Wilton 1sts took good advantage of Division One leaders' Northumbria St George's weekend without a match, stealing top spot off of them, completing a fine double over third placed Richmond. The Teessiders travelled to form team Richmond knowing a win
PEOPLE in Nunthorpe may again have a library, five years after the previous one was closed. Redcar and Cleveland Council announced the closure of Nunthorpe library in January, 1998 as part of a cost-cutting exercise. The Friends of Nunthorpe Library rescue
A MULTI-MILLION pound lottery bid to build a flagship museum in the region - the centrepiece of plans to create a new regional cultural capital - has been withdrawn. The partnership behind plans for a Great Museum of the North in Newcastle have pulled
by Robin Twizell RMD Agriculture AT THE end of last week there was only one way for both grain and rape prices - a slow downward slide, mainly because of the weakness of the dollar. Then, on Monday, the US Department of Agriculture issued its latest crop
A NORTH-EAST doctor has raised £5,000 for a charity close to his heart, by completing a 650-mile bike ride in the US. Diabetes specialist and consultant physician Professor Rudy Bilous, who works at the James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, cycled
Auckland Area CIU League: West Auckland started the New Year with a bang. They whitewashed the visiting Evenwood in the darts section to go 19 points clear at the top of the three teams in joint second place. In the battle between two of them Eldon Lane
The League finally got the outstanding League Cup tie between Darlington The Mowden and Skerne Park played after the third time of asking. Mowden mastered the conditions the better and went in 3-0 up at half-time with goals from Ritchie Dodsworth, Scott
FIREFIGHTERS rescued a sow and her six piglets from a blazing barn yesterday. Crews from Bishop Auckland attended the fire in a pig shed and storage barn at Broom Mill Farm, West Auckland, at about 1pm. The fire destroyed over a tonne of straw in the
ARE you going skiing this year? I don't mean the sort which involves lots of snow, chalet girls and the odd broken leg. This skiing is way off piste and should more properly be written SKI-ing, as in Spending the Kids' Inheritance. I'm not sure whether
A PRIMARY school is likely to get new sports facilities. Middleton Tyas Primary School wants to create a floodlit games area and changing rooms on part of the school's playing fields. Nine letters of objection were sent to North Yorkshire County Council
VILLAGERS have won their campaign for improvements to a listed bridge. Contractors are to return to work on the Grade II listed structure, following complaints from people living in East and West Ayton, near Scarborough, North Yorkshire, about its restoration
A COMMUNITY safety team will be out in strength next week to tackle a rise in burglaries. Raids on homes in and around the market town of Stokesley, North Yorkshire, have increased and the community safety officers will be in the town next week. "It is
STUDENTS have welcomed councillors' backing for their campaign against higher tuition fees. Durham City Council backed a resolution by Liberal Democrat councillors Carol Woods and Paul Leake attacking the Government's plans. Durham Students' Union (DSU
RESIDENTS have hit back at plans to introduce parking charges in the centre of a market town. Shopkeepers and councillors in Barnard Castle, County Durham, said Teesdale District Council's plan to levy charges on the market place cobbles is a ploy to
BIRDS of prey put on an indoor display for schoolchildren yesterday. A barn owl, a tawny owl and a peregrine falcon from Silverband Falconry Centre, in Penrith, Cumbria, visited Mowden Infant School, Darlington. But bad weather meant an outdoor display
A TOWN council has defended its decision to allow cars into cemeteries. Spennymoor Town Council allows visitors to the town's cemeteries to drive up maintenance and funeral roads if they have difficulty accessing the grounds on foot. John Beech, of Kelloe
A MAN has appeared in court charged with attempted robbery following a raid on a post office. Paul Leonard, 19, of Brentford Close, Brotton, east Cleveland, is also charged with possession of a firearm. Both charges relate to an incident on January 8
A LEADING medical expert has called for urgent action to protect the public from the risk of potentially contaminated blood products. Writing in the British Medical Journal, Dr Sheila Bird, a senior member of the Medical Research Council, says the death
THE headteacher of a school ranked first in its county in the Government league tables, says its success is because girls do better in single-sex education. Durham High School for Girls, a private school on the outskirts of Durham City, has achieved a
HIGHWAY chiefs hope a £500,000 improvement scheme will make a busy roundabout safer. More than 40,000 vehicles use the Milburngate roundabout, in the centre of Durham City each day. The roundabout, which is a key junction in the city's road network, also
SOME of the biggest names in American-style wrestling are to stage a night of action next week. UK wrestling promoter WZW will hold the WZW Aftermath show at The Trades nightclub, in Consett, County Durham, on Monday. Topping the bill will be tag team
A POPULAR sports and concert venue is to change its name following a sponsorship deal. The Telewest Arena, Newcastle, will become the Metro Radio Arena from this month after a seven-figure deal was reached between the North-East radio company and SMG
ONE of the region's biggest football clubs looks likely to win top status for its youth academy. Sunderland was thwarted in its bid to win FA Academy status for its Academy of Light, after its controversial plans for an indoor football pitch at Whitburn
A SURVEY on a proposed housing development in Eaglescliffe has highlighted a number of road safety problems. Egglescliffe Parish Council commissioned a survey by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents on a proposal to demolish four homes in
CLEVELAND Police Authority chairman Councillor Ken Walker has renewed his offer to discuss future police spending plans with the Chief Constable and Stockton Borough Council. His announcement came after Stockton councillor Suzanne Fletcher said the authority
COUNTRYSIDE wardens are appealing for information about a former train line. The Visitor Centre, at the Guisborough Forest and Walkway, in Pinchinthorpe, near Guisborough, is on the site of one of the former stations along the Middlesbrough to Whitby
A COMMUNITY safety team will be out in strength next week to help tackle a recent increase in burglaries. Raids on homes in and around Stokesley, North Yorkshire, are a problem and the community safety officers will be in the town next week. "It is obvious
POLICE are hunting a man who tried to abduct a 15-year-old girl in east Cleveland as she walked home. The teenager was walking along Troutbeck Road, Redcar, on Monday, January 5, at about 9.45pm when a man jumped out from behind a nearby gatepost and
CONGESTION is expected on roads during a series of cross country races this weekend. Hundreds of club athletes from across the North will converge on the Racecourse in Durham for the 21st running of the Cathedral Cross Country Relays, on Sunday. The first
A school extension has received a church leader's blessing. The Right Reverend John Crowley, Roman Catholic Bishop of Middlesbrough, said Mass and dedicated the nursery and reception area at St Thomas More's RC Primary School, Middlesbrough. The £183,000
Evenwood manager Ken Houlahan is set to continue his campaigns on the issue of blood injuries and the tackle from behind after appearing in front of Durham FA on Monday night. Houlahan was sent from the dugout in his side's 2-2 draw at Nissan in November
WHITBY and Scarborough are among Oscar-winning Hollywood actress Gwynneth Paltrow's favourite places in Britain. The recently married 30-year-old Shakespeare in Love star is four-months pregnant and has said she has no plans to return to the US. Although
POLICE are hunting a man who tried to abduct a teenage girl as she walked home in Redcar. The 15-year-old was walking along Troutbeck Road on Monday, January 5, at about 9.45pm when a man jumped out from behind a gatepost and grabbed her arm. The man
A DRIVE to contain a fast-spreading sexually transmitted disease is to be launched in the region. Young people in County Durham and Darlington will be the first in the North-East to be offered screening for chlamydia. The infection is a growing menace
MORE than 30 producers from three small parishes in the North York Moors will showcase their skills and products at an exhibition in Danby later this month. The exhibition, at Danby Village Hall, includes everything from chainsaw sculptures to eggs. It
Worthington CIU League: Spennymoor A inflicted the first defeat on Wheatley Hill A when the teams met in the First Division top of the table clash at the Hill. The Moors needed a good recovery and victory in the decider to pull off their win but it still
DARLINGTON Borough Council has been accused of betraying residents over a park-and-ride scheme set out in planning conditions for the Reynolds Arena. Campaigners are becoming increasingly concerned about parking by football supporters on grass verges
A MAN has appeared in court to deny a kidnap charge. Michael John Russett, 30, of Thorngate Wynd, Barnard Castle, County Durham, pleaded not guilty to kidnapping Kelly Patricia Williams on October 20 2003. Mr Russett also denies assault occasioning actual
SOPHIE Proctor of Marton, Middlesbrough is continuing to turn heads on the junior tennis circuit. Now based at the Lawn Tennis Association's academy in Leeds, the daughter of former Middlesbrough FC star Mark Proctor, reached the final of the under-14
CASH-STRAPPED Darlington Football Club received some good news for a change last night. Plans to hold car boot sales at the Reynolds Arena are expected to be approved by the borough's planning committee on Wednesday. The application was made when former
ENTERTAINERS helped bring the complex world of European funding to life yesterday. Actors from theatrical group Oddsocks Productions took part in a roadshow at the Georgian Theatre in Richmond, North Yorkshire. The theatre is one of a number of projects
AS the Reynolds chapter in the history of Darlington Football Club is brought to a close (hopefully not the last) a point worth making is that the economics of football remain those of the madhouse. Mr Reynolds, a successful businessman in the real world
A NEW minibus service is to be launched after a community group joined forces with a Teesside council and successfully applied for a £42,750 grant. The Department of Transport's Urban Bus Challenge has allocated the money to The Future Regeneration of
KIRKBY STEPHEN. - Mon. New year show & sale of 554 store & breeding cattle. Judged: W Timm. Champion: HR Hayton & Son (hfr) Prizes. - Bullock: 1 HR Hayton & Son £650 to JL Gray; 2 E&M Townley & Son £690 to D Dent. Hfr: 1 HR Hayton
Durham League Division One, Belmont Pan. 62 v 81 Willington Wa.: A very good start to the game by Belmont through 'three-pointers' from Graham and some stellar inside shooting from El Nayal. This gave the Panthers a well deserved 21-13 lead after the
THE unwelcome debate about local government structures brought about by the possibility of regional assemblies has spawned one good thing - a review of the way local government is funded. It has also been prompted by the above-inflation rises in council
A POPULAR sports and concert venue is to change its name following a sponsorship deal. The Telewest Arena, Newcastle, will become the Metro Radio Arena from this month after a seven-figure deal was reached between the North-East radio company and SMG
A TEENAGER was run over by a train after lying on the line, an inquest heard. Stephen Douglas was driving a passenger train round a bend in the track when he saw 19-year-old Ben Williams lying across the rails. Mr Williams was only 120 yards ahead of
A spin-off company is hoping to capitalise on the latest taste for wooden floorings. Add Wood set up in a factory unit at Langley Moor, near Durham, selling to both domestic and business customers. Full story, see tomorrow's Business Page.
GHOSTHUNTER. Publisher: SCEE. Platform: PS2. Price: £39.99: AMERICAN cops - they think they know it all. Take one Lazarus Jones - he's a trendy-looking detective working the mean streets of Detroit. Maybe that's why he can't resist opening the strange
Singles: P Hartley (Hpool) 13, G Shipp (Thornaby) 21; A Macey (Hpool) 13, J Pearce (Shildon) 21. Junior singles (area final): Paul Mosley bt Mark Ayers 8-2 103. Over 60s singles (area final): Derek Dowson (Ayc) 21, Ken Shipp (Thornaby) 5. Pairs: Higgins
POLICE are concerned about a man who has not been seen since he set off for work last Friday. Wayne Parsley, of Rawlinson Street, Carlin Howe, left his home address at 7.50am for work at a butchers in Whitby. The 32-year-old has not been seen since. He
DARLINGTON FC: I THINK The Northern Echo has a lot to answer for in the departure of former club chairman George Reynolds. The newspaper, while giving tacit approval to his plans, seemed to add riders to its stories which were detrimental to the pursuits
BEDFORD marathon ace Huw Lobb clipped one second off the course record as he scored a runaway victory in Sunday's Morpeth-Newcastle centenary road race. The 27-year-old IT consultant collected a first prize of £1,250 after dropping defending champion
RESIDENTS in Saltburn have been angered by plans to close part of a path that links up with the Cleveland Way. The section of footpath involved starts at the top of Saltburn Bank and leads down via the Spa Hotel Car Park to the second bend on the Saltburn
Linx Hemlington 1 South Bank Utd 3: With Linx having wind advantage and the slope, South Bank United were pleased to go in at half time just trailing by a single goal scored by Mark Salvati. Having gone close in the first half, United went all out from
Skipper Gareth Southgate is facing a fight to be fit for Middlesbrough's triple cup test against Arsenal. Southgate is suffering from hamstring trouble and was last night scheduled for a hospital scan to identify the problem. Boro face Leicester tomorrow
DARLINGTON and District Motor Club has attracted yet another top quality entry for the fifth running of the Jack Frost Stages Rally at Croft circuit tomorrow. Sponsored for the first time by Digital Office Solutions of Middleton St George, the event utilises
POSTERS highlighting domestic violence are to be displayed throughout the North-East. The charity Refuge, which helps abused women, has launched a national campaign aimed at raising awareness of the crime. The organisation hopes to change attitudes, save
Inventions That Changed The World (BBC2): Flesh And The Devil (C4): The Alan Clark Diaries (BBC Four): AT times it seemed the opening instalment of Inventions That Changed The World had been made purely to give Jeremy Clarkson the opportunity to play
THE North-East's top chefs and restaurateurs are showing their support for the region's home grown food and drink producers by publishing a book of recipes using local ingredients. The Taste of the North East book features 23 of the region's leading chefs
County Cup, second round: It was a great day for Hartlepool Chester Hotel who travelled to West Auckland Queens Head to beat the holders 3-2. The game started with chances at both ends. Chester Hotel took the lead when Michael Ford broke down the left
REDCAR and Cleveland is severing its ties with the Northumbria Tourist Board following claims that it has been made to feel like a poor relation. The borough council will drop its association with the board and join forces with the Yorkshire Tourist Board
Tony Blair was last night facing a make-or-break 24 hours, after Lord Hutton announced he will publish his report into the death of weapons expert Dr David Kelly the day after a crunch Commons vote on the premier's tuition fees policy. MPs will vote on
Saturday's results - Division One: Fishburn Park v Bedale FC - abandoned; Hartlepool FC 3, Wolviston Res 2; Mackinlay Park 0, BEADS FC 4; New Marske SC v Thornaby YC - postponed; Richmond Town 0, Grangetown BC 4; SMG Redstripes 2, Carlin How 0; Thornaby
A controversial North-East vicar is calling for the return of the death penalty and an end to the National Lottery. The Rev George Curry, vicar at Evangelical church St Stephen's and St Paul's, in Newcastle, made the comments in a TV interview due to
FROM this newspaper 100 years ago. - In Richmond, with reference to the new act fixing the limit of the speed of motor cars at 20 miles per hour, Mr J Crusher moved that the surveyor should be instructed to make a schedule of the narrow roads in the district
Stockton Town: The weather produced gale force conditions for Stockton Town's game at St Francis and it looked like it was going to be the main factor. Stockton had wind in the first half but St Francis passed the ball around better and looked the most
A rising river hit weights on the normally prolific Over Dinsdale match length of the Tees during the Darlington Angling Trophy but there were still four double figured nets before conditions deteriorated. The result was close and Darlington's Alan Hird
A full league and cup programme took place on Sunday and in the league cup victories for FRA Mowden, Goodfellas, Nestfield and AFC Brinkburn, saw them progress into the second round. Result of the day came with Goodfellas from the third division taking
Simonside SC went down 4-2 at home to Durham City Reserves. City went in front on ten minutes when Neil Middlemiss put away a cross from Barry Cook. Simonside were level five minutes later. David Basham slipped through the City's defence to slot the ball
Sir, - In reply to Mr Garbutt's letter (D&S Jan 9), Long Street has always been a commercial street. A tyre service centre was formerly located in what is now a domestic dwelling towards the southern end and the recent purpose-built premises Mr Garbutt
Billingham Wildcats came out narrow 4-3 winners in the women's division one North at the Forum Ice Arena against Nottingham Vipers. Wildcats twice led before Vipers equalised for 3-3 at 48.44. With four-and-a-half minutes remaining Nicola Borg's second
A CARPET firm is expanding on Teesside. Storey Carpets has invested more than £25,000 in its Skippers Lane, Middlesbrough, branch, tripling the size of its showroom devoted to selling laminate flooring. The department now accounts for one quarter of the
THE majority of women employees in the North-East are unaware they are likely to be paid less than men, research has found. A survey carried out for the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) revealed that 88 per cent of women surveyed, and 94 per cent
ELECTRONICS group Dixons helped lift some of the jobs gloom hanging over the North-East yesterday when it announced plans to open six new stores. The company said it planned to invest £5m in the region as part of an ongoing expansion programme. Dixons
A FORMER advertising boss who has carved a new career as an artist is exhibiting his work at a town hall. Admirers of the County Durham and Northumberland landscape will recognise familiar scenes captured in watercolour by George Hutchinson. Now retired
HOLLYWOOD star Johnny Depp helped to rescue at least one retailer's Christmas sales, according to the latest high street trading figures. Music retailer HMV was one of the best performers, with sales in the five weeks to January 3 up 6.6 per cent. The
GHOSTHUNTER. Publisher: SCEE. Platform: PS2. Price: £39.99: AMERICAN cops - they think they know it all. Take one Lazarus Jones - he's a trendy-looking detective working the mean streets of Detroit. Maybe that's why he can't resist opening the strange
LEADING arts and crafts people have been brought together by a new organisation. Arts in Richmondshire (AiR) has launched Richmondshire Arts and Crafts Guild to promote the work of its members. The guild has been awarded three years of funding for the
British call centres received a boost from a leading retailer last night. Mobile phone dealer Carphone Warehouse said it had no plans to move call centre jobs abroad because UK staff were better at dealing with UK customers. Call centre staff have been
JOBS could be on the line for firefighters in County Durham and Darlington if the Government refuses to help it out of a financial crisis. A report to Tuesday's meeting of the combined fire and rescue authority says it estimates it needs £29.2m next year
A LEADING North-East sleep expert has challenged new advice that parents should not sleep with their new babies because it increases the risk of cot death. The conclusions of a major European study of cot death risk factors published in The Lancet medical
Shuttle & Loom 2, Heighington 0: Shuttle took the initiative from the kick-off but were denied on several occasions as Heighington keeper Richard Shipham produced some excellent saves. However Shuttle were not to be denied and a superb finish from
For many of us, the post-festive period means only one thing - having to face the consequences of our spending, but there are pain-free ways of paying off our debts, as Shoptalk discovers. AND now the money hangover starts. Already the bills are starting
Braes of Derwent PC. - Feb 1: Indoor dressage at Holmside Arena. All classes open to non-members. For details send sae to Linda Middleton, Grange Farm, Sunnyside, Bishop Auckland DL13 4LZ. BSPS Area 3a. - Jan 25 and Feb 22: Novice winter shows at Northallerton
AN evening of illustrated talks on native breeds and conservation has been organised by the North Yorkshire Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group. It will be held at 7pm on Tuesday at the Alice Hawthorn Inn, Nun Monkton, near York, to which all interested
THE apparent suicide of Harold Shipman in Wakefield Prison has provoked a wide range of reactions. Many of them are knee jerk and prohibitively costly. At the front of the queue is that band of clowns who insist on playing the blame game - usually with
A DEMAND that the Countryside Agency should pay for "right to roam" mapping mistakes was made this week by the Country Land and Business Association in Yorkshire. Mistakes include at least two areas of private woodland in North Yorkshire being wrongly
There was joy for North Shields but despair for Birtley Town and Stokesley SC at the weekend. Not only did the Robins rout Birtley but Stokesley went down to Barnard Castle Glaxo, making it a memorable day for Wilf Keilty's side. "We have not won anything
Results for Thursday, January 8. North/South: 1 59.75% B Myers/J Little; 2 58.25% A and G Young; 3 56.00% J Pringle/B Seery. East/West: 1 60.56% R Potter/R Cottrell; 2 54.67% J Dobson/I Gordon; 3 53.75% E Wilkinson/J Bainbridge
WOULDN'T it be marvellous if Scarborough could switch their FA Cup fourth round tie against Chelsea to the Reynolds Arena, thus making a few bob for a club who have recently come out of administration and for one currently in it? Unfortunately, the FA
WOULDN'T it be marvellous if Scarborough could switch their FA Cup fourth round tie against Chelsea to the Reynolds Arena, thus making a few bob for a club who have recently come out of administration and for one currently in it? Unfortunately, the FA
A multi-million pound shopping centre development looks set to be given the go ahead in the heart of a North-East town. The proposed three storey complex forms part of a retail revolution in Darlington, County Durham, as the town welcomes a number of
Norton and Stockton Ancients: Both Norton Under-10 A and Eldon Lions started their game with determination. Eldon created the first chance of the game, making Norton goalkeeper work hard. There were several chances for both teams in the first half, but
Shildon manager Ray Gowan surprised fans by leaving 38-goal Garry Barnes out of the starting line up for the home game against Washington last Saturday. Barnes (pictured) has hit a dry spell recently and Gowan said: "The ball hasn't been running for him
PARISH councillors will press ahead with an application for a loan of £215,000 to pay for improvements to Hutton Rudby Village Hall. Members approved the plan at the monthly meeting on Thursday of last week, despite opposition from some residents who
DIVISION Two side Masons Arms skipped into the semi-finals of the B&A Trophy last week with an impressive win at the Grand. The Arms are already in the last four of the Division Two cup as well currently sitting second in the league table. And they
West Auckland general manager Stuart Alderson believes that they need another four wins to avoid relegation. West have lost just twice in the last seven games under manager Alex Mathie, and are now tenth in the table, after being in the bottom four in
Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon was yesterday facing mounting calls to resign over the case of a soldier shot dead in Iraq soon after he was ordered to hand back his body armour because of shortages. Sergeant Steve Roberts, 33, had told his wife at home
HEAVY snow brought chaos to the region last night as motorists battled through near blizzard conditions to reach home. Angry drivers criticised a lack of gritters and snowploughs after the two-hour snow storm - which coincided with the evening rush hour
FARMLAND on the North York Moors National Park's picturesque Levisham Estate may revert to moorland. A blueprint for the next five years has been drawn up for the 3,358-acre estate which the authority bought in 1976. Landscape and wildlife improvements
RIGHT to roam legislation could lead to a lethal mixture of racehorses, ramblers, dogs and children on Middleham Moor, the mayor, Coun Tammi Tolhurst, warned this week. "It's going to be a disaster," said Coun Tolhurst. She said that last year the town
The salmon season was launched with a traditional ceremony yesterday when a pipe band led hundreds of anglers to the banks of the River Tay, in Scotland. Each one was hoping to reel in the first catch of the year - and for one angler there was a happy
AN INFORMATION pack for anyone interested in buying Darlington Football Club and the Reynolds Arena should be ready by this weekend. David Field, of administrator Wilson Field, said he had received fewer than half-a-dozen expressions of interest up to
FARMERS must work together and build strong industry partnerships. Sir Ben Gill, president of the NFU, and Peter Pritchard, fresh food trading director for Asda, both delivered the same message when they were guest speakers at last Friday's North Riding
A POLL released today shows just how tough the battle is going to be for the Government to persuade the North-East and Yorkshire that they need to have their own regional assemblies. The survey reveals that, initially, 48 per cent of North-East voters
THERE were 78 competitors for Sunday's Johnson trophy trial organised by the Seaton Delaval Motor Club at Thorneyhough Farm, Pauperhaugh, near Rothbury, Northumberland. The event was run over four very wet, muddy laps after overnight rain and showers
THREE girls at a primary school in Ingleby Barwick have raised more than £400 for a Teesside hospital ward. Leanne Mulligan, Hannah Collings and Holly Eeles, all aged ten, persuaded teachers at Whinstone Primary School to take part in a charity football
DARLINGTON'S Craig Lee and Phil Lancaster are expecting to receive their National Three North Coach of the Month award at next week's home game against New Brighton. The awards are made by the National Clubs' Association, who also selected Mowden Park
Billingham Synthonia manager Stuart Coleby isn't worried about travelling to Congleton in the fourth round of the FA Vase tomorrow. Synners have already won three times on their travels at Winterton, Selby and Wellington, and Coleby (pictured) said: "
If winter depresses you more than is normal, you may be suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder. Health Correspondent Barry Nelson looks at ways to dispel these dark and dismal feelings. EVERY winter hundreds of people from the North-East head for
THE Government has been told it will make the biggest agricultural mistake of any Labour administration if it fails to adopt the historic option for calculating the new single farm payment. The National Beef Association said that selecting a hybrid system
Newcastle have lodged a cut-price £2m bid for Alan Smith to fuel fears of asset-stripping at crisis club Leeds. The cheeky offer for the England striker was flatly turned down by the Elland Road board. But the Geordies' move has signalled their intent
A KOREAN-owned firm under investigation over claims it is employing illegal immigrants could be forced to pay back £150,000 to the Government. Woo One, a Hartlepool company that makes computer casings, received the Regional Selective Assistant (RSA) grant
Sir, - Your report "Coffee shop could be lost in hospital revamp" (D&S, Jan 2), in which you reported a comment from an "unnamed Friends volunteer" about the impending closure of the coffee shop facility at the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton,
A FARMER has spoken of his frustration with the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority which he says has cost him £2,000 unnecessarily. Tony Busby wants to build a house for his son at their farm, Harland House, at Marrick, but the authority has twice
AN anonymous caller could hold vital clues in the hunt for a killer who bludgeoned a North-East teenager to death, detectives revealed today. Officers investigating the murder of Scott Pritchard are keen to speak to a man who dialled 999 the night after
Premier Division: Athletic Rugby 1 Rovers 2: Rovers set the early pace and Andy McKenna hit the post in the first minute. However it was Athletic who opened the scoring in the 20th minute when Mark Taylor dispossessed Chris Pearson and pulled the ball
THIRD DIVISION rivals Scunthorpe have hijacked Darlington's bid to sign Bolton winger Jeff Smith on loan. Quakers boss David Hodgson had hoped to complete the signing of Smith in time for tomorrow's trip to Kidderminster Harriers. However, the Middlesbrough-born
HARTLEPOOL United boss Neale Cooper has returned north of the border to make his latest signing. Cooper, who enjoyed an illustrious playing career with Aberdeen and Rangers and cut his managerial teeth with Ross County, has signed Scott Walker. The former
SAMSUNG sacked its North-East workers yesterday claiming Western European plants were no longer cost effective - at the same time as the company announced record profits running into billions. The Korean corporation provoked an outcry after it emerged
A BUSINESSMAN who criticised a council over the state of a town cemetery is singing its praises after it cleaned up the problem area. Cafe owner Sam Zair has commended Wear Valley District Council for its response to his complaint about the poor state
CONTROVERSIAL plans to build 30 apartments in a village could go ahead if the Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott approves the move. Despite fierce opposition from many residents, councillors and organisations, proposals for further development in Middleton
THE region is again planning to pay tribute to women who died in service during the Second World War. The Women's Air Services Memorial Day at the Yorkshire Air Museum at Elvington, near York, will be held on June 13. As well as the service, the day will
A BID to make one of the region's most famous musical acts freemen of Newcastle has failed. Bosses at Newcastle City Council have turned down an application to give folk rockers Lindisfarne the city's highest honour. Council chiefs decided not to bestow
VOLUNTARY and community groups in former coalfield areas of the North-East are to receive help for various local projects. Awards totalling £48,149 have been made to five good causes in the region, in the latest round of grant funding by the Coalfield
RESIDENTS shocked by the death of a North-East teenager are helping detectives catch his killers. Scott Pritchard, 19, was beaten to death as he made his way home on crutches. Detectives flooded the area around his home in Hendon, Sunderland, with leaflets
Entries are being accepted for an annual floral competition. Northumbria in Bloom, which was established in 1964, has developed a competitive spirit amongst entrants wanting to brighten up their village, town or city. Entries should be made through a
A NORTH-EAST man who moved to France has been stabbed to death on the Paris Metro system. The body of Emil Hegyesi, 47, has been flown back to his family on Tyneside. He died from a single stab wound to the stomach during a fight. A man has been arrested
THE death of a furniture boss who suffered 97 per cent burns in a factory explosion will be investigated by environmental health officers, an inquest heard yesterday. Nigel Peacey, of The Grove, Hartlepool, was engulfed by a fireball after the blast at
A MARINE who was killed while serving in Iraq has been honoured by his former school. Laurence Jackson School, in Guisborough, has created a memorial trophy in memory of former pupil Chris Maddison, who died on March 30 last year, aged 24, serving with
THREE women who got drunk during a late night lock-in at a pub and later took a man's car appeared in court yesterday. The women were charged with a number of motoring offences after being stopped by police in Newton Aycliffe - 25 miles from where they
Durham County: Durham had victories in the Men's A and the Ladies match in the first round of the Region One Inter-Counties League when they played Northumberland. The match was played at Daisy Hill, Sacriston after a late change form the designated venue
HEAVY snow brought chaos to the region last night as motorists battled through near blizzard conditions to reach home. Angry drivers criticised a lack of gritters and snowploughs after the two-hour snow storm - which coincided with the evening rush hour
CLEVELAND Fire Brigade's modernisation plans will be put under the spotlight today. The South Area Police and Community Safety Consultative Forum takes place at 10am in Greatham Community Centre, in Greatham Village. Bob Scott, Cleveland Fire Brigade's
Inter County Championship: Division Two: Durham Firsts got back to winning ways with a comfortable away win, and now have two successes out of four to stand in mid-table. Durham I 13, Staffs II 2 (Cannock): Mens: Andrew King beat P Cope 15-4, 15-4; Graham
CONTROVERSY surrounds plans to build more than 100 homes and a 120-acre community woodland on greenbelt land in Teesside. Residents in Normanby, near Middlesbrough, are being offered the chance to hear more about the Yuill Homes scheme to develop land
ONE of the region's biggest football clubs looks likely to win top status for its youth academy. Sunderland was thwarted in its bid to win FA Academy status for its Academy of Light, after its controversial plans for an indoor football pitch at Whitburn
A DRUG addict who knocked a North-East woman unconscious in her bedroom and then smashed up her home was jailed for two years yesterday. Melanie Rigby, 27, had allowed her attacker Jonathon Halpin, 30, and his girlfriend to stay at her house in Stockton
COUNCILLORS have given approval to plans for a skatepark. The park, which will cost £88,000, will be built next to Teesdale Leisure Centre, in Barnard Castle, County Durham. Teesdale District Council's economic affairs policy committee gave approval to
Sir, -I refer to the report headlined "Think recycling, householders are urged" (D&S, Jan 9). Whilst I commend Darlington Borough Council for its "Time To Recycle" campaign, I feel it falls short of being an effective one. I would question, as I believe
A SCHOOL has been praised for its impressive improvements after it was branded as failing by Ofsted inspectors more than a year ago. An action plan was introduced to improve discipline and results at Eastbourne School, in Darlington, after it was placed
Durham and Cleveland County Juniors: There were 257 players from 33 counties around the world competing in the Scottish Junior Open at Edinburgh after the Christmas break. Amongst them were three players from Durham and Cleveland. Nunthorpe's Josh Harris
A FREE gardening service to help vulnerable council tenants is to continue. Derwentside District Council's executive has approved a £60,000 grant to keep two workers. They will take care of gardens belonging to tenants in north-west Durham who are elderly
THE name of a military policeman killed during the war in Iraq could be added to a village memorial. Middleton St George Parish Council is backing a move to honour WO Colin Wall, who was killed in Basra. The 34-year-old company sergeant major lived in
A DANCE act is using one of the most memorable TV comedy moments of last year as inspiration for a raid on the pop charts. North-East recording act Da Boss have sampled boss from hell David Brent from BBC sitcom The Office, to come up with The Office
THOSE who went down to Arncliffe Woods off the Cleveland Way at the weekend were in for a big surprise. The winter scene above Ingleby Cross was enhanced by an unusual piece of artwork featuring mirrors and microphones, an installation with a sound and
Wear Valley Ladies League: Crook Golden Fleece opened out an 11 points gap at the top of the table after they won by three points at Byers Green Royal Oak, despite the 140 and 120 from Angela McDonald and 120 from Abigail Hodgson for the home side. The
NOW we know that the fate of Prime Minister Tony Blair will be settled at the end of January. With the vote on top-up fees followed immediately by the release of the Hutton report, bookmakers believe there is a 20-1 to chance that we will be looking for
Holders West Auckland Queens Head entertained Hartlepool Chester Hotel in the Durham Minor Cup. West trailed twice but came back to 2-2 through Darren Wilson and Andrew Sugden. A home win looked likely but chances came and went before the visitors earned
THE sense of jubilation was palpable in a seaside resort better known for its beaches, amusement arcades and the production of oven-ready chips, rather than its footballing prowess. But the people of Scarborough were in buoyant mood yesterday as the town's
A TEENAGER struck down by a brain disease met his football hero yesterday. David Pattison, 15, from Seaham, County Durham, has a rare degenerative disease that has ravaged his spinal cord and brain. The youngster, an avid Newcastle United fan, travelled
In the premier, Norton & Stockton, who are fighting desperately to avoid relegation, lost 6-4 at home to league leaders Steels Social. It was a game of two halves, the first belonging to the visitors and the second to the home side. Norton took the
THE girlfriend of a teenager stabbed to death last year has given birth to his child. Louise Rigby, 19, said her daughter will be a constant reminder of her boyfriend, Chris Cave, who was murdered in Redcar. Louise gave birth to the 7lb 12oz baby at The
Sir, - I am a resident of Osmotherley village. The surroundings are beautiful, but over the past few months I have noticed that Cod Beck is getting cluttered with litter. I have taken plenty of photos backing my argument (see below, right). This has to
Goldsborough v Grosmont: Goldsborough started well from the kick off and took the lead inside ten minutes when Marsay hit a volley from 35 yards. The home team should have added to their lead but they squandered several good chances. Despite Goldsborough
THE first anti-social behaviour orders in Richmondshire and Hambleton have been issued to six youths who caused havoc at Colburn. Nine youths were arrested and interviewed by police after being caught on CCTV harassing people and causing criminal damage
MOTORISTS will soon have to pay to park in the centre of Barnard Castle if a local authority proposal is backed by councillors on Wednesday. A pay and display system is being recommended by Mark Ladyman, Teesdale District Council director of community
RACECARDS on sale at every fixture at Newcastle and Sedgefield racecourses in 2004 will be in colour. The investment, which runs into tens of thousands of pounds, means that Northern Racing - the owner of both venues - is the first racecourse grouping
Cleveland Inn moved closer to a Cup Final place with a 3-0 victory over Redcar Glazing. A strong wind caused havoc for both teams and the play was fairly even until Andy Bowman took his chance from 15 yards to put Cleveland ahead. Glazing scorned a good
BARNARD CASTLE. - Tues of last week. Fwd: 155 store cattle. Bulls: Lim £580 G Williamson; BB £585 T&G Lee; Char £545 WK Walker; BA £440 J&SE Bainbridge. Bullocks: Char £730 WB Rutter & Sons; Lim £730 WB Rutter & Sons; BA £640 J&MJ
Sophie Proctor of Marton, Middlesbrough is continuing to turn heads in the Junior tennis circuit. Based at the Lawn Tennis Associations Academy in Leeds, Sophie got to the final of the under-14 Grand Prix Winter Series in Gloucester last weekend with
Richmond and Zetland Harriers Richmond and Zetland Harriers had 24 athletes compete in the eight races of the Yorkshire X-C Championships at Nunroyd Park, Guiseley on Saturday 3 and they came back with individual silver and bronze medals plus a fourth
NORTH-EAST computer users have been warned to ignore a hoax e-mail, warning women they are under threat from abduction at petrol stations. The message, purporting to come from the British Transport Police, explains: "Be extra careful going to and from
NORTH Yorkshire farmers Peter and Joanne Richardson feature in a new promotion by Sainsbury's. As suppliers of the pork used in the supermarket's new organic pork and leek sausages, their photograph appears on the packets. Customer research has shown
Spennymoor's fundraising campaign has got off to a good start. Moors are trying to raise funds to build a new clubhouse and they have already set several ideas in motion. There are plans for a race night, a sportsmen's dinner and a sponsored walk, but
THE future of one of the region's traditional sporting events is again in jeopardy, less than a year after it survived. The Lyke Wake Race, which covers 42-miles of some of the toughest terrain in North Yorkshire, was first held 40 years ago. At its height
In the league, Washington Oasis came up against Gateshead Black Bull on a heavy ground. It did not seem to affect the Bull who took a two-goal lead, only for the Oasis to pull back a goal and then miss a penalty. The Bull then had ample chances after
LOW-COST airline bmibaby last night announced a number of new destinations from Teesside International Airport. Bosses said the move would bolster the airport's drive to boost passenger numbers to four million by 2015. Flights to Belfast, Malaga and Geneva
THE British Horse Society is stepping up its welfare campaign with a new-look magazine and a first-time owner's pack. The first issue of BHS Equi-Care magazine will be published early in February and distributed to anyone interested in equine welfare,
A ROW has erupted in Borrowby over plans for a village hall most of the villagers say they do not want. After an extensive survey and consultation with residents, Borrowby Rural Hub Project, set up as part of the Vital Villages scheme to improve amenities
BEDLINGTON and Blyth District Riding Club had cause for a double celebration last year. Club members attended the National Riding Championships and their sponsored ride resulted in a cheque for more than £1,000 being presented to the Great North Air Ambulance
NEXT week, the Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds brings its production of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof to Harrogate Theatre. This Tennessee Williams play was memorably made into a multi-award winning film starring Paul Newman and Elizabeth Taylor, and is regarded
THE North Eastern Counties Welsh Pony and Cob Association has changed the date of its summer show to bank holiday Monday, August 30. By avoiding clashing with many of the major show championships during July and August, the committee feel that the new
AN isolated youth hostel, which has proved successful in developing renewable energy systems, has picked up an environmental award from its parent association. The Langdon Beck Alternative Energy Project in upper Teesdale promotes understanding of renewable
CASH-STRAPPED Darlington Football Club received some good news for a change last night. Plans to hold car boot sales at the Reynolds Arena are expected to be approved by the borough's planning committee on Wednesday. The application was made when former
The upper room in the Red Lion in Darlington is approached by stairs which some would call vertiginous and others just suppose a bit steep. All sorts of anxious assemblies have been held there over the years, at the end of which gentlemen have been known
PRIMARY school children have filled more than 260 shoe boxes with gifts for children in eastern Europe. Children at Galley Hill Primary School, in Guisborough, and Roseberry Primary School, in Great Ayton, worked together to fill boxes with toys, crayons
Tow Law Area League: Billy Row Club stretched their lead at the top of the table to two points after they only dropped three points to the visiting Cornsay Royal Oak. The second placed, Esh Stag's Head struggled at home before winning by the odd point
A TEESSIDE company offering a unique service in MDF finishing is looking towards expansion in 2004. The plans will create up to 25 jobs and allow the company to compete at local and national level. MDF Powder Coatings, on the Bonlea trading estate in
The Darlington Indoor Bowls club team had mixed fortunes leading up to the area and the zone finals of the indoor bowls championship at local, regional and national level including the popular and coveted Home Nations Famous Grouse Top Ten Classic. Brian
After being inside the professional ring on just eight occasions a young Darlington boxer is preparing for a title fight in his hometown. Welterweight Francis Jones burst on to the scene 18 months and some impressive performances since have pushed him
Durham City Ladies: Durham City Ladies drew 2-2 with Marton in the Women's Northern League, however, City will be a little disappointed not to have won the match. Durham top scorer Emma Collinson looked lively from the start of the match; hitting the
As another heavily grant-subsidised foreign investor pulls out of the region, Business Editor Mike Parker asks if it is time radically to overhaul state aid for business. HIS face says it all. The downcast eyes and defeated voice of the young fitter echoed
DARLINGTON fans will be hoping the resignation of chairman George Reynolds this week will coincide with their team rediscovering the art of scoring goals. Quakers visit Kidderminster Harriers tomorrow for a crucial relegation battle on the back of yet
DURING the past few weeks we have been pleasantly entertained by the birds in our garden. Like many other people, we have established various feeding stations around the exterior of the house, although we do this only during the winter season. I am aware
MORE than 80 suspected paedophiles have been arrested in the North-East as part of a worldwide crackdown on Internet child pornography. Their names were among thousands discovered as part of Operation Ore after their names were passed to the FBI when
GOVERNORS are warning parents that a proposed new Darlington primary school would mean most teachers re-applying for their own jobs. The consultation involving the amalgamation of Whinfield Infants' and Junior schools ends on January 31. Lynn Thompson
WHEN Dave Morrison, for 40 years renowned North Yorkshire and South Durham cricket league wicket keeper, formed a partnership with exalted French chef Didier de Ville, it could truly be said to be a match made in culinary heaven. The elusive chef, dubbed
A FLOOD-HIT village is in line for £500,000 to improve coastal defences. Skinningrove suffered in 2000 when 178 properties were affected by high water levels and many residents had to be evacuated. Heavy rainfall in 2002 showed there were still serious
ELECTRONICS firm Filtronic has refinanced its debt in a move that is expected to save the company a considerable sum of money. The business switched its remaining senior US notes into a conventional loan facility with the HSBC and Barclays Bank. Full
THE apparent suicide of Harold Shipman in Wakefield Prison has provoked a wide range of reactions. Many of them are knee jerk and prohibitively costly. At the front of the queue is that band of clowns who insist on playing the blame game - usually with
NORTHERN Foods, the parent company of North Yorkshire frozen food firm Dalepak, has buoyed investors with news of a sharp rise in profits. The group, based in Hull, said profits in the three months to December 31 were higher than in the previous quarter
A FEAST of jumping on Saturday followed the all-weather fare on which we depended during the frosty times and there was much to savour for one of our Fifteen to Follow and the Johnson-Wylie team. Our Armageddon, trained by Richard Guest, has been the
HOWARD JOHNSON will be dreaming of Champion Hurdle glory if Chivalry (3.10) can win this afternoon's Morebattle Hurdle at Kelso. Chivalry, yet another big-money purchase by Johnson's principal patron, Graham Wylie, made mincemeat of his rivals when recording
AN enterprising retailer is capitalising on the latest womenswear craze - crystal bikinis and thongs. Pam Jewitt, owner of Paris, in Gateshead MetroCentre, has been causing a stir after stocking the Swarovski Crystal jewelled underwear and sarongs. Two
MORE than 100 jobs are likely to be lost as a result of the £1.19bn takeover of North-East pubs company Pubmaster. Pubmaster, based in Hartlepool, was taken over by rival Punch Taverns in December. The deal made Punch the biggest pubs company in the country
ONLY 36pc of the producers entitled to claim the £7m farm assurance supplement have done so, and the deadline date is February 4. Producers can claim FAS as part of their 2004-5 SAPS application if they are a member of a recognised farm assurance scheme
Yorkshire have arranged practice matches against Durham and Lancashire as part of their build-up to the new season. They will travel to Riverside on April 6 and 7 and on April 14 they will engage in a one-day Roses battle at Old Trafford. Yorkshire's
