This Spanish wine has a deep ruby/purple colour with a nose of sweet blackberries, smokey fruit and espresso. The palate is full-bodied and well balanced with ripe tannins and a long tasty finish. It's 14% alcohol and should go well with most red meat
PEOPLE who believe in aliens have inundated an airport switchboard to report seeing strange lights in the sky - not realising the UFO is a futuristic new control tower. Newcastle International Airport chiefs are receiving weekly calls from superstitious
THIEVES armed with industrial saws have stolen equipment valued at more than £70,000. Three men broke into the compound of Advanced Utility Solutions, at Lawson Industrial Estate, Middlesbrough, and left with their haul within an hour. The site was
A MAN died during the early hours of this morning after his car left the road, ran down an embankment and crashed through a wooden fence. Mark Ellis, 34, from Nunthorpe in Middlesbrough, has been named by Cleveland Police as the driver. His Rover MGZS
Apollo Doors Gateshead Youth League BEAMISH Blues clearly had the better of Beamish Reds when they met in the Under-11s division. From the kick-off Blues were in the ascendancy and romped to an 8-0 victory with Jake Hall and James Blanchard in particularly
Coxhoe United Girls, Under-13s. THE girls finally got playing after a two-week layoff and started slow for the first five minutes with Deerness having a lot of the ball. They then stepped up a gear and started to dominate with wide players Lucy Hubery
Consett Sunday League A magnificent seven goals saw Stanley Royal maintain their 100 per cent record in the league as they close in on the title. Former Blackhill Comrades striker Lee Innes struck four times in the 7-1 home success against Consett Steel
THE Durham County FA officially launched its FA Charter Standard School Ambassador Scheme in February. The Scheme has been developed by County FA Education Development Officer Chris Smith who with other interested partners identified and recruited key
stand-in skipper Shaun Hope says Billingham Synthonia their team spirit can help them into the semi finals of the FA Vase for the first time in their history, writes ray simpson. The former Bishop Auckland defender will wear the captain's armband in place
Billingham Synthonia skipper Simon Shaw will miss tomorrow' s FA Vase quarter-final home tie against Bideford but he will still be shouting for his team mates. Shaw misses one of the biggest games in Synners' history because of a three-match suspension
A TROUBLE-PLAGUED pub is facing an uncertain future after Cleveland Police objected to its latest licensee applicant. The Halfpenny, in Middlesbrough, has attracted the attention of officers following major concerns over the level of crime and disorder
MORE than £675,00 is being invested in sports coaching in North Yorkshire as preparations continue for the 2012 Olympics. The money will be used to fund 12 coaches for the next three years. They will work in the five districts of North Yorkshire with
The Thirsk Royal British Legion Band is to play at a church service in the town. The service, with music by the band, starts at 6.30pm in the Methodist Church on St James Green on Sunday, March 11. A collection is to be shared between the Anthony Nolan
TEENAGERS are to have a voice in the future of their area following the establishment of a youth council. The new organisation received the backing of Richmondshire District Council, which praised young people for their hard work in setting up the project
A CHOIR is holding an open evening in an attempt to attract new members. Northallerton Male Voice Choir is inviting prospective singers to its rehearsal rooms at Northallerton Methodist Church from 7.30pm on Thursday. The choir will be in rehearsal and
Chris Morton will give a slide show at Brompton Methodist Church, called Mountain, Lake and Sea, on Wednesday, March 14, at 7.30pm. It will feature landscape images of Snowdonia, the Lake District, the Trossachs and the north-east coast.
SPRING has barely begun but already people have queued for up to six hours for a piece of Christmas magic. Theatregoers started standing in line at 3.15am when tickets for this year's pantomime at the York Theatre Royal went on sale yesterday. First in
QUILTER Phillipa Naylor is to give a talk at the Methodist Church, in Thirsk. Also at the event will be fabric and craft suppliers Ragbags Recycled Fabrics, The African Fabric Shop and Barnyarns Craft and Embroidery. The free event takes place on Saturday
A CEREMONY of children's books had a touch of the Oscars, with a golden envelope revealing the winner. More than 750 youngsters voted for their best read out of a shortlist of five. Dominic Barker, author of Blart, made the winners speech at a ceremony
TOWN councillors at Bedale will fulfil a double engagement later this month. March 15 will see the official opening of a disabled-friendly public toilet block built for the town council in part of a garage behind Bedale Hall in North End. The toilets
TWO young boys made up a story about being attacked with a makeshift flame-thrower to cover up a dangerous prank which backfired, police said. The pair, aged 11 and 12, told police they were attacked by three men who turned an aerosol can into a flame-thrower
A BURGLAR may have crept into a Darlington primary school yesterday - but staff were far from worried. For Burglar Bill was joined by the Fat Controller, Flat Stanley and other characters for St Augustine's celebration of the tenth World Book Day. All
PEOPLE searching for a Mother's Day gift with a difference can look to a community centre for inspiration. Billingham Community Centre is hosting a professional workshop to demonstrate relaxation therapies and techniques. There will be a variety of sessions
FARMERS are being invited to find out about conservation during an annual farm walk. Sedgefield Borough Council's sustainable communities team and Tyne Tees Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG) are running the seventh annual farm walk in the Sedgefield
A THIEF was convicted for the 33rd time since 1997 yesterday - but was still spared prison. Gareth James Buckton, 25, of Station Road, Darlington, pleaded guilty at Darlington Magistrates' Court to stealing four ladies' watches worth £108 from Marks
A WORKERS' co-operative run by and for people with disabilities threw open its doors to the public yesterday. Endeavour Woodcrafts, in Ferryhill, showed visitors the range of hand-crafted items it makes and sells - from bird tables and planters to dolls
SIXTEEN cars have been towed away as part of a police blitz on untaxed vehicles. Officers, police community support officers (PCSO) and the DVLA carried out the operation in Ushaw Moor, Brandon, Esh Winning and New Brancepeth. Vehicles without a disc
A PLAN to build 27 houses is to be debated by a planning committee. Bett Homes has submitted the application to Derwentside District Council to develop land at Four Winds, on Wesley Terrace, Castleside. The site is rough grassland and was previously a
A JUDGE warned a reforming amphetamine addict he risks a prison sentence if he reverts to his drug-taking habit. It follows 37-year-old Paul Andrew Smith's eighth conviction for possessing the Class B drug. Durham Crown Court heard he was initially charged
WEAR Valley District Council has approved a funding bid which could see two communities given a £40m makeover. Coundon and Tow Law could each get more than £20m-worth of improvements if the bid, for money set aside to regenerate former mining towns,
A VILLAGE football club is preparing to kick off the second half of the season in style, thanks to a grant from the County Durham Foundation. Coxhoe United will be sporting a new-look kit for their remaining matches, after receiving £7,000 through the
A POLICE inspector is urging a community to contribute to the fight against crime. Inspector Jim Kilgallon is the new officer in charge at Stanley police station.The 49-year-old, who was brought up in South Moor and still lives in Derwentside, is setting
ONE of the most loyal supporters of markets in North Yorkshire has decided to take life easier after 45 years in the business.Greengrocer Colin Garner, 59, from Bedale, has been a familiar figure to market shoppers since he was 14, but his stall was established
THIEVES stole a set of gates from a cemetery in Middlesbrough, only hours after they were installed.The ornate, galvanised steel gates, worth more than £5,000, were put in place at the Roman Road entrance to Linthorpe Cemetery on Wednesday afternoon.But
A police force has hit back at claims that it is failing to tackle an anti-social behaviour problem.Thirsk police have been criticised for failing to tackle a long- running difficulty with youths in the area.Local residents say gangs of youths run amok
COUNCIL TAXBEFORE our leaders at Wear Valley District Council get too carried away (Echo, Feb 27) regarding the low council tax rises for this year (but still double inflation) might I remind them that, year-on-year, they are levying a percentage against
AN award-winning farmers' market will go on being held in a town centre, thanks to a council amending its proposal to increase the site rent.Twenty traders will be delighted with the news as they put up their stalls today for the monthly selling day in
A HEADTEACHER has penned his last musical play for pupils before retiring later this year.Tony Reather, who been at the helm of All Saints Primary School, in Lanchester, for 20 years, is standing down in the summer.The 54-year-old has written six musical
A LOT of colourful characters turned up at a village school yesterday and did a great deal of giggling as they tried to guess each others' names.Fat Bag, Tooth Fairy, Ugly Sister and an Executioner were among the costumes worn by pupils at Ingleton to
A SCHEME is being launched in Bishop Auckland to re-educate men who abuse their wives, partners or children.Twelve men with a history of violent behaviour are being offered weekly sessions with four trained advisors.All of those taking part will be men
A COUNCIL is to spend £50,000 to help improve parenting skills of families with children who have anti-social behaviour problems.Easington District Council was recently awarded the funding from the Government and has decided to use it on an innovative
SCHOOLS yesterday celebrated the written word with events to encourage youngsters to read.World Book Day was marked with themed reading activities to spark enthusiasm, even among disinterested youngsters.Based on an old Catalan tradition, in which roses
DURHAM Citizen's Advice Bureau is holding an outreach session at Coxhoe Village Hall, from 2pm to 3pm, on Tuesday, March 13. For more information call 0191-384-2638.
A SCHOOLGIRL who has made a tireless contribution to the community has spoken of her surprise and delight at being honoured. Eastbourne School pupil Samantha Weller, 15, was crowned Young Citizen of the Year at the Best of Darlington Awards. She also
STUDENTS from Darlington College have been put through their paces Army-style to test their stamina and leadership skills. Abseiling, assault courses, rock climbing, route marches, orienteering and a pitch-black maze were among some of the tests endured
AN elderly man injured in a rush hour car crash on Friday is in a critical condition. The man is believed to be 77-year-old Robert Beevers, a former personnel manager at The Northern Echo, who lives in Elton Road, Darlington. Mr Beevers was airlifted
TRAFFIC CALMING OVER many months, friends living on Eastmount Road, Hurworth, have expressed concerns over the volume and speed of traffic using this road. They have suffered a number of incidents involving damage to property and vehicles. The extent
Tow Law Scottish Courage League Lanchester Black Bull went four up on their visit to Esh Football Club but then struggled before winning by the odd point. Paul Clish, Graham Fairish, Andy Clish and Jason Wright won the first four before Chris Neil put
The proposed new UniBond League First Division may not go ahead after all - and that could mean disappointment for at least two Northern League clubs. There has been much discussion and speculation over the last few months concerning the new UniBond division
A football dynasty stretching back almost a century ended this week. Bernard Fairbairn resigned after 46 wind-blasted years as secretary of Tow Law Town FC. His father was secretary before that, his grandfather preceded his dad. Kevin, Bernard's lad,
A MIDDLESBROUGH demolition firm has been fined for illegally burning scrap and building debris.The fine of £7,500, with £855 costs, which is the heaviest ever secured by Middlesbrough Council in an air pollution case, was imposed by Teesside magistrates
A MIDDLESBROUGH school has received high praise from Government inspectors.The Ofsted report on 289-pupil Rose Wood Primary School, Coulby Newham, says it is "a good school with outstanding features in the curriculum".It quotes one parent as saying: "
RESIDENTS of Ferryhill who put the life and soul into their town have been rewarded at an annual awards ceremony.The fourth Ferryhill Good Citizenship Awards event highlighted the efforts of ten of the town's most community-spirited residents.In a ceremony
AN award-winning youth project heralded by community leaders as "the way forward" is in danger of coming to an end unless new funding can be found.Red Hall Play Work project, in Darlington, is in its fourth successful year of providing out-of-school activities
A PUB landlord has issued a £1,000 reward for information after vandals tried to set fire to five cars parked outside his family home.John Howe, his partner Carole Jacques and their two children were away from their home in Flag Terrace, in Sunniside,
A NUMBER of events are being organised to showcase activities and opportunities in deprived areas of County Durham. The Wear Valley Community Network and Crook Community Partnership will hold three sessions this month. They will take place at: * Coundon
IMPROVED economic growth in North Yorkshire has seen a council scoop more than £160,500. Hambleton District Council has been given £162,262 from a central Government pot of money. It was awarded the money through the Local Authority Business Growth
A PETITION is being prepared by residents of a Darlington street who believe an accident is imminent because of poor road markings.Residents of The Broadway, off Yarm Road, in Eastbourne, have complained to ward councillor Ian Haszeldine that the absence
A decidedly older audience welcomed the silver-haired singer on to the stage, hardly believing their luck that the Woodstock veteran was playing Gateshead. But the venue, which was sneered at by some as a white elephant, has been successful in attracting
The North-East expert who wants us to eat oily fish to help our brains develop has now turned her attention to our children's worrying 'co-ordination deficit'. Health Editor Barry Nelson investigates. IN the 'good old days' kids roamed the back streets
THIS year's unseasonably mild weather is confusing all manner of creatures -now English Heritage is asking for the public's help to find out just how bewildered the wildlife really is. The warm winter is causing hibernating animals such as bats and hedgehogs
Was Billy the Kid as mean and violent as history has portayed him - or was he really a nice yong man who'd been bullied as a child and now deserves a pardon? He was the most notorious gunman in the history of the Wild West. Hundreds of books and films
Director Ian Brown's production of the Scottish play is notable mainly for not being in the slightest bit Scottish. Nothing particularly wrong with that. Not so long ago York Theatre Royal gave us a Japanese-style Macbeth, which sounded gimmicky but worked
ALL'S not lost in Leeds after all. Although still bottom of the table, the football team lost only 1-0 away to two promotion-chasing teams this week, and just when it seemed Headingley might become a ballroom Martyn Moxon rode to the rescue. Appointing
PROVING that science can be found in the most ordinary of things, scientists yesterday walked, ran and hopped across a vat of custard. The stunt, at Newcastle's Centre for Life, was arranged to launch the Newcastle Science Festival, which runs from March
AN entrepreneur has combined his passion for motorbikes with his expertise in design and engineering to develop a deterrent to reduce cycle thefts. Glenn Schofield, from Newcastle, believes his VLok tear-shaped anti-theft motorcycle lock could achieve
WASHINGTON company The Simpson Group is on the lookout for two new company managers to help continue the business's rapid expansion. The high-level recruitment comes as part of a managerial restructure, which will see managing director Mark Simpson move
MORE than 300 jobs in the region were under threat last night after the company behind two of the North-East's most famous department stores went into administration. The future of Joplings, in Sunderland - which has traded in the city
I'VE never been to a rainforest or a coral reef. I've seen a few polar bears, but they've been in captivity, or cartoons. So when I talk to the 200 people at the national conference on climate change in Middlesbrough next week, I can't speak as a naturalist
THE Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) yesterday called on the Chancellor to address skills and business regulation issues. In its Budget submission to the Treasury on behalf of its 200,000 members, the FSB said the better training of basic skills at
Jason Gardener insists he can overcome the distraction of the birth of his second child to win a fourth straight European indoor 60 metres title. Despite his family commitment and an indifferent start to the season due to a debilitating flu virus, the
A NORTH-EAST expert on child development has teamed up with a national retailer to tackle the UK's "co-ordination deficit". Dr Madelaine Portwood, a senior educational psychologist with Durham County Council, believes that British children face a crisis
ABOUT 60 jobs in the region were under threat last night as outdoor clothing specialist Blacks Leisure said it was looking to close about 45 shops across the UK after an ongoing decline in profits. The firm said the axe would fall predominantly in its
UP to 21,000 prominent business figures from across the world will hear about the benefits and achievements of the North-East at an international property conference later this month. A delegation from both the public and private sector the region, led
ABOUT 150 engineering jobs could be created in the Tees Valley during the next three years after Amec won a major share in a £500m contract with power company National Grid. Engineering group Amec yesterday secured a deal to upgrade overhead power lines
Michael Vaughan believes buoyant England head to the West Indies today as ''dark horses'' to win the World Cup. Less than two months ago England would have been considered rank outsiders as their tour of Australia lurched from a 5-0 Ashes whitewash to
THE comments made by Judge Michael Taylor yesterday in connection with the handling of child sex cases make grim reading. This is a man with extraordinary experience of dealing with legal issues surrounding child sex cases. As a barrister 20 years ago
A POLICE force was last night planning talks with the Crown Prosecution Service after celebrity lawyer Nick Freeman exposed a legal loophole which led to a drink driving case being dropped. Mr Freeman, who was at Northallerton Magistrates' Court, North
A cancer patient is anxiously waiting to hear from NHS bosses whether she can receive a drug that could extend her life. Kathleen Devonport, 63, of Chilton, near Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, has been told that the recently-licensed drug Sutent is the
THERE is no danger of Roy Keane's first managerial honour going to his head, after the Sunderland boss threatened to consign the manager of the month award for February to the garage. But, while the Irishman is choosing to regard his reward for his achievements
MORE and more prisoners are being crammed into an already overcrowded North-East jail every year. The latest figures, from January, show that Durham Prison houses almost 400 more people than it was built to accommodate. As of January, there were 976 men
Phil Vickery has revealed the unlikely source of his ''only positive'' element to emerge from England's record RBS 6 Nations defeat in Dublin last Saturday - Brian O'Driscoll. The Ireland captain offered words of encouragement to his shell-shocked opposite
Darlington Mowden Park are hoping to have Newcastle's Tim Visser for the rest of the season, although the Falcons can recall him, if necessary. The 19-year-old Dutchman, who was brought over by the Falcons to complete his education at Barnard Castle,
BARNARD Castle School's No 8, Alex Gray, is hoping to follow in the footsteps of his late uncle, Dave Mitchell. Despite being only 15, Alex steps out with the senior school team in the Daily Mail Cup semi-final against Berkshire's Wellington College at
THE disqualification of a councillor accused of trying to alter minutes of a school governors meeting is being investigated. Durham county councillor for Lanchester Tom Forster has been suspended by his party pending an inquiry by the National Executive
THE London Stock Exchange surrendered initial gains yesterday to leave investors facing a third successive session of heavy losses. The FTSE 100 Index was up 59 points by mid-morning, but suffered a sudden loss of confidence to reach lunchtime 52.3 points
A COUNCIL leader has received an OBE for his services to local government. Alex Watson, leader of Derwentside District Council since 1990, was presented with his honour by the Queen at Buckingham Place on Wednesday. The 64-year-old grandfather, from Consett
A WEEKEND of protests against NHS cuts gets under way across the region today with a demonstration at the gates of the region's only blood centre. Blood service workers, all members of the health union Unison, will demonstrate outside the Newcastle Blood
THE Princess Royal yesterday officially launched a new ferry before she took a trip across the River Tyne. Princess Anne, who arrived at South Shields, South Tyneside, to be met by Bernard Garner, the boss of ferry operator Nexus, and Tyne and Wear Passenger
LEE Clark's young side lost their first league game of the year as Manchester United's second string ran out 3-0 winners at Hyde United's Ewen Fields ground. Despite dominating the second period, the Magpies were unable to get back into the game after
AN exhibition celebrating the birth of British democracy goes on show in the North-East today - the first time the rare collection has been seen by the general public. The collection, which includes Britain's first ballot box, has been housed behind closed
SUNDERLAND have revealed a lucrative new partnership with England kit manufacturers Umbro and chairman Niall Quinn indicated the signing of a five-year deal shows the progress being made on Wearside. The seven-figure contract, the exact details of which
MODEST Hartlepool boss Danny Wilson last night played down his award-winning role. Wilson was named as League Two's manager of the month for the second time this season, when he won the award for February. Pools' five consecutive victories last month
DARLINGTON expect to extend the loan of Middlesbrough defender David Wheater today. However, the 20-year-old will not be staying beyond the March 31 game at Barnet because his maximum 93-day emergency loan period expires on April 4. Six games remains
Last month regular correspondent John Reynolds, of Eldon, County Durham. sent in his reflaections in Geordie about how a flurry of snow had sent the region into a panic.It proved so popular, we've decided to give John an occasional Geordie slot. He'll
A COLLEGE that bowed to pressure to admit its first male students in its 105-year history has now moved to meet new demands for a women's-only wing. Eighteen months after Durham University's last single-sex college welcomed its first intake of men, it
As Cleveland Police launch a crackdown on dangerous dogs, RSPCA officers say the training of such animals could end in tragedy. Helen Cook follows the raids.The ten-metre-square courtyard was the perfect setting for a blood sport the RSPCA warn could
A FAMOUS fan has written a musical tribute to Middlesbrough footballer Mark Viduka to persuade the Aussie striker to stay in the North-East.Alistair Griffin, the runner-up of BBC talent search Fame Academy, changed the lyrics of Leonard Cohen's ballad
LIVE ducks were thrown to dogs to give them a taste for blood before they fought to the death, it has been revealed.Senior police and RSPCA officers last night pledged a major crackdown on the criminals behind the illegal sport.It follows early morning
DRIVERS in the region were among the thousands of worried motorists who reported engine problems linked to the fuel contamination crisis. An investigation has been launched by Trading Standards officers after motorists said they had experienced problems
THE Football Association confirmed last night that Emre will have the opportunity to answer allegations of racism at a hearing on March 19. And Newcastle United, who issued a strongly worded statement after becoming unhappy with the national media's coverage
DURHAM chief executive David Harker has warned Yorkshire to forget about any attempt to poach former head coach Martyn Moxon on the cheap. Geoff Cook was confirmed as Durham's new head coach yesterday following his predecessor's resignation on Tuesday
ONLY one in ten consumers in the region would prefer to buy their food and drink from major supermarkets, research has revealed. The survey by Oxfam found that while 88 per cent of people in the North-East used supermarkets, more than half would prefer
GARETH Southgate is to invite Argentina coach Alfio Basile to the Riverside in an attempt to win Julio Arca his first senior international cap. With Arca having hit a rich vein of form since switching to central midfield, the Middlesbrough manager will
Margot's hair salon in Shildon has not only been cutting, perming and blow waving for 60 years, its staff have been raising thousands of pounds for charity as well. IT'S almost like a social club. At Margot's everyone - staff and customers - is so friendly
A JUDGE has blasted the handling of child sex cases by police and said crucial lessons from the Cleveland child abuse scandal 20 years ago had not been learnt.Yesterday, Judge Michael Taylor said the police and the legal system were "utterly failing"
It has its origins in the Coliseum combats of ancient Rome, but the bloodthirsty world of dog fighting is proving just as ghoulishly addictive today - despite its illegality. Lindsay Jennings reports. IT was Emperor Lucullus who was, reputedly, the first
MORE than two years after an airport's name changed, the road signs have finally been updated.Teesside Airport changed its name to Durham Tees Valley Airport on September 21, 2004, after airlines suggested rebranding would attract more customers.Since
