INTERNATIONAL football returns to Darlington tonight as England Under-19s entertain their Belgian counterparts, writes LEE HALL. The Darlington Football Stadium will host Martin Hunter's youngsters, as they begin preparations for next month's UEFA Friendly
The GCSE achievements of young people across the county is encouraging, not only for the individuals but also for their families. The results for 2005 show an overall improved performance and early indications at a local level show a similar picture.
A TEESSIDE company is hoping to take its satellite navigation data services to a wider market across North America, Asia and Eastern Europe. MI International, based at the Eaglescliffe Logistics Centre, supplies data to the makers of in-car and hand-held
SCIENTISTS at the University of York have secured £170,000 of funding to develop tools to speed up the creation of new drugs. Paraytec, a university company established to develop and market the technology, has secured the funding from theViking Fund
PARENTS are being urged to attend a public meeting tonight as a fresh attempt is launched to rescue a town's swimming pool. A new steering group has been set up to try to save Shildon's swimming pool, which looks likely to close for good because of costly
THREE men needed hospital treatment after a disturbance following a town's annual agricultural show at the weekend. The 226th Wolsingham Show was nearly trouble-free, according to organisers - but there was an incident in the town centre on Saturday night
Earlier this year, Business Echo reported on the plight of the dingy skipper butterfly. John Dean reports on a project that is transforming an opencast site to the butterfly's benefit A DELICATE operation to transport rare butterflies to a new home on
KEVIN KYLE is already targeting a return to international football - more than three months before he is even ready to join his Sunderland team-mates back in full training. The Black Cats striker has been boosted by a visit to the Colorado clinic of world-renowned
Stories We Could Tell by Tony Parsons (HarperCollins, £17.99) AFTER a string of successful novels, Tony Parsons has finally penned the one story he's been dying to tell since he was a fledgling music critic. Stories We Could Tell is a semi-autobiographical
Ed Waugh and Trevor Wood took the theatre world by storm with their first four plays. Now they've turned to TV fame for their fifth, as Viv Hardwick finds out. WE roared with laughter when Waiting For Gateaux made its first appearance on the Customs House
STREET wardens have warned shoppers and other members of the public to bin their rubbish or risk an instant fine. The crackdown, by the district environmental wardens in the Easington area of County Durham, is to keep town centres litter free. Starting
CONSTRUCTION work on a college is going ahead, despite rumours that the project has been cancelled. Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council and contractor HBG Construction began the 65-week long construction project for Freebrough Specialist Engineering
A PARK which is the subject of major regeneration work may have more security cameras installed to protect the project's progress. Darlington's North Park is protected by closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras from the neighbouring North Road cemetery
A VILLAGE has been hit with a spate of tyre-slashing for the second time in a year. Thirteen residents in a half-mile area of Station Town, in east Durham, woke to find their vehicles had been targeted early on Saturday. Cars parked in Front Street, Millbank
THE rags-to-riches story of Annie opened at Darlington Civic Theatre last night. The production, which runs until Saturday, stars Hi-De-Hi's Ruth Madoc as Miss Hannigan. Sixties icon Mark Wynter and Louise English, one of the original Hill's Angels from
A RUN-DOWN neighbourhood could gain its first doctors' surgery, as part of a £50m regeneration scheme. A youth and community centre at Whinney Banks, Middlesbrough, which is to be demolished as part of the £50m redevelopment of the neighbourhood, is to
BAILIFFS are poised to enter thousands of homes across east Cleveland in a bid to recover £4.5m in council tax debt. More than 13,000 letters, demanding amounts varying from £5 to more than £3,000, are being sent to tax dodgers' homes across Redcar and
SPARKS will be flying when a leading blacksmith artist hammers out inspirational iron work on his anvil. David Stephenson hopes to rekindle interest in traditional skills when he sets up at the Tees Forest. He said: "There's a growing demand for this
HEALTH-conscious sports fans are going nuts for a vending machine that has nothing to do with sweets, chocolates and other treats. The Hambleton Leisure Centre, in Northallerton, has installed an H Box, which stocks only healthy snacks - nuts, cereals
BUSINESSES approached by employees for flexible working arrangements should take heed of a recent landmark case, a law firm has warned. The Employment Appeal Tribunal recently rejected British Airways' (BA) appeal against its refusal to allow one of its
AT LEAST nine people were killed yesterday - several of them believed to be children - when a concrete block fell from a helicopter onto a ski resort cable car and catapulted passengers out of two nearby carriers. The accident happened in the Austrian
A TOWN stepped back in time to relive the sights, sounds and atmosphere of life during the Second World War. Ferryhill hosted the nostalgic event on Saturday, with history enthusiasts wearing authentic period costume to perform a mock battle and display
A LEGEND at Darlington Football Club is finally calling it a day - at the grand old age of 83. Mabel Neil, a lifelong Quakers fan, is giving up her job as a programme seller after more than 20 years. She sold her last programme at the club's game against
YOUNG people at Grove Hill and Thorntree Youth and Community Centre have shown how enthusiasm and commitment can get a job done in record time. They are taking part in an e2e (Entry to Employment) programme, and were asked to redesign and decorate a room
A CHOIR is on the lookout for singers as it begins preparations for a major concert. Durham Choral Society is resuming rehearsals for the season, which will include a performance of Gala and Glora, in Durham Cathedral in January. The work, which celebrates
VILLAGERS have celebrated the completion of a new doorstep green on the site of old allotments. The land at Bowburn, between Bow Street and Burn Streets, was transformed into a space for all ages to use by Groundwork East Durham and Cassop-cum-Quarrington
BUILDING delays at a £35m privately-financed Darlington school have left hundreds of pupils stuck with their old schools until next year. Council chiefs had hoped the UK's first so-called education village, built on a brown-field site in the town, would
The pregnant aunt of blaze, death baby Alexander Gallon has spoken of her horror at being arrested on suspicion of his murder. Kelly Ann Gallon, 21, of Kenton, Newcastle, was arrested hours after the four- month-old child died in a fire at his mother's
The construction sector is facing one of its biggest challenges yet at a time when, with Olympic bid victory, it is facing a period of its biggest demand. John Dean reports IT'S a huge irony. At a time when the region's construction sector is booming
WHO would have thought the technology behind the paint used on a stealth bomber could help a pencil manufacturer improve production? Yet stealth technology, in the form of ultra-violet curing, has been transferred to a Cumbrian pencil-making company,
Insurance group BiB has appointed STEVE RECORD as managing director of its agricultural and rural underwriting division. Mr Record, who has been with the Darlington-based group for six years, moves up from operations director. He has taken over from David
Doctors' sicknotes have long been seen as a weak link in employment law, with many employers believing that harassed and overworked doctors routinely issue unjustified sicknotes to those asking for them. Perhaps they think doctors do this because they
After facing extinction, The White Heifer in Scorton has been revived - and now does a fine line in square meals. DAVID Armstrong led his last service two Sundays ago after 41 years as a Methodist local preacher, and may thus be a little surprised to
It has been dogged by controversy, but it is also the first time Middlesbrough Mayor Ray Mallon has found himself on the side of the establishment against the little guy. And he doesn't like it. Nick Morrison looks at the battle between the mayor and
York-based Persimmon, the UK's largest homebuilder, confounded the pessimists last week, with a seven per cent increase in half-year pre-tax profits. So much for the difficult housing market. The group did well to hold on to its margins, with the lift
Visitors to a North-East museum will have their last chance to see the Treasures of the Sea exhibition this week. The exhibition at the Hancock Museum, in Newcastle, which closes on Sunday, explores the wonders of the deep blue sea and is part of the
PEOPLE opting to become their own boss without letting the taxman know could be hit with a £100 "fine", the region's chartered accountants have warned. Those switching to self-employment must notify HM Revenue & Customs within three months of the
It's a small company based in an unassuming industrial estate on the outskirts of Peterlee. But its products - from egg whisks to embroidered chef uniforms - are indispensable in the kitchens of Buckingham Palace, the House of Commons, and even chef Gordon
DARLINGTON manager David Hodgson has admitted Sam Russell's return to fitness has provided him with a goalkeeper dilemma. While Russell's recovery from a calf problem will come as a huge boost, Hodgson must decide on whether to hand last season's player
TWO brothers have been jailed for a revenge attack on a man they believed had damaged a car belonging to one of their girlfriends. Wayne Reed, 20, repeatedly hit Craig Cooper over the head with a golf club in the late-night assault in Hartlepool last
POLICE chiefs issued an apology last night after a hungry officer parked on double yellow lines and nipped into a sandwich shop. The officer pulled up alongside illegally-parked cars in a busy town centre and, instead of laying down the law, proceeded
BUILDING delays at a £35m privately-financed North-East super school - hailed as the best in Britain - have left hundreds of pupils stuck with their old schools until next year. Council chiefs had hoped the UK's first so-called education village, built
THE Government faced calls to do more for motorists last night as petrol prices soared above £1 a litre for the first time in the region. Although many garages have held back from pricing a litre of unleaded above the psychologically important £1 barrier
NEWCASTLE United received mixed news on the injury front yesterday with Kieron Dyer ruling himself out of Saturday's home game with Fulham, while Titus Bramble could be a surprise inclusion in the squad. Dyer is refusing to set a comeback date after his
BAD news for Nissan's hard-pressed component suppliers this month - the Japanese giant has no intention of letting up on its drive to cut costs. Executive vice-president Hiroto Saikawa told international news agency Reuters that he wants to see Nissan
Little we own or do today would be possible without plastics. But the development of plastic only happened in the past 50 years, and did not become established until after the Second World War. Frances Griss charts the history of a company at the forefront
Michael Owen answered criticism by Wales coach John Toshack by insisting England can prove their credentials as one of the top six nations - and qualify for the World Cup with a match to spare. Toshack claimed England ''have still got to prove they can
DO you remember September 2000? For the only time in the past eight years, Tony Blair's popularity rating dropped below that of the Conservatives; Britons were stock-piling bread and queuing round the block to fill up their cars. And petrol was less than
KEVIN KYLE is already targeting a return to international football - more than three months before he is even ready to join his Sunderland team-mates back in full training. The Black Cats striker has been boosted by a visit to the Colorado clinic of world-renowned
THE number of people killed and seriously injured on the roads of North Yorkshire has fallen consistently over a three-year period, according to new figures. A report put together by the county council shows that the number of seriously hurt casualties
HEALTH workers in north Durham will be advising students on how to look after themselves and get the most from further education. Staff from Derwentside Primary Care Trust's (PCT) specialist health promotion service will be at Derwentside College's freshers
SAVE FEETHAMS: I am sad to see Darlington's old football home, Feethams, in such a mess. I, like thousands of others, have fond memories of the old place. I blame the cricket club for its current state. Surely they could have hired security guards to
EMERGENCY workers have praised onlookers who rescued a teenager after he fell down a 30ft cliff. Fifteen-year-old Daniel Saunders suffered serious head injuries after falling on to rocks beside the River Swale, in Richmond, North Yorkshire, on Sunday.
RECOVERING drug addicts have heaped praise on a new service which aims to break the link between addiction and crime, Former crack cocaine and heroin addicts who are rebuilding their lives with the help of drug support workers featured in a video shown
The 226th Wolsingham Show ended yesterday and saw record crowds with many categories reporting an increase in entrants, some by as much as 100 per cent. The result highlights were as follows: HORSES Driving classes: JR Stevens Trophy, ND Carr. Junior
Ignorance has proved bliss for Marcus Trescothick in breaking Australia's dominance over him in Test cricket. England vice-captain Trescothick heads into the heat of the Ashes decider at The Oval this week as the top run scorer in the series, having amassed
HUNDREDS of people have asked council bosses to consider improving the roads and pavements in their neighbourhood. Darlington Borough Council is planning to spend £2.5m, on top of its usual road maintenance budget, to improve minor problems on roads and
A NEW department store could be created in Darlington after council chiefs approved an expansion of the town's main shopping centre. Two vacant shops in the Cornmill Centre will be brought together and extra retail space created at the roof level. The
DETECTIVES in Bishop Auckland are appealing for information after a young man was assaulted in the town centre on his way home from a night out. The victim, in his early 20s, was walking along Gibbon Street at about 1am on Saturday, August 13, when the
A DRIVER who ran a red light at a level crossing, was banned from driving for two months by Harrogate magistrates yesterday. David O'Neil, 61, of Gallows Hill Park, Ripon, was spotted by crossing keeper Colin Skinner when Audi passed the crossing, on
A MOTORIST told police he might not have been fully awake the when he rolled his car while overtaking in the face of on-coming traffic. Magistrates in Harrogate heard yesterday that Allan Head, 43, of Pinfold Close, Knaresborough, had been driving to
students and school staff stepped into the limelight to raise £1,000 for charity. Pupils and teachers at Ferryhill Business and Enterprise College held a Stars In Your Eyes show at the end of last term in aid of Cancer Research UK. The winners were Paul
A HARTLEPOOL speed limit that has caught out thousands of motorists is likely to remain at 30mph. The southbound section of the A179 Easington Road, near the University Hospital of Hartlepool, is currently a 30mph zone. Borough councillors had been asked
A STRIKE at a chilled foods factory was averted yesterday as managers and unions resumed talks. Staff at Country Style Foods, in Stockton, Teesside, had planned to stage their third walkout over contracts for new workers after talks with company bosses
A WOMAN is hoping to raise hundreds of pounds for Leukaemia Research after her husband was diagnosed with the disease. Michele Allan, 41, is taking part in the 25th BUPA Great North Run on Sunday, September 18. Mrs Allan, from Chester-le-Street, had given
VETERANS joined cadets and serving air personnel to remember what Winston Churchill called Britain's finest hour. More than 400 members of the North Yorkshire Royal Air Force Association held their annual Battle of Britain memorial service and parade
Yes, the sea defences and general infrastructure around New Orleans were neglected. But the neglect has gone on for years. Bill Clinton, when he was president, refused money for improvements recommended as urgent by the engineers. But to hear what a lot
For more than a quarter of a century North-East farmers knew who to call if they had a mole problem. Jim McTaggart marks the death of country life character Harry Addison HARRY Addison was reckoned to be one of the finest mole catchers the North-East
A biofuels company is considering making a multi-million pound investment in the region, The Northern Echo has learned. The company, which has not been named, is due to start a feasibility study in a matter of weeks. Somerset-based Wessex Grain is also
A MAN who spent two months behind bars after driving a stolen car won his liberty today while a court decides what to do with him. Stephen Paul MacDonald, 20, of Princess Road, Ripon, pleaded guilty at Harrogate Magistrates' Court to taking a car without
A SOLDIER has been suspended following an alleged assault on a teenage recruit which left his eyeball hanging out. Americk Hayer, 17, claimed two months of racial abuse led up to a violent beating from his corporal on the final day of his basic training
Petrol has broken the £1 a litre barrier for the first time on history. Joe Willis looks at why fuel prices have rocketed ANALYSTS say the storms that killed thousands in the US are also to blame for record prices at UK pumps. US oil companies last week
Time has been called on licensed premises with the deadline for applications under the new licensing laws now nearly a month old. If you sell alcohol, put on entertainment or serve hot food after 11pm, then you must have a licence under the new rules,
THERE could be a crock of gold awaiting supporters of Kirkby's Treasure (3.30) at Catterick today. It's been a rotten lousy season generally speaking for trainer Alan Berry, who could do with a lift from Kirkby's Treasure, arguably the most consistent
FRUSTRATED Martin Scott has vowed to lift Hartlepool United's season - with plenty of hard work. Pool suffered a home defeat to Yeovil at the weekend and have yet to win in four attempts at Victoria Park. Scott is upset by the start to his first full
A DESPERATE plea for help was written on a pub toilet mirror by a woman who said she had been raped by a man with whom she was dining. Durham Crown Court heard the message, written in lipstick, read: "Can you get help. I need help to get away from the
A TEENAGER who was part of a gang that threw a firework into a man's home in a prank which turned to tragedy, was locked up for two-and-a-half years yesterday. Arthur Lonsdale, 52, was overcome by smoke and fumes after a rocket was pushed through the
A WAITER and a chef received a severe electric shock and a new business suffered £15,000 worth of damage when a restaurant was struck by lightning. The strike happened at Hollathans, in Ashfield Terrace, in Chester-le-Street, as heavy thunderstorms lashed
AT LEAST nine people were killed yesterday - several of them believed to be children - when a concrete block fell from a helicopter onto a ski resort cable car and catapulted passengers out of two nearby carriers. The accident happened in the Austrian
THE Government faced calls to do more for motorists last night as petrol prices soared above £1 a litre for the first time in the region. Although many garages have held back from pricing a litre of unleaded above the psychologically important £1 barrier
