THE owners of buildings on one of Darlington's main streets could be able to bid for more than £500,000 to improve their properties. English Heritage has earmarked half-a-million pounds over three years to be given to Darlington Borough Council for use
FARMERS are hoping the worst of foot-and-mouth may now be over after no further cases were reported in the region during the past seven days. The last reported outbreak was on September 30, in Northumberland, leaving the UK total at 2,030. Of those, 134
A range of events will celebrate Family Learning Week in Stockton borough. Tonight, at 5.30pm, River Tees countryside wardens will present a slide show on local wildlife, in Eaglescliffe Library. Tomorrow, Stockton Central Library will be holding Tales
A RUGBY club's plans to move to a out-of-town home seem set to take a major step forward this week - in spite of a fierce protest from those who do not want sport as a new neighbour. Harrogate Rugby Union Club wants to quit its home for more than a century
THE North-East's newest recording studio has opened its doors. O2 Studios is located close to The Arc, Stockton, and will offer musicians the chance to use technologically-advanced facilities. "There's nothing like this outside of London or Manchester
SUPPORTERS of a rural shop owner, accused of advertising without permission, have urged a council to support rather than prosecute him. Dave Greenland, who owns the Spar shop, in Gainford, has been warned he faces prosecution by Teesdale District Council
THE Ice Hockey Players' Association (IHPA) has made a "last ditch" compromise offer in an effort to resolve the crisis at the Newcastle Jesters club. The union's executive director, Jo Collins, described the situation as "critical and almost terminal"
MOTHER Marie Algin has won back her abducted son in a landmark judgement after taking her fight to the remote home town of her Turkish husband. But Mrs Algin is now living with two-year-old Adam under police protection at the home of the Honorary Consulate
MOTHER Marie Algin has won back her abducted son in a landmark judgement after taking her fight to the remote home town of her Turkish husband. But Mrs Algin is now living with two-year-old Adam under police protection at the home of the Honorary Consulate
RECORD-BREAKING Sunderland striker Kevin Phillips has been asked by Football Association for his explanation of the controversial clash at Aston Villa last month which left opponent Lee Hendrie claiming he had been elbowed in the face by the England international
THE rail industry tonight sought to allay fears that the planned £2bn upgrade of the East Coast Mainline was under threat following Railtrack's demise. The debt ridden company which collapsed at the weekend had been a partner in the vital project to boost
A WOMAN who has won her battle with breast cancer has been told she faces a 12-month wait to see an NHS breast reconstruction specialist. Colette Mills, 51, from Hutton Rudby, near Yarm, said it was ironic that she received the letter from South Tees
FAMILIES have sent a petition to their local council to ask if an alleyway beside their houses can be blocked up at night. More than 70 Hartlepool residents have asked for the alleyway, between Easington Road and Hawthorn Walk, to be closed because they
Volunteers threw themselves off the top of a building yesterday to raise money for charity. The abseil, at Darlington Memorial Hospital, was organised by the Royal National Institute for the Blind. About 170 people took part in the event. Among those
A PIGEON left town centre shoppers in the dark for several hours when it caused a power cut. About 5,000 customers, in Bishop Auckland and Witton Park, were left without electricity on Saturday morning. The power cut, which lasted more than four-and-a-half
A WENSLEYDALE farm, hit by foot-and-mouth disease, could be given a new lease of life if planners can be persuaded to take a relaxed view of their own policies. The dairy herd at Ashes Farm, on the edge of Hawes, was slaughtered earlier this year after
Staff at doomed Railtrack arrived for work looking grim today as they awaited news about their future. Workers at Railtrack House at London's Euston Station said they were unsure of what would happen to their jobs. They said they had no idea that the
A ROADSHOW to raise awareness of world mental health day is touring Darlington this week. The aim is to increase understanding of mental health problems, and reduce the discrimination and stigma often attached to sufferers. Helen Seymour, of Darlington
A VAST collection of memorabilia detailing almost every aspect of North-East life has a new £1.1m home. The regional resource centre at Beamish Museum, near Stanley, County Durham, will be opened by Professor Richard Bailey, chairman of the Heritage Lottery
Other content from the Darlington & Stockton Times includes : Farming news. Equestrian news. Weekend Times. Opinion. Auctions.
A free course for people who want to quit smoking is to take place at Bishop Auckland. The seven-session course, at Woodhouse Close Leisure Complex, starts on Wednesday, October 24, from 5pm, and will be held fortnightly. For further information, contact
SCHOOLS in Bishop Auckland will benefit from a multi-million pound Government windfall, designed to raise standards in education. School Standards Minister Stephen Timms has announced that the town is one of 12 disadvantaged areas in the country in line
SCHOOLS in Bishop Auckland will benefit from a multi-million pound Government windfall, designed to raise standards in education. School Standards Minister Stephen Timms has announced that the town is one of 12 disadvantaged areas in the country in line
A COMMUNITY survey to find out how best to improve Delves Lane, near Consett, will be carried out in the coming weeks. Residents will be asked what improvements they would like to see in the community. A village model has been made, painted by pupils
CHRISTMAS will arrive early for the children of Derwent-side this year. Two Christmas-type shows, both performed by the Theatre First company, from Southampton, will be staged at Stanley Civic Hall during the October school half-term holiday. The shows
As cruise missiles began raining down on Afghanistan, the world could be in no doubt last night - time has finally run out for the Taliban regime. But what will happen next? NIGEL BURTON reports A WAR which began amid unimaginable horror almost a month
WHAT is the origin of the word stan, as in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and why are so many of the former Russian states called stan in this way? Is it something to do with them being new countries? - E Coates, Houghton-le-Spring. STAN is an ancient Persian
POLICE officers were out in force at the weekend to try to tackle rowdy behaviour on Middlesbrough estates. In recent times, October has been particularly troublesome on housing estates. In Ocotber Last year, 884 anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded
Newcastle United defender Nikos Dabizas believes England should feel "very lucky" that they are going to the 2002 World Cup as automatic qualifiers. Dabizas and his Greek teammates were just seconds away from a memorable victory at Old Trafford on Saturday
PARENTS are being invited to have their say on a possible shake-up of primary school education in Thornaby. A series of consultation meetings are to be held to discuss how to deal with the reduction in the number of pupils attending Bader, Tedder and
Yvonne Ridley's family are tonight preparing for a huge celebration as the journalist was driven to freedom. The Taliban hostage was seen crossing the border into Pakistan after being released from Kabul. Miss Ridley, 43, was expected to return directly
INTERNATIONAL bunnies of intrigue are the stars of a family theatre show which is coming to Crook. The Tutti Frutti company is performing Candy and Flopps, at the Elite Hall, on Thursday, October 25. The show about cute, cuddly rabbits is described as
MORE than 100 clubs and groups in the North-East have been given grants in the latest round of the Awards for All Lottery-funding programme. A total of £341,757 has been handed out to projects in the region as part of the National Lottery-backed awards
A MYTH becomes reality today when a drugs squad is added to the list of operational units working within the North Yorkshire police force. Dealers and users across the county have always risked court appearances and even prison in the past. However, operations
A SERIES of events celebrating the heritage of the Loftus area takes place in the east Cleveland town next weekend. The events, on Saturday and Sunday, in Loftus Town Hall, will include photographic exhibitions, old documents and other interesting facts
A MURDER investigation has been launched after a man died following a street brawl in Hartlepool on Saturday night. Phillip McGibbon was enjoying a family night out when he became involved in the fight on Church Street, close to the junction of Whitby
ACTOR Edward Fox and singer Elaine Paige have offered their support to "Metric Martyr" trader Steve Thoburn in his fight to sell goods in pounds and ounces. The stars are backing a campaign to save the imperial measure, after the Sunderland greengrocer
TRIBUTE was paid today to British divers involved in the operation to raise the Kursk as the wreck of the Russian nuclear submarine was lifted clear of the seabed. A team of around 30 divers - spearheaded by North-East engineer Malcolm Dailey - most from
A TELEPHONE box, which has attracted youngsters to congregate on a village green, will not be moved. Complaints had been received about the position of the telephone box on The Green, in Hurworth. A spokesman for Hurworth Parish Council said: "A resident
POLICE have objected to plans to extend the opening hours of a Stockton pub after concerns of an increase in disorder and violence around the building. The Lords Tavern, Yarm Lane, Stockton, wants to extend its opening hours from 11pm to 1am, from Thursday
Britain and America last night launched strikes against Osama bin Laden's terrorist network and Afghanistan's ruling Taliban regime, in a long-awaited reprisal for the September 11 atrocities. The allied attacks - the first wave of an international fightback
The High Court effectively closed down Railtrack last night after the Government refused a financial bail-out for the cash-strapped company. At the request of Transport Secretary Stephen Byers, a High Court judge agreed to Railtrack - with debts of more
A NEW ten-bed in-patient unit for people with life- threatening illnesses is to be built in Durham, it has been revealed. The plan for St Cuthbert's Hospice, at Park House Road, Merryoaks, is part of a £5m scheme that will see Willowburn Hospice move
POLICE have compiled a dossier on the effects of alcohol on young people as part of their objections to a town centre pub staying open late. Flares, in Skinnergate, Darlington, has applied for permission to open until 2am from Wednesday to Saturday, 12.30am
A GRANDFATHER has revealed how he was diagnosed with cancer - 20 months after being referred for tests. George Oliver first saw medics because he was having trouble swallowing food and was told he would need a specialist examination. But it wasn't until
HOSPICES all over the country bring comfort and hope to thousands of people when they need it most. Here in Darlington, St Teresa's Hospice does a wonderful job and many local families have had good cause to be grateful for the care and dedication of
A WOMAN was dragged 40 yards along a platform by her dog lead when the train doors closed as she and her pet were boarding. Jean Mason was jerked off her feet when the Metro train left the Gateshead Stadium station as she frantically tried to pull the
FOOT-AND-MOUTH disease meant there was a special significance to the Ramblers Association's annual Footpath Day yesterday. The organisation used the event to celebrate the imminent lifting of restrictions, which have kept much of the countryside off limits
A MURDER investigation has been opened after a father-of-three died nearly two years after being attacked. Kevin Pharoah, 49, of Gateshead, who developed epilepsy after being badly beaten in a pub in January 2000, was found dead in bed last Tuesday after
A COUNCIL has been forced to advertise in The Northern Echo to try to ease an accommodation crisis among the elderly. Darlington Borough Council has appealed in an advert in the paper for private developers to come forward and provide accommodation for
WHAT is the origin of the word stan, as in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and why are so many of the former Russian states called stan in this way? Is it something to do with them being new countries? - E Coates, Houghton-le-Spring. STAN is an ancient Persian
JAWS lookalike Gary Tiplady really got his teeth into his role in one of the region's shopping centres at the weekend. Fans were happy to find themselves in the vice-like grip of the gentle giant, doubling as James Bond bad guy, Jaws, on Saturday. Corgi
A COUNCIL has been forced to advertise in The Northern Echo to try to ease an accommodation crisis among the elderly. Darlington Borough Council has appealed in an advert in the paper for private developers to come forward and provide accommodation for
AFTER years of treatment for breast cancer, Colette Mills was recently given the all-clear. It was then - 20 years after she underwent a distressing and disfiguring mastectomy - that she began to think about breast reconstruction. She was only 30, with
PEOPLE thinking of setting up their own business can sign up for a new course. Darlington College, at Catterick, and Barclays Bank have joined forces to set up the courses. The Start Right programme begins on Wednesday with a seminar at the college site
A 68-YEAR-OLD runner has sprinted past the £200,000 mark for charity. Raymond Pull, of Sacriston, began raising money at the first Great North Run nearly 20 years ago. He wanted to give something back to Chester-le-Street General Hospital skin treatment
THE winner of this year's environmental competition run by The Northern Echo has been announced - and it means a hat-trick of successes for the same district. This year's accolade has gone to a dedicated team of volunteers from Willington, County Durham
THE winner of this year's environmental competition run by The Northern Echo has been announced - and it means a hat-trick of successes for the same district. This year's accolade has gone to a dedicated team of volunteers from Willington, County Durham
HUNDREDS of people who attended an event in Harrogate at the weekend were the first to glimpse what brides could be wearing next spring. The annual Yorkshire Brides exhibition was hosted by the Great Yorkshire Showground's Pavilion complex this year,
NORTHERN IRELAND YOUR comment (Echo, Oct 2) suggests that the desperation to be seen to be doing something constructive in the wider world means nothing if the national and domestic problems are to be left on the sideline. The problems in Northern Ireland
THE father of captured journalist Yvonne Ridley last night told of his "dread" at the attack on Afghanistan with his daughter apparently about to come home. The Foreign Office said it was still trying to confirm whether the reports that the Sunday Express
ACTOR Edward Fox and singer Elaine Paige have offered their support to "Metric Martyr" trader Steve Thoburn in his fight to sell goods in pounds and ounces. The stars are backing a campaign to save the imperial measure, after the Sunderland greengrocer
She may be a size 18, but Laura Mulholland wants to be a model. She speaks to CHRISTEN PEARS as she makes her catwalk debut today in the finals of a national competition THE woman in the photograph reclines on a sofa, her long blonde hair tumbling about
AN artist has had several works stolen from his doorstep. The items were contained in a black art bag, measuring 18in by 12in, which was accidentally left on the back step of a house in St John's Road, Shildon, between 4.30pm and 6.30pm on Friday. The
AN estimated 1,500 people visited a transport rally at a County Durham museum. More than 200 exhibitors were attracted to the 14th annual event at the Timothy Hackworth Victorian and Railway Museum, in Shildon. Exhibits ranged from an 1840s replica bicycle
A SOLDIER is returning to his roots after completing his initial army training. Private Mark Wylie, 18, will be at the Darlington Army Careers' information office, in Northgate, all week to talk to young people who are thinking about joining up. After
EIGHT members of the board of One NorthEast have been re-appointed to their posts. The move is the first full round of re-appointments since One NorthEast was set up in 1988. Deputy chairman of the board John Williams has been re-appointed for one year
SOLDIERS all over the UK know they may be called upon at any time to deal with the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on the US. But one regiment has already done its bit to help the families of the victims - by running, cycling and rowing the 3,400 miles
A WILDLIFE garden in Billingham is starting to take shape thanks to local residents and community groups. Work at Old Billingham wildlife garden will begin to progress over the next few months with a programme of activities to transform the area into
A second night of attacks against targets in Afghanistan began this evening. Senior US defence sources confirmed the renewed action as British journalist Yvonne Ridley, who was arrested by Taliban forces on September 28, was reported to have been released
A WOMAN who has won her battle with breast cancer has been told she faces a 12-month wait to see an NHS breast reconstruction specialist. Colette Mills, 51, from Hutton Rudby, near Yarm, said it was ironic that she received the letter from South Tees
COMMUNITIES across Hambleton could soon become Vital Villages under a project promoted by the district council. The Countryside Agency is offering cash to cover the cost of projects which improve the quality of life for people living in rural areas. A
A KURDISH refugee, who faces torture and imprisonment if he is sent home, has failed in his latest appeal to stay in the North-East. Tayyip Oruc arrived in Britain in July 1998 after fleeing Turkey. He applied for asylum, claiming his Kurdish origins
A KURDISH refugee, who faces torture and imprisonment if he is sent home, has failed in his latest appeal to stay in the North-East. Tayyip Oruc arrived in Britain in July 1998 after fleeing Turkey. He applied for asylum, claiming his Kurdish origins
A £20,000 cash boost to improve outdoor bowling facilities in Hartlepool has been approved by councillors. The windfall, the result of an underspend on the community services budget, was approved at a meeting of the community services and safety board
Other content from the Darlington & Stockton Times includes : Farming news. Equestrian news. Weekend Times. Opinion. Auctions.
A GROUP of gangsters and their molls raised thousands of pounds for charity this weekend. Volunteers and supporters of St Teresa's Hospice, in Darlington, enjoyed themselves at the fifth annual hospice fundraising ball, on Saturday night. The Speakeasy-themed
EFFORTS to boost tourism in the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty are being given a kick-start. The initiative for a new tourism project comes amid a backdrop of long-term decline in visitors to Nidderdale. Levels of self-catering and bed
FIRE officials have finished their investigations into a blaze which killed two young children. Caitlin Sculley, three, and Joseph Sands, 23 months, died after a fire at their home in Charlbury Road, Pallister Park, Middlesbrough, at about 2am on Friday
FIRE officials have finished their investigations into a blaze which killed two young children. Caitlin Sculley, three, and Joseph Sands, 23 months, died after a fire at their home in Charlbury Road, Pallister Park, Middlesbrough, at about 2am on Friday
A VAST collection of memorabilia detailing almost every aspect of North-East life has a new £1.1m home. The regional resource centre at Beamish Museum, near Stanley, County Durham, will be opened by Professor Richard Bailey, chairman of the Heritage Lottery
