The absence from Worcestershire's line-up of Bradford-born off-spinner Gareth Batty could give Yorkshire a big advantage in the Championship match beginning at the Scarborough Cricket Festival today. With the North Marine Road pitch expected to take spin
TENS of thousands of drivers could have their speeding convictions quashed after a landmark legal challenge by two police officers. North Yorkshire Police officers David Burlingham and Andrew McFarlane plunged motoring law into chaos last night after
STRONG used car sales and a record performance by its truck division helped motor dealership CD Bramall push half-year profits ahead 28 per cent. The Harrogate group said pre-tax profits in the six months to June 30 rose to £17.1m, with operating profits
BANK holiday travellers could find themselves caught up in chaos at Newcastle Airport after ground staff voted to strike yesterday. Check-in employees and other workers at the airport, employed by the agency Groundstar, have voted for a two-day stoppage
A 26-year-old man today denied causing danger to a policeman and resisting arrest after an incident with a high-powered water gun. During the incident a policeman was allegedly hit in the face by a stream of water from a high-powered novelty water gun
SHOOTERS were warned that they might struggle to find grouse as the hunting season got under way yesterday - because the heatwave has sent the birds searching for water. The Glorious 12th marked the start of the traditional shooting season in the north
JEFF WHITLEY, one of Sunderland's Sleeping Beauties, has promised his "100 alarm clocks" will ensure his membership of the Wide Awake Club for tonight's tricky Carling Cup trip to Mansfield Town. The midfielder is scheduled to make a belated Sunderland
DURHAM are hoping Martin Love can contribute heavily to the runs they will need in the last five games of the season if they are to gain promotion. The Queenslander returns for only his third championship appearance of the season against Glamorgan at
ROBUST clothing prices and higher travel costs led the underlying rate of inflation to rise unexpectedly in July. Figures from the Office for National Statistics showed the usual measure of underlying inflation - known as the Retail Price Index (RPIX)
FURNITURE group ScS Upholstery saw its stock market value melt after it warned the recent heatwave had hit sales, denting full year profit expectations. Shares in the Sunderland-based company sank six per cent as it said it expected pre-tax profits for
CUP TIES are renowned for producing heroes and last night belonged to Darlington new boy Glen Robson after his winning penalty sent First Division Bradford City crashing out of the Carling Cup. After a goalless 120 minutes of football, penalties were
DARLINGTON Building Society has created an innovative savings account which will help to raise money for four local hospices. The Hospice Supporter Account was launched at the beginning of this month. All new investors receive a distinctive yellow wallet
JOBS could be created if plans to build a vehicle body- shop in Stockton are approved. The plans to build the body- shop and associated works on part of undeveloped land, known as the Gun Site, which is within the North Tees Industrial Estate, will be
PLANS for a multi-million pound regeneration of a run-down Teesside housing estate are to be discussed by councillors tomorrow. In November 2001, consultants were appointed by Stockton Borough Council to carry out a study into the future of Mandale, Thornaby
A FORMER senior lecturer in nursing at Newcastle University was yesterday found guilty of misconduct over his treatment of a patient. Phillip Brown, 48, appeared before a disciplinary hearing at the Nursing and Midwifery Council, in London, to face an
PASSENGERS faced disruption on the East Coast Main Line after a train stopped because of brake problems. The Arriva train stopped near Chester-le-Street Viaduct, in County Durham, on Monday, after smoke was spotted coming from beneath a carriage. Firefighters
COMPETITION watchdogs have been granted a six-day extension to deliver their verdict on which of four supermarket rivals should be allowed to bid for Safeway. Trade and Industry Secretary Patricia Hewitt was due to receive the recommendations of the Competition
REAL-ALE fans are working up a thirst in readiness for a summer festival which is returning to its traditional venue. The Durham Beer Festival, organised by the local Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) branch, was one of the region's biggest when it was held
PLANS to install a mobile phone mast on an industrial estate near Durham have been rejected. The 15-metre high mast would have allowed Vodafone to improve its coverage in Sacriston and surrounding areas and introduce 3G technology. Daly International
A STRATEGY aimed at increasing cultural opportunities for people living in Hambleton has won council backing. Called Improving Quality of Life, it will also examine ways of creating more green spaces and health. Councillor Neville Huxtable, Hambleton
A new showpiece centre for sport will open at the University of Teesside this autumn, completing the £50m-plus transformation of the Middlesbrough campus. The £6m two-storey Olympia building will be next to the School of Health & Social Care's Centuria
LONDON'S benchmark FTSE 100 Index failed to cement early gains as top flight shares limped across the finishing line at close of trading. After breaking through the key 4200 point mark at lunchtime, the Footsie was in retreat by the end of the day with
THE latest phase of work to upgrade Darlington's Dolphin Centre starts next month. The £70,000 scheme will involve installing a translucent water slide and a new toddler pool. The slide, featuring water jets, will replace the present slide, which has
Teesside Preparatory and High School is an independent day school offering a caring and challenging environment for girls aged three to 18. With an impressive record of providing excellent education, the school specialises in fostering the talents of
A DRUNKEN driver who crashed his car into a front garden said he had been forced to swerve to avoid a head-on collision with a stolen car, a court heard yesterday. Jason Jeffrey Price, 19, of Lowmoor Road, Darlington, pleaded guilty at South Durham Magistrates
RESIDENTS in Hartlepool are being urged to have their say about flooding problems in the town. Next week, there will be three meetings of Hartlepool Borough Council's environmental stewardship and regeneration scrutiny forum as part of its ongoing investigation
A CORONER has recorded a verdict of misadventure into the death of a pensioner who died after an operation to amputate her leg. Theresa Colmer, 78, of Cornhill Walk, Overfields, Middlesbrough, died at James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough,
A TEAM of dedicated hospital volunteers have come up trumps again for local people. Thanks to their generosity, patients visiting orthopaedic ward three at the Friarage Hospital, Northallerton, will benefit from four new dynamap machines and an ECG machine
SHOPLIFTER Becky Joyce led police on a quarter of a mile chase after hiding stolen clothing under her own, a court heard yesterday. Peter Scott, prosecuting at Harrogate Magistrates' Court, said Joyce, 29, had gone into changing rooms at British Home
after a hard day at work, most people look forward to putting their feet up in front of the television - but not Katie Petherick. The 17-year-old, who works at the University of Durham, spends two nights a week helping disabled pensioners in her hometown
BEVERLEY-bound Grey Clouds (4.15) is something of a topical tip following the violent weekend storms which thankfully produced enough rain to ease the ground at most of the courses in the north. But the ominous nature of the selection's name shouldn't
To many mature students who did not have the opportunity to become familiar with the technology during their school days, the prospect of having to suddenly become proficient in the use of computers can be daunting. "While I was studying for my Specialist
Samantha Allinson had little time for relaxation after finishing her BA (Hons) degree in Design Marketing at the University of Teesside. For Samantha, 21, from Nunthorpe, started her new post as a packaging designer with Avro OEM, in Stainton, a public
AS a little boy growing up in the North-East, visits to Newcastle were a real treat for Bruce Oldfield. Wandering through the streets with his foster mum, he would look up at the buildings in awe, overwhelmed by their size and beauty. "I couldn't believe
STAND by your man. And tell the world you love him. Keep giving all the love you can...Why? Why should a woman stand by a man who is helpless and hopeless and keeps making the same mistakes and can't or won't change? He only needs a woman to stand by
BEVERLEY-bound Grey Clouds (4.15) is something of a topical tip following the violent weekend storms which thankfully produced enough rain to ease the ground at most of the courses in the north. But the ominous nature of the selection's name shouldn't
The owners of two dogs, which were stolen along with a pick-up truck, have appealed for their safe return. They were in a Mitsubishi vehicle which was taken from Crathorne, near Yarm, on Saturday afternoon. One dog, a black Labrador, was discovered in
SHEER determination has resulted in teenager Malcolm Barwick being a successful learner. Difficulties in expressing himself meant the 19-year-old, who lives in Billy Row, Crook, had little success at school and college. But with a love of the outdoors
Black Hawk Down: The True Story (five) Makeovers From Hell (ITV1) RIDLEY Scott's film Black Hawk Down was so good at recreating the confused, chaotic heat of battle that it was impossible to tell what was going on as an American mission in Somalia went
THE Stadium of Death prepares to welcome Newcastle United once again tonight, but there will be a more mild-tempered chief in charge of Partizan Belgrade this time around. And Magpies boss Sir Bobby Robson knows all about his opposite number this evening
LAST weekend I spotted a sad, but highly symbolic, sight. Thrown down in a hedgeback was a board bearing a crossed-out image of a pylon above the slogan Stop the Pylons. The board lay forlornly in the shadow of one of the dozen or so pylons that now stamp
Mark Smith abandoned his A- levels half-way through to go fruit picking in France. Now, 13 years later, he has graduated from the University of Teesside with a First Class BSc (Hons) degree in Youth Studies and started a new post as a Young People's Support
An 87-year-old man chased out of his home a teenage Asian burglar who he had disturbed on Monday. The incident happened at the elderly man's home in Balmoral Drive, Grove Hill, Middlesbrough. The burglar escaped with a "quantity'' of jewellery. The burglar
Durham have pulled off a real coup by securing the services of South African Herschelle Gibbs as one of their overseas players for next season, writes PAUL FRASER. And the aggressive opening batsman has revealed the opportunity to witness Premiership
CABLE firm ntl is looking to pay off a large wedge of its debts in an effort to save itself a whopping £55m interest bill. As part of an enormous debt restructuring exercise, the struggling company negotiated $558m (£350m) of high-cost senior secured
Living in her parents' hotel from the age of four gave Donna Price the taste for working with people. She continued that interest in her teens, and has graduated from the University of Teesside with a First Class BA (Hons) degree in Marketing and Retail
THE Government came under increasing pressure last night after the second day of Lord Hutton's inquiry into the death of weapons expert Dr David Kelly. A second BBC journalist said she was told by Dr Kelly that Alastair Campbell had been responsible for
MIDDLESBROUGH are having to remain patient in their bid to sign Fulham's highly-rated midfielder Sean Davis. Cottagers boss Chris Coleman is determined to keep hold of the 24-year-old until he has tied up a deal to take Sunderland's Claudio Reyna to London
A RETURN to Hillsborough has never been on the cards for Ritchie Humphreys. Once a Sheffield Wednesday starlet, his last appearance at the ground where he burst so spectacularly on the scene came in November 2000 when he was replaced at half-time as Wednesday
Glen Robson fired the winning penalty to give Darlington a memorable Carling Cup scalp at Valley Parade last night. Tom Kearney missed the crucial spot-kick which sunk First Division Bradford 5-3 in the shoot-out after 120 minutes of stalemate. It was
People looking to improve their career prospects, whether they currently have a job or not, are being encouraged to lay new foundations for the future by the University of Teesside. The Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) has carried out a review of the University's
ARMED robbers escaped with thousands of pounds in a raid on a village post office yesterday. The pair, one brandishing a firearm, burst into the branch at Dipton, near Stanley, County Durham, shortly before 11am. They got into the post office's secure
COMPANIES can take advantage of this year's rising temperatures to save on tax, Darlington business advisors say. As UK temperatures soar and business owners try to keep staff cool, Peter Hogan, tax partner at Clive Owen and Co in Darlington, said there
THE man behind the rescue of the North's last working seaside pier, has retired. Peter Lane, assistant director of culture and tourism at Redcar and Cleveland Council, was one of the guiding lights behind the successful refurbishment of Saltburn Pier.
CHILDREN from the North-East became maritime archaeologists for the day in their search for the remains of Redcar pier. The youngsters worked on the beach with their parents and Tees Archaeology to help carry out research about the structure, which was
Black Hawk Down: The True Story (five) Makeovers From Hell (ITV1) RIDLEY Scott's film Black Hawk Down was so good at recreating the confused, chaotic heat of battle that it was impossible to tell what was going on as an American mission in Somalia went
CHURCHGOERS are helping to raise money for a new roof. Just under a third of the congregation regularly attending mass at the Roman Catholic church of St Thomas More, Middlesbrough, has pledged to raise £500 each towards the cost of replacing the leaking
The North-East's offshore and marine industry will be able to take a share of benefits announced by the Government to boost the amount of electricity generated by offshore wind power. Doug Everard, chief executive of the New and Renewable Energy Centre
INTERNATIONAL stars are preparing for an open- air classical music concert in County Durham this weekend. The Northern Proms will be held on Saturday at Durham County Cricket Club ground, in Chester-le-Street, and will feature renowned brass band conductor
A MAN behind bars after being found guilty of a Samurai sword attack had his conviction overturned by London's Criminal Appeal Court yesterday. Describing it as "one of the rare cases" where inconsistency in jury verdicts caused a doubt about the conviction
A PERVERT'S hand shown in child pornography photos was identified by a top doctor, a court was told yesterday. Home Office pathologist James Sunter was brought in by police after they raided the home of Peter Hindmarch, 43, and seized his digital camera
Fears are growing for a teenage girl smuggled into Britain who disappeared from the council home where she was placed into care. Coi Kamell, 16, arrived in England from Kenya with no family six months ago. She was put into care and provided with health
A COUNTRY show is hoping to put the nightmares of the last couple of years firmly in the past and begin a new era on a new site. Wensleydale Show was cancelled in 2001 at the height of the foot-and-mouth crisis, and, with restrictions still in place last
A COURAGEOUS youngster is to be nominated for a bravery award after saving his friend's life. Nine-year-old Shay Corrie and friend Jack Briggs, five, were left fighting for their lives after being hit by a truck yards from their homes. Witnesses said
A DARLINGTON nurse has graduated from RAF Cranwell, in Lincolnshire in a ceremony attended by the Duke of York. Flight Lieutenant Willcocks, 31, passed a specialist entrant and re-entrant course, which included physical and management training as well
ARTIST Nicola Wallis is celebrating after becoming one of only 25 students to show their work at a national exhibition. The 22-year-old, from Darlington, was chosen to display her work at the Northern Graduates exhibition in the New Academy Gallery and
SATELLITE broadcaster BSkyB bounced back into the black as it set its sights on seven million digital subscribers by the end of this year. The group reported annual pre-tax profits before exceptional items of £259.6m, up on the loss of £22.1m reported
A STEWARD admitted stealing money from a social club, when he appeared in court yesterday. Graeme Ruddick, 44, of Thompson Terrace, Sunderland, admitted the offence when he was working as a steward at Sea View Social Club, in Ryhope, near Sunderland.
STARS from televsion soap Emmerdale have been lined up for a charity cricket match in the region on Sunday. Actors Chris Chittell, who plays Eric Pollard, Patrick Mower, who plays Rodney Blackstock, John Middleton, who plays the Rev Ashley Thomas and
A MAN who subjected his family to a "reign of terror" - by sexually abusing his children and beating up his wife - has won a reduction in his jail sentence because of his poor health. The Newcastle man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was jailed
A CLUB steward yesterday admitted stealing almost £9,000 from a hospital's recreation club over six months. Julie Dykes, 31, of Mowden Terrace, Darlington, pleaded guilty to stealing £8,914 from Darlington Health Authority, at South Durham Magistrates
A fisherman who died in freak storms off the North-East coast on Sunday has been named. Keith Evans, 58, of Greatham, near Hartlepool, was named by coroner Malcolm Donnelly as the inquest was opened yesterday. Mr Donnelly told the inquest he will consult
BUILDING a pair of houses next to a pub in a market town would have a detrimental impact on the street and conservation area, according to planning officials. Citywall Corporation had applied for planning permsission to build the houses next to the Malt
VILLAGERS could miss out on the full benefits of Broadband Internet because they live too far from their telephone exchange. BT is to upgrade the New Brancepeth exchange, which serves villages such as Bearpark, Esh Winning and Langley Park, to give ten
POLICE are warning householders not to leave car keys on show after another attempted burglary in Hambleton. Residents have been urged to put keys out of sight, after an intruder in Sutton-under-Whitestonecliffe, near Thirsk, entered a house and stole
AN equestrian centre is being built as part of the redevelopment of a North Yorkshire college. Work is under way on the £500,000 project at Askham Bryan College, near York. It will include indoor and outdoor schools, stabling and support facilities for
THE funeral of a man who died when his son's car collided with another vehicle will take place on Thursday. Father-of-four Norman Rayner, 48, of Acacia Gardens, Crook, County Durham, was a passenger in his son, Barrie's, car when the accident happened
A blind man set a world record today by reaching a speed of 144mph in a £58,000 car. Mike Newman was alone behind the wheel of a super-charged 155mph Jaguar XRJ 4.2 car during the record bid at an old aerodrome at Elvington, York. The 41-year-old, who
A COURAGEOUS youngster is to be nominated for a bravery award after saving his friend's life. Nine-year-old Shay Corrie and friend Jack Briggs, five, were left fighting for their lives after being hit by a truck yards from their homes. Witnesses said
TWO teenagers are putting their skills and qualifications to good use by giving valuable career advice and guidance to schoolchildren. Louise Wright and Helen McAninly both work for Durham University and are also involved in the Business Ambassadors project
PAUL TRIPPETT I QUESTION why councillor Paul Trippett has politicised his refusal to accept the increased Durham County councillors' allowance (Echo, Aug 7). He described as "Old Labour" those councillors who supported the increases. His actions, though
TENS of thousands of drivers could have their speeding convictions quashed after a landmark legal challenge by two police officers. North Yorkshire Police officers David Burlingham and Andrew McFarlane plunged motoring law into chaos last night after
THE drive to regenerate Richmond's economy has netted its third success. A cobbler's on King Street and a shop selling teddies on Finkle Street have opened since the Town Centre Forum launched an initiative in January to attract a wider variety of shops
INCREASING the number of childcare places within more rural parts of the county has been targeted as a priority for Dales councillor Betsy Hill in her new leading role. Stepping into the shoes of former chairman of the North Yorkshire Early Years and
FAMILIES and individuals from east Cleveland who have suffered from meningitis are being encouraged to get involved with a national organisation. The Meningitis Research Foundation offers help and support including free information about meningitis and
Help is at hand to ensure children receive the most from their school years, thanks to an educational initiative aimed at giving pupils a boost in their home environment. Washington is the regional headquarters of the Student Support Centre and the dedicated
SPEEDING is a serious offence. Breaking the speed limit costs lives and we support the hard line police forces across the country have taken to crack down on drivers who break the law. That said, anyone who has ever been caught speeding - and that is
PAUL TRIPPETT: I QUESTION why councillor Paul Trippett has politicised his refusal to accept the increased Durham County councillors' allowance (Echo, Aug 7). He described as "Old Labour" those councillors who supported the increases. His actions, though
STAND by your man. And tell the world you love him. Keep giving all the love you can...Why? Why should a woman stand by a man who is helpless and hopeless and keeps making the same mistakes and can't or won't change? He only needs a woman to stand by
THE especially observant will have divined that these columns are increasingly accompanied by snapshots taken by their author. Since open acknowledgement is infrequent, there are two further ways of gleaning photographic evidence. The first is that the
The cultural impact of Renaissance Italy, the turbulence of the French revolution and the super-power deadlock of the Cold War. John Poole has explored all of these and more as part of his BA (Hons) degree in History at the University of Teesside. Now
DURHAM are hoping Martin Love can contribute heavily to the runs they will need in the last five games of the season if they are to gain promotion. The Queenslander returns for only his third championship appearance of the season against Glamorgan at
TAXPAYERS may be faced with a bill after a town hall pension fund hit trouble in the stock market slump. Almost 30,000 workers and pensioners in Wearside and Tyneside pay into the Tyne and Wear Pension Fund. But the scheme - one of Britain's biggest -
Tim James has come to the University of Teesside with vast expertise in crime. But the senior lecturer is no law breaker. He has seven years experience as a Scene of Crime Officer, and now lecturers on the University's BSc (Hons) degrees in Crime Scene
