News broke earlier in the week that Gordon Elliot’s brilliant Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle winner Samcro would remain over timber this winter and will be targeted at the Champion Hurdle for which he is the 5/2 favourite at BetVictor with dual champion
THE Tees Valley Combined Authority has always been an interesting beast, headed by a Conservative mayor whose seven-person cabinet includes the leaders of the sub-region’s five councils, who are all Labour. Mayor Ben Houchen is the most powerful
FOUR Middlesbrough players have become ‘Hospice Hipsters’ to raise funds for the club’s charity partner, Teesside Hospice. Former Boro captain Ben Gibson is an ambassador for the Hospice, and while he might have left the club to join Burnley, he
CONCERNS about threatened GP services in rural County Durham villages have been raised in parliament. Sedgefield MP Phil Wilson spoke about the planned closures of at least two of Skerne Medical Group’s four surgeries during the Budget debate at
POLICE said they are "extremely concerned" after receiving a report that a child may have been given drugs in her trick-or-treat bucket. Tests are being carried out on unknown pink tablets that were handed over to a girl in Shiremoor, North Tyneside
A MUSEUM came to life with all things spooky for a special Halloween treat on Wednesday. Children dressed up in their deadliest outfits for the event at The Bowes Museum, in Barnard Castle. Activities were formed around the museum's collections
TWO men from the region who fought in the First World War will have their stories told on home soil as part of a nation-wide commemoration for fallen soldiers. Sand portraits of Second Lieutenant Hugh Carr and Private Theophilus Jones will be drawn
HUNDREDS of people were evacuated from an industrial estate after fire broke out in an aerospace factory this afternoon. Thick black smoke could be seen pouring from the Gardner plant at Number One Industrial Estate in Consett after the alarm was
SUNDERLAND will have Glenn Loovens back in the squad as they head to Plymouth this weekend. The centre-half has been out for a month with a hamstring after being injured in the draw at Coventry City. But he will make the haul to Plymouth and
JAMAAL LASCELLES has described Mike Ashley as a “nice guy”, and urged everyone associated with Newcastle United to “end the negativity” that has blighted the club’s start to the season. Lascelles signed a new long-term contract earlier today committing
A DISGRACED former detective has been found guilty of gross misconduct after allegedly carrying out a sustained campaign of sexually grooming young women. Former Detective Inspector Simon Hurwood, who resigned from Cleveland Police in September
SPORT students turned their hand to fundraising after raising more than £600 for a hospice. HND Sport students at Bishop Auckland College have raised £623 for St Teresa's Hospice, in Darlington. The students were given the challenge in the first
FOR some wheelchair users, especially those with larger electric chairs, the news that DAD’s accessible taxi in Darlington is being axed will be huge loss (Echo, Oct 30). I moved back to Darlington from an area where all taxis were wheelchair accessible
MICHAEL WOODS and Paddy McLaughlin are doubts for Hartlepool United this weekend. The midfielders are likely to be left behind when Pools head for Bromley tomorrow ahead of Saturday’s game on a 4G pitch, which could mean a start for Connor Newton
VOLUNTEERS gave up their morning to plant thousands of purple crocus bulbs last weekend. On Sunday, Rotarians from across Darlington gathered at Rotary Way for their annual planting session. The colourful display was planted in a show of support
SERIOUS structural defects discovered by engineers during maintenance work have forced the ongoing closure of a bridge. Witton Park Bridge, over the River Wear near Bishop Auckland, was meant be shut for 20 weeks from July for Durham County Council
JAMAAL LASCELLES has signed a new long-term contract with Newcastle United. The Magpies skipper has put pen to paper on a new deal that commits him to St James' Park until the summer of 2024. Lascelles skippered Newcastle to a top-ten finish
YOUNG people are being advised to check their television licence after 154 in the Darlington area were caught out in the past year, according to new figures released by TV Licensing. The offenders, between the ages of 18 and 25, were caught watching
KEEP the small people in your life happy with these top gifts, says Claire Spreadbury 1. The coolest ride-on Vespa Primavera 6V Electric Ride On Scooter, currently reduced to £75 from £95, Halfords (halfords.com) 2. For singalongs with
It's the most stylish combo of the season, says Katie Wright. Ankle boots have been getting all the attention for the last few years, and while we won't be ditching our multi-buckle western boots anytime soon, when it comes to midi skirts (or dresses
SHOPPING centre The Cornmill has teamed up with Age UK North Yorkshire and Darlington and The Mercure Darlington Kings Hotel to host ‘Cuppa with a Copper’ on Monday, between 10am and noon. The meet-up aims to support Darlington’s residents and raise
A SCHEME to offer support for some of the most vulnerable residents in a town throughout the winter months is returning. Stockton Borough Council’s Warm Homes, Healthy People scheme provides support to help vulnerable residents stay warm in winter
A SCHOOL has beat off competition from around the UK to win an education technology package. Ingleby Mill Primary School in Ingleby Barwick, near Stockton, has won one of 30 ActivPanels, which can connect with other devices in the classroom such
THIRSK MP Kevin Hollinrake, has pledged to be a champion for the environment by joining a group to promote positive policies. Mr Hollinrake is now a member of the Conservative Environment Network (CEN) Caucus and has signed up to its core pledges
WITH the colder weather beginning to take hold, police are reminding motorists of winter vehicle check lists in order to help keep them and other road users safe. Officers are looking to remind motorists that carrying out important vehicle checks
STUDENTS from a North-East college have checked in to a hotel, but it was no vacation as the group rolled up their sleeves to help run the establishment Partnering for the third time, the four star Jurys Inn, hosted 17 students from Middlesbrough
RESIDENTS are being asked to be vigilant with their bins around the Bonfire Night period. To avoid the possibility of any deliberate or accidental wheelie bin fires occurring, advice is being offered to all residents in Middlesbrough. Middlesbrough
JACK BALDWIN claims Sunderland’s players have answered the questions that were asked of them at the start of the season, and convinced their promotion rivals they mean business as they look to secure an instant return to the Championship. In the
WORK on a housing development has been stopped after angry residents highlighted a “planning bungle” over elevations which resulted in new bungalows towering over their homes. Karbon Homes and Swale Valley Construction were granted planning permission
ONE of the most spectacular sights in the autumnal British countryside has to be that of rutting stags in their prime. And these beautiful shots were captured by photographer Charlotte Graham as the sun rose over Studley Royal Park, in North Yorkshire
PLANNING permission is being sought by developers hoping to build 150 new properties in the Whinfield area of Darlington. If approved, proposals from Bellway Homes would see buildings at Elm Tree Farm demolished to make way for a development that
A FORMER off-licence store could become a 24-hour gym under new plans submitted to Durham County Council. Applicant Anton Lang Planning Services has launched ‘change of use’ bid for the first floor of the former Bargain Booze in Front Street, Sacriston
THE team behind a village hall in the Sedgefield area have hailed its departing chairman as they call for new volunteers. Lindsay Johnston, has resigned from the position of trustee and chairman at Bishop Middleham Village Hall after five years
THE family of a man who became fondly known by his town’s namesake have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support following his death. Syd Howarth, who retired this month from the Newton News and Newton Press, in Newton Aycliffe, died on Monday
A CONSTRUCTION firm boss says his firm is back on the up after weathering a tricky period in the industry. Raisco is celebrating a series of successes of late after working on 14 projects in the last six months– totalling 1,800 tonnes of steel which
TWO care home residents have knitted dozens of poppies to make their own tribute to those who died during the First World War. Margaret Glew and Sheila Malcolm, who are both residents at Sherburn House care home, plan to sell the poppies ahead of
Today is World Vegan Day and University of Sunderland academic Dr Alex Lockwood is keen to convert you. He outlines the reasons why he decided to change his diet. I TURNED vegan nine years ago – or thereabouts. It isn’t an anniversary I have in
A TALENTED young singer has been crowned the BBC's Young Chorister of the Year. Emilia Jaques performed her way through two preliminary rounds before showcasing her talents in the final in the studio of the BBC's Philharmonic Orchestra in Manchester
ENVIRONMENTAL campaigners have launched a bid to take out a private prosecution against a coal company over the alleged destruction of a newt habitat. Campaign to Protect Pont Valley is seeking to taking action against Banks Group for “destroying
A FAMILIAR face to millions will be the voice behind The Story of Christmas with Carols event at Ripon Cathedral. Last year’s event enjoyed a sell-out performance and a new version is to be narrated by actor Chris Chittell - best known as Eric Pollard
A MAN who carried out a glass attack outside a bar is experiencing his first taste of life in custody. Christopher Young was remanded in custody by Judge Christopher Prince, at Durham Crown Court, due to the “explosive” nature of his actions, at
"MY food will get cold," "I don't want to walk far in my pyjamas" and "I’ll be just a minute" are some of the excuses police have called out over inconsiderate parking in a busy town street. Crook Police listed examples of some of the unacceptable
A GOOD parking row fills many a local newspaper column, and depending on the scale – or pettiness – of the issue, can hit the national press as well. Today we feature the parking problems of Crook and the daily battle police are facing with drivers
USERS of a community hall will be able to sit more comfortably after securing funding for dozens of new chairs. The investment is part of an ongoing programme of improvements at Grindon Parish Hall, near Stockton. And after applying to the community
A SONNET written by the Poet Laureate for Danny Boyle’s national event to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War has been unveiled. Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy was asked by the filmmaker to write something for Pages of the Sea, his
HIGHWAYS gritting teams are geared up for the challenge of the coming winter on the county’s 5,800 miles of roads. The £7m winter maintenance budget will see 54 per cent of the roads gritted across the network. Eight new replacement gritters
LAST week I was highlighting our defensive resolve since the start of September. Three goals conceded in six games has been swiftly followed by four in two. What do they usually say about commentator’s curse? The two trips to Leamington and Bradford
A NORTH-East authority has signed up to a new charter to tackle modern day slavery. It means Durham County Council will work with other agencies to focus on how to protect those at risk. The charter, which was approved by councillors at a meeting
A DEVASTATED family has called on nuisance bikers to hand themselves over to police after they mowed down a pensioner and left him for dead in the street. A 66-year-old has been told it may take more than a year to recover after being left with
YOUNG musicians are putting on a brass band concert inspired by 2000 years of Northern history. Five junior bands from the North-East have been working with musicians from Durham University Brass Band and the Reg Vardy Band to put on the show.
NORTHERN League football fans will help boost the coffers of the Great North Air Ambulance this weekend. Penrith Football Club will offer spectators attending this Saturday's game, at home to Bishop Auckland FC, free entry but ask them to pledge
TOWNSFOLK can have their say on plans to improve their town at forthcoming consultation events. Durham County Council is preparing a bid to secure more than £1.6m in Heritage Lottery Funding, for Seaham. Should it prove successful, the sum would
A FAST growing bio energy company has established a new depot at Forcett, near Scotch Corner, to supply wood fuel to customers across the region. VerdEnergy, based near Harrogate, was set up in 2015 with the mission to become the north’s pre-eminent
A TEENAGER has been handed a prestigious award by an organisation continuing the legacy of Princess Diana. Jake Mendelsohn, 15, of Newton Aycliffe, received the Diana Award for undertaking the Great North Swim two years ago to raise funds for BTRC
How did the players fare in Middlesbrough's Carabao Cup win over Crystal Palace? MIDDLESBROUGH (4-3-3): 7 Konstantopoulos: Made his first meaningful save with two minutes left as he parried Townsend’s low shot 7 McNair: Is looking much
