A VICIOUS dog with a history of attacks will be destroyed after biting a pensioner. Alison Young, the owner of Taz, a brown lurcher, was charged under the Dangerous Dogs Act after her pet bit 68-year-old Veronica Lawrence in the street. Ms
WHEN David Sneap saw his beloved dog Bella disappear off a cliff edge and plunge 200ft he feared the worst - but miraculously she survived unscathed. Mr Sneap had been walking his Staffordshire Bull Terrier along a cliff edge in Whitby, North
A SERIAL bride left a string of broken hearts and plundered bank accounts after fleecing men she met through lonely hearts ads. Emma Golightly met her victims, seduced them and then stole their cash. She told one victim she was a multi millionaire
A PUBLICAN was being interviewed by police last night after allegedly threatening to torch his pub when bailiffs turned up to evict him. Robert Tidswell was arrested today after spending the last five years - and all of his own money - trying to turn
Publisher: Midway Formats: PS2 Price: £29.99 Family friendly? 3+ SADLY, Happy Feet will not be remembered in the same way as Final Fantasy XII. A platform adventure unashamedly aimed at young
A TEENAGE driver airlifted to hospital from the scene of a road crash has died. The 18-year-old, who was thrown from his car as it careered out of control on a bend in a country road on Teesside, last Thursday, was named as Simon Walker, from Stockton
TWO police officers have been praised for rescuing an unconscious man from a river. Police were called after a man was spotted in the River Swale above the waterfalls in Richmond, North Yorkshire, at about 11pm on Friday. PC Emma Taylor, based at Catterick
A COUPLE hope their six-year search for justice for their dead son will win the backing of some of Greece's leading judges tomorrow. Nine supreme court judges sitting in the capital, Athens, will decide if three Greek doctors should undergo a re-trial
A DOCTOR has been arrested for allegedly causing the death of a 75-year-old patient. Dr Vijay Anand Harikrishnan, 27, has been arrested and bailed on suspicion of the manslaughter of Vincent Morris, who died in Sunderland Royal Hospital in September.
POLICE say they are increasingly concerned for the welfare of a teenager missing since last week. Nineteen-year-old Jenny Nicholl was last seen at her home in Richmond, North Yorkshire, on Thursday evening. The alarm was raised when she failed to
FRIENDS of missing teenager Jenny Nicholl yesterday spoke of their shock at the 19-year-old's disappearance. It is now more than a week since Miss Nicholl was last seen at her home in Richmond, North Yo rk sh i r e . Police said the teenager's parents
THE distraught parents of missing teenager Jenny Nicholl last night begged their daughter: "Please come home - we can work it out." Brian and Ann Nicholl have been waiting by the phone for two weeks, hoping to hear their daughter has been found safe
POLICE yesterday said the search for missing 19-year-old Jenny Nicholl would go on unabated. Officers have carried out an extensive search of woodland in the Holly Hill area of Richmond, North Yorkshire, but have so far drawn a blank. Every force
THE father of missing teenager Jenny Nicholl said he believes his daughter's friends may hold the key to her disappearance. Last night, Brian Nicholl urged anyone who knew the 19-year-old's whereabouts to "make one simple call to end three weeks of
THE hunt for missing teenager Jenny Nicholl took a new twist last night after witnesses said she was camping on the moors where a man in a makeshift den was found at the weekend. The Northern Echo understands the 19-year-old was seen on the North Yorkshire
POLICE looking for missing teenager Jenny Nicholl have again searched moorland visited by the 19-year-old only days before she disappeared. A team of officers visited the Ministry of Defence land near Hudswell, two miles outside Richmond, North Yorkshire
IT is two months today since teenager Jenny Nicholl walked out of the door of her family home and vanished. Police last night vowed that there would be no let-up in their search for the popular and apparently happy 19-yearold. Her disappearance
Thursday, June 30: Jenny Nicholl leaves her family home in Richmond. Her parents have not seen her since. Monday, July 4: The teenager fails to turn up for work at the Co-Op in Richmond. She is reported missing and her car is found at the town's Holly
THE mother of missing Jenny Nicholl will today wish her daughter happy birthday - and make a public appeal for her to come home. Ann Nicholl will unveil two 8ft banners on her daughter's 20th birthday as part of a series of fresh attempts to find out
POLICE hunting for missing shop worker Jenny Nicholl have searched a flat in her home town for clues. It is understood that items were taken away from the property in Richmond, North Yorkshire, to be examined by forensic experts. The development
The search for Jenny Nicholl has proved to be one of the most mysterious missing person cases the region has ever known. Sadly, yesterday that inquiry turned into a murder hunt. DAVID ANDERSON investigates WHEN happygo-lucky Jenny Nicholl leaves
A MARRIED man revealed last night he has received death threats following the disappearance of shopworker Jenny Nicholl. David Hodgson spoke out only hours after police said they now believed that the missing 20-year-old had been murdered. Mr Hodgson
A MARRIED man has told of his secret love affair with missing shopworker Jenny Nicholl, The Northern Echo can reveal. Unemployed David Hodgson - who was interviewed by police over the 19-year-old's disappearance - has admitted to a Sunday newspaper
MYSTERIOUS mobile phone texts could hold the key to what happened to missing shopworker Jenny Nicholl. Police last night urged members of the public to help trace the sender of the messages. Police suspect that the texts from Miss Nicholl's mobile
DETECTIVES are examining closed-circuit television camera (CCTV) tapes in the hope they will reveal the killer of shop assistant Jenny Nicholl. A team of officers is reviewing hundreds of hours of footage from cameras in Carlisle, in Cumbria, and Jedburgh
SPECIALIST police officers searched a cave yesterday for the body of shopworker Jenny Nicholl. A confined-space search team from Northumbria Police's marine unit was called in to check a tunnel on the outskirts of Jenny's home town of Richmond, North
POLICE searching for the body of murdered shopworker Jenny Nicholl last night cordoned off a wood in her home town. A police officer was on guard at the scene on the outskirts of Richmond, North Yorkshire, and tape was placed around the edge of the
DETECTIVES are hoping that BBC's Crimewatch will help them nail the killer of teenager Jenny Nicholl. And it is understood that Jenny's mother, Ann Nicholl, will appear on the programme in the hope that someone, somewhere, will be able to solve the
POLICE said yesterday they were still following up calls made after a TV appeal by the mother of murdered shop worker Jenny Nicholl. It is now a week since Ann Nicholl appeared on Crimewatch alongside Detective Inspector Pete Martin, the officer leading
DETECTIVES have marked the six-month anniversary since the disappearance of shopworker Jenny Nicholl with a declaration that justice will be done. Police said last night that they are determined to catch her killer. Jenny, who was 19 when she disappeared
TWO middle-aged brothers were last night being held by police on suspicion of murdering Jenny Nicholl. David and Robert Hodgson were taken for questioning after early-morning raids on their homes in Olav Road, Richmond. Jenny, who was 19 when she
TWO brothers arrested on suspicion of murdering Jenny Nicholl were last night back home after being released by police. Although North Yorkshire Police are refusing to confirm the men's names, it is believed David Hodgson was released on police bail
A TEAM of retired senior detectives is being brought in to help catch the killer of murdered shopworker Jenny Nicholl. It also emerged yesterday that the Army has been asked for its help to find Jenny's body. The retired detectives will carry out
DETECTIVES hunting murdered teenager Jenny Nicholl said last night they had made a significant breakthrough after her teddy bear and CD player were found hidden in woods. The items were found by police search teams at Sandbeck Plantation, near Richmond
THE parents of murdered shopworker Jenny Nicholl will mark the first anniversary of their daughter's disappearance today with a direct appeal to her killer. Brian and Ann Nicholl are expected to make an emotional plea to the murderer to confess to
FAMILY and friends of murdered shopworker Jenny Nicholl marked the first anniversary of her disappearance with hymns and poems last night. About 100 people gathered at St Joseph and St Francis Xavier Church, in Richmond, for a Mass dedicated to the
THE parents of murdered shopworker Jenny Nicholl have spoken for the first time of their daughter's dreams for the future shortly before she disappeared. Ann and Brian Nicholl say it is a tragedy that Jenny will not be able to celebrate her 21st birthday
THE heartbroken mother of murdered shopworker Jenny Nicholl - who would have been 21 today - has made an emotional appeal to her daughter's killer to let her bury her body. In a hard-hitting poster, put up last night around Jenny's home town of Richmond
THE parents of murdered shopworker Jenny Nicholl are asking well-wishers to light a candle for their daughter this Christmas. More than 1,000 candles have been handed out to shops in Jenny's home town of Richmond, North Yorkshire. The candles are
QUESTION I had a question in regards to balding. My Pit Bull began balding about five or six months ago on her side. I am now noticing that she is beginning to bald in the exact same spot on the other side. She is an inside dog and nothing has changed
QUESTION My dog has been increasingly lethargic and weak in her hind-quarters. Blood tests have shown liver results 'off the scale' and Cushings Disease. She has just started treatment for the Cushings, but the vet is unsure what to do for her liver
A COUPLE hope a court decision in Greece tomorrow could begin the final chapter in their six-year search for justice for their dead son. Three Greek hospital doctors were convicted of the manslaughter by negligence of 24-year-old Christopher Rochester
ER (C4); Can Gerry Robinson Fix The NHS? (BBC2): The message went out: "Call Pratt, we need him here." Dr Gregory Pratt - no relation - was needed as ER returned with a new series that barely paused for breath, leaving viewers needing oxygen. What else
The hair and beauty salon at the recently opened Darlington College may look the part, but is the service up to scratch? Women's Editor Sarah Foster pays a visit to the campus to find out. WE'VE all encountered the hopeful signs: models wanted. Practice
HOSPITAL patients have been given a double dose of good news thanks a group of big-hearted golfers. The captain and lady captain of Catterick Gold Club, Major Bob Martin and Midori Richardson, organised events that raised £1,000 for the children's ward
MUSIC fans can catch two up-and-coming acts in a musical double-header in Thirsk. In The Dock Promotions is bringing 7Hertz and Rose Kemp to the Rural Arts centre, in Westgate. The 7Hertz band plays a blend of Celtic music along with traditional folk
THE growth of China's global influence is having a knock-on effect at a school that is now offering lessons in Mandarin. The optional classes at Harrogate Ladies' College -available to pupils aged six to 18 -are so popular they are already over-subscribed
THIS year's programme of courses at a Dales arts barn has been published. Bainside Arts, at Bainbridge, Wensleydale, offers nearly 40 one and two-day courses, as well as walks, lectures and workshops. Subjects include painting, crafts, drumming, creative
A CHARITY is appealing for volunteers to help it continue its work. Herriot Hospice Homecare, now in its 15th year, wants people from Hambleton and Richmondshire to volunteer. It helps patients, referred by professionals such as Macmillan nurses and GPs
A DRIVER was freed from a car which left a country road and hit a wall on Sunday. The 28-year-old woman was treated in hospital for a broken collar bone and arm following the collision shortly after 10pm. She had been driving her Fiat Brava along the
OVERSTEADS HOUSE: WHILE understanding the genuine concerns expressed by the residents of Oversteads House, Ushaw Moor, I was astounded by the letter from Councillor Paul Taylor (HAS, Page 11, Dec 30). I therefore thought I would put the record straight
ART GALLERY: LAST August, I read that the long-awaited opening of mima (Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art) would be in early November. It is now early January and still it is closed. If there is to be no entrance fee, I assume we, the taxpayers,
TWO teenagers were jailed yesterday after they were caught with nearly £7,000 worth of drugs. Teesside Crown Court was told that Ricky Beresford was only 15 when police raided his grandfather's home, where he lived, and found £6,520-worth of heroin
A VOCAL group is appealing for more singers to join its ranks. Durham Harmonics Vocal Group is hoping to recruit men and women its new term, which starts next Tuesday. The group meets from 7pm to 9pm every Tuesday at Gilesgate School, in Bradford Crescent
A COURSE exploring Christianity is to begin later this month. St Nicholas' Church, in the Market Place, Durham City, is to repeat its Alpha course, described as a practical and contemporary introduction to the Christian faith. The church has run the course
A TEENAGER was locked up indefinitely for threatening a younger boy with a blade and forcing him to hand over money and jewellery. Street robber Stephen Hughes, 19, told his terrified 17-year-old victim: "Hurry up - I'm going to shove this knife in your
AFTER spending a year in New Zealand, KEVIN WALMSLEY has returned to his former employer, White Young Green (WYG). As an associate director in the company's Teesside office, Mr Walmsley, who has 20 years experience in civil and structural engineering
TWO years after sperm donors lost their right to anonymity, fertility clinics in the region are said to be facing a "dire" shortage in volunteers. Despite appeals, two of the largest fertility clinics in the region are having to manage with only a few
COUNCILLORS are recommending car parking charges stay the same after studies found that higher fees means fewer tourists. A draft report into Richmondshire District Council's 22 car parks recommends that parking charges are not increased for the next
THE fight against global climate change is going down to grassroots level in North Yorkshire. The parish council at Newton-le-Willows, near Bedale, has launched a project to combat climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Concerned about global
SHOPPING centre promotional space company Forum CentreSpace has appointed two new members of staff and promoted another after expanding the business. The Newcastle-based business, which works on behalf of more than 30 shopping centres throughout the
AN education worker has donated money to charity before heading off to live in the sun. Learning advisor Shirley Wilson plans to divide her time between Cyprus and North Yorkshire after she retired from Darlington College's site in Catterick. The 65-year-old
OPPORTUNITIES for farmers and landowners to produce crops for energy production will be discussed later this month. The North Yorkshire Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group has arranged the meeting at The Angel Inn, Topcliffe, near Thirsk, on Thursday,
A NORTH Yorkshire food producer has reported record sales and profits, and is on course to achieve its goal of £20m turnover by 2010. Holmesterne Foods, of Richmond, has seen its turnover increase by 15.5 per cent in the past six months, and anticipates
LEADING fashion stores Van Mildert and Strides were yesterday acquired by a rival North-East fashion chain, securing the jobs of all 24 employees. Box Clothing Company has bought the groups for an undisclosed fee, and with it their shops in Durham City
TRUNKING solutions firm D-Line has celebrated the start of the new year by clinching a series of deals with international companies. The Newcastle-based firm - which has only been in business for ten months - has won contracts with high-street firm
GRANTS totalling almost £47,000 have been announced for three arts projects. The money, from the Arts Council, is designed to boost the economy by enabling creative industries to thrive. The Ripon City Partnership will get £5,000 to carry out a feasibility
A SOWETO township school will benefit from a calendar produced by children at a primary school. Pupils in year three at Teesside Prep School, in Eaglescliffe, have linked up with Grayston School, in Johannesburg, South Africa, and together they are helping
A BRIGHT year ahead has been forecast for Northumbria Larder, the North-East regional food group. Sandy Duncan, general manager since 2003, said the income generated by regional food produce last year was more than £2m, sold both within the North-East
AN MP has come down in favour of plans to transfer all of a council's housing to a newly-established housing association. Kevan Jones, MP for North Durham, announced his backing for Chester-le-Street District Council's plans to transfer control of its
YORKSHIRE Building Society has revealed plans to open 15 branches and create 100 jobs over the next three years. And the decision to expand the business has been partly credited to the success of its latest branch in Stockton, which opened in March 2005
THE last in a series of public meetings about the future of psychiatric intensive care services for County Durham and Darlington is taking place in Darlington. The open event will be held in Darlington's Dolphin Centre, today, at 11am. Tees, Esk and Wear
A BATTLE of the bands contest begins in Bishop Auckland this week. The first heat takes place on Thursday, with the competition continuing every Thursday evening for the next few weeks. It is organised by Northern Edge, and will feature ten heats, with
A NEW football pitch promised by housing developers is expected to be ready for the start of the next football season after final tests were carried out yesterday. The pitch was proposed by Yuill Homes in 2004 as part of a development of 12 houses in
FILMGOERS are being offered a cut-price start to the new year. The management at Consett's Empire Theatre is cutting admission prices by £1 for the rest of the month to encourage customers to stick with their local cinema. For the past month, the Derwentside
YOUNG residents of a village are being asked to suggest improvements to their community park. A group of teenagers in West Cornforth has been complaining to youth workers and parish councillors about a lack of facilities in the park for teenagers. Community
YORKSHIRE Building Society has revealed plans to open 15 branches and create 100 jobs over the next three years. And the decision to expand the business has been partly credited to the success of its latest branch in Stockton, which opened in March 2005
A COMMUNITY centre in Teesdale is to provide free training for over-19s thanks to a new partnership agreement. Teesdale Village Halls Consortium is providing Skills for Life training at Cockfield Community Centre, near Barnard Castle. The training, which
RETAIL sales figures for December have countered fears of a disastrous trading period, showing a rise of 2.5 per cent in year-on-year sales. The December sales increase, while not as high as the 2.6 per cent like-for-like growth seen the previous year
A campaign to persuade consumers to ask where the food on their plate is from will be launched today. The Just Ask campaign is a bid to persuade the catering sector to buy from local or British producers. Prime Minister Tony Blair and Environment Secretary
Plans for a vehicle dismantling depot on an industrial estate have moved a step closer. The proposals mean a storage and dismantling facility could be built on the Dean and Chapter industrial estate, in Ferryhill. An average of a vehicle a day would
A TEESDALE village has agreed to install solar powered lighting at one of its bus stops. Gainford Parish Council has agreed to the plan, which will see the modernisation of the bus shelter next to the Lord Nelson pub. A seat to house the battery unit
THE future of a County Durham scheme aimed at helping children and young people with disabilities has been secured, thanks to a £64,000 grant. Integrating Children was set up in 2000 when play schemes in Durham and Chester-le-Street were closed. A registered
JAPANESE car parts maker NSK Steering yesterday said its plans to axe 109 jobs are essential to ensuring the business has a long-term future in the North-East. The Northern Echo revealed on Saturday how the company, based in Peterlee, County Durham,
RESIDENTS are complaining about the smell coming from a landfill site near their homes. People living in Newfield, near Bishop Auckland, and parts of Low Willington, say the waste at the site is producing an unpleasant smell. With the wind in the right
HOMELESS people in Darlington will have temporary shelter in the coming months - but only when the temperature falls below freezing. The project, called Below Zero, will provide a bed, food, a shower and laundry facilities for homeless people working
OUTSTANDING students were rewarded with books at Darlington Rotary Club's annual youth day. A presentation was held at the Dolphin Centre, in Darlington, on Friday, where seven pupils from the town's schools received a book of their choice. The pupils
A LEADING figure in promoting relations between Britain and India yesterday gave his backing to Indian steelmaker Tata Steel's bid for Corus, and urged the Anglo-Dutch company's shareholders to approve the bid. Tata is currently embroiled in a multi-billion
DARLINGTON Borough Council is to look into how the authority cleans up graffiti on private property after an outbreak of vandalism at a town centre shop. The council said because the Past Times shop, in High Row, was in such a public place, it would help
A TEAM of business boosters is hitting the streets to help hundreds of people work for themselves. Start-up specialist the Enterprise Group plans to work within Consett and Stanley to give people free advice and support on a drop-in basis. It is delivering
A RECORD 85 per cent of youngsters training with Durham Business Club have achieved their apprenticeships - surpassing the national 50 per cent pass rate. Seventy students, aged between 16 and 24, passed practical modules in subjects including accountancy
A PUBLIC meeting will help determine the future of an eyesore on the outskirts of a Teesdale village. The future of St Peter's Nursing Home, in Gainford, near Barnard Castle, has been the subject of debate for many years. The building, on the east side
A 22-YEAR-OLD man admitted a string of offences, including stealing a £2,000 gold chain, when he appeared in court yesterday. Sean Nelson pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified and with no insurance on April 28; driving while disqualified, with
POLICE are appealing for information on the following incidents. Anyone with information is asked to contact Darlington police on 0845-60-60-365. LAPTOP STOLEN: Thieves stole a laptop and a games console from a parked car in Darlington on New Year's
DOLPHIN CENTRE: LAST week I visited Darlington's Dolphin Centre for the first time since its multi-million pound redevelopment, and I must say that I am very impressed with its new look. It is now one of the finest leisure centres in the North-East,
NORTH AMERICAN B & Decker £40.84 -0.11 Du Pont £24.80 +0.02 AEROSPACE Chemring 1588 +18 Cobham 198 Meggitt 317 -2¾ Rolls-Royce 449 +5¼ AIM Cape 264 -½ Dawson Intl 6½ Inveresk 18 +¼ Nichols 251 -½ Scapa Grp 25 Youngs £33½ AUTOMOBILES & PARTS
A project to boost the confidence and improve skills of single parents has been launched. A two-week course operated by JobCentre Plus and the European Union, called Big Brother, began in Crook, yesterday. The confidence and skills-building programme
A BUSINESS communications company has linked up with one of the region's top spas to reward its customers in the first scheme of its kind. Cellular Solutions, based in Sunderland, has joined forces with the Serenity Spa, at Seaham Hall Hotel, in County
THE last in a series of public meetings about the future of psychiatric intensive care services for County Durham and Darlington is taking place in Darlington. The open event will be held in Darlington's Dolphin Centre, today, at 11am. Tees, Esk and Wear
A 22-YEAR-OLD man admitted a string of offences, including stealing a £2,000 gold chain, when he appeared in court yesterday. Sean Nelson pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified and with no insurance on April 28 last year; driving while disqualified
WELCOME, NEW YEAR A new year has begun, It is January 2007. What is falling from the sky? Is it snow or manna from heaven? Frost is sparkling On the trees and ledges. Spiders' webs look silvery, Decorating the hedges. The dark days of November and December
A BATTLE of the bands contest begins in Bishop Auckland this week. The first heat takes place on Thursday, with the competition continuing every Thursday evening for the next few weeks. It is organised by Northern Edge, and will feature ten heats, with
DANGEROUS DOGS: THE tragedy of the five-year-old girl from Merseyside mauled to death by a dog raises again the question of the risks presented by certain breeds. An observation by a spokesman from one of the animal charities is that regulation and implementing
THE Mayor of Middlesbrough has agreed with residents who opposed plans for a housing development in their neighbourhood. But Ray Mallon has said the council's plan for 80 homes on the Longridge site, in Coulby Newham, should go ahead for the wider interests
HOUSE owners could soon be offered the chance to take advantage of a pilot loan scheme to improve their property. Middlesbrough Council is expected to agree the initiative, which could lead to significant improvements to key areas of North Ormesby in
TONY DOBBIN'S fans will need no second invitation to lump on Gunadoir (1.05), a leading contender for Sedgefield's opening Mares Only Novices' Hurdle. Dobbin rides the uphill-and-down-dale track particularly well, generally speaking measuring the pace
Norman Mitchell-Innes, known universally though inexplicably as Mandy, has died, aged 92. He was England's oldest surviving Test cricketer, and for 25 years company secretary of Vaux Brewery in Sunderland. Mitchell-Innes had been in the colonial service
POLICE are hunting an armed robber who threatened an elderly man with a knife before stealing his gold chain. The man was walking along an alleyway at the rear of his home in Gladstone Street, Stockton, when he was robbed some time between 8.15pm and
DAVE Penney will have no room for sentiment when he returns to former club Doncaster Rovers tonight. Penney takes his Darlington side to Rovers' new Keepmoat Stadium in the northern section semi-final of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy. It was only four
DIMI Konstantopoulos was yesterday rewarded for his impeccable December displays when he was named the Powerade League Two player of the month. Hartlepool United's Greek goalkeeper went through the month without conceding a goal in six games as Pools
RAISING children is the most difficult job of all. It is demanding, complicated, expensive and there is no shortage of hurdles to overcome. The first priority of all decent parents is their children, and Ruth Kelly is no different, no matter what her
Publisher: Squaresoft Formats: PS2 Price: £29.99 Family friendly? 12+ WITH the PlayStation 3 now moving firmly into Europe's sights, this will be one of the last big releases on the new machine's
A PETITION calling on the Health Secretary to ensure dementia patients get the medication they need was due to be handed in to the House of Commons last night.York Labour MP Hugh Bayley was so impressed by a march by supporters of the Alzheimer's Society
A RELIGIOUS leader has given his backing to the region's small businesses in their battle to survive.The Archbishop of York, the Most Reverend Dr John Sentamu, stressed the need for everyone to support local businesses.His call came on a visit to the
HE has performed numerous Royal Variety shows and once commanded a Saturday night TV audience of 12 million viewers.So the regulars of the Three Horseshoes pub, in Barnard Castle, County Durham, were more than surprised to be serenaded on their karaoke
A BANNED motorist with 17 previous convictions for driving while disqualified and dangerous driving was yesterday given an indefinite jail sentence for killing a school dinner lady in a hit-and-run.Heroin-user Alan Steel, 26, ploughed into Paula Stead
NEWCASTLE United goalkeeper Steve Harper returns to his roots this week to dispel some myths about his much-maligned home town.Steve is from Easington, County Durham, a former mining town, which frequently finds itself at the top of bad news leagues and
JEKYLL and Hyde rapist Steven Graham sat chatting to his victim just minutes before subjecting her to an ordeal so horrific she was convinced she was going to die.The 19-year-old sat on a park bench chatting to the trusting young woman, saying that he
FORMER football star Johnny Spuhler has died in hospital after a short illness.The centre forward and winger graced Middlesbrough's Ayresome Park during the late Forties and early Fifties, and was the oldest-surviving Boro player aged 89.Sunderland-born
For the England Cricket Team: The Burial of the Dead.The umpire shall enter, leading the urn, saying these sentencesI know that my team is scuppered and that there shall be no stand at the latter day.Ducks have consumed the body of it. Lord's hath given
A FAMILY firm celebrating more than 25 years in business has announced plans to expand.Guisborough-based Coatham Coaches is looking to move to another site following the company's growing success.And taking over from the company's founder, Mike Hodgson
CANADIAN researchers investigating the war efforts of the region's women say their findings could help modern workers.The academics are carrying out a study on the Aycliffe Angels, a name given to workers at munitions works, Royal Ordnance Factory 59.
HUMAN rights campaigners have reacted angrily to news that 11 of a city's schools are fingerprinting pupils.Seven primary and four secondary schools in York are using biometric data to identify pupils taking out library books.The figures emerged after
WHEN Gloria and Norman Tate decided to retire from a village post office, they were anxious the community would not lose the service.Mr and Mrs Tate had run the sub office in Haswell for 15 years, but were keen to call it a day and give up their business
CAMPAIGNERS who lost their fight to save a hospital ward from closure are demanding a public meeting with health trust bosses.County Durham and Darlington NHS Trust confirmed last night that Ward Three at the £67m Bishop Auckland General Hospital would
RAIN failed to dampen the spirits of hundreds of local youngsters celebrating the centenary of Scouting.In North Yorkshire, Richmondshire Scouts played their part in marking the occasion at Richmond, with a series of events involving competitions and
LEO: Leo must read The Northern Echo. No sooner had I criticised him for being too cuddly to be a pop star, than he lets out his rock 'n' roll anger. He's starting to swear more, but I still don't think he's quite got it. He should have got some lessons
Live Aid and Live8 organiser Bob Geldof praised Chancellor Gordon Brown as the pair received honorary degrees from a North-East university yesterday.Sir Bob was speaking before he received the honour to celebrate the work of the Make Poverty History campaign
A MILD-MANNERED diabetic turned into a sadistic sex monster who raped and strangled a woman after he had downed 15 cans of lager, a court heard yesterday. Steven Graham tried to throttle his victim after pouncing as she took a shortcut through Blackhill
PAVEL Srnicek could end his career a Newcastle United player after agreeing a deal to stay at St James' Park until the end of the season. The 38-year-old will decide in June whether he wants to continue playing, and the Magpies will inform the former
A PROBATION Service expert who distributed child pornography while setting up a £10m Home Office database of sex offenders will have to wait a further two weeks to be sentenced. Vincent Barron, of Kirk Rise, Frosterley, County Durham, sent ten pornographic
IT may be years since he was a fixture on TV, but Derrick Evans sounds just the same. "May I check some personal details?" I start by asking. "Yes my darling," comes back the silky smooth response. Then somewhat impishly: "You can be as personal as you
THE troubled son of murder victim Julie Hogg tricked a vulnerable man out of tens of thousands of pounds - even stealing cash on the day he finally saw his mother's killer sentenced to life.It emerged that Kevin Hogg used a mentally-ill man's details
MIDDLESBROUGH goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer believes results matter more than the recent improved performances.Saturday's draw at Hull City in the FA Cup third round means the club have lost only once in their last five games.They can extend that run against
The theft of a man's identity and thousands of pounds of his money highlighted why Britian is known as the fraud capital of Europe. Lindsay Jennings finds out ow easy it is to become someone else. WHEN comedian Ricky Gervais was taking part in a promotional
Sporting a major facelift, a Dales pub is back with a vengeance - having been bought by the couple who have successfully runa neighbouring hostelry for the past ten years. THE bucolic opening shots of the television series All Creatures Great and Small
