Dear Prime Minister, I expect you can't hear the whoosh of the chickens coming home to roost for the noise of the wheels falling off the wagon. I sympathise, but I did warn you that sooner or later there would be a tremendous backlash against this passion
THE row over red tape in Britain's schools took a new twist last night when a fed-up North-East head revealed he had quit his £31,000-a-year job to become a lorry driver. Tim Gunn, a teacher for nearly 30 years, said the constant administration and management
RYMER'S RASCAL might well turn out to be a menacing prospect as far as the bookies' are concerned at Catterick this afternoon. Scurrying around tight left-hand bends presents few problems for Eric Alston's eight-year-old because he has shown time and
A RURAL community has been split by the possibility of a woman priest being appointed to their parish. Residents in the parish of Forcett, Melsonby and Aldbrough, near Richmond, North Yorkshire, are divided over whether they should be prepared to accept
The amazing Williams sisters wrote an exciting new page in tennis history yesterday when they marched through to meet each other in a mouth-watering Wimbledon semi-final. First Serena demolished fellow American Lisa Raymond 6-2 6-0 on Court One in a one-sided
SHANE Warne is likely to prove the biggest obstacle to Durham's NatWest Trophy progress at the Riverside today. But despite the presence of the Australian spin wizard in the Hampshire ranks, Durham could not have asked for a better chance of reaching
WORLD triple jump record holder Jonathan Edwards said yesterday it was with "great difficulty" that he had decided to miss next week's Spar European Cup on his home track at Gateshead International Stadium. But the 34-year-old adopted Tynesider wants
TROUBLED Middlesbrough star Paul Gascoigne has been dealt a new blow after Norwegian side Valerenga snubbed the chance to take him on loan. Midfielder Gascoigne is desperately trying to regain full fitness after nearly five months without a competitive
CRICKET mad five-year-old Danny Thexton was bowled over when he was asked to make up the numbers for his local village club's under-15 team. He was even more thrilled when the Esh Winning skipper asked him to bowl what turned out to be the last over of
A BRIDEGROOM is hoping his plans to travel in a rubbish skip to his wedding will not scare off his fiancee. Soldier Robert Hill, 23, believes his wife-to-be Joanne Liddle, 29, will bury her embarrassment when he arrives with his mates in the bright yellow
ANGRY flood victims rounded on environment officials at a meeting to discuss the catastrophic floods. Residents of South Church, near Bishop Auckland, made it clear they were not happy with the answers they were getting during a forum organised by the
A FESTIVAL week of music and entertainment will provide a fitting build-up to a town's celebration. North Yorkshire Millennium Day is one of Northallerton's contributions to the year 2000 celebrations. The day will include everything from history exhibitions
PLANS for the sale of a North-East cigarette factory were unveiled last night, raising hopes 400 jobs could be created. The Rothmans plant in Spennymoor, County Durham, has been bought by redeveloper Industrial Estates Scotland (IES) which aims to turn
A NORTH-East youngster has been chosen to go wild and help endangered species. Elizabeth Hart, of Milbank Road, Darlington, is teaming up with television wildlife expert Chris Packham to help raise cash for conservation projects at home and abroad. They
CUBS and Scouts in County Durham are preparing for a river ducking - but none of them will get wet. The youngsters will release about 1,500 plastic ducks in the River Derwent, at Allensford, on Friday, for a sponsored race. The 1st Leadgate Scouts hope
A MAN who brutally attacked another man at Sunderland's railway station was yesterday shown mercy by three judges - because his girlfriend is facing a charge of murdering their baby son. Phillip Joseph Raine, 29, of The Avenue, Sunderland, pleaded guilty
TEENAGE beauty Katy Turner is hoping to fly the flag for the region by clinching the title of Miss England. Already crowned as Miss Newcastle, 18-year-old Katy, of Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, is setting her sights on representing the country in Miss
YOUNGSTERS from Darlington Table Tennis Club had an exhausting time at the weekend as they continued their efforts to raise money for a trip to Hungary. The junior team, whose members are aged between ten and 13, aims to raise more than £5,000 so that
MORE than 130 organisations across the region are celebrating after receiving a share of a £415,000 grant. A variety of voluntary and community-based groups received between £500 and £5,000 each as part of Millennium Festival funding announced this week
PUPILS at Wolsingham Comprehensive School are pioneering a disability awareness programme. The 23-member group of 14-year-olds from the Weardale comprehensive undertook a study of disability issues as part of a GNVQ course in health and social care. The
DARLINGTON Oxfam shop manager Marion Cowper was astounded when a nine-year-old cub scout told her he wanted to raise money for the charity. She was even more surprised when Jason Simpson returned to the shop in Bondgate and gave her a £22.10 donation.
AN ATTEMPT to introduce seven-day trading in Darlington has suffered a setback after one of the town's main shopping complexes decided not to open on Sundays. Business leaders have been pressing shopkeepers to open on Sundays to prevent shoppers going
A NORTH-EAST survivor of the Japanese prisoner of war camps has urged caution over reports that veterans may finally be compensated for their nightmare treatment. Although Japan is still ignoring calls to compensate the surviving PoWs, it is believed
A MOTORIST died after his car collided with a van yesterday. John Taylor had to be cut free from his car by firefighters, and was taken by ambulance to the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton. But the 64-year-old, of South Parade, Northallerton, was pronounced
GAS pipeline operator Transco is doing its bit to help the unemployed on the doorstep of one of its North-East sites get back on the road to work. The firm has joined forces with Into Work (Sunderland) Ltd to provide jobs and training opportunities for
SUNDERLAND AFC chairman Bob Murray will relive his childhood today when he opens a £1.8m school in north County Durham. Greencroft Comprehensive School, in Annfield Plain, was originally on two sites - one in the town and the other at New Kyo - but, following
A PRISONER who killed himself had become a different person after he discovered the body of his murdered brother, an inquest heard yesterday. Recovering drug addict Michael Jamieson hanged himself with a torn sheet in his cell in Durham Prison, in August
ENERGY conscious youngsters received a cheque for £2,500 to help beat the energy thieves. Pupils from Stockton's Hartburn Primary celebrated the handing over of the grant by British Gas, yesterday. The money will be used to introduce methods of reducing
TWO hospice support groups have raised almost £3,000 for specialist cancer care in the region. The Stokesley Support Group collected £2,535.65 by holding an open garden weekend, while the Linthorpe Support Group raised £447.35 through a summer fair at
A NEWLY-formed North-East firm is using its local railway heritage to demonstrate how computer design and old fashioned craftsmanship can create stunning works of art. Heritage Design Castings (HDC) of Shildon, County Durham is combining computer-aided
PLANS to turn the empty Victoria Hospital in Richmond into a funeral parlour have been approved, despite reservations about road safety. Richmondshire District Council's planning committee backed proposals by Blenkiron Funeral Services to convert the
TWO major new attractions will be unveiled tomorrow at one of the region's top tourist sites. The Maritime Adventure Centre (MAC) and Playship will be officially launched at Hartlepool Historic Quay, before opening to members of the public on Thursday
A teenage burglar who raided two homes in the dead of night was locked up for three years at Teesside Crown Court. Jonathan Rogers, 19, broke into houses, in Cheltenham Avenue and Fir Grove, Stockton, while the families slept. The judge, Assistant Recorder
CHILDREN taking part in a national music festival have been wished good luck by their MP. Four schools from Stockton will be taking part in the National Festival of Music for Youth at the Royal Festival Hall and the Queen Elizabeth Hall in London this
A PIECE of clothing which may have been used to start a flat fire has been sent for tests. Police hope the burnt clothing will provide vital clues to the fire, which happened in a flat in Hopelands Court, Heighington, near Darlington, on Friday night.
PETER Barratt's Garden Centre in Stockton has strengthened its team with the appointment of a new warehouse manager. Mark Campbell, 31, from Thornaby, is responsible for dealing with suppliers, checking in goods and making deliveries. As well as furthering
THE Government will risk losing the next General Election if it ignores older voters in the region, new research claims. A survey carried out by University of Sheffield professor Paul Whitely for Age Concern has highlighted the dramatic impact that pensioners
THE siting of mobile phone masts in school grounds looks likely to be banned in Hartlepool. In the light of recent health concerns, Hartlepool Borough Council's scrutiny forum met yesterday to consider a number of far-reaching recommendations. The issue
SUPERMARKET shoppers are being given the chance to do their bit for the environment - by taking their groceries home by bike. In a pioneering move, Tesco at Catterick Garrison is to introduce a "bike hod" scheme, providing trailers to carry shopping,
BUDDING broadcasters went on air yesterday in an experiment aimed at developing a switched-on approach to media courses. Durham's New College took to the airwaves in a venture which organisers hope will become a regular fixture. The amateur station features
FIRMS in Teesside are being invited to help make a town bright and beautiful for summer. Middlesbrough Borough Council has launched a scheme for businesses to sponsor roundabouts and boundary signs, in return for help maintaining and improving flower
SOUTH Tyneside Council's Economic Development team have made it easier for companies to source premises in the borough with the introduction of a new database. The up-to-date Land and Premises Listings have been compiled by the council with the input
SUSPENDED "zero tolerance" detective Ray Mallon last night sparked a fresh row, after claiming a critical North-East Labour MP had once admitted that the police officer was the victim of a "personal vendetta". Detective Superintendent Mallon accused Stockton
ARMED robbery victims in the North-East have reacted angrily to the publication of a book in which villains talk about their life of crime. Many of the 340 robbers interviewed for the controversial book, Commercial Robber, felt people who worked with
PETROL PRICES FIVE years ago British petrol was significantly cheaper than anywhere else in Western Europe. It is now by far the most expensive. Some garages are already charging £4 a gallon, of which over £3 is tax. As always, the elderly, the disabled
BEING charged with the education of the country's next generation should be a rewarding job. Today, however, there are growing signs of disillusion within the teaching profession. The decision by a County Durham headmaster to leave his career to become
Russian tennis beauty Anna Kournikova has raised temperatures by firing a verbal volley at her actress rival, Liz Hurley, calling her "ugly". The 19-year-old star, whose glamorous looks have turned heads at Wimbledon, is said to have made the comment
POLICE chiefs last night pledged to "name and shame" motorists who drive off without paying for their petrol. Cleveland Police have drawn up plans to use closed circuit TV footage of drivers in a "rogue's gallery" of highway thieves for all to see. Anyone
SCOTTISH & Newcastle, the UK's largest brewer, said the disposal of its Center Parcs holiday villages would be delayed for a few weeks while the company clears up after a major fire at one of its European sites. The fire at the De Eemhof Center Parcs
JUST over a week ago Tony Blair stood before an invited audience in his Sedgefield constituency to speak of the phoenix of the Filtronic factory rising from the ashes of Fujitsu. Yesterday the phoenix mark two emerged, ironically from the ashes of the
A FURNITURE recycling scheme providing jobs for disadvantaged groups has been set up in South Shields. Funded by the European Social Fund and the Government's Single Regeneration Budget, South Tyneside Furniture Recycling wants 20 trainees to work in
MORE than 2,000 fish were rescued from a North-East reservoir in a pre-planned operation yesterday. A team of fisheries officers from the Environment Agency caught the fish because the Broken Scar reservoir is being drained by Northumbrian Water for essential
POLICE are appealing for help in tracing the owner of this jewellery. The haul was recovered from a drugs raid in Primrose Hill, Stockton at the weekend. A man and woman have been arrested. Anyone with any information is asked to contact PC Steve Burke
THIS year's Lanchester Show was blighted by a torrential downpour on the second day, but that didn't stop all the planned events going ahead. Because of the conditions, results from the competitive classes were not available until recently. They are as
A WOMEN'S jail was alive with the sound of music yesterday as prisoners were entertained by inmates from another prison. More than 50 inmates packed into the chapel at Low Newton Prison, on the outskirts of Dur-ham, for the performance of Fair's Fair.
DETECTIVES are hunting three youths in connection with an indecent assault on a 12-year-old girl, in Darlington. The girl was attacked walking in Cobden Street, near its junction with Eastbourne Road, at 8.20pm on Monday, June 19. Two of the youths were
IT took just minutes to sweep through but it destroyed the homes and lives of residents in a North-East village. Yesterday, devastated families in Skinningrove, east Cleveland, were trying to come to terms with the chaos caused when floods wrecked their
Youngsters on a four-day cricket course will have the perfect stage to display their skills. The final day will involve a visit to Durham County Cricket Club's Riverside ground at Chester-le-Street, for the match against Somerset, and there will be a
AN orienteering weekend has been arranged to raise funds to make a severely disabled youngster's dreams come true. Christopher Solomon, nine, from South Bank, Middlesbrough, has always wanted to swim with dolphins in the wild. An appeal fund has been
Trucker Allan Leaver was crushed to death by his own lorry on the day before he was due to book his wedding. Allan, 52, died after he stepped from his cab to open the gates of a sewage works and his tanker rolled forward. He was trapped for more than
POLICE are appealing for information about three Asian men in connection with the North-East murder of Abdul Ghafoor last week. Mr Ghafoor, a 39-year-old father of four, was found dead in his home in Teak Street, Middlesbrough, last Tuesday. He had been
MORE user-friendly bus stops are proving to be just the ticket in Newton Aycliffe. A £140,000 package of improvements by Durham County Council is under way, with the second phase just completed. A total of 120 stops in the town have been improved, putting
A BROTHER and sister were left facing a miserable Christmas when their neighbour sold all their presents which had been left with him for safe-keeping. Keith Dowley offered to look after Christmas presents bought by his hard-up neighbour, Beverley Gray
RAIL fans are being offered the chance to travel the Settle to Carlisle line this weekend. Green Express and North-East Railtours are running a diesel-hauled special train on Saturday and Sunday. The Saturday train serves Morpeth, Cramlington, Newcastle
A DISABLED man made a citizen's arrest after finding a burglar who tried to hide in a cupboard. Edward Wardle, 52, returned home from a night out with his wife, Linda, to find their home disturbed. Mr Wardle, who has a back complaint, went upstairs and
A YOUNG drug taker breached the trust of his girlfriend's parents by burgling their home for cash to pay for heroin. Craig Wallace, 22, took £3,000 and jewellery worth almost £1,000 during the day-time break-in when he knew the family would be away from
A POLICE officer has employed the help of Newcastle United to help to cultivate footballing talent in Wear Valley. With the long summer holidays stretching ahead, PC Calvin Skinner, beat officer for Coundon, near Bishop Auckland, and his colleague Sergeant
TONY Blair is facing an unusual General Election challenge - from a man due to be prosecuted as a traitor. David Shayler, the former MI5 officer, is planning to stand for the Sedgefield constituency in County Durham as an independent. Mr Shayler, formerly
HUNDREDS of primary school pupils will be stepping out to celebrate 20 years of folk dancing tomorrow night. Children from schools in the Crook area will take the floor at Willington's Spectrum Leisure Complex with traditional reels, jigs and polkas.
LATE night revellers are being urged to come forward to help police find an attacker who felled his victim with one punch. The assailant, said to be aged between 25 and 30, and over 6ft tall, struck in a back lane in Crook, at 1am on Saturday. His victim
PEOPLE flocked to a summer fundraising fete at Darlington Memorial Hospital at the weekend. The fete, which took place on Saturday, was organised by the Friends of the hospital. Visitors were able to visit a variety of stalls, and hear a performance from
BRITAIN'S highest award for bravery will be worn with pride at a ceremony to honour a hero of the First World War. The Victoria Cross won by Donald Bell, the only English professional footballer to receive the accolade, will be worn by his great-niece
CEMENT group Blue Circle, which employs 180 workers at its Weardale plant, has revealed a recovery in its markets despite announcing 350 job losses a fortnight ago. The company said cement demand in the first five months of the year was ahead of last
YOUNGSTERS from east Cleveland gathered at Bydales School, Marske, on Friday to learn that athletics could be fun for them. The event was set up by New Marske Harriers Athletic Club, which has received £5,000 from the National Lottery to help buy equipment
SHOPKEEPERS have been warned to beware of lucrative cash offers from advertising hoarding companies, after a court case. An advertising hoarding company was fined £1,500 for installing signs without planning permission. Stockton Borough Council prosecuted
A PUB manager appeared in court yesterday charged with falsely claiming incapacity benefit. Paul Hooper, 37, of Castle Street, Kingston-upon-Thames, appeared before Bishop Auckland magistrates on Monday and admitted receiving incapacity benefit and income
A POLICE chief led by example when he spotted a burglary while he was out keeping tabs on his officers. Mike Craik, who took up his post as deputy Chief Constable of Northumbria Police yesterday, took off in hot pursuit. He responded to an alarm while
A TIMBER masterpiece hewn out of oak is taking shape in a forest which provided the wood for the flagship of King Charles 1. Artist Dave Gross is carving furiously to prepare his rustic creation in time for the Chopwell Forest Festival, between the villages
COUNCILLORS are being urged to introduce a strategy to improve run-down play areas in Darlington. Council officers say the strategy is needed to allow for better management of outdoor play areas. Darlington has more than 40 residential play areas, but
VISITORS to Northallerton could have a relaxing time if they use two new services at the town's leisure centre. Massage and reflexology sessions are on offer at Hambleton Leisure Centre. Visitors can book an appointment every Wednesday. The sessions aim
PROPOSALS to scrap 11 playgrounds in Middlesbrough will be debated at a council meeting today. A recent audit of the 40 play areas in the town rated 17 as poor or very poor and it has been proposed that 11 be scrapped, and maintenance work is carried
A Post Office worker is facing theft charges over allegations that he stole parcels. Michael Barlow, 24, of Norfolk Place, Bishop Auckland, County Durham, appeared before the town's magistrates yesterday. He faced charges of stealing money enclosed in
TRANSPORT officials have launched a new blitz on fare dodgers on Newcastle's Metro system. The first stage of the latest drive was staged last Thursday, when a 16-strong team of inspectors boarded trains at Jesmond and West Jesmond during the day. More
THE North-East's first millennium mum has another reason to celebrate after passing her post-graduate university exams. Donna Watson, whose son Andrew was born three minutes and 15 seconds into New Year's Day, has passed her legal practice course at the
AN unusual rock concert this week will showcase some of the musical stars of the future. The first students to complete the initial year of the Foundation Programme in Contemporary Music at Middlesbrough College will be performing tomorrow, from 8pm.
NOMINATIONS are being sought by Hartlepool Borough Council for Pride in Your Neighbourhood Awards. The awards are part of a three-year Pride in Hartlepool campaign, the town's millennium initiative to improve the local environment. Nominations are open
JONNY Wilson, who received terrible brain injuries in a road traffic accident, is now finding a new lease of life with the help of a County Durham TEC Modern Apprenticeship in information technology. In August 1997 Jonny, 21, a successful A-level student
PEOPLE in Hartlepool celebrated the latest stage in the regeneration of a park with a sparkling afternoon of music. A variety of bands performed in Ward Jackson Park on Sunday to mark the restoration of the bandstand. Hartlepool Concert Band, Hartlepool
A MUSIC extravaganza is being held at a Teesside school this week from morning until night. The Music Marathon Day, which is being held on Thursday, in the senior hall of Teesside High School, Eaglescliffe, is being held to raise funds for music technology
A LEADING North-East trade unionist has accused New Labour of being out of touch and in danger of losing the support of its heartlands. NUM Durham area secretary David Hopper, writing in the brochure for Saturday's Durham Miners' Gala, attacked Labour
THE last piece of an industrial jigsaw has fitted into place at a North-East business park. Electrical goods distributor Newey & Eyre has taken a 10,400 sq ft unit at Metro Riverside Park., on Tyneside. Part of Dutch group Hagermeyer, Birmingham-based
PLANS have been approved for Akenside Developments latest project in North Shields. The developers, based at Akenside House in Newcastle, have been given the go ahead by North Tyneside Council, to convert and extend the Old Brewery Bond development at
YOUNGSTERS are flying high after winning through to the regional final of a design competition. Schools were set the task of making something that could fly in a challenge set by the Engineering Council. Pupils at Bedale CE Primary School have seen their
A ROCK star has come to the rescue of a little girl who is "allergic to life". Brianie Copeland has to spend every moment of her day wrapped in bandages because of a rare illness. The plight of the four-year-old has touched the heart of German rocker
THE village of Croft found itself invaded by an army of scarecrows at the weekend. TV gardening expert Charlie Dimmock and Last of the Summer Wine stars Nora Batty and Cleggy were among the contingent. The village was hosting its first scarecrow demonstration
A YOUTH football team has arranged some practice for a fixture against a Scottish team. Youngsters from Consett YMCA play a team from Glasgow in August, so they have arranged a warm-up against a YMCA side from Sunderland. The YMCA's detached group in
AN appeal has gone out to latter-day beauty queens to help piece together the colourful history of an East Durham holiday centre. For generations, Crimdon Dene thrived as a local tourist attraction and now its fascinating heyday years are to be revived
FOLLOWING its multi-million pound refurbishment last year, Queen Street has let a 3,000 sq ft unit to jeweller F Hinds Ltd - the company's first store in the North-East. The unit, in Darlington, is on the opposite side of the Northgate entrance to Bakers
