A WARM welcome to Gordon Brown's announcement that the Office for National Statistics (ONS) is to be made independent. This is because only 17 per cent of people say that official statistics are not politically manipulated by the Government-run ONS. You
Vincent Bootes intends to transform car parts manufacturer Tolwood Techologies into a world leader. Deputy Business Editor Kate Bowman talks to him about his plans to expand the company's customer base, attract £2m of business in the coming months and
DUKE Street is just north of Darlington town centre, home chiefly to estate agents and to "For sale" signs, though the link may at best be semi-detached. There are also a couple of charity shops, a hair cutting academy and a place called Urban Chaos.
LANDOWNERS in the region are being offered expert help to to develop environmental work without damaging important historical sites. North-East scientist Tom Gledhill, who studied biochemistry at university, has joined the Rural Development Service (RDS
A DATA management company that plans to double its £4m turnover in the next 12 months, has invested £20,000 to refurbish a run-down Victorian office. Imraid Wireless, which works with a range of businesses, including sports clubs and entertainment venues
BIODIESEL company D1 Oils has recruited a top agricultural expert to help it produce higher vegetable oil yields from its renewable energy crop. Teesside-based D1, which produces biodiesel from the jatropha shrub, a South American weed traditionally used
NORTH-EAST engineering company Dorman Long Technology (DLT) has appointed its Chinese general manager to the board. Dr Hongyi Tao is manager of DLT China and has helped bring in business for the company in East Asia. DLT provides heavy lifting and consulting
A VULNERABLE man jailed for his part in the killing of a fellow drinker yesterday had his sentence cut to 18 months - so he can have a home to go to when he leaves prison. Mr Justice Simon, showed mercy on Paul Darch after hearing a longer sentence would
DISHEARTENED manager, Mick McCarthy, has warned Sunderland's dejected players there will be no hiding places when revitalised European champions Liverpool arrive at the Stadium of Light. Having lost their last six matches, five in the league, the Black
GUYLAIN Ndumbu-Nsungu says he did not feel any pressure when he stepped up to take the 93rd minute penalty which salvaged a draw for Darlington on Saturday, writes CRAIG STODDART. His goal rescued a deserved point against Rushden and Diamonds and went
Sleeping With Teacher (C4) Zero Hour: Massacre At Columbine High (five) AND what was the sex like?," the interviewer demanded of Lucy, a teacher who'd bedded a 15-year-old schoolboy. She wasn't giving away her intimate secrets, although did reveal that
TIM EASTERBY takes Go Tech (2.20) to Lingfield with every prospect of making the long haul down south pay dividends. Tim's experiment of trying his five-year-old over 12 furlongs didn't really work when Go Tech could only finish fourth at the course ten
POLICE are trying to trace two men who stole several bottles of spirits from a Darlington supermarket. The men went into the Somerfield store in Woodland Road on Sunday, May 22, at about 12.45pm and took various bottles from the shelves. They then concealed
MARTIAL arts students in Darlington enjoyed a visit from three grand masters from Korea. More than 140 dedicated taekwondo students travelled to the Kim Chung Do dojang, in Gladstone Street, at the weekend to attend seminars taught by the masters. Grand
A GROUP of parents and their children have passed a ten-week course with flying colours. The six sets of parents and their youngsters aged up to four years, took part in the Brandon and Deerness Valley Sure Start programme called Early Start. The fun
SPORTING students from a Darlington college have won places in the national finals of a biathlon competition. Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College sent representatives to compete in the Northern Region Biathlon Competition, which was held at Ampleforth
CONGESTION charges for North-East cities moved a significant step closer yesterday with the announcement that the Government would fund feasibility studies into two schemes. Transport Secretary Alistair Darling announced a £350,000 award to investigate
PROTESTORS fighting controversial decisions by Darlington Borough Council could push for a vote of no confidence in the authority. A town referendum could be held next year involving campaign groups across Darlington who have been angered by council rulings
YOUNG swimmers from across Darlington competed for their primary schools in an annual gala. Numerous schools from across the borough took part in the Darlington Primary Small Schools Swimming Gala, held in the town's Dolphin Centre. Proud parents and
HEAVY snowfall blocked roads and caused treacherous driving conditions in parts of the North-East and North Yorkshire yesterday as forecasters warned of more snow. People woke to a covering of snow in Northumberland, Tyne and Wear and County Durham with
A RAPPING robot will be visiting schools this week to recruit youngsters into the battle against waste. Cycler, accompanied by an education officer from Waste Watch, will be teaching children how to tackle waste through reduction, re-using and recycling
POLICE investigating the death of Michael Grey have arrested a 22-year-old man. Mr Grey, a single, 45-year-old careworker, died as a result of a head injury in hospital last week. He was assaulted in the area between the Plaza Tavern public house and
NORTH-EAST MPs threatened a Commons revolt last night if the Government presses ahead with plans to allow smoking to continue in non-food pubs. Several of the region's Labour MPs are among at least 60 of Tony Blair's backbenchers demanding tougher laws
THE son of one of the North-East's biggest car dealers was yesterday arrested in connection with the alleged assault of Sunderland Football Club chairman Bob Murray in a restaurant. Nicholas Hardie, 29, was questioned by police after Mr Murray was hit
VILLAGERS worried about a proposed extension to a quarry near their homes were promised the support of local councillors yesterday to prevent it causing them any problems. The owners of the quarry, which has been producing high quality sandstone for many
PRIMARY school youngsters were given a chance to let their imaginations run freely when they were set the task of coming up with a design for a tasty new sweet or a machine that would create scrumptious chocolate delights. Hays Travel, in Bishop Auckland
STATELY home guardians the National Trust revealed last night why there was no way it could agree to the building of a new road. The trust, as keepers of Ormesby Hall, on the edge of Middlesbrough, has stoutly resisted proposals for the construction of
A multi-million pound bypass looks likely to pave the way for a host of new recreation facilities for a nearby community. Sports fields and changing rooms have been created during the construction of the £9m Chilton bypass which ploughed through the village's
HOODED thugs attacked members of a much-loved military band after they performed one of their last concerts. The Normandy Band of the Queen's Division, based at Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, will disappear in the New Year, a victim of defence cutbacks
COUNCIL officers could soon have to sign a register of interests and formally declare any gifts or hospitality they receive. North Yorkshire County Council already has a code of conduct for officers. It requires that all staff register any personal interests
TELECOMS company BT was left with a bill of more than £7,500 after admitting four charges of carrying out unauthorised roadworks. The company appeared before Durham City magistrates yesterday to plead guilty to four charges arising out of an incident
PLANS to improve the way community education is organised will see the number of managers cut and more money spent on delivering lessons. North Yorkshire County Council wants to change the way the service is run, to make it more financially and democratically
A TEENAGER whose mother committed suicide last year has been praised by police after he jumped into a river to prevent a woman from taking her own life. Sean Hammersley said the tragic death of his mother led him to strip off and dive into the River Tees
A LEADING arts festival will have a new chairman and a new director for next year. Peter O'Malley is stepping down as chairman of the Ryedale Festival and will be replaced by Ken Overton, an accountant, of Slingsby, who is also a member of the festival
A HEALTH trust will be up to £6m in the red by the end of this financial year, its chief executive has said. Michael Whitworth, chief executive of Scarborough, Whitby and Ryedale Primary Care Trust (PCT), said the organisation faces a financial deficit
A NEW flower shop opened on Teesside yesterday - in memory of the owner's late mother. Dianne Hutchinson opened the doors to Flowerbuds, in Ingleby Barwick, as a tribute to her late mother Kath. Mother and daughter had dreams of opening their own shop
CELEBRITIES took part in a glitzy fashion shoot to raise vital funds for the Holistic Cancer Care Centre at James Cook University Hospital. Well-known faces, including Tyne Tees TV presenter Pam Royle, TFM's Gary Philipson, Judy McCourt and Lisa Shaw
THE process to close down a popular but under-used maternity unit is launched this week. In the year to June 30 this year, 125 babies were delivered at Guisborough Maternity Unit, in east Cleveland, while 890 women from the Langbaurgh area gave birth
Shops make up to half of their annual sales during the festive season. But with an uncertain economic outlook this year, and flat sales, Business Editor Julia Breen looks at whether retailers will be having a Merry Christmas in 2005. Surveys so far this
SHOPPERS will be able to experience the effects of drinking and driving this month by trying on a pair of beer goggles. The goggles imitate the visual impairment caused by both alcohol and drugs. The wearer becomes disoriented and loses their sense of
MIDDLETON Hall retirement home has appointed MARTIN SHEEKEY as head chef. Middleton Hall is an independent home on the outskirts of Middleton St George, between Yarm and Darlington. Mr Sheekey has moved to Middleton Hall from The School House restaurant
A FORMER funeral director who set up a business selling a range of funeral tribute cards is attracting interest from around the world. Gwen Cooksey, of Butterknowle, County Durham, launched Colourstone Cards two years ago after she spotted a gap in the
A MEMBER of the General Medical Council (GMC) appeared before one of the group's disciplinary panels yesterday over job references he gave for disgraced surgeon Richard Neale. Professor James Drife, from Leeds Medical School, is accused of painting the
EMANUEL POGATETZ has pinpointed mind games as the real reason why Middlesbrough have struggled to string a series of wins together that would propel them towards the top six. The Austrian, nicknamed Mad Dog by his team-mates for his approach to life,
A METAL fabrication company, which announced last week it was shedding up to 85 jobs, told workers in a memo that there were "no plans" for the facility to close. The Tinsley Group's factory in Evenwood, near Bishop Auckland, County Durham, announced
WINTER has tightened its icy grip on the UK with snow, sleet and sub-zero temperatures and the news is there's more to come. While our infrastructure is notoriously bad at coping with winter weather - with commuters forced to wait it out when roads are
EARLIER this month, the share value of General Motors hit lows not seen since the 1980s, prompting chief executive Rick Wagoner to issue a very public assurance that the car making colossus had no intention of filing for bankruptcy. If he hoped such a
HUNDREDS of female entrepreneurs from across the region walked up the red carpet at a ceremony aimed at highlighting the best in the North-East. Anne Ganley, of Sunderland builders' merchant Thompson Building Centres walked away with the Susan Dobson
The Law Society has opened its first North-East office, serving more than 2,600 solicitors. Deputy Business Editor Kate Bowman talks to society president Kevin Martin about the shake-up of legal services, legal aid and the advantages of having an office
A schoolgirl told a jury today she was not lying about her teacher stroking her bottom. The 17-year-old pupil, who cannot be named, cried as she told Teesside Crown Court that drama teacher Joseph Kerr made lewd remarks towards her and touched her when
Two senior appointments have been made at excavator manufacturer, Komatsu UK, in Birtley, near Chester-le-Street. Liz Burton, 44, has joined as production control manager, while Mike Rimington, 42, has been appointed as production manager in the assembly
A BATH lift company in the region has trebled the size of its floor space as turnover continues to more than double year-on-year. Aquajoy Bathlifts Limited, in Consett, County Durham, has seen turnover jump from £300,000 in 2002 to £1.6m this year, and
NORTH-EAST MPs threatened a Commons revolt last night if the Government presses ahead with plans to allow smoking to continue in non-food pubs. Several of the region's Labour MPs are among at least 60 of Tony Blair's backbenchers demanding tougher laws
A UNIVERSITY graduate who set up an online business is planning to expand into the US market. Ben Dale, from Bishop Auckland, County Durham, launched his company selling rugs over the Internet last year while working at a web design agency in the region
A HOSPITAL psychiatrist dumped confidential paperwork outside his home and shouted at colleagues, accusing one of being possessed by demons, a medical tribunal heard yesterday The General Medical Council was also told that Dr Frederick Otto-Darko failed
PLANS to transform a rundown North-East industrial site into a new business, shopping and living area are to be unveiled. Stockton Borough Council is drawing up guidelines for the development of the Boathouse Lane area of the town, near the High Street
TITUS BRAMBLE has jumped to the defence of Jean-Alain Boumsong, insisting the pair can become the defensive wall Newcastle United have been searching for. Both centre-backs have received criticism during their time at St James' Park but both performed
One of the great myths with investment markets is the so- called fact of post-Christmas rallies. In the past five years, the FTSE 100 has only risen in January twice, hardly a convincing statistic. A feature of the stock market that is perhaps more relevant
PAUL POTTS has been appointed operations manager at North-East group Vimac Leisure. Following a year as general manager at Vimac's Studio and DH1 nightclubs, in Durham, Mr Potts has now moved to a role that sees him overseeing all of the company's venues
THE campaign for a Smoke Free North-East has recruited some high-profile business people. Olivia Grant, chairwoman of the University of Newcastle, Alistair Balls, chief executive of Newcastle's Centre for Life, and Tom Knight, non-executive director of
New access rights under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (CRoW) are now in place, opening up large swathes of land that were previously off limits. People can now walk on mountain, moors and common land throughout England, subject to certain
OWNERS of the region's community websites have until tomorrow to stake their claim for a share of a £5,000 prize fund. The CommuniGate initiative, run by Newsquest North-East, publishers of The Northern Echo, has seen an amazing response to the contest
LEISURE group J&M is still on the acquisitions trail after buying NE Leisure Limited for a six-figure sum. John Watson formed J&M Leisure to acquire three private members' snooker clubs in the region. Mr Watson, along with his wife, Marita, now
A MEDIEVAL music concert will take place this weekend, featuring one of the world's finest lute players. The concert will take place in the ballroom of Brancepeth Castle, near Durham City, and will bring together some of the finest early musicians in
Newcastle United player Lee Bowyer has agreed an out-of-court settlement with a student he was cleared of assaulting. Sarfraz Najeib, 21, from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, was beaten unconscious when he was attacked outside a Leeds club in January 2000
PRINCESS Diana was the greatest footballer the world has ever seen and George Best was the people's princess. Oh, and John Peel was a married archangel with five children. Oops! I've got that a bit wrong. But please make allowances for this lapse as I'm
A former police chief and a high street fashion entrepreneur were yesterday honoured at the official inauguration of Lord Stevens of Kirkwhelpington as Chancellor of Northumbria University. The former Chief Inspector of Constabulary, Sir Keith Povey,
A JUNIOR football team is celebrating a new sponsorship deal. Durham County U8s football team, which play in the Russell Foster Red League and is only three points off the top of the table, has been sponsored by local building design company Abbey Design
BRICK maker Dyson Refractories is poised to close its factory in the region after becoming the latest company to fall victim to overseas competition and rising energy prices. The managing director of Dyson, in West Hunwick, near Willington, County Durham
CHRISTMAS came early for pupils at one primary school when their forthcoming annual festive stage production was given a financial boost. Wheatley Hill Community Primary School pupils were delighted when a representative of Wilcomm Homes, which is building
AN award-winning butcher has won gold medals at an industry awards ceremony. Butchers Harry Coates and Son, which has shops in Framwellgate Moor and Coxhoe, Durham City, won four gold medals and two overall championship wins at the British Pig Executive
The region's first field hospital to treat drink-related casualties has been hailed a success. Ambulance bosses believe that last weekend's pilot scheme in Newcastle eased pressure on 999 services. They say it allowed paramedic crews to make a speedier
Businesses can take advantage of a free seminar on Friday. Two sessions, available to Darlington firms, will cover everything from how to win public sector contracts online, to making the most of search engine marketing. The seminar is part of the d2e
A North-East company has beaten competition from six rivals to design the £200,000 refurbishment of a lakeside bar and restaurant. Portland Interior Design was selected by Northumbrian Water to carry out the interior design of the former Leaplish visitor
A PRINTING company is moving into larger premises next year giving a new lease of life to a market town's former mill. Screenprint Promotions, which designs and produces display, exhibition, event branding material and signs, is leaving its site opposite
THE son of one of the North-East's biggest car dealers was yesterday arrested in connection with the alleged assault of Sunderland Football Club chairman Bob Murray in a restaurant. Nicholas Hardie, 29, was questioned by police after Mr Murray was hit
A CHARITY that provides recordings of books for blind and partially-sighted people, has received a boost from the mayor of Darlington. Calibre Cassette Library supplies the equipment to the town's Crown Street Library, to help its two reading clubs for
MAJOR investors in drug delivery firm SkyePharma were last night said to be considering a campaign to force its chairman to stand down. Shareholders such as Fidelity and Insight Investment Management were reported to be unhappy about the performance of
A FURNITURE and interiors retailer is preparing to launch her business online. Nicola Garrington plans to set up a vivedirect.com, to go with her interiors store in Scotswood Road, in Newcastle. The 40-year-old started her career in retail at 18, working
The relentless argument over the difference between a sport and a game may at last be resolved: the night before the big one, top-class sports players are usually turning in by three o'clock. Dominoes is different. Seeking their fifth British 5s and 3s
BUSINESSES across the North-East are at risk by failing to take out adequate insurance cover, according to a survey. A poll of more than 1,000 small and medium-sized UK businesses found that one in four are not properly insured, with firms across region
WOMEN DRIVERS: I HAVE often pondered about letter writer Mr Reynolds of Wheatley Hill. He is dead against smoking and yet favours prostitution. So I came to thinking this was a role he believes women should be in. But I was amazed to read his letter about
A round-up of awards in the North-East business community. APPLE AWARD: Kevin Rusby, operations manager at the Land Securities-owned Bridges Shopping Centre, in Sunderland, picked up a Green Apple award as national runner-up for environmental best practices
I'M quite fond of my brown eyeshadow. I've been wearing it now for at least ten years - a quick sweep over the lower lid, deeper into the corners then a bit of brown eyeliner over the top. It's fine on a day-to-day basis, takes two minutes. The trouble
A major North-East hospital trust is shedding jobs in a bid to finish the financial year in the black. More than 100 jobs have already disappeared at the County Durham and Darlington Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, it was revealed today. More are expected
A couple's dream wedding became a nightmare from the moment they arrived at a sleazy Mexican holiday resort. Karen and Raymond Collings splashed out £4,000 to get hitched at the Blue Bay Getaway and Spa in Cancun. They expected everything to be perfect
INTERNET business Intermedia Solutions has opened a franchise in Sunderland. The Darlington company has invested a six-figure sum in Geo-Net Solutions, which is being expanded as franchises. The first is in Sunderland and it is hoped that Geo-Net will
The conflict in Sudan may have been pushed from the headlines by new disasters, but for hundreds of thousands of people forced to flee their homes, their misery shows no sign of getting any better. Paul Willis reports from a shanty town many now have
STEPS are being taken to speed up the development of the North-East's wood fuel industry. About 100 potential woodfuel consumers and suppliers supported a successful bid by North-East woodland initiative Northwoods for a grant to develop its work. The
A WATER company's environmental work has won two prizes at an international awards ceremony. As reported in Business Echo on November 1, Yorkshire Water was shortlisted for the Green Apple Environment Awards. At a ceremony in London, the company's environment
A FORMER Scoutmaster who kept photographs and videos showing the sexual torture of children was caught when police found a home-movie made for him by a North-East paedophile. David Daines, 44, was caught with a camcorder tape of a nine-year-old boy who
ACCOUNTANCY recruitment specialist Ken Wilson Associates (KWA) has appointed CARL SWANSBURY to manage its accountancy recruitment division in Newcastle. The 22-year-old, from Philadelphia, County Durham, joins KWA from PricewaterhouseCoopers. His financial
AN exercise class to encourage older people to get active is being introduced across Darlington. Get Everyone Motivated (Gem) is a series of gentle exercise classes for people over 50 that was set up by Darlington Borough Council's warden services eight
It may once have been about Empire building but Guiding has much to offer modern girls according to those in Croft. THINK you know what Guides do? Well, think again, because you might well be a little out of date. For those who've had nothing to do with
THE work of the army of volunteers who help at a North Yorkshire hospital will be celebrated on Friday. Around 180 people from Harrogate District Hospital will be taking part in a tea party. Local trust chairman Dr Albert Day will present long service
TWO men who fell to their deaths from a cliff top within minutes of each other have been named by police. Investigators said it did not appear that the deaths were connected, but they were keeping an open mind. The body of Adrian Van der Kerkhof was found
MORE than 1,500 shoppers from across the region helped to make the annual Christmas shopping fair at Castle Howard a success. The event was the fifth to be held at the famous stately home by the NSPCC's Norton and Villages Committee. About £32,000 was
CONTROVERSIAL hospital plans are still being scrutinised and people are being asked not to be complacent over the debate. A leading councillor has urged Hartlepool residents to take part in public consultations on the future of hospital services. Meetings
OUTRAGED residents battling to preserve a stretch of green land have formed an action group to fight a planning application. More than 100 local residents have come together to form the Round Hill Action Group (RHAG), a constituted group registered with
MARK Tinkler hasn't seen a lot of Dean McDonald, but he has already witnessed enough to be impressed. The on-loan Ipswich striker made an impressive first start in Saturday's win at Bradford City, causing problems aplenty as Hartlepool United recorded
A DUTCHMAN has admitted fatally stabbing a North-East football fan and seriously injuring his friend, it was reported last night. The 42-year-old is being questioned over the death of Brendan O'Connor and the stabbing of Howard Boville outside an Amsterdam
A VOLUNTEER who has devoted a quarter of a century to helping the ambulance service is in the running for a top honour. Malcolm Robinson is a voluntary car driver for the service in North Yorkshire - and now he is through to the finals of the Yorkshire
SATURDAY morning football coaching sessions have been set up for children in Langley Park. The sessions will start on Saturday at the village junior school and, although they are organised by Langley Park Sunderland Supporters, are open to fans of any
at A PROPOSAL to extract about 474,000 tonnes of coal from a wide area of rolling farmland was strongly opposed by councillors yesterday. The plan was to dig the fuel from 345 acres of mainly arable and mixed farmland east of the village of Evenwood and
POLICE have mounted an initiative to tackle burglars in a community as the dark nights draw in. Residents in known hotspots in the Chester-le-Street district will be leafleted and patrols stepped up as part of a seasonal drive. Community Inspector Paul
* The partner at a firm of accountants, in Stockton, Teesside, is joining the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales' Audit Registration Committee. ROB TINDLE, of Tindle's Chartered Accountants and Business Advisors, based in Scotswood
The region's first field hospital to treat drink-related casualties has been hailed a success. Ambulance bosses believe that last weekend's pilot scheme in Newcastle eased pressure on 999 services. They say it allowed paramedic crews to make a speedier
BIG Brother star Anthony Hutton will be returning to his birthplace for the switch-on of a town's new-look Christmas lights. Mr Hutton was asked to switch on the Consett lights by Derwentside District Council leader, Councillor Alex Watson, after the
Crutes Law Firm has appointed ROSEMARY WATSON as assistant solicitor and Sharon Dunston as legal executive. Ms Watson, a wills and probate expert, will work with partners Charles Attenborough and Stuart Hamilton. She will be dealing with wills, trusts
THREE men were spared prison for an attack on another party-goer because of their previous good character. The friends were each ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid community work over the next 12 months instead of being jailed. Teesside Crown Court
A LINK between two ancient buildings will be celebrated at a concert this weekend. The Chapel Choir of St John's College, Durham, will sing Choral Evensong in Gibside Chapel, near Rowlands Gill, Gateshead, at 3pm on Sunday. Gibside was the home of George
TIM EASTERBY takes Go Tech (2.20) to Lingfield with every prospect of making the long haul down south pay dividends. Tim's experiment of trying his five-year-old over 12 furlongs didn't really work when Go Tech could only finish fourth at the course ten
AN urban farm shop has placed more than £100,000-worth of orders with producers across Yorkshire and the North-East in its first three months of business. Andrew Loftus opened Weeton's farm shop, off the Stray, in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, selling food
A FOOTBALL manager has resigned - by text message. Trevor Jones, manager of Northern League club Peterlee Newtown, sent a message to all his players and the club committee. It said: "Gents, this so far has been the worst season of my coaching career.
DEREK NORFOLK has been appointed construction director at Severfield-Reeve Projects (SRP), in Thirsk, North Yorkshire. He has worked for the company for two years as a contracts manager. The 58-year-old, who lives in Harrogate, was contracts manager at
UP to 20 Middlesbrough football fans may have seen a confrontation in which a North-East man was murdered and his friend seriously injured. Police say it is crucial they trace the supporters who were in Amsterdam's Bar Pinockio, where Brendan Michael
DURHAM'S Paul Collingwood will have what might be his final chance to establish himself as a Test player in Lahore over the next five days. The middle-order batsman has been drafted into the team for the third Test against Pakistan to fill the vacancy
GUYLAIN Ndumbu-Nsungu insists he felt no pressure when he stepped up to take the 93rd minute penalty which salvaged a draw for Darlington on Saturday. His injury time spot-kick rescued a deserved point against Rushden and Diamonds, and went some way to
A DARLINGTON teacher stroked a 15-year-old pupil's bottom and made suggestive sexual comments when he gave her extra lessons after school, a court heard. Joseph Kerr, 43, is alleged to have asked the girl if she was a virgin and made lewd remarks about
A COUNCIL has pledged to help 175 workers who were last week told they were being made redundant. On Friday, SCA Packaging announced it was closing its cardboard factory in Faverdale, Darlington, next year, in a bid to cut costs. The company has two neighbouring
For many small businesses, identifying, buying and using Information Technology (IT) systems and services is problematic. Most small businesses cannot justify a dedicated IT employee. Instead, IT decisions are left to senior directors, whose computer
ON December 5, a new Disability Discrimination Act comes into force. Disability discrimination remains a complex area of law. Perhaps the most complex aspect is precisely what constitutes a "disability" for the purposes of the legislation. Being "disabled
The UK's Centre of Excellence for Life Sciences (Cels), has appointed IAN SHOTT as non-executive chairman. He will lead the board to develop Cels' strategy, providing leadership, support and co-ordination for the life sciences and healthcare economies
AN award-winning butcher has won gold medals at an industry awards ceremony. Butchers Harry Coates and Son, which has shops in Framwellgate Moor and Coxhoe, Durham City, won four gold medals and two overall championship wins at the British Pig Executive
Pioneering technology developed by a former ICI engineer is about to revolutionise the food and drink industry. Protensive, which is based in Newcastle, has developed its "spinning disc" technology, already used in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries
With a business that grew from nothing to one with a £2m turnover in only three years, Angela McLean had the childrenswear market sewn up. But ultimately, the success of the company was its undoing, and now she teaches business students the hard lessons
A FAMILY support scheme is celebrating its fifth anniversary. SureStart in Middlesbrough celebrated the milestone with an awards night at the town's Teaching and Learning Centre, for 30 parents who had completed courses and contributed to their community
A GOOD Christmas is in the pipeline for a seaside town. Two 30ft Christmas trees, switched on at Redcar at the weekend, were a gift from Northumbrian Water, to thank the town's residents for their patience during the overhaul of 23km of ageing pipes.
MORE overseas learners have been taking advantage of adult courses than ever before. Stockton Adult Education Service is helping more learners, through its English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) courses. The courses cater for immigrants, migrant
Aid volunteers are needed: REDCAR and Cleveland Women's Aid is looking for enthusiastic women who are interested in supporting survivors of domestic violence in rebuilding their lives. The group provides safe temporary accommodation, outreach and an awareness-raising
A FESTIVE gala is to bring a community together with a visit from Father Christmas in a secret vehicle. Ingleby Barwick's Magic of Christmas Gala looks set to be a fun-filled family event on Saturday. Organisers, Ingleby Barwick Residents Network (IBRN
BOSSES at a factory in the region yesterday denied reports that they are threatening to move production of certain items abroad. Nestl Rowntree chiefs said production of KitKat and Smarties would remain in York, but warned that jobs could be transferred
MOVES to make healthy choices easier should be among the priorities for the health service in Derwentside next year, according to a report. In her annual report on the state of the district's health, Dr Anne Low, director of public health for Derwentside
