AFTER signing a new contract himself this summer, Hartlepool United first-team coach Mick Wadsworth admits he is more than satisfied with both his squad of players and his coaching staff. Wadsworth arrived 12 months ago under Chris Turner
A LORRY driver had to be freed from his cab after the vehicle overturned, spilling 30 tonnes of wood chippings. The emergency services were called to Long Bank, Birtley, Gateshead, around 4.50pm yesterday where they found the 40-tonne wagon at the junction
A 30-YEAR-OLD man has been killed while crossing the road. The man, from Wheatley Hill, County Durham was struck by a green Citroen heading east on the B1279. The accident occurred approximately a quarter-of-a-mile west of the Salters Lane junction,
POLICE are hunting those responsible for a bomb alert that led to part of a County Durham village being sealed off today. Police cordoned off an area around Front Street in Annfield Plain, near Stanley, County Durham, for several hours after the discovery
Second Division champions Newton Aycliffe have signed former Hartlepool defender Darren Craddock. Centre half Craddock, 26, made 33 appearances for Hartlepool before moving on to York City, Newcastle Blue Star, Blyth and Whitby. Aycliffe manager Alan
MOTOR-giant Ford said tonight it was suspending advertising with the News of the World following allegations that the paper hacked the mobile phone of murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler. The announcement came as a further blow for News International
THE original Santa Fe was in part responsible for Hyundai's rise to prominence. Launched at the beginning of the last decade, it became a big success in the US. It wasn't bad to look at, it drove well, came laden with equipment and was
I MIGHT be losing my hair, but I am not quite ready for the Shady Oaks Home for the Soon to be Departed. In short, there is life in the old dog yet. You might think, therefore, that the Verso-S would not be my cup of milky tea. But although Toyota's
SO MUCH more than just a Boxster with a roof, the Cayman S poses a serious challenge to the much more expensive 911 Carrera as the Porsche of choice for the committed driver on a (relatively) tight budget. The Cayman shares its mid-engine platform with
TRADES COUNCIL: The next meeting of Darlington Trades Union Council will be held on Thursday at 7.30pm in the bar of the Pennyweight in Darlington market place. CHARITY COLLECTION: The Darlington and District Talking Newspaper Association for the Blind
VETERANS' welfare organisation celebrated its 90th year in Darlington as it was announced they had raised £50,000 for wounded soldiers this year. Darlington Mayor Lee Vasey was among the civic dignitaries and guests at Cleveland Bridge Club to celebrate
A LOCAL authority is reducing the production of its magaizine from monthly to quartly. Darlington Borough Council has said it will now only produce the ‘Town Crier' magazine four times a year because of new government guidance. It is thought that
A HOSPITAL which has been contravening planning laws for the last six years by using an emergency-only entrance to receive deliveries will be told tomorrow if it can continue. Although three residents have objected to Darlington Memorial Hospital's bid
POLICE have refuted rumours an empty village house which was damaged by fire last week contained a cannabis farm. Rumours circulating Sadberge that the terraced property in Church View, where firefighters extinguished a blaze last Thursday, had housed
SUNDERLAND are edging closer to landing defender John O’Shea, believes chairman Niall Quinn. O’Shea is part of a trio of Manchester United players who the Black Cats have registered an interest in, and it is expected that the 30-year-old will
A SMALL-TIME dealer who claimed he was selling cannabis to pay off a debt to a person higher up the chain has narrowly avoided jail. Marcus White, 22, from Middlesbrough, was given a suspended prison sentence even though the judge refused to believe
A SCULPTURE has been unveiled in memory of a man who was instrumental in the launch of a wildlife reserve. John Dickenson, of the Teesside Environmental Trust, played a leading role in securing the 1998 funding agreement for the RSPB reserve at Saltholme
THE centre of a village was cordoned off after a suspicious package was found at a bookmakers' premises today. Police sealed off the area surrounding Front Street in Annfield Plain, near Stanley, County Durham, after the discovery of a suspicious package
CHURCH members are volunteering their DIY skills to help those in need in their community. The Springboard Project has been set up by the 200strong congregation of All Saints' Church, Preston-onTees, Eaglescliffe. The idea is that members will help
PEOPLE are being warned to avoid loan sharks and illegal money lenders during the ongoing tough economic times. The problem is being addressed during the latest in a series of free advice days organised by Middlesbrough Partnership's Financial Inclusion
VOLUNTARY and community groups are being urged to stake a claim for up to £5,000 of funding to help boost their work. Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council has £100,000 to give out as part of its Voluntary Grants Fund scheme. Organisations working
IT has been my view for some time that the contempt of court rules are in a mess when it comes to what newspapers can and can't publish with regard to criminal proceedings. While national newspapers are repeatedly seen to be driving the proverbial
A WOMAN and a child have had a lucky escape after fleeing from a serious house fire. Fire crews were called to St Hilary Close, in Richmond, North Yorkshire, shortly before noon today. The woman, who is believed to be the child’s grandmother, was
AN agricultural worker was airlifted to hospital after falling onto a piece of machinery and becoming trapped by his injuries. The 30-year-old was working at Brian Robinson Machinery Ltd, in East Cowton, near Northallerton, North Yorkshire, when the
New Darlington signing Graeme Lee says he has no reservations about playing in the Conference, explaining that he would not have taken the plunge had he not believed that Quakers could bounce back. The defender last week signed a one-year deal at The
Looking for a lively holiday read for younger children? Richmond based Ellen Gee’s first children’s book hits the shelves this month with Scrapper Jack, Seven Scrapping Stories Set in Swaledale. Inspired by a real life character, the fictional tales
SEASON tickets at Hartlepool United for the new campaign in League One will cost a maximum of £150.Pools launched the innovative offer in May that meant if they sold 4,000 season tickets, they would cost £100. After selling almost 3,000 by
STAFF and pupils at a primary school are ending the school year on a high note after receiving a glowing Ofsted report. The inspectors rated the Prince Bishops Community Primary School, in Coundon Grange, as outstanding after their visit last month
DARLINGTON will kick off their second Blue Square Bet Premier season with a home match against newly-promoted Braintree Town. The FA Trophy winners welcome the Conference South champions to the Northern Echo Arena on August 13, with a trip to high-spending
Satellite broadcaster Sky is to create 400 jobs at a new call centre in Newcastle. In addition a further 400 staff will transfer from a contact centre firm in the city Sky presently contracts out to. The new centre at Wellbar Central
THE adoption service in North Yorkshire has been judged as the best in the country by official watchdogs. It was classed as outstanding in all areas - the only authority to receive such an accolade under new and tougher standards which measure outcomes
When it related to actors, footballers and politicians, the phone hacking scandal at the News of the World was already something which disturbed decent people. The fact that murdered teenager Milly Dowler's mobile telephone was hacked into by a News
DETECTIVES have made a fresh appeal for information following a burglary in which an antique barometer was among the items stolen. The burglary took place at a property in West Tanfield, near Masham, North Yorkshire, on Tuesday, May 24. The homeowners
THIS must be the only production of Shakespeare’s Scottish play where the audience are warned beforehand not to visit the toilet during the performance because there are men with big swords running around the woods near the portable loos. Charlotte
A TALENTED young poet has been commended for her entry in a national animal rights poetry competition. Alice Hoult, 14, from Ripon College in Ripon North Yorkshire entered her poem into a competition set by campaign group Animal Aid, with the theme
Undercover Boss (C4, 9pm) Mexican Food Made Simple (Five, 7.30pm) Restoration Home (BBC2, 8pm) Falling Skies (FX, 9pm) THE new series of Undercover Boss puts adult retailer Ann Summers under scrutiny. Chief executive officer Jacqueline Gold hasn
I READ that the thought police in the form of Labour MP Jenny Chapman and local black political activist Sean Campbell have accused Brian Johnson, the chairman of Darlington Cricket club, of using a racist phrase during the meeting to discuss
RAY MALLON has made the journey from inspirational Robocop to robotic fatalist with another column of miserable downbeat whingeing (Echo, July 1) about the Government, seemingly without noticing Teesside looks to be getting some preferable treatment
A FANTASTIC music festival takes place in North Yorkshire every year, and many people flock to the Richmond Live festival which this year is on August 5-6. Indie chart stars The Hoosiers are headlining on the Saturday and Darlington ska band
As chamber music trio Da Camera perform in Richmond, Ruth Addicott talks to viol player Susanna Pell about the lure of 18th Century music. RICHMOND will be filled with the sound of early 18th Century music, this month, when top chamber musical group
AMAN was working hard in his garden when the vicar walked by and said: “I see you and the Lord are making a beautiful garden.” And the man replied: “You should have seen it when the Lord had it to himself!” Those of us who have tried
I FULLY support the letters from Mrs Sam Towle (HAS, July 1) and Colin Mortimer (HAS, July 2) about the public sector strikes. Some months ago, I warned that public sector workers would have to bite the bullet as most employees of private companies
I BELIEVE it is the responsibility of every civilised society to care for its most vulnerable, the elderly. The Dilnot report should address this in a fair manner. The fact that someone has worked all their adult life, providing for themselves
I’M delighted that Bob Crow, the left-wing leader of the RMT union is attending the Durham Miners' Gala this Saturday. He is reported to have said it is a great honour to be invited to speak at this historic event of ours, so it is a great pleasure
ANYONE who watched the BBC Panorama programme about the dire state of the Irish economy may be wondering how an Irishowned property development company can propose a £32m investment to build 50 houses and a hotel on a beautiful rural site near
IN the artificial bubble in which they exist, there is a tendency for Premier League footballers to be forgiven their indiscretions. Despite now having the responsibility of fatherhood, Wayne Rooney has continued to be unfaithful to his wife Colleen
England’s care system for the elderly and frail has reached breaking point. After decades of make do and mend, the Government has finally grasped the social care nettle. But better care means more money. Britain can afford it – but is it a big
AN ADDICT rehabilitation centre under construction has received a £1m donation from an anonymous family trust. The generous donation to the Horison Life training centre in Killinghall near Harrogate, North Yorkshire, will help with the cost
A SUMMER campaign against drink drivers has been hailed a huge success by police after dozens of arrests. The high profile action by North Yorkshire Police was targeted at people who drink or use drugs before getting behind the wheel and encouraged
A VISITOR centre popular with tourists has launched a call for new volunteers to come forward to help with more specialist tasks. The Station, in Richmond, opened in 2007 offering food, films and art and has become a busy community centre, as well
David Haye has reiterated he would be happy to challenge Wladimir Klitschko to a rematch after his one-sided defeat in Hamburg on Saturday. The Ukrainian enjoyed a resounding points victory to add Haye's WBA heavyweight title to his own IBF and WBO belts
SUNDERLAND have made an inquiry about Russia international Pavel Pogrebnyak, but will not be firming up their interest in anyone until their pursuit of John O’Shea, Wes Brown and Darron Gibson is resolved. Pogrebnyak’s agent, Oleg Artemov
DURHAM are hoping South African David Miller will rejoin them at the end of the week in time to play in the last three Twenty20 group games. There is then a three-week break before the quarter-finals on August 6 and 7, but if Durham qualify coach Geoff
SIX new leaflets describing themed walks in and around the ancient city of Ripon have been published. They have been put together by Ripon Civic Society and the Ripon Ramblers and are available, at 50p each, from the local tourist information
A TEENAGE thug who stabbed a friend with a broken bottle during a bare-chested street fight escaped a jail sentence – because custody has not worked in the past. Daniel Bell has been locked up several times but his spells behind bars have not
SCHOOL pupils returning from a trip to France were shocked to discover the banging on the bottom of their coach was a suspected illegal immigrant. Quick-thinking staff from Hummersknott School, in Darlington, heard the noise and called police
THE mayor of a North-East town has hit out at a council for spending more than £400,000 restoring historic cobbles in the past ten years. Councillor Jason Hadlow said the High Street in Yarm, near Stockton, still looks a mess after Stockton
TWO men who sold a war memorial for scrap metal in exchange for £124 have walked free from court. The £15,000 plaque, which measures 4ft by 2ft, commemorates Sunderland’s Second World War victims who died when the city was bombed. It
HEARTLESS vandals have smashed up a charity building used by disabled children and their parents. The criminals used a sledgehammer to smash down the door of the Daisy Chain farmhouse, near Stockton, which is used by autistic children.
A COUNTY Durham entrepreneur has been named as part of a regional leadership board aiming to drive economic growth in the North-East. Dr Arnab Basu, chief executive of technology business Kromek, based at NETPark, Sedgefield is one of nine business
A NORTH-EAST MP is seeking assurances that thousands of jobs in the region will be safeguarded if proposals to sell energy provider npower go ahead. Npower is owned by German utility group RWE, which is reported to be interested in off-loading
TWO North Yorkshire breweries yesterday started a legal “war of the roses” over the use of the white rose of Yorkshire on their branding. Tadcaster brewery Samuel Smith’s and microbrewery Cropton, based near Pickering, are appearing in the
A CRUEL “postcode lottery” that denies help to many elderly people needing care in their homes must be scrapped, a report says. The Government-commissioned review called for a nationwide test to tackle the unfairness of some town halls helping
STUART Hall will attempt to become the North-East's first European champion since Michael Hunter when he takes on Jamie McDonnell at the Doncaster Dome on Saturday, September 3. Darlington's Hall will make a fourth defence of his British bantamweight
NORTHUMBRIAN Water seems set to be merged with a south-east rival if a Chinese tycoon's mooted takeover goes ahead. It also emerged last night that if a firm bid is made by Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-shing the deal, expected to be worth £2bn, will automatically
Norton and Stockton Ancients will officially open their new clubhouse soon, and complete a remarkable transformation at Station Road. Gone are the days when Norton’s facilities were reckoned to be amongst the most basic in the league, and instead
The Open Garden at The Lower Garden House, Spennithorne, Leyburn raised 796.55 for Herriot Hospice Homecare, a local charity which provides care for the terminally ill patients in their own homes in Hambleton and Richmondshire. Thanks to all who supported
The Open Garden at The Lower Garden House, Spennithorne, Leyburn raised 796.55 for Herriot Hospice Homecare, a local charity which provides care for the terminally ill patients in their own homes in Hambleton and Richmondshire. Thanks to all who supported
