Stories for 2 October 2007

The Northern Echo News

England call-up... aged 14

A SCHOOL-AGE footballer in the North-East has fulfilled many a grown man's dream after been called up for international duty - aged 14.Bruno Pilatos, who plays for Middlesbrough Football Club's youth team, has been selected for the England under-16s squad to play against Northern Ireland on Friday, October 12 - despite being a year younger than most of his team-mates.Bruno and his family moved from Sunderland to Hurworth, near Darlington, where the club has its training ground, to enable him to get to training more easily."It's brilliant," he said. "Just two minutes' walk from my house."The youngster, originally from Angola, in Africa, moved to England with his family when he was seven. He was scouted for Middlesbrough two years later.He was spotted by the England scouts when he was playing in the Nike Tournament, a competition for professional clubs' under-15 teams.Bruno, who attends Hurworth School, Maths and Computing College, said he was excited, but not nervous about his international debut."I am looking forward to it. I was lucky enough to captain Middlesbrough under-15s when we played in the Nike Tournament this year. We got to the quarter finals, but were beaten by Everton. The England scouts were there and I was spotted."Bruno was asked to go to a training camp with the country's best under 16 players."I was nervous because everyone was older than me and thought the standard would be really, really high, as the 41 best players in the country were there," he said."I thought it would be really hard, but when I got there, it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be."He added: "My mum and dad are really proud. I'm just hoping to do really well."  more...

Ewe must be joking - September spring lamb

FARMER Jim Wilkinson can probably claim a world record for the earliest spring lamb - born in September.Mr Wilkinson couldn't believe his eyes when he went to tend his flock on Friday morning. On closer inspection, he discovered one of his sheep had given birth.As lambing season is between February and April, a lamb born at the end of September is virtually unheard of.Mr Wilkinson said he did not even realise the ewe was pregnant.He said: "It is very strange in the farming world because they don't lamb at this time of year. Some specialist breeds lamb in December, but most are born between February and April."It's doing pretty well. We went down and it was just running around. The mother is a half-breed sheep that we have had for several years."We had no idea she was expecting."  more...

Man dies in road accident

POLICE are investigating a road smash that left one man dead.   more...

'Victorious' Burma junta again snubs UN envoy

Burma's junta showed its contempt for the rest of the world yesterday by yet again delaying a meeting with the UN's special envoy.Ibrabim Gambari has been in the country since Saturday, vainly trying to talk to leader General Than Shwe about the brutal repression of last week's anti-government protests.Instead he has been shunted among a series of minor officials and yesterday was shipped to a remote northern town for an academic conference.In previous sparring with the UN and other bodies, Burma's junta has repeatedly snubbed envoys.In Rangoon yesterday, troops removed roadblocks and shifted to the outskirts, apparently easing their stranglehold on the city, but riot police were still checking cars and buses and monitoring the city by helicopter.Public anger ignited last month after the government increased fuel prices, then last week shifted into mass protests led by Buddhist monks against 45 years of military dictatorship.Soldiers responded by opening fire on unarmed demonstrators. The government says ten people were killed but dissident groups say anywhere from several dozen people to as many as 200 died in the crackdown.They also say several thousand people have been detained, including many monks who were dragged out of their monasteries and locked up.Many demonstrators are being reportedly held in makeshift prisons in old factories, a race track and universities around Rangoon.In Rangoon there was a stong feeling yesterday that the biggest anti-democracy protests since 1988 had failed.Internet access was restricted and mobile phone service was sporadic for a fourth day in a row  more...

Drunk filmed herself drop-kicking kitten, court told

CRUEL Nicola Collinson picked up a kitten and booted it like a rugby ball after it crossed her path in the street.   more...

Theatre group 'will go to ball' for anniversary show

MIDDLESBROUGH Theatre will celebrate its 50th anniversary year with a popular traditional pantomime this Christmas.'Allo 'Allo star Arthur Bostrom, who played Gendarme Crabtree in the TV sitcom, will headline Cinderella as an ugly sister when he takes to the stage in December. Brookside star Barbara Hatwell will return to Middlesbrough as the Fairy Godmother, having delighted audiences with her performance in Dick Whittington in 2001. In addition, Middlesbrough Theatre conducted its own search for a star and Rhiannon Shrimpton, of Billingham, will play Cinderella. The pantomime will feature live Shetland ponies and also audience participation.Cinderella will run from December 7 until January 6. For more information and prices, call the box office on 01642-815181 or visit www. middlesbrough.gov.uk  more...

Fighting back after a stroke aged 17

A WOMAN who suffered a stroke as a teenager has set up her own branch of a charity after she was left unable to walk, talk or even read seven years ago.Louise Kenworthy was 17 and in the middle of her A-levels when the stroke turned her life upside down and left her unable to complete even relatively simple tasks.Seven years on, and after many months of rehabilitation, Ms Kenworthy, now 24, has set up a Darlington branch of Different Strokes, a charity which gives support and advice to stroke patients.Ms Kenworthy, from Middleton St George, near Darlington, had her stroke when she was at her boyfriend's flat, getting ready for college."I was combing my hair and I just fell to the floor," she said. "I just fell down the wall as if my legs didn't work. I crawled into bed and tried to use my mobile phone to text, but I couldn't do it."All the right hand side of my body was cold. I was hugging it to keep warm."Alone in the flat at the time of her stroke and unable to contact anyone, Ms Kenworthy had to wait eight hours until her boyfriend came home at 4pm. She was taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital by taxi, where she was diagnosed with a stroke, before being transferred to Middlesbrough General Hospital."When I got home, my mum rang the hospital for a speech therapist," she said. "I had to see the speech therapist for 18 months. She helped me with my memory as well. She was fantastic."Although left with speech, memory and movement problems, Ms Kenworthywas determined to return to college and complete her education. She had been a year into her courses, but had to start again from the beginning.At Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College, she was given a tutor, who she initially saw three times a week."We got a book and I couldn't read it," she said. "I had to learn how to read again, as well as how to walk and speak again."After college, Ms Kenworthy embarked on an occupational therapy course at Teesside University, but found the work a little too close to home, so instead of going back for her final year, she started temping."I still wanted to help people," she said. "I got in touch with Different Strokes and realised the Newcastle branch was the nearest one, so I asked if I could set up my own."Eight months on, the Darlington branch has 12 members. The group is self-funding and run by stroke survivors. "We are raising awareness and helping people and their families cope with stroke," Ms Kenworthy said. "It has even helped me being in charge of it."Different Strokes and St Teresa's Hospice hold a charity ball on Friday, October 19, at Blackwell Grange Hotel, in Darlington, 7pm for 7.30pm. Tickets are available on 01325-745791 or 01325-745781.  more...

TV broadcast clue to when Brown will call election

GORDON Brown has booked a TV broadcast for next week, in the clearest sign yet that he may be planning a November election.A senior BBC source at the Tory conference in Blackpool revealed that Labour had pencilled in a party political broadcast for next Tuesday evening.The revelation will heighten speculation that the Prime Minister plans to call a General Election that day, before explaining his reasons to the nation, on TV, a few hours later.A visit to Buckingham Palace on Tuesday would allow Mr Brown to fulfill his pledge to make a Commons statement about Iraq a day earlier, when MPs return to Westminster.The Prime Minister is expected to announce he is pulling 2,000 troops out of Iraq, taking the sting out of the issue that poisoned Tony Blair's premiership.The timetable may also give Chancellor Alistair Darling space to unveil the promised comprehensive spending review, setting out spending plans for the next three years.That would allow Labour to trumpet its commitment to further improving public services, after a week in which the Conservatives have focused on tax cuts.If an election is called next Tuesday, it is likely to be held on November 1, which is 17 working days later - the minimum period allowed.Mr Brown is under pressure from younger Cabinet colleagues to capitalise on his healthy lead in the opinion polls, instead of waiting until next May or beyond.However, the Prime Minister is thought to be concerned that Labour's lead is smaller in key marginal seats, where the Tories have already spent huge sums.He is expected to make a decision at the end of this week, after studying whether the Tory conference has given David Cameron's party a desperately-needed bounce.A BBC spokesman declined to confim next week's broadcast, saying: "You will need to contact Labour about their party political broadcasts."Yesterday, Mr Cameron said he now believed the chance of a November election were now "more than 50-50".Meanwhile, the Tories turned up the heat on Mr Brown yesterday, branding him a liar about the scale of youth unemployment in the region.The ferocious attack at the Blackpool conference follows rising Conservative alarm that opinion polls show Mr Brown is far more trusted than Tory leader David Cameron.Yet, the Conservatives argued, the former Chancellor was to blame for "crippling" the pensions system and for youth unemployment higher than ten years ago.The party has highlighted the number of 16 to 18-year-olds not in education, employment and training - or NEETs - which has not fallen under Labour.Latest figures show there were 10,240 NEETs across the North-East at the end of last year and a further 800 in North Yorkshire.The blackspots include County Durham (900), Sunderland (580), Middlesbrough (450) and Redcar and Cleveland (280).Chris Grayling, the Tory work and pensions spokesman, told the conference that, back in July, the Government claimed it had solved the problem of jobless youths.And he said: "There is only one way of describing that claim - it was a lie. Gordon Brown's New Deal was supposed to solve youth unemployment. Billions have been spent. And the result? There are now more 16 to 24-year-olds unemployed in Britain than there were ten years ago."He urged delegates: "Remember the spin, remember the cronies, remember the broken promises, remember the lies."  more...

Inheritance tax cut 'won't help North-East'

VERY few people in the North-East will benefit from flagship Tory plans to make only millionaires pay inheritance tax, it emerged last night.The estate bequeathed by the average homeowner in nearly every local authority is below the current £300,000 threshold for paying the so-called "death tax", the Tories admitted.The figures will add to criticism that the Conservatives - sliding in the polls - are concentrating on shoring up their core vote in the South, instead of attempting to woo voters in the North.Vince Cable, the Liberal Democrat treasury spokesman, said only a handful of people would benefit from lifting the threshold above £500,000, his party's proposal.He added: "Hard-working families in the North-East would benefit more from scrapping the unfair council tax and cutting the basic rate of income tax, as proposed by the Liberal Democrats."Yesterday, Shadow Chancellor George Osborne won loud applause at the Blackpool conference by pledging to increase the inheritance tax threshold from £300,000 to £1m.The latest in a blitz of eye-catching tax cuts would lift almost nine million homeowners out of the inheritance tax net, said Mr Osborne. And he vowed: "We will simplify the tax affairs of millions. For millions of people, today sounds the death knell for death taxes."The move - costing £3.1m - is likely to prove a vote-winner in large parts of the South, where the average property sells for more than £300,000.Estates above that threshold are hit with a 40 per cent tax bill, although clever accounting allows many richer people to avoid the tax.The Tories claimed the average North Yorkshire estate does pay inheritance tax, but, across the North-East, only families in the leafiest parts of Northumberland are affected.Mr Osborne said the £3.1m tax cut would be funded through a flat-rate £25,000 levy on the estimated 110,000 wealthy business people who are registered as living abroad for tax purposes.The move against so-called "non-doms" cleverly stole a march on Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who has been criticised for failing to close the tax loophole, despite a five-year review.The Institute for Fiscal Studies, a financial thinktank, was quick to warn the revenue was not guaranteed, because non-domiciled people may choose to move abroad.But Mr Osborne denied that, telling a fringe meeting: "I think that is not going to happen. For them, what they want is certainty."Labour said the Shadow Chancellor's proposal would raise a maximum of £650m - leaving the Conservatives with a £2.9bn "black hole".  more...

Enthusiasts turn out for exhibition of classic buses

HUNDREDS of enthusiasts turned out to see a parade of classic buses in the region at the weekend.The Yorkshire Air Museum at Elvington, near York, was the venue for the event which attracted owners of vintage vehicles from as far afield as Bedfordshire and Northumberland as well as North Yorkshire, Cleveland and County Durham.The rally was organised by the Routemaster Owners' Club and most entries represented preserved examples of the iconic and durable London double-decker, the last of which were withdrawn from regular service at the end of 2005, leaving only a handful to operate special heritage routes in the capital.A 42-year-old Routemaster preserved and entered by event organiser Mike Mann, of Stockton, was painted in a special colour scheme applied to mark the 175th anniversary of the start of mass public horse-drawn transport in London by George Shillibeer in 1829.  more...

Football club crowned TV Premier League champions

IT is a day football fans never thought they would see - but Middlesbrough have won the Premier League.But rather than the well known Premiership squad led by Gareth Southgate, it was an All Star team, featuring former legends, celebrities and fans, taking glory in a competition run by television channel Sky One.Boro beatWest Ham 3-1 in the grand final on Sunday night.Their prize was £100,000, which will be divided equally between Teesside Hospice and the Butterwick House Children's Hospice to help continue the work they do.Middlesbrough began the competition with a 7-6 win over Newcastle earlier in the week. They followed this up with a 2-0 victory over Birmingham and claimed a place in the final with another 2-0 victory, this time over North-East rivals Sunderland.The week-long competition saw every Premier League club competing for charity cash as part of the Premier League Creating Chances initiative.The game looked to be heading for penalties when pop star Alistair Griffin scored in the last minute to take the title.The competition involved a final minute of Powerplay where any goals scored counted as double - giving Middlesbrough a 3-1 victory.The Boro team was made up of legends Craig Hignett, Bernie Slaven, Mikkel Beck and Jim Platt and celebrity supporters Alistair Griffin, actor Mark Stobbart and Speedway champion Gary Havelock.Boro fans Steven Aithwaite, of Thornaby, Tony Rovardi, of Middlesbrough and Julian McGuire, from Ealing, London, also played in the team.Mr Griffin said: "It was about doing it for the charities and for Boro as well. The real heroes were the fans who played for the team because they had great passion."A total of 17 games were played and 74 goals scored over the eight-day competition for a total prize fund of £300,000. All of the clubs' nominated charities benefited from the tournament.  more...

Anger over payout policy for ex-pitmen

A LAWYER has accused the Government of "offending any sense of justice" in its refusal to allow failed Vibration White Finger (VWF) claimants to seek a resolution through the courts.Roger Maddocks, a partner at Newcastle personal injury firm Irwin Mitchell, said the Government was refusing to honour previous commitments to treat miners fairly and pay compensation.More than 100,000 VWF cases have been settled and £1.2bn awarded to former miners under a Government-backed compensation scheme set up in 1999.But a small number of claimants continue to be in dispute with the Government.Mr Maddocks, a member of the VWF claimants solicitors' group, said between 200 and 300 former miners in the North-East, who were in this position, were keen for the courts to rule on their claims, since they could not be resolved by negotiation.But the Department of Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (DBERR) - formerly the DTI - says they should embark on a fresh legal claim and fund the legal costs themselves.Mr Maddocks said: "The Government's approach offends any sense of justice."While they continue to drag their feet in this way, VWF sufferers are unable to turn to the courts promptly to resolve any disputes."This means the Government's claim handlers can effectively act as judge and jury, rejecting a claim without a proper basis for doing so."Many elderly miners are simply not in a position to embark on a fresh claim."Vibration White Finger is caused by vibrating power tools and leads to a numbing sensation in fingers, hands and arms, rendering sufferers effectively disabled.A spokeswoman for DBERR said it was keen for disputes to be dealt with under the current arrangements.She said: "There is the final option of mediation which the department is prepared to consider where appropriate and where a request has been made in a timely manner."However, rather than requesting mediation, claimants have sought to take claims outside the scheme by litigating cases on an individual basis."  more...

Cemetery friends win environmental award

A GROUP of volunteers who have improved a cemetery for visitors have won The Northern Echo's community environmental competition.Now in its ninth year, and sponsored by regional development agency One NorthEast, Making a Difference showcases people helping the environment. The Friends of Redcar Cemetery carry out maintenance work, plant flowers, erected a memorial for children buried in unmarked, pauper graves in decades gone by and work with the local council, community groups and businesses.Judges Sue Stewart, environmental specialist advisor with One NorthEast, Jim Cokill, director of Durham Wildlife Trust, and freelance journalist John Dean, said: "The group represents a real partnership that helps guide the council about what the community wants for the cemetery. They are inspiring."Dorothy Ahmed, treasurer of the Friends, said: "This is fantastic news and a real pay-off for all the hard work that we have done."This year, for the first time, the judges awarded a highly commended, which went to Durham Gilesgate Sports College, Durham, where students, helped by staff and the community, have created a sculpture garden.The judges said: "We were struck by the sheer enthusiasm of the students involved in the project and the changes it is making in so many young lives."Also shortlisted was Harrowgate Hill Primary School, in Darlington, for wildlife and environmental projects carried out by its children, backed by staff and the community. The judges said: "We were particularly impressed by the pupils acting as eco-monitors and the way they are spreading their message."The final group on the shortlist was Crowtrees Heritage Trails project, which has created a network of pathways linking Quarrington Hill with surrounding villages in County Durham. The judges said: "They are a terrific example of people working to bring communities together."Ecologist and television presenter David Bellamy will present the prizes at a date to be confirmed.  more...

Artist faces jail for Turkish picture

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Pools ground under threat

THE future of a North-East football ground is back on the agenda after the club voiced an interest in buying the land.   more...

Riders given new guidance

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Murder hunt after girl's body found in Leeds

POLICE investigating the discovery of a girl's body said they are now treating her death as murder.   more...

Britney loses children

A JUDGE ordered Britney Spears to hand over her children to her ex-husband today.   more...

Missing teen found safe

A TEENAGER missing since September 27 has been found.   more...

Northern Rock shares rebound on take-over talks

Shares in Northern Rock bounced back today after rumours that two private equity firms are due to meet with executives from the mortgage lender to discuss a potential buyout.   more...

Immature troops are 'product of society'

THE breakdown of traditional family values was last night blamed for teenagers leaving school undisciplined, materialistic and lacking in morals.The conclusion was drawn in an independent report into the standard of recruitment at Catterick Garrison, one of Europe's biggest military bases.It comes as the subject of "the family" is highlighted as a major battleground between political parties.The Conservatives yesterday spoke of how they planned "to fix our broken society" at their annual conference in Blackpool - while Labour, and Prime Minister Gordon Brown in particular, has long championed a return to old-fashioned values of discipline, respect and responsibility.The Independent Advisory Panel found that young recruits arriving at the Infantry Training Centre (ITC) at Catterick, in North Yorkshire, were often immature and self-absorbed.Set up last year, with a remit to advise and challenge senior staff, the Army hopes the panel will improve the image of the training centre, which has been rocked in recent years by allegations of bullying and the deaths of several recruits.The group of five respected business and community leaders handed over their first report yesterday.The panel is led by Alasdair MacConachie, managing director of the Sherwoods car dealership, in Darlington.He said: "My experiences from my visits to the ITC acknowledge the fact that recruits joining the Army are increasingly self-absorbed and undisciplined."They come from backgrounds that have suffered from the decline of traditional family and leave school without any set of moral values."Some recruits are socially immature, lacking mutual respect, and have led self-indulgent, materialistic lives - and they also are too easily shocked by the close confines of military life."But Mr MacConachie said that, by the end of the course, the soldiers were transformed."Having had the privilege of taking a passing out parade, and all that that involved, I have to say it was amazing," he said."Soldiers, generally speaking, were far more focused on wanting to learn and better themselves."The camaraderie that the military experience produced was very noticeable."Lynn Farr set up Daniel's Trust to support bullied soldiers after her son, Daniel, died at the training centre in 1997.She said the report's findings were not surprising."They go and recruit in schools, and these young lads jump to sign up because they think there's nothing else for them," she said."I think it's worth remembering that we are the only country Continued - Page 2  more...

Residents left scratching heads over gargoyles riddle

IN the dead of night, at seemingly random locations across the region, large stone heads are appearing alongside a mystifying clue.The gargoyles, which all feature the same carved symbol and come with the riddle attached, have been placed outside homes and businesses across Yorkshire. Each of the heads looks different, but all feature the same carving - which appears to spell out the word paradox - and a note bearing the cryptic clue: "Twinkle twinkle like a star, does love blaze less from afar?"So far, 12 have appeared in Goathland and Kilburn, in North Yorkshire; four have been found in Arthington, near Leeds, West Yorkshire; and three in Braithwell, near Rotherham, South Yorkshire.Fiona Gould, the owner of the Foresters Arms in Kilburn, near Thirsk, received a gargoyle last month. She said: "He turned up a week last Monday between 1.30am and 7.30am. I opened the door and there he was, as large as life, sat on the patio.""There are also unconfirmed reports of another head in a village near Selby in North Yorkshire."Miss Gould's gargoyle now has pride of place on the bar in her pub. "We would love to meet or find out who it is, whoever it is is extremely talented," she added. Baffled residents are hoping the clue to identifying the mystery stonemason lies in CCTV footage of a man getting out of his car with three of the heads in Braithwell.George Griffiths, an artist from Arthington, near Leeds, has launched his own investigation after discovering one of the heads on August 23, and then found another outside his house two weeks later. After speaking to friends and neighbours, he became aware of two more of the sculptures being left in the village.He contacted stonemasons at York Minster in an effort to trace what appeared to be a mason's mark on his heads, but said nobody had ever seen anything like it before. He also turned to the internet and dictionaries to try to find out details about the rhyme, but again drew a blank.Mr Griffiths said: "I think its a publicity stunt - I cant see anything else. They are not sinister or anything like that, its just a puzzle. Were all just waiting and wondering to find out more."  more...

Grandfather jailed for sex offences committed 30 years ago

A MAN was jailed for child sex abuse he committed 30 years ago.   more...

Court is used as cell due to packed prison

THE Government has defended the region's prisons after criminals were allegedly detained at a North-East court until 10.30pm on Friday because of a lack of cells.Court sources have revealed that one defendant eventually had to be taken to a police station nearly 50 miles away because the nearest prison was full.Figures released by the Ministry of Justice last week showed that there are fewer spaces at jails in England and Wales than ever before - and fewer than 100 left in the North-East.The Prison Service said on Friday that the system was able to cope - but on the same day The Northern Echo has learned that criminals sentenced at Teesside Crown Court were kept in temporary lock-up until hours after official closing time because there was nowhere for them to go.The last defendant ended up spending two days at a police station in Byker, Newcastle, because there was no room left at Holme House, Stockton.A court source, who did not want to be named, said: "The situation has now reached crisis point. The figures that were released last week about there being adequate space cannot be true based on what we have been experiencing."The situation must be serious if prisoners have to be taken as far as Byker to be given a bed for the night."Figures released by the Ministry of Justice on Friday last week showed that 81,135 criminals are being held in prisons and police cells in England and Wales, with room for only 81,915.Prisons in the North-East now house 4,907 inmates - with room for a maximum operational capacity of 4,992.A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: "Pressure on the prison population remains at a high level."In order to manage that pressure, the National Offender Management Service (Noms) is using Operation Safeguard which is a formal agreement between Noms and the Association of Chief Police Officers, to hold prisoners in police cells instead of prison custody at times of very high population pressures. "Police cells are used to hold people remanded or sentenced to custody following a court hearing for whom a place cannot be found in a prison straight away."   more...

Durham's heroes given civic reception

Durham County Cricket Club players were feted as sporting heroes when they were given two civic receptions yesterday.The players, who have just recorded the most successful season in their 125-year history, began their victory tour with a trip from their home at The Riverside, in Chester-le-Street, to the town's market place a mile away. Players, coaches and managers travelling in an open-topped bus were greeted at the town's Civic Heart by crowds of cheering schoolchildren, well-wishers and dignitaries. They arrived holding their first piece of silverware - won after beating Hampshire Hawks in the Friends Provident Trophy Final, at Lord's, in August. They also received a cup for winning Division 2 of the NatWest Pro40 league, earning them promotion to Division 1.They narrowly missed out on the biggest prize, the LV County Championship, being pipped by Sussex on the last day of the season. Several of the players missed yesterday's presentation as they were on England duty in Sri Lanka. The team were joined yesterday by their chairman, Clive Leach and chief executive David Harker and were met by the council's leader, Councillor Allen Humes, with music provided by The Chester-le-Street Youth Brass Academy.Mr Leach said: "We are delighted we can bring something back to County Durham. "We have worked hard and there are lot of people who can lay claim to it - our backroom staff, our coaching staff, but most of all, the players, who had a fantastic season."Coach Geoff Cook said: "The season has been blessed in lots of ways. Weather was good, so we never missed a lot of cricket, we had luck when it was needed on the field - and it all added up and we played some powerful cricket towards the end of the year."Coun Humes said: "We are delighted to host this event in Chester-le-Street's Civic Heart to celebrate Durham County Cricket Club's excellent performance this season. "I think it is quite fitting that we've also invited local schools to attend, for they represent the next generation of champions."The party travelled to County Hall, in Durham City, where they were welcomed by Durham County Council chairman, Councillor Edna Hunter, with an autograph session for schoolchildren.The team was last night due at Durham County Cricket Club's end of season dinner and awards night, at the Newcastle Gosforth Park Marriott Hotel.  more...

Musician inspired by fatherhood

A MUSICIAN has released a new album inspired by his experiences as a father.   more...

Council launches cash appeal to fund academies

EDUCATION bosses have launched a nationwide search for multi-millionaire sponsors for three new academies.Bosses at Durham County Council want charities, businesses and religious groups to help pay for the academies, in the Consett, Stanley and Durham City areas.They would contribute up to £2m in return for control of the newly built secondary schools.Adverts asking potential academy sponsors to come forward have gone out across the country.The council is also keen to discuss joint sponsorship deals, where it would meet half the cost and share control. Authorities in Sunderland and Manchester have already taken this option. Councillor Claire Vasey, Durham County Council cabinet member for children and young people's services, said: "This would allow the council and sponsors to develop jointly a clear and purposeful partnership from the beginning, with each side bringing specific expertise and drive to the project."We are looking for sponsors with a passion for educational improvement and who are committed to working in long-term partnership with the county council, other schools and local communities."This will enhance the existing levels of school and county council expertise in the field of educational achievement and help us provide diversity in school provision and increased parental choice."The council said sponsors must share its vision for the academy and be accepted by the council and the governing bodies of any schools they replaced.Previously three schools - Moorside Community College, in Consett, Stanley School of Technology, and Gilesgate Sports College and Sixth Form Centre, near Durham City - were identified as candidates for closure.Coun Vasey said no final decision to build an academy would be made without discussions with all stakeholders.She said: "The search for sponsors will be open and transparent and our current advertising is the first step along the way."Coun Vasey said potential sponsors would meet senior councillors, council officers and headteachers of the relevant schools.Once a sponsor is chosen, there would be further talks before a proposal to go ahead is made to the Government.  more...

Detective removed from Madeleine case

THE Portuguese detective in charge of the Madeleine McCann inquiry was removed from the case today after accusing her parents of manipulating British police, it was reported tonight.   more...

Teenager dies in nuclear plant fall

A TEENAGE labourer died after falling 35ft down a manhole on a nuclear power plant.   more...

Unlicenced taxi driver banned for six months

A TAXI driver has been banned from driving for six months after working without the proper licence and insurance.   more...

Annual town fair gets ready for visitors

ONE of the region's oldest town fairs is gearing up for its annual event this month.   more...

Help for parents of underage drinkers

PARENTS worried about their children's drinking are now able to refer them to a special project for help.   more...

Guidance issued for trail bike riders

GUIDANCE for trail bike riders on which parts of the Yorkshire Dales they can use has been issued.   more...

Riding centre staff distraught over missing mascot

YOUNG riders and staff at an equestrian centre were in tears after their mascot dog went missing.   more...

Parents of missing student asked to identify body

THE parents of a student who went missing after a night out in York will be asked today to identify a body police believe is their son.   more...