THE first ships from the Ghost Fleet will not arrive in the North-East next week as originally expected. Two former US navy vessels were expected to reach the Able UK yard on Teesside on Wednesday at the end of their 4,500-mile voyage. But poor weather
Thanks to TV sitcom Dinnerladies, actress Maxine Peake will always be known as Twinkle the grumpy member of Victoria Wood's comedy catering team. She talks to Steve Pratt about her passion for classical theatre. MAXINE Peake is leading a double life,
GEORGE REYNOLDS last night made an audacious bid to bring back former manager David Hodgson to help pull Darlington Football Club out of crisis. The controversial chairman promised to take "a back seat" if fans' favourite Mr Hodgson, who led Quakers to
PARENTS have told of their grief and pride in their daughter who died in a car accident in the Middle East. Caroline Hughes, 25, and her partner, Luke Griffiths, 27, from Northampton, were killed in the crash involving a camel in Dubai earlier this month
A FORMER paratrooper has been praised for his swift response following an explosion at a neighbour's home. Carl Foot ran to the property in Bayswater Avenue, Town End Farm, Sunderland. On hearing a scream, he kicked the house door in and dragged Tony
A GROUP of police officers have taken part in a bicycle ride to help raise money for charity. The eight officers, from Cleveland Police, raised more than £1,300 for the Motor Neurone Disease Association when they took part in the 140-mile Coast to Coast
SPIRALLING house prices and the British public's appetite for equity release has been a major cause for concern, according to the new Deputy Governor of the Bank of England. Speaking to The Northern Echo in her first interview since taking the post, Rachel
YOUNG OFFENDERS in Darlington are paying their debts to society through community and environmental projects. Around ten youngsters, all convicted of crimes including car theft and burglary, are currently working with Darlington's Community Safety Partnership
Goths are well known for their sombre clothes and slightly frightening image. But as 2,000 of them converge on Whitby for the weekend, Andrew Davison discovers that they quite like making sandcastles too. THE chances are you've seen them walking down
BUSINESSES in Bishop Auckland are being offered thousands of pounds to brighten up their premises. Up to 15 new jobs have already been created in the town thanks to two schemes which are smartening up store fronts, creating extra floorspace and improving
TAKEOVER target Safeway is keeping the two remaining bidders waiting in the hope of forcing the sale price higher. An open field was narrowed down to Bradford rival Wm Morrison and retail entrepreneur Philip Green by the Competition Commission's ruling
A £50,000 grant was announced yesterday to save a crumbling church tower from further decay. Trinity Church, which stands in the shadow of Richmond Castle in the town's market place, has a history almost as long as the Norman ruin. The original building
MICHAEL HOWARD last night looked set to be crowned Tory leader following Iain Duncan Smith's defeat in a vote of confidence. A succession of would-be contenders stepped down in Mr Howard's favour within hours of the result of the ballot of MPs being announced
R Kelly: The 'R' in R 'n' B Collection (Jive): When Billboard magazine tabulated a Biggest Hits Ever feature for a 100th anniversary issue in November 1994, R. Kelly's Bump 'N' Grind was named as the No 1 R 'n' B single of all time. Six months earlier
A CONSORTIUM of businesses has won a £1.6m contract from the region's web portal .n-e-life.com to deliver e-commerce support for a new initiative. Scientia Solutions, based in Gateshead, Northumbria University and Newcastle-based Perfect Image will work
A MEDIA centre has been awarded an accolade confirming its position as one of the best places in the country to train. Darlington College of Technology's media department has been presented with a North-East Training Award 2003 by UK Skills, in recognition
Rikki Clarke emerged from a difficult week to stamp his mark on England's second Test against Bangladesh in Chittagong. The Surrey all-rounder has always known the return of Andrew Flintoff, who arrived with the other members of the one-day squad in Dhaka
A NORTH-EAST man has been highly commended after being nominated for the Beacon Prize 2003 for his work. Peter Sotheran, 59, was nominated for the award for his efforts leading the recent 20-month long rebuilding programme at the 327-year-old Sir William
THE partner of a man found dead in his home told last night of her heartbreak. Fighting back tears, Gail Fitzpatrick said the sudden death of Leonard Tearney, her partner of 13 years, had come as a massive shock. Mr Tearney was found slumped at the top
SPRING-HEELED nine-year-old Keltic Heritage (3.40) has solid claims in the feature race at Stratford, the Carter Jonas Handicap Chase. The grey gelding rarely fails to set the pulse racing with his exuberant style, generally pinging his obstacles with
FAMILIES have been given the key to a safer future through a crime cracking initiative which locks out people who blight their lives. Residents of three streets in Coundon are the first in the county to have their back lane blocked off with eight feet
PARENTS and staff are to give their views on the possible closure of two nursery schools in Darlington. Eastbourne and Heathfield nurseries could close next April if proposals to create alternative Foundation Stage departments at two schools are approved
YOUNGSTERS who have received £11,000 to research the future of skateboarding facilities in Darlington, have pledged to carry-out an in depth survey. The money from the Prince's Trust Millennium Group Awards will fund reviews and surveys into skateboarding
TWO street muggers who robbed an elderly charity collector to fund their drug habits were yesterday jailed for a combined total of more than 12 years. Barry Hutchinson and Shaun Taylor targeted the 78-year-old woman as she was making door-to-door collections
AN organisation that provides sports and leisure activities for disabled youngsters has received £21,200 from Children in Need. Durham Area Disability Leisure Group, based at the Riverside Park in Chester-le-Street, has been awarded the money to ensure
AN amateur historian who has made it his mission to commemorate 900 men who died in the two world wars is looking for people to help him. Clive Bowery, from Chester-le-Street, began his task when he visited some Commonwealth war graves nearly four years
NORTH Yorkshire businesses are being asked to help stage an educational play in which the audience must pedal to keep the action going. The sound system of the play, which will take place in Scarborough, will be powered by the audience pedalling a bank
November 21 marks a new beginning for music in the North-East and North Yorkshire and its many talented artists and bands. The Northern Echo's music website, Revolution, has teamed up with streetwear store Fourth Chamber and local musician Dan McKewan
SPEEDING at accident blackspots in Darlington has been halved thanks to a device that flashes up motorists' speeds as they approach. The success of the speed visors could lead to more of them being installed around the town if Darlington Borough Council
PART of a busy town centre was brought to a standstill for more than an hour yesterday when a man walked into a shop carrying a hand grenade. Roads and businesses in Guisborough, east Cleveland, were closed by police, and shop assistants told to keep
TWO street muggers who robbed an elderly charity collector to fund their drug habits were yesterday jailed for a combined total of more than 12 years. Barry Hutchinson and Shaun Taylor targeted the 78-year-old woman as she was making door-to-door collections
TELEVISION gardener Simon Cross was in Middlesbrough yesterday to launch a scheme aimed at encouraging people to keep fit through walking. The Healthy Living in Middlesbrough Initiative, which is helping restore allotments, has created four walks suitable
DURHAM University has appointed an expert to help regenerate Teesside. Andy Cattermole will be based at Queen's Campus, in Stockton, where he will work with the university's research and economic development support service. He aims to integrate the college
EXTRA police patrols are to take to the streets of North Yorkshire in an effort to ensure Mischief Night, Halloween and Bonfire Night go as smoothly as possible. Regular officers will be joined by part-time Specials and community support teams in high-visibility
STUDENT Sam Reeve has won £25 by logging on to a council website as part of his college course. Sam, 17, from Billingham, visited Stockton Borough Council's website and completed the Local Democracy Week quiz as part of his course on government and politics
CHANGES are on the way for the kerbside paper collection scheme operating in rural parts of the Hambleton district. The scheme has been reviewed and will now take place over five days, instead of the original three. However, the change only affects the
GOVERNORS have expressed fears about plans to build a school close to their own. Outline planning permission was granted by Redcar and Cleveland Borough councillors yesterday for a replacement for Gillbrook Technology School, in Teesville, near Middlesbrough
A DEVICE that flashes up motorists' speeds is to be installed at an accident blackspot in Aycliffe Village. The device has proved a success in Darlington, where incidents of drivers speeding have been halved in areas where it has been operating. The speed
A SANCTUARY for injured birds of prey is fighting for survival after objections from neighbours prompted an investigation by the local planning department. Juliana Fowler and her husband Neil have been running Scotton Owl and Raptor Rehabilitation in
STUDENTS staged a dramatic protest yesterday against Tony Blair's plans to triple the amount they pay for a university education. Durham University's Student Union, like others across the country, is furious at proposals by New Labour to introduce top-up
A RARE honour was bestowed on a Royal Navy ship beginning its sentimental last visit to the North-East yesterday. HMS Lindisfarne made history when it became the first Island-class naval warship to pass through the Millennium Bridge over the River Tyne
GEORGE REYNOLDS last night made an audacious bid to bring back former manager David Hodgson to help pull Darlington Football Club out of crisis. The controversial chairman promised to take "a back seat" if fans' favourite Mr Hodgson, who led Quakers to
A NORTH-EAST sailor who was killed in a freak accident when he fell under a boat was days away from celebrating five years in the Navy. Marine Engineer Michael McCarthy, 21, fell from a private boat as it prepared to dock at Kingstown, the capital of
SHILDON FC are still celebrating after a fantastic victory which takes them into the FA Cup first round. It is the first time in 42 years that the Railwaymen have got this far and people living in the town have talked of little else since the 6-0 defeat
YOUNGSTERS have won high-level backing for their efforts to solve the problem of traffic congestion. Education Secretary Char-les Clarke and Transport Minister Kim Howells gave their support to pupils from two schools when they attended the final of the
As the Tories tear themselves apart, who is keeping an eye on the Government? Nick Morrison looks at how the Opposition's failings are giving Tony Blair a free ride - and where the Conservatives go from here. SPOT the difference: two governments, both
Bay City Roller frontman Les McKeown loved being a superstar, but he's still very better that the band gained so little financially, he tells Viv Hardwick. SING a few bars of Shang-A-Lang and you have the instant nostalgia of the heady days of 1974 when
Meg Ryan isn't keen to discuss her career, let alone her change of image, but she agreed to bare her soul on the plight of the modern female. Steve Pratt reports. SIMULATING an orgasm in a deli may be the scene for which most people remember Meg Ryan,
SHOPLIFTERS could face being banned from a town centre as traders team up with police to stamp out thefts from stores. The policy is just one of the tougher measures that traders in Bishop Auckland may take in an improved Shopwatch Scheme. The scheme,
I Capture The Castle (PG) Stars: Romola Garai, Henry Thomas, Bill Nighy, Rose Byrne, Tara FitzGerald DODIE Smith's coming of age adventure has been enthralling readers of all ages for more than 50 years. Tim Fywell's film adaptation does not disappoint
MURDER squad detectives have been called in to help an investigation into the disappearance of a North-East timeshare salesman. John Palmer has not been seen for more than four years - and police, who initially launched a missing person inquiry, now believe
A POLICE force yesterday agreed to pay £9,000 damages for arresting a 13-year-old girl at gunpoint during a hunt for a Yardie drug gang. Samantha Broughton, now 17, sued Cleveland Police after four officers with Heckler and Koch MP5 machine guns burst
AN American doctor who has given new hope to "incurable" North-East cancer patients is to work in the UK. Dr Gil Lederman claims to be able to successfully treat 95 per cent of patients, including some who are told their cancers are inoperable. Now he
One Life: Beating The Bullies (BBC1); Gifted (ITV1): THERE was a sting in the One Life documentary about a new idea to deal with school bullying - despite its success, the scheme is unlikely to continue because of a lack of Government money. It would
NORTH-EAST driving instructors are being targeted by a bogus data protection agency which is attempting to intimidate them into paying for its services. The letters warn recipients they are not registered under the Data Protection Act and that failure
TAKEOVER target Safeway is keeping the two remaining bidders waiting in the hope of forcing the sale price higher. An open field was narrowed down to Bradford rival Wm Morrison and retail entrepreneur Philip Green by the Competition Commission's ruling
Middlesbrough's Marske Site Services is adding Holland, Libya, Mexico, Iran, Dubai and Abu Dhabi to the list of international locations where it does business. The company, which provides managers, engineers and consultants to firms, said that it expects
ARNOLD Grieve was four when he stood on a chair in church and sang in public for the first time - and 86 years later he is still going strong. The bass baritone has taken the lead in operatic productions all over the region and given hundreds of recitals
WEAR Valley District Council has its fireworks spectacular on Tuesday at Bishop Auckland Rugby Club. A funfair gets under way at 5.30pm in time for council chairman Margaret Douthwaite to light the bonfire at 7pm. The fireworks and music show starts at
MICHAEL HOWARD last night looked set to be crowned Tory leader following Iain Duncan Smith's defeat in a vote of confidence. A succession of would-be contenders stepped down in Mr Howard's favour within hours of the result of the ballot of MPs being announced
Nissan is recalling 2.5 million vehicles - including more than 400,000 made at the award-winning Sunderplant plant - to check potentially faulty wiring. The massive recall is the biggest in the Japanese giant's history and effects Almeras, Primeras, the
Y is for Yeah. As in "Yeah, Mum." Which is quite often the entire limits of a teenager's conversation with his mother. As in: "Don't forget your coursework." "Yeah Mum". "Your bedroom's a tip. It's time you tidied it." "Yeah Mum." "If you don't get a
Nick Loughlin talks to the men from Manchester, Inspiral Carpets, who are still undecided about the future despite earning a good reception after a seven-years visit to the musical wilderness. WHEN The Inspiral Carpets walk off the Newcastle University
A NORTH-EAST man has been highly commended after being nominated for the Beacon Prize 2003 for his work. Peter Sotheran, 59, was nominated for the award for his efforts leading the recent 20-month long rebuilding programme at the 327-year-old Sir William
PETER Two Wives Barlow begins to wish that the police had locked him up for bigamy as the three's company storyline in Coronation Street (ITV1) takes yet another twist. The soap is providing ample reason why a man shouldn't be greedy and wed two women
Juninho and Middlesbrough rode their luck last night before stumbling into the fourth round of the Carling Cup. Gaizka Mendieta's first goal for the club secured victory against Wigan Athletic, who gave Middlesbrough a searching examination at the JJB
THE chances are you've seen them walking down the street. Males and females, most in their teens and twenties, wearing dark eye make-up and strange clothing. They dress in black or deep purple and wear big boots with sky-scraping soles, covered in straps
Y is for Yeah. As in "Yeah, Mum." Which is quite often the entire limits of a teenager's conversation with his mother. As in: "Don't forget your coursework." "Yeah Mum". "Your bedroom's a tip. It's time you tidied it." "Yeah Mum." "If you don't get a
Sir Paul McCartney has become a father again at the age of 61 after his wife Heather Mills gave birth to a baby girl two weeks early. They have named the child Beatrice. Her delighted father Mark told of his joy today and hoped the delivery of his first
THE Bishop of Durham will sit on a commission set up to heal a rift that is threatening to split the Anglican Church. With the first openly gay priest preparing for consecration at the weekend, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, included
A WOMAN who was told she could not donate a kidney to her son has raised more than £1,000 for the hospital team who looked after him. Andrea Bailey, 33, from Guisborough, east Cleveland, was devastated when doctors told her that an antibody would prevent
DARLINGTON Choral Society elected a new chairman at its annual general meeting. Kathleen Bryant took over the post this month following the resignation due to ill health of Maureen Lumley. Miss Lumley, a member of the society for more than 50 years and
A CHARITY cricket match has raised more than £1,500 for a woman battling a crippling disease. Ann Teasdale, 42, had to have a leg amputated after contracting the rare condition Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome. She faced the possibility of losing
TRIBUTES poured in yesterday following the death of an academic in an accident while on holiday in Italy. Professor Sally Baldwin, a 62-year-old mother-of-two, was crushed to death when an escalator collapsed at Tibur-tina station, Rome. The York University
Ferdy Murphy got off the 13 mark for the season when Family Venture gamely won the John Hellens Beginners' Chase under a strong ride from Davy Russell at Sedgefield yesterday. Khan Kicker was about a length in front at the final flight, but he landed
Political Editor Chris Lloyd looks at where Iain Duncan Smith went wrong and where the Tories go now under Michael Howard. EVER since the disposal of Margaret Thatcher 13 years ago, the Conservative Party has been led by someone it only wanted as leader
A FUNDRAISING campaign for St Teresa's Hospice, in Darlington, during the summer was a huge success. The Sunflower Campaign 2003 raised £5,581 for the work of the hospice. Schools, businesses and individuals from across the area joined in the fundraising
FERRYHILL Leisure Centre has gained Quest accreditation, the quality standard for leisure facilities throughout the country. The aim of the accreditation scheme is to help managers improve the quality and provision of facilities. Quest is endorsed and
A BARNARD Castle landlord faces having his entertainment licence revoked after allegations that the original terms of the licence have not been met. Teesdale District Council's licensing committee yesterday called for another hearing into landlord, Andy
A TEENAGER who wanted to become a farmer may face jail after pleading guilty to cruelty to farm animals. David Lorraines, 19, of St Cuthbert's Walk, Liverton Mines, near Saltburn, east Cleveland, pleaded guilty to four charges of causing unnecessary suffering
A COMMUNITY fitness suite opens its doors to the public for the first time this weekend. The Gymtastic Fitness Suite at Sedgefield Community College is holding two open days on Saturday and Sunday, between 10am and 3pm. The suite will be open for use
A WOMAN who was told she could not donate a kidney to her son has raised more than £1,000 for the hospital team who looked after him. Andrea Bailey, 33, from Guisborough, east Cleveland, was devastated when doctors told her that an antibody would prevent
PERHAPS Darlington Football Club should abolish the "Family Club" slogan on its crest and replace it with an "Expect The Unexpected" motif. The vast majority of Quakers' 120-year existence has been a low- key affair in the lower reaches of the Football
As David Hodgson considers whether he can work with controversial Darlington FC chairman George Reynolds, sports writer Lee Hall looks at what the shock return of the former manager could mean for the crisis-hit Quaker PERHAPS Darlington Football Club
A SPECIALIST and security glass manufacturer is making windows that convert light into power. The Romag Group, on the Leadgate Industrial Estate, Consett, has signed a deal with BP Solar to produce glass window panels that include photovoltaic cells that
AN east Durham garage worker needed hospital treatment after a robbery yesterday. The man, in his 40s, lost consciousness when he was grabbed by the neck at the ATS Garage, in Warren Square, Horden. He was treated in hospital in Hartlepool for shock and
A RESCUE volunteer is celebrating after his east Durham employer paid for maps for his organisation. Stephen Marrs, a team manager at npower's call centre in Peterlee, is a group leader with the Teesdale and Wear-dale Search and Rescue Team. The team
A COUNCILLOR has joined forces with the police in an effort to stamp out the menace of pre-Bonfire Night fireworks. Chester-le-Street District Councillor Jackie Proud is working with PC Jayne Goodfellow, from Chester-le-Street police, after complaints
THE crew of Durham's adopted warship arrives for a five-day visit to the region this weekend. HMS Invincible will arrive at North Shields, tomorrow, for the visit, during which it will host a conference about naval careers. Members of the 700 crew of
A TEENAGER who applied to be an office junior got more than he bargained for when a more senior post was created for him. Fraser Smith, 17, had embarked on a modern apprenticeship through training provider Access Training, but then applied for the position
NEWCASTLE United's Carling Cup hopes were ended last night by the striker who couldn't buy a goal in the Premiership last season. While the top flight's top scorer, Alan Shearer, was forced to wait until extra-time before being called into action, West
SIR Bobby Robson bemoaned his side's luck in front of goal last night after seeing his Carling Cup hopes ended by Gary Megson's West Brom. After five wins on the bounce, the Magpies were aiming to go through October undefeated, before the Baggies proved
MOBILE phone operator Orange is hoping to press home the advantage gained by a multi-million-pound campaign to teach users how to get the most out of their handsets. The company began the campaign earlier this year in an attempt to increase the number
AN industry leader has claimed that new health and safety legislation could shackle speciality chemicals companies in the North-East and cost jobs. One hundred and fifty companies in the region, responsible directly and indirectly for 84,000 jobs, face
SCIENCE and Innovation Minister, Lord Sainsbury, is visiting the region today. . His tour will look at how North-East universities are building links with business. It begins with a breakfast seminar at St James Park, Newcastle, to find more about the
DAISY Donovan made her name asking outrageous questions of politicians with a completely straight face. Now her skill of looking demure in the most humiliatingly toe-curling situations is coming in useful again, as the 29-year-old returns to Channel 4
SPORTS mad students at a specialist college are showing that playing games is a serious business which can boost their learning and strengthen community ties. Years of hard work at Sedgefield Community College have paid off and staff and students celebrated
SPEEDING in accident hotspots in Darlington has been halved thanks to devices that flash up motorists' speeds as they approach. The success of the speed visors could lead to more being installed in and around the town if Darlington Borough Council decides
Britain's fastest train company GNER is cutting the cost of travel for thousands of passengers travelling between the North-East and London. Standard class return fares are now available from only £25 from Edinburgh to London. Tickets between Newcastle
IDS: IT took less than 25 "friends" to kill a greater man than Iain Duncan Smith. Is it "et tu Brute!" or "it's too brutal!" (Echo, Oct 29). The Tory Party has always supported "blood-sports". I never thought their leader would become the "quarry". IDS
It's the perfect job for a layabout. The position requires no more than lazing around on a comfortable settee for a week, being served food and drink whenever you want. The only snag is the successful applicant will be doing it in the window of a bar
Insurers of the motorist who caused the Selby rail crash lost a High Court action today against the Secretary of State for Transport for a contribution towards the millions they have paid out. Gary Hart's insurers, Fortis, had asked Mr Justice Morland
A large black cat spotted on a North-East nature reserve led council workers to wonder if they had seen the legendary Durham puma. Jeff Talbot and Ian Liddle were working on a former allotment site at Bishop Middleham, County Durham, when they noticed
IT was as if tributes were being paid to a dead man. Suddenly, all kinds of things were being said because it is so much easier to appreciate someone once they have gone. The pats on the back were fast and furious. Iain Duncan Smith had achieved great
Pint-sized peacekeepers tackle the bullies One Life: Beating The Bullies (BBC1) Gifted (ITV1) THERE was a sting in the One Life documentary about a new idea to deal with school bullying - despite its success, the scheme is unlikely to continue because
Y is for Yeah. As in "Yeah, Mum." Which is quite often the entire limits of a teenager's conversation with his mother. As in: "Don't forget your coursework." "Yeah Mum". "Your bedroom's a tip. It's time you tidied it." "Yeah Mum." "If you don't get a
PART of a busy town centre was brought to a standstill for more than an hour yesterday when a man walked into a shop carrying a hand grenade. Roads and businesses in Guisborough, east Cleveland, were closed by police, and shop assistants told to keep
