Archive

Horden Coms Finished there season on a high when they beat Blakes 8-1 to Finish 4th in the Durham Couty Super League

Results for 11th June. D Robinson 4-0 M Cockburn. G Hodgson 4-0 B Dickinson. E Sandwick 4-0 I Brown. K Williams 2-2 I Harper. R Watson 3-1 P Robinson. Top 5. 1 P Clark. 2 G Lawson. 3 G Hodgson. 4 E Sandwick. 5 P Robinson.

Results for 4-6-07. R Turnbull 1-3 P Clark. G Hodgson 4-0 G Turnbull. D Heron 3-1 R Watson. S Lee 4-0 B Dickinson. K Williams 4-0 M Cockburn. A Stanley 2-2 I Brown. O Mcfadden 2-2 D Robinson.

Results for 21-5-07. R Turnbull 3-1 R Watson. I Harper 0-4 P Clark. G Hodgson 3-1 D Robinson. E Sandwick 4-0 B Dickinson. D Heron 1-3 I Brown. A Stanley 0-4 G Lawson. O Mcfadden 2-2 M Cockburn. S Lee 3-1 G Turnbull.

15th June seen the semi final's/final played in the team KO cup. The semi's saw 1st placed Hesleden Workmens take on 4th placed Horden Caholic with Heslede Workmens coming out winners with a 8-4 win.In the other semi 2nd placed Easington Village took

The final league games of the season seen the top two teams (Easington Colliery v Hesleden Workmens) play each other with first place to play for. Hesleden went into this game needing 4 points to clinch the title, It was level 1-1 after the pairs game's

ENGLAND'S bowlers took four early wickets to assume an early advantage when play finally got underway at Riverside. But an unbroken stand of 77 between Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Dwayne Bravo enabled the West Indies to recover to 132-4 at the close of

ENGLAND made an explosive start as play finally got underway on the second afternoon at Riverside. Ryan Sidebottom removed West Indies skipper Daren Ganga with the very first ball of the game as the tourists were reduced to 92-4 at tea in the final Test

A COUNTY Durham tree surgeon has become one of four new contestants to enter Channel 4s Big Brother house. Liam McGough, 22, from Lanchester, near Consett, was one of four men to enter the house, which had previously been predominantly female, last night

A PEDESTRIAN was killed after being hit by a car as he attempted to cross the road at a notorious accident blackspot. The accident happened at about 6.10pm last night, on the A68, near the junction with Burtree Lane, to the north west of Darlington.

AMBITIOUS plans for a school's future have been given a major boost - by staff members. Staff from St Martin's Ampleforth School in North Yorkshire have raised £40,000 in a sponsored cycle race from Land's End to Ampleforth. The race saw the

ENGLAND will play a waiting game once again this morning after the start of the final Test against West Indies was delayed for the second day in succession. The weather has improved at Riverside but, with the outfield saturated, the ground staff need

COMMERCIAL conifer plantations attract a lot of criticism from conservationists, but is this necessarily justified? True, many older plantations were set out unscientifically, with little regard for the requirements of the trees or the basic ecology

OLUMNIST Harry Mead is right to say the Ella Fitzgerald recordings of the Great American Song Book are sublime (Echo, June 5). I particularly like, and have a copy of, the Cole Porter album. They say Ella could not conclude a British concert without

LORD Justice Thorpe complains of problems posed to the divorce courts by internet-inspired inter-country marriages. There is surely a simple answer: grant custody of the children in every such case to the parent wishing to take them out of this

COLUMNIST Peter Mullen's tirade against the nanny state (Echo, June 12) was fully justified. However, far more pertinent were his final two sentences. Government has only two jobs it must do - to protect the people from external aggression and

RE Mrs E Richards' letter about her unhappy experiences of Royal Mail delivery services (HAS, June 8). I notice there was no mention of Postwatch, the independent consumer watchdog for postal services. Postwatch acts as the voice of the consumer

TYPICAL of those who refuse to acknowledge Israel's crimes against the Palestinians, vividly described by Stuart Hill (Echo, June 7), Mrs P Springer (HAS, June 12) makes unfounded accusations of anti- Semitism. She says "the land of Israel belongs

THE EU constitution undeniably gave far greater powers to the European Union than it has already acquired during its existence. It provided for an EU president and foreign minister, and confirms the primacy of EU law over that of its member states

YOU reported that the draft Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) has been watered down so much that many key projects are moved from the "vital" category to being merely aspirational (Echo, June 13). In other words, they've been dumped, with huge consequences

Willington's parish church might be in between priests, but that hasn't stopped parishioners from flocking to church enthusiastically. BUILT on coal and confidence, St Stephen's parish church in Willington celebrated its 150th anniversary last Sunday.

Lorraine Chase talks about her high drama on the road which severed an ear. HAVING to have an ear re-sewn back on twice, following a car crash, didn't put Lorraine Chase off acting out the thriller plot of Dead Guilty, where she plays the troubled wife

A FREE public seminar on epilepsy is to be held in Stockton later this month. Epilepsy Action, the UK's leading member-led epilepsy charity, has organised the event at the central library, in Church Road, on Wednesday, June 27, from 6.30pm. The seminar

THE leaves have been well thumbed on a reprint of an intriguing tale of village life from a bygone era. Such has been the popularity of the reprint of Esh Leaves, a chronicle of life in Esh Parish, in the early 1900s, that another edition is to be produced

FINDING an actor to play Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde in a new modern-day version of the classic Robert Louis Stevenson story was easy for writer Steven Moffatt. "We made one of those lists," he recalls. "You list every single actor you can think of with a

A WOMAN stole a widow's pension and split the money with her boyfriend before going on a day-long drinking binge. Kate Rutherford took £180 from the 77-year-old's bedroom after being invited into her Teesside home for a cuppa. After a 12-hour boozing

A BAN on turning has halved the traffic on a steep, narrow residential street in Richmond, according to a report. Drivers have been prevented from turning left onto the Gallowfields trading estate from the top of Quarry Road since January, when an 18-

A WINE-tasting challenge has been issued by campaigners hoping to win Fair Trade status for their town. Richmond Fairtrade Forum will ask people their opinion of fairly traded wines at the town hall on Wednesday, at 7.30pm. Host Nobby Dimon, of North

TROUBLED Kwik Save was yesterday given more time to secure funding, giving fresh hopes for its future. The firm appointed restructuring consultant KPMG last month following a £50m buyout earlier this year, with a deadline of yesterday to complete refinancing

A MOTHER has branded an independent waste collection company as "rubbish" after it failed to empty her bins. Jenny Wake, from Northallerton, enlisted the services of Bin and Gone, based at Brompton-on-Swale, near Richmond. But, after paying a six-month

A PARISH council's plea for 100 yards of footpath to be created on a narrow road is unlikely to move up North Yorkshire County Council's list of priorities. A report to the council's Richmondshire area committee says the low number of people who walk

A COUNCIL newsletter has been criticised by county councillors for being biased in favour of the Tory party. Liberal Democrat councillors working for North Yorkshire County Council are furious after a full page was devoted to arguing for a new unitary

Businesses can attend a free networking event at Thirsk Racecourse, North Yorkshire, on June 28. For details of Let's Talk Business, run by Hambleton District Council, Yorkshire Forward and Business Link York and North Yorkshire, call 01609-767050.

Today, 124 years ago, 183 children were crushed to death in a Sunderland theatre in a rush to grab cheap presents. Chris Lloyd reports on the greatest disaster in the history of the British stage. 'THE man eagerly scanned the faces of the dead, and without

AN angry patient says he will contact the Health Services Commission in his campaign to have NHS dentistry restored to Wensleydale. Mervyn Wilmington gave North Yorkshire and York Primary Care Trust until yesterday to explain the delay and set out a timetable

TEENAGERS in arson-hit areas of Teesside are being taught the harsh consequences of setting fires. Fire chiefs are taking to the streets in a mobile youth club to highlight the problem of deliberate fires - many of which are attributed to youth gangs.

Japanese restaurant chain Yo! Sushi has seen a record week of trading at its new outlet in Fenwick department store, Newcastle, with the highest first-week sales of the groups' 38 outlets.

SMOKERS in Derwentside are being offered help to tackle their addiction. Stop smoking groups are being run every Saturday and Monday at Consett Rugby Club in Albert Road, Consett. The groups are to complement the Saturday morning drop-in sessions at the

The royal family of the Gulf kingdom of Qatar has upped its stake in Sainsbury's to above 25 per cent. The family's investment vehicle, Delta Two, bought 123 million shares at 595 pence per share, making £732m, taking the family stake to 435 million

ONE of the region's most prolific school brass bands will turn silver next weekend when it celebrates its 25th anniversary. To mark the occasion, the band at Tudhoe Grange School, in Spennymoor, will strike up for one of the biggest concerts in its history

MOTORISTS have been warned of road closures next week. Strengthening work is scheduled to take place on the eastbound carriageway of the A195 Northumberland Way, in Washington, Wearside. The stretch between the A195 junctions with the A182 Washington

FARMING communities have been paying tribute to a man whose inspiration helped to keep England's oldest agricultural show on the map. As a young man, Robert "Robbie" Stobbs was a member of a small team of dedicated dalesmen who revived the Wolsingham

A REFUGE island is to be built in Shincliffe, despite warnings it will not be enough to protect schoolchildren crossing a busy road. Durham County Council has agreed to press ahead with plans to build a refuge in the middle of the A177, outside the Seven

TRADERS say their businesses are hampered because a premises which has been empty for nearly four years is deterring shoppers. Retailers and property owners in King Street, Richmond, met council officials yesterday to discuss why it is taking so long

NEW city Mayoress Ann Scott will play host to people from various walks of life as the doors of a civic centre are opened to guests. This year's Mayoress at Home event, at the Civic Centre, in Sunderland, will feature traditional afternoon tea with musical

SUPPORTERS of a ten-turbine wind farm set for approval in South-West Durham have been having a show of hands. Volunteers from the Alliance for Clean Energy (Ace) gave an unusual petition to Sedgefield Borough Council. It featured the hand prints and signatures

LEAVING the car at home helps keep schoolchildren top of the form. That's the verdict of headteacher Sue Gent, ahead of national Bike Week. Road safety officials working with Middlesbrough Council are to offer week-long cycle proficiency training at Middlesbrough's

PARENTS are being urged to consider taking simple steps to help prevent accidents during Child Safety Week, which runs from Monday to next Sunday. Stockton Local Safeguarding Children Board is backing the campaign's message of: Safer children, healthier

THE vice-principal of a Darlington college will retire after 32 years of teaching. John Garmston has been the second in command at Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College for nearly 20 years. The 58-year-old is taking early retirement to spend more time with

A FIRE officer has issued a warning after being called out eight times in a week to the same place to put out rubbish fires. A small area of private land behind Close House Working Men's Club is being used as a dumping ground for disused tyres and car

BOYS from Hurworth House school, near Darlington, have braved the elements for a charity sleep-over. The junior boys camped overnight in the school's grounds to raise money for Sportability. The boys put up tents with help from the senior school, before

A WINDOW contract at two schools has thrown up a number of design issues. Anglian Building Products secured a contract to manufacture and supply hundreds of PVCu windows and aluminium doors to Shotley Bridge Junior and Coundon Primary School. But the

THERE has been much talk of Tony Blair's legacy in the protracted countdown to his departure from Downing Street. With 11 days to go before the MP for Sedgefield becomes the former Prime Minister, perhaps his legacy - or at least an important part of

THE man who could be the next mayor of Darlington has thrown his weight behind an awards scheme for the town's rising sports stars. The Darlington Sports Winners' Scheme aims to reward achievement and progress in sports at all levels, and is looking for

A CURRY charity night takes place in Crook on Wednesday. Tickets cost £15 and money should be paid in advance. Bookings can be made at the Crook Community Partnership office, 79 Hope Street, or phone 01388-765927. A raffle will raise cash for an orphanage

FOOTBALL lovers in Middlesbrough will be able to see the Barclays Premiership Trophy first-hand on Monday. People will have the opportunity to have their picture taken with the trophy, which will be on display in Barclays, Linthorpe Road, Middlesbrough

A COUNCIL is planning a five-week £150,000 road improvement scheme. The work on the B1269, from its junction with Sandy Lane to the southern end of Dunsdale Village, will start on Monday, June 25. It will involve a signed diversion route, via the A174

DARLINGTON carers enjoyed a coffee afternoon this week for national carers' week. The Darlington Association on Disability's Carers' Support Service hosted the event at the Friend's Meeting House, off Skinnergate. About 40 guests attended the afternoon

AMBITIOUS plans for a school's future have been given a major boost - by staff members. Staff from St Martin's Ampleforth School in North Yorkshire have raised £40,000 in a sponsored cycle race from Land's End to Ampleforth. The race saw the school's

TENNIS fans will be given the chance to enjoy some of the best cheese from North Yorkshire during the Wimbledon later this month. Best-selling Yorkshire Blue cheese, made by Shepherds Purse, of Thirsk, will be served at selected restaurants in and around

MARTIAL arts students were assessed by tai chi instructors and attained their sashes. The students attend the Five Elements Tai Chi Qigong group, in Kirby Fleetham, near Northallerton, North Yorkshire. Group leader Lynne Auckinson and Sifus Pat Brooks

A FORMER police chief has turned teacher by setting up his own skills training centre for construction workers. Peter Walker has set up SuperSkills Construction Training to offer training to workers in the region. The former North Yorkshire Police deputy

TREMENDOUS pro-gress has been made by Staindrop Gym Club since it was launched in a modest way two years ago by Angela Hedley. It has just been hailed as Teesdale's junior sports club of the year at the volunteers' award ceremony - and it picked up

A NORTH Yorkshire parish councillor has resigned after accusing colleagues of being biased. The row at Sowerby Parish Council centres on co-opting three new councillors. The authority had three places available but five names were put forward to fill

AN ELDERLY householder thought she was doing a favour for two female callers at her home who claimed their car had broken down, a court heard yesterday. Hayley Falconer and Leanne Duck knocked at the door of the 82-year-old woman, in Seaham, County Durham

French Open champion Rafael Nadal crashed out of the Artois Championships last night - beaten in straight sets by Frenchman Nicolas Mahut. Mahut, ranked 106th in the world, had also defeated fifth seed Ivan Ljubicic yesterday and stunned the Queen's crowd

CRICKET was cancelled at more than one place in Chester-le-Street yesterday. Pupils at Bullion Lane Primary School, in Bullion Lane, were due to play kwik cricket as part of their healthy school day. But the torrential rain meant that all outdoor activities

White River Brass will feature with the Consett Junior School band and Consett Junior Brass, in a concert at The Empire Theatre, in Consett, on Friday. The professionals will work with the youngsters before the concert, which starts at 7pm. Tickets are

AN 18-year-old man was in court yesterday after he took the law into his own hands when he chased a suspected thief. Stewart Richards was at a party in Deanwood Close, Willington, when he and another male became suspicious that a third guest had stolen

CHANCELLOR Gordon Brown this week launched a pledge to deliver training to millions of workers over the next few years. As he joined more than 150 employers in signing the pledge on behalf of the Government, Mr Brown made it clear that skills training

GREEN fuels firm D1 Oils yesterday said talks of a possible tie-up were reaching an "advanced stage". Although the Middlesbrough-based biodiesel producer would not confirm who the discussions were with, its share price surged forward, fuelled by City

A PRIMARY school has been judged as good with outstanding aspects by Ofsted. Inspectors said Hunton and Arrathorne School, near Bedale, had an accurate understanding of its strengths and pupils who are confident and secure in their surroundings. The behaviour

A VILLAGE butcher who served his local community for more than 40 years has died at the age of 76. Peter Gardner owned and ran the village shop in Middleton St George from 1959 until his retirement four decades later. The father of five died at St George's

AN 18-year-old man was in court yesterday after he took the law into his own hands when he chased a suspected thief. Stewart Richards was at a party in Deanwood Close, Willington, when he and another male became suspicious that a third guest had stolen

A COUNCIL campaign aiming to bridge the gaps between men and women in County Durham has been launched. Durham County Council's Bridging the Gaps campaign aims to end discrimination and harassment and promote respect between men and women who live in,

FAMILIES enjoying summer entertainment at Durham's Gala Theatre will be able to cool down with a free ice-cream. Everyone who attends any of three Ice Cream Sunday events this month, next month and in August will get a free ice-cream during the interval

IT'S top versus bottom today as league leaders Sunderland take on a Stockton side currently propping up the rest. However, what might normally be considered a one-horse race has been given an intriguing twist following results in the last couple of weeks

With England's Durham duo Steve Harmison and Paul Collingwood hopeful of making their mark at some point in the rain-affected Test at their home Riverside ground, fellow county man Graham Onions could be forgiven for casting envious glances from Hampshire

In reply to last week's article from the Durham Palestine Solidarity Campaign, David Soakell, North-East representative of the Christian Friends of Israel, gives his side of the arguament about the deteriorating situation in the Holy Land. THE very

This weekend sees another double round of league matches, at the end of which the season will be half over for a number of teams. And unless someone can stop the runaway leaders, Kimblesworth, it will be more than half over for many. The leaders do, perhaps

JAMIE'S SPENCER'S presence aboard Partners In Jazz (2.25) sends out all of the right signals for a triumphant run in Sandown's £20,000 RBS Handicap. Thirsk-based David Barron has a good record with Partners In Jazz down south, so along with the fact

NEWCASTLE United will be de-listed from the stock exchange on July 18 after Mike Ashley last night confirmed that his stake in the club had exceeded the 75 per cent mark. The billionaire businessman, who assumed effective control of the Magpies when current

HEXHAM'S opening race lacks any noticeable strength-in-depth with the possible exception of the Tom George-trained five-year-old, Baby Bonnett (2.35), writes COLIN WOODS (JANUS). Having shown a modicum of promise when finishing mid-field on her first

Leroy Lita believes Stuart Pearce fits the bill for the full-time role as England Under-21 boss after getting them within sight of the European Championship semi-finals. Lita has cited experience as an England player as one of the coach's strengths, and

DALE Benkenstein faced a dilemma yesterday. Graham Onions had Hampshire by the throat at one for two, so should the Durham captain go for the jugular or do his bit to help a struggling international regain his form? In an ideal world he could have achieved

Andy Bichel's maiden championship century for Essex rescued his side after Middlesex had reduced the visitors to 97 for six in the LV County Championship match at Lord's. Bichel scored a superb 102 and shared a much needed-stand of 161 with James Middlebrook

Fernando Alonso put McLaren team-mate Lewis Hamilton in the shade by setting the fastest time during the first practice session for the US Grand Prix at Indianapolis. Alonso, beaten last time out by Hamilton in Canada, set the fastest time and Nick Heidfeld

YESTERDAY'S publication of the Quest team's report into alleged transfer irregularities provides conclusive proof that someone has made an awful lot of money out of football. Sadly, though, that person is the report's author, Lord Stevens, rather than

DURHAM City baker Terry Wall hopes to chalk up his fifth victory in the Newton Aycliffe 10K tomorrow. The 36-year-old Morpeth Harrier warmed up for the event by winning the Raby Castle 10K at the end of last month - his first test over the distance for

County Durham OBE Patrick Conway, of Durham City. Director, culture and leisure, Durham County Council. For services to libraries. Kingsley Ward Smith, of Bishop Auckland. For services to the community Professor Martin Ferguson Smith, of Foula, Shetland

A psychiatric patient who stabbed his social worker six times and left the knife planted in her back two days after telling doctors he wanted to kill her has been jailed indefinitely. Victim Claire Selwood almost bled to death in the attack. Newcastle

Ryan Moore continued his fine run of form with a 22-1 hat-trick at Goodwood last night. The champion jockey only returned from injury last Thursday but has been in sparkling form since, notching eight winners in the last nine days. And Moore kept the

Eidur Gudjohnsen's father and agent insists he has had no contact with Manchester United regarding a move to Old Trafford and claims his son is keen to prove himself at Barcelona. The former Chelsea forward has endured mixed success in Catalonia this

LIVESTOCK farmers are the best placed people to maintain the environment and landscape. But unless they are successful and profitable, any environmental schemes will fail. The warning was issued by John Geldard, vice-chairman of the National Sheep Association's

The two leading sides both take a trip to the seaside today as they attempt to continue their excellent starts to the season, although judging by the weather forecast they might be better off taking buckets and sponges, rather than bat and ball. While

Castle Eden are 25 points ahead of the rest but it is their turn to sit out the programme today. No doubt the Castle players will be casting their eyes to the heavens to see if the atrocious weather forecasts are correct and hand them an unexpected bonus

The championship race reaches a critical phase in the next couple of weeks, even though there is only just over a third of the season gone. Unless the leading two teams are stopped they will have created such a gap by the end of June there will be no

The intensity of the battle at the top shows no sign of abating as all the leading contenders continue to demonstrate some fallibility which adds a great deal of interest to the contest. Last weekend delivered outstanding games, the tightest of finishes

A FAMILY whose thatched farmhouse was gutted by fire after they spent 15 years restoring it have almost completed the task of putting it right once more. Peter and Sue Coverdale have taken 20 months to repair Levy Pool, their 400- year-old grade II-listed

HAVING exchanged life in the army for a football career, Sunderland's Carlos Edwards is understandably relishing the prospect of mixing it with English football's best next season. At the age of 28, the right-midfielder's dream of playing in this country's

DAVID Harker last night insisted Durham would not lose out financially following the abandonment of the opening day of the Test match between England and West Indies, but the county's chief executive admitted that yesterday's downpour represented an "

Greg Rusedski booked a place in the Liverpool International semi-finals with a 7-6 (7/4) 7-6 (7/4) win over youngster Lukas Lacko at Calderstones Park. The 33-year-old, who is playing the final tournament of his career, did not have it all his own way

England coach Brian Ashton has turned to Lawrence Dallaglio for the first time and offered the veteran Wasps captain a route to the World Cup. Dallaglio, 34, had been out of the England picture since the 2006 RBS 6 Nations but his form in leading Wasps

MIDDLESBROUGH and Newcastle have protested their innocence after being two of the five clubs named in Lord Stevens' final report into alleged transfer irregularities. The North-East duo were named alongside Chelsea, Bolton Wanderers and Portsmouth as

Paul Casey turned in a stunning performance in the second round of the US Open at Oakmont, but Nick Dougherty was battling to avoid a nightmare. Casey shined on Friday, shooting a four-under-par 66, the low round of the tournament, to vault into contention

England's selectors took advantage of the wash-out at the start of the fourth Test against West Indies to talk one-day selection. Although refusing to confirm Michael Vaughan as captain for the two Twenty20 and three one-day internationals which follow

VETERANS of the road are revving up for their annual test of endurance through the North-East countryside.A field of 129 vehicles, a mix of cars, motorcycles and light commercial vans registered up to 1954, will take part in the 37th annual Beamish Run

A COUNTRYSIDE lover has thrown in his chips and opted to turn his hobby into a job.Former fish and chip shop owner John Butler, 54, from Crook, has been appointed as assistant recreation ranger at Hamsterley Forest, near Bishop Auckland.Mr Butler, who

TORRENTIAL rain caused flood chaos across the region yesterday.North-Yorkshire was the worst affected as firefighters handled an "unprecedented" number of calls.At one point, more than 60 calls were stacked up awaiting a response from the stretched fire

HAY-making time was an appropriate season for the winner of a £500 conservation prize to receive her award.Pippa Rayner, who began work a year ago as hay time officer in the Yorkshire Dales, won the Ken Willson Award, given to someone under 30 who has

A TEENAGE soldier washed away by surging flood waters was still missing today.A search and rescue operation lasting all day yesterday failed to find the 17-year-old, who was swept away while crossing a beck during a military training exercise on moors

CRICKETING legend and charity fundraiser Ian Botham has spoken of his delight at being awarded a knighthood in the Queen's Birthday Honours.Speculation had grown in recent weeks that he was in line for the honour, and last night he said he was delighted

The row over smacking children was reopened yesterday as the Government announced a review of the law less than three years since MPs rejected an outright ban.Children's minister Beverley Hughes said parents and professionals would be consulted this summer

ART is being used in a drive to encourage children to consider a career in science.Youngsters on Teesside have been using their artistic skills to interpret their view of science as part of the Energise Project.The initiative has been developed by Tees

VULNERABLE patients in Darlington are to get help to live independently from a new type of health professional that takes inspiration from the past.Darlington Primary Care Trust has appointed three community matrons to manage patients with long-term illnesses

EXCREMENT flowed down a street yesterday after a collapsed sewer made a road crack open.Flood water and sewage swept into one home and garden, and caused an electricity blackout in another.The damage caused a foul smell throughout the day, which was still

A NIGHTCLUB is to introduce cocaine swabs to deter people from taking drugs in its toilets.Chicago Rock Cafe, in Front Street, Chester-le-Street, is believed to be the first in the region to take the proactive measure.The cocaine swabs are small pieces

DURHAM City Council has launched an initiative to reintroduce natural flowers and insects to the area.Under the Wildlife on your Doorstep initiative, the council is encouraging people to make more of the city's natural green spaces and trying to develop

EVERTON are determined to sign Stewart Downing and will try to tempt Middlesbrough into selling their prize asset by offering a players plus cash deal worth around £10m for the England international.Downing, the subject of offers from Tottenham in recent

A WORK team has started to tidy up part of an eyesore in Teesdale.The derelict St Peter's School buildings, in Gainford, near Barnard Castle, have been the target of vandalism, theft and arson during the past few years.Residents of Gainford, the police

A VICIOUS stalker who carried out a public execution of his ex-wife as she begged and screamed for help from horrified onlookers was jailed for life by a court yesterday.Joseph Iley, 55, had just been released from a prison sentence for harassing Margaret

ARTS enthusiasts in Darlington have clubbed together to put on a public exhibition.The best of town talent went on show at Darlington Arts Centre yesterday and people can see the work until July 27. Darlington Society of Arts was formed in 1922 to stimulate

COMEDIAN Russ Abbot banged the drums at a North-East school yesterday, to help celebrate pupils hitting a fundraising target.The TV personality, who is starring in the musical, The Producers, at the Sunderland Empire, joined pupils in celebrating raising

There will be at least one bright interlude at rain-hit Headingley today with leg-spin sensation Adil Rashid, who is due to receive the Yorkshire CCC Southern Group's Neil Lloyd cricketer-of-the-year award for 2006, writes DAVID WARNER.The 19-year-old

A CAMPAIGNING mother who finally won justice for her murdered daughter has had her tireless efforts rewarded with a MBE in the Queen's birthday honours list today.Ann Ming created legal history after spending 17 years doggedly working to overturn the

FIREWORKS and a spectacular water display will feature in the finale of the centrepiece performance at a festival of international street arts.The North Yorkshire Green Space Festival is to be held in Boroughbridge, Ripon, Harrogate and Knaresborough

TONY Blair visited the North-East yesterday to make his last school visit as Prime Minister - but admitted being baffled by science as a pupil. Mr Blair - who famously made education, education, education his priority in 1996 - opened two new science

A VICIOUS stalker who carried out a public execution of his ex-wife as she begged and screamed for help from horrified onlookers has been jailed for life. Joseph Iley, 55, had just been released from a prison sentence for harrassing Margaret Iley, 57

LEGENDARY actor Mickey Rooney has shared the screen with the likes of Judy Garland and Lana Turner during his 80-year career in show business. But in December he will swap Hollywood for Sunderland to make his pantomime debut, starring alongside Les Dennis

CHILDREN who became a music sensation, despite setting up their band in one of the country's most deprived areas, face seeing their dreams left ruined by cruel thieves. Thorntree Juvenile Jazz Band, in Thorntree, Middlesbrough, had 24 instruments and

CRICKETING legend and serial charity fundraiser Ian Botham has been awarded a knighthood in the Queen's Birthday Honours. Speculation had grown in recent weeks that he was in line for the honour and tonight he spoke of his delight. Also honoured is