Thousands of people are expected to visit Darlington this summer as the Great North Walk is held in the town for the first time. Deborah Johnson looks at the plans for the event. AFTER being held in several locations across the North-East over the
THE return of the Great North Walk this summer will provide a great day out for thousands of people. Along with more serious walkers will be droves of ordinary people out to enjoy a day in the countryside around Darlington. In the recent past, more
TESCO are delighted to be the principal sponsor of this year's Great North Walk. We are very aware of the history of the event from its first staging at Newburn, on the North bank of the Tyne, west of Newcastle, in 1988. Since then, the walk has taken
A MAN who punched his three-month-old baby twice in the face has been jailed for 15 months. Student Mark Ian Smith, 20, told police on his arrest that the offence was down to the stresses of being a first-time parent. Teesside Crown Court was told
A STRING of new gymnasiums is being set up in the wake of the successful Wellness On Wheels fitness initiative. Last year, the Wellness On Wheels (WOW! ) mobile gym began its mission to take fitness facilities to the Wear Valley district of County
A YOUNGSTER who was part of a gang that beat up a father and son has appeared in court. The 16-year-old from Shildon, County Durham, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared at Bishop Auckland Youth Court yesterday and admitted using or threatening
A SUSPECT in the Dean Pike murder trial told jurors yesterday that he saw his coaccused start the fire that engulfed the schoolboy's home. Terry Majinusz said he never previously confessed to witnessing Neil English start the fire because he had been
A DOUBLE act with enormous crowd-pulling potential promises to provide the highlight of Durham cricketer Neil Killeen's benefit year. The 30-year-old seam bowler has persuaded Andrew Flintoff and Ian Botham to team up at Newcastle's Civic Centre on
DURHAM coach Martyn Moxon will be emphasising that there can be no lapses in concentration following the 128-run defeat by Lancashire at Riverside. Skipper Dale Benkenstein led a determined rearguard with an innings of 88 on Saturday, but it came too
YORKSHIRE will give a Championship debut to at least one of their young fast bowlers in the opening match against Nottinghamshire which begins at Trent Bridge tomorrow. Australian-born Mitch Claydon and Steve Patterson, from Hull, have both won places
Yorkshire writer David Warner believes stamina and Craig White's fitness will be key if the Tykes are to make a real success of their return to the First Division. WILL Yorkshire prove to have the staying power and stamina that has so often deserted
TRAVEL-WEARY Jason Gillespie delayed his debut for Yorkshire yesterday to recharge his batteries in time for their Championship clash with Warwickshire at Edgbaston on Wednesday. It had been hoped the Australian pace ace would come straight into the
ALTHOUGH Yorkshire gained promotion last season, they have not won a Championship match since July 23, and they are determined to end a sequence of one defeat and seven draws against Warwickshire in the game which begins at Edgbaston today. With bad
MATTHEW Hoggard returns to the Yorkshire side against Sussex at Headingley tomorrow for what could be his only Championship appearance of the season. The England fast bowler will spearhead the attack with Australia's Jason Gillespie and the hope is
Yorkshire v Sussex (County Championship) Day One YORKSHIRE never showed any real interest in signing up Rana Naved-ul-Hasan in the days when the Pakistani paceman was knocking over wickets for Pudsey Congs in the Bradford League. But they would
Warwickshire v Yorkshire (County Championship) Day Four GALLANT Yorkshire posted a record which they did not deserve in their Championship thriller with Warwickshire at Edgbaston on Saturday. It ended in defeat by 66 runs when they lost their
Warwickshire v Yorkshire (County Championship) Day Three ANTHONY McGrath hit a defiant, unbeaten 73 at Edgbaston yesterday to leave Yorkshire with some hope of either forcing a draw against Warwickshire or even pulling off a sensational victory.
Warwickshire v Yorkshire (County Championship) Day Two Yorkshire got into even deeper trouble at Edgbaston yesterday when their Championship match against Warwickshire briefly turned into a Twenty-20-type contest - with Jason Gillespie getting
Warwickshire v Yorkshire (County Championship) Day One YORKSHIRE captain Craig White got himself out of jail on the first day of the Championship match against Warwickshire at Edgbaston yesterday. For no apparent reason, White chose to field
Nottinghamshire v Yorkshire (County Championship) Day Four Yorkshire were forced to put in a hard day's labour to squeeze out two bowling bonus points on the final day of their rain-ruined Championship game against titleholders, Nottinghamshire,
Yorkshire v Derbyshire (C & G Trophy) CHRIS Taylor, who left Yorkshire under a cloud towards the end of last season because he could not gain a regular first team place, made the perfect return to Headingley yesterday when he scored a faultless
Nottinghamshire v Yorkshire (County Championship) Day Two YORKSHIRE'S fast bowling debutant, Mitch Claydon, struck with his 12th delivery at Trent Bridge yesterday when the Championship match against Nottinghamshire finally got started after tea
Nottinghamshire v Yorkshire (County Championship)Day One THERE was no action on the field but plenty happening off it on the opening day of Yorkshire's Championship curtainraiser against title-holders Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge yesterday. Persistent
A JUNIOR racing driver is celebrating a stunning debut year in championship karting. Adam Parsley, 12, from Harrogate, first drove a 200cc machine at the F1 Racing indoor circuit, in York, in September 2004. Within weeks, he was fractions of a second
TRADITIONAL storytelling and Indian dances are being brought to towns and villages across County Durham from today. The Annapurna Indian Dance Company is on a four-day tour of small venues, using hypnotic drumming, intricate footwork and stunning costumes
A COUNCIL employee has reached the final stages of an awards scheme recognising public sector workers. Garry Atkins, of Harrogate Borough Council, is competing for the public's vote against five other finalists in the Local Government Channel and Local
LINKS between an Italian spa resort and one of the county's towns have been strengthened by a surprise visit. Mayor of Harrogate Caroline Bayliss and her consort husband Tom took time out from their holiday to renew informal relations between Montecatini
A BEER festival in the grounds of a cathedral was so successful it twice ran out of the most popular brew. Volunteers made two trips to Knaresborough to replenish supplies of beer from Roosters Brewery, at Grimbald Park. Roosters Cathedral Special proved
THE 21st Middlesbrough Scout Group is organising a jumble sale to be held on Saturday, at 11am, in the Linthorpe United Reformed Church hall. Proceeds will go towards the cost of scout activities.
CHARLES Clarke was under fresh pressure last night after admitting that at least 38 violent criminals and sex offenders are still on the run. One week after the foreign prisoner scandal broke, the Home Secretary told MPs that of the 79 serious offenders
A FURIOUS Arsene Wenger last night revealed Arsenal are considering taking legal action against Dan Smith following his reckless challenge on Abou Diaby. Smith's last-minute two-footed tackle on Monday at the Stadium of Light left the 19-year-old midfielder
BURGLARS escaped with a haul of jewellery and watches worth over £200,000 in a lightening quick raid. Market Cross Jewellers was targeted by a gang of thieves who smashed their way to most expensive and prestigious items in the store at around 11pm last
AFTER being held in several locations across the North-East over the past few years, England's biggest sponsored walk is on the move again - to Darlington. Up to 5,000 people are expected to descend on Darlington for the Tesco Great North Walk, which
ENGLAND HYPE: IT seems the national media hype surrounding the England football team and the World Cup is even more over the top and has started earlier than ever this time. The truth is that England are no more than a better-than-average international
ENGLAND manager Sven-Goran Eriksson yesterday said he was praying for a miracle recovery, after confirming Wayne Rooney suffered a "cluster" of fractures in his right foot. Early indications were that the England striker had only one fracture in his fourth
As a refugee, Irene Carlton was safe in England while the Bosnian War raged, but her family were not as fortunate. She tells Lindsay Jennings why her mission is now to help other asylum seekers. IRENA Carlton is deep in conversation with a hopeful-looking
CLEVELAND'S Terry Bywater insists Great Britain men's wheelchair basketball team do not fear world No.1s Canada at this week's Visa Paralympic World Cup. Bywater was a key figure in last year's dramatic gold medal showdown against Australia but Canada's
DISCUSSIONOF VILLAGE HISTORY: THE history of the village of Longnewton will be the topic for discussion when Robin Daniels, from Tees Archaeology, attends the village's history group meeting next week. The talk will be in the Wilson Centre, at 7pm, on
WHILE worthies wail that the North-East is drowning in a great abyss of alcohol, a letter from Howard Chadwick suggests - with sober supporting evidence - that we may be becoming a caf society instead. Howard - now in Newton Aycliffe but Witton Park lad
THE varying fortunes of North-East industry were brought home to Prince Andrew yesterday when he visited the region in his role promoting international trade and investment. The Duke of York toured three County Durham companies that have secured new overseas
AN extraordinary row has broken out between two chief constables and one of the country's most trusted market research organisations over the future of regional policing. Cleveland Police Authority paid Mori £48,000 to conduct a poll into Government plans
FARMERS producing crops and trees for the renewable energy industry have been given a boost by the Government. Ministers have announced a plan to help biomass production - burning crops, such as wood, to create energy. Burning biomass instead of coal
AN extraordinary row has broken out between two chief constables and one of the country's most trusted market research organisations over the future of regional policing. Cleveland Police Authority paid Mori £48,000 to conduct a poll into Government plans
ON Monday night, Sven-Goran Eriksson was given a glimpse of what life without Wayne Rooney is like. Stripped of their leading attacking light, Manchester United huffed and puffed their way to an unconvincing goalless draw with Middlesbrough. Given that
A RUSH for the toilet brought on by illness saw a speeding motorist fined £395 for driving at 103mph. Jonathan Trewick was caught driving 33mph over the limit on the A19 near Silton crossroads by police. He told magistrates he was suffering from a flu
'I'M afraid there's a problem." It's the last thing you want to hear when you're doing a last-minute check on accommodation booked for family members gathering for a celebration - in this case my mother's 90th birthday party. With a week to go to the
A COUPLE are appealing for planning officers to use commonsense when deciding the fate of their half-built retirement home. Jeremy and Pippa Morrogh-Ryan are in dispute with the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority over the development in Healaugh,
MIDDLESBROUGH assistant Steve Round has claimed it will be business as usual this morning with Steve McClaren continuing to take charge of training despite the Football Association meeting to discuss his future. An FA board meeting is expected to rubber-stamp
MORE than £2m is being invested in a flooring factory to safeguard nearly 200 jobs and reach into new markets. Armstrong World Industries, which has a factory on the Teesside Industrial Estate, in Thornaby, is making the investment to boost productivity
THE results of a controversial poll calling for a referendum into the future of policing in the North-East has shown public support for a regional force is less than one in five residents. The Mori survey has opened a bitter row between the three forces
NO one likes a buck-passer and there was certainly an element of that from the Prime Minister yesterday as he desperately tried to deflect criticism from the Government over its failure to deport foreign criminals. Tony Blair told the Commons that the
CHARLES Clarke was under fresh pressure last night after admitting that at least 38 violent criminals and sex offenders are still on the run. One week after the foreign prisoner scandal broke, the Home Secretary told MPs that of the 79 serious offenders
A JOCKEY is facing a six-month ban from the sport after testing positive for cocaine. Larry McGrath, who last year rode 14 winners for trainer Richard Guest's yard at Brancepeth, near Durham City, is expected to attend a preliminary hearing today at the
A FURIOUS Arsene Wenger last night revealed Arsenal are considering taking legal action against Dan Smith following his reckless challenge on Abou Diaby. Smith's last-minute two-footed tackle on Monday at the Stadium of Light left the 19-year-old midfielder
TWO former police officers at the centre of an embarrassing incident in which they were accused of urinating against a Lithuanian royal palace wall have launched a company teaching policing ethics. Former Cleveland Police Chief Superintendent Kevin Pitt
KEVIN Ball has insisted he still wants the Sunderland job - despite David O'Leary being lined up by the Niall Quinn consortium looking to take over at the Stadium of Light. Quinn, who is leading an Irish-based consortium bidding to buy out majority shareholder
A DISABLED woman is receiving dozens of telephone calls a day meant for an international packaging company, following an error from a communications company. The BT blunder means that Moz Dent, from West Auckland in County Durham, receives numerous unwanted
SKIPPER Matt Clarke feels it is inevitable that interest in Shelton Martis will only intensify after his performances for Darlington this season. Martis' contract is due to expire at the end of the season and Leeds United could make a renewed approach
A LAW Lords ruling will lead to big cuts in compensation paid to the families of many victims of the deadly asbestos cancer mesothelioma. The House of Lords has upheld three test appeals lodged by company insurers, who argued that payments should be limited
A HIGHLY-ACCLAIMED poet visited a Darlington library to promote his latest work. Bob Beagrie read extracts from his book, Endeavour: Newfound Notes, at Crown Street library, to a packed audience yesterday. The Middlesbrough-based poet's work tells the
STEVE McClaren has been confimed as the new head coach of England. He will take up his post from August 1 on a four-year deal. The news means that McClaren, who is currently right hand man to Sven-Goran Eriksson will lead his Middlesbrough side for the
RESIDENTS were celebrating yesterday after plans to build a 40ft-high mobile phone mast near a Darlington school were refused. Vodafone's application to site the mast in Stockton Road, near the Barmpton Lane roundabout, was rejected by Darlington Borough
A new weekly tai chi class starts on Monday, at The Forum in Borough Road, Darlington. Classes run from 1.30pm to 3pm and cost £4 a session.
A farm shop will be opened by William Hague, MP for Richmond, on Saturday. The Lakeside Farm and Country Cafe, at North Farm, Ellerton, near Scorton, is owned by Graeme and Sarah Thompson, who have taken on nine full-time and 15 part-time staff. Mr Hague
A SERIES of break-ins was carried out by a man who was living rough with his partner within months of his release from prison. David Harrison, 24, burgled homes, mainly in Peterlee and Horden, in east Durham, taking high-value electrical items. Durham
A STONE carving that helped gain listed status for an historic arts and community centre has been removed in an attempt to save its original features. The sandstone carving has dominated the front of the Spennymoor Settlement's Everyman Theatre, in O'Hanlon
A 64-YEAR-OLD voluntary worker with mobility problems has refused to shop at a department store after she was charged with stealing a bottle of wine. Joyce Whelan of Outram Street, Darlington, was found not guilty of stealing the £3.29 bottle at Newton
CLAIMS that a council has cut homelessness have been attacked by charities dealing with the issue. Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council said its new prevention-rather-than-cure policy was a success, after a 32 per cent drop in homelessness applications
TOURISM chiefs are delving into the past as part of a drive to encourage visitors to the Cleveland coast. Photographs, dating back over a century, are providing a look at bygone days from Redcar and Cleveland in a new brochure, The Nostalgia Coast. Redcar
A RETHINK of school sex education aims to halve the number of teenage pregnancies in the region. New proposals for a sex education programme focus on the areas of the county with the highest rates of unwanted pregnancies and abortions among teenage girls
A Town hall is about to become a library and community resource centre. Plans have been put forward by North Yorkshire County Council to move the library from the rear of Helmsley Town Hall, in the Market Place, to the former tourist information centre
A SEARCH is on to find the owner of a bag left in a shop with a large amount of cash inside. Lost property officers are keen to reunite the bag with its owner, after it was left in Coopers Chemist, in Marske High Street, east Cleveland, on April 11. The
A COUNCIL has handed out 10,000 free bus passes since they were introduced a month ago. Easington District Council said the number applying had outstripped expectations after Margaret Oxenham, of Benevente Street, Seaham, this week received the 10,000th
FARMERS producing crops and trees for the renewable energy industry have been given a boost by the Government. Ministers have announced a plan to help biomass production - burning crops, such as wood, to create energy. Burning biomass instead of coal
MUMS only have one pair of hands. They tell us so all the time to underline how busy they are. But, over the past six weeks, my wife hasn't even had one pair of hands. She's had to go through life single-handed after a shoulder operation left her in a
AN unsung hero has been awarded for her contribution to teaching on Teesside. Supply teacher Lucy McDonald was presented with the Teacher of the Term award from local recruitment agency Select Education. The primary school teacher from Acklam has been
ANTI-SOCIAL behaviour "hotspots" are being targeted in a County Durham town. Police, council officials and other agencies in Shildon are joining forces to make a stand against nuisance behaviour in the town. The initiative, which is being led by Shildon
TEXTILE works of art have gone on display in an attempt to introduce a new generation to traditional British crafts. Black and White and Technicolour is a collection of almost 100 crafted items by members of the Durham Guild of Spinners and Weavers, which
VIOLENCE erupted in a street between neighbouring families following earlier drunken antics of a teenager. Stephen Dixon junior was the instigator of trouble which broke out in Bridgehill, Consett, County Durham, early last July 31. Durham Crown Court
A DOG lover has won an award for her work re-homing abandoned greyhounds. Karen Fraser was praised for her work with the Retired Greyhound Trust's Yorkshire branch. In the past four years running the Yorkshire branch, the charity worker has re-homed 63
A PROJECT has been launched to help young people prepare for running their own homes. The Skills for Life initiative is being run by Housing Hartlepool, the not-for-profit company that runs the town's former council housing stocks. It is being piloted
A MAN killed when a car hit his carriage made his fitting final journey in a horse-drawn hearse yesterday. Terry Wood, 40, died last month in an accident which left his teenage son, Lewis, in hospital and resulted in one of his beloved horses having to
A SAILING club is holding a course to give people a practical introduction to the sport. Start to Sail will be held at Scaling Dam, between Whitby and Guisborough, from May 12 to 14. Scaling Dam Sailing Club will provide boats and safety equipment. Participants
WHEN the Football Association meet to rubber-stamp Steve McClaren's appointment as England manager later this afternoon, they will hardly give last night's game at the Reebok Stadium a passing thought. Perhaps it is just as well. A dour 1-1 draw against
Steve McClaren has arrived at the Football Associations Soho Square headquarters where he is expected to be confirmed shortly as the new manager of England. The Middlesbrough manager, who celebrated his 45th birthday yesterday, is expected to replace
AN office scheme that could house more than 600 jobs has recieved planning approval. Gladman Developments is spending £9.7m on an 88,200sq ft office complex in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham. The company, which has an annual turnover of £150m, plans to
EAST Coast Main Line operator GNER said last night that it would not be affected by the financial troubles facing its parent company. GNER parent company Sea Containers, which is based in Bermuda, revealed earlier this week that its delayed 2005 accounts
THE company that built one of Europe's largest biodiesel plants said yesterday that it had moved closer to full production. The Biofuels Corporation has been beset by problems at its Seal Sands plant, on Teesside, and borrowed millions more than expected
WHEN the Football Association meet to rubber-stamp Steve McClaren's appointment as England manager later this afternoon, they will hardly give last night's game at the Reebok Stadium a passing thought. Perhaps it is just as well. A dour 1-1 draw against
EAST Coast Main Line operator GNER said last night that it would not be affected by the financial troubles facing its parent company. GNER parent company Sea Containers, which is based in Bermuda, revealed earlier this week that its delayed 2005 accounts
JOE FANNING'S presence aboard Ayam Jantan (3.20) should ensure backers get a decent run for their money in Redcar's Straight-Mile Championship Qualifier this afternoon. The John Smith's sponsored event has attracted nine closely-matched rivals but as
A JOCKEY is facing a six-month ban from the sport after testing positive for cocaine. Larry McGrath, who last year rode 14 winners for trainer Richard Guest's yard at Brancepeth, near Durham City, is expected to attend a preliminary hearing today at the
FIVE days of celebrations began in the North-East yesterday to mark the opening of a new Hindu temple made from the same materials as the Taj Mahal. The Murtisathapna ceremony began with a procession to Redcar seafront, in east Cleveland, and saw dignitaries
THE return of the Great North Walk this summer will provide a great day out for thousands of people. Along with more serious walkers will be droves of ordinary people determined to enjoy a day out in the countryside around Darlington. In the recent past
A friendly Australian parrot, just like one which appears regularly on Neighbours, is baffling village residents after turning up in their parish churchyard. When Jennifer Pakiam said "Hello" it replied instantly with the same word after she spotted it
THE FA is meeting this lunchtime and is expected to confirm Middlesbrough manager Steve McClaren will be confirmed as the England manager. The Middlesbrough manager will be recommended to the board by the selection panel. An announcement is expected this
METAL detectors are to be used at main line railway stations in the region to cut down on knife crime. British Transport Police are touring stations with the walk-through sensors to deter people carrying weapons when they travel. They were in Newcastle
Yorkshire never showed any real interest in signing up Rana Naved-ul-Hasan in the days when the Pakistani paceman was knocking over wickets for Pudsey Congs in the Bradford League. But they would have preferred him on their side rather than playing against
GNER revealed last night that it was still considering whether to seek a judicial review of access rights to the East Coast Main Line. GNER has objected to the competition on the line, which runs from Scotland to London, and is considering mounting a
A TEENAGER who was found hanged at a North-East hospital was a bright girl who did not intend to kill herself, an inquest heard. Samantha McCartney, who had a history of severe self-harm, was found hanging in Darlington Memorial Hospital's accident and
STEVE McClaren said whether he was first or second choice for the England job was neither here nor there - at the end of the day he was the choice for the England job. Current Middlesbrough boss McClaren, who will assist Sven-Goran Eriksson at this summers
Sven-Goran Eriksson admits England losing Wayne Rooney is like Brazil losing Ronaldinho. Eriksson made no attempt to lessen the impact of Rooney's injury as he confirmed there was more than one fracture in the striker's broken foot. Eriksson said: ''I
A FUNERAL cortege will pause outside Darlington's Covered Market tomorrow as a mark of respect to butcher Don Manson who worked there for more than 50 years. Don, 79, died last week in the Memorial Hospital having only retired from the market in January
A TALENTED drama student has proved she is top of the class by scoring one of the highest exam marks in the country. Georgia McIntyre, 13, achieved a 98 per cent score in her acting exams with the London College of Music. The aspiring actress, from Darlington
A VETERINARY surgery is holding an open day on Saturday, so pet owners can see what services are on offer. Abbey Veterinary centre, in Pelton Fell Road, Pelton Fell, Chester-le-Street is inviting the public to pay a visit between 2pm and 4pm. They will
THOSE who want to nominate organisations and individuals for the third annual Darlington Volunteering Awards have only a few days remaining. The deadline for nominations and submissions has been extended until Monday. Organisations are able to put themselves
A FACILTY to promote creative research in the North-East was opened yesterday after a £4m refurbishment. The groundbreaking Culture Lab, at Newcastle University, will enable postgraduate researchers from diverse fields to collaborate on innovative projects
A VARIETY of new courses are being launched at Chilton Community College next week. The adult learning centre, based in Chilton Primary School, off New South View, offers courses to everyone, which are free to those in receipt of certain benefits and
ALMOST 30 jobs will be created when Boyes takes over the former Kwik Save store in Consett. The Scarborough-based firm has invested hundreds of thousands of pounds refurbishing the building, in West Victoria Road, which is to open at the start of next
TRADITIONAL Indian dances and storytelling are being brought to towns and villages across County Durham from today. The Annapurna Indian Dance Company begins a four-day tour of small venues today, using hypnotic drumming, intricate footwork and stunning
DISABLED people in Teesdale look set to benefit from a new equipment lending service. The Wheelchair and Mobility Loans Service lends out equipment free to local residents with disabilities. The equipment is available for periods of between one hour and
A CHARITY evening held in Middleton St George, near Darlington, raised £777.60 in aid of the Great North Air Ambulance. The event was organised by Elaine Woods and Joyce Braithwaite and held at Middleton St George Cricket Club. There was a raffle, bingo
THE Barnard Castle annual town meeting will be held on Monday, at 7pm, followed by the annual town council meeting. The public are welcome to attend both meetings, which will be held at the Teesdale District Council Offices, 43 Galgate, Barnard Castle
A MAN was raped as he made his way home after a night out. The victim, in his 20s, was bundled into a lane off Forth Place, Newcastle, at about 11.30pm on Friday. The victim, who required medical treatment, reported the attack to police. His attacker
A SUSPECT in the Dean Pike murder trial told jurors yesterday that he saw his co- accused start the fire that engulfed the schoolboy's home. Terry Majinusz said he never previously confessed to witnessing Neil English start the fire because he had been
RUNNERS are invited to race for cash prizes in the annual Thirsk ten-mile and mini-marathon races. The Thirsk and Sowerby Harriers races are open to all ages and take place from Thirsk Auction Mart, on Sunday, June 11. The ten-mile race starts in Station
A SWORD dancing team has been honoured after performing on top of York Minster. The Valknut Rappers, from Northallerton College, recently took park in a Dancing England Rapper Tournament, in York. The teenagers won the award for performing in the most
PHOTOGRAPHS from some of Newcastle University's expeditions go on display next week. The pictures and results of recent trips will be displayed outside the student's union, in King's Walk, on Monday and Tuesday. Students will also be fundraising for this
KEEN football fan Lesley Colley roped in fellow Sunderland supporters after bouncing back from breast cancer surgery. She kicked off a fundraising drive among members of the Chester-le-Street and District branch of the Sunderland AFC Supporters' Association
A GREAT-GRANDMOTHER has won a trip to Florida playing bingo. The 76-year-old, who does not want to be named, won the holiday at the Riva Heaton Bingo Club, in Newcastle, on Saturday. She said: "I have never won anything. I don't drink or smoke, so my
A nurse who poisoned his flatmates after falling out over the cleaning rota has been found dead at his home, police said last night. Accident and Emergency nurse Andrew Percy, 22, was due to be sentenced yesterday at Newcastle Crown Court after he admitted
SKIPPER Matt Clarke feels it is inevitable that interest in Shelton Martis will only intensify after his performances for Darlington this season. Martis' contract is due to expire at the end of the season and Leeds United could make a renewed approach
KEVIN Ball has insisted he still wants the Sunderland job - despite David O'Leary being lined up by the Niall Quinn consortium looking to take over at the Stadium of Light. Quinn, who is leading an Irish-based consortium bidding to buy out majority
A FURIOUS Arsene Wenger last night revealed Arsenal are considering taking legal action against Dan Smith following his reckless challenge on Abou Diaby. Smith's last-minute two-footed tackle on Monday at the Stadium of Light left the 19-year-old midfielder
BEN CLARK believes Hartlepool United showed on Saturday how much avoiding relegation means to the squad. Tranmere's win at MK Dons means Pool are fourth bottom in League One going into the last day, but can stay up with victory over Port Vale on Saturday
DURHAM skipper Dale Benkenstein will be hoping to erase the only blot on his excellent first season when he leads a revenge mission against Lancashire at Riverside, starting today. Having beaten Essex by an innings in the second of his four championship
DURHAM are hoping Steve Harmison will be fit for their second C & G Trophy match against Warwickshire at Riverside on Sunday, May 7. The England paceman has started running as he recovers from his shin injury but the opening match in the 50-over competition
DURHAM will wait until this morning before solving their selection dilemma ahead of the C & G Trophy match against Northamptonshire at Riverside, but Paul Collingwood and Liam Plunkett will play. Australian seamer Mick Lewis is also in the squad after
