A MAJOR question mark was hanging over hormone replacement therapy last night after a massive study confirmed a definite link with breast cancer. In the case of combined oestrogen-progestogen HRT treatment, the study of more than a million UK women showed
A NORTH-EAST school plagued by trespassers is to get £240,000 from the Government for major security improvements. Eastbourne Comprehensive, in Darlington, is one of only two schools in the country chosen to receive the money as part of a pilot project
On the sort of balmy English evening that on April 26 1980 he may never have dreamed possible, Chris Cairns returned to Bishop Auckland on Tuesday. "It's been a long time between drinks," he said. His father was the mighty Lance Cairns, a New Zealand
A MOTHER and her daughter are to stage a 22-mile sponsored walk between two of the region's resorts in memory of three relatives who died from cancer. Carolyn Lavagna, 48, of Elm Grove, Whitby and her daughter Nina, 27, are to raise money for St Catherine's
Ladies July Medal: 1 Freda Forbes (Sedgefield) net 85; 2 Dorothy Greenwood (Sedgefield) net 85; 3 Brenda Peel (Peterlee) net 87. July Medal: 1 Paul Davidson (Coundon) net 69; 2 Dick Watkin (Sedgefield) net 70; 3 David Barclay net 70. Ladies Rose Bowl:
PROTESTERS fighting a transfer waste station being built near their homes in Barnard Castle have taken legal action against those involved in the scheme. Stainton Grove Action Group yesterday served notice on Durham County Council, Teesdale District Council
A FAMILY festival has been cancelled for the third year running, after fears were raised over road safety. The Allensford Festival, which attracts thousands of visitors, was due back this August Bank Holiday after a two-year absence. Earlier this year
In the first of a two-part history of Durham Ice Rink, David Simpson recalls the earliest days of ice skating in the city. THE people of Durham were no strangers to ice skating even before the days of the Durham Ice Rink. In days gone by, people took
A THIRSK family who had been looking forward to spending time together on a sunshine holiday spent most of it at hospital. Natasha Ghouri, four, did not eat for ten days and spent six of those on a drip in hospital after being infected by a stomach virus
IT was hard to believe that the Wensleydale Chorus had practised over just ten weeks when they presented two memorable and thoroughly enjoyable concerts at East Witton and Aysgarth churches in July. Much of this was thanks to the singers' happy and fruitful
TWO club records were broken during Darlington thirds' clash with Seaton Carew last weekend. After being set a target of 240-5 by Seaton Carew, Darlington duly set about the task in hand in style. It was opening bat Lee Craggs and Max Ripley who quickly
MIDDLESBROUGH certainly celebrated at Acklam Park on Sunday night after lifting the MacMillan Cup with victory over favourites Saltburn. The Seasiders went into the game hoping to take the second step towards a treble, having won the Kerridge Cup a week
PROPOSALS to cut maintenance on branch rail lines have sparked anger among some rail campaigners, but the Esk Valley Railway says the plans could have a positive affect. The Strategic Rail Authority has published a consultation paper which puts forward
It's all change for Ferryhill Athletic who have a new ground and a main sponsor, writes Malcolm Pratt. After the disappointment of last season, manager Mark Fanning is confident that better times are just around the corner. "The Wearside League made it
Junior round up: Cleveland Comets and Durham Spartak met at Billingham Forum Ice Arena in a recreational game. Both teams were looking for a victory after tasting defeats a week ago when facing Northern Ireland Prowlers. Spartak had the better of the
The fog that rolled in over the Brotton coastline and caused the postponement of the Hunley Hall-Cleveland match has served to extend the uncertainty of promotion and relegation from the second division of the inter club league until the last match of
RACEGOERS will be flocking to the seaside this weekend for The Northern Echo Family Fun Day at Redcar Races. The entertainment includes performances by the National Festival Circus, a funfair, go-karts, Punch and Judy shows, face painting, a bouncy castle
GUISBOROUGH teenager Jonathan Cocker has his sights set on securing a podium place in the 13th and 14th rounds of the Porsche Carrera Cup GB at Snetterton this weekend. Currently lying fifth in the championship standings, the 16-year-old will fight for
Blazing hot weather meant the Lower Tees around Yarm and Bowesfield was still and clear for the weekend's biggest event the third round of the Drennan Super League Northern Division. Despite the conditions, Yarm AA's Neil Waters found the fish in a feeding
Sir, - With regard to the letter from Mr T Barker (D&S, Aug 1), about rats, I have had virtually the same experience myself recently. It seems to be common knowledge that the rat population is growing, the reasons being several, among them the change
THE grieving parents of a North-East teenager who drowned at a Scottish tourist spot last night paid tribute to their son. Adam Shad, 15, who had learning difficulties and had been missing since Tuesday, was found by an underwater police team at a river
A MAJOR question mark was hanging over hormone replacement therapy last night after a massive study confirmed a definite link with breast cancer. In the case of combined oestrogen-progestogen HRT treatment, the study of more than a million UK women showed
NO-FRILLS airline easyJet saw passenger figures climb steadily last month - but the proportion of seats filled was on the slide. The Luton Airport carrier carried just under 1.9 million passengers last month. The 75 per cent increase on last year's figures
Parents of Adam Shad - the North-East youngster whose died in a tragic accident - say his final resting place will be the hills around Loch Lomond where he spent his last hours. Mum Jeanette and stepdad Terry Cooper have vowed to travel back to Scotland
A 15-YEAR-OLD girl is cycling from Land's End to John O'Groats as part of her effort to raise £10,000 for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust. Sophie Adams, of Norton, near Stockton, hopes to be the youngest cyclist to attempt the journey this year, and as her
EMPIRE XPLOSIV RANGE. Format: PS2. Publisher: Empire Interactive. Price: £9.99 (yes, that's right, nine pounds, ninety nine pence.) FOR all its next generation hype, it's good to see the PS2 going through the traditional life-cycle of a games console.
BABY birds have a new des res thanks to a soap powder box and the quick thinking of a Swaledale man. When their nest fell down, four housemartin chicks were left helpless on the ground and likely prey for stalking cats. Luckily their plight was spotted
WITHOUT extra helpers, this year's Northallerton Carnival could be the last, it was said this week by the leading organiser. Coun John Coulson, who has undertaken most of the work, said: "Someone has to take the helm. The situation is getting serious.
In the first of a two-part history of Durham Ice Rink, David Simpson recalls the earliest days of ice skating in the city. THE people of Durham were no strangers to ice skating even before the days of the Durham Ice Rink. In days gone by, people took
ENGINEERING group GKN showed "resilience" in the face of harsh conditions in the automotive and civil aerospace markets in the first half of this year. The company, a major supplier to Sunderland's Nissan plant, posted profits ahead of expectation yesterday
MIDDLESBROUGH boss Steve McClaren is hoping to be given the green light to splash the cash on unsettled Fulham midfielder Sean Davis. McClaren has been a big admirer of the 23-year-old for some time and he is preparing to make a swoop for a player who
MORE of us are holidaying at home. It might not seem that way if you've been waiting at an airport in a heatwave lately, but more people just can't face it. Suddenly, a ten-mile tailback on the A1 seems preferable. The recent hot weather has also tempted
A STOKESLEY couple will swap their desk jobs for wet suits and snorkels when they head to a tropical Fijian island to work for a coral reef conservation charity. Jayne and Andy Cowell met at university and throughout their studies they dreamed of adventurous
SPRAIRE U16s travelled to Bishop Auckland to compete in a pre-season friendly against Bishops U16s. Spraire Lads started the game strongly and after a penetrating run and cross by Lewis Webb from the right wing Alan Barr scored the first goal. Spraire
A GROUP of Women's Institute members who bared all for a charity calendar four years ago and became international stars, have stripped off again - weeks before the launch of a star-studded movie telling their story. With tactfully positioned household
ARMED robbers escaped with more than £40,000 after threatening a sub-postmaster and his staff. Three men in ski masks burst into the post office at Cheveley Park, Belmont, Durham City, at 11.15am yesterday, shortly after a delivery of money. The raiders
It was a case of 'six and out' for Middleton-in-Teesdale when they met East Cowton in the Oxbridge Darlington and District League Division B recently. Yet groundsman Dave Garth almost called the game off and wished he had when the innings lasted only
ONE of the UK's most advanced genetic medicine centres is to be "cloned" on Teesside, it has been revealed. The new Teesside Genetics Unit, at James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, will offer an identical service to specialists based at the highly-rated
THE local Endeavour branch of the Foresters held a show at the Unicorn Centre, Hemlington on July 20 to raise money for the local Riding for the Disabled group. It was a very successful day, raising £560, and the group thanked all those who sponsored
EMPIRE XPLOSIV RANGE. Format: PS2. Publisher: Empire Interactive. Price: £9.99 (yes, that's right, nine pounds, ninety nine pence.) FOR all its next generation hype, it's good to see the PS2 going through the traditional life-cycle of a games console.
POSTGRADUATES fear many will abandon their studies, after a decision to axe university accommodation in Durham. About 140 Durham University postgraduate students have received a letter from the university telling them they will have to leave their university
Peugeot 206 Super Cup: ENGINE problems sidelined the efforts of Darlington rally driver Paul Swift in last weekend's round of the Peugeot 206 Super Cup. The 23-year-old, backed by Specsavers, and co-driver Alyson Marlow started strongly in the Harry Flatters
THE new president of the British Charolais Cattle Society is Billy Turner, the well-known breeder from Ripon. One of his main priorities for his 12-month term of office is promotion of the breed and he plans to ensure British Charolais is firmly repositioned
IT is understandable that the Indonesian authorities wish to take the life of a man who took part in the Bali bombings which killed more than 200 people. Understandable but not right. Amrozi bin Nurhasyim - "the smiling bomber" - is a man who welcomed
GARY SPEED is poised to end his playing days at Newcastle United after committing himself to the club for the next two years. Speed, who turns 34 next month, yesterday signed a one-year extension to his contract that will keep him at St James' Park until
DARLINGTON Football Club has been warned it could face legal action unless it meets all planning conditions in time for the opening of its stadium a week tomorrow. Club director Ian Robinson said yesterday: "We are endeavouring to comply with every condition
DISTRICT councillors in Teesdale have reiterated their support for a directly-elected regional assembly for the North-East - but only just. The council originally gave the principle of a regional assembly its backing in June last year. But on Thursday
HARVEST can be a time of huge pressure for farmers and contractors - and it is at the busy times in the farming year when accidents are most likely to happen. Dr Peter Dodman of the Health and Safety Executive offers advice on avoiding accidents over
A CITY which aspired to be Europe's Capital of Culture still faces major health problems, according to a study. Despite the successful "re-branding" of Newcastle as a desirable place to live and work, a report by Newcastle Primary Care Trust suggests
COMMUNITY leaders are celebrating a £45,000 cash boost geared at tackling the anti-social behaviour of off-road motorcyclists on public rights of way. The Neighbourhood Renewal Fund award will pay for two off- road motorcycles for police to patrol the
BUSINESSES have been applauded for their efforts to brighten up the centre of Chester-le-Street. Ten local traders entered the first Chester-le-Street in Bloom, organised by the town's traders' association and the district council. Traders decorated their
COUNCILLORS yesterday turned down a proposed mobile phone tower near Guisborough, which archaeologists feared could endanger a nearby Bronze Age monument. Redcar and Cleveland Council planning committee had been recommended by council officers to give
Worthington Durham County CIU Summer League: Meadowfield moved back to sole ownership of the top spot in the Second Division after they beat the visiting Crook Belle Vue for the loss of only one point. The home side looked to be well on their way to a
THERE was more than a hint of the Dunkirk spirit in Saltburn this week as volunteers worked against the clock to repair the damage done to more than 300 poisoned floral displays. Everyone from councillors to a local handyman pitched in to give the town
HARTLEPOOL St Francis 2000 Under 11s are still recovering from winning a pre-season cup double. And this was no ordinary youth football double as they claimed the prestigious Umbro International Cup trophy which was held at the Manchester University Sports
MOTHERHOOD is the one career which calls for no aptitude tests, no compulsory training courses and no job interviews, but it's just about the steepest learning curve known to woman. The lucky ones with nephews and nieces, or friends with babies, have
A NORTH-EAST town centre will be awash with colour when one of the biggest events in its calendar gets under way tomorrow. The 39th Billingham International Folklore Festival takes place for a week and is expected to attract thousands of people to the
CAMERONS is looking to capitalise on Americans' love of lager. The Hartlepool brewer has shipped a container of its Scorpion Lager across the Atlantic, hot on the heels of a shipment of its Strongarm beer. Mike Berriman, marketing director at Camerons
THE situation at Catterick Garrison relating to the numbers of young soldiers committing suicide there seems worrying, at least at first glance. Seven deaths of this nature in six years seems a large number. But it is worth pointing out that Catterick
A KIND-HEARTED security guard bought a sandwich for a penniless man he had caught stealing from a supermarket, a court heard. Harrogate Magistrates' Court, in North Yorkshire, was told Shaun Noddings had not eaten for two days when he went to his local
THE South Africans, or perhaps more precisely Graeme Smith, are obviously denting a few egos. First Nasser Hussain quit as England captain, now Darren Gough has retired from Test cricket. The suspicion now is that both should have quit earlier. They probably
Brinkburn Dene are looking good to repeat their league and cup success of last season. Well clear of their rivals in the league they had a comfortable win over Barnard Castle in the semi-final of the Harrison Cup and will now meet Railway Athletic in
AIRPORT bosses were given a surprising reminder of the region's military history when they uncovered a 40-year-old Ministry of Defence error. Decades after Teesside Airport was declared clear of any remnants of its days as a World War Two base, a stash
Newton Aycliffe still have a narrow one point lead over East Rainton at the top of Division One. They defeated Coundon by 75 runs and the game was memorable for Stephen Bell who carried his bat for 105 and has now scored over 1000 runs this season. Bell
WORRIED staff at a brickmaking firm were holding emergency meetings across the country last night over plans to close their pension scheme. Thebrickbusiness is planning to swap employees' retirement plans for for another scheme. Workers are concerned
SUNDERLAND last night revealed season ticket sales of less than 17,000 - a 50 per cent slump in just two years. Although Sunderland have the second-highest figure in the Nationwide League behind West Ham United, the dramatic decline is a painful illustration
GREEN boxes are on their way to the first 14,000 houses taking part in Darlington's Time to Recycle kerbside scheme. The first areas include Merrybent, High and Low Coniscliffe and various pockets of the town itself. Those chosen for the initial phase
DURHAM'S Cinderella shopping centre is in line for an £8.5m facelift that its new owners hope will bring shoppers flocking back. A new entrance from Framwelgate Bridge and cafes and shops on the terrace overlooking the River Wear is planned for the Milburngate
A MAN in his twenties has been found dead in a flat and police are appealing for witnesses to help piece together his last movements. Emergency services were called to a flat, in Middle Walk area of Scarborough, North Yorkshire, at about 6.35pm on Wednesday
THE owners of a house in Darlington are appealing against a borough council decision to refuse planning permission for extensions to their property. The couple, from Coniscliffe Road, Darlington, wanted to build a single-storey side extension and single-storey
MORE than 150 mourners gathered yesterday for the funeral of world champion sportsman Alan Ayre. Touching tributes were paid to the 44-year-old transplant games gold medallist, at a packed village church in east Durham. Officials and team-mates from the
A LIFEGUARD training centre has received a positive report from external assessors. Stockton's Training Centre for Lifeguards was visited by Gordon Potts from assessment company Quality Leisure Management. He visited the training team in Billingham Forum
FAMILIES turned out in force yesterday to enjoy a fun day at Chester-le-Street. People had the chance to try out a karaoke machine, pelt their friends with sponges and have a go on the bouncy castle during the Chester West Fun Day. There was also arts
A NEW childcare co-ordinator has been chosen by health chiefs in County Durham and Darlington. Pauline Woods has been appointed by Durham and Chester-le-Street, Darlington, Durham Dales, Easington and Sedgefield Primary Care Trusts to implement and support
YOUNGSTERS on Teesside have been given the chance to explore the river during the long, hot summer. Activity workers for Stockton Borough Council's Xplore programme are working with eight to 16-year-olds throughout the holidays. This week, they took to
SUMMER SHOW: A family show with static displays, side shows, trade stands, fun fair, showjumping and arena events takes place at Preston Hall and Park, from Friday to Monday, August 22 to 25. CARPET BOWLS: Bowls sessions are held at Eggles-cliffe community
A Wearside man who killed his best friend with a single punch after a drunken row has been spared jail. David Lilley, 36, smashed his skull on the ground and died after suffering massive brain damage when he was felled by his pal Kevin King, 29. Just
A FAMILY have paid tribute to a loving father and friend who lived to make people laugh. Norman Rayner's children said they would always remember him for his sense of humour. The father-of-four died from multiple injuries after his son's Ford Fiesta was
Skelton and Brotton annual produce show will be held on Saturday, August 23, at Skelton Civic Hall. There will be classes for flowers, vegetables, home baking, handicrafts and photography as well as classes for the children. Entries will be accepted from
Claire Neary, 24, of Haughton Road, Darlington, denied using or threatening unlawful violence and careless driving, at South Durham Magistrates' Court yesterday. The case was adjourned and she was bailed to appear on September 16.
POLICE have renewed an appeal for motorists in Darlington to keep belongings out of sight in their cars. It comes after a number of thefts from vehicles in the past two days including: a stereo from a Micra in Barron Street; a handbag from a car in North
CHILDREN have been caught on security cameras trying to trespass on a railway line on a Darlington estate. The youngsters were filmed by closed-circuit television cameras as they dug beneath a fence near a track in Edgemoor Road, Firthmoor. A community
A GIANT inflatable has proved a huge draw at Darlington's Dolphin Centre. The new 18-metre pool float, called Lunar 2, was introduced at the start of the school holidays and has attracted hundreds of young swimmers. A Darlington Borough Council spokeswoman
Tow Law Coors: Billy Row Club inflicted the second defeat of the season on the visiting Championship aspirants, Newhouse Club with a win in the deciding doubles. The visitors went ahead when they took both trebles points but then only had Brian Jones
THE grieving parents of a North-East teenager who drowned at a Scottish tourist spot last night paid tribute to their son. Adam Shad, 15, who had learning difficulties and had been missing since Tuesday, was found by an underwater police team at a river
GUEST SPEAKER: Simon Allen, from Dumfries, will present a talk, called The Art of Photography, to Washington Camera Club at 7.45pm tonight at Harraton Community Centre. DONOR SESSION: The National Blood Service is holding a blood donor session from 2pm
Cat lovers from around the country will head to Spennymoor Leisure Centre this month for Teesside Cat Club's 23rd championship cat show. Hundreds of pets will be on show at the event on August 23. Doors open to the public at 1pm when there will also be
A FORMER manager of Richmond's Georgian Theatre Royal is returning to the boards as a director and actor. Les Jobson, who managed the theatre from 1987 to 1992, will direct the town operatic society's production of The Good Companions, from August 20
A NUN'S world-wide pilgrimage this week brought her to Durham Cathedral. And even the well-travelled Sister Ruth Augustus, whose mission of prayer has taken her to more than 200 countries, seemed awestruck as she came in sight of one of the world's most
MILLENNIUM and Copthorne Hotels saw bookings devastated in the first half of the year by war in Iraq and the Sars outbreak. The company, which runs 91 hotels around the world, reported a pre-tax loss of £6.3m in the six months to June 30, compared with
COUNCILLORS in Teesdale have reversed a decision by their planning committee and given the go-ahead for a housing development in Barnard Castle. Objectors to the Wimpey Homes scheme, involving 27 houses and 30 flats at Montalbo Road, were delighted when
Brandon manager Kenny Lindoe admits that the title holders will have to do even better if they are to win the Albany Northern League title again this season. Brandon, one of the so-called outsiders at the start of last season, pulled off a magnificent
Redcar High Street fun day will be taking place on Wednesday. Free entertainment will include games, fairground rides, face painting, a stilt walker, a Punch and Judy show, balloons and prizes. Topline Performance, a group of youngsters from Bankfield
A GROUP of young adventurers who went on the trip of a lifetime to Mongolia were given a helping hand by a car dealership based in their area. Northallerton Peugeot dealership Simon Bailes Limited gave each of the eight teenagers £100 towards the cost
A RECYCLING and tree-planting scheme has been launched in Cleveland. Conservationists Aluminium Packaging Recycling Organisation (Alupro) has promised to plant a tree for every tonne of aluminium cans and foil recycled in the Stockton area. The project
DURHAM City Council is to ask residents what they think about its services. The Liberal Democrat-controlled authority plans to carry out four surveys and says the results will be used to improve the way it tackles the area's problems. The council leader
POLICE have called for a crackdown on the improper use of pellet-firing and replica guns in the fear that a tragedy could occur. Allowing youngsters to carry replica firearms in the streets has been condemned by the Assistant Chief Constable of North
MOST elderly people who maintain themselves with the help of social services in North Yorkshire are pleased with the support they receive, according to a survey. North Yorkshire's Home Care staff visit people in their own homes and help with personal
HARROGATE Spa Water is flying high after winning a contract to pack water cuplets for the airline catering industry. Up to three million plastic cups of mineral water, sealed with foil, will be produced during the first year of the deal to go with in-flight
Reluctant tie-wearers who have for years fidgeted uncomfortably with their over-tight knots will not be surprised to find out that wearing a tie can damage your health. Researchers in America have discovered that a tie worn too tightly increases blood
THOUSANDS of music fans at a blues festival paid tribute to its late founder this weekend. The 11th annual Stanley Blues Festival took place in the former pit town on Saturday. The man behind the free family event was John Kearney, founder of the Consett-based
A PARADE is to take place in Sunderland this month in memory of soldiers who fought the Japanese during the Second World War. On Sunday, August 17, a memorial will be held on VJ Day to mark the 58th anniversary since the end of the war against Japan.
A VICTORIAN town park restored to its former glory in a £1.4m project last year has won an award. Blackhill and Consett Park, won a commendation at the Durham County environment awards. It recognises improvements made to the natural environment and the
EX-FOOTBALL star Bernie Slaven has failed in a bid to sue his former television bosses for unfair dismissal. The former Middlesbrough striker was axed from his role as a commentator with Boro TV after helping to launch the channel five years ago. Slaven
A FORT to protect the Dales from a French invasion is one of the most unlikely features of a tiny village hidden beside the ancient water meadows of lower Wensleydale. But this summer visitors to Thornton Steward, near Middleham, will be able to explore
Hastings Direct Tour: Lynsey Davison achieved her first triumph in the Hasting Direct British Tennis Tour at Ilkley. The 23-year-old Middlesbrough-based player romped home 7-6 6-2 in the final against Janice Torr (Essex). Securing the tie-break at 8-6
Pat Eddery will attempt to wow the Ascot crowds again tomorrow as he teams up with course specialist Mana d'Argent in the Blue Square Shergar Cup. The 11-times champion jockey, who retires at the end of this season, had never ridden for Middleham trainer
ABBEY Bells Sister Philomena, a Welsh Section A pony owned by Mrs Margaret Williams of Nunthorpe, won the mini Mountain and Moorland championship at the recent Royal International Horse Show. The victory was a great achievement as the four-year-old lead
Highest Bidder (BBC2): HOW much would you pay for a bottle of wine - £5? £10 if it was a special occasion? How about £105,000? It sounds ridiculous but that's what the oldest intact bottle of wine fetched at auction in 1985. The bottle had been found
COUNTY Durham classroom assistants campaigning for better pay for their increasing responsibilities could take strike action. On Wednesday, assistants from some of the county's 300-plus schools lobbied councillors arriving for a meeting at County Hall
FORD Rallye Sport Junior Team driver Ryan Champion endured a bitterly disappointing end to last weekend's Manx International Rally when he was forced to retire from what looked like a certain Super 1600 win. The Castleton driver was also sixth overall
THE owner of a tourist attraction near Middleham has bid to be allowed to welcome more visitors. Colin Armstrong wants to admit up to 150 people an hour to his Forbidden Corner, in Coverdale. Current restrictions, imposed when he won a planning appeal
Among the few secrets of a fairly well-publicised existence is the column's almost lifelong allegiance to Somerset County Cricket Club. It began at Bishop Auckland Grammar School, where first form cricket was compulsory, continued through several years
DURHAM'S Labour MP is calling for a re-think of the £25m redevelopment of the Walkergate car park. Gerry Steinberg, who originally supported the scheme, says he has had a change of heart and now feels the latest blueprint will do little to boost the city
DARLINGTON Football Club looks like escaping an injunction to close its new stadium just days before the new season, despite not fulfilling an agreement designed to prevent parking chaos. People in the surrounding streets fear a parking free-for-all prior
THERE'S a great scene in the film The Untouchables when a disenchanted Elliott Ness, played by Kevin Costner, throws a piece of paper in frustration. A veteran Irish-born cop, played by Sean Connery, tells him to pick it up, to which Ness replies: "Haven't
Sedgefield: THE Knotty Hill Golf Centre in Sedgefield attracted players from all over the region for its competitions during July. Results: Ladies July Medal 1 Freda Forbes (Sedgefield) net 85; 2 Dorothy Greenwood (Sedgefield) net 85; 3 Brenda Peel (Peterlee
TEESDALE District Council has backed a scheme to transfer all its housing stock to a housing association. Tenants will have the final say in a ballot, but at a special full council meeting on Thursday of last week, members voted unanimously in favour
AN open-air show where Abba fans can sing-a-long to their favourite songs will be staged in the North-East for the first time. Entertainment company Sing-A-Long-A has been signed up to perform Abba hits at the Darlington Festival. It will be the first
Famous faces from Coronation Street visited the region at the weekend to play in a charity football match, writes Craig Stoddart. Staged at Northalleton Town Football Club's ground on Sunday, the actors who play Ashley (Steven Arnold), Kirk (Andy Wymnet
RATS may be ignoring poison bait boxes in Thirsk because there so much take-away food and other litter discarded in the streets. Hambleton District Council environmental and housing officer, Eric Kendall, said this was probably one reason why there had
DARLINGTON fans may be watching their team in different surroundings when the new Division Three campaign gets under way, but it seems there will be few fresh faces when the team trots out at the Reynolds Arena. Quakers kick off the season with a difficult
Chester-le-Street Ladies clinched the North Tyneside International Youth Tournament trophy last week. This was the club's second piece of silverware in seven days following the previous week's under 18 win at the Rutherford International tournament. The
A METHODIST minister is seeking information about the family of a man presented with a trowel used at a church stone-laying ceremony 139 years ago. The trowel was sent to the Rev Keith Phipps, of Northallerton Methodist Church, by John Luce, of Jersey
WHILE the rest of the region baked in the sweltering heatwave yesterday one visitor attraction guaranteed a fall of snow. To the delight of the penguins, seals and otters at the Scarborough Sea Life and Marine Sanctuary their home was transformed into
AS Willington Under-15s' manager, I have already done so much more than simply coach the team. In my six-week tenure, I have been a child psychologist, chauffeur and drinks carrier as well as boss. But after last week, I can add another line to my CV:
THE Durham and Yorkshire branch of the Scots Guards Association has organised a three-day event to raise cash for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance. Fundraising will begin on Friday, September 5 with a concert by the Scots Guards Regimental Band at Ripon Cathedral
A NEW web site has been launched to provide easier access to information on auction marts at Masham, Skipton and Sedbergh. Craven Cattle Marts, trading as CCM Auctions, has set up the site, www.ccmauctions.com, to give up-to-the-minute information such
BROWSE in any gallery or gift shop around the UK and the work of a North-East artist is likely to figure among the greetings cards and wildlife prints. Alex Clark's easily recognisable animal and bird designs are so popular that she has 60,000 cards piled
ROAD SAFETY IT was with increasing incredulity and anger that I read your editorial headlined "The error of their ways" (Echo, Aug 5). As a married father of three, motorist and motorcyclist for some 19 years, I have never read a piece of journalism as
Northern Counties Association Championships: There will be a bowling bonanza at Stockton Bowling Club in Salisbury Terrace tomorrow and Sunday when stars from Durham, Yorkshire, Northumberland and Lancashire play in the Northern Counties Bowling Association
COLLEGE staff have completed a gruelling Coast-to-Coast cycle ride in aid of charity. A dozen staff members from Derwentside College in Consett followed a route from Whitehaven to Tynemouth and raised £500 for Breast Cancer Care. The new Consett Campus
Highest Bidder (BBC2): HOW much would you pay for a bottle of wine - £5? £10 if it was a special occasion? How about £105,000? It sounds ridiculous but that's what the oldest intact bottle of wine fetched at auction in 1985. The bottle had been found
AN addict who was taking 15 Ecstasy tablets a day was jailed for 18 months yesterday for dealing in the drugs. John Headley, 22, who has been addicted to Ecstasy since he was 14, believed it did not do him any harm, Teesside Crown Court heard. He was
LADY Bear began slowly in the £100,000 William Hill Showcase Mile at Glorious Goodwood last Friday, but Paul Hanagan cleverly kept her sweet and rode her strongly to overtake and beat a classy field for Richard Fahey. The trainer was in the middle of
ENGINE-maker Rolls-Royce faces the threat of industrial action over proposals to cut employees' pensions. About 400 staff at Pallion, Sunderland, are thought to be affected by the company's plans to cut benefits to plug a £1.1bn shortfall. Rolls-Royce
A HUGE leap in demand for British game is paying dividends for a company whose clients include some of the country's most exclusive restaurants. Yorkshire Game, which began as a kitchen table venture in 1989, has proved so successful it has just moved
A management team has bought out the UK's largest independent survey business. OIS Survey, based in Stockton, Teesside, was sold to the team by owners Abbot Group which decided it was no longer part of its core business. The company provides topographical
THE world's leading chemical company BASF shrugged off "persistently difficult" trading conditions to take profits to £515m, up 1.2 per cent on last year. Despite a fall in sales, the group said a weakening in the value of the US dollar had underpinned
A MURDER inquiry has been held up because members of the public are failing to respond after being contacted by the police. Cleveland Police investigating the murder 31-year-old father Darren Manders said they are finding it difficult to track down householders
RAINTON Cricket Club won a six-a-side inter-village cricket tournament they staged last Sunday to celebrate securing the long term future of their cricket field. The club has played at the Carr Lane ground for more than 40 years, thanks to an informal
NUNTHORPE'S Lynsey Davison, 23, captured her first women's singles title as a professional tennis player with a 7-6, 6-2 success over Janice Torr of Essex in the final of last week's Hastings Direct tour event in Ilkley. The Durham and Cleveland number
pilot Charlie Brown will take to the air in a Second World War Spitfire at a concert in North Yorkshire. He will be putting on an aerial display above Castle Howard, near Malton, at its Proms classical spectacular on Saturday, August 16. The flight will
FORMER ICI man Jim Caddy, 78, is back from the world veterans' athletics championships in Puerto Rico with a bronze in the Over 75s' 10,000m. Mr Caddy, who took up running at 46 and trains seven days a week, ran the distance under 56 minutes and was sixth
MILLENNIUM and Copthorne Hotels saw bookings devastated in the first half of the year by war in Iraq and the Sars outbreak. The company, which runs 91 hotels around the world, reported a pre-tax loss of £6.3m in the six months to June 30, compared with
A NEW survey which reveals more and more small farms are being bought by non-farmers, has split opinion on the future of rural life. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) survey has revealed 44pc of small farms on the market between April
THE North-East construction sector needs to attract 2,500 new people each year to meet Government building programme targets. That was the message from Sir Michael Latham, chairman of the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB). He was in the region
UK FARMING could be penalised once again under the recent CAP reforms if tenants and landlords do not work together to safeguard subsidy entitlements, says the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. Under the Mid-Term Review agreement, a high proportion
Loftus retained their top of the table position after seeing of the challenge from Norton. Despite reducing their opponents to 106-9 Loftus lost eight wickets and were indebted to Ian Dixon for a top scoring 31. Towards the end of the innings Midgley
BURGLARS who broke into a couple's home fled in a flap after being frightened off by an eccentric parrot - the second time the bird has scared off intruders in three years. Matilda, an African grey who likes nothing better than sipping lager and eating
by Robin Twizell RMD Agriculture WHEAT prices fell at the end of last week as Brussels tightened its control on exports outside the EU. Markets then recovered as we would mainly just export within the EU and so do not need export licences. Concern over
A CARE worker has admitted accidentally causing severe burns to an elderly woman by putting her in scalding water. Linda Robson, 42, appeared at Durham magistrates court on Monday and admitted placing 91-year-old Mary Brander into the water without checking
Bishop Auckland and District League: Eight teams took advantage of a holiday break in the fixtures to make up previously postponed matches and try to cut back on the heavy backlog of games. Crook Olde Horse Shoe entertained Willington Brewer's Droop and
BARNARD CASTLE. - Tues. Fwd: 83 breeding & store cattle, 46 store lambs. AA cow & calf £750 HJ Blackburn; Simm cow & calf £600, £530 C&E Gaskin. Feeding bulls. - Lim: £520 Dowson & Sartin; £500, £495; D Anderson; £500, £435; JL Dixon
ONE of the delights of summer, especially during a picnic or a walk in the countryside, is the sound of grasshoppers chirping cheerfully. It is one of the most atmospheric aspects of summer, for it seems to remind us of calmer times and a more leisurely
POLICE are looking for a motorist who stopped to help them arrest a violent teenager, but left before they could thank him. Officers were called to a disturbance at the community centre in Sykes Road, Burnopfield, on Sunday night. They tried to arrest
A WOMAN who stole almost £8,000 from her employer to feed a drug habit was told by magistrates yesterday she had only escaped prison by the narrowest of margins. Sophie Wilbor, 20, of Thirsk Road, Northallerton, North Yorkshire, admitted six charges of
BRIAN Clough, one of football's most controversial figures, returned to his native North-East yesterday. The famous manager was recently beaten in a poll to find Middlesbrough's most famous son, by Captain Cook. "Who does he play for then?" came his acid
Shildon: Shildon running & athletic club's junior section are calling on all interested budding athletes in the local area to join the successful club when training resumes in the next few weeks after a summer break. The junior section has just enjoyed
British National Age Group Championships: FOURTEEN-YEAR-OLD David Carter, of Darlington Amateur Swimming Club, clinched a silver medal in the 200metres Breast stroke final at the British National Age Group Championships in Sheffield International Pool
From this newspaper 100 years ago. - The question of registration, taxation and speed of motor-cars was discussed on Monday at the Darlington Rural District Council in connection with two representations. The first of these invited the Council to support
A YOUNG woman has appealed to the people of the North-East to help her beat her life-threatening illness. Nineteen-year-old Lindsey Wood has an acute form of leukaemia and desperately needs a bone marrow transplant. Doctors say a transplant will give
Middleton St George are still out in front of Division A after they dismissed Aldbrough St John for just 56 in 28 overs. Rory Wood made 21 of the small total as man of the match Hussain took eight for ten in nine overs five of which were maidens. Middleton
PLANS to help residents of a Guisborough estate to reclaim it from intimidating youths and litterbugs are taking shape. Problems on the Wilton Lane Estate became so bad that residents were unwilling to report incidents for fear of reprisals. There were
PAUL Collingwood is to make his comeback in Durham's three-day second team match against Warwickshire at Seaton Carew starting next Wednesday. The England one-day international has not played since the World Cup other than in the pre-season friendly at
YARM and District Saddle Club is fielding its own home international team this weekend. The three-day event at the British Riding Clubs horse trials finals in Warwickshire is the first competition between members from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales
COUNCILLORS have finally agreed that a new single-site Freebrough College should be built in Brotton. The college is currently split across three locations in Loftus, Skelton and Brotton, with Skelton originally being the site of choice for the 1,000-
At the time it was the world's biggest robbery, and 40 years on it still captures the imagination like no other crime. Nick Morrison looks back at the Great Train Robbery - and finds out what happened to some of the main protagonists. AT exactly 3.10am
Darlington manager Mick Tait looks set to clinch his fourth signing of the summer today with the capture of Birmingham City defender Jonathan Hutchinson. The 21-year-old is still under contract at St Andrews but Northern Echo SPORT understands the Blues
A SECOND cinema screen will be installed in Durham's Gala Theatre to meet demand. The city lost its independent cinema, The Robins, at the turn of the year when the building's owners agreed a deal to turn it into an Australian-themed nightspot. The cinema
The Brinkburn pub on Lady Katherine Grove, Darlington, is giving customers a last chance to register for a new amateur darts competition, which is due to get underway next month. Part of the community pub chain John Barras, which is committed to traditional
DRIVERS who find their daily journey to work on the A19 in North Yorkshire tedious, might be surprised to learn it features in the UK's top ten roads. The straight, flat stretch of dual carriageway between Thirsk and York (pictured below) was voted into
MICHAEL ROBINSON has become the first player ever at Evenwood Cricket Club to have taken five wickets for no runs - and he is just 13-years-old. His remarkable achievement has earned him The Northern Echo's Cricketer of the Month award for July and he
TTE International, part of the TTE Management and Technical Training Group, has been given the chance to develop a competency-training programme in the Middle East following the success of a similar scheme on Teesside. Engineers Hassan Abd Ali Asad and
Earlier this year, the Young Athletes Leagues for Boys and Girls were amalgamated and, because the Girls had previously competed in the younger age groups of the Northern Women's League, Richmond and Zetland Harriers were "demoted" to Division 2 North
A CITY'S colourful characters have been immortalised in a series of folk songs. A gipsy piper, who spent the last seven years of his life in a cell under Durham's Elvet Bridge, and a 3ft 3in Polish Count who entertained gentry by playing a miniature violin
Sir, - It's a pity that King's Academy has come in for criticism even before the first pupils have come through its doors. With so many interesting things on the curriculum I don't imagine there will be much time left for the teaching of creation. Since
SWIMMERS have been given a timely warning about the dangers of taking a cooling dip in rivers and lakes. Police say that a combination of the hot weather and open water could provide a deadly temptation for thousands of youngsters on their school holidays
ARTISTS who create the Beano and the Dandy have been teaching the tricks of the trade to an 11-year-old cartoonist . Ben Nightingale, of Chester-le-Street, won the chance to work with artists from the two children's comics after he submitted a cartoon
PULSES are set to race this weekend with more than 1,000 runners expected to take to the streets. Sponsor Northumbrian Spring is providing 750 litres of water to help athletes in the annual Darlington 10k Road Run beat the heat expected over the weekend
JASON McATEER last night replaced Michael Gray as Sunderland captain - then told his teammates: "You need to show balls to get promoted." McAteer, who has skippered Sunderland for most of their pre-season programme, marked his appointment by issuing a
HOME owners near a pylon line, which passes through Yarm, could see property prices rise by 10pc or more when the line is removed next year. National Grid is due to connect the controversial new 400,000 volt Lackenby-Picton-Shipton line to the grid in
Police have named the 28-year-old man who was found dead in his flat on Wednesday evening. Keith Ian Andrew, of Middle Walk, Scarborough, North Yorkshire, was found at round 6.34pm, but as yet no cause of death has been established. A 34-year-old local
Flamborough Sports Club Trust are pleased to announce they are holding a summer gala on the Village Green in Flamborough on Sunday. Amongst the attractions will be a parachute display by the British Sky Sports Team from Grindale, love music and karaoke
A YOUNG woman has appealed to the people of the North-East to help her beat her life-threatening illness. Nineteen-year-old Lindsey Wood has an acute form of leukaemia and desperately needs a bone marrow transplant. Doctors say a transplant will give
James Freeman from Retford followed his opening 65 with a two under par 68 to lead the field at the half way stage of this year's North of England Open Amateur Youth Golf Championship at Middlesbrough Golf Club. With conditions still difficult due to
Tow Law Area League: Tow Law New Market A moved up to second place after they only dropped two points on their visit to Cornsay Royal Oak. The home side started in great style when Sonia Windsor put them ahead but from that point the visitors took over
THE South Africans, or perhaps more precisely Graeme Smith, are obviously denting a few egos. First Nasser Hussain quit as England captain, now Darren Gough has retired from Test cricket. The suspicion now is that both should have quit earlier. They probably
COMPANY bosses may face renewed calls to create a better work/life balance for their employees in the wake of a significant union victory. The General and Municipal Boilermakers Union (GMB) successfully fought to reduce hours while getting an above-inflation
ATTEMPTS to impose a flat rate, or area-based, system of establishing the Single Farm Payment in any of the UK regions from January 2005 will be fiercely resisted by the National Beef Association. The NBA had heard that some milk sector representatives
JACK of all trades Virgin Soldier has the perfect profile to follow up his recent course and distance success at Sedgefield today. Having already won on the Flat and over hurdles, the versatile Virgin Soldier became the latest member of a small and exclusive
LEAGUE officials have praised their men in the middle as the 2003-04 campaign fast approaches. A full league programme begins on Sunday August 17, and following yet another successful season, the league is looking forward to another - thanks to the continued
Sir. - I was amused to see the exaggerated claims of the design team responsible for the new Yorkshire Dales National Park Office at Bainbridge (D&S, August 1). Talk about "historical pastiches, moving the park into the future, taking local people
PLANNING officers have recommended a Redcar hotel is knocked down and replaced with flats, despite concerns about the effect it could have on tourism. An application has been made to turn the Regency Hotel, in Coatham Road, into 42 self-contained apartments
ONE thousand tonnes of horse manure could solve a pollution problem on the River Wear. The bizarre solution is part of a £500,000 scheme launched by Durham County Council to stop polluted water from leaching into the river. The manure is a vital component
VILLAGERS are hoping to wow Britain in Bloom judges by giving them a tour in a horse and carriage. National competition chiefs will be visiting Aycliffe Village on Tuesday to assess its entry to the contest. They will be treated to coffee at The County
LUCKY shopper Michael Cook has become the latest winner of a prize draw in Middlesbrough town centre. Mr Cook, of Grange Road, Middlesbrough, was in the Cleveland Shopping Centre when BBC Radio Cleveland presenter Stewart McFarlane announced over a loudspeaker
HAIRDRESSERS in Derwentside are out to prove they are a cut above the rest, with a new accreditation scheme. The district council's environmental health officers have teamed up with the Hairdressing and Beauty Industry Authority (Habia), to launch a health
A NEW childcare co-ordinator has been chosen by health chiefs in County Durham and Darlington. Pauline Woods has been appointed by Durham and Chester-le-Street, Darlington, Durham Dales, Easington and Sedgefield Primary Care Trusts to implement and support
Skelton and Brotton annual produce show will be held on Saturday, August 23, at Skelton Civic Hall. There will be classes for flowers, vegetables, home baking, handicrafts and photography as well as classes for the children. Entries will be accepted from
THE public are to be consulted about proposed artificial rockpools to be built at Hartlepool's Headland. The project would combine sculpture and marine biology and would be built in the sea off the Headland. Artist Niki Holmes and her team of ecologists
THE northbound carriageway of the A1 is to be closed near Gateshead to allow workers to complete the installation of a new sign gantry and connect lighting cables. The closure, between the Dunston Road and Hollinside interchanges, will take place from
THE quality of the air in one of the busiest streets of a North Yorkshire town is being put under the spotlight for the next six months. Residents and visitors to Castlegate, Malton, may have noticed that an air quality monitoring station has been installed
THREE generations of women got together yesterday to take part in a leisure project aimed at encouraging daughters, mothers and grandmothers to spend time together. The "glitz and glam'' event, organised by Easington Primary Care Trust, took place at
A NORTH-EAST police force is in the running for an award for helping people with disabilities develop skills. Northumbria Police is one of six organisations from the region which has made it to the northern finals of this year's Remploy Leading the Way
THE Teesside Asthma Group presented Marske Medical Centre with £245 yesterday for equipment for patients with lung conditions. The group helps doctors surgeries and hospitals with donations of medical equipment or training in asthma care. It held coffee
A COMMUNITY has been given a £80,000 lottery grant. Boosbeck village, near Saltburn, has received the grant from the Lottery Community Fund and will spend the money on refurbishing the community centre. Kathleen Jackson, from the Boosbeck community centre
AN information service for young people is gearing up to help students after they receive their exam results. Connexions advisors will be available for young people who need help or advice. Many of the staff from Connexions, formerly the Careers Service
GROUPS in East Durham are being urged to apply for grants from the National Lottery. The former pit area of Easington has one of the lowest levels of applications for Heritage Lottery Fund money in the country. Officials hope to reverse the trend and
A COUNCIL faces a £65,000 bill to repair 300 unsafe gravestones in its cemeteries. Nationally, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has raised concerns about the safety of the country's graveyards and cemeteries, following five deaths in as many years
RESIDENTS have been invited to a free family festival featuring a range of activities and demonstrations. The seventh Deckham and Felling Community at the Bankie Fields, off Wellington Street, in Felling, Gateshead, is expected to attract hundreds of
BRITAIN'S oldest conservation body has lent its support to campaigners fighting to prevent building on their public park. Friends of John Whitehead Park, in Billingham, have won the support of the Open Spaces Society, which was founded in 1865. The Friends
A REDCAR pizza restaurant that was the target of a petrol bomb attack earlier this year has been closed on health grounds. Luisianos Pizza Parlour, in Roseberry Square, had an emergency prohibition notice served on it after health officers found rat droppings
BEEF producers will have the opportunity to secure some of the Charolais breed's highest genetic merit cattle at the sale of a major portion of JSR Farms' Givendale herd at Borderway Mart, Carlisle on August 21. Established in 1979, the herd was among
PROPOSALS for a £177,000 nature reserve on a Darlington estate have been submitted to planners. Darlington Borough Council is proposing to turn land at Firthmoor, off Yarm Road, into a nature reserve with recreational and wildlife features. The plan includes
Castle Eden Juniors ended the season on a good note with victories for both the Under 13s and the Under 15s. The Under 13s were at home to Bill Quay and batted first with Keith Bailey scoring 30, Jonathan Brown 22 not out and Johnny Malkin scoring an
A review of prescription drugs has been carried out by doctors in Darlington. They have worked with primary health care officials to investigate whether patients, particularly the elderly, are on the most effective medication. The review also considered
A WEEKEND sports school for children will be launched in Darlington next month. Stagecoach, the part-time theatre school, is setting up a sports scheme, Sportscoach, in the town. It will be based at Hummersknott School to offer Saturday morning sessions
DARLINGTON'S litter campaign - which has seen more than 600 on-the-spot fines handed out - received national acclaim this week as it was featured on television. The town centre was described as "virtually spotless" by TV presenter Fiona Bruce in a national
THE dismal start to July may have made us fear it was pay-back time for all the lovely weather we've had this year. We needn't have worried, for within a few days there was a remarkable turn-around and by mid-month, records were being broken once more
A FATHER-OF-FOUR who gave his wife a black eye after punching her in the face was given a community rehabilitation order by magistrates yesterday. Michael Smith, 38, of North Eastern Terrace, Darlington, admitted assault causing actual bodily harm to
The top priority will be promotion for Spennymoor as they aim to move up the pyramid this season. The creation of a northern division of the Nationwide Conference means that 14 clubs will be promoted at the end of the season, and Moors, who nearly went
The Butterwick Hospice at Bishop Auckland is inviting walkers to raise money by taking part in a moonlit trek to the peak of Grizedale Pike, near Keswick, on September 27. For more details, call Sylvia Stoneham on (01388) 603003
LATEST crime figures for Teesside have been welcomed by police officials. Cleveland Police ranked 36 out of 43 forces in England and Wales in the most recent statistics to be published by the Home Office. Chief Constable Sean Price and police authority
Police stepped up uniformed patrols last night in a former pit village where an 87-year-old widow was sexually assaulted by a masked knifeman in her own home. Earlier this year, a woman in her 70s suffered a similar ordeal in a house nearby. Detectives
ABOUT 350 jobs will be created when a supermarket opens in Newton Aycliffe later this year. Tesco is to start recruiting staff for its store on the town's former Avenue Comprehensive School site. It will be the centrepiece of a £25m development aimed
A NORTH Yorkshire health trust has been praised in a survey which reveals patients have confidence in its medical staff. However, the Harrogate Health Care Trust has also been told by the Commission for Health Improvement that it could do more to communicate
MARTIAL arts training in Richmond will not be so painful thanks to a donation from the town's annual Meet. The donation comes following the Whit weekend carnival procession and celebrations, which raised money for local causes. Among those to benefit
A college is offering computer courses to help take the stress out of Christmas. Organisers hope their tutorials will ease the burden for pre-Christmas planning and help people avoid elbow-to-elbow shopping as the festive rush reaches its peak. The three
DURHAM City Council is to ask residents what they think about its services. The Liberal Democrat-controlled authority plans to carry out four surveys and says the results will be used to improve the way it tackles the area's problems. The council leader
SHOPPER Gill Corbitt had her shelves well stocked after her son grabbed £1,217 worth of goods during a trolley dash in a supermarket. Peter Corbitt took part in the two-minute dash at Somerfield, in Northallerton, after his mother won the Somerfield and
ROAD SAFETY: IT was with increasing incredulity and anger that I read your editorial headlined "The error of their ways" (Echo, Aug 5). As a married father of three, motorist and motorcyclist for some 19 years, I have never read a piece of journalism
A LOCAL authority has invested £500 on a holiday programme arranged to keep youngsters out of trouble. Colburn has had problems with unruly behaviour by local teenagers but the project for 13 to 18-year-olds, backed by Richmondshire District Council,
Kirby Sigston lead the table after they completed a weekend double. On Saturday they dismissed Hutton Rudby for 187 but went onto win losing just two wickets when opener Thompson carried his bat for 79 and Cowton who also went in first contributed 74.
DURHAM City Council is to ask residents what they think about its services. The Liberal Democrat-controlled authority plans to carry out four surveys and says the results will be used to improve the way it tackles the area's problems. The council leader
Gloucestershire reached their sixth Lord's final in five seasons with a tense one-wicket win over Derbyshire in the Cheltenham & Gloucester Trophy semi-final in Bristol. They will meet either Worcestershire or Lancashire, who face each other at New
FACTORY staff have cycled across Britain to raise money for a children's cancer charity. The riders from Hathaway Roofing, in Tindale Crescent, Bishop Auckland, completed the coast-to- coast trip from Whitehaven to Tynemouth in three days. John Richardson
A LORRY driver is preparing to ditch his heavy goods vehicle in favour of a bicycle to raise money for charity. Dales worker Sam Rudd will set off with three friends on a 15-day sponsored bike ride that will cover nearly 1,000 miles later this month in
The Readers Durham County League Under-18s: Evenwood celebrated winning the championship when they defeated Willington in a playoff. The two sides had won their respective division and when they came up against each other Evenwood celebrated with a seven
QUICK-thinking police commandeered a golf buggy in their pursuit of a drunken man who took an angler hostage, holding a pair of scissors to his throat. Officers chasing the man across Riverside Park in Chester-le-Street, called for back-up and traffic
THE decision by bakery chain Greggs to focus on takeaway food paid off as it reported a record 13.3 per cent rise in first half pre-tax profits. But the Newcastle firm, which runs more than 1,200 outlets, said sales had flagged in recent weeks due to
TWO horse riders were injured after their animals bolted scared by a biker who sounded his horn as he passed them on a quiet country lane. The horses were startled by the sudden noise, on a minor road between Richmond and Catterick Garrison, in North
THERE'S a great scene in the film The Untouchables when a disenchanted Elliott Ness, played by Kevin Costner, throws a piece of paper in frustration. A veteran Irish-born cop, played by Sean Connery, tells him to pick it up, to which Ness replies: "Haven't
