Stories for 18 January 2007

The Northern Echo News

Mother's choking warning

THE mother of a teenager who died after choking on a pen top hopes to save other parents from the agony her family has suffered.Ben Stirland, 13, of Castleside, Consett, County Durham, died in Newcastle General Hospital two days after swallowing the piece of plastic he had been chewing when he slipped off a chair while doing homework.Emergency crews tried to revive him but he never regained consciousness.His 38-year-old mother, Nathalie Hodgson, is now warning of the dangers of chewing pen tops through the Friends Reunited website.She said: "If I can stop anyone else going through what we are going through, at least Ben won't have died in vain. The pen he was using did have a hole in it, but that didn't stop him from choking."I want people to take into consideration that there's no need for ball-point pens to have lids on. Ben was a big, healthy lad, we would never have thought it was possible for this to happen to him - but it did."She said she wanted all parents to take the tops off their children's pens straight away.She added: "Ben would have wanted me to stay positive and do something about this, and that's what gives me courage."Mrs Hodgson, a youth worker, and Ben's stepfather, David Hodgson, had to fly back from Ireland, where they were celebrating their third wedding anniversary. They were at Ben's bedside when he died.Ben's grandparents were staying with him and his sister, Briony, 16, at the family home in Consett when the accident happened.A book of condolence has been opened at Moorside Community Technology College, where Ben was a popular pupil. His funeral will take place tomorrow at St John's Church, Castleside, at 1.15pm, and will be followed by cremation at Mountsett Crematorium, Dipton.  more...

Snow and gales on the way

PEOPLE in the region were last night preparing for a battering from gales and blizzards as winter finally begins to bite.The Met Office has issued weather warnings for the whole of the North-East and North Yorkshire, with heavy rain and gusts of up to 80mph expected today - and snowstorms predicted for the weekend.The conditions are expected to cause delays on roads and public transport networks, and buildings could be damaged in the high winds.The first two weeks of January failed to dip below zero, but forecasters expect winter to return with a vengeance during the next week."There's going to be quite a lot of weather packed into the next five or six days," said Paul Knightley, from Meteogroup UK."It's certainly going to be very windy, and there will be snow showers at the start of the week."There was quite a bit of disruption with wind last week in the North-East, and we now have sodden soil - so we can expect trees to fall more easily."On Sunday night, the east coast and the Yorkshire moors will see more snow."It might be a bit of a shock to the system after the mild weather we've had, but it is about time we saw some wintry conditions."The Highways Agency has warned motorists to plan journeys in advance and take extra care on the roads.Motorcyclists and drivers of high-sided vehicles are particularly at risk during high winds.Until today, the North-East was enjoying the warmest January in decades.Professor Jeremy Barnes, of Newcastle University, said: "Lots of flowers are blooming early across the North-East."When we get warm weather like this, bulbs wake up and think it must be spring."It's not necessarily a good thing. If we get a sudden cold snap it will kill the blooms stone dead."  more...

Flying heroes of a mission impossible

HELICOPTER pilots from the region are expected to be honoured for risking their lives in an extraordinary rescue mission to recover a fallen comrade.Two Apache helicopters flew four Royal Marine commandos strapped to their fuselages directly into a Taliban fortress in Afghanistan.Senior officers last night praised their bravery and said the mission would "rewrite the flight book" on how the £20m attack helicopters could be used.Until now, it had been thought the Apaches were incapable of carrying soldiers into battle.The helicopters were flown by members of 656 Squadron, 9 Regiment Army Air Corps, based at Dishforth airfield, in North Yorkshire.The mission - described as one of the most audacious ever launched - was conceived after a ground raid on a Taliban fortress in the notorious Helmand province met with strong opposition.When a 200-strong force came under heavy fire, the marines were forced to withdraw across a river.But when they reached safety, officers realised one of their men was missing. Lance Corporal Mathew Ford, of 45 Commando, lay outside the walls of the heavily-defended fortress, in the south of Garmsir, in southern Helmand.He had been killed instantly, but officers were not sure whether he was alive or dead and began to plot a rescue mission.The original plan, to storm back across the river, was rejected as too dangerous. Then one of the North Yorkshire helicopter pilots came up with the idea of strapping soldiers to his aircraft.The pilots had experimented with strapping casualties to the Apaches during training flights in Yorkshire, but had never carried two heavily-armed marines into the an occupied enemy stronghold.Major Nick Holloway, a spokesman for 45 Commando, said from Afghanistan: "Four Apaches took off - two carrying the marines and the others to provide cover."They flew across the river and one landed outside the fort while the other landed inside the walls. At the same time, everyone opened up with everything they had."The marines were joined by the aircrew, who also fought the Taliban as Lance Corporal Ford was recovered back to the Apache."It was an extraordinary tale of heroism and bravery by our soldiers and airmen, who were willing to put themselves back into the line of fire to rescue a fallen comrade."Because none of the marines had been on the ground during the earlier mission, one of the Apache aircrew led the soldiers to the casualty.A pilot from the other Apache then got out of his aircraft to help secure the body to the side of his helicopter.The Apaches were on the ground for five minutes and came under heavy fire from small arms and rocket-propelled grenades from Taliban positions.The supporting Apaches exhausted all their ammunition in a couple of minutes as they rained firepower down on the enemy.UK Task Force spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Rory Bruce said the heroic mission was a "leap into the unknown".This is believed to be the first time UK forces have tried this type of rescue operation, he said."It was with great sadness they later found their brother-in-arms had been killed in action," he added.Major Paddy Logan, commanding officer of the Home Party of 9 Regiment at Dishforth, said: "We are extremely proud of the bravery displayed by our aircrew in attempting to rescue a fellow soldier in peril."Their action exemplifies the fighting spirit of the corps and the close bond that we have with our colleagues on the ground."L Cpl Ford was the only British soldier to die during the battle.Four other soldiers were injured, but are in a stable condition.L Cpl Ford, who was 30, was brought up in Immingham, Lincolnshire, where his mother and stepfather still live.He shared a flat in Dundee with his fiancee, Ina.His mother, Joan, said: "We are all devastated by the news of Mathew's death."He was a larger-than-life character who lived his life to the full."He was a wonderful son to me, and brother to Thomas and Scott, and was looking forward to his future with Ina."His love for life and his ability to make everyone laugh will always be with us."The commander of the UK Task Force, Brigadier Jerry Thomas, said: "I know that this is a very difficult time for his family and his friends, but I do want to convey my sincere condolences and let them know that our thoughts are very much with them."An Army source said the Apache aircrews and the marines were likely to be honoured for the bravery shown during the rescue mission.  more...

Family of missing oil rig worker speak

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Day in life of a family who prefer wartime years

A couple who live their lives as if the country is still at war with Nazi Germany spent the day at their local school yesterday. Joe Willis went along to find out more.SANDRA Day told the fascinated primary school pupils that she has no need to de-stress in the gym. Not when she has her dolly tub."By the time I've boiled five gallons of water on the stove, used the washboard and then mangled the clothes, any stress has long gone," she said.She and her husband, Ian, are founder members of UK Homefront - part of a wartime re-enactment group.But while some members may choose to re-enact only on the group's regular weekend gatherings, Mr and Mrs Day, from Melmerby, near Ripon, North Yorkshire, live every day as if Winston Churchill is still Prime Minister and rationing a reality.Mrs Day, 52, said: "We don't like modern things."My son has just got us a fridge freezer, but I've put a blanket over it. I've got a washing machine, but I would rather use my dolly tub."And I would rather listen to my wartime music than watch television."She added: "People laugh at me because they say I'm killing myself when I do the housework (the old fashioned way with plenty of elbow grease)."But when you work it out, it's much more healthy."I tried a Dyson once, but it felt like my house was still dirty - it just didn't feel right."My children won't come shopping with me anymore because I convert new money into old money and I won't buy a loaf of bread for more than 15 shillings - that is 75p to you."Mr Day, 54, said: "Most of the food we eat, Sandra makes and it doesn't contain A, E or any other numbers."The couple's way of life has developed from a keen interest in history and a desire to keep alive the memory of the Second World War."We started with a group of three - now there are 45 of us," said Mr Day."We do it not to glorify war, but to remember those who lived through this terrible time."The couple spent the day at Leeming and Londonderry Primary School talking to children about the war, singing songs and showing pupils period items from their collection.Headteacher Rowena Sykes said their enthusiasm and knowledge had rubbed off on the children, who were studying the war as part of their curriculum.If you are a teacher and would like Mr and Mrs Day to visit your school, call 01765-640643 or visit www.history.uk.com  more...

Shilpa tells of racism fear as Big Brother row escalates

Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty has spoken for the first time of her fears that she is the victim of racism in the Celebrity Big Brother house.Unaware that the race row has developed into an international incident, the housemates last night had an argument over Oxo cubes.After the spat, Cleo Rocos told Shilpa: "I don't think there's anything racist in it."Shilpa replied: "It is, I'm telling you."But Channel 4 insisted there had been "no overt racial abuse or racist behaviour".Earlier, protestors burned effigies of the show's organisers on the streets of India as UK politicians queued up to denounce the treatment of Shilpa.The Indian government also indicated that it plans to raise the issue with Britain.Prime Minister Tony Blair told the Commons that "we should oppose racism in all its forms", Tory leader David Cameron urged viewers to switch off in protest, and Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain said the attacks on Shetty were "grubby racist behaviour".Chancellor Gordon Brown, who is on a trip to India, said the alleged racist remarks on the show were offensive.Complaints about the show have flooded in since housemate Jade Goody, her mother, Jackiey Budden, and boyfriend Jack Tweed, model Danielle Lloyd and former S Club singer Jo O'Meara allegedly began bullying the 31-year-old star.In one outburst, Lloyd asked Shetty: "Do you get stubble?" In another, Budden asked: "Do you live in a house or a shack?"Mr Blair's official spokes-man told reporters yesterday that it was "clearly to be regretted and countered" if there was any perception abroad that Britain tolerates racism in any way.He said: "What the response to the programme has shown is precisely the opposite - that there is no level of toleration in this country for anything which, rightly or wrongly, is perceived to be racist."Mr Brown, speaking to reporters in India, said: "I understand that in the UK there have already been 10,000 complaints from viewers about these remarks, which people see, rightly, as offensive."Shetty's mother Sunanda told Sky News that it was painful watching her daughter cry on TV.Channel 4 revealed figures showing the row had boosted the number of viewers for Celebrity Big Brother, which had been on the decline since its opening night.The main highlights programme averaged 4.5 million viewers yesterday, up from 3.5 million on Monday.In a statement, Channel 4 admitted there had "undoubtedly been a cultural and class clash between her and three of the British females in the house."The broadcaster said: "Unambiguous racist behaviour and language is not tolerated under any circumstances in the Big Brother house. Housemates are constantly monitored and Channel 4 would intervene if a clear instance of this arose."It is in the nature of Big Brother that conflicts arise and housemates are encouraged to resolve issues among themselves."Bookmaker William Hill said Shetty was the new "hot favourite" to win Celebrity Big Brother. The bookmakers are offering 6/4 that she will be the eventual winner after a rush of bets for her over the past 24 hours.  more...

Where sheep may safely roam

Police officers thought someone was pulling the wool over their eyes when they were asked to round-up a stray flock.People waking on the outskirts of Chester-le-Street, County Durham, also needed a double take when they saw the animals outside their homes.Helen Stephens, 16, grabbed a camera to photograph the scene as the near 150-strong flock was ushered into Rickleton Avenue, before being led back to a field on the nearby Lambton Estate.Helen, from Wakefield, West Yorkshire, was spending the weekend with cousins Laura and Katie Taggart, and their parents, Dawn and Richard, at their home in Rickleton Avenue.Mr Taggart said: "People were looking from their windows and doors but no one wanted to come out into the street in case it frightened them."It looks like they were ushered into the street to get them off the main road near the A1(M) interchange, and then the street was blocked off until the farmer came and they were able to safely take them back."Inspector Paul Anderson, of Chester-le-Street police, said the sheep headed down the A183 and officers had to block off the slip road at the Blind Lane interchange to prevent them wandering onto the A1(M)."We led them up the A183 and kept them secure in a street until it was safe to take them back to a field on the Lambton Estate."A spokesman for the Lambton Estates confirmed that the sheep strayed after a gate was blown open in the high winds.  more...

Help needed with police ID parades

A SHORTAGE of young white women has led police to appeal for volunteers to help them boost a crime- fighting database.Police are asking people in Darlington - especially young women and people from ethnic minorities - to agree to be filmed to help with identity parades.Participants will be given £15 for volunteering and the process should take less than 15 minutes. Their pictures will be added to the national Viper identity parade database. No personal details will be attached to the images and volunteers will not become a suspect in a crime if their picture is chosen during an identity parade.In the past, police officers had to trawl the streets looking for people to take part in identity parades, which used up time and resources.However, over the past three years police in Darlington have used the Viper system, which offers electronic parades.As part of the system, suspects are filmed in the Viper suite in the police station and their pictures are put alongside seven similar looking people.The witness or victim then watches the parade of eight faces on a TV screen.All the faces, whether of the suspect or the volunteers, are filmed in the same light and with the same backdrop.Inspector Alan Davison, of Darlington police, said: "It used to be a traumatic experience. Victims had to walk down a line of people and point to the person they suspected. Viper is much more userfriendly and it is also cost effective."This is an evolving database and it needs to be continuously updated because styles are constantly changing."Viper is run from Wakefield, West Yorkshire, and the organisers will be in Darlington on Saturday, January 27, to film volunteers.The team will be setting up in the Cornmill Shopping Centre's management suite, where anyone wanting to take part is asked to report.Insp Davison thanked the shopping centre for supporting the event.  more...

Pen safety top 'may not stop tragedies'

CHOKING incidents involving pen tops may be extremely rare, but a North-East GP has warned that the safety hole - designed to prevent such tragedies - may not be sufficient.Dr Mike Scott, from Newcastle says, death by choking can happen in two ways.The safety hole in the pen top can become clogged by extra mucus produced by the body in response to the "foreign body", or the brain can be quickly starved of oxygen if the voice box starts to spasm when the object is swallowed."It is usually children who put things in their mouths," said Dr Scott. "Fortunately, most get swallowed and end up in the stomach - but if they end up in the voice box, the windpipe or the airways it can be very serious."Last night, Roger Vincent, spokesman for the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, said that an inquest into the death of 13-year-old Ben Stirland, of Consett, County Durham, could lead to recommendations regarding pen top safety features.He said: "Obviously, this is a great tragedy, but incidents like this are extremely rare, particularly in someone of this age."Choking incidents tend to be among the very young children or elderly people and tend to involve food."Pen tops are designed with a hole in them to allow a flow of air if they are swallowed, but we will have to await the outcome of the inquest to determine what happened in this case.The British Standards Institution has set out specific standards for pen tops and the "ventilation hole". It says: "If a child accidentally inhales a pen top, it may become lodged in the larynx and so block the trachea. The danger of asphyxiation can be reduced if ventilated or too large to swallow.Tom Dawson , training services manager for St John Ambulance in County Durham, has urged people to attend a first aid training course so they know exactly what to do to deal with a choking incident.He said: "Unfortunately, up to 300 people in this country choke to death every year. Even when you do everything right, they can die. Even with medical help by paramedics, the blockage cannot be removed sometimes.''* St John Ambulance runs first aid courses and can arrange informal demonstrations to small groups. Call 0191-378 -1111 for details.  more...

Inquest: Dad of five choked to death on food in hospital

A MAN who underwent a routine knee operation in hospital choked to death on a piece of food in a ward.Robert Mills was found sitting up in bed by a worker at Sunderland Royal Hospital.Despite the efforts of staff, he could not be saved. Last night, his widow Kathleen said she planned to sue the NHS trust.Sunderland Coroner Derek Winter will write to the hospital's chief executive about the case. Mr Winter recorded a verdict of accidental death on Mr Mills, who died aged 60 on November 9, 2005, a day after he had undergone a knee operation.He found there was no evidence of a gross failure in care that would warrant a verdict of neglect, but said that in certain cases he can ask for action to be taken to avoid a recurrence of fatalities.Pathologist Dr John McElroy said death was caused by a ball of food about the size of a table tennis ball blocking Mr Mills' airway.The inquest heard evidence from doctors and nursing staff that Mr Mills' cubicle door was open and he had an emergency buzzer on his bed.But no one, apart from the domestic, had noticed his plight or heard him sound the buzzer, which would have been audible throughout the ward and would have set off an alarm light.Anaesthetist Dr Keith Fordy said he had put a pipe into Mr Mills' trachea on the day of his operation, which was a common procedure during general anaesthesis.The inquest heard that Mr Mills seemed well after the operation and there was no reason why he could not have had a full dinner.Pharmacy technician Patricia Pringle told the coroner she was approached by a domestic who was concerned about Mr Mills, a father-of- five.She said: "She asked me if I would go in and check because he was not responding."I walked to the door and it looked like he was already dead."He was sitting upright and appeared to have something blocking his mouth. I alerted one of the qualified staff on the ward."After the hearing, Mrs Mills, 57, of Canon Cockin Street, Hendon, in Sunderland, said her husband had had a lot of health problems and he should have been better cared for. Mrs Mills said many of her questions remained unanswered and that she was planning to take legal action to try to prevent other families facing the same grief.A spokesman for City Hospitals Sunderland Trust said: "We would like to pass our condolences to the Mills family."We will, of course, investigate the circumstances of Mr Mills' death and follow any recommendations made by the coroner."  more...

Women injured after lift snaps while boarding plane

A SUNSHINE holiday turned into a nightmare for three elderly women who plunged to the ground while boarding an aeroplane on a Spanish island.The holidaymakers were boarding a My Travel jet, bound for Newcastle Airport from Tenerife, when a lift helping them on to the plane snapped.The women slipped off the end and fell an estimated two-and-a-half metres on to the ground below the plane.They were taken to a local hospital where they were kept in overnight.A spokeswoman for the hospital said yesterday: "Three people were brought in. One of them has been discharged, two remain in hospital with fractures. They are not serious injuries and they are stable."However, a spokeswoman for My Travel insisted that two of the women had been discharged and the company was arranging flights home for them and their families. She said the women would be flown home late last night or today.The My Travel spokeswoman said: "Yesterday, a malfunction occurred while passengers were using an Ambulift operated by the airport ground handlers at Tenerife South. "Three passengers received medical attention as a result and we are giving them our full support. "We have asked for an urgent investigation into this equipment breakdown."An Ambulift is designed to transfer stretcher-bound patients on to aircraft and is essentially a lift on the back of a van.Jack Welton, who witnessed the incident, said: "There was an almighty crash, metal against metal and I looked back to see the third person, a lady, sliding down the walkway like a chute on to the ground below. I could hear someone screaming in pain and there was a chap with walking sticks looking back over the edge shouting 'Mam, Mam'." Another witness, Steven Wakefield, from Cumbria, took a picture of the plane and the broken lift. He said: "The front end of it completely broke off and was pointed to the ground."I saw two people fall off the chute, one was a female who was just sitting there and looking distressed, and another person was just lying flat."The accident happened about 3.45pm on Tuesday and the plane was delayed.  more...

Musical youth as more strings to their bow

YOUNG musically minded pupils are adding another string to their bow after attending a school's fiddle club.Former folk musician Helen Ketteridge, the head of music at Bow, Durham School, said interest had hit a high note since she launched the lunchtime club a year ago.Eighteen pupils now give up their lunchtime on Tuesdays each week to learn the intricacies of the violin.But with her musical background, previously accompanying the Lady Bay Revellers, a Morris dance team in Nottingham, she has concentrated on its use as a folk instrument.She said: "We introduced it last January because we had no one at the school playing any instruments at all, so I thought starting with a fiddle club might sound a little bit more appealing. Numbers have grown consistently since we started and we have 18 wanting to play now."Such has been the interest that six of the better players are planning to form a school ceilidh band, with accompanying tin whistle players and percussionists.Two "veterans" of the group, Eliot Ward and George Warren, have now reached such a standard that they have managed to achieve their grade 1 with distinctions in fiddle playing.Mrs Ketteridge said: "We are so proud of our fiddlers and the whole club is delighted for Eliot and George, who have worked extremely hard and thoroughly deserve their distinctions."George has also just been awarded a grade 1 distinction in piano, making it a double distinction."She believes the band will be ready to perform publicly in the near future.  more...

Prescott's vow over elected assembly

JOHN PRESCOTT insisted yesterday that the North-East would one day have an elected regional assembly, despite voters overwhelmingly rejecting the idea in 2004.The Deputy Prime Minister said the plans he once championed for elected groups in every region were not dead because they were still needed.He said: "Regional planning is an essential part of the accountability that is needed from elected representatives, rather than appointed regional civil servants."I am sad that regional government was rejected in the North-East, but I believe that England will eventually move to elected regional government -just as Scotland and Wales originally rejected devolution and then voted for it."But the Tories leapt on the comments, made to the annual conference of a political think-tank, as evidence that the Mr Prescott was "having a hard time letting go".He was stripped off his departmental responsibilities in May and said he will quit as Tony Blair's deputy this summer.Caroline Spelman, the Conservative local government spokeswoman, said: "The resounding 'no' vote in the referendum on the North-East Assembly should have killed off the whole idea of regional government. The Government should be devolving power downwards to local authorities and local communities -not adding another tier of bureaucracy." North-East voters delivered a crushing blow to Mr Prescott's dream of elected regional assemblies in a November 2004 referendum, when 78 per cent voted "no".The vote killed off plans for referendums in other regions and was widely seen as taking the issue off the political agenda for 20 years.  more...

Echo inquiry after website hijacked

THE Northern Echo has launched an investigation after a message board on the newspaper's website was hijacked by a supporter of the Government.In a bid to increase reader involvement, the paper allows website users to add their comments to key stories.Earlier this week, a story by parliamentary correspondent Robert Merrick titled "Tories deserted North, admits chairman", attracted a large number of comments criticising David Cameron and the Conservatives.After complaints, The Northern Echo discovered that all the comments came from the same person using aliases.The paper has ordered an inquiry and is taking precautions to prevent the same thing happening again.The BBC is also examining a complaint that a Radio Five web forum was hijacked by the same individual.  more...

Fears for missing man

POLICE fear for the welfare of a man who has been missing from home for the past six days.Tony Webster, right, a 38-year-old from Armley in Leeds, may be in the Scarborough area of North Yorkshire.He requires medication which he does not have with him and is thought to be driving a blue Rover 416, registration P846 BCX.He is about 5ft 8in, of thin build with short, dark brown hair, which is untidy and he has a pale complexion.He was last seen wearing blue jeans, a beige jacket and white trainers.Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 0113-241-3459.  more...

From the Quakers' pitch to a legal field

A FORMER football manager has re-launched his career - with a North-East law firm.David Hodgson, three-times manager of Darlington FC, is to work in the new sporting arm of Darlington-based Blackett, Hart & Pratt (BHP).Mr Hodgson, who twice led the Quakers to the playoff final in 1996 and 2000, has joined the firm as the director of sport.The former Liverpool and Middlesbrough player this week ended his legal battle with Darlington after an out-of-court settlement was made to him following his controversial sacking last October.Some sources claim Mr Hodgson received a six-figure payment in the settlement, however other sources have said that the payout was a lot less.Before he first became Darlington manager in 1992, Mr Hodgson worked as a licensed football agent and was involved in more than 80 transfers.Now, he will focus on mentoring and supporting young football players with BHP's team of solicitors and professional advisors, to provide career management and personal advice. Mr Hodgson, 46, said: "My ultimate ambition, as a lad from the North-East, is to look after and develop the young talent within this region and I believe that some of those youngsters can go on and enjoy success at the very top level. "My experience of how players are looked after by their agent suggests that, while they remain committed to them as a professional player, as their career declines I've seen first-hand that representation disappears. "Our aim at BHP Sport is to ensure that, even at the end of their playing career, we continue to provide ex-players with the advice and support they will need for the rest of their life." BHP Sport will also advise older players and coaches aiming for a career in football management. The division may also expand into other sports. David Hodgson can be contacted on 01325-466794.  more...

Prisoners to launch their own catalogue

PRISONERS in the North-East are to publish their own catalogue highlighting their talents for the local community.The publication, which is the first of its kind in the country, is to be launched at a conference at the 96.6TFM Arena in Darlington, on March 21.Tony Galley, a former prison officer who lives in Barnard Castle, County Durham, and is co-ordinating the project, said yesterday: "It is a great help to communities because it provides first-class equipment for schools, churches, parks and cemeteries at bargain prices. It works so well that I am sure it will help to reduce the crime rate in future."The catalogue, known as a Prison Procurement Portfolio, is being produced by inmates in a print shop at Holme House jail, in Stockton. It will be shown to delegates from the probation service, councils, charities and other organisations at the conference.Mr Galley is now a consultant with the North-East Restora- tive Community Partnership, which covers all the region's prisons - Durham, Low Newton, Frankland, Acklington, Castington, Deerbolt, Kirklevington and Holme House.He said: "The idea is that prisoners can pay back their communities by doing worthwhile tasks."They become proud of their work. The training they get helps them find jobs and stay out of trouble later. We are already seeing the benefits."One beneficiary is South Park, Darlington, which has received education centre furniture made at Frankland, 250 bandstand chairs made at Acklington, and a bowling club trophy cabinet produced at Holme House. The park is also to get internal fencing from another prison.Saltwell Park, in Gateshead, has had a lot of work done, including the restoration of benches by inmates from Durham prison, while prisoners at Acklington have restored old bicycles to be sent to developing countries.Mr Galley, who was in the prison service for 33 years, said: "The North-East is leading the way with this venture. Other parts of the country are watching our results. We have had prison staff from South Africa and Norway looking at what we are doing."The project stems from a pilot scheme at Albert Park, in Middlesbrough, five years ago. It is being funded by the Northern Rock Foundation.  more...

Brother and sister with driving ambition

A SCHOOLBOY and his sister are to race at one of the most revered motorsport circuits in the world.This year, Josh and Laura Waddington, from Great Fencote, Northallerton, North Yorkshire, are to begin their first season of car racing as rivals.The siblings, who are 15 and 17 respectively, will take up the challenge of premier racing circuits in England and Wales in this year's Mini Challenge.And they will race at one of the sport's premier circuits, Spa-Francorchamps, in Belgium.Josh got into motorsport four years ago when he began karting. He then passed the Association of Racing Drivers (Ards) test, which means he now holds a racing licence.The series will be the first experience of motorsport for Laura who has not raced before but has taken the Ards test and attained her licence.The pair will be racing identically-liveried Mini Coopers, supported by their family's building company and serviced by a dedicated bunch of local enthusiasts from Northallerton. Their father, Andy Waddington, said the exercise was not about winning trophies or getting glory but about the siblings doing something special together.He said: "I consider it to be a lifetime experience for these two and it was important to me to do it at this stage in their lives because, inevitably, brothers and sisters split up when they get to their late teens and early twenties. "They don't have that togetherness and I just thought it would be a nice experience for them to look back and say 'yes, we did that together'."The first round of the series will be at Snetterton on April 28, then the team will race at the Croft circuit on August 25 and 26.One of the main attractions of the series is the opportunity to race at Spa-Francorchamps, which has been described as the greatest modern motor-racing circuit in the world.  more...

Flyer Phill comes down to earth with a club flinger

FERRYHILL Flyer Phill Nixon played his first darts game last night since his bid for world glory.Phill narrowly missed out on winning the British Darts Organisation world championship at the weekend.But putting behind him the excitement of his fight-back at the Lakeside venue, in Frimley Green, Surrey, the 50-year-old headed to Evenwood, County Durham.There he joined Ferryhill Super League in its match against Evenwood Workingmen's Club to win 7-2.He said: "I think I was more nervous playing in the Durham league game than at the Lakeside. "I went there to win but there was no expectations on me to do well."An audience of more than five million viewers saw Phill take on top seed Martin Adams at the Lakeside.After trailing 6-0 he staged a stunning comeback to level the match at 6-6.Then disaster struck with the top seed winning the decisive set for a 7-6 victory.But cheered on by his wife Suzanne, and best friend Gary Taylor, he won the £30,000 runner-up prize.Last night, in contrast, only 30 people braved the weather to watch Phill's return to the local darts world, at Evenwood.His opponents were familiar foes Andrew Whalen and John Dowd.Mr Whalen said: "It is no dif- ferent to usual. I have played him before and I will again."We supported him in the world championships and we will again if he enters again."Phill and his supporters received a hero's welcome when they returned from the Lakeside.Now Durham County Council and Ferryhill Town Council are planning civic receptions.  more...