MORE than 250 sex offenders live on Teesside, a report published yesterday revealed. The joint report by Cleveland Police and the Probation Service shows there are 266 registered sex offenders in the area. Only two offenders on Teesside who have been
A mental health services unit was officially opened yesterday. South Easington's Mental Health services have been moved to Merrick House, in Seaside Lane, Easington, east Durham. Dr Roger Bolas, chief executive of Easington Primary Care Trust, unveiled
IF Peter Reid is searching for solace in these troubled times, he has only to think back to one of the darkest times of his playing career. Or if his memory fails him, he need only consult assistant manager Adrian Heath for a reminder of how a club's
A TOWN'S mayor stepped up to help boost a charity's appeal for more volunteers. Councillor Jack Dobson lent a hand at the British Heart Foundation (BHF) store in Northallerton High Street yesterday. Coun Dobson spent a couple of hours helping out at the
NORTH-EAST investors looking for positive signs in the UK's stock market will be cheered by statistics showing that company directors are buying an increasing number of shares in their own and other companies. The figures show the ratio between the amounts
David Beckham last night appealed to the ten-year-old girls missing for two days to "go home". The England football star was joined by the rest of the Manchester United squad in making the appeal to Holly Wells and best friend Jessica Chapman, who vanished
THE body of a man has been found on a piece of secluded farmland. Keith Keenan went missing after discharging himself from the University Hospital of North Tees, Stockton, on Sunday July 21. The body of the 41-year-old from Thornaby was discovered by
Cherie Blair was recovering last night after suffering a miscarriage on the eve of a family summer break in France. The Prime Minister's 47-year-old wife was taken to hospital on Monday night after falling ill at Downing Street. Tony Blair was with her
MOBILE phones and phone cards worth about £40,000 have been stolen by burglars. The raiders broke into the Carphone Warehouse, Silver Street, Durham City, through the roof. They subdued the alarm system and smashed their way into a storeroom before taking
A NEW agreement between a council and its tenants aims to give them more of a say in how their housing services are run. The compact, drawn up between Richmondshire District Council and its tenants' panel, highlights priorities such as establishing housing
Ripon's newly established bus station has not only provided a boost for passengers but has improved the area's environment, says an annual transport review. The long-awaited bus station, which also includes a new library, small shop units and public conveniences
Campaign for more cash North-East councillors are urging the Government to pump more cash into the region. Gateshead Borough Council and Blaydon MP John McWilliam are lobbying for a fairer deal when it comes to local government funding. They say the system
PLANS to create a wind farm and hydro-electric power sites in a rural part of the region will be discussed by councillors today. The Teesdale Renewable Energy Challenge (Trec) was launched in January in a bid to pinpoint sites in Teesdale, County Durham
THE narrow winding street that leads to Durham Cathedral and castle is about to become Britain's first toll road. Transport Secretary Alistair Darling has given Durham County Council permission to levy a £2 charge to drive on to the peninsula from the
CHILDREN'S BEHAVIOUR THE Professional Association of Teachers makes a good point in saying soap operas and TV adverts that glorify selfish and bad behaviour are sending dangerous messages to children (Echo, July 31). In days before television, the hallmark
A NORTH-EAST mechanical and electric company has completed a £60,000 contract to work on a major extension programme at the Deep Blue Dive Centre in Tynemouth. The Property Maintenance Division of Norstead, of Killingworth, was appointed to add a second
A MAJOR investment in replacing a railway bridge which provides a key traffic link, has been announced by council chiefs. Work is due to start on an improved road bridge over the railway line at Green Lane, South Shields. South Tyneside Council recently
SHOPKEEPERS in deprived areas were given almost half a million pounds yesterday to help tackle the menace of vandalism and other crimes. The Home Office announced that more than 470 small retailers would benefit from £496,000 to increase their security
A SHOWER company is to continue its search for talented engineering students in the South Durham area. After a successful first year, Roman Shower Enclosures, based in Newton Aycliffe, is offering three more places on its scholarship programme with Darlington
Fence plan to cut crime Residents may be given better security following regular complaints about clothes being stolen from their washing lines. Councillors from Hartlepool Borough Council's South Neighbourhood Consultative Forum will meet on Friday when
DURHAM is hoping for more glory in the country's most prestigious environmental competition. Last year, the historic city came second in the large town category of Britain in Bloom. Now, councillors and officials hope they can go one better in this year's
A DARLINGTON caf owner has installed some colourful representations of the town's landmark buildings to brighten his business. Frederick Stehr, owner of Crombies, one of the town centre's oldest established businesses, has bought a series of commissioned
POSSIBLY the most remarkable job interview ever took place before the Royal Society's astronomers at the Royal Woolwich Academy in 1760. They were looking for a bright young man, well-qualified and deeply studied, to send to the Far East with some of
A ROADSHOW offering dog owners subsidised or free microchipping has taken to the streets of Chester-le-Street. Dog lovers will be able to get their pets chipped so that they can be identified and returned if they go missing. The National Canine Defence
WORKERS at a Teesside plant were celebrating yesterday after bosses pledged £30m investment, reinforcing the future viability of the facility. The DuPont Textiles and Interiors business at the Nylon Wilton Site has announced the investment in its Nylon
A NORTH-EAST show returns at the weekend following a break last year because of the foot-and-mouth outbreak. The show will take place without the cattle classes, but there should still be plenty to see and do on the Robert Brown Showfield, Sedgefield,
UNION chiefs last night rejected a plea to involve the arbitration service Acas in the long-running conductors dispute at Arriva Trains Northern. The North-East Rail Passengers Committee said it could not see how a breakthrough in the pay row could be
BIG Brother runner-up Jonny Regan has been dishing the dirt on the other housemates. The 29-year-old of Trimdon Station appeared on Century FM's Goffy in the Morning show to tell all about his time in the house. The County Durham firefighter poured cold
TWO years ago Nicola Coates' life was saved by someone who she had never met and whose name she did not know. She was suffering from leukaemia and it was a bone marrow transplant from an unknown donor that put her back on the road to health and happiness
A FAMILY garage business is moving up a gear with a total redevelopment of its premises and the creation of jobs. Boroughbridge Auto Services has announced a major investment in upgrading its servicing facilities, as well as creating a new reception area
TWO brothers took the law into their own hands when they assaulted a landlord who had been involved in a bar fracas which killed their friend. Trevor Draycott, 31, of Longfield Road, and Gary Draycott, 22, of Cumberland Street, both Darlington, were upset
A COUNCIL is using the latest technology to thwart thieves targeting its sites. Thefts of saws, generators and compressors from Durham County Council have increased in recent months, with £25,000 worth of stock taken since June. Now the council's Service
A HOME owner says he was left with sewage in his back garden for a week because the water board was too busy to clear it up. Bernard Harris, of Firthmoor Avenue, Darlington, watched foul water from a flooded sewer pour into his garden during the bad weather
TWO inseparable canines are in need of a new home with an active family. Nine-month-old Tess and Misty are sisters. They were taken in by the National Animal Sanctuaries Support League after their owner became ill. The dogs are house-trained, spayed labrador
IS granny looking after your children this summer? Then give granny a hug. Treasure and cherish her. She is a heroine. What's more, she's an endangered species. Fewer grannies - or granddads - are willing to babysit for their grandchildren these days.
Jonny Regan was back in Peterlee Fire Station at the weekend, supporting a children's charity. The NSPCC, which is the fire station's chosen charity, hosted the fundraising event. And firefighter Jonny relaxed as he mingled with his colleagues - with
SUICIDE squad is to be set up to reduce the number of people taking their own lives. Teesside has one of the highest suicide rates in the country and, according to research due to be published today, young, single, unemployed men are most at risk. The
THE world of alternative medicine will come under the spotlight in a free advice day. Next Tuesday, Holland and Barrett, in Castle Way, Stockton, is offering customers the chance to find out about holistic health care. David Burt, of health firm A Nelsons
TWO of the greatest batsmen the world has seen will be on show at the Riverside today when Durham take on the Lashings World X1. Brian Lara has flown over from Trinidad for the match and among the six other West Indians in the squad is 50-year-old Sir
DETECTIVES hunting the armed robbers who shot a wealthy businessman in the head last Tuesday night have found further clues. Peter Stephenson, 52, was wounded as he struggled with one of three intruders in the grounds of Kepwick Hall, near Thirsk, North
A COUPLE were forced to rearrange their wedding reception after the opening of Darlington Football Club's new stadium was delayed. The club has repaid a deposit to Tracy Scott and Stuart Buchan and reprinted their invitations after catering bosses told
A TRIBUTE to a town's favourite son has won royal approval. The Queen has loaned Middlesbrough a carved figure of a man - a greenstone tiki - presented by the North-East born explorer, Captain James Cook, to George III, in 1771. It is one of more than
SPEED restrictions remain in place today on a section of the East Coast Mainline where a culvert unexpectedly collapsed. Railtrack said it was continuing investigations into the fault just north of the Croxdale Viaduct, near Durham. Engineers are anxious
AN arts festival is to be staged to help celebrate the refurbishment of a market place. The last phase of Knaresborough market place's £600,000 revamp has seen it totally transformed, with the addition of new tourist trails and seating areas. And the
WORK has started on implementing an environmental plan to improve Ferryhill Station. The scheme was developed by Groundwork East Durham using money awarded from the Single Regeneration Budget (SRB) last year. The group gathered information and consulted
A BUDDING scientist is hoping for help from people from her home county as she plans a field expedition off the coast of Africa later this year. Ellie Harrison is newly-qualified as a marine biologist after completing a degree at the University of Liverpool
A FACTORY worker has won thousands of pounds in compensation after he was sacked from his job at one of Darlington's biggest companies. Jeff Wright, 27, of West Auckland Road, Darlington, took Cummins Engines to an industrial tribunal for unfair dismissal
DETECTIVES investigating the rape of an 18-year-old prostitute are renewing their appeal for witnesses. The attack took place in Middlesbrough in the early hours of Wednesday, July 24, but despite releasing an e-fit of the man they are hunting, officers
LIKE the good folk of the North Riding of Yorkshire, we have been flooded out. Last week's column struck more chords, and elicited greater response, than any in the 17 years before it. Unlike North Yorkshire folk, however, we are most grateful for the
A North-East businessman has hailed pop star Zoe Birkett as a good role model for youngsters and tipped her for even bigger fame. Duncan Bannatyne, whose business empire is based in Darlington, Zoe's home town, has praised the Pop Idol finalist after
A CONTROVERSIAL plan to merge hospital services is due to be debated by health authority bosses today. If it goes through, bosses hope it will help County Durham hospitals to meet the challenges contained in the national NHS Plan. But it would mean some
A wildlife group is encouraging photographers of all ages and ability to take shots of the best and worst of Coatham Marsh wetlands nature reserve, at Redcar. The reserve, which attracts surprise migrant bird visitors such as phalaropes and egrets survives
TWO hospital wards have been closed after patients were hit by a sickness bug. Eleven patients in the Duchess and Graham wards at Scarborough General Hospital have gone down with the illness, believed to be caused by the Norwalk virus. The bug causes
LIKE the good folk of the North Riding of Yorkshire, we have been flooded out. Last week's column struck more chords, and elicited greater response, than any in the 17 years before it. Unlike North Yorkshire folk, however, we are most grateful for the
A teenager stamped on an asylum seeker's head outside a crowded bar, a court was told yesterday. Louise Dobbs, 18, sneered: "You scruffy bastard" at Kosovan Gazim Harexhim, 30, and left him brain-damaged, it was alleged. After the refugees pinched girls
A MAN has been warned he could be facing jail after he admitted growing cannabis. Robert Tate, 55, pleaded guilty to producing and possessing a controlled drug of class B during a short hearing at Newcastle Crown Court yesterday. Defence barrister Gavin
A COMPANY is to launch a new training programme for companies dealing with steam control systems. TTE Consulting, part of TTE Management and Technical Training Group, is about to launch the Energy Training Programme following a successful pilot period
DUTCH superstar Patrick Kluivert lines up for Barcelona against Newcastle United tonight having sensationally admitted that he would consider a move to St. James' Park. Sir Bobby Robson is a long-time admirer of the Holland striker, but received no encouragement
Profits soar for airline Ryanair announced the biggest quarterly profits increase in the history of the company, yesterday. The opening of the year also saw the no-frills Irish carrier fly more than one million passengers in three successive months, for
A TEENAGE heroin addict, who stole items from pushchairs while mothers shopped, was trapped by a five-year-old, a court heard yesterday. Nicholas Ralph, prosecuting, told Harrogate magistrates, in North Yorkshire, that Marsha Simmons took Michelle Lang's
POLICE divers continued their search yesterday for missing boatman Nicholas Lightowler, who disappeared from his river cruiser four days ago. They scoured the river bed in the vicinity of a bridge near Overton, north of York, but without success. Patrols
Ken Dodd In The Dock (C4) Teenage Kicks (C4) A JOKE from Ken Dodd's act: "What a great day for throwing a stone through the window of the tax office and saying, 'get some blood out of that'." But the Liverpool funny man wasn't laughing when, in 1989,
Former smithy plan rejected PLANS to convert a former village blacksmith's shop into a granny annex have been blocked. The scheme for The Old Smithy, Grantley, near Ripon, also included a two-storey side extension, detached garage and converting an existing
Heroin addict admits thefts A heroin addict has admitted stealing a lock worth £4.99 from a department store. Christopher Balogh, 33, of Ethel Street, Darlington, also admitted stealing a prescription, when he appeared before Darlington magistrates. The
COSMIC CASE can be the star of the show at Newcastle this afternoon by winning the Sports Aid Northern Handicap. Jim Goldie's versatile seven-year-old mare won over the sticks as recently as three days ago at Perth and now she looks all set to complete
MORE than 200 people have objected to plans to erect a 20m mobile phone mast. O2, on behalf of Cleveland Police, has applied to Stockton Borough Council for permission to put up the mast at the North Eastern Iron Refining Co, Stillington, near Stockton
DEMAND for licensed businesses to buy in the region is exceeding supply, it was announced yesterday. The Newcastle office of specialist business agents Christies and Co has reported strong sales of public houses, hotels, guesthouses and restaurants across
THE weather was more Sao Paolo than South Bank, but even a sun-kissed Riverside and the return of the prodigal son failed to stir the passions of the Teesside public yesterday. Whereas Juninho's arrival in Middlesbrough in 1995 saw 5,000 down by the Riverside
A REFRESHER course for former secondary school teachers interested in returning to the profession has been organised on Teesside. The ten-week course organised by Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council will be based at the University of Durham Stockton
WORKERS at a doomed cement plant have decided to go out in style - with a Christmas dinner and all the trimmings. Today, Blue Circle employees at Eastgate, in Weardale, County Durham, will tuck into turkey, Christmas pud and mince pies as a final farewell
A NEW anti-smoking service has helped scores of east Durham people give up the deadly habit. Between January and March 2001, 234 people from the Easington area stopped smoking for four weeks. A year later, more than half of the quitters were contacted
A mayor was considering his position last night after being convicted for his part in the sale of contraband cigarettes. Councillor Ray Calvert, 59, who became the leading citizen of Bedale, North Yorkshire, in May, was fined £300 by magistrates in Richmond
A Museum dedicated to keeping alive the region's rich mining history has been forced to close - because it does not have enough volunteers. The Durham Mining Museum display, in Easington Colliery Welfare Hall, opened to the public in 1999. Entirely funded
PLANS to use a house as a childminding business are likely to be rejected. Stockton Borough Council has received a planning application to use part of a house, in Fairfield Road, Stockton, as a childminding business for 12 children. The house would be
VISITORS can go behind the scenes of some of the region's landmarks next month. Fourteen venues, showing the architectural and historical culture of Gateshead, will be open from Friday, September 13, to Monday, September 16. There will be a presentation
HE has been the custodian of many a well-tended garden across the land for countless years - and now the British gnome is to be honoured in style. Fans of the novelty outdoor ornaments are in for a treat this weekend at Beningbrough Hall, near York, when
A plan is to be drawn up to revive a run-down stretch of the Tees riverbank. The scheme will look at developing opportunities for jobs, leisure, housing and heritage projects along the river, downstream from the Tees Barrage at Stockton, to Cargo Fleet
SUPERMARKET giants Safeway dramatically withdrew plans for a massive extension of its supermarket in Victoria Road, Darlington, 24 hours before councillors would have been advised to reject the scheme. The proposal would have created 300 jobs.
TRIALS of a tidal-powered generator, which could ultimately inject £1bn into the North-East economy, are due to get under way this week. The £1.8m Stingray machine, which is designed and built on Tyneside, is being positioned off the Shetland Isles this
PEOPLE living near schools in Darlington are being urged to be vigilant after three were raided in one night. One school had a window broken on Monday night. Two others were broken into by burglars who are believed to have left empty-handed. According
THE family of the victim of a brutal assault yesterday released a harrowing picture of him lying in a hospital bed, in the hope of bringing his attackers to justice. Ron Patterson remains in a serious condition in hospital after he was subjected to a
THE smell of herbs and the sound of wind chimes filled the air yesterday at the opening of a garden. The garden, which is designed to stimulate the senses, was created by volunteers for the elderly residents of Westmoor View Home in Marton, Middlesbrough
A RYEDALE town is going through an economic boom which is helping to fill several vacant properties. Malton's flourishing pros-pects are set to receive a further boost with the planned refurbishment of key empty business properties in the town centre.
BENEFIT spongers are being squeezed in a continuing council crackdown, which has resulted in praise and financial rewards. Middlesbrough Council's work in bringing 18 successful court prosecutions against benefit cheats has netted savings of £674,000,
A NORTH-EAST building society is going from strength to strength, despite fierce competition from banks, it was revealed yesterday. Darlington Building Society said its mortgages were in strong demand. The society said its commitment to looking after
A TOWN mayor was considering his position last night after being convicted for his part in the sale of contraband cigarettes. Councillor Ray Calvert, 59, who took the post of Bedale's leading citizen in May, was fined £300 by magistrates sitting in Richmond
A STUDENT from County Durham was given the chance to serve celebrity guests when he was invited to gain work experience at a famous hotel. Bosses at the five-star Cliveden House, in Taplow, Berkshire, were so impressed with Roy Hewlett that they have
A FLAGSHIP play park that opened less than two years ago will close unless an extra £16,000 can be found. An insurance clause means that the play area in Delves Lane, near Consett, County Durham, can only be used if a warden is present. With the £145,000
TRAINING schemes to help midwives in County Durham develop some of the same skills as junior doctors have been praised by national inspectors. The Commission for Health Improvement (CHI) gave special mention to midwifery training in its assessment of
PET owners could face a £1,000 fine as a council cracks down on dog fouling. In a bid to clean up the streets in its area, Wear Valley District Council has announced plans to give away 1,000 poop scoops and increase the number of dog waste bins. The campaign
A BRIDE and groom-to-be were viciously beaten by a gang in a park attack. The group beat and kicked James Barber, his 18-year-old fiancee and her younger brother while they were on a rollerskating trip in Darlington's South Park. A 20-year-old man, wearing
POLICE have renewed an appeal for help in tracing a man who has been missing since March. Edward Donnelly, 52, has not been seen for 18 weeks since he left the home he shares with his sister in Fynway, Sacriston, near Chester-le-Street, County Durham.
IT CANNOT be easy being the wife of the Prime Minister. Every sentence Cherie Blair utters is analysed and has the potential to cause an international incident, as her 'gaffe' over the hopelessness of the Palestinians showed, and every piece of clothing
THE Government neglected manufacturers in its eagerness to court dotcom firms during its first term, Trade Secretary Patricia Hewitt said yesterday. Mrs Hewitt was speaking after manufacturers registered their sharpest fall in output for more than 20
YOUNGSTERS got on their marks yesterday at the start of a four-day fun athletics course. The event, at Darlington's Eastbourne Sports Complex, is part of a summer play scheme at the centre. Eight to 15-year-olds are enjoying the athletics, while a kwik
BARGAIN-BUY Juninho last night revealed the burning desire he has to help his beloved Middlesbrough lift their first major trophy. The Brazilian, who was officially unveiled yesterday after signing a four-year deal, is set to kick-start his third spell
TWO classic shows for children are to be staged at Nunnington Hall, the National Trust property near Helmsley this weekend. Openwide Productions is staging a new adaptation of Beatrix Potter's The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse on Friday. And on Saturday
A NEW survey by the Countryside Agency has revealed the true state of the footpaths in North Yorkshire. It shows that almost 3,300 stiles in the county are in need of attention - and a further 921 are virtually unusable. In addition, almost 3,000 footpath
IT'S not at all what its name suggests, for Cliffe is an expanse of dykes, marshes and mudflats. It's like nothing up here in the North Country, but perhaps all the more fascinating to we largely hill-bred Northerners because of it. Charles Dickens evokes
PEOPLE are being sought for a group that will put forward patients' views in the planning of health services. The Durham and Chester-le-Street Primary Care Trust (PCT), which is responsible for GPs and health clinics, is setting up a patients' panel.
A woman has admitted to stamping on an asylum seeker's head after he exposed her pal's breasts in a crowded bar. The judge told Louise Dobbs, 18, that she was facing custody for leaving Kosovan Gazim Harexhim, 30, brain-damaged and violent with a personality
THE next meeting of Darlington's Farmwatch scheme will be at the St George Hotel, Teesside Airport, on Tuesday, August 27. The scheme, set up following the success of similar ones in County Durham, involves farmers calling each other with information
A man who was spared jail after committing a series of road traffic offences was behind bars yesterday for "flouting" a court order. Brian Robson, 20, received a drug testing and treatment order in March last year after being convicted of a number of
A NORTH-East jail has been named and shamed as one of the most violent prisons in the country. Castington Young Offenders' Institution, in Northumberland, was named as the third most violent prison in England and Wales, with an assault rate of 64.2 per
As Cherie Blair suffers the trauma of a miscarriage, Womens's Editor Christen Pears speaks to a woman who has both professional and personal experience of the tragedy. 'WHEN you have a miscarriage people tend to think you'll get over it in a couple of
IS granny looking after your children this summer? Then give granny a hug. Treasure and cherish her. She is a heroine. What's more, she's an endangered species. Fewer grannies - or granddads - are willing to babysit for their grandchildren these days.
