A MAN who set up a sophisticated cannabis farm at his home that yielded £20,000 worth of the drug has been jailed for nine months. Malcolm Johnson, 32, even hacked into the power supply in an attempt to keep his electricity bills from the venture down
A BUILDING that became the model for student accommodation across the world was officially renamed in honour of its founder last night. Josceline Dimbleby, the great-great-granddaughter of Canon David Melville, founding principal of Hatfield College,
A trip to the dentist turned into a full scale medical drama for a boy recovering from open-heart surgery. While having a tooth pulled out is frightening enough for most children, for Eduard Horandi-Clevett it could have been life-threatening. So, a heart
POLICE are appealing for help from villagers after a 13-year-old girl was indecently assaulted. The teenager, from Heighington, near Darlington, was unhurt, but left traumatised by the attack. It happened as she walked home along Millbank, in the village
Celebrities are losing their attraction. Once a turn-on for viewers, they're now proving a turn-off. The ratings disaster of Celebrity Wrestling could signal the end of entertainment shows in which D-list celebs attempt to extend their 15 minutes of fame
JUSTICE will be done if Royal Shakespeare (1.50) wins Haydock's prestigious £70,000 Stanleybet Handicap Hurdle. Robbed is the only word to describe Royal Shakespeare's fate at Sandown last time out because he was in the lead and seemingly about to power
YOUNG people are performing Summer Holiday to celebrate their theatre group's 15th anniversary. Chester-le-Street Theatre Group's junior section is putting on stage show of the 1963 Cliff Richard classic. It has a membership of 50 under-18s who perform
Thirsk. Tuesday. Forward 162 cattle inc. 38 young bulls, and 135 ewes and lambs at the fortnightly sale of store cattle and sheep. Cattle: Steers, 10 to 24 months, Char to £480, Lim £475, Blonde X £475, Simm X £432, Friesian X £395, Ab Angus £382, 15
ANXIETY has been running high this week. Not, I hasten to add, because someone very kindly left Roger Whittaker's new album on my desk for review - presumably under the impression that I'm the only one old enough to remember him. What has been occupying
TWO sisters will today make an emotional journey to say goodbye to their father, whose ship was sunk hours after VE Day was declared 60 years ago. Thoughts of the trip ahead bring tears to the eyes of Celia Turnbull, 60, and Pamela Harper, 63, whose only
STEVE McClaren has thrown the gauntlet down to his big-name stars to finish the job and qualify for Europe, warning them that their glory days are fast running out. The Middlesbrough boss is gearing up for a make-or-break eight days at the end of which
A PARTNERSHIP aimed at improving physical education and sport in Chester-le-Street has been given a welcome boost from a fund for school sports equipment. Paralympic athlete Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson was guest of honour at Roseberry Sports and Community
The Albany Northern League: Northern League champions Dunston are aiming to set a league first when they go to Bedlington today. Dunston go into the game with a 39-game unbeaten record in the league, and if they avoid defeat today, will be the first team
John Godber's latest play tackles ferry friction and high jinks in the Dutch capital, as Viv Hardwick finds out. THE North-East coast is all-important to playwright John Godber. Most of his first plays were written on holidays in the Whitley Bay and Seaburn
THE votes for one key ward had to be recounted four times, but it still left Stockton Borough Council hanging in the political balance. Labour, which held marginal power before the election, failed to make any headway and could only succeed in securing
TESTING TIMES: HOW does the Department of Social Security know if someone is needy without testing them? Is it fair that a millionaire receives the same benefits as a little old lady who has a bare minimum pension on which to live? There is no question
Bishop Auckland: Helen Goodman easily survives the all-woman shortlist controversy to hold Derek Foster's former seat for Labour, but the Lib Dems' Chris Foote-Wood pushes the Con-servatives into third place Blaydon: Dave Anderson elected Labour MP for
LABOUR held on to the City of Durham, albeit with a much reduced majority, as they saw off a strong Liberal Democrat challenge for the constituency. Newly-elected MP Roberta Blackman Woods was "absolutely delighted" with the result - but saw the Labour
SENIOR Tories fear that Tony Blair will have an easy ride over the coming months after Michael Howard's decision to resign plunged the party into its third leadership battle in four years. Many Conservatives expressed surprise at Mr Howard's intention
THOUSANDS of people are travelling to the North-East today to enjoy a free festival of music. People queued all night to get tickets for Radio 1's Big Weekend at Herrington Country Park, near Sunderland. US rockers the Foo Fighters and chart-topping dance
DURING Julio Arca's first 36 months on Wearside, a career high suddenly descended into his biggest low and only now does the Sunderland winger feel he can finally make amends, writes Scott Wilson. In Arca's first season in English football - after Peter
NOT so much forgotten as precious little heard of, last Sunday marked Workers Memorial Day. Not so much excluded as cushy numbered, the column went brazenly along, an' all. That Dr David Jenkins delivered the sermon - "Today the most obvious and chief
AS Tony Blair took to the stage in Trimdon Labour Club at 12 minutes past three yesterday morning, his Sedgefield faithful burst into a loud, joyous rendition of Happy Birthday. "You've stolen my opening line," moaned his agent, John Burton, beside him
SO who were the winners in the General Election of 2005? Tony Blair, of course, has secured his place in history as the man who gave Labour its cherished and unprecedented hat-trick of successive victories. But with a drastically reduced majority, the
DISGRACED Lee Bowyer returns to Newcastle United's squad this afternoon with these words from the Magpies coaching staff ringing in his ears: "We want your style of player here next season." Bowyer has not kicked a ball in domestic football since his
A MAN jailed for causing a fatal crash has admitted a new offence of dangerous driving - after successfully applying to cut short his motoring ban. Joseph Linn, 45, was given a four-year sentence at Newcastle Crown Court in September 1994, after admitting
South African Deon Kruis showed what a shrewd signing he has been by capturing five for 59 as Yorkshire sent back Northamptonshire for 281 on the first day of the Championship match at Headingley yesterday. The Kolpak player, recommended to Yorkshire
Q My friend, who has just gone into a nursing home, has savings of £11,580 and has to pay £104.43 towards his care costs. How will this change as his savings go down? Also he should be receiving a personal allowance of about £19 a week. How is this paid
GET TOUGH: THE tragic story highlighting the premature death of a young drug user (Echo, Apr 30) no doubt has caused much sympathy and even empathy. Sadly, though, in the same edition we see a woefully inadequate sentence handed down to an individual
A CAMPAIGN to recruit more foster care families in England's largest county is taking to the road. A vintage bus is being brought into service to promote the Help Us Raise 100 Smiles campaign in North Yorkshire. The bus will be festooned with banners
THE boundary divisions may have been redrawn but that was where the shake-up ended as far as the county council elections in North Yorkshire were concerned. With all the votes in, the colour of the biggest county in England remained resolutely blue, with
A BOY who was involved in a fight with a 61-year-old man yesterday pleaded guilty to his part in the incident. Darlington Youth Court heard how the 16-year-old had exchanged blows with Joe Cunningham, after he saw the man staring at him. The brawl, in
DURHAM'S Paul Collingwood continued to press his claims for the all-rounder's slot in the England team for the two Tests against Bangladesh by taking the first five-wicket haul of his career at Stockton yesterday. But then a man whose England career is
COUNCIL bosses in Darlington are to consider whether to spend £20,000 a year on cameras which can spot criminals by their car number plates. The automatic number plate recognition system can tell police within seconds if a vehicle has been stolen or is
A BOY who was involved in a fight with a 61-year-old man yesterday pleaded guilty to his part in the incident. Darlington Youth Court heard how the 16-year-old had exchanged blows with Joe Cunningham, after he saw the man staring at him. The brawl, in
A BUILDING that became the model for student accommodation across the world was officially renamed in honour of its founder last night. Josceline Dimbleby, the great-great-granddaughter of Canon David Melville, founding principal of Hatfield College,
LEADING figures from sport, education, science, business and entertainment received honorary university degrees yesterday. Great Britain's most successful Paralympian ever, Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson, was among five people given an honorary doctorate by
A DRINK driver yesterday ran out of aliases he used to keep himself out of jail. Stephen Mitchell, 24, of Alington Road, Newton Aycliffe, who had nine aliases on his criminal record and five convictions for driving with excess alcohol, was jailed for
YOUNGSTERS were whisked off their feet when Bishop Auckland College celebrated Europe Day. Raul Calderon, a Flamenco dancer from Madrid, wowed his audience with his authentic Spanish steps yesterday as part of the national European Week and Europe Day
A SEARCH has been launched for a community's good neighbours. People who have made a difference to neighbours in west Middlesbrough will be honoured at a community awards ceremony on July 7 at Middlesbrough's Riverside Stadium. Joan Ford, of West Middlesbrough
LEADING figures from sport, education, science, business and entertainment received honorary university degrees yesterday. Great Britain's most successful Paralympian ever, Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson, was among five people given an honorary doctorate by
A LOTTERY millionairess plans to marry her sweetheart, but is going to make him buy the wedding ring. Sarah Cockings was one of three winners to share last Saturday's Lotto rollover jackpot, winning £3,045,705. The 21-year-old social work student said
POLICE and social services staff are investigating reports of a bogus social worker visiting children in North Yorkshire Concerned parents contacted police and officers at North Yorkshire County Council with details of the phoney official, who is believed
YOUNGSTERS have been discovering how the garden grows - on the top deck of a bus. Members of the School Council of Framwellgate Moor Primary School learned about composting when they climbed aboard a double-decker in Durham Market Place yesterday. The
ART students are shedding a little light on Finland. The Blue Light's Nation exhibition in Thirsk features art from 14 Kemi-Tornio Polytechnic students. A year in the planning, the display shows how the students seek to promote Finnish culture through
THE work of a dedicated group of fundraisers is making life easier for mums-to-be. The maternity unit at the Friarage Hospital, in Northallerton, has just taken delivery of £45,000 worth of new equipment, courtesy of the hospital Friends. Over the years
PENSIONERS in Marske, east Cleveland, will take part in a VE Day parade, church service and tea tomorrow. The local Boys and Girls Brigade Band, Redcar British Legion, war veterans and pensioners will parade from Meadow Road, Marske, at 2.30pm, along
Regular craft fairs at the Parish Hall, in Sedgefield, have made a comeback after being cancelled last year. A fair will be held tomorrow, from 10am to 4pm, then on the first Sunday of the month from July. Tomorrow's event includes pyrography, flower
A LOTTERY millionairess plans to marry her sweetheart, but is going to make him buy the wedding ring. Sarah Cockings was one of three winners to share last Saturday's Lotto rollover jackpot, winning £3,045,705. The 21-year-old social work student said
When did anyone in this area last see the Hand of Glory, a gruesome relic hacked from the body of a hanged man and gripping a candle made from the fat of another damned soul? The query came in this week from a reader who has seen references to the fearsome
A MULTI-MILLION pound retail park development is giving a new commercial lease of life to a rundown corner of Durham City. And as the Durham City Retail Park complex nears completion, the ambitious project is also realising the fulfilment of a vision
KOSOVAN business chiefs are turning to North Yorkshire to help rebuild their country's infrastructure in the wake of the war that left it devastated. A high-ranking delegation has been in the county to learn more about the work of the trading standards
TWO charities have received a £4,000 boost, thanks to the work of the retiring chairman of Hambleton District Council. Over the past 12 months, Councillor June Imeson has combined representing the authority with organising charity events. And the charity
HOMELESS people are being offered more help to get back on their feet with an increase in the amount of accommodation for them. Richmondshire District Council has completed renovation work on its homeless persons' unit in Colburn, near Catterick. Previously
ROADWORKS lasting about two months will begin next week in east Cleveland costing £130,000. Alfred McAlpine will carry out resurfacing work on the A173 Barnes Farm to Skelton road from Monday. The road will be closed for about seven weeks, and a diversion
MICK McCarthy has thanked Marcus Stewart for three seasons of sterling service at the Stadium of Light and urged him to sign off in style when he plays his final game for Sunderland tomorrow. The visit of Stoke will not only mark the end of an era for
LITTER louts have been told they will be fined if they drop rubbish on private land in Darlington. New powers will be adopted by Darlington Borough Council and people who drop litter on private land will be subject to the same £50 on-the-spot fines issued
ENTERPRISING students have won a business award after they formed their own company. Eight year ten and 11 students from Thornaby Community School, Thornaby, came first in the Best Company category at the Young Enterprise Area final at Wynyard. To take
Shows in which D-list celebrities try to keep their fame alive are not the turn-on they once were. And ratings disaster Celebrity Wrestling could be the beginning of the end. Celebrities are losing their attraction. Once a turn-on for viewers, they're
SIXTY-TWO years after he died helping liberate Europe from Nazi tyranny, tributes have been paid to war hero and cricketing legend Hedley Verity. To mark the centenary of his birth, a wreath was laid on his grave in Italy by an officer from his regiment
GARDENERS are being asked to help make an environmentally-friendly allotment venture a success. Blackhall Rocks Community Allotment needs volunteers to take on plots before next month. The aim of the project is to help people grow their own food, free
NORTH Durham GPs now have specialist help in dealing with patients with mental health problems. Psychology graduates Rachael Baskaran, Clair Domeney and Barbara Reid have been taken on by Dur-ham and Chester-le-Street Primary Care Trust. As well as helping
EYEBROWS have been raised in League Two all season as to why Clyde Wijnhard has been wearing the number three shirt in Darlington's nine-month quest for a play-off place. The more simplistic reason given throughout the campaign was that it was the only
A GROUP of parents and teachers have raised more than £20,000 through fundraising projects to benefit children at a school. The Friends of St Benet's started three years ago with the aim of raising £5,000 for St Benet's School in Ouston, near Chester-le-Street
A BRUTALLY honest Steven Taylor has admitted that this afternoon's trip to Everton will underline just how far Newcastle have fallen this season, as well as providing an insight into how they can make up the lost ground later this year. Most pundits expected
THE man who mediated between workers and management in one of Britain's longest strikes retired yesterday, writes Deputy Business Editor Dan Jenkins. George Clark, regional director of the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) dedicated
A 21-YEAR-OLD man has died after he was involved in an accident with a minibus. Karl Rowe, of Tees Close, Peterlee, County Durham, was involved in the accident on the A181, about 500 metres east of the B1279 junction, in Thornley, east Durham. He was
THOUSANDS of poppy petals will float down above a North-East seaside resort in memory of Britain's war dead. Synonymous with Remembrance days, the poppies will be released from a biplane as it flies low over the cenotaph at Redcar, east Cleveland. Acting
IT is a measure of what Neale Cooper has achieved in the last two years that, should Hartlepool lose at Bournemouth later today and fail to make the League One play-offs, it will be seen as something of a disaster at Victoria Park. The very fact that
LABOUR maintained its overwhelming majority on Durham County Council with just a single seat changing hands in Thursday's election. The only shock of the day came in Durham City's Gilesgate ward, where Liberal Democrat city councillor Dennis Southwell
SO often the scourge of Darlington's big days in recent seasons, David Hodgson is counting on party-poopers Kidderminster Harriers to make the impossible possible and make amends at Northampton this afternoon. As unfancied as a Harriers' victory at the
He may have secured an historic third Labour term, but Tony Blair still emerged from the election as a diminished Prime Minister. Political Editor Chris Lloyd looks at what the future may hold for the MP for Sedgefield. ON the one hand, this was an unbelievable
IF GOOD things come in threes, then newly re-elected Hartlepool Mayor Stuart Drummond must be hoping his beloved Hartlepool United can book their place in the play-offs this weekend and make it a hat-trick of wins. Mr Drummond secured a double victory
MICK McCarthy has thanked Marcus Stewart for three seasons of sterling service at the Stadium of Light and urged him to sign off in style when he plays his final game for Sunderland tomorrow. The visit of Stoke will not only mark the end of an era for
MELROSE AVENUE (2.10) is fancied to pass his biggest test to date by landing this afternoon's Lingfield Derby trial. Mark Johnston's Middleham-based colt looked a million dollars in the parade ring on his recent reappearance at Catterick prior to slamming
LABOUR election co-ordinator Alan Milburn vowed to spend more time in Darlington - as he ruled out a return to front line politics. The former health secretary made the promise as he swept to a fourth victory in the town's constituency. Flanked by his
FORMER Conservative leader William Hague has ruled himself out of the race to run the party. The Richmond, North Yorkshire MP said he had no desire to again lead the Tories after Michael Howard announced he would stand down "sooner rather than later".
Teenaged twin brothers have been charged with attempting to murder their stepfather, and offences of violence against their mother and sister. Cleveland Police said the two 15-year-olds were arrested following an incident at a house in Windsor Street,
ANTI-WAR candidate Reg Keys packed up his North-East campaign office yesterday and declared he did not regret a thing. He said that he had given his campaign as an independent candidate against Tony Blair 101 per cent and felt that his Red Cap son Tom
PUB-goers in the North-East can experience a genuine taste of the past after a century-old beer recipe has been revived by brewers. Twenty pubs in the region will be supplied with the beer, which has been made using a recipe that has lain dormant for
IF GOOD things come in threes, then newly re-elected Hartlepool Mayor Stuart Drummond must be hoping his beloved Hartlepool United can book their place in the play-offs this weekend and make it a hat-trick of wins. Mr Drummond secured a double victory
Wearside League: Darlington RA will clinch the championship and promotion into the Albany Northern League Second Division if they win at Washington Nissan UK this afternoon. Manager Dave Woodcock though has a selection headache since a trio of players
GARETH SOUTHGATE feels the rest of the Premiership will pay Middlesbrough more respect if a UEFA Cup place is secured through the league - but he won't be leading a celebratory lap of honour if seventh is achieved. A sell-out crowd will be in attendance
A PUB in Chester-le-Street is staging the local final of a national talent contest that has attracted thousands of entrants from across the country. The 12 singers who have qualified for the Rock Idol final will appear at the Chicago Rock Cafe as they
DAVID BLUNKETT returned to the Government as Work and Pensions Secretary last night in the post-election reshuffle. The former Home Secretary, who resigned over a row about his lover's nanny's visa, was handed one of the most important portfolios. Tony
STEVE McClaren refused to dismiss suggestions Middlesbrough had sealed a £6.5m deal for Portsmouth hitman Aiyegbeni Yakubu, writes Matt Westcott. With the Boro boss admitting the club "had big plans" for the summer, the names of those possibly heading
THOUSANDS of people are travelling to the North-East today to enjoy a free festival of music. People queued all night to get tickets for Radio 1's Big Weekend at Herrington Country Park, near Sunderland. US rockers the Foo Fighters and chart-topping dance
A BANK holiday blitz on anglers who do not hold rod licences uncovered 26 offences. Bailiffs carried out their first crackdown of the season by visiting 39 locations in County Durham, Tyne and Wear and Northumberland. A total of 1,224 checks were carried
VOLUNTEERS are again being sought to take part in a litter pick in a village. The Heighington Parish Litter Group was formed after residents complained about the state of the village's roads. An original litter pick was cancelled because of heavy snow
PUB-goers in the North-East can experience a genuine taste of the past after a century-old beer recipe has been revived by brewers. Twenty pubs in the region will be supplied with the beer, which has been made using a recipe that has lain dormant for
POLICE are appealing for help to find a stallion which was stolen from the Bishop Auckland area yesterday. The 15-year-old Welsh cob was taken from his stable near Witton Castle on Thursday night or Friday morning. PC Andy Denham said: "The owners are
A YOUTH smashed a police car window by headbutting it five times after discovering his girlfriend had been unfaithful, a court heard yesterday. The 17-year-old shouted abuse at police and had to be restrained after officers were called to the domestic
THE future of a specialist health unit in Darlington is in the balance. The Greenbank unit, in the town centre, offers care to people with learning disabilities. Seven long-stay clients receive support at the centre, and respite care is provided for another
HERITAGE enthusiasts are staging an exhibition this month. On Saturday, May 21, Darlington Civic Trust will be displaying photographs and information showing changes to the town over the past few decades. Architecturally and historically important buildings
PLANS to add an extra storey to a bungalow in a Teesdale village have been opposed by the parish council. But Teesdale District Council has recommended that the extension to Cote Cottage, Ovington, is approved. Ovington Parish Council objected to the
DEVELOPMENT rules in a historic market town are to be tightened to clamp down on modern building design. The move aims to preserve the architectural features in Helmsley and is part of a new study of the town's conservation areas by the North York Moors
A FORMER pitman has written a book about the history of mining in Stanley. John Purcell's study of Beamish South Moor begins with the arrival of the wooden waggonway to Oxhill, connecting the Shield Row and Lanchester Fell Collieries. This marked the
THOUSANDS of pounds are being invested in a former mining community to help to regenerate the area. Wear Valley District Council will allocate £300,000 a year for the next five years to the villages of Eldon Lane, Coundon Grange and Bridge Place, near
A GROUP is being launched to promote and improve services at Middlesbrough railway station. The Friends of Middlesbrough Station will support the efforts of Middlesbrough Council, rail operators, Middlesbrough Town Centre Company and the private sector
A NORTH-East school has been placed on special measures following an inspection by Ofsted. Gosforth West Middle School, in Newcastle, was judged to have serious weaknesses in September 2003. Following a subsequent inspection, in March, Ofsted inspectors
MOST British schoolchildren celebrated the end of the war in 1945 with their friends and family. But one ten-year-old boy from Sunderland was stranded thousands of miles from home on the other side of the Atlantic. Richard Baillie, who now lives in Barnard
AN ambitious scheme to create a community park in the heart of a town is nearer to completion. The site of St George's Primary School, in Birtley, which was demolished several years ago, is currently undergoing extensive work. It is costing about £230,000
HEALTH staff working for one of North Yorkshire's primary care trusts (PCT) feel increasingly positive about working for the organisation, according to a new survey. The Craven and Harrogate PCT employs more than 850 people, based at locations including
THOUSANDS of poppy petals will float down above a North-East seaside resort in memory of Britain's war dead. Synonymous with Remembrance days, the poppies will be released from a biplane as it flies low over the cenotaph at Redcar, east Cleveland. Acting
A PENSIONER living alone was robbed by two men who broke their way into his flat at night and stole groceries, Teesside Crown Court was told yesterday The 71-year-old was badly shaken by the attack at his home in Stockton. In an interview with police,
DOZENS of cyclists will take in some of the region's most picturesque countryside on a charity ride tomorrow. More than 100 people are taking part in the event, to raise money for the Sargent Cancer Care for Children organisation. The 30-mile ride will
MOVING to a new school has transformed education for 300 Darlington pupils, according to their deputy headteacher. The pupils at Alderman Leach Primary School moved into their new multi-million school in February. Although there were a few teething problems
YOUNGSTERS gathered at a Darlington public meeting and appealed to the council to provide something for them to do outside of school hours. More than 30 youths, aged from 14 to 19, attended the North Road Community Partnership meeting to discuss the provision
THE opening of the Durham City Retail Park in Dragonville is set to bring expanded shopping opportunities for residents in the region. The arrival of retail groups, such as B&Q and Currys, and the promise of 700 new jobs are also marking the renaissance
A CORONER has recorded an open verdict into the deaths of a ten-year-old boy and his older sister following a fatal car crash. Lee Armstrong was a front-seat passenger in a Citroen Saxo being driven by his 19-year-old sister Jenna when it crashed with
SOCIAL services chiefs are holding recruitment events across North Yorkshire in an effort to boost their teams of carers. They said that working with some of the most vulnerable people is a challenging and rewarding experience, and want to highlight the
FOUR young scientists from a Teesside school have won a chemistry award. The pupils from Teesside High School, in Eaglescliffe, competed in the Salters Festival of Chemistry, held at the Stockton campus of the University of Durham. Taking part were Beth
A FREE convention will be held in Teesside featuring the best of the North-East music scene. The NExNE music convention is taking place next week and will include bands, musicians, DJs and industry figures from across the region. The second annual three-day
A JOINER who had a secret business selling pirated blue movies and video games has been ordered to pay a total of £800. Magistrates in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, heard that when police and a trading standards officer raided David Williams' home, they
GIRLS in Derwentside have been getting extra help from a football coaching programme. The Derwentside Girls and Women's Football Action Group, launched by Derwentside Leisure, won a £4,795 Awards For All grant to run sessions in district primary schools
CARETAKER boss Martin Scott admits he has already put plans in place for taking over the reins at Hartlepool United full-time. But the fall-out from the departure of popular boss Neale Cooper continues to rumble on ahead of today's make-or-break League
SENIOR Tories fear that Tony Blair will have an easy ride over the coming months after Michael Howard's decision to resign plunged the party into its third leadership battle in four years. Many Conservatives expressed surprise at Mr Howard's intention
