WORKERS faced losing their jobs after an historic Weardale foundry operator revealed plans to quit a town.

In October 2016, Bonds said it could leave Tow Law, in where it once made cannonballs for the British Army during the Crimean War, after Brexit worries compounded oil and gas difficulties.

The announcement came on the same day Weardale tank track maker Cook Defence Systems, in Stanhope, confirmed 19 job cuts.

Bosses said that move, which included voluntary and compulsory departures, was a response to declining mining industry demand, adding the changes will secure the plant’s long-term future.

At the announcement, North West Durham MP, Pat Glass, said she feared Bonds wouldn’t be the last North-East firm to suffer because of the EU vote.

In Shildon, a teenager was fighting for his life after suffering 90 per cent burns when flames engulfed his house.

Troy Mackinlay. 18, was dragged from the blazing building by a courageous neighbour and had to be hosed down by firefighters.

On October 18, 2016, Troy’s sister, Abra Wood, said she is praying that her younger brother pulls through.

She said: “I was the first one to see him. He was completely wrapped in bandages and in an induced coma. He has third degree burns on 90 per cent of his body. If he survives he will be in hospital for at least a year.”

Emergency services were called to Albert Street, Shildon, shortly after 7am and arrived minutes later to find Troy and his cousin, Tommie Vayro, making their way out of the house moments before the upstairs windows shattered.

The pair had been rescued by a brave neighbour who was alerted to the fire by the sound of the smoke alarm on his way out with his dog.

Troy and Tommie, 20, were upstairs when the fire broke out in the back bedroom of the mid-terraced property.

The pair were staying at their grandmother’s house after helping her move in a few days earlier.

Their grandmother, Barbara Robinson, had been asleep downstairs when the fire started and escaped with smoke inhalation.

Tommie was taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital where he was treated for minor burns and Troy was taken by ambulance to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle.

Also that week, a police officer who ended up escorting a couple to hospital for the birth of their baby daughter after initially stopping them for driving too quickly made a surprise appearance at her first birthday party yesterday.

Parents Claire Rank and Ian Bogle were beginning celebrations for Arabella Daisy Bogle’s birthday when PC Mike “Spike” Fisher and his colleagues turned out in force outside their family home in Witton Gilbert, near Durham, on October 18, 2016.

Ms Rank said: “We were delighted to see them. I saw one police car and then another and then another pull up. PC Fisher came in to say happy birthday and gave Arabella a card and present."

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