Archive

  • Getting ready to bloom

    MAYORS and representatives from across the region attended this year's inaugural meeting of Northumbria in Bloom yesterday. About 300 people attended the event at Hardwick Hall, Sedgefield, to hear about the rules and regulations. Town and village representatives

  • Job Search: Vacancies

    Mobile care assistants, Consett. 35-37 hours pw, £5 per hour. Must have own transport and a sympathetic nature. Experience preferred but not essential. Visiting clients in their own homes. Ref: CON 16845. Screen printer, Consett. Exceeds NMW, 40 hrs,

  • 'Green park' sold in £1.25m deal

    A 25,000sq ft business park has changed hands in a £1.25m deal. Sycamore Business Park, at Copt Hewick, near Ripon, North Yorkshire, has been bought by Colin Stamp, of Waste Disposals Ltd, in a deal facilitated and part-funded by Lloyds TSB Corporate.

  • Magpies fan bought tickets to wrong city

    Dozy soccer fan Anthony Crozier blew £800 on tickets to see his team in Europe - but got the wrong Spanish city. The bird-brained Magpies fan thought Newcastle were playing in Malaga instead of Mallorca. Toon fans were thrilled when their team was drawn

  • Mobile phones warning ignored

    POLICE have backed the findings of a survey which showed that one in ten motorists are still using hand-held mobile phones while driving, despite a ban introduced last year. A poll of 700 drivers by breakdown firm Green Flag revealed that ten per cent

  • Eating Owt: Serving up a Sunday best

    ATTENTIVE readers have observed that, like those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, the Eating Owt column frequently follows At Your Service, its ecclesiastical altar ego. Thus two Sabbaths since, a first service for the Rev Julie Nelson in the

  • Hospice founder Mary releases doves to mark 20th anniversary

    TWENTY white doves have been released to mark the 20th anniversary of the Butterwick Hospice. Mary Butterwick, who founded the hospice in 1984 following the death of her husband, John, released the birds to mark each year of care given by the hospice.

  • TV review

    The Truth About Killing (C4) IF, during the course of battle, you came face-to-face with the enemy, would you shoot him with the loaded gun in your hand? For soldiers, at least, you'd expect the answer to be "yes". After all, that's their job, what they're

  • Prince gets a ticket to ride

    THE Duke of York embarked on a whistle-stop tour of North Yorkshire, including a ride on the newly-restored Wensleydale Railway. Prince Andrew's day began in Thirsk, where he toured the Multidrive factory, which makes specialist vehicles for the military

  • 'It was cancer again... but I was lucky'

    The health research charity WellBeing is running an ovarian cancer awareness campaign throughout this month. Sarah Foster meets a woman who has overcome both ovarian and breast cancer. THE word 'cancer', with its connotations of long, painful treatments

  • I'm done with heroin, I'm choosing life

    After kicking a ten-year drug habit, Kelly Anderson is helping others to do the same as chairperson of a service users' forum. Sarah Foster talks to her about how she got hooked on heroin in prison. WHEN I arrive at the offices of the North-East Council

  • Schizophrenic killer will be moved after death threats

    A PARANOID schizophrenic who killed four people will be transferred to a high-security hospital after he threatened to kill his social worker. Mark Rowntree, 47, who suffers from paranoid schizophrenia, had been housed in the Hutton Unit, at Middlesbrough's

  • Matthew must make school or country choice

    A DECISIVE try in a rugby semi-final has left a schoolboy with an agonising decision. Matthew Tait, of Barnard Castle School, County Durham, must decide whether to accompany England under-19s to the world championships in South Africa or represent his

  • The 50-year timebomb that guaranteed trouble for all

    HENRY would not be impressed. The dapper chap with everyone's best interests at heart would think the latest twist in the Equitable Life saga beyond the pale. Henry was the star of many an Equitable Life television advert extolling the virtues of saving

  • 09/03/04

    MIDDLE EAST: IS Pete Winstanley (HAS, Mar 3) really intent on presenting a revised version of history? Mossadeq was made the Prime Minister by the Shah of Iran in April 1951, not by democratic means, but in order to try to calm the turmoil caused by the

  • The soldier who won't shoot

    The Truth About Killing (C4): IF, during the course of battle, you came face-to-face with the enemy, would you shoot him with the loaded gun in your hand? For soldiers, at least, you'd expect the answer to be "yes". After all, that's their job, what they're

  • Job Search: Vacancies

    Customer sales/administrator, Thirsk. £11,000pa pro rata, 20-37.5hrs pw. Must have good telephone manner, experience of office work preferred but not essential as training on software given. Typing skills not essential. Ref: NOE 21433. Electrician, Northallerton

  • Contract win takes AS&T to new heights

    AN aerospace engineering company has landed a £1.4m contract with Airbus that will create 30 jobs. Aerospace Systems and Technologies 2000 Ltd (AS&T), of Consett, in County Durham, will manufacture a wing component for the Airbus. The contract is

  • Mills in defence of stars

    ENGLAND international Danny Mills has come out in defence of football's tarnished reputation, insisting players are generally better behaved than they were when he first came into the game. Right-back Mills, on loan to Middlesbrough from Leeds for the

  • £7.7m for sporting facilities in North

    TEN schools in the North-East have been awarded more than £7.7m to improve sports facilities. Schools and communities across the region will benefit from the money from the National Lottery's New Opportunities Fund. In County Durham, four schools - Dene

  • Where is this 'barrier' to exercise and healthy food?

    DR Simon Eccles, chairman of a British Medical Association committee, frightens me when he says: "There is an increasing fear that medical training is being dumbed-down." It has come to something when doctors themselves admit that patients' lives are

  • Fanfare for ex-miners moving into 20 homes

    TWENTY homes have been built for retired east Durham colliery workers. Built by the Durham Aged Mineworkers' Homes Association, the £1.1m complex is next door to St Mary's Church in Horden, known locally as the Miners' Cathedral. The scheme, called St

  • Reward for clues to bike thief

    A FORMER competitive cyclist is offering a £1,000 reward to anyone who can help catch the thieves who stole his expensive bikes. The rider, who does not want to be named, lost nearly £12,000 worth of bikes, tools and other equipment in a raid on his farm

  • Workman killed in building site horror

    A WORKMAN died yesterday after the sides of a manhole caved in on top of him. Another man was rescued after becoming trapped in mud on the Wimpey building site at Skelton, east Cleveland. Neither has been named. The first man was pronounced dead at the

  • Parks strategy 'taking away cash for village play areas'

    PEOPLE who run an award-winning play area say they have been denied more than £100,000 that could have gone on improving its facilities. A housing boom has seen developers win planning permission to build more than 340 homes in Delves Lane, on the outskirts

  • Extracare scheme is launched

    PENSIONER Ivy Dinsdale became the first resident to move into a new home as an extracare scheme was launched yesterday. Mrs Dinsdale, 84, decided to move into the new Mayflower Court homes, in Yarm Road, Darlington, after suffering a fall at her home

  • Volunteer crime patrols are a success

    A SECRET crime-fighting operation in which police were joined by 56 volunteers to patrol a rural area every night for a week, has been hailed a success. Not a single crime was reported during the seven nights of the initiative, which ended on Sunday,

  • Children prove books are fun

    CHILDREN'S imaginations - and parents' creative talents - were given free rein when Wavell Infants School celebrated national Book Week. Youngsters were encouraged to go to school dressed as their favourite literary characters and enjoyed making colourful

  • Actor gets close to nature in challenging new role

    LARGER-than-life actor Brian Blessed is fitting a new role into his already busy schedule. He's taken over as president of Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and has made a flying visit to the region to find out more about its work. The Yorkshire-born actor, who

  • Port's success over transport ship

    A NORTH-EAST city has beaten competition from ports around the country to provide the home for a congestion-busting ship. Sunderland will be the base for Robert Wynn and Sons' Government-sponsored Terra Marique, which has been built with the help of an

  • 'Backdoor cuts' will hit the vulnerable, council warns

    SUPPORT services for vulnerable people have been hit by an £800,000 reduction in Government funding. North Yorkshire County Council says cuts have left care groups struggling to maintain levels of support and has criticised the Government for its "backdoor

  • Lloyds reports bumper profits

    LLOYDS TSB became the latest financial institution to announce it had made billions of pounds profit in the past year. The bank reported profits of £4.35bn as it delivered strategic and financial news to the City that echoed a confident year for other

  • Man falls into disused tank

    A 28-year-old man is recovering in hospital after sustaining serious injuries when he fell 30ft into a disused tank at a former chemical site. The man is believed to have been clambering on a pipe at the former Steetley Works in the West View area of

  • Black Cats get dream cup draw

    THE North-East's footballing adventures will continue on April 4 after Sunderland were handed a dream draw in the semi-final of the FA Cup. Only 24 hours after Middlesbrough paraded the Carling Cup in front of more than 100,000 jubilant fans, Sunderland's

  • Bouncer jailed for death punch

    RELATIVES of a father killed by a bouncer reacted angrily yesterday as he was jailed for three years. George Lumsden, 41, sent Steven Pillings, 44, sprawling with one punch outside a nightclub in Croydon, Surrey. Mr Pillings hit his head on the road and

  • Primary drugs education

    ANTI-DRUGS campaigners are targeting primary schools in north Durham. The Feel Good Roadshow drugs education programme aims to raise awareness in younger children of illegal substances, as well as the dangers of alcohol and smoking. Staff will also offer

  • Staff praised for sterling work

    HARD work during a Government inspection earned awards for four Richmondshire District Council employees. Jane Ringer was praised for her contribution to the housing submission for the authority's comprehensive performance assessment, Rachel Bowles worked

  • Parishes gain a voice at cathedral

    A SCHEME to sign up ambassadors for Ripon Cathedral has already attracted more than 50 people. The ambassadors are being signed up by the Dean of Ripon, the Very Reverend John Metheun, in a bid to strengthen links between parishes and the cathedral. Dean

  • Comment: McCarthy faces double-edged sword

    IF Mick McCarthy is to lead Sunderland to the FA Cup final then he is going to have to break the hearts of the fans who once idolised him or smash one of the Black Cats' most hurtful cup hoodoos. Either Millwall or Tranmere stand between Sunderland and

  • Jonny in final race

    Jonny Wilkinson is on course to play at Twickenham this season if Newcastle Falcons reach the Powergen Cup final on April 17. The fly-half underwent shoulder surgery last month, ruling him out of Six Nations contention. But if the Falcons win their semi-final

  • Trust set for station buy-out

    THE organisation pioneering the campaign to rescue Richmond's old railway station has called an open meeting next week where the public will be asked to ratify a community buy-out. Owner Richmondshire District Council has offered the old farm and garden

  • Event hits target

    A world class sportsman put his reputation on the line to raise funds for charity, at the White Rose Bowling Club, Catterick Garrison. Darts' world number two, Kevin 'The Artist' Painter challenged contenders to games of 701. Each had an opportunity to

  • Nursing awards are launched

    AN award in celebration of nursing and midwifery has been set up, with patients being asked to make nominations. The Nightingale Award has been launched by South Tees NHS Trust to recognise the important contribution nurses make to patients and their

  • I'm on the brink of taking over Quakers, says Forster

    BUSINESSMAN Ted Forster claimed last night he was only days away from taking over Darlington Football Club and clearing all of its debts. The 53-year-old called The Northern Echo from his home in Rhodes to say he had agreed a £4m deal with George Reynolds

  • McClaren slaps ban on talk of cup win

    MIDDLESBROUGH boss Steve McClaren has slapped a ban on talk of his side's historic Carling Cup final win in a bid to silence any whispers of a relegation battle. McClaren was furious when Boro crashed to a 3-1 defeat at Birmingham last Wednesday, only

  • Thierry stars in Winter's tale

    Jeff Winter, man in the middle of that mesmeric Arsenal performance on Saturday night, reports a candid conversation with Thierry Henry. "I said to him as we were waiting to start the second half that it was difficult to referee teams when they were playing

  • Jonny is on course to play

    Jonny Wilkinson is on course to play at Twickenham this season if Newcastle Falcons reach the Powergen Cup final on April 17. The fly-half underwent shoulder surgery last month, ruling him out of Six Nations contention. But if the Falcons win their semi-final

  • A long, long way from Blue Peter

    Former children's TV presenter Sarah Greene has moved a long way from her days dealing with sticky-backed plastic and an empty Squeezy bottle, she tells Steve Pratt. IN 20 years as a TV presenter, Sarah Greene has worked in every area of broadcasting

  • Philharmonia of the Nations, Middlesbrough Town Hall

    AN audience comprising an overwhelming majority of elderly people was treated to a display of the infectious spirit of youth when the Philharmonia of the Nations appeared at Middlesbrough Town Hall. The multicultural orchestra, which brings together highly

  • Job Search: Vacancies

    Telephone tester, £4.50ph plus £35 attendance bonus, 40hrs pw, no experience needed as training given. Ref: NEU 18017. Cleaner, 15hrs pw 3.45-6.45pm Mon-Fri, cleaning experience essential. Ref: NEU 18207. Site manager, £24,000 to £32,000pa, 40hrs pw,

  • Serving up a Sunday best

    ATTENTIVE readers have observed that, like those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, the Eating Owt column frequently follows At Your Service, its ecclesiastical altar ego. Thus two Sabbaths since, a first service for the Rev Julie Nelson in the

  • Officials oppose compost site plans

    PLANS for a scheme to compost biodegradable waste has drawn opposition because it is too near homes. Sedgefield Borough Council is to object to the application at a farm in Spennymoor, County Durham. The applicant wants to create the composting unit in

  • Time to take a few tips from Lionel

    THIRSK - "a perfect place to visit", according to the leaflet published by the Thirsk Regeneration Initiative. The leaflet, however, does not manage to divulge any information whatsoever for visitors with disabilities. Readers requiring further information

  • Budget cuts hit services

    SUPPORT services for vulnerable people have been hit by an £800,000 cut in Government funding. North Yorkshire County Council says it has left the funding body struggling to maintain its level of support and has criticised the Government for its 'backdoor

  • Concert offers madrigal to soul music

    MORE than 200 pupils will be playing assorted types of music at a spring concert on Wednesday, March 17, at Teesdale Comprehensive School, Barnard Castle. The concert will feature music from the school's soul band, madrigal group and wind band. The soul

  • A long, long way from Blue Peter

    Former children's TV presenter Sarah Greene has moved a long way from her days dealing with sticky-backed plastic and an empty Squeezy bottle, she tells Steve Pratt. IN 20 years as a TV presenter, Sarah Greene has worked in every area of broadcasting

  • Ameobi backs Bridges

    NEWCASTLE striker Shola Ameobi last night hailed Michael Bridges as the answer to the club's midfield crisis. Bridges made his first Magpies start in last week's 3-1 UEFA Cup win over Valarenga after moving to St James' Park on loan in January. But, after

  • Contract win takes AS&T to new heights

    AN aerospace engineering company has landed a £1.4m contract with Airbus that will create 30 jobs. Aerospace Systems and Technologies 2000 Ltd (AS&T), of Consett, in County Durham, will manufacture a wing component for the Airbus. The contract is

  • Two wins should do it, claims Darlington boss

    DARLINGTON boss David Hodgson admits he has more than just three points on his mind ahead of tonight's Third Division clash with Cheltenham at the Reynolds Arena. Before Hodgson can even contemplate taking another massive step towards League safety this

  • Interdit can make long trek pay

    LONG DISTANCES don't worry the dour stayer Interdit (3.10), who heads from the Scottish Borders to contest the day's most valuable race, the £20,000 Tote-sponsored Devon National at Exeter. Quick ground will at least ensure the 3-mile marathon is a little

  • Estate agents thrive during housing boom

    THE North-East's booming property market has helped two leading estate agents to greater success. Storeys:ssp and Lamb and Edge were recognised by the online website of Estates Gazette Group, EGi, as the most active regional and local agent respectively

  • Comment from The Northern Echo: A question of confidence

    THE Penrose Report and the Government's response to it will do nothing to enhance confidence in the security of financial services. Judge Penrose concludes that Equitable Life was the author of its own misfortunes, and that the regulatory framework was

  • 'This 'ere wild sort of painting '

    The first London exhibition of the work of Staithes artist Lilian Colbourn since her death in 1967 opens tomorrow. Sarah Foster reports on a forgotten talent. AN austere looking middle-aged woman stands painting on a cliff top, her easel buffeted by the

  • Music night for charity

    A TEENAGER has raised £2,500 to stage a night of Christian music and worship, in aid of a children's charity. Neil Milligan, 18, of Medomsley, near Consett, County Durham, has organised the Fill the Gap event while on a gap year, before going to study

  • Time to take a few tips from Lionel

    THIRSK - "a perfect place to visit", according to the leaflet published by the Thirsk Regeneration Initiative. The leaflet, however, does not manage to divulge any information whatsoever for visitors with disabilities. Readers requiring further information

  • 'Shareholders may lose everything'

    DEBT-LADEN Eurotunnel has warned investors that attempts by rebel shareholders to unseat the board are putting their investment at risk. Directors said the Channel Tunnel operator could end up in the hands of creditors if the rebels won a crunch vote

  • Student protests planned

    Thousands of students from across the North-East and Yorkshire will take part in a rally protesting against student top-up fees on Saturday. The event, organised by Durham Students' Union, will involve the crowd being addressed by a cross-party panel

  • Conversion timetable announced

    SUPERMARKET chain Morrisons has announced it will begin overhauling Safeway stores in August. The group plans to convert three stores a week in a transformation programme spanning three years, beginning with the Safeway megastore at Gamston, Nottinghamshire

  • Equitable victims' cash hope shattered

    HUNDREDS of thousands of customers who lost money in the Equitable Life crisis had their hopes of compensation dashed by the Government last night. They had hoped a damning report in the financial fiasco would prompt ministers to help the worst affected

  • 'Green park' sold in £1.25m deal

    A 25,000sq ft business park has changed hands in a £1.25m deal. Sycamore Business Park, at Copt Hewick, near Ripon, North Yorkshire, has been bought by Colin Stamp, of Waste Disposals Ltd, in a deal facilitated and part-funded by Lloyds TSB Corporate.

  • Arkley named as new forum chairman

    ALISTAIR Arkley has been appointed chairman of the Northern Business Forum - the organisation trying to ensure that the priorities of the private sector are reflected in the work of the region's key agencies. Mr Arkley, chairman of New Century Inns, has

  • Drumming up support

    ROCKET Science has been chosen to manage the marketing and sponsorship of the Stockton International Riverside Festival for the next three years. The marketing agency was appointed by Stockton Borough Council. This year's festival, taking place between

  • Interdit can make long trek pay off

    LONG DISTANCES don't worry the dour stayer Interdit (3.10), who heads from the Scottish Borders to contest the day's most valuable race, the £20,000 Tote-sponsored Devon National at Exeter. Quick ground will at least ensure the 3-mile marathon is a little

  • Warning over bid for fire centre

    FIRE officials have condemned Government plans to create a central command room for every brigade in the North-East, warning people's lives were at risk. Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott believes a single control centre would be effective. Supporters

  • Council website wins praise from experts

    DURHAM County Council's website is one of the best in the business, according to experts. The site has been named as one of the best of any county authority for content and accessibility by the Society of Information Technology Management. The society

  • Plymouth will wait before trying to lure Cooper

    PLYMOUTH Argyle may wait until the end of the season before trying to persuade Hartlepool United boss Neale Cooper to take over at Home Park. The Pool board have been bracing themselves for a fight to retain the services of Cooper following the departure

  • Allotments group is given Lottery boost

    AN allotment association has been awarded a grant to enable it to reclaim and regenerate plots. The Barmpton Lane Allotment Association, in Darlington, has been awarded £3,220 from the National Lottery Awards for All fund. Michael Haw, association secretary

  • Search for thieves

    POLICE are searching for two young people who tried to enter a number of houses in a Teesdale village. At 5pm on Friday, a boy and girl in their teens visited Eggleston, and were seen inside a house in Garden Bank. They had earlier been seen knocking

  • Traders' fears allayed over property sale

    BUSINESSES concerned about their futures after their premises were sold have been told they have nothing to worry about. The businesses renting 27 units in Whessoe Road, Darlington, were informed of Darlington Enterprise Association's intention to sell

  • Appeal to make bend safer

    A COUNCIL has been criticised for refusing to carry out road safety work on a lane in Spennymoor, despite years of campaigning by families. People living in the Carr Lane area have been asking Durham County Council to improve safety on a bend near their

  • Rallying call for big clean-up

    PEOPLE in Darlington are being asked to play their part in giving the borough a thorough spring clean. Throughout the month, litter and street care teams from Darlington Borough Council will be cleaning up the town in preparation for the warmer weather

  • Mayor's treat to caring pupils

    YOUNGSTERS who marked Holocaust Memorial Day in Darlington have been rewarded for their efforts. The Mayor of Darlington, Councillor Ron Lewis, invited pupils from Eastbourne Comprehensive School to visit the mayor's parlour in the town hall yesterday

  • Extensions likely to go ahead

    A PRIMARY school in Thornaby could soon be extended to accommodate 50 more pupils. Tedder Avenue Junior and Infant School is closing, because of the number of surplus places, so its pupils have to be moved to other schools. The move means Bader Junior

  • Concern grows for missing pensioner

    CONCERNS are growing for a pensioner who has been missing for more than a week. Michael Ivers, 65, has not been seen since February 29. Mr Ivers, who lives in the Grange Road area of Middlesbrough, has a number of regular haunts. They include his local

  • Planners invite neighbours' views on college proposals

    HUNDREDS of residents are to be given a say on what is built on college sites in their communities. Middlesbrough College is to close its four sites in the town - Kirby, Acklam Hall, Longlands and Marton Road - and move to a single site at Middlehaven

  • Warning over bid for fire centre

    FIRE officials have condemned Government plans to create a central command room for every brigade in the North-East, warning people's lives were at risk. Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott believes a single control centre would be effective. Supporters

  • Fight for court is over

    SENIOR councillors have agreed to bow to the inevitable and to accept the demise of Richmond's magistrates court - although they believe it is the wrong decision. The North Yorkshire Mag-istrates Courts Committee first consulted the public on its proposals

  • Blair lobbied by parents of fatal crash toddler

    THE Prime Minister is being asked to help a campaign for harsher sentences for killer drivers. Tony Blair will be lobbied by the parents of crash victim Callum Taylor after the man who killed the eight-month-old was jailed last week. Callum's parents,

  • Work by skilful fingers

    THE work of traditional mat-makers has gone on display at the library where they meet. Durham Clayport Matters completed two terms of traditional mat-making classes last year at Durham Clayport Library, in the city's Millennium Place. When the course

  • Getting used to recycling with a bit of help from Freda the Frog

    THE benefits of recycling were spelt out to primary school pupils yesterday. Children from St Paul's RC Primary School, in Billingham, were joined by Stockton Borough Council's recycling mascot, Freda the Frog. They were also visited by a recycling collection

  • Allotments security boost

    Security measures have been introduced to stop vandals taking over allotment plots. Thieves and vandals had driven gardeners in Loftus from their plots - more than halving the number of tenants working allotments on the Westfield site. Now security has

  • Mystery deepens over 'suicide message' found at beauty spot

    A HEARTRENDING note left pinned to a teddy bear at a popular beauty spot has baffled police. The letter was discovered by a member of the public at midday on Sunday at the Broken Scar picnic site, in Darlington. Its contents sparked a six-hour manhunt

  • Whitley can't believe his change of luck

    UNSUNG Sunderland midfielder Jeff Whitley, thrown on football's scrapheap by Manchester City boss Kevin Keegan, last night admitted he can't believe his dramatic change of fortune. The tenacious Whitley has figured in every game of Sunderland's astonishing

  • Work gets under way on hospital's new heart unit

    HEART bosses have admitted that patients are still having to wait too long for vital diagnostic tests. Services for heart patients in the North-East have been transformed in recent years with the average wait for routine bypass surgery falling from 18

  • Chance to win jazz concert tickets

    The Northern Echo's music website, Revolution, is giving readers a chance to win tickets to a jazz concert. Jazz Lounge, on March 26, will feature Highstreet Anywhere, from Durham, who have released a first CD called Bukino Faso, and Cherie Gears Quartet

  • 'This 'ere wild sort of painting '

    The first London exhibition of the work of Staithes artist Lilian Colbourn since her death in 1967 opens tomorrow. Sarah Foster reports on a forgotten talent. AN austere looking middle-aged woman stands painting on a cliff top, her easel buffeted by the

  • Pervert priest is jailed for indecent abuse of children

    A PRIEST who abused his position to sexually assault children about 40 years ago was last night starting a 30-month prison sentence. Father Patrick Fitzpatrick, 75, indecently assaulted four boys and three girls while a curate at St Cuthbert's RC Church

  • Police-army raid in Barnard Castle

    A squad of 12 police officers dressed in combat gear raided a flat in a peaceful street yesterday as part of a joint police-army operation. They startled neighbours as they leapt from two vehicles in a nearby factory yard and marched to the ground floor

  • Missing father home after seven months

    A FATHER-of-two who sparked a nationwide alert has turned up alive and well nearly seven months since he disappeared from his North-East home. Police called up rescue teams and tracker dogs after Ian Richardson vanished from his home in Bertha Street,