AN author from North Yorkshire is hoping for a second chance at winning a prize with his first novel. Electricity, by Ray Robinson, has been chosen for a long list of 100 books in a new promotion called Spread the Word, organised by National Book Day
THE owners of the jet-powered car in which Richard Hammond had a near-fatal crash have put the vehicle up for sale. The 300mph Vampire jet dragster, which crashed at Elvington airfield, near York, in September last year, is listed on internet auction
THE Archbishop of York John Sentamu has criticised the Government for threatening to close local post offices. He said: "When a local post office is lost from a community something really special goes. "There is a crazy view implying that only supermarkets
LATE night revellers are urged to come forward with information for police investigating a taxi rank assault. A teenager suffered what were initially feared to be serious head injuries following the incident in Durham Market Place, shortly after midnight
A MAN who died in a head-on road crash last week has been named as a 40-year-old man from Whitby, North Yorkshire. Daniel Schneider was driving a red Peugeot 205 which collided with a black Vauxhall Astra on the A171 just outside Ugthorpe, near Whitby
POLICE were called to a working men's club last night following reports that bottles and glasses were being thrown. Officers were called to Tindale Crescent WMC, Bishop Auckland, at about 10.20pm but the disturbance appeared to have settled by the time
A WOMAN was killed when she was struck by a car after crossing a busy North-East road. The 78-year-old has been named as Audrey Elizabeth Whaley. She died after a Toyota Corolla car collided with her as she was crossing Durham Road, Stockton, shortly
DARLINGTON MP Alan Milburn visited the offices of the town's Talking Newspaper to record his annual Christmas message. The audio bulletin is compiled by volunteers, and is popular with people with sight problems across the region. Mr Milburn
THE following churches in Darlington will be holding services tonight. 11pm, Haughton le Skerne, St Andrewfs, midnight communion service; 11.15pm, Cockerton Methodist Church, Christmas Eve communion service; 11.30pm, Albert Hill, St James
HIGH-ACHIEVING students at a Darlington school have been rewarded for their excellent exam results. Nearly 400 pupils, staff, families and friends gathered in the John Caden Hall at Carmel RC College for the school's annual presentation evening
A TEENAGER has designed a new birthday card for the mayor to send to 18-year-olds in Darlington. Every time someone in the borough turns 18, the mayor sends a card to remind them that they are eligible to vote. A competition was held to find
RESIDENTS are to be given the chance to give their views on controversial plans to build houses on the site of Darlington FC's derelict former ground. A consultation event is being planned next month where people living near the Feethams ground
Our server, whose name I won't mention as I certainly don't want to promote them, has this headline on their site today: "Already dreading another festive season with the family? Check out our stress-busting tips. Cook your way to a calmer Christmas
COUNCILLORS are calling for action over a building that they say has been left to rot and is becoming a safety hazard. The former East Howle Junior and Infants School, near Ferryhill, was sold by Durham County Council seven years ago. Since
PLANS to replace a former hotel with apartments have been welcomed, but councillors have spoken out about the state of the site. Knightsbridge Developments will build 44 apartments where the Kensington Hall Hotel, in Willington, used to stand
A COMMUNITY group has received funds from the publisher of The Northern Echo. The Gannett Foundation, the charitable wing of the paper's owner, Newsquest, gives hundreds of thousands of pounds each year to projects in the circulation areas of
A TEENAGER who gives up most of his spare time to help at a youth centre has been named Young Person of the Year in Richmondshire. Andrew Scott, 16, took the title in the first Citizenship Awards, launched by Richmondshire District Council to
A DEPUTATION will travel to London in the new year to lobby ministers for more money for North Yorkshire's fire and rescue service. The county's chief fire officer, Nigel Hutchinson, and Councillor John Fort, chairman of the fire authority,
CHRISTMAS GREETINGS: Mount Vale Care Home, in Northallerton, celebrated the festive season with a visit from Father Christmas. The 64-bed care home, in Yafforth Road, Northallerton, opened last month in what was once the town's Mount
A HISTORIAN is turning his back on death and disease, in favour of poetry. For 15 years, David Butler has led Christmas Day walks around Durham City, focusing on dirt, disease and disaster in the city. But this year, Mr Butler, a retired archivist
MOUNT OSWALD I WAS surprised to read that Banks Developments is appealing to the Secretary of State over its business park plans for Mount Oswald, in Durham City, when the proposal has yet to be voted on by the city council (Echo, Dec 22). It
THE future of a primary school earmarked for closure will be decided in the new year. Education chiefs had hoped the fate of Hamsteels Primary School, in Esh Winning, would be determined before Christmas. Durham County Council discussed it at
COPPERS' cuppas have helped cheer up sick children who are facing Christmas in hospital. Officers from Durham Police handed over a DVD/video recorder to Tree Tops Children's Ward, at the University Hospital of North Durham, on Friday. The
A CAMPAIGN has started to help victims of domestic violence over the Christmas period. The tensions of the festive season can lead to an increase in attacks on women, usually fuelled by alcohol. In Durham and Chester-le- Street, between April
CREATIVE youngsters have designed a colourful mural to help make a hospital ward more child-friendly. Earlier this year, a series of workshops was held at The James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, as part of a project looking at ways
A HOUSING group has provided £250,000 to foster the rebirth of The Phoenix Centre, to provide a multi-purpose community centre. Housing Hartlepool invested the funds to transform a disused building which is now a base for community and health
A GROUP of teenage girls gained hands-on experience of building computer networks when they entered the world of practical science. The pupils, from schools across Teesside, took part in a workshop called Girls and Gadgets, designed solely for
Saturday, December 22, 2007 Elite League: Nottingham Panthers 4-2 Mobilx Newcastle Vipers Sunday, December 23, 2007 Elite League: Mobilx Newcastle Vipers 3-4 Belfast Giants (After overtime) TWO defeats left the Vipers with only one point to show for
AN appeal against the refusal of a controversial plan to build flats on a burnt-out nursing home has been rejected. Earlier this year, hundreds of people signed a petition to block the proposal for the site of the former Nessfield Retirement Home
Christmas TV ONE of the photographs from ITV1's comedydrama, Christmas At The Riviera, shows actor Warren Clarke, wearing a Christmas cracker paper hat, looking thoroughly miserable. He reminds me of a TV critic contemplating watching the seasonal
When Gordon Brown was asked earlier this month what he wanted for Christmas, he replied: A day off'. Some people are not so lucky. Ruth Campbell talks to eight people for whom December 25 is much the same as any other day THE RESTAURATEUR FORMER Claridge's
I DOUBT if you will publish this Christmas, or even this year, a more heart-warming story than that concerning little George Mordue (Echo, Dec 17). The six-year-old, from Darlington, had only one Christmas wish - to hold a charity fair to help
SAINSBURY'S, Asda and a number of major dairies were recently fined £116m for price-fixing milk, cheese and butter (Echo, Dec 6). The hard-handed approach by supermarkets to dairy farmers has resulted in more than half of them calling it a day
THE report by Sir Michael Pitt following his review of the country's summer floods (Echo, Dec 18) is to be welcomed. I contacted both Sedgefield borough and Durham county councils recently about the need to ensure that our road drains are in working
CORRESPONDENT D Harrison complained of a lack of basic knowledge among today's "qualified" drivers (HAS, Dec 18). That's just it, they are qualified to drive the vehicle. I understand that in 1952, when Mr Harrison passed his driving test, he
I WOULD like to congratulate Nick Clegg on being elected as the latest leader of the Liberal Democrats. I hope that they will now join in with the work already being done by Conservatives across this region to highlight the failings of our current
I THANK Eric Gendle for taking time to respond (HAS, Dec 15) to my letter concerning The Golden Compass (HAS, Dec 10). He is correct in suggesting that I advocate that children should not see this film. However, some points in his letter I do not
I AM a little surprised by CT Riley's opinion that the views of the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) are often found only "within newspapers which the majority of ordinary people never read" (HAS, Dec 17). MCB statements have appeared in most national
IN choosing Fabio Capello as the new England manager, the Football Association re-opened the argument about foreign coaches. There has also been speculation he might make significant changes in terms of team selection. Well, I hope he does. There
LONDON-based national newspapers aren't noted for sticking up for the North-East. Indeed, those flash hacks who've never been north of Watford like nothing better than to have a cheap dig at us northerners, branding us all Geordies, getting their
In his Christmas message, The Bishop of Durham, the Rt Rev Tom Wright, urges us to look to the example of children and give ourselves time to enjoy the world I READ the other day that whales spend roughly two thirds of their time playing and
IN our festive frenzy of shopping and eating, we should spare just the teeniest of thoughts for those around the world who are less fortunate than ourselves. For the millions who are the victims of grinding poverty and who see no prospect of a
JACK The Giant slayed the bookmakers as the result of a monumental gamble in The Ladbroke at Ascot. Everything pointed to Nicky Henderson's gelding, who was rated 24lb lower over hurdles than fences, and punters latched on to send him off the
BLAYDON'S first away win in National Two lifted them two places to sixth from the bottom, but as it came by the convincing margin of 39-11 at Halifax it can be assumed that all other clubs will win there as well. Halifax have won once all season
London Irish 23 Worcester Warriors 16 ALL Blacks centre Sam Tuitupou marked his Guinness Premiership debut with a top quality try but it was not enough to give Worcester Warriors their first league victory of the season. Irish snatched victory
ELSWICK Harrier Ryan McLeod followed in the illustrious footsteps of his father - Tyneside athletics legend Mike McLeod - with a record-breaking victory in yesterday's Saltwell 10K road race. The 22-year-old European Cross Country Championships
ENGLAND head coach Brian Ashton has assured Lawrence Dallaglio he still has an international future. The Wasps No 8 last week revealed he was not expecting to add to his 85 caps, despite remaining committed to doing so. The 35-year-old upset
DARLINGTONS last two results have both been 4-0 away wins, but manager Dave Penney says the latest performance was not quite as impressive as the win at Grimsby Town. Saturdays win at Lincoln City came almost three weeks after winning by the
DANNY Wilson admitted there were no excuses as his side fell to away defeat number eight of the campaign, writes NICK LOUGHLIN. It's all or nothing on the road for Hartlepool United this season; three wins outdone by eight defeats. And, just
Aston Villa 1 Manchester City 1 OLOF MELLBERG has pledged to see out the remainder of his contract with Aston Villa and help them push for Europe - even if his long-term future may be away from the Midlands club. The Sweden defender has been linked
Manchester United 2 Everton 1 EVERTON manager David Moyes admitted a moment of madness'' from Steven Pienaar cost his side a point at Manchester United. The Toffeemen seemed well set to extend a 13-match unbeaten record and dent United's title
Liverpool 4 Portsmouth 1 STEVEN GERRARD has spoken about his special bond with Thierry Henry and how he tried to persuade the France forward to join him at Liverpool. Instead Henry opted to move to Barcelona in the summer after deciding to curtail
MIDDLESBROUGH manager Gareth Southgate is confident his players have discovered a new-found belief that will ensure a positive response to Saturday's home defeat against West Ham. The reverse was their first in four games and followed a run
DEAN Whitehead refused to back calls for the adoption of video technology in the wake of Sunderland's controversial 2-1 defeat at Reading, and instead claimed football would function more effectively if officials were capable of doing the job
Wearside League NEW MARSKE became the first side to reach 50 goals when they hit Silksworth Community for seven on Saturday. There was no stopping the Seasiders who have now rifled 55 goals and conceded just nine in 16 games. Sean Mackin gave
Arngrove Northern League CROOK Town's 11-game unbeaten run in the league came to an end in a 3-0 defeat at Norton - with manager Peter Dixon demanding his players start another. Crook's last league defeat was against North Shields in Dixon's
ROBERTO Carlos believes Fabio Capello will make David Beckham his England captain. The veteran Brazilian, who played under the Italian in both his spells at Real Madrid, insists Capello was not to blame for Beckham's marginalising at the Bernabeu
TERRY Venables would have appointed an Englishman to the role of England manager, rather than Fabio Capello. While Capello's success at club level with AC Milan, Real Madrid and Roma cannot be questioned, the fact the Football Association have
THE men who have appointed Fabio Capello as England's new manager have issued a stark warning of their expectations of the 61-year-old. FA chief executive Brian Barwick may have described Capello as a winner with a capital W'' at the formal
PHIL Neville believes it is time for footballers to start looking at themselves if they are to avoid the frightening'' barracking they receive from supporters. Portsmouth centre-back Sol Campbell claimed the abuse had gone too far'', in the wake
Blackburn Rovers 0 Chelsea 1 CHELSEA coach Avram Grant faces a Christmas injury crisis he hopes will not wreck his team's bid for the Premier League title. Goalkeeper Petr Cech limped out of the Blues' 1-0 win at Blackburn - courtesy of a 22nd-minute
DISGRUNTLED Newcastle United manager Sam Allardyce could not hide his disappointment after seeing his side fail to overcome the Premier League's basement side in a match that looked, on paper, a home banker. Derby arrived at St James' Park with
Newcastle United 2 Derby County 2 IN a region where football is perceived to be a religion, it was perhaps fitting that former Prime Minister, and self-confessed Newcastle United fan, Tony Blair, confirmed his conversion to Catholicism at the
AS DARLINGTON took to the field for the second half on Saturday, some joker thought it would be funny to play the Benny Hill theme music over the Sincil Bank PA system. Thanks to clinical finishing that earned a comprehensive fifth consecutive
EARLIER this summer, the Premier League chose one club to test a Hawk-Eye system that can determine whether or not the ball has crossed the goal-line. After much discussion, they chose Reading. Unfortunately, for Sunderland, after much further
GARETH Southgate's family will be praying Middlesbrough don't come home empty-handed from Birmingham City on Boxing Day. Despite doing his best to keep his home life separate from being a football club manager, Southgate admitted he would struggle
TWO inseparable elderly dogs who faced an uncertain future after losing their owners have found a new home for Christmas. Rollo and Bess, were being looked after by the National Animal Sanctuary Support League's branch near Darlington, after
CHRISTMAS has come early at a police dog training school - and with modern technology the whole world can share the joy. Becky, Durham Police's three-year-old German shepherd, was due to give birth on Christmas Day. But in the early hours of Saturday
A NORTH-EAST priest who is a close friend of Tony Blair last night welcomed the former prime minister's conversion to Catholicism. Mr Blair was welcomed into the Roman Catholic church on Friday night by the Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal
MINISTERS were plunged into another data loss storm last night after nine NHS trusts admitted losing patients' information. Hundreds of thousands of people are thought to have been affected by the breaches of strict data protection rules by the
GORDON BROWN is heading for a new year showdown with MPs over their pay, it emerged yesterday. A long-delayed review of MPs' salaries to be published next month is expected to recommend a £6,000 boost between now and 2011 - more than three
CHILDREN at a North-East rock workshop have entertained their friends and families with a punk version of a Christmas classic. Nine youngsters took part in the one-day workshop run by the Darlington School of Rock and Pop, at Darlington Arts
A BOY of nine has proved he is a real karate kid after gaining his black belt. Dalton Kidd, from Plunkett Road, Flint Hill, Dipton, County Durham, has been going to Burnopfield Karate Club for three-anda- half years. Dalton, a pupil at Burnopfield
A WOMAN will be forgoing turkey and presents by spending Christmas Day in the foothills of Kilimanjaro.Hazel Burlison, from Esh Winning, near Durham, is climbing Africa's highest mountain, with husband Glyn, to raise money for charity.The couple fly to
Newcastle Falcons 13 Gloucester 20 NEWCASTLE Falcons will be grateful that Leeds and Worcester are well adrift in the Guinness Premiership after slipping to the fringe of the relegation places yesterday.Tries from Iain Balshaw and Olivier Azam helped
Ellis SlateR is especially looking forward to his Christmas dinner tomorrow because, after ten years of being fed by tube, it will be his first one.Ellis was born with a kidney defect and was unable to eat solids, but all that changed earlier this year
A FIREFIGHTER from County Durham has saved the life of a complete stranger who lives tens of thousands of miles away.Phil Towns, 47, thought nothing more of it when he first signed up for the British bone marrow register about eight years ago.However,
A YEAR of tragedy has ended with a slice of luck for a family.Fiona Patterson lost six members of her family, four in a horrific car crash, then suffered another blow when she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.But the 34-year-old has won £12,500 on
AN MP has blasted "incompetent" councillors for breaking planning rules which led to a proposed £55m housing development on a North-East seafront being thrown out by a High Court judge.Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council had given the scheme the go-ahead
A VOLUNTEER coastguard and a young boy from the region have been rewarded for their bravery and resilience in a national competition.Elliot Brown and Paul Waugh have been given £2,000-worth of vouchers after being honoured in the nationwide 40 Christmas
Coach Peter Moores insists it was England's failure to deliver rather than tactical mistakes which left them thankful to rain for damage limitation in Sri Lanka.Alastair Cook's seventh Test hundred and two heavy downpours, the second of which terminated
RESIDENTS are celebrating after winning a battle to have toxic substances cleared from their gardens. The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has agreed to foot the £1.9m cleaning bill after a three-year campaign by about 100
Darlington Mowden Park 74 Hull Ionians 0 MOWDEN Park's transformation since their previous home game was astonishing. Whether it owed more to the reinforcements from Newcastle or a collective response to the management shake-up will become clearer in
