Archive

  • Fire crews investigate 'explosion'

    FIREFIGHTERS were called to reports of an explosion in Church Street, Guisborough last night. The incident occurred around 10.45pm. On arrival, firecrews found it involved an underground cable which had experienced a power surge. The emergency services

  • Blair: "I did what I thought was right."

    TONY Blair today defended his record during his time as Prime Minister, declaring: "Hand on heart, I did what I thought was right." Mr Blair told an emotionally-charged meeting in Trimdon, County Durham, which was packed with banner-waving supporters

  • Shepherd gives Owen an ultimatum

    NEWCASTLE United chairman Freddy Shepherd has threatened Michael Owen amid claims the striker wants away from St James' Park. The Magpies chairman is furious at reports linking the clubs record £17m signing with a departure from the North-East and has

  • KFC ends trademark row with England's highest pub

    MULTI-NATIONAL fast food outlet KFC today backed down over a trademark row with the landlady of England's highest pub. Tracy Daly of the Tan Hill Inn, near Keld, in the Yorkshire dales, said that "common sense had prevailed" after KFC said they had dropped

  • Man accused of murder and kidnap appears in court

    A MAN accused of murdering his sister's partner as well as kidnapping and falsely imprisoning a County Durham couple appeared before Liverpool Crown Court today. Daniel Breaks, 47, from Hallville Road, Allerton, Merseyside, is accused of murdering Simon

  • Two million historic court papers to go online

    PREVIOUSLY inaccessible court records dating back to the Middle Ages will be compiled into an online database after a university was granted nearly $750,000 US. The records include marriage, slander and defamation cases that came before the church courts

  • Lunchtime business news bulletin

    Interest rates are to rise to their highest rate in six years, it was announced this lunchtime, with an increase of 0.25 per cent taking the rate to 5.5 per cent. The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) hiked its base rate from 5.25 per

  • Cash windfall for arts groups

    A THEATRE has received more than £20,000 from the Arts Council towards a UK tour later this year. A production by the Georgian Theatre Royal, Richmond, North Yorkshire, based on the life of early 19th century clown and pantomime artist Joseph Grimaldi

  • Derailment causes severe train delays

    EAST Coast main line services were expected to be severely affected through the North-East after a freight train derailment today. Several wagons on an empty freight train heading from the Drax power station, in South Yorkshire, to Thornton, in Scotland

  • Double tops

    He's the film actor addicted to orgnising 'impossible' tours of classic plays. Leslie Simpson chats to Viv Hardwick about this double life with North-East compamy, threeovereden. LESLIE Simpson the Middlesbrough film actor has grown in stature thanks

  • Toffs take it on the chin

    Film Maker Steven Riley used his Oxford boxing connections to gain access to upper class fighters. He talks to Steve Pratt about the result, Blue Blood. STEVEN Riley could have been a contender. While studying at Oxford, he began training to fight in

  • Killer clues

    SILENCE in court, otherwise you might miss finding out who killed Tom King, the king of Kings, on Christmas Day. Clues have been gathered like the harvest and suspects rounded up like a herd of cows. Now for the denouement, which is French for whodunit

  • Top Ten To Rent

    UK DVD/VIDEO RENTAL 1 (1) Employee Of The Month 2 (2) It's A Boy/Girl Thing 3 (-) Smokin' Aces 4 (3) Eragon 5 (-) Miss Potter 6 (-) The Grudge 2 7 (4) The Holiday 8 (5) Casino Royale 9 (6) The Departed 10 (7) The Night Listener Supplied

  • The Don is on

    Don Giovani is hot to trot at The Sage, Gateshead, next month thanks to plenty of North-East talent and enthusiasm. Viv Hardwick reports on this memorable project. NORTH-EAST born Sir Thomas Allen is directing one of the country's hottest young baritones

  • Double delight for Durham & Cleveland 14 & Under Teams

    The girl's won Group 3B, which was held at Batley Tennis Centre, Leeds. Victory means the girls are now in the Top 8 Counties in the Country and will be battling in Group 2B in next years competition. Seven girls from around Durham and Cleveland were

  • Clayton takes further honour for outstanding service

    The award recognises Anne's tireless work at Yarm Tennis Club, along with Stockton Borough Council in providing sporting opportunities for all ages and standards. This accompanies Anne's recent National Award, which she received from the British Coaches

  • Mo Mowlam

    THE main person who contributed to the peace in Northern Ireland was the late Redcar MP, Mo Mowlam, who worked tirelessly for the people there during her time as Northern Ireland Secretary. However, for some reason she was removed from office. Only

  • Bus problems

    MRS Ann Swain (HAS, May 8) isn't the only pedestrian who has had problems in crossing the one-way bus routes in Darlington town centre. Many times I have witnessed people having to move quickly out of the way of a travelling bus, including the

  • Northern Ireland

    MANY of us have Irish blood in us, which makes us very happy for the good news about the return of power-sharing in Northern Ireland. Present politicians who have been able to bring this about can all be very proud of the part they have played

  • May elections

    SO the election dust has settled and the new political picture of the UK has emerged. The Scots may well be on their way to independence - a cert if we English were allowed a vote - and vast swathes of the country are of the blue persuasion. One

  • Confessions of a secret tooth whitener

    I WAS rushing round town, half an hour before school run, when a sign in the chemist's caught my eye: "Whiten your teeth at home in two hours". I'll have some of that, I thought, throwing a box in my basket. I was reasonably happy with the colour of

  • Tributes paid to woman who valued friendship

    TRIBUTES have been paid to a well-known Yorkshire Dales woman. Agnes Beresford died on April 17 at the Friarage Hospital, in Northallerton, aged 92. Mrs Beresford was a regular worshipper at St Margaret's Church, in Hawes. She was a member of the town's

  • Hear All Sides

    CLAIMS REFUTED RE your story, "Claim that new council could mean tax bill hike" (Echo, May 7), in which Leslie Rowe, a Green Party candidate in last week's local elections, claims that North Yorkshire County Council's proposals to create a single unitary

  • End in sight for areas deprived of NHS dentists

    FINAL details are under discussion to provide NHS dental services in parts of North Yorkshire where patients currently have only private surgeries. North Yorkshire and York Primary Care Trust (PCT) said that provision would be available shortly. The PCT

  • Claire takes centre-stage for wedding of her dreams

    A BEHIND-THE-SCENES worker has taken centre-stage at her workplace. Only weeks after she joined the team at the Georgian Theatre Royal, in Richmond, technician Claire Weaver was on stage for her wedding to fiance Mik Skinner. The theatre is a popular

  • Family history repeats itself for twins

    A VILLAGE will hold its May Day celebrations on Sunday. Aldborough will stage a traditional fete with stalls and games as well as May Pole dancing and displays from North Yorkshire Police and Fire Services and Ripon Classic Cars. This year's fair will

  • Hear All Sides

    INDEPENDENTS' DAY THURSDAY, May 3, was Independents' Day in Derwentside, and I write to respond to points in your report (Echo, May 5). Firstly, it was stated that Derwentside Independents had won 22 seats. In fact, they won 23, while Labour lost 11.

  • Volunteers seek investor as cinema faces closure

    VOLUNTEERS have begun the search for a wealthy benefactor to safeguard a cinema's future. About 100 people have volunteered their services to help run the Elite cinema, in Leyburn. A steering committee has also been formed to create a business plan.

  • Groups and schools in with chance of a Bafter

    SCHOOLS and community groups are among those who will be celebrated at a ceremony to mark their environmental work. Their efforts will be recognised by Harrogate Borough Council when it holds this year's Best Action for the Environment Road Show (Bafters

  • £124,214 grant is a lifeline to centre in deprived area

    TRAINING for young people in a deprived area of Middlesbrough is to receive a financial lifeline from the Big Lottery Fund. The Breckon Hill Community Association has been awarded £124,214 to support its services and expand training, while also showing

  • Fallen idols

    The Museum (BBC2, 7.30pm), Saddam's Tribe (C4, 9pm), The Last Detective (ITV 1, 9pm). Charlie is looking the worse for wear. He has a gaping hole in his neck and his genitals are darker in colour than the rest of his body because people keep touching

  • Plans for centre are music to the ears

    MOVES are under way to turn Ripon into a city of enterprise through the use of music. Ripon City Partnership, a group working to regenerate the area, announced yesterday that a London-based consultancy has been awarded a contract for a study into plans

  • Artistic youngsters sought again

    AN art competition has been launched again. Anyone up to 18 is allowed to enter Richmondshire community safety partnership's competition, with the categories now including sculpture as well as painting, drawing and collage. Entrants have to create work

  • Evening of choral music

    CARMINA BURNA, the Carl Orff musical work that celebrates life and love will be one of the highlights of a concert by Durham Choral Society. It will be held on Saturday, at 7.30pm, in the main hall of Durham Johnston School. The Durham Choral Orchestra

  • MP pledges help for farmers

    THE plight of dairy farmers is to be taken up by Bishop Auckland MP Helen Goodman. She wants to meet ministers at the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) following a visit to John Kirkup's Walker Hall dairy farm at Winston, near

  • Trickster robs elderly woman in her home

    DETECTIVES are hunting a thief who tricked his way into an 88-year-old woman's home and stole money from her purse. The stranger called at the address, a flat in Frome House, Grove Hill, Middlesbrough, at 2.25pm on Tuesday. He engaged the woman in conversation

  • So what will Tony do next?

    WHAT should an ex-Prime Minister do next after his own MPs have put him out to grass? That is Tony Blair's dilemma now. Here at Westminster, political reporters are breathless with excitement about our departing leader's future career, even before he

  • Peter Smitson, Mike Brunskill

    THE Newcastle branch of Handelsbanken Swedish bank has appointed two corporate banking managers with more than 60 years of banking experience between them. The arrival of PETER SMITSON and MIKE BRUNSKILL forms a key element of the bank's continuing development

  • Councillors to hold ward surgery

    A WARD surgery is to be held at Alcote House, Shotton, on Saturday, between 10am and 11am. Easington District councillors who will be present include Hugh High, Eunice Huntington and Alfred Collinson. The county council representative at the surgery will

  • Launch of joint operation aims to make streets safer

    A CAMPAIGN to tackle anti-social behaviour in a north Durham village was launched yesterday. Police and other organisations are staging a StreetSafe initiative in Burnhope over the next two-and-a-half weeks. Run by officers from Consett beat teams,

  • Law firm welcomes trainees back as partners

    DARLINGTON law practice Latimer Hinks has appointed two of its former trainee solicitors as partners. NICOLA NEILSON, who joined the firm in 2000, and CLAIRE REEVES, who has worked at the practice for six years, have joined the team of eight partners.

  • International hotel operator selected for docklands revamp

    AN international hotel operator has signed up to be a part of one of the largest regeneration projects in the North-East. The unnamed group has signed an agreement with Middlehaven developer BioRegional Quintain to be at the centre of its £200m dockside

  • Couple mark 65th anniversary

    A COUPLE who married at the height of the Second World War have celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. Raymond and Agnes Kirby married at St Peter's Church, in Osmotherley, on May 9, 1942. They could not have their reception at the village hall because

  • 14-mile walk raises funds for charity

    ONE man's curiosity about the success of Age Concern Teesside set him off on a path of discovery. Alan Phillips, from Linthorpe in Middlesbrough, completed a sponsored walk, starting at Coulby Newham and finishing in central Middlesbrough, visiting 13

  • Sage predicts growth will put profits

    SOFTWARE company Sage has revealed plans to strengthen its presence in the region as it looks to further expand its UK core business. The Newcastle firm, which yesterday announced a 12 per cent rise in half-year pre-tax profits to £121.8m, said it is

  • National conference to focus on problems of arson

    FIRE chiefs have organised a conference to look at new approaches to tackle arson. Cleveland Fire Brigade has teamed up with the Performance Improvement Network, a fire service forum, for the seminar to be held at Tall Trees Hotel, Yarm, on Tuesday. About

  • Art gallery in running for national award

    THE owners of a contemporary art gallery will find out on Saturday if they have won a national award. Platinum Galleries, which has outlets in Northallerton and Middlesbrough, has been nominated in the art retailer of the year category in the Fine Art

  • Town celebrates help from European Union

    CIVIC leaders have marked the 50th anniversary of the European Union by praising the contribution it has made to the redevelopment of the town. Europe Day offers the opportunity for Middlesbrough to promote its achievements using European funding, including

  • Inspectors praise support services

    THE delivery of the £2.24m Supporting People programme. provided by Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, is good and has "promising prospects" to improve, according to an independent report. The initiative offers funding to deliver housing support for

  • Convention aims to help youngsters find careers

    YOUNG people looking at taking their first step on the employment ladder will be able to find lots of helping hands at a careers convention. Employers and talent spotters will be looking to recruit enthusiastic workers at the Skill Up Tees Valley event

  • Guto's grand finale

    GUTO (2.20) could prove very hard to peg back come the finale of Chester's Alexander Handicap this afternoon. Trainer Kevin Ryan, who did the column a huge favour by landing last Saturday's 13-2 winning nap via My Paris, has his horses in excellent fettle

  • Seaside building creates 130 jobs

    WORK has started on a multi-million pound commercial property development which will create 130 jobs. The speculative Greensquare scheme, at Kirkleatham Business Park, Redcar, east Cleveland, will provide offices and industrial units, and the first phase

  • A special place in history

    TODAY is a sad day for Sedgefield. For ten years, the County Durham constituency - once anonymous beyond the boundaries of the North-East - has amassed the most extraordinary collection of memories. And today marks the end of that unforgettable period

  • May 10th, 2007

    GLENN Roeder's office has barely been vacated, but his successor is already getting a taste of what life at Newcastle United will be like. Supporters, starved of success for the best part of half-a-century, talk of the need to win trophies and compete

  • School launches canoe club

    SIX girls and a teacher at Teesside High School, Eaglescliffe, have launched a canoe club. Home economics teacher Katie McEndoo, who is an experienced canoeist, and girls from years eight to ten are taking part in sessions at Castlegate Quay Watersports

  • Pupils enjoy a taste of Europe

    CHILDREN sampled a taste of continental life yesterday. Youngsters from Castleside Primary School, near Consett, had lessons to celebrate Europe Day. May 9 traditionally marks the day in 1950 when the European Union was conceived. That was when Robert

  • Assailant tracked - by telling his name

    A MAN who carried out an unprovoked street assault was easily caught by police - having told the victim his name, a court heard. Michael Curley struck the passer-by in the head and then asked the injured man: "Do you know who I am?" Durham Crown Court

  • Why pain technique was used on Adam

    A CARE officer at a secure training centre where a teenager was found hanged told an inquest how he had restrained him only hours before his death. But Stephen Hodgson told the inquest into the death of Adam Rickwood that he had spoken to the 14-year-old

  • Agony for Bywater as gold bid fails

    REDCAR'S Terry Bywater couldn't hide his disappointment after Great Britain's bid for wheelchair basketball gold at the Visa Paralympic World Cup came to an end at the semi-final stage. The 2005 champions produced their best display of the tournament

  • David Smailes

    CONSTRUCTION company Bluestone has appointed DAVID SMAILES as area manager for the Tyne Tees area. He will be based at the company's new office in Chancery Court, Belmont Business Park, County Durham, and will be responsible for business growth across

  • Reward in theft of plants

    A REWARD is being offered for information that leads to the conviction of burglars who stole £1,000 worth of stock from a plant nursery. Greenworld's Plants, at Daisy Hill Nursery, in Shotley Bridge, near Consett, was targeted on Saturday night or Sunday

  • Stephen Lazarus

    RURAL hotel De Vere Slaley Hall, in Northumberland, has strengthened its management team with the appointment of STEVEN LAZARUS. Mr Lazarus joins the hotel after having previously held management positions in several other top-rated hotels. He joins

  • Stephanie Storry, Becky Tyler

    McINERNEY Homes, of Stockton, has almost doubled its presence in the region over the past few months and has made two key additions to its marketing team to deal with its growing number of developments. STEPHANIE STORRY has joined the firm as marketing

  • Little sympathy for Bolton's cash demands

    WITH Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd ready to begin compensation talks with Bolton Wanderers, one of Sam Allardyce's former employers has described his likely installation as Magpies manager as poetic justice for the club he has left behind. Despite

  • World's best on the trail of Ann's killer

    POLICE revealed last night they were calling in a world-class team of forensic experts in a bid to catch the killer of Ann Heron.Mrs Heron's bikini-clad body was found in a pool of blood outside the home she shared with her husband, Peter, on the outskirts

  • Concern over missing girl

    POLICE are becoming increasingly concerned about the welfare of a missing teenager.Megan Burrell, 15, who is originally from Sunderland, is in the care of Social Services workers in Gateshead.She did not return home on Saturday and authorities are worried

  • Durham rely on Di Venuto - again

    Durham v Kent (County Championship) : Day One PAUL Collingwood's third-ball exit proved no more than a minor irritation for Durham yesterday as Michael Di Venuto amassed 204 not out against Kent at Riverside.It was the second time in three games that

  • Michael Hutchinson

    LAW firm Dickinson Dees has appointed leading environmental and health and safety lawyer MICHAEL HUTCHINSON as partner and head of its environmental and safety team, in Newcastle. With more than 18 years' experience in the field, Mr Hutchinson has worked

  • Virtual park created with no walls

    A VIRTUAL version of one of the UK's fastest-growing science parks is being launched to help fuel innovation in the region. NetPark, in Sedgefield, County Durham, is one of the leading locations for emerging sciences and technology in the country, and

  • Seven-year hunt ends at internet auction site

    A MISSING component needed to help construct the first steam locomotive to be built in Britain for almost 50 years has been found on an internet auction site. The discovery of the electric marker light ends a seven-year search by the A1 Steam Locomotive

  • Light shed on moors find after blaze

    NEW light has been shed on an archaeological riddle uncovered in the wake of a moorland blaze.The fire, on Fylingdales Moor, in North Yorkshire, in 2003 destroyed vegetation and revealed the remains of a previously unknown ancient monumentIn particular

  • Fall in a good cause

    THE sky will be the limit for a woman hoping to help break the UK formation skydiving record.Audrey Rowe, from Houghton-le-Spring, Wearside, hopes to leap into the record books on Saturday in support of the British Red Cross.Mrs Rowe and 63 other experienced

  • Forensics' crucial role in bringing killers to justice

    The investigation into the murder of Peter Falconio, in the Australian Outback, and the Madrid train bombings, drew on forensic expertise across the world. Now some of those investigators are bringing their expertise to bear on the Ann Heron murder. Nigel

  • Brian saves life of brother in Australia through kidney gift

    A MAN who saved his brother by donating his kidney has urged others to do the same.When John Mann, now 68 and living in Australia, was diagnosed with kidney disease in 2000, he had little hope of receiving a new organ because younger patients are considered

  • Landlady: We will not chicken out of KFC legal battle

    A REMOTE Yorkshire Dales pub has become embroiled in a legal battle with a multi-national fast food outlet.Solicitors acting for Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) have written to the Tan Hill Inn, near Richmond, over the pub's use on its website of the term

  • Terminator V RoboCop

    IT would be something that action movie-lovers could only dream of -an encounter between superhuman law-enforcement agent RoboCop and near-invincible cyborg The Termin- ator.But while such a meeting must be consigned to fantasy, or video game wizardry

  • PM sealed his fate two-and-a-half years ago - Milburn

    TONY Blair sealed his own fate by "pre-announcing" his resignation two-and-half years ago, Alan Milburn said last night.The Darlington MP and former Cabinet minister said the Prime Minister could have stayed at No10 for several more years if he had not

  • Only rain can put an end to Sayers' vigil

    Yorkshire v Warwickshire (County Championship) : Day One Yorkshire opener Joe Sayers settled into another marathon LV Championship innings at Headingley Carnegie yesterday when bottom-of-the-table, Worcestershire, were the latest team to come up against

  • Decision on councils referendum expected

    DISTRICT councils facing the axe are today expected to unveil plans to hold a referendum to gauge the views of people in County Durham.All seven councils are banding together to fight Government proposals to replace the existing two-tier system with one

  • Actress earns her big chance

    A YOUNG actress has won a place at a workshop run by a stage school. Christina Cuthbertson, 17, will take part in a week-long residential workshop organised by the National Youth Theatre, ending in a stage performance. Christina, a sixth form student

  • Pupils enthralled by Zulu troupe

    SCHOOLCHILDREN have enjoyed their experience of African culture. The pupils at St Mary Magdalene Primary School, in Seaham, sat spellbound as they watched a display of Zulu dancing by a popular South African touring group. The Lions of Zulu band entertained

  • Wonder goal not enough to earn Williams contract

    GOAL-of-the-season winner Eifion Williams and namesake Darren were yesterday among ten players released by Hartlepool United. Long-serving midfielders Mark Tinkler and Darrell Clarke were also given free transfers, as boss Danny Wilson prepares his squad

  • Sir Peter denies wind-up of fund

    BUSINESSMAN Sir Peter Vardy last night dismissed reports that a £50m venture capital fund he set up last year is being wound up. Instead, the Vardy Venture Capital (VVC) fund is changing its focus to help promote education and niche businesses in the

  • £10m upgrade of Teesside power station

    ENERGY company SembCorp has announced a £10m overhaul at its Teesside power station. About 650 contractors will work on the number six boiler, at the Wilton Power Station. Work is expected to take four months to complete. It will be the second major

  • Farm could save rare river mussels from extinction

    CONSERVATIONISTS are looking for farmers to help save a threatened group of rare freshwater pearl mussels. The invertebrates are becoming scarce and most former populations in England and Wales are almost extinct. In the North-East and North Yorkshire

  • Lamb angered by Hammers' escape

    Middlesbrough chief executive Keith Lamb has slammed the Premier League for failing to dock West Ham points over the signings of Javier Mascherano and Carlos Tevez - and admits he hopes the Hammers are relegated this weekend, writes NEIL ANDREWS. The

  • Clash over leadership avoided by parties

    RIVAL political groups avoided a battle over town council leadership last night by agreeing a compromise. Labour and independent councillors had been expected to clash at the annual meeting of Great Aycliffe Town Council. The authority, which covers

  • Traders give high rating to trading standards

    COUNTY Durham's trading standards service has received high praise in a survey. Ninety-four per cent of businesses are "more than happy'' with the overall level of service they receive from the standards office, an eight per cent increase on the previous

  • Honours even as big two warm up for grand finale

    Chelsea 0, Manchester United 0. Jose Mourinho was involved in a heated exchange with Graham Poll as the shadow squads of Chelsea and Manchester United fought out an honourable draw. If seven yellow cards in a meaningless game is anything to go by, the

  • Ipswich contract rules Miller out of Quakers return

    DARLINGTON manager Dave Penney will not be renewing his interest in Ian Miller after the defender was yesterday offered a new one-year deal at Ipswich Town. Penney was keen to follow-up his interest in Miller, who impressed in seven loan appearances towards

  • Residents complain about college demolition dust

    MOUNTAINS of crushed concrete from the site of the former Darlington College are leaving local residents housebound. Clouds of orange dust from the "pyramids" are blowing down streets surrounding the Cleveland Avenue site and leaving a layer of grit

  • MP seeks help from agency workers

    AN MP who campaigns to improve agency workers' legal protection is seeking evidence of poor treatment for a Government report. Bishop Auckland MP Helen Goodman is urging agency staff to contact her at the House of Commons. She was one of a number of Labour

  • Battle for survival at an end as community centre closes

    A COMMUNITY centre that fought for survival after Durham County Council stopped its funding is to close. The Shildon Centre will shut its doors on May 31, only two months after gaining independence from the council. Staff and volunteers at the centre

  • Annual meeting to be held

    residents are being invited to Barnard Castle's annual town meeting on Monday. The event will be held in Teesdale council's offices in Galgate, from 7pm. A report will be given outlining the town council's work over the past 12 months, along with provisional

  • Carvalho unlikely to make Cup Final

    Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho believes compatriot Ricardo Carvalho has only a ''one per cent'' chance of lining up in the Blues defence for the FA Cup final. Chelsea met Manchester United in a goalless draw at Stamford Bridge last night which could hardly

  • Tributes to fan who died following team he loved

    A LIFELONG football fan died just minutes after he arrived for his team's final game of the season. Grandfather Ken Monk, a Darlington FC season ticket holder, died suddenly in the club's Corner Bar on Saturday, a day after he celebrated his wife's 80th

  • Classic car owners head to village for motor show

    MOTOR fans are preparing for a classic car show which will be staged in a village this weekend. More than 300 automobiles will be parked up next to Hurworth Community Centre on Sunday. The show has been planned by members of the Teesside Yesteryear Motor

  • Football club launches new package

    A NEW hospitality package has been launched by Darlington Football Club. Officials say that the Platinum Lounge is aimed at fans and small businesses and will provide a cost-effective alternative to executive boxes. The match day package will include

  • Bus company buys out rival's services

    BUS services in Darlington have been bought out by a rival transport company. Arriva North-East said its decision to purchase Stagecoach's Darlington operations will mean cheaper fares. Council bosses have pledged to monitor the buy-out to ensure that

  • Gardening experts answer questions from audience

    Gardening experts visited a Teesdale village hall to give advice to local people. Malcolm Hockham, from Eggleston Hall Gardens, and Sarah Hopps, from Thirsk, who has a regular gardening slot on BBC Radio York, dropped in at Whorlton Village Hall. Mr

  • Children offer their road safety views at school event

    YOUNG people shared their views on safety at an event at a Weardale school. Pupils from Stanhope Barrington Primary School teamed up with King James Community College, in Bishop Auckland, and an Investing in Children group from Tow Law to give a presentation

  • Girls selected to lead opening procession at fete

    FIVE girls have been chosen to lead the parade at an annual village fete. They will lead a line of floats to start Sedgefield Mediaeval Fair on May 19. Centre of attention will be flower queen Megan Hetherington, nine, from Sedgefield County Primary School

  • Dutch students enjoy taste of life in an English school

    DUTCH students went to a Darlington school to take part in a festival of sports. Fifty two students from a school in Hoorn, in northern Holland, visited their counterparts at Longfield School for the second part of an exchange visit. Seventy Longfield

  • Olympic hero visits toddlers

    OLYMPIC gold medallist Sally Gunnell visited the North-East yesterday to promote a children's play scheme.Ms Gunnell, who won the 400m hurdles in Barcelona in 1992, joined in the fun at Tumble Tots in Darlington - and brought her medal along.She said:

  • Mourners gather for latest victim of Iraq war

    THE widow of a soldier killed by a roadside bomb in Iraq paid an emotional tribute to her hero husband at his funeral.The funeral of Trooper Kristen Turton took place at St Mary's Church, Richmond, North Yorkshire, yesterday.The soldier, from The Queen's

  • Bus driving is the ticket for John

    A PENSIONER was given the ultimate bus pass for his 70th birthday when he was allowed to take the wheel of a full-sized coach.John Crombie's family arranged the surprise drive after he told them he had wanted to do it all his life.The retired boss of

  • Collins set for fresh battle

    WITH thoughts on Wearside already turning to the top-flight, Danny Collins has admitted that Roy Keane's thirst for success means that nobody is guaranteed a place in the Sunderland side for the opening game of next season. Skipper Dean Whitehead was

  • Viduka hints at a future with Middlesbrough

    GARETH Southgate may be no nearer to resolving Mark Viduka's Middlesbrough future, but the Australian striker has hinted he is likely to remain at the Riverside Stadium by expressing his love for the club. The 31-year-old, out of contract at the end

  • Court told of dying sheep found in sack

    INSPECTORS called to a North-East farm by worried members of the public found rotting sheep carcasses and a dying animal stuffed in a sack. Animal owner Alexandra Garbutt was yesterday hit with a hefty financial penalty and banned from keeping livestock

  • Suicide bid puts pervert in wheelchair

    A CHILD sex offender condemned himself to life in a wheelchair after bungling a suicide attempt as he faced trial. George Baker, 66, hurled himself under the wheels of a train, but his bid to evade justice failed and he ended up surviving, although he

  • One last hurrah as Blair prepares to step down

    SEDGEFIELD was last night preparing for one last hurrah in the international media spotlight when Tony Blair flies into the constituency to announce his resignation as Labour leader this morning.Mr Blair will first tell Cabinet colleagues of his intentions

  • 'We don't teach kids to be gay'

    Christian groups have attacked the No Outsiders project for reading "gay fairy tales" to children as young as four. The project's director tells Lindsay Jennings why she's on a mission to promote equality ON the cover it looks like any other fairy tale

  • The marvellous Culine

    It was a proud day for fairground man John Culine when he received an MBE from Prince Charles for services to the Showmen's Guild and the community of Spennymoor John Culine, the North's best known fairground man, received the MBE at Buckingham Palace

  • Police draw a blank as beach body case remains a mystery

    THE mystery surrounding the identity of a man washed up on a County Durham beach may never be solved.The badly-decomposed remains were discovered by a man walking his dog on a beach near East Shore Village, at Seaham, on the morning of Saturday, May 13