MATTHEW Hoggard overcame his nerves and emerged as England's potential match-winner in the opening Test having suffered vastly contrasting fortunes on his two previous visits to Lord's this season. The Yorkshire seamer's rise to fully-fledged international
Playing happy families... at least for a while. BIRTHS, deaths and marriages are the staple diet of soaps on television, just as they are in real life. If the producers can manage to combine all in one go, so much the better. Two out of three isn't bad
SURE-shooting champion Claire Griffin is aiming to beat the best shots in the Commonwealth next week. Claire, 22, still flushed with the success of becoming the women's English champion with a small bore rifle, will be representing England at the Commonwealth
DURHAM reacted to the devastating news about Brad Hodge with their best one-day display of the season in a thrilling win yesterday. Paul Collingwood's first one-day century propelled them to the Riverside's second highest total in the one-day league,
After suffering their first defeat in almost two years last week, Guisborough quickly bounced back to form with a comfortable victory over Blackhall, who have the ability to beat most sides. There must have been a degree of trepidation in the Guisborough
Q Who was the John of John O'Groats fame and is the place the most northerly point in Britain? - Doug Mckenna, Stockton. A John O' Groats, a hamlet in the far north of Scotland, is often described as the most northerly point on the British mainland, although
JONATHAN Edwards joined the pantheon of English athletics greats last night when he struck Commonwealth Games gold. Edwards's victory in the triple jump placed him among an elite group, alongside Daley Thompson, Linford Christie and Sally Gunnell, who
More than 100 speed cameras could be added to accident black spots in a fresh bid to curb deaths on North-East roads. Northumbria Police is bidding for government support to stop speeding drivers in their tracks. The force is looking to form the Northumbria
THE man who helped to put North-East cricket on the map has been honoured by one of the region's universities. Don Robson, former leader of Durham County Council, has been given an Honorary Doctorate of Laws by Sunderland University. Mr Robson, 66, of
THE building of a £20m mental health hospital in Darlington will move a step closer in the next few weeks, when contracts are exchanged. Work is under way to reclaim land at West Park, where the 85-bed hospital will be built to replace the Pierremont
VOLUNTEERS on a bus service which offers advice to youngsters were given a boost when their achievements were recognised by the Prime Minister. Tony Blair presented volunteers from the Darlington Blitz Bus with an Investors in Children award during a
THE first pair of bee-eaters to nest in the UK for almost 50 years attracted thousands of twitchers to the region this weekend. Birdwatchers from around the country descended on Bishop Middleham, near Sedgefield, County Durham, to watch the birds, which
FOOTBALLING heroes past and present pitched in to help raise money in memory of a popular 23-year-old man who died in a car accident. Eddie Sharp died in Newcastle General Hospital a week after his car was involved in an accident near his home, in Newfield
POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a man found lying unconscious in York city centre later died. The unidentified man, who is believed to be in his 30s, was found dazed on the side of the street in Hallgate Road, near the Hallgate Hill Hotel, at
A DISABLED ex-RAF officer, whose life was saved by blood donors, passed through his hometown yesterday to raise funds for charity. David Abrutat, from Scarborough, in North Yorkshire, finished off a 3,000 mile cycle ride in the town. He has passed through
WHILE he may be more used to fighting futuristic crime, action hero Judge Dredd is delighting comic fans in a new exhibition. The hero, famous for his exploits in Mega-City One in the year 2034, has swapped the crime-ridden city for the more sober surroundings
POLICE chiefs are calling for tougher measures to stop drivers with poor eyesight getting behind the wheel. One of the region's most senior police officers said rules on eye-testing drivers were not rigorous enough and examinations should be more stringent
Students at Allertonshire School, Northallerton, used their "shades" to provide a charity boost. Hundreds of youngsters - and quite a few of the teaching staff - each paid £1 for the right to wear a pair of sunglasses throughout the day. Cash raised was
A MOTORCYCLIST was killed yesterday when his bike left a country road in North Yorkshire. The rider, who was in his 30s, died when he crashed his blue Triumph motorcycle on the B6265 at Risplith. He was taken to Leeds General Infirmary by air ambulance
NORTH-EAST gardeners scooped a host of prizes at this year's Gateshead Flower Show, Among them was a display of a car with a clock face, which won a top prize in the show. The exhibit, The Thyme Machine, was made from flowers and thyme by Bishopwearmouth
THE search is on for Sunderland's healthiest caterers. Heartbeat Awards are presented to cafes, restaurants or staff canteens for their efforts in helping to combat Wearside's biggest killer, coronary heart disease. Sunderland has one of the highest premature
EIGHT-year-old Hannah Bowen-Parker will be watching the Commonwealth Games with special interest, shouting her support for fellow swimmer Caroline Saxby. The Shildon youngster was among 120 members of Wear Valley Associate Swimming Club, at Crook's Glenholme
NORTH-EAST athlete Jonathan Edwards jumped into the history books last night, becoming only the fourth Briton to hold the "grand slam" of championship titles. Edwards' Commonwealth triple jump victory in Manchester made it a full set of gold medals, after
ARMED police were called to a house over the weekend to tackle a man brandishing a crossbow. Police surrounded the house, in Dawdon Close, Hardwick, Stockton, in the early hours of yesterday while specially-trained officers tried to negotiate with him
NO ONE can come up with a reason for the sudden outbreak of double vision at a North-East doctors' surgery. Nine sets of twins and one of triplets have been born in the past 18 months to patients of the Bishopgate Medical Practice, in Bishop Auckland,
IT looks as if it is new, but the sparkling trap that is going under the auctioneer's hammer next week is almost a century old. The black and yellow four-seater was made in 1914 by Forster and Sons, of Middleton-in-Teesdale and Barnard Castle. The firm
FOUR weeks of activities for children starts at the Firthmoor Community Centre, in Darlington, today. Painting, drama, photography, football, horse riding, ice skating, and dancing and singing, are on offer on weekdays until August 23. Activities for
ANTHONY Borsumato believes he must run the race of his life to win a medal in tonight's men's 400m hurdles final. The 28-year-old was the second-fastest qualifier from yesterday's two heats to secure the coveted lane four for this evening. But the Middlesbrough
A 23-year-old man is critically ill in hospital after a car crash yesterday. The man, from Pelton, near Chester-le-Street, County Durham, was taken to the high dependency unit at Middlesbrough General Hospital after the accident on the C94 road at Stella
DOMINIC Bannister shrugged off cramp to finish tenth in yesterday's Commonwealth Games men's marathon. Bannister, a physiotherapist from Stockton, was the first Briton home in 2hr 19min 31sec - nearly eight minutes behind winner Francis Naali, of Tanzania
AS her sport demands perfect eyesight, it must count in shooter Claire Griffin's favour that she works at an opticians. And Griffin will be hoping that advantage will trigger a march towards a Commonwealth Games medal today when she spearheads England's
A bungling hospital asked a 103-year-old patient to come in for an eye test - and told him to bring along his parents. Joseph Dickinson couldn't believe his eyes when a notice for a routine sight test came through the post addressed to his parents, who
Big Brother contestant Jonny Regan's first words to his family as he left the TV house were, "Oh, God - have I still got my job?", it was revealed last night. The 29-year-old, from Trimdon, County Durham, is quite happy to leave the world of TV behind
Peterlee's reign at the top of the table lasted only a week and Hylton are the new leaders but they were again embroiled in controversy when they were due to meet Houghton for a re-arranged fixture yesterday. The original game was called off and initially
WITH both leaders Bishop Auckland and Great Ayton held to a draw, Seaton Carew closed in when they comfortably saw off the challenge from Middlesbrough. When the visitors made first use of the wicket they could only manage 127 as David Alsop claimed three
RUNNING a country pub may seem like a daunting prospect at the age of 22, but landlady Jenny Howells has no reservations. The University of Durham graduate has taken to it like a duck to water, and so she should - her parents are publicans. But Jenny,
Territorial Army soldiers got to grips with an environmental project in Middlesbrough at the weekend. Volunteers from 104 Squadron, 168 Pioneer Regiment, joined community service workers to move 30 tonnes of soil on to the islands in Albert Park lake.
AN investigation has been launched into the death of a man, killed when a temporary office fell on him. Marc Channon, 31, from South Shields, had been making a delivery to a Northumberland building site when an office cabin fell while being transferred
VIKING raiders arrived in York at the weekend to recount tales of bloody battles and life at sea. Visitors to the city, which the Vikings named Jorvik, were given the chance to meet a modern-day raider dressed in the traditional clothes worn by the warriors
A CAR parts manager has been chosen to referee wrestling at the Commonwealth Games. David Sudron, who works at the CD Bramall Ford dealership in St Cuthberts Way, Darlington, will make sure wrestlers toe the line at Manchester's G-Mex centre this week
A PRIMARY school has become the first in the country to receive a quality award for its extra-curricular activities. Seaham Deneside Junior School is Britain's only primary school to attract a Quality in Study Support award at established level. The school
A CITY centre became the focal point for a festival of song and dance at the weekend. The 13th Durham Folk Party saw enthusiasts of folk song, music and dance from throughout the country converge on Durham City for the three-day event, which ended yesterday
THE sound of the Caribbean wafted through Middlesbrough town centre on Saturday as a steel band workshop took place. Beginners took their place alongside expert tutors during the workshops in the Town Hall's Crypt. Among those taking part was 11-year-old
THE sun shone on George and Vera Iceton for their golden wedding anniversary, just as it did on their wedding day. Mr and Mrs Iceton celebrated their 50th anniversary in style, travelling by horse-drawn carriage to a service to bless their marriage at
MEMORIALS to miners who lost their lives in Ferryhill's two pits could be about to have more names added to the list. The names of dozens of pitmen who died in accidents at the former Mainsforth and Dean and Chapter Collieries were unveiled on plaques
A NEW lifeboat that has already helped save the lives of 21 people was officially named at the weekend. The new Atlantic 75 class lifeboat Leicester Challenge II, which works out of Redcar lifeboat station, took to the North Sea under its full title for
THE failure of a new computer system has led to delays in the processing of planning applications submitted by homeowners and building companies. Officers at Derwentside District Council have been working overtime in a bid to clear a three-week backlog
READERS are invited to contribute to The Northern Echo's next Golden Age supplement to mark 50 years of Queen Elizabeth's reign. Our topic for August is TV and film, and we look at how these have changed in the years since 1952. It follows supplements
STOCKTON'S Butterwick hospice is becoming a showbusiness draw thanks to an entertainer. Singer and comedienne Kay Ward, a volunteer day care worker at the hospice, hopes to attract big names to entertain patients. Ms Ward, who tours the country with her
AN evening bus service which was axed after being plagued by vandal attacks is to be restored to a troubled York estate. Bus operator First took the decision to reinstate the Number 1 service to Chapelfields on evenings and Sundays from September 2, after
THE campaign to create a directly-elected assembly for the North-East is expected to get under way this week with the Government promising "a major announcement" in the next few days. Regions Minister Nick Raynsford will visit the region on Wednesday,
BRADFORD-BORN Gareth Batty battered Yorkshire Phoenix for the second year running yesterday to send Norwich Union League Division One leaders Worcestershire Royals storming to victory by six wickets at New Road. The former Yorkshire player, younger son
STOCKTON will be lending a helping hand to visitors from Russia this week. A request for help for the setting up of a Bookbus scheme came from Andrey Lisitskiy, who is in charge of cultural affairs for Volgograd, in Russia. Volgograd Regional Administration
SURE-shooting champion Claire Griffin is aiming to beat the best shots in the Commonwealth next week. Claire, 22, still flushed with the success of becoming the women's English champion with a small bore rifle, will be representing England at the Commonwealth
WHILE reading about the Durham Miners' Gala, I learned there was a banner representing the old Browney Colliery (Echo, June 29). I lived at Brandon and started work at Browney when I was 16. Two-and-a-half years later, the pit closed, in August 1938.
HARTLEPOOL residents can this week view plans to improve a busy town centre road junction. Drawings outlining plans for the Hart Lane, Raby Road and Middleton Road junction are on view at the borough council's Bryan Hanson offices, off Lynn Street, until
BIG Brother star Jonny Regan is set to turn his back on lucrative offers which are flooding in since his exit from the TV house, and return to the North-East to continue his lifesaving work as a firefighter. Over the weekend, his name has been on the
THE call comes in at 10.20am. One minute we are talking about the kind of mission the Teesside air ambulance attends, the next we are on board, being propelled at speeds of 140mph. The crew, paramedics Matty Ward and Jon Ker, know little about the mission
Ice cream vans have become the latest outlet for smuggled tobacco in the region, according to a campaign group. The Tobacco Alliance, which represents independent retailers, claims that some vans are selling cigarettes which have been imported illegally
PARENTS experiencing difficulties are being given a last chance to keep their families together under a scheme launched in Darlington. Cherie Blair, wife of Prime Minister Tony Blair, was guest speaker at the opening of the Family Group Conferencing Service
A lorry has been left hanging precariously over a railway line this morning following an accident on a bridge only 10 miles from the scene of one of the country's worst rail tragedies. A police spokeswoman said the crash happened where the A614 crosses
GEORGE Boateng was last night on the verge of completing a £5m move to Middlesbrough as Steve McClaren's summer recruitment programme gathered pace. Although Aston Villa are loath to lose another key player to Boro, Boateng is due on Teesside today for
HARTLEPOOL United entertain Newcastle United tonight, with Chris Turner relishing the task of pitting his players against top-flight opposition. Pool suffered their second 1-0 home friendly defeat in the space of four days when they went down to Bradford
THE man who helped to put North-East cricket on the map has been honoured by one of the region's universities. Don Robson, former leader of Durham County Council, has been given an Honorary Doctorate of Laws by Sunderland University. Mr Robson, 66, of
A HOT air balloon launched Redcar and Cleveland Council's affordable warmth strategy. The strategy's key aim is to eradicate fuel poverty and in Redcar and Cleveland that figure is expected to top 17,000 households. The average household will release
THE farmer at the centre of Britain's devastating foot-and-mouth epidemic has been spotted at a North-East auction mart - only a month after being banned from keeping livestock for 15 years. Bobby Waugh was banned from keeping farm animals by a court
A UNION representative is warning of an alarming rise in attacks on ambulance staff after two workers were injured at the weekend. Paramedic Kevin Wadge and cardiac technician Linda Schofield, of the North East Ambulance service's Durham City branch,
THERE will always be an attraction between young people and fast cars. Too often, regrettably, it turns out to be a fatal attraction. The problem is exacerbated by the minority in the world of media and entertainment who choose to promote and glamorise
Patrick Haslam, who has his string in excellent fettle at present, is taken to be on the mark once again at Newcastle this afternoon with Tuscarora in the I.T.H UK Handicap over seven furlongs. The three-year-old showed that her turn was near when chasing
THE spectre of Michael Owen's injury nightmare hangs over Mark Lewis-Francis today after the teenager's Commonwealth Games agony. Lewis-Francis is out until next year after suffering a torn hamstring in Saturday's dramatic men's 100m final. The 19-year-old
AN EXPANSION of childcare facilities in Teesdale will enable youngsters to attend pre-school five days a week instead of three. The Bowes Pre-School group, at Bowes Hutchinson CE Aided School, has increased its morning sessions. Children aged from two
WHAT price two pairs of brothers in the Durham team in a few years - the Pratts and the Muchalls? While Gordon Muchall was making 170 not out for England Under 19s on Saturday, his 15-year-old brother Paul was starring at the Bunbury Schools Festival
A MAN accused of being behind an arson attack on a couple's home has appeared in court. Christopher Cuffe, 42, from Hemlington, Middlesbrough, was charged with arson with intent to endanger life following an attack on a house, also in Hemlington, last
THE sun shone on George and Vera Iceton for their golden wedding anniversary, just as it did on their wedding day. Mr and Mrs Iceton celebrated their 50th anniversary in style, travelling by horse-drawn carriage to a service to bless their marriage at
THE sun smiled down on thousands of revellers at one of the region's biggest open air pop concerts yesterday. As temperatures soared on one of the hottest days of the year so far, so did the pulse rate of thousands of teenage fans as they saw their heroes
EIGHT-year-old Hannah Bowen-Parker will be watching the Commonwealth Games with special interest, shouting her support for fellow swimmer Caroline Saxby. The Shildon youngster was among 120 members of Wear Valley Associate Swimming Club, at Crook's Glenholme
NORTH-EAST gardeners scooped a host of prizes at this year's Gateshead Flower Show, Among them was a display of a car with a clock face, which won a top prize in the show. The exhibit, The Thyme Machine, was made from flowers and thyme by Bishopwearmouth
THE parents of a man who died after being involved in an accident with a car have spoken about their popular son. Christopher Thompson was knocked down as he crossed the B688 road at Tindale Crescent, near Bishop Auckland, on Saturday, July 13. The 29
VILLAGERS have supported plans for a £5m bypass that will bring their community relief from heavy traffic. People living in West Auckland have fought a long battle to get a by-pass for their village, but in the past they have been told there was no money
MEMORIALS to miners who lost their lives in Ferryhill's two pits could be about to have more names added to the list. The names of dozens of pitmen who died in accidents at the former Mainsforth and Dean and Chapter Collieries were unveiled on plaques
CLEAR blue skies and scorching weather helped Europe's biggest free airshow attract record crowds at the weekend. While organisers of the 14th annual Sunderland International Airshow were unable to put an exact figure on the crowds, it was believed up
IT took Lintz just 24 hours to gain revenge against Shotley Bridge, who beat them in the final of the League Cup on Friday night. It was Lintz's turn to celebrate on Saturday, though, and the 20 points they took from the match keeps them in pole position
BRITAIN'S newest trade union leader has admitted he has a hard act to follow when he takes over from Arthur Scargill Mr Scargill, 64, retires as president of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) on Thursday, when he will be replaced as leader by Ian
A NEW kind of mental health support group is being set up in the region, prompted by an article in The Northern Echo. More than 30 people contacted Valerie Minns after an article about the impact of schizophrenia appeared in March. Schizophrenia - one
Durham County Council is pressing on with its shake-up of old people's homes despite the Government's relaxation of new rules on accommodation standards. The £18m "modernisation'' programme will see the closure of 17 of its 25 residential homes and the
Norton are not out of the woods yet, but they have a fighting chance of avoiding the wooden spoon following their splendid victory over fellow relegation candidates Tynemouth at the sun-drenched seaside ground on Saturday. Temperatures soared and so too
A 300-tonne mobile crane dominated the skyline yesterday as it helped winch parts of a footbridge into place. The crane lifted five steel spans of the bridge into position over the Darlington to Saltburn railway line. It will link the Mickledales estate
A 12-YEAR-OLD boy will appear in court on Wednesday charged with attempted rape. Detectives said the 11-year-old victim was allegedly attacked behind a video store, in the Kenton area of Newcastle last Wednesday night. It is understood that the alleged
A LOLLIPOP lady who has been a part of school life for more than 20 years has hung up her stick. Joan Stothard has been helping children across the busy road outside Broom Cottages Primary School in Ferryhill, since 1979. She has been there so long that
TENANTS were given a preview of how their homes will be modernised. Sunderland's Stadium of Light was the venue for the city's own version of the Ideal Homes exhibition staged by Sunderland Housing Group. More than 30 exhibitors had stands showing products
COMPUTER games are to be used as an educational tool for youngsters after a council secured a cash award. City of York Council's Library Service won a BT Lifelong Learning Award worth £25,000, beating more than 170 national applications. In a scheme which
IT is a sport more commonly associated with cosmopolitan Colorado or vibrant Val d'Isere - but now the normally snow-free Durham Dales have produced their first world skiing champion. PE teacher Jamie Wallace has pipped the best skiers in the world to
AN early Christmas party rounded off a month-long break in the region for children still suffering the effects of the Chernobyl nuclear explosion. They were flown from Belarus for a holiday organised by the Chernobyl North-East charity, of Washington.
A TOWN caught carnival fever at the weekend as families flocked to enjoy an annual event. The 2002 Seaham Carnival took place on Terrace Green, South Terrace and Church Street throughout yesterday afternoon. Most of the shops on Church Street opened for
PLANS to create an underground sewage plant next to a castle have sparked a string of objections. The Garden History Society, North Yorkshire County Council highways department and Harrogate Borough Council are among those opposed to the scheme. As a
A North-East curry house is hoping to open a new branch - in the Houses of Parliament. A little-used cafe in a forgotten corner of the House of Commons is set to become a posh Indian eaterie, to cater for MPs' growing demand for spicy food. And curry
A MERCY mission to the African country of Malawi is well under way for a group of schoolgirls. The 12 girls from Teesside High School, Eaglescliffe, and Darlington's Polam Hall, are spending 30 days working in a health centre and a hostel for the blind
A MAN who left school with nothing 21 years ago has won a place in an exclusive academic club. Stephen Wells, 37, of South Moor, near Stanley, County Durham, graduated this month from the University of Northumbria, in Newcastle. The former apprentice
IT looks as if it is new, but the sparkling trap that is going under the auctioneer's hammer next week is almost a century old. The black and yellow four-seater was made in 1914 by Forster and Sons, of Middleton-in-Teesdale and Barnard Castle. The firm
A STORE dating back to a village's mining heyday has been forced to close after being crippled by competition. The Co-op in Cotsford Lane, Horden, closed its doors on Saturday, marking the end of its 80-year presence in the village. It was acquired by
TAXI drivers in Middlesbrough claim police plans to mark their cabs with identity codes will lead to more cabbies being prosecuted for minor driving offences. Police believe attacks on taxi drivers could be effectively stamped out if their vehicles' roofs
NO ONE can come up with a reason for the sudden outbreak of double vision at a North-East doctors' surgery. Nine sets of twins and one of triplets have been born in the past 18 months to patients of the Bishopgate Medical Practice, in Bishop Auckland,
THE man who helped to put North-East cricket on the map has been honoured by one of the region's universities. Don Robson, former leader of Durham County Council, has been given an Honorary Doctorate of Laws by Sunderland University. Mr Robson, 66, of
PEOPLE in Tees Valley who want to start up their own business are being offered help. A scheme has been set up by the University of Teesside and enterprise agency Entrust, offering practical and financial support to budding entrepreneurs. The New Entrepreneur
HARTLEPOOL residents can this week view plans to improve a busy town centre road junction. Drawings outlining plans for the Hart Lane, Raby Road and Middleton Road junction are on view at the borough council's Bryan Hanson offices, off Lynn Street, until
THE search is on for Sunderland's healthiest caterers. Heartbeat Awards are presented to cafes, restaurants or staff canteens for their efforts in helping to combat Wearside's biggest killer, coronary heart disease. Sunderland has one of the highest premature
MOTORISTS in North Yorkshire are being watched closely as part of a joint initiative to stop speeding drivers. The Operation Siren campaign has been targeting blackspots which have been highlighted by residents and other motorists. The initiative has
HEALTH Secretary Alan Milburn has given the seal of approval to an extension at Teesside Hospice, in Middlesbrough. Darlington MP Mr Milburn visited Middlesbrough last week to open the extended Edward Guy Day Care Centre and an outpatients' suite at the
A PLAN to carry out £8m of improvements to a reservoir have been halted - so that a colony of bats can continue to live in peace. The protected species live in the rafters of a former reservoir keeper's cottage built into the dam wall at Lindley Wood
A REAL-LIFE Barbie doll paid a visit to North Yorkshire to celebrate her birthday. A model posing as the world-famous doll set up home in a bright pink boudoir at Fenwicks, in the Coppergate Centre, York. Hundreds of children visited the store to catch
SCHOOLS in east Middlesbrough have been praised for making dramatic improvements in standards. Under the Government's Education Action Zone (EAZ) programme, pupils in the town have made significantly higher improvements than children in the rest of the
A YOUNG mother left stranded with her family when thieves stole her car has been given a helping hand to ensure she does not fall victim again. A friend donated a car to Deborah Hadley, from Redcar, when her car was taken and now a police scheme has stepped
A COUPLE made matrimonial history at the weekend by being the first to marry at a 170-year-old church. When Witton Gilbert Methodist Church, on the outskirts of Durham City, was established, most people chose to get married in their Church of England
A GROUP of 16 men lost their body hair at the weekend to raise funds for a family's fight for justice. The volunteers had their legs, chests, arms and backs waxed outside the Lambton Arms Hotel, in Chester-le-Street, County Durham, to help the Cummings
A GOVERNMENT support service for teenagers is to open in Durham City. Called Connexions County Durham, it has careers advisors, personal advisors and other specialists to help young people find solutions to problems ranging from a lack of confidence to
A FORMER North-East transport mogul is putting his money where his mouth is in a bid to stop fly-tipping. Tom Cowie, who set up the company now known as Arriva, is offering a £500 reward for information leading to a successful conviction. Mr Cowie, 80
RESIDENTS who complained they had been forgotten are hoping to breathe life into their community by starting an action group. Householders in the Derwentside villages of New Kyo and Oxhill have started the group in a bid to get funding for regeneration
SPEED-CRAZED drivers are using the Internet to co-ordinate illegal late night street races around the region. Young people are gathering in huge crowds in North-East car parks to show off their powerful motors. These gatherings - known as cruises - then
SURE-shooting champion Claire Griffin is aiming to beat the best shots in the Commonwealth next week. Claire, 22, still flushed with the success of becoming the women's English champion with a small bore rifle, will be representing England at the Commonwealth
Rowena and Ronnie Cass had always dreamed about giving up their high pressure lives in London and opening a guest house but it took a near-death experience to make them do it. Women's Editor Christen Pears visits them at their luxury B&B. ROWENA and
THE sound of the Caribbean wafted through Middlesbrough town centre on Saturday as a steel band workshop took place. Beginners took their place alongside expert tutors during the workshops in the Town Hall's Crypt. Among those taking part was 11-year-old
How we assume control over other animals has become a major issue in the countryside. In the first of a two part series, John Dean opens the debate. WE are - so the mantra goes - a nation of animal lovers, reacting with horror whenever we hear tales of
DURHAM'S injury jinx reached astonishing heights at the weekend when Brad Hodge broke his left thumb only five days after his arrival. The 27-year-old Victoria batsman will be unable to play for at least five weeks and is likely to return to Australia
THE search is on for Sunderland's healthiest caterers. Heartbeat Awards are presented to cafes, restaurants or staff canteens for their efforts in helping to combat Wearside's biggest killer, coronary heart disease. Sunderland has one of the highest premature
CHANTELLE Handy could barely bounce a ball six months ago - but following intensive training the sky is the limit as she prepares to represent her country in basketball. Chantelle, 15, of Shotley Bridge, will this weekend play for England under-16 basketball
Q Who was the John of John O'Groats fame and is the place the most northerly point in Britain? - Doug Mckenna, Stockton. A John O' Groats, a hamlet in the far north of Scotland, is often described as the most northerly point on the British mainland, although
