TIM Swinson scored a try three minutes from time for Newcastle Falcons to scramble a draw with Sale at Kingston Park tonight. Sale were in control of this Aviva Premiership match when they led 19-9 halfway through the second half - but Jimmy Gopperth's
THE body of an elderly man has been found in the River Tees. Emergency services were called to the Millennium Bridge in Stockton around 8.30am on Friday. The ambulance service contacted the police to report a man going into the water. The victim, aged
NEWCASTLE United have allowed three promising youngsters to head out on loan to gain vital first-team experience.Matthew Grieve, 20, has signed a month-long temporary deal with League Two outfit Stockport County, while James Tavernier and Joan Simun Edmundsson
THE partner of a woman who died after she was found unconscious outside a telephone kiosk has paid tribute to her. Police were initially treating the death of grandmother, Jean Bennett, 50, as suspicious or unexplained. But on Friday night they said
The big freeze has had the UK in its grip for several weeks and as snow continues to fall in some parts of the UK, Autoglym is urging motorists to consider the impact the conditions can have on their cars. In sustained sub-zero temperatures cars become
Mark Cooper has today completed another new signing – with experienced defender Adam Quinn following Greg Taylor to the Northern Echo Arena. The 28-year-old centre-back has signed an 18-month deal after joining Quakers from Crawley Town.
David Chaytor will need to learn to be anonymous and go with the flow of prison life to cope with his jail sentence, former Tory cabinet minister and ex-inmate Jonathan Aitken said today. Mr Aitken, who was jailed for 18 months for perjury
Former Labour MP David Chaytor was jailed for 18 months today for making false Parliamentary expenses claims. Chaytor, 61, became the first politician to be convicted and sentenced over the expenses scandal which has rocked Westminster.
So, here we go again with a rant against Virgin Mobile who are my Blackberry "supplier". Sadly, they are also our phone provider, internet provider, and digital television provider. I emailed them yet AGAIN to tell them my Blackberry account still isn't
A PROFESSIONAL car thief was jailed today after he was caught in a stolen Vauxhall Corsa with a pile of false numberplates. Ronald Henderson, 27, from Hartlepool, who had more than 150 convictions for dishonesty, was driving it less than three
AN 87-year-old woman has died following a four-vehicle rush hour smash in which her car ended up on its roof. The collision took place in Ripon, North Yorkshire, at about 5.30pm, on Thursday. The woman, who has not been identified, was driving her blue
We should start embracing age instead of denying it. WHEN I grow up I want to be Eileen Atkins. Or maybe Maggie Smith. But definitely not Jane Fonda. Growing old disgracefully, or grandly or bossily, sounds fun. But trying desperately to cling
Hustle (BBC1, 9pm); The Mentalist (Five, 9pm); Classic Albums (BBC4, 9pm); Criminal Minds (Living, 9pm); Rude Tube: New Year’s Special 2011 (C4, 10pm) BY now, most of us know that the majority of scam artists and confidence tricksters are out for
LISTENING to the BBC Radio 4 programme “You and Yours”on December 21, I was impressed by what I heard. The programme was about the present wintry conditions and what the authorities and people did to help to combat these situations in other countries
DAVID Cameron says the Ashes victory was a late Christmas present for the country. May I remind him the Scots, Welsh and Irish couldn’t give a damn for a cricket series in Australia, or anywhere else for that matter. He has obviously chosen to
I WAS interested in Peter Barron’s From the Editor’s Chair column of December 20 praising paper deliverers. My experience is very different. I have enjoyed reading The Northern Echo for many years and used to have it delivered. Unfortunately,
THE Christmas speech by the Queen was bland, boring and annoying. I accept the monarchy rather then describe myself as a monarchist. The Queen seemed to suggest in her speech that those who take part in sport are superior to those of
ROB Meggs (HAS, Dec 24) believes the Christmas message from Pope Benedict was the most depressing ever. More likely it was the most challenging to the growth of selfseeking behaviour in some priests, and the natural human weakness in us all, from
RE. your pictures of the dead deer in the Spennymoor lake (Echo, Dec 20). What a harrowing end for these beautiful animals. I totally agree with these photos being shown. If it saves the life of one small child it will have been all worthwhile
ALLAN Day’s letter (HAS, Dec 28) in which he criticises regular contributors to the column, was a shallow and empty effort. To suggest that the letter writers like to see their name in print and have nothing better to do, is a tired and worn-out
I WOULD like to thank all the drivers of the Darlington Dial-A-Ride service for their dedication in helping us all do the normal, every day activities that physically fit people take for granted. The telephone receptionists always did their best
I often wonder where rats fit in. Just about every creature in creation has some point to it – even a goldfish gives us some mild amusement – but other than to send a shiver down our spine, I can’t work out what a rat’s contribution is. Now I’
REGARDING Charles Johnson’s letter (HAS, Dec 27), the Conservative Party may have gained the most seats in parliament, but only just, and with only 36 per cent of the total vote. With 64 per cent of the electorate voting against them this is
SHIRLEY Crabtree was born in Halifax, Yorkshire, on November 14, 1937, and changed his name to Big Daddy, the children’s favourite. He became a professional wrestler and began his great feuds with the infamous Giant Haystacks on ITV Sport. He
Fancy a 25 per cent pay rise? Money expert Martin Lewis can’t quite promise that, but if you’ve never sorted your finances, he reckons doing a blitz can sometimes save you an equivalent amount over a year. So in a reverse money diet, here are his
IT is now clear that Darlington is to be a key battleground in the first meaningful test of the political mood since the General Election. The Conservative Party sees the market town – not so long ago a marginal parliamentary constituency – as
BLAYDON have circulated all fellow members of the National Clubs’ Association seeking support in their search for more flexibility in the fixture list. Having had all their games postponed since November 20, Blaydon face their National One
ROB Andrew is considering whether to apply for a new job at the RFU after his position as England’s director of elite rugby was scrapped. The RFU’s new chief executive John Steele has looked to strengthen the organisation’s management structure
HIBBA is taken to emerge triumphant on her handicap debut at Lingfield. The four-year-old filly has done more than enough on her first three starts in maidens to warrant fulsome respect in the Eden Brook Handicap. Unraced as a juvenile, the former
STEVE Bruce has admitted Sunderland’s mounting injury list could force him to make “one or two signings” in this month’s transfer window. The Black Cats boss had been intending to keep his powder dry, with long-term targets such as Charles N
TONY Mowbray has admitted he is performing a “balancing act” as he attempts to make some headway on identifying potential signings, while also waiting for other managers to make a formal offer for the higher-earning members of the Middlesbrough
DARLINGTON are expected to complete the signing of Kettering defender Greg Taylor today after missing out on his team-mate John Dempster. Dempster was all set to join his ex-boss Mark Cooper at The Northern Echo Arena in a double deal, before
EUAN Murray will make his Newcastle Falcons debut this evening as Alan Tait’s side look to ease their Aviva Premiership relegation fears with a much-needed win over Sale Sharks. With Leeds Carnegie earning their first win of the campaign last
Hartlepool United go into tomorrow’s FA Cup tie at Watford with their manager and captain in line for awards. Mick Wadsworth and Sam Collins have been shortlisted for the League One manager and player of the month honours for December.
STEVENAGE manager Graham Westley believes his players have the hunger and desire to cause a major FA Cup upset tomorrow evening when the npower League Two side host Newcastle. Westley led his side into the Football League last May and they
NEWCASTLE boss Alan Pardew is close to completing his second signing of the January transfer window but admitted the deal was proving difficult to nail down. Pardew confirmed the Magpies had made an inquiry for a player yesterday morning and
DURHAM remain uncertain about Paul Collingwood’s long-term plans following his announcement that he has retired from Test cricket. Coach Geoff Cook, who is currently with some young Durham players in Dubai, said: “I’ve sent him a text, but
THE consensus on Paul Collingwood’s Test career is that he made the absolute best of his abilities, but this is to damn one of England’s finest players from the last decade with faint praise. Yes, a formidable fighter’s instinct enabled Collingwood
PAUL Collingwood still thinks fairy tales are for other people. But he may have to reconsider after a glorious Ashes finale to his Test career. Collingwood is the paragon for an England team full of talent but whose whole-hearted effort is the
A TENANT who was jailed for cooking a hamster in a microwave could be evicted from his home if he steps out of line again. Anthony Parker, of Holyrood Walk, Hartlepool, was accused of breaching his tenancy agreement with Housing Hartlepool in
THE enforcement of stricter parking restrictions has left a woman fuming after she was given a £35 fine for leaving her car outside her home. For seven years, Barbara Jefferson has been parking in the same place despite a single yellow line
Some of the North-East’s biggest companies are leading a programme to help homeless people get back to work. Business Editor Owen McAteer talked to Barry Trainor, who rebuilt his life after substance misuse and homelessness, about the importance
MINING and banking stocks pulled the FTSE 100 Index into the red yesterday despite strong gains for microchip designer ARM and Marks & Spencer. The London market closed 24.4 points lower at 6019.5 in a reversal of earlier gains that had seen
A SENIOR clergyman is supporting an environmental campaign. Dr John Sentamu, the Archbishop of York, is behind a project to send a bird nesting box to every church and faith school in the Diocese of York. Dr Sentamu said: “The natural world is
THREE people involved in a drugs ring walked free from court after a judge was told how they had turned around their lives since they were arrested more than a year ago. Recorder Neil Davey, QC, said the anxiety caused by the length of time
MOTHERCARE said UK sales in the final quarter of 2010 got off to a strong start, but were ‘‘impacted significantly’’ by the snow last month. Finance director Neil Harrington said UK like-for-like sales were down by 21per cent in one week last
CLINTON Cards has emerged as a casualty of the severe winter weather after revealing yesterday that its profits will be significantly short of City hopes. The retailer said like-forlike sales dropped two per cent in its Clinton Cards shops
ROLLS-ROYCE has signed a £3.2bn deal to supply British Airways with engines for up to 61 aircraft, in the first sale of its Trent 900 engine since one exploded in mid-air on a Qantas flight last year. The Derby-based manufacturing company will
A GROUP of archaeologists has been shortlisted for an award after unearthing a mass grave of Cromwell’s soldiers in the region. The site, in York, is one of five finds nominated for magazine Current Archaeology’s rescue dig of the year in its
FRUGAL fashionistas are being offered a recession-busting way to tailor their wardrobes for the new year. Cleveland College of Art and Design (CCAD) is to open its modern art workshops for a master class in fashion restyling and recycling.
POWER provider National Grid was hit with an £8m fine yesterday after it fudged reports to the energy watchdog in a move which could have led to higher gas bills for consumers. Ofgem imposed its second-largest penalty on the energy firm for
A FULL-SIZE dalek was spared extermination after being left in a North-East hotel bedroom. The gold-coloured cyborg, the most famous nemesis of TV’s Doctor Who during the sci-fi series’ near 50-year run, was recovered by staff after its owner
THIEVES caused the closure of a main shopping area when they are believed to have attempted to steal a gas meter from an empty property. Police, fire crews and gas engineers were alerted after a strong smell of gas was detected in Newgate Street
In her latest column, Jane Bradshaw, director of St Teresa’s Darlington and District Hospice Movement, looks ahead to an exciting 2011. NEW Year means new beginnings, but for St Teresa’s Hospice we will also be marking an important anniversary
A TEENAGE burglar left householders more than £25,000 out of pocket after a relentless three-month crime spree. Karl Davies was part of a gang which repeatedly raided sheds and garages in Darlington, looking for rich pickings. The 19-year-old
RUSHED plans to axe scores of quangos will neither save money nor improve accountability, MPs warned today in a scathing condemnation of the ‘‘botched’’ process. The Government announced in October it was slashing the number of such bodies
A CARPET company is rolling out a ground-breaking remedy for the bane of drivers’ lives as the nation’s roads crumble under the effects of the harshest winter for generations. Millions of potholes have appeared in roads, paths and tracks across
A WOMAN who had paint stripper thrown over her car is offering a £500 reward. Nicola Todd, from Hunwick, near Bishop Auckland, did not suspect anything out of the ordinary when she woke on New Year’s Day. She had spent a quiet night at home with
THE creation of office space the size of three town halls will be one of the main points in a local Conservative manifesto as the race for the region’s key council begins. Darlington will be the Conservatives’ main target in the North in May
MORE than £100m could be saved every year by helping young people in the care system more effectively, a North-East company has said. Young Foundations, an independent children’s home provider based in Darlington, said targeting youngsters in
MEMBERS of the National Union of Journalists at Newsquest North-East, publisher of The Northern Echo and its sister titles, went on strike yesterday and will continue their action today. A Newsquest statement said: “At a time when all businesses
COUNCILS across Teesside are reassuring people that everything is being done to tackle the backlog of rubbish. The heavy snow fall in early December, coupled with the Christmas and New Year period, left some people saying their rubbish had not
HEALTHY people were last night urged to stand aside in the queue for swine flu vaccines as supplies reached critically low levels in some areas. As Government officials prepared to release supplies of the old swine flu vaccine to GPs who have
Northallerton include new signing Matthew Coad in their line up in the second division away to promotion chasing Whickham. Coad, who was at Crook Town earlier in his career, has been signed from West Auckland where he has had a few injury problems.
Shildon manager Gary Forrest is hoping that his side’s enforced lay off won’t affect their chances in their much-delayed third round FA Carlsberg Vase tie against Midland Alliance leaders Coalville this afternoon. The Railwaymen have a tough enough task
England have won the Ashes, completing a memorable 3-1 win in Australia, as they wrapped up the Aussie tail at 12.58am. After a rain delay, Graeme Swann made the first breakthrough, that of Peter Siddle. With the new ball taken, James Anderson
