MIDDLESBROUGH skipper Gareth Southgate should be fit for the trip to Blackburn Rovers on Boxing Day after being the only winner to fall out from Saturday's postponement. Southgate would not have played at Birmingham City - had the match not been controversially
Conditional jockey Michael Naughton, who is based near Middlesborough, enjoyed some early Christmas cheer and a welcome change of luck when completing a 168-1 double on Indy Mood and Darnley at Newcastle on Saturday. Indy Mood just got the better of Gary's
HUNDREDS of butter-fingered fans of ITV's Pop Idol almost brought a North-East restaurant to a standstill as they attempted to register their telephone votes during Saturday night's grand final. Staff at Oldfields restaurant in Jesmond, Newcastle, spoke
A THREE-YEAR-OLD girl took centre stage to perform a symbolic gesture that marked the start of the busy Christmas week at a North-East cathedral. In one of the shortest, but most popular services on Durham Cathedral's calendar, the lighting of the Christmas
THE sun is shining and there isn't a fairy light or Father Christmas in sight. In fact, the only thing I have to remind me that Christmas is just around the corner is an advent calendar sent from home. This year I'm spending Christmas with a difference
THE campaign for a ban on doorstep cold-calling is gathering momentum in Westminster's corridors of power. Calls for legislation to halt cowboy property repairs has won cross-party support following an adjournment debate in the House of Commons. The Northern
With early inspections planned at both jumping fixtures due to snow and frost, Wolverhampton's fixture could be the final race meeting until Boxing Day. The course has had severe problems with heavy rain on its fibresand surface but extensive drainage
AN exhibition of decorative Indian textiles is coming to the North-East. Supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Mirror, Bead and Thread display is said to contain "stunning examples" of textiles, from the Gujarat region, featuring mirrorwork, applique
Fourteen million people in Britain are currently trying to lose weight. In the second of a thee-part series on women and body image, Women's Editor Christen Pears explores the nation's obsession with dieting. MARILYN Monroe: screen icon, sex goddess and
THE FIRST signs of insurrection on Wearside this season were quickly quelled by a local boy who has been little more than a bit-part player since Mick McCarthy took charge at the Stadium of light. Sunderland-born Michael Proctor has certainly had his
A NINE-YEAR-OLD who wanted to help her neighbours raise money for their Shopmobility, has sold some of her best-loved toys. Sophie Rogers, who lives near Ron and Jo Foreman, who both use mobility scooters, first learned about their quest to raise money
TRADING standards officers in the North-East are urging people to be on their guard when using credit cards to pay for Christmas presents bought on the Internet. The warning follows the case of a Hartlepool man who bought a camera with his credit card
A MAN who is taking the Working Men's Club and Institute Union to court over the rights of women members has been narrowly defeated in his bid to become its president. John Bacon, 51, of Richmond, North Yorkshire, believes women should have the same rights
AN environmental campaigner has published a hard-hitting attack on the windfarm industry. Elizabeth Mann, 70, from Darlington, has been supported by former television presenter Noel Edmonds in her call for more debate on the technology. But the organisation
A KEEN Salvationist who died from cancer last week will be remembered at a funeral service today. Tributes have been paid to former headteacher David Snell, 59, who lived with his wife, Joyce, in Redworth Road, Shildon. Born in Bristol into a Salvation
A festive feature is adding seasonal warmth to an exhibition of decorative glass from Finland. Storyteller Chris Bostock is giving children a flavour of Finland as part of the Christmas events programme at the National Glass Centre, in Sunderland. The
A DARLINGTON girl will be studying for her GCSEs at the town's Polam Hall School after winning a scholarship. Suzanna Millar, 11, has been awarded the Simon Bailes scholarship. She is the first person to benefit from the scholarship sponsored by the Peugeot
CHRISTMAS shoppers in Darlington have been given an alarming insight into how quickly thieves can ruin their festive season. Police set up a display stand in the town's Cornmill Shopping Centre to demonstrate the perils of leaving goods on display in
A CALF-REARING business near Darlington could be in jeopardy because of a planning decision. Darlington Borough Council's planning committee refused a retrospective application for a caravan on land at Killerby Bridge and rejected plans to build a stable
WORK on a flagship industrial development in a market town can get under way after £2.35m in funding has been secured. A series of incubator-style units will now be built on a 0.7 acre plot in the centre of Stokesley Industrial Park to house a variety
SEASONAL festivities should go with a bang in parts of the North-East thanks to several grants. The centre of celebrations on Tyneside this year will be a New Year's Eve fireworks spectacular, simultaneously set off from four sites on both sides of the
A KEEN Salvationist who died from cancer last week will be remembered at a funeral service today. Tributes have been paid to former headteacher David Snell, 59, who lived with his wife, Joyce, in Redworth Road, Shildon. Born in Bristol into a Salvation
SELF-TAUGHT harmonica player Phil Irving is to retire after decades of entertaining audiences. Mr Irving, a Second World War veteran, started playing the instrument when he was just eight-years-old with a harmonica he bought for 6d. He went on to join
FED-UP traders and residents have handed a 1,700-name petition to a food store chain in an attempt to get it to commit to its promise to open a store in their town. Shopkeepers in Eston have endured vandalism, arson attacks and break-ins for more than
CHANGES to refuse collection from wheelie bins in the borough of Stockton have been announced over the festive season. Collections due on Christmas Eve remain the same, but Christmas Day collections will now be on Saturday. Boxing Day refuse will be collected
POLICE are warning householders to be on their guard against sneak thieves and burglars who have been targeting houses in Eaglescliffe and Hartburn, in Stockton, over the past two months. Since November 1, 15 burglaries have been reported in the area,
SANTA'S reindeer took a break from the hectic festive build-up by calling into a North-East visitor attraction to bring some Christmas cheer to visitors. Children were able to get up close to the reindeer during the brief stop-off at the Life Science
RITCHIE Humphreys believes Hartlepool United have earned the respect of Division Two. Pool have now gone 28 games without a League defeat at Victoria Park, the longest stretch in English football. On Saturday they drew 0-0 with Colchester, but suffered
A THREE-YEAR-OLD girl took centre stage to perform a symbolic gesture that marked the start of the busy Christmas week at a North-East cathedral. In one of the shortest, but most popular services on Durham Cathedral's calendar, the lighting of the Christmas
CALOR gas users in Bishop Auckland have been supporting hospice patients by returning their unwanted empties. Spoors, in Railway Street, encouraged people to return their used gas cylinders and gave £5 to the Butterwick Hospice in Bishop Auckland for
PEOPLE living on a Teesdale estate have vowed to continue fighting against plans for a waste depot being sited near their homes after their latest appeal was refused. Eight residents from Stainton Grove, near Barnard Castle, travelled to the High Court
TWO former mayors of Sedgefield, John Robinson and Derrick Lofthouse, were honoured at the borough council's wine and cheese reception, in Sedgefield Parish Hall after the annual civic carol service in the methodist church. Councillor Robinson was made
CHRISTMAS shoppers in Darlington have been given an alarming insight into how quickly thieves can ruin their festive season. Police set up a display stand in the town's Cornmill Shopping Centre to demonstrate the perils of leaving goods on display in
Heavy snow brought parts of the region to a standstill today but the cold snap is due to come to an abrupt end today. The east coast was the worst affected part of the region as blizzards swept in on Sunday night and into Monday morning. Cars and lorries
ANGRY office workers were left with an empty space under their Christmas tree after a thief snatched their presents. Four bags of gifts were stolen from the offices of chartered accountancy firm, Hunter Gee and Holroyd, in York, as workers gathered them
A HEADTEACHER who has seen many changes in education is retiring after 15 years in charge. John Jefferson, headteacher at Westlands School, in Thornaby, has seen the introduction of Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) reports, local management
GREAT Britain international Stewy Bell led Chester-le-Street to a clean sweep of medals in yesterday's Saltwell Harriers 10K at Gateshead. Bell conceded the £25 special prime prize on the notorious Chowdene Bank to clubmate Chris Lamb, but went on to
Arnie Sidebottom is a front line casualty of Yorkshire's revamped coaching structure, which has been put in place by the club's new director of cricket, David Byas. The former fast bowler has been released from his job as bowling coach, so severing a
DEPUTY Prime Minister John Prescott has rejected a quarry firm's plans to extend its workings. Following a public inquiry in January, a planning inspector recommended that the Sherburn Sand Company be allowed a half-hectare extension to the Crime Rigg
A TRAVEL agents has handed over a Santa's Suitcase of presents for seriously ill children. Travelcare, of Front Street, Chester-le-Street, has been collecting toys for the Butterwick Children's Hospice, in Stockton, since early last month. Staff presented
New Marske made the best possible response to a seven-goal drubbing the previous week when they shocked high-flying North Shields in the second round of the League Cup at Ralph Gardner Park. Not even an 11th minute goal for the home side could stop the
A SECOND World War fighter pilot who flew more than 30 missions over Germany has died aged 81. Kenneth Trelfer, of Catterick Village, North Yorkshire, died in hospital last Monday. Mr Trelfer, who also trained others to fly during the war, was married
IT was Harold Wilson who famously observed that a week is a long time in politics. For Tony Blair, the past week has made a huge difference. The Number 10 garden hadn't been looking rosy. On-going public disquiet about the war against Iraq and the failure
WHAT a difference half a season makes. Blaydon beat Darlington 34-18 in the Powergen Cup in early September, but their powerful pack was out-manouevred by the superbly-drilled and committed home eight in the second half of Saturday's National Three North
A YOUNG leukaemia sufferer who had been trying for a baby with his new wife has lost his battle with the disease. Martin Black, 20, was diagnosed in November 2000 but thought he had beaten cancer when he went into remission for 18 months. In April, doctors
At the age of 33, Bridget Gardner gave up her nine to five job to teach English to schoolchildren in Hanoi. The former Teesdale School pupil writes about her experiences. THE sun is shining and there isn't a fairy light or Father Christmas in sight. In
YOUNG hospital patients are to receive extra Christmas presents thanks to the generosity of leisure club staff and members. During the past few months, the staff and members of Bannatyne's Health Club, in Ingleby Barwick, Stockton, have collected toys
Among all the gimmicks to get people to the movies, Sensurround was on of the most bizarre. Now, this fad from the 70s is making a comeback, as Steve Pratt discovers. FILM-MAKERS have come up with a variety of gimmicks to entice people into the cinema
British TV producer Mark Henderson, who has been held hostage in Colombia by Marxist rebels since September, has been released. The kidnapped backpacker from North Yorkshire has been taken to an undisclosed location in the Sierra Nevada mountains where
Spennymoor manager Tony Lee blamed his side's poor defending again as they went out of the League Cup 4-2 at Burscough on Saturday. Lee reckons that bad defensive play is becoming more and more costly for Moors, and he said: "Our defending is a big, big
A HEDGEHOG sanctuary is full this Christmas after it was inundated with homeless and injured creatures. Hedgehog Rescue Topcliffe, near Thirsk, North Yorkshire, has an official capacity of 16 animals, but this year it is caring for 19 hedgehogs. Their
MEN brandishing baseball bats and snooker cues took part in a mass brawl in a busy street on Saturday. Terrified shoppers were forced to run for cover as bricks and pint glasses were thrown during the violent skirmish. A witness told The Northern Echo
THE Christmas dinner has not even been eaten, but already thoughts are turning to the balmy days of next summer. Not letting the grass grow under its feet, Scarborough Borough Council has launched its holiday guide for next year. And some stunning images
David Hodgson's refusal to lambast his players on Saturday suggests all is not lost after all. You could forgive loyalty for getting in the way of the truth when a manager offers his post-match synopsis. But as the Darlington manager demonstrated seven
Louis And The Nazis (BBC2) Promoted To Glory (ITV1) LOUIS Theroux's recent documentaries focusing on showbiz celebrities have made us forget that his line of seemingly-nave, bumbling questioning can yield great results in more serious circumstances. There
THE peregrine falcon, the fastest bird on earth, continued to increase its numbers in northern England last year, according to recently published statistics. The peregrines' success story is remarkable because, by 1961, they almost became extinct nationwide
THERE have been mixed fortunes for two North ports this year. Fish landing values at Whitby, North Yorkshire, have reached £2m in the past seven months, about £250,000 up on the same period last year. However at Scarborough, they have fallen £700,000,
SUNDERLAND skipper Jason McAteer revealed that Mick McCarthy was so incensed with the bizarre sending-off of Kevin Kyle he thought his manager "was going to kill someone''. McCarthy had to be physically restrained by Wimbledon counterpart Stuart Murdoch
The US government warned last night that the nation faced the threat of a wave of terror attacks over Christmas greater than at any time since the September 11 outrages. Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge said: "Information indicates that extremists
A CALF-REARING business near Darlington could be in jeopardy because of a planning decision. Darlington Borough Council's planning committee refused a retrospective application for a caravan on land at Killerby Bridge and rejected plans to build a stable
POLICE investigating the death of a teenager at a school swimming session have spent the weekend questioning pupils who were with him at the time. Daniel Readshaw was one of two dozen students in the pool at St John's Roman Catholic School, in Bishop
WHAT are retailers of women's wear thinking this Christmas? I went shopping last week to give myself a seasonal boost and was deeply offended by what greeted me on the high street's clothes rails. All the nice outfits had been taken away to be replaced
THE first patient in the region to undergo revolutionary surgery was on his feet hours after his operation. Brian Fenton, 68, had his hip replaced using a new technique developed in the US and carried out by consultant surgeon Mr Tony Nargol. The former
PEOPLE living in two parts of Darlington are being invited to make a New Year wish for their communities. Residents of the Cockerton East and North Road areas of the town can make written contributions to a "wishing well" that will be available in Cockerton
SMOKERS are being sent out into the cold after a council declared all its buildings tobacco-free zones. A shelter being provided outside Wear Valley District Council's offices in Crook could be the only place for smokers to feed their addiction now that
TWO graduates have paid tribute to an inspirational lecturer after achieving an academic prize awarded in his name. The Steve Baldwin Memorial Prize is given in memory of the psychology lecturer, who died in the Selby train crash of February 2001. Catherine
youngsters from Yarm Primary School have raised about £1,000 for the Butterwick Children's Hospice. Last week, families and friends donated cash to the hospice while watching pupils taking part in the school's Christmas productions and a sing-along. Staff
skateboarding facilities have opened in Middlesbrough, two months ahead of schedule. The Park End skateboarding centre and multi-use sports court for football and basketball will be open over the Christmas holidays. The initiative has been led by environmental
THE leader of North Yorkshire County Council is going on the road to consult people about his pledge to keep any proposed council tax rise to half that of last year. Councillor John Weighell will be holding open meetings with communities during January
THE fitness regime of leisure centre regular Leanne Seymour has helped her scoop a top prize. She took part in a challenge laid down by staff to people who use the centre, in Bedale, to tackle five of the largest man-made structures in the world. But
TRADING standards officers in the North-East are urging people to be on their guard when using credit cards to pay for Christmas presents bought on the Internet. The warning follows the case of a Hartlepool man who bought a camera with his credit card
Soccer stars scored off the pitch when they dropped in at hospitals on Teesside. The goal of Middlesbrough Football Club's first team was to bring Christmas cheer to children's wards at the University Hospital of North Tees, Stockton, and the James Cook
YOUNG adventure-seekers have appealed for support to help send them on an adventure of a lifetime in the Central American rainforest. Fifteen sixth form students at Durham Johnston School have been given the opportunity to take part in Operation Wallacea
A COMMUNITY was last night trying to come to terms with the shock of a double death tragedy on a village road. The accident, at Annfield Plain, near Stanley, County Durham, claimed the lives of two local teenagers and left two other young men from the
A TOWN'S teenagers kick off a new football tournament today, following an early Christmas gift from local police and council leisure staff. Seven-a-side teams from across Chester-le-Street and surrounding villages take part in the competition organised
A festive feature is adding seasonal warmth to an exhibition of decorative glass from Finland. Storyteller Chris Bostock is giving children a flavour of Finland as part of the Christmas events programme at the National Glass Centre, in Sunderland. The
Seven English towns are in the running to receive funding through the Government's multi-million pound Sustainable Transport Town initiative, it was announced today. The Department for Transport has set aside £7.5 million to help develop plans for sustainable
THE peregrine falcon, the fastest bird on earth, continued to increase its numbers in northern England last year, according to recently published statistics. The peregrines' success story is remarkable because, by 1961, they almost became extinct nationwide
A £6 million scheme was unveiled yesterday to upgrade and expand a market town's biggest public building to make it suitable for all sorts of activities. The plans will revitalise the 150 year old Witham Hall, which looks imposing in the centre of Barnard
THE festive period is the perfect time for having friends over for drinks and a light bite to eat. A finger buffet or canape party is ideal - you want to invite more than ten people and you don't really feel like cooking a three-course meal. But what
A military museum is encouraging people to take part in free art and craft workshops. Fun events for all ages are on offer in a series of family workshops over Christmas at the Durham Light Infantry (DLI) Museum and Durham Art Gallery. Organised by museum
THE f-word was on everyone's lips at Victoria Park on Saturday. Neale Cooper, Chris Westwood, Micky Barron and Ritchie Humphreys were all quick to say it; 4,000 Hartlepool United supporters came out with the same and, despite the time of year, it wasn't
Late replacement John Shotton lifted the Second Division relegation gloom for struggling Crook with a four-goal blast against neighbours Willington on Saturday. Shotton hadn't played a league game for several months, but Crook boss Alan Oliver signed
England crashed to their third-heaviest defeat in Test history as Sri Lanka completed a series-deciding victory inside four days at Colombo. England lost by an innings and 215 runs, and only Australia in Brisbane in 1946-47 and the West Indies at Lord's
SANTA'S reindeer took a break from the hectic festive build-up by calling into a North-East visitor attraction to bring some Christmas cheer to visitors. Children were able to get up close to the reindeer during the brief stop-off at the Life Science
A firm was fined £20,000 for safety breaches leading to the death of a worker. Paul Greenwood, 51, was crushed to death when he fell into a moving conveyor belt at a factory in Cramlington, Northumberland, in October 2001. A jury at Newcastle Crown Court
DURHAM county councillors have voted themselves a £1,200 increase in their basic allowance just months after getting a £1,000 rise. But the Labour-run authority says the move will not cost council taxpayers more money as it is being funded by abolishing
Darlington skipper Neil Maddison is confident that results will change for the better - providing they continue to create opportunities in front of goal. Quakers squandered a host of chances to score and they paid the ultimate price in Saturday's defeat
Steve Pratt catches up with two of the many stars from Love Actually. Keira Knightly talks about the enjoyment of melting hearts by playing a marriage scene, while Bill Nighy admits his scene-stealing antics might earn him a No 1 hit single. EVEN tough
DARLINGTON Mowden Park admitted that Christmas had come early as they escaped from a scrappy game in the Tynedale mud with a 14-13 win. Home flanker Grant Rastall appeared to have squeezed in for a try in the last minute, but the referee ruled that he
CHRISTMAS CARDS: ARE we losing the plot in this great nation? The Scottish Parliament, for fear of incitement, did not wish to send out "nice" Christmas cards. The same stance was taken by the Culture Department, whose card had "goal" in the centre. Own
A FOOTBALL-LOVING youngster who plays in goal for his school football team - despite having an artificial leg - has received an award for his courage. Ten-year-old Michael Peel had his leg amputated in order to save his life when aged four after contracting
RETAILERS in the North-East last night said they were having a bumper Christmas, confounding gloomy predictions that rising interest rates and economic worries would deter shoppers. Shopping centres across the region reported a surge of bargain-hunters
IN the past, the Playhouse has celebrated Christmas not with a pantomime but a musical. This year it's a play - and I hesitate to categorise it as a children's play because Alan Bennett's adaptation of Kenneth Grahame's novel and Ian Brown's production
Louis And The Nazis (BBC2); Promoted To Glory (ITV1); LOUIS Theroux's recent documentaries focusing on showbiz celebrities have made us forget that his line of seemingly-nave, bumbling questioning can yield great results in more serious circumstances.
RETAILERS in the North-East last night said they were having a bumper Christmas, confounding gloomy predictions that rising interest rates and economic worries would deter shoppers. Shopping centres across the region reported a surge of bargain-hunters
A warning is being given about doorstep callers who drop leaflets through the door, then call back later to offer repairs. The warning is part of The Northern Echo's Doorsteppers campaign, which was launched last month to try to stamp out the menace of
