The inquests into the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, and Dodi Al Fayed will be opened on Tuesday, 6 January 2004. Princess Diana, 36, and Mr Al Fayed, 42, died in a Paris car crash in 1997. Surrey Coroner Michael Burgess said the "complexity of the
Movie star Holly Hunter was too busy to rebel against the world as a teenager because she played in a brass band. She talks to Steve Pratt about playing the mother of a 13-year-old coping with growing up. OSCAR-WINNING actress Holly Hunter admits that
A North-East mother who lost a son to the human form of mad cow disease, says she is shocked that the disease can be transmitted through infected blood. Frances Hall, of Chester-le-Street, County Durham, was reacting to new evidence that the human form
FRANCK QUEUDRUE struck the sudden-death penalty that handed Middlesbrough a Carling Cup semi-final against Arsenal and denied Tottenham a showdown with their North London rivals. Steve McClaren, who saw his Boro side cruelly beaten by the Gunners in the
Arriva has failed to make the shortlist drawn up for the new Northern Rail franchise by the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA), it was confirmed today. As Arriva Trains Northern, the company had been running part of the area which will comprise the new franchise
Andy Collett is ready to challenge Michael Price for the Darlington goalkeeper's jersey after playing his first 90 minutes for three months. Collett, sidelined since September with a punctured lung, conceded four goals yesterday as the reserves were beaten
TRADE unions are making themselves irrelevant by fighting government reforms to schools and hospitals, former Health Secretary Alan Milburn has said. In an attack on opponents of controversial polices such as foundation hospitals, the Darlington MP accused
Saturday's Pop Idol final has developed into an England v Scotland showdown, thanks to Michelle McManus's supporters who have made her progress a matter of national pride. Yorkshire favourite Sam Nixon has gone, so it's up to Mark Rhodes to fly the flag
A £150M drive to boost innovation and help British firms compete with overseas rivals has been announced by the Government. A report warned that despite the UK's excellent science base and track record in invention, more needed to be done to exploit innovation
THE headteacher of a top-ranking North-East primary school last night said he had let himself down after he was caught by police drink-driving. Thomas Lumley, 53, of High Coniscliffe Primary School, near Darlington, was banned from driving for a year
From teenage shoplifter to world champion, he should be a national hero. But it hasn't quite worked out like that for Chris Eubank, as Nick Morrison discovers. It's just before the point when the pain turns from discomforting to agonising that Chris Eubank
A CANCER patient was left in a critical condition when a nurse failed to spot obvious symptoms after an operation, a hearing was told. The Nursing and Midwifery Council heard that Gillian Simpson, 40, did not get help for the 68-year-old, who suffered
Ian Huntley last night began a life sentence for the murders of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman - as his history of preying on children was revealed. Home Secretary David Blunkett announced an independent inquiry into how Huntley was able to get a job
Royal Rosa, the most expensive potential jumper ever bought at public auction, lived up to every expectation as he outclassed his 14 rivals in the Ribchesters Chartered Accountants Novices' Hurdle at Hexham yesterday. Formerly with Nicky Henderson, for
Tributes have been paid to the 20-year-old woman who was killed in a horrific accident at her parents' farm in Teesdale this week. Kelly Pattinson died on Tuesday afternoon while helping her mother and step-father cut wood on a bench-saw at Forest-in-Teesdale
AVIATION firm Boeing is to launch its first new jet design in 13 years as it fights back against European rival Airbus. Boeing is pinning its future on a lighter, roomier, more fuel-efficient jet, the 7E7 Dreamliner,. The announcement of plans to start
STRUGGLING nuclear power group British Energy warned that full year pre-tax profits would be likely to come in below expectations. British Energy said operating profits for the year to March 31 would be consistent with its expectations, despite outages
WIRELESS telecoms specialist Filtronic has sold its US warfare division to Teledyne for £6.8m. The deal to sell Filtronic Solid State will help the firm concentrate on its core operations, designing and making customised microwave electronic subsystems
WORKERS whose jobs are to be moved to India were joining a choir today to sing protest Christmas carols. Members of union Amicus will stage the unusual protest outside the London head office of insurer Aviva, which recently announced the outsourcing of
WORKERS at a doomed North-East call centre could be thrown a lifeline, after it emerged that two companies have expressed an interest in buying the site. The Lloyds TSB contact centre in Newcastle is scheduled to close at the end of next year, with the
MIDDLESBROUGH boss Steve McClaren last night warned Carling Cup semi-final opponents Arsenal that his side will prove a tougher proposition that the one beaten 4-0 at the Riverside in August. Boro lined up a repeat of their last-four duel with the Gunners
NORTH-EAST councils have maintained their position as the best-performing in the country based on the quality of their local services. The Audit Commission's Comprehensive Performance Assessment, which is in its second year, revealed that councils had
A MULTI-MILLION pound boost for North-East arts has been given the go-ahead. Newcastle City Council yesterday approved a £2.3m grant towards the Great Museum of the North, which is hoped will strengthen the bid for further money for the project from the
A POLICEMAN who braved choking black smoke to save an unconscious man has been honoured for his courage. Sergeant Ken Pullan, 46, was called to a fire in a flat at Allergate, Durham, in March, where a man was trapped inside. He said: "I listened but could
SOMETHING very strange has happened in our house - my ten-year-old son has come home with a funny-shaped ball. Clearly, I need to explain. Jack is football-mad. He's been brought up to support Arsenal and it's usually all he ever talks about. It's our
Sean Leonard talks to DJ K-Delight (Christian Kay) about his aim of helping the music artists of tomorrow. IN the 1980s electronic music spawned a new breed of producers and DJs eager to experiment with new drum patterns, keyboards and synthesisers. Pioneered
A NORTH-EAST liver transplant surgeon blames hard-drinking George Best, back on the bottle after splitting with his wife, for putting people off donating organs. But is he really that surprised? If we agree to give recovering alcoholics new livers, we
FRIENDS and family are mourning the death of a popular Teesdale centenarian. Hannah Shepherd, from Eggleston, died in the Richardson Hospital, Barnard Castle, last Sunday. She was described by people who knew her as a remarkable lady who was totally devoted
NEW apartments are likely to be built close to Darlington town centre, despite concerns about the development being voiced last night. Darlington Borough Council's planning committee approved the application by Suma Homes to build 24 apartments on the
YOUNGSTERS have given the architects behind a new swimming pool something to think about after unveiling their own wish list. New swimming facilities will form part of the pioneering education village being created in the Haughton area of Darlington.
THREE passers-by could hold vital clues in the hunt for a gunman who tried to hold up a North-East post office. The attempted armed robbery took place at about 2pm on Tuesday, when the man burst into the post office in Quebec Street, Langley Park, near
SANTA has been taking a break from delivering presents to get down to some domestic housework. He and his band of helpers rolled up their sleeves for the winter clean of Hambleton Leisure Centre. The Northallerton centre is closed this week for its annual
TWO and half years of uncertainty should soon be over for 27 home-owners due to be given new houses under a land deal struck between a council and developer. Wear Valley District Council gave approval yesterday for Persimmon Homes to rebuild two streets
PLANS for a ban on drinking in public could harm the image of a town among tourists, according to town councillors. Councillors at Kirkbymoorside are concerned about the plans by the police and Ryedale District Council. Town councillor Andy Suter said
SHOPPERS in Newton Aycliffe enjoyed a festive treat when local youngsters performed a carol concert. Children from Little Acorns Nursery, in Aycliffe Industrial Park, sang for about 15 minutes at the Thames Shopping Centre. Little Acorns Nursery manager
THE funeral of a former Darlington mayoress will be held tomorrow. Louise Hutchinson, who suffered from Alzheimer's disease, died last week, aged 82. She was Darlington's Citizen of the Year in 1998, in recognition of her tireless work for charity, including
CYCLING to school should be more appealing for hundreds of youngsters after a £90,000 scheme to build bike shelters and lockers. Four secondary schools in Redcar and Cleveland each have a facility for 120 bikes. They are Laurence Jackson, in Guisborough
CHILDREN have been showing some Christmas goodwill by collecting gifts for other youngsters. Students at St Leonard's RC School, Durham, have collected nearly 300 shoe boxes filled with gifts for children who might not otherwise receive any presents.
A course in developing drawing and painting skills starts at Chester-le-Street Community Centre, Newcastle Bank, from the week beginning January 12. The sessions will take place on Tuesdays, from 1pm to 3pm, Wednesdays, from 7pm to 9pm, and Saturdays,
A COUNCIL is pressing ahead with plans to redevelop a leading Durham school, despite being denied Government funding. Durham County Council has earmarked £70,000 to pay a specialist consultant to draw up a planning brief to bring Durham Johnston School's
AN exhibition by an artist who makes animal heads from papier mache has opened. David Farrer has been working with recycled material for the past eight years. A show of his latest work has opened at the Hotel du Vin in Harrogate. Mr Farrer has a home
THE family of a retired psychiatrist convicted of a series of sex offences yesterday pledged to fight to clear his name. Former York consultant Michael Haslam, 69, was jailed for seven years after being found guilty of raping one patient and indecently
UNDERPRIVILEGED children are to have a happier Christmas thanks to the generosity of a Teesside man. Andrew Mockler, 28, a general production operative at Hygena, arrived at the reception of radio station tfm to hand over his Christmas bonus for the station's
PLANS to install four floodlights at a football club look likely to be approved this week. Members of Stockton Borough Council's planning committee will meet tomorrow to discuss a planning application by Billingham Town Football Club. Officials at the
PUPILS braved the cold to sing for charity. The choristers from the private Yarm Prepraratory School entertained shoppers in the streets of Stockton to raise money for the town's Butterwick Hospice. People contributed nearly £100 to the collection. Headteacher
The Conservatives today demanded an inquiry into suggestions that a North-East hospital serving the constituencies of former Health Secretary Alan Milburn and Prime Minister Tony Blair had its star rating enhanced following ministerial pressure. Shadow
WINNERS of a Christmas card competition aimed at highlighting crimes at schools over the holiday period have been announced. Children in Langbaurgh were asked by Cleveland Police to come up with a design that would encourage the community to look out
A GANG yesterday admitted carrying out an audacious robbery at a North-East building society. The four men, all from Liverpool, pleaded guilty to theft when they appeared at Teesside Crown Court following the raid in Darlington on April 2. Gerrard McGovern
THE mysterious history of a brass instrument has set its owner on a hunt to uncover its origins. Frank Graham, from Brandon, near Durham, bought the cornet many years ago for £5, to restore it, but is now trying to trace its history. An inscription on
NORTHUMBRIA Police plan to concentrate resources in Newcastle city centre to make it safe for revellers over the festive season. Traditionally, Christmas brings more visitors to the city and, as a consequence, an increase in crime and disorder, including
A CONTROVERSIAL plan to give hospital "bed-blockers" 14 days to chose a care home has been strongly criticised by a national charity for elderly people. The draft policy, which may be introduced at hospitals in Darlington, Durham and Bishop Auckland,
CONCERNS that many children's car seats are not fitted safely has prompted car experts to offer talks to parents. Staff at Discount Auto Parts, in Gilesgate, Durham, travelled to Andover, near Southampton, for a training course on how to check that child
At 45, Jamie Lee Curtis says she's finally worked out how to wear her hair and would never want to go back to being a teenager. But she talks to Steve Pratt about new movie Freaky Friday, which sees Curtis taking on a comedy role reversal with a difficult
SOMETHING very strange has happened in our house - my ten-year-old son has come home with a funny-shaped ball. Clearly, I need to explain. Jack is football-mad. He's been brought up to support Arsenal and it's usually all he ever talks about. It's our
EVERYONE knows turkeys have good reason to dread Christmas, but what about the people who have to cook them? Although many glossy magazines and TV chefs would have us believe that preparing Christmas dinner is a cinch, in reality it can be a huge palaver
A LOCAL authority has denied reports that it had banned a farmer from flying a county flag over his property. Andrew Wainwright, of Sproxton Hall, near Helmsley, North Yorkshire, used to fly the Union flag on his land, but when he swapped it for the Yorkshire
THINGS are suspiciously quiet in Soapland - apart from the odd prison breakout, car crash and robbery. This must be the lull before the storm when all hell breaks loose over Christmas and the New Year. The soap police are working overtime in EastEnders
THE funeral has been held of a hospital patient who was missing for three weeks before his body was found on rocks. The funeral of John Pedelty, 59, took place at St Mark's Church, in his home town of Eldon, near Bishop Auckland, County Durham, followed
FILMED with her dyed red hair brushed back from her pale face as she holds out the card written to her by one of her classroom favourites - this is one of the images which will forever stay in the minds of people who have watched the horrors of Soham
SADDAM HUSSEIN: IT is excellent news that Saddam is in custody, instead of continuing to exert an influence as a fugitive or martyr. He must now answer for the deaths of over a million people in his wars with Iran and Kuwait, and for the hundreds of thousands
ROYAL Mail has signed a groundbreaking deal to deliver letters collected by one of its competitors. The agreement, with UK Mail, ends months of talks about how much the organisation can charge its rivals to carry their mail over the so-called "final mile
AN article in Friday's (Dec 12) The Northern Echo, titled Northumbrian Gets Unexpected Bonus, featured a table of water and sewerage charges. The table stated Hartlepool Water customers paid an average of £116 for their water services. Anglian Water,
The Nation's Favourite Christmas Food (BBC2) AS a nation, we consume 100 million turkeys between Christmas Day and New Year's Eve. And if all the mince pies we eat were placed end to end, they'd be three times the length of the Great Wall of China. The
SOMETHING very strange has happened in our house - my ten-year-old son has come home with a funny-shaped ball. Clearly, I need to explain. Jack is football-mad. He's been brought up to support Arsenal and it's usually all he ever talks about. It's our
ADAM BOYD yesterday extended his loan spell at Boston for a further month as another Hartlepool United promotion winner prepared to return to Victoria Park. Home-grown Boyd has netted twice in four games at York Street and has impressed boss Neil Thompson
OUR thoughts today are not with Ian Huntley as he begins a life sentence which must mean exactly that. They are not with Maxine Carr, who is reportedly facing a brief spell in Durham Prison before being released to an uncertain fate early next year. Our
HAT-TRICK seeking Tee-Jay (1.20) is going to take some stopping in Catterick's Christmas Time Handicap Hurdle this afternoon. Micky Hammond's gelding has bounced right back to his best with successive wins at Hexham and Southwell so far this term. Arguably
Steve Pratt looks at the changing fortunes of Birmingham Royal Ballet, which aims to be back in step with a new version of Beauty And The Beast... even if it means upsetting the Christmas audience for The Nutcracker. BOSSES at Birmingham Royal Ballet
A UNION has said the death of a shop assistant two weeks after a robbery highlights a growing problem of violence in the retail sector. Carol Bates, a 56-year-old widow, of Seaham, County Durham, suffered heart failure and died at home at the weekend.
STRUGGLING nuclear power group British Energy warned that full year pre-tax profits would be likely to come in below expectations. British Energy said operating profits for the year to March 31 would be consistent with its expectations, despite outages
THE Government was last night accused of masking the tragedy of manufacturing job losses that have reached an alarming rate. As Minister for Work Des Browne announced official figures that showed dole queues at their shortest for 28 years, concern was
LIVES are being put at risk by the closure of an access road for ambulances at one of the region's busiest hospitals, unions said last night. Ambulance drivers arrived at the University Hospital of North Durham, in Durham City, on Monday, to find that
Rio Ferdinand heads to Bolton for the biggest battle of his career today with players' chief Gordon Taylor believing the verdict has already been delivered against Manchester United's record signing. Not since Eric Cantona launched himself into the crowd
The Nation's Favourite Christmas Food (BBC2): AS a nation, we consume 100 million turkeys between Christmas Day and New Year's Eve. And if all the mince pies we eat were placed end to end, they'd be three times the length of the Great Wall of China. The
FOREST ramblers walking off their festive excesses could be forgiven for thinking they have stepped into a Lord of the Rings-style experience. For like the Ents of Tolkien's literary classic, it may appear that the trees of Dalby Forest, near Pickering
A COMPANY'S hopes of dismantling redundant US navy ships at its North-East yard have been dealt another blow. But the boss of Teesside company Able UK last night said he still hoped staff could start work on the controversial contract within four months
STUDENTS at a school invited elderly people from their community for an afternoon of entertainment yesterday. About 100 guests arrived at Deerness Valley School, Ushaw Moor, near Durham, for the Christmas party. There was a carol service, bingo, raffles
VANDALS have left villagers in Fishburn in the dark over Christmas. After two attacks in the past week, Fishburn Parish Council has had to turn off their tree lights because they have run out of bulbs. Parish clerk John Irvine said the council had tried
TWO hundred factory jobs have been saved only days before Christmas. But there was no such good news for 900 fellow workers at frozen food manufacturer Hibernia. Receivers KPMG at Hibernia yesterday announced that Kerry Foods, based in Ireland, had agreed
FATHER Christmas put in an appearance at a children's Christmas party. Pupils at Firthmoor Primary School, in Darlington, enjoyed a festive tea party with dressing up, games and songs on Tuesday afternoon. Deputy headteacher Alfreda Lindley said: "The
CHESS enthusiasts are invited to join a club that is being set up in Darlington in the New Year. The club will be open to players of all abilities and will meet twice a month at St Herbert's Church Hall, in Yarm Road. Two-hour evening sessions will start
COMPANIES in Darlington are to be given £375,000 to spend on staff training over the next three years. Darlington Borough Council is launching an initiative called Skills for Success in the New Year to help companies develop their workforces. A total
YOUNGSTERS across Darlington are being invited to have their say on the development of the town's parks. Many residents have already taken part in a telephone survey to find out what they would like to see in local parks and open spaces. Issues including
DETECTIVES investigating the indecent assault of a woman at the weekend believe her drink may have been spiked by her attacker. Police in Sedgefield are appealing for information into the assault which happened in a village pub on Friday night. The victim
DRINKERS are celebrating after learning that a popular pub, closed by a legal wrangle between tenant and landlord, will be open in time for Christmas. There was an outcry when the doors to the Black Lion, in Richmond's Finkle Street, were locked and bolted
A VILLAGE housing scheme, which sparked protests from residents, has been overwhelmingly rejected by councillors. Members of an area planning committee of Harrogate Borough Council voted by six votes to one against the development on land next to Lindley
A SHILDON pre-school nursery has become the first in the county to receive a national award for giving youngsters a good start in life. Byerley Road Pre-school yesterday received the Pre-school Learning Alliance national accreditation certificate for
AN investment of more than £40,000 is to be made in a town to revitalise its natural heritage. Vandals have often tried to ruin Richmond's Castle Walk, which follows the line of the outer wall of the Norman bastion. During the summer, a bench was torn
DIGGER driver Stephen Dunn got the shock of his life after unearthing 15 anti-tank shells on land believed to have been used as a Second World War munitions dump. The 25-year-old yelled to his workmates to get clear after spotting the unfired shells in
EDUCATION authorities in the region are improving, according to Ofsted ratings. Stockton and Redcar and Cleveland borough councils improved their star rating from two to three -the top award in the rankings, which started last year. Hartlepool, North
POLICE are warning people in Thornaby to be on their guard against burglars and sneak thieves who have been targeting houses in the town over the past fortnight. There have been 21 burglaries in the Old Thornaby area reported over the past two weeks,
PARENTS opposed to the closure of two primary schools have expressed disappointment at the decision to go ahead with the plan. Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council has confirmed that St Andrew's RC Primary School and St Peter's RC Primary School, in South
A NORTH-EAST university has agreed in principle to charge students the maximum £3,000 per year tuition fees from 2006 - if Parliament approves the Government's controversial proposals for variable fees. The University of Newcastle yesterday informed its
A HEADTEACHER is looking forward to a more mobile existence after a career spanning more than 30 years. Gill Steele and husband Peter plan to tour Europe with their two-berth caravan next spring before becoming assistant wardens with The Caravan Club,
A TOWN'S residents can feel more secure at night because of work to clear footpaths and cut back shrubs. A series of improvements mean the routes in Washington are safer for residents, particularly children using footpaths which lead to schools. The work
A GANG yesterday admitted carrying out an audacious robbery at a North-East building society. The four men, all from Liverpool, pleaded guilty to theft when they appeared at Teesside Crown Court following the raid in Darlington on April 2. Gerrard McGovern
EDUCATION authorities in the region are improving, according to Ofsted ratings. Stockton and Redcar and Cleveland borough councils improved their star rating from two to three -the top award in the rankings, which started last year. Hartlepool, North
KIND-HEARTED call centre staff have made festive pledges to raise money for a hospice. With Christmas only days away, staff at 2Touch, in Sunderland, have pledged to donate all charity funds raised over the next year to St Benedict's Hospice. Employees
GETTING into the women's wing of Durham Prison is like entering a labyrinth of wire mesh, concrete walls, holding cells and surveillance mirrors. I had worked hard with the Governor of the women's centre at the time, Moira Bartlett, to win her trust.
