A LOTTERY win is helping a shop owner prepare a huge Christmas party for his staff. Brian Elder won £56,911 on the Lotto on November 26. But it took a few days for Mr Elder, who owns a health food company with his wife, Susan, in Hartlepool, to realise
Coxhoe Athletic have yet to win in the league, having drawn just twice in 14 attempts in the Wearside League but, they belied their bottom-of-the-table position when they met Nissan SSC Sunderland in the second round of the Sunderland Shipowners' Cup.
FIRSTLY today, the mystery of the Cats and the canary, and of why Sunderland play in red and white stripes. It comes from a report on a Guardian website last week - spotted by John Briggs in Darlington - that the barber pole shirts were an 1880s gift
NEARLY 200 same-sex couples in the region have booked marriage-style ceremonies, taking advantage of a new law that comes into force today. Councils have already received bookings from people wishing to formalise their relationships, giving them the same
For the first time Durham Constabulary officers have used an electric stun gun to apprehend a suspect. Just 24 hours after the Taser guns were issued to firearms officers in the Durham and Darlington force, police were called to an incident in Peterlee
THE achievements of young people, volunteers and staff from across the North-East were honoured by The Prince's Trust at an awards ceremony. The glittering event, Celebrate Success, took place at The Hotel Tall Trees, in Yarm. It was attended by local
THIEVES have made off with more than £1,000- worth of toys bought by a grandmother who intended to donate them to charity. The thieves ransacked a garage at the home of Sheila Quigley in Shiney Row, Wearside, stealing several boxes of toys which were
A CITY regains its own radio station today - more than 30 years after broadcasters last went off the airwaves. Commercial radio station Durham FM goes on air at 6am, based at a former electrical engineering workshop off Framwelgate Peth, in Durham City
THE family behind North-East car dealership Reg Vardy are looking forward to a multi-million pound windfall after agreeing to sell the company to one of its closest rivals. Chief executive Sir Peter Vardy, the son of the founder, Reg, and other members
TAXI drivers have won a year-long legal battle with a North-East council over the colour of their cabs. Durham City Council, which wanted all 64 hackney carriages based in the city to be white, is expected to confirm today that it will not appeal against
DAVID HODGSON is ready to tell Brian Close to take inspiration from Darlington hero Craig Liddle by forcing the Irishman to play through the pain barrier. Close will surprisingly be included in Hodgson's squad for tomorrow's game at Shrewsbury Town, just
EIGHT league games, no points, 22 goals conceded and just eight goals scored. That's the sort of form that gets managers the sack - unless of course you're in charge at Sunderland. If Mick McCarthy was given the boot by chairman Bob Murray this morning
SMOKING BAN: IT IS strange that, in the debate over a total smoking ban, The Northern Echo seems to be unbalanced and biased in favour of the hysteria and fanaticism of the no-smoking brigade. I wrote a good letter pointing out how passive smoking is
EIGHT league games, no points, 22 goals conceded and just eight goals scored. That's the sort of form that gets managers the sack - unless of course you're in charge at Sunderland. If Mick McCarthy was given the boot by chairman Bob Murray this morning
HOUSEHOLDS are being warned to be on the alert for cold-callers going from door to door offering tree-cutting and gardening services. Trading standards officers in North Yorkshire fear that with the bad weather people may want to take advantage of any
THE family behind North-East car dealership Reg Vardy are looking forward to a multi-million pound windfall after agreeing to sell the company to one of its closest rivals. Chief executive Sir Peter Vardy, the son of the founder, Reg, and other members
EIGHT months ago Gareth Barry acted as peacemaker on one of the darkest days in Newcastle United's proud history when he attempted to diffuse a brawl as Lee Bowyer and Kieron Dyer used the hallowed St James' Park turf as a boxing ring. On Saturday Barry
A man has today admitted murdering a 16-year-old schoolgirl. Paul Andrew Knappett, 30, of Wentworth Grove, Hartlepool, will be sentenced this afternoon by Mr Justice Field. Knappett stabbed Kimberley Bage to death at her mother's home in Troutpool Close
A CAMPAIGN to commemorate a Second World War hero in his home city has been backed by the daughter of the airman he died trying to save. The appeal to have a replica in Winnipeg, Canada, of Durham Tees Valley Airport's statue of Pilot Officer Andrew Mynarski
CHILDREN were treated to a visit from Santa at a Christmas fair at the weekend. The event took place on Saturday at St Teresa's School, in Harris Street, Darlington, and was held in aid of St Teresa's Church. Families from around the area turned out to
FOUR youngsters are marching forward with their careers after enlisting into the Army. The new soldiers were presented with their attestation certificates by Major Mike Sherlock, head of Army recruitment for County Durham and Teesside, after signing up
PATIENTS in Darlington who abuse NHS staff are being warned to behave - or face the consequences. One man has already been placed in "special measures" after assaulting a doctor and practice manager. Staff at another surgery had a plant pot hurled at
SNOW White has gone missing - but creative children can help trace her thanks to a new competition. Bishop Auckland Town Hall has transformed their McGuiness Gallery into a winter wonderland as part of their Santa's Grotto event, and have drawings and
COUNCILLORS will this week discuss plans to replace a disused motor workshop with a fast-food restaurant on a busy roundabout. Sedgefield Borough Council has received a planning application to demolish the garage at Thinford, near Spennymoor, and build
YOUNG comic stars took to the school stage, leaving packed audiences in stitches with their alternative brands of humour. The curtain rose on Shorts, Trousers and Officiality, this year's junior play at Barnard Castle School. This year the two-night show
A NURSE'S retirement has ended a family's century-long association with mental healthcare. Staff nurse Liz Bowmaker has decided to call it a day at Redcar's Stead Memorial Hospital. Both she and husband, Ken, used to work at St Luke's Hospital, in Middlesbrough
AT this time of year many people are decorating their Christmas trees. But few are taking things quite as far as one North Yorkshire church - where 40 trees have gone on display. St Mary's Church, in Thirsk, first held a Christmas tree festival last year
THE ups and downs of the world of trampolining will be showcased at an event this weekend. The Hambleton Gliders Trampoline Club, which meets at the Hambleton Leisure Centre in Northallerton each week, is presenting a free show next Saturday, from 2pm
TWO primary school youngsters are helping to raise awareness that swimming in reservoirs is dangerous. Edward Brass and Joe Allison are pupils at Osmotherley Primary School. They designed the hard-hitting posters which have now been sited at nearby Cod
USING brains to boost a rural economy will be the subject of a business event. The Northern Rural Network is hosting the Knowledge Economy and Rural Development Event at the Durham Dales Centre, in Stanhope, on Wednesday. The event aims to find ways of
A CHARITY has launched a project to provide help for new and small voluntary community groups. The Chester-le-Street and District Council for Voluntary Service (CVS) and Volunteer Bureau has started the scheme with financial backing from the Neighbourhood
HOSPITAL bosses have banned workers from smoking -even when off-duty but wearing uniforms. It means that whenever they are wearing their uniforms, even while going home, they cannot smoke. Gateshead NHS Foundation Trust is believed to be the first in
COUNCIL chiefs in North Yorkshire are using new powers to crack down on fly-tippers. Last year, there were more than 150,000 fly-tips of household rubbish across the Yorkshire region - much of it dumped by operators posing as legitimate waste carriers
A UNIVERSITY is celebrating after students named it the best in England. More than 10,000 undergraduates from 170 institutions were asked how they rated their experiences at university, in a survey by The Times Higher Education Supplement. Sunderland
SNOW GO:JUST what has gone wrong with this country? As soon as there is a little bit of snow everything stops, I see people saying the roads are blocked yet one can still see the tarmac. Years ago we got much more snow yet cars kept on the move. In those
PUPILS and staff at an east Durham primary school are celebrating a good Ofsted report. St Cuthbert's RC Primary School, in Seaham, was praised by inspectors after their visit last month. The school was given a Grade 2 rating in all areas, which made
DERWENTSIDE District Council took a step closer to a top national award when it showcased its talents to a panel of judges from London. The council is one of only 11 across the country to be short-listed for Beacon status for its work with positive youth
A LITTLE-KNOWN naval vessel that took part in the Battle of Trafalgar has been commemorated by the planting of trees. Ajax Wood is one of 33 new woods being planted as part of the Woodland Trust's Trafalgar Woods project. The new woodlands commemorate
IT is hard to imagine it now, but when Frank Lampard was playing for a struggling West Ham, he was famously booed by the supporters of his own team. Last week, a group of more discerning footballing figures gave their own verdict on how the midfielder
MEMORABILIA signed by stars of screen and sport will go under the hammer to raise money for children with diabetes this week. A signed picture of the cast of Coronation Street, a jacket worn by TV presenter Carol Malia and a Sunderland football shirt
A TREE nurtured in the North-East will be helping to create some seasonal cheer in the corridors of power. A 50ft Sitka spruce, plucked from 150 million growing in Kielder Forest, will be Parliament's very own Christmas tree. The giant specimen, felled
A GROUP of Elvis impersonators will visit a North-East university this week. They are taking part in a panel discussion, with the impersonators sharing their experiences of being the King. The free event, at Sunderland University's Vardy Gallery from
AN application to renew a botanical centre's drinks licence has triggered a row with the neighbours. Stuart Goldie, manager of Nature's World, Middlesbrough, says objections to the sale of alcohol and live music at the botanical centre have been fostered
EIGHT months ago Gareth Barry acted as peacemaker on one of the darkest days in Newcastle United's proud history when he attempted to diffuse a brawl as Lee Bowyer and Kieron Dyer used the hallowed St James' Park turf as a boxing ring. On Saturday Barry
Arngrove Northern League: Durham City manager Andy Gowens isn't pressing the panic button after his side failed to score for the fifth successive game at home to Horden on Saturday. City had to settle for their third successive goalless draw putting them
ONE of the region's most senior and controversial clergymen has resigned. Congregations at yesterday's services in Ripon Cathedral were informed that the Dean of Ripon, the Very Reverend John Meth-uen, had submitted his resignation. It will take effect
MOONLIT HARBOUR (1.50) shapes as though he's about to open his account over fences at Newcastle today. There was more than a modicum of encouragement about the six-year-old's most recent run at the course when finishing third, albeit a respectable distance
A CONSERVATION group has moved to dispel rumours of a scaling down of plans for a flagship nature reserve. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds says it too has heard the rumours about it's multi-million pound scheme for Teesside - and they are
GREAT Britain junior international Ryan McLeod followed in the illustrious footsteps of his father Mike by winning the Warburtons Norman Woodcock Memorial Road Race at Gosforth Park, Newcastle. But a desperate late taxi dash by Cumbrian runner Rebecca
A TEAM from a North-East university are heading to Sri Lanka to help rebuild one of the communities devastated by the Boxing Day tsunami. Initially, 15 Durham University students will go to Sri Lanka for eight weeks. They will work at a pre-school at
THE one meagre crumb of comfort for Hartlepool United on a weekend to forget came shortly after 3pm yesterday. Ball no 50, Tamworth of the Nationwide Conference, was paired up with Stoke City in the third round of the FA Cup, so at least there was no
ONE of the country's largest park-and-ride schemes got off to a successful start at the weekend, ensuring bumper crowds at a city's festival. A new fleet of buses took to the streets of Durham on Saturday, heralding the start of a £10m scheme that has
ORDINARY people filled a church to bid farewell to an extraordinary politician and woman at the weekend. Young and old, housewives, lifeboat crews, fishermen and old soldiers rubbed shoulders with local MPs and civic leaders at a memorial service to Mo
MUCH more of this and Alan Brown will have to be dubbed "evergreen." At 38, National Three North's leading try scorer took his tally to 16 as Darlington collected their ninth four-try bonus in 11 games and moved up to third spot. They don't have the strength
It started with a makeshift puppet called Seamus. Now the Newcastle-based charity No Strings is bringing smiles to thousands of vulnerable children across the world - with support from actors Hugo Speer and Neil Morrissey. Lindsay Jennings reports. THE
AIYEGBENI Yakubu has told his fellow Middlesbrough strikers to get used to warming the substitutes' bench, because he is determined to prove himself as the club's undisputed number one. While he was unable to add to his impressive goalscoing tally at
Police chiefs are to deliver their verdict on the impact of radical changes to a North-East town centre this week. Traffic systems in Darlington have seen major alterations in recent weeks, with bus stops moved and routes changed. The work has been carried
AIYEGBENI Yakubu has told his fellow Middlesbrough strikers to get used to warming the substitutes' bench, because he is determined to prove himself as the club's undisputed number one. While he was unable to add to his impressive goalscoing tally at
CAR owners are being urged to think like thieves to protect their belongings in the run-up to Christmas. Durham Police have launched Operation Hawkeye to combat thefts of valuables from vehicles. Neighbourhood wardens and police will be on the lookout
ONE of the world's most successful middle-distance runners spent a day at a North Yorkshire airbase to promote a children's charity Steve Cram met youngsters at RAF Linton-on-Ouse and spoke of his charity's work. And after trying his hand in a Tucano
A gay vicar and his partner were amongst the first to register for a same-sex civil ceremony today. Vicar Christopher Wardale and retired Northumbria University lecturer Malcolm Macourt plan to celebrate the ceremony just before Christmas. Notices have
SHAY GIVEN fears Newcastle United are heading for more under-achievement - but the Irishman still believes the injury-plagued Magpies can secure a European place. Given, regarded as one of the finest goalkeepers in the world, is not one to use the absentee
From today, lesbian and gay couples will be able to register a Civil Partnership, giving them the same rights as married couples. Nick Morrison looks at the most important step yet in the struggle for equality. ELTON John says his is going to be a quiet
RITCHIE Humphreys admitted his Hartlepool United teammates were hurting after being dumped out of the FA Cup. Pool squandered a good chance to reach the third round for the third season in a row as they slumped to a pitiful 2-1 home defeat to Tamworth
WHICH is more dangerous to your health: driving a car, joining the Army, getting married, taking an active interest in politics, or buying cigarettes? You can at the moment do them all before the age of 18. But this weekend it was revealed that the Government
GOALKEEPER Ben Alnwick can rightfully hold his head up after a great penalty save from Robbie Keane during the 3-2 defeat at Spurs, but manager Mick McCarthy admitted it could be the 18-year-old's final game of the year for the Black Cats. McCarthy is
LAST Friday, Jose Mourinho revealed that John Terry occasionally spends £5,000 a week at the bookmakers. Twenty-four hours later, and the defender's header secured his side's 13th success of the season and maintained a ten point lead over Manchester United
WHAT does it mean to be English? Does it simply mean being born in this green and pleasant land? Does it mean being able to trace your bloodline back to the Angles before the Normans arrived in 1066? In his sermon last week, Britain's first black archbishop
Bishop Auckland's agony in the UniBond First Division continued when they were beaten 4-2 at Stocksbridge on Saturday. There was hope for them when they led 1-0 and then fought back to 2-2, but poor defending let them down. Manager Brian Healy, who has
A UNIVERSITY is celebrating after students named it the best in England. More than 10,000 undergraduates from 170 institutions were asked how they rated their experiences at university, in a survey by The Times Higher Education Supplement. Sunderland
A COUNTRY walk has been organised for anyone who wants a break from Christmas shopping. The two-and-a-half mile walk, organised by Darlington Borough Council's countryside team, takes place on Saturday from 2pm to 4pm. It will take in two of Darlington's
Company directors today called for public spending to be reined back dramatically over the next few years to help the UK remain competitive. The Institute of Directors (IoD) accused the Government of living beyond its means, "like thousands of indebted
A HARD-hitting drama about the tragedy of drug-driving hammered home a life-saving road safety message to hundreds of students. The harrowing play Pills, Thrills and Automobiles was followed up at Darlington College by a rescue demonstration by the town's
CRIB scenes from around the world took visitors on a journey to Bethlehem at an exhibition in Darlington at the weekend. Individuals, churches and organisations lent their images of the first Christmas to go on display at St Cuthbert's Church, in the
TWO of Darlington Borough Council's CCTV staff are to be given commendations by Durham Police for helping to catch a burglar. Ian Bowerbank and Dave Leonard were on duty in the town hall CCTV control room in the early hours of September 21, when they
A RIVERSIDE area which boasts a wealth of Roman remains in the twin towns of Malton and Norton is to become a public park in a £172,000 scheme. The Castle Garden site, currently a derelict area, is a scheduled ancient monument and includes the remains
THE threat of closure that had been hanging over a charity dedicated to helping those facing up to the loss of a loved one has been lifted. Bereavement Care, in Northallerton, had been facing a funding shortfall that could have forced it to wind up its
A VILLAGE band is celebrating success in two music contests. Fishburn Band has been named champion of the Scottish Open Contest, held in Glasgow last weekend, less than a month after finishing third in the Pontin's Contest in Wales. The Scottish Championship
FAMILIES who have recently lost a loved one paid a moving tribute at a memorial service at the weekend. Dozens of lights - each representing the life of someone who has passed away - were lit in a poignant ceremony at St Cuthbert's Hospice, in Durham
BRIDAL gowns spanning the last seven decades were dusted down for use on another big day at the weekend. A dozen wedding dresses were displayed at Tudhoe Community Centre, near Spennymoor, yesterday, in a charity event to help needy youngsters. Among
CLASSROOM entrepreneurs at North schools are learning how to work together. Pupils are piloting a scheme setting up and running co-operatives, all using free trade ethics. The Open College Network North-East, which is promoting the Young Co-operatives
THE trauma caused by the tragic loss of a friend encouraged miner Alex McDougall to set up a counselling service for his work colleagues. When Mr McDougall, 39, was at secondary school he was classed as "remedial" and teachers did not bother with him,
A KEY phase of a regeneration scheme has cleared its first planning hurdle. Middlesbrough councillors are being advised there is no need for an environmental impact assessment to be carried out prior to the rebuilding of a part of North Ormesby. There
YOUNG people have been exploring their artistic talents after being commissioned to produce a graffiti mural at their youth club. Ten members of the Herrington Burn YMCA youth club, near Shiney Row, were asked what they would like to see on the wall of
A RAIL station car park has received an accolade for its safe and secure environment. Thornaby Railway Station received the Park Mark Safer Parking Award from Stockton South MP Dari Taylor MP. The award is in recognition of parking facilities that have
SHADOW chancellor George Osborne yesterday welcomed the prospect that William Hague could return to the Tory frontbenches if David Cameron is elected as the party's leader. The result is due tomorrow, with Mr Cameron the overwhelming favourite to win,
ALMOST 1,000 homes in the North-East were without electricity, following a power cut at the weekend. At 11.14pm on Saturday, 969 homes in Hurworth Place, Croft, and some parts of Darlington were cut off. Linda Robson, a spokeswoman for Northern Electric
RESIDENTS and visitors to a North-East city have been given a spectacular glimpse of the displays in store for them over the next three weeks. Groupe F's residency in Newcastle and Gateshead was given a flaming start at the weekend. The French pyrotechnics
The Reverend Alan Dodd, who has served as vicar for the united benefice of Ingleby Arncliffe, East Harlsey and Osmotherley for more than 16 years, is retiring at the end of this month.
BLAYDON and Darlington Mowden Park were both very unhappy with the officials after their away defeats in National Three North on Saturday. Both felt they had what were perfectly good tries disallowed, while the home sides were allowed to get away with
MEMORABILIA signed by stars of screen and sport will go under the hammer to raise money for children with diabetes this week. A signed picture of the cast of Coronation Street, a jacket worn by TV presenter Carol Malia and a Sunderland football shirt
PEACE talks between developers and conservation groups over a proposed housing scheme in Spennymoor have so far failed. Eight months ago, Sedgefield Borough Council granted planning permission for Barratts to build 100 homes to the south of a vast proposed
LAST Friday, Jose Mourinho revealed that John Terry occasionally spends £5,000 a week at the bookmakers. Twenty-four hours later, and the defender's header secured his side's 13th success of the season and maintained a ten point lead over Manchester United
A MULTI-MILLION pound learning centre will be "spectacular" when it opens to students, staff and the public next year, bosses said last night. The £34.5m Darlington College under construction off Haughton Road, in the town, is running to budget and on
A FAMILY of four became the latest victims of a notorious river crossing after their car became stranded in swollen waters yesterday. A couple and their two young children were carried to safety by police, who waded into the freezing River Wear, at Stanhope
A LONG-RUNNING wrangle between residents and landowners over access to footpaths surrounding a north Durham community will come to a head this week. Residents of Medomsley, near Consett, have welcomed a recommendation by highways chiefs that three disputed
THE trauma caused by the tragic loss of a friend encouraged miner Alex McDougall to set up a counselling service for his work colleagues. When Mr McDougall, 39, was at secondary school he was classed as "remedial" and teachers did not bother with him,
A COMPUTER software company has paid tribute to an online trader who discovered he had been unwittingly supplying customers with counterfeit Microsoft software produced in China. Microsoft said Paul Rowling, the owner of monitorshop.co.uk, based in Middlesbrough
GOALKEEPER Ben Alnwick can rightfully hold his head up after a great penalty save from Robbie Keane during the 3-2 defeat at Spurs, but manager Mick McCarthy admitted it could be the 18-year-old's final game of the year for the Black Cats. McCarthy is
