DARLINGTON yesterday made their first signing since the end of last season when they brought in former Billericay player Liam Hughes. The 25-year-old is an attacking midfielder who only joined Billericay in February having previously been with
NEWCASTLE'S remarkable season has been recognised by claiming two major gongs at the Premiership Rugby Awards.Vereniki Goneva was last night named player of the season by a judging panel to win the latest award of an outstanding 2017-18 campaign having
A WARNING is being sounded to motorists over the abuse of disabled parking bays across Middlesbrough. They are being urged to ensure the clearly marked spaces are left free for those who really need them – or face hefty fines. Middlesbrough councillor
A WOMAN has been sacked from a Michigan engineering company after being found to have laced chocolate brownies with laxative. The brownies were intended as a gift for a departing female employee but a police investigation confirmed that laxative
CHAMPAGNE corks were popping in Bishop Auckland this week when five neighbours got news of a windfall.Five householders in Milford Meadow, in the town's South Church area, won £1,000 each.Their postcode, DL14 6SJ, was selected as winner of the People
TWO men are suspected of stealing cash from a children's ride.Two male suspects are thought to have forced entry into the money compartment of the ride at Newgate Shopping Centre, in Bishop Auckland, and taken cash from within. They also attempted
THE leaders of a council facing having to make multi-million pound cutbacks to frontline services have defended a decision to grant councillors an inflation-busting rise in their allowances. Members of North Yorkshire County Council have voted
A NORTH-East council has accused the government of treating pupils like “guinea pigs” following a significant drop in GCSE results in County Durham. A report by Durham County Council found that the number of teenagers achieving at least A* to C
FILM and theatre events are taking place across a town as part of an annual arts festival hoping to showcase the town’s culture.Darlington Arts Festival is staging events from May 18, showing west-end hits, Shakespeare plays, and a screening of 2015 film
MATT Westcott has been speaking to World and Paralympic cycling champion Dame Sarah Storey who brings her team Storey Racing to the Tour Series in Durham on Tuesday, May 22 This venture is still relatively new, how has it gone and has there
IT was a routine clearance that should have presented no problem for someone with the ability and experience of Ray Wilson. Sigfried Held crossed the ball into the England box, Wilson messed up a simple header when unchallenged and the ball fell to
JOEL ASORO is shaping up to be the most sought after Sunderland player of the summer and the club’s new owner Stewart Donald will have an early decision to make on his future.The teenage forward was one of very few bright spots of the Black Cats’ disastrous
WITH the Government set to restore the LNER name to Britain's railways, we thought we'd have a look back through the archives and came across these old railway posters. Rail services on the East Coast Main Line will be brought back under public
PARISH councillors have condemned plans for 280 new homes in Middleton St George. The plans by property developer Gladman for land off Neasham Road, Middleton St George, near Darlington, would also see a 60-bed care home being built, along with
A MAN who sexually abused girls more than 30 years ago is beginning a 12-year prison sentence after finally answering for his crimes. But, David Bowes would have received much longer sentences had the offences been committed in recent years, as
FOUR out of five karate club members who went to international contest returned home with trophies.The martial artists represented the Chikara Dojo Kyokushin Karate Club, in Spennymoor, at the Kyokushin Karate Welsh Championships in Barry, south Wales
WE were at Zetland Hunt Point to Point recently. The event took place at Witton Park, Witton le Wear.
A MAN has appeared in court following a spate of burglaries in Teesdale. Leon Robinson, of Scaton Lane, Hartlepool, was charged with 13 offences in the early hours of this morning and appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court today. The
LIVERPOOL right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold has been included in England's 23-man squad for the World Cup, the Football Association has announced. Manager Gareth Southgate has also named Manchester City midfielder Fabian Delph and Burnley goalkeeper
A HUMAN skull found in the garden of a Darlington property is believed to be ancient, Durham Police have said. Officers were called to a property in Springwell Terrace on Monday afternoon after workmen working on an extension discovered what they
A NORTH Yorkshire company is getting in on the Royal Wedding act after creating a banger to a 'majestic' recipe. As a nod to Meghan's American background and Harry's fiery red locks, the Keebles at Kirklington-based Heck have married lean British
WEST Ham are looking for a new manager after confirming David Moyes has left the club. The former Everton, Manchester United and Sunderland boss lifted the Hammers out of the relegation zone after replacing Slaven Bilic on a short-term contract
I AM deeply concerned about the increasing use of unqualified staff in our schools.Since Michael Gove was Education Secretary, academies and free schools are allowed to use unqualified staff, in place of teachers, and there has been a gradual increase
THROUGH the medium of your newspaper may I express my support and admiration for all of the RNLI crews, including Joe Winspear and Ben Laws from the Whitby station, who have been stood down after mugs of an allegedly sexual nature were discovered when
A FLOWER arranger equipped with first-hand royal wedding experience revisited her roots to bring together a display inspired by this week's upcoming nuptials. Cynthia Scott, of School Aycliffe, helped set up a peach and cream display in Westminster
TO nationalise any company is to call the death knell on it.We have a government who don’t know its a*** from its elbow and yet we have this well-meaning, but I fear very naïve, mayor, if he thinks that this is the way of saving this little jewel of an
WATCH out Darlington this town is going backwards. Why can Stockton have a water feature with water, and a pristine toilet in the main street, and can support a busy market alongside a bus service which doesn’t cause chaos and confusion amongst
IN the EU referendum, 406,630 people voted leave in County Durham – south of the Tyne and north of the Tees. There are 15 constituencies in that area. Every one voted Labour. Where are our MPs when it comes to helping Theresa May leave? Why are
I BELIEVE in rehabilitation, restorative justice and, whenever possible, keeping offenders out of gaol. But, I am completely opposed to Cleveland Divert, whereby Cleveland Police intend letting off low-level offenders, provided they agree to have their
A PLAGUE of greenfly likened to something from an Alfred Hitchcock film descended on parts of Teesdale. The air was turned green on Tuesday as swarms of the insect forced residents to take cover indoors when they hit at about 2.30pm. The 'invasion
A BUSINESS has pledged its support the homeless with a year of fundraising events in aid of a local charity.Darlington Credit Union has nominated First Stop Darlington as its inaugural Charity of the Year.The credit union's staff will organise a number
A TRAVEL agent’s has raised more than £500 to help send a 12-year-old girl to Germany for a life changing operation. The fun day at Hays Travel, in Durham, was in aid of Lauren Rennie, from Ushaw Moor, who is due to travel to Germany next week
THE funeral of a D-Day hero will be held next week and help is needed to give him the send-off he deserves. Much-loved veteran Frank Hughes died earlier this month at the age of 92, having enjoyed an active and independent life up until a final
A MAN was taken to hospital with suspected broken left leg after being rescued from mud flats of the River Tyne - having fallen more than 25 feet from the quayside. A spokesperson for the Tyne & Wear Fire and Rescue Service said a man was reported
FORMER Newcastle United goalkeeper Shay Given thinks Mike Ashley should realise just how lucky he is to have Rafa Benitez in charge at St James’ Park by backing him where it matters this summer – on the transfer front. Talks between Benitez’s advisors
ARMED officers made an arrest after reports of a man carrying a handgun in the street. Durham Police was called to Church Hill, Crook, County Durham, at 5.45pm yesterday after members of public reported seeing a man carrying what was believed to
A GROUP of deaf children put on a performance inspired by The Greatest Showman to showcase their pride in their abilities. The children, who attend the enhances mainstream provision (EMP) at Durham Gilesgate Primary School, put on the show for
RAIL services on the East Coast Main Line will be brought back under public control following the termination of the franchise agreement with Virgin Trains East Coast (VTEC), Stagecoach Group has said. The firm, which owns 90% of VTEC, said it
A CULTURE of greed and cack-handed management coursed through construction company Carillion.Anyone who has been following the scandal of the collapsed firm, which used public money to support its increasingly dodgy dealings, will have guessed this was
THOUSANDS of rail passengers suffered travel disruption this morning after the theft of cable on the Metro. The theft happened in the South Drive area of Hebburn overnight. Thieves made away with a substantial amount of cable, causing a fault in
A SILENT soldier stands on a school field in tribute to tens of thousands of Armed Service personnel who served in the First World War.The Friends of St Charles RCVA Primary School, in Spennymoor, bought a silent soldier silhouette to display in the school
A RYEDALE company is helping the nation get into the Royal Wedding frenzy by producing thousands of look-a-like masks.Depth Charge Design, in Kirkbymoorside, have been sending masks of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, all over the world, ahead of the couple
A LITTLE boy who cannot walk, talk or hear because of a rare condition has had a fundraising day held in his honour.The recently-opened Darlington business, Junior Kitchen, hosted the event to raise money for Joseph Teasdale.Junior Kitchen, based off
A POPULAR piece of play equipment has been removed from a town park after it was deemed unsafe due to vandalism.Ferryhill Town Council staff had to take down the cantilever swing from the King George V Playing Field, known locally as the Broom Rec, following
BUSINESS is booming for a holiday home firm after the owner took advantage of free digital marketing training.Katrina Love, who runs Sandy Farr Cottages in Tow Law, has been putting theory into practice, using her new found digital marketing expertise
AN INAUGURAL education conference will be hosted by an academic trust to bring together a number of school leaders.The Lingfield Education Trust, in Darlington, comprises of Heathfield Primary, Hurworth Primary, Northwood Primary, Corporation Road Primary
AUSTRALIA bowler Billy Stanlake will no longer join Yorkshire for this season's Vitality Blast, the county have announced. Yorkshire director of cricket Martyn Moxon said that Cricket Australia "have decided on a different strategy" for the 23-
EVERTON have sacked Sam Allardyce less than six months after appointing him to get them out of trouble, the club have announced. While the 63-year-old former Newcastle and Sunderland boss achieved his initial target of steering the club away from
TONY PULIS claims he “knows what is needed” to ensure Middlesbrough bounce back stronger next season after suffering play-off heartbreak against Aston Villa. Report: Boro lose 1-0 on aggregate at Villa Boro were unable to overturn their
AUTHORITIES are searching for the relatives of a man who died aboard a ship last month. Police in Norfolk are appealing for help in tracing the family of Hartlepool man David Mark Patterson. The 50-year-old died whilst working on board a ship
SUNDERLAND’S recruitment team are already working behind the scenes on potential targets to recommend to the club’s next manager.The Black Cats are in a state of limbo at the moment while Stewart Donald, who has sold Eastleigh this week, is waiting for
FORENSICS officers arrived at the home of a murdered woman this morning as investigations into her death continue. Crime scene investigators joined a Cleveland Police officer stationed outside the house shared by Jessica Patel and her husband at
WHITLEY Bay’s evolving, edging – some might say accelerating – upmarket. Shortly, spectacularly, to be reborn, the Spanish City may be the icing on the enchiladas. Partly funded by £3.47m from the Heritage Lottery Fund, the £10m transformation
A HEADTEACHER who “flirted” with a 16-year-old girl was told by a judge to prepare himself for a prison sentence. The warning was given to John Stubbins after he admitted a further charge over an indecent image he persuaded the girl to send him
AN investigation has been launched after a skull, believed to be human, was found in the garden of a property in Darlington. The remains were discovered by workmen working on an extension at a house in Springwell Terrace on Monday afternoon.
IT'S the Royal Wedding on Saturday. Prince Harry will marry Meghan Markle at Windsor Castle. Are you getting married on the same day as the couple? We would love to hear from you and see your photos on the big day. Email matt.westcott
TAXI drivers beeped their horns in tribute to a much-loved driver who died recently. Several cars were seen in Darlington’s market square on Tuesday honouring the veteran driver known to the community as ‘Blod’. Anthony Wheelhouse had worked
A MURDER investigation has been launched after a woman was found dead in her house on Monday night. Jessica Patel, 34, originally from the Leeds area, was found with serious injuries at a property on The Avenue in Middlesbrough and was pronounced
THE owner of a house where a ‘human’ skull was dug up during building work has spoken of her shock. A police investigation was launched after the grim discovery was made by builders working on a property in Darlington. The remains were discovered
A VICTIM of child slavery who was trafficked to the UK as a boy is awaiting a decision which could see him sent back to Vietnam from his new life in County Durham. Stephen, whose real name cannot be disclosed to protect his identity, spent more
A SERIES of comedy events will be held across Darlington as part of its festival fortnight. The line-up will see renowned stars, local favourites and up-and-coming comedians take to the stage in six performances across four venues. To kick
THE Dean of York is moving on - after being appointed as the new Bishop of Bristol.The Very Reverend Dr Vivienne Faull will be consecrated at a service at St Paul’s Cathedral on July 3.Dr Faull was the first woman to lead a Church of England cathedral
BLUES and jazz pianist Dom Pipkin in bringing his one man show to the region.Pipkin, who has performed extensively in New Orleans, will be performing at The Forum Music Centre on Borough Road, Darlington, tomorrow night.The musician has recorded and toured
WORK is underway to make a city more accessible for people living with dementia.The new group has been launched to try and make the city easier to use by people with the condition.Nanette Tiplady, ambassador for Durham’s Business Improvement District,
A COUNCIL has been accused of putting motorbike riders ahead of safety and the preservation of ancient green lanes because it is scared of being taken to court. Campaigners are furious that North Yorkshire County Council is allowing motorcyclists
TWO County Durham martial artists came back from the British Kendo Association Jodo National Championships in Birmingham with medals.Brian Ford, instructor at the West Lea club in Seaham, was awarded a silver medal in the individual and a gold medal in
STAFF and parents of Rooftops Montessori Nursery School in Richmond, North Yorkshire held a charity day for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance as part of celebrations for the Tour de Yorkshire.An exercise bike in the foyer of the nursery was used to cycle the
A CITY rowing club is hoping to make a real splash to ensure a planned expansion at its riverside boathouse gets off the ground.Durham Amateur Rowing Club (DARC) is awaiting confirmation of planning approval to develop a new boat store and fitness room
AN education authority which is set to reshape special educational needs and disabled (SEND) provision amid a £4m annual overspend on the service is not conducting a cost-cutting exercise, councillors examining the move have claimed. Councillor
A DRUNK man smashed three town centre shop windows in a 'rampage', causing £1,200 of damage, following a row with his girlfriend, a court heard. Ryan Hall, of Fairfax Road, Middleton St George, admitted the offence but said he had 'no memory' of
AN electrician who teaches children self defence in his spare time has won a British title in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for the second time. David Moore, who lives in Darlington and owns Connect Electrical Services, has defended his Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
A COMMUNITY is flying in the face of Brexit after signing a Declaration of Friendship with a town in the Loire region of France.The towns of Bedale and Azay-sur-Cher are now working to create links between residents, businesses and schools. Members of
ROYAL Navy chefs swapped the high seas for the River Tees and treated hungry students to a careers day with a difference.Able Seaman Jack Thompson, 26, and Royal Navy chef Millie Francis, 22, delivered Ready Steady Cook-style demonstrations and shared
A CAMPAIGN to tackle the stigma surrounding dementia is coming to a County Durham supermarket.Kirsty Lawrence is running a free Dementia Friends information session on Thursday, May 31 and is calling for local people to come along. The Alzheimer’s Society
A NEAR-FORTNIGHT’S walking in the Lake District, in generally fine weather, without climbing any high fell. What a waste, many lovers of Lakeland, of which there are countless millions, will say of my recent holiday. They are mistaken.
AYOZE PEREZ is happy to have finished the season on a goalscoring high, but the Newcastle United striker is more proud of his team’s achievements than his own successes in front of goal. Perez’s final-day brace against Chelsea made it six goals
IT is 3pm on a summer afternoon and thousands of people are seated around a large open-air grandstand. Four trumpets sound before a full orchestra begins a Solemn March. Over the next few hours the stage will be filled with a cast of more than
