NEW council offices are to be named after an old villa which gave a town a reputation for its healthy air. The new Social Services offices for Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, in Redcar, is to be called Seafield House, because the offices are built
A HOUSE will not be built on a former railway line which is part of a proposed cycle path, planners have decided. Members of Ripon area planning committee of Harrogate Borough Council turned down a plea to build a home on the long-closed former Harrogate
MORE pets than ever before have been abandoned over the cold New Year period by callous owners who no longer want them. In one incident, four tiny puppies were found in a Safeway carrier bag, which had been left hanging on a fence on the Skelton to Brotton
THREE UK vehicle manufacturers are in the running for orders worth £1.4bn to build trucks for the armed forces. Leyland Trucks, of Preston, Lancashire, Man Truck and Bus, of Swindon, Wiltshire, and Mercedes-Benz UK Defence, of Milton Keynes, are on a
SELF-EMPLOYED people across Teesside are putting the principle that they are a family into practice. The people, who have been helped by Stockton-based Inbiz, a national organisation which helps the unemployed move into employment, are all helping each
A MAJOR redevelopment scheme has been given the green light at Ripon's leading employer - but the company must sign up to a travel scheme aimed at curbing car use on the site. Plumbers' merchants and building firm, Wolseley Centres, which employs nearly
A WIDOWER has won a £95,000 payout after his wife breathed in deadly asbestos dust from her aunt's clothing as a child, The Northern Echo can reveal. As a ten-year-old, Val Stiles would often stay with her aunt Edna Dean, who would come home from her
A WISH list has been drawn up of major improvements to schools in east Cleveland if the local authority decides to go ahead with a multi-million pound bid for private sector money. The Department for Education and Skills has invited all Local Education
AN adult education centre is urging people in Teesdale to make a fresh start this year by signing up to a series of free courses in maths, English and computer skills. The LEAP centre, in Galgate, Barnard Castle, offers a range of courses for all levels
THE Government will today announce a £95,000 scheme to boost enterprise in North-East unemployment black spots. The money will pay for business advice to 40 social enterprise schemes. The pilot programme will be aimed at helping areas like parts of Teesside
OFFICIALS last night moved to allay fears that an historic castle could be under threat after part of a footpath wall collapsed. Councillors are calling for an extensive safety survey after the collapse at the foot of the medieval defence in Barnard Castle
MOVES by car manufacturers to cut prices have helped to boost profits at motor dealer Reg Vardy. The Sunderland-based business increased pre-tax profits by more than 60 per cent, to a record £15.7m, in the six months to October 31. This was as a result
DETECTIVES were last night questioning a man arrested in connection with the murder of Teesside prostitute Vicky Glass. The 47-year-old man was questioned for several hours about the killing of the vice girl, whose naked body was found dumped on moorland
Letters from The Northern Echo THE EURO YOUR comment (Echo, Jan 2) states that the momentous launch of the euro involves 12 European nations. Should this not be 13 European nations because it looks as if we are being steamrollered into accepting the euro
BRITAIN'S largest independent music retail chain is hoping to start fitting out its new premises in Darlington at the start of March. Music Zone, a Stockport-based firm which has 27 stores across the North of England, hopes to open in the Queen Street
THE longest-serving mobile warden in the Richmondshire district has finally put her feet up after years of caring for the elderly and disabled. Margaret Hughes worked for the Council's Lifeline Service since its inception in 1988 and was the only original
PLANS have been approved for a new-style bus stop, despite residents' opposition. Durham County Council proposes to create a promontory at a stop in Woodside, Witton Road, Sacriston. Highways officials say the new-look stop will make it easier for elderly
STUDENTS at Prior Pursglove College in Guisborough are starting the New Year with a fantastic performance of the 1940s Broadway musical Guys and Dolls. The smash hit musical, based on the short stories of Damon Runyon, is set in the seedy underworld of
FIRST she did wonders for the image of the Women's Institute, now she's playing her part in putting the Yorkshire Dales back on the tourist map after the foot-and-mouth (FMD) crisis. Angela Barker was one of the WI ladies who caused a sensation when they
A BODY has been discovered in the River Skerne at Darlington. Police and the fire brigade were called to the riverside next to the Red Barn households goods shop, off Russell Street, shortly after 3.45pm. Two fire engines from the nearby Darlington station
POLICE hunting armed raiders who shot and wounded the landlord of a Yorkshire Dales pub have released an e-fit picture of a suspect. Publican Kris Stephenson, who runs the Bay Horse in Masham, was injured during the attempted robbery in the early hours
MONITORING equipment being piloted in County Durham has led to a 93-year-old woman's rescue. The frail pensioner, from Sedgefield, fell out of bed in the early hours, but was promptly attended to after care staff were alerted by her "Brenda" bed sensor
Drunken squaddies face being carpeted after going on the rampage at an international airport. Horrified holidaymakers looked on in disgust as the soldiers hurled abuse at staff and vomited into their drinks. Police were called in after airport workers
WORK to create a £37,000 toddlers' play area and community garden in Middlesbrough got under way this week. Funding for the facility, at Newport Neighbourhood Centre, St Paul's Road, has come from West Middlesbrough New Deal for Communities, Groundwork
Wizards and big-screen wizardry will be returning to an ancient castle for the making of the eagerly awaited second Harry Potter movie. Alnwick Castle will again be doubling as Hogwarts School in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, following its
IT'S threatening to become one of the most talked about games that may never happen. The potential fourth-round FA Cup derby clash between Darlington and Newcastle is stirring a hornets' nest of opinion on exactly where the tie should be played. With
THE mystery of the body in the suitcase deepened last night after detectives revealed that the victim was a young Korean women. The remains of Hyo Jung Jin, 21, a student of French at the University of Lyon, were found dumped in a North Yorkshire hedgerow
A THREE-year-old girl died from massive head injuries after being dragged under the wheel of a bus, an inquest was told yesterday. The inquest, at County Hall, Durham, heard that Aleisha Jane Ord, from Station Road South, Mur- ton, east Durham, was killed
A SCHEME to charge £2 to drive to Durham City's World Heritage Site could be operating by the summer. Durham County Council highways chiefs hope Saddler Street will become one of the country's first toll roads in time for the tourist season. The scheme
Once it seemed confined to those who spent their lives working with lethal dust, but now it seems that even fleeting contact can result in asbestosis... HOLDING her aunt's hand, little Val Walton felt safe and secure as she skipped home from school. The
ONE of the country's leading business figures is to head the Tees Valley's new Urban Regeneration Company. As revealed in the Northern Echo yesterday, Peter Middleton, transaction director with Japanese investment bank Nomura International, is to chair
IT IS now three weeks since the column poked its head over the plum pudding parapet; the new year begins, if not with an apology, then on a prolonged note of regret. There are four deaths to detail, five had not Fremmie Hutchinson - the veritable Speaker
IT IS now three weeks since the column poked its head over the plum pudding parapet; the new year begins, if not with an apology, then on a prolonged note of regret. There are four deaths to detail, five had not Fremmie Hutchinson - the veritable Speaker
A MAN found dead in a County Durham house has been identified as 36-year-old George William Rae. Police were last night scaling down the investigation but will keep an open mind on the death until toxicology tests have been completed. A post mortem examination
PUPILS from Corpus Christi Primary School, in Middlesbrough, will take to the stage tonight prior to a performance by two world-renowned musicians. They will perform a musical piece at Middlesbrough Town Hall Crypt at 7pm before a National Jubilee concert
A WARTIME driver who took a Canadian Air Force crew to a doomed Lancaster bomber, which crashed, killing them all, has shed more light on the tragedy. The crash at Sands Farm near Sedgefield, on November 24, 1944, was featured in The Northern Echo on
THE controversial closure of two of Stockton's council-owned retirement homes is to go ahead, it was decided last night. Stockton Borough Council's cabinet passed social services plans to close Belasis, in Billingham, and Tithebarn, in Thornaby, at a
TALENTED pool player Paul Armstrong is preparing for trials to represent his country. Paul, who lives in Queensway, Shildon, is one of three Durham County players who will travel to the Vauxhall holiday camp, in Great Yarmouth, in March to compete against
A COMMUNITY partnership is offering over-50s the chance to learn new crafts. Thanks to support from the Back on the Map Partnership, a series of courses are being run at the East End Community Pop-in Centre, in Sunderland. Taking place over three terms
A man arrested in connection with the murder of a prostitute whose naked body was found dumped on moorland has been released on bail, police said today. Victim Vicky Glass, 21, was missing from her home town of Middlesbrough for six weeks before she her
RECENT times have taught us to view food safety scares with some seriousness. We were, after all, told when a minister was feeding a burger to his daughter, that there was no possibility of a health risk in eating beef. Only to be told later that there
A system to reduce anxiety for women with abnormal smear test results has been introduced at a Middlesbrough hospital. South Tees Hospitals NHS Trust claims the new direct referral system, at the colposcopy unit at the James Cook University Hospital,
MIDDLESBROUGH have parted company with midfielder Paul Okon, who has joined Gianluca Vialli's Watford revolution on a free transfer. The Australian skipper signed for the Teessiders at the start of last season, but the 29-year-old former Lazio star has
FIBRE-SAND specialist Perchancer (1.20) makes a welcome return to his preferred track at Southwell today. After scoring over timber at Wetherby in November, Patrick Haslam opted to switch his charge back to the Flat to Lingfield last week. But Haslam's
A CHAPEL is to re-open for just one day to fulfill the romantic dreams of a transatlantic couple. The dilapidated building will stage their wedding in June - six months after its doors officially closed due to mounting repair bills and a dwindling congregation
PEOPLE in the North-East have been urged to do their bit to help improve the environment. Speaking at a meeting of the National Clean Air Society (NCAS) in Darlington, chairman Jeff Gyllenspetz said: "One of our biggest challenges is to get the message
THE Chuckle Brothers took time out from their busy pantomime schedule to launch this year's Marie Curie Cancer Care Daffodil Campaign. Paul and Barry Chuckle, who are starring in the pantomime Aladdin at the Civic Theatre, Darlington, encouraged everyone
A MAN had part of his ear bitten off in a fight outside a nightclub, a court heard. Carl Wilson was involved in the brawl with brothers John and Lyndon McRae at Ocean nightclub in Ocean Road, South Shields, last June, Newcastle Crown court was told. The
A SMALL town is fighting back after being hard hit by the foot-and-mouth outbreak. Last year was one of the worst on record for tourism, and other businesses, in the Masham area, principally because of the crisis. However, despite the problems caused
A POLICE investigation into the mysterious disappearance of a 77-year-old war veteran nearly six weeks ago has failed to throw up any clues, despite continued public appeals for information. Officers from Durham Constabulary and members of the Teesdale
RAY Mallon's bid to become mayor of Middlesbrough suffered a setback last night when his disciplinary hearing was adjourned yet again. Detective Superintendent Mallon is planning to stand for mayor in May, but fears his plan may be derailed unless the
A NOTORIOUS Teesside drugs baron has been shot dead in Copenhagen. John McCormick, 47, originally from Thorntree, Middlesbrough, was found in a stairwell outside his flat in the Danish capital on New Year's Eve at about 6.30am. A Foreign Office spokeswoman
ELECTRICAL retail group Dixons has reported flat trading after being hit by declines in the mobile phone and personal computer markets. But it has predicted it will create 1,400 jobs through expansion during the next year. The majority of the new posts
TOP Shop-to-Dorothy Perkins group Arcadia, which is being pursued by Icelandic retailer Baugur, said talks were continuing as it reported a jump in sales in the run-up to Christmas. Like-for-like sales at its shops, which also include Burton and Miss
IT WAS third time lucky for a housewife whose keen eye helped her win £25,000. Mary Oxley, 72, of Consett, who won the cash through Littlewoods' Spot The Ball game, said yesterday that this was the third time she had scored a big win. The former nurse
A TEENAGER is celebrating after winning a place at Cambridge University to study veterinary medicine. Stephen Gosling, 18, a student at Stockton Sixth Form College, came through the one-day interview with flying colours. Howard Clarke, principal at the
RESIDENTS have been invited to choose a name for their community newsletter in a competition. There have only been two issues of the newsletter by the Shildon Sunnydale Residents' Association, which does not yet have a name. People living on the Shildon
RESIDENTS in Darlington, who last year faced the highest council tax rises in the region, are facing further misery. Last year, bills rose 12.5 per cent. Yesterday, council leader John Williams said a 9.5 per cent increase would not be enough to cover
AN 80-year-old man in Middlesbrough was badly beaten for £1.28. A man in Redcar was attacked when he tried to stop youths throwing stones at a neighbour's window. A father-of-two in Oldham was murdered trying to stop thieves making off with his father-in-law's
AN 80-year-old man in Middlesbrough was badly beaten for £1.28. A man in Redcar was attacked when he tried to stop youths throwing stones at a neighbour's window. A father-of-two in Oldham was murdered trying to stop thieves making off with his father-in-law's
Sedgefield borough will be one of the first areas in County Durham to benefit from a new crime-fighting radio system. Plans for masts to be used as part of the initiative will be discussed by Sedgefield Borough Council's development control committee
CAR components supplier Magna Kansei is revving up for expansion after securing a Government grant. The Sunderland company, which supplies parts to Nissan, BMW, Land rover, Jaguar, MG Rover and General Motors, is set to create 79 jobs with the help of
Gary Caldwell believes his former Darlington teammates will cause a mini-upset in the third round on Tuesday and secure a tie against Newcastle United. The Stirling-born centre-half spent a month on loan at Feethams before returning to St James Park in
COMMUNITIES which have their own town or parish council will have a new voice on the regional chamber of the North-East Assembly when it meets in Darlington today. Businessman Terry Batson, from Tow Law, is joining the assembly as the first representative
A FIVE-YEAR-OLD girl was 30 minutes from death after doctors failed to spot meningitis three times. Hannah Liddle is lucky to be alive - and her parents have issued a formal complaint about the hospital which turned her away. For a month, Hannah's life
BRAINY David Woodhead has been rewarded for years of hard work at school by the local Rotary club. He was presented with the Rose Trophy, which goes to the best A-level results in the district, by the Rotary Club of Chester-le-Street. David not only notched
AN asylum seeker who fell to his death from a bridge weeks after being refused permission to stay in the country had been let down by the immigration system, it was claimed yesterday. Solicitor Katherine Henderson spoke out after a coroner recorded an
PLANS to store thousands of fridges in a secret location for the next year have been announced by council chiefs. The proposals were made after new European laws made it necessary to remove environmentally-damaging chloro-fluorocarbons before disposing
PLANNERS working on the final design of a £25m town centre for Newton Aycliffe say only one issue remains outstanding. Developers CTP said it is optimistic that an agreement on how best to link the town centre to the scheme can be reached quickly. A decision
FRUSTRATED Paul Stephenson has been told by manager Chris Turner to keep up the hard work and be patient if he is to win back his place in Hartlepool's first team. The 34-year-old midfielder, who has just recovered from surgery on his knee, has been told
Sunderland manager Peter Reid may be about to make a move for Valencia striker John Carew. Just days after seeing an £8m move to Fulham collapse, the giant Norwegian could yet play in the Premiership as Black Cats boss Reid bids to bolster an attack which
VOLUNTEERS hoping to set up a sheltered housing scheme for elderly people in one of the most remote parts of the region think they have found the ideal venue. Abbeyfield is a national organisation providing housing with care for more than 9,000 people
A teenager who suffered a fractured skull and vertebrae in a snowboarding accident in the Italian Alps remained in intensive care today. Jack Robertson, 14, was in a ''comfortable but stable'' condition at York District General Hospital following his
TAKE three actors, a play with a one-word title and a co-producer named Sean Connery and you have Art, the award-winning play by Yasmina Reza that's been running in London's West End since 1996. The man who played James Bond on screen saw, on his wife's
MPS in the North-East are calling on the Government to order a rethink of the plan to close one of the region's biggest defence factories. A final decision to shut the Royal Ordnance Factory at Birtley, near Gateshead, could be made next month - with
PUPILS have been getting to grips with Europe's new currency, the euro. Primary school children, who may one day use the coins and notes in their everyday lives, took part in a euro activity day. The event, at the headquarters of Durham County Council
support from Tees Valley Business Link has helped two friends realise their dream of opening an art gallery. With guidance from the Start Right in Business Service, operated through Business Link Tees Valley, Alex Paisley and Jemima Blazdell opened their
CONCERN about the quality of fencing around a proposed new school was alleviated last night. Land north of Hopemoor Place, Darlington, will be used to build the new 300-pupil school, which will replace Firthmoor Infants and Junior School. It will also
A FARMER who was prosecuted for not spending enough time farming, has had the case against him dropped. Len Webster, who runs a bed and breakfast business and farms at Chestnut Farm, near Stokesley, North Yorkshire, was being penalised by Hambleton District
A CHARITY is urging people to take part in a firewalk challenge. St Cuthbert's Hospice, in Durham, is inviting people to impress their friends and colleagues by walking barefoot across 20ft of burning coals. The challenge will take place in the hospice
A VILLAGE'S last remaining green space would be under threat if housing for the elderly was built on part of the site, a planning inspector was told. People in High Pittington, near Durham, regard the two-acre refurbished former colliery land as their
AN animal sanctuary is making an appeal to find homes for nine stray cats which were left at the refuge. Sally Rowley offered to help residents in Woodhouse Lane, Bishop Auckland, who were plagued by the animals, which had found shelter in empty houses
AN investigation is under way after more than 70 east Durham residents complained of a foul smell. The pong, affecting Seaham, Dalton-le-Dale and Easington, is thought to originate from fertiliser made from sewage sludge. Environmental health officers
