NEVER mind the Ides of March - Newcastle's new manager should beware the end of August. When Sir Bobby Robson was sacked yesterday, he became the third successive Magpies boss to be relieved of his duties in the final week of the month. Kenny Dalglish
A CANADIAN senator, whose brother was a member of Second World War airman Andrew Mynarski's crew, has backed The Northern Echo's Forgotten Hero appeal. William Kelly's brother, Jim, was the last surviving crew member of the fateful flight from the Royal
A FIRE dog has been praised after it was called in to sniff out suspected petrol bombers. Durham Police called in Phoenix and handler Dave Myers, of Northumberland Fire and Rescue's Arson Task Force, after one of their vans was firebombed. Two home-made
A list of more than 500 names has been suggested to fill one of the most prestigious posts in the academic world. Nominations close tomorrow (Tuesday) in the search for a new chancellor of Durham University to succeed actor Sir Peter Ustinov - who died
Breaking news: students leave university in debt. It may not be scoop of the year, but The Push Guide to Money has calculated the average student debt to be £11,830. To make things worse, they also reckon the average price of a pint in a union bar has
Council leaders in large parts of the region are spurning controversial orders designed to crack down on local louts, new figures show. Six local authorities in the North-East and a further four in North Yorkshire failed to obtain a single anti-social
A MAN drowned as he attempted to swim across the River Tees yesterday - despite the desperate efforts of two friends to save him. They were unable to reach the man, in his early 20s, and a major operation was launched, involving a helicopter and rescue
JESSOPS has unveiled a new weapon in the battle to remain a major force in the digitally-driven photographic industry. The photographic retailer has started a joint venture with Pixology, a supplier of digital photography software and networks, to offer
A campaign has been launched to save the last remaining building which formed part of what was once Europe's largest mental institution. Much of the former Winterton Hospital at Sedgefield, County Durham, has already been developed to make way for housing
Plans to expand a quarry near an ancient monument have been likened to 'dropping Stonehenge into the River Avon'. The comment comes from archaeologists backing protestors fighting the expansion of Nosterfield Quarry, close to Thornborough Henges, near
THE Government collected £3.2m as a result of fines paid by motorists trapped by speed cameras in the North-East's biggest police force area, a report has revealed. The Northumbria Safety Camera Partnership's first annual report showed that more than
Actor Stephen Matthews is taking to the stage as his idol Kenneth Williams. He talks to Steve Pratt. STEPHEN Matthews is reluctant to say he's doing an impression of Kenneth Williams in the play that opens Harrogate Theatre's new season. He doesn't want
A DRINK-DRIVER who killed his teenage passenger when he crashed his car into a taxi after a night out has been jailed. Apprentice joiner Karl Howell, now 20, had been drinking Smirnoff Ice during a night out with his friend, Lee Wise, in Crook, County
Library doors remained closed across a county at the weekend as staff staged a threatened strike. All 38 Durham County Council-run libraries were unable to open due to day-long action by staff members in the public service union Unison. They voted 55-
The Conservative Party Candidate for the forthcoming Hartlepool by-election is to be Jeremy Middleton, a North-East based company director and management consultant who has worked extensively with public and private organisations in the region. Mr Middleton
A drink-driver who killed his teenage passenger when he smashed his car into a taxi after a night out has been jailed. Apprentice joiner Karl Howell, 20, had been drinking Smirnoff Ice during a night out with his pal Lee Wise in Crook, County Durham,
"All I ever wanted to do was play for Newcastle. I'd stand on the terraces dreaming of the day I would walk out on that hallowed turf." That day arrived for Alan Shearer on August 6, 1996, when he was paraded as the world's most expensive player as 15,000
A brother and sister who died in identical swimming pool accidents two years apart may both have suffered a rare heart defect which can be triggered by water and loud noise. Daniel and Anne-Marie Readshaw were both 13 when they collapsed and died with
A SCHOOLBOY was injured in a drive-by shooting that has alarmed police. Scott Cooper, 12, was shot in the arm close to his home in Darlington by a yob brandishing a weapon from inside a car. Police investigating the shooting have described it as shocking
A POLICE search was being carried out last night for a possible assault victim after an hysterical woman, covered in blood, flagged down a car. The woman told the driver early yesterday she had carried out a serious assault on a man and needed to get
MUCH heralded, the grotesquely titled Accomodating Brocolli in the Cemetary - a bit like Eats, Shoots and Leaves but described as "a delightful compendium rather than a zero tolerance guide" - is published tomorrow. Compiled by Vivian Cook, professor
MIDDLESBROUGH striker Massimo Maccarone went from despair to joy last night after completing his on-off loan move to Parma. The Italian international has finally moved back to his homeland after Parma agreed a season-long loan deal with Boro - hours after
Seeking shelter from the torrential downpours, the column finds more than mythical sustenance at the Ancient Unicorn at Bowes. IN the Book of Genesis, it will be recalled, the rain fell upon the earth for 40 days and 40 nights but that it was another
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The Royal Mail was today under increasing pressure to deliver the goods - after it emerged that a record £50m compensation was being paid out for mail arriving late. New figures revealed that the organisation missed all of its targets in the first quarter
PLANS to expand a quarry near an ancient monument have been likened to dropping Stonehenge into the River Avon. The comment comes from archaeologists backing protestors fighting the expansion of Nosterfield Quarry, close to Thornborough Henges, near Bedale
The Liberal Democrats were today accused of "re-writing history" by claiming they are the main rivals to Labour in the Hartlepool by-election. Stephen Allison, the candidate for the UK Independence Party, claimed the Lib Dems were trying to mislead people
A MAN was bitten on the leg by a police dog after football fans clashed with police at a railway station, a court heard. Andrew Baker, 28, allegedly kicked the animal in the head during the violent disturbance at Thornaby railway station. Teesside Crown
TOM TUN is the each-way banker bet of the day provided he's in the right frame of mind for the £20,000 BASF Handicap at York. Despite significant market support on his penultimate outing in the Great St Wilfred Handicap, Tom Tun threw the toys out of
CONSUMERS' appetite for debt eased during July amid further signs that the housing market was slowing down, figures have shown. People increased their borrowings by £10.41bn during the month, the weakest figure since December last year and £1.1bn below
DEFENCE specialist Joyce Loebl has won a £6m tank fleet contract - one of its biggest deals to date.\par The company which is based in Gateshead has signed the deal with Alvis Vickers, in Newcastle, to provide computerised engine and gearbox controls
A man was left needing ten staples in a gaping head wound after an unprovoked attack which he believes was racially motivated. Lenny Ankum had a bottle smashed over his head and was glassed in the face by a gang of men as he left a pub near Peterlee,
LAURENT Robert last night revealed that he was "really mad" when Sir Bobby Robson told him he had been sacked as manager of Newcastle United. The French midfielder was one of the players Robson gathered together at Newcastle's Benton training ground on
A Canadian senator whose brother was a member of Second World War airman Andrew Mynarski's crew has backed The Northern Echo's Forgotten Hero appeal. William Kelly's brother Jim was the last surviving crew member of the fateful flight from the Royal Canadian
DARLINGTON boss David Hodgson last night delivered his verdict on the season so far - and believes inconsistency has cost his side a place among the early League Two pacesetters. After six league games Quakers lie 11th in the table ahead of this Saturday's
A WEBSITE has been launched to allow Ryanair workers to speak out against management anonymously. The International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) said www.Ryan-be-fair.org will protect the rights of the budget airline's staff and provide an opportunity
THERE'S no lech like an old lech and Dirty Den has a reputation - and libido - to keep up as one of Soapland's most active lotharios. But he really shouldn't have tried to plant a plonker on the lips of Zoe in EastEnders (BBC1). She's not only his son's
He's worked with some of the country's most beautiful stars but now make-up artist Car Ryan is turning his attention to the women of Darlington. He talks to Jenny Needham. IT'S a long time since I've had the undivided attention of an attractive 31-year-old
PARENTS Iain and Marie Readshaw are calling for greater awareness of the rare medical condition which claimed the lives of their son and daughter. And it is a call which we are happy to support. It is impossible to imagine how the Readshaw family have
A GOOD friend raised hundreds of pounds in a charity bungee jump yesterday in memory of a 15-year-old boy with epilepsy who died in his bed. The mother of recently deceased Arron Smith watched as family friend Catherine Storey, 39, completed the jump.
MANAGERLESS Newcastle United face a fraught beat the deadline day on the transfer front as chairman Freddy Shepherd attempts to solve the club's defensive crisis. Having admitted defeat in the race to sign Wayne Rooney from Everton, the Magpies are armed
A campaign has been launched to save the last remaining building which formed part of what was once Europe's largest mental institution. Much of the former Winterton Hospital at Sedgefield, County Durham, has already been developed to make way for housing
The family of a teenage brother and sister who died in almost identical swimming pool tragedies has called for greater awareness of a rare heart condition thought to have caused their deaths. Daniel and Anne-Marie Readshaw were both 13 when they collapsed
The ninth centenary of a northern saint's preserved remains being committed to a shrine will be celebrated with a series of events at Durham Cathedral next weekend. Saturday marks the 900th anniversary of what has become known as the Translation of the
Actor Stephen Matthews is taking to the stage as his idol Kenneth Williams. He talks to Steve Pratt. STEPHEN Matthews is reluctant to say he's doing an impression of Kenneth Williams in the play that opens Harrogate Theatre's new season. He doesn't want
REGIONAL GOVERNMENT JOHN Prescott states assemblies have nothing to do with Brussels, but that it is home grown by the Labour party. What rubbish. Regionalisation was put on the agenda for this country as far back as 1937 in the book, which after being
THE man who stood face-to-face with Sir Bobby Robson yesterday morning to tell him he was being 'relieved of his position' at St James' Park has, at best, enjoyed a mixed relationship with the Newcastle United fans. Despite many supporters voicing concerns
Weekends are not what they were. Thank Goodness. A survey by a London tourist organisation has revealed that we're not making the most of our weekends. Too many of us spend the time working, shopping or doing the housework. And after a few carefree hours
ONE of the North-East's oldest shipping companies has invested £1.5m to expand its fleet. GT Gillie and Blair, which lists Corus and Cleveland Potash among its clients, has bought three new cargo ships as part of expansion and modernisation programme.
Goal hero Ryan Valentine may have earned a deserved point by grabbing Darlington's equaliser but he wasn't entirely satisfied with his afternoon's work against Cambridge United yesterday. Yesterday's 1-1 draw was the first time the Welsh full-back had
THE World Trade Organisation (WTO) has authorised the European Union and other leading trade partners to impose sanctions against the United States in response to illegal anti-dumping rules. EU Trade Commission Pascal Lamy welcomed the ruling, saying:
REGIONAL GOVERNMENT I TOO noticed the slanted use of images in the Government booklet on the Regional Assembly Referendum (Echo, Aug 28), and I share the view that this crude manipulation calls into question the fairness of the vote. But there is another
Jim Kelly,the last surviving member of the crew who were with Canadian airman Andrew Mynarski on his final mission died earlier this year, aged. Nathalie Bibeau, a researcher for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, who interviewed him for a documentary
A COUNCILLOR who has been the subject of an investigation into his conduct has called for an overhaul of the complaints process. Bill Blenkinsopp says the Standards Board for England is being used as a means to settle old scores with political rivals,
Many more women than men are now taking up archaeology but far from being glamorous, it's actually a backbreaking occupation. A WOMAN'S place is in the past. More women are becoming archaeologists and interest in archaeology generally is booming. You
MUCH heralded, the grotesquely titled Accomodating Brocolli in the Cemetary - a bit like Eats, Shoots and Leaves but described as "a delightful compendium rather than a zero tolerance guide" - is published tomorrow. Compiled by Vivian Cook, professor
Seeking shelter from the torrential downpours, the column finds more than mythical sustenance at the Ancient Unicorn at Bowes. IN the Book of Genesis, it will be recalled, the rain fell upon the earth for 40 days and 40 nights but that it was another
MIDDLESBROUGH boss Steve McClaren has ruled himself out of the running for the vacant managerial position at North-East neighbours Newcastle. The Magpies board met yesterday to discuss their options in the light of Monday's decision to sack former boss
AFTER the danger of being upstaged by his strike partner, Adam Boyd showed yesterday why he is a man in demand. In front of watching Sunderland boss Mick McCarthy, Eifion Williams put Pool a goal to the good and was the first-half scourge of the Colchester
A new stage version of hit movie Brassed Off means that husband-and-wife actors Andrew Dunn and Andrina Carroll don't have to worry about who is looking after son Elliot, because he's in the play as well. Steve Pratt reports. AFTER working together five
When it came to making a sci-fi movie only Dame Judi Dench would do, action man actor Vin Diesel tells Steve Pratt. The ex-nightclub bouncer also reveals why he turned down all sequels until he got the second chance to play Pitch Black cult hero Riddick
UK DVD/VIDEO RENTAL: 1 (1) Kill Bill - Vol 2 2 (2) Gothika 3 (-) Scooby Doo 2 4 (3) The Girl Next Door 5 (5) The Cat In The Hat 6 (4) Monster 7 (6) Starsky And Hutch 8 (7) Welcome To The Jungle 9 (-) House Of Sand And Fog 10 (-) The Human Stain Published
Detectives have admitted they are baffled after a blood-spattered woman claimed she had attacked a man. A major police operation was launched on Monday, after the bloodstained woman flagged down a car and told the driver she had carried out a serious
Dodgeball is a completely unknown game in Britian but Ben Stiller, his wife Christine Taylor and best friend Vince Vaughn are turning being hit with a ball into a hit at the box office. Steve Pratt reports. AMERICAN actors Ben Stiller and Vince Vaughn
A CAMPAIGN has been launched to save the last remaining building which formed part of what was once Europe's largest mental institution. Much of the former Winterton Hospital at Sedgefield, County Durham, has already been developed to make way for housing
NEWCASTLE chairman Freddy Shepherd will step up his search for Sir Bobby Robson's successor this morning, with skipper Alan Shearer holding the key to his decision. Shepherd will consult with the rest of the United board as he weighs up his options in
THERE are few things in Sir Bobby Robson's life that can compete with his all-consuming love of football, but the music of Frank Sinatra holds a special place in his heart. The former Newcastle boss has a soft spot for the legendary crooner, quite apt
Weekends are not what they were. Thank Goodness. A survey by a London tourist organisation has revealed that we're not making the most of our weekends. Too many of us spend the time working, shopping or doing the housework. And after a few carefree hours
AFTER the danger of being upstaged by his strike partner, Adam Boyd showed yesterday why he is a man in demand. In front of watching Sunderland boss Mick McCarthy, Eifion Williams put Pool a goal to the good and was the first-half scourge of the Colchester
DETECTIVES have admitted they are baffled after a blood-spattered woman claimed she had attacked a man. A police operation was launched on Monday, after the bloodstained woman flagged down a car and told the driver she had assaulted a man. Officers and
TWO brothers who admitted possessing live wild birds were given community rehabilitation orders by a court yesterday. An RSPCA inspector found four caged birds and baited traps when he raided the home of 44-year-old John Dugdale, in Shafto Street, Byers
NEWCASTLE chairman Freddy Shepherd will step up his search for Sir Bobby Robson's successor this morning, with skipper Alan Shearer holding the key to his decision. Shepherd will consult with the rest of the United board as he weighs up his options in
