MAY 1986 was a landmark month for Middlesbrough. Relegated to Division Three for the first time in their history, the club was placed into liquidation with spiralling debts approaching the £2m mark. Later that summer, the water and electricity supply
With captain Gareth Southgate and in-form Mark Viduka out of the first leg of tonight's UEFA Cup semi-final in Bucharest, manager Steve McClaren insists Middlesbrough still possess enough quality to gain the initiative in the tie. Viduka was yesterday
The Readers County Durham League: It is a case of two in, two out at Esh Winning but stalwart Joe Lawlor is still confident that the side will mount a strong title defence. Last season's success was their first in 15 years but two players who made significant
CUTS in services are being forecast at one of the region's hospitals after it was revealed it faces a £9.2m deficit for the new financial year. The figure for Harrogate District Hospital, in North Yorkshire, includes a £4m loss of income from Craven and
HOPE is growing among Sunderland football fans that the "under new ownership" sign will soon be hanging over the Stadium of Light after former Republic of Ireland international Niall Quinn said the money was there for a buyout. Supporters angry at the
PROPERTY development company Stapleton Investments is planning to increase its annual turnover from £6m to £10m in the next three years. The Darlington company, an off-shoot of global consultancy Stapleton International, is working on three multi-million
ACCOUNTANCY software company Sage has walked away from the biggest acquisition in its history. The Newcastle company said it would not be drawn into a £400m bidding war for rival Norwegian business Visma, after its offer was beaten by private equity firm
A STAFF Sergeant at the elite Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst has appeared at crown court charged with killing a policeman in a car smash. Steven Graham spoke only to say "yes sir" when asked to confirm his name during a short hearing today. Staff
THE North-East has failed in its bid to stage an Ashes test match at Durham County Cricket ground. The Chester-le-Street ground was in the running to stage a game during the 2009 Ashes series against Australia. But the region's cricket fans are facing
Detectives yesterday said they were reviewing the death of a butcher whose body was found in a swimming pool at the home of television entertainer Michael Barrymore. Barrymore last night welcomed the news and vowed to "do all I can" to help police find
THOUSANDS of people lined the street at a North-East open-air museum for the royal opening of its newest attraction. The £1.2m Masonic Hall at Beamish Museum, near Stanley, County Durham, is now complete and yesterday the public were allowed in for the
Today's passengers are welcome to catch any bus... as long as it's a certain shade of blue. Whatever happened to the mulit-coloured merry-go-round of days gone by? FROM April 9, announced one of many notices stuck to the bus window, Go North-East services
A DARLINGTON father who, it is believed, slipped to his death was trying to turn his life around. Police yesterday named the man who tumbled down steps in Parkgate, Darlington, as 47-year-old David Beal. Mr Beal, who had previously slept rough and been
STAFF at a Bishop Auckland veterinary surgery are leading by example by training their pets to become good citizens. Veterinary surgeons Samantha Goldberg and Ashlea Wakeford and veterinary nurse Donna Smith have been presented with Kennel Club Good Citizen
NORTHUMBRIA Police is urging Neighbourhood Watch members on Wearside to go online to register for a crime prevention service. Residents who opt for the service will receive twice-weekly news e-mails and appeals for information about incidents and crimes
Sunderland midfielder Julio Arca has spoken of his respect for Alan Shearer and revealed his sorrow for the challenge which could have ended the Newcastle skipper's career. The Argentinian was an unwitting participant in the incident in which Shearer
A TEENAGER who agreed to act as lookout for a gang burgling village shops escaped a prison sentence yesterday. Appearing before magistrates in Harrogate, Adam Carding, 18, admitted two offences of burglary and one of failing to answer bail. He was given
A CHARITY has been given funding to help tackle debt in one of the most deprived rural areas in the country. Wear Valley Citizens' Advice Bureau (CAB) will be able to offer more support for people with debt problems after it was given a Government grant
A LOVING mother has told of her anguish as she and her son fought for their lives at the same time. Lisa Walker had to leave her son, Thomas, three, as he battled leukaemia so she could have heart surgery for the third time in five years. But she believes
PENSIONER Bob Empson may be approaching 80 - but he still plays a valuable role in his community. The sprightly 79-year-old has volunteered his services at Saltburn Police Station for the past 11 years, acting as an important link between officers and
A HOUSING trust has welcomed the results of an Audit Commission inspection. The report said services provided by the Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust, which has homes in York and New Earswick, were "good with promising prospects for improvement". The assessment
A drop-in centre for young people has been launched in Northallerton. Based in the Connexion Centre, in High Street, the aim is to offer a "one-stop-shop" for the needs of young people. Up to 30 organisations are taking part, to offer help, advice and
TALENTED performers will take to the stage next week to raise money for charity. The Gala Theatre, in Durham City, is to stage a night of entertainment on Tuesday to raise money for charities nominated by the city's mayor, Councillor John Lightley. Local
A MAJOR council service that collects council tax and business rates is celebrating a Government award - for the fourth time. The Charter Mark for excellence was handed to the Revenue Service, which is provided by HBS on behalf of Middlesbrough Council
DOG owners are being invited to a free health check for their pets in an effort to cut the number of strays on the streets. The Dogs Trust has teamed up with Durham City Council to offer canine check-ups over the next few weeks. Owners living in the postcode
A MAN drugged a 21-year-old woman on a train then took photographs of her private parts, a court was told yesterday. Teesside Crown Court heard that police officers who arrested Trevor Tarirah at Darlington railway station discovered details of an Internet
BUDDING chefs can now enjoy world-class tuition after a college was confirmed as a Centre of Vocational Excellence in hospitality and catering. The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) has given the accolade to Darlington College. The college, along with
A NUMBER of rented houses are to be built in villages around Durham to increase the supply, at a cost of more than £3m. Two-bedroomed bungalows will be built in two schemes in Sherburn Village - seven of the 21 homes will be for shared ownership - and
Darlington Building Society NYSD Premier League: PRESIDENT Chris West is confident the league is set to enjoy one of its most exciting and competitive seasons for years. In the last two summers there has been an unprecedented range of activities aimed
Northern Rock ECB North-East Regional Premier League: There has been the usual flurry of transfer activity during the close season but without doubt the biggest surprise was the decision of the Symington brothers to quit their home town club. The Symington
PROPERTY development company Stapleton Investments is planning to increase its annual turnover from £6m to £10m in the next three years. The Darlington company, an off-shoot of global consultancy Stapleton International, is working on three multi-million
IN a division littered with inconsistency, David Duke insists there isn't a better time for those in contention for a play-off place to prove their promotion credentials and end the season on a high. Despite collecting just one point from their two games
A fun-loving teenager was run over and killed as she demonstrated her "funky chicken" dance on a busy dual carriageway. Danielle Cole watched in horror as her best friend Stacey Norton, 18, was struck by a taxi. Ms Norton made her friends laugh with the
FILTHY MAN OF EUROPE?: WHEN driving through County Durham it is quite noticeable how disgustingly filthy our county has become. The majority of the roadside verges, hedgerows and tree lines are awash with litter, not to mention most of the towns as well
A GIANT banner in honour of injured Newcastle United captain Alan Shearer was unveiled yesterday. It measures 25 metres high by 32 metres wide and has been installed above Shearer's Bar, in Newcastle. The banner covers nearly half the Gallowgate end of
HOPE is growing among Sunderland football fans that the "under new ownership" sign will soon be hanging over the Stadium of Light after former Republic of Ireland international Niall Quinn said the money was there for a buyout. Supporters angry at the
THE ORGANISER of a popular annual run for vintage vehicles has urged regular competitors to keep revving up for this year's event. George Jolley said he was keen to end speculation over the future of the Beamish Safety and Reliability Run, which will
FOR a woman who devoted much of her life to the horse and hunt tradition, there could be no final farewell more fitting. Leading members of South Durham Hunt paraded to All Saints Church, Great Stainton, in County Durham, yesterday in memory of Madeleine
Footballer Lee Bowyer walked free from court yesterday after the prosecution accepted a police car's speed recording equipment was incorrectly calibrated. However, the Newcastle United player was banned from driving for the third time in four years after
A SEVEN-year-old girl from the North-East has become the new voice of a TV cartoon character. Lucy Moss, a pupil at Polam Hall School, in Darlington, plays Emily the Elephant in a new series of Peppa Pig, which will be on Channel Five later in the spring
It has been described as a cult and has garnered negative publicity over its female members giving birth in silence. But one North Yorkshire man tells Lindsay Jennings that Scientology has transformed his life - and his wife screamed during birth. WHEN
GORDON Muchall rose magnificently to the challenge of extra responsibility yesterday by making the highest first-class score by a home-bred Durham batsman. Muchall held the innings together and converted his cultured century into an unbeaten 193 out of
NORTH-East MPs raised the alarm last night after Tony Blair refused to rule out support for an American nuclear strike against Iran. The Prime Minister told MPs it was "perfectly sensible" for President Bush to leave all options on the table if Iran failed
Foster's Northumberland and Tyneside Senior League: Tynedale aim to clinch a hat-trick of championships, but it is expected they will be pushed all the way just as they were last season. Lady Luck was on their side during the final two games when they
BUS and train group Arriva has announced that it is trading in line with expectations thanks to good management and strong European operations. Continued growth in the Sunderland company's mainland European operations and good management of fuel costs
GREAT things were predicted of the man who has emerged as the first ethnic minority Royal Naval officer to reach the rank of admiral. Congratulations have been sent to Durham University graduate Amjad Hussain, 47, by his former college following news
PARENTS told last night how their eight-year-old daughter choked to death after swallowing a pin. Gabriella Rose Clemmitt died on Sunday after paramedics tried for nearly an hour to save her life. She was watching a film in the bedroom of her home in
PAUL Stephenson is expecting a positive response from his Hartlepool United players today. After the traumas of losing to relegation rivals Milton Keynes Dons on Easter Monday, when a last-minute goal put Pool four points from safety with nine to play
There was no action on the field but plenty happening off it on the opening day of Yorkshire's Championship curtain-raiser against title-holders Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge yesterday. Persistent light rain prevented any play but while Yorkshire kicked
PARENTS who want to find out more about environmentally-friendly nappies are invited to a drop-in session next week. Darlington Borough Council is one of 430 local authorities across the country taking part in the tenth annual Real Nappy Week, which starts
FOOTBALL-MAD children at Darlington College were given a taste of the professional game on a holiday trip to remember. Thirteen members of the holiday club at Darlington College's childcare centre were treated to a visit to Darlington Football Club's
TRADERS in Darlington town centre were yesterday planning to launch a claim for compensation after a fault with an electricity cable left them without power for seven hours. Up to 60 shops and businesses on High Row, as well as some in Clark's Yard and
CHILDREN took the bait during a Easter holidays extravaganza to get them interested in fishing. The fishing event was held at Maidendale Fishing and Nature Reserve for children from Firthmoor. It was the first fishing event organised by a new countryside
THOUSANDS of people lined the street at a North-East open-air museum for the royal opening of its newest attraction. The £1.2m Masonic Hall at Beamish Museum, near Stanley, County Durham, is now complete and yesterday the public were allowed in for the
STUDENTS will showcase their work to celebrate graduating from Cleveland College of Art and Design. A textile exhibition will be held at Hartlepool Art Gallery, in Church Square from Thursday, June 8, to Saturday, June 17. For more information, call the
A woodland is being created in an area once decimated by foot-and-mouth disease. The Thorpe Farm Centre at Greta Bridge, near Barnard Castle, was created on a former pig farm in 2002. Starting with a traditional farm shop and a bistro, the site now has
The Surridge Sport Durham Coast League: Castle Eden ended a 55-year wait when they won the championship last season, but it was an extremely close call with Seaham Park only missing out on the last day. Murton gave the pair a good run and it will be surprising
YOUNG people have been making artworks from recycled wire for the final phase of an art project at Byker Metro station. The youngsters from the Byker YMCA project worked with staff and visual artist Andy McDermott to transform a tangle of old cable and
A HOUSING and nursery school development is to breathe new life into a prominent east Durham town centre site. Unused since the closure of the ITEC Centre in Burnhope Way, Peterlee, the land is to be redeveloped into a 18-home housing estate, a purpose-built
A NEWLY-opened cafe at one of North Yorkshire's spectacular ruins was given an official blessing yesterday. A monk from Ampleforth Abbey visited the cafe at nearby Rievaulx Abbey to bless the building and wish it a long and successful future. Father Chad
DERBY hopeful Atlantic Waves (3.45) puts his credentials on the line in Newmarket's Fielden Stakes this afternoon. Forty-eight hours ago Atlantic Waves had his odds slashed from 25s to 12-1 for the Epsom Group 1 showpiece, a sure sign the jungle drums
VILLAGE friends Sophie Finnegan and Abigail Richardson are being given the honour of officially opening a community play park. Ten-year-old Sophie raised £200 towards the £94,000 project in Dunsdale, east Cleveland, with a sponsored swim to help the village's
A CHARITY that helps couples going through separation and divorce is expanding into Peterlee. The Cleveland Family Mediation Service is already the largest provider of family mediation in the Tees Valley. Most of the charity's clients benefit from legal
A CENTRE that aims to give youngsters in former pit villages the best possible start in life has been opened by one of the mothers who uses it. Karen Gates, a parent representative on Brandon and Deerness Valley Sure Start, cut the ceremonial ribbon as
STUDENTS have gained behind-the-scenes experience of working in a museum by putting together their own exhibition. Objects of Desire will be open to the public at Hartlepool Art Gallery from Tuesday to the middle of May. Year ten students from English
LITTERING a national cycleway has cost a shopkeeper more than £500. Middlesbrough Council enforcement officers traced a large amount of cardboard and other shop waste to the Stop 'n' Shop general dealers, on Crescent Road, Middlesbrough. The rubbish was
YOUNG rock stars will take centre stage when east Durham showcases its homegrown musical talent. Five bands will perform at Eastlea Community Centre, in Seaham, on Saturday. All the bands were formed during weekly workshops at the centre, which were organised
A 22-year-old woman escaped from a fire in her home by climbing on to a first-floor roof with her child. She managed to get out of the house in Scafell Court, Doxford park, Sunderland, in the early hours of yesterday with her two-year-old son. Fire crews
YOUNG people from across the North-East will today attend an awards ceremony to celebrate their achievements in the community. More than 40 youngsters will attend the Barnardo's 'B Oscars' event, in Newcastle, which acknowledges outstanding contributions
FIRE chiefs are heading to the US in a bid to learn new safety measures and improve services for residents in the North-East. A working party from Cleveland Fire Authority will visit fire departments in Chicago, Phoenix and Scottsdale next week, to determine
COMMUNITY safety officers are urging local people to help in the search for the best police officers working within Hambleton. Nominations are being taken as part of North Yorkshire Police Authority's competition to find the county's Community Police
WE are generally in favour of cutting red tape because there is far too much of it around. But the price to be paid for greater efficiency in the system for compensating the victims of miscarriages of justice is surely too high. Home Secretary Charles
Foster's Durham Senior League: THE League will have new champions come September, after last summer's title-winners Hetton Lyons moved to the Premier League. But to compensate for their loss, Philadelphia will be looking to make an impression on their
DURING the course of the past three months, Middlesbrough have completed a remarkable turnaround that is threatening to ensure this season will live long in the memory. And for defender Ugo Ehiogu, his own personal transformation in fortunes has been
with captain Gareth Southgate and in-form Mark Viduka out of the first leg of tonight's UEFA Cup semi-final in Bucharest, manager Steve McClaren insists Middlesbrough still possess enough quality to gain the initiative in the tie. Viduka was yesterday
HARTLEPOOL nuclear power station operator British Energy last night announced another jump in the amount of money paid for its supplies. British Energy also revealed that output in the year to March 31 was better than the previous year, helping shares
A SCHOOLGIRL who accused a teacher of fondling her bottom and making lewd remarks feared being labelled a "grass", a court heard. The 15-year-old pupil was said to have been extremely upset and crying after her alleged ordeal at the hands of drama teacher
PARENTS told last night how their eight-year-old daughter choked to death after swallowing a pin. Gabriella Rose Clemmitt died on Sunday after paramedics tried for nearly an hour to save her life. She was watching a film in the bedroom of her home in
a CCTV image has been released showing the moment a knife maniac selected a victim at random and plunged a blade into his face. Security cameras picked up Neil Longstaff standing in the doorway of a pub, watching customers leave at closing time. He picked
DURING the course of the past three months, Middlesbrough have completed a remarkable turnaround that is threatening to ensure this season will live long in the memory. And for defender Ugo Ehiogu, his own personal transformation in fortunes has been
THE Easter egg hunt has been a family tradition since they were toddlers. Every year, on Easter Sunday morning, we devise a little treasure hunt in the garden which guides our four children to their chocolate eggs. This year, I spent most of Saturday
BOREDOM is good for children. So says a recent report. Not many children - or their parents - would find themselves in agreement with that. "I'm bored!", is the cry every parent dreads, especially as the long school holidays loom in front of them. They
