Archive

  • Spam fritters and the six-inch rule

    As she rejoins her modern day class for the start of the new school year, one of the That'll Teach 'Em pupils tells Steve Pratt how it compares with her experience of education back in the 1950s. FRIENDS thought schoolgirl Harriet Rykens was mad when

  • Developer pledges to seek agreement on town centre

    THE owner of Newton Aycliffe town centre has broken its silence about the future of a multi-million pound development for the area. Property company Daejan said it was committed to breathing life into the town centre, but wanted to ensure that the right

  • Man critical after fight near pub

    A MAN was in a critical condition in hospital last night after a fight broke out in a busy market place. Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident, which happened near The Pack Horse pub in Stanhope on Friday night. It is believed that the fight

  • Boy is burned

    A TEENAGER suffered serious burns in an incident in the rear garden of a derelict house. Police said the 14-year-old was playing with friends in Pennywell, in Sunderland, at 3.45pm on Saturday. He suffered burns to his body and arms and was last night

  • Youth offending service improving

    DARLINGTON'S youth offending service has been ranked seventh of 155 nationally. The ranking comes despite Darlington Borough Council spending the least per offender in the North-East region, and a year of problems with staff turnover in the youth offending

  • Film evening

    VIEWS of York through the ages feature in an evening at the city's Art Gallery later this month. A Century of Yorkshire Film opens on Friday, September 26. The event includes a showing of rare footage of a number of events over the past 100 years. To

  • Grandfather inspires new eye-dropper

    WORDS of wisdom from his grandfather helped a graduate with an eye for design win a major award - and a job. University of Teesside graduate Nick Palfreyman's design of an eye-drop dispenser has won the Helen Hamyln Development Award of £3,000 and the

  • High Street Honey Hayley's hopes high

    A YORK student is in with a chance of following in the footsteps of Richmond's Tanya Robinson. Hayley Copsey has made it into the last 100 in FHM magazine's High Street Honeys competition, which offers fame and fortune to undiscovered girls next door.

  • Accidental death verdict on teenage passenger

    A FRONT-SEAT passenger died when the driver of a car in which he was travelling lost control at a bend on a moorland road, an inquest was told. A verdict of accidental death was recorded by the North Yorkshire East coroner, Michael Oakley, on Paul Christopher

  • Windfall as council recovers £900,000

    A COUNCIL'S coffers were boosted this week when it discovered it was owed a rate rebate of almost £900,000. The money is backdated to 1995, when Darlington Borough Council first queried the amount the Government was charging in rates for the town's Dolphin

  • News in brief: Plea for clues to accident

    POLICE are appealing for witnesses to a collision involving a car and a motorcyclist. The accident happened on Friday, at 2pm, in Eaglescliffe, where South View meets Durham Lane. It is thought the collision happened when the Yamaha bike left South View

  • Church to hold open day following revamp

    A CHURCH opening to the public following a £200,000 refurbishment. Sacred Heart Church, in Linthorpe Road, Middlesbrough, is encouraging people to visit next Sunday to view the building after Mass, at 10am. The interior has been redecorated and made lighter

  • Views sought on lane change

    PEOPLE are being invited to have their say on proposed changes to a bus lanes scheme. Consultations are under way on plans to amend regulations governing which modes of transport can use bus-only lanes on a key route into Sunderland. The scheme was introduced

  • Hotel wins accolade

    A HOTEL has earned an award for the amount of reservations it has secured. Lumley Castle, which is near Chester-le-Street and overlooks the Riverside cricket ground, is the first recipient of Grand Heritage's Revenue Achievement Award. The hotel received

  • Underfunding blamed for area's plight

    A DISTRICT on Tony Blair's doorstep has been dubbed one of the worst places to live in Britain, according to a study. The former mining heartland of the district of Easington, in County Durham, which lies partly in the Prime Minister's Sedgefield constituency

  • Correction

    IN The Northern Echo on Friday, we gave an incorrect date for a sponsored dog walk taking place at Willington. The walk will start at Willington Geen on Sunday, September 28, at 2pm and is in aid of the Animal Line sanctuary. For sponsor forms call (01388

  • Grant support

    A COMMUNITY cafe has received a grant of £1,200 to help local residents. The Skerne Park Community Enterprise Association in Darlington, which runs the Chatterbox Caf, has been awarded the money from the Abbey National Charitable Foundation to support

  • McClaren's men struggling to kick that losing habit

    IN ONE fleeting first half moment, Middlesbrough's dreadful start to the Premiership campaign was summed up by the profligacy of the club's strikeforce. Lone front-man Szilard Nemeth found himself in space, seemingly the size of Lancashire, and was faced

  • Customs and legends celebrated in booklet

    CUSTOMS, legends and traditions of Bishop Auckland are being relived in a booklet which was launched at the weekend. Volunteers from The Discovery Centre in the town began their research earlier this year at a six week display staged at the centre and

  • Man freed from cab after A19 accident

    A PASSENGER was trapped in a recovery truck with a fractured leg for three hours after a tyre burst causing the vehicle to career down an embankment off the A19. The vehicle knocked down one tree before crashing into another, pinning the victim, a 21-

  • Retired labourer died after he suffered burns

    AN 87-year-old retired labourer lay on the floor for two hours with his clothes smouldering after trying to light a coal fire at his home, an inquest has been told. A verdict of accidental death was recorded on Matthew Fenwick Smith, of Birch Grove, Sleights

  • Driving test centre to open

    A NEW driving test centre is to be opened by the Driving Standards Agency this week. The Whitby centre will be opened on Wednesday, and driving tests will start the same day. The centre is at St Hilda's Business Centre, Green Lane. The agency's area manager

  • Tenants given say on council homes' future

    EAST Durham council tenants have the chance to become directors of an organisation running 11,000 homes. Easington District Council residents will be asked if they support the creation of an Arms Length Management Organisation (ALMO) to manage, repair

  • Julie takes up post at city college

    ONE of North Yorkshire's colleges has appointed a new director of human resources. Julie Maughan is moving to York St John College from Northumbria University, in Newcastle, where she has played a similar role for the past three years. Oiginally from

  • Firm helps 199 steps appeal

    A RETAIL chain is taking steps to help a charity appeal in North Yorkshire. The North Eastern and Cumbrian Co-op has donated £1,500 to Whitby's 199 Steps appeal. Fundraisers are hoping to raise £170,000 to restore the steps, which lead up to St Mary's

  • Big plans ahead for youth cafe

    THE new co-ordinator of Ferryhill's youth caf says she us looking forward to working with the town's young people. Julia Rowcroft is full of ideas about how to develop the e.caf, which will provide a drop-in facility in the evenings and at weekends. There

  • News in brief: Epilepsy help group planned

    The charity Epilepsy Action wants to establish a support group in Darlington. The first meeting will be on Thursday, September 25, at 7pm, in the Dolphin Centre. For details call Joanne Cole on (01642) 641825, or Pam Mantri on (01325) 555940. TOP GARDENS

  • News in brief: Council chief 'not sacked'

    A COUNCIL has dismissed rumours that its chief executive has stepped down. A spokesman for Chester-le-Street District Council said that Mick Waterson was on sick leave, adding: "The council sees this as a personal matter, and any suggestion that he has

  • Inspectors' glowing praise for school facing closure

    A SMALL Durham infants school that could be closed in a £300m education shake-up is "outstanding'', according to Ofsted inspectors. St Oswald's Church of England Infant and Nursery School is one of 23 that Durham County Council could shut in a drive to

  • Food festival starts with a banger

    TELEVISION weatherman Paul Hudson took a break from the studio to try his skills making sausages to help launch a festival of food and drink. Mr Hudson was helping to launch then ten-day festival in York, a celebration of some of the best food the region

  • Diamond pair still sparkle

    WARTIME sweethearts who met at a town hall dance have celebrated 60 years of marriage. Peter and Vi Ballatt, both 80, who have five children, seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, met when they were 18, at Middlesbrough Town Hall. They were

  • Wainwright double ensures Quakers' revival continues

    Super-sub Neil Wainwright may have been soaking up the plaudits after his match-winning brace on Saturday but the real hero of the day was not even on the bench. But for Neil Maddison's unusual gesture to sit out of the squad of 16, Quakers may well have

  • Fundraisers aim to keep ambulance flying

    Fundraisers were out in force yesterday to raise money for the Great North Air Ambulance. Darlington Rotary Club organised the fun day in aid of the air ambulance's Flight for Life appeal at Hummersknott School and Language College, in Darlington. An

  • Third world record for delighted Radcliffe

    PAULA Radcliffe secured her third world record of the year yesterday with a stupendous performance over five kilometres against a high- class field to win the Flora Light Challenge for Women in London's Hyde Park. Radcliffe broke away from a world-class

  • Nightmare trip - only to see the eighth goal

    HARTLEPOOL United fans are still on a high after witnessing Friday night's 8-1 win over Grimsby. The victory, their biggest since 1959, lifted them up to fourth place in Division Two. But for David Bell, the game will be remembered for a different reason

  • Why do we lock up these children?

    THE manager of the secure unit housing some of Britain's most dangerous juvenile delinquents last night fiercely criticised the policy of putting youngsters behind bars. Gill Palin manages the Aycliffe Secure Unit in County Durham - the children's centre

  • Army base inquests may be reopened

    INQUESTS into the deaths of young soldiers found dead at a North-East Army base may be reopened because they were carried out by disgraced coroner Jeremy Cave, it was revealed last night. Families of the young soldiers, who all died at Catterick Garrison

  • 15/09/03

    LOCAL GOVERNMENT: I HAVE served under the "committee system" where every councillor had a vote after listening to presentations made by senior officers. The new "cabinet system" puts power in the hands of a few. It delivers a poor service at a higher

  • All to play for in the race for promotion

    Darlington Buildng SOciety NYSD League Division One: FOUR teams are still in contention for the one promotion place but it looks as if it will go to either Great Ayton or Wolviston. Wolviston played their game against fourth-top Seaton Carew yesterday

  • Lucky Black Cats go fourth

    THE VERDICT of the top brass at the Stadium of Light was unanimous. Lady luck, that most precious commodity in any walk of life, is at last once again smiling on Sunderland. Manager Mick McCarthy, who as one of Irish stock should know a thing or two about

  • Treatment centre helps reduce waiting lists

    EIGHT months after it opened, the region's fast-track treatment centre is making inroads into NHS waiting lists, according to health bosses. Wednesday's meeting of County Durham and Tees Valley Strategic Health Authority will be told that the North-East's

  • TV presenter tells of threats by stalker

    REGIONAL TV presenter Carol Malia has told of a stalker who made her life a misery. She revealed the man sent chilling letters to her home in which he detailed her movements and threatened to attack her with a knife. And she said the stalker who sent

  • Plucky Darlington meet their Waterloo in defeat

    DARLINGTON lost their first game in National Division Three North 43-26 at home to Waterloo, who finished third last season. But despite not having a recognised full back or goal-kicker, Craig Lee taking on both roles, Darlington competed well in an entertaining

  • Why do we lock up these children?

    THE manager of the secure unit housing some of Britain's most dangerous juvenile delinquents last night fiercely criticised the policy of putting youngsters behind bars. Gill Palin manages the Aycliffe Secure Unit in County Durham - the children's centre

  • Comment from The Northern Echo: Is it right to -lock em up'?

    THEY say that "the old 'uns are the best" and there is no more hoary chestnut for debate than "does prison work?" Specifically, this morning the question is whether the locking up of young offenders works. A statistic in the report by Nacro - the National

  • Friar Tuck looking to live up to past

    FOLKLORE leads us to believe Friar Tuck had a reputation for helping redistribute wealth and the horse named after him might well follow in his footsteps by relieving the bookmakers of some cash at Redcar today. Linda Perratt's sprinter is bidding to

  • Craven the ace as Yorkshire seek Worcestershire scalp

    Part-time medium pacer Vic Craven gave Yorkshire a chance of becoming the first team to beat Worcestershire this season by dismissing Graeme Hick and Ben Smith after both had made half-centuries at New Road yesterday. Worcestershire closed the third day

  • Supply of ale for stumbling on Stone Book

    A RAMBLER on his first long-distance walk with a group of friends can look forward to a new pair of boots and a year's supply of ale after recovering a hidden stone copy of a Yorkshire author's book. Mark Reid had three copies of editions of the Inn Way

  • Ovation for Saltburn

    SALTBURN received a standing ovation when the results of the Northumbria in Bloom competition were announced on Monday. The town was devastated after a mystery poisoner slipped a cocktail of chemicals into water used on hundreds of hanging baskets and

  • Region's attractions draw thousands as they open to public

    AN Indian summer helped swell the crowds as some of the region's best-loved historic attractions opened their doors this weekend. English Heritage said it was confident that more than 800,000 people had enjoyed a free day out as part of Heritage Open

  • Wearside League

    Cleadon SC moved top for the first time after defeating Darlington RA in a five-goal thriller. Steve Lyall gave RA an early lead but the visitors suffered when the home side scored three times in 10 minutes before the interval. Danny McGinley bagged a

  • Fans urged to book tickets for games

    SUNDERLAND fans have been urged to book tickets for games to avoid a repeat of lengthy queuing seen so far this season. Following the club's relegation from the Premiership, fewer fans renewed season tickets, leading to more supporters arriving at the

  • Heartbeat's sergeant to open centre

    A £155,000 community centre will be opened by a star from TV series Heartbeat on Saturday. Derek Fowlds, who played Sergeant Oscar Blaketon in the show, will open the facility in a former police house in Little Market Place, Masham, North Yorkshire, at

  • Residents angered by payphone closures plan

    RESIDENTS are fighting against the closure of payphone kiosks in East Cleveland. BT is proposing to close 12 phone boxes in the Redcar and Cleveland area and dozens more across Teesside as part of a nationwide programme. The company said it will make

  • Fightback fails to give Falcons victory

    THE sun shone, more than 7,000 packed expectantly into the stadium and there was a great deal of razzmatazz. But the Falcons fell flat yesterday, despite a rousing fightback after half-time. A controversial penalty try awarded by referee Steve Lander

  • Former Magpie's strike leaves Robson ruling out title charge

    WITH one casual remark, Sir Bobby Robson unwittingly explained why Newcastle United will not lift the Premiership this season. "Arsenal or Manchester United might have won this game," he said. "They might have seen the last three minutes out, but we didn't

  • Durham Diary

    GRAEME Bridge left Bristol at 3am on Saturday to be with his partner when she gave birth to a girl. The baby was slightly premature and Durham had gambled on completing the game against Gloucestershire before her arrival. "We took a bit of a risk," admitted

  • Moxon ready to start Riverside clear-out

    DURHAM will clear the decks today hoping that a winter of strengthening the squad will prepare them for a more serious crack at promotion next season. The players will find out this morning which of them are to be released and it could be as many as five

  • Horseman recovers after horrific fall

    AN equestrian star looks set to make a full recovery from a riding accident that left him fighting for life. Leading Northumberland horse trials competitor David Herron, 27, was in a coma for weeks after a fall three months ago in which his horse collapsed

  • Report into woman's death criticises health officials

    A REPORT into the care given to a widow who was killed by a man befriended in hospital criticises health and social services officials. New procedures have been put in place since alcoholic drifter William Kilgallon battered Janet Frost weeks after they

  • Probe into livestock markets 'bombings'

    DETECTIVES are investigating a series of hoax threats that bombs would be detonated on September 11 at North-East livestock markets. The letters, sent out to coincide with the second anniversary of the attacks in the US, targeted Hexham, Wooler and Scots

  • N-E civil service jobs plea backed

    EFFORTS to bring thousands more civil service jobs to the region are being increased. Last week, the Government made clear there would be no extra public money for the region to help bridge the North-South economic divide. But ministers have provisionally

  • Windfall as council recovers £900,000

    A COUNCIL'S coffers were boosted this week when it discovered it was owed a rate rebate of almost £900,000. The money is backdated to 1995, when Darlington Borough Council first queried the amount the Government was charging in rates for the town's Dolphin

  • Judges decide chihuahua is championship show top dog

    ALMOST 10,000 preened and pampered pedigree pets descended on the North-East at the weekend for the country's second largest dog show. All shapes and sizes of dog, from Dobermanns to dachshunds, competed for the honours in a host of categories at the

  • Guisborough clinch their third successive title

    Darlington Building Society NYSD League Premier Division: They celebrated at Fountains Garth on Saturday when victory in the final game of the season earned Guisborough the championship by the narrowest of margins. In the end they had just one point to

  • Councillors take vote over pay committee

    A ROW over councillors' pay is threatening to divide a North-East local authority. Members of Shildon Town Council have decided to join a committee to look at the issue of pay for councillors. The committee has been formed by Sedgefield Borough Council

  • Police chase almost ends in tragedy

    A HIGH-SPEED police chase almost ended in tragedy when a car crashed into a house and went straight through the living room window. The accident caused so much damage that emergency services had to evacuate a mother and her son, over fears that the building

  • Man critical after fight near pub

    A MAN was in a critical condition in hospital last night after a fight broke out in a busy market place. Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident, which happened near The Pack Horse pub in Stanhope on Friday night. It is believed that the fight

  • Two held after teen dies

    A MURDER investigation is under way after a teenager was stabbed to death. The 16-year-old, discovered with multiple stab wounds, was taken to Newcastle General Hospital by ambulance, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Police said the attack happened

  • Warnings on high-pressure alarms sales ploys issued

    PEOPLE in Darlington are being warned not to fall prey to the high-pressure sales tactics of security companies after a string of worrying cases. Consumer watchdogs have received reports of companies cold-calling in the area and using aggressive methods

  • News in brief: Council chief 'not sacked'

    A COUNCIL has dismissed rumours that its chief executive has stepped down. A spokesman for Chester-le-Street District Council said that Mick Waterson was on sick leave, adding: "The council sees this as a personal matter, and any suggestion that he has

  • Safari supper

    A "safari SUPPER", in which the various stages of the meal were served at different village homes, raised £110 for the funds of Sedgefield Village Twinning Association. The chairman of the twinning association, Councillor Keith Wells, thanked everyone

  • Adult learning courses on offer

    A Darlington community group is providing a new season of courses, from learning to fish to slimming. The Cockerton and Branksome Living Enterprise (Cable) group is urging more people to get involved in its courses and support groups. The Cable Fishing

  • Decision day over skating park

    A MEETING today could finally set the date for the opening of a skating park in Richmond. A site has been located and the money found to cover the cost of the facilities, with the help and support of more than 100 youngsters who would use them. Although

  • Stop the treadmill, I want to get off

    Puffed out after another punishing day's work, I was heartened to pick up the paper and realise I wasn't the only young 'un to feel so clapped out in the 'happiest' years of my life. I am proud to announce that my burn-out is linked to a cultural phenomenon

  • Residents told to abide by rubbish collection directive

    RESIDENTS in Hartlepool are being warned they will be fined unless they clean up their act. Council chiefs are targeting people who fail to put out and take in their rubbish bins at the right time. They have launched a campaign in a number of streets

  • Patchwork exhibits go on display at castle

    A NORTH Yorkshire stately home opened a new attraction at the weekend. Visitors at Castle Howard, near Malton, could see an exhibition of quilting, and more than 30 members of the Patchwork Priory were on hand to lead workshops and exhibit examples of

  • News in brief: Men injured in car crash

    TWO men are seriously ill in hospital after their car was involved in a collision with a stationary lorry. The Vauxhall Cavalier collided with the parked flatbed lorry in Cotswold Gardens, Lobley Hill, Gateshead, at about 10.20pm on Saturday. Firefighters

  • Police urged to re-open inquiry

    THE mother of a North-East soldier killed in Northern Ireland will meet police chiefs to demand a new investigation into his death. Liz Green's son, Corporal Anthony Green, of Stanley, County Durham, was shot in the head on January 24, 2001 at Shackleton

  • Police backing for cadets

    AIR Cadets striving for their Duke of Edinburgh Awards had a helping hand from the police. The youngsters, from 1409 Consett Squadron Air Training Corps, were visited by the Commandant of Durham Special Constabulary, Geoff Knupfer. Mr Knupfer gave a talk

  • Prize blooms go on display

    The Darlington Chrysanthemum and Dahlia Society held its annual early show at the Dolphin Centre on Saturday. The society's top growers mixed with members of the public to show their flowers and highlight their long horticultural tradition in the town

  • N-E links to star's millions

    FORGOTTEN bank accounts could unlock a £2m fortune hidden by the late film star Diana Dors. Diana secreted earnings in dozens of accounts to avoid tax and, shortly before her death, gave her son, Mark Dawson, an encoded list. Mr Dawson enlisted codebreakers

  • Birthday piped in

    FORMER Scots Guard Peter Jacobson was stunned when he opened his front door to find a pipes and drums band on the doorstep. The long-distance lorry driver from St Andrew's Close, Aycliffe Village, was celebrating his 62nd birthday with his wife Sheila

  • Birthday piped in

    FORMER Scots Guard Peter Jacobson was stunned when he opened his front door to find a pipes and drums band on the doorstep. The long-distance lorry driver from St Andrew's Close, Aycliffe Village, was celebrating his 62nd birthday with his wife Sheila

  • Thousands visit sunshine-bathed agricultural show

    THOUSANDS of people turned out to one of the region's oldest agricultural shows at the weekend. Organisers of Stanhope Show, in Weardale, said the sunshine ensured a bumper attendance. Mike Robson, general secretary at the show, said that at least 10,000

  • Cyclists ride out to boost hospice

    KEEN cyclists in Darlington yesterday got the chance to take part in a charity bike ride that was washed out by a freak summer rain storm. The Border Bike Ride, part of the town's annual cycling festival, was washed out in June and had to be postponed

  • Youngsters get message over as mobile skate ramp is wheeled in

    About 1,500 young people tried out a mobile skate ramp at Prissick base, Marton, at the weekend and talked about plans for a permanent, free, open-air area dedicated to skating. Middlesbrough Council's development manager Paul Rabbits said: "We have been

  • Villagers' relief that hall will not close

    VILLAGERS said they were happy that a well-used community hall will remain open. Esh Winning residents pledged to fight for Woodlands Road Communal Hall after hearing it could be shut by Durham City Council because it was underused. Residents said it

  • Parade brings a touch of colour to streets

    COMMUNITY groups from across York will be taking part in a colourful city centre parade on Wednesday, September 24. As part of the city's Without Walls initiative, the lively procession will feature representatives from local organisations. Many of the

  • Villages launch websites

    TWO communities are launching websites today. Easby, near Richmond, and Littlethorpe, near Ripon, will be part of the new Local Channel Network, which aims to link 10,000 parishes across the UK, giving each an online source of local information. Anyone

  • News in brief: Town tribute to Iraq victim

    A SEAT installed at a cemetery in Northallerton will be dedicated to the memory of a young soldier from the town who died in Iraq. Ben Hyde was one of six military policemen killed during a riot in Al Ahmarah in June. The town council has paid for the

  • Cycle ride for cancer research

    FITNESS fanatics will be challenged to pedal 50 miles to raise vital funds for breast cancer - an illness that affects one woman in nine across the UK. Hambleton Leisure Centre, in Northallerton, is urging its users and members of the public to take part

  • Land of the giants as show draws the crowds

    TOWERING leeks and giant parsnips were some of the home-grown talent on show at the Gala Theatre in Durham. Durham's Annual Horticultural and Craft Show took centre stage on Friday and Saturday, when growers and gardeners displayed their finest vegetables

  • Police arrest nine after drunken brawl on train

    TERRIFIED passengers ducked for cover when a mass brawl broke out between drunken travellers on a Newcastle-bound train. Trains on the East Coast main line travelling south into Newcastle were delayed for 90 minutes after the drink-fuelled thugs, all

  • Big plans ahead for youth cafe

    THE new co-ordinator of Ferryhill's youth caf says she us looking forward to working with the town's young people. Julia Rowcroft is full of ideas about how to develop the e.caf, which will provide a drop-in facility in the evenings and at weekends. There

  • News in brief: Epilepsy help group planned

    The charity Epilepsy Action wants to establish a support group in Darlington. The first meeting will be on Thursday, September 25, at 7pm, in the Dolphin Centre. For details call Joanne Cole on (01642) 641825, or Pam Mantri on (01325) 555940. TOP GARDENS

  • Fears raised over plan to build flats

    RESIDENTS fear that a planned housing development could become a haven for drug addicts. Angry residents have already held a meeting about the plan to build 22 two-storey self-contained flats at Wheatlands Farm Cottages, in Redcar Road, Redcar. Another

  • Work to start on £7m business park

    CONSTRUCTION work on a £7m science park starts today. The University of Sunderland park is expected to create more than 200 jobs, providing units for new businesses and more established, knowledge-based ones. Professor Peter Fidler, university vice-chancellor

  • Teenage views sought on voting age limit

    COUNTY Durham youngsters are being asked for their views on whether or not the voting age should be lowered. Durham County Council wants the county's youth to help it respond to national consultation. The Electoral Commission wants to find out people's

  • News in brief: Council chief 'not sacked'

    A COUNCIL has dismissed rumours that its chief executive has stepped down. A spokesman for Chester-le-Street District Council said that Mick Waterson was on sick leave, adding: "The council sees this as a personal matter, and any suggestion that he has

  • Europe a distant dream for Boro

    MIDDLESBROUGH have been told to forget about qualifying for Europe by influential skipper Gareth Southgate. Saturday's defeat at Bolton left Boro sitting one place from bottom in the Premiership after picking up just one point - the same number as basement

  • Letters

    LOCAL GOVERNMENT I HAVE served under the "committee system" where every councillor had a vote after listening to presentations made by senior officers. The new "cabinet system" puts power in the hands of a few. It delivers a poor service at a higher cost

  • Dixon the hero in title joy

    Foster's Northumberland and Tyneside Senior League: Lanchester finally clinched the championship but had a close call before seeing off the challenge from Lintz in their penultimate game. Despite spinners Farukh Iqbal and Banda sharing nine wickets, Lintz

  • 'I don't believe any child is born bad'

    We're locking up more under 18s than ever before, and more than any other country in Europe. The Northern Echo has been given unprecedented access to a secure unit for young people, and in the first of a series of reports, Nick Morrison looks at how children

  • Petition calls for safer crossing

    ACTION has been promised to improve safety at a busy road junction which residents claim is dangerous. Campaigners from a sheltered housing scheme in Guisborough say the junction of New Road and Westgate, the main shopping street, is increasingly dangerous

  • Inquiry after boys smuggle ten-inch machete on plane

    AN inquiry was under way last night into how two North-East teenagers were able to carry a ten-inch machete aboard a holiday jet. Cameron Chapman, 18, said he and his brother did not deliberately smuggle the lethal weapon in their hand luggage on the

  • Friar Tuck looking to live up to past

    FOLKLORE leads us to believe Friar Tuck had a reputation for helping redistribute wealth and the horse named after him might well follow in his footsteps by relieving the bookmakers of some cash at Redcar today. Linda Perratt's sprinter is bidding to

  • Railings plan for cenotaph

    RAILINGS are to be erected around Redcar's Cenotaph. The town's branch of the Royal British Legion hopes the new decorative railings will prevent Remembrance Day poppy wreaths from being blown away by strong winds. Branch secretary Eric Howden said: "

  • Evenwood in title triumph

    Evenwood emerged as champions following the most hotly-contested race in years. And Willington, who chased Evenwood all the way, were pipped for the runners-up position which is shared by Kimblesworth and Tudhoe. Evenwood went into their last game of

  • Star makes emotional return

    A TELEVISION actress who began her life in a North-East children's home tonight tells the heartwarming tale of how she was taken in by a mining family. Angela Bruce, who starred in the BBC drama The Messiah 2: Vengeance is Mine, makes an emotional return

  • Harriers in hurry

    NEW RECRUIT Nick McCormick spearheaded a fine senior men's victory for Morpeth Harriers in the opening cross country meeting of the season at Farringdon, Sunderland. The 21-year-old former Tynedale Harrier, who has returned to his native North-East after

  • Winners who make a difference

    IT WAS a close run thing but a group of volunteers are celebrating after scooping first prize in The Northern Echo's environmental competition, Making a Difference. Richmond Pride, which tackles problems such as litter, dog waste and graffiti, is the

  • That'll teach them!

    FRIENDS thought schoolgirl Harriet Rykens was mad when she volunteered to spend her summer holidays back in the classroom. And, as millions of TV viewers saw in the Channel 4 series That'll Teach 'Em, there were times when she looked as if she regretted

  • Nothing goes right for Mowden Park

    THERE were dark mutterings among the Darlington Mowden Park faithful on Saturday as they began to question their support for the link-up with Newcastle Falcons. It's a marriage which is supposed to lead to Division One, but hopes of instant wedded bliss

  • 'Guidelines are ruining the game', Shearer

    ALAN SHEARER last night accused referee Rob Styles of crumbling under pressure - but claimed Premiership officials are being hindered by stringent guidelines. Styles sent off two players and issued ten cautions at Goodison on Saturday, even though the

  • Bikers toll already up on last year total

    ANOTHER biker died on North Yorkshire's roads over the weekend, taking the death toll to one higher than the whole of last year. Twenty-four motorcyclists have died in the county this year compared with 23 last year - despite concerted police attempts

  • Recycling bag prompts fine

    A SALTBURN woman who has been fined for putting a bag of waste for recycling outside her home is appealing against the council penalty. Alexandra Wilkinson placed garden waste for collection in recycling bags issued by Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council

  • Tait backs Darlington to keep up run

    Sheer will and determination have been the secret to Darlington's recent revival, according to manager Mick Tait. After a disastrous start to a campaign, which brought three straight League defeats, Quakers have now claimed nine points from a possible

  • It's just what the doctor ordered

    EXTERMINATE! Exterminate! The little boy was talking in a tinny voice more Smash Robot than Dalek, but it was obvious where he was coming from. He fell on the floor, exterminated, until his sister asked if she could be "the doctor". "Of course not," he

  • Scarred Kyle aims to make defenders go to pieces

    BATTLE-SCARRED Sunderland striker Kevin Kyle will willingly pick up a few more wounds if it means he scares the living daylights out of defenders. Kyle ended an agonisingly long wait for his first Sunderland League goal in Saturday's 2-1 home win over

  • We're suffering, firms tell store

    TRADERS say a multi-million pound supermarket has created havoc for them. Businesses on South Burn, next to the new Tesco supermarket, say they have lost parking and trade since work on the store began. One firm, ABA Taxis, said it has even lost its taxi

  • How Harry hekped my career

    Following several years as a jobbing actor, David Bradley hit the big time in the Harry Potter films. He tells Viv Hardwick about his lastest bad guy role. YORK born and bred, David Bradley, 61, is enjoying his first starring role for the Royal Shakespeare

  • Guisborough clinch their third successive title

    Darlington Building Society NYSD League Premier Division: They celebrated at Fountains Garth on Saturday when victory in the final game of the season earned Guisborough the championship by the narrowest of margins. In the end they had just one point to

  • Plucky Darlington meet their Waterloo in defeat

    DARLINGTON lost their first game in National Division Three North 43-26 at home to Waterloo, who finished third last season. But despite not having a recognised full back or goal-kicker, Craig Lee taking on both roles, Darlington competed well in an entertaining

  • Sceptics hail Sweden's No to single currency

    Opponents of British entry into the European single currency last night welcomed Sweden's rejection of the euro. The referendum to adopt the euro has failed, announced Prime Minister Goeran Persson. Earlier, exit polls indicated that Swedes had voted

  • Ghost fleet may set sail

    THE first ships from a condemned US 'ghost fleet' could finally be cleared to sail for the North-East later tomorrow. Hartlepool based Able UK, which is dismantling the fleet, admitted last night there had been delays, but said it was confident of receiving