A POLICE plan to reduce violent crime in three town centres has been outlined. Speaking at a meeting of the Teesdale police community consultative group, Superintendent Robin Trounson said reducing violent crime in Barnard Castle, Bishop Auckland and
NORTH-East youngsters are preparing to star in a smash-hit musical. Young actors and singers from Stagecoach performing arts schools will play the children's roles in Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical, Whistle Down the Wind, at the Sunderland Empire Theatre
THE funeral of soccer star Colin Cooper's son will take place tomorrow, as investigations continue into his death. Two-year-old Finlay died on Saturday after choking on a small component from a child's chair at the family home in Goldsborough, near Knaresborough
A POLICE officer suspended as part of Operation Lancet has been cleared of all disciplinary charges against him. Detective Constable David Laing was one of seven Cleveland officers suspended, with their boss, Superintendent Ray Mallon, as part of the
A MOTHER told a judge of the "most awful moment of my life" when a doctor found signs of sexual abuse in her daughter who attended a North-East nursery. The woman, who cannot be named, said she had carefully considered whether her daughter could have
BUILDING Society turned bank Northern Rock plans to create more than 1,000 jobs over the next three to five years. Some are expected to be created with the completion of a £50m extension to the Newcastle headquarters, which is due by the end of this year
A WORKING men's club that once played host to headline acts including The Searchers, Del Shannon and comedian Les Dawson is to be demolished. New Shildon Working Men's Club was once at the centre of social life in the town, and frequently attracted big
AN evil nurse who killed an elderly care home resident with a strong sedative hidden in a cup of chocolate was struck off yesterday. Alison Firth was found guilty of having "no concern for the welfare - or indeed the lives - of vulnerable patients" by
ASPIRING young artists have put pen to paper in an effort to win tickets for a theatre production coming to Hambleton Community Centre, Northallerton, next month. Youngsters from Bullamoor Junior School were among 1,300 pupils throughout the town to produce
TWO teenagers whose request for a cigarette in the street ended up with an alcoholic's death yesterday failed in a bid to have their sentences cut. Daniel Lapin, now 20, was with Steven Clark, also now 20, when he struck David Bruce with two punches which
AN east Durham teenager's computer skills are helping bring some home comforts to a women's refuge. When Anthony Ottowell, 14, learnt how families fleeing domestic violence rarely have time to take personal possessions he decided to help. Anthony's father
A CARPET boss on Teesside has been named manager of the year by his company. Shaun Campbell, 33, picked up the accolade at Storey Carpets' awards dinner at Sunderland's Stadium of Light. Mr Campbell, of Sunderland, recently took over as regional manager
YOUNGSTERS have made their stage debuts in two performances to complete a drama project at Grangetown Boys' Club. The 15-strong Grangetown Coyotes are part of the Single Regeneration Budget-funded Focus on Grangetown Youth Project. They have been working
If you were listening very carefully, you might have heard Corin Redgrave's one and only previous theatre appearance in Newcastle. He was certainly not seen and only just heard as he was the prompter for a production starring film star Rex Harrison. "
Darlington's hopes of signing Michael Proctor suffered a blow yesterday when the player's agent insisted his client should stay at Sunderland until the end of the season, when his contract expires. The striker, long sought by manager Tommy Taylor, will
SCIENCE fiction fans are snapping up tickets for a lecture by Star Wars animator Phil Tippet. Forbidden City, in the Dundas Arcade, Middlesbrough, says tickets for the talk, at the University of Teesside's cinema, are selling fast. Mr Tippet has more
A TEAM of gymnasts from Northallerton College has won the area team event for the over-13 girls age group. Taking part in the Hambleton and Richmondshire Association gymnastics competition at Hambleton Leisure Centre, they beat off opposition from the
TRADING standards officers in Hartlepool are warning people to guard against cowboy roofers following this week's gales. Michael Welsh, trading standards manager at Hartlepool Borough Council, said there would be plenty of disreputable roofers, wanting
FRIENDS and relatives of some of the men arrested in Tuesday's anti-terrorism raids have spoken of their certainty of the men's innocence. Businessman Mousa Mohamad, of Stockton Road, and take-away workers Ibrahim Rachid, of Northgate, and Salah Famtazi
Letters from The Northern Echo COUNCIL FINANCES DOUBLE digit council tax increases have an obvious impact on the payer's disposable income. A comparison of recent percentage increases between occupational pensions and salaries and council tax will highlight
Europe's biggest British Army garrison could be poised on the brink of a new era. Planners sit down to decide if they should rubber-stamp a draft for the infrastructure of a new community on the eastern edge of Catterick Garrison on Tuesday. If they approve
CONCERNS have been raised about the level of consumer debt after figures revealed a record £7.3bn rise in borrowing during December. Unsecured lending, which includes credit cards, loans and store cards, jumped ahead by £2.2bn last month, also a record
NEWSAGENT group WH Smith has reported a surge in festive UK sales but warned of continuing tough times for its US business. Like-for-like sales in the UK stores rose eight per cent in the six weeks to January 5 and seven per cent in the 20 weeks to January
A YOUNG singer is seeking support to enable her to make the trip of a lifetime. Jodie Surendran, of Chester-le-Street, has been a member of the National Youth Choir of Great Britain for almost two years. The choir makes an overseas performing trip every
HUNTING protestors gathered support from shoppers as they collected signatures in Bishop Auckland town centre. Marjorie Embling, 61, from Hunwick, said she and fellow protestors would be visiting supermarkets in the town to campaign for a ban on the hunting
THE magic of Disney is brought to life at Stockton's Green Dragon Museum this week. A local collector is putting on a display to mark the 100th anniversary of Walt Disney's birth. Darlington film expert Tony Hillman has selected Disney images from his
STUNNED motorists looked on as a lorry became wedged underneath a railway bridge. The delivery lorry belonging to the NightFreight company was slightly higher than the railway bridge in Kingsway, Bishop Auckland. Fortunately, the driver was unhurt and
PLANS by an environmental charity to restore a native broadleafed woodland by replacing non-native trees have been criticised. Arboricultural consultant Barry Kennedy said he would seek a tree preservation order on Hellhole Woodland, near Beamish, County
I DO not believe that I am the only one, but my experiences of the National Health Service have been nothing but positive. Yet, I read about dreadful things happening to 94-year-old women and stillborn babies almost daily, and so now I am beginning to
I DO not believe that I am the only one, but my experiences of the National Health Service have been nothing but positive. Yet, I read about dreadful things happening to 94-year-old women and stillborn babies almost daily, and so now I am beginning to
AS befits someone who has on several occasions come close to proposing holy matrimony to the West Highland Railway, we were invited last Friday to the Lord Provost of Glasgow's Burns Supper. The venue was the Glasgow Hilton Hotel, the dress code black
THE Queen's Golden Jubilee has been blamed for a decision to move forward examinations for thousands of students. Headteachers say the celebrations and attempts to avoid examination clashes have prompted officials to move the half-term holiday at the
DOCTORS were last night fighting to save the sight of an attack victim. The unnamed 58-year-old was attacked at the junction of White House Farm and Barlborough Road, Stockton, after shopping in the town's Safeway store, at 9.25pm on Friday. A man got
COUNTY Champions Yorkshire are all set to become the technological whizkids of the first class cricket circuit. The club has joined forces with Firstnet Services Ltd, an award winning Internet and technology solutions provider, and work is under way to
A MAN accused of raping a prostitute told a jury yesterday he had not raped her in the back of his car. Peter Thompson, 20, of Portman Street, Middlesbrough, is on trial at Teesside Crown Court accused of rape in August 2000 and intimidation in November
A TOURIST attraction's attempt to build on its success looks set to be given the go-ahead despite the objections of the local parish council. The Yorkshire Lavender Farm was set up in the mid-1990s in North Yorkshire's Howardian Hills, an officially-designated
A WIFE has spoken of her terror after her husband was punched unconscious while they were walking home. The 43-year-old victim may need brain surgery after the attack, which caused a fractured skull and a blood clot on the brain. His 49-year-old wife,
FARMERS in a market town are facing another blow after Government officials shut down a livestock collection point. Senior vets in London have overruled local Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) colleagues at Leeds over whether sheep
Three detectives were suspended yesterday following accusations by a judge that police had illegally bugged five men accused of a murder plot. Mark Corley's body was found dumped in a field in Bolam, near Darlington, in December 2000. An investigation
THOUSANDS of people were told to stay indoors and dozens more were evacuated as a potentially-toxic cloud leaked from a solvent factory on Tyneside yesterday. About 50 firefighters were called to the Distillex solvent plant, East Percy Street, North Shields
LOVE blossomed in a sweet shop for a couple who are celebrating their platinum wedding anniversary. Robert and Margaret Emmerson, of Crook, married at Bishop Auckland Register Office, 70 years ago, on January 30, Mrs Emmerson, 90, said their wedding day
PASSENGERS are facing more travel chaos after talks aimed at averting a second strike by Arriva Trains Northern staff broke down. The Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union said it had failed to reach a settlement with Arriva bosses in a row over pay
A crimefighting initiative targeted at youngsters will be launched in Stanley and Chester-le-Street today. The Widening Participation Project, a Government Office North-East-funded scheme, will identify trouble hotspots using data from the police, local
A PROJECT to involve vulnerable youngsters in leisure activities is under way in County Durham. The Positive Futures Project aims to attract more than 300 ten to 16 year-olds ,who are considered to be at risk of committing crime, into taking part sport
A FOUR-YEAR-OLD boy needed more than 100 stitches to his face after being savaged by his grandmother's dog. Harvey Swann was rushed to hospital and doctors fear that he will be left scarred for life. The nine-year-old dog, an alsatian named Blitz, sunk
THE Prime Minister came under pressure during Question Time over a crisis in care home beds. Anne McIntosh, MP for Vale of York, asked if Tony Blair agreed with York District Hospital, City of York Council and the Selby and York Primary Care Trust that
POLICE chiefs have warned motorists visiting a market town that their cars could be towed away if they park illegally. Officers in Barnard Castle, County Durham, have put out a message to drivers that they will take action if they park their cars on single
MANY words were written and spoken by Maude Coulthard about her beloved Weardale. Today, more will be said in tribute to the woman regarded as the keeper of traditions in the dale. Mrs Coulthard died in her sleep at Darlington Memorial Hospital last weekend
VILLAGERS are to have their own parish council after more than a year and a half of campaigning. The Government has agreed in principle that the village of Eldon can separate from Shildon to have its own parish council from April 1 next year. Councillor
WILDLIFE campaigners have called for a crackdown on airguns. The law forbids the use of airguns to harm animals, but recent incidents have included several on Durham Wildlife Trust nature reserves. Before Christmas, armed police were called to Rainton
ONE of the men jailed for the North-East's most infamous gangland killing is launching a bid to clear his name. Michael Luvaglio hopes to overturn his conviction for his part in the 1967 "one-armed bandit murder" which is said to have inspired the cult
A row has broken out over Newcastle Hospitals Trust's demands of almost £1.4m from health authorities in County Durham and Sunderland. The trust, which includes the Royal Victoria Infirmary and the Freeman Hospital, says it is owed the money for taking
A THIRD person has died following a crash at the weekend. Ann Taylor, 54, of Ferryhill, County Durham, who had been a front seat passenger in a Rover 218 when it collided head-on with a Peugeot 206 on Saturday evening, died in Middlesbrough General Hospital
After the revelation that the latest suicide bombing in Israel was carried out by a woman, Rhainnon Talbot looks at how a chilling first fits into the history of women in terrorism. SHINAZ Amuri has achieved a terrible accolade. She is the first female
romantic Stephen Armour wanted to make sure everything was perfect when he proposed to his long-term sweetheart, Korinne Hutchinson. So he waited for her 21st birthday, put champagne on ice, polished up the diamond engagement ring - and popped the question
A COUNCILLOR is calling for a footpath network to attract tourists to the ancestral home of folk hero Bobby Shafto. Sedgefield borough opposition councillor Ben Ord is trying to gather support for riverside footpaths to be created near Whitworth Hall,
NISSAN'S European operations are about to record an operating profit for lst year, despite seeing retail sales fall. The Japanese car firm, which employs more than 5,000 staff at its Sunderland car plant, will report its financial results in May. Nissan
MIDDLESBROUGH were last night looking at other potential striking targets after they pulled out of a move for Dwight Yorke. Boro had agreed a fee of £6.2m with Yorke's club, Manchester United, but could not agree personal terms with the forward. It is
MAN MURPHY (1.20) has been found an easy opportunity to complete his hat-trick in the opener at Catterick today. After victories at Newcastle and Carlisle, Mary Reveley's six-year-old effectively takes a step down in class for division one of the EBF
A NORTH Yorkshire community has been saddened by a local pub's closure - even though there is still another open in the village. The New Inn, at Hunton, used to be a popular eating place, with the future of The Countryman nearby apparently in the balance
A SINGLE mother from Hartlepool is turning heads with her new business venture. Joanne Maiden, 31, who has set up a mobile reflexology and Indian head massage business, is a convert to holistic medicine. She said: "Reflexology changed my life in many
AS befits someone who has on several occasions come close to proposing holy matrimony to the West Highland Railway, we were invited last Friday to the Lord Provost of Glasgow's Burns Supper. The venue was the Glasgow Hilton Hotel, the dress code black
EARLIER this month, the world paid tribute to Muhammad Ali on his birthday. Even at 60, and two decades after he stepped into a ring, he still remains the towering figure in modern boxing. Boxing is a sport which combines athleticism and theatre, making
SIX men seized in a major North-East anti-terrorism swoop appeared in court yesterday amid unprecedented security. The first floor of Peterlee Magistrates Court in County Durham was sealed off and guarded by armed police during the closed hearing. Detectives
CHILDREN throughout the region can see their heroes live on stage when a Pokemon show comes to the North-East. A multi-million dollar Broadway-style stage is coming to Newcastle as part of a UK tour. The multi-media adventure, based on the Japanese video
GOVERNMENT inspectors have given two-star ratings to a council's services. Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council has been given the marks for its bidding and management of the Single Regeneration Budget (SRB) and for its economic development unit. It puts
AN outdoor activity centre is ready to open to youngsters from the Darlington area. The centre, in Forest-in-Teesdale, is funded by the Darlington and District Community Youth Action Group. It will offer youngsters from the area a chance to spend time
A showpiece development in the North-East was in danger of losing its direction last night. Regeneration Minister Lord Falconer arrives on Teesside this morning to announce details of a multi-million pound Government boost for a docklands regeneration
THE UK's second biggest supermarket chain, Sainsbury's, has unveiled plans to take on an extra 10,000 workers this year. The full and part-time positions will be created by extending and refurbishing stores as well as opening new outlets. Posts available
A WISH list of spending projects drawn up by Sedgefield Town Council would have required a 42 per cent increase in its precept, members have been told. Councillors decided they could not justify asking tax payers for such a big increase, so settled on
A COUNCIL making huge spending cuts has been offered £10m extra funding in three years - if it improves its performance. The cash reward was announced by the Government just days after it rejected Labour-run Durham County Council's plea for more money
A TOWN centre manager has been disappointed at the reluctance of businesses in Newton Aycliffe to help attract more shoppers. Graham Sewell was appointed town centre manager for Aycliffe and Spennymoor eight months ago. Sedgefield Borough Council initially
TRAFFIC chaos hit Durham yesterday when two separate incidents led to delays. The first, at about 7.15am, happened when a lorry travelling south on the A1(M) between Carrville and Bowburn lost a wheel, which rolled across the central reservation on to
A JOINT venture between training provider Zodiac and Gateshead College aims to offer a brighter future for young people in the region. The organisations set up a pilot Pre-Modern Apprenticeship (Pre-MA) course to help make young people more employable
JUST as the Government prepares to announce a financial package for the regeneration of Middlesbrough's reclaimed docklands, a fresh question mark hangs over the development. With just hours to go to a long-awaited announcement by Regeneration Minister
NURSERY nurses will be recognised for their quality of care with an award tomorrow. Staff at Sunderland's Pennywell Neighbourhood Centre will be presented with Pre-School Learning Alliance accreditation for its community childcare project, which has been
