Heighington bowled out Cliffe for only 51 in 18.4 overs before winning by ten wickets. Stuart Beaumont was in outstanding form claiming six wickets for 16 runs in nine overs, four which were maidens and Phil Olney was equally effective. His 9.4 overs
ROLLING countryside surrounding a Roman Catholic seminary provides the impressive setting for an evening of music and song. The Catholic church's overseas aid charity Cafod is staging the Proms in the Park event at Ushaw College, five miles west of Durham
PROTESTORS hit out at the Ministry of Defence (MoD) last night over a report claiming that a missile defence upgrade of RAF Fylingdales, in North Yorkshire, should not require planning permission. The report, commissioned by the MoD, was described as
Congratulations to new member Emma Tullett who was the first lady to finish in the Kirkby Malzeard 10K, the latest race in the Black Sheep Series, over a testing, undulating course, on another very hot day. The race was won by Julian Mawson of Otley AC
Support worker, Northallerton. £16,074 per an pro rata, Mon-Fri, 17.5 hrs per week to arrange. Must have administrative and monitoring skills with an understanding of the issues facing offenders, both in custody and on release. IT skills are essential
NATIONWIDE Conference side Telford United look set to snatch the services of Darlington defender Stuart Whitehead. The Shropshire outfit, who have already registered an interest in Horden-born former West Brom striker Bob Taylor, are ready to meet the
FINANCIAL services group AMP dealt UK staff a third jobs blow in a year after announcing plans to shed another 900 jobs. The Australian company said the cuts stemmed from its decision to close life insurer NPI to new business, as well as a wider business
Actress Lesley Joseph tells Viv Hardwick she's looking forward to returning to the North-East to star in a little-seen Alan Bennet show, despite staring death in the face during her last visit. THE North-East holds some of TV star Lesley Joseph's fondest
A GIANT screen will beam live action from Royal Ascot to punters at a two-day meeting at Redcar Racecourse today and tomorrow. Ascot will be shown on the giant Tote screen opposite the main stands as the Redcar horse-racing action continues on the flats
The first female chairman of the Campaign for Real Ale believes we have to do more to market beer to women. BLAME it on the Double Maxim... it's why a North-East lass is the leading champion of proper beer drinkers. Paula Waters from Seaham is the new
Slazenger Harrogate Open: An 18-year-old heralded a new era in local tennis when she toppled a rival who had held the title for the past six years. Harrogate Grammar School pupil Rebecca Sowden battled for more than two-and-a-half hours to defeat hot
The Tees Valley American Football Academy's 12-14 year old flag NFL Schools Champions, the Eastbourne Cardinals, played at the Hollywood Complex in Glasgow against the Scottish Champions to determine who would be the best in Great Britain on Saturday.
THERE is a fascinating talking point on our front page today: when do you introduce children to the concept of death? Some parents are concerned - shocked even - that their nine and ten year olds in Stanley are receiving a visit from a funeral director
FOLLOWING two successive Newcastle victories, Stallone (3.15) is now trying his luck in slightly stronger company for this afternoon's feature event at Beverley, the £10,000 Brantingham Stakes. Trainer Noel Wilson has done well to revive the flagging
David Ward has wasted no time in making an impression since being elevated to the Wolvistons 3rd team. The 14-year-old bowler is the youngest player in the team but he has risen to the challenge - and in only his third game he took three wickets playing
STUDENTS plan to protest today against plans to axe university departments and closures. Students at Durham University will gather to signal their opposition to plans, due to be considered by the university's senate, to pump £8.7m into prime courses and
Hamsteels Inn made a good start to their first season in the league when they won in the decider at Cornsay Royal Oak. After the trebles were shared the Oak had singles wins from Robbie Young, Barry Bailes and Sonia Windsor, whilst the visitors' levelled
Durham County Council leader Ken Manton is to lead a delegation to Westminster on Monday to explain its controversial education shake-up. The meeting will give the education authority a chance to brief the county's MPs and representatives in the House
A cut-price shopping centre is preparing for its summer clearance. Last year, 230,000 people visited the McArthurGlen Designer Outlet near York. The 115-store centre, at the intersection of the A19 and A64 south of York, starts it sale at 10am on Friday
AN Army regiment has reinforced its ties with a ruined church by launching a £6,500 stained glass window appeal. The now-obsolete Durham Light Infantry (DLI) began the appeal to raise money for two stained glass windows at St Brandon's Church, Brancepeth
Coundon Conservative Club, Bishop Cricket Club and Cockfield WMC were accepted as members at the AGM. Hunwick Joiners Arms resignation was confirmed. Wayne Brown of West Auckland Social Club is the first division player of the year. Shaun Nicholson of
THREE executives are swapping the boardroom for the great outdoors next month to raise money for three charities. The men, from specialist equipment hire company, Vp plc, of Harrogate, North Yorkshire, are setting out on a three-day, 180-mile sponsored
TWO teenage arsonists who set fire to their former village school sobbed yesterday as they were locked up for two years. The 14-year-old boys, who cannot be named for legal reasons, destroyed most of Middleton St George Primary School, near Darlington
THE missing pieces of a family puzzle have been found thanks to The Northern Echo. Gill Shea, of Bishop Auckland, County Durham, had longed to find descendants of her grandmother's sister for years. But it was only when she put her appeal in The Northern
Tow Law New Market B opened the new season with a victory in the decider at Tow Law Rose and Crown. The home side began with wins from Tony English and Christine Rand before Michael Bell put the visitors on the board. Steve Morris scored the home side
CHURCH leaders revealed last night that they had been forced to introduce charges at York Minister after losing when shares plunged after September 11. They said losses incurred had left them with a financial black hole. The minster is suffering from
Police chiefs are scrapping sports seats fitted to 100 Panda cars and unmarked CID vehicles - and using the cash saved to provide extra safety features. Equipment carried by officers in Durham was leading to "abnormal wear" on the sports seats and fitting
SUNDERLAND could lose out in their chase for Wimbledon striker David Connolly after Reading confirmed their interest in the Republic of Ireland international, writes Adam Murray. Connolly and Manchester City's Shaun Goater top the list of strikers Mick
Anthony McMahon last week scooped The Northern Echo's Cricketer of the Month award for April/May after his remarkable achievement of scoring six sixes in an over for Chester-le-Street and now the hunt is on for June's recipient. Thirteen-year-old McMahon
A survey of economic trends has revealed that firms in the region are optimistic about their prospects for the next six months. More than 100 companies in the North-East responded to a questionnaire covering all areas of the economy and public sector.
The league benefited from the demise of the Auckland Youth League and Coundon and Leeholme Youth FC were confirmed as members at the AGM. Next season Crook Wanderers will play at and be known as Stanley United whilst Tow Law Cattle Mart will be known
THE family of a boy with special needs who was facing a 12-mile taxi ride to nursery every day is celebrating after council officials agreed he can go to his village school. Three-year-old Isaac Cain, of Lanchester, near Consett, has been diagnosed with
Final placings in the Team Games: 1st Crook Royal Sun 42 points; 2nd Willington Brewer's Droop 32; 3rd equal Crook Bar 56, Byers Green Club, Crook Golden Fleece and Hunwick Quarry 30 each; 7th Crook Coach and Horses 28; 8th Oakenshaw 26; 9th Crook Three
Bowburn pulled off the shock of the season when they restricted the visiting reigning champions, Leeholme to a single point. Having won three of the rinks, Bowburn were level in the last and were level with one bowl to go. However they decided not to
Peterlee had four wickets to spare when they visited Dawdon and overtook the target of 101 mainly as a result of number of useful contributions, particularly from Winter, who hit a couple of boundaries 25. Michael Appleby was the pick of the Dawdon attack
A RISING kickboxing star is preparing for the fight of his life - a shot at a national title. Wesley Paul Fagan, 21, of Dipton, near Consett, takes on Michael Johnson of Sunderland on Wednesday, June 25. The victor will be crowned the European Kickboxing
IT doesn't matter that the new Bishop of Reading is homosexual. In my experience as a priest for 30 years and more, I think more than a quarter of all the clergy are homosexual. So what? Probably a quarter of all bricklayers and master builders are gay
Cleveland and North Yorkshire Sporting League Urlay Nook regained the leadership of the Shooting League with an impressive 152 to 137 home win over former leaders Stokesley. Gary Hanrahan and A Roberts were top scorers for the home team with a 21 ex 25
A North-East conman has been convicted of running an international fraud which netted millions of pounds. George Steen, 54, was the ringleader of a gang which offered multi-million pound loans to more than 100 clients from around the world between 1996
PLANS to breathe new life into a seaside town in a bid to make it more attractive to residents and visitors will be discussed today. Members of Hartlepool Borough Council's scrutiny co-ordinating committee will discuss the progress of the Seaton Carew
PARENTS have been shocked by a junior school's decision to put death on the curriculum. The children, aged nine and ten, were shown photographs of a funeral parlour, including the mortuary. Five out of 60 pupils were stopped by their parents from attending
A MAN was mugged for cash shortly after withdrawing notes from an automatic dispenser close to a police station. Police have appealed for witnesses to yesterday morning's daytime attack, which took place in a busy area of Durham, just off New Elvet and
Federation Special Durham Senior League Under-15s: Gateshead Fell defeated Boldon by the slender margin of 11 runs at the end of a low scoring game. Batting first the Fell realised 75 for nine and Mark Storey was top scorer with 20. Brown captured three
ONE of radio's hardy perennials will be in Chester-le-Street next week. BBC Radio 4's Gardeners' Question Time will be recorded from Durham County Cricket Club's Riverside Stadium on Monday. The show first took to the airwaves in 1947 and is one of the
THE Tees Valley's most senior businessman is calling for his part of the North-East to unite with a strong voice so that it does not get overlooked within a Geordie Parliament. Alistair Arkley, the chairman of the Tees Valley Partnership, was reacting
A BUSY dual carriageway was brought to a halt when a large crack appeared across the road. The chasm, which is 2ft wide and 10ft deep, cut off the principal route between Sunderland and neighbouring Houghton-le-Spring. Experts believe it may be due to
RESEARCH has revealed that parts of the North-East are among the worst in the country for fuel poverty. It is caused by the combination of poor housing and low income, with householders often suffering from ill health because of living in cold, damp homes
A PUB'S reputation for food continues to soar after winning an award in a respected guide. The County, in Aycliffe Village, County Durham, has been named North-East Dining Pub of the Year in the Les Routiers guide to the country's finest pubs and inns
MIKE Newell was yesterday appointed manager of Luton Town as the possibility increased of Steve Cotterill replacing him at Hartlepool. Cotterill pulled out of the chase to succeed Joe Kinnear at Kenilworth Road, leaving the path clear for Newell to make
Durham County Council leader Ken Manton is to lead a delegation to Westminster on Monday to explain its controversial education shake-up. The meeting will give the education authority a chance to brief the county's MPs and representatives in the House
RESIDENTS on a Darlington estate say they are fed up with being unable to contact staff at a neighbourhood housing office. Councillor Roderick Francis told a meeting of Firthmoor Community Partnership board that residents had complained to him about the
PERFORMANCES of song, poetry and dance at Darlington Arts Centre yesterday marked the end of a year's work for pupils from Mount Pleasant Primary School. The performances were all linked to the school's Gateways scheme, which has been run with the Creative
CARE home workers may consider strike action, it was revealed last night. Workers from Darlington Borough Council's two remaining elderly care homes, The Lawns and Westfields, are meeting union officials from Unison today to express their disgust at treatment
GARDENERS are being urged to take up a council initiative to compost their green waste. Durham County Council is encouraging people to use compost as an environmentally friendly alternative to peat. To help gardening or environmental enthusiasts to make
YOUNGSTERS with disabilities from across County Durham were treated to a free fun day. The event was held at County Hall, Durham, and featured attractions including a free fairground ride and fun house, entertainment and various activities, including
A COUPLE who met while strolling through a Darlington park are celebrating 60 years of marriage. Philip and Irene Sefton, of Nunnery Lane, Darlington, began courting after a chance meeting in a town park in the 1940s. They married at St Cuthbert's Church
TERMINALLY ill patients have easier access to care in their own homes, thanks to a National Lottery grant of £775,114. The Butterwick Hospice, Marie Curie, and the Durham Dales and Sedgefield NHS primary care trusts, have joined forces to extend the home
TON-UP TEST: As part of the three-year Wear Walking for Health initiative, the second Wear Walking for Health Ton- Up Challenge will be launched on Monday at Peases West Athletics Ground, Crook, from noon. The goal is a personal achievement target of
JOB opportunities have been announced following two large units being let at the Viking Enterprise Zone in Jarrow. ANC Express Parcels and Libra Seafood Processing have taken 20,000sq ft and 15,000sq ft respectively. ANC offers domestic and international
AN appeal has been launched to build a new community centre after a Middlesbrough church hall was destroyed by fire. The Phoenix Project will mean new facilities for Easterside residents following a blaze at St Agnes' Church hall on June 13. The building
POLICE have issued a description of a man they want to trace in connection with a robbery at a supermarket in Harrogate at the weekend. The man went into Jackson's store, in King Edward's Drive, Bilton, told staff he had a weapon in a bag he was carrying
PEOPLE with physical disabilities or sensory loss are being invited to voice their opinions at a consultation event next month. Stockton Borough Council's health and social care directorate is reviewing the services it provides to people with a physical
COMPUTER workers have been stepping out for charity. Footsore employees from the IT department at SembCorp Utilities, Teesside, trekked 110 miles across the North Yorkshire Moors between Helmsley and the coast at Filey. The walk raised £1,000, which was
A FOOTWEAR manufacturer has secured European funding for the production of a revolutionary racing saddle. Classic Racing Products received a grant of more than £2,000 through a European initiative designed to regenerate rural areas. Located on Gallowfields
A MAN who said he earned £60,000 a year asked magistrates for time to pay £300 after admitting abusing police within hours of arriving in Harrogate. Robert David Lawrence was arrested yesterday after police were called to a caravan parked in the garden
NORTH Yorkshire's first community support officers took to the streets yesterday to help police tackle petty crime. Public consultations on the policing plan indicated that one of the force's priorities ought to be dealing with vandalism, criminal damage
A CABBIE who scooped a £14m Lotto jackpot has vowed to continue living in his modest former council house Bob Frazer, 58, has been jetting around the world on holiday since he won the money two months ago. Now he has returned to Newcastle and said his
A WOMAN who was a heroin addict before her teenage son was born was jailed for seven years yesterday for dealing and robbery. Lynda Muir, 45, who became addicted at 19, was caught selling heroin from a bathroom window during Cleveland Police's Operation
A WILDLIFE enthusiast has moved back to her family's roots and undergone a dramatic career change to be in North Yorkshire. After spending years in America, Victoria Chester-Kerr has made her way back to the county where her family can be traced back
PENSIONERS on Teesside have won a windfall that was their right to claim in the first place. A campaign launched by the Middlesbrough Council Welfare Rights Unit has resulted in hundreds of pensioners picking up a total of more than £100,000 a year in
Darlington fighter, Oscar Hall, makes a rare appearance in his hometown next month as he continues his build-up towards a British title fight. The unbeaten 28-year-old has his eyes on the British light-welterweight belt currently held by Sheffield stable-mate
PEOPLE living in two North Yorkshire villages have taken action to protect their homes from flooding and help improve road safety along a dangerous country lane, saving taxpayers thousands of pounds. At Sinnington near Kirkbymoorside, where 15 homes were
TALL ones, short ones, red ones, blue ones - a fair featuring rare and unusual plants at Raby Castle, near Staindrop, County Durham, had them all. Specialist nurseries from across the country descended upon the castle grounds with a selection of some
A WARNING has been issued to elderly householders over the activities of two bogus workmen. The duo, claiming to be from Dyno-Rod, struck at the homes of women aged 93 and 83, in Shiney Row, Wearside, last week. Police are linking the two offences, in
A FUN look at greener ways of living will be demonstrated this weekend. A shanty town built by Durham University students and a virtual village displaying the latest green technology will be set up at the Riverside Stadium in Chester-le-Street on Sunday
YOUNGSTERS with disabilities from across County Durham were treated to a free fun day. The event, held at County Hall, Durham, featured attractions including a free fairground ride and fun house, entertainment and various activities, such as a circus
PRIMARY school children are celebrating after defending their title as Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's Road Safety Quiz champions. The youngsters, from St Peter's Church of England Primary School, Brotton, took the title at the James Finegan Hall
GARDENERS are being urged to take up a new council initiative to compost their green waste. Durham County Council is encouraging people to use compost as an environmentally-friendly alternative to peat. To help gardeners to make the transition, the authority
THREE serving police officers and a former detective are to be charged with conspiracy to pervert the course of justice. The move follows a lengthy investigation into the claims of an Asian former traffic police constable, Sultan Alam, that he was set
THE early secrets of explorer Captain James Cook are to be unearthed in front of the television cameras. In 1997, in Stewart Park, Middlesbrough, archaeologists discovered the possible remains of the home of Captain Cook - or that of a neighbour - during
A CHURCH was filled with the sound of music as it launched a fundraising drive for a new parish hall. An eight-hour piano marathon was held in St Mary' Magadelne Church, Belmont, Durham, featuring players ranging from beginners to concert performers.
STUDENTS from Richmond School are to play a major role in the town's annual summer festival this year. An open-air performance of the school's version of A Midsummer Night's Dream, in the town's Friary Gardens, on the festival's opening night of Friday
SPORTS agent Base Group said it was considering the future of its football arm following a slump in the transfer market. The firm, which has clients including TV pundit Terry Venables, Leeds United's Australian star Harry Kewell and Middlesbrough striker
ULTRA-violet equipment is the latest weapon for health inspectors trying to ensure food handlers wash their hands. The equipment has been bought by Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council after a national survey revealed 39 per cent of catering staff do
TWO white horses drew the carriage bearing the coffin of 17-year-old Chris Cave to his final resting place. The white carriage - brought from Dublin at the wishes of his mother, Theresa - was in keeping with a funeral organised to celebrate his life.
DETECTIVES investigating a street stabbing have appealed for help from revellers who would have been making their way home at the time. A 23-year-old Newcastle man was stabbed as he walked through a car park between the Vermont Hotel, in The Side, and
WITNESSES are urged to come forward after a woman's handbag was snatched as she made her way down steps leading to a beach. The victim, in her 50s, was descending from the large public car park opposite Seaham Hall, County Durham, to the nearby beach.
The second Sure Start Centre in Stockton has its official opening from 10am to 3pm tomorrow. The centre, next to Ragworth Neighbourhood Centre, St John's Way, Roseworth, offers a range of activities for parents and their children. Huntcliffe School Steel
A strip of land at a Hartlepool school is starting to blossom into a garden for youngsters. A two-theme garden is being created on previously unused land between St John Vianney Primary School and the new £640,000 Early Years Centre, which has been built
A MIX of displays, stands and competitions made for a successful North Yorkshire County Show on Sunday. Crowds turned out in force for the 25th annual North Yorkshire County Show at Otterington Hall, South Otterington, near Northallerton. Starting early
Carmel College, Darlington, has made a dream start to the athletics season. First they qualified for Nothern Regional A finals of the National Schools Athletic Cup by winning the North-East area round last month and now the Junior Girls have stormed to
The second Sure Start Centre in Stockton has its official opening from 10am to 3pm tomorrow. The centre, next to Ragworth Neighbourhood Centre, St John's Way, Roseworth, offers a range of activities for parents and their children. Huntcliffe School Steel
A PAEDOPHILE who filmed himself sexually abusing children as young as 12 months was jailed for ten years yesterday. Brian Edwards, also known as Brian Maynard, preyed on two boys, aged four and 12 months, and a girl of two. The 43-year-old told police
THE PARTY: THE banning of 80-year-old Joan Smith from Tony Blair's 20th anniversary party in Trimdon was outrageous (Echo, June 10). John Burton, Mr Blair's agent, said that he was "hurt" by Joan's anti-war attitude. Pathetic! I was present when Joan
Newcastle United remain in the hunt for Ronaldinho - despite Barcelona admitting they cannot match Manchester United's bid for the Brazilian star. It appears Sir Alex Ferguson is in prime position to snap up the World Cup winner, whom he has lined up
ONE of the country's favourite gardening shows came to the North-East yesterday. Radio Four's Gardener's Question Time paid a visit to Chester-le-Street in County Durham and recorded a question and answer session at Durham County Cricket Club's headquarters
As the cricket season moves steadily on so does the fortunes of Barnard Castle Junior Cricket Club. Their teams this season are winning as many games as they are losing but are a young club and are a forward-thinking club. So far this season they have
Real Life: Noisy Neighbours (ITV1): BAD moods, bags under the eyes and uncontrollable yawning are the usual signs of a bad night's sleep so it was remarkable that the El Sady and Gulliver families felt fit enough to face the cameras for this study of
A LEGAL tussle over £1.1m between two local authorities is to be dragged out even further. Durham County Council was forced to pay Darlington Borough Council £2.2m earlier this year after losing an arbitration battle which began six years ago. But the
FRIENDS of a woman known as 'Mrs Saltburn' had a pleasant surprise when they learnt she had been awarded the MBE. Jackie Taylor received the honour for her services to Saltburn-by-Sea, notably for her work on the coastal town's annual Britain in Bloom
The current positions and points in the First Division are 1st Crook belle Vue 51; 2nd Crook Royal Sun 48; 3rd Willington Market 38; 4th equal Crook Olde Horse Shoe B, Crook Travellers Rest B and Crook Queen's Head A 37 each; 7th equal Crook Olde Horse
AN ale named after the first witnessed UK meteorite fall is to be brewed by two farmers - close to where it hit the earth more than 200 years ago. Friends and neighbours, Tom Mellor and Derek Gray, have set up a brewery in a converted 19th Century granary
Business starters from a North-East college have scooped a top award. Students at Hartlepool Sixth Form College won the Young Enterprise North-East company of the year for their success in manufacturing and marketing hand-made clothes and jewellery as
PLAYING two rounds of golf in a day is par for the course for most amateur golfers. But David Steele managed 43 rounds inside 24 hours in his bid to make the Guinness Book of Records. Darlington-born Mr Steele played an incredible 774 holes and achieved
Aaron Barschak sparked a security scare after gatecrashing Prince William's 21st birthday party, but he's not the first prankster to grab the headlines. Nick Morrison looks at the peope who will do anything for publicity. IT hasn't sold out yet, but tickets
FRUIT good, sweets bad - that was was the lesson at one Loftus school this week. The 170 children at St Joseph's RC Primary School had a fun day learning all about fruit and vegetables. They joined nursery school children to take part in games, artwork
A PERSISTENT burglar who carried out several opportunist thefts within a few weeks is back behind bars. Dominic James Stewart, on licence after his early release from a three-and-a-half year sentence for robbery, broke into four homes in the Consett area
Shildon's young athletes were on school duty on Saturday at the County Schools Championships held at Monkton Stadium Jarrow. There was some remarkable performances with the club producing eight county champions from 13 athletes with four runners up and
Records tumbled once again at the prolific Woodland Lakes Carlton Miniott. Wednesday's match resulted in some spectacular sport when Triple World Champion Alan Scotthorne broke the match record for the second time within a week on Skylark Lake. He raised
The start to the new season brought an almost unique occasion when Crook Coach and Horses A travelled to Willington Brewer's Droop and won all ten of the dominoes games. The home side improved at darts but could not prevent the visitors from winning by
A company that uses recycled newspaper to insulate properties is hoping to capitalise on changes in building regulations by manufacturing environmentally-friendly timber-framed houses. Murus plans to use new rules demanding higher insulation levels -
SCORES of websites featuring community groups and local authorities in the North-East and North Yorkshire have been brought together under a new initiative. The Government-funded National Grid for Learning portal provides links to sites that provide useful
EXPANSION is on the menu for the owner of a restaurant who has extended the services offered by her business. June Milner's achievement in taking over and expanding her business, Belasis Bistro, in the Belasis Business Centre, led to her being named Juggler
ART is being brought to life this summer with a 3D sculpting session for schoolchildren. Pupils from York primary schools will be working with professional artists at the city's National Railway Museum to build a giant sculpture of the Japanese Bullet
AN ambitious North Yorkshire football club has enjoyed success both on and off the field as it develops exciting plans for the future. Richmond Town FC have been awarded FA Charter Standard Development Club status, a vital first step on the road to their
An organic feast turned out to be just what the doctor ordered, especially after a bout of illness. THE Boss has been bad. Even worse than normal. Old deputy doc, the Sabbath medic on the distant end of a telephone, preposterously supposed it to be a
Dispensing assistant, Annfield Plain. £4.65 ph. 20 hours pw, Mon-Sat, 9am-1pm, inc weekends. Must have a dispensing qualification and previous experience in similar role. Ref: STG 16123. Car valeter, Newcastle. Meets NMW, Mon-Fri 8.30am-5.30pm, inc evenings
BAKER Martin Scaife has again proved himself to be a rising star in the athletics world - by representing England in the Gothenburg half-marathon. The 31-year-old, from Stockton, who works at the Morrisons store on Darlington's North Road, was the fourth
At Snetterton on June 8 Darlington driver, Keith Penman, managed a creditable third place whilst racing in his VSR6. In qualifying, on a very wet track, the gamble was taken to use slick tyres, as it was thought the track would dry Keith kept the car
IT MAY sound like something from a James Bond film but technology that recognises people from their thumbprints has been installed in a village school library. Sacriston Junior School, near Chester-le-Street, recently refurbished its library, throwing
Silksworth edged Blackhall by seven runs. Scott Davison (44) and Craig Nield with an unbeaten 30 enabled Silksworth to post 93 for the lost of one wicket. Blackhall's reply was positive but when the overs expired they were only 86 for six including 42
A TEENAGER was set alight by a gang of youths in Sacriston on Wednesday. The 17-year-old had come out of his home in Highfield at about 1.15pm when four youths punched him, kicked him and, as he lay on the ground, poured a liquid over him. They then set
Three Second Division teams proved to be the giant killers of the First Round of the Knock Out Cup when they beat teams from the top bracket. Bishop Auckland gents A pulled off a good away win at Hopetown, whilst Darlington Snooker B matched the performance
Tow Law Football Club took advantage of the fact the Tow Law Dan's Castle B's match had been postponed to move two points clear at the top of the table after they only dropped one point to the visiting Tow Law New Market B. The footballers had wins from
Returning to work after cancer can be difficult but one former sufferer has set up a website to help others throught experience. Women's Editor Christen Pears reports. CAROL Taylor had always been aware of the risks of cancer. Abnormal cells were found
A MAN was duped by international fraudsters advertising lensless spectacles. The unnamed man from Stanley, County Durham, sent £40 to a South African firm after seeing an advertisement in a Sunday newspaper. The company claimed its glasses, with their
BUSINESS men and women from across the North-East will get a taste of Army life the hard way this weekend. Employees from the region have been volunteered by their bosses to take part in Exercise Executive Stretch at Catterick Garrison, in North Yorkshire
Real Life: Noisy Neighbours (ITV1): BAD moods, bags under the eyes and uncontrollable yawning are the usual signs of a bad night's sleep so it was remarkable that the El Sady and Gulliver families felt fit enough to face the cameras for this study of
An exhibition charting the history of a North-East building opens on Saturday. The exhibition features Preston Hall, Eaglescliffe, near Stockton, which was a family home until it opened as a museum in 1953. It will include photographs, some of which have
Paul Shaw and Carl Turner led Esh Winning to a match winning 131 for six in their home fixture with Willington. Shaw struck no fewer than four sixes and three boundaries in 53, while Turner had one six and three fours contributing 30. Harker claimed two
Wolsingham Club maintained their unbeaten record and the top spot in the table with a comfortable win against an enthusiastic Tow Law All Stars. The Club batted first and nipped through for quick singles at every opportunity as well as adding a liberal
Cleaner: Darlington, national minimum wage, ten hours per week 5pm to 7pm. Experience preferred. Duties include dusting, vacuuming, cleaning toilets and related tasks. DAE35075. Cashier: Darlington, £4.20 per hour, 10.30pm to 7am Friday and Saturday nights
Northern League clubs could be kicked out of the league if they don't improve their grounds. That's the stark warning from League chairman Mike Amos who says the League's patience is running out after pressing clubs over a long period of time to improve
Three swimmers qualified for the NEC's at the weekend held at Ponds Forge, Sheffield. All performed exceptionally well against tough opposition, the swimming being of a very high standard. Eleven-year-old Glen Martin gained a national time and qualified
A ROBBER has been jailed for five years for mugging an elderly relative of her handbag containing her life savings. Phil Gascoigne, 26, targeted the 67-year-old as she walked down her garden path, returning from a bingo session in her home village of
GARY Pratt continued to press his claim for a move up Durham's one-day order with their top score in the Twenty20 Cup at Derby last night. But his unbeaten 62 off 44 balls was in a losing cause as Durham fell six runs short of Derbyshire's 157, despite
THREE gifted musicians are returning to their native North-East to give a concert. Cellist Martin Johnson, from Yarm, Guisborough-born violinist David Spencer and pianist Stephen Ridley, from Redcar, east Cleveland, formed the Fenice Trio five years ago
LATE night buses will take drinkers home from a new theme bar which opens in Durham city centre next month. The innovative scheme, backed by the police, is being introduced to coincide with the opening of the Walkabout, an Australian theme bar in the
A TINY school lined up for closure as part of a £300m shake-up of education has won a top award. Cassop Primary School, near Durham, was one of 11 from the North-East to be honoured at the regional Teaching Awards last week. The win was announced a week
STUDENTS have set up a 'solidarity camp' on a threatened piece of common land, to support residents in their fight to stop a car park being built. Durham University Social Forum has pitched up tents on The Sands riverside area in Durham, nearly half of
A MURDER inquiry was opened this week after the death of a man found unconscious in the street. Mark Connorton, 37, the divorced father of a nine-year-old boy, died in hospital after fighting for his life for more than a week. He had suffered severe head
Durham City celebrated their first win of the season in the Second Division when they visited Wingate and made their victory by taking the middle three frames. John Bourne took the first for Wingate and Paul Harrison the last, whilst the Durham winners
ADarlington Mowden Park Under-16 Girls' rugby player has been chosen to attend the RFUW England Performance Camp at Loughborough University at the end of next month. A month ago Mowden player Abby Blackburn was informed of her place at Loughborough, now
Cockton Hill, the only unbeaten team in the pool section, moved up to challenge the leaders when they retained their record with a good away win at Byers Green. The Green's only point came from Davey Briggs, whilst the Hill had wins from Russell Place
PEACE protesters told of their disgust after vandals daubed racist slogans over their vintage van. Thea Khamis and Ben Byrne, who live in the Stanley area, are backing the international Boycott Israeli Goods campaign, in protest at Israel's treatment
In the face of stiff competition Darlington Gymnastics Club has been named North of England Club of the Year in recognition of their outstanding achievements during 2002-2003. At its annual ceremony in Durham on Saturday the North of England Gymnastics
Howard Leng claimed a hat trick when Crathorne entertained Thimbleby. When the visitors batted first, they soon found Leng in good form and he finished with the outstanding figures of seven for 41 in 13.3 overs as Thimbleby managed only 110 all out in
A man who helps coordinate a large variety of music projects has had a chance to show his own talents. In his first solo outing, Andrew Yeadon, who runs the Teesdale Community Resources Music Project, sang and played his own compositions in Witham Hall
ENERGY firm BP is to receive $740m from the sale of interests in Algeria to Statoil, Norway's largest oil company. The agreement gives Statoil half of BP's stake in the In Amenas project in south-east Algeria and 49 per cent of its interest in the In
Several games were cancelled, but the match between Richmondshire and Wolviston went ahead. Ryan carried his bat for 40 and Fleming made an unbeaten 34 as Richmondshire total 104 before restricting Wolviston to 88. Featherstone led the way for Wolviston
An organic feast turned out to be just what the doctor ordered, especially after a bout of illness. THE Boss has been bad. Even worse than normal. Old deputy doc, the Sabbath medic on the distant end of a telephone, preposterously supposed it to be a
A DARLINGTON schoolgirl has become the first to borrow a copy of the new Harry Potter book from the town library. Momotaz Wood, ten, put her name on the waiting list for the book in January. Yesterday she rushed from her lessons at Corporation Road Community
A MAYOR came a cropper after offering her services as a charlady during a charity auction. Councillor Linda Maddison, Mayor of Sedgefield, suffered two broken bones in her foot and a twisted ankle after slipping on grass. The accident happened during
SECURITY at South Park, in Darlington, is to be improved in a £500,000 project. Darlington Borough Council officials are to invest the money in restoring railings and gateways in an effort to prevent vandalism. The move is part of a £3.9m scheme to restore
THIRTY ONE students from Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College, Darlington, will visit Oxford and Cambridge universities in the next fortnight. Accompanied by members of staff, 18 students will spend two days in Cambridge, attending open days and getting
THE inaugural meeting of Newton Aycliffe Anti-Social Behaviour Action Group will be held at Horndale Club on Monday, at 7pm. The meeting is open to the public. The driving force behind the group is Councillor Dorothy Bowman, who was also responsible for
SINGERS and musicians helped a retired bandmaster mark his 100th birthday at the weekend. Tom Hodgson, of Grove Road, Tow Law, enjoyed a celebration at St Philip and St James' Parish Church on Saturday. The service and musical event was organised by The
THIRTY ONE students from Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College, Darlington, will visit Oxford and Cambridge universities in the next fortnight. Accompanied by members of staff, 18 students will spend two days in Cambridge, attending open days and getting
A JUBILEE concert organised by Rotarians has helped raise more than £6,000 for Darlington charities. The Late Late Jubilee Show, which was staged at Darlington Civic Theatre by the town's Rotary Club in March, attracted an audience of more than 900 people
ROTHMANS: WHAT is it about the people of the North-East? Year after year we are subjected to job losses as our manufacturing base is eroded due to the lack of care and understanding of politicians, who for the most part have no concept of how wealth is
VISITORS are to be banned from feeding bread to ducks on a park lake. Middlesbrough's Victorian Albert Park has recently received a £4.4m facelift and part of the package of improvements was a major clean-up of the 140-year-old lake, which was suffering
Business starters from a North-East college have scooped a top award. Students at Hartlepool Sixth Form College won the Young Enterprise North-East company of the year for their success in manufacturing and marketing hand-made clothes and jewellery as
POLICE have issued pictures believed to be of drunken fans who attacked officers after this season's Sunderland-Newcastle derby match. Troublemakers threw missiles, including bottles and cans at police, some of whom were on horseback. The incident, after
Bass North Cleveland League: Hinderwell were all out for just 46 when they met at Loftus. Jeff Morrison and Gary Smithies were in magnificent form with the ball for the visitors and the home side's innings lasted just 20.3 overs. Morrison claimed six
Durham County Council leader Ken Manton is to lead a delegation to Westminster on Monday to explain its controversial education shake-up. The meeting will give the education authority a chance to brief the county's MPs and representatives in the House
OFFICIALS have been forced to close a play area in the evenings to stop vandals wrecking it. The £72,000 Helford Road play area, in Peterlee, was opened last October by Peterlee Town Council. It was the sixth such play area to be set up by the authority
A GROUP has been launched in Chester-le-Street for men who need help with their problems. The self-help group, run by the Oak Project, which was behind a similar initiative for women, meets on Monday nights in Bullion Hall, from 7pm to 9pm. Stress management
Meet My Folks (BBC1, Saturday) LOUISE Butler is a good-looking 19-year-old student and like most teenagers she can't get a boyfriend that her parents approve of. But instead of slamming her bedroom door, turning her stereo up and sulking, Louise made
YORKSHIRE Water has won an international award, beating off competition from across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The company left the likes of motor giant Audi in its wake to take the Gartner Customer Relationship Management Excellence Award. Yorkshire
Residents are signing up to a new campaign thanks to a series of street theatre performances. Actors from the theatre company Cragrats entertained people in Northallerton, while promoting the new Bite Size Intros. The Bite Size Intros are free, one-hour
Steve Thompson held on to his number one spot in the Ranking List just published in time for the next tournament in Durham Snooker Club on Sunday, 29 June. Dave Hodgson proved to be the biggest mover as he went to seventh from sixteenth, whilst David
AN ice cream van was among three vehicles seized by customs officers during an operation to crackdown on contraband tobacco. A team of 20 officers visited houses and stopped vehicles during the 48-hour exercise on Teesside at the weekend, looking for
DETECTIVES investigating a street stabbing have appealed for help from revellers who would have been making their way home at the time. A 23-year-old Newcastle man was stabbed as he walked through a car park between the Vermont Hotel, in The Side, and
A CABBIE who scooped a £14m Lotto jackpot has vowed to continue living in his modest former council house Bob Frazer, 58, has been jetting around the world on holiday since he won the money two months ago. Now he has returned to Newcastle and said his
GARDENERS are being urged to take up a new council initiative to compost their green waste. Durham County Council is encouraging people to use compost as an environmentally-friendly alternative to peat. To help gardeners to make the transition, the authority
A HOTEL director has called for a 50mph speed limit to be introduced to prevent further fatalities. Robin Smith, director of the Ramside Hall Hotel, has witnessed several accidents on the A690 at the bottom of the hotel's driveway, at Carrville, Durham
There was a double programme at the weekend giving sides the opportunity to challenge East Rainton's supremacy at the top of Division One. East Rainton, though, completed a double defeating Newton Aycliffe and Sunderland Hospitals. On Saturday, Aycliffe
CHAMPION paralympic swimmer Sarah Bailey has added her weight to a drive to improve equality in the NHS. The 27-time gold medal winner was the guest speaker yesterday at a seminar organised by North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust. The event at Darlington's
The Bok track column, as it were, we had been wondering if Co Durham really did play football against South Africa. Les Hind, to whom many thanks, duly provides the programme. It was October 24 1953 before a crowd of 5,642 at the Victoria Ground in Hartlepool
European Paralympic Athletics Championship gold medallist Kenny Churchill of Durham City Harriers insists the best is yet to come as he aims for a place at the 2004 Paralympics in Athens. The 28-year-old Churchill, from Middlesbrough, picked up gold in
The second fixture in Division 3NE of the NML was a double-header with Division 2NE on Saturday, June 7 at Sheepmount Stadium, Carlisle. Richmond and Zetland Harriers' Senior Men's team had finished fourth in the opening fixture, eight points behind Morpeth
Sir Paul Nicholson's autobiography, acknowledged in yesterday's John North column, records the late Sir James Woodeson's view that a vote of thanks to the chairman was "one of the three most useless things in the world." Sir Paul, former chairman of Vaux
Saturday: Foster's ECB North East Regional Premier League Division Two: Stockton 179 (C Oliver 41), Tynemouth 183-4 (D Candlish 90). Sunderland 192-6 (T Burdon 40, S Ferguson 34, J Phillips 52no), Newcastle 194-5 (K Porter 43, J Carr 52, Ferguson 3-41
A WOMAN has died in hospital four days after being seriously injured when her car was in collision with a lorry. Police yesterday named her as 24-year-old Denae Mills, of Berwick Court, Trimdon Grange, County Durham. She was cut free from her damaged
PELTON Junior School choir has released a CD single with the help of a professional sound recordist. A temporary recording studio was set up in the school with the help of sound recordist Donald Wichman from Gateshead. It took two hours to record the
NEVILLE Turner and his wife Chris have taken their love of birds to new heights - opening the North-East's first owl hospital. The caring couple have nursed scores of sick and injured birds back to health in the shed at the bottom of their garden. Big
INVESTIGATIONS were continuing last night into a suspicious leak near the site of a former chemical works. Environment Agency officials are looking into the origins of a red liquid coming out of a manhole cover and running into a drain in West Auckland
DISGRACED gynaecologist Richard Neale gave evidence yesterday at a private inquiry into the way the NHS handled large numbers of complaints made against him. Arriving at about 10.30am, Neale spent much of the day giving evidence to a panel of three people
Junior Round Up: Two third places and two runners up slots were what Sunderland Ice Hockey Club gained at the Telford tournament at the weekend. Sunderland Commanches B and Cherokees got to the finals of Under-14 B and Under 12 events respectively. Four
There were some outstanding performances in the Cleveland School Athletics Championships at Clairville Stadium, Middlesbrough. Dean Daniel was the star of the meeting with a record breaking 21.9s for 200m following his recent success at the North of England
ALMOST half the bikers stopped during a weekend police operation in North Yorkshire were committing an offence. Nine motorcyclists have already lost their lives in accidents in the county this year, compared with 23 last year - and police are determined
STRUCTURAL engineers have been called in to view a 100-year-old pub after a Jaguar car crashed through one of its walls, sending tables and chairs flying. The car ended up wedged halfway through the wall of The Plough Inn, on Pelton Lane, near Chester-le-Street
The decision by the Auckland and District EBAC Youth League to go into suspension for next season has prompted Willington Under-18s to join the Rhom & Haas JOC Hetton Junior League. Willington have turned down the chance of joining the new under-18
