THE father of a young man killed by a rare heart disease is performing a rock 'n' roll tribute to him. Levon Morland, 22, of West Rainton, County Durham, died in his sleep of Wolfe Parkinson White disease, which causes occasional heart murmurs. Fun-loving
THE North-East is to host a major international heritage conference this summer. The Investing in Heritage conference is being hailed as a highlight of 2002's programme of events for conservation and regeneration professionals across Europe. Supported
FOR the first time in more than 800 years, a North-East church known as "the cathedral of the dale" may not have a vicar of its own. Following serious financial difficulties in the Durham Diocese, parishioners at Stanhope, in Weardale, County Durham,
A NORTH-EAST media school has made headline news by being designated a Centre of Vocational Excellence. The centre, which will bring in half a million pounds of investment, will be housed in the School of Journalism, Media, Art and Design at Darlington
A COLLEGE which provides training for autistic people has been described as one of the best in the country. An inspector said Sunderland's Thornbeck College, run by Tyne and Wear Autistic Society, was "one of the best organisations I have assessed", when
A REVIEW team leader has denied being involved in a "stitch-up" of two former nursery workers branded paedophiles in the team's report. Professor Richard Barker, who is being sued for libel, also denied that the team members saw their function as providing
A UNIVERSITY student who claims she was raped as she celebrated her 21st birthday asked her alleged attacker the following morning whether they had had sex. Defendant Bahada Kalsi said the alleged victim had been drinking and smoking marijuana on the
A GROUP of cheerleaders are to fulfil their dream of performing in front of a packed crowd at Darlington Football Club. The Shamrocks, from Barnard Castle, County Durham, have been invited by chairman George Reynolds to perform in front of Quaker fans
Cleveland's Chief Constable yesterday called him "a liar at the head of an evil empire", but Ray Mallon, writing exclusively for The Northern Echo, insists his reputation in still intact - and he has no intention of giving up his political ambitions.
BUSINESS Link's enhanced Start Right in Business (SRiB) programme was launched yesterday. SRiB, which became part of Business Link's services last February, offers easy access to a comprehensive network of help and support. In a bid to increase enterprise
A BUSINESSMAN who grew up in the region and went on to head one of the biggest company's on Wall Street was yesterday presented with a knighthood. Sir Deryck Maughan was educated at Richmond Grammar School, North Yorkshire, before joining the civil service
BRITISH Airways has been accused of "butchery" after announcing plans to axe 5,800 jobs as part of huge cost cuts. The airline, which is losing £2m a day, said the job losses, on top of 7,200 already announced, were aimed at helping to make £650m annual
It had been decided that Harmison would return early after playing in the final four-day match in Australia to enable him to rest before Durham's tour to South Africa next month. "He started the game but partially dislocated his shoulder," said Durham's
A couple who conducted their relationship with thousands of text messages are tying the knot later his year. Terry Zipfell and fianc Allan Payne met when they both worked at Orange in Darlington. Allan helped Terry with a job application and decided to
PLANS for traffic calming measures on two steep roads have been dropped following objections from residents. The original scheme for Coniscliffe Road, Carmel Road and Heather Way, in Stanley, included speed humps for each. On Coniscliffe Road, these were
POP Idol star Zoe Birkett gave her young fans a thrill when she dropped in for a surprise visit. The young singer, from Darlington, may have been eliminated from the television programme, but she was rated tops by children at Middleton St George Primary
POLICE say they can handle looking after prisoners who cannot be housed in Durham Jail. Police station cells are being used because the prison has 716 inmates compared with its "certified normal accommodation" figure of 526. The Prison Officers Association's
RAY Mallon last night hit back against the most savage public condemnation he has ever faced. The former detective claimed Chief Constable Barry Shaw and police authority chairman Ken Walker had launched a bid to persuade the Middlesbrough public not
YOUNG glass designers are hoping to break the mould with an exhibition entitled Smash. The exhibition, at the National Glass Centre, in Sunderland, features some of the world's most celebrated young designers, including Emmanuel Babled, Jeffrey Bernett
THE Venerable Trevor Willmott, Archdeacon of Durham, has been appointed Bishop of Basingstoke. He succeeds the Right Reverend Dr Geoffrey Rowell, who was appointed Bishop of the Diocese of Gibraltar in Europe last year. He will be consecrated as bishop
A woman who is virtually blind today won a unique court victory for compensation to help bring up her child, who was born after a failed sterilisation operation. Lawyers acting for Karina Rees, 30, convinced two out of three Court of Appeal judges that
CEMENT workers are asking Prime Minister Tony Blair to intervene in the battle to save their jobs. An angry meeting at Lafarge UK's doomed Blue Circle works in Eastgate, County Durham, yesterday hit out at company bosses for shunning efforts to open talks
A council will today approve one of the highest council tax increases it has levied. The Labour-run Durham County Council's cabinet will be asked to choose rises of 12.5 per cent, 14.8 per cent or 17.6 per cent. This would increase the council's share
A DARLINGTON school is hoping to raise £25,000 in two weeks with the help of The Northern Echo. Longfield School needs to raise the money to support its bid to Government to become a Specialist Sports College. Pupils and teachers have joined with organisations
THE sister of murdered drugs baron Peter Beaumont-Gowling has described how his family was still struggling to come to terms with his death, a year after he was gunned down in cold blood. Wendy Maher was speaking as she prepared to mark the first anniversary
AT one time, every girl learned to cook. While the boys were making bookcases, members of the fairer sex were turning out scones and fairy cakes. Not any more it seems. A survey by the Guides Association revealed that nearly half of all schoolgirls do
A VALENTINE'S Day campaign to persuade Teessiders to love their hearts a little more is launched today. Posters and radio adverts urging smokers, drinkers, chip-lovers and couch potatoes to turn over a new leaf will send out a message across Teesside.
Paul Heckingbottom has shocked Darlington after deciding to shelve contract talks aimed at extending his stay at Feethams. His current deal runs out in the summer, but before committing himself to another Quakers contract, the 24-year-old has decided
PLANS to restore a mass foot-and-mouth burial site took a step forward as residents met with Government officials yesterday. People living next to the Inkerman burial site at Tow Law, County Durham, are still waiting for an official closing date. But
November 20, 1996 . . . Ray Mallon becomes the new head of Middlesbrough CID and takes the extra-ordinary step of pledging to quit if he fails to slash the crime rate by 20 per cent. January 8, 1997 . . . His confrontational style of polic-ing, known
For more than four long years the people of Cleveland have been fed a diet of lies, innuendo and half-truths by the man who now wants to the mayor of Middlesbrough. Under the manipulation of Mr Mallon Operation Lancet has become, in the public eyes, the
A WOMAN'S home was laid out like a shop, selling stolen clothes and toiletries at half price, a court has heard. Christine Duckworth, 54, even ran a stolen-to-order service for customers if she did not have what they wanted, said Shaun Dodds, prosecuting
A DALES community group has promised the public that a planned heritage centre will still open, despite last-minute problems with funding. The Meet the Middletons' heritage centre, in Middleton-in-Teesdale, County Durham, was due to open at Easter, but
LIFEBOAT crews searched a stretch of North-East coast yesterday afternoon after a man thought he saw a ship disappear. The Redcar lifeboat was launched at 12.51pm to search the area from Redcar to Skinningrove, in east Cleveland, after a local man rang
EXPERTS at the Bank of England have stuck by forecasts for an economic recovery later this year. The Bank's quarterly inflation report said expectations for growth and inflation had changed little since its last update in November. It admitted that "considerable
Britain's official happiest married couple have revealed their recipe for a happy, long-lasting relationship. Constance and Walter Clasper received the honour after 65 years together in an award ceremony at London's Savoy Hotel this week. The couple from
Letters from The Northern Echo THE GOLDEN AGE FOLLOWING your Golden Age supplement on travel (Echo, Jan 29) and next week's one on health, could * point out that those born in the 1920 to 1930 period have had to deal with vast changes. The values of the
CERAMICS group Royal Doulton is to cut up to 1,000 jobs. It is to close its factory in Baddeley Green, Staffordshire, and transfer production of its Royal Albert range to Indonesia. Of the job losses, 500 will be UK manufacturing jobs. The remainder are
THRILL-seekers are in for the ride of their lives next month, with the opening of this country's highest white knuckle ride. Construction has started on a 55m high tower ride, the Cliff Hanger, at Flamingo Land theme park and zoo, near Pickering, North
FORMER patients of South Durham Healthcare NHS Trust are being asked to share their experiences as part of a health review. The Commission for Health Improvement (CHI) wants to hear from people who have been patients at Darlington Memorial Hospital or
CHRIS Turner is ready to revert back to a flat back-four on Saturday - despite the success of a return to a 3-5-2 line-up on Tuesday. Pool won 1-0 at Bristol Rovers as Turner opted for a return to the three-man defence that served Pool so well in recent
FARMERS fighting against a pylon line being built across their land won a small victory yesterday. National Grid Company (NGC) workers were scheduled to carry out a survey at Station Farm, Alne, near Easingwold, North Yorkshire, as part of the controversial
A MAJOR clean-up operation was under way last night as the Environment Agency declared that £200m a year needed to be spent on flood defences. Traders and homeowners across the region breathed a sigh of relief as the threat of serious flooding from earlier
A SEARCH has been launched to uncover the best poets in the North-East. Compilers of the National Poetry Anthology are looking for each town's best poem for next year's book. One of last year's winners, Joanne Thompson from Chester-le-Street, County Durham
BUSINESS leaders behind the conference and exhibition trade in Harrogate say trade continues to be buoyant. Harrogate is the third most important venue behind London and Glasgow as a conference centre. But Paul Lewis, director of the town's International
Cadbury Schweppes, the chocolate-to-fizzy drinks group, has reported a 12 per cent rise in profits, although its business in the UK turned in weaker results. The group, which makes Dairy Milk chocolate and Dr Pepper drinks, said underlying pre-tax profits
A NATIONAL sporting event is coming to the North-East this summer and is set to be the biggest and best yet. The Chudleys Classic English Whippet Derby, the major event in the sport's calendar, will be held in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, in June.
TWO talented Royal Marines musicians from the North-East are to take part in a music festival at the Royal Albert Hall, London. Steven Richardson, of South Shields, Tyneside, and Jennifer Coupland, of Redcar, east Cleveland, are among those chosen to
TRAFFIC wardens are being criticised - for not handing out enough tickets. A resident of Chester-le-Street, County Durham, has contacted police to complain that the 1,381 tickets stuck on double yellow-line dodgers over the past year is not enough. David
A SCHOOL has raised £2,000 for the Children's Foundation Yellow Brick Road Appeal. The money was raised by pupils at Polam Hall School, in Darlington, and included donations from the school's production of the Wizard of Oz and sales of badges. Angela
A FIBREGLASS manufacturer is investing £250,000 in a joint project that could help it expand into overseas markets. Lamplas, of Consett, County Durham employs 100 staff at three factories making fibreglass panels for caravan and motor home builders in
THREE North-East schools have been named among the best and most improved in the country. Dunston Hill Community Primary, in Gateshead, and St Joseph's RC Infants, in Birtley, near Chester-le-Street, County Durham, are among 220 schools recognised in
YESTERDAY was the most sensational day in the four-and-a-half turbulent years of Operation Lancet. Never can a chief constable have used such strong, vitriolic language to condemn one of his own officers as Barry Shaw did yesterday. In carefully calculated
Arriva Trains Northern has handed a much needed boost to weary passengers as it prepares to get its timetable back on track. The under-pressure train operator is set to restore the vast majority of its services by the end of the month in a move welcomed
FANS of Eric Clapton are invited to go along to a theatre for a tribute band performance. Local band Classic Clapton, which was formerly know as After Midnight, and which recently celebrated its 16th birthday, is appearing at the Sunderland Empire on
CEMENT workers at a closing North-East plant have piled pressure on their bosses, with an impassioned plea to the community for support Staff from Lafarge UK's profitable Eastgate works are appealing through The Northern Echo for help to save their jobs
FAMILIES of North-East workers suffering from an asbestos-related condition may now qualify for compensation from a Government scheme. Stephen Byers, Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, announced last night that he was
NORTH-East men are shedding their slob image and are now just as likely to have a six pack stomach as a six pack of their favourite beer in the fridge. The Male Grooming Survey, commissioned by men's magazine FHM, revealed that a staggering 95 per cent
A JAZZ education initiative for young people arrives in the region next week. Saxophonist Courtney Pine will join turntable artists DJ Pogo, DJ Biznizz and MC Sparky, for workshops in Newcastle. The initiative is from Wednesday to Friday, February 22,
POLICE have warned residents in Darlington to be on their guard after a burglar targeted homes in West Crescent last Friday. In the first incident, at about 7pm, a thief walked into a house and stole a handbag and wallet containing credit cards and cash
A MAN once affectionately known as Mr Yorkshire is to head the judging panel appointed for the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) Farm and Country Buildings Award in the Northern counties. Ian Kibble, who was regional secretary for the CLA in
Cleveland's Chief Constable yesterday called him "a liar at the head of an evil empire", but Ray Mallon, writing exclusively for The Northern Echo, insists his reputation in still intact - and he has no intention of giving up his political ambitions.
MOURNING hadn't broken. Flags flew from the mast tops, the Queen opened a Salvation Army men's palace in Whitechapel, London fumed, indifferently, on its way. It was only on page 21, some time after the true colours debate over whether the Prime Minister
RED tape delays are keeping a family trapped in a nightmare neighbourhood, it has been claimed. Karen and John Kay sold their home, on Curran Avenue, Whinney Banks, to Middlesbrough Council. The house will be demolished with 163 others as part of the
POLICE have released descriptions of three youths who threatened a group of younger boys and stole a mobile phone and cash. The four victims, all aged about 13, were threatened and searched by the trio in Edinburgh Drive, Darlington. The attackers were
A DRIVER admitted yesterday causing the death of his friend after driving him home while almost three times over the drink-drive limit. James Hardman, 30, suffered cuts and bruises in the smash last July when his Vauxhall Cavalier crashed head-on with
A SENIOR council leader has described a Government spending formula as "ludicrous" as he explained that council tax payers will be facing an inflation-busting rise. Councillor Colin Anderson, leader of Sunderland City Council, attacked the Standard Spending
THE Crown Prosecution Service was last night facing growing pressure to re-open a criminal investigation into Ray Mallon and other officers suspended following Operation Lancet. Following a day in which Cleveland Police Chief Constable Barry Shaw broke
MOURNING hadn't broken. Flags flew from the mast tops, the Queen opened a Salvation Army men's palace in Whitechapel, London fumed, indifferently, on its way. It was only on page 21, some time after the true colours debate over whether the Prime Minister
HOUSEHOLDERS are urged to be alert to a possible scam involving holiday offers made by telephone. Trading standards officials in North Yorkshire have received a stream of complaints from people who have had calls from an American company stating that
THE first speed camera in the North-East to sport a bright yellow cover under new Government guidelines is expected to get its first lick of paint today. Cleveland Police were chosen for a pilot scheme for the "cash for cameras" road safety scheme, and
Residents can comment next week on improvements to Billy Row village green. Seats have been added to the recreation area, near Crook, and plans for the next phase of work will be on display at Stanley Way Community Centre next Thursday, at 6.30pm. Plans
THE future of one of the mainline train operators could hang in the balance if a rail watchdog pushes through plans to redraw the franchise map, it was claimed yesterday. Industry sources are speculating that York-based GNER could disappear if Strategic
Darius Vassell celebrated his England debut with a goal as Sven Goran Eriksson's side earned themselves a well-earned draw against Holland on Wednesday night. The Aston Villa striker, winning his first cap along with fellow debutants Wayne Bridge and
YOUNG footballers from Middlesbrough got busy with mops and buckets at the BT Cellnet Riverside Stadium yesterday in a bid to raise funds. The Whinney Banks under-16 soccer team was sponsored to clean seats in the 9,000 capacity West Stand to raise money
THREE of the four suspected cases of measles reported in children in the North-East were confirmed last night. It was also revealed that the three positive cases in Gateshead and South Tyneside had not had MMR jabs. Doctors at Gateshead and South Tyneside
