After so many years, so many makes, so many models, you wouldn't imagine that the automotive industry would have many surprises left up its corporate sleeve. Sometimes great names besmirch their exhalant reputations with new models that don't live up
I have seen the future - and it is translucent. Allow me to explain. Last week for the first time I drove a car with a heads up display similar to those used by fighter pilots. It was an extra fitted to the BMW 630i and I reckon that most cars will
Nottingham has been named as one of the country's top five shopping destinations, but Sue Heath finds there's a lot more to the city than retail therapy. NOTTINGHAM has received quite a bit of bad press recently, highlighting violent gun crime, but
RAILWAY enthusiasts heard tales of heroism, tragedy and sporting glory as they recalled memories of a rural track. More than 50 people turned up for a project launched by the Craft Works group of Barnard Castle, County Durham, to record the history of
THE parents of transplant baby Lennox Nicholson have celebrated his first birthday - a day they thought they would never see. Simon, 21, and Amy, 20, were all smiles this week as they marked the milestone of their son, who was only days from death at
There is a double programme this weekend when the chasing clubs will be hoping to make inroads into Bishop Auckland's lead at the top of the table. Today, second-placed Great Ayton host the leaders but even if they win, they won't move into pole position
Nottingham has been named as the one of the country's top five shopping destinations, but Sue Heath finds there's a lot more to the city than retail therapy. NOTTINGHAM has received quite a bit of bad press recently, highlighting violent gun crime, but
Donald McBride is one of three familiar North-East faces who are creating a premier performance of Taakin' Heads by Arthur McKenzie at Durham's Gala Theatre. HE'S played just about every North-East role you can imagine, but veteran actor Donald McBride
THE last two council-run homes for the elderly in Middlesbrough are to close. Levick House and the Albert Cocks home will close by August 1. Middlesbrough Council is to arrange for residents and their families to attend an open day at a home opening in
STUDENTS will visit Greece on a study tour as part of a summer learning project. Since the beginning of March students aged 13 to 14 from Hartlepool's six secondary schools - Brierton, Dyke House, English Martyrs, High Tunstall, Manor College of Technology
A decision over whether Michael Vaughan should undergo further knee surgery will be taken at a top-level meeting on Monday when the England captain will discuss his future treatment with England Test physio Kirk Russell, and Yorkshire physios Wayne Morton
THIS summer The Alnwick Garden looks forward to welcoming its two millionth visitor since the first phase of The Garden's development was completed in 2001. To celebrate this landmark event, The Alnwick Garden is offering a fantastic prize to this very
THE Mayor of Stockton will put her foot in it when she opens a town's first children's centre. A day of activities is planned for the opening of Footsteps Children's Centre, in Ochil Terrace, in Billingham, on Monday at 9.45am. To link in with the Footsteps
THE days when finding information meant a trawl through the history books has gone. Middlesbrough libraries have subscribed to an online package of reference databases that supply information at the click of the mouse. Vistors can now access a number
YOUNG cricketers picked up some tips from one of the sports all-time greats yesterday. Former Yorkshire and England legend Sir Geoffrey Boycott visited Yarm Preparatory School to umpire a match with Silcoates School, from Wakefield. Sir Geoffrey had
A FAILING school has turned itself around completely in less than a year. Gillbrook School, in Eston, near Middlesbrough, received an excellent rating from Her Majesty's Inspectors (HMI) of Schools, despite being branded as failing in July last year.
A COUNCIL'S main decision-making body is moving out of its town hall to be closer to the community. For the next ten months, Middlesbrough Council's executive committee will hold its meetings in venues across the town to make it easier for residents to
A CONFERENCE is to be held next month to make sure disabled people have their say on access to public services. The Disability Have Your Say event takes place at County Hall in Durham City at noon on Friday, July 21. The county council, the county's seven
SOME of the best private gardens in the region are to open to visitors over the next few weeks to raise money for a hospice appeal. From nine-acre historic walled gardens to tiny townhouse plots, visitors will be able to admire the attractions
SCHOOLCHILDREN tackled some weighty issues when they took part in a health workshop aimed at reducing obesity in teenagers. Dietitians and school nurses spoke to pupils at Greenfield School Community and Arts College, in Newton Aycliffe, about the importance
TEENAGER fundraisers won the vote of town councillors when they spoke up to ask for cash. Jade Armstrong, aged 14, and Jordan Anderson, 13, went to Tow Law Town Council when they needed money to set up a strawberry tea party for breast cancer research
LIFE'S a picnic for people visiting Middlesbrough's recently-renovated Stewart Park. The picnic area and aviary at the park have undergone a major facelift, with the clearing of old sheds and a garage, a redesign of the site and new information boards
A MAN with what a judge described as one of the worst criminal records he had ever seen was yesterday jailed for more than a year for his latest offences. Dennis Tonkin, who was described by his own barrister as "a public nuisance", was locked up for
THE search is on to find young people across Sedgefield who, day after day, make a special contribution to society without recognition. The Sedgefield Awards for Sensational Youth (SASY) scheme is being launched by Sedgefield Borough Council. Each award
Peter Beardsley played major roles in two World Cup finals. As England try to go one better than the 1990 squad, Sports Writer Will Scott spoke to the former Newcastle United striker about their prospects in 2006. ENGLAND may not have set the nation's
FARMERS who have not received their full single farm payment by next Friday will be paid interest. David Miliband, secretary of state at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), announced the decision yesterday. He told the House
PLANS for 35 artists' studios, galleries and business units will be unveiled on Tuesday. Work on the £4.8m Creative Industries Centre in the Wood End museum, Scarborough, is due to start in July. Scarborough Borough Council said the centre would provide
A plea has been made for young would-be musicians to join a brass band. Norton Youth Brass has seen its numbers dwindle to single figures - the lowest in its 31-year history. Conductor Bryan Cowton said the band, which meets at the Trinity Methodist Church
PAUL COLLINGWOOD, one of three Durham men in the England team at Riverside today, warmed up for the one-day international against Sri Lanka with a serious net test by members of the county club's Academy. And, after witnessing the quality of the teenagers
SVEN-GORAN Eriksson should know our formation by now - and based on the Sweden game he obviously doesn't. We are in the middle of a World Cup so we shouldn't still be talking about formations. We've had years to get that right and solve the problem.
AN old railway viaduct on the North Yorkshire coast is to be restored in a £100,000 scheme. The century-old wing wall of the viaduct at Scalby, on the former Scarborough to Whitby railway line, which closed in 1965, is cracking. Scarborough Borough Council's
MENTAL health patients at the Friarage Hospital, in Northallerton, can now keep fit thanks to a donation of equipment. The Friends of the Friarage Hospital worked with the primary care trust for Hambleton, Richmondshire and the Dales to buy a £600 exercise
MORE than 5,000 primary school pupils descended on the Great Yorkshire Showground this week to get a taste of rural life. The youngsters were at the Countryside Days 2006 event run by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society in Harrogate. The event has been
A SPECIALIST nurse has said thank you to sponsors who helped her raise more than £6,000 for charity. Sarah Ayrton, 35, spent 11 days trekking through the Brazilian rainforest in December. Miss Ayrton worked at Northallerton's Friarage Hospital for a
THE cost of redeveloping Scarborough's Rotunda Museum into an international centre of excellence for geology has risen, councillors have been told. The scheme was originally planned to cost £3.5m but the final bill has now gone up by £1m. Scarborough
A fleet of vans bought to support a transport scheme was launched yesterday. Hambleton Rural Transport Partnership showed off the three vehicles at Community House, in Northallerton. The vans, worth £45,000, will be used to support the Wheels 2 Work
JUNE Wood has shown she will do anything - including a marathon hike - for a cuppa at all her favourite tearooms. Mrs Wood, who manages Bettys tearooms in Harrogate, completed a four-day walk along a 75-mile route which took her from that branch to the
PLANS for a new village primary school are at risk because it needs an extra £500,000. Estimates for the cost of the building in Sutton-under-Whitestonecliffe, near Thirsk, have doubled and it is believed that North Yorkshire County Council is unlikely
EASINGTON'S MP John Cummings has launched a campaign to help secure council tax benefit for more residents in his constituency. According to recent Government figures, one in four home owner-occupiers in the UK qualifies for the benefit. But in the Easington
SOME of the best private gardens in the region are to open open their gates to visitors over the next few weeks to raise cash for a hospice appeal. From nine-acre historic walled gardens to tiny townhouse plots, visitors will be able to take a look inside
EAST Durham residents can now pick up a prescription with a difference thanks to the launch of an unusual scheme. Books on Prescription (Bop), is a joint venture involving Easington Primary Care Trust (PCT) and Durham County Council, and is the first
FARMING charity stalwarts in North Yorkshire have been recognised for their efforts. The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI) annual awards ceremony saw North Yorkshire praised. The county's RABI organisation picked up the Sam Taylor Cup for
ONE of Yorkshire's oldest agricultural shows could be facing a crisis following a decision to change the day on which it is held. Organisers of Malton Show decided to hold this year's event on a Sunday for the first time, in an attempt to increase attendances
A MECHANIC is looking forward to escaping the heat of Iraq for a beer back home with his family in Durham City, during a break from his first tour of duty. Craftsman Mark Cherryholme, 20, who is serving with the 1st Battalion of the Devon and Dorset
SOCIAL club members got their own back on two youths who attacked them as they made their way to the premises, Durham Crown Court heard yesterday. Scott Noble, 18, and 17-year-old Christopher Spinks were near South Moor Workingmen's Club, in Stanley,
A THIRD of a rundown north Durham park could be sold and turned into a centre for adults with learning difficulties. Mistral Homes wants to buy almost two acres of View Lane Park, in Stanley, and invest £5m on a residential facility for 24 people. If
A PHOTOGRAPHY group is looking for members who are wild about nature. Durham Wildlife Trust's Wildlife Photography group meets at Rainton Meadows Nature Reserve and Visitor Centre, near Houghton-le-Spring, on the first Tuesday of every month, at 7.30pm
A MARRIED businessman lost thousands of pounds after falling in love with a Thai prostitute and setting up two brothels. But Robert Homan was yesterday spared further heartache by a judge who suspended the prison sentence he imposed. Homan became involved
ABBI Steedman was just two years old when she was diagnosed with one of the rarest forms of cancer. And weeks after the retino-blastoma tumour was discovered in her head, Abbi lost the sight in her left eye, and had to undergo major surgery to have
THE organiser of an unlicensed weekend music festival has gone ahead with the event, even though he faces prosecution. Hundreds of music lovers were arriving yesterday at the Thimbleberry Music Festival, which started last night at isolated Thimbleby
LIBRARY users will swap books for bikes tomorrow to celebrate the opening of a riverside path. Staff at Clayport Library, in Durham City, are inviting borrowers of all ages to join them on a ride from Pennyferry Bridge for a picnic at Finchale Abbey.
STUDENT rowers managed to complete a gruelling 70-mile challenge - without ever leaving the warmth of a shopping centre. Six members of Durham University Boat Club completed three marathons during a 12-hour challenge at The Gates shopping centre, in Durham
POLICE were last night continuing a desperate hunt for an unknown quantity of deadly explosives - including thunderflashes and stun grenades - believed to have been stolen by children. The explosive materials, part of a chache of legally-held equipment
A VILLAGE came to a standstill yesterday for the funeral service of a popular schoolboy who died in a tragedy that has shocked his community. Football-mad Ryan Marshall died last week when he was hit by a car as he cycled to his home in Bearpark, near
A DOUBLE killer who was mentally ill when he battered his wife to death was of sound mind when he later murdered a young woman, an inquiry has found. George Leigers was released into the community only seven years after he killed his wife in 1986. He
A NORTH-EAST motorcycle enthusiast still goes out for a ride three times a week, despite turning 80 this year. Walter "Wally" Dalton, from Eastgate, near Stanhope, County Durham, regularly takes his Honda 650 Deauville out for a spin. But his real passion
WHEN Private William Hunter's death warrant was signed, he was singled out for attention - with orders that he be bound and closely watched. Having managed to escape custody twice, his officers were determined he would not evade the firing squad. Shot
THERE was much to celebrate in a North-East nursing home this week when two couples marked a total of 125 years of marriage. And to put the icing on the cake, one of the 1940s brides had been bridesmaid to the other. The first couple to marry, 65 years
A KEEP-FIT mother has broken into what has mainly been a man's world by starting a security service for North-East pubs and clubs. In between law studies at Durham University, 29-year-old Erika Brennand, from New Brancepeth, has launched the Elle's Belles
A NORTH-EAST supermarket is calling on the services of Vivaldi, Tchaikovsky and Haydn in the battle against problem youths outside its shop. The Co-op shop, in Cockfield, County Durham, has started to play classical music through external speakers, hoping
POLICE last night welcomed a three-and-a-half-year prison sentence imposed on a Jamaican-born crack cocaine dealer. Odeon Dixon was jailed yesterday and a judge recommended that he should be deported once he has served his sentence because he is of "potential
A FOOTBALL fan will marry his sweetheart in the first marriage ever to be staged at his club's stadium. Lifelong Darlington supporter Geoff Gale will tie with knot with fiancee Amanda Crawford next month at the 96.6 TFM Darlington Arena, after the pair
MEGAN'S LAW: THE statement by officials of the Children's Commissioner that children would be more at risk if a Megan's Law policy was introduced in the UK beggars belief (Echo, June 22). If I read correctly it stated there would be more chance of paedophiles
A ROW over a discarded chocolate bar wrapper resulted in a man receiving a prison sentence. Stephen Jackson threw the king-size Twix wrapper from his Ford Sierra car window as he pulled up outside his girlfriend's house, in Hillside, Chester-le-Street
Norton hand a debut to Rhys Barker and welcome back Nicky Beall in today's bottom five clash with rivals Stockton. All-rounder Barker has signed from Marton while batsman Beall has yet to play this season. Norton are hopeful that the pair will help to
STANLEY CHIN was in hot water at Redcar yesterday, losing a race he should have won. A result of which the Middleham-based jockey received a 28-day ban from the local stewards. Chin had the Pertemps Maiden Stakes in safekeeping aboard Mark Johnston's
AMADEUS WOLF (2.30) bids to show he's boss by rounding off Royal Ascot with a bang for Kevin Ryan in the Group 1 Golden Jubilee Stakes. At the start of the five-day, Festival Ryan said he'd be happy to come away with at least "one winner", which means
DURHAM will find themselves up against former team-mate Marcus North when they attempt to qualify for their first Lord's final in the C & G Trophy match at Derby tomorrow. The left-handed Australian batsman has joined Derbyshire as a temporary replacement
BIKINI babes and hunks in trunks are coming to the BBC, while C4 will welcome Betty Suarez, whose looks - or lack of them - and bad fashion sense make her unlikely material to work in the fashion world. And Sky One will go behind the doors in an exclusive
LIGHTNING fast ground will not hinder Isidore Bonheur's (3.35) bid to make a successful return to Redcar this afternoon, writes Colin Woods (Janus). Alan Swinbank's five-year-old bounced off a similarly quick surface to justify 5-2 favouritism when scoring
Centre of attention is the game between South Shields and leaders Burnmoor. They are the only undefeated teams in the league and Moors lead by four points after Shields had topped the table up to last weekend. Moors are without Ian Conn and Martin Thursfield
The match of the day is between champions Esh Winning and leaders Kimblesworth - who went to the top of the table for the first time last Sunday. They jumped five places with victory over Brandon and lead Esh, who were deposed from pole position, by six
Matt Clarke last night became the second defender to leave Darlington this week when he joined League One side, Bradford City, writes Craig Stoddart. Captain last season and voted Player of the Year in 2003/04, manager David Hodgson had indicated he
There will be a fun day at the Skerne Park Community Centre on Sunday, July 2, from 10am until 4pm. Entertainment includes bouncy castle, table top sale, rodeo ride and a performance from the Darlington Harlequin Jazz Band.
PUPILS at a Darlington School have recovered their bounce almost a year after thieves stole their trampoline. The equipment was stolen from outside Dodmire Infant School, in Rydal Road, Darlington, last July. It had just been purchased and some pupils
The Old Vicarage, in Bolam, near Darlington, opens its garden to the public on Sunday, July 2, from 2pm to 5pm. One of the biggest collections of old garden roses will be on display. Admission is £2, children are free. Proceeds will go
A TEENAGE girl was in court yesterday accused of drunk and disorderly behaviour after a late-night incident at a Darlington takeaway. The 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to acting in a disorderly manner outside Best
FURTHER work will be needed on a town centre library despite £150,000 of repairs to make its foyer safe. The refurbishment of Darlington Crown Street Library has been completed. The main entrance and foyer were closed after water damage caused by leaks
DOG owners in Darlington are being urged to clean up their act by scooping up after their pets. Sadberge-based Dogs Trust Darlington Rehoming Centre is teaming up with the council dog warden to clean up the town's streets. The appeal is being timed to
DARLINGTON College students had two days to come up with the designs for the mayor's ball posters backdrop, menus, invitations and publicity material. When Darlington Mayor, Councillor Eleanor Lister, heard that first-year art and design BTec students
A RESTORED park has been transformed into a youngster-friendly zone, in an attempt to clamp down on the levels of anti-social behaviour in the area. More than £20,000 has been spent on new facilities in North Park, in Darlington, to make it a safe area
TONY Blair is right. There is a growing gap between the criminal justice system and what the public expects from it. He is also right that politicians and the legal establishment are "in denial" about the need for meaningful action to close that gap.
SEARCH engine group Infoserve yesterday raised £2m from a stock market flotation which will help fund 150 new jobs on Teesside. The West Yorkshire company, which has the majority of its operations in Stockton, Teesside, started trading its shares on
DARLINGTON: Thursday: Forward 539 prime cattle inc 231 young bulls, 1,450 sheep in 1,261 lambs, 145 cull ewes. Cattle: steers med to 155.5p, av 127.6p, heavy to 152.5p, av 124.4p; heifers med to 144.5, av 124.4p, heavy to 154.5p, av 126.4p; young bulls
MIDDLESBROUGH'S reluctance to offer Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink a new contract has alerted potential employers but he will have to take a pay cut if he wants to move to Celtic. The Dutchman is on around £40,000 a week at the Riverside Stadium and that is
A leading County Durham churchman ws certainly standing tall as he was consecrated to a bishopric in a proud ceremony at St Paul's cathedral. IN the 12-or-so years of its improbable existence, the column has joined the folk of St Paul's from Hunwick to
THE sports desk was all a-flutter on Monday. "They're meeting at the Tontine," they whispered in awe. "Tonight. Murray and Quinn. He's flown in from Ireland specially. The deal's back on..." Exciting though the fate of Sunderland Football Club is, it
A NORTH-East company which was yesterday presented with its third Queen's Award for Enterprise is planning major long-term growth and new jobs. Walker Filtration, which exports about 80 per cent of the sales from its Washington plant, is aiming to increase
AN appeal to honour a Second World War hero with a second statue has been officially launched in his home town.A year after an 8ft statue to hail the heroism of Andrew Mynarski was unveiled near Darlington, a campaign for an identical statue in Canada
Sussex v Yorkshire (County Championship) : Day Three A stunning unbeaten 130 from Darren Lehmann could not stop Yorkshire from capsizing to defeat by an innings and 25 runs against Championship front-runners Sussex at Arundel yesterday.Their record at
Q My husband has a State Pension of £113.10 a week and a works pension of £41.61 a week. My pension is £52.75. We are both disabled, my husband receiving Attendance Allowance and I get Disability Living Allowance, including the Middle Rate for Care.
A JOBS fair was staged this week for the 585 people forced out of work by the closure of Goodyear Dunlop's North-East tyre factory.Production at Dunlop's Washington plant ended this month just weeks before a 90-day consultation period was due to finish.Jobcentre
