NOTTS COUNTY: Pilkington, Pipe, McCann, Edwards, White, Somner, Lee, Parkinson, Gleeson, Ross, McMahon. Subs: Deeney, Martin, Dudfield, Mendes, Smith. HARTLEPOOL UNITED: Konstantopoulos, Barron, Nelson, Clark, Humphreys, Gibb, Boland, Liddle, Monkhouse
A CHILD plunged 30ft out of her bedroom window while sleepwalking. But the nine-year-old survived the dive after she landed on a carpet thrown out earlier that day. She was found lying on the drive way at the side of the house in from Scarborough. Jasmine
Midfielder Anthony Sweeney must miss tonight's game at Notts County, after Hartlepool United's appeal against his dismissal on Saturday was rejected. Pools supplied video evidence and believed it showed the ball striking Sweeney in the face - and not
THE case against a 26-year-old man accused of killing a school dinner lady in an alleged hit-and-run crash has been delayed for two days. Alan Steel faces charges of causing death by dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, driving with no insurance
Rusty Hodgson - the Cleveland Bays 'Rider of the Year' has been given the opportunity to take the second reserve spot in the Redcar senior team and in so doing creates history as a third generation 'Bear'. His grandfather Frank was the club's post-war
Books make great presents, but there are so many to choose from. Our critics offer their pick of the year. HARRY MEAD AS IT WAS by Fred Trueman (Pan, £7.99) A LATE paperback hangover from 2005 - but why not, since Fred died this year, and his
QUESTION Tina (my dog) walks round in circles and in Feb this year the vet told us that it is most probably a brain tumour and that she may only have a week to a month to live. Now being May she is on two tablets a day. She is not as bright as she used
QUESTION I have found a hard lump slightly larger than a pea on the fleshy part of Tysons front, right arm pit, just above his elbow, hes had it for about 6 months (maybe longer,) however I thought it may just be a fatty lump or somthing, I hate taking
QUESTION My 13 year old female border collie has been really healthy all her life. Six months ago she went sudenly very deaf. Now when she shakes herself (as normal dogs do from time to time) she is very unbalanced, falling flat on her face more often
QUESTION Ever since he stayed over night at the vets for a op on his leg my dog wakes up in the early hours barking or coming upstairs. Up until a year ago he slept in the kitchen since he was a puppy, but for some reason we now let hims sleep in the
QUESTION I contacted you in the past about my dogs lump under his armpit, it's as small as a pea and quite hard. It doesn't seem to be causing him any problems, however Ive been treating him for cracked feet for the last few weeks, as he has a limp which
QUESTION About 3 weeks ago I noticed that my dog was panting, licking his lips, yawning, and rubbing his face on the carpet. I took him to the vet and we tried changing his diet (to rice and chicken) and benedryl twice a day. His symptoms didn't go away
QUESTION My cavelier Titchie was diagnised with a grade 5 heart murmur a year ago but was showing few symptoms when the vet examined him. He advised leaving him be without medication until he began to struggle. This never happenned and after a walk on
IN case you've been living in a cave all summer here's the scoop: the Zune is Microsoft's MP3 player, an exciting new device that's supposed to be an iPod killer.It went on sale in America a few weeks ago but you won't be able to grab one over here until
QUESTION My french bulldog has all the syptoms of having vestibular diease. My vet has her on phenabarb at the moment because at first she thought the dog was having seizers but me and my partner after doing a lot of research now know that it is vestibular
QUESTION My Dachshund puppy has developed white spots all over her body over the last 2 weeks. I have seen the vet who wasn't too concerned and said the puppy's immune system would fight them. However the spots are getting worse. What should I do?
QUESTION My dog had developed a cough, he was also coughing up white thick substance. I took him to the vets who had stated that he had Kennel Cough (but he had been into the kennels). Medication was perscribed - antibiotics and antihistimimes. He
QUESTION My dog has been diagnosed with the canine version of Bells Palsy. The righ hand side of his face is drooping. This happened a week a go and he was given an injection of an anit inflamatory and anitibiotic by the vet yesterday. Last night he
QUESTION Our dog has recently lost his ability to control his back legs. He has trouble getting up and his legs give out on him. Our vet has diagnosed him with an X-ray with spondylosis. I saw the X-ray and the bone fusions. She said that somewhere
QUESTION I have just been told my dog has disk calcification. He is now on metacam for the pain but he still seems to be in a lot of pain. What would you give him for the pain? Will he be ok long term? What else can i do for him. Thanks for your help
QUESTION Last May my 9 year old bitch had what seems to be a fit. She ran back and was unco-ordinated and unbalanced, yelping and frothing slightly at the mouth and her eyes appeared glazed. She remained like this for about 20 minutes before returning
QUESTION Thank you for your excellent information on vestibular attacks. My 15 year old dog has had a few very minor attacks (loss of balance/acting drunk) lasting just a few mins over the past 7 years. However, last Dec. she suffered a major attack
QUESTION Until a week ago Bess was a very lively bitch, jumping high fences, chasing cats etc. She started vomiting froth for four days, stopped eating and became quite lethargic. One morning she couldn't seem to walk and was very wobbly. The vet
QUESTION My puppy got hit with soccer ball and was limping in pain. the vet took x-rays and said he had a hairline fracture. had a splinter for 2 wks and then vet took splinter off. he was limping, bending his foot at the wrist and paw was twisted
QUESTION Our dog had an irritated ear last Wednesday, gave him canaral drops, by Thursday the whole right side of his face was drooping, his left eye was showing no responses, vet was seen that evening, diagnosed a stroke. Vivitonin was prescribed,
Publisher: Ncsoft Formats: PC Price: £29.99 Family friendly? 12+ THE Guild Wars franchise returns in plenty of time for the Christmas buying season. Developer Ncsoft reckons this instalment
A popular cafe in Norton so impresses it would qualify for a 'restaurant of the decade' title. THOSE great battalions of middle- aged and elderly ladies (to whose ranks may be added Mr George Brown in Spennymoor) who not only suppose that the
TONY Blair has opened the debate about the renewal of our Trident nuclear deterrent and already the usual suspects are turning up on the BBC and in all the papers to say we don't need it. Their argument is that, though the bomb was required in
PLANS to fly some patients to hospital by helicopter to ease the burden on road ambulances have been unveiled. The Yorkshire Air Ambulance says it wants to set up a network of landing sites for night-time patient transfers. The charity believes the proposals
TWO bridge players from a Darlington club have taken the top two spots in the region. Clive Owen and Malcolm Oliver, who are members of the St George's Bridge Club, in Whessoe Road, are ranked as numbers one and two across the North-East. The pair enjoyed
AN odd mix of new arrivals is adding to the variety of species at a nature reserve. The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust recently revamped its reserve in Washington, on Wearside, and has introduced several exotic birds to add to its collection of endangered
MORE people in the region are being prosecuted for race hate crimes, according to figures. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and the Commission for Racial Equality yesterday both denied there had been a dramatic rise in the number of assaults, saying
DOCTORS and nurses should be trained to spot the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning caused by faulty heaters, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) has said. The call comes at the start of national Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week
PLANS to provide youngsters with somewhere safe to go in the evenings have been drawn up. The youth drop-in centre would be open at least three evenings a week and would be run by Darlington Borough Council's youth service. Under the scheme, which will
JUST 14,000 passengers flew from Durham Tees Valley Airport during its first year - but that modest figure was probably a blessing in disguise. The former RAF base - where former Tory Cabinet Minister Norman Tebbit cut his teeth as a pilot during the
THE family of a 10-year-old boy were last night waiting for the phone call to say he had recovered consciousness after he was knocked off his bike. John Ashmore, of Darlington, was in a serious condition in The James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough
DARLINGTON Markets are offering shoppers the chance to win a Christmas hamper every day, for 12 days, from Friday. To enter, shoppers must complete a voucher available from any stall or shop within the covered market and put it in the raffle drum. Shoppers
A CELEBRATION to mark the completion of a £500,000 extension to Red Hall Community Centre, in Darlington, has been held. Improved facilities at the centre include a sports hall, refurbishment of the existing building, a medical room, a meeting room,
AN environmental scheme has been launched in a business park to protect a rare newt species. The £100,000 project will include a raft of measures to help the great crested newt at Faverdale Whin, near Faver-dale East Business Park. English Nature came
SHOPPERS will be able to enjoy street entertainment in Darlington this month. On Sunday, there will be a performance of the show How to Survive Christmas. On December 17, the Giant Penguins will be in town, while on December 23, Father Christmas' elves
A YOUNG rower from Stockton has been selected to compete for Great Britain in next month's Youth Olympic regatta in Australia. Chris Boddy, 19, has been following a stringent training programme at Yarm School, where he is completing a year of work experience
Former England and Yorkshire off-spinner Richard Dawson writes exclusively for The Northern Echo throughout the Ashes. I've heard the news about Freddie Flintoff's ankle and it would be a massive blow if he had to miss the next Test. He is a key, key
THREE charities have benefited from the Durham Shopping Extravaganza, held at the Ramside Hall Hotel, near Durham, in October. The event raised £19,000 and this year's beneficiaries were Darlington's St Teresa's Hospice, the Durham Agency Against
AN anti-smoking campaign group has warned publicans and other businesses not to rush out and install shelters for smokers ahead of next summer's ban. Last week, Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt announced that July 1 is the date when a ban on smoking in
CROWN STREET: IT'S not that often that I applaud Darlington Borough Council, but I must shout out three cheers for the redevelopment allowed to be carried out in Crown Street in the town centre. Once, Crown Street was deserted with only a library to
PLANS for a £250,000 investment in 20mph zones to boost safety for pedestrians and motorists in the Darlington area have been unveiled. Darlington Borough Council is planning to introduce reduced speed limit areas across the town and work could begin
TWO quilts made by a North-East quilting group to raise funds for Durham University's Project Sri Lanka will be on display in the region on Saturday. Linda Greener, from Heighington, near Darlington, challenged members of Patchwork and Quilting Darlington
A student has flown to Africa to climb one of the world's highest mountains and raise money for Cancer Research UK. Phillip Moore, from Newton Aycliffe, is among a group of 16 people who will climb Mount Kilimanjaro, in Tanzania. The 18-year-old, who
IRWIN MITCHELL has been named Law Firm Employer of the Year in the 2006 Paralegal Awards. The company, which employs 43 people at its Newcastle office, was presented with the award for its commitment to providing quality work, support, recognition
BBC Look North presenter Carol Malia has thanked regional law firm Dickinson Dees for its donation to the Children in Need appeal. The company, which employs 800 people in its Newcastle and Tees Valley offices, raised money with an online auction and
A MILKMAN with 45 years service has told how he curled up in a ball to stop attackers stealing his takings on his final round before retiring. The 62-year-old was set upon by two youths in Mariner's Court, Marske, east Cleveland, on Friday. Tom Green
A LORRY driver has been arrested after an early morning crash which left four men seriously hurt. The 4.30am collision between a lorry and a Vauxhall Astra van completely closed the A1 in North Yorkshire for more than six hours, causing delays for thousands
HAVE A DECKO IN THE ECHO Watch page 12 have a decko At the poems in the Echo. Long and short, funny and sad Some of them are not quite bad. Just a little bit of fun Nothing like it in the Sun. Local news from near and far, You don't get that in the Star
VINTAGE clothing retailer James Taylor has opened his first shop on Teesside. After selling retro and vintage items on the internet for several years, Mr Taylor has moved into premises at Regency West Mall, in Stockton. He set up Vintageville with business
PSYCHE has already made its name in fashion circles. The minimalist decor, ambient atmosphere and wide selection of some of the world's best-known brands - not to mention a fly-on-the-wall documentary - have had shoppers beating a path to owner Steve
ECOLOGISTS are working with the owners of the UK's deepest mine to encourage wildlife on its land. Already a survey has revealed significant numbers of rare butterflies living on countryside surrounding Boulby Mine, near Loftus, on the east Cleveland
THE Environment Agency is celebrating its tenth anniversary by asking the public to vote for the most iconic symbol from the environment. Twelve images have been shortlisted by the agency's staff, including windfarms and a recycling logo. Details can
TEXTILE artist Katie Sue Slater has set up her own business based on traditional techniques. The 21-year-old, who works from her studio in Sedgefield, County Durham, has launched her website - www.bykatiesue.com - where products can be viewed and bought
THERE were mixed fortunes for the region's companies when the National Recycling Awards were announced. 3M, in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, just missed out on the Best Industry Recycling Initiative category, having been shortlisted. The prize was
BUSINESSES in the region are being urged to do more to reduce the amount of packaging they produce. Government-backed environmental organisation Envirowise says the UK used the packaging equivalent of 1.25 billion standard cardboard boxes last year. Now
In the latest in our Success 2006 series featuring rising compainies, Mike Parker visits a father-and-son team that is carving out a niche in tress, landscaping and grounds maintenance. Terry Batson has never restricted himself to the merely physical,
BUSINESSES should be increasingly on their guard against telecoms hackers and unscrupulous telecoms suppliers. Not only are the fraudsters becoming more sophisticated in their methods, but they are also becoming more adept at manipulating the latest technology
A MILLION-POUND movie production centre has opened in the region, raising hopes the North-East's growing film industry can expand further. The Gateshead facilities are said to be some of the most advanced outside London. The centre has two final-cut
WHEN Ford unveiled a dramatic turnaround plan earlier this year there looked to be serious industrial strife brewing. Facing massive losses, the US carmaker wanted to close factories and make thousands of staff redundant in an attempt to cut its costs
IN the most recent case of religious discrimination to be decided by an employment tribunal, a finding was made that it was not unlawful to require a Muslim classroom assistant to remove her full face veil whilst in the classroom. The case involved Aishah
ETHICAL retailer Point OV has set ambitious targets to increase its turnover tenfold in the next three years and to create jobs in the region. The Newcastle firm wants to strengthen its presence in the lucrative ethical market, which is worth an estimated
Team Valley-based Responsive Engineering Group has created an internal sales and marketing team to support the company's growth and promotion activities. The team is led by group sales and marketing manager SIMON WORRALL, who will be responsible for all
TWO women who set up in business to help technology firms across the region have clinched a number of large contracts. Judith Peacock and Jill Newey launched Further Consultancy, based in Durham, in the summer to help companies promote their ideas and
FARMERS usually want to leave their working farm businesses to family members who work in the business, often making sure that the remainder of their estates pass to perhaps their spouse or other children, who do not work in the family business. Most
THREE staff at the Newcastle office of professional services firm Ernst & Young have been appointed to new jobs, as part of a period of strategic growth. Oxford University graduate CAROLINE MULLOY has been made a director of the firm and will be responsible
A TELECOMS specialist in the region has become the first company in Europe to be awarded an accolade for its technical excellence by IT communications group NEC Infrontia. Russell Telecom Ltd received the award for its forward-thinking approach to technologies
THANK God for Northern Stage. Without this revamped theatre's continued determination to deck the halls with alternative Christmas entertainment there would be nothing but "it's behind you" stage acts from Hexham to York. Director Neil Murray's
Van Morrison came to the Sage Gateshead, ran through his repertoire... and left. And even if it was tame affair, the audience was more than satisfied. The sellout event, comprising mainly the older generation and, dare one say, diehards fans, was
A ROTARY Club has launched its Christmas appeal for needy people in the poorest countries of the world. Newton Aycliffe Rotary Club is urging people to buy a gift from its catalogue, that will be donated to a deprived community or individual. For as
MAJOR changes have taken place at Bedale High School and more lie ahead, people were told at the annual presentation evening. Headteacher Graham Turner was introducing Vale of York MP and Shadow Education Minister Anne McIntosh, who presented awards and
SHERBURN Village has been lit up for Christmas for the third year running. Durham's Mayor, Jeff Lodge, on Saturday pressed the button to start the illuminations. The evening switch-on at the village green included the Salvation Army and pupils from Sherburn
A CHOIR will perform festive music to raise money for St Cuthbert's Hospice, in Durham. The Shiney Row Male Voice Choir will give a carol concert at Dobbies Garden World, in Durham Road, Birtley, on Wednesday, December 20, from 7.30 to 9.30pm. The choir
AN independent audit has found that a council gives value for money and is performing strongly in its financial management. Stockton Borough Council has improved its Use of Resources rating to four stars - the highest level possible - bettering its three-star
DURHAM Constabulary Band and Male Voice Choir are taking a break from tradition by changing venues for their Christmas charity concert. For the first time in 20 years, the musicians and choristers will appear at Durham Johnson School, rather than at the
A MAN was left with a fractured skull after a fight outside a Middlesbrough pub. Police are keen to speak to witnesses of the assault, which happened at about 2.30am on Friday, outside Bar Fresco, in Wilson Street. The 23-year-old fell to the floor after
BLACK and white images depicting the industrial history of Teesside are to feature in an exhibition at Preston Hall Museum, near Stockton. Bob Mitchell's Iron and Steel display consists mainly of images created with a large-format camera. His photography
A GROUP of accountants raised £2,500 for the Butterwick Children's Hospice, in Stockton, at their annual dinner. The Teesside Society of Chartered Accountants (TSCA), has now presented the cash to the hospice. TSCA chairman Graham Fitzgerald, client
A TOWN was forced to cancel its Christmas lights switch-on event after it was hit by galeforce winds on Sunday. Redcar's town centre manager, John Partridge, took the decision to cancel the event, which was to include performances by talent contest winners
A 50-year plan has been unveiled to reshape one of the region's most popular forests. The 468-hectare Guisborough Forest was planted after the Second World War, to replenish depleted timber stockS. But with the development of outdoor pursuits, and a greener
SUBBUTEO ace Mike Parnaby will pass on his finger-flicking skills to a younger generation with a training session at Grangetown Library, on Friday, from 5.30pm to 6.30pm. Mr Parnaby, who works for Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, has been playing
INNOVATIVE schemes have been rewarded by a council's third annual design awards. The awards, hosted by Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, hailed schemes which lit up Saltburn Pier, restored a Guisborough garden and redeveloped a disused petrol station
A BUSINESS in County Durham, which has revived the use of the humble telegram, is attracting attention from overseas. Imperial Telegrams was set up during the summer by Lotty Maddison, of Durham, and her father, Harold, a retired schoolteacher, to produce
MORE than 60 per cent of small businesses feel the Government fails to deliver the right level of support during their start-up and initial trading periods. A survey by Unicom found that less than 16 per cent of small firms believe the Government is
POLITICS: CORRESPONDENT M Anderson says that disenchanted Tory voters may soon vote for UKIP (HAS, Nov 29). It is equally likely that Labour voters will do so. Britain is part of a fascist country called "Europe". Fascism is the rule by a privileged
Chartered accountants unw has recruited five employees to its team in Newcastle as part of an ongoing expansion. MICHELLE DUNLOP has joined the company's audit and assurance and tax teams from Ward Hadaway, and Australian-born SARAH ALLIGAN will work
SATELLITE fitter Steven Jones spat at a female motorist and attacked her car with a hammer in a road-rage incident, a court was told yesterday. Harrogate magistrates heard how Jones, 30, had twice had his white van followed by Georgina Campell, 27, after
A WALL hanging featuring images of Yorkshire has gone on display. It was produced by members of Middleton Tyas Sewing Group and now hangs in the village hall. The 5ft by 4ft piece is the group's first project since it formed about nine months ago.
A TECHNOLOGY company has launched a unique booking service that could revolutionise the multi-million pound global cruise trip industry. Holiday IT Ltd, of Consett, County Durham, has designed the Cruise Trip booking engine, which helps travel agents
AN ambulance worker has travelled to Africa to spend Christmas helping disadvantaged communities. Peter Pollard, an ambulance care assistant based in Haxby, near York, has travelled to the southern African country of Lesotho. He will spend the next month
PEOPLE living in the Langley Park area can raise issues about policing and other services at a public meeting tonight. Derwentside's Multi-Agency Community Action Forum will meet at Langley Park Community Centre, Wood View, at 6.30pm. The area covered
RESIDENTS are fighting plans for a 50ft communications mast near a picturesque village. The mast has been proposed by a private company working on behalf of the Government. It would be near the road from Great Edstone to Kirkbymoorside. If approved by
THREE charities have benefited from an annual Christmas shopping event. The two-day Durham Shopping Extravaganza, in October at the Ramside Hall Hotel, near Durham, raised about £19,000. This year's beneficiaries were the Durham Agency Against Crime
SPRINGS Health and Leisure Club at Hartlepool Marina has announced the appointment of MARK APPLETON as its head chef. Mr Appleton has worked at several hotels and restaurants in the North-East and in the Lake District. He served his apprenticeship at
DURHAM'S MP says the city's new £30m Walkergate complex could need greater policing, as more bars open their doors. So far, only one bar, Loveshack, has been operating. But already fears have been expressed that the disorder and violence seen in North
McINERNEY Homes North-East has announced two new appointments to its staff as part of its continued strategic growth. HEATHER CLEMENTS has been appointed receptionist, and will play a vital role in customer relations, dealing with initial inquiries
DURHAM-based MGL Group has made several key appointments to its divisions. DAVE NEWTON has joined Rainton Construction as general manager of surfacing operations and KEVIN KENMIR has joined as senior contracts manager. Chartered engineer Dr PAUL STEADMAN
FORMER England football captain Alan Shearer joked about what his school careers teacher would be thinking now as he collected his honorary doctorate yesterday. The ex-Newcastle United striker, who retired from football in the summer, received the honorary
THE honour of switching on a village's Christmas lights was given to a reporter from The Northern Echo. The lights in West Auckland were turned on yesterday by Dan King, who works in the newspaper's Bishop Auckland office. Lights on the Christmas tree
COUNTING on Cloudmor (12.50) to help pay the expenses at Sedgefield today might not be such a bad idea. The recent rain must have been music to the ears of trainer Len Lungo, who is fully aware that the five-year-old is perfectly capable of holding his
THE staff in charge of running a brasserie created at Headlam Hall as part of a 2.5m spa project have been unveiled. DONNA PRICE has been made head chef, and has rejoined Headlam, where she worked from 1997 to 2001, when she moved to Durham County Cricket
RESIDENTS of three villages took to the streets yesterday to launch their Christmas anti-burglary patrols. Members of the Stillington, Huby and Sutton-on-the-Forest Neighbourhood Watch schemes, near York, will take it in turn to inspect their villages
THE leader of a health trust is to address councillors about plans to ease its financial dificulties. Ian McInnes, interim chief executive of Scarborough and North East Yorkshire Health Care NHS Trust, will give a talk to the county council's health
GUY Wilks saw his Junior World Rally Championship hopes go up in smoke at the weekend as a gearbox problem forced him to pull out of the Wales Rally GB. The Darlington driver, who began the final event of the season in second place in the overall rankings
CONCERNS over Jonny Wilkinson's future have prompted Newcastle Falcons to give a trial to former Cook Islands fly half Tommy Hayes. The 32-year-old ex-Worcester, Bristol and Glasgow player trained with the club last week and was in the Development XV
CUSTOMERS are being asked to help track down cowboy tradesmen. Trading standards officers are asking people to let them see any documentation - such as estimates, guarantees, receipts and cooling-off period details - received from a builder or roofer
TEESDALE District Council is not listening to the voice of the area's young people, say leaders of local youth groups. The criticism is aimed at councillors who voted to defer a planning application made by Teesdale Community Resources (TCR), which wants
TO southerner Dick Clement, penning The Likely Lads was like a crash course in Geordie culture. While he never went to university, Clement said his partnership with Whitley Bay-born Ian La Frenais was an education in itself. After the success of the hit
CONTROVERSIAL plans to divert a stream and build 150 homes on recreation ground are expected to be blocked by councillors this week. The application by Camtec Properties proposes building a mix of apartments and houses - including 30 affordable homes
THREE mental health facilities, costing a total of £12m, will open next week. Sandwell Park, a mental health hospital in Hartlepool, opens to the general public for the first time on Monday. An open day is being held to celebrate the completion of the
The parent teacher association at St Mary's Primary School, in Newton Aycliffe, is making the final preparations for its Christmas fair this week. There will be a selection of stalls including tombolas for adults and children, a chocolate stall and raffles
Almost a century after her father-in-law achieved sporting immortality by helping West Auckland retain football's first World Cup, Doris Rewcastle - getting on, but not letting on - has won national acclaim, too. In London last week, the Countess of Wessex
AS a region, we are constantly presented with challenges that we must overcome. For the North-East, there has been a great many barriers to achievement and a number of significant setbacks to our economy. I speak principally of the well-documented changes
TITUS Bramble has been ruled out of tomorrow's Premiership game with Reading, and the centre-half could be leaving Tyneside for good next month if his contractual situation is not resolved before the transfer window reopens. Bramble's calf complaint has
DESPITE enduring a barren spell in front of goal, striker Alun Armstrong is aiming to help Darlington return to winning ways tonight. Following nine unbeaten games, Quakers finally lost in Saturday's FA Cup defeat at home to Swansea City and tonight return
SKINCARE specialist Dermasalve is expecting sales of its new anti-bird flu hand gel to be so popular it is already planning to expand its market across Asia - even before the product has been launched. The Newcastle-based plc is manufacturing one million
A CHARTERED accountants in County Durham is relocating this week to help fuel growth. Allen Sykes Ltd, of Bishop Auckland, is moving from the site it has occupied in Cockton Hill Road for the past 45 years to offices at the town's South Church Enterprise
ENERGY efficiency company Eaga yesterday announced the acquisition of the White Horse Group, as it continues to work towards its aim of pushing turnover through the £1bn mark by 2010. The Newcastle-based firm has paid an undisclosed sum for the White
THE annual Festival of Songs for Christmas in Thirsk will take place in St Mary's Church on December 14. The event, which will start at 7pm, is organised by Thirsk Rotary Club and the town's Inner Wheel Club. It will feature songs performed by Northallerton
QUORN owner Premier Foods yesterday agreed a deal to buy Mr Kipling manufacturers RHM for £1.23bn. The proposed tie-up between Branston Pickle owner Premier and RHM was announced after a year of negotiations, and will create a business with annual sales
ROSS'S Pickles has secured £250,000 in funding to help it expand overseas. The company, based in Newburn, Newcastle, wants to tap into lucrative markets overseas. It also plans to use the investment from Evolve Finance, a division of NEL Fund Managers
A MOTOR dealership in County Durham is planning to double its workforce after investment in the business has seen its annual turnover top £28m. The Hillcrest Group, based in Seaham, is now the UK's main online dealer in new cars, and has made significant
IT'S a business worth millions of pounds to the North-East and one whose quality has long been acknowledged. Now, for the first time, efforts are under way to help the region's food industry achieve its true potential. The Strategy for Regionally Produced
THE North Yorkshire Probation Board yesterday published a disability equality scheme. The document aims to ensure that the board's services can be accessed by everyone with disabilities. It was drawn up following consultations with the public and representatives
TWO teenagers who tracked and caught a rapist have been nominated for an award in recognition of their bravery. Johnathan Stoker and Adam Barker, who are both 16, heard the woman's screams after she escaped from the spot where she had endured an hour-long
TRAINEE hairdressers from Bishop Auckland have been competing for the right to represent their college in a regional contest. The skills of 35 first and second year students from Bishop Auckland College were put to the test in the competition. They were
WALKERS can now enjoy a smoother passage across a section of the Cleveland Way. The North York Moors National Park Authority has removed the last stile in the western section of the long-distance route. The authority has removed 59 stiles on the Cleveland
COUNCIL WASTE: REGARDING the possible cut in funding to the Pioneering Care Centre, Newton Aycliffe (Echo, Nov 29 and Dec 2) As a council tax payer in the Sedgefield Borough Council area I applaud the news that Durham County Council is looking at ways
ACCOUNTANCY business NEL Fund Managers has appointed NICK EDGAR as investment executive at the firm, who will deal with the new 5m NEL growth fund, which aims to provide investments between 50,000 and 350,000 for regional companies with high-growth potential
A student has flown to Africa to climb one of the world's highest mountains and raise money for Cancer Research UK. Phillip Moore, from Newton Aycliffe, is among a group of 16 people who will climb Mount Kilimanjaro, in Tanzania. The 18-year-old, who
RESIDENTIAL care homes for the elderly should be phased out in North Yorkshire, according to a report. Proposals being drawn up by North Yorkshire County Council include a recommendation that communal care homes be replaced with housing schemes. The draft
TRADERS in the centre of Durham, hit by a fall in shoppers, were boosted by an influx of thousands of visitors for the city's Christmas festival at the weekend. The streets were packed on Saturday, and even though there was rain and high winds on Sunday
Help Me Help My Child (C4); The Choir (BBC2): Eight-year-old Danny has a man living in his head called Idiota, who threatens him and tells him to do harmful things. He believes if he eats certain foods he'll die. And if he picks up a knife, "he'll
GROWING North-East firm GreyRidge Software has appointed STEPHEN CAMPBELL as programme engineer. It is the second appointment in four months for Newcastle-based GreyRidge. Mr Campbell was previously programme engineer at Gateshead firm CTL, where he
HARTLEPOOL United will hear this morning if Antony Sweeney is available to play tonight at Notts County. Pools go to Meadow Lane, but have been unable to include the midfielder in their plans, after he was sent off in Saturday's FA Cup exit at Macclesfield
THIEVES have targeted a haulage company near Bishop Auckland for the second time in a fortnight. A dozen Michelin HGV tyres, worth £4,000, were stolen from High House Farm, in Butterknowle, between 6pm on Sunday and 4am on Monday. Diesel and a light
WHEN five local authorities sold a controlling interest in Teesside Airport four years ago, officials insisted the deal was in the best long-term interests of taxpayers and the regional economy. Without private sector investment, they warned, the airport
SOLICITOR Clive Owen & Co has appointed NICOLA BELLERBY as a regional tax partner based at its Durham office. Ms Bellerby, a chartered accountant and tax advisor, worked as tax partner at the firm's York office for four years and recently celebrated
Property is often viewed as a rock-solid investment.Memories have faded, somewhat, of the property crash of the early 1990s, which saw many homes repossessed. Direct investment into commercial property is beyond the means of most, but hope is on the horizon.On
arts support: For the fourth time in five years, Darlington Building Society has won a major award at the Mortgage Finance Gazette Awards Ceremony. The society won the award for support of the arts for the second year running, in particular its support
You have to feel sorry for British Airways.In keeping with the airline industry in general, BA enjoys a profile that its size alone fails to warrant. Recent years have seen the company at the lower end of the FTSE 100, but the company is rarely out of
POLICE are hunting a man who emptied a pensioner's handbag and used her bank card to withdraw money.The victim left her handbag on the bus when she got off at The Arnison Centre, Pity Me, Durham, at about 3.15pm on Monday, August 14.When she realised
TONY Blair was warned last night that he will be forced to rely on Tory MPs to force through £20bn plans for a new generation of Trident nuclear submarines.Scores of Labour MPs have voiced opposition to renewing Britain's nuclear weapons system - potentially
BURGLARS took apart a garage brick by brick in the dead of night before making off with three mountain bikes worth almost £6,000.The thieves also unwired three street lamps to plunge the area into darkness before dismantling the garage.Two adult bikes
NISSAN'S latest model, the Qashqai, will begin rolling off the production line today at its plant in Sunderland. The first car off the line, a 1.5 diesel, is destined for a customer in the UK. About 130,000 will be produced in Sunderland, alongside
Australia v England Adelaide Australia beat England by 6 wkts ENGLAND suffered a dramatic batting collapse to lose the second Test and deal a body blow to their hopes of retaining the Ashes. Australia completed a six wicket victory in Adelaide on the
MARK VIDUKA and Jonathan Woodgate both boarded the team flight destined for London, yet it was Middlesbrough's muted Mad Dog that manager Gareth Southgate was left hailing ahead of tonight's date with Tottenham. Viduka is in line to make his first appearance
STEVE Caldwell has claimed that the strength of Sunderland's midfield could be the crucial factor in maintaining the club's surge up the Championship table. Last weekend's 1-0 win over Norwich extended the Black Cats' unbeaten run to five games, and took
CAMPAIGNS to save services at local hospitals could cost 1,000 unnecessary deaths a year, it has been claimed. Patients suffering heart attacks or severe injuries are more likely to survive if the ambulance takes them to a specialist centre, rather than
COUNCILLORS are expected to approve major expansion plans for Durham Tees Valley airport within a matter of days. The £56m plans, which were submitted a year ago, will see the terminal building extended and refurbished, bringing its capacity up to three
A FARMER who was too old to look after his animals and too proud to ask for help has been banned from keeping livestock for life after what was described as one of the worst abuses of animal welfare in the region.George Albert Jopling, 76, whose family
A DESIGNER department store has unveiled plans to build a £5m five-star hotel complex which would double its current floor area and 65-strong workforce.The award-winning Psyche store wants to build three floors above its premises in Middlesbrough, to
A FOOTBALL mascot is in the doghouse after falling foul of club officials.Darlington Football Club will keep their mascot on a tight leash for future games after a "bit of mischief" in front of the TV cameras at the weekend.Darlo Dog had to be escorted
WORK on a £60m power plant on Teesside is once again being threatened by industrial action due to an employment dispute, it emerged last night. The Amicus union has warned that its members working on the Wilton 10 project could vote on taking action
We may be used to Florence Nightingale being hailed a heroine, but what about Jordan and Camilla? Womens' Editor Sarah Foster speaks to author Jessica Ruston and finds out who we really rate. WHEN Jessica Ruston called up Google and entered 'heroines
Tony Blair said yesterday it would be 'dangerous' for Britain not to hve a nuclear deterrent as he unveiled plans to upgrade the ageing nuclear missile system, Trident. Lindsay Jennings looks at the key issues surounding the debate. IT has been seen
