Archive

  • Contacts made in one-to-one sessions

    BUSINESSES in the region have been developing useful contacts during a month celebrating the environmental sector. November was North-East Business Environment Month, with events across the region, including sessions devoted to woodfuel, sustainable practices

  • Wrap yourself up beautifully this Christmas

    It's Christmas time, but there's no need to be afraid. Style guru Nadia Clark has all the answers for looking gorgeous over the festive period. DECK the halls with boughs of holly, fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-laaaaaa. Yes, it's that time of year again...when

  • Stephanie Muirhead

    Solicitor STEPHANIE MUIRHEAD has joined law firm Ward Hadaway's property team. She will provide legal advice on leases, investment, sales and purchases for the firm's commercial property clients. Head of commercial property Malcolm Lloyd said: "The commercial

  • Next round of bloodletting in the US could cost 30,000 jobs

    Tens of thousands of redundancies, plant closures and massive cuts in production - the Americans have a new word for this kind of business strategy. It is not down-sizing anymore. In the auto industry, they are calling it right-sizing. First, it was General

  • Online route to Italian market

    TYNESIDE businesswoman Stefania Williams has launched the region's first online introduction to doing business in Italy. The course, available at www.communicate-it.co.uk, focuses on Italian business culture, language and behaviour for firms wanting to

  • Real blow to Boro's Keane bid

    MIDDLESBROUGH'S hopes of enticing Roy Keane to the Riverside would appear to be fading fast after Real Madrid confirmed their interest in the former Manchester United midfielder. Boro boss Steve McClaren, who coached the combative Republic of Ireland

  • Gallery to expand after its first year

    THE owner of a gallery in the Tees Valley has announced major investment and expansion plans less than a year after opening. About £10,000 will be spent on new equipment and better facilities at the Keith Moss Gallery, in Brotton, east Cleveland, which

  • Third Sector recognition for Norcare's achievements

    BEST STRATEGY: Norcare, which provides a range of supported services and housing for the socially and economically excluded in the North-East, has won a national award for its successful Business Strategy. The Third Sector awards, which celebrate outstanding

  • Industry helping create habitats for rare wildlife

    A NORTH-EAST quarrying company is at the forefront of plans to hugely increase the area of a rare wildlife habitat in the region. Thrislington Quarry, near Ferryhill, County Durham, is important because it is a source of magnesian limestone for the UK

  • Crowning moment for North law firm

    PREMIERSHIP high-fliers Fulham FC have made a key signing in the North of England this season. Law firm Watson Burton has been chosen by the London club to convert its existing Football in the Community scheme into a charitable company, Fulham FC Community

  • Fire battle resumes after threat of blast

    FIREFIGHTERS resumed their battle last night at what a fire chief called an "apocalyptic" blaze at an oil depot after fears of a fresh explosion receded. The teams started work again at Buncefield oil depot, near Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, after

  • Fans key to McCarthy's Cats future

    MICK McCarthy's Sunderland reign is hanging by a thread, with his fate apparently in the hands of the club's fans. Saturday's 2-0 reverse at Charlton made it ten straight defeats, nine in the Premiership, and the Black Cats boss now finds himself at the

  • Help needed to catch thief

    SHOPPERS could help police trace a stolen car which was taken from a town centre. The blue Hyundai S Coupe was taken from Morrisons car park, in Bishop Auckland, last Thursday. The vehicle was parked outside the Bishopgate Medical Centre, facing Newgate

  • £500,000 fakes seized in raids

    COUNTERFEIT and illegally imported DVDs, CDs and games console games worth more than £500,000 have been seized by police in the North-East. On Friday and Saturday, market stalls and addresses in South Tyneside and Seaham, County Durham, were raided, leading

  • Eating Owt: a date in Doggy

    FIRST time for everything, we have been having a night out in West Cornforth, known affectionately - yes, affectionately - as Doggy. The etymology's arguable, something to do with molten iron a hot favourite. In truth, the former mining community has

  • Bard's winter works

    THE Castle Players, renowned for their open-air summer productions of Shakespeare, are to present a winter show at 13 venues. Their specially-written production of Shakespeare the Cabaret will open on Thursday, at 7.30pm, at Charles Dickens Lodge, in

  • More to libraries than books

    TWO new events have been announced as part of the Fridays for Libraries scheme in Darlington. The initiative is run by Darlington Borough Council to prove there is more to the borough's libraries than borrowing books. Community and action groups have

  • Man who pushed woman down stairs spared jail

    A MAN pushed a woman down a set of stairs and smashed her face into a pavement after she ended their relationship. John George Mains, 45, had hoped for a reconciliation with Teresa Walker, 39, but ended up grabbing her by the throat. Teesside Crown Court

  • Bard's winter works

    THE Castle Players, renowned for their open-air summer productions of Shakespeare,are to present a winter show at 13 venues. Their specially-written production of Shakespeare the Cabaret will open on Thursday, at 7.30pm, at Charles Dickens Lodge, in Barnard

  • Christmas comes early for grandparents

    PENSIONERS celebrated an early Christmas yesterday when they were entertained by Hurworth School pupils. More than 100 people, many of them grandparents of the children, enjoyed a meal, singing, dancing and bingo. Year seven children at the school raised

  • Day in jail for breaching behaviour order

    A MAN who breached his Asbo more than 50 times has been imprisoned for one day. Magistrates at Newton Aycliffe Court yesterday sentenced John Rientoul, 53, of no fixed abode, after he pleaded guilty to breaching the anti-social behaviour order (Asbo)

  • Drug addict killer may face longer sentence

    Prosecutors are considering a move to push for an increase to the sentence given to the killer of a teenage student. Paul Knappett was last week jailed for sixteen-and-a-half years for stabbing to death Kimberley Bage. But the Crown Prosecution Service

  • Cabbies threaten to strike again over traffic changes

    TAXI drivers who are furious with Darlington Borough Council will meet this week to decide whether to take more strike action. On Saturday, dozens of Hackney carriage drivers and cab firms took their cars off the streets at midnight. They are protesting

  • Run for cancer cash

    A MEMBER of staff at a County Durham school went the extra mile to raise funds for charity. Beverley Howard, finance officer at Woodham Community Technology College, raised £500 for Cancer Research UK by completing the Great Cumbrian Run half marathon

  • Raffle helps hospice to the tune of £13,000

    DURHAM'S St Cuthbert's Hospice has been given more than £13,000 as an early Christmas present. The hospice, which is running its Key Appeal to raise money for a new day unit, needs to raise £250,000 a year to cover its running costs. Now its annual raffle

  • Group set up to deal with major problem of litter

    A COUNTYWIDE group has been formed to look at the problem of litter. The county council scrutiny research group was set up after a survey found 50 per cent of North Yorkshire residents said litter was a major problem in their area. North Yorkshire County

  • Funds appeal for security camera in shopping area

    BUSINESSES are being asked to contribute towards a security camera on a Teesside estate troubled by anti-social behaviour. Police, wardens and councillors hope its installation at the Myton shopping precinct, in Ingleby Barwick, near Stockton, will keep

  • Strong backing for £55m scheme

    A MULTI-MILLION pound development on Teesside has received the backing of local people. A house-to-house survey revealed only 21 per cent of residents were against the Coatham Links development in Redcar. The £55m seafront development will include housing

  • Opening hours for recycling

    REDCAR and Cleveland Borough Council is reminding residents of winter opening times for community household waste recycling centres, which will close only on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day. On weekdays, the Dunsdale site is open 8am to 12.30pm

  • Healthy lifestyle forum

    PEOPLE in east Cleveland will receive a healthy pre-Christmas treat on Friday. Visitors to the Compass Centre, at Redcar Community College, will test a range of healthy living activities as well as receiving useful information at the festive forum. Free

  • Store's gift to ward will make Christmas better

    SANTA came early at a hospital children's ward to help make the young patients' stay a little more bearable over Christmas. Father Christmas found time in his busy schedule to visit the Treetops ward at Durham's University Hospital of North Durham. And

  • Car stereo owners appeal

    POLICE are trying to trace the owners of more than 100 suspected stolen car CD players. Officers in Sunderland have recovered a large number of car CD players, worth a total of more than £6,000, from a house in the Pennywell area of the city, but they

  • Residents allowed back to their homes after blaze

    LIFE was last night returning to normal for dozens of householders who were evacuated from their homes after a garage fire prompted an explosion alert. About 50 families were told to get out as a blaze destroyed two garages in Enfield Road, Eastlea, Seaham

  • Brisk trade at market

    STALLHOLDERS at a village farmers market enjoyed brisk business on Sunday as visitor numbers were boosted by festive attractions. Father Christmas visited Sedgefield Farmers' Market on his sleigh, refreshments were served and there was live music for

  • raise your caps to the honorary degree recipients

    TWO North-East favourites were awarded honorary degrees yesterday. Veteran television presenter Mike Neville took to the stage to collect an honorary degree, five months after taking ill shortly before he was due to pick up the award in the summer. The

  • Festive celebrations at company as three share in Lotto windfall

    A HAPPY Christmas is in store for three office workers after their Lotto syndicate won £136,855. The timely windfall came when Philip Scott, 56, checked the numbers for the syndicate run with colleagues Robert Purdy, 41, and Alan McCartney, 48, at Provident

  • More using seat belts

    ROAD safety officers are pleased with the results of a campaign to increase the number of children wearing seat belts. Officers from North Yorkshire County Council monitored 20 schools over four-week periods in 2003-4 and 2004-5. The first initial monitoring

  • Talk on role of Royal Navy

    MEMBERS of the Royal Navy will give a talk on the role of the senior service this week. The Navy team will give a 35-minute presentation at the Majestic Hotel, Harrogate, from 7pm tomorrow. The audience can then ask questions. Senior presenter Commander

  • £1.8m extra to town for hitting targets

    KEY services in a town have been rewarded with an extra £1.8m grant after performing well in a number of areas. Hartlepool Borough Council, along with the town's police and fire brigade, entered into a Local Public Service Agreement (LPSA) with the Government

  • Pupils take pride in green fingers

    SCHOOLS have demonstrated their commitment to the environment by taking advantage of a special offer. Thirty-four schools in Hartlepool, including both primary and secondary, applied for free garden starter packs, courtesy of the council's Pride in Hartlepool

  • Hunter stays positive

    Paul Hunter's dream of success in the Travis Perkins UK Championship was quickly ended yesterday but the 27-year-old, who is battling against cancer, insisted he had plenty to look forward to. The world No 5 resumed his third-round match against Chinese

  • Traders voice fears for market's future

    BELEAGUERED traders last night delivered a plea for council chiefs to help Darlington preserve its centuries-old market heritage. Many market businesses have suffered a decline in trade, particularly since a controversial scheme to pedestrianise parts

  • Cold and flu link to childhood cancers

    INFECTIONS such as cold and flu may be a trigger for childhood cancers, North-East scientists revealed last night. Researchers have examined hundreds of cases of childhood cancers going back 45 years. The team was led by Dr Richard McNally, from the School

  • Profits take off at busiest airport in the North-East

    THE region's busiest airport has seen its operating profits soar from £1.2m to nearly £12m in only two years. A cost-cutting restructuring programme at Newcastle International Airport has also accounted for a rise in revenue from £39.4m in 2002 to £43.9m

  • Comment from The Northern Echo: A heritage worth saving

    CHANGE seldom comes without controversy of some kind and the modernisation of Darlington town centre has inevitably generated some concerns. Darlington Borough Council's view, in pushing ahead with its pedestrianisation plans, is that short-term pain

  • Repeat show should do it for Woodlands Genpower

    BRIGHT sparks plugging into Woodlands Genpower (1.30) have every reason to get excited about his prospects in Warwick's Watch Security Novices Chase. Eight days ago at the course Woodlands Genpower stormed into what seemed an unassailable lead at the

  • Ryan bucks Quakers trend

    When it comes to consistency, Welsh defender Ryan Valentine is an exception to the Darlington rule. The Wrexham-born 23-year-old has sustained an impressive run of form so far this season, which is more than can be said for most of David Hodgson's squad

  • Sir Kenneth Calman

    The Centre of Excellence for Life Sciences (CELS) has appointed one of the UK's leading medical academics to its board of directors. SIR KENNETH CALMAN, vice-chancellor and warden of the University of Durham and former chief medical officer at the Department

  • Don't let the office party floor your career

    Northumbria Police's recent "The Party's Over" campaign, clamping down on anti-social behaviour by drunken revellers, has been hailed a success - just as the office Christmas party season is upon us. The combination of free booze, over-excitement and

  • 13/12/05

    SWIMMING POOL: DURHAM County Council recently withdrew funding for the swimming pool at Thornhill Junior School in Shildon. This resulted in the closure of the only swimming pool in the town, forcing our schoolchildren to travel to surrounding areas to

  • Bold forecast built on firm foundations

    It has been another good year for stock markets. The FTSE 100 has risen by more than 14 per cent and that, with dividends, takes the return for the year to more than 17 per cent. It is that crystal ball time of the year again, when investors' thoughts

  • 'It takes nerve to keep spending when you are losing billions'

    TOYOTA is the most impatient of car manufacturers. It simply is not satisfied with second best. That's why it constantly redefines its targets and sets new standards by which it will measure success. The most recent target must have sent a chill down

  • Journey home for TV stars

    HUNDREDS of screaming fans welcomed home the region's X Factor finalists last night for a one-off concert. Shouts and screams could be heard across the town centre as fans queued outside to catch a glimpse of brothers Andy and Carl Pemberton - now famously

  • Scott full of praise for Istead

    MARTIN Scott has hailed the impact of winger Steven Istead. The 19-year-old has long been part of the Hartlepool United squad, but has found a regular starting spot hard to come by. But, after scoring and impressing in the weekend win over Bournemouth

  • Cold and flu link to childhood cancers

    INFECTIONS such as cold and flu may be a trigger for childhood cancers, North-East scientists revealed last night. Researchers have examined hundreds of cases of childhood cancers going back 45 years. The team was led by Dr Richard McNally, from the School

  • Paramount Pictures picks up Dreamworks in £914m deal

    PARAMOUNT Pictures has bought one of its best-known rivals, Dreamworks SKG, in a £914m cash-and-debt deal. Dreamworks was established 11 years ago to combine three talents in the world of film, animation and music: Steven Spielberg, David Geffen and Jeffrey

  • Fans key to McCarthy's Cats future

    MICK McCarthy's Sunderland reign is hanging by a thread, with his fate apparently in the hands of the club's fans. Saturday's 2-0 reverse at Charlton made it ten straight defeats, nine in the Premiership, and the Black Cats boss now finds himself at the

  • Donor found for liver transplant baby

    A donor has been found for a five-month-old boy who will die unless he has a liver transplant, it was revealed today. Lennox Nicholson is undergoing the life-saving liver transplant at the world famous St James's University Hospital in Leeds to save his

  • SMD Hydrovision sails into the Chinese market

    THE company that supplied machinery to raise the stricken Russian nuclear submarine, the Kursk, has broken into the Chinese market. SMD Hydrovision entered the spotlight when the 18,000-tonne submarine sank to the bottom of the Barents Sea in October

  • Conservation awards for green schemes

    TWO schemes previously featured in Business Echo have scooped conservation awards. UK Coal and 3M won prizes in Durham Wildlife Trust's second annual Conservation Awards. The Southfield Surface Coal Mine project won the Rural Business category for UK

  • Trading halted by explosion

    SHARES in online fashion retailer Asos were suspended yesterday after the explosion at the Buncefield oil depot, in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, damaged its warehouse. The group, which is one of the UK's fastest-growing retail businesses, moved to

  • £1.8m office development opened by MP

    A £1.8M office and workshop development in the region has been opened. MP for Tynemouth Alan Campbell took part in the opening of the Evans business centre, on the Orion business park, in North Shields, North Tyneside. The 32,500sq ft building has 17

  • French market

    SHOPPERS are in for a Continental treat with the return of a French Market. In a joint venture by Stockton Borough Council and Wellington Square Shopping Centre, the colourful and aromatic stalls will spill on to Wellington Square and Dovecot Street on

  • Moving library to save it from closure

    RESIDENTS' fears of a reduced library service are unfounded, council chiefs have said. Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council insists its plans to move Brotton's library from its home in High Street, to the new Freebrough Community College, will save the

  • PM made to make mouths water

    A LABOUR MP tried something she hopes will keep voters sweet - a Tony Blair chocolate bar. Chocolate inventors Choc-pix, from Barnard Castle, County Durham, have created a chocolate bar that transforms into a photograph when held to the light, and have

  • Robber leaves man with broken cheek

    A MAN was left with a fractured cheek bone after being followed and punched in the street by a robber. The 27-year-old victim was making his way to the Kings Arms pub, in Thames Road, Billingham, at about 5.15pm on Saturday, when he noticed another man

  • Tourist rail bosses hoping to secure funds for main line link

    TOURIST railway bosses will this week appeal for funding to link their line to the national rail network. Wensleydale Railway directors will hold talks with representatives of development agency Yorkshire Forward. The company will appeal for public money

  • New star in Mother Goose

    MOTHER Goose, the star of Sedgefield Players' annual pantomime, has had an accident resulting in a switch of roles. Norma Neal, chairwoman of the group, fell while at work and decided she could not tackle the demanding role of Dame Mother Goose. She has

  • Walking pupils get theatre treat

    YOUNGSTERS who have braved the rain and the cold to walk to school every day this term are being rewarded with a trip to the pantomime. Five children from Neville's Cross Primary School, in Durham, are getting tickets for Jack and the Beanstalk at the

  • Waste service

    HOUSEHOLDS in Richmondshire which receive a kerbside recycling collection will get a leaflet outlining seasonal waste service details. It will also give advice on reducing the amount of waste created over the Christmas period.

  • Minster service by disability charity

    A COMMUNITY carol service organised by a disability charity will today return to York Minster for a fourth time. The service, run by United Response, attracts a congregation of 1,500 people. This year's event will again feature Northallerton man David

  • Drinks on house for drivers

    MORE than a dozen pubs are to offer free or cut-price soft drinks in a bid to ensure that their customers get home safely during the festive season. They will encourage groups of friends to appoint a designated driver, who will stick to non-alcoholic

  • Rooftop vandals putting their lives in danger

    VANDALS are risking their lives by climbing up to 50ft on to a building in Derwentside. Over recent weeks, there has been an increase in youths causing damage to the roof of Grorud Engineering, at the Castleside Industrial Estate, Moorside, Consett. It

  • A £70m vision for airport's future

    About £70m is being spent on Newcastle International Airport over the next ten years, generating thousands of jobs. Deputy Business Editor Kate Bowman talks to finance director Lars Friis. SINCE Lars Friis left his home in Copenhagen to work at Newcastle

  • Nursery school christmas story - it's a baby

    TODDLERS took to the stage for the first time to perform the story of Christmas for their proud parents. The tots at Yarm School Nursery, aged three and four, put on their nativity play, entitled It's a Baby, before a packed audience last week. Parents

  • Plunkett's 50 in vain as Shoaib destroys England

    Off-colour England were no match for Shoaib Akhtar's world-class pace or Kamran Akmal's commanding batting as they surrendered a 1-0 lead in their five-match one-day international series with a seven-wicket defeat against Pakistan at the Gaddafi Stadium

  • Soldier killed in Cyprus

    A British soldier was killed and three others were injured in Cyprus when their army Land Rover rolled over and hit a tree, the Ministry of Defence said today. Fusilier Daniel Whinham, 22, who had only been on the island a fortnight, died at the scene

  • School Closure Debate: Plans to expand school backed

    CONTROVERSIAL proposals to sacrifice a struggling comprehensive so a nationally acclaimed village school can expand have been passed by one of the governing bodies. Yesterday, governors of Hurworth School decided to pursue a plan to expand the school

  • Jury in doctor's murder trial will retire today

    THE jury in the trial of a family GP accused of murdering three patients will retire today to consider its verdicts. Retired doctor Howard Martin, 71, denies murdering patients Frank Moss, 59, Stanley Weldon and Harry Gittins, both 74. The jury of six

  • Bidding war ahead for ports operator

    TEESPORT operator PD Ports was last night waiting for a counter-bid from a consortium of investors. PD had initially approved a bid from consortium Endeavour Ports, but switched its allegiance yesterday after a higher offer of £260m from Australian infrastructure

  • Proposal to set up super city to run the region

    A "SUPER-NEWCASTLE" should be handed powers to run transport, housing and economic development for much of the North-East, the Government will be told today. A report by a local government thinktank says only a powerful "city region" - based in Newcastle-Gateshead

  • Blaze battle resumes after explosion fears

    FIREFIGHTERS resumed their battle last night at what a fire chief called an "apocalyptic" blaze at an oil depot after fears of a fresh explosion receded. The teams started work again at Buncefield oil depot, near Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, after

  • Homeless couple swap tent for flat after seven months

    A homeless couple who have been camping on a riverbank for seven months were given their dream Christmas present yesterday - a roof over their heads. Kevin and Susan Howe, who lived in a tent beside the River Tees at Barnard Castle, County Durham, after

  • Greetings from the PC world

    Dear Friends, You all know by now what a self-centred, egoistic little prat I am. And so I have particular pleasure at this time of the year because I can send you all a round robin and bore you out of your mind with the stultifyingly dull doings of the

  • E-marketing gives access to customers

    MORE and more businesses are choosing digital technology to sell and promote their goods or services. E-marketing gives businesses of any size access to the mass market at an affordable price and, unlike other advertising, can be truly personalised. An

  • Fusion with no strings attached

    WITH his pedigree, it would have perhaps been surprising if Wajahat Khan had not become a musician. His family has been at the forefront of shaping Indian music for the past 400 years, pioneers in the development of the sitar and its bass cousin, the

  • Project manager raises its roll call

    PROJECT manager Faithful and Gould has appointed nine members of staff to its Newcastle and Stockton offices. With the increasing emphasis on safety in construction, the Newcastle office has established its second dedicated health and safety department

  • School appoints ten graduate tutors

    A team of ten graduate tutors has been appointed at the Newcastle Business School to help strengthen its research capacity. The team will deliver postgraduate and undergraduate programmes, as well as conducting research as part of their PhD programmes

  • Hurry up and register before the squatters set up home

    COMPANIES have started making applications to register for .eu domain names for their websites and e-mail addresses. Any company or organisation with a registered office within the European Community, or whose central administration or principal place

  • Jane Robinson and John Mowbray

    The North-East's writing theatre, Live Theatre, which encourages people to write and perform, has appointed two senior executives to its board. They are JANE ROBINSON, assistant chief executive of Gateshead Council, and JOHN MOWBRAY, director of corporate

  • Contacts made in one-to-one sessions

    BUSINESSES in the region have been developing useful contacts during a month celebrating the environmental sector. November was North-East Business Environment Month, with events across the region, including sessions devoted to woodfuel, sustainable practices

  • Hospital bosses say sorry to family over care plans

    HOSPITAL managers have apologised to a family after allegations that a dying woman was discharged before arrangements for home care were in place. Ian Clark, 44, from Gilesgate Moor, Durham, and his brother, Malcolm, who now lives in Queensland, Australia

  • Glorious past of market that dates back to 1293

    A TOUR around Darlington's markets these days offers precious few reminders of how it all began centuries ago. The glorious traditions stretch back to 1293, when the first record of repairs done on the market building was made. However, it was not until

  • Teachers fail to select elite pupils for talent academy

    MORE than 5,000 of the brightest North-East pupils are missing out on a scheme to help them reach the top, because teachers fail to put their names forward. Only 4,145 youngsters have been enrolled in the National Academy of Gifted and Talented Youth,

  • House prices fall

    House prices fell slightly during October after annual growth rates had shown signs of picking up in September, Government figures revealed yesterday. The cost of the average property dropped by 0.3 per cent during the month to £186,103, led by larger

  • Atkinson building up the business

    A FAMILY-OWNED builders and plumbers merchant in the Tees Valley has bought a company in Cumbria. JT Atkinson and Sons, of Middlesbrough, has acquired Littlefairs Builders Merchants and Ironmongers, in Kirkby Stephen, with funding from the Royal Bank

  • On TV

    Secret Smile (ITV1) Plastic Surgery Ruined My Wife (five) THE main pleasure of the thriller Secret Smile is watching the new Doctor Who, David Tennant, being bad. As the Time Lord, he'll be called upon to save the world from time to time but in a nice

  • £500m added to value of Marks & Spencer

    THE recovery of Marks & Spencer was tipped to continue yesterday after one leading City firm added £500m to the retailer's potential valuation. Morgan Stanley set a target share price of 510p for the stock as it forecast improved sales in womenswear

  • Thieves face bill in post

    CHRISTMAS thieves face receiving a bill in the post as stores strike back at shoplifters. Mother-of-two Karen McDonagh, 37, stole £14.43 of cosmetics from Superdrug and, although they were recovered, she was made to pay £95. She was sent a bill from Retail

  • Proposal to set up super city to run the region

    A "SUPER-NEWCASTLE" should be handed powers to run transport, housing and economic development for much of the North-East, the Government will be told today. A report by a local government thinktank says only a powerful "city region" - based in Newcastle-Gateshead

  • Raise your caps to the honorary degree recipients

    TWO North-East favourites were awarded honorary degrees yesterday. Veteran television presenter Mike Neville took to the stage to collect an honorary degree, five months after taking ill shortly before he was due to pick up the award in the summer. The

  • Inquest: driver was at wheel 13 hours

    A MAN who had been driving for 13 hours after he took drugs died when he lost control of his car. After the accident, on the A19 at Thirsk, North Yorkshire, in June, traces of ecstasy and cocaine were found in the body of Rudolf de Coursey Goddard, who

  • If we left the UK, our customers would leave us

    Motoring organisation the AA recently decided against moving its call centre operations to India. Deputy Business Editor Kate Bowman takes a tour of the group's regional centre. In August, the AA announced that it was implementing an £80m restructuring

  • £10bn at stake in race to regenerate industry

    THE average age of an engineer in the region is 52, says Stan Higgins, chief executive of the North East Process Industry Cluster (Nepic). Like the increasingly elderly building site workers in the construction industry, the lack of engineers in the North-East

  • Older people get free advice on wills and inheritance

    MYTHS surrounding wills and inheritance were explained to the older generation in a free service from a North-East law firm. Lawyers from Blackett Hart and Pratt (BHP) linked up with Age Concern to offer clients the chance to find out more about ensuring

  • Gay marriage legislation has business implications

    LEGISLATION that allows same-sex partnerships the same rights as married couples will have repercussions for business, a law firm is warning. The Civil Partnership Act, which came into force last week, will allow adults to register a same-sex civil partnership

  • Help needed to catch thief

    SHOPPERS could help police trace a stolen car which was taken from a town centre. The blue Hyundai S Coupe was taken from Morrisons car park, in Bishop Auckland, last Thursday. The vehicle was parked outside the Bishopgate Medical Centre, facing Newgate

  • Minibus appeal doing well

    AN appeal to buy a minibus to transport shoppers with disabilities into the centre of Durham is about halfway to its target. Durham Shopmobility, which hires out scooters and wheelchairs to people who have difficulty walking the city's streets, needs

  • Young dancers scoop awards

    YOUNGSTERS in Darlington are celebrating after dancing their way to exam success. Pupils from Joanne Lowe's School of Dance took exams through the International Dance Teachers' Association. Joanne Lowe, 25, who teaches at the ASE Club, in Northgate, said

  • Positive people are needed

    THERE is still time for people in Darlington to play a key role in a service marking next year's Holocaust Memorial Day. Darlington Borough Council and The Northern Echo have teamed up to commemorate the landmark day, which has the theme "One Person Can

  • Generous children make sure there is enough for everyone

    KIND-HEARTED children at Reid Street School, in Darlington, have donated a table laden with food and treats to help people who are in debt over the Christmas period. The food has been given to the charity Christians Against Poverty via the King's Church

  • Warning over sneak thieves

    POLICE are warning residents to be on their guard against sneak thieves and burglars. Their advice follows an incident shortly after 1am on Friday, when an off-duty police officer reported two youths acting in a suspicious manner in Hazelwood Court, Langley

  • Squaddies test their muscles for a Christmas charity

    SOLDIERS based at Catterick Garrison yesterday lent their muscle to a campaign to spread a little festive cheer. Squaddies from 5 Battalion REME spent 12 hours on rowing machines at the garrison's Tesco store, to raise money for the Giving Tree appeal

  • Centre can offer services for all

    A COMMUNITY centre is promising to deliver a full range of services for both young and elderly residents of a Teesdale village. The Randolph Centre, in Evenwood, is unusual as it combines a SureStart centre for under-fives, as well as a regular community

  • Inspectors praise prosecution service

    THE Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in North Yorkshire has been given a "good" rating following a Government inspection. The service won praise for its efforts in raising the number of offences brought to justice by 29 per cent, beating the target of

  • Choir's beauty of a panto

    Consett Citizens' Choir is staging the pantomime Sleeping Beauty. It stars Hughie Malone as The Dame and will be staged at the town's Empire Theatre from Monday to Saturday, January 9 to 14, at 7.15pm, and with a Saturday matinee at 2.15pm. Tickets are

  • The green, green glass of home

    The days of apprentices spending years learing a traditional skill are considered long-gone, but one craftsman is determined to pass on his expertise. Nick Morrison reports. FOR the first few months, just about everything Scott Allen did turned out wrong

  • Increase in bad debt

    BANKING group Lloyds TSB warned it had seen a higher percentage of bad debt in the UK as more of its customers fell into repayment difficulties. The group said its overall performance was in line with market expectations, but its retail banking operation

  • Calling all young musicians

    THE search for talented young musicians to take part in an annual city-wide competition will begin this weekend. Ripon Young Musicians of the Year aims to celebrate and encourage the musical talent of young people who live, are at school or have private

  • £3m car park for hospital

    HARROGATE District Hospital has identified a potential site for a multi-storey car park which could cost about £3m. It would be between the front of the foundation trust NHS hospital and the exit from the main car park, next to Willaston Crescent. The