AN entire courtroom adjourned to a taxi rank yesterday to decide whether a black cab was black enough. The judge, two magistrates, three members of the courtroom council, an usher, two solicitors and 20 people from the Press bench and public gallery trooped
MOTORISTS who may have witnessed a fatal road accident on the A1(M) in County Durham are urged to help police inquiries. A pedestrian walking on the northbound carriageway of the motorway died after being struck by a 7.5 tonne lorry, last Friday. The
A POOL player hopes to turn professional after qualifying for an international tour. Malcolm Clarke, 20, combines study at Lincoln University with shooting eight-ball pool for the Kings Head pub, in Lanchester, County Durham. At the weekend, he got through
A GROUP of students has held a party for elderly people in Darlington. GNVQ hospitality and catering students from Hummersknott Comprehensive School, Darlington, arranged the party for 120 elderly people from sheltered accommodation. They organised the
BUILDERS working on the expansion of a business park found themselves facing an unusual challenge. A new home had to be created for a colony of water voles (right), because the stream next to which they were living was due to be filled in to make way
THE NSGenius system, developed by Durham IT Consultants Waterstons for the National Salvage Group, has won the international Insurance Times Award for Technology Initiative of the Year. The prize is awarded to the company that has used new technology
A TEENAGER accused of murder confessed the killing to a probation officer, a court heard yesterday. Beatrice Smith, a probation service officer working at Castington Young Offenders Institution, in Northumberland, where Kevin Littlewood was being held
HOME Secretary David Blunkett is to be asked to step into a row over a massive cash golden goodbye to a policeman jailed for drink-driving. He is to be asked to review an early retirement pensionaward, worth almost £500,000, to former detective constable
ALTERATIONS to a listed building which is home to one of the region's top fee-paying schools landed a governor a bill for £36,000 yesterday. Brian Martin, chairman of governors at Queen Ethelburga's College, which is housed in the Edwardian Thorpe Underwood
SO many people have been nominated to be Labour's mayoral candidate in a North-East town that the party is delaying its selection process. Shortlists of candidates have already been drawn up for Hartlepool and North Tyneside. But as many as 20 people
A PAPER boy who saved an elderly woman from freezing to death has been praised by Help the Aged for his actions. John Stott, 14, of Stockton, Teesside, noticed the 79-year-old, who lived alone, had not collected her newspaper for several days and alerted
MORE than 20 Darlington schools and businesses will be presented with awards for good health practices by Health Secretary and Darlington MP Alan Milburn on Friday. The awards are divided into two categories, Darlington Heartwise School Food and Darlington
CATERING supplies specialist Continental Quattro Stagioni (CQS) is expanding its distribution network with a new depot on Tyneside. About 12 jobs will be created at the depot, on the Team Valley Trading Estate, in Gateshead. The opening will allow CQS
CRAWLER lanes for lorries and other slow-moving vehicles could be built along some sections of the A66 across the Pennines. The Highways Agency confirmed last night it is considering wide-ranging measures, including no-car lanes, for improving main trunk
YOUNGSTERS at a Darlington primary school have been working hard to organise a shoe box appeal to send Christmas gifts to children in countries affected by war. Year six pupils Jennifer Carrmichael, Nathan Thompson, Tammy Theaker and James Feitsch, at
FREE emergency contraception will be available from a number of chemists from tomorrow. Already available from GPs, family planning clinics and hospitals, free emergency contraception will be offered at chemists throughout County Durham and Darlington
I'VE been trying to make sense all week of the extraordinary fuss which followed the death of George Harrison. I thought the misty-eyed Blair - "He was not only a great musician and artist; he did such wonderful work for charity" - was going to call for
THE lady who sang No Regrets - or Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien, or whatever the French alternative - was probably telling fibs in any language. We all have them. I regret never travelling on the Stainmore Railway over the North Pennines, never having been
A MAN was in hospital with a fractured skull yesterday after being beaten to the ground during a night out. The 23-year-old victim had been out with a friend in Newcastle and was walking along Blackett Street at about 1.30am on Sunday when he was approached
POLICE are urging people to crack down on crime this Christmas by keeping their homes secure and presents hidden. Last December, more than 700 house burglaries were reported in the Cleveland area. This year, Cleveland Police's crime prevention officer
POLICE officers who helped bereaved British relatives cope with the traumatic sights of Ground Zero, in New York, left behind a memorial to the emergency service workers who died. A Cleveland Police helmet now sits among the mounds of floral tributes
ARSON has not been ruled out as a possible cause of a major fire at the weekend. Smoke from a blaze in a firstfloor storeroom above the en.r.g novelty shop affected five other stores and a pub in Middlesbrough's Captain Cook Square, writing off thousands
CHRISTMAS shoppers had an amazing escape yesterday when the top of their double decker bus was ripped off when it smashed into a low bridge. Eighteen people were injured when the top of the bus was sliced off at Metal Bridge, between Spennymoor and Coxhoe
BOGUS callers tricked their way into a pensioner's home in what police have said was a "despicable" crime. The two men told the 78-year-old woman that they needed access to her home in Wolsingham, because the house next door was flooded and they needed
NEWLY-CROWNED North-East cross country champion Andrew Caine is hoping to follow in the footsteps of his father John by representing Scotland in next summer's Commonwealth Games. Caine senior finished fifth in the 10,000m when the games were held in Edinburgh
Police are looking for six men who frightened drinkers enjoying a quiet Sunday pint. The men went into the Wheatsheaf Hotel, in Thomas Street North, Sunderland, at 4.20pm. One threw an ash tray, smashing a large mirror. No one was injured, but staff and
Osama bin Laden is fast losing his authority over his al Qaida network, the US claimed last night as anti-Taliban fighters closed in on his suspected mountain hideout. US Deputy Defence Secretary Paul Wolfowitz said there was no "credible evidence" to
A youngster has received the ultimate prize for Harry Potter fans - a book signed by author JK Rowling and a trip to see the film. James Harris, seven, of Easterside, Middlesbrough, was among seven winners. He entered a competition run by The Turner Syndrome
SUNDERLAND winger Kevin Kilbane is bracing himself for a head-to-head club battle with fellow international Jason McAteer as they try to win a place in the Republic of Ireland squad for next summer's World Cup Finals. Kilbane came in for his first Premiership
CHRISTMAS shoppers had an amazing escape yesterday when the top of their double decker bus was ripped off when it smashed into a low bridge. Eighteen people were injured when the top of the bus was sliced off at Metal Bridge, between Spennymoor and Coxhoe
A MAN has been jailed for three years after an innocent bystander was killed during a karaoke bar brawl between two warring families. Father-of-three Terry Raisbeck, 53, from Brandon, Durham City, was killed when Russell Frederick Snowdon, 26, mistook
A MAN has been jailed for three years after an innocent bystander was killed during a karaoke bar brawl between two warring families. Father-of-three Terry Raisbeck, 53, from Brandon, Durham City, was killed when Russell Frederick Snowdon, 26, mistook
fly tippers have been warned they face prosecution if they dump rubbish at a tip which closed recently. Since the former civic amenity site, in Portrack, Stockton, closed last week, the equivalent of a wagon- load of waste has been deposited at the gates
ROAD safety experts called in a familiar and reassuring figure yesterday to help them push home the Belt Up message. The safety team in North Yorkshire had become alarmed by a survey of seat-belt use which revealed wide discrepancies across the county
MORE details about the jobs below are available from the Employment Service Direct on (0845) 606 0234. Residential social worker, Northallerton. £7ph dep on exp, shifts, temporary. Must have six months' experience. Ref: NOE 15269. Catering assistant,
CHRISTMAS skaters and craft traders have temporarily transformed a town centre. Over the past week, workers have been busy turning the Festival Walk shopping precinct in Spennymoor into a festive focal point with a temporary ice-rink, German-style market
AN inquest was opened and adjourned yesterday into the death of a 14-year-old boy who died earlier this month after a car accident. Promising footballer Daniel Stewart, of Staindale, Thornaby, Teesside, suffered multiple injuries when he was knocked over
SHAREHOLDERS are being urged to back a £3m appeal to ensure the fabric of England's oldest cathedral is well maintained. Ripon Cathedral, founded in 672 by the first Bishop of Ripon, St Wilfrid, is targeting shareholders to boost the restoration campaign
TANK-builder Vickers Defence Systems has a new chief executive. ARCHIE HUGHES has been appointed following the death of Colin Clark. He will be responsible for all business units within the division, including the Newcastle tank factory. Mr Hughes joined
Writers from across the region will benefit benefit from a new literary award which will fund them for three years, it was announced today. Three writers will have an equal share of the £180,000 from the Northern Rock Foundation Writer Award to help out
A SCHOOL choir is hoping to be in fine voice later this week to raise money for the Giving Tree Appeal. Branksome School Choir, with soloists Katherine Bean, Polly McNaughten, and Janet Robinson, will be performing at the gala Christmas concert on Friday
IT is art you can view at your own convenience - but it has an important environmental message for all. The toilets at Sutton Bank visitor centre, on the edge of the North York Moors, have taken on a colourful hue, thanks to pupils from Thirsk School
A FAMILY fun day organised by staff at a Darlington supermarket has raised more than £20,000 for the Cancer Research Fund. The Yarm Road branch of the Iceland store supported the event, at Hurworth Community Centre in August. Editor of The Northern Echo
FOR weeks, the national tabloids have been obsessed with the seedy squabbling surrounding Liz Hurley's pregnancy. The actress and model, who has precious little talent other than for generating front page headlines, has branded her former lover - American
CALL centre workers should have regular breaks and be trained to deal with abusive calls, according to a new report. A study by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that half of call centre staff have their performance monitored electronically
ANGRY pharmacists are refusing to offer after-hours emergency drug supplies to GPS in protest at Government cuts in funding. The chain of M&M pharmacies in Durham, Shildon and Bishop Auckland, where there are two outlets, is refusing to provide cover
A MAN appeared in court yesterday charged with harassing TV vet Trude Mostue. John Maynard, 55, of Portland Street, York, also faced six further allegations when he appeared at Richmond Magistrates Court, North Yorkshire. As well as the harassment charge
AN expectant mother who had both legs amputated after contracting meningitis is learning to walk again, just a month before her baby is due to be born. Kim Galvin, who is already mother to three-year-old Izzy, is expecting her second baby next month.
AMBULANCE bosses are warning that lives could be lost this Christmas if people misuse the 999 emergency service. The North-East Ambulance Service (NEAS) has seen a huge increase in 999 calls in recent years. But many of those calls are for minor health
THE fragile North-East economy was bracing itself for a further devastating blow last night with the news that almost 400 jobs are under threat at cable company ntl. Business leaders said the renewed threat to the region's economy was "tragic". The company
A BIZARRE custody battle has broken out between a foreign government, a flamboyant MP and a convicted bird smuggler over the future of three birds dubbed the Brazil Three. The three Lear's macaws - among the world's rarest birds - are being held in a
SCOTMAIL LAD is fancied to post his first victory of the season at Sedgefield this afternoon. As his form figures suggest, George Moore's consistent but luckless gelding has hit both uprights and the crossbar this term. Today should be a different story
Mark Crossley is fit and Middlesbrough manager Steve McClaren has finally got a major selection problem on his hands. The Welsh stopper had to be substituted after 20 minutes during the 2-0 defeat to Liverpool after a collision with midfielder Gary McAllister
ARMED robbers stole cash from an off-licence at the weekend. One man kept guard at the door of the Boozebusters store in Hartlepool, Teesside, while another threatened the female shop assistant with a handgun and demanded cash, before running away along
THREE illegal immigrants, members of a gang thought to be responsible for a spate of burglaries across the country, are to be deported after being arrested in the North-East. The three Romanians, part of a seven-strong gang based in the North-East, were
CAROL singers are wanted to help entertain hospital patients in the run-up to Christmas. Help The Aged wants to bring some Christmas cheer to elderly people at Darlington Memorial Hospital on December 21. The charity is supplying each of the two elderly
YOUNGSTERS in Darlington have been given a second home for a mobile youth service. The Blitz Bus service started in September 1999 and over the past two years has been used by thousands of young people, aged from 13 to 25, in the Darlington area. The
A FARMER gave chase after a thief drove off in a pick-up truck with a trailer and quad bike from his farm. The incident happened on Saturday at Gibbet Hill Farm, Howden-le-Wear, after the farmer saw a man, who is described as having a shaven head, getting
FARMERS who use organic methods could be given more support as the Yorkshire Dales battle to recover from the impact of foot-and-mouth disease. The national park authority has said it will lobby Westminster on their behalf, as the results are awaited
IT may have survived a 500-mile "death march" across Europe in a wheelbarrow, but this accordion was in need of a little fine tuning. The instrument, made in 1934, has been meticulously restored to its former glory by a team of North-East specialists.
A FIRE at a garage caused chaos for thousands of commuters on Tyneside's Metro yesterday. Firefighters spent more than 12 hours fighting the blaze at CA Auto Tyres on the Meadowell estate, in North Shields, North Tyneside. Metro operator Nexus ran a bus
BUSINESSES in Darlington town centre are blaming over-zealous traffic wardens for a terrible day's trade. Caf owner Frank Suhabolnik said mean-spirited traffic wardens issued tickets to dozens of cars belonging to Christmas shoppers parked in Darlington's
A YOUTH club in Darlington is offering its services to help improve its area. Branksome Youth Club, which is open to youngsters aged 11 and over, is keen to support efforts to enhance the neighbourhood. The Cockerton Area Action Group has been set up
Pumped up though not (of course) well oiled, Ferryhill Wheelers Cycling Club celebrated their 75th anniversary - and never off the roads - at a splendid dinner on Friday evening. They'd begun humbly, if not quite sit up and beg. They charged 3/6d a year
A COUNCIL is to recognise the work of a handful of its tenants. Stockton Borough Council's annual tenants' awards were introduced in 1989 as a way of saying thank-you to residents who have been tenants for many years and have worked tirelessly for the
Young people could be literally drinking themsleves to death, according to the new figures on Britain's alcohol epidemic. Health Correspondent Barry Nelson talks to a North-East expert on the demon drink. PROFESSOR Nick Heather gets irritated when people
Tommy Taylor has guided Darlington to five victories in the last six games, but believes there is still plenty of room for improvement in his side. The only blemish in the last six matches has been the debacle at Scunthorpe. The blame for that, considering
A BRIGHT North-East law student jumped 150ft to his death after suffering from a winter depression disorder. Arijit Banerjee, a final year student at Southampton University, jumped from a 16-storey tower in Southampton on Thursday. The 25-year-old was
AN 84-year-old widow suffered severe burns after getting into a hot bath, an inquest heard yesterday. Annie Fagin, of The Byway, Darlington, was found still alive in what was by then a bath full of cold water, by PC Peter Hoole at lunchtime on December
ANGRY pharmacists are refusing to offer after-hours emergency drug supplies to GPS in protest at Government cuts in funding. The chain of M&M pharmacies in Durham, Shildon and Bishop Auckland, where there are two, is refusing to provide cover for
UNDERCOVER police officers caught a heroin user and dealer in possession of 24 wraps of the drug concealed around his body, a court heard yesterday. A day earlier, in June, officers raided the home of John Trotter, on the Coach Road Estate, Washington
A HARD-DRINKING cabbie in the North-East has been held up by the Government's Chief Medical Officer as an example of how boozy Britain is heading for disaster. Professor Liam Donaldson highlighted the regional differences in drinking habits with his experience
MP Paul Marsden quit Labour yesterday to join the Liberal Democrats, saying he was "sick and tired" of the Government. He disclosed he had been speculating about his widely-predicted move for "many months". That was long before he clashed with Government
PANTO stars, including former Coronation Street landlady Denise Welch, donned their costumes to promote the show yesterday. The whole cast of Jack and the Beanstalk, including a huge, mechanical giant, took time out of rehearsals at Newcastle's Theatre
KIERON Dyer is ready to get his career back on track and he is targeting a place in England's World Cup squad next summer. The Newcastle United midfielder has finally shrugged off shin-related injuries and after making his comeback in his club colours
CHRIS TURNER is urging his Hartlepool United players to allow Paul Smith to light up Victoria Park. Smith has made a quick impression at Pool since Turner snapped up the former Burnley ace on a long-term contract last month. And the Pool chief is delighted
A TEENAGE heroin addict who stole his grandfather's Visa card and withdrew £2,500 for drugs was locked up for 18 months yesterday. David Hornby, 18, of Stockton, was off drugs for the first time in years, said Robin Denny, defending. Hornby ran up a drugs
PLANS for the next stage of a big housing development in Newton Aycliffe are likely to be approved on Friday. Yuill Homes has applied for permission to build 93 houses on land at Cobblers Hall. The plan is for two and three-bedroom semi-detached and three
A STUDENT is celebrating after becoming the first student to have completed more than half of the millennium Volunteers programme. Kate Lindsley, who is studying at Bede College, Billingham, is so far the only student across the Tees Valley to have reached
MORE details about the jobs below are available from the Employment Service Direct on (0845) 606 0234. Hair stylist, Crook. £5ph, 15hrs pw. Must have minimum three years' experience and be qualified. Training in new products given. Ref: CRK 5528. Lunchtime
A LIFESIZE Dalek is taking pride of place at a North-East radio station to help raise money for Children In Need. The Dalek, pictured right, arrived at BBC Radio Newcastle for an auction today to raise money for Children in Need. The Children in Need
BUSINESSES are being urged to help a community's young people - by opening a place where they can meet. Youngsters in Egglescliffe have approached both Stockton Borough Council and the parish council asking for action. They have taken up the cause from
TODAY is crunch day for the future of hundreds of county council jobs across North Yorkshire. Councillors are due to decide whether to continue with their 370-strong direct labour force as it is, or to farm it out to a private company. Four companies
FESTIVE opening times at sports centres and council offices in Richmondshire were confirmed yesterday. Staff begin their break at 5.15pm on Christmas Eve and return on January 2. However, emergency cover is still available via the council's hotline, on
VISITORS are being encouraged to take a walk on the wild side when they pay a call on the country's best-preserved Carthusian monastery. After a ten-month shutdown because of the foot-and-mouth crisis, English Heritage is reopening Mount Grace Priory
TWO recycling companies have been bought by their management. Waste Tyre Solutions (WTS) and Automotive Waste Solutions (AWS) were both part of the Environmental Waste Solutions Group, of Newton Aycliffe, which went into receivership last month. The management
FACTORY gate prices fell last month by their fastest rate since records began in 1958, new figures have shown. The Office for National Statistics said cheaper oil costs pushed output prices down by 0.4 per cent in November, ahead of projections made in
CREDITORS of a collapsed arts venue met yesterday to elect a liquidator to wrap up its finances. Stockton's £9.5m Arc centre was forced to close last month after little more than two years in business. Harvey Madden, of John B Taylor accountants, Yarm
MORE details about the jobs below are available from the Employment Service Direct on (0845) 606 0234. Cleaner, Stockton. £4.60ph, 12hrs pw, Mon-Thurs, temporary. Required to clean classrooms and toilets. Experience preferred but not essential. Ref: STC
FORMER Barnardo's boy and internationally renowned fashion designer Bruce Oldfield came home yesterday to pick up a major honour. The favourite designer of some of the world's most glamorous women was awarded an honorary degree by Northumbria University
MORE details about the jobs below are available from the Employment Service Direct on (0845) 606 0234. Commercial fitter. £6ph, 39hrs pw. Must be skilled or semi-skilled and must be driver. All equipment provided. Ref: DUR 27072. General assistant. 18
CHILDMINDERS in Darlington have access to expert training and support from a new development officer. Lynda Smith has been employed by the Darlington Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership. Ms Smith, a former childminder, will visit all of
BUSINESSES in Derwentside have been advised to tread carefully when dealing with a data protection business. The company from the North-West has contacted businesses advising them to register for data protection for a fee of £111. Derwentside police have
VANDALISM I READ with great interest the vague attempt at amateur psychology provided on your front page (Echo, Dec 5) by Councillor Bill Waters. Does he really believe that saying he will stop the Shildon regeneration will in any way deter the vandals
A PREGNANT mother-of-two claims she was told to book into a hotel after battling in vain for a week to get an electricity supply connected to her new home. Last Monday, Joanna Stuart, of Spennymoor, asked British Gas to supply electricity and gas to the
ST Teresa's Hospice in Darlington is offering a chance for people to get into the Christmas spirit with a festive concert. The show will take place at the Dolphin Centre on December 22, at 7.30pm. The musical director for the evening will be John Forsyth
