Archive

  • News in brief: Police operation 'a success'

    AN operation to tackle drink-fuelled youth disorder has been hailed a success by police. Operation Tipple was set up in the Sunderland West area in response to a large volume of complaints. It aimed to stop the illegal sales of alcohol to underage drinkers

  • News in brief: Police operation 'a success'

    AN operation to tackle drink-fuelled youth disorder has been hailed a success by police. Operation Tipple was set up in the Sunderland West area in response to a large volume of complaints. It aimed to stop the illegal sales of alcohol to underage drinkers

  • Theme pub to replace city cinema after appeal

    A NEW 700-capacity theme pub will take the place of a city's only mainstream cinema. Regent Inns yesterday won an appeal against licence refusal by North Durham justices following a two-week hearing at Durham Crown Court. The London-based leisure company

  • Suspension for doctor renewed

    MEDICAL officials have renewed a suspension order against a North-East doctor. Two years ago, the General Medical Council (GMC) suspended Dr Michael Donnolly from the register of public health doctors pending a full investigation into allegations made

  • Thanks for saving our lives

    A FAMILY thanked the hero police officers who saved their lives at an awards ceremony last night. Sergeant Simon Trotter, PC Andy Metcalfe, PC Mark Gill and PC Janette Turnbull, from Spennymoor police station, County Durham, were presented with framed

  • Optical revamp

    AN optician's is investing £250,000 on a store expansion which will treble its size. An extra four jobs have also been created as a result of the revamp at Specsavers in Bishop Auckland, County Durham. The project will create space for two more testing

  • Bondage doll gives Barbie a good thrashing in court

    A kinky bondage doll that looks like children's favourite Barbie has won a court battle against her famous rival. Lily von Frauenau bears a striking resemblance to the blond bombshell - but Barbie's ball gowns have been replaced by leather fetish gear

  • Comment: A time to remember

    THE unanimous approval by the United Nations Security Council of the resolution on Iraq brings one step closer the prospect of British military personnel becoming involved in war. Saddam Hussein can be left in no doubt that he now has the option to disarm

  • Bid for £1.2m

    Scarborough's St Augustine's RC School is making a bid for £1.2m to North Yorkshire County Council's education authority, to build a teaching and science block. Headteacher Roger Cannon said it was part of a long-term project to increase the number of

  • 66% rise urged for Mayor Mallon

    AN independent review panel is calling for an "urgent" review of the allowance paid to Middlesbrough Mayor Ray Mallon. A review panel chaired by University of Teesside vice-chancellor, Professor Derek Fraser, says: "It is the considered opinion of the

  • End of the line for telephone kiosks

    BRITISH Telecom is planning to remove 32 kiosks in the Scarborough, Whitby and Ryedale areas. In Scarborough Borough Council's area, 22 are to be removed, while ten will go at Ryedale. Councillor Alan Farnaby, leader of Ryedale council, said: "It would

  • Rural office complex is set to grow

    A STATELY home which has already won major awards since it entered the business market, has confirmed that it is hoping to build on its success. The converted stables at Aske Hall have won recognition for their design - including that of the Country Land

  • News in brief: Police operation 'a success'

    AN operation to tackle drink-fuelled youth disorder has been hailed a success by police. Operation Tipple was set up in the Sunderland West area in response to a large volume of complaints. It aimed to stop the illegal sales of alcohol to underage drinkers

  • Reserves go out

    IN THEIR delayed first round Durham Challenge Cup tie last week, Darlington Reserves lost 3-2 away to Washington after leading 2-1 at half-time with goals from Richard Addison and Martin Smith. Darlington had a chance to make it 3-3 when they were awarded

  • News in brief: Lottery boost for school

    A SCHOOL for youngsters with severe learning difficulties has been awarded more than £2,000 in National Lottery cash. The Dales School, at Morton-on-Swale, near Northallerton, has received £2,140 from the Awards for All scheme to run a drama project.

  • Amdega man gets OBE

    A BUSINESSMAN who has helped to rejuvenate a 128-year-old Darlington conservatory company has received an Order of the British Empire at Buckingham Palace. Colin Taylor, 42, managing director of timber conservatory maker Amdega, was awarded the OBE for

  • Remember them with pride at a parade or service near you

    All events are on Sunday, unless otherwise stated TEESSIDE BILLINGHAM - 10.30am parade from East Avenue Community Hall, Billingham, to the Garden of Remembrance in Station Road, at 11am. BOOSBECK - 2.30pm wreath-laying at war memorial, followed by 2.45pm

  • Falcons gamble on Va'a

    NEWCASTLE Falcons are set to pitch Samoan international Earl Va'a straight into Zurich Premiership action when they visit bottom club Bristol tomorrow. The 30-year-old fly half has arrived from New Zealand for a four-week stay to help the Falcons during

  • 'Pedestrian heart' plan for centre of Darlington

    PLANS to create a 'pedestrian heart' in Darlington town centre within two years have been revealed. Under the proposals, four main roads would be pedestrianised between 9am and 5.30pm. The changes were suggested in a Town Centre Access Study carried out

  • Robson's choice

    He's not interested in parties or premiers any more. Actor Robson Green would rather concentrate on making his North-East -based production company a huge success. These are tough times for TV top names. No longer do their names automatically mean huge

  • Unibond League: Caffrey handed keeper's gloves

    Bishop Auckland will give new keeper John Caffrey his debut as they try to climb away out of the bottom three in their away game at Farsley Celtic today. Manager Brian Honour has brought in Caffrey from Whitley Bay to replace former Darlington keeper

  • Mowden Park hit by bad luck

    DARLINGTON Mowden Park rugby 1st XV continued to have bad luck when they were denied a deserved win by a converted try in injury time at Liverpool St Helens. They lost this Division Three North game 21-20. In atrocious conditions Mowden led 11-8 at half-time

  • Minister raps bank's school selling tactics

    A BAPTIST minister has condemned a high street bank for targeting children as potential customers while they were at school. The Reverend Dr John Elliston was outraged when he discovered children at a Darlington school had been encouraged to open a Halifax

  • Williams eyes cash prize

    WHEN Venetia Williams lines up one of her big guns for a major staying chase, such as this afternoon's £50,000 "Badger Beer" at Wincanton, then the opposition better watch out. The Hereford-based handler has always been a dab hand at getting her horses

  • Health campaign gets a boost

    A PIONEERING healthy living partnership launched in Wear Valley is a model that could be put in place throughout the UK, Health Secretary Alan Milburn has said. The Advertiser's sister paper The Northern Echo teamed up with Wear Valley District Council

  • Police rescue suicidal woman from cold sea

    Brave policemen who plucked a suicidal woman from the sea seconds before she would have been praised by senior officers. Inspector Neil Ingham and Sgt Leo Suret waded into the sea off Scarborough's South Bay at 2.30am on Friday after calls to say a woman

  • For Your Benefit: Eligible for care allowance

    Q My husband and I, both aged 79, get retirement pensions at the standard rates for a couple and he gets Attendance Allowance. Is it true that I can now claim Carer's Allowance? A The 65 age limit for claiming the £42.45 a week Carer's Allowance has been

  • I've been away - if you hadn't noticed

    I AM back. It is four weeks since my words last graced this outside leg of the paper. You probably won't have noticed my absence because I've spent the last four weeks being completely overlooked. We've had a baby. Our second. Admittedly, my part in this

  • Talking Point: Worthington Cup is not worth the gamble

    SECURING top-flight status has never been more important in the wake of the ITV Digital crisis, so can we really blame Premiership clubs for devaluing the Worthington Cup by fielding weakened sides when the pitfalls are so great? Clogging up an already

  • Hartlepool school left unstable after fire

    A school has been left dangerously unstable after fire ripped through it in the early hours of this morning. The blaze was discovered at 1.15am on Saturday morning in the Humanities Block of St Peter's School in King Oswy Drive, Hartlepool. Although the

  • Tait is aiming to outshine Diamonds

    Caretaker boss Mick Tait faces the toughest test of his caretaker manager reign when he takes his in-form side to second-placed Rushden today. Quakers remain unbeaten under the leadership of Tait, with a win and two draws. This afternoon they face a Rushden

  • Viana told he must fill Robert's role

    HUGO Viana was last night ordered to put his strong objections to playing on the wing out of his head and become Newcastle United's favourite wide boy. Sir Bobby Robson knows Viana despises being deployed on the left-hand side of midfield - a position

  • Widow of 99 dies hours after bogus caller ordeal

    A MURDER-style investigation was under way last night after a 99-year-old widow died only hours after being the victim of a bogus caller. Police officers found Rose Hunter dead in her home in Stanley Grove, Heaton, Newcastle, on Thursday morning, after

  • Bright inventors win Smart funding

    BRIGHT ideas from some of the region's most go-ahead companies have been rewarded with almost £1.5m in grants. An awards ceremony at County Durham's Beamish Hall recently brought together the cream of North-East talent in the business world. All 29 winners

  • Steve strikes gold in World Masters

    FERRYHILL cyclist Steve Davies is back from the World Masters' Games in Melbourne after winning three gold medals and a silver. "I just seemed to have magic legs," said Mr Davies, 50, an insurance broker with BIB in Darlington. He joined 25,000 other

  • Sir Ninja worth an outside bet

    FAILED chaser Sir Ninja (3.30) is worthy of an each-way bet in the £40,000 Tote Scoop6 November Handicap, provided rain-affected Doncaster passes an 8am inspection. The final high-profile mile-and-a-half handicap of the season is always ferociously competitive

  • Old ties renewed as bird hide opened

    YOUNG nature lovers have renewed old ties between a village school and one of the region's largest reservoirs. Pupils from Shotley Bridge Junior School, near Consett, were the first in line to enjoy a £20,000 bird hide at Derwent Reservoir. The project

  • Trust distributes health service advice

    PEOPLE in the Sedgefield borough have started receiving postal information about their local health services. The leaflet, called Your Guide to Local Health Services, produced by Sedgefield Primary Care Trust, is being distributed to all homes in the

  • Minister sees plans

    A GOVERNMENT minister is taking an interest in a town's plans for a multi-million pound police station. Home Office Criminal Justice Minister Lord Falconer was briefed on plans to build a replacement police station in Middlesbrough on a visit to Teesside

  • Thieves target pensioner aged 84

    POLICE are appealing for information after a distraction burglary at an elderly woman's home. A man entered a pensioner's bungalow, in Aycliffe Village, through the back door at about 11.30am on Monday, claiming to be checking the water system. Police

  • Parish council's secret benefactor

    AN anonymous benefactor has come forward to help a parish council buy its village green after a 50-year saga. Neasham Parish Council believed the strip of land on the river bank had been a gift from the previous owner of Abbey House. But when Peter Phillips

  • Bingo cyclists get off to a flier

    STAFF from a Darlington bingo club have been taking part in a sponsored bike ride for charity. Five workers from Gala Bingo, in Skinnergate, set off from Gala's Newcastle club at 11.30am and cycled more than 44 miles to the Darlington branch, arriving

  • Peculiar musical interlude

    EXOTIC instruments from all parts of the world were on show at a Darlington school yesterday. Raventhorpe Preparatory School welcomed back the award-winning show Travelling by Tuba after a successful visit last year. Performers Gavin Woods and Stewart

  • Checkout the new look for store manager

    A SUPERMARKET manager has been putting his head to good use in a bid to raise money for a teenager who lost two limbs in an accident. Ian Watt, manager of the Safeway store, in Cockerton, Darlington, volunteered to have his head shaved to raise funds

  • Youngsters roll up for skate event

    MORE than 250 youngsters from all over North Yorkshire rolled up with their skateboards for the county's first Skate Fest. Organised by North Yorkshire County Council's Connecting Youth Culture arts project, in partnership with Northallerton's Sketchy

  • Youngsters raise hospice cash

    ST Teresa's Hospice in Darlington has received a donation of £120 from children at Cockerton CE Primary School. The funds were raised during the school's harvest festival celebrations, where a collection was held in aid of the hospice. David Jones, community

  • Work could start on new store soon

    WORK to turn a former stationers' shop in Darlington into a department store is likely to begin before Christmas, developers have said. Terrace Hill confirmed that a major national retailer was expected to exchange contracts on the former Dressers shop

  • Scout troop seeking out old members

    A SCOUT troop is appealing to former members to get in touch to help celebrate a landmark birthday. The 9th Darlington Scout group is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year with a series of events, including a church service and an open night. The

  • It's a first for Huntsman as father and son open new plant

    GLOBAL chemicals business Huntsman has opened a manufacturing facility on Teesside. The ICON 2 titanium dioxide plant, at the company's Greatham site, is the first plant designed and built by Huntsman since the company was founded by chairman Jon Huntsman

  • Station's future

    THE people behind a bid to set up a charitable trust to run Richmond's former railway station will meet to decide how they will present the idea to the local authority. After a five-and-a-half-hour debate behind closed doors on Wednesday night, Richmondshire

  • Hairdressers turn on the style in national title bid

    THREE students from Darlington College of Technology have been getting in some last-minute practice before taking part in a national hairdressing competition. Joanne Barras, 18, Veronica Copeland, 25, and Sarah Walker, 17, are representing the college

  • Police vow to continue with crackdown on drug dealers

    POLICE are giving drug dealers a stark warning - 'expect a knock on your door, we are coming to get you'. Traffickers in narcotics have been given the message by Stockton Police Commander, Chief Superintendent John Tough, whose officers have seized more

  • Lib-Dems commit to scrap Barnett formula

    A COMMITMENT to scrap the controversial funding formula which discriminates against the North-East in favour of Scotland, has been included in the Liberal Democrats "Alternative Queen's Speech". At the launch of the document, published in advance of next

  • Anaesthetist cleared of sex assaults on patients

    A married anaesthetist was cleared of sexually assaulting female patients by the General Medical Council yesterday. Dr Chandra Ganatra, 51, told of his delight that his reputation had been restored after sex claims from three patients and three nurses

  • Hear All Sides: Television

    I MUST take issue with comments (HAS, Nov 6) which were critical of recent BBC comedy offerings, comparing these programmes to the so- called "Golden Age" of British TV comedy. I, for one, would agree that shows like Dads Army, Fawlty Towers and Monty

  • Accused in murder case faces court

    A MAN will appear in court next week charged with the murder of a popular North-East journalist. Lee Alan Cook, a roofer, of Longe Road, Norwich, has been charged with the murder of Lorraine Turner, 37, originally from Newton Aycliffe, County Durham.

  • £1m grants will help project steam ahead

    FINAL funding has been given for an ambitious North-East museum projects to celebrate the region's golden railway heritage. More than £7m is set to be poured into the creation of a North-East railway village dedicated to the pioneers of steam. The development

  • Pay us what we are owed - farmers

    FARMERS fighting for more than £1m from the Government for work during the foot-and-mouth crisis vowed yesterday never to work for them again unless they were paid in advance. More than a year after the region was declared disease free, the Northumberland

  • Original mod on charity scoot up and down UK

    A SCOOTER enthusiast is to ride 1,500 miles round the country to raise money for a disabled children's play scheme. Tony Diamond will be reliving his 1960s mod days when he sets off on the marathon ride tomorrow. Mr Diamond, a club entertainer, runs the

  • Group for sufferers 'in danger of folding'

    A GROUP for people who have suffered strokes is in danger of folding unless more helpers come forward. Durham Stroke Club, which has just celebrated its 20th anniversary, meets every Tuesday at the Pity Me Community Centre and provides a social lifeline

  • Lumberjacks work overtime to meet the Christmas demand

    THE Christmas countdown has begun for forestry workers on the North York Moors. The felling of more than 10,000 Christmas trees began on Wednesday to ensure shops all over the country will be supplied in time for Christmas. The moors are the Forestry

  • Minors explore a life working in leisure

    CHILDREN from a Middlesbrough school have been learning about working in the leisure and tourism industry at Tom Leonard's Mining Museum. Year ten pupils from Ormesby Comprehensive School saw how underground explosions are simulated and how the voluntary

  • Ice rink seeks carol singers

    CAROL singers are being sought to bring a touch of Christmas spirit to an ice rink. The Centre for Life in Newcastle is looking for choirs from around the region to sing at its temporary rink. All groups will be invited to bring their collection tins

  • Experts to advise on opera site

    EXPERTS are being brought in to give advice on how to re-develop the derelict Royal Opera House at Scarborough, which has been bought by one of the resort's leading seafront amusement arcade families. The purchase of the 1,000-seat theatre by Nikolas

  • News in brief: Police operation 'a success'

    AN operation to tackle drink-fuelled youth disorder has been hailed a success by police. Operation Tipple was set up in the Sunderland West area in response to a large volume of complaints. It aimed to stop the illegal sales of alcohol to underage drinkers

  • Start-ups boost

    START-UP figures are set for a boost with the launch of a partnership between enterprise agencies and Business Link Tyne and Wear. The contract, worth more than £2m, has been won by a consortium of four local agencies - Entrust, Project North East, North

  • Threat to factory as ABB plans 10,000 job cuts

    MORE than 100 jobs at a North-East factory could be under threat, following an announcement yesterday by struggling engineering group ABB. The Swiss-Swedish firm, which employs 120 people at its Sunderland factory, said it could have to cut 10,000 jobs

  • Cabbie who killed a man walks free from court

    A TAXI driver found guilty of killing a man who died after a single punch walked free from court yesterday. The Recorder of Middlesbrough, Judge Peter Fox, sentenced Mazhar Ali, formerly of Park Road in Stockton, to two years in prison for the manslaughter

  • Basic skills learning chance for workers

    A COUNCIL is pioneering a training scheme that will help its workers learn basic skills. Labour-run Durham City Council has teamed up with five unions, Durham County Council and TUC Learning Services to create Push Ahead. The project aims to give employees

  • Charity's gifts plea

    PEOPLE are being asked to add an extra item to their Christmas shopping list to help poverty-stricken families in the North-East. The Children North-East charity, which supports more than 2,000 families in the region, is making the request as part of

  • Jonny lights up shops

    Big Brother star Jonny Regan turned on more than 500,000 Christmas lights at the Gateshead MetroCentre. Joining the County Durham firefighter were the centre's entertainers, the MetroGnomes, while volunteers from Kings Meadow School, Gateshead, were on

  • Clubs open longer to beat rush

    A TOWN'S nightclubs are to be given longer opening hours in a bid to make the local streets safer. The three-month experiment in Harrogate is an effort to minimise public disorder on the streets. Three clubs, Cardinal Sins, Jimmy's and Po Na Na, will

  • School leavers get sorted thanks to magazine

    SCHOOL leavers will be given more career guidance and advice thanks to the launch of a specialist magazine. Students in North Yorkshire will benefit from the magazine, called Sorted! that outlines the choices available when they leave school at the end

  • They're all our heroes

    TWO soldiers awarded the Victoria Cross for outstanding bravery during the Falklands War will be honoured in a Remembrance Day ceremony. The widow of Lieutenant Colonel "H" Jones and the mother of Sergeant Ian McKay will lay the final wreaths at Sunderland's

  • Link-up plan for tourism centres

    THE tourism centre in Darlington could soon be linked up to others in the area. Northumbria Tourist Board is hoping to work with local authorities across the region to create a Northumbria Network of Tourism Information Centres (TICs). The network would

  • Art that reaches out to victims of war

    AN emerging artist used his engineering skills to create an evocative tribute to the fallen of the First World War. Ray Lonsdale's finished work, the Return of the Souls, has gone on display at the Durham Light Infantry Museum and Durham Art Gallery.

  • Architects compete to build new centre in parkland

    THE cream of Britain's architects are bidding to design a heritage resource centre for a nationally important historic landscape. In all, 73 consultants expressed interest in designing a new building for Hardwick Park, near Sedgefield, which is to be

  • Mayor launches poppy appeal

    THE ANNUAL poppy appeal in Durham is receiving cross-community support, headed by the city Mayor. Coun Eileen Rochford was joined by leaders of community groups and institutions from across the city at the launch of the Royal British Legion's 2002 appeal

  • Post is far cry from teaching

    A RETIRED schoolteacher has been picked as Chester-le-Street's first town crier. Marjorie Dodds was the only woman out of five candidates short-listed for the post, all of whom were put before an impromptu audience of town centre shoppers and judges last

  • Saints marching on

    DUE TO waterlogged pitches the Darlington Dalecom Church and Friendly Football League weekend fixtures were reduced to four games. Aycliffe Saints kept up their challenge at the top against another side pushing for league honours, Darlington The Mowden

  • Parents relieved as play ban is lifted

    COUNCILLORS have successfully fought for the removal of a 'no ball games' sign which was forcing children to cross a busy road to reach the only remaining play area in their village. The sign angered parents in Aycliffe Village, who claimed the grassed

  • Friends rally round for Ben

    A FATHER has been overwhelmed by the level of support from villagers and friends to raise money for his injured son. Ben Woods, 17, from Hurworth, near Darlington, lost his right arm and left leg after being struck by a train in July. The student from

  • Wearside League: Wolviston seek revenge

    Wolviston could find Ferryhill Athletic a different proposition to the side they defeated last month when they meet in the second round of the Monkwearmouth Charity Cup this afternoon. Ferryhill have shown considerable improvement in recent weeks and

  • Call for tougher laws on fireworks

    A CALL is being made for the Government to ban children from having fireworks. Councillor Tom Mawston, leader of the Liberal Democrat group on Middlesbrough Council, is urging all councillors to back a motion before next week's full council meeting, appealing

  • Police launch new bid to beat burglars

    A SERIES of anti-burglary offensives is being mounted by police in an attempt to halt the seasonal upsurge in house break-ins caused by the long, dark nights. A four-month operation, codenamed Lancelot, is being planned across Sedgefield borough, focusing

  • School feels let down as bid fails

    A COMPREHENSIVE school has failed in the first stage of its bid to become a business and enterprise centre. Branksome School in Dar*ington was aiming to raise £50,000 to gain the specialist status this year. But only just over half that amount has been

  • IDS into battle against assembly

    BELEAGUERED Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith came to the North-East yesterday to launch a pre-emptive strike against Labour's plans for a regional assembly. It is almost certain that the Parliamentary path towards a North-East assembly will begin in the

  • Plea for help to revamp estate's activity centre

    ESTATE residents have issued a plea to business people to help them in their quest to improve their meeting place. From the outside, Woodhouse Close Community Centre looks almost derelict, with boarded up windows and graffiti. But what is fast becoming

  • FA Vase: Holders enter the Vase fray

    Whitley Bay start their defence of the FA Vase with a game at fellow Northern League side Billingham Synthonia today - and manager Andy Gowens admits the going will be tough. Whitley beat Tiptree in the final last May but their league form hasn't matched

  • The Albany League: Leigh is Granted his debut

    Shildon will give new defender Leigh Grant his debut when they take on Marske United at Dean Street this afternoon. Grant has been unable to hold down a regular place at Spennymoor in recent weeks, and Shildon boss Ray Gowan has snapped him up. Gowan

  • In The Picture: Robson's choice

    He's not interested in parties or premiers any more. Actor Robson Green would rather concentrate on making his North-East -based production company a huge success. These are tough times for TV top names. No longer do their names automatically mean huge

  • 'Pensions for the dead' con exposed

    DETECTIVES have uncovered a "fake" pensions scandal involving thousands of pounds swindled from the Railways Pension Board headquarters in the North-East, The Northern Echo can reveal. Officers working on the inquiry uncovered fraudsters who had taken

  • Service will help small firms

    A FOOD distribution service which starts next week will enable struggling producers to get their goods to new markets. The service, based in Pickering, North Yorkshire, will end supply problems and take the county's finest food to a wider audience. The

  • Morpeth bid for third English relay title

    LEADING North-East club Morpeth Harriers take three senior men's teams to this afternoon's English Cross Country Relay Championships at Mansfield as they try to win the title for a third time. The Northumbrians, runners up in last month's National Six-Stage

  • Westwood coming to terms with Turner blow

    LIFE without Chris Turner could take some getting used to for Chris Westwood. As Hartlepool United headed for Exeter yesterday without Turner, who today takes his Sheffield Wednesday side to Norwich, the in-form Pool defender admits to feeling a tinge

  • Young super cooks

    TEENAGERS Megan Hutchinson and Melissa Carr have won recognition for their culinary skills. The two 13-year-olds from Parkside Secondary School, Willington, have been voted the North-East's best up-and-coming chefs in a national school dinners competition

  • Mo and Vera open centre

    MO Mowlam returned to her old stomping ground last Friday to see for herself the brand new town centre she helped to create. The former Redcar MP and Northern Ireland minister said the new £26m Regent Walk shopping centre would help to recreate the town's

  • Campaigners reject fresh concessions

    A NEW concession to private patients by the Richard Neale inquiry has failed to impress campaigners. Yesterday, The Northern Echo exclusively reported that the group leader, Sheila Wright-Hogeland, is recommending that victims of the former Friarage Hospital

  • Some golden jubilee souvenirs

    A POT of gold awaited primary school pupils when they turned up for lessons yesterday. Children at Eldon Lane Primary School were presented with commemorative coins in celebration of the Queen's golden jubilee. The gifts were presented by members of Dene

  • New member

    Ron Greenwell has been co-opted on to Ferryhill Town Council to fill a vacancy in the Dean Bank ward.

  • Bus shelter fronts to be removed

    TWO bus shelters in Ferryhill are to have their fronts removed after protests that they are being used as meeting places by youths. The shelters at the aged miners' homes in Joseph Patterson Crescent and William Keers Crescent used to be open to the elements

  • Tributes paid to ex-captain

    TRIBUTE has been paid to a former captain of Sunderland AFC who has died from motor neurone disease. Rob Hindmarch died this week, aged 41, in the US, where he was a coach at a soccer school for children. The central defender, who was born in Morpeth,

  • Grassroots: Crook

    IDEAS NEEDED: A meeting takes place on Monday, at 6.30pm, in the Baptist church in Grave Street, to discuss ideas for improving the open space in Arthur Street. The Crook Partnership has already received a Wear Valley Community Network Grant to have the

  • School-leavers options review

    A WIDE-ranging review could lead to a shake-up of post-16 education and training in County Durham. Levels of participation and achievement in education after school-leaving age are traditionally lower than the national average. Provision by schools, colleges

  • News in brief: Gaming permit bid dropped

    Count Cash Amusements has withdrawn its application to Darlington Borough Council for a gaming permit for the Take-a-Break Caf on Cockerton Green. The company took the decision after it was refused planning permission to change the use of the premises

  • Funding boost joy for youth workers

    YOUTH workers celebrated yesterday after picking up £30,000 in funding to help keep youngsters off the streets and out of trouble. The Lloyds TSB Foundation made the grant yesterday to the YMCA in Parliament Street, Consett. The cash, spread over three

  • News in breif: Warning given to residents

    CLEVELAND Police are urging people in Marton, Middlesbrough, to be on their guard against two teenagers calling at houses in the area claiming to be looking for someone or offering to do odd jobs. Residents in the Chestnut Drive and Cypress Road area

  • Duke's visit to wartime exhibition

    THE Duke of Edinburgh paid a visit to one of the region's tourist attraction yesterday to unveil an exhibition dedicated to Second World War "human torpedoes". Prince Philip was at Eden Camp, near Malton, North Yorkshire, the former Second World War prisoner

  • School-leavers options review

    A WIDE-ranging review could lead to a shake-up of post-16 education and training in County Durham. Levels of participation and achievement in education after school-leaving age are traditionally lower than the national average. Provision by schools, colleges

  • I'm no hero, says lifesaver who plunged into river

    A MAN who plunged into a dangerous river to save a pensioner says he is no hero - but professional rescuers think otherwise. Bradley Margach, 24, was presented with a bronze life saving medal of the Order of St John yesterday - an award made only to those

  • Eating tips for diabetics

    DIETICIANS will give out eating advice during a tour of Sainsbury's store at the Arnison Centre, Pity Me, Durham, on Monday, at 4.30pm. Dieticians from the University Hospital of North Dur-ham and Shotley Bridge, near Consett, will show diabetics what

  • School's apology over girl's wander

    A FOUR-YEAR-OLD girl wandered off after a school lunch-break and walked half-a-mile before staff noticed she was missing. The school has apologised to the youngster's parents and arranged to step up security at the Tyneside primary school. The girl's

  • News in brief: Fares go up on buses

    Passengers on buses in Darlington run by Stagecoach face increased fares from tomorrow. Single fares will all be increased and a £1 fare will be introduced for longer journeys in the town. There will be no changes to adult, child weekly and monthly saver

  • Spare a minute to shape the future of transport

    ROAD users are being told a few minutes of their time could help shape the future of transport. Drivers in Middlesbrough, Stockton and Redcar will be flagged down by police officers and trained inteviewers from Monday and asked about their travel patterns

  • Disabled canoeists make a grand splash for Children In Need

    TWO disabled canoeists aim to make a real splash for charity. Stuart Vallely, of Middlesbrough, and Stuart Carter, of Guisborough, are hoping a 60 mile paddle up and down the River Tees will have raised £1,000 for BBC Children in Need. The duo's attempt

  • Guarantee given over needle bins

    CONTROVERSIAL plans to put boxes on lampposts for drug addicts' used needles will not go ahead without the approval of a town's residents. The pledge from Middlesbrough Council follows an outcry in North Ormesby, Middlesbrough, where some residents threatened

  • Fire suicide victim faced porn probe

    A MAN under investigation by police over allegations of child pornography set fire to himself at a moorland beauty spot, an inquest was told. A verdict that John Agar killed himself while the balance of his mind was disturbed, was recorded by the North

  • News in brief: Warning given to residents

    CLEVELAND Police are urging people in Marton, Middlesbrough, to be on their guard against two teenagers calling at houses in the area claiming to be looking for someone or offering to do odd jobs. Residents in the Chestnut Drive and Cypress Road area

  • Call for tougher laws on fireworks

    A CALL is being made for the Government to ban children from having fireworks. Councillor Tom Mawston, leader of the Liberal Democrat group on Middlesbrough Council, is urging all councillors to back a motion before next week's full council meeting, appealing

  • Minibus gift for kids handed over

    SUNDERLAND entrepreneur Sir Tom Cowie has handed over a specially adapted minibus to a school. Castle Green Community School, at Hylton Castle, Sunderland, has been given the 17-seater bus for school visits and residential trips to an outdoor activity

  • Rewards on offer for good attendance

    A SCHEME promoting good attendance among primary school pupils and their parents is being run in Wearside. The Every Schoolday Counts project, supported by the Children's Fund and Sunderland Education Authority, involves children being rewarded for good

  • Getting out of a right-wing pickle?

    It's been a bad week for the Conservative leader, but in a visit to the North-East yesterday he was in bullish mood. Political Editor Chris Lloyd takes a stroll with IDS. "CAN you tell me where the Conservatives are?" the barman at the Pitcher and Piano

  • Ideal opportunity for entrepreneurs to gleam

    THE successes of some of the North-East's most original and inventive young entrepreneurs will be showcased next week. An exhibition at Durham City's Gala Theatre on Monday will focus on business men and women who launched ventures after taking part in