THERE seems to be have been an infectious festive atmosphere in the air at Natures World this week. Like many charitable organisations, we have to try to put on a good show using as small a budget as possible. We rely heavily on donations, gifts and gestures
TRANSFER-listed Nikos Dabizas stands by for an unexpected Newcastle recall at Charlton today, with Sir Bobby Robson admitting his amazement that no club has agreed to revive the Greek defender's career. Dabizas was made available after Robson told him
No longer known as the ex-Mrs Cruise, Nicole Kidman is on of the most powerful women in Hollywood. Steve Pratt meets the Oscar-winning actress whose latest film is also tipped for awards success. Nicole Kidman must be tougher than she looks. Her pale
MAYBE it was the expense of Christmas or the fact I'd just dropped my mobile phone down the loo (before rather than after, thankfully), but one programme this week had me sobbing longer than an Oscar-winner. Jamie's Wish (BBC1, Tuesday) showed how the
A JUDGE has said he is powerless to deal properly with a sex attacker whom he set free. Afghanistan-born Zadha Khan has twice been convicted of sex attacks on strangers, but because he is on a visitor's visa, he cannot be deported. And because he has
IGNORING all that WC Fields is supposed to have said about working with children and animals, Barton Methodist Church held an outdoor nativity with several word-perfect children and a donkey whose behaviour was every bit as impeccable. The donkey was
COLIN COOPER insists he won't bow to Ugo Ehiogu in the battle to partner Gareth Southgate at the heart of Middlesbrough's defence. The evergreen Cooper, 37 in February, has deputised for Ehiogu this season while the former Aston Villa man has recovered
FLOOD victims were outraged when a calendar showing rivers bursting their banks was sent to them through the post. Recipients have branded the Environment Agency's actions as insulting and insensitive. The agency has apologised to anyone who was offended
TRANSFER-listed Nikos Dabizas stands by for an unexpected Newcastle recall at Charlton today, with Sir Bobby Robson admitting his amazement that no club has agreed to revive the Greek defender's career. Dabizas was made available after Robson told him
BEDE'S World Museum, in Jarrow, South Tyneside, closes at 4.30pm tomorrow for the Christmas break. It will be open on Saturday and Sunday, December 27 and 28, before closing again until January 2. For further details, call 0191-489 2106, or visit www.bedesworld.co.uk
Darlington striker Lee Matthews is playing for his future and manager David Hodgson is ready to reap the rewards. The Middlesbrough-born forward returned to the North-East last week, on a month's loan from Second Division Bristol City. Today the 24-year-old
Tow Law manager Steve Smith is looking for more passion from his team at Chester-le-Street today as they battle against falling into the relegation zone. Lawyers have slipped to fourth bottom and Smith said: "I was unhappy with last week's performance
EMBATTLED Able UK last night criticised the Environment Agency as the row over plans to scrap the so-called ghost fleet rumbled on. The Hartlepool firm said the blame for it having to apply for a new waste management licence rested with the agency, which
THERE seems to be have been an infectious festive atmosphere in the air at Natures World this week. Like many charitable organisations, we have to try to put on a good show using as small a budget as possible. We rely heavily on donations, gifts and gestures
MORE than 120 jobs are to be created in a redundancy-hit corner of County Durham. A healthcare development in Shildon is expected to reinvigorate the town in the wake of job losses caused by the closure of one of its major employers. The town was rocked
'TWAS the week before Christmas, and the house stirred to the sounds of the last-day-at-school breakfast. Party food, gifts and cards all being readied to carry into class. There's a sharp rap on the door. Postman. Can only mean more presents. My five-year-old
A thief has stolen a laptop computer belonging to a partially sighted child during Christmas celebrations at his school. Ben Watson, six, of Burnopfield, near Stanley, County Durham, only has partial sight in one eye and needs the laptop if he is to remain
A MAN appeared in court yesterday to answer charges of indecent assault, rape and child cruelty. John Todd, from Dowbiggin Foot, Sedbergh, in Cumbria, appeared at Teesside Crown Court charged with ten alleged offences after the case was transferred from
A GIRLS' five-a-side football team went on an unbeaten run to claim a tournament trophy. The year seven football team from Teesdale Comprehensive School, in Barnard Castle, walked away with the Bishop Auckland Schools' Football Association girls' Under
THE top students at a comprehensive school had their achievements acknowledged at a prize-giving ceremony. The students, from Teesdale Comprehensive School, Barnard Castle, heard a speech from the region's top high-altitude mountaineer Alan Hinkes at
STORE manager Alison Hayden got a most unexpected Christmas bonus -a visit from a former world motorcycling champion. The manager of motorbike clothing and accessories store Hein Gericke, in Northgate, Darlington, met five-times world champion grand prix
A PROJECT that uses the Internet to tackle racism has been hailed a success. The Race Equality Scheme on the Northumbria Police website is being visited about 50 times a month. Chief Inspector Simon Packham, from the force's community safety department
AN award-winning hotel has launched a range of games for business conferences. The Monkbar Hotel, in York, was named Conference Venue of the Year 2004 in the York Tourism Awards. It is celebrating the award by increasing its conference facilities and
PENSIONERS enjoyed a sneak preview of a pub that has re-opened after refurbishment. Members of the Two to Four Club, from Ushaw Moor, Durham, were among guests invited to sample the fare at the Board Inn, Hilltop, Esh, before it admitted the public on
YOUNG volunteers are facing an uncertain future following the announcement of funding cuts. The funding formula for the Millennium Volunteers (MV) programme has changed, leaving North Yorkshire with a 68 per cent reduction in the amount it receives from
THE story of how a wronged patient founded a protest group that stopped disgraced surgeon Richard Neale in his tracks is to be told on national radio. Sheila Wright-Hogeland, from Kirkbymoorside, North Yorkshire, is the first guest in a new series of
IN a tiny, candle-lit chapel, heartbroken schoolchildren tried to find comfort in their darkest hour yesterday. The day after losing their friend, Daniel Readshaw, in a tragic swimming pool accident, pupils at St John's RC School, in Bishop Auckland,
No longer known as the ex-Mrs Cruise, Nicole Kidman is on of the most powerful women in Hollywood. Steve Pratt meets the Oscar-winning actress whose latest film is also tipped for awards success. Nicole Kidman must be tougher than she looks. Her pale
A DRUG dealer who hid his supplies on farmland was jailed for three years yesterday. Teesside Crown Court heard how police set up video surveillance after a farmer found a carrier bag filled with drugs on his land near Bullamoor Road, in Northallerton
FEARS were growing last night for the safety of a teenage girl who ran away after an argument with her parents. Victoria Stafford, 16, of Lady Bank, Chapel Park, Newcastle, has not been seen since 6pm on Wednesday, when she was involved in a disagreement
AN anti-crime initiative modelled on the neighbourhood watch scheme has been launched at a North-East hospital. Gateshead Health NHS Trust and Northumbria Police have joined forces to reduce anti-social behaviour at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in the
POLICE are appealing for people who helped a 57-year-old when she had her handbag snatched to come forward. The incident happened last Saturday in West Dyke Road, Redcar, at 2.30pm. When the woman shouted for help, several members of the public came to
A CHEERY Christmas card designed by a five-year-old boy has been sent to hundreds of homes. Home Housing Association, based in Maple Avenue, in Durham, ran a competition asking children at the city's Laurel Avenue Community Primary School to design a
MORE than 120 jobs are to be created in a redundancy-hit corner of County Durham. A healthcare development in Shildon is expected to reinvigorate the town in the wake of job losses caused by the closure of one of its major employers. The town was rocked
PUNCH Taverns has sold 252 pubs to ease regulatory concerns over its takeover of rival Pubmaster. The company, based in Burton-on-Trent, said it had secured two deals worth £57m to sell the pubs to a joint venture of the William Pears and Flodrive groups
ON his last visit to his beloved North-East last month, Lord Jack Dormand was championing two of his lifetime's political causes - education and the battle against deprivation. At the age of 84, receiving an honorary doctorate at Sunderland University
A North-East community was united yesterday in offering support and comfort to a family shattered by the tragic death of their son. Daniel Readshaw, 13, died during a swimming lesson at his school in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, only two years after
IN deciding the fate of Rio Ferdinand, the Football Association had to send an unequivocally strong message about drug testing in the sport. By banning him for eight months, it has done just that and - even though it means Ferdinand will miss playing
HEALTH visitor Marilyn Norton was given a seasonal surprise this week. Ms Norton was retiring after working for the past ten years as a health visitor in the Thorntree and Brambles Farm areas of Middlesbrough. To say goodbye, organisers of the Sure Start
A FORMER policeman and his wife have celebrated 60 years of marriage. Douglas and Ruth Smith met in 1938 in Mr Smith's home town of Hull. They got engaged in the summer of 1942 and were married in St Stephen's Church, Willington, near Bishop Auckland,
BREAST-FEEDING, the shortage of plumbers and the difficulty twilight shift workers in Aycliffe have in getting transport home were among a wide range of topics discussed yesterday by the Prime Minister as part of his Big Conversation. About 50 of his
COLIN COOPER insists he won't bow to Ugo Ehiogu in the battle to partner Gareth Southgate at the heart of Middlesbrough's defence. The evergreen Cooper, 37 in February, has deputised for Ehiogu this season while the former Aston Villa man has recovered
A RETIRING teacher bowed out in style as she left the school hall on the back of a Harley-Davidson. Staff at Harelaw School, near Stanley, sprang the surprise on Joan Bell at an assembly to mark her retirement yesterday. Deputy headteacher Maggie Collins
A TINY North-East shop is gearing up to challenge the world-famous Hamleys for the title of Britain's best toy store. Lamb's Toy Shop, in Darlington, has been named the finest in the North and the owners now have their sights set on the national crown
NEWCASTLE Falcons will have their third captain of the season when former All Blacks centre Mark Mayerhofler leads them in today's Zurich Premiership match away to leaders Bath. Official captain Mark Andrews is in the starting line-up, but he wants to
A NURSE was yesterday cleared of failing to get help when a terminally ill patient fell into a critical state. The Nursing and Midwifery Council had been told that Gillian Simpson, 40, did not get assistance when the 68-year-old man began passing low
TONY BLAIR announced last night that "the world is a safer place" following an historic promise by Colonel Gaddafi to dismantle Libya's secret weapons of mass destruction programme. In a surprise announcement of international importance made in Durham
A DRUG addict who killed a pensioner during a daylight street robbery was yesterday jailed for six-and-a-half years. And four public-spirited office workers who chased and caught 22-year-old Wayne Kenneth Cooper are each to get a £300 reward. York Crown
MICK McCARTHY is hoping defender Gary Breen will give Sunderland fans the perfect Christmas gift by declaring himself fit for the Boxing Day clash with Bradford City. Breen has not played since injuring a knee during the goalless draw with Coventry City
A YEAR after two North-East mates took part in the region's first "friend-to-friend" transplant latest figures suggest that their example has inspired others to do the same. Delighted UK Transplant officials say they have seen a 25 per cent increase in
STARGAZERS will be able to appreciate the experience of the Three Wise Men on Christmas Day. Amateur astronomers have the opportunity to spot the Star of Bethlehem when the planet Venus makes a spectacular appearance in the night sky. One of the many
Darlington striker Lee Matthews is playing for his future and manager David Hodgson is ready to reap the rewards. The Middlesbrough-born forward returned to the North-East last week, on a month's loan from Second Division Bristol City. Today the 24-year-old
You don't need weatherman Michael Fish to tell you that it's going to be a white Christmas. Considering the amount of soap on TV screens in coming weeks, what's on the box can't help but be whiter-than-white. This time of year has become the favourite
NEWCASTLE enigma Laurent Robert has revealed that Arsenal's legion of French stars have thrown their weight behind his claims for an international recall. France coach Jacques Santini has ignored the 28-year-old winger despite his dramatic resurgence
IGNORING all that WC Fields is supposed to have said about working with children and animals, Barton Methodist Church held an outdoor nativity with several word-perfect children and a donkey whose behaviour was every bit as impeccable. The donkey was
ENVIRONMENT: IN striving to protect the countryside, we need to recognise that what is crucial to it above all else is a healthy, flourishing wildlife and plant-life. As for appearances, they can take care of themselves. True, they are liable to change
PANTOMIME star Lisa Riley turned ice queen last night to open a temporary attraction. An outdoor ice rink has been installed in Darlington Market Place and will be there for nine weeks, carrying the seasonal fun through to February 20. Former Emmerdale
BELLA SCOTT feared she may have seen the last of her dog when thieves stole her car - with the English pointer sitting in the back. As she scoured the car park in the hope he had been left behind, the thieves made a detour to get rid of four-year-old
BELLA SCOTT feared she may have seen the last of her dog when thieves stole her car - with the English pointer sitting in the back. As she scoured the car park in the hope he had been left behind, the thieves made a detour to get rid of four-year-old
ONE of the most popular services in Durham Cathedral's calendar takes place tomorrow afternoon. The Lighting of the Christmas Tree and the Blessing of the Crib is especially popular with families and attracts a good crowd every year. Tomorrow, at 4.30pm
THE funeral of a woman who devoted her life to charity, raising more than £500,000, was held yesterday. Louise Hutchinson MBE, former mayoress of Darlington, died last week at the age of 82. Mourners gathered to pay their respects to Mrs Hutchinson -
IMPROVING Royal Beluga (2.45) rates a regal bet in the top-of-the-bill clash with Divet Hill for Newcastle's £10,000 Northumberland Chase. Sponsored by Nitex Computer Fairs, Royal Beluga must overcome last season's hero of Aintree's Foxhunters Chase if
A £1m centre for parents and children is already playing an important part in the community, Prime Minister and Sedgefield MP Tony Blair was told when he visited Darlington yesterday. The SureStart facility, which aims to give children aged up to four
A CAMPAIGN encouraging people living near schools in Darlington to be more vigilant against vandalism and theft is to be launched in the New Year. School Watch will ask residents and pupils to report suspicious activity around the buildings to police.
GOVERNMENT Chief Whip Hilary Armstrong took the controls when diggers moved in to start work on a £2.5m bypass in her constituency home town. The kilometre of road through Crook will open up land for industry and homes, and reduce town centre traffic
SOLDIERS have put their efforts into raising cash for Darlington's needy children. The troops from Catterick Garrison raised more than £1,800 with a 24-hour rowathon for the town's annual Giving Tree Appeal. The cash will be spent on presents for disadvantaged
A HEADTEACHER who helped lead a Darlington school through special measures has been appointed to a failing Surrey school. David Henderson, who retired as headteacher of Hummersknott Comprehensive School, in Darlington, was appointed executive director
JUNGLE tales inspired primary school pupils to create a Christmas story with an African theme. Children at Peases West School, near Crook, adapted a traditional Zulu story for their end of term play. Writer-in-residence Carina Rodney has been holding
THE parents of a teenage girl who died after a road accident took their campaign for a safe crossing to Prime Minister Tony Blair yesterday. Sarah Temple 16, died in June, two days after being struck by two cars on the A167, near the Gretna Green pub,
WORK to improve highways and public transport in Darlington has been given a multi-million pound boost, council officials revealed yesterday. Darlington Borough Council has received £3.7m from the Government to carry out a series of improvements over
PUPILS at a Darlington school reaped the rewards of their hard work at a prize-giving evening. Executive director of the Learning and Skills Council Tees Valley, Pam Eccles, was guest of honour at Carmel RC Technology College's prizegiving evening. Students
A PROJECT to boost language skills at a north Durham school has proved so successful that it is being expanded. For two years South Stanley Infant School has been running an initiative aimed at increasing the powers of communication among reception- age
OPPOSING Overstrand has proved a costly business so far this season on account of the fact that Mary Reveley's rising star has simply brushed aside his opponents on all four starts. Having already pocketed around £40,000, connections might easily have
AFTER spending three months sidelined through injury, Jason McAteer has been able to assess the potential of Sunderland's youthful squad. As he prepares for today's visit of Wimbledon, the Black Cats skipper insists the future is bright. Last week's defeat
NEALE COOPER wants to make sure all Hartlepool United's hard work is not thrown away before the turn of the year. Prior to last week's crushing defeat at Queens Park Rangers, Pool had occupied a top six place for most of their first season back in Division
CRIME levels are plummeting in Durham and Chester-le-Street, according to newly released figures. From April, assaults fell by a third in Durham City centre, and 15 per cent in Chester-le-Street town centre. Car thefts fell by 40 per cent in both towns
PARTY-GOERS on Teesside have been warned to watch out for pirate taxis and minibuses after a survey found some vehicles were unsafe. One minibus stopped by Middlesbrough Council licensing officers had four defective tyres while others had suspension problems
THE body of a man who fell from a bridge two weeks ago has been pulled from the River Tyne. Tony Dockerty, 25, from Throckley, Newcastle, was last seen on the Swing Bridge, in Newcastle, at 2am on November 28. A police helicopter and marine patrol unit
A FOOTBALL club has received a £17,000 grant to improve facilities. Wolviston FC in Teesside received the Football Foundation money from Frank Cook, MP for Stockton North, at a ceremony yesterday. The club applied for funding for a new pitch at its Metcalfe
THE developer given the task of building the first phase of a multi-million-pound Tees Valley regeneration project has received the final go-ahead. Middlesbrough Council granted planning permission for Terrace Hill to start work on two buildings, each
Q I thought that if your savings were below a certain level, you did not have to pay care home fees. Is it right, therefore, that my mother, with savings of £23,000, should have to pay £96.43 a week out of her pensions towards hers? A If the resident's
A GROUP of youngsters are spreading an anti-drugs message around the country through a video. The year ten pupils at Middlesbrough's Hall Garth School, a specialist arts college, took part in Darkest Angels, a 45-minute film showing the downward spiral
THE two most famous managers in the English game will be frantically reassessing their options this morning. Rio Ferdinand's eight-month suspension, handed to him after being found guilty of missing a random drugs test on September 23, will have set alarm
CALL centre workers have voted to accept an offer from their employer to end a dispute that was threatening to lead to industrial action. Members of finance union Unifi, at Lloyds TSB, had threatened action in protest at the closure of an office in Newcastle
A FOSTER mother charged with cruelty to children dating back 16 years will not stand trial. Carol Brown, of Durham Road, Darlington, was deemed medically unfit to withstand a trial, at Teesside Crown Court yesterday. The 58-year-old had been charged with
A YEAR after two North-East mates took part in the region's first "friend-to-friend" transplant latest figures suggest that their example has inspired others to do the same. Delighted UK Transplant officials say they have seen a 25 per cent increase in
THE Government yesterday claimed to have won a reprieve in the struggle to keep the fishing industry's long-term hopes alive. After 30 hours of talks in Brussels it secured another year of catch quotas that it claimed trawlermen could live with. But fishermen
NORTHERN Foods is hoping a woman's touch will turn around a 16 per cent slump in half-year profits. The group, based in Hull, has appointed Pat O'Driscoll, the retail vice-president of Shell Europe, as chief executive to replace Jo Stewart. Mr Stewart
EVERYONE you meet in Disneyland Paris talks about the expense of it all. Parents compare hotel prices over lunch and dinner, while conversations in queues for the rides cross-reference park entry fees, travel fares and charges for meals. That is, every
PLANNERS have given Thirsk Auction Mart permission to move after almost a century at its present site. Hambleton district councillors gave their backing to the proposals at a meeting on Thursday. A mart will be built on a 20-acre site, off the A19 bypass
A school's new art room has been opened by artist Mackenzie Thorpe. It has been built at the Mowbray School, in Bedale, and will be used by the youngsters as a specialist art centre. It was opened by Mr Thorpe in front of staff, students and governors
A SCHOOL which rewards youngsters with free time for hard work and good behaviour has won praise from government inspectors. Ofsted inspectors found that 305-pupil Hemlington Hall School, Middlesbrough is an effective school where pupils learn and achieve
PUPILS from five schools have been taking part in a Christmas carols concert. Northern Stage and Creative Partnerships have been working with 11 to 16-year-olds from the schools on a year-long project that started this summer. This term's project culminates
A FUNDRAISING group has ensured it will be a happy Christmas for elderly residents in north-west Durham. Consett Lions Club has donated 30 Christmas hampers to Derwentside Area Social Services, to be distributed to older people around Consett. It is one
A MUSEUM is waiving its admission fees to an exhibition by one of Britain's most celebrated artists, for two days over the festive break. Beryl Cook's images of large ladies are recognised around the world, and visitors to Durham Light Infantry Museum
A MEDAL marking the achievements of a former air raid controllor has been donated to a council. Ellis Whatley was awarded the MBE in the 1942 New Year Honours list for actions beyond the call of duty while he was in charge of air raid precautions in the
A RELIGIOUS centre has opened its doors to a fanfare provided by a steel band. Based in North Ormesby Market Place, Middlesbrough, the Trinity Centre was honoured by the Archbishop of York, who performed the opening ceremony. The Reverend Graham Usher
All sides, with the exception of Ferryhill Athletic and Washington Nissan UK, are involved in the second round of the League Cup. After scoring nine last weekend, Stokesley SC will be full of confidence against third-bottom Windscale as they strive for
X-RAY specialist Bede is looking forward to a "feast" in 2004 following three years of "famine". The Durham firm suffered in the industry-wide downturn that hit the semiconductor markets three years ago. But there are signs that a resurgence is on the
FLOOD victims were outraged when a calendar showing rivers bursting their banks was sent to them through the post. Recipients have branded the Environment Agency's actions as insulting and insensitive. The agency has apologised to anyone who was offended
