JONNY Wilkinson's impressive 25-minute comeback for Newcastle yesterday was overshadowed by confirmation of the renaissance of another supreme talent. Mathew Tait, unable to get in the side at the start of the season, was back to his electrifying best
So angry were some Darlington fans following the goalless draw at home to Boston last week they heckled the players as they left the pitch. Saturday's scoreline may have been the same, but against superior opposition Quakers raised their game and this
CELEBRITIES flocked to a North-East golf course yesterday to take part in a charity event with Auf Wiedersehen Pet star Tim Healy. The 14th Tim Healy Celebrity Golf Classic was held at the Ramside Hall Hotel and Golf Club, on the outskirts of Durham City
After seeing his defence keep a clean sheet for two games running for the first time this season, David Hodgson had words of praise for recalled striker Clyde Wijnhard after his role in the shut-out. The Dutchman, back in the team following a bright display
ONE goal in front at Ashton Gate entering the closing minutes - Hartlepool United have been there before. "Thanks for reminding me about that,'' laughed Martin Scott. "I'd tried to put that one to the back of my mind.'' But Scott could afford to smile
AS A YOUNG boy, David Hodgson stood and watched his heroes tear round Croft motor-racing circuit. He dreamed of emulating their feats as they pushed their machines to the limit in search of glory. However, little did the lad from Kirklevington know that
Canny cops are re-using old police vehicles on the front line in the fight against crime - with remarkable results. They are using a worn-out police van to deter thieves who fill up at petrol stations and drive away without paying. The van, which looks
Steve McClaren appears to have developed a taste for the directors' box and a growing love of the much-maligned 5-4-1 system over the past few weeks. Judging by yesterday's result and performance he won't be in any hurry to change either. Boro have enjoyed
HAVING gone four matches unbeaten and climbed out of the bottom three for the first time, it is little wonder defender Steve Caldwell is more optimistic about what lies ahead - regardless of Sunderland's opposition. The Black Cats face Manchester United
THE world's largest scientific trial to see if food supplements can improve children's learning ability is under way in the North-East. The study involves giving six daily capsules of concentrated fish and plant oil to 270 Middlesbrough children. On Thursday
ONE of the immediate impacts of the London bombings on July 7 was the introduction of 'racial profiling' for stop and search operations by the British Transport Police. "We'll not waste time searching old white ladies," remarked the BTP Chief Constable
NORTH TEES HOSPITAL: I WAS saddened to hear about the threat to services at North Tees Hospital. During the 2005 General Election I stood as the UK Independence Party candidate for Stockton South and at several hustings meetings I tried to raise the issue
DARLINGTON will be hoping for a home tie when the fourth round draw for the Powergen National Trophy is made today after winning 23-8 at New Brighton. They entertain the same side in National Three North next Saturday, when another win would see them
GOALKEEPER Shay Given modestly declined to take all the plaudits for earning Newcastle a point at Portsmouth on Saturday. The Republic of Ireland star pulled off several world-class saves on the way to recording his third successive clean sheet. He denied
A YOUTH project is hoping to copy a scheme that has already proven a success in Darlington. The Youth Inclusion Service was impressed by a project in Darlington which created a mobile youth centre -and now hopes to create a cabin, called a pod, in Willington
NEW services for dales residents with mental health problems are being launched next week. A directory of information is being unveiled by the Durham Dales Primary Care Trust at Bishop Auckland College next Monday. It is available from GP surgeries, libraries
RESIDENTS have been warned about bogus charity collectors. City of York Council has received complaints about leaflets asking people to leave clothes and other items by their doors for distribution in poor eastern European or Third World countries. However
A SCHOOL with four national title holders among its students has celebrated a year of sporting success. Former international referee George Courtney presented trophies and prizes at the first Sports Awards ceremony at St John's Catholic School, in Bishop
SCISSOR-happy snipper Gemma Snowball spent yesterday clocking up a ton of haircuts to reach her latest charity target. Gemma, style director at Elite Hair and Beauty, in Bishop Auckland, is already a regular fundraiser for the Butterwick Hospice, but
NEW services for dales residents with mental health problems are being launched next week. A directory of information is also being unveiled by the Durham Dales Primary Care Trust at Bishop Auckland College next Monday. A Lighthouse and Stonham drop-in
A MAN who is to admit responsibility for the deaths of three people in a road accident is facing a lengthy prison sentence. Michael Logan, 26, was at the wheel of a Citroen Xantia SX turbo diesel which collided, at high speed, with an oncoming Peugeot
A GROUP of hair stylists swapped their scissors for wooden spoons when they baked cakes for charity. The staff at Tangles hair salon in Post House Wynd, Darlington, decided to sell homemade biscuits and cakes to raise money for breast cancer research.
RECEPTIONISTS in Darlington medical surgeries are celebrating after receiving a qualification. Eighteen receptionists in surgeries around the town have gained their Association of Medical Secretaries, Administrators and Receptionists qualification. They
VANDALS have threatened the future of Sunday league football games. The changing rooms of Redcar and District Sunday league, in east Cleveland, have been burned to the ground by arsonists. It is the third time in a fortnight that arsonists have struck
PEOPLE who helped to design a wildlife haven saw the results for the first time at the weekend -including a wooden sculpture of a crocodile. A fun day on Saturday launched two environmental projects near a dam built to protect West Auckland from flooding
BUDDING actors took to the stage for one final rehearsal before taking part in a Shakespeare Festival this week. Children from Hurworth School Maths and Computing College, near Darlington, have created their own abridged version of Macbeth. They will
RESIDENTS are getting help to fight the flab. Stockton Borough Council's healthy lifestyle team has introduced a ten-week weight management course at the town's Elm Tree Community Centre. Weighing in for participants started on Friday. Each session is
AN event aimed at encouraging more disabled people to take part in sport was held at the weekend. Building Bridges, hosted by Tees Valley Sport, took place at Billingham's Northfield School on Saturday. The course was designed for sports clubs and coaches
THE fishing village of Staithes has been given a grant of £1,000 to develop its St Peter's Centre project. Bringing together various community interests, the scheme has developed out of a partnership between St Peter's Church and Staithes Arts and Crafts
FRANCESCA Doyle is already a dancing queen - at the age of six. Francesca, of Normanby, near Middlesbrough, who is a pupil at Teesside Preparatory School, Eaglescliffe, wowed the judges with her disco dancing at the East of England competition and won
TWO teenagers have been arrested in connection with the alleged beating and rape of a 65-year-old widow in her home. One 19-year-old will appear before Teesside magistrates, in Middlesbrough, today, charged with aggravated burglary and rape of the widow
A PUB landlord is planning to appeal after a chief constable objected to his application for longer opening hours. Peter Wood, landlord of the Black Swan in Thornton-Le-Moor, near Northallerton, North Yorkshire, applied to Hambleton District Council to
A mother who is being treated for breast cancer put her walking boots on for charity yesterday. Beverley Connolly, 37, took part in Cancer Research UK's Stride for Life sponsored walk at the Wildfowl and Wetlands Centre, Washington, that was part of the
CONTROVERSIAL plans to build hundreds of homes and a business park will help a district compete in the global economy, a councillor has said. Separate proposals for 218 homes in Norton and an office complex in Old Malton have been backed by Ryedale District
A MAYOR has urged businesses and residents to support this year's Christmas lights appeal. Northallerton Town Council is putting £5,000 towards the scheme but Mayor David Blades said £14,000 is needed. Last year's appeal for new lights raised almost £10,000
DETECTIVES are trying to trace items stolen from a house in Ferryhill Market Place at the weekend. They recovered some of the haul from a shop in the town and are appealing for other shopkeepers to come forward if they have been offered electrical goods
A COUNCIL refuse service is on track to reach next year's Government recycling target of 18 per cent. Wear Valley District Council's current green box scheme and garden waste collection service will divert 15 per cent of waste from landfill sites. To
A HOSPITAL tea bar is searching for volunteers -after it had to close following the retirement of long-serving helpers. The counter served drinks and snacks to patients visiting clinics in the Escomb Road annexe of Bishop Auckland General Hospital. It
CYNTHIA Lennon was one of the great rock chicks of the '60s, famously dumped by her husband, John, who went off with exotic oriental Yoko Ono, leaving her broken-hearted and high and dry with their son, Julian. She, along with the rest of John Lennon's
A SCHEME which would see Darlington's brightest and best teachers lent out to struggling schools could be launched within a year. The idea of the project - the first of its kind - is to share top staff among the town's seven secondary schools to drive
A WOMAN who bought a tatty, half-finished quilt at a jumble sale has completed it - 138 years after it was started. Ruth Wood, 75, found the quilt at a sale in Malton, North Yorkshire, several years ago. When she took it home and examined it in detail
PLACES for swimming lessons at three council-run pools are running out fast. Sedgefield Borough Council will run swimming courses at Spennymoor and Newton Aycliffe leisure centres and Fishburn Pool from October. Anyone interested has until October 17
Durham City manager Andy Gowens blasted his players after they were dumped out of the FA Vase 4-2 by Trafford. Gowens, in charge for only a fortnight, says that there will be several changes in the weeks ahead after a below par performance. "No wonder
TWO North-East sopranos have come together in aid of one of the smallest and most unusual concert venues in Britain. For years the 17th Century chapel at the Grade One listed Sir William Turner's Almshouses at Kirkleatham, Redcar, has played host to classical
A POLICE surgery is being opened in Great Broughton. The events, planned by PC Paula Eccles, the neighbourhood policing team officer for Great Broughton, will be held in the village hall before parish council meetings. PC Eccles will give advice to residents
Final planning consent has been given for controversial plans to create a medium secure hospital unit near Harrogate. The scheme at the former HMS Forest Moor base at Menwith Hill Road, Darley, provoked angry reaction from residents who hoped the plan
FOUR volunteers are being honoured for the tireless work they do for their community. The residents of West Rainton are getting Year of the Volunteer 2005 Awards from Community Service Volunteers. Retired teacher Kathleen Tweddle is a member of the Nature
THE country's largest event celebrating fatherhood, held over the weekend at Beamish Museum, has been hailed a success. And the organisers are hoping to stage another next year after attracting more than 4,000 people from all over the country to the award-winning
TALENTED young athletes have performed well in an annual fun run. Five students from the Allertonshire School, in Northallerton, took part in the Snape Fun Run at Snape, near Bedale. Eighty runners of all ages competed in the five kilometre race. Student
A SUMMER of change was always going to be on the agenda when Sunderland secured a return to the Premiership. Manager Mick McCarthy, chairman Bob Murray, the supporters and the existing playing staff all knew major alterations were afoot. And, bearing
Saltburn five-a-side league needs teams for its league on Thursdays. Anyone interested in playing in the league, which begins on October 13, is asked to call George Harpham on 07766 0472233 or David Hitchen on (01642) 476311 by next Monday.
A VILLAGE pub is playing "mine host" to a photographic exhibition featuring the wild landscape and heritage of a County Durham dale. Photographs by James Swan capture the industrial history of Weardale up to and including the demolition of the Blue Circle
TODAY we congratulate our bright boys in blue who are beating the criminals without even lifting a finger. You've heard of sleeping policemen - well now let's hear it for reposing patrol cars. Some canny cops are re-using clapped out police cars to deter
MARTIN Scott offered a stay of execution to Michael Proctor on Saturday and had his faith repaid with a goal. Scott was ready to replace Proctor, who played out wide in a five-man midfield, minutes before he struck the winner. But Eifion Williams stayed
A COUNCIL boss who stood before a world audience to introduce Tony Blair as the UK's Prime Minister has announced his retirement. Norman Vaulks, chief executive of Sedgefield Borough Council, in County Durham, has confirmed he is to leave the post in
TO get to Spennymoor cricket ground, it says here, you continue past the post office and the Aged Miners' Homes, straight across the traffic lights, turn left past the church, left and then right and into a small estate of bungalows. A small sign for
TWO teenagers have been arrested in connection with the alleged beating and rape of a 65-year-old widow in her home. One 19-year-old will appear before Teesside magistrates, in Middlesbrough, today, charged with aggravated burglary and rape of the widow
Bishop Auckland manager Brian Honour last night confirmed his resignation - even though his team won on Saturday at Woodley Sports. Amid speculation he was reconsidering the decision he insisted: "I had no intention of changing of my mind after the game
TWO teenage air cadets covered 50 miles on the ground to support a high flying rescue service. Daniel Lyons, aged 17, from Tow Law, and 15-year-old Jamie Readman, from Crook, both in County Durham, organised a day-long sponsored bike ride for the Great
As part of The Northern Echo's Lifeblood campaign, which aims to encourage people to give blood, here are details of forthcoming donor sessions in the region. Today Brunswick Methodist Church, Brunswick Place, Newcastle 10am-4pm Vane Terrace Social Club
A SUMMER of change was always going to be on the agenda when Sunderland secured a return to the Premiership. Manager Mick McCarthy, chairman Bob Murray, the supporters and the existing playing staff all knew major alterations were afoot. And, bearing
A crane that smashed into the roof of a semi-detached house causing thousands of pounds in damage was removed from the wrecked building at the weekend - and it took three other cranes to lift it. The 120-tonne crane was pulled upright by the other cranes
JONNY Wilkinson's impressive 25-minute comeback for Newcastle yesterday was overshadowed by confirmation of the renaissance of another supreme talent. Mathew Tait, unable to get in the side at the start of the season, was back to his electrifying best
A LEADING dentist has warned that Government reforms will lead to the collapse of NHS dental services in the region. Robin Turbitt, chairman of the Durham Local Dental Committee, said his colleagues were unanimous that, should the Government bring in
Canny cops are re-using old police vehicles on the front line in the fight against crime - with remarkable results. They are using a worn-out police van to deter thieves who fill up at petrol stations and drive away without paying. The van, which looks
TICKETS to watch the Gurkhas band performing in the region have gone on sale. It is the fifth annual concert by the band of the brigade of Gurkhas and proceeds will go to the Gurkhas Welfare Trust. The concert will take place at Darlington College on
BLAYDON proved they can win without skipper Dave Guthrie, who set alarm bells ringing when he limped off with a knee injury after 25 minutes of Saturday's Powergen National Trophy tie. They lost whenever their driving force was absent last season, but
IT IS not very often that the nation focuses its attention on the former North-East pit community of Stanley. The last time there was so much fuss in the north Durham town was when local boxer Glenn McCrory won the IBF cruiserweight title against Patrick
HUNDREDS of dogs negotiated see-saws, hurdles and high jumps as part of an agility competition. Animal lovers from across the country descended on Preston Park, Stockton, on Saturday for the south Durham dog agility contest. In total, 500 dogs battled
TWO body shop workers from the same garage have beaten nationwide competition to win motor industry accolades. Apprentice panel beater Simon Noble, 19, was named young panel technician of the year at the ninth annual Bodyshop magazine industry awards
AN ENVIRONMENT watchdog fears a town is in danger of becoming a dumping ground for the world's waste. Friends of the Earth Hartlepool co-ordinator Iris Ryder is calling for more information on plans to build a £2m waste treatment plant. The proposal for
Boro striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink is keen to extend his stay at the Riverside when his contract expires at the end of this season, writes Adam Murray. The 33-year-old, who was an unused substitute at Villa Park,was back in first-team action in Boro's
A MULTI-million pound funding package is hanging in the balance after bureaucrats tinkered with the figures. Rules that affect the way cash is distributed across European programmes could prevent cash flowing into the region by a tiny percentage. The
A FISH and chip van accused of lowering the tone of a village - leading to it being labelled the snobbiest place in Britain - is for sale on eBay. Donna and David Forster hoped they could turn around the fortunes of a mobile chip shop when they took it
Middlesbrough boss Steve McClaren believes the strength in depth of the squad now at his disposal will provide the cure to the Teessiders' European malaise. Last season Boro won only once in games immediately following their UEFA Cup exertions, but yesterday's
ANN DUFFIELD'S horses have truly shone for the column during the past couple of months and there's no reason to believe that won't continue with Island Prince at Pontefract. The Constable Burton-based trainer has a particularly pleasing bunch of two-year-olds
FANS could drive all night to enjoy a night of nostalgia at a theatre. Alan Morris, whose concerts have proved sell-outs, is bringing his tribute to Roy Orbison to Hartlepool. The show has received good reviews when it appeared at other venues around
GOALKEEPER Shay Given modestly declined to take all the plaudits for earning Newcastle a point at Portsmouth on Saturday. The Republic of Ireland star pulled off several world-class saves on the way to recording his third successive clean sheet. He denied
THE world's largest scientific trial to see if food supplements can improve children's learning ability is under way in the North-East. The study involves giving six daily capsules of concentrated fish and plant oil to 270 Middlesbrough children. On Thursday
AN MP has praised villagers who organised an event as part of the World's Biggest Coffee Morning. Ashok Kumar, MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, who attended the coffee morning in the community centre at Boosbeck, east Cleveland, said: "There
As part of The Northern Echo's Lifeblood campaign, which aims to encourage people to give blood, here are details of forthcoming donor sessions in the region. Today Brunswick Methodist Church, Brunswick Place, Newcastle 10am-4pm Vane Terrace Social Club
GRAEME Souness revealed that Newcastle United have employed a new doctor to investigate the cause of the club's perpetual hamstring problems - Kieron Dyer's in particular. The United boss reckons his players have lost over 300 days of football to hamstring
A CONGREGATION was treated to the unusual sight of a donkey leading the opening procession at a service on Saturday. The donkey, from the Elizabeth Svendsen Trust centre in Leeds, was part of the annual Service for Animal Welfare, held this year at York
A 12-YEAR-OLD boy from Darlington has been selected to take part in a national swimming competition. Michael Robinson will swim butterfly in the English schools national swimming championships in Manchester later this month, representing both his school
A YOUTH representative from Sunderland is heading to Darlington to see if he can pick up a few tips. Grant Hollis, Sunderland's member of the youth parliament (MYP), will be in Darlington today. He will meet Darlington's MYP, Kevin Nicholson. The pair
Art lovers are being given a chance to take part in a great debate over whether masterpiece paintings should be bought for the nation for millions of pounds to save them from being exported. Three national experts are to give their views about the controversy
A MAN who is to admit responsibility for the deaths of three people in a road accident is facing a lengthy prison sentence. Michael Logan, 26, was at the wheel of a Citroen Xantia SX turbo diesel which collided, at high speed, with an oncoming Peugeot
TRIBUTE has been paid to a former Durham magistrate who has died aged 68 after an illness. Alex Rudd, of Sherburn Village, joined what was then the city's bench - now North Durham Magistrates - in 1979 and served until taking early retirement four years
People aged between 16 and 23 are being targeted for vaccinations against mumps, measles and rubella - as the diseases are on the increase on Teesside. Posters have been displayed around college campuses and letters have been sent out to all students
THE future of Whitby Hospital is secure. County councillor John Blackie, chairman of North Yorkshire County Council's health scrutiny committee, said that, following a major study of health services in the Whitby area, it had been decided to retain the
Teesside Athletic, in their first season in the competition, moved into sixth with an emphatic victory over Gateshead Low Fell. An early goal from Billy Millington was cancelled out by Shaun Donkin but Teesside regained the advantage through James Kesterton
RESIDENTS are urging councillors to throw out plans by takeaway outlets to stay open until midnight. There have already been complaints made to the Local Government Ombudsman about the operation of hot food shops in Eastbourne Road, Middlesbrough. Now
FAMILIES will next week get a chance to pick up tips on the benefits of healthy living. Hartlepool Central Library, in York Road, has lined up a week of events as part of national Family Learning Week. There will be workshops and displays aimed at helping
PEOPLE have proved they will go the distance when advised to lose weight. Residents in Hartlepool clocked up about 20,000 miles as part of the Million Miles Challenge, run by Sport England. It was launched during the summer to encourage people across
THERE appears to be trouble at mill - the Baltic Mill that is - and tonight a BBC television programme will attempt to show how the costly art centre is losing money needlessly. The BBC1 programme Inside Out, which will be screened at 7.30m, will highlight
A YOUNG politician is makeing a trip to pick up a few tips. Grant Hollis, Sunderland's member of the youth parliament (MYP), will be in Darlington today to meet Darlington's MYP, Kevin Nicholson. The pair will visit the town hall where Grant will meet
People are gearing up for an annual town celebration that was first held hundreds of years ago. The Houghton Feast will take place in Houghton-le-Spring from Friday until Sunday, October 16, featuring events and activities including the traditional ox
Bottom club Esh Winning hit title contenders Billingham Synthonia with a four-goal blast to secure a shock win. Esh had failed to win any of their previous ten league games but Synners didn't know what hit them in the second-half. Esh manager Vince Kirkup
A Bishop Auckland school is among an elite group of eight chosen for a national learning project. Bishop Barrington School is the only one in County Durham selected for Assessment for Learning (AFL), which will investigate learning and hopes to improve
YOUTH workers are hoping a pilot scheme aimed at getting young people off the streets could provide a solution to a town's anti-social behaviour problems. The Youth Inclusion Service is hoping to install a cabin - called a pod - somewhere in Willington
FREEMASONS have given a £500 boost to Durham Mayor John Lightley's charity appeal. Councillor Lightley is raising money for the Treetops Ward at the University Hospital of North Durham, which treats children, and the Gala Theatre Stage School, which gives
A £3M castle renovation project has won a tourism award. The scheme to restore the east wing of Ripley Castle, between Harrogate and Ripon, won the tourism category of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors Pro Yorkshire Awards. Phil Spencer, from
GRANDPARENTS had the chance to turn back the clock when a school opened its doors. To mark Grandparents' Week, Framwellgate Moor Primary School, in Durham City, invited the grandmothers and grandfathers of pupils to spend time at the school. They were
BAKERY shop staff with a total of 90 years service between have been rewarded by their bosses. Greggs gave long service awards to six employees who work at shops in County Durham. Libby McGhan (25 years) from the Seaham shop, Eileen Quinn (15 years) from
THREE teenagers have won places on the region's first gas mains apprenticeship scheme in a decade. Jonathan Hunter, Dominic Price and Steven McGlasson are among 17 youngsters taken on by gas firm United Utilities this month. The company operates the region's
STUDENTS can travel by train for half-price under a deal with rail firm First TransPennine Express. The company, which operates services including Newcastle to Manchester Airport, Middlesbrough to Manchester Airport and Scarborough to Liverpool, estimates
Places are available at St Nicholas Nursery School Playgroup, in Guisborough. Parents of children aged from two-and-a-half are invited to visit with their children on Wednesdays or Fridays. It meets in the Parish Hall, Bow Street, between 9.30am and 11.25am.A
A husband smothered his wife to death after she told him he was a flop in bed. Kevin McNally, 48, was still holding a cushion over 42-year-old Alison McNally's face when paramedics arrived at their Gateshead home on November 27 last year. Newcastle Crown
AN experiment to bring museums to the people by putting exhibits in shopping centres has proved successful. More than 100,000 shoppers have now seen wild and wacky objects, including a furry fish and the world's smallest dog and cat, taken from 12 museums
A keen cyclist was badly injured after a "senseless" incident on a County Durham road which police say could have ended in tragedy. The 50-year-old teaching assistant was cycling home in the Hetton-le-Hole area when a Vauxhall Astra van pulled alongside
A team of celebrities kicked off their football match preparation with some beach training. The team, which will take on a team of professionals in The Match, on Sky One later this month, had expected some light exercise on the Tynemouth beach. Training
Lottery rapist Iowarth Hoare planned to turn a £2m listed building that overlooks an all-girls' school and a convent into an art gallery. Hoare, who won £7m while on day release from prison, browsed around the apartment complex, in Ashbrooke, Sunderland
