TABLES were groaning under the selection of delicious goodies presented to lucky guests at a Darlington school Christmas party. Hummersknott Academy invited the grandparents of students along for an afternoon of music, entertainment and a scrumptious
TWO little boys have been praised for emptying the contents of their piggy bank to help those in need at Christmas. Harvey Bagnall, aged four, and his two-year-old brother Oscar made the selfless gesture at Newton Aycliffe Neighbourhood Police
NEWCASTLE UNITED have had two of their Premier League matches in February selected for live television broadcast. The away game at Tottenham Hotspur will still be staged on Saturday, February 2, but the kick-off has been brought forward to 12.30pm
HIGHLY-sentimental jewellery belonging to the late wife of a 76-year-old man has been reported stolen during a home burglary. Suspects who broke into the property left the home "ransacked", stealing irreplaceable items, including a gold band wedding
SUPPORTING Darlo, you get used to chaos. If there isn’t some sort of existential crisis lurking on the horizon, then you’re not doing it right. It feels like there’s been something brewing for a couple of weeks and sure enough it reared its ugly head
THERESA MAY is playing a desperately high stakes game with the country’s future. Yesterday, she put mid-January in the diary for MPs to have their “meaningful vote” on her deal, by which time there will be little time left to find an alternative.
A BUSINESSMAN has been fined after admitting selling illegal and counterfeit cigarettes as a council continues to target unscrupulous dealers. Trading Standards Officers from Middlesbrough Council visited Cut Price Electrics on Parliament Road after
A FIRE brigade has created a festive message with a difference as they urge residents and businesses to take more care with their rubbish. Cleveland Fire Brigade has posted two short animated videos across its social media platforms to help get
FIFTY North-East businesspeople and academics have joined an organisation which launches a national advertising campaign today calling for a second Brexit referendum. They range from people who run businesses tasting wine to those who manufacturer
AFTER going two years without a victory on their home event, local motorsport stars Kevin Procter and Dave Bellerby returned to winning ways at Northallerton AC’s Swift Signs & Shirts Christmas Stages Rally held at Croft Circuit, writes Larry Carter
A PUPPY dealer who kept dogs in pig pens and allowed them to die has been sentenced for causing unnecessary suffering to animals. Two dogs and 21 puppies were found neglected in an old pig farm by RSPCA officers who were able to rescue the animals
DARLINGTON fans will be able to pay cash on the turnstiles at the Boxing Day game with York City at Blackwell Meadows. Segregation will be in place for the game, which has a 3pm kick-off, with York having been sent an allocation of seated and standing
HEALTH campaigners have warned NHS bosses of dire consequences across North Yorkshire, York and the Tees Valley if approved proposals to close another mental unit are completed. Tensions boiled over as North Yorkshire County Council’s scrutiny of
A MAN was left seriously injured in a mass brawl at Catterick Garrison. The fight broke out near to Louis Bar on Kitchener Road at around 4.40am on Sunday and involved a large number of people. One man was taken to James Cook University in
THE chief officer for Hambleton, Richmondshire and Whitby Clinical Commissioning Group (HRW CCG) has stepped down. Janet Probert has left the post following the appointment of a new accountable officer across the three North Yorkshire CCGs, Amanda
THE biggest review of English and Welsh national parks since they were first created is set to be urged to consider granting them powers to protect wildlife. Members of the North York Moors National Park Authority said while its first statutory
VANDALS have targeted a South Durham primary school's remembrance garden. Staff at Oakley Cross Primary School, in West Auckland, discovered one of the garden's perimeter posts had been yanked from the ground, when they returned to school this morning
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A FOOTBALL club has launched a last minute initiative amongst supporters to help people attend a match over the festive period. Spennymoor Town FC's Match Maker invites supporters, friends, players, partners and sponsors to donate money to pay for
A 92-YEAR-OLD man who was hit by a car in Darlington last week has died. Thomas Johnson, from South Church in Bishop Auckland was struck shortly after 10pm on Thursday, December 13 by a Renault Clio along High Northgate, Darlington. He has
JORDAN HUGILL can vividly remember the last time Middlesbrough played in the semi-final of a major domestic cup competition. Unlike tomorrow night however, when he will attempt to help fire Boro into the last four of the Carabao Cup, he was not involved
A FORMER factory worker has celebrated her 100th birthday. Alma Edwards, from Tindale, near Bishop Auckland, marked her centenary with a small party yesterday. Memories: When fire burned down the Alligator Leather Company factory The 100
OFFICERS are appealing for help to trace a man who has gone missing from his home in Darlington. David Smith was reported missing by neighbours in Smithfield Road on November 15 as they were concerned they had not seen him for around three weeks
SPONSORED CONTENT THE presents are wrapped, the stockings are up, and you've stockpiled enough food to see you through until spring – but are you prepared for any winter bugs, bumps or burns? This winter, keep your family safe and well with
A TREASURE trove of curiosities will come to auction when the contents of a manor house are sold off next month. A glimpse into the past will be offered when a quirky hoard of antiques and curios unearthed from Helperby Manor goes on sale.
A UNIVERSITY college is being relocated to a new venue for a year. Durham University’s John Snow College, will be based in North Road, Durham next year before moving again to a permanent home. Durham University's new colleges branded disappointing
LAST Sunday, lots of brass outside taps were stolen from the rear lane at High Street, Carrville, causing quite a lot of consternation with water flying everywhere at about 11pm. Our lane attracts many scrap men as we have a terrace of about 100
IT never ceases to amaze me how life comes full circle and, as if we weren’t dizzy enough, the possibility of a full revolution to the name of Teesside Airport is back on the agenda. In living up to his election promise to return the airport back
POLICE investigating an alleged scam in which a pensioner had money stolen from his bank account as he used a cash machine have arrested a man. The victim was using the ATM at Barclays Bank, in Market Place, Barnard Castle, on December 5 when the
MOTORISTS faced delays this morning after an accident closed one lane of the A1(M) this morning. Police were at the scene of an accident on the A1(M) northbound between junction 57, A66(M) Darlington, and junction 58, A68 Burtree. Pop
A LARGE number of suspected firearms and explosives were found at three properties in County Durham and Darlington. Bomb disposal experts attended one address in Shildon and two in Darlington after police received a report that a possible crime
POLICE have warned motorists against drink driving the morning after a night out as part of a campaign which saw them test hundreds of drivers. Cleveland and Durham Road Policing Unit spent the weekend carrying out roadside tests on more than 300
AFTER a little more than three years, Adam Matthews must finally feel like he is getting somewhere at Sunderland. After two loan spells, the prospect of leaving permanently, two relegations and even a pay cut, the Welsh defender is now enjoying
AFTER watching Sunderland come from behind to avoid defeat for the seventh time in League One this season, manager Jack Ross has paid tribute to his players for proving just how much they want to turn things around at the Stadium of Light. The
WARM tributes have been paid to a former councillor and past Mayor of Richmond who founded the town's football team. Oliver Blease, who died at the age of 80 this month, was a popular figure in Richmond and spent time serving on both the Richmondshire
A GROUP of volunteers which battled to save their local community centre from being knocked down and replaced with housing has now been handed the keys. In 2015 Coast and Country Housing announced plans to convert the long-standing Luke Senior Community
TWELVE newspapers, eleven burger wrappers, ten plastic bottles and nine empty wrappers are just some of the things County Durham school children are encouraging people to put in the bin this Christmas. Read more Durham news from the Northern Echo
THE Materials Processing Institute (MPI) has installed a piece of art to show its commitment to its social and ethical mission. “Liquid Fire” was commissioned by the institute and created by Hartlepool-based artist Stuart Langley. Having spent
YOUNG entrepreneurs proved they are a step ahead of the game with an innovative new business idea to get more people out walking. The Ripon Grammar School students were awarded ‘Best sales team’ at the Asda Young Enterprise Trade Fair when they
A DARLINGTON school decked the halls to welcome elderly townsfolk to a "Jack Frost Christmas party". For more than 17 years, Polam Hall School has been inviting in Darlington Town Mission to celebrate the Yuletide, with refreshments, music, a raffle
About100 women attended an afternoon tea at Darlington Cricket Club which raised £500 for the Zoe’s Place baby hospice. Cricket club chairwoman Gloria Howells presented a cheque to Rebecca Everson, from the hospice.
A KEEN walker is looking to conquer the highest mountain in the world to raise money for a young boy fighting cancer – but he will be attempting the challenge a lot closer to home. Scott Mcalister is planning to climb Roseberry Topping 27 times
A YOUNG Sudanese refugee had the honour of lighting the 25ft Christmas tree at Durham Cathedral on his birthday. Doud, who has been living in County Durham for several months, lit the tree during the special service last night. The youngster
VOLUNTEERS have packed hundreds of hampers to give to families in need this Christmas. Bishop Auckland charity Feeding Families produced more than 1,000 of the “Christmas in a box” hampers, which will be delivered to homes this week. Bishop
DOZENS of Santas, a snowman and angels have collected more than 1,000 presents to deliver to families fleeing domestic violence. Aycliffe Bike Club (ABC) organise the toy run every Christmas to collect donations for Bishop Auckland women’s refuge
POP superstar Jess Glynne will perform in Darlington next summer. The popular singer is already looking forward to taking to the stage at The Northern Echo arena, where she will appear on Friday, August 2. Thousands of excited fans are expected
RURAL upland businesses and communities across the region have been counting the cost of a poor grouse shooting season according to the Moorland Association. Over the course of the four-month season which finished last week, an estimated 70 per
Take a look at the week in pictures through the lenses of The Northern Echo Camera Club
THE owners of a village pub are hoping to expand their business by branching out into the bed and breakfast market. Landlord Graham Hall and his son George Hall have applied to Durham County Council to convert the manager’s residence above the
AN irate householder has hit out at a 100 per cent increase in the cost of permits to allow residents to park outside their own front doors. Adrian Matthews, who lives in Victoria Terrace in Northallerton, says the increase from £15 to £30 came
A SOLICITOR is on a mission to inspire the legal profession to provide greater encouragement and open up opportunities for the next generation of lawyers. Dynamic Amanda Adeola, an associate at BHP Law, in Darlington, is hoping to help kickstart
A COMMUNITY centre is set for a major refurbishment after a village received a grant worth thousands of pounds. Middleton St George community centre has received £55,000 from the Impetus Environmental Trust for major external and internal improvements
EACH week we profile a member of The Northern Echo Camera Club. This week, Heather Hill. "I come from Sheffield, but have lived in Darlington for 28 years. No one has inspired me to take up photography as such, but I have just completed a photography
A MOTHER of a disabled child has spoken out after receiving a court summons after she took her disabled child out of school to go on a family trip. The Darlington mother-of-two planned a four-day trip during term-time so that Haughton Academy pupil
A POPULAR free coding club for kids, which is celebrating its second birthday, is looking for new members. Coderdojo Durham is a free coding club for young people aged between six and 16, at Durham County Council’s Clayport Library in Durham City
TONY PULIS believes Middlesbrough were trying too hard to rediscover their goalscoring touch, as they suffered defeat at Queens Park Rangers. A lacklustre performance in awful conditions at Loftus Road leaves Boro four games without a win, with
YAMATO: the Drummers of Japan are heading to Middlesbrough Theatre on Wednesday, March 6 following their hugely successful 2017 tour. The Teesside audience can experience Yamato’s innovative style combining traditional Taiko drumming with spectacle
RAFAEL BENITEZ continues to work on the assumption that Newcastle United will not be taken over ahead of the transfer window, and is due to meet Lee Charnley this week to finalise his plans for January. Former Manchester City director Garry Cook
IT was a goal that was good enough to win any game, and the players involved in scoring it perfectly encapsulate what Rafael Benitez has achieved at Newcastle United. A passing move that swept from one end of the pitch to the other started with
BACK at the start of her career, Sonya Dixon, director of Gateshead market research agency Bluegrass had what she called her dream job, working in Sydney for the Nestle confectionery brand. Since those heady days she has continued to blaze a trail
NHS bosses accused of failing some of the most needy patients in a cost-cutting clampdown on transport to hospital appointments say they have strived to avoid a “computer says no” situation. John Darley, of Hambleton, Richmondshire and Whitby clinical
COUNCIL staff have donated more than 880kg of food to people in need this Christmas. Durham County Council staff and members held a festive foodbank collection to put together Christmas hampers, which will be delivered alongside the emergency parcels
