Warwickshire captain Jim Troughton praised his side's efforts, both today and all season, as they came up agonisingly short in the battle for the County Championship. A draw at Hampshire, coupled with Lancashire's eight-wicket win at Somerset, saw Troughton's
Mohamed bin Hammam's appeal against a lifetime ban from football activities was yesterday rejected by FIFA's appeal committee. Bin Hammam, the Qatari former president of the Asian Football Confederation and FIFA executive committee member, was banned
A 22-year-old man has died after being found in a house with serious head injuries, police said tonight. He was found in a property in Greencroft Walk, Park End, Middlesbrough, in a critical condition and was rushed to the University Hospital of James
Brandon striker Mark Brischuk scored a hat trick as his side routed second bottom West Allotment 5-2 last night. Brischuk scored twice in the first 16 minutes, with Mark Nichol scoring again before half time. Connor Winter scored a fourth,
Five people were taken to hospital tonight after an accident involving three vehicles at Tanfield Lea, near Stanley. Emergency services responded to reports of people trapped at 5.48pm outside Tanfield Lea South industrial estate. Police and ambulance
The savagery of a street attack in Darlington is highlighted by a video which can been viewed tonight on The Northern Echo's website (www.northernecho.co.uk) I thought long and hard about whether it was right to show the disturbing CCTV
AN innocent man who was beaten unconscious in the street could owe his life to a brave passer-by who stepped in to stop the “repeated, sustained and brutal attack”, it emerged yesterday. A judge praised the courage of Aimee Yule after watching
SPIRALLING costs and dwindling members have forced the closure of a village's Methodist church. The difficult decision was taken by members of Gainford Methodist Church, who have decided that worship in the building will end in December. Services
A STAR gazing evening is to take place at a beauty spot with dramatic views of the night sky. The panoramic vantage point of Sutton Bank will form the backdrop for the event, which is being hosted by experts from York Astronomical Society on Saturday
BOGUS callers claiming to be collecting for a cancer charity have targeted homes. Police have warned residents in Stokesley to be vigilant after two homes in Tameside were reportedly targeted by three men claiming to represent Macmillan Cancer on Tuesday
A MOTHER is promoting a forces charity in honour of her son starting his first tour of Afghanistan - only two weeks after his appendix burst. Carrie Rutter is holding a charity buffet, collecting goods to send to troops in the warzone, and asking
A MAJOR date on the horticultural calender takes place this weekend with Harrogate Autumn Flower Show. One of the biggest flower shows in the country opens On Friday, September 16 at the Great Yorkshire Showground. Attracting visitors and exhibitors
A FLORIST used poetry and paganism to give a supernatural touch to her demonstration to a flower club. National demonstrator Katherine Kear entertained Darlington Flower Club with the origins of superstitions and named her presentation The Little
A CONSULTATION which aims to detail how cuts in social care funding will affect Darlington's most vulnerable citizens has been labelled ineffective and misleading. Gordon Pybus, chairman of Darlington Association on Disability, spoke of his concerns
A THIEF with more than 70 convictions for dishonesty stole so his pregnant wife did not have to, a court heard. Gary Brown, 35, stole a packet of razor blades worth £25 from the Asda store in Whinbush Way, Darlington, on August 10. Blair Martin
THE best performers at a dance festival have been named. Scores of pupils from 11 dance schools and academies took part in the event at Darlington Civic Theatre. Winning dancers were: Kai Wilson, from Dance Wright Studio; Amara Gavriel, from Rachel
A MOTHER and her young son suffered serious injuries after a bicycle accident on a steeply declining road. The 37-year-old woman and the two-year-old boy, who was strapped onto the cycle, were both recovering from head injuries in hospital
The comings and goings this week at the Brewery Field have continued with the signing of a new striker. Moors boss Jason Ainsley has signed striker Sonny Andrews from Norton, after the player submitted a transfer request a fortnight ago. Andrews scored
THE organisers of a sports programme for young people say they are delighted with the response to their summer programme of activities. More than 400 people from Richmond, Catterick, Colburn and Askrigg took part in the Richmondshire Leisure Trust Burst
THIS is one of those stories that has seeped into the hearts and minds of a whole generation. The jam and Jerusalem brigade, otherwise known at the Women’s Institute, is an admirable collective of caring women and this story is based on something
Billy Connolly’s Route 66 (ITV1, 9pm) Monty Hall’s Great Irish Escape (BBC2, 8pm) Young Soldiers (BBC3, 9pm) ONCE upon a time, Billy Connolly concentrated merely on making us laugh. These days you’re as likely to find him fronting
ENERGY Minister Chris Huhne has unveiled the six finalists in a competition to redesign the electricity pylon. Design firm Arup, founded by Newcastle-born Sir Ove Arup, is among the businesses hoping to win the £10,000 prize and the chance to
THE London market was led higher by retailers after encouraging results from Next and John Lewis. Next was the biggest riser, climbing six per cent, as investors applauded an 8.5 per cent increase in half-year pre-tax profits to £228m. This provided
A PARTNERSHIP between Tata Steel and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) will see the steel firm produce a newly-invented armour plating which could save the lives of British troops. Known as super bainite, the armour steel, invented and developed
"THAT is sick. You are so sad,” said 12-year-old Roscoe. Our guilty secret was out. We, a pair of middle-aged crusty old parents, were going to see the new Inbetweeners film, about a group of four, hapless, sex-obsessed teenage boys going off
THE emergency services have been called to Bishop Auckland today after the roof of the town's Mothercare store collapsed. No-one is believed to have been hurt in the incident at the store on Newgate Street. Police and fire fighters are
Letters, emails and tweets have been heading in my direction, lamenting the retirement of The Northern Echo's best-known writer Mike Amos. But a bit like reports of Mark Twain's death were somewhat premature, perceptions that this is the end
Inspired by the ‘simple life’ of a bygone era, Darlington artist Lou Harris is attracting a growing number of fans. She talks to Ruth Addicott about terraced houses, outdoor toilets and a time when people's teeth weren't perfect. ‘THE
THE temptation, when a dramatic shake-up of Westminster constituencies is announced, is to start pondering which political parties are up and which are down. I played the game myself this week - noting the prediction that the proposed cull
DAVID Cameron accepts that the latest unemployment figures are “disappointing”. But they should not be surprising. The expectation that job creation in the private sector could keep pace with the losses in the public sector was never a reality,
The Northern Echo conducted an interview with Dave Prowse when he released his autobiography a few years ago. We reproduce it here, as a tribute to a man who had a remarkable career. He played one of the most recognised characters in movie history
SCOTLAND Yard's incoming boss has called in Durham Police's chief constable to review the inquiry into phone hacking at the News of the World. Commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe considered it best practice to ask Jon Stoddart to look at the Met's
A 22-year-old holidaymaker who tried to open the doors of a plane at 36,000 feet has been arrested, police said today. The drama happened on Thomson Airways flight TOM1269 from Palma, Majorca, to Newcastle in the early hours of yesterday. The flight
DURHAM closed in on their eighth win of the season by reducing Worcestershire from 128 for two to 185 for eight at lunch. With the visitors still 180 behind, the signs were that Durham would enjoy a brief spell in early afternoon level with Warwickshire
I WAS interested to read Stuart Arnold’s article about the declining use of cheques in the banking system (Echo, Sept 6). As someone who uses mail order as a means of purchasing goods, my preferred method of payment has always been by cheque.
PETER MULLEN may approve of free schools, some set up by creationists, teachers of transcendental meditation and various other religious groups, but why does he have to attack teachers (Echo, Sept 13)? What evidence does he have that many are
IN my previous letter (HAS, Sept 8), I quoted a number of facts about wind energy. Unfortunately, they have been misread by Derek Thornton (HAS, Sept 13). Using the Government’s figure of 0.21 for the utilisation factor, 165MW of rated capacity
WHILE I agree Amelia Lilly gave a fantastic performance on X Factor, I almost choked on my museli at your report of “Amelia wowing the panel with a rendition of Beverly Knight’s Little Piece of my Heart”. The late, great, Janis Joplin must be
THE Work programme is now only three months old but, in many people’s eyes, died a slow death after session one. Session 1: Induction - pomp and frilly presentation promising exclusive jobs and quality training for all. Session 2: Asked to bring
A LOYALTY card scheme for shoppers in Redcar has been launched. The RedcarD scheme offers discounts in an attempt to increase trade in Redcar High Street. It includes special offers and deals available to residents and visitors - encouraging them
I WATCHED George Gently on BBC 1 and found it extremely nostalgic. Set in the Sixties, and based in Durham City and the surrounding county, there were lots of familiar landmarks for someone like me who has lived in Durham City for almost 70 years
I CAN’T say I am a fan of the new game show Red or Black. To me, it’s boring and just a game of pure luck. There are no questions, no skill and no tasks for the contestants to perform. Just pick red or black to win £1m. Any child of about five
RESIDENTS of an east Durham town have been urged to throw their weight behind a lottery bid to refurbish a community hall. St Mary's Church, Accent Housing and Horden Colliery Residents Association are working together on an application to the Big Lottery
IN response to J Hall’s letter (HAS, Sep 13) about the British National Party being part of the problem when stepping in the way of the destruction of traditional Britain. The British people have never been asked if they want a multicultural Britain
A CAMPAIGN has been launched to restore a popular beat bobby to the streets of his former patch. PC Stephen Morris was so popular in Thornaby that members of the Stainsby Beck Residents' Association are organising a petition to bring him back.
AT school I was quite fascinated to learn about astronomy. On the playing fields of my former primary school, on Albert Hill, in Darlington, I would often gaze at the Moon with my good friend, John Dunne, if it ever emerged during the light of
SELF-SUFFICIENCY is being taught at a cookery class next week when people learn how to make their own chutney and butter. Cherie Kemp and Catherine Boyle, from Middlesbrough Environment City, will show how to make a relish using fresh vegetables,
EMIRATES DREAM can land the williamhill.com Handicap as the three-day Gold Cup meeting gets under way at Ayr. All eyes in the 10-furlong contest will be on Dianne Sayer’s four-year-old Hot Rod Mamma, who has set alight the northern scene with five
WORK has begun on the building of a £6.5m sixth form centre at Middlesbrough College. The new facility, which is to open is doors next September, will create 19 full-time jobs and include 13 classrooms, tutorial rooms, a student lounge, cafe and sports
PEOPLE are being asked to send in their nominations to find Middlesbrough's Citizen of the Year for 2011. The competition aims to recognise an individual who has made a truly outstanding contribution to their community and the town. Nomination
JONNY BAIRSTOW has been called up to England’s 14-man squad for next week’s Twenty20 double header against the West Indies at the Oval. The 21-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman has been rewarded for a stunning summer with Yorkshire and the England
A WOMAN who began playing the organ in her parish church as a child has made history by becoming the first female organist at Durham Cathedral. Francesca Massey, 28, who has been appointed suborganist, said: “I am enjoying it immensely here.
Darlington have added firepower to their ranks with the return of Tadhg Purcell to The Northern Echo Arena. The Irish striker has joined on a one-month loan from Northampton Town and is line to make his second Quakers debut in Saturday's home
NEWCASTLE UNITED captain Fabricio Coloccini insists he is not worried about his side's lack of goals this season and believes the attacking players at the club are more than capable of creating enough chances to win games. The Magpies remain
SUNDERLAND midfielder Craig Gardner has labelled suggestions Steve Bruce's side are struggling as "ridiculous" and believes it is only a matter of time before their quality comes out. After a summer of spending and rebuilding, the feeling
Scotland's match-winner Dan Parks felt the full wrath of head coach Andy Robinson in the middle of kicking all the points in yesterday's 15-6 World Cup Pool B win over Georgia in Invercargill. Scotland followed up the 34-24 bonus-point victory
Graeme Swann will have to ditch some of his wisecracks to make sure he fits the bill as England captain. Swann has become English cricket's national treasure, not just for his world-beating off-breaks but his unaffected humour with team-mates and the
Andrew Sheridan will fly home from New Zealand today fearing for his rugby career after yet another shoulder injury forced him out of England's World Cup campaign. Sheridan, who has had three shoulder operations in the last two years, suffered
THE Government was last night urged to change course on the economy after figures revealed the worst unemployment picture in the North-East for 15 years. The number of people out of work leapt by 18,000 in the three months to July, meaning
A NEW voluntary service has potentially helped to save the lives of children, adults and pensioners since its launch this summer. The Tees Valley Blood Bike service has been called into action more than 30 times since the beginning of July,
PROPOSALS to reshape the electoral face of North Yorkshire have sparked reactions ranging from celebration, astonishment and outright fury. Click here to view the existing and proposed North Yorkshire boundaries While most MPs in the
ACTIVISTS have unveiled full details of a new Jarrow March, which will call for action to tackle rising youth unemployment. Supporters of campaign group Youth Fight for Jobs will march 300 miles to London to demand a programme of job creation
A POLICE officer who shot cornered killer Raoul Moat in the chest with a Taser told an inquest the cartridge had no effect. The wanted murderer had told police negotiators "this is all going to end in this field tonight", the jury at Newcastle
DAVID CAMERON pledged yesterday to investigate a controversial North-East coroner after families complained of waiting months to find out how their loved ones died. Speaking in the Commons, the Prime Minister said there was no excuse for a huge backlog
A FAST growing North-East energy firm is hoping to sign a deal to run services for a Chinese power plant by the end of the financial year. County Durham based energy and mineral experts Hargreaves Services said it saw India and Asia as a key long term
A CONSERVATION group has set a new land speed record for a car fuelled by leftover coffee. The Teesdale Conservation Volunteers (TCV) achieved the feat yesterday in their modified 1974 Rover SD1 3500, which they adapted to be powered by gasification
WORKERS at Cummins factory in Darlington are putting the finishing touches to the one millionth mid-range engine to be made at the site. The milestone marks a dramatic turnaround in fortunes for the plant which suffered a torrid time during
A TEES Valley engineering firm is set to break into global markets after buying a local foundry and investing a six figure sum in new equipment. Teescraft Engineering, based at South Church Enterprise Park Bishop Auckland, County Durham believes its
AT 4.30 yesterday Martin Saggers officially ended Durham's title hopes in his role as the TV umpire at the Rose Bowl. The same man who was last out when they clinched their first championship at Canterbury in 2008 had the task of confirming
Jonny Bairstow has been called up to England's 14-man squad for next week's Twenty20 double header against the West Indies at the Oval. The 21-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman has been rewarded for a stunning summer with Yorkshire and the England Lions,
Carnagill Children's centre recently held its first birthday party. Situated in Catterick Garrison the centre provides support and advice for families, and offers sessions for parents and children aged 0-10 to attend, including baby massage, mini movers
A NORTH-EAST hospital trust facing up to the prospect of future cash shortages has taken an unusual step. It has decided to organise public meetings to try to find new ways of encouraging healthier living. County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation
