A strategy aiming to tackle crime, anti-social behaviour and drug abuse was launched this week. The three-year initiative aims to encourage the reporting of hate crimes and domestic abuse and reduce the number of people killed and seriously hurt on the
JOB-HUNTERS are being urged to make tracks to a jobs fair. It takes place on Thursday, in the main square of Middleton Grange Shopping Centre, Hartlepool, from 9am to 5pm. A number of employers will be present, including Flex-Ability, TK Maxx, Wilkinsons
IN the 1980s, Jacqueline Gold admits she was a power dresser. "I tried to emulate what I thought a business person was like," she says. "I was very assertive and aggressive and wore shoulder pads, the lot. One day someone told me I looked like I'd walked
A SCHOOL in Darlington will be one of the first in the North to try and improve its GCSE results by reducing the number of exams students take. The change will affect some students at the Education Village, Darlington, and is one of a number of ideas
A baby products firm has apologised after a six-month-old girl almost choked on a teether. Sonya Robson said her baby Ffion had the teether in her mouth when she noticed the filling had come out. The mother-of-three, of Columbia, Washington, quickly took
Modern day medicine is a wonderful thing. Every week new inroads are made into debilitating diseases. Technological advances are responsible for machines that can pinpoint a problem enabling a diagnosis to be made in 99pc of the cases that 50 years ago
A TEENAGER who was one of the main culprits in a gang attack on a party-goer has been spared jail by a judge who told him: "You must realise this is your last chance." Jamie Lee Stewart, 19, was given 200 hours community punishment for his part in the
MARTIN Scott wants to follow the Hull City blueprint to plot a route out of League One and into the Championship next season. The recently-appointed Hartlepool United boss has made two new signings in recent days, with Cardiff's Lee Bullock and Wrexham's
LITTORALLY delightful, yesterday's Eating Owt column recorded the pleasures of a walk along the Durham Coastal path from Crimdon Dene to Horden, the shoreline much transformed. That down there, said a dog walking local, was Horden Blast Beach - and started
A TAXI driver has been found guilty of attacking a paramedic after an ambulance blocked his route on a one-way street. Richard Heslop was cleared of inflicting grievous bodily harm on Richard Hannan, but convicted of an alternative charge of assault occasioning
Swindon Town have opened the way for Darlington to make midfielder David Duke their second signing of the summer. Duke has already held lengthy talks with Quakers and Swindon boss Andy King last night gave the clearest hint yet that the 26-year-old's
WATERCOOLER maker Ebac is to open the most expensive spa in the UK. The manufacturer, based in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, which employs 350 people in the town, will open a £1m Waterfall spa in Leeds in the autumn, which it says will be the most exclusive
A GRANDMOTHER who bought drugs to supply her friends has been spared jail. Anne Boddy, 54, was told by a judge that exceptional circumstances had saved her from 12 months in prison. Boddy admitted possessing Class B drugs with intent to supply and was
TERRY Laybourne, right, doesn't like interviews. He is engaging and intelligent, affable and articulate, with a wry, self-deprecating sense of humour. But he is also clearly nervous - during our conversation, his left arm constantly sweeps back and forth
TWENTY-THREE employees from EDF Energy helped prepare a North-East nature reserve for an official ceremony. The workers, some from the company's Doxford Park premises in Sunderland, worked with a team from Durham Wildlife Trust at its Low Barns reserve
CRAIG Bellamy's much-discussed move to Everton is back in the balance this morning after David Moyes warned him he would have to spend some of his time in midfield next season. The Newcastle striker held discussions with the Everton boss last weekend
BRITISH rowers are expected to smash the world record for crossing the North Atlantic this weekend by 15 days. After 35 days at sea, the crew of the Naturally Best have only 265 miles to go until they arrive at Falmouth, in Cornwall. Crewmember Nigel
A WITNESS has come forward to say she heard someone running away from the scene minutes after a fire broke out which claimed the life of an 11-year-old boy. Detectives investigating the murder of Dean Pike hope the information could provide a breakthrough
WITH Sunderland's players due to report for the start of pre-season training this morning, Julio Arca is hoping that the next five weeks will lay the groundwork for Premiership survival, writes Scott Wilson. The Black Cats squad will reassemble at the
A NIGHTCLUB has started opening its doors to young people by hosting drop-in health advice sessions. The Cube, on High Street, Spennymoor, launched the free and confidential service in May offering advice in a relaxed atmosphere on issues such as bullying
HUNDREDS of people turned out yesterday to bid a fond farewell to one of the region's most highly-respected councillors. Roderick Burtt, a Conservative member of Darlington Borough Council, died last week, aged 64. Family, friends and colleagues from
AN event will be held for youngsters to learn more about training schemes and qualifications. Skilltec Lifelong Learning Centre will hold an open day on Friday, at Bodywork Direct, Beechburn Industrial Estate, Crook. Students can learn about NVQ qualifications
HARTLEPOOL is the latest North-East town to be given fairtrade status. Fairtrade ensures decent prices and working conditions for farmers and workers in the developing world. Towns in the UK can apply for the title if they have a certain number of businesses
THE new leader of Yorkshire's flood defence committee says he wants to promote long-term planning to anticipate future flooding problems. Jeremy Walker, 55, is the chairman of the Yorkshire Regional Flood Defence Committee and will chair his first meeting
ARTISTIC schoolchildren from the North-East have been recognised for their paintings. Emily Tuer, four, from Birtley, near Chester-le-Street, and Jordan Preston, nine, from Whickham, both won first prize in the Northumbria in Bloom painting competition
A SITE in north Durham has become a nature reserve because of its rare butterfly population. Durham Wildlife Trust and Butterfly Conservation have secured the lease for Longburn Ford Quarry, near Consett. It has been acquired because of its population
PEOPLE are being asked to help shape the future of their neighbourhood by developing an action plan. People living in Hartlepool's Rossmere area have been invited to a consultation session to help create the plan. It will identify what is needed to improve
A FOOTSORE postal worker who dumped hundreds of letters at an incinerator rather than deliver them to people's doors betrayed a position of trust, a court heard. Stewart Anthony Laing, of Ivy Close, Norton, near Stockton, still had 370 items of post to
SCHOOLCHILDREN yesterday met a monk to hand over a cheque for more than £1,000. The youngsters, from Ainderby Steeple Primary School, near Northallerton, raised £1,174 for the Mashambanzou Care Trust in Zimbabwe. The trust cares for children and adults
NORTH-EAST businessman Stephen Bell has persuaded a Maltese couple to move to the region to run his hotel's bistro and restaurant. The convenience store millionaire, who sold his Bells Stores empire to Sainsbury's last year, has hired Victor and Victoria
CHRIS Llewellyn last night became the latest to sign up for Martin Scott's assault on League One next season. Wrexham's Wales international striker has followed Cardiff midfielder Lee Bullock in moving to Hartlepool United, days after Thomas Butler signed
BUS and train operator Go Ahead has warned that high fuel costs are hitting profit margins in its bus division. The Newcastle-based plc, which operates Go Northern, Go Gateshead and Go Wear buses in the region, said the trend was expected to continue
PUNTERS prepared to chance their arm might like to row in with Karen's Caper (3.05) for the feature event on day one of Newmarket's July meeting, the one-mile Falmouth Stakes. Although last year's winner, Soviet Song, has been chalked up at around 15-
THE retired chief executive of Durham County Council has been appointed to lead its job creation organisation. Kingsley Smith, who retired from his post last week, has been named chairman of the County Durham Development Company (CDDC) -the authority's
POLICE officers from the region will receive recognition for heroic acts at this year's Police Bravery Awards. They are among 59 officers from England and Wales nominated by their Police Federation branches for their bravery. They will meet Prime Minister
PEOPLE who want to work for Darlington Football Club are invited to a recruitment day. The football club's new season ticket package has been popular and early indications show an increase in sales. This, combined with the opening of corporate areas,
A NEW report has again named a North-East prison as among the worst for suicides in the country. Figures released yesterday by the Howard League For Penal Reform named Durham Prison as the institution with the third worst record in the country, with 23
HOSPITAL patients are benefiting from a new £33,000 machine which helps to diagnose breast cancer. The mammotome machine has been bought by the Friarage Hospital, Northallerton, and has been installed in the x-ray department. Doctors say the machine is
AN inventor and entrepreneur has won an export order for an award-winning bicycle pump. Julian Peck, founder of the Innoverce group, in Newcastle, is celebrating the first export sale of 5,000 Cyclaire Pumps to Germany. Mr Peck turned the concept of the
If London is awarded the 2012 Olympics today, a whole generation will be able to dream of starring in a British Games. Chief Sports Writer Scott Wilson profiles six North-East youngsters already setting their sights on 2012 PAUL DRINKHALL (Table Tennis
Catering assistant, £6.69ph, 16hrs pw 5 days from 7 between 5 and 8.15pm, contracted 835hrs pa. Food hygiene certificate an advantage. Ref: DUR 38744. Trainee team member, £5.70 to £6.30ph, 30hrs pw 5 days from 7 between 7.30am and 2pm or 3-10pm. Experience
A COSMETICS company has more than doubled its workforce thanks to help from Teesside experts. Geneve International has secured a list of blue chip clients for its body scrubs, moisturisers and other toiletries. The company, based at Longbenton, North
A DRIVE to make Hartlepool safer, cleaner and more attractive has received a boost. The borough council has created a strengthened Neighbourhood Action Team, bringing together its environmental action team and the 24 community wardens operating in the
THE man behind a multi-million pound movie set in the North-East yesterday hit back at reports it was a hoax, claiming it was "one hundred per cent" still on and involved a team of A-list Hollywood celebrities. Shooting of the £2.5m Addict movie, based
A BLACKSMITH who can list creating medieval torture equipment as one of his past commissions is planning to open a craft showroom. James Godbold's Blacksmiths of Egton, near Whitby, North Yorkshire, has been in business for 20 years manufacturing hand-crafted
IT is one of the most enduring Olympic images: Sebastian Coe stretching every sinew in his lung-bursting surge for the finishing line in the 1980 1,500 metres final, then collapsing, head in hands, at the joyous realisation that he had won gold. Days
A RESIDENTS' group has vowed to step up its attempts to transform a doomed school into a community centre. The North Road Community Partnership will develop a business plan to help support its proposals for the Rise Carr Primary School buildings. The
PUPILS have been singing the praises of their headteacher who is preparing to retire this summer. Youngsters at Belmont Cheveley Park County Primary School, in Belmont, Durham, wrote a series of letters to The Northern Echo saying what a wonderful headteacher
PUPILS at a Darlington primary school will today find out about the latest security measures to keep school property safe. Darlington Borough Council is launching SmartWater in schools across the town in time for the summer holidays. Pupils at Firthmoor
ANN Summers chief executive Jacqueline Gold is considering opening a superstore-version of the lingerie chain in the North-East, The Northern Echo can reveal. The 42-year-old told The Northern Echo she planned to open large retail park versions of the
A baby products firm has apologised after a six-month-old girl almost choked on a teether. Sonya Robson said her baby Ffion had the teether in her mouth when she noticed the filling had come out. The mother-of-three, of Columbia, Washington, quickly took
Have you ever had a horse crush you against the stall wall or try to bite or kick you when you are placing the saddle on its back and doing up the girth? If the answer is yes then you have probably had to deal with a girth gall. Galls and pressure sores
A DARLINGTON school will turn back the clock for a landmark anniversary celebration this week. North Road Primary School is marking its 90th year with a day of events on Friday. The Friends of North Road Primary School appealed for former pupils and staff
SCHOOLCHILDREN are practising their circus skills ready for three performances later this month. Fifteen members of Richmond School's circus club will take part in shows on Tuesday to Thursday, July 19 to 21, starting at 7pm each night. During the shows
LOGISTICS company Agility Systems has won a contract worth £250,000 with electrical manufacturer Morphy Richards. Agility, based in Darlington, will help Morphy Richards' track, manage and distribute its electrical products more efficiently. Agility will
A DAZZLING red and white Cadillac will be the star of the show when Greased Lightning strikes the stage. All the hits of the musical Grease will be sung on a stage at Guisborough Priory on Saturday. And, in an early curtain-raising performance, David
RESIDENTS will get a chance this week to find out what is being done to tackle anti-social behaviour in their neighbourhoods. Police and Community Safety Consultative Forum meetings are taking place in the north, south and centre of Hartlepool as part
ABOUT 300 youngsters from 34 teams across south-west Durham competed in a six-a-side football tournament in honour of a former soccer academy chairman. The Wolsingham Soccer Sixes was held for the first time at the Recreation Ground, in Wolsingham, in
A RESEARCH award is to be set up to promote study of the natural and historical environment of the North York Moors National Park. The £500 award is being promoted by the Moors' Association and secretary Kath Phalp is seeking applicants to come forward
A PUBLIC rubbish tip was forced to make an unscheduled shut down after skips overflowed and people dumped their rubbish in anger and frustration around the site. Ripon's household rubbish tip in Dallamires Lane shut down on Sunday to avoid what one county
A GRANDFATHER died after he was prescribed medication for arthritis, an inquest heard. Duncan Mann, 56, was prescribed the common treatment Leflunomide, but the tablets had an adverse effect and he died six months later. His family said the former parts
A THEATRE group has put on a hard-hitting show in Darlington, in support of a local charity. Moveable Feast Arts, which includes people with learning difficulties, performed at the town's Arts Centre - shortly before jetting off to France to stage a show
OSCAR-WINNING film director Sir Alan Parker is to receive an honorary award from a North-East university this month. Sir Alan, who has directed classics such as Midnight Express, The Commitments and Fame, will receive an Honorary Doctorate of Arts (HonDArt
A YOUTH banned from wearing a hoodie and barred from entering car parks in a part of the region was yesterday jailed for eight months. Magistrate Oliver Johnson told Christopher James Wood he was a menace to society and he hoped prison would teach him
SCORES of holidaymakers were left angry and out-of-pocket when their flight was cancelled after fighting broke out between passengers and airport staff. About 70 travellers on the bmibaby flight to Newquay, Cornwall, were told to get off the plane and
As if merely putting a day in, our old friend Sharon Gayter warmed up for world athletics' 24-hour championships with 26 miles across the North Yorkshire moors on Saturday. She did it in four hours 36 minutes. "Just a gentle jog," said Sharon, nursing
WHEN Lloyds TSB closed its Newcastle contact centre last November, with the loss of 960 jobs, it was heralded as the beginning of the end for the industry in the region. The bank's enthusiastic embrace of offshoring - the transfer of jobs to countries
A FARMER described the terrifying moment yesterday when a tornado lifted him and his one tonne cattle trailer into the air. Albert Parker said he feared for his life when he and the trailer were carried about ten yards by the "twister" before being dumped
TERRIFYING teenagers have been haunting the corridors of Bishop Auckland College. The students recreated the Monsters' Ball look from US singer Michael Jackson's music video Thriller during a hair and make-up workshop last week. The makeover was one of
A QUARTER of a century of loyal service has earned a primary school secretary an invitation to a Buckingham Palace garden party. Margaret Thompson works at St Godric's RC Primary School, in Newton Hall, Durham. The dedicated secretary received her royal
LITTORALLY delightful, yesterday's Eating Owt column recorded the pleasures of a walk along the Durham Coastal path from Crimdon Dene to Horden, the shoreline much transformed. That down there, said a dog walking local, was Horden Blast Beach - and started
A COMMUNITY has gone online to invite people from far and wide on a virtual tour of their village. People of all ages have contributed to the Hunwick Digital Village website, which was launched to bring computer technology to the community. Local groups
A PROM in a Park is to be staged this evening, beginning at 6pm, in the grounds of Shotton Hall in Peterlee. Two of the country's top opera singers will be leading the musical extravaganza which will also provide a stage for a number of local school children
STUDENTS from an independent school have staged a party to entertain 30 elderly people. The pupils from Polam Hall School, Darlington, put on an afternoon of music and drama for guests from Darlington Town Mission. The mission was formed in the town in
AN up-to-date surgery is to open in Marske. The development, in Windy Hill Lane in the village, will open to patients on Monday, July 18. The Zetland Medical Practice will transfer patients from its site in The Wynd. Dr James Gossow said: "The facility
A GROUP that is leading multi-million pound improvements in Hartlepool has welcomed a new member to its board. Andrew Bayston, who is headteacher of St Hild's Church of England School in the town, has been appointed to the board of the North Hartlepool
THE North East Business and Innovation Centre (BIC) has made two appointments. Amelia Pearce, 22, has joined as marketing services assistant and will be responsible for the design and production of promotional packs for start-up companies. She will also
THE Government has again urged councils to pick up the recycling pace - with figures showing wide variations in how well they are performing. Despite the fact that more and more household rubbish is being recycled across the North-East and North Yorkshire
NEIL ALLISON has a motto -work to live, don't live to work. He spent years working in cities such as Manchester and Leeds after he graduated from Sunderland University. He said: "I just felt that I had to get out. People lived their life at work and wasted
SEAN Thornton is refusing to give up on his Sunderland career despite being told he will not be part of the squad that travels to North America next week. The Irish midfielder will be left on Wearside when the rest of his team-mates fly to Canada on Tuesday
THE Nomad Housing Group has made six appointments. Vince Walsh, who was in Nomad's development department, has been appointed asset manager. He will ensure the maintenance and updating of the housing stock continues to be properly managed. Steve Plemper
DALE Benkenstein, man-of-the-match in Durham's win at Headingley last Thursday, took the award again at Riverside last night. But this time it was in a losing cause. After he had revived Durham's pursuit of a 172 target by contributing 53 to a fourth
A HEARt scanner worth £35,000 has been stolen from a hospital. Police believe it may have been stolen to order and could be on its way to a hospital abroad. The monitor was taken from the Cardiology Unit at the University Hospital of North Durham, in
The band that launched the careers of some of rock's best guitarists will headline the 13th Stanley Blues Festival next month. The Yardbirds, who had five top ten hits including For Your Love, have boasted Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Led Zeppelin's Jimmy
Three men who intervened to stop football fans fighting on a packed train have been commended by a judge. The brave passengers formed a barrier between rival supporters as they clashed following a game in the North-East last season. Trouble flared on
TO her friends, it is no surprise that Ingrid Sylvestre has become a successful designer on the verge of a potentially massive merchandising empire. Her instantly recognisable characters in the fictional Giraffe World sum up what she's about. "I am known
A chain of clinics famous for helping celebrities such as Paul Gascoigne overcome their addictions has been sold in a deal valuing the business at £875m. Priory Group, which has more than 1,800 beds in 42 locations, has been sold by private equity firm
MIDDLESBROUGH finally completed the £7.5m capture of Aiyegbeni Yakubu last night after the striker was granted a work permit on appeal. Boro boss Steve McClaren and chief executive Keith Lamb successfully argued the 22-year-old's case at a hearing in
At midday tomorrow, the international Olympic Committee will decide which city will host the 2012 Olympic Games. As London lines up its big hitters ahead of the vote, Chief Sports Writer Scott Wilson explains how our chances are too close to call. BARON
BROADCASTER ITV's shares surged by three per cent yesterday amid speculation that a group of investors, including US media conglomerate Time Warner was planning a £6.6bn takeover. Talk of a bid, which may be led by former BBC director-general Greg Dyke
THREE men accused of possessing firearms when their car was stopped by armed police on a main road have appeared in court. All three men, from Manchester, denied the charges against them yesterday, and their case was transferred from Teesside Crown Court
THE administrators' self-imposed deadline for bidders to register a serious interest in MG-Rover came and went last week with no announcement. Last month, administrator PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) said it had received more than 30 expressions of interest
IRAQIS hoping to play a crucial part in the rebuilding of their country have embarked on a fact-finding mission to the North-East. A delegation from Basra, in southern Iraq, visited the head office of The Northern Echo, in Darlington, yesterday, as part
It's been billed as the most important international summit in recent years, but what can the G8 really hope to achieve? Nick Morrison looks at the collision between expectation and reality International summits are renowned for failing to meet even modest
RESIDENTS say they are shocked after learning their homes could be demolished. Occupants of 100 prefabricated bungalows in York have been told that demolition is one of the options being considered by City of York Council. The authority said the homes
The man credited with the quote in the headline was not a high-flying business guru, he was not an analyst, or even a highly-paid management consult. He was Sophocles, a writer of Greek tragedies born in 496BC. About 2,500 years later, as businesses battle
Everyone knows that employees have the right to be accompanied by a colleague or trade union representative at disciplinary hearings. This has been law since the introduction of the Employment Relations Act 1999 and, long before that, it was generally
While headlines may scream and shout about the news of the day, it is often an encounter with personal stories that can have the strongest impact on how you might view a particular issue. Take, for instance, the issues of asylum and refugees, which have
Slaughterhouse - The Task of Blood (BBC2); Escape to the Legion (C4): IT may not quite have been what the careers officer was expecting when young Arran came in for his interview. Careers officer: "So, what do you want to be when you leave school?". Arran
The judgement in the case of Brian Blackwell, the eighteen-year-old who killed his parents with a claw hammer and a knife, is incoherent and therefore unjust. On the one hand it was declared that Blackwell is "suffering from narcissistic personality disorder
A SCHOOLGIRL has spoken of the terrifying moment a stranger tried to drag her into his car. Stephanie Lake, 14, was walking through Thornaby at about 8pm last Monday when the man attempted to kidnap her. The Thornaby Community School pupil said she was
BRITAIN and France were still neck-and-neck last night in the race to host the 2012 Olympic Games. Tony Blair and David Beckham were among the big hitters wheeled out to boost the British bid as the contenders made their final push ahead of today's final
AIYEGBENI Yakubu last night delivered a chilling warning to Premiership defences as he prepares to start his new life at Middlesbrough - "I want to be the best striker in the world". The Nigeria international will jet out to the Algarve with the rest
THE region's specialist technology venture capital business, NorthStar Equity Investors, has recruited Marion Bernard as chief investment officer. She joins from a London venture capital fund focused on early stage investments. Before that, she was with
Protecting your horse's legs is a very important part of equestrian husbandry and something that just about every horse owner/rider deals with on a day to day basis. We ride them on roads, in arenas, doing flat work and jumping, as well as trucking them
RETIREMENT AGE: At first sight it merely seems ridiculous that dinner nanny Lena Morrison is not allowed to do the job she loves (Echo, June 30) just because she's past her official sell-by date. However, I suspect that there's a more sinister reason
BLUE EMPIRE'S penchant for a sharp left-handed track is nothing short of perfect for his bid to win Catterick's Middleham Suite Handicap. Everything about the course should suit Blue Empire (4.55), who is not only 8lbs better off on turf compared to his
A SIGNIFICANT change has been made to the Government's Environmental Stewardship scheme for farmers. Rather than restrict farmers to quarterly start dates, the scheme will be rolled out with agreements starting at monthly intervals. Since the launch of
In 1940, 2,936 pilots took part in a frantic battle against the German Luftwaffe. Joe Willis pays tribute to a North Yorkshire fighter ace Winston Churchill hailed them as "the few" and famously said of their sacrifices: "Never in the field of human conflict
My Life as a Child (BBC2) The Real No 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (BBC2) - Putting children on television is often a route to cheap laughs, but it's easy to overlook how they can be astute as well as cute. And if ever there was proof that children can
A MAN who tried to murder his girlfriend in an apparently motiveless knife attack was yesterday jailed for 12 years. Andrew Burn, 22, slashed Zoe Lonsdale's throat as she slept in their bed before stabbing the 19-year-old and trying to strangle her. The
NEIL ALLISON has a motto -work to live, don't live to work. He spent years working in cities such as Manchester and Leeds after he graduated from Sunderland University. He said: "I just felt that I had to get out. People lived their life at work and wasted
THIEVES have left a dog training club high and dry after making off with equipment worth more than £5,000. The South Durham and Cleveland Dog Agility Club must now replace its exercise equipment after a trailer containing various jumps, fences and tunnels
In the past, adults thought nothing of keeping kids in check but now we're too scared to tell them off OK, I admit it, I'm not proud. I'm a coward. Absolutely hopeless. And I have failed the exam to be an Interfering Old Bat - otherwise known as a Caring
A baby that was knocked out of its pushchair in a freak three-car accident died of natural causes two days later, a post mortem has revealed. The examination of tragic 13-day-old Ellie Walls, of Kirkstone Close in Houghton-le-Spring was carried out by
VAN hire group Northgate signalled further overseas expansion last night as it announced the acquisition of a Spanish company for £95m. Darlington's only plc, which said it expects to turn over more than £500m next year, boosted its preliminary results
THE HIVE by Bee Wilson (John Murray, £14.99): WHEN Napoleon was crowned Emperor of France in 1804, the whole of Notre Dame was decked out in golden bees. Napoleon's advisers knew that bees had represented the kings of Egypt. They also knew that 300 golden
THE property department at the Gateshead MetroCentre has welcomed two new members. Ian Miller, of Gosforth, Newcastle, joins the company as assistant property manager and Carol Reed has taken up the position of secretary to the senior property manager
With an increasing number of people working away from home, going off to university and travelling, more and more couples are faced with the prospect of living apart. Women's Editor Lindsay Jennings looks at how to keep long distance relationships alive
STUDENTS and staff from one of the region's schools have given up their home comforts and are living rough to help raise awareness about global poverty. The 12 pupils and three teachers from English Martyrs School in Hartlepool are living in a garden
TWO schools were damaged and a pigeon was beheaded when teenage vandals went on a sickening rampage. One school had 24 windows broken and a newly-built wall demolished, while another had its tennis courts vandalised and building damaged by youths in Stockton
A BABY girl who was knocked from her pushchair in a freak three-car accident died of natural causes two days later, a post mortem examination has revealed. The examination of 13-day-old Ellie Walls, of Kirkstone, Houghton-le-Spring, Wearside, was carried
THOUSANDS of council house tenants who have yet to comment on the future of their homes are being urged to vote. Sedgefield Borough Council, which is considering the transfer of its 9,200 homes to a non-profit-making company, and campaigners opposing
FASHION students from Darlington College of Technology have got their first taste of the commercial world they hope to work in. BTEC National Diploma fashion and clothing students Holly Storer and Samantha Hall were awarded industry prizes for creating
A DARLINGTON company has won a contract worth a £125,000. Agility Systems, in Linfield Point, will help electrical manufacturer Morphy Richards track, manage and distribute its products. Agility Systems specialises in resource planning, warehousing, logistics
A person who engages in a sport for a pastime rather than as a profession carries the label of amateur, an unfortunate 'title' that can suggest a person is unskilled and unprofessional. Those of us who follow Point to Point know the word amateur and the
VILLAGERS will mark the anniversary of the end of the Second World War with events in their hall. Quarrington Hill Community Association won a grant from the Big Lottery Fund to stage the celebration on Saturday in the community centre, from 10.30am to
A COUNCILLOR says a 60-acre public woodland should retain its natural beauty rather than be given a makeover using sculptures. Members of Pinewoods Conservation Group, in Harrogate, are consulting the public about whether to introduce wooden figures,
Police were last night investigating the mysterious death of a 13-day-old baby. The infant died yesterday morning after being taken to hospital with breathing difficulties - two days after she was thrown to the ground when a car struck her pushchair.
AN IT solutions company is celebrating after winning three contracts. Intermedia, based in Darlington, is providing website design for Typhoon International, based in Redcar, east Cleveland. The company is the world's largest manufacturer of drysuits.
PARKING controls could be extended to residential streets near a city centre to deter commuters seeking to evade long-stay charges. Hawthorn Terrace, The Avenue, Western Hill and Atherton Street areas of Durham City were omitted from a pay-and-display
AN extensive refurbishment programme to replace kitchen and bathroom suites at two residential homes in north Durham has been completed. Carried out at St John's Court and Graham Court in Sacriston, the scheme was started in March this year. Chester-le-Street
CUBS braved torrential rain last night as they handed over a cheque to the St Cuthbert's Hospice appeal. The 28 members of the 5th Durham City Scout Group (Cubs division), based at Langley Moor, held a bingo night for friends, family and parents and raised
THE setting was perfect, the artistes incomparable. It was only the weather that did not come up to par when east Durham staged its first Proms in the Park. After days of pleasant sunshine, the heavens opened over the grounds of Shotton Hall, in Peterlee
A FORMER World Cup Rally winner visited a primary school to meet youngsters who followed his progress in a recent event. Nicky Porter, of West Auckland, won the ten-day, 2,000-mile World Cup Rally at Carthage, in 2003, and came to Woodhouse Close Junior
WORK is expected to start on the next phase of the Morton Palms Business Park on the edge of Darlington. The £7m second stage will comprise of 12 self-contained units in Pioneer Court, which is part of the development off Yarm Road. The detached, semi-detached
A TEENAGE tearaway has been ordered by a court to behave himself - or face custody. Andrew Lee Linton, 15, of Parrington Place, Lazenby, was made the subject of a three-year anti-social behaviour order (Asbo) when he appeared before Teesside Magistrates
A PARISH council is protesting against moves to turn a farmers' auction mart into a housing development. Members of Masham Parish Council voted unanimously to oppose suggestions by planning consultants to replace the mart with homes. Chairman of the council
THE North-East's first national museum has clinched another award for its environmentally-friendly features. The £10m Locomotion: The National Railway Museum, at Shildon, was given an award in the built environment category of the 2004 County Durham Environment
WHEN Carolyn Jasper hit a cow on a sliproad off the A19, it was only her car that was damaged. The animal was among several that had escaped through broken fencing around a field and on to the road. In the dark, the 25-year-old driver was upon them before
BOTSWANA TIME by Will Randall (Abacus, £10.99): AS the G8 bandwagon prepares to roll into Edinburgh to discuss the continent's seemingly endless problems, Botswana Time provides a life-affirming and magical insight into a remarkable country described
A HEADTEACHER'S labour of love was completed yesterday, five weeks after his death. David Fry, headteacher of Finchale Primary School in Durham for the past five years, died from a rare lung condition at the end of May. The 44-year-old had just returned
Counter clerk, Leyburn, £5.21ph, 16hrs pw between 9am and 5.30pm Mon-Fri, experience not essential as training provided. Ref: NAL 2593. Kitchen assistant, Northallerton, £4.85ph, 30hrs pw 3 days from 7 between 7.30am and 6.30pm, basic food hygiene certificate
A TEENAGER who was part of a gang that pushed a firework through the front door of a house, which then went up in flames, killing a father, admitted man-slaughter yesterday. The court was told the youth - who was 15 at the time and cannot be named for
THE cost of repairing flood damaged roads and bridges in North Yorkshire is expected to top £3m, the county council has said. Priority routes in the worst affected areas have already been reopened, but a number of roads and bridges around Thirlby, near
TTE Management and Technical Training has promoted Sara Marshall to business development manager. The role makes her responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Teesside company, as well as winning new business. The 32-year-old, from Scarborough,
SCHOOLGIRLS who have gone out of their way to help fellow pupils beat the bullies were yesterday honoured for their efforts. Separate presentations were made to Hannah Wells, 16, and to ten-year-old Stephanie Melia, at their respective schools in Durham
POSTERS telling people the walking distance to a town centre are being put up as part of a council campaign. North Yorkshire County Council is running WalkWise, the first project of its kind in Britain. It aims to provide people with information on how
THOUSANDS of visitors to this year's Great Yorkshire Show will have a chance to see the rare Cleveland Bay horse in action, thanks to a change in the timing of their class. The decision by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society to return the Cleveland Bay
SHOCK statistics reveal that the North-East has the second highest death rate from coronary heart disease in the UK. Only Scotland fares worse than the North-East, according to British Heart Foundation (BHF) statistics. It means that premature death rates
TWO furniture companies have secured the funding they need to expand. Europa Sofabeds and Brundellwood Upholstery, both run by the same management team in Newton Aycliffe, have seen sales increase 150 per cent to £25m in the past six years. Bank of Scotland
London narrowly pipped Paris to the finishing line in the bid to host the 2012 Olympic Games. Earlier voting saw Madrid, New York and Moscow ruled out of the race as they were eliminated in the first three rounds of voting by International Olympic Committee
I DEFINITELY need 27-plus hours in a day; I know as I have just muddled through half-term week when all things equine have dominated - hacks, Farriers, rallies and practises and cabin fever from doing about 150 miles in the truck! Last week the empty
A COMMUNITY park was opened at the weekend with a host of activities and entertainment. The launch of the Eastfields/Westfields Doorstep Green, in South Moor, Stanley, was the culmination of a three-year project and cost about £270,000. The park was developed
THE tenth anniversary of the disappearance of Keith Mangan has brought the missing backpacker into the centre of the media spotlight again. But Keith's troubled parents, Charles and Mavis Mangan, do not need an anniversary to bring back thoughts of their
TWO teenagers who admitted firebombing a mosque, a Chinese takeaway and a pizza shop were yesterday remanded in custody while they wait to be sentenced. A judge warned Matthew Howells, 19, and Roy Fisher, 16, that all options will be considered when they
PUPILS are celebrating a football league and cup double for the second season in a row. The ten and 11-year-olds at Esh Winning Primary School won both the Deerness Valley Primary Schools League and the Aged Miners Trophy, just as they did the season
MOTOR racing drivers are to take part in a street demonstration ahead of a North-East race. The Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) will take part in demonstration runs on July 14, two days before the series starts at the Croft circuit,
A CAMPAIGN group fighting proposals to quarry land near a prehistoric monument yesterday handed over a 10,000-signature petition. Members of Timewatch were at County Hall, in Northallerton, to give the petition to North Yorkshire County Council. The authority
SCHOOL pupils were put through their paces by the Army. Eleven teams took part in the annual Green Howards adventurous activities competition at Richmond Castle last week. Each team of ten students undertook tests of both their physical and mental skills
ANDY Thompson has no illusions about why MG Rover failed. "I have been round the Toyota plant, round the Nissan plant and round the Rover plant," he said. "After that, you can understand why Rover went down. "Automotive is the hardest industry in the
CHILDREN were behaving so badly on their way home from school that the driver refused to go on without a police escort. The 826 bus from St Bede's RC Comprehensive School to Elm Park, in Shotley Bridge, near Consett, County Durham, was stopped after students
CREDITORS owed more than £600,000 by a collapsed cruise company are likely to recover less than 10p in the pound. Sealand Cruising, which was based in Richmond, went into voluntary liquidation last month with the loss of 26 jobs. The company owes £681,925
A CAMPAIGN by parents and governors to stop cars from speeding past a town primary school is set to be a success. People in Easingwold have been pressing for the past year to have traffic calming and a 20mph limit enforced outside Easingwold Primary School
THE co-founder of software company Sage last night announced his latest IT venture had bought another business. Graham Wylie's Technology Services Group (TSG), which he launched after retiring from Sage in 2003, has bought PJ Howlett Business Systems,
JOB-HUNTERS are being urged to make tracks to a jobs fair. It takes place on Thursday, in the main square of Middleton Grange Shopping Centre, Hartlepool, from 9am to 5pm. A number of employers will be present, including Flex-Ability, TK Maxx, Wilkinsons
A DECISION to showcase a redevelopment plan that includes the demolition of 1,000 houses as a "perfect example'' of how to improve life for communities, has sparked anger. Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's multi-million pound regeneration of the
ALMOST 100 people have taken part in a gruelling cycle ride. The 70-mile ride on Sunday was the second event out of four in the annual Tourist Trial event. The route took cyclists to the Cleveland Hills, including a testing climb up Clay Bank. The Tourist
A TECHNIQUE perfected in York using crushed crab, prawn and scampi shells to purify water has been given £20,000 by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). Carafiltration Limited, which began life at the University of York, received the award after
A charity fun run takes place on Sunday, starting and finishing in Leyburn. It has been organised by senior students at Wensleydale School. Money raised will be shared between Amala Action, Leyburn fire station and Yorkshire Cancer Research. More details
A FOUR-YEAR-OLD boy was seriously hurt when he was knocked down in Washington on Sunday. He ran between parked cars in Hogarth Drive, Columbia, at about 6pm and was struck by a Nissan Micra. He was taken to Newcastle General Hospital with a fractured
STUDENTS at Norton School celebrated the cultures of the world during an annual International Week. Indian mirror embroidery, salsa dancing and African cookery were some of the activities students took part in. Visitors were invited to share their culture
WORKSHOPS exploring dialogue and storytelling to help adults develop new skills and confidence are on offer this month. The fun workshops, led by Steve Holden, of the Educational Theatre Company, will consider everyday storytelling, as opposed to fiction
A COUNCIL'S planning department has received a record grant from the Government. Richmondshire District Council's planning service unit has received a planning delivery grant of £400,000, much more than the £278,000 officers expected. The amount of money
POLICE have issued a warning after two people were duped into buying cloned cars and lost nearly £17,000. Criminals clone cars by putting the identity of a genuine vehicle on to a stolen vehicle using false registration plates and stolen or forged log
COUNCILLORS approved a homeowner's plans to increase the length of his garage, despite many saying they were reluctant to do so. Wear Valley District Council granted permission for Paul Collinson, of Langley Grove, Bishop Auckland, to add 37.5cm to the
A PRIMARY school's pupils have taken part in a poster competition as part of a drive to stamp out anti-social behaviour in a community. Eight children at St Benet's School in Ouston, near Chester-le-Street, were presented with prizes following the contest
AN outdoor jamboree featuring an aerial dance troop will be staged at a North-East beauty spot at the weekend. People will also be able to try Indian head massage at Chopwell Forest Festival, near High Spen, Gateshead. Now in its 12th year, the outdoor
A SOLICITOR has won a national award for her work to protect young people in North Yorkshire. Emma Meredith, 27, from Northallerton, has won the award as outstanding newcomer in the field of Child Law from the Association of Lawyers for Children. Ms Meredith
THE North-East's first national museum has clinched another award for its environmentally-friendly features. The £10m Locomotion: The National Railway Museum, at Shildon, was given an award in the built environment category of the 2004 County Durham Environment
GEOFF Hoon, leader of the House of Commons, bravely opens up the debate about how to encourage people to vote by saying attendance at a polling station should be compulsory on election day. He even suggests that if you vote, you might get a small reduction
The Red Lion in Trimdon Village provides ample fare - if only for the few. CART before the horse trough, a flavour before getting the feet beneath the table - beneath the table, it should be said, of the nearest pub to Tony Blair's rural redoubt - of
BRANDON United FC is preparing to launch youth teams but is still on the look-out for extra sponsorship. The Arngrove Northern League side recently appealed for help in running its affairs and several people have volunteered, averting the club's possible
AN engineering trainee from a Newton Aycliffe factory has won a national award. Tommy Turnbull, of Durham Precision Engineering (DPE), was named craftsman of the year by the Gauge and Toolmakers' Association. The 21-year-old joined DPE, which designs
In the past, adults thought nothing of keeping kids in check but now we're too scared to tell them off OK, I admit it, I'm not proud. I'm a coward. Absolutely hopeless. And I have failed the exam to be an Interfering Old Bat - otherwise known as a Caring
WHILE the world looks to the G8 talks to bring new environmental safeguards, a North-East Council was yesterday making its own piece of green history. For the first time, Durham City Council received delivery of bio-diesel to be used in its fleet of environmental
A COMMUNITY centre is rocking to the sounds of young bands as it takes on the role of rehearsal room following the closure of a well-known studio. When Northern Recording, the co-operative-run studio at Delves Lane, near Consett, shut down, it left a
THE number of farmers diversifying to improve profits is increasing, according to research. More than half the farms taking part in the latest survey by rural business advisors received income from diversification, compared to only a third last year.
A SCHOOL will celebrate 50 years on its site at the weekend. Past and present students and staff at Spennymoor School will celebrate the golden anniversary with a fun-day in the grounds on Saturday. The school opened on April 22, 1912, as Spennymoor Higher
A MINI guide on how to deal with terror attacks has been issued to every police officer on Teesside. The pocket-sized card tells officers how to respond to a chemical, radiological or nuclear attack. It is to remind officers how to react to terror attacks
RESIDENTS were yesterday bracing themselves for a fresh battle to save a landmark pub from demolition. The future of the White Horse Hotel, at the north end of Darlington, is being discussed once again after developers revealed new proposals for the site
A FORMER United Nations weapons inspector joined peace campaigners protesting outside a US base yesterday. Scott Ritter addressed a crowd of up to 100 activists outside Menwith Hill listening station, near Harrogate, North Yorkshire. The annual Campaign
NISSAN'S Sunderland car plant is more than five per cent more productive than the most efficient car plant in North America, a study showed yesterday. The 2005 Harbour Report measures the productivity of car plants - and it showed that last year the average
A HAULAGE company in the region has won an award. NDL Darlington Limited managing director Trevor Willans and wife, Clare, collected the award from the United Pallet Network UK (UPN) for the Best Hub Depot 2005. It is the first award of its kind the company
BEN Harmison is to make his first senior appearance for Durham in tonight's final Twenty20 Cup match against Lancashire at Riverside. The name might send a little tremor through the visitors as 19-year-old Harmison's brother, Steve, had match figures
DETECTIVES have re-issued their appeal for information about a man who has repeatedly tried to abduct teenage girls. Officers in Hartlepool are looking for the man who hung around the Oxford Road area of Hartlepool on Monday of last week asking girls
JENNINGS Brewery has bought a North Yorkshire pub in a £500,000 deal. The Cumbria-based brewery has acquired the Castle Arms Inn, in Snape, near Bedale. Jennings, which was bought out by Wolverhampton and Dudley Breweries earlier this year, says the pub
ONE of Newcastle's best-known restaurant managers is moving to his boss's latest business venture. Nick Shottel, restaurant manager at Caf 21, on Newcastle's Quayside, is to be in charge of food and drink at chef Terry Laybourne's latest venue, Jesmond
A WOMAN who races huskies for Great Britain has started a business selling nutritional supplements for greyhounds. Pauline Sirrell, 28, has set up Northolm Supplies at her home in Houghton-le-Spring, near Durham. She said: "I started in business as Northolm
A helpline has been set up to ensure businesses are up-to-date with health and safety legislation. Occupational health specialist Sheila Flood runs No1 Priority Health, in Consett, and is working to make businesses more aware of their legal obligations
In a personal address prior to this week's G8 summit, TV presenter and VSO president Jonathan Dimbleby explains why Africa is desperate for your skills. YOU don't have to be one of the million people that Bob Geldof hopes will descend on Edinburgh for
EVERTON are convinced Craig Bellamy will be at Goodison Park at the start of next season, but boss David Moyes is ready to make Newcastle sweat in the hope of picking up a bargain. Bellamy was a high-profile absentee as the bulk of the Magpies squad returned
A CHEMICAL company has redesigned an island on its brinefield in an attempt to attract common terns. Huntsman has carried out the work on a pond in its Number Four brinefield near Greatham Greek, not far from Seal Sands, on Teesside. The company approached
NEWCASTLE law firm Mincoffs is strengthening its licensing and gaming department with the appointment of licensing expert Richard Arnot to lead the team. Mr Arnot, left, who formerly worked for Dickinson Dees, will be helped by Chris Grunert, right, who
GEORGE GALLOWAY: I CAN'T believe the publicity you are giving to George Galloway (Echo, June 29). Here's a man - a supporter of Saddam Hussein who murdered thousands of his own people - and yet you give him space to crucify our Prime Minister. To me and
The prospect of lower interest rates, and a boost to the stockmarket, was provided by the minutes of the previous Bank of England meeting held at the start of June. It showed a reversal of one vote among nine arguing for higher rates to the position of
