to walk, is totally

  • Jealous man hit lover with hammer

    A jealous man attacked his girlfriend with a hammer after he accused her of being unfaithful, a court heard yesterday. George Robinson, 24, started an argument at the couple's home and, when his girlfriend picked up the hammer, he wrestled it from her

  • Software's success leads to off-the-shelf version

    BESPOKE software that is helping a North-East plastics company to pursue its expansion plans is to be made available to manufacturers. JobTrack Professional, a management system software package, was written for Venture Plastics Limited, a plastics injection

  • Wynyard on course for success as Seve jets in

    Severiano Ballesteros made a whistle-stop visit to the region yesterday to promote next year's Seve Trophy which will be held at Wynyard. Golf correspondent Paul Fraser caught up with the sporting legend. "WHEN Seve Ballesteros plays well we are happy

  • Increase in costs blamed on oil

    RECORD oil prices were last night blamed for the sharpest annual rise in the cost of goods leaving UK factories in more than eight years. The figures, which show a 3.1 per cent increase in prices in the year to September, were announced on the day that

  • 'We will make Reeve's dream come true'

    SCIENTISTS pioneering stem cell research in the North-East paid tribute to Superman actor Christopher Reeve last night and vowed to make his dream come true. Praising the star, who lobbied for medical research after being paralysed in a riding accident

  • Huge surge in obsolete ships - report

    THE firm at the centre of the ghost ships controversy has been boosted by a report that warns of a huge worldwide surge in obsolete vessels needing to be scrapped. Able UK is said to be among only a handful of firms with green recycling facilities capable

  • The real Rumpole and his love child

    As his new novel, Rumpole And The Penge Bungalow Murders, is published, Sir John Mortimer talks to Hannah Stephenson about the scandal surrounding his love child with Darlington born Wendy Craig and being politically incorrect. BY his own admission, Sir

  • New crisis for £7.3m 'black hole' force

    A CASH strapped North-East police force warned last night that it would have to slash recruitment and may have to make staff redundant in order to avoid financial disaster. Every police and civilian worker at Cleveland Police has been issued with a statement

  • A case of mistaken identity . . .

    When David Speedie made his Darlington Railway debut in the Over 40s League fourth division - last Tuesday's column - his pea-in-a-pod striking partner was Mark Lawrence, known in those quarters as Loz. "I rather think this is the same chap who once starred

  • Traffic delays warning as fair arrives

    MOTORISTS are being warned of severe delays in a North-East town as preparation work gets under way for a fair. The fair, in Yarm, near Stockton, will be moved into the High Street from 5.30pm tonight. All residents who live in the town have been notified

  • Service finds the words to help

    AN interpreting service is being launched across the region for the deaf community. More than £150,000 is being invested by health and social care professionals in the Tees Valley and County Durham to help people who are deaf or hard of hearing. The project

  • Singapore bling

    IN the belief that you pays your money and you takes your chance, we have been trying our luck at Raffles. Just the ticket or torn off a strip? Puns exhausted, pray proceed. Named not after the half-time meat draw but after the internationally renowned

  • Boro eye Schwarzer replacement

    MIDDLESBROUGH will move for Bolton Wanderers' goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen if Mark Schwarzer fails to sign a new deal before the transfer window re-opens in January. Schwarzer was offered a new contract last summer but it remains unsigned after negotiations

  • School teams take up construction challenge

    YOUNG engineers who have designs on a construction title were given an insight into the work behind some of the region's newest landmarks. Eight teams from south Durham schools, who have entered an Enterprise in Construction Challenge, toured the Newcastle

  • Family says thank you in song

    WANNABE pop idols are showing off their talents at a pub idol competition being held for charity. Martin Fletcher was so grateful for the care his mother was given at the James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, that he and his brother-in-law Graham

  • Town to hit recyling targets a year ahead of schedule

    JUBILANT environment bosses have revealed that Darlington is on course to meet Government recycling targets a year ahead of schedule. The borough council had been set a stringent target of recycling 18 per cent of all household waste by the end of 2005

  • Bus firm is under fire again as passengers left stranded

    A NATIONAL bus company has again come under fire after two groups of passengers were left stranded in east Durham. Arriva, which operates services in and around the Peterlee area, was recently criticised for using old and unreliable vehicles that frequently

  • Legends cook up storm in kitchen

    FOOTBALL legends Malcolm MacDonald, Eric Gates and Bernie Slaven will rekindle simmering rivalries next week when they compete against each other in a cooking challenge. The former football stars will be taking part in a Ready Steady Cook-style culinary

  • Play it safe on Bonfire Night

    FOOTBALL teams in the North want to kick firework accidents into touch. Middlesbrough, Hartlepool and Darlington football clubs have joined forces with chief fire and police officers to launch a region-wide fireworks safety radio advertising campaign

  • Conversion of chapel 'a step nearer'

    Turning a disused Methodist chapel into a community hall has come a step closer in a Ripon village. A steering group for the ambitious project has been formed at Grewelthorpe after the chapel closed in March due to dwindling congregations. Support for

  • 'Go anywhere, anytime' bus ticket introduced

    LOCAL bus company Arriva Yorkshire has launched the first of its weekly tickets in North Yorkshire. The weekly £16 ticket offers passengers unlimited travel throughout the county. It can be purchased direct from the driver and is valid for seven consecutive

  • Having a ball for a good cause

    POLICE officers have raised £750 for Yorkshire Air Ambulance. Sergeant Neil Hallewell, who is based at York, and Malton-based Sergeant Jackie Smart organised the third annual summer ball at York Racecourse. About 130 people, including police, support

  • Investigation into 'police drinks scam'

    POLICE have launched an investigation into claims that officers have been involved in a drinks scam at a North-East hotel. The inquiry follows allegations by John Khan, owner of the Park Head Hotel, in New Coundon, County Durham, that officers from the

  • Silver surfers learn how to shop online

    SILVER surfers will be encouraged to go online at an event to be staged by Age Concern later this month. As part of an ongoing programme of intergenerational events, Age Concern County Durham has teamed up with the BBC to encourage older people to get

  • Fears for safety as children set fire to derelict homes

    THERE is growing concern that children are using a potentially lethal demolition zone as a playground. Cleveland Fire Brigade revealed yesterday that they have recruited the help of the police and council wardens to try to keep youngsters out of derelict

  • Guild shows off creative works

    DARLINGTON Embroiderers' Guild is celebrating a landmark anniversary with a spectacular exhibition. The organisation was founded in the town in 1979 and has welcomed stitching enthusiasts of all ages and abilities. Its members have been a regular fixture

  • School teams take up construction challenge

    YOUNG engineers who have designs on a construction title were given an insight into the work behind some of the region's newest landmarks. Eight teams from south Durham schools, who have entered an Enterprise in Construction Challenge, toured the Newcastle

  • Electric blanket safety check offer

    A CAMPAIGN to encourage Darlington residents to have their electric blankets tested is being launched by local MP Alan Milburn. Darlington Borough Council's Trading Standards is working in partnership with the town's 50plus Age Concern to provide free

  • Campaign receives boost

    ALMOST £300 was handed over to 50plus Age Concern in Darlington as part of the Hearts in Action Campaign by AXA Insurance. Half of the money was collected at fundraising events organised by AXA staff and then matched by AXA direct. Dr Glen Reynolds, of

  • Railway Trust on track as steam locomotive comes together

    RAIL enthusiasts building the first mainline steam locomotive in Britain for more than 40 years have staged their annual convention. Dozens of people converged on Darlington's Hopetown Lane carriageworks for the event, organised by the A1 Steam Locomotive

  • Minister pays a visit to new entrepreneurs

    THE Leader of the House of Commons visited one of the country's most deprived areas yesterday to speak to some of the North-East's newest entrepreneurs. Peter Hain visited Bram-thorn Business Centre on the Thorntree estate, in Middlesbrough, to meet some

  • Nipping into retirement

    MASTER rat-catcher Nip, and his owner Billy Thompson, have hung up their bait stations for the last time. Mr Thompson is retiring after 22 years as a pest control officers for Hambleton District Council. He said: "You name it and we have dealt with it

  • Blair backs promotion of young achievers

    TONY Blair and an award winner from Darlington are encouraging others to nominate young achievers for this year's Celebration of Learning Awards. Nicholas Barrett, from Darlington, won the construction achiever award for his outstanding ability and dedication

  • Anger after man had to call police 11 times for response

    RESIDENTS are feeling isolated from their local police because of a breakdown in communications, says a town council. Shildon Town Council is writing to the chief of police to demand that Durham Police Constabulary meet shortfalls in its new telephone

  • Public consulted on plans to end congestion

    MAJOR schemes, including improved rail and bus links, more railway stations and options for reviewing a bypass, will be going out for a public consultation in the new year. Members of North Yorkshire County Council have agreed a blueprint of measures

  • Cash-strapped playgroup launches fight for survival

    THE only playgroup in a market town is in danger of folding because of a financial crisis. Brooklyn Playgroup, which meets at Brooklyn Community Centre, in Langton Road, Norton, is £1,000 in debt. Committee members have now written to businesses in the

  • Sun Alliance jobs blow as more work moved to India

    A QUESTION mark was hanging over up to 800 jobs in the region last night as one of the country's biggest insurers announced plans to transfer more than 1,100 jobs to India. Royal and Sun Alliance (R&SA) said it will save more than £10m a year by switching

  • Grieving parents pay tribute to crash victims

    GRIEVING parents last night paid tribute to their ten-year-old son and teenage daughter who died in a road accident at the weekend. Lee Anderson was a front-seat passenger in a Citroen Saxo being driven by his 19-year-old sister, Jenna, when it was in

  • Boxing star's words of encouragement

    TEENAGE Olympic sensation Amir Khan has sent a goodwill message to young boxers taking part in a showpiece tournament in the region this weekend. The 17-year-old, who captured the hearts of sports fans around the world on his way to winning a silver medal

  • Mad about fashion

    With Fatty and Skinny, sorry Susannah and Trinny, on the case the current state of women's clothing seems to suggest that nearly all females are badly dressed. Nobody of maturity should wear bold floral patterns, lively pinks, hoops or anything with lapels

  • 1,300 pupils join personal safety scheme

    MORE than 1,300 schoolchildren in Hartlepool are taking part in a scheme that aims to make them more aware of personal safety. Crucial Crew, which runs until Thursday, involves pupils taking part in workshops on the themes of fire safety, kitchen safety

  • Giving youth greater voice

    A SERIES of workshops are being held to encourage young people to play a greater role in community life. Youth groups and community organisations that work with young people are invited to the event at the Rossmere Youth Centre in Hartlepool on Monday

  • Teddies enjoy fun in the sun

    Teddy bears have been out enjoying themselves in the autumn sun. Bears of all shapes and sizes headed for Queen Mary's School at Baldersby Park, near Thirsk, when their young owners took part in a picnic. Youngsters brought along their cuddly pals to

  • Easy way to sell shares in Abbey

    Abbey National's army of small shareholders have been given an easier route to selling shares in the company's proposed new Spanish owner. Santander Central Hispano (SCH) said it would allow Abbey investors with 2,000 or fewer shares and who live in the

  • On TV last night

    Spooks (BBC1) Trial And Retribution (ITV1) TOM Quinn is in trouble for murder, treason and shooting his boss. Quite a big hole out of which to extricate himself. No wonder someone in the Spooks team declared, "Until this is resolved, no one sleeps - unless

  • Photographer thinking big as gallery opens for business

    A PHOTOGRAPHER who uses digital technology to create artworks has opened a gallery in rural north Durham. Dave Foster, 48, has launched Northpoint Multimedia in Front Street, Shotley Bridge, near Consett. He said: "The sleepy hollow of Shotley Bridge

  • A voice for the North: 'We'll say Yes to cheap home'

    CAMPAIGNERS in favour of a regional assembly for the North-East have insisted that the body will be based in an existing building in Durham City - in the face of claims that it is "inevitable" that the assembly would create an expensive new home for itself

  • French singer in concert for organ appeal

    A SINGER whose wide-ranging style was developed at village fairs in the south of France is to sing in aid of a North-East church. Florence Malavialle, known as Flossie, will give a concert in St Cuthbert's Church centre, Darlington, on Saturday, October

  • Show-off driver is jailed for six years

    A driver who killed a pensioner while showing off behind the wheel was jailed for six years yesterday. Keith Caulfield's Peugeot 205 demolished a bus stop in Tyne Avenue, Leadgate, County Durham, where 68-year-old Norman Hope was waiting to visit his

  • Job Search: Vacancies

    7.5 tonne driver, £5ph, 40hrs pw, to deliver around County Durham, multi-drop experience essential. Ref: SPE 13502. IT Broadband helpdesk, £5.90ph, 40hrs pw, must have understanding of modems, Broadband, knowledge of Windows, Linux and Wireless an advantage

  • Labour supporter's quest to topple Tony Blair

    A 48-year-old Labour-supporting businessman from Gloucestershire surprised himself yesterday by arriving in Sedgefield to begin his campaign to oust Tony Blair from Parliament. "I am middle-class from middle England, but I feel bloody angry about the

  • Chinese delegation in North-East visit

    A DELEGATION of businesses from one of the fastest growing provinces in China is visiting the region this week in search of investment opportunities. The 15-member delegation from the country's Jiangsu province arrived in the UK last weekend. Over the

  • Pay deals predicted to increase

    Pay deals are expected to increase because of an expected rise in headline inflation, a report predicts today. The cost of living is forecast to climb to 3.5 per cent over the next few months, setting a higher starting point for pay negotiations, says

  • Star pair 'will not be rushed back'

    DARLINGTON manager David Hodgson has insisted experienced duo Craig Hignett and Craig Liddle will not be rushed back into his first-team plans. The former Middlesbrough teammates did not play in Sunday's 2-1 win at Oxford, despite recovering from injury

  • More spoof than Spooks

    Spooks (BBC1); Trial And Retribution (ITV1): TOM Quinn is in trouble for murder, treason and shooting his boss. Quite a big hole out of which to extricate himself. No wonder someone in the Spooks team declared, "Until this is resolved, no one sleeps -

  • Job Search: Vacancies

    Assistant manager, Thirsk, £5ph, 28hrs pw 5 days out of 7, 9am to 5.30pm flexible, retail supervisory experience an advantage but two weeks' training given. Ref: NAL 426. Warehouse assistant, Bedale, £5 to £6ph, 36.5hrs pw 9am to 5pm Mon-Thur, 4pm finish

  • Collins signs up for Black Cats

    SUNDERLAND last night completed the signing of Chester centre-half Danny Collins as Championship rivals Leeds prepared to offer Sean Thornton a loan move away from the Stadium of Light. The Black Cats are understood to have agreed a fee of £140,000 for

  • Pensioner jailed for child sex attacks

    A pensioner has been jailed for three years for a series of sex attacks on a young girl. David Bell, 72, targeted the youngster more than a decade ago when she was aged between ten and 14. Bell, of Westmoreland Rise, Peterlee, County Durham, denied two

  • Government is urged to tackle pensions shortfall

    THE Government is not doing enough to win over the "grey vote" by addressing the pensions shortfall, the chief executive of the North-East Chamber of Commerce (NECC) warned last night. Ahead of today's Government report, which is expected to warn that

  • Sainsbury's issues profits warning

    Sainsbury's showed further evidence it was suffering at the hands of price-cutting rivals as it warned that first-half profits would slump by nearly two-thirds. Shares slipped to a 15-month low after the retailer gave its third warning on profits this

  • 'We will make Reeve's dream a reality'

    SCIENTISTS pioneering stem cell research in the North-East paid tribute to Superman actor Christopher Reeve last night and vowed to make his dream come true. Praising the star, who lobbied for medical research after being paralysed in a riding accident

  • Whoops! Seve's not quite on the ball

    ANY golfer who has ever had a first tee nightmare can take heart from a visit to the North-East by a legend of the game yesterday. Seve Ballesteros addressed the ball in front of an expectant crowd at Wynyard Golf Course - and duffed his shot out of bounds

  • House price growth slows down

    Further evidence of a slowdown in the housing market emerged last night with figures showing faltering price growth in August. The average price of a house in the UK in August was £179,486, up from £177,474 in July, according to data from the Office of

  • Singapore bling

    The column enjoys fine food and Singaporean surroundings at the Croft's new Raffles restaurant. IN the belief that you pays your money and you takes your chance, we have been trying our luck at Raffles. Just the ticket or torn off a strip? Puns exhausted

  • The pitman who brought tough times to life

    Sid Chaplin's evocative writing captured perfectly the tough working man's world in which he lived. As his books are reissued John Dean reports. SID Chaplin was a North-East writer who influenced some of the greatest modern authors of recent times - and

  • Art of the stonemason

    CHILDREN can learn more about how medieval stonemasons designed and built York Minster following the opening of a replica Mason's Lodge. The lodge was opened yesterday at the Minster's Centre for School Visits, at St William's College. Its centrepiece

  • Turning the tables on the West

    WE don't know how the other half lives - or at least how the other half used to have to live. I've just got back from a conference in the beautiful Wiltshire town of Malmesbury. We were there to talk about freedom. The conference leader asked us to read

  • Scrapping of spotter plane is music to pensioner's ears

    POLICE chiefs are to replace a noisy spotter plane after the constant drone left a pensioner cowering in a cupboard wearing earmuffs. John Oxley, who suffers from tinnitus, a constant ringing in his ears, has told of his relief that the aircraft is to

  • Brrr, but princess warms to the task

    THE Princess Royal showed she was made of steely stuff yesterday during a whistle stop tour of the region. The princess literally faced an arctic chill when she opened a £12m cold storage depot in County Durham and surprised staff when she refused to

  • Teenagers maintain Bard theme

    A GROUP of teenagers are turning to the Bard after winning rave reviews last year. Last year, the 17 and 18-year-olds from Stockton, Teesside, produced Shakespeare's Julius Caesar. This year the Arden Theatre Company will stage A Midsummer Night's Dream

  • Sun Alliance jobs blow as more work moved to India

    A QUESTION mark was hanging over up to 800 jobs in the region last night as one of the country's biggest insurers announced plans to transfer more than 1,100 jobs to India. Royal and Sun Alliance (R&SA) said it will save more than £10m a year by switching

  • Eating Owt: Singapore bling

    The column enjoys fine food and Singaporean surroundings at the Croft's new Raffles restaurant. IN the belief that you pays your money and you takes your chance, we have been trying our luck at Raffles. Just the ticket or torn off a strip? Puns exhausted

  • Blushing Russian capable of leaving the bookies red-faced

    BLUSHING RUSSIAN is well worthy of support in this afternoon's Gary Owen Nursery at Ayr. Patrick Haslam's two-year-old has shown steady improvement on all three racecourse outings to date, most notably on his latest foray to Thirsk where he stayed on

  • Jimmy's monster pumpkin

    A GARDENER'S giant pumpkin will compete against the biggest in Britain this week. Six strong men and a forklift truck will be needed to move the huge vegetable, grown by pensioner Jimmy Reid. Mr Reid, of Gilling West, near Richmond, an 82-year-old former

  • Bramble return hands Souness selection poser

    TITUS Bramble will be hoping to play himself into the first team when he makes his long-awaited return from injury in Newcastle's second string tonight. The former Ipswich centre-half will make his seasonal bow when Tommy Craig's reserve side take on

  • Academics in favour of assembly

    A GROUP of the region's leading academics have come out in favour of a Yes vote in the regional assembly referendum. A total of 51 senior figures from all five of the North-East's universities yesterday declared their support for Yes4theNorth-East, includ

  • New move to tackle dyslexia

    A NEW learning tool designed to help children with dyslexia has been distributed to every school in the county. North Yorkshire County Council's Education Service has launched a Dyslexia Handbook to raise awareness of the condition which affects about