A WIDOWER who pined for his wife took his own life, an inquest heard yesterday. Edwin Pearson, 87, was found hanging at his home in Margaret Terrace, Coronation, near Bishop Auckland, on Monday. His daughter, Audrey Allan, told an inquest at Bishop Auckland
DARLINGTON will be heading across the Pennines for their crucial six-pointer at Carlisle this afternoon, bidding to return from Brunton Park with at least one point. The Quakers have made avoiding defeat their number one priority as they make the short
BUS company Arriva has hit back at criticism of its run-down Darlington bus depot. The lack of a town centre bus station and the declining state of the Feethams depot has attracted mounting criticism from councillors and bus users. Arriva says it will
TERRY VENABLES last night launched the countdown to Middlesbrough's derby clash with Newcastle in two weeks' time by warning Bobby Robson: "You could go down.'' Venables fired the first shot in the build-up to Tyne-Tees hostilities at St. James' Park
WHEN coal was king, Horden was the bright jewel in the crown. In 1930, when 4,428 saints toiled below, they mined 6,758 tons in a day - a European record that stood for 30 years. It was reckoned Britain's biggest village, around 15,000 crowded into colliery
THE foot-and-mouth outbreak is far from contained. In the ten days since the crisis began, the disease has reached all corners of the nation. In these circumstances, we must question the wisdom of relaxing the ban on the movement of livestock. If the
ACTRESS Susannah Doyle had reservations when asked to join the cast of BBC1's Ballykissangel. A very understandable reaction as her father, Tony Doyle, starred in the series as wheeler dealer Brian Quigley, until his death last year. "I was extremely
A DATE has been set for work to start on a £800,000 state-of-the-art health centre. The first turf will be cut on Monday, March 12, and it is hoped the project will be complete by the autumn. The centre, for Colburn, will be two-stories high and was given
THE Tees Valley Business Awards proved to be a glittering success for a number of Darlington companies. Conservatory manufacturer Amdega brought back two top awards to the town, including the biggest prize, Tees Valley Company of the Year. The company
URGENT checks were ordered last night after The Northern Echo revealed the sorry state of safety measures at bridges on the East Coast Main Line. Highways chiefs are to conduct an immediate review on scores of bridges along a 70-mile stretch of the line
A TEENAGER who overdosed on his medication, could have been signalling his need for help for a sleeping problem, an inquest heard yesterday. John Sandeman, 19, was found dead in his backyard at Watt Street, Ferryhill, by a family friend. The inquest at
THE Swiss Army knife is probably the original Gadgetman tool. Created more than a century ago, it remains as useful as ever. When the design was first registered on June 12, 1897, the Swiss Army knife was no survivalist plaything. Created by Charles Elsener
Chris Turner's Hartlepool extended their unbeaten Division Three run to 15 games as they drew 1-1 with York at Bootham Crescent. The draw keeps Pool in fourth place in Division Three, one place off the automatic promotion place, but they were made to
WHILE anxious to play down the local derby aspect, Darlington player-coach Phil Lancaster is expecting a keen tussle with Darlington Mowden Park today. The teams meet at Blackwell Meadows in a Durham Cup semi-final and Lancaster is confident of closing
A POOL attendant who pulled a drowning man from 13ft of water and saved his life has been given the highest award possible from the Royal Lifesavers' Society. Claire Nicholas, 20, was one of a team of four commended by the organisation after they pulled
This is a good time to plant and restore a hedge. Hedges provide privacy, shelter and offer a fine background for beds and borders. If you are thinking of planting a new hedge, then take action this weekend. Deciduous shrubs such as hornbeam and beech
THE family of a former promising footballer told of their horror last night after the man convicted of his murder launched a bid for freedom. Former Newcastle United hopeful Gary Walton died in the early hours of July 17 last year and jump jockey Christopher
PEOPLE have been given the chance to take breakfast at any time of day and raise money to fight cancer at the same time. The Throwingstones Restaurant, at the National Glass Centre, Sunderland, took part in Britain's Biggest All-day Breakfast to raise
A TOP performing school has been hit by scandal for the second time in recent months, after another pupil was caught with drugs. The student, believed to be a teenage girl, is thought to have been found with cannabis at Hartlepool's English Martyrs School
THE Swiss Army knife is probably the original Gadgetman tool. Created more than a century ago, it remains as useful as ever. When the design was first registered on June 12, 1897, the Swiss Army knife was no survivalist plaything. Created by Charles Elsener
MOVES to conserve salmon stocks in a North-East river will be repeated this year following a successful pilot project. Aimed at anglers on the River Tyne, the Environment Agency scheme involves numbered red tags being fastened to spring salmon for identification
A SPECIAL day of prayer has been set aside by churches and chapels in a North-East dale stricken by the foot-and-mouth crisis. Clergy are appealing to people in Weardale, County Durham, which was one of the first areas in the country to be hit by the
THE foot-and-mouth outbreak is far from contained. In the ten days since the crisis began, the disease has reached all corners of the nation. In these circumstances, we must question the wisdom of relaxing the ban on the movement of livestock. If the
A BRAVE little girl has taken her first steps in three years after a remarkable operation to rebuild her legs. Now seven-year-old Lorna Baker hopes to realise her ambition of running in her school sports day. Encouraged by her grandfather, Eric O'Hara
HELP for staff suffering from back pain has brought a local authority a regional health award. Last summer, Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, with help from the Tees Health bus, offered staff advice on back pain, and provided health checks. The bus
THE running of three regeneration schemes is likely to be taken over by a council, to help ensure their survival. It is expected that members of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council will, at a meeting next week, consider a request to manage three initiatives
PARENTS of deaf children due for a school move have yet to be given details of how they will be taught. Last month, Middlesbrough Borough Council decided to close the deaf wing at the town's Beverley School and move its pupils to Sunnyside Primary and
POLICE artist Mick Ewins has depicted Teesside landmarks and buildings including Guisborough Priory, the Cellnet Stadium, Hartlepool's Historic Quay and Yarm Town Hall on a collage-style background. He presented the artwork to Cleveland Police's Chief
AN environmental group is urging Teessiders to join a campaign to safeguard the area's green spaces. The Structure Plan for Tees Valley, setting out a framework for development up to 2016, will be finalised in the next few weeks. The local branch of the
A SERIES of lucky escapes averted a similar train disaster in Redcar yesterday morning. Firefighters were called to an accident at Kirkleatham Lane where a Land Rover had slipped down an embankment yards from a railway line. The driver had turned out
MINERS champion Pat Daglish has revealed how the "long and arduous" fight for compensation for sick former miners could be over in a matter of months. Ms Daglish, from Stanley, County Durham, has helped to lead the fight to speed up cash payments to men
METRIC martyr Steven Thoburn and his wife Leigh have appeared in court charged with a public order offence. Mr Thoburn, 36, a greengrocer and Mrs Thoburn, 27, both of Association Road, Roker, Sunderland, are accused of using threatening, abusive or insulting
Sunderland boss Peter Reid has backed striker Kevin Phillips to bounce back from his England disappointment to terrorise Premiership defences again. The 27-year-old was forced to watch from the bench yet again as new national coach Sven-Goran Eriksson
A BELEAGUERED police chief has been asked to itemise reasons for a £1.5m "special inquiries'' budget. Councillor Ken Walker, chairman of Cleveland Police Authority, is demanding Chief Constable Barry Shaw provides a breakdown of the mammoth amount. The
Ferrari's Michael Schumacher is gearing up for another titanic title tussle with McLaren's Mika Hakkinen when he launches the defence of his title in Australia tomorrow. The duo have all but dominated the championship for the past three seasons and look
A WOMAN holidaymaker has died after a prisoner grabbed the steering wheel of a police car which then careered into two minibuses packed with tourists in Morocco. Judith Jamieson, from Clifton, York, was sitting at the front of the second minibus when
WOLVERHAMPTON & Dudley, the UK's largest regional pubs and brewing business, has set a deadline for potential suitors looking to buy the group. The company, which employs 140 at its Camerons Lion brewery in Hartlepool along with three others and 1,700
NEWCASTLE'S Jonny Wilkinson will spearhead England's bid to regain the Calcutta Cup today, and admits: ''I know that people expect me to play well.'' Wilkinson was three when Scotland last won at Twickenham, a 22-12 triumph in 1983 orchestrated by their
FILM star Russell Crowe is the man of the moment. He lunged into our lives in Gladiator with his bull-neck, stubbly beard and leather skirt - and left women swooning. Crowe is a testosterone-fuelled, man's man. When he turned up in Britain recently to
WHEN coal was king, Horden was the bright jewel in the crown. In 1930, when 4,428 saints toiled below, they mined 6,758 tons in a day - a European record that stood for 30 years. It was reckoned Britain's biggest village, around 15,000 crowded into colliery
A COUPLE are appealing to people in the region to help them find a friend who disappeared in 1997. Michael and Joyce Hinton's four-year search for Darlington woman Jesse Smith has so far proved fruitless. The couple, from Bridlington, North Yorkshire,
STONEMASON Stephen Dunn carried out intricate restoration work on a medieval abbey yesterday as a campaign began to prevent ancient crafts from dying out. English Heritage has designated 2001 as The Year of Crafts and Skills, announcing 100 projects across
AS the smoke began to billow over Weardale, the farming community crossed its fingers and prayed that the worst may now be over. Haulier Peter Monkhouse and his staff will work continuous nightshift throughout the weekend to make sure the fire is safe
A GUNMAN who shot his best friend in the arm with a home-made firearm was jailed for three-and-a-half years yesterday. Anthony Conlon was left with a gaping flesh wound after best mate Dean Potts, 31, shot him at point blank range. The gun discharged
A CLOSED sign was going up over the British countryside this weekend. The great shutdown came as smoke from dozens of foot and mouth-contaminated animals belonging to Wolsingham haulier Peter Monkhouse hung over County Durham as the incineration began
THE names of two more victims of the Selby rail crash were released by police last night. They were Christopher Hugh Terry, 30, a software trainer of Plantation Drive, York, and Robert Shakespeare, 43, an IT manager, of Nornabell Drive, Molescroft, Beverley
PAT lives each day on a knife-edge. No one is allowed beyond the gate of the family farm, her shopping gets left in the drive, even the postman is banned from entry. While many may regard the threat of foot-and-mouth disease as a fear that beleaguered
BOBBY Robson has warned Nobby Solano that he's risking his Newcastle future by insisting on playing for Peru. Boss Robson confirmed that he has talked to Solano about his decision to return to international football - and made it clear it could jeopardise
TEENAGERS will be really letting their hair down this weekend, as they try to prove their worth as would-be rock stars. The girls at Queen Mary's School, Topcliffe, near Thirsk, are tuning up for their fourth annual Battle of the Bands. Tomorrow they
NEWCASTLE boss Bobby Robson has admitted that Kieron Dyer could be out of action for up to five months. The 22-year-old England international will undergo the first of two operations on his shin problem today, and this will be followed up by a further
MOVES to conserve salmon stocks in a North-East river will be repeated this year following a successful pilot project. Aimed at anglers on the River Tyne, the Environment Agency scheme involves numbered red tags being fastened to spring salmon for identification
MANAGERS at a further education college have come under fire from teaching unions for revealing details of a popular art teacher's redundancy package to students. Lecturers' union Natfhe has criticised the decision to circulate exact details of the staff
A POLICE crackdown on speeding motorists in the Chester-le-Street area is being hailed a success. Beat officers have been trained to use the Muni Quip radar speed detection device to monitor stretches of road where speeding is a problem. Drivers who are
A TRAVEL concession scheme for pensioners has been criticised because of extra costs for those who cannot afford the full price. Darlington Borough Council will start operating its halffares scheme next month, replacing a tokens system. Pensioner Irene
Middlesbrough's Premiership future is looking all the more precarious tonight after the Teessiders failed to beat Charlton Athletic at the Riverside Stadium. Boro might thank themsleves lucky that they came away from this game with a point after Shaun
WHEN coal was king, Horden was the bright jewel in the crown. In 1930, when 4,428 saints toiled below, they mined 6,758 tons in a day - a European record that stood for 30 years. It was reckoned Britain's biggest village, around 15,000 crowded into colliery
A YOUNG entrepreneur has hit upon a novel way of raising money for schools. Darlington-based artist Rhett St James runs a business, called Toon Wizards, which specialises in painting murals on children's bedroom walls. The murals, which cost about £150
THE deadline for entries to this year's Darlington Young Soprano competition has been extended. Male and female sopranos, aged 12 to 18, now have until March 30 to send their tape recordings in with the official entry form, right. The competition has
Darlington did their survival chances the world of good with a 2-0 win against fellow strugglers Carlisle at Brunton Park. Former Leeds starlet Mark Ford opened the scoring for the Quakers with his second goal in as many games, giving Carlisle keeper
CAMPAIGNERS protesting against plans to dump up to 200,000 tonnes of potentially harmful waste at a quarry near Durham are preparing to take their fight to Europe. Biffa Waste Services wants to deposit so-called special waste at Houghton Quarry in Houghton-le-Spring
A RARE circus painting by one of the region's best known female artists is expected to fetch several hundred pounds when it falls under the hammer this month. The study of a winter circus was painted by Sheila Mackie, who lives near Shotley Bridge, Derwentside
WOLVERHAMPTON & Dudley, the UK's largest regional pubs and brewing business, has set a deadline for potential suitors looking to buy the group. The company, which employs 140 at its Camerons Lion brewery in Hartlepool along with three others and 1,700
THINK of Whitby and the mind naturally turns to sun, sand and sea and probably fish and chips. At less than an hour away from home it is the ideal day trip in the summer, but that is exactly where I have been going wrong. By the time you arrive in Whitby
LOCAL heroes were given their just rewards at a police commendation ceremony. Police officers and civilians who have performed outstanding services to the community received long service and commendation awards from Cleveland Police, at the force's Middlesbrough
THE cream of Britain's young female basketball players will be brought together on court in the North-East today. East Durham and Houghall College, in Durham, which established the country's first male and female basketball academies two years ago, is
AN elderly woman has been left shaken after an intruder stole cash from her. The pensioner was in her home on the Rosedale Estate, Willington, when the thief walked in and said she had been sent by the council to look around the house. During a tour of
POLICE are hunting thieves who stole sports shirts worth £120,000 from a lorry parked overnight at a motorway service station. The lorry was at Bowburn Services, on the A1(M) near Durham City, when the raiders struck on Tuesday night. They took 1,000
THE self-confessed killer of pizza delivery girl Julie Hogg may yet face a second trial for her murder after a senior legal body recommended a change in the double jeopardy law. Billy Dunlop, 37, was twice tried and finally acquitted in 1991 of murdering
A CHARITY dinner held by a Durham nursery will help the city's children's ward when it moves to a new home. The ward will be rehoused when Dryburn Hospital moves into the high-tech premises being built next door. The Busy Bees Nursery at Framwellgate
A COUNTY Durham school has won £8,000 from the Government for almost eradicating truancy. Eden Hall Infant School, Peterlee, had hundreds of absences three years ago. Now it averages half-a-day per pupil lost through unauthorised absences. The school
WORK is due to start next month on a £60,000 scheme to improve safety near a Darlington primary school. The proposals follow concern about speeding and parking in the Kingsway area, near St Bede's Primary School. Problems have been caused by congestion
Land which was inhabited by industrious people in the Neolithic Age, dating back to 2000 BC, is set to become a haven for employment once more. Planning permission is sought for a six-acre-plus site, for industrial development, at Hopper Hill Road, on
A MEDIATION service set up on Wearside to help neighbours settle their disputes, has won national recognition for its work. Sunderland Mediation has won an award from Mediation UK, which regulates mediation services throughout the country. The service
Marske United manager Charlie Bell believes that his side are the underdogs in today's all Northern League FA Vase quarter-final against Bedlington Terriers. Marske are complete newcomers to this stage, having already surpassed their previous best in
WHEN the going got tough, runner Nik Wood had all the inspiration he needed to complete the Great North Run. For Nik, of Stokesley, North Yorkshire, was raising money for Leukaemia Rescue Fund (LRF), a charity dedicated to research into leukaemia, which
PAT lives each day on a knife-edge. No one is allowed beyond the gate of the family farm, her shopping gets left in the drive, even the postman is banned from entry. While many may regard the threat of foot-and-mouth disease as a fear that beleaguered
AS his team take the field at Bootham Crescent this afternoon, Hartlepool boss Chris Turner will be well aware of how desperately York will want to end his side's unbeaten sequence. Just over two years ago Turner, who replaced Mick Tait in the Victoria
AN office bringing together specialist staff and employers has opened on Teesside. The Graduate Partnership has launched the facility to help companies by pairing them with suitable graduates. The partnership has a database of several thousands of graduates
PARENTS campaigning to save a school from closure hope for backing from governors and clergymen to strengthen their case. It is almost a year since the Local Education Authority, (LEA) Middlesbrough Borough Council, proposed closing St Anthony's Roman
A constitutional lawyer has warned that if a fruit and vegetable trader involved in the country's first weights and measures prosecution loses his case Europe will have supreme power over British laws. Michael Shrimpton, who is heading market trader Steven
A constitutional lawyer has warned that if a fruit and vegetable trader involved in the country's first weights and measures prosecution loses his case Europe will have supreme power over British laws. Michael Shrimpton, who is heading market trader Steven
A MAN broke a window cleaner's leg with a baton in a dispute between neighbours, a court heard yesterday. John Wilson, 25, admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm on his neighbour, 30-year-old Gregory Cairns, outside their homes in Stratton Street, Spennymoor
LAND inhabited by people in the Neolithic age, dating back to 2000 BC, is poised to become a haven for employment on the Yorkshire Coast. Planning permission is being sought for an industrial development project on a six-acre plus site at Hopper Hill
The most eagerly-awaited encounter at Elland Road this morning will not be on the pitch, but on the sidelines when Sir Alex Ferguson meets Brian Kidd. Relations between the Manchester United manager and his former right-hand man have been as frosty as
A BELEAGUERED police chief has been asked to itemise reasons for a £1.5m "special inquiries'' budget. Councillor Ken Walker, chairman of Cleveland Police Authority, is demanding Chief Constable Barry Shaw provides a breakdown of the mammoth amount. The
THE self-confessed killer of pizza delivery girl Julie Hogg may yet face a second trial for her murder after a senior legal body recommended a change in the double jeopardy law. Billy Dunlop, 37, was twice tried and finally acquitted in 1991 of murdering
THE family of a former promising footballer told of their horror last night after the man convicted of his murder launched a bid for freedom. Former Newcastle United hopeful Gary Walton died in the early hours of July 17 last year and jump jockey Christopher
MIDFIELDER Dean Windass yesterday agreed a three-year contract with Middlesbrough but will not be available to play against Charlton at the Riverside today. Windass is suspended and is likely to make his debut in Boro's next game, at Newcastle, in two
Shy teenager Joanne McFarlane posed for a picture in her favourite room. But the image was to become a snapshot of tragedy. For only days after sitting for the photograph, which forms the centrepiece of a new exhibition, Joanne, 15, was killed in a road
6,000 R-R jobs under threat MORE than 6,000 jobs could be lost at aero-engine maker Rolls-Royce as part of an efficiency drive. The news came as the company revealed pre-tax profits for the year to December 31 had risen to £436m, compared with £368m the
MICHAEL Schumacher escaped unhurt from a 120mph smash on the opening day of the season in Melbourne yesterday - only hours after warning of a danger spot on the street circuit. The world champion was sent into a spectacular barrel-roll after hitting the
A NORTH-EAST university has missed out on £1.4m because of a shortfall in students. Teesside University should have received the sum based on its own target for the number of full-time students it aimed to attract. But by this month, it had failed to
Tiger Woods repeated his opening day 64 to move closer to his first victory of the year in the Dubai Desert Classic. After trailing Dane Thomas Bjorn for most of the second round, the world No 1 produced five back-nine birdies to reach halfway on the
FARMING THE latest crisis of foot-and-mouth disease to hit the farming industry is just one in a long line of disasters in recent years, and will probably not be the last. I, like many people, am saddened at the way farming has turned in the last 20 years
TERRY VENABLES last night launched the countdown to Middlesbrough's derby clash with Newcastle in two weeks' time by warning Bobby Robson: "You could go down.'' Venables fired the first shot in the build-up to Tyne-Tees hostilities at St. James' Park
THINK of Whitby and the mind naturally turns to sun, sand and sea and probably fish and chips. At less than an hour away from home it is the ideal day trip in the summer, but that is exactly where I have been going wrong. By the time you arrive in Whitby
WHILE anxious to play down the local derby aspect, Darlington player-coach Phil Lancaster is expecting a keen tussle with Darlington Mowden Park today. The teams meet at Blackwell Meadows in a Durham Cup semi-final and Lancaster is confident of closing
AN AVID Leeds United fan has been asked to get multi-million pound soccer ace David Beckham back into shape. Paintings restorer David Everingham has been asked to work on a damaged portrait of the Manchester United star. Mr Everingham, 41, from Harrogate
DARLINGTON will be heading across the Pennines for their crucial six-pointer at Carlisle this afternoon, bidding to return from Brunton Park with at least one point. The Quakers have made avoiding defeat their number one priority as they make the short
ONE of Britain's longest-running radio shows is heading north for a live broadcast. BBC Radio Four's Any Questions? programme is to be held in Bedale, North Yorkshire, as part of the celebrations marking the 750th anniversary of the town's market charter
Q My husband needs a lot of looking after because of problems with his heart and lungs. I am on Retirement Pension of £67.50. If he succeeds in getting Attendance Allowance can I get a care allowance? A No. Invalid Care Allowance is £4.40 but it can be
A NORTH-EAST university has missed out on £1.4m because of a shortfall in students. Teesside University should have received the sum based on its own target for the number of full-time students it aimed to attract. But by this month, it had failed to
THE Archbishop of York has revealed how he escaped becoming a victim of the Selby rail disaster, after cancelling a trip at the last minute. As second in command of the English church, the Right Reverend David Hope would have been in the first-class carriage
WHEN the going got tough runner Nik Wood had all the inspiration he needed to complete the Great North Run. Mr Wood was raising money for a charity dedicated to research into leukaemia, the disease that afflicts his six-year-old daughter, Hannah. The
FOOTPATHS, bridle ways and forests throughout the North-East and North Yorkshire are being closed and dozens of planned events have been cancelled. Terry Pollard, Northern area chairman of the Ramblers' Association, said the group backed the measures
A GUNMAN who shot his best friend in the arm with a home-made firearm was jailed for three-and-a-half years yesterday. Anthony Conlon was left with a gaping flesh wound after best mate Dean Potts, 31, shot him at point blank range. The gun discharged
A WOMAN flown from her snowbound home to hospital to give birth has become the proud mother of a healthy boy. But deep drifts have prevented 35-year-old Sheila Dickson from sharing her joy with husband Gary, who is still trapped in their isolated farm
URGENT checks were ordered last night after The Northern Echo revealed the sorry state of safety measures at bridges on the East Coast Main Line. Highways chiefs are to conduct an immediate review on scores of bridges along a 70-mile stretch of the line
A BURGLAR who ransacked two houses and stole jewellery worth more than £5,000 has been locked up for four years. Recorder Paul Wormley QC told persistent offender Darren Williams at Teesside Crown Court yesterday: "The public deserves a break from you
THE Tees Valley Business Awards proved to be a glittering success for a number of Darlington companies. Conservatory manufacturer Amdega brought back two top awards to the town, including the biggest prize, Tees Valley Company of the Year. The company
PAUL Gascoigne knows a little about recovering from operations - he has had to do it 22 times already in his career. And now Gazza is on the brink of yet another comeback, just in time to face former club Newcastle. For the Everton star it is a critical
THIEVES who broke into a garage in Darlington stole a rare power tool. The prototype of a multi-purpose tool was stolen from Abbey Road, overnight on Thursday. The spiral saw tool was labelled "Rotozip Rebel" and was one of only six in the country - and
WITH the City focused on interest rates and the Budget next week, company results will be taking a back seat. However, the week will be a relatively busy one on the reporting front, with updates due from companies including Pearson, Cordiant Communications
A POOL attendant who pulled a drowning man from 13ft of water and saved his life has been given the highest award possible from the Royal Lifesavers' Society. Claire Nicholas, 20, was one of a team of four commended by the organisation after they pulled
