Nottinghamshire v Durham (County Championship) : Day One STEVE Harmison's hopes of proving his fitness for the second Test against Sri Lanka at Edgbaston next Thursday could be thwarted by the weather at Trent Bridge. After being put in, Durham
DURHAM will have Steve Harmison in their team for the four-day match against Nottinghamshire starting at Trent Bridge today, but not Liam Plunkett. If Harmison proves his fitness there is a chance he will replace Plunkett in the team for the second
From the Cerne Abbas Giant to the death of John Barleycorn: twelve months in the life of a newly-minted Englishman. City-dweller Richard Lewis has been having a problem with roots. His, he means. It would have been so much more romantic if he had been
GODOLPHIN unleash one of their latest recruits at York this afternoon when Palace Episode (2.45) sports the famous all-blue colours for the first time in public. Purchased privately out of Kevin Ryan's stable at the end of 2005 by Sheikh Mohammed and
LAW AND ORDER: I WAS disgusted to read in yesterday's Northern Echo about a case at Darlington Magistrates' Court whereby a man was charged with drink-driving, driving without a licence and insurance and obstructing a police officer. The fact is that
AN eight-year-old boy who was hit by a stolen car as he played with friends was in hospital last night after suffering severe head injuries. The boy is seriously ill but stable in The James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, after he was hit by
Michael Owen has declared himself fit for England's bid for World Cup glory and insisted: ''If there was a game tomorrow I'd be ready to play.'' Owen has dispelled any lingering doubts that he would be ready for the tournament in Germany following his
A PENSIONER is recovering after being attacked during a bus trip to care for his ill granddaughter in Germany. Belgian police say 73-year-old John Bell is lucky to be alive after suffering head injuries in the assault in Brussels. Mr Bell, from Gilling
A music festival featuring some of the UK's most exciting acts gets under way in the North-East today. The Orange Evolution festival opens with a performance by Sunderland band The Futureheads at The Sage Gateshead. The show starts a series of 30 concerts
IT must be the only time a Cabinet minister has endured the humiliation of being asked - across the Commons chamber - whether he planned to sleep with any more of his staff. When he woke up yesterday, John Prescott would have feared his first question
MUCH-NEEDED investment in alcohol treatment has been put on hold because of financial pressures. Today's meeting of the Durham and Chester-le-Street NHS Primary Care Trust (PCT) is expected to be told that investment in alcohol services in the area has
The war of words between Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd and managers' chief John Barnwell shows no sign of abating after another frank exchange of views yesterday. After unveiling Glenn Roeder as the Magpies' new boss on Tuesday, Shepherd hit out
Walks to raise charity funds: THE Redcar and District Friends of Cancer Research UK will hold two sponsored walks on July 2. There will be two routes - one of about four-and-a-half miles, the other of eight to nine miles. The rambles start at Newton under
A man accused of killing a grandmother in a car that had been stolen from her sister has made his first court appearance. Paul Wales, 47, of Gorst Street, Liverpool, appeared at Newcastle Crown Court via video link to Durham prison for a short preliminary
David Hodgson yesterday released five players - but the Darlington manager has rubbished claims that Matt Clarke has also been shown the door. Joe Kendrick, Matty Appleby, Jonjo Dickman, Guy Bates and Adrian Webster have been told they are surplus to
A FORMER fire chief accused of raping a widow in his home has said he could not become aroused on the night of the alleged attack. Peter Glover, 62, also told detectives during an interview that he had a partner and their sex life, once a week, was enough
A TAXI driver who died when his car hit a tree was being investigated for allegedly taking indecent photographs of children, it has emerged. Maurice Anthony Fenwick, of Colburn, North Yorkshire, was killed in a crash on Thursday. No other cars were involved
THE parents of a man killed in a hit-and-run accident in Africa have visited the poverty-stricken school where he worked before his death. Phil Woodall, 21, of Thorngate, Barnard Castle, County Durham, was struck by a car as he stepped off a bus in the
ENGINEERING services group Amec said yesterday that trading remained in line with expectations as it gears up to sell part of its business. The proposed sale of Amec's Spie division is expected in the next two months. Yesterday, chief executive Sir Peter
AFTER successfully claiming two top-ten finishes and consecutive placings in the top 20, followed by equalling the course record at The Belfry, Graeme Storm feels that if he keeps knocking, the biggest door of his career will suddenly open. Storm is well
POLICE insisted last night they are powerless to act against a bizarre sex slavery sect operating in the North-East. An investigation by The Northern Echo has uncovered evidence that more than 350 people in the region may be engaged in consensual slavery
DRUGS company GlaxoSmithKline said last night it had no intention of quitting Britain, despite threats from animal rights activists. Europe's biggest drugmaker told shareholders at its annual meeting yesterday that it would maintain its British headquarters
A GREYHOUND which vets said would never race again has rewritten a track's record books after being nursed back to health by two young brothers. On Tuesday, Another Link - or Dash as he known to his following - won his fifth consecutive race at Wheatley
A RURAL parish council is investigating the possibility of changing the size of its boundary. Archdeacon Newton Parish, on the outskirts of Darlington, began examining the idea of reverting back to a parish meeting in February. A report by chairman Norman
IT'S AN old-fashioned way of doing things, holding up people from the past as heroes for the young to admire. Nowadays, it would be sporting heroes or "celebrities". But this was nearly 60 years ago, so as children we read stories of people who'd changed
A SCHOOLGIRL will compete in a national final after winning a North-East talent contest. Hayley McKay, 14, from Hurworth, won the 14-and-under age category in the Festival 4 Stars competition, which was held in Newcastle. The Hurworth School student sang
LIBERAL Democrats on North Yorkshire County Council have failed in their bid to have plans for a new monthly council newspaper reconsidered. Senior councillors on the executive of the Conservative-controlled authority agreed earlier this month that the
TWO schoolgirls have enjoyed a day as the mayor and mayoress of Darlington. Gemma Waters and Amy Smart, both ten, from St John's CofE Primary School, won a competition to take on the roles for the day. They spent the day shadowing outgoing mayor, Councillor
A MAJOR refurbishment project at a waste centre has led to a boom in recycling. The household waste and recycling centre, in Darlington, had its most successful month ever in April. The site, off Whessoe Road, reopened last year after a £730,000 refurbishment
SIX female footballers from Hurworth School Maths and Computing College have been selected to represent Darlington in a regional competition. On May 2, the school's year seven and eight girls football team beat other Darlington schools in the Tees Valley
POLICE are using anti-social behaviour powers to stop off-road motorbike riders causing annoyance in a village near Darlington. PC Julian Brown, beat officer for the west rural side of Darlington, told Archdeacon Newton Parish Council on Tuesday that
FOSTER carers from across the Darlington borough attended a social event this week to celebrate Foster Care Fortnight. Darlington Fostering Service held a coffee morning for carers in the town, at Blackwell Grange Hotel, and looked to encourage other
STUDENTS at Newcastle University are being told that the majority of exams are expected to go ahead, despite disruptive action being taken by some members of the lecturers' union over pay. Exams are due to start on Monday, and vice-chancellor Professor
A DECISION to extend a road maintenance contract in North Yorkshire without putting it out to tender is being challenged by the Liberal Democrats. The county council executive last week voted in private session to renew the contract held by Hampshire-based
A CONTROVERSIAL housing development has been granted planning permission by a single vote. Work can now start on 14 affordable apartments in The Cornmill in Railway Street, Malton. Yorkshire Housing Association will build 11 two-bed and three one-bed
A FARMER'S wife is cooking up a treat after her bakery business was supported with funding. Former TV cook Pat Peacock, of Peacock's Desserts, is turning her passion for baking into a success. The business at Knayton, near Thirsk, received help and support
CRITICS have hit out at claims that Thirsk is a drink and drugs den, attracting youngsters in the region. The police have refuted a resident's claims that gangs of youths were causing havoc in the town. Barry Ogleby said many residents were intimidated
A LITTLE drop of what you fancy at the end of a day's hard work is the recipe for a long life, according to a centenarian. Ethel Carse, who lives at The Orchards, the Durham County Council extra-care home at Brandon, celebrated her 100th birthday yesterday
RUMOURS surrounding the future of a town's civic building were quashed by councillors at a public meeting. Residents attending Shildon's annual parish meeting on Monday expressed concerns over the future of the Civic Centre, saying they had heard rumours
CHILDREN at a Teesside school got up close to some exotic creepy crawlies during a visit from a wildlife expert. A giant African land snail, from the rainforests of West Africa, and a hairy Chilean rose tarantula from South America were among the creatures
FORMER Darlington Football Club manager and one-time Sunderland captain Gary Bennett was yesterday cleared of making fraudulent claims for tax benefits. Mr Bennett, 44, who appeared with his wife, Audrey, 50, had denied charges of false accounting arising
A HIT West End musical inspired by Rod Stewart's songs is coming to the region. Tonight's The Night will be at the Sunderland Empire from Monday, May 29, until Saturday, June 3, and is the only stop in the region this year. It featured about 20 of his
THE 20th anniversary of a traditional dance team will be marked with a Morris festival at the weekend. Kern Morris, formed in Durham in 1986, has developed a repertoire of traditional dance styles and has performed across Britain, on the Continent and
A FAMILY has started a campaign to improve land surrounding a north Durham hospice. Trish Kennedy's husband, Gordon, died at Willow Burn Hospice, at the former Maiden Law Hospital site, near Stanley, in February last year. He had been treated at Christie
STEVE Harmison's hopes of proving his fitness for the second Test against Sri Lanka at Edgbaston next Thursday could be thwarted by the weather at Trent Bridge. After being put in, Durham reached 88 for one before rain arrived in the third over after
A BARNARD Castle restaurant is hoping to raise funds for the town's annual meet. The Spice Island Indian restaurant will host a Bollywood-themed evening on Monday. Music will be provided by a dhol player, with henna tattoos on offer, as well as a traditional
AN eight-year-old boy who was hit by a stolen car as he played with friends was in hospital last night after suffering severe head injuries. The boy is poorly but stable in The James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, after he was hit by a Rover
A HORSE lover from Middlesbrough has won a Queen Elizabeth Scholarship worth £6,000 to help him achieve his ambition of becoming a farrier. Paul Gray will be presented with his award by the Lord Mayor of the City of London, Alderman David Brewer, at the
COUNCIL officials have issued a warning about fly-tipping following the successful prosecution of a Teesside man. Hartlepool Borough Council has vowed to use all its powers against people who disregard the law. The warning comes after Brian Bradley, 40
POLICE insisted last night they are powerless to act against a bizarre sex slavery sect operating in the North-East. An investigation by The Northern Echo has uncovered evidence that more than 350 people in the region may be engaged in consensual slavery
THE door that leads from our garage to the kitchen tells a tall story. It has little marks in different coloured ink recording the rapid growth of the children during the six years we've lived in the house. The oldest was nine when we moved in and the
A CITY'S Mayor and his deputy have had to resign from a council's decision-making body because they were on it illegally. Durham City's first citizen, Independent councillor Jeff Lodge, who took office at the start of the month, and Deputy Mayor Bob Wynn
UNEMPLOYMENT rates have risen to their highest levels since 2002 - but in the North-East, the number of people out of work dropped in the first quarter. While the Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures showed unemployment was 5.2 per cent in the
A £47m investment in a new seed crushing plant will create 45 jobs and secure hundreds more. Tees Valley Biofuels (TVB) has announced plans to build the UK's first major new oil seed rape processing plant in a generation, as part of plans to put the region
A WOMAN who lost her legs at the age of nine and saw her two friends killed after they were hit by a drink-driver is the focus of a hard-hitting campaign to persuade young motorists to take more care on the roads. Leigh-Anne Johns, from Redcar, east Cleveland
DOZENS of pupils confronted each other in front of horrified town centre shoppers and workers yesterday. At least two boys in their mid-teens started brawling in Stanley, County Durham, until the fight was broken up by passers by. The gangs, including
Yorkshire did better with the second new ball in the Roses match at Headingley yesterday but Lancashire still managed to reach 417 for nine before declaring. Bad light and then rain restricted the second day's play to 57.3 overs but at lunch Lancashire
A £47m investment in a new seed crushing plant will create 45 jobs and secure hundreds more. Tees Valley Biofuels (TVB) has announced plans to build the UK's first major new oil seed rape processing plant in a generation, as part of plans to put the region
WE appreciate the fact that no laws appear to have been broken by the strange sex slavery sect operating in the North-East and, therefore, police have no grounds to take any action. We do, however, believe that the activities taking place at a house in
LAST SUNDAY, thousands of Bari fans flocked to their home ground to get a close-up glimpse of Juventus. The Italian champions wrapped up their Serie A campaign with a 2-0 win over Reggina but, following crowd trouble in their opponents' previous game,
A PENSIONER is recovering after being attacked during a bus trip to care for his ill granddaughter in Germany. Belgian police say 73-year-old John Bell is lucky to be alive after suffering head injuries in the assault in Brussels. Mr Bell, from Gilling
TRAINEE medics in the North-East aim to link up with medical students around the world to help save the lives of leukaemia sufferers. The students at Newcastle University's medical school belong to Marrow - an offshoot of the Anthony Nolan Trust. They
A FIRE safety company is sealing a deal in the United Arab Emirates as a result of a controversial trade mission to Dubai. Geofire, part of Stephenson Gobin, in Bishop Auckland, intends to supply a holding company in Dubai with products from its fire
A COMPETITION Commission investigation into the grocery market has been welcomed by farming organisations. The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) called for an inquiry after receiving more than 1,200 comments from businesses and consumers. The OFT believes
THE largest independent pharmacy chain in the North-East is looking to double in size and create jobs. HF Healthcare Limited already owns 20 community pharmacies across the region, including in Middlesbrough, Peterlee, Gateshead and Newcastle, and intends
Arsenal's European Cup dream was shattered by two late Barcelona goals. The Gunners, who played for 72 minutes with ten men after Jens Lehmann was sent off, led the 2006 Champions League final through Sol Campbell's 37th-minute header. They hung on until
PROPERTY firm Land Securities yesterday announced an 80.4 per cent rise in profits and said it was looking to invest further in the region. The group, which has sites in Newcastle, Gateshead and Sunderland, said pre-tax profits had soared to £2.4bn in
A £230,000 project to look after hay meadows in the North Pennines Area of Oustanding Natural Beauty has been launched. And one of the first farmers to join is Richard Spry who has a rare sub-species of Lady's-Mantle in a meadow at Newbiggin in Teesdale
CONSTRUCTION group MMP has won the contract to build the £2.3m Bannatyne Hotel in Durham. The Newton Aycliffe-based group has already started work on the 50-bed hotel, to be built next to the Bannatyne Fitness Centre at Belmont, Durham. The hotel, owned
MORE than 50 jobs are expected to be created in the next year at a multi-million pound innovation centre. The centre, in Hartlepool, is a UK Steel Enterprise (UKSE) initiative and was opened yesterday by chairman Allan Johnston, and Christine Smith, the
A REWORKING of an Alfred Hitchcock classic will be staged next week. The 39 Steps will be performed by North Country Theatre at the Zetland Centre, Richmond, next Friday and Saturday, before a 30-date tour of the region. Venues include Bedale, Newton-le-Willows
SOME of England's foremost education experts will today visit an experimental school in Darlington. The Education and Skills Select Committee will tour the £37.3m Education Village to see how the fully-inclusive school is progressing. The village opened
NATURE lovers are being invited to take part at a series of events during the half-term holidays. Rainton Meadows Visitor Centre, near Houghton-le-Spring, is planning a programme of activities aimed at children and families. Sweet Peas for Bees takes
EAST Durham recycled more than a quarter of its household and green waste last year, far exceeding targets set by the Government. In 2005-6, recycling of household and green waste in the Easington district amounted to 26.9 per cent, surpassing the Department
YOUNGSTERS with speech problems are being helped to make themselves understood. The Friends of the Friarage Hospital has given five pieces of communication aid equipment to students at the Dales School in Northallerton. The equipment, known as a Liblaptop
A FORMER solicitor has shared his experiences teaching African orphans with Aids with a group of school children in Bishop Auckland. Tim Bittlestone told the year seven students from Bishop Barrington School that the youngsters in Uganda were eager to
CHARITY footballers hit their cash goal during a staff versus pupils match. The two teams from Spennymoor School, in Whitworth Lane, took to the pitch in aid of Macmillan Cancer Relief and raised more than £600 for the cause. The school's team had already
LIBRARY members in County Durham can now get Internet access to huge online reference collections. Libraries throughout the county have taken out a subscription that gives free access to the online versions of the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography
MOVES to improve environmental standards in east Durham were given a boost this week with the appointment of four clean-up teams. The new Clean and Green teams have been organised by Easington District Council and will include staff members from the authority's
POLICE are warning bike owners not to give thieves an easy ride in a summer crackdown on bicycle crime. Crime prevention officers are reminding owners of expensive bikes to be vigilant, following a spate of thefts in the Langbaurgh area. In the 12 months
CHANGES at a North Yorkshire council could spell the end for the authority's plans for a new £5m headquarters, opposition leaders fear. Conservatives and Liberal Democrats have wrestled back control of Richmondshire District Council. Tory councillor John
OFFICERS have made more than 100 arrests during the first week of an initiative aimed at drink-related incidents. When to Stop is the theme of a Northumbria Police campaign to tackle drunkenness, violence and disorder over the summer. The initiative forms
CELEBRATIONS will start tomorrow to mark a railway station's 150th anniversary. Trains first stopped at Leyburn Station, on the Wensleydale line, in North Yorkshire, on May 19, 1856. To celebrate the anniversary, Leyburn Town Band will meet the first
A MAN'S body washed up on a beach could take at least another two weeks to identify. A post-mortem examination on the body, found at Seaham, County Durham, has shed no light on who he is. Police hope DNA tests, which could take 14 days to complete, will
WORK has begun on a major revamp of a North Yorkshire swimming pool. New changing facilities and a new-look reception are among the changes at Pickering pool when it re-opens later this summer. "The views of local people and a variety of groups who use
A COUNCIL'S new leader set himself up as a people's champion when he told a town that he was going to save its threatened services. On Monday, Durham County Council's leader, Albert Nugent, appeared at a public meeting in Shildon, one of the region's
THE leader of one of the region's most deprived communities has criticised the Government after a local health trust was closed. The comments of Alan Napier, the leader of Easington District Council, followed Tuesday's announcement by Health Secretary
DOZENS of pupils confronted each other in front of horrified town centre shoppers and workers yesterday. At least two boys in their mid-teens started brawling in Stanley, County Durham, until the fight was broken up by passers by. The gangs, including
A CHARITY in Darlington which provides older people with companionship and services is looking for volunteers. After an organisational restructure, Darlington Town Mission is looking for trustees who are able to give about three or four hours a month.
A VINTAGE tractor rally will start at Newsham village hall, between Barnard Castle and Richmond, at 10am on Sunday, June 4. Entry fee is £12 per tractor, including a bacon sandwich before the start and food voucher for the driver for use at Smallways
A NORTH-EAST model is to become the face of a greyhound stadium despite being frightened of dogs. Emma Nicholson, 25, from The Barnes, Stanley, County Durham, is fronting a campaign to promote Brough Park, in Newcastle, which is owned by William Hill.
A SERIES of discussions aimed at understanding the different faith communities living in County Durham gets under way next month. The first talk, entitled What it means to be an Orthodox Jew living in Newcastle in the 21st Century, takes place in Durham's
SIX cafes and catering companies have been rewarded for serving Fairtrade refreshments on Teesside. Mayor of Stockton Councillor Suzanne Fletcher presented certificates to the first six catering outlets serving Fairtrade drinks. At a ceremony at Stockton
A HISTORIC cemetery has become the target of repeated vandalism. In recent weeks, trees have been felled, headstones damaged, fires lit on graves and empty beer cans strewn around the Hillside Cemetery, in Houghton-le-Spring. Now the Friends of Houghton
A RETIRED schoolteacher saved almost £5,000 by travelling thousands of miles to have knee surgery in an Indian hospital. Mary Carmichael, 69, from Stockton, could not face waiting months to have surgery on the NHS, so decided to make the 5,000-mile trip
A CAMPAIGN to educate schoolchildren about the perils of drugs has been launched. Billingham has been chosen to pilot the scheme which, if successful, will hopefully be rolled out to the rest of Stockton borough. Every school has signed up to take part
Everyone loves a conspiracy theory, but according to author and former North Yorkshire vicar, Graham Taylor, The Da Vinci Code is pure fiction - although the Holy Grail could be in Yorkshire. IF YOU want to tell a lie then tell a big one. That's the best
The former clerk of Shildon's 'urbane' district council, and last of the town's Quaker brethren, has always valued his independence. MEMORY Lane led from Shildon railway station, up past Tunnel Top to the long-time home of Cyril A Mitchinson, former clerk
HAVING lost Steve McClaren when he country came calling, Middlesbrough are facing up to the prospect of England standing in the way of attempts to lure Terry Venables back to the Riverside. Venables has already been sounded out by the Boro hierarchy about
