POLICE are warning motorists against driving on the A19. Durham Police said on Facebook: "We are currently advising against all non-essential travel on the A19 due to a large number of collisions so far tonight. "The road may not appear that
STACEY Dooley has been crowned the winner of Strictly Come Dancing 2018. The documentary maker and her professional partner Kevin Clifton came out top of a public vote in Saturday night's final after three months of competition. Dooley, 31,
MIDDLESBROUGH boss Tony Pulis claimed poor refereeing decisions led to his side's defeat against QPR. Promotion-chasing Boro went down 2-1 at Loftus Road, where Nahki Wells netted the winner on the hour mark. Wells scored nine minutes after
FREEZING rain and plunging temperatures caused treacherous traffic conditions as Storm Deirdre hit the British Isles on what should have been a major pre-Christmas shopping day. Forecasters have warned that freezing rain can pose risks to drivers
SPONSORED CONTENT A North-East company is looking to the future by placing an increased emphasis on employing former members of the armed forces. Peter Barron reports on the growth of Sparta Security UK AS his security company approaches its
RAFAEL BENITEZ is happy that his faith in Salomon Rondon is being justified after the striker claimed a second-half winner in Newcastle United’s 1-0 victory at Huddersfield Town. Benitez spent most of the summer urging the Newcastle hierarchy to
SPONSORED CONTENT Darlington Building Society’s new vice chairman, Bob Cuffe, talks to Peter Barron about how his parents’ values helped equip him for his latest role AS a boy growing up on a terraced, working-class street on the North-East
JACK ROSS felt Sunderland’s players showed once again they have the strength for a promotion charge after emerging with three points in freezing conditions at the Stadium of Light. The Black Cats had to deal with icy-cold temperatures and cold
THE A66 was closed in both directions following a crash. Police say dangerous road conditions contributed to the collision, which happened on the Cumbrian side of the border. Please take care on #A66 Stainmore. #BlackIce #FrozenRain extremely
5:54pm DESPITE two goals from debutant Andrew Nelson, Darlington’s winless run stretched to eight games with defeat at
SPECIAL constables will be out in force this weekend to crack down on drink and drug driving. Armed with a speed gun, a breathalyser and a drug testing kit, they will also be stopping drivers who are speeding, using a mobile phone and not wearing
FREEZING rain can quickly glaze an area with ice and leave roads and pavements in a dangerous condition, but fortunately it is relatively rare in the British Isles. What is freezing rain? According to the Met Office, freezing rain occurs when
HEAVY snow, gales and "rare" freezing rain are expected across large parts of the country as Storm Deirdre sweeps in for one of the last big shopping days before Christmas. Much of the country is affected by weather warnings for Saturday, with
A MAN is due to appear in court today after being charged with a terror offence following police investigation in Newcastle. The 33-year-old man has been charged with engaging in the preparation of an act of terrorism following his arrest on Tuesday
A NORTH-EAST author led college students on a creative journey during a series of workshops recently. Tracey Iceton said she enjoyed sharing her expertise when she hosted three days of creative writing sessions at Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College
SPONSORED CONTENT Recruitment expert Jo Hand’s journey in business has had its challenges but the growth of The Human Group is evidence of her survival instincts. PETER BARRON reports ALL the way back to her days as a schoolgirl on Teesside
SPONSORED CONTENT CHRISTMAS is coming – along with the festive traditions that most families can take for granted. For many, it will mean a visit to magical grotto, along with a hearty “Ho-ho-ho” from Santa, flashing lights around the Christmas
'WE are watching you'. That is the message being put out to would-be shoplifters in Hambleton as the district's CCTV operators are keeping their eyes peeled for thieves. The local authority has 44 cameras monitoring the towns of Thirsk, Bedale
A VICTORIAN hotel that only reopened in the spring after a major renovation has gone into liquidation. The Fleece Hotel in Richmond, which dates from 1897, was recently transformed from a dilapidated building into a luxury venue. Ambitious plans
A FOODBANK is expanding in a bid to offer more support to some of Darlington’s most vulnerable people. For years, the Salvation Army has operated an emergency foodbank from premises at Tom Raine Court. The service has acted as a life line for
Raby boomers Raby Cricket Club, peppercorn tenants of one of England’s most magnificent grounds – and Co Durham’s oldest – have held their annual presentation, an evening with Taylor’s pies. Raby Castle’s near Staindrop, the first recorded match
The Right Worshipful Mayor of Sunderland and her consort have just returned from a pensioners’ Christmas lunch, one of many festive engagements in the civic diary. “A fellow councillor introduced us,” says Coun Lynda Scanlan, the mayor. “I received
HAVING waited more than a year to make his return in a Sunderland comeback after a serious knee injury, Duncan Watmore is prepared to be patient. Still, he can’t wait to play in League One for the Black Cats. Such a prospect might not have whetted
AFTER collecting a seventh manager of the month award in English football, Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez has outlined how he expects certain standards to be reached week in and week out to achieve his targets. The Magpies are just three
SCHOOLCHILDREN, parents and grandparents got into the Christmas spirit this week with some special festive activities. That's as nursery children at St Helen Auckland Primary School came together to make their own Christmas cards and tree decorations
RAFA BENITEZ has admitted Ayoze Perez has had to learn to deal with criticism from Newcastle United supporters – and proven he can handle it. For the second game this season when Perez has scored, the Spanish forward seemed to make reference to
RICHARD Money starts his Hartlepool United tenure today, beginning in a competition which brings happy memories for the new manager. Four years ago, he led Cambridge United to the final, lifting the FA Trophy at Wembley. At Leamington today,
SANTA'S gift for sign language is set entertain children at a popular shopping centre. Three year's ago he went viral on social media after he touched hearts around the world when a video of his sign language communication with three-year-old Mali
IN the last 25 years, who is the only English boss to have won a major trophy and led his side to a European final? If you live on Teesside, you could probably hazard a guess. But in the rest of the country, Steve McClaren’s achievements with Middlesbrough
A SANTA’S grotto with a twist has opened to try and make sure Christmas is special for the families who need it most. The Santa’s Wish scheme in east Durham is aimed at getting people to visit Santa to give him presents so he can deliver them to
A STUDENT-led appeal resulted in a mountain of food and toiletries donated to a foodbank scheme in time for Christmas. Sedgefield Community College collected items for the Durham Christian Partnership, which runs the foodbank project for Sedgefield
IT'S the people that make the Dales, characters that writer-photographer D Mark Thompson captured on a 1970s and 80s odyssey Ted Banks - day one of a three-day session INSPIRED by Ronald Blythe’s classic Akenfield, which allowed the people
MURDER mysteries, hilarious comedy acts and a piano prodigy turned folk music sensation are among the entertaining treats in store at a County Durham theatre. The Gala Theatre in Durham has pulled out all of the stops for its Spring 2019 programme
SUPERMARKET chain Morrisons is launching a one kilogram Too Good to Waste box to sell fruit and veg that are at the end of their shelf life but are perfectly good to eat. The boxes will be on sale for £1 in every Morrisons nationwide and are designed
RESIDENTS claim they are living in the most "terrifying" street in Darlington, saying multiple armed robberies at a convenience store nearby have left them fearing for their lives. P&J’s Convenience Store, in Brougham Street, has been targeted
A FORMER steelworker has been jailed for 18 years for the rape of a girl. Stuart Jameson, 53, of Priestman Avenue, Consett, sexually abused the child several times, Durham Crown Court was told. The court heard the offences had a profound effect
PROPERTY developers are being sought to work with Redcar and Cleveland Council to help regenerate Eston town centre after a previous agency changed its plans. The Council has already refurbished the cenotaph and town square, including road improvements
HOURS after her plane from Australia touched down in the UK, TV star Scarlett Moffatt was out and about on home turf helping her charity to spread joy. The I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here Now Extra Camp presenter is an ambassador for the
VOLUNTEERS who spend their nights trying to make sure people get home safely after a night out are getting ready for their busiest time of year. Durham StreetLights work around the year to try and make the city safer for people during nights out
A PAIR of kind-hearted youngsters are hoping to rally their community spirit and raise vital funds to support homeless people. Evelyn, 8, and her four-year-old brother Felix, will be setting up stall on their drive with cakes, mince pies and mulled
A DIFFICULT end to a difficult week. Yesterday’s European Union summit did not provide any of the answers that Theresa May was looking for – indeed judging by the criticisms of European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker, which were caught on
O O Seven is the reason I am heading to Doncaster today. I’ve ridden him three times, including twice at the Cheltenham Festival and in the Topham. He turns up for a lot of the major handicaps, and has been very consistent over the years. He
A STROKE survivor and keen horsewoman who was left paralysed and unable to speak three years ago is now competing in dressage competitions. Sheila Brand from Guisborough was just 55 and had been horse riding at her stables when she had a stroke
STUDENTS and staff are celebrating after two North-East Catholic schools were awarded the ultimate accolade pushing them into the realms of world-leading status. Carmel College Darlington and Cardinal Hume Catholic School, Gateshead, have moved
AN election is being held to find a new councillor for a north Durham village. The by-election for Waldridge Parish Council takes place on Thursday, January 10. It follows the resignation of councillor Geoff Cork. Poll cards will not be
THERE is significant rain forecast for Cheltenham ahead of and during today’s card, the highlight of which is the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup. Rather Be is 3/1 market leader with BetVictor having been brought down at the top of the hill four out in
TONY PULIS has warned the days of Middlesbrough spending eight-figure fees on ready-made players are over – and says the club have to build their future on recruiting cut-price ‘rough diamonds’ who can then be sold on. Pulis is planning a major
Durham Vocal Festival is set to return for a third year, promising world famous artists, thousands of performers and two world premieres. The festival, organised by Durham County Council’s Durham Music Service, will celebrate music and song as it
BUSINESSES in County Durham are being urged to share their stories about working in the area as part of a new campaign aimed at attracting people to the region. Durham County Council has been working with businesses on the new campaign, involving
HERDS of laughing young reindeers have been parading around playgrounds across the region this week. Festive scenes unfolded at schools as primary pupils donned disguises and transformed themselves into Christmas reindeers in a bid to raise funds
SEVEN games without a win have seen Darlington drop to 17th during what’s been a dismal season so far, though Tommy Wright remains positive and hopes to repeat last season’s mid-season revival. Darlington won only one of his first 12 games in charge
OLYMPIC rower Jessica Eddie has cut the ribbon at the re-opening of a discount supermarket. Crowds of shoppers gathered as the silver medallist did the honours at the Aldi store in Peterlee. She was joined by store manager Tasha Hennells, and
FEARS have been raised for the future of community hospitals across North Yorkshire. Health campaigners said they believed severe budgetary pressures facing the NHS in the county could lead to the closure or further downgrading of hospitals, including
THE family of a bedbound pensioner claim hospital staff could have killed him with a series of blunders in his treatment. Derek Todd, 78, from Coundon, County Durham, has a swallowing condition which means he needs mashed-up solid food and the
FARMERS Tony and Janice Swinbank from Brafferton near Darlington were delighted to scoop a prestigious prize. The couple took home the North & East of England Lleyn Sheep Trophy in the hotly contested 2018 regional flock competition. And
DARLINGTON residents are being urged to donate to charity directly instead of giving money to beggars on the street. A joint campaign – ‘Have a heart, give smart’ – has been launched by the 700 Club, Darlington Borough Council and Durham Constabulary
WHORLTON LIDO was a wonderful place for a splash and paddle on a summer’s day in the cooling waters of the River Tees. It was an idyllic spot, where nature had paved the riverbed and created satisfying rapids that captured the hearts of children
WAS Whorlton Lido ever troubled by a ghost? The riverside countryside on the edge of Teesdale is said to be haunted by the restless spirit of a murderer priest, the Reverend Sir Roland Mewburne. Sir Roland was the rector of Wycliffe. Early in 1482
MOST of today's archive pictures have been kindly lent to us by the Dunn family of Bishop Auckland, and they show the Whorlton Lido and its miniature railway in the 1970s. Whorlton Lido and its wobbly bridge where Churchill once waved his famous
