A MAN has been airlifted to hospital with suspected head injuries after being struck by a car. The accident happened on Newgate Street, Bishop Auckland, County Durham, at about 10.30pm tonight. The man was unconscious when the emergency services arrived
A NORTH-EAST city's impressive array of flowers, plants and landscape were placed under the critical eye of judges today. Experts from the Royal Horticultural Society were visiting the Durham City, as it bids for success in this year's Britain in Bloom
A MOTORCYCLIST has died following a road traffic accident on the A171 near Whitby, North Yorkshire. The accident involved a motorcycle, HGV and a car. The road is closed until further notice.
SUSPECTED crack cocaine dealers have been arrested during a police raid at a house in Middleton St George, near Darlington. Drugs squad officers stormed the home at 11.30pm on Wednesday night - only days after making arrests at an address in the town
Low energy, breezy, inoffensive. Almost like a lounge room version of hip hop. Surely this genre was never meant to sound like this.
This is a decent collection of easy going, laid back indie-pop tunes. Uncomplicated, seemingly effortless and just nice.
This record drifts along and is almost dreamlike in quality. Perhaps that's why I almost fell asleep listening to it.
FOLLOWING hot on the heels of the surprise Broadway smash, the remake of the 1988 film brings the John Waters cult classic full circle. This time, the cast is packed full of Hollywood A-listers, including Michelle Pfeiffer, Christopher Walken and
ANDY WELCH looks at the legacy of Elvis Presley as the anniversary of his death is marked by a double-CD release BORN in the Mississippi backwaters on January 8, 1935, to a poorly paid truck driver dad and seamstress mother, Elvis Aaron Presley
THE Ministry of Defence has confirmed the names of the two RAF personnel who were killed when their Puma helicopter crashed near Catterick, North Yorkshire last night while taking part in a routine training exercise. Group Captain Paul Lyall, Station
THE walker is the name given by a US magazine editor to the men, usually gay, who step out to social events as escorts of the wives of politicians and other influential men. Writer-director Paul Schrader's new film is a companion piece to his American
YET another feature film about penguins might seem unnecessary after the animated Happy Feet and documentary March Of The Penguins. Surf's Up proves its worth by doing something different with its computergenerated birds. Rather than a cute and
WAITRESS proved writer, director and actress Adrienne Shelly's final film. She was murdered in November 2006, shortly before Waitress was shown at the Sundance Film Festival. A 19-year-old construction worker confessed to killing her during an argument
THE outtakes at the end of Licence To Wed show the cast laughing manically. I'm glad they found something funny. Obviously, they hadn't been watching this latest Robin Williams movie - I refuse to use the word comedy - about a minister who makes
POLICE seized thousands of pounds worth of cannabis plants and cultivating equipment in a raid on a house in Willington, County Durham this morning. Beat officers discovered the drugs farm in the two upstairs bedrooms of the terraced house in Wesley
One of the highlights of the annual Goodwood Revival historic motor race meeting, due to be held from 31 August to 2 September this year, is the St Mary's Trophy race for period saloon cars, like your father used to drive. Following last year's thrilling
Solutions ACROSS 1 Forceps. FO+R+C+EPS 5 Casuals. CASUAL+S 9 Reactor. RE+ACT+OR 10 Spartan. (two meanings) 11 Still life. STILL+LIFE 12 Ennui. E+NNU+I (nun anag.) 13 Elgar. EL+G(A)R 15 In private. IN+PRIVATE 17 Massinger. MAS
Cryptic Clues ACROSS 1 They may be used in deliveries of Foreign Office records after Rex gets caught (7) 5 Careless with son's shoes (7) 9 Concerning something done to gold when it is used in a nuclear power station (7) 10 Ancient Greek is simple
A DRUNKEN drifter pulled his pensioner mother from her bed and dragged her around her home - because he could not find his supper, a court heard today. Kevin Williams was told he had behaved in a "disgraceful" way when he attacked the 66-year-old in
MY Bad Pennies and I are off to Saltburn Festival this weekend, to join a guest-list that includes Vin Garbutt, Nancy Kerr and James Fagan, John Tams, Chis While and Julie Matthews, Last Night's Fun, John Wright, Sara Grey and the festival's answer
CD REVIEWS: Tracey/Wellins play Monk (ReSteamed Records RSJ104) ReSteamed Records has been formed by Clark Tracey to issue recordings by his dad, Stan, and we've already seen some rare and desirable items from the 1960s. Now, he's focused on more
Purcell: Phantasies, Ayres & Chaconys, The Flautadors (Deux-Elles DXL1123) The Flautadors recorder quartet joins with lutenist David Miller to explore the works of British composers, Henry Purcell and Matthew Locke. Purcell used the recorder in
FROM time to time, there are certain songs that create an impression that lasts, and in my radio days there were many. The Eagles' Lying Eyes, timed at six minutes 31 seconds, allows an on air' presenter time to reach the boys' room, or to answer
AT least two of those hurt in the fatal RAF helicopter crash are today fighting for their lives in hospital. A spokeswoman for South Tees Hospitals NHS Trust said two of the victims were in a critical condition before being airlifted to James Cook University
NEWCASTLE United new boy Joey Barton today denied attacking a former Manchester City team-mate in a training ground bust-up. Barton, 24, appeared at Trafford Magistrates' Court to face one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. The England
THE Puma is the oldest helicopter in RAF service and is due to be phased out by 2010. Thirty-three of the transport aircraft remain in service, 15 of them at RAF Benson, in Oxfordshire, including the Puma which was involved in the crash on Wednesday
RAF and police have this morning begun to recover the bodies of two people who died when a military helicopter crashed near Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire. The Puma helicopter, which plummeted into a field near woodland close to the hamlet of Brokes
A PENSIONER is in a critical condition this morning after being struck by a bus. Phylis McDonnell was airlifted to Newcastle General Hospital after suffering severe head injuries in the accident in Durham City. The 80-year-old, from the Gore Hill Estate
IT was with amazement that I read the letter from John Heslop (HAS, Aug 6) in which he refers to Gordon Brown as "one of the people responsible for the floods". I would suggest that the only person who could possibly be held responsible in any
I WAS absolutely appalled to read that Durham City Council had no replacement carbon monoxide detectors (Echo, Aug 7). How on earth could the council have allowed themselves to get into this position? Why did they not have back-up stock of such
REGARDING your story about the three teenagers believed to have plotted to get themselves rescued by RAF helicopter from St Mary's Island, off Whitley Bay, North Tyneside (Echo, Aug 2). Can I suggest they pay the costs of that trip, now; that they
THE European Union and the part this country plays as a member is under discussion and I think there are people who want a vote on whether we sign up to the amended arrangement which is now not being called a constitution. I voted against the Common
WHENEVER a British Prime Minister visits a US President the importance of the "special relationship" - described as onesided with the Americans always having the upper hand - comes alive. The essence of a special relationship is that is built
IN wishing the best for most North- East football teams this season, history is certainly against the "big two" in the Premiership, and things do not augur well for Middlesbrough either. Taking Newcastle, one has to question the "injury prone"
AFTER all the photographs of Posh and Becks lately, what a pleasure to see your front page picture of the Red Arrows flying over Roker beach as part of the Sunderland International Air Show (Echo, July 30). With the warship and rainbow beneath
TV and Entertainments Editor Viv Hardwick talks to former Darlington Civic Theatre director Brian Goddard about his record-breaking days as the venue begins the run-up to its 100th anniversary celebrations. BRIAN Goddard, the man who created the legend
Steve Pratt talks to York playwright Alexander Gerald Wright about his involvement in a trio of productions which are heading for the famous Edinburgh Festival fringe. ALL budding playwright Alexander Gerald Wright wants to do at the moment is put his
WHEN we think of cooking programmes, the usual image conjured up is of supremely talented chefs making the most difficult of recipes look effortless. Kitchen Criminals, however, is a cooking show about people who certainly don't know their onions. The
UK DVD/VIDEO RENTAL 1 (-) Blades Of Glory 2 (-) Hills Have Eyes 2 3 (2) The Number 23 4 (3) The Blood Diamond 5 (4) Ghost Rider 6 (5) Breaking And Entering 7 (6) The Messengers 8 (7) Norbit 9 (8) Outlaw 10 (9) Premonition Supplied by
MARRIED butcher Ashley Peacock says he feels guilty about bedding Casey and then promptly goes for a repeat performance in Coronation Street (ITV1). "Please, miss, can I have some more?," he asks the hussy, sleeping with her again after wife Claire announces
Fat and bald has become the on-screen image for Jeff Bridges as he prepares to bring a surfing penguin to the big screen while preparing to become a baddie in the mega-budget movie, Iron Man. Ben Falk talks to the Hollywood star about life on and off
Britians Youngest Brides (ITV1, 9pm) For bride Catrina, it's not so much walking down the aisle as pulling a very heavy weight down the aisle. Her wedding dress is so big and heavy it must be like wearing an outfit decorated with bags of sugar. This "
MY parents frequently said it to me and my brothers when we were little. My wife and I often say it to our children when we get cross. And I have no doubt they will say it to their children when the time comes: "You kids just don't know how lucky you
FOURTEEN girls and four staff from Teesside High School, in Eaglescliffe, have returned safely from an adventurous trip to Thailand. The 19-day holiday took the party to inaccessible parts of the country, where they experienced four days of living with
BISHOP Auckland MP Helen Goodman has joined colleagues across the region urging the Government to rethink a flawed strategy said to be holding back economic growth. Ms Goodman, a former treasury strategist and now deputy leader of the House of Commons
BUSINESS premises used by a high street retailers in Billingham have been bought for £16.7m. The town centre buildings, which make up almost half of a shopping precinct, have been sold by Stockton Borough Council to Stockland Halladale. The purchase
A FESTIVAL is being held to recognise the effort young carers put into providing support for family members with physical or mental health problems. The event will be held at Moor House Adventure Centre, in West Rainton, near Durham, on Saturday, August
A GROUP that campaigns for peace is going strong 25 years after it was founded. Durham Peace Action Group wants Britain to phase out nuclear weapons and an end to the arms trade, and promotes peace in schools. Members recently met Defence Secretary
A STUDENT who hopes to pursue a career as a travel writer has been awarded a first class honours degree. Sarah Bullerwell, 21, of Hastings Avenue, in the Merryoaks area of Durham City, has been awarded a degree in management by Lancaster University. She
PROSECUTORS are campaigning for an increase of a sentence imposed on a man involved in terrifying knife attack. The Northern Echo can reveal that an appeal has been submitted in the case of Lukas Bazelak after he was jailed for two years two weeks ago
WITH Sunderland's record-breaking purchase of Craig Gordon having taken Premier League spending to a staggering £380m this summer, it's a safe bet that the £400m barrier will have been broken by the time the transfer window swings shut on August 31.
MORE than 60 people have fought the flab during workouts to raise money for the Norton-based Daisy Chain charity, for children with autism and special needs. Thornaby Pavilion hosted to the first Annual Fitness Frenzy, with a 125-minute series of exercises
A WAR veteran who went on to exchange the grocery business for the priesthood has died at the age of 85. Arthur Stabler was born in Annfield Plain, near Consett, County Durham, but spent most of his life in Richmond and the Yorkshire Dales. He joined
PEOPLE can learn about the geology, flora and fauna of a stretch of Teesside coastline in a guided walk later this week. Hartlepool Borough Council's countryside wardens have joined forces with the Tees Valley Wildlife Trust to stage the event, which
A WORKSHOP teaching children how to look after fish will be held in Durham today. The Caring for Fish workshop is being run by Pets at Home and will include puzzles, quizzes and advice. Youngsters can also pick up a pet passport for their fish and will
CHILDREN have the chance to learn football skills from FA trained firefighters during the summer holidays. The event, called Play with a Football, not Fire, will be held on Sunday, from 10am to 3pm, at Middlesbrough Football Academy, Eston, Middlesbrough
WOODLAND in Teesside will be the setting for a series of children's events. A storytelling festival has been organised in Coatham Wood, Stockton, next Tuesday, from 10.30am to 3.30pm. The event will include tall tales about trees, an opportunity to discover
CONTEMPORARY and historical slavery is the topic at Newtown Community Resource Centre, Stockton, from 2pm to 4pm on Saturday. The event will include African food.
THE contrasting work of two Hartlepool artists will be shown in an exhibition opening at the town's art gallery on Saturday. Stan Kaiser has been a member of Hartlepool Art Club for more than 20 years and is well-known for his work in watercolours and
A COUNCIL has launched a recycling scheme to give residents the chance to be greener with rubbish. Chester-le-Street District Cou-ncil, together with Tetra Pak and Alliance for Beverage Cartons and the Environment, unveiled the scheme yesterday. Beverage
KARL BURKE'S two-year-olds have done the Middleham trainer proud so far this term, a trend quite likely to be upheld by Cathedral Walk (2.20) at Yarmouth. There are few finer training establishments in the land than Spigot Lodge, standing imperiously
A COMMUNITY is being consulted over plans to carry out a major regeneration scheme that could mean the demolition of 310 homes. Residents of the Hetton Downs, in Hetton-le-Hole, are being asked for views on a scheme which includes 450 new homes. Sunderland
PLANS for a market garden have been refused amid accusations that they were a smoke screen for a wrought iron business. Stockton councillors unanimously voted against the plans for the fruit and vegetable business at Holmfield, in Yarm Back Lane, Stockton
A culinary rapeseed oil is now in demand nationally. Oleifera was the brainchild of farmer's wife Jill McGregor when looking for a diversification scheme on the family farm at Coldstream, in Northumberland. Only months after its launch, it is now being
A NORTH-EAST event management company has won the contract to stage the world's biggest winter festival in Edinburgh. She's Gott It!, based in Durham, has been announced as the winning bidder by the City of Edinburgh Council as the festival's producer
Michael Vaughan has warned England to cut out the swearing as they attempt to safeguard their unbeaten home Test record with a competitive but fair performance in the final npower Test against India. The England captain has been at the centre of a storm
ASTON Martin specialist company The Aston Workshop has launched its latest venture involving the classic car. The firm, based in Beamish, County Durham, has created a website - www.astonart.com - offering a range of artwork of the cars. The photographs
BANK of England policymakers yesterday gave their strongest hint yet that interest rates could reach six per cent before the end of the year. The Bank's key quarterly inflation report - the biggest indicator on the future direction of interest rates since
ITV announced a slide in profits yesterday, but hailed signs of recovery after the performance of its flagship ITV1 channel stabilised. Chairman Michael Grade, who joined the group from the BBC in January, said the ratings decline slowed during the first
INSURER Royal & Sun Alliance last night said it could not rule out job losses at its North-East base as it looks to cut 700 positions across the group. The group announced yesterday that the cuts would be made as it looks to make annual savings of £70m
Food prices have been soaring over the past year and now pose one of the biggest threats to inflation in the UK, according to the Bank of England. Annual food inflation reached six per cent in April - its highest level for almost six years - and the Bank
STEVE Harmison still has nine days to prepare for the Friends Provident Trophy final at Lord's and while his figures yesterday appear uneconomical, there were also encouraging signs. Just over three weeks after his hernia operation, he waited until after
MEMBERS of a planning committee will visit a former elderly people's home to discuss a proposal to convert it into offices for a volunteer organisation. Derwentside Community Volunteer Service (CVS) has submitted plans to the local authority for Glenroyd
RUSSELL Anderson last night claimed that compatriot Craig Gordon was worth every penny of his £9m transfer fee and tipped Sunderland's record signing to prove a "massive success" in the Premier League. Gordon, who is hoping to shake off a minor shoulder
Padraig Harrington is keen to add the US PGA to his Open success when the event starts at Southern Hills today. Harrington's victory at Carnoustie last month ended a major drought for European players dating back to Paul Lawrie's win at the same venue
THIEVES are on the run after they stole two sets of historic handcuffs from a police museum. The raiders struck at the Police and Prison Museum in Ripon, making off with the antique restraints, which were in boxes and worth £25 each, and two police belts
A DRUG addict died of a heroin overdose hours after being released from a mental health hospital, an inquest has heard. Paul Robinson, 32, was found dead in the back garden of his parents' home, having earlier left West Park Hospital, Darlington. His
LEAGUE One football will be a whole new experience for Hartlepool's Jamie McCunnie. The right-back, who is equally at home in midfield, left Scottish Premier League side Dunfermline for Pools in a summer move. He is ready to start the season in Saturday's
Three ex-Sunderland players were named in the England women's squad for the World Cup In China next month. Jill Scott, Carly Telford and Steph Houghton were all included in coach Hope Powell's England party which will head to China for the sixth finals
PROPOSALS for a new fire station in a growing city and a review of the way in which the part-time firefighter system operates are the main sections in a consultation launched by the brigade in North Yorkshire. The latest community safety proposals are
MIDDLESBROUGH last night held talks with Mido after Tottenham gave them permission to speak to the Egypt international, writes SCOTT WILSON. Boro are understood to have lodged a bid of around £6m and, while Sunderland and Birmingham have also expressed
Darlington were last night reported to have made their 12th summer signing with the arrival of midfielder Chris Palmer from Wycombe Wanderers. Palmer, who can also play in defence, is believed to have joined Quakers on loan until January and his arrival
A SECURITY worker employed to empty parking meters yesterday admitted helping himself to almost £130,000 in coins from the machines. Bryn Lynas is now facing jail after his scheme was uncovered by his bosses. The 47-year-old plundered machines in the
A pate, cheese and wine party will be held at the home of Keith and Jilly Schellenberg, St Nicholas, Richmond, on Friday, August 17, from 7pm. Tickets are £10 at the door or call Nancy Dunning, on 01748-823503. It is organised by the Friends of Garget
Yorkshire Phoenix claimed a dramatic victory by two wickets with one ball to spare over Middlesex Crusaders in the NatWest Pro40 League match at Headingley Carnegie. They seemed to be cruising to their 184 target at 158 for three before wickets began
WORK to create a £1m sport and arts venue in Easingwold is expected to begin this autumn. The Galtres Centre scheme took a major step forward this month when planning permission was granted by Hambleton District Council for the new hall on the town centre
A FOOTBALL club will hold last-ditch talks today, in an attempt to avoid eviction from its ground. Spennymoor Town FC was given 28 days notice to leave The Brewery Field last month, and have until Wednesday, August 22, to reach a compromise, or find a
A ZERO tolerance policy on young arsonists has been launched in South West Durham. Police and firefighters have joined forces in an effort to tackle the problem of arsonists over the school summer holidays, a time when arson attacks increase. They have
COUNCIL bosses have hailed a new customer service system a success, after seeing complaints drop by more than a third. The new procedure at Sedgefield Borough Council directs complaints straight to staff able to resolve an issue. Brian Allen, the council's
FINAL arrangements are being put in place for a three-day flower festival, which is being described as one of the highlights of the year in a village. Expert arrangers from around the North-East are creating 25 displays on the theme of Glories of the
RESIDENTS are seeking reassurances about the exact nature of a home being created in their neighbourhood. Nearly 50 people signed a petition calling for more information, after plans were unveiled to create a supported tenancy home in a Darlington street
POLICE are appealing for information after a hit-and-run on the Coundon Gate roundabout on Monday afternoon. A black Skoda Fabia was pulling off the roundabout, on the A689 towards Newton Aycliffe, at about 1.40pm when it was hit on the nearside by a
LANDLORDS are being encouraged to join a scheme that has given hundreds of Darlington people a foot on the property ladder. The Bond Scheme allows homeless people, or those on low incomes, to move into rented accommodation without paying hundreds of pounds
VANDALS have daubed graffiti on the walls of a Darlington register office. The vandals used marker pens to write names on both walls of the entrance to the office on Bull Wynd, near the Dolphin Centre. It is thought no weddings have been affected by
A DRAMA project has been hailed a success after giving scores of youngsters the chance to act for the first time. Organisers have said Steam Shed, launched last year at Haughton Education Village, has been a real success. The project, which is the 22nd
A HEAP of human waste is making passers-by vomit, but Northumbrian Water insist it poses no risk to public health. The company moved to allay the fears of people living in Middleton St George, after one said the smell had made him vomit. Ward councillor
COUNCIL tax fraudsters have been warned a new crackdown has begun. Darlington Borough Council has launched a review of the 16,000 people in the borough who claim single person reductions. People living on their own are entitled to a 25 per cent reduction
FORMER members of a cricket club in Teesdale are being invited to help take part in a double celebration later this month. Barnard Castle Cricket Club will mark its 175th year, plus the opening of new changing rooms. The club has been based at its ground
NORTH Yorkshire County Council has approved schemes for children's centres providing additional services for families at two schools in the county. A hut will be demolished to make way for the development at Norton Community Primary School in Grove Street
HARROGATE Hospital has received £200,000 as part of a £5m Government boost aimed at protecting patients, staff and visitors from infections, such as MRSA, associated with health care. An infection control team working with colleagues at the hospital
TWO leaflets have been launched to help sufferers of domestic abuse in the Hambleton area.One - in red - helps victims by urging them not to be afraid to ask for help, and contains details on how to get out of abusive relationships, quickly and with
RETIRED headteacher Linda Carlino has published a book about a "mad" queen of Spain.She became fascinated by Queen Juana in 1996 during a holiday in Spain, and began learning Spanish as soon as she returned home to Barnard Castle, County Durham."I had
There has been a steep rise in the number of cancers linked to lifestyle factors, statistics revealed yesterday.Cancer Research UK published figures on cancers linked to alcohol, smoking, obesity and the exposure to the sun.It said rates of melanoma,
A MOTHER is opening her garden to the public to help her daughter's school raise money for an Indian orphanage.Heather Armstrong is holding an open garden day with an Indian theme at her two-and-a-half-acre garden in Croft, later this month.The day will
YOUNGSTERS are being given the chance to learn how to stay safe around water.Hambleton Leisure Centre, in Northallerton, is hosting a lifesaving and first aid course this month, aimed at youngsters aged ten and over.The five day course - approved by the
A ONCE shunned park is today full of laughing children after a community campaign for improvements.Mother-of-three Lynne Root-ham, who fought for the transformation of run-down Saltwells Park, in Middlesbrough, said: "We have been fighting for about four
SHOPPERS and tourists were stopped by members of an animal rights group in Durham market place yesterday. Animal Aid is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year and raising awareness of its work.Children were offered stickers and adults were given flyers
A COUNCIL blunder which left hundreds of elderly residents without replacement carbon monoxide detectors for their homes was last night on its way to being solved.The Northern Echo reported on Tuesday how pensioners and disabled people living in Durham
A NAVY reservist has sailed off with the best award from his unit on HMS Callicope.Lieutenant Paul Ladislaus has been recognised as the best officer for his dedication to the success of the Gateshead-based Royal Navy Reserve (RNR) unit.The 28-year-old
A WOMAN has fostered a rabbit which suffered a narrow escape after yobs set their dogs on it.However, another rabbit was killed by the lurchers.Julie Bartlett, who lives in Hurworth, near Darlington, believes the Lionhead rabbit was either a stolen pet
AN executive house worth £350,000 could be pulled down after a council refused to accept its height.Charles Church builders were criticised for building the detached, two-storey property in Ingleby Barwick, near Stockton, before getting permission on
ROBIN Hood, Action Man and the Cabbage Patch Dolls are delighting children - and children at heart - in a nostalgic exhibition at a North-East museum.Toys through the ages are already drawing hundreds of visitors to the exhibition designed to evoke happy
A LEADING pigeon fancier told of his heartbreak yesterday after 40 of his best stock birds were found with their necks wrung.Philip Galloway, 67, of Snowdon Grove, Hartlepool, made the shocking discovery early yesterday morning at his loft close to the
A COMMUNITY has welcomed moves to provide traffic calming humps on an estate - aimed at parents using the narrow streets as a school run.People living in Eliza Street and Thomas Street, in Sacriston, near Chester-le-Street, complained to Durham county
THE owner of two sheep found butchered in a field near the River Wear has spoken of her horror at discovering their mutilated bodies.The dead animals, one with its head and front leg hacked off and the other with its ears removed, were discovered on Tuesday
EDUCATIONALISTS in the North are hailing the latest national curriculum results as the best ever, despite figures nationally that show four out of ten pupils could not read, write or add up properly when they left primary school this summer, About 600,000
THE funeral took place yesterday of Bob Herring - a passionate supporter of motorcycle racing, who counted many top racers as friends.Among the 200 mourners who paid their last respects to the popular 69-year-old, was former Suzuki GP rider and Sky Sports
A WITNESS has told how he saw an RAF helicopter plummet out of the sky, injuring at least 12 servicemen and prompting a major rescue operation.The incident happened close to Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, at about 9pm last night.The scene was in
A DARLINGTON couple celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary with more than 100 friends and family.Enid and Sandy Morgan married in 1947 and have three daughters and three grand-daughters.Mrs Morgan is in no doubt about the scret to such a long and
NEARLY half of young North-Easterners would rather go on a dream date with their partner than a celebrity.Research carried out by the National Lottery, to coincide with the launch of its EuroMillions game, asked people how they would like to spend their
A BEST-SELLING author has been forced to fit security cameras around his home following a long-running hate campaign against his runaway success.Graham Taylor shot to prominence four years ago when his first fantasy book for youngsters, Shadowmancer,
A TABLE dancing club in the shadow of Durham Cathedral has won permission from councillors - but dancing is limited to three nights a week.Liberal Democrat-controlled Durham City Council's licensing committee approved the premises licence for the Loft
A TRAINING and recruitment company is opening a new office as part of its quest to double in size within the next year. Premium People Recruitment Group and its sister company Premium People Development, based in Peterlee, County Durham, is expanding
THE public are being asked to help find a 19th Century painting stolen earlier this week.The artwork was taken from Knaresborough House, in the North Yorkshire town.The artist is unknown but the oil painting shows the famous view from Knaresborough Castle
THE region's farming leaders last night welcomed a decision to ease restrictions on the movement of animals imposed because of the foot-and-mouth outbreak.The Government's chief veterinary officer, Debby Reynolds, announced that from midnight yesterday
A NEIGHBOURHOOD with true community spirit has rallied together to provide children with school holiday entertainment.For the third year in a row, people living in the Wynyard Estate, in Chester-le-Street, have arranged and funded a fun day. Hayley Jefferson
COLLIERY banners flanked the coffin of the miners' leader who valiantly led Durham pitmen through their darkest hours, at an emotional funeral service yesterday.The presence among the many mourners of National Union of Mineworkers' (NUM) president Arthur
MEMBERS of the public have been invited to attend an a open day, on Sunday, at a North-East Royal National Life-boat Institution (RNLI) station.Sunderland RNLI Lifeboat Station and Lifeboat Guild has organised the event on its car park, between 11am and
A TEACHER learnt a costly lesson when he was convicted of fly-tipping yesterday.Phil Raine admitted to magistrates that it had been "ridiculous" to throw his household waste and wood on a disused railway line.He was fined £400 and ordered to pay £400
THE cream of the North-East's young music talent is to play at the region's most recognisable venue next month.Local bands including Tyneside rockers Kubichek! and Newcastle's The Toy Guns play at The Sage Gateshead on September 22.The Bandstand 07 concert
THERE was not a dry eye in the house as proud parents watched their youngsters graduate from nursery to primary school.Youngsters at Pixley Dell Day Nursery, in Spennymoor, proudly marked the occasion with a graduation ceremony.Eight children wore traditional
AN unauthorised camp of travellers at a tourist spot in Bishop Auckland has caused concern among residents.Three caravans arrived at privately-owned land on the riverbanks near Batts Terrace more than a week ago and, since then, up to 20 more have arrived
STALL holders from Darlington's historic markets traded on their smiles for a commemorative photograph.Almost 50 gathered outside the indoor market, for what is believed to be one of the first ever group shots of town traders.Allan Draper, chairman of
Two people have died and ten people have been injured after a military helicopter crashed in North Yorkshire. The troop carrying helicopter crashed near Catterick Garrison, Europe's largest base and home to the Army's Infantry Training Centre. Emergency
SAM Allardyce has warned summer signing David Rozehnal to expect a "shock" when he makes his Premier League debut at Bolton this weekend, but the Newcastle manager is confident the centre-half will survive one of the toughest physical examinations in
THE two river boats with an international team of marine biologists ploughed up and down the world's busiest river. They searched the Yangtze in China for six weeks, a river motorway swollen with container ships, coal barges and speed boats. But the freshwater
GORDON Brown has completed his first six weeks as Prime Minister and it has been a baptism of fire. His elevation to Number 10 coincided with terror attacks in London and Glasgow. That was followed by the national disaster brought by the worst flooding
A CARE home business based in the North-East last night revealed it is planning to more than treble the value of the company to £20m within two years. The Four Winds Group, which has a portfolio of six homes in Hartlepool and Trimdon, County Durham,
BOOKMAKER Neville Porter is predicting further growth on the back of its ongoing Irish expansion, which is regarded as being "key" to the company's future success. The County Durham company, which earlier this year became the first UK bookmaker to set
GARETH Southgate is determined to do all he can to hold on to Ayegbeni Yakubu, despite Everton making a formal inquiry about the Nigeria international.Everton chairman Bill Kenwright is understood to have had a telephone conversation with a senior Boro
By their fruits ye shall know them - Matthew 7:20PERHAPS the origin of the phrase about splitting hairs, the Egton Bridge Old Gooseberry Society's annual show was held on Tuesday, and few found wanting in the balance. The world waited, agog.In truth there
ENJOYING a couple of pints of lager with a few mates down the local isn't so unusual.But throw in three security guards and a ride home in the back of a private helicopter and you have the makings of a right Royal night out.On Tuesday night, Prince Harry
TRIBUTES have been paid to a North man killed as he attempted to rescue colleagues from a gun battle while working in one of the most dangerous areas of Africa. Carl Nefdt, 31, a geologist, was killed during an exchange between Uganda soldiers and Congolese
VETERANS who lost their lives at war are set to be remembered with a new war memorial in a County Durham town. At present Newton Aycliffe's focus for Remembrance Sunday commemorations is a flagpole at the town's St Clare's Church. The pole bears a plaque
A GARDENER had a shock when he dug up what he thought was a hand-grenade. The resident of Cragside, Newcastle, called the police around 5.15pm last night. After securing the area, they then alerted the Army, and upon their advice, evacuated two nearby
