MIDDLESBROUGH are keeping as close an eye on the weather as on the fitness of key defenders Gareth Southgate and Ugo Ehiogu ahead of tonight's Carling Cup semi-final decider against Arsenal. With skipper Southgate and Ehiogu doubtful because of hamstring
THE Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has announced that the downturn in the manufacturing sector is over. The employers' organisation made the declaration as it published figures showing the largest increase in orders since October 1996. However
Timeshare fraudster John "Goldfinger" Palmer has failed to get the £2m compensation he was ordered to pay his victims halved. The Court of Appeal in London rejected the argument that the figure was excessive because Palmer had already paid back millions
WEATHERMEN last night insisted they hadn't got it wrong and said heavy snow was still expected to sweep the region. Light flurries of snow fell in some areas of the North-East and on the North York Moors yesterday. Weather forecasters maintained their
Craig Bellamy could be just one game away from re-igniting Newcastle's season. The 24-year-old is almost ready to return to the first team for the crucial Barclaycard Premiership run-in and his side's UEFA Cup campaign. Bellamy played 90 minutes for the
Fire services in the North-East have been awarded £1.4 million to tackle the growing menace of arson in the community. Projects across the region are set to benefit from the handout including a new investigation team, based in Newcastle, which will develop
LAW AND ORDER: THERE is no respect for police or courts any more. How can a man who chased vandals damaging his home end up being charged? It is easy for the police to get a conviction on a person who tells the truth and is law abiding than the criminal
WELL, it's a long way from Granny's advice to "Keep your hand on your ha'penny." Student Rosie Reid, 18, has put her virginity up for sale on the Internet. Until eBay withdrew the auction, bids had reached £10,000 -which is certainly better than Rosie
A PRIMARY school and its local community are celebrating the completion of new facilities thanks to a Government-funded initiative. Dormanstown Primary School, in Dormanstown, near Redcar, has benefited from a new library, creche and multi-sensory area
ELECTRONIC components business Connor Solutions is expanding following an investment by a regional venture capital fund. Insight Capital is investing a six figure sum through its Capital North-East fund in the business, based in Houghton-le-Spring, Wearside
Virgin Mobile said the lure of cheap text messages had helped it achieve a record quarterly sales performance. The operator, which employs 200 staff in Middlesbrough, said it attracted 506,448 customers in October, November and December, a 37 per cent
Exuberant Russian Marat Safin announced his return as a major force in astonishing fashion with a thrilling five-set victory over world No 1 Andy Roddick to set up an enticing Australian Open semi-final with Andre Agassi. It was a performance which showed
Sunderland have stepped up their bid to sign Newcastle's Scottish defender Steve Caldwell, as Michael Gray completed a move to Blackburn Rovers last night. Rovers snapped up Gray on a free transfer and cleared another high earner off the wage bill at
As Britain trembles under dire warnings od servere weather, Mark Sage, in frozen New York, where the temperature has been below zero for weeks, says we ain't seen nothing yet. NOW I don't mean to complain, sitting here in New York City, but looking at
THE world's biggest ever toy sale began yesterday with thousands of toys sold. Auctioneers at Vectis, at Thornaby, Teesside, expect to sell nearly 8,000 toys during the three-day sale. About £120,000 worth of toys were snapped up on the first day, with
The Miners' Strike (BBC2) Programmes about the Miners' Strike are as plentiful as jungle bugs down Jordan's cleavage at the moment. Given a direct choice - as happened last night - I anticipate that the glamour girl and her encounters with creepy crawlies
A doctor who fled the scene of a crash in which a car overturned trapping a woman in the wreckage has been reprimanded by the General Medical Council. Dr Arunkumar Ganesan, 31, who did not have a driving licence, drove home after causing the collision
WORKERS made redundant by Korean electronics company Samsung are being invited to apply for jobs at a rival manufacturer. Atmel, based at Silverlink, near Wallsend, North Tyneside, is creating about 150 jobs as part of a £100m investment programme. The
POLICE and landlords have hailed the success of an initiative aimed at keeping troublemakers out of a district's public houses. Since it was launched about six months ago, up to 50 pubs have signed up to the Stanley Pubwatch Scheme and 33 troublemakers
Blaze hero Ernie Robinson is to become Godfather to the unborn baby whose life he saved. Ernie, 58, has picked up a fire brigade bravery award after saving mum-to-be Natasha Sanderson and her niece Erin, now four, from a house blaze in Marley Pots, Sunderland
NORTH-East MP Kevan Jones emerged from the Commons ballot on university tuition fees saying: "I voted for the Government holding my nose." Tony Blair emerged from easily the biggest backbench rebellion of his leadership having won by a nose. It was too
A TROUBLED parish council has set the amount it wants from the public next year at £81,650. Concerns were raised at a public meeting after Thornaby Parish Council revealed that nearly half of next year's budget will be spent on administration. However
DETECTIVES cancelled a meeting with the distraught mother of a North-East soldier killed in Northern Ireland after she spoke out in The Northern Echo. It has been revealed in the House of Commons that the Royal Ulster Constabulary cancelled the meeting
THIS column is being written on Monday afternoon on a one way ticket to Kings Cross. An hour behind time, the train overflows. It is as if people have been panic buying monthly returns, as they have most other things, to flee the south bound blizzard.
THIS column is being written on Monday afternoon on a one way ticket to Kings Cross. An hour behind time, the train overflows. It is as if people have been panic buying monthly returns, as they have most other things, to flee the south bound blizzard.
YOUNGSTERS welcomed the Chinese year yesterday by creating a 50ft dragon. Artist Lip Lee visited Kelloe Primary School, near Durham, where he helped pupils from nursery age to year six create Chinese lanterns and artwork and entertained them with Chinese
A £6M SCHEME to upgrade Barnard Castle's public hall is being opposed by the town council. The ambitious project for the 150- year-old Witham Hall, in Barnard Castle Market Place, includes the construction of a 176-seat theatre. But town council members
LEISURE centre staff proved to be good sports when they persuaded their council chiefs to stump up £800 to help disabled bowlers. A wheelchair bought by Sedgefield Borough Council for bowlers at Sunnydale Leisure Centre means that all players will be
The Miners' Strike (BBC2): Programmes about the Miners' Strike are as plentiful as jungle bugs down Jordan's cleavage at the moment. Given a direct choice - as happened last night - I anticipate that the glamour girl and her encounters with creepy crawlies
RESIDENTS have been encouraged to have their say on a scheme designed to improve road safety in their town. The scheme is aimed at reducing accidents along the busy section of Biddick Lane/Fatfield Road, in Washington, and to help make it easier for pedestrians
MEASURES to combat traffic problems at one of Hambleton's most popular tourist spots come into force next week. Cars parked illegally around Cod Beck, near Osmotherley, will receive a £30 fine after a Clearway Order was placed on a two-mile stretch of
RICHARD JOHNSON'S relentless pursuit of Tony McCoy at the head of the jump jockeys' championship continues in earnest at Huntingdon with a brace of excellent opportunities in the opening two divisions of the Sky Interactive Novices' Hurdle. Johnson relies
THIRSTY police officers on duty for George Bush's North-East visit last year were so desperate for a cuppa they boiled a tea urn dry, it has emerged. Rooms owned by Trimdon Colliery Community Association were used as a base by Durham Constabulary during
The semi-final of the Carling Cup fell victim to today's bad weather after police announced it would be called off in the interests of public safety. The game between Middlesbrough and Arsenal was due to take place at the Riverside stadium this evening
DARLINGTON have revived their interest in 19-year-old Sunderland striker Neil Teggart. Quakers were represented at last night's reserve match between the Black Cats and Manchester City's second string at Hyde's Ewan Field ground, in which Teggart played
MIDDLESBROUGH chairman Steve Gibson is adamant his club will win their fight for £7m-plus damages from Liverpool over the Christian Ziege affair. Boro have launched a landmark lawsuit against Liverpool after the Anfield outfit became the first Premiership
A council was today fined £12,000 for breaking health and safety rules following the death of a teenager in a local swimming pool. Former lifeguard Jason Prosser was also fined £500 by magistrates at Scarborough in connection with the tragedy in June,
ALEX CRAWLEY was given a hero's welcome when he arrived back at school with four medals yesterday after skiing for Britain in the World Transplant Winter Games. He was cheered by fellow pupils as he showed them his two gold and two silver medals at Teesdale
Swearing, singing, and enjoying a matchday pie and a pint has long been the discerning football fan's route to ridding himself of the stress of the working week. But fans at St James' Park - home of Newcastle United Football Club - will have to mind their
FURTHER strikes on the Metro system may have been averted following talks between Nexus and trade union leaders. The move comes a week after a 24-hour strike by 450 members of the Rail Maritime and Transport Union and Amicus caused travel chaos on Tyneside
HIGHWAYS bosses have been accused of municipal vandalism after using tractor-mounted machinery to shred hedges overlooking pasture that dates back to medieval times. There was an outcry when it emerged Richmondshire District Council was considering selling
A College has secured millions of pounds in funding for a new purpose-built site. Darlington College of Technology has been given £13m by the Learning and Skills Council towards the £33m development in Haughton Road, near the town centre. It will also
REPORTS of the death of Darlington artist David Green in India have concentrated, quite rightly, on his skills as a drawer of nature. Botanist and TV personality David Bellamy said: "His illustrations were second to none, but he was first and foremost
Heavy snow and blizzard conditions swept across the region today, causing dozens of schools to close. A further four to seven centimetres of snow was predicted this afternoon, with another two expected to fall this evening between 6 and 10pm. Local authorities
WELL, it's a long way from Granny's advice to "Keep your hand on your ha'penny. " Student Rosie Reid, 18, (below) has put her virginity up for sale on the Internet. Until eBay withdrew the auction, bids had reached £10,000 -which is certainly better than
FURTHER strikes on the Metro system may have been averted following talks between Nexus and trade union leaders. The move comes a week after a 24-hour strike by 450 members of the Rail Maritime and Transport Union and Amicus caused travel chaos on Tyneside
FANTASY games group Games Workshop said the growing popularity of war games had driven a 12 per cent rise in half-year operating profits to £7.4m. The Nottingham group, which makes the Warhammer battlegame and a table-top game based on the Lord of the
Lord Hutton today said he was satisfied Government weapons expert Dr David Kelly had taken his own life. Delivering a statement ahead of the full publication of his long-awaited report into the death of Dr Kelly, Lord Hutton said he was satisfied there
ELECTRONIC components business Connor Solutions is expanding following an investment by a regional venture capital fund. Insight Capital is investing a six figure sum through its Capital North-East fund in the business, based in Houghton-le-Spring, Wearside
DEBT-LADEN engineering group FKI plans to close or sell parts of its business with the loss of 700 jobs. FKI, based in London, said it planned to close eight loss-making units with a combined turnover of £50m and sell four more, leaving it with five key
RICHARD JOHNSON'S relentless pursuit of Tony McCoy at the head of the jump jockeys' championship continues in earnest at Huntingdon with a brace of excellent opportunities in the opening two divisions of the Sky Interactive Novices' Hurdle. Johnson relies
A fraudster facing jail for conning £40,000 from his bosses was on the run last night. Salesman Paul Hepple was due before Newcastle Crown Court yesterday after admitting a cunning scam at Akyo Nobel paintmakers in Gateshead. But the 25-year-old failed
THE newly selected candidate who will defend one of Labour's North-East stronghold constituencies has been issued with an immediate challenge by an opponent. Northumbria University lecturer Roberta Woods topped an all-female shortlist of candidates to
Evershed's clients shook off the January blues recently at the law firm's alternative Christmas party. The event had a "fizz and chips" theme and guests were served fish goujons and chips in newspaper cones accompanied by a glass of champagne. Eversheds
A SHORT film depicting the true story of a woman shot by her estranged husband, who then killed himself, was premiered in the North-East last night. The film, I am Dead, is based on the final moments of Loraine Whiting. It was screened at the Tyneside
WIRELESS telecoms specialist Filtronic plans to put its County Durham operation at the heart of its production. The Newton Aycliffe facility, which employs about 250 people, produces semiconductors, which will be at the heart of many of the group's new
A BATTERED and bruised Tony Blair last night scraped to victory by only five votes in the crucial Commons vote on university tuition fees. Then his attention turned to today's crisis: the publication of Lord Hutton's report into the death of scientist
Government grants to tempt companies to the North-East are failing to get people off the dole or close the North-South divide, a committee of MPs says today. Its highly-critical report found the targeted aid had achieved only a "miserly" cut in unemployment
MIDDLESBROUGH are keeping as close an eye on the weather as on the fitness of key defenders Gareth Southgate and Ugo Ehiogu ahead of tonight's Carling Cup semi-final decider against Arsenal. With skipper Southgate and Ehiogu doubtful because of hamstring
A POLICE officer has spoken of his disappointment at the punishment given to seven football fans charged with racial chanting at a match. Hartlepool residents Stanley Watson, 46, and Jonathan Watson, 19, both of Callander Street, Michael Hutchinson, 37
DETECTIVES are hunting thieves who sneaked into the homes of two elderly people while they were having afternoon naps. A 70-year-old man woke to find two intruders, thought to be a man and woman, in the bedroom of his Barnard Castle home on Monday, at
A CHARITY may have to cut its services to disabled people because of a funding crisis. Funding for the Wear Valley Disability Access Forum, in Crook, ends in March and so far the charity has only managed to get a grant to cover half its work for the next
H'ANGUS the Monkey was hanging around a museum to help cash in on a legend yesterday. The Hartlepool Football Club mascot visited Hartlepool Historic Quay and Museum to help promote baby monkey dolls. The cuddly dolls, which went on sale yesterday, bear
CHILDREN celebrated the opening of a computer suite yesterday. Pupils aged between 11 and 16 at West Redcar Community School, in Redcar, will also benefit from a computer graphics package, which will allow them to produce professional coursework for their
FORMER England, Liverpool, Wimbledon and Spurs star John Scales went back to school to emphasise the role it can play nurturing footballers of the future. The former pupil of Harrogate's Rossett High School, pictured above with students, has taken on
Banking group Northern Rock today said demand for mortgages had reached record levels as it posted an 18.6% hike in annual profits. Expectations of higher interest rates were doing little to slow down borrowing, with applications for loans in January
ON the coldest night in years, Hartlepool United produced a performance and enjoyed a result to warm the hearts. Pool put an amazing five goals past play-off rivals Port Vale as they bounced back from Saturday's reverse in grand style. With the nation
A MAN arrested for murder was last night released on police bail pending inquiries. Detectives on Teesside had been granted extra time to question a 26-year-old Middlesbrough man about the death of 31-year-old heroin addict Darren Manders, whose decomposed
POLICE were called after a fight started outside a court yesterday. Security staff at Hartlepool Magistrates' Court broke up the scuffle, which took place outside the court at about 11.30am. It is believed the trouble started after a homeowner confronted
ON the Western coast of the United States, sports fans could be forgiven for taking greater interest in the fortunes of the San Francisco 49ers than the plight of a lowly soccer club in the North-East of England. While Darlington supporters have battled
A DRIVER whose behaviour added to a night of chaos on the A59 in North Yorkshire was banned from driving yesterday and told he may face a prison sentence. Harrogate magistrates heard that Mark Wayne Pantry, 33, had driven so badly he had been involved
AN Age Concern boss has condemned an attack on an 81-year-old grandfather which left him with serious injuries. George Duck, from Skinningrove, east Cleveland, who suffers from angina and asthma and is in remission from colon cancer, was attacked by a
AN American opera singer attempting to sing his way along one of Britain's toughest walks is standing firm despite the impending blizzards. David Pisaro, who is bringing the hills alive with the sound of music, admits he is struggling with his walk, but
Work on a £1.4m sewerage scheme in a seaside town is about to get underway. Yorkshire Water say that work on the project in Whitby will take until the end of March to complete. It involves replacing five existing storm overflow chambers, or combined sewer
A £400,000 high-tech fast food outlet has opened on Teesside creating 30 new jobs and securing about 100 others in traditional ancillary bakery areas. Super Sandwich in the town's Castlegate Shopping Centre is owned by Paul Morgan who already owns 14
A MAN told a court yesterday that a prostitute said he had raped her. Factory worker Paul Thornton, 35, said he began to have sex with the prostitute, but became dizzy and had to lie down. He said he met the 26-year-old and agreed to pay her £80 for a
The semi-final of the Carling Cup fell victim to today's bad weather after police announced it would be called off in the interests of public safety. The game between Middlesbrough and Arsenal was due to take place at the Riverside stadium this evening
TWO men appeared in court yesterday charged with attempted deception. James Patrick O'Brien and Joseph Paul Doonan are accused of charging a couple in Eaglescliffe, near Stockton, £8,000 for building work valued at no more than £500. Mr O'Brien, 21, of
