DARLINGTON rally driver Guy Wilks has made a solid start to the Czech Rally – successfully surviving an exciting opening five stages, which have included a close encounter with a deer, a spin, a torrential downpour of rain when on slick tyres and
THE next fortnight could be interesting for Sheffield Wednesday, which is likely to be noted by those at Victoria Park. A Middle East-based group that had been in talks over some sort of investment with Hartlepool United have got their sights
ADAM Boyd was passed fit to start for Hartlepool United as they took on Sheffield Wedensday at Victoria Park. After being dogged by knee problems all season, the striker took his place in the side – which remained unchanged for the fifth successive
NEWCASTLE boss Chris Hughton has named an unchanged side for the third game in succession as his side prepares to take on Wolves at Molineux. The Magpies manager has stuck with the same players that lost at Manchester United on the first day of the season
Matthew Bates comes back into Gordon Strachan's side to face Barnsley today. Justin Hoyte makes way for Bates at right back and is the only change from the side that lost at Millwall midweek. Scott McDonald and Kris Boyd remain up front
Darlington have made four changes for today's game with Gateshead – the first competitive meeting between the sides since the 1960s. Of the side that played so dismally in Tuesday's home defeat to Grimsby Town, out go Ian Miller, John McReady
A bid to keep the world's oldest passenger clipper ship in Britain has been rejected in favour of proposals to send it to Australia. The 145-year-old City of Adelaide, currently resting on a slipway on the west coast of Scotland, faced being
A MAN has suffered life threatening injuries after he was stabbed while trying to prevent his car being stolen in the early hours of this morning. The man was stabbed after he approached three people who were breaking into his car in Birtley, near Chester-le-Street
National League Basketball in association with Heaven Scent & Ravenwood Roofing, call 01429 291793 with your roofing needs. The TADEA Lions will face a very tough test when the Derbyshire Arrows arrive at Eston Sports Academy tomorrow afteroon for
CURT Warburton’s at camp, training camp. It should neither be confused with Baden Powell nor with Billy Butlin’s, not unless they’ve opened one in Widnes. It’s called Wolfslair, subsumed by a humdrum industrial estate in the Rugby League belt
Andrew Douglas is so bewitched by Brittany, he considers going native. THE fact that I failed to venture beyond a 25-mile radius from holiday HQ is testament to Brittany’s many and varied charms. I’ve always subscribed to an optimistic theory that
ALICE works in an art gallery, one that sells proper paintings for not much money – not like the galleries in Gold Street where some gold painted artificial legs hanging on a washing line have just sold for £20m... and where the parties make Hollywood
JULIE POWELL was the New York blogger who spent a year cooking dangerously that led to the film Julie and Julia. It won her fame and fortune, fans and friends, but at the back of it all there was always her devoted husband, Eric. And then it
ALL you ever wanted to know about Britain under the Romans is contained in this concise and illuminating historical account. It covers the Roman conquest and occupation of the island, within the larger context of Romano-British society; from
SUNDERLAND’S greatest football matches of the modern era are revisited in a new book which traces the club’s history from being FA Cup holders, through dropping into English football’s third tier for the first time in its history, and on to the
It took a while for Brian Conley to get the hang of playing an overweight blonde, but now the fat lady’s all-singing and dancing. He talks to Viv Hardwick. BRIAN CONLEY is on the set of TV’s The Michael Ball Show when we talk about his sell-out
IF X-Factor runner-up Olly Murs’ debut single doesn’t make the top spot, he might just feel a little relieved. That’s because of a promise he made if he made number one. “I said if I get to No 1 I’ll do a naked photoshoot for Heat magazine,” says
Rail and bus delays notwithstanding, we arrive at our destination with weeks to spare. NO matter that the first train from Darlington to Middlesbrough is replaced by a blithering bus, that the onward train is further delayed behind a wayward
AFTER watching the finals of Celebrity Masterchef recently I think I’m showing signs of over-indulgence. When preparing our sausage, egg and chips last Monday evening, I felt it had to be ready at exactly 8pm with someone shouting 20 minutes to
RE your Comment column “Fairness in austerity” (Echo, Aug 26) about accusations of political bias made against The Northern Echo since the General Election. I think a regional/local newspaper such as the Echo has probably got the political balance
THE British Retail Consortium’s announcement that the number of single-use plastic bags given to supermarket customers had been cut by 43 per cent since 2006 is far from its claimed “ringing endorsement” of the voluntary approach to reduction.
LABOUR’S claim to oppose bus pass cuts is a laugh given that when in power it implemented such cuts, as David Lacey (HAS, Aug 20) points out. Pensioner bus passes are very questionable in that the arguments for bus passes are nowhere near as good
REMOVAL of bulky waste used to be free for residents of the former Easington District Council area. The replacement unitary authority’s decision to make an additional charge for this service has led to a noticeable increase in fly tipping and the
REPORTS that Yorkshire is experiencing a big increase in people holidaying in the county are welcome news for the area and its businesses. Tourism is vital to the rural economy and we are fortunate to have go-ahead organisations, such as Welcome
DAVID Cameron and his cronies constantly repeat themselves like parrots, telling us we are in massive debt, and that for every £1 we borrow, we have to pay back £4, and we need to reduce the deficit immediately – otherwise we will sink without
YOU have generously allocated space to the devastating large-scale floods now engulfing Pakistan with 1,600 deaths and 20 million people affected. Your Comment column, “Responding to disaster” (Echo, Aug 24), eloquently reflected the British
RE your story, “Motoring scheme may be extended” (Echo, Aug 26) about a possible expansion across the North-East of a County Durham scheme in which members of the public have been manning police speed detection flashing equipment (Echo, Aug 26)
FOLLOWING recent letters in Hear All Sides about otters I would point out that the various nature reserves we are fortunate to have in our region are great places to further educate adults and children alike on wildlife topics. On my last visit
As two of British TV’s longest-running series come to an end, Steve Pratt considers the life and times of Yorkshire’s trio of old codgers and Saving our steel the Sun Hill coppers. ONE is being put down through old age, the other squeezed out
AS a member of the Scots Guards destined for Afghanistan, 19-year-old Andrew Gibson was a young man who accepted that his life was in danger. His loving family also knew the risks involved in his profession as a soldier. What they did not expect
DURHAM’S slender title hopes were extinguished yesterday, while those of Yorkshire and Somerset were severely dented, courtesy of a ridiculous gamble by Lancashire captain Glen Chapple. Given what was happening at Trent Bridge, it would have
MARTYN Moxon has revealed that Yorkshire will again target a fast bowler to fill their overseas slot for next season. Moxon has not ruled Tino Best out of the running, but the West Indian paceman is surely a non-starter after losing any kind
JONATHAN Trott and Stuart Broad scored centuries to transform England’s fortunes on a day of personal landmarks at Lord’s, which began with Mohammad Aamer threatening to bowl the hosts out cheaply. Instead, after lurching to a perilous 47 for
TEAMS begin the biggest weekend of the season this afternoon as championship, promotion and relegation issues move closer to resolution. The highlight of the weekend is the Teesside University NYSD Fifteens finals at Stokesley tomorrow, but
DALE Benkenstein yesterday shrugged off his injuries and looked forward to finishing the season strongly with Durham before playing on for two more years. The 36-year-old former captain tore a knee tendon at Headingley in April and also has
NEW Newcastle Falcons captain James Hudson has vowed to do things his own way as he bids to fill the boots of All Blacks star Carl Hayman. The giant Kiwi, the highest paid player in the Premiership when he joined Newcastle in 2007, left the
HARRY REDKNAPP yesterday accused Sevilla of demanding “crazy money” for Luis Fabiano as he finally admitted Tottenham had made a move for the striker. Spurs have been linked with the Brazil international all summer and Redknapp has made no
MARK HUGHES wants his Fulham side to be party poopers when they become the first team to visit Blackpool in the Premier League. Today sees the Seasiders host their first top-flight match for 39 years and it will also mark the opening of Bloomfield
THE heat is off teams at the bottom of the Dukes NEPL with relegation unlikely to kick in this season. The promotional route into the league is via winning the championship of either the Durham Senior or the NTSL and with Boldon, favourites
MAIN Aim is taken to best handle the testing conditions at Goodwood in the totesport.com Celebration Mile. Sir Michael Stoute’s fiveyear- old is the highest-rated animal in the four-runner line-up, but he is crucially proven on a rain-sodden
IT’S no surprise to see small fields at Goodwood this afternoon as the track was hit with torrential rain on Wednesday which forced Thursday’s meeting to be abandoned. But all looks set fair for today, although the ground will be testing. The
The Aviva Premiership season begins next weekend, with Newcastle Falcons competing against a new financial reality as well as their 11 top-flight rivals. Assistant editor Scott Wilson met head coach Alan Tait and discovered a confidence and commitment
GATESHEAD play Darlington in a league game for the first time in 50 years and manager Ian Bogie believes his side will relish the occasion. Gateshead only stayed up on the final day of last season but have since gone full-time and, like the
We asked The Legends: What do you make of your team’s start to the season? MALCOLM MACDONALD It has been a remarkable start. I don’t think anyone expected Newcastle to get anything from Manchester United. Having lost 3-0 they then played
THE Northern Echo Arena is not a happy hunting ground for Darlington but they cannot use their home woes as an excuse for playing poorly says frustrated Mark Cooper. The manager is demanding an improved performance today from his players when
AS one of the elder statesmen of the Hartlepool United squad, Ritchie Humphreys has a big role to play during the current difficulties at Victoria Park. But aside from assisting caretaker boss Mick Wadsworth with coaching duties, alongside
MIDDLESBROUGH captain Gary O’Neil has been told to rest for ten days after taking another course of treatment on his injured knee. O’Neil has attracted interest from Premier League clubs during the summer, with Stoke City known to be at the
MIDDLESBROUGH are hoping new signing Mickael Tavares will receive his international clearance in time to take his place in the squad for this afternoon’s Championship game at Barnsley. Tavares was on Teesside yesterday putting the finishing
MATT KILGALLON decided to move from Sunderland amid concerns he would be left in the cold, but his early days at Middlesbrough have already got him talking to himself on Teesside. And if that wasn’t enough, Kilgallon fears something of an identity
KEVIN Foley insists Wolves will not be overawed by Newcastle after the Magpies’ sixgoal hammering of Aston Villa. The right-back is optimistic the Wolves defence is up to the task of stopping the threat of Andy Carroll after his hat-trick stunned
EMMANUEL ADEBAYOR has indicated he could look to leave Manchester City if he cannot play regularly this season. The former Arsenal striker returned to the team for the Europa League victory against Timisoara on Thursday. However he might be
WITH only three days left before the transfer window closes, Steve Bruce has revealed he is close to signing a much-needed replacement for striker Kenwyne Jones. The Black Cats boss revealed yesterday that chairman Niall Quinn is working tirelessly
SUNDERLAND manager Steve Bruce admits he is envious of Manchester City’s spending power, but insists the club will have to be successful if they are to keep their big money stars happy at Eastlands. City have again been the big spenders in
JODY Craddock combines his footballing career with an interest in art, and the Wolves defender has produced a portrait of Sir Bobby Robson that is available as a limited-edition print from the club shop at St James’ Park. Fifty signed paper
IT says much of Wayne Routledge’s itinerant existence that, despite only joining Newcastle in January, he has already made twice as many appearances for the Magpies as for the two other Premier League clubs where he spent three-and-a-half years
FERNANDO Alonso is confident of retaining the momentum that has thrust him into contention for a third Formula One world title. As Sebastian Vettel rightly remarked on Thursday, prior to the last two races few people were giving Alonso a chance
WITH the signing of Hatem Ben Arfa and Cheik Tiote having finally been completed, Newcastle United boss Chris Hughton is hoping to pull off a transfer treble with the capture of Tottenham striker Robbie Keane. Tiote was formally confirmed as
THERE was delight and disappointment for two Chesterle- Street internationals when the Scottish Commonwealth Games team was announced. Cross country champion Freya Murray was told that she could double up over 10,000m and 5,000m in New Delhi
SIMON Dyson’s dream of playing in the Ryder Cup is still alive with only two days of the year-long marathon to go. ‘‘If I play the best 36 holes of my life I’ll play in the best tournament of my life,’’ said the 32-year-old after a secondround
UNION officials have expressed fears about the future of up to 40 ancillary workers after hospital bosses announced a ward closure. Last week, The Northern Echo revealed that officials at the County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
A THUG who left a man scarred for life when he bit off part of his lip was last night starting a three-and-a-halfyear prison sentence. Sean Kearney was branded a coward by a scathing judge, who told him: “What you did has affected your victim
A BLACKMAIL victim who was allegedly threatened with death by a former boxer if he failed to make good on a £2.5m debt, was involved in fraud, it was claimed in court yesterday. The allegation came during the trial of security boss William Isaac
GYMNASTS from the North-East are taking part in an international event this weekend. More than 30 youngsters are performing their routines in the newly-refurbished Gateshead Leisure Centre. Team Gym is showcasing the talents of its members
YOUNG Harry Collinson has become one of only a handful of Cub Scouts across the country to earn all 33 activity badges. The ten-year-old, from Thirsk, North Yorkshire, has tackled various subjects, including art, cookery and personal safety.
THE expected takeover of North-East bus and rail firm Arriva has been completed by German transport operator Deutsche Bahn. The Sunderland-based firm is the UK’s third largest transport company, running rail and bus services in the North-East
A CASH-STRAPPED North-East care home provider has rejected an initial offer of talks from a private equity firm interested in buying the business. Shares in Darlington-based Southern Cross Healthcare, the UK’s largest provider of care homes,
A TEENAGER battling eating disorders has inspired her family and friends to embark on a fundraising challenge. Twelve women from County Durham calling themselves The Purple Ladies will dedicate a year to raising funds for Beat, a charity that
A MEMORIAL engine named after a former bishop and railway fan has carried 70 vicars across the North York Moors after a £600,000 refit. The Eric Treacy is named after a former Bishop of Wakefield and it began hauling passengers along the North
INVESTIGATIONS were continuing yesterday into the death of an eight-year-old boy at a North Yorkshire leisure centre. Kaimen Ward was pulled from the pool at Northallerton’s Hambleton Leisure Centre after getting into difficulties on Wednesday
A WOMAN was locked in a cupboard and her life threatened by a gang of masked men who burst into her isolated house before making off with cash, jewellery and a car. The 50-year-old victim was alone in the property, on the outskirts of Low Etherley
THE family of a teenager who died trying to save a friend from being swept out to sea have spoken of their heartache. Seventeen-year-old James Samuel Willis died after getting into difficulties in the sea at Whitby, North Yorkshire, on Wednesday
A “TERRIBLE, dark time” for North-East steelmaking was apparently at an end last night as a Thai company confirmed it was about to buy Corus Teesside Cast Products (TCP). Sahaviriya Steel Industries (SSI) and Corus have signed a memorandum of
A fascinating and unique archive of photographs charting the life of a comic genius is about to go under the hammer. Andrew Douglas reports. A DREARY backyard is transformed into a glamorous stage, complete with painted backdrop, pot plant and
A wave of optimism spread through Redcar town centre as the news broke that a buyer has been found for the Corus Teesside Cast Products plant. Graeme Hetherington visited the town to gauge people’s reactions. "IT’S absolutely wonderful
A MOUNTAINEER has set off on his latest charity challenge after being inspired by his days as a geography student. Alan Hinkes, from Northallerton, is aiming to raise thousands of pounds for mountain rescue teams in the UK by climbing the
Teenager is jailed for 30 months for manslaughter. AN underage drinker who killed a soldier with a single punch in a nightclub was yesterday jailed for 30 months. The victim’s parents last night condemned the sentence and said they were
A FOOTBALL club chairman has backed the North-East’s part in the World Cup bid, which could see his stadium used as a training base. Darlington Football Club was part of Sunderland’s bid to be one of the host cities if England wins the right
Last year the Corus Teesside Cast Products plant was pronounced dead but now it is poised to be brought. ON a dark day in February, the lights went out in the blast furnace at Corus’ Redcar plant. Some feared the heart and soul of a town built
ABOUT 44,000 vulnerable people living in the North- East could be forced to fend for themselves as a result of possible Government cuts, it has been claimed. The National Housing Federation (NHF), which represents the country’s housing associations
TWO women were taken to hospital last night after a collision between a car and a truck in County Durham. The accident happened at Waskerley, near Consett, at 7.20pm. A spokeswoman for Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue said the collision took place
A HOUSE in Darlington was severely damaged by fire last night. Crews were called to the property on Bowman Street in the Harrowgate Hill area of the town at 7.27pm. A spokeswoman for Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue said the ground floor of the
