POLICE in Hartlepool have drawn up a most-wanted list of ten of the town's most prolific criminals to help reduce burglaries over Christmas. As part of Operation Twister, uniformed officers and detectives will be focusing on the town's burglary hotspots
VOLUNTARY organisations are being urged to make use of a new guide on grants available to them. The guide includes information on more than 100 charitable trusts which support voluntary organisations and community groups in Northumberland, Tyne and Wear
POLICE in Hartlepool have drawn up a most-wanted list of ten of the town's most prolific criminals to help reduce burglaries over Christmas. As part of Operation Twister, uniformed officers and detectives will be focusing on the town's burglary hotspots
A TRANSPORT service for people in Middlesbrough with special needs has notched up a milestone. Dial a Ride, established by Middlesbrough Council to help people with disabilities travel, has completed 250,000 passenger trips, covering more than one million
THE adventures of a Viking blacksmith will be brought to life in a free performance at the weekend. Newly-formed art and drama group Theatre Elementals, which mainly draws together performers from the West End of Newcastle, will present the show at Leazes
The committee responsible for setting the Bank of England's interest rates was split over whether or not to cut the cost of borrowing this month, minutes of its meeting have revealed. Monetary Policy Committee members Christopher Allsopp and Stephen Nickell
CRAIG Bellamy paid the inevitable price for his "stupid" sending off against Internazionale last night when he was given a three-match Champions League ban. After missing Newcastle United's defeat to Barcelona last week through suspension, Bellamy will
FILMMAKERS have secured funding to help develop a movie about the life of a disabled Darlington FC fan. Northern Film and Media (NFM) have agreed to provide cash for the screen adaptation of Paul Hodgson's autobiography, Flipper's Side. Now the people
POLICE last night launched an internal inquiry after a judge blasted their handling of a sex case involving two schoolboys. Detectives from Durham Police were criticised by a Teesside Crown Court judge for arresting the pair in a "dawn swoop" on their
GOLF DAY: The Wheatsheaf 2000 Golf Society, at Barley Mow, holds a Christmas tournament on Monday, December 30, at 10am, at Goswick golf course, near Berwick. The society will make presentations at the Wheatsheaf that evening. FANS' PARTY: The Christmas
COOKERY demonstrations will be given by chef Joe Keenan during today's Durham Farmers' Market. He will demonstrate several Christmas recipes with produce available at the market. The market opens at 9am. Mr Keenan, who is heading Durham Market Company's
A development company has spoken of how it was forced to abandon its plans for an out-of-town business park. Highbridge Morton Palms had won planning permission to build the first two office blocks on an open-land site off Darlington's Yarm Road, creating
STARS of film, television and a controversial comedy show are heading to the region. Actress Tracy Shaw (Coronation Street's hairdresser Maxine Peacock) will take the lead role in The Blue Room at Darlington's Civic Theatre in May. The play hit the headlines
Essential cinema; SIR - I hope Judge Bolton is aware of all the letters sent to your paper expressing disbelief at her decision to allow the Robins Cinema to be replaced by another bar. As well as being a regular cinemagoer, I had the pleasure of working
A DEAL between a developer and Darlington Borough Council to start work on a major out-of-town business park has collapsed. Highbridge Morton Palms had already won permission to build two office blocks on the wasteland site off Darlington's Yarm Road,
HUNDREDS of people are expected to snap up a seasonal offer of free entry to a top Durham museum. The dli - formerly the Durham Light Infantry Museum and Durham Art Gallery - is giving the 'Santa Special' on Boxing Day and New Year's Day. Last year nearly
UNIVERSITY fees were blamed yesterday for the low increase in the number of state sector pupils entering higher education. As university performance indicators were released, teaching unions warned that people from poorer backgrounds were being put off
BELLA Gauden was in good voice for her 103rd birthday celebrations last Friday. She joined in heartily as singer Philip Corrigan sang some of her favourite songs at the Langley Park Residential Home. Although her birthday was last Saturday, Annie Isabelle
POLICE are hunting a gang of masked thugs who launched a 'cowardly' race attack on pizza shop staff. Three men - the shop's Algerian owner and his two employees, a Libyan and a Kurd - suffered head and facial injuries and needed hospital treatment. The
HUNDREDS of people are expected to snap up a seasonal offer of free entry to a top Durham museum. The dli - formerly the Durham Light Infantry Museum and Durham Art Gallery - is giving the 'Santa Special' on Boxing Day and New Year's Day. Last year nearly
WORK to improve a wildlife haven on part of an old steelworks has been launched with the completion of specially designed gates. Children from the Grove Primary School, in Consett, who helped blacksmith and artist Graeme Hopper to create the gates, celebrated
A GROUNDBREAKING new arts programme is being delivered in a partnership between Wear Valley and Teesdale District Councils. Good for the Soul is a three-year programme which aims to deliver arts activities to people who are either at risk of or actually
The following churches have submitted Christmas services for publication: DURHAM CITY Emmanuel Church (meeting at Durham Sixth Form Centre): Sunday, carol service with coffee and mince pies 10am; (at Framwellgate Moor Community Hall) Sunday, Carol Service
LOCAL transport projects across North Yorkshire are to benefit from an increased funding package from the Government. North Yorkshire County Council is in line for £27.1m to spend on transport schemes next year, up from the £22.9m they had to spend this
YOUNG hopefuls have lived out their pop star dreams before a packed audience. More than 400 people filled the Lamplight Arts Centre in Stanley to see 23 acts take the stage for the Youth Clubs County Durham Stars in Your Eyes contest. Youngsters from
The chairman of the independent inquiry into the Richard Neale scandal has made a third appeal for witnesses to come forward. This new plea follows an informal meeting in York earlier this month. Because the inquiry is being boycotted by many former patients
CROWDS flocked to see Durham Cathedral's Christmas tree lights switched on on Sunday afternoon. The atmospheric event in the Galilee Chapel, which includes the blessing of the crib, is always popular with city residents and visitors. The lights were switched
HUNDREDS of people are expected to snap up a seasonal offer of free entry to a top Durham museum. The dli - formerly the Durham Light Infantry Museum and Durham Art Gallery - is offering the 'Santa Special' on Boxing Day and New Year's Day. Last year
A JUNIOR school did away with the traditional nativity play to stage Harry Trotter and the Philosopher's Phone - their own particular version of a certain best-selling novel. The play, written by a teacher at Great Lumley Junior School and a parent, was
SHOPPERS are being urged to take care as they seek Christmas bargains, or run the risk of buying fake and shoddy goods. Products at what appear to be knock-down prices are being hawked by unscrupulous traders across the region. Now shoppers are being
YOUNG model makers are flying high after scoring a double success in a national contest. Teams from St Leonard's RC School in Durham and St Joseph's RC School in Stanley recently took part in the BAE Systems Model Aircraft Challenge at RAF Cosford. The
A total of 50 new jobs have been created in Darlington thanks to a series of grants from the borough council. The grants, worth a total of £18,000, have been awarded to seven Darlington businesses chosen by the council's Financial Incentives Panel. One
MINING communities are have received an early Christmas present in the shape of a series of grants worth almost £200,000. Dene Valley Community Partnership has been awarded the funding it needs to complete work on a park and play area. Members of the
The gameshow hits rock bottom. ANNEKA Rice's bum. There, I've said it. It's funny the things that stick in your mind about old TV programmes and her posterior was virtually all I could remember about the 1980s series Treasure Hunt. There was some business
POLICE dog handlers were called in to break up a mass brawl in a city centre pub. Officers went to Yates Wine Lodge in North Road, Durham, at about 6pm on Saturday after the 'pitched battle' was spotted by the city's CCTV system. The fight involved about
A RETIRED archaeologist who has shed new light on the history of a Roman town is hoping his latest book will prove a hit this Christmas. Chester-le-Street and its Place in History unveils fascinating facts on the town's past, including its bustling river
A MAN who punched his pregnant girlfriend unconscious was jailed for more than four years yesterday after a judge said he posed a considerable risk of attacking other women. Lee Cullen left his girlfriend lying in the street with a fractured skull after
A COMMUNITY grant from the North-Eastern Co-op could pay dividends for young footballers who are forming teams at a Chester-le-Street school. Ten enthusiastic parents are giving their time to develop the football skills of pupils at St Cuthbert's RC School
BY some minor miracle, we're just about set for Christmas. The big 'un has asked for remote-controlled fighting robots; his sister wants a bike; and football-mad number three wants a World Cup PlayStation game. Their Mum, who still thinks she's a teenager
Reptile fans are invited to visit Pets At Home on the Darlington Retail Park, Yarm Road, Darlington, on Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 4pm. Reptile owners are asked not to take their pets. VAN DAMAGED: The bonnet of a Volkswagen transporter van was
About 80 people attended a Christmas party at Hummersknott School and Language College, thanks to the lengthy preparations of pupils. Their fundraising efforts allowed the event to be staged, with music and dancing performed by students. The students
MOTORISTS who dodge tax and dump vehicles in Middlesbrough were in for a shock yesterday. Officials used a crane and lorry to take away 31 abandoned vehicles, which were lifted from the streets and taken to a secure police compound in South Bank by teams
Three Celtic players arrested after a fracas at the club's Christmas party in the North-East were last night released on bail. Bobby Petta, Johan Mjallby and Joos Valgaeren were attending the Glasgow club's party on Tyneside on Tuesday night when they
PENSIONERS were treated to mince pies and sandwiches at a Christmas tea party organised by a town's school. Hospitality and catering students from Sunnydale Comprehensive School in Shildon provided the refreshments for the event, and each person who attended
A MUSICIAN who entertained audiences in a career spanning more than eight decades has put away his keyboard for the last time. Former band leader Syd Chapman, who celebrated his 92nd birthday in March, has called a halt to the travelling music show he
PEOPLE in Darlington will be able to cast their vote by post in the next local elections. Darlington Borough Council has been given permission to introduce an all-postal voting scheme next year. It is one of only 41 local authorities in the country to
A THIRD of five-year-old children in Darlington have some form of dental decay, statistics show. Health officials also say up to 52 per cent of youngsters in the area are in need of treatment for dental problems. The alarming statistics applied to all
Reptile fans are invited to visit Pets At Home on the Darlington Retail Park, Yarm Road, Darlington, on Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 4pm. Reptile owners are asked not to take their pets. VAN DAMAGED: The bonnet of a Volkswagen transporter van was
A moped rider died following a collision with a car at the entrance to an industrial estate. Police named the victim yesterday as 67-year-old Thomas Johnson, of Sherburn Village, near Durham City. He was said to be travelling north on the A688 road, from
THE immediate reaction to the report into the death of two-year-old Ainlee Labonte is "oh no, not again". Once again we see our social services publicly lambasted after a poor tiny tot has died the most horrible of deaths, a death which could have been
A MAN told a court yesterday that he was devastated by the lies of a girl who accused him of sexual abuse. Neville Taggart, 35, said he could think of no reason why the girl named him to her teachers and then to the police. The father-of-two, giving evidence
RECONCILIATION is the main theme in the Bishop of Ripon and Leeds' Christmas message this year. The Right Reverend John Packer has appealed to the diocese to pray for an end to broken relationships at home, across the country and internationally. His
NEW pay structures have been confirmed for more than half the staff at Richmondshire District Council. Up to 57 per cent are due pay rises as a result of a review of the wage structure within the authority, and they can expect a rise from April. However
JUNIOR school pupils did away with the traditional nativity play to stage their own alternative, entitled Harry Trotter and the Philosopher's Phone. The play, written by a teacher and a parent at Great Lumley Junior School, near Chester-le-Street, County
REFUGE workers launch their Christmas appeal today for mothers and children who may never have had a gift or shared a family celebration. Six families currently seeking sanctuary at the Wear Valley Women's Aid centre, in Etherley Lane, Bishop Auckland
A SUPPORT service for families with children who have special needs has recruited more volunteers. The Parent Partnership Service has been running in Darlington for nearly three years and offers independent advice to parents. At an event at Stressholme
RESIDENTS of the West View estate in Hartlepool will be receiving a number of unlikely visitors this Christmas. Sixteen American professional musicians, teachers and business people will visit the area and will be arriving in the town on Boxing Day. They
THE farmer blamed for starting the foot-and-mouth crisis could face court costs running into thousands of pounds after a magistrates' court ruling was overturned. Bobby Waugh was left to pay only £520 after Sunderland magistrates agreed to virtually write
PEOPLE in many of the North-East's rural areas are missing out on key services enjoyed by their urban neighbours, according to a report. Although some country areas fare better than towns, the majority miss out on a range of social and leisure services
THE starting pistol was fired last night as the race to win a new railway franchise for North-East passengers got under way. The Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) said it was formally accepting bids for the new Northern franchise which begins in summer 2004
CHILDREN are wishing for a green Christmas after signing up for an environmental campaign. Pupils at Durham Trinity School, in Aykley Heads, are taking part in npower's foster-a-Christmas-tree scheme, being run in association with Northumberland Wildlife
HEALTH and welfare officials made shaping future services look like child's play yesterday after inviting hundreds of youngsters to a party - while they collared their parents for their views. As the children enjoyed a ride on Santa's steam train, had
A PROJECT aimed at encouraging more interaction between a community's elderly people and children has come to fruition with a mural. The scheme was spearheaded by Groundwork West Durham in partnership with Haven House, Leadgate Junior School and Derwentside
A 14-YEAR-OLD boy suffered a fractured skull after he and his brother were attacked. The incident happened next to Cruddas Park Shopping Centre, in Newcastle, when the youth and his 17-year-old brother were approached by two teenagers. The teenagers shouted
A 14-YEAR-OLD boy suffered a fractured skull after he and his brother were attacked. The incident happened next to Cruddas Park Shopping Centre, in Newcastle, when the youth and his 17-year-old brother were approached by two teenagers. The teenagers shouted
Tourists may soon be able to take in the delights of Sunderland from a giant wheel modelled on the London Eye. Civic chiefs have recommended approval of the plan to build the structure on the banks of the River Wear. The Sunderland Eye would tower over
Tourists may soon be able to take in the delights of Sunderland from a giant wheel modelled on the London Eye. Civic chiefs have recommended approval of the plan to build the structure on the banks of the River Wear. The Sunderland Eye would tower over
CHANGES had to be made to a new pub's drug policy before Middlesbrough Council would agree to let them open today as planned. Bosses of Walkabout were required to give a more detailed stance against the use of controlled substances in the theme bar, in
A CINEMA which was due to close in the New Year could reopen in a former bingo hall, it has emerged. The Robins Cinema, in Durham's North Road, is scheduled to shut on January 5, leaving the city without a mainstream film venue. Its fate was sealed following
A POLICE officer wept with relief yesterday as he was cleared of indecent exposure and asking a woman for sex. PC Daniel Bennett, 26, was off duty when colleagues saw him following the 23-year-old property developer from a tube station. The officer, who
BUDGET airline easyJet will put cost-conscious travellers' minds at rest today when it announces six new routes out of Newcastle Airport. There has been a great deal of speculation about the destinations which will be served in the wake of the operator's
VOLUNTARY organisations are being urged to make use of a new guide on grants available to them. The guide includes information on more than 100 charitable trusts which support voluntary organisations and community groups in Northumberland, Tyne and Wear
A man's persistent offending resulted in a four and a half year jail sentence yesterday. Gary Burgess, 38, of Hutton Road, Eston, Teesside, appeared for sentencing on charges including attempted burglary, two offences of burglary, dangerous driving, taking
THE violent past of a village lost at the time of William the Conqueror's infamous "harrying of the north" is being pieced together with the help of farmer Jonathan Fairburn. Jonathan runs Griff Farm, by 12th Century Rievaulx Abbey, near Helmsley, North
RYEDALE householders will have no increase in the district council tax bill next year thanks to a good cash settlement from the Government and a refund of nearly £600,000. Ryedale District Council's policy and resources committee unanimously agreed to
ACTION to reduce the number of teenage pregnancies in North Yorkshire is being take by Scarborough Whitby and Ryedale Primary Care Trust. Together with the county Teenage Pregnancy Strategy Group it is launching an advice and information pack for teenagers
A POLICE chief is urging his officers to do more to help people suffering from anti-social behaviour. County Durham's Chief Constable, Paul Garvin, wants the police to offer their expertise and knowledge to people who call them for problems which are
GOLD medalist teenage sprinter Lee Hunter is to receive a helping hand so he can do his home town proud once again. The 15-year-old from Redcar struck summer gold in both the 100metres and 200 metres at the Under-19 Disability Sport England Championships
CHILDREN have teamed up with an arts group and their local council to produce artwork with a difference. Pupils at the Allertonshire School, in Northallerton, are working with two artists from Rural Arts North Yorkshire to make litter bin covers decorated
A COUNCIL is to pilot a postal voting scheme at May's elections. Redcar and Cleveland Council will have an all-postal vote to chose its new administration of 59 councillors. While that move should significantly increase voting, the council also expects
A COUPLE who met in a cinema queue have celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary. Dixon Donkin was only 17 and working as a glass cutter at Colmore Adhesives in Low Fell when he and his friend John Nicholson bumped into 16-year-old school pals Frances
EBENEZER Scrooge would probably have dismissed it as humbug, but Christmas shopping madness could be more important than any of us think. Far from being simply an annual orgy of spending, the traditional battle through the festive crowds may have a purpose
INJURED and seriously ill dogs and cats can now be treated at a pet accident and emergency department in the region. Vets in Tyneside and North-Durham can sign up to the A&E department, which offers care through the night, and at weekends, for household
A 22-YEAR-OLD man was taken to Sunderland Royal Hospital with minor injuries after he was hit with a glass during a disturbance at the Motirag Tandoori restaurant, in Church Lane, Sunderland, at about 11.30pm on Tuesday. His attacker was white, in his
A 22-YEAR-OLD man was taken to Sunderland Royal Hospital with minor injuries after he was hit with a glass during a disturbance at the Motirag Tandoori restaurant, in Church Lane, Sunderland, at about 11.30pm on Tuesday. His attacker was white, in his
Archaeologists are battling time and tide to examine a sunken collier ship exposed on a North-East beach for the first time in seven years. The 18th century vessel, almost identical to the famous Endeavour that Captain Cook used to circumnavigate the
BY some minor miracle, we're just about set for Christmas. The big 'un has asked for remote-controlled fighting robots; his sister wants a bike; and football-mad number three wants a World Cup PlayStation game. Their Mum, who still thinks she's a teenager
Winger Neil Wainwright has set his sights on helping Darlington continue their recent run of form - and believes the play-offs are a realistic target. Mick Tait's side extended their unbeaten run to five games after Saturday's win at Hull and another
CHRISTMAS cards sent from Bishop Auckland College are extra special this year because they have been designed by one of the college's own students. Talented Adam Keen won a competition to design the college's corporate cards, to be sent to colleagues
CHILDREN in Ferryhill Station have completed a project to raise their awareness of transport issues. The Sustainable Transport Education Programme (Step), which was delivered by Groundwork East Durham, was a six- week project for Year 5 and Year 6 pupils
EXETER appears by far the safest bet for racing to take place today with the threat of a severe overnight frost threatening to cause the abandonment of both Catterick and Ludlow. With all eyes most likely on the west-country track, the spotlight is sure
STOCKTON Renaissance members are to discuss their priorities for the borough's community strategy at a meeting tonight. The strategy forms a blueprint for the area's regeneration from 2003 to 2006. Updated annually, it will contain six pledges: * To secure
Stockton company Francis Brown Ltd has secured orders valued at more than £700,000 following its recent acquisition of local business Chemitrol Process Equipment Ltd. The take-over of the Eaglescliffe company, which specialises in the design and manufacture
THE development of a new generation "solid state" on-train closed-circuit television security system has helped rail industry supply business Joyce-Loebl win a £2.1m order in Portugal. The Gateshead business beat off competition from 11 competitors across
CIVIC leaders and police joined forces last week to launch a crackdown on bogus callers. The Derwentside Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership is touring the district to give presentations to elderly and vulnerable residents aimed at tackling distraction
TWO hospitals are taking part in a study that could lead to a national screening programme for ovarian cancer. The James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, and Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Gateshead, are among 13 UK centres to take part in the study
CIVIC leaders and police have joined forces to launch a crackdown on bogus callers in Derwentside. The Derwentside Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership is touring the district to give presentations to elderly and vulnerable residents to tackle bogus-caller
Arkengarthdale Parish Council Parking difficulties: A muddy verge near the school had caused problems for parents dropping off or collecting their children, resulting in them and the children having to stand in the road. Councillors agreed to notify the
A 22-YEAR-OLD man was taken to Sunderland Royal Hospital with minor injuries after he was hit with a glass during a disturbance at the Motirag Tandoori restaurant, in Church Lane, Sunderland, at about 11.30pm on Tuesday. His attacker was white, in his
YOUNG footballer Robbie Blemings is still hoping to be playing in California in the New Year. The teenage midfielder, who lives in Shotley Bridge, has won a call-up to the England Colleges' under-18 squad get-together. He was one of the 24 hopefuls at
THE last patients have left the wards of the old Shotley Bridge Hospital to make way for the bulldozers. Elderly patients have just moved into two new wards in the adjoining community hospital. The completion of Wards Two and Four of the new unit, known
POLICE seized four rifles in early morning raids in Durham last week. The .22 and .20 calibre weapons were seized by detectives, accompanied by officers from Northumbria, who executed search warrants at eight addresses in the Gilesgate and Sherburn Road
MIDDLESBROUGH'S Ugo Ehiogu is winning his battle to be fit for Saturday's trip to Arsenal. The Boro centre-back played through the pain barrier against Chelsea last week after suffering from a back problem. Ehiogu has been receiving treatment for over
THIS is the first school team to win a new sports competition started in Wear Valley to encourage more youngsters to play sport and keep fit. The winners of a new tag-rugby tournament are year three and four pupils, aged seven to nine, from Howden-le-Wear
POLICE chiefs have praised the dedication of volunteers in the hunt for a teenager who has been missing from his home for six weeks. Craig Foreman, 19, has not been seen since the early hours of Saturday, October 26, when he left his house in Denecrest
WE last wrote nine years ago about the Gentlemen's Club in Bishop Auckland, down to 112 members and resting not so much on its elbows, as the classic definition supposes, as on its uppers. Now they've moved premises - "escalating costs" - have barely
Chester-le-Street District Council leader Malcolm Pratt is to meet deputy Prime Minister John Prescott about the future of the council's poor housing department. Senior council officers will also be at the meeting with Mr Prescott, the Secretary of State
YOUNG model makers are flying high after scoring a double success in a national contest. Teams from St Leonard's RC School in Durham and St Joseph's RC School in Stanley recently took part in the BAE Systems Model Aircraft Challenge at RAF Cosford. The
ARRIVA conductors could be balloted in the new year over whether to end their near year-long strike action against the train company. The Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union has indicated that it may be willing to ballot members despite rejecting
HUNDREDS of schoolchildren took part in a spectacular festive show on Friday night as the annual lantern parade made its way through Darlington. The children were carrying lanterns which they created themselves with help from professional arts company
FORGET star-studded pantos and big West End productions. This time of year there is nothing to beat the infant nativity play. There was hardly a dry eye at our local playgroup as our little stars, faces beaming and full of wonder, launched into their
A MASSIVE crackdown on crime in County Durham scored its first big success last Thursday when police recovered a stolen bulldozer worth £140,000. Police raided an address in Wright Way, Burnhope, near Stanley, where they found the giant vehicle. The discovery
My little grandson Joshua is now nearly three. I'd paused there for you to point out that I don't look old enough to be a Grandad, but nothing happened. Last Sunday was booked to take him for a special pre-Christmas day out and mission was very happily
THE FAMILY of a man who hanged himself in his prison cell are calling for better assessment of prisoners' mental states. Scott Fisher, 24, was found hanged in his prison cell in Durham Prison after creating his own ligature on June 26. The inquest, held
CARRIER BAGS: AS a responsible individual, I fully support any initiative that reduces environmental pollution, whilst making others more accountable and aware of their actions. I therefore applaud Durham County Council's proposal to charge a 10p levy
EMPLOYEES at a Newton Aycliffe factory have been rolling up their sleeves to help local charities and organisations. They are taking part in the 3M 4Good programme, being run to mark the company's centenary this year. The scheme offers employees the chance
DRUG dealers were netted by an undercover police operation in a nightclub, Durham Crown Court was told. Four men appeared there last Friday for sentencing after admitting supplying Class A drugs. The court heard how in a covert operation, two police officers
BEN Lugering died last week, following a road accident. Though he was 80, the death notice in the paper spoke affectionately of all that he had still to live for and of his "many dear and special friends in the North-East." It still didn't begin, however
CHRISTMAS revellers are being warned about bogus taxi drivers operating in Darlington over the festive season. Darlington Borough Council is encouraging people to take taxis if they are out drinking but has spoken out about the potential dangers of using
A SPORTS organisation has been awarded £1.6m to promote healthy living in local communities. Durham Sport, which covers County Durham and Darlington, was awarded the sum from the Sport England Lottery Fund to develop its Active Sports Programme over the
A BODYBUILDER businessman was jailed on Friday for his involvement in international drug-running. Martin Yates-Brown, 55, of Middleton St George, a former senior Mr Britain, received a three-year prison term for serving as a middle man involved in importing
An ailing technology company has won a major contract to supply solenoids to printer specialists Hewlett Packard. Mechetronics, based in St Helen Auckland, County Durham, will work with a sister company in China to produce 30,000 solenoids a month for
HUNDREDS of people are expected to snap up a seasonal offer of free entry to a top Durham museum. The dli - formerly the Durham Light Infantry Museum and Durham Art Gallery - is giving the 'Santa Special' on Boxing Day and New Year's Day. Last year nearly
AN ANIMAL rescue centre is making a plea for loving homes after being inundated with small pets. Ramshaw Rescue Centre, near Bishop Auckland, usually specialises in taking in dogs, cats and horses but in recent weeks people have been bringing in pets
A SHOP owner is enjoying an early dose of festive cheer after winning a town's first Christmas window display competition. Susan Clark, who runs Buttons and Bows, a haberdashery store in the indoor market, beat ten other traders in the town centre to
The jobs market was sending out mixed signals last night amid conflicting information about unemployment levels. Figures released showed that the number of jobseekers claiming benefit hit a 27-year low while the number of people in employment had risen
FESTIVE shoppers in Durham have been given an early Christmas present in a city centre blighted by roadworks in recent months. Utility work on pavements and roads in the heart of the city has been suspended until the New Year. And as a Christmas bonus
DARLINGTON Town Primary School football team has won the Durham County five-a-side football championships. The youngsters won four and drew one of their five matches against South Tyneside, Peterlee, Felling, Chester-le-Street and Derwentside. The top
TWELVE months ago Lynn Evans broke down in tears when her desperately ill daughter Emma asked for a new heart and lungs for Christmas. The heartbroken North-East mother thought the day would be one of the few remaining ones she would spend with the 15
The Northern Echo's Superbrain quiz will appear in the paper on Christmas Eve - but it will only be the first round because we are doing it differently this year. The Christmas Eve edition will also contain our traditional giant crossword - with about
TWO pupils from a Billingham secondary school have talked their way into a double win for their school. Taking part in the Catenian North-East Public Speaking Competition, held in Darlington, Jo Parnell, 13 and Jon-Paul Rowden, 15, both from St Michael's
PARTRIDGES, geese, turtle doves and even leaping lords make it into the traditional Christmas song The Twelve Days of Christmas, but there is not a word about gibbons. However, for one North Yorkshire family, a long-armed ape has made his mark on the
A THIEF threatened a youth at knifepoint during a series of attacks on youngsters in Darlington, police say. Reports have been made about four attacks in the centre of the town on Monday evening, but police think others might have been unreported. The
THE design of a care home at the centre of a legal challenge has been given the backing of Durham County Council, despite objections from a local authority. Members of the county council's planning committee yesterday approved the design of a set of flats
THE Giving Tree Appeal has had a record-breaking year with £40,000 of gifts donated. The appeal organised by Darlington Borough Council's social services department, and supported by The Northern Echo, collects and distributes gifts to vulnerable families
GIRLS' junior football on Teesside has received a boost, thanks to Middlesbrough Football Club and Coca-Cola. A £54,000 sponsorship deal will support a three-year girls football development programme at Middlesbrough Football Community Centre, in Eston
TWO teenagers received hospital treatment last night after setting off a pyrotechnic device found in a city street. Neither of the youths, aged about 17, was seriously hurt in the incident, in the Pallion area of Sunderland. But police are concerned how
THE Northern Echo has been swamped with cartoon fans trying to get their hands on the new Horace and Doris book in time for Christmas. The North-East's favourite cartoon couple are a much loved part of The Northern Echo and fans have already bought nearly
VOLUNTARY organisations are being urged to make use of a new guide on grants available to them. The guide includes information on more than 100 charitable trusts which support voluntary organisations and community groups in Northumberland, Tyne and Wear
FOOTBALLERS from Northallerton College have won the County Cup for North Yorkshire in a close-fought match with Richmond School. The teams had been due to play in the final last year, but with the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, field sports were cancelled
COUNTY Durham-based Premier Waste Management has won contracts to provide kerbside recycling schemes for both South Tyneside and Gateshead councils. About 150,000 households will be involved across both boroughs and Premier expects the five-year contracts
A PRIVATE hospital in Darlington has signed a deal to operate on Dutch patients - while thousands in the North-East remain on waiting lists. The private Woodlands Hospital, on Yarm Road, is treating the patients as part of a scheme to cut waiting lists
A FLAME which was lit from a candle in the Church of the Nativity arrived on Teesside yesterday. The journey of the Peace Light began in a cave in Bethlehem beneath the birthplace of Christ, before it was carried to Vienna by Scouts. From there, people
FATHER and son Graham and Robert Hedley have enjoyed double celebrations after both graduated from the University of Teesside on the same day. They both achieved BSc (hons) degrees in community nursing (occupational health), following two years of part-time
THE farmer blamed for starting the foot-and-mouth crisis could face court costs running into thousands of pounds after a magistrates' court ruling was overturned. Bobby Waugh was left to pay only £520 after Sunderland magistrates agreed to virtually write
A COURT has ordered the eviction of a family who terrorised their neighbours with shootings and beatings. Some people living near the Watson family were too scared to put their names to statements about their violent activities. District Judge John Mainwaring-Taylor
A SCENIC coastal walk has been organised by the Countryside Agency. The walk covers eight miles of coast between the River Wear and the River Tyne. The walk starts at Roker Pier, in Sunderland, and ends at South Shields Pier, with return transport. The
Police are trying to trace two men who robbed a pedestrian of cash between Garth Farm Road and Jobling Avenue, in Winlaton, near Gateshead, last Friday. The 23-year-old victim suffered facial injuries in the attack, between 11pm and 11.30pm. One of the
BOSSES at a struggling North-East chipboard factory have put together a rescue package to secure the future of 180 jobs. A management buy-out is set to go ahead at Vertex Panel Products, in Shildon, County Durham, to safeguard the future of its 140 permanent
Police are still trying to find 45-year-old Judith Wildwood, who disappeared from her home in Finsbury Street, York, earlier this week. She is about 5ft 6in tall with short dark hair and is known to be suffering from depression. She may be driving an
AN inquest started yesterday into the death of a four-year-old who died after her clothes caught fire. Kaynat Akhter, came into contact with an open flame gas fire as she was playing at her home in Emerson Avenue, Middlesbrough, on Saturday afternoon.
TALENTED teenager Charlene Fairish has landed her first lead role in a major theatre production. Charlene has dreamed of theatre stardom since she was a toddler so it was a wish come true when she won the role of Maria in Durham Gala Theatre's summer
FORMER Tory leader William Hague has given his support to a life-saving charity's latest campaign. The Richmondshire MP visited the British Heart Foundation shop, in Northallerton, to promote the Give a Little, Gain a Lot campaign. The aim was to encourage
Richmondshire District Council has issued the following information about services during the Christmas holiday. Offices will be closed from Christmas Day until Thursday, January 2. A 24-hour emergency line will be in operation, on (01653) 690738. Refuse
GOLD medalist teenage sprinter Lee Hunter is to receive a helping hand so he can do his home town proud once again. The 15-year-old from Redcar struck summer gold in both the 100metres and 200 metres at the Under-19 Disability Sport England Championships
PLANS for a new housing estate on a prime business site in Spennymoor have been thrown out in an attempt to bring jobs to the town. Councillors refused planning permission for the development because they felt it would be another knock to the town's economy
OUTSTANDING achievements by students were recognised at Bishop Auckland College's annual awards night. Winners were presented with prizes by Nick Brewster, director of curriculum enterprise, accompanied by guest speaker Denise Bolton, who is co-ordinator
CHARITY champions are on their way to licking a seven million target. That's how many used stamps have been collected since the annual campaign began seven years ago. Peter Sotheran, of Sotheran's stationery firm in Redcar, said: "Every year, we collect
SCARBOROUGH'S seafront Futurist Theatre has reopened as a cinema, screening new blockbuster Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers. The 2,000-seat theatre, which is owned by the borough council, closed at the end of the summer season and is for sale as part
With three quarters of a million men dying in the trenches in the First World War, the sufferings of the starving children of the North-East have gone unnoticed. Now a new film lets them have ther say, before their stories are lost to living memory. Graham
A 22-YEAR-OLD man was taken to Sunderland Royal Hospital with minor injuries after he was hit with a glass during a disturbance at the Motirag Tandoori restaurant, in Church Lane, Sunderland, at about 11.30pm on Tuesday. His attacker was white, in his
PERFORMING arts students at a Teesside college pulled out all the stops for their last performance. The students at Stockton and Billingham College performed The Jungle Book for the last time in the college theatre yesterday before the college relocates
The Home Office is to pay compensation to two former nursery workers wrongly accused of child abuse. Home Secretary David Blunkett has exonerated Dawn Reed and Christopher Lillie of any criminal charges in a unique action based on their civil libel case
CABLE firm ntl says it expects to come out of Chapter 11 status "in the very near future". The US parent of ntl filed for bankruptcy protection earlier this year after mounting debts of £12bn. The company, which has its regional headquarters at Preston
Hard pressed rail passengers are facing a New Year hike in ticket prices of up to five per cent, it was announced today. All three of the region's major train operators will push fares up in January as part of the annual review of ticket prices. The worst
SNEAK-IN burglaries in Darlington have been dramatically reduced thanks to a police campaign launched last month. Darlington Police's Operation Velvet is aimed at reducing home and garage break-ins, especially during the long winter nights. Information
A YOUNG charity champ has raised more than £100 for a children's hospice. Charlotte Purdham raised £105 by completing a sponsored bike ride from her home in Bolton Grove, Bishop Auckland, to Hamsterley Forest and back. The ten-year-old St Anne's Primary
A THIRD of five-year-old children in Darlington suffer from some form of dental decay, worrying new figures have revealed. And health managers also say that as many as 52 per cent of youngsters in the area are in need of treatment for the problem. The
