TONIGHT is the night The Northern Echo puts the stars of grass roots sport in the spotlight. Through our annual Local Heroes Awards, we pay tribute to those who dedicate their lives to sport without expecting financial reward, those who help others to
INSTRUCTORS who led a tragic school caving trip have received the backing of the Government inspector in charge of outward bound centres. Marcus Bailie, head of inspections at the Adventure Activities Licensing Authority (AALA), said there was no evidence
IN all of his eight years, Max has never said he loves me. I say I love him nearly every day but all I ever get back is the same dismissive reply: "Yeah, whatever." Max is the little 'un and regulars will know he's always been a Mummy's Boy. He tells
A SCHEME to build a £25m city academy in Darlington was in tatters last night after school governors comprehensively rejected the proposal. Hurworth School will now apply for foundation status - which will give it more freedom from the local authority
SOMEONE once wrote the crossword clue HIJKLMNO (5). The answer was water, as in H2O, and quite possibly on the brain. "I love it, one of my all time favourites," says Christine Jones, a woman pretty clued up to the Machiavellian machinations of the cryptic
TONY BLAIR was facing fresh criticism last night that his wife is cashing in on his fame through a book and speaking tours about life in Downing Street. The Tories stepped up their attack after the Prime Minister listed his wife's lucrative activities
THE North-East still has one of the highest levels of unemployment, official figures revealed yesterday. The Office for National Statistics said that, during the three months to September, the jobless count dropped by 3,000 to 80,000, or 6.6 per cent
CAR dealer Reg Vardy confirmed last night that it had received a takeover approach from larger rival Pendragon plc. The Sunderland-based dealer said Pendragon may make an offer valuing the company at £422m. But analysts believe the approach is unlikely
CONSISTENT Kitski (3.10) heads to Market Rasen with a great chance of maintaining trainer Ferdy Murphy's excellent run of form. Murphy's horses can do little wrong at present and Kitski isn't going to miss out on the stable's winning streak judged on
What do you think of when you hear the word Muslim? For many of us these days the latest terrorist outrage comes to mind, the bombs in London or Iraq or Delhi or Israel. Or we think of shadowy figures in white robes and beards, urging their brethren to
PUBS group New Century Inns yesterday announced it had broken through the £1m profit mark. Two years ago, the Teeside-based firm, which has pubs across the North-East and Yorkshire, set a target to acquire 100 new outlets by 2008. Chairman Alistair Arkley
YOUNG designers are being set an ambitious challenge to create the Eighth Wonder of the World. The Enterprise in Construction Challenge has thrown down the gauntlet to schools across County Durham which have been given a construction brief. Forty-three
NORTH-EAST scientist and Brainiac star Dr John Kilcoyne is taking his unusual but hugely popular approach to science on a UK tour. The University of Sunderland academic is respected across the country for his successful efforts in attracting youngsters
RESIDENTS of a resort are being urged to check their wallets and purses for forged notes. Counterfeit £20 notes are in circulation in and around Redcar. There have been several instances over the past few weeks of businesses coming across the forged notes
A MARATHON bike ride across Mexico aims to raise £12,000 for Macmillan Cancer Relief. A major fundraising bid has been launched by four riders from the North-East taking part in the trek next March. A raffle has also been arranged, with the prize of an
A SONG written by a North-East sixth former about his experiences as a child is to be performed at a national anti-bullying event. Lewis Fieldhouse, a student at Barnard Castle School, is to perform his song, Stop, at an event staged by the Anti-bullying
A COMMUNITY has been hit by vandals who have destroyed a bus shelter. The shelter, in Cockerton, Darlington, has been so badly damaged it is dangerous and needs to be removed. There have been suggestions it should not be replaced - but five councillors
A WORLD-renowned Egyptologist took samples from a mummy being kept in the North-East yesterday. Dr Joann Fletcher visited the Hancock Museum, in Newcastle, to study the mummy of Irt Irw, which dates back to 664-525BC and was found in a tomb near Thebes
RESIDENTS will get the chance to quiz a panel of experts on the burning issues of the day next week. Health chiefs and council leaders will sit on the panel at the Richmondshire state of the district debate. The event, at Colburn's community health and
FOUR kittens dumped on a doorstep in a cardboard box are being cared for by would-be veterinary nurses until they can be found loving homes. The kittens - three are black and one black and white - are about eight weeks old and were left at a house in
A MAN who twice left the scene of road accidents because he had been drinking escaped an immediate prison sentence yesterday for three offences of failing to give a breath sample. Simon Norwood, 39, of Hookstone Chase, Harrogate, was found guilty after
MONEY has been raised for Ugandan orphans during a sponsored walk. Members of Conyers Youth Club, in Stockton, gave up part of their half-term holiday to help raise the funds. Maisie Lewis, Jack Lee, Sammy Booth, Hannah Spencer and Miles Sayer earned
A MUSIC project for young people in rural Teesdale is facing an uncertain future due to funding difficulties. The Teesdale Community Resources (TCR) Music Project needs to find nearly £30,000 a year after its funding ran out. However, youth leaders are
A UNIVERSITY which started out in life with an £80,000 donation is to celebrate a landmark anniversary full of confidence for the future. The Middlesbrough-based University of Teesside is marking the 75th anniversary of the opening of Constantine College
A MUSEUM is trying to found out information about a cigarette packet with a North-East link. The Chesterfield Museum, in Derbyshire, is trying to date an item made by a box-making company from the region. The box is for tobacco cartridges which were used
A SIXTH-FORM student is making his directorial debut after his drama teacher went on maternity leave. Nathan Greener, 18, an upper sixth-former at Teesdale Comprehensive School, in Barnard Castle, has taken over the reins of the school's production of
England head coach Andy Robinson has refused to enter a war of words with his All Blacks counterpart Graham Henry ahead of Saturday's much-hyped Twickenham showdown. Henry lit the fuse for a potentially explosive clash by accusing England of spying on
A COUNTY Durham patients group has given a cautious welcome to plans to merge two mental health services trusts. The Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) Forum for the County Durham and Darlington Priority Services NHS Trust says it believes there could
A patients' group has given a cautious welcome to plans to merge two mental health services trusts. The Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) Forum for the County Durham and Darlington Priority Services NHS Trust says it believes there could be gains if
A PRESENTATION was staged by the Army in Darlington last night. The evening was held at Hall Garth Country Club Hotel and was hosted by the region's most senior Army officer, Brigadier Richard Dennis, Commander of 15 (North-East) Brigade. The presentation
A FAMILIAR landmark on the North-East skyline was given a one-day "makeover" by a team of volunteers yesterday. The National Trust recruited a willing 60-strong workforce to carry out much-needed work to improve access to Penshaw Monument, on Penshaw
Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy MP has cancelled a scheduled visit to the North-East today. A spokesman said the visit to Newcastle had been cancelled just hours before Mr Kennedy was due to arrive "due to personal family reasons". Mr Kennedy
THE North-East still has one of the highest levels of unemployment, official figures revealed yesterday. The Office for National Statistics said that, during the three months to September, the jobless count dropped by 3,000 to 80,000, or 6.6 per cent
UPMARKET food store Waitrose is opening the doors of its first North-East site today after spending millions of pounds on refurbishment. Waitrose, part of the John Lewis partnership, is launching its most northerly store in Durham's Millburngate Shopping
Detectives investigating the mysterious disappearance of a former miner more than three years ago have this morning arrested a man on suspicion of murder. A 41-year-old Sacriston man was this morning arrested on suspicion of the murder of 53-year-old
Jamie's Great Escape (C4) Rome (BBC2) NEVER make promises you can't keep. I worried that Jamie Oliver was biting off more than he could chew when making a salad for locals during his Italian culinary tour. He was so convinced they'd like it that he said
A man accused of murdering his wife 15 years ago was granted bail when he appeared at Teesside Crown Court this morning. Peter Heron, 70, is accused of murdering his wife Ann at their home on the outskirts of Darlington in 1990. Mrs Heron's throat was
A FATHER-OF-FOUR has been forced to travel 250 miles to be given a cancer treatment drug after being refused it on the NHS. Jeff Hurrell was preparing to take his local NHS trust to the European Court of Human Rights before a London doctor stepped in.
PLANS to stop children playing sports tournaments and fixtures during the school day will "effectively kill school sport as we know it", it was claimed last night. Headteachers in North Yorkshire say the cost of providing teacher cover means competitive
HE may have looked the part of an officer, but he was certainly no gentleman. And parading like Richard Gere past the fancy dress shop where he had allegedly stolen an immaculate white US navy suit must rank him as one of the silliest criminals of the
A FATAL road accident at the end of last month has claimed its second victim. Ninety-three-year-old Mr Peter Chrystal, who was driving a Volvo car, died at the scene of the crash on Saturday, October 29 at 4.45pm on the A181 at the entrance of Wingate
DOMESTIC appliance group Electrolux confirmed yesterday that it was shedding 50 jobs in the region because of a slump in shoppers' spending. Unions said the job cuts were evidence of a manufacturing recession in the region. The blow is the second to hit
He's gone from running one of Britain's most successful clothing labels to designing homes but, while one may have made him famous, Wayne Hemingway is in no doubt which is more rewarding. He tells Nick Morrison why he's glad he got out of fashion - and
A PENSIONER discharged himself from hospital 48 hours after major surgery - because he was sick of old ladies nattering on his ward. Ronnie Westwood climbed out of his hospital bed and walked out of South Tyneside District Hospital two days after a bowel
THE mystery suitor hoping to be the next owner of Teesport will keep fighting for the chance to bring 7,000 jobs to the region, it was claimed last night. Teesport owner PD Ports is the subject of a takeover approach, which is believed to be by Australia's
TWO independent members have been appointed to oversee the conduct of Teesside councillors. Freda Robinson, from Billingham, and Edna Chapman, from Eaglescliffe, have joined Stockton Borough Council's standards committee, which monitors the conduct of
EAGER Christmas shoppers can take advantage of some unusual gifts on sale at two Teesside exhibitions. Hartlepool Art Club's 58th annual exhibition is under way in the town's art gallery, in Church Square, from now until the end of the year. More than
A STRIKE by hundreds of lecturers caused disruptions to colleges across the region yesterday. Classes had to be cancelled when members of the National Association of Teachers in Further Eduction union (Natfhe) took industrial action over pay. More than
DURHAM University Chamber Choir is to perform at a Christmas concert in Durham Town Hall on Tuesday, December 13. A Venetian Christmas is the choir's first commissioned work, drawing on Monteverdi's Christmas Vespers. Originally written in 1640, the work
TONIGHT'S the night for the stars of grassroots sport in the North-East. With hundreds of nominations sent in, the judging is over, and the winners of the npower Local Heroes Awards 2005 will be announced at a glittering ceremony at Hardwick Hall Hotel
A CAMPAIGN to promote responsible drinking has been shortlisted for two national awards. The Safer Stockton Partnership launched Think B4U Drink at the end of last month, with an array of posters, drinks mats and other publicity, including a no-holds-barred
A COLLEGE is proving to be a leading light for others. Cleveland College of Art and Design has been awarded beacon status. The annual Association of Colleges Beacon Awards recognises and rewards innovative and exemplary teaching and learning practice.
TWO young children sparked a massive police search when they fled school and went missing for more than an hour. Parents have now demanded to know how the two five-year-olds were able to walk out of the playground undetected. A workman found the youngsters
A PASSPORT Agency worker is hoping tomorrow's Mr Gay UK competition finals, in Blackpool, will be his passport to a modelling career. Nick Bentham, 19, who has worked at the Durham Passport Office for two years, won the Newcastle heat, in April, and is
A NEW debt advice information card has been published. The launch was marked last week with the release of balloons outside Richmond Citizens' Advice Bureau (CAB). The card includes telephone numbers of organisations that can help people manage their
A BOOK has been printed about mountain biking around the region. The book, Beyond Hamsterley, has been published to mark the completion of the £200,000 skills trail at Hamsterley Forest, in Teesdale. Each route is printed on sturdy card held in a ring-binder
THE festive season looms large for the North-East's major commercial centres, with the switch-on of three sets of Christmas lights today. Festive lighting in Newcastle and Sunderland city centres will be switched on at events this evening. Performing
AN electric car which brought the thrill of Formula One racing to a Bishop Auckland school has been chosen to go on show in Newcastle's Discovery Museum. The car, built and raced by students at Bishop Barrington School, wasn't the fastest round the Croft
PUPILS have gone back in time to help celebrate their school's 150th anniversary. Youngsters and staff at Kirkby Fleetham School, near Northallerton, have been dressing as Victorians all week and have also made a trip to Beamish Museum in County Durham
A COUNTY Durham patients' group has given a cautious welcome to plans to merge two mental health services trusts. The Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) Forum for the County Durham and Darlington Priority Services NHS Trust says it believes there could
THOUSANDS of pounds will be raised across south Durham tomorrow as people turn out to support Children In Need. Wolsingham Club has a comedian and singer from 7.30pm. Telephone the club on (01388) 529661. At Bishop Auckland Town Hall, folk band the Fettlers
Plans for a new housing development on the edge of a North-East village were given the go-ahead yesterday. George Wimpey North-East secured permission to build 83 houses on the outskirts of Merrybent, near Darlington. Darlington Borough Council's planning
LOCAL authority staff will do their bit to help less fortunate youngsters this week. Staff at Ryedale District Council will be raising funds for Children In Need tomorrow, with a number of events. Competitions, sales of home-made buns and biscuits and
A WAR veteran facing deportation from the UK has been told he will be allowed to stay in the country. New Zealander Noel Bevan, of Chester Mews, Sunderland, faced weeks of uncertainty after being told to prove he was allowed to live in the UK - which
THE campaign to build a new hospice extension offering round-the-clock care for terminally-ill patients has passed a major milestone. St Cuthbert's Hospice, in Durham City, set itself a mountain to climb when it launched its Key Appeal to build the £3.2m
THE public across North Yorkshire is being given the power to decide how offenders should serve their community orders. Residents are being offered the chance to choose the type of unpaid work such offenders should be ordered to do. Possible projects
HE may have looked the part of an officer, but he was certainly no gentleman. And parading like Richard Gere past the fancy dress shop where he had allegedly stolen an immaculate white US navy suit must rank him as one of the silliest criminals of the
WORK has started to identify streets and roads in the borough where £2.5m will be spent on repairs. Earlier this year, Darlington Borough Council released money to improve minor problems on roads and pavements. A residents' survey asked people to name
A VILLAGE shop and community room could be created in a house if councillors back the plans next week. Leavening Community Interest Group has submitted an application to convert the bungalow at Two Wold View, Leavening, near Malton, into a shop. A community
HELP was quickly at hand for a pensioner who collapsed in a Yorkshire Dales hotel. Margaret Carey, 74, was celebrating her husband's birthday at the Wheatsheaf in Carperby, near Leyburn, when she fainted at the bar. The pub is 27 miles from the nearest
THE taste of summer is coming back to North Yorkshire tomorrow to support the BBC Children in Need appeal. Strawberry teas are being served up at the Springboard Business Centre on Stokesley's industrial estate. And centre staff - who will have the kettle
YOUNGSTERS saw their academic and sporting successes rewarded at a ceremony last night. Scores of Hurworth School pupils were honoured for their achievements in a wide range of categories. They were presented with prizes and certificates at the upper
CONSISTENT Kitski (3.10) heads to Market Rasen with a great chance of maintaining trainer Ferdy Murphy's excellent run of form. Murphy's horses can do little wrong at present and Kitski isn't going to miss out on the stable's winning streak judged on
CONSERVATIVES: I SUPPOSE the signatories (HAS, Nov 15) were wishing to suggest by their public affirmation that North-East Conservatives should support David Davis. I object most strongly to the implication that leadership candidates should gain the support
AN ESCAPED bull brought chaos to a busy road yesterday after escaping from an abattoir. The desperate animal was seen jumping barriers on the A66 dual carriageway, sparking panic among drivers. Armed police were called to the scene and fought through
A doctor who was threatening legal action over a health trust's refusal to give her the life-saving breast cancer drug Herceptin was celebrating victory this evening. Northumberland Care Trust backed down and said it would pay for consultant radiologist
A RAPIST being hunted for a sex attack attempted to strangle his victim before leaving her for dead, police revealed last night. The man is believed to be in his mid-20s, and police said they need to catch him as soon as possible. The 21-year-old woman
A multi-million-pound redevelopment of a rundown area of the North-East has moved a step closer. Tees Valley Regeneration (TVR) has announced that Amec, in partnership with Urban Splash, is the chosen developer for Stockton's 56-acre North Shore site.
A HEATED debate is expected tomorrow when various public figures discuss whether Britain is too soft on its prisoners. Durham University Union Society's latest debate sees Kevin Maxwell, son of the late media baron Robert, cross swords with Phil Copple
MICK McCarthy's search for a striker to score the goals to keep the Black Cats in the Premier League is expected to see the Sunderland boss make an official approach to land Ajax's Yannis Anastasiou. The Greek attacker has found his chances hard to come
AN open verdict has been recorded on the death of a reclusive pensioner whose body was not found for a week. Police, who were forced to break into Joyce McCowat's first-floor flat in May, found the 64-year-old's badly decomposed body on the bathroom floor
THE issue of substitutes has always been a lively topic when it comes to discussing England friendlies but, for once, it was the quality rather than the quantity of Sven-Goran Eriksson's changes that caught the eye in Geneva last weekend. With the dust
PLANS to stop children playing sports tournaments and fixtures during the school day will "effectively kill school sport as we know it", it was claimed last night. Headteachers in North Yorkshire say the cost of providing teacher cover means competitive
A monk is facing prison after admitting 20 counts of indecent assault on young boys at a preparatory school which sends pupils to the country's leading Roman Catholic boarding college. Father Piers Grant-Ferris, 71, a Benedictine monk at the Ampleforth
BRAVE teenager Craige Glendinning said a big thank you last night to his mum - for saving his life. For 35-year-old Tracey donated a kidney to her 13-year-old son, who was allowed home from hospital yesterday for the first time since the operation. Craige
TRESOR Kandol has thanked manager David Hodgson for handing him a Football League lifeline and has vowed to repay the faith that has been shown in him in the best possible way - by scoring goals. The 24-year-old may have drawn a blank on his Darlington
IN all of his eight years, Max has never said he loves me. I say I love him nearly every day but all I ever get back is the same dismissive reply: "Yeah, whatever." Max is the little 'un and regulars will know he's always been a Mummy's Boy. He tells
A PROFESSOR told a court yesterday that injections given to a patient by his doctor killed him. Dr Robert Forrest said morphine administered to cancer sufferer Harry Gittins by his GP Howard Martin was responsible for his death. The professor was giving
