PATIENTS with multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease who suffer from chronic sleepiness may benefit from a relatively new drug which has just received a wider UK licence. Developed a few years ago, the drug Provigil (modafinil) could only be used
THE future of a Stockton church destroyed by fire 13 years ago will not be decided until next year at the earliest. Holy Trinity Church, in Yarm Lane, was gutted by a blaze in 1994, and a survey found most residents would like to see it demolished. But
DARLINGTON. - Thurs of last week. Fwd: 471 cattle, 620 sheep. Easter butcher's hfrs & billocks, judge: Michael Todd Horton Green. Hfrs: 1 Michael Robinson 144p; 2 S Newcombe & Son 143p; 3 JR&A Newcombe 121p, all to Woodhead Bros. Steers: 1
Durham County FA reached the final of the Association of Northern Counties Youth Cup with a decisive 4-0 victory over Manchester, writes MALCOLM PRATT. In an even first half, the Manchester goalkeeper made two outstanding saves before being beaten in
JERMAINE JENAS' first goal in Europe preserved Sir Bobby Robson's proud UEFA Cup record with Newcastle on his return to former club PSV Eindhoven. A precious away goal by 21-year-old England midfielder Jenas, who was back in the United side after a tendon
The MSA British Sprint Championship makes its annual visit to Croft Circuit on Easter Monday and with 21 of Britain's top sprint drivers and a further 120 competitors in supporting Championships, the competition will be fierce. Each competitor will have
A NORTH-EAST student has won a place in the prestigious England British Colleges' under-19s Rugby League squad. Matthew Barron, from Durham City, battled his way into the side after competing against entrants from 150 colleges across the UK. The 17-year-old
A CARNIVAL to celebrate African culture in the region will be held later this month. The North-East of England African Community Association (NEEACA) annual showcase event takes place in Newcastle Civic Centre on Saturday, April 24. The afternoon will
A DARLINGTON women-only fitness centre is running an exercise scheme for youngsters concerned about their health and fitness. First Step 2 Fitness launched the initiative in February after figures released by the Department of Health showed more than
THE Mel Gibson film The Passion of The Christ has stimulated the debate about violence in society. The scene in which Christ is tortured by the Roman soldiers takes cinema gore to a new level and the nailing to the cross leaves nothing to the imagination
FINAL FANTASY X-2. Publisher: Electronic Arts. Format: PS 2. Price: £39.99. Out now. THE trouble with role-playing games is that unless you happen to be a bit, err, obsessive, they can be a mite boring. Massive games like the Final Fantasy saga are the
STAFF at an eighteenth century manor hall have got used to working in the dark. The rules laid down at Ormesby Hall, a sprawling 18-room mansion near Middlesbrough, firmly dictate that less than an hour of daylight can penetrate the centuries-old rooms
FOR the second successive year Grant Tuer owned, trained and rode the winner of the four-mile Grimethorpe Gold Cup, the feature race of last Sunday's Middleton point to point at Whitwell on the Hill. The ten-year-old favourite Sad Mad Bad (Hurworth) was
AGE Concern in Darlington is urging older people to take steps to reduce their council tax bills. Many are unaware they could cut their council tax bill by up to £425 a year, by contacting the advisors at Age Concern, Bradbury House, in Beaumont Street
YOUNGSTERS at a primary school have been making their own animations. Pupils at Reid Street Primary School, in Darlington, have created stop frame animations, based on Roald Dahl's James and the Giant Peach book, which they have been reading. The year
THE death of Fred Winter reminded me that Jay Trump was the last horse to give me a run for my money in the Grand National, back in 1965. The great man also trained Anglo to win the following year and had ridden two National winners in the 50s. I suspect
A DARLINGTON estate's play workers have learnt that their jobs are safe for the next 12 months. But at a meeting of Red Hall Partnership this week, members heard that in order to ensure their long-term future the play workers would have to prove their
POLICE are warning retailers who sell alcohol to youngsters they could face prosecution. Officers in Darlington are cracking down on the sale of alcohol to youngsters in an effort to reduce incidents of anti-social behaviour across the town. Inspector
YOUNG performers in County Durham are teaming up with professional artists to create pieces of work. Six groups have successfully bid for grants from the Elements Youth Theatres New Commissions Fund and received a total of £12,000. They will work on films
A FATHER-TO-BE was locked up for two months yesterday after being caught driving a lorry without a licence only a day after an earlier disqualification had ended. Peter Alderson, of Lowther Road, Woodhouse Close estate, Bishop Auckland, tried to run away
CHILDREN'S favourite Andy Pandy joined in the fun at a play session for youngsters yesterday. The television star visited the Topsy Turvy soft play club at the Dolphin Centre, in Darlington. Andy Pandy will be appearing with fellow puppets Bill and Ben
CHILDREN are being given the chance to have a say on community issues. The names of ten nominees aged between eight and 13 have been put forward by youngsters living on the Red Hall estate, in Darlington, for four posts on a young person's partnership
A GRADUATE has designed a work placement scheme to help university students gain business experience. Chris Newell, who graduated from the University of Northumbria in 2002, started his own company, TextYou, which gathers information through text messaging
DARLINGTON fans face a nail-biting climax to the season as their side continues the struggle to avoid relegation to the Nationwide Conference. Quakers, who are just one point clear of the drop zone following last Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Boston United
The horse racing world was in mourning yesterday after the death of legendary owner and breeder Robert Sangster. Sangster died yesterday aged 67 at his London home after losing a lengthy battle with pancreatic cancer. Sangster, who was separated from
ANDREW Pratt has won the vote to keep wicket for Durham in their three-day match against Durham University starting at Riverside tomorrow. Despite the opinion of some experts that he is the best wicketkeeper in the country, Pratt was dropped after four
A LAW which bans companies making unsolicited telephone calls to householders was last night branded "a nonsense" after a loophole was discovered by The Northern Echo. Businesses have been banned from ringing the homes of people who have signed up to
Principia League Cups Redcar defeated Norton III to lift the men's cup in the Principia team handicap knockout competition at Nunthorpe SC recently, while Sunderland Racquets had a close win over Nunthorpe to take the women's title. Division two side
A nursery set up to encourage parents to return to work has yet to enrol a single child - despite having been open for almost two weeks. Maidendale Community Nursery, on the Firthmoor estate in Darlington, cost £336,000 to build - £97,000 of which came
THERE was only one thing for a Middlesbrough fan to be doing on February 29 - and it wasn't flying on a plane to Germany. Lifelong Boro fan Chris Tomlinson found himself doing just that, while most of Teesside was in Cardiff to celebrate Boro's first
A YOUNG rider from Hurworth is celebrating after taking first place in a national show jumping championship. Samantha McNicholas, 15, saw off competition from 87 other riders to win her class at the Winter Blue Chip Championships held in Solihull, near
Junior round-up Billingham Falcons picked up their first English U14 North A League point of the season from a 5-5 draw at Telford Venom. It was Falcons' final regular league season before the promotion-relegation play-offs which will begin later this
FINAL FANTASY X-2. Publisher: Electronic Arts. Format: PS 2. Price: £39.99. Out now. THE trouble with role-playing games is that unless you happen to be a bit, err, obsessive, they can be a mite boring. Massive games like the Final Fantasy saga are the
TOTAL deductions from single farm payments could be as much as 27pc by 2012, the end of the transitional period, a farmers' meeting at Thirsk Racecourse was told. Richard Taylor, head of the Yorkshire and North-East farming department of Strutt and Parker
WE are sure the majority of people in North Yorkshire will be pleased to welcome Dr Kamren Saeed and his wife Iram Kamran in their new status as full British citizens. At the region's first citizenship ceremony in County Hall, Northallerton, the Saeeds
THE death toll in the explosion of violence in Iraq continued to climb last night as coalition forces lost control of three southern cities. A year ago today, Allied soldiers were celebrating as the symbolic statue of Saddam Hussein was pulled down in
NEWCASTLE centre-back Titus Bramble could be facing a two-match ban after being at the centre of an elbowing storm at the Philips Stadion last night. Bramble appeared to flatten midfielder Remco van der Schaaf just before Jermaine Jenas equalised for
DEFENCE contractor BAE Systems is cutting another 1,000 jobs over the next two years. The news comes a week after it announced plans to shed 760. The group said the jobs would be lost in its air systems division at Warton and Samlesbury, in Lancashire
ASSURANCES have been sought about the future of Hurworth School Maths and Computing College. Revelations this week that education officials are in talks with the Church of England over a £20m proposal to rebuild Eastbourne Comprehensive, has sparked further
"IT'S topped off an unbelievable season. It can't get any better than this. It's the best day of my life by a long, long way and I'll probably never experience anything like it again." So said Graham Lee, the Teesside jockey who has shot to prominence
A NATIONWIDE police hunt has been launched for a conman who wins the confidence of pub landlords then steals from them. The man is believed to have struck dozens of times - including in Selby, North Yorkshire - and has got away with tens of thousands
A CARNIVAL to celebrate African culture in the region will be held later this month. The North-East of England African Community Association (NEEACA) annual showcase event takes place in Newcastle Civic Centre on Saturday, April 24. The afternoon will
A war veteran is retracing his wartime steps of 60 years ago to pay his respects to the fallen comrades who never made it home after the Second World War. Catherine Jewitt reports. DOUGLAS Wilks is revisiting the once inhospitable land of the Far East
Sir, - I would like to respond to the letter "Moor burns" (D&S, Apr 2). I was amazed at the misinformation contained in Mr Lindsay's letter. He only needed to ask me for true details of the day. There was actually two separated burns on that day (
TWO law firms based in the region are flourishing in the South after playing a part in deals worth more than £50m. Ward Hadaway and Dickinson Dees have been flying the flag in two property deals. Ward Hadaway has worked on business valued at £50m in London
Hathaway and Cope Stokesley League PJS FC 3 North Skelton Bulls Head 3 Bulls Head set about their game plan in very much the same way as they dominated the early play. Simon Nelson opened the scoring and minutes later Nelson was first to the ball following
A DELEGATION of education officials from east Africa will arrive in the North-East later this month on a learning visit. The group of 16 from Nigeria's Delta State will undertake a five-day management skills training course with ClickHere, a training
Newton Aycliffe OApril 4 Micheal O'Sullivan warmed-up for the London Marathon in two week's time with another impressive run in the Wallsend 10K road race finishing in 37minutes 23seconds. Brent Morfoot, in his first race for some considerable time, finished
AN expert investigator has added his voice to appeals for residents to report arsonists - responsible for starting most of an area's fires. As reported in The Northern Echo, posters are to be displayed at locations across Teesside - including the scenes
Chester-le-Street Town Chester-le-Street Town Juniors moved five points clear at the top of the Fairs Software Tyneside Junior League on Wednesday night with a comprehensive 5-0 victory against Whitley Bay at Hillheads. The visiting Cestrians were fast
EIGHT brave youngsters from a scout group are preparing to embark on a marathon coast-to-coast charity bike ride. The youngsters from Brompton Scouts are hoping to raise at least £500 for Children with Leukaemia when they set off, accompanied by three
YOUNG carers got an early Easter treat when they visited a mobile phone company's communications centre. Staff at Orange, in Peterlee, donated 100 chocolate eggs to youngsters who care for disabled or ill relatives and are supported by the Barnardo's
COUNCIL chiefs have expressed their fears over planned changes to tourism services in part of the North. The main proposals for North Yorkshire are a larger role for the development agency Yorkshire Forward, a new tourism group to promote the region,
SEX offences, violence and vandalism continue to rise on Teesside. Cleveland Police have recorded a 46 per cent increase in reports of violence - nearly 3,000 more offences than the year before - while 2,300 offences of criminal damage were reported.
EXTRA police patrols are to be mounted on the Eston Hills over the Easter holidays. Arson attacks, vandalism and cruelty to farm animals are a sad holiday tradition in the hills above Middlesbrough. Sergeant Dave Sutherland, of Cleveland Police, said
SHOPPERS at a store in Consett had to look twice at the face of one visitor on the day it opened. Retailer Matalan, on the Hermiston Retail Park in Consett, employed the services of David Beckham lookalike, Andy Harmer, for its opening. Store staff have
A RESCUE team has been given £1,000 to replace telecommunications equipment. Scarborough and District Search and Rescue Team, which carries out dozens of rescues each year on the North York Moors and surronding area, has been given the money by the borough
HARD-UP chemist's shop assistant Elizabeth Pullan pocketed £1,000 in takings, a court heard yesterday. Pullan, 48, pleaded guilty at Harrogate Magistrates' Court to theft from Lloyds Pharmacy, in King's Road, Harrogate, between the beginning of October
A PUB'S plans to expand, adding a village shop to its facilities, have been given the district council's provisional blessing. Not all residents of Finghall, in lower Wensleydale, were happy with the application by the owners of The Queen's Head. Some
Newfit Services Willington Willington Cottles threw the championship wide open again when they won the top of the table battle at Byers Green Royal Oak by three points. This result leaves Cottles ten points behind the Royal Oak but with a match in hand
DARLINGTON teachers are confronting their education authority over proposals to create one of the biggest primary schools in the country. The staff of Whinfield Junior School have attacked a proposed merger with the infant school next door, which would
Bishop Auckland A poor first-half display precipitated Bishop Auckland's sixth defeat in seven matches when they hosted Chester-le-Street in Division Three of the Durham and Northumberland League. The Cestrians proved considerably heavier and a far more
YOUNG rugby players from a County Durham school are emulating the success of their senior counterparts after winning a host of competitions. This season the Under-14 side at Barnard Castle School have won three competitions, while the senior team travelled
The battle at the foot of the division between the two Brinkburn rivals AFC and Wanderers saw AFC dominate the game with some fine passing. They took the lead with an excellent move through the centre of the park, ending in Robert Creek powering the ball
THE boss of a Northallerton firm which was devastated by fire has praised his workers for raising the company from the ashes. At the official opening of a new sales centre in the town, North Yorkshire Timber chairman David Cook said recovery from last
SIR Ben Gill, former president of the NFU, has been appointed non-executive chairman of Westbury Dairies. He has more than 20 years' experience of lobbying UK and European politicians and is a passionate supporter of co-operatives and their moves into
CAMPAIGNERS for a North-East assembly took their message to the region's ethnic minority communities yester- day. More than 60 business and community leaders from across the region gathered in Newcastle to hear the case for a regional assembly. People
POLICE are launching a campaign aimed at curbing mature bikers who speed through the Durham Dales. Over the past three years, seven riders have died in more than 50 motorbike accidents on the minor roads of Weardale and Teesdale. A further 20 have been
A STREET was evacuated yesterday after a suspicious device was found in a house. The Bomb Disposal Unit from Catterick discovered the suspect package was two 50-year-old batteries. The 5in by 2in batteries were discovered by workers in a house in Berwick
THE UK's trade deficit narrowed to £4.2bn in February following a fall in the value of imports from outside the European Union. The improvement on the £5.5bn gap in trade on goods and services in January was better than the £4.6bn deficit expected by
READERS have responded well to The Northern Echo Lifeblood campaign and donated blood, according to figures. Within days of the launch of the paper's blood donor appeal on March 22, National Blood Service (NBS) officials in the region noticed an increase
IT has taken thousands of hours and cost tens of thousands of pounds, but Dave Howe is convinced it has been time and money well spent. His ambition to painstakingly restore a 1960s tug and create an on-board shop and cafe has taken every spare moment
HOSPITAL bosses in the region are scratching their heads over claims that patients are being forced to watch bedside television 24 hours a day. Many NHS hospitals in the North-East now have sophisticated bedside TV systems installed by private company
LIVESTOCK producers will need much better prices for their cattle if they are to stay in business under the new farming regime. The National Beef Association says abattoirs must tell retailers that they will have to pay better prices for their beef products
HOMEOWNERS were spared higher mortgage costs after a knife-edge decision by the Bank of England kept interest rates at four per cent. Analysts believe the vote was close as the Bank's rate-setting committee balanced concerns over soaring house prices
Durham City Ladies Durham City produced a good first half display against Blyth, and created several more chances after Charlotte Rimmer had converted a rebound from a Mel Jones shot. However, City lost concentration in the final five minutes of the half
A MOUNTAINEER'S attempt to become the first Briton to scale the 14 peaks over 8,00 metres in the world has been delayed by strikes. Alan Hinkes, from Northallerton, North Yorkshire, is Britain's leading high-altitude climber. He has flown out to the Himalayas
A TV gardener, polytunnels full of bedding plants and a team of trainees with learning disabilities working their way to independence - that's Northdale Horticulture. Oh yes, and a lifebelt for bees... From cramped and humble beginnings at the back of
ONE of Britain's most distinguished actors has criticised "short- sighted" governments which failed to put enough money into the post-war railway system. Robert Hardy revealed a lifelong interest in trains on Monday when he threw his weight behind a forthcoming
COMPLAINTS about military manoeuvres at the Croft motor racing circuit will be discussed at a meeting between the operators and the local authority this month. Residents were angry after the MoD was given permission to use the track, near Darlington,
IT is difficult to understand how hot cross buns could be considered offensive to non-Christians, but that was the reason given last year by several Labour-controlled councils to ban these buns in schools. York was one of those councils and one London
Fifty years ago tomorrow, that's when it all kicked off. The first game was at Wembley, the second at St James' Park and the third at Middlesbrough before Bishop Auckland and Crook Town could at last, at least, be separated. Almost 200,000 people watched
CARELESS dog owners in Neasham could be named and shamed unless they clear up after their pets. The threat has come from the angry chairman of the parish council, Coun John Weighell. He had to take on the unenviable job of clearing up dog dirt on Teesway
POLICE have pledged to increase patrols in an area struggling to cope with gangs of teenagers roaming the streets. Over the past three months, residents and businesses in the Yarm Road and Lingfield areas of Darlington have been reporting problems with
THE death of Fred Winter reminded me that Jay Trump was the last horse to give me a run for my money in the Grand National, back in 1965. The great man also trained Anglo to win the following year and had ridden two National winners in the 50s. I suspect
THE first farm shop in Ripon has undergone a £5,000 expansion after only four months in business. Owners David Dale and his fiance, Juliet Hall, who opened Fresh Fields Farm Shop, next to the auction mart in North Road, in November, took the decision
HOTEL and guest house owners from across the Durham dales have been invited to one of Teesdale's tourist attractions to experience it for themselves. More than 50 tourism business owners visited Raby Castle, near Staindrop, and took part in a guided tour
TOPCLIFFE rally driver Tim Pearcey and co-driver Mick Johnson, from Pickhill, have made it two wins from two starts in the 2004 Kumho Clubman Rally Championship. Despite engine problems prior to the event and a very unwell co-driver, the pair took a fine
INFORMATION on Newcastle's heritage will soon be available on a website. Tyneside Life and Times is being created by the Local Studies and Family History Centre, run by the city council's libraries service. It has been backed by the National Lottery's
CONVERSION of a group of Victorian buildings in Richmond town centre to business units should be completed by August. Work started on the former church, parish rooms and infant school in Dundas Street at the beginning of February and the property, owned
THOMAS MYHRE will come out of the shadows into the limelight at Sunderland this afternoon and manager Mick McCarthy has given the Norwegian his full backing. The Scandinavian keeper is in line to replace Mart Poom against Sheffield United after the Estonian
Keavey Carrick is dreading Easter - because one taste of a chocolate egg could leave her seriously ill. The four-year-old will have a miserable weekend watching her friends tucking into sweet treats, while she munches on carrots and Yorkshire pudding.
THE word from Wensleydale had been persistent and consistent. The Sandpiper Inn in Leyburn had to be checked out for the quality of Jonathan Harrison's modern British cooking, we had been told by more than one local foodie. To be fair we had tried. There
WHEAT prices have come under pressure on the back of currency and lower Scottish values. It seems that most consumers, particularly in Scotland, have plenty of cover now and are happy to sit back. Oilseed prices have risen slightly, but look nervous as
A VILLAGE'S one remaining pub could be saved from closure after the owner agreed to sell it to a resident. Villagers had hoped to stage a community buy-out of the Countryman Inn, at Hunton, but it proved legally too complex. Owner Mike Kirby was granted
A COUNTY Durham school rugby team returned home with their heads held high despite suffering a heavy defeat at Twickenham on Saturday. Barnard Castle School lost 48-0 to Colston's Collegiate, of Bristol, in the final of the Daily Mail Schools Cup. While
A YEAR ago today, the unforgettable image that flashed around the world was of a statue of Saddam Hussein falling to the ground: a symbol of the allied "victory" in Iraq. Today, the dominant image coming out of Iraq shows US marines praying over the body
North Shields goalkeeper David Lanning is earning quite a reputation after saving two penalty kicks in last week's crucial game against Harton and Westoe. But it is not the first time he has twice thwarted the opposition from the spot. In addition, earlier
North-East Christian Fellowship League Iquarter final of the League Cup David Angiers opened the scoring for Jesmond Parish Church. An own goal from Saint John's Snod's edge stretched the lead to 2-0 at the break. Chris Atkin pulled a goal back for Saint
A FULL clubhouse of Bedale Golf Club juniors, accompanied by parents and guardians, joined committee members at the launch of the new junior handbook recently. The handbook covers subjects such as rules, etiquette, codes of conduct and liabilities of
Unreported World (C4) THE Killing Of Kashmir provided a reminder that Iraq may grab all the headlines but there are other parts of the world where civilians are caught between factions eager to control their country. It was difficult to reconcile the
A BEER and wine maker from Stockton has been named the country's top brewer, after 31 years of trying. Keith Simpson, 71, of Darlington Road, Hartburn, won the national wine-making title in 1986, but the master brewer title had always eluded him, until
IT is becoming increasingly clear in the debate about secondary schools in Darlington that one outcome is certain. No decision, of course, has been made but unofficially there's a tacit acceptance in the corridors of power that Hurworth is for the chop
A Hoggarth and Sons Eskvale and Cleveland League Hinderwell v Lingdale Utd A hat-trick from Lingdale's Mark Iseton proved to be the deciding factor. Hinderwell opened the scoring from the right but it was Lingdale who were ahead at half time after two
Sunderland Catholic Club Over-40s League IAlan Spedding Cup (Division One) Glaxo lost 3-0 to Wardley Green. Glaxo played well but the potential Division One champions proved just too good for them. Wardley scored after 20 minutes and went 2-0 down shortly
COUNTRY subjects is the theme of an exhibition of sculptures and drawings by Emma Stothard on show at Newby Hall, near Ripon. Her Dancing Hares, (right), gave visitors to the hall a foretaste of her work last summer as part of a display of outdoor contemporary
Northdale Horticulte, in Northallerton, is more than just business - it's the heart and soul of the community, helping those with learning disabilities gain independence. Sharon Griffiths reports. A TV gardener, polytunnels full of bedding plants and
Durham Alliance CoXhoe Athletic hammered Simonside SC 5-0, a result that keeps them in top spot and in pole position to win the league. Man of the match Lee Atkinson hit the first of his four goals with a solo effort rounding the keeper to slot home.
THE victim of a car accident which occurred on Sunday probably owes her life to two Thirsk paramedics. Sarah Jane King, 25, of Bedale, was found in a field after her car left the A168 between Thirsk and Northallerton and rolled over several times, ending
THE Mel Gibson film The Passion of The Christ has stimulated the debate about violence in society. The scene in which Christ is tortured by the Roman soldiers takes cinema gore to a new level and the nailing to the cross leaves nothing to the imagination
Tennis World Ladies team claimed their first win in the KIA National Club League competition on Sunday by beating Northumberland 4-2. The competition is the largest singles / doubles based league competition in Great Britain and includes 47 of the nation's
A NORTH Yorkshire farmer found he had a lot in common with his West African counterparts following a ten-day visit to exchange ideas. Edward Dennison, who is North Riding and Durham County chairman of the National Farmers' Union, travelled to Burkina
YOUNG performers in County Durham are teaming up with professional artists to create pieces of work. Six groups have successfully bid for grants from the Elements Youth Theatres New Commissions Fund and received a total of £12,000. They will work on films
A school is aiming to stimulate the senses of children by creating a sensory garden. Harrow Gate Primary School in Stockton received a helping hand from a local car dealership which has donated £200 towards the scheme. Deputy headteacher, Dianne Gage
ELDERLY people can find out how to claim extra Government benefits after Easter. Age Concern is holding events to show that many older people in County Durham could cut their council tax bill by up to £425 a year. The charity is launching its annual Your
A FAR-reaching project to boost tourism and improve facilities in a market town will be unveiled later this month. But the planned revamp of Bedale suffered a partial setback yesterday when councillors deferred a decision on re-opening the town's railway
POLICE in North Yorkshire are launching their toughest crackdown on rogue motorcyclists in a bid to cut accidents on some of the county's most picturesque roads. Bikers who treat routes as racetracks are being targeted as part of new measures to reduce
A SCHOOL that was to be given a new home is to be closed to reduce surplus places. County Durham's School Organisation Committee has approved plans by Durham County Council to shut North Blunts Primary, in Peterlee, in the summer. The committee has already
REGIONAL GOVERNMENT I AM against a regional assembly, unless the vote is subject to proportional representation. Otherwise we are going to end up with another Labour Party junket with jobs again going to the boys. I totally disapprove of the stranglehold
A TOWN health centre faces closure because vandals are targeting the building and intimidating staff. Bosses at Durham Dales Primary Care Trust (PCT) said Willington Health Centre may be forced to close it if the vandalism continued. In the past two weeks
RESIDENTS in Goathland, near Whitby, setting of the hit television series Heartbeat, have given a big thumbs up for it to continue being filmed in the village despite problems of noise and parking. A packed meeting called by the parish council and attended
Promotion-chasing Goodfellas visited Drinkfield United where the home side continued their good form from the previous week. It only took two minutes for them to open the scoring when Craig Wright hammered the ball into thetop corner from 25 yards. Goodfellas
A COUNCIL is calling on its residents and business community to help draw up a blueprint for future services. Last month, Government watchdog the Audit Commission described Easington District Council as an "excellent authority". Now the council has published
LONDONERS are paying hundreds of pounds extra council tax to cover the cost of their regional government, William Hague, MP for Richmond, has told the Lower Wensleydale Parish Forum in Leyburn. He warned last Friday that householders in Yorkshire would
SVEN-GORAN ERIKSSON has reassured Middlesbrough captain Gareth Southgate that he will wait for the defender to prove his fitness ahead of the European Championships this summer. But the good news for Southgate came on a bad day for Boro as they try to
TRADITIONAL rural skills dating back hundreds of years have landed a young North Yorkshire craftsman a job. Peter Hinchliffe, 20, has become the first modern apprentice in a North York Moors National Park scheme to have gained full-time employment, after
SUNDERLAND are adopting the cautious approach as they nurse winger Matt Piper back to full fitness. Piper made his first start in seven months at Wimbledon on Tuesday night and he ran the opposition's defence ragged in a super opening half. The 22-year-old
HEALTH chiefs have apologised after a postal mix-up left some Great Ayton patients out of pocket. Hambleton and Richmondshire Primary Care Trust sent letters regarding changes to out-of-hours services to patients of Dr Davies and partners' practice, which
GUISBOROUGH'S Susan Paisley was a beaten finalist in the women's doubles at last weekend's North East Wheelchair Tennis Tournament in Sunderland. She teamed up with French top seed Florence Gravellier, who lost in the singles final to British number two
Dunston overcame another obstacle on their way to their first title when they won 2-0 at Marske in midweek. Danny Shore put them in the lead from a Ben Thompson pass, then David Southern, who hit the bar early in the game, scored the second from a free
A TEENAGER'S pledge to raise awareness of the illness which has blighted her life for five years led to her writing an article for a national newspaper. Jane Fawcett, who lives on her family's farm in Arkengarthdale, penned a gruelling account of her
NEW internal arrangements will ensure that problems experienced in the provision of playgrounds following new housing developments will be minimised, Hambleton Council leader Coun Arthur Barker told this week's meeting. He was answering a written question
South Cleveland Garages Teesside League MACMILLAN BOWL SEMI-FINALS Grangetown BC 1 BEADS FC 3 Holders Grangetown Boys Club crashed out of the MacMillan Bowl after this entertaining match against BEADS FC. Steve Boyle gave the visitors a 20th minute lead
Northern League clubs could discover what the future holds for them next week. Now that the higher levels of the non-league system appear to have been decided with the new Conference North and Conference South, the FA's attention is now being focused
Spennymoor manager Tony Lee is hoping his team has finally turned the corner. Moors came back from 2-0 down to beat Ashton United 3-2 on Tuesday in what many thought was Moors' most exciting game of the season. They trailed 2-0 at half time but the dismissal
YOUNG rugby stars at Barnard Castle School have shown their mettle by cleaning up the honours in a host of competitions. The under-14 side beat St Leonard's, Durham 45-12 to take the Durham County Cup. Two days later, they went on to win the Durham under
A GRADUATE has designed a work placement scheme to help university students gain business experience. Chris Newell, who graduated from the University of Northumbria in 2002, started his own company, TextYou, which gathers information through text messaging
Stanley Sunday League Stanley Royal need only one more point to retain the League Championship after making it 15 wins in a row over Pelton Fell to maintain their 100 per cent record. David Turner scored another two goals in the 5-2 win along with Kraig
WATER POLO: Sedgefield 75 have five players involved in international duty in April. Scott Carpenter, the youngest player in the Great Britain Under-19 team, is away for three weeks with training in Manchester, then to Barcelona for a series of matches
A NORTH-EAST student has won a place in the prestigious England British Colleges' under-19s Rugby League squad. Matthew Barron, from Durham City, battled his way into the side after competing against entrants from 150 colleges across the UK. The 17-year-old
DEFENCE contractor BAE Systems is cutting another 1,000 jobs over the next two years. The news comes a week after it announced plans to shed 760. The group said the jobs would be lost in its air systems division at Warton and Samlesbury, in Lancashire
