AUDIENCE figures for the arts in the North-East are increasing, according to new figures. The Arts Council has published the results of a major five-year research project, The New Audiences Programme, backed by £20m from the Department of Culture, Media
A charity is joining forces with the producers of the Teletubbies to launch a series of films for young people in the North-East. Two films from Save the Children and Ragdoll will be premiered at The Odeon, in Newcastle, on Tuesday. The project, What
BANKS and building societies are joining the war against doorstep crime in County Durham. Durham County Council's trading standards service is teaming up with the financial institutions to clamp down on cold callers who escort people to withdraw money
Durham Senior League: The halfway stage in the season is reached today and several clubs are still in the fight to be champions. Of the top four, Boldon seem to have the most straightforward task today when they entertain Seaham Harbour. However, after
COLLIER HILL (3.00) can provide trainer Alan Swinbank with the biggest success of his career to date by lifting this afternoon's £180,000 John Smith's Northumberland Plate, writes Colin Woods. The hard-as-nails six-year-old is also guaranteed a hero's
DARLINGTON boss David Hodgson last night insisted Martin Gray still has a major role to play at the club despite his demotion to youth-team coach. Hodgson has expressed his growing concern with the rate at which talented youngsters are being produced.
A TRAINING centre for adults with learning difficulties has made a contribution to a town's floral displays. Endeavour Woodcrafts are making flower tubs for the Ferryhill in Bloom committee to be placed at locations throughout the town. The first two
CHILDREN from a Newton Aycliffe school have returned from a week on a tall ship. Pupils from Greenfield School Community and Arts College, in Newton Aycliffe, were on board the Hartlepool Renaissance for a trip organised through the Cirdan Sailing Trust
HUNDREDS of school pupils are being encouraged to write down their day-to-day experiences. It is part of a project by publishers Paul Summers and Ian Dowson of Liar Inc Ltd, who are working with students at Seaham School of Technology, Easington Community
A national furniture chain is to build a warehouse and trade outlet on a Wear Valley industrial estate. MFI will open a branch of its subsidiary company, Howden Joinery, on the Abraham Industrial Estate, in St Helen Auckland, near Bishop Auckland. The
OFFENDER Carl Brennan was released from jail after a judge heard he had one chance to sort out his life. The 23-year-old, described in court as "obnoxious, obstreperous, violent alcoholic and a nuisance", was almost six weeks into a four month jail sentence
A TEAM of sophisticated burglars who targeted shops and chemists all over the country were jailed for a total of eight years yesterday. The gang, all from Sunderland, hid surveillance equipment in roof spaces to film staff using alarm key codes. They
TRADING standards officers are warning people to be on their guard after bogus callers tried to obtain £240 from an elderly woman. Two men wearing bright yellow workmen's jackets knocked at the woman's home, in Darlington, on Thursday, saying they had
A burglar was warned by magistrates that he could be sent to jail after they found him guilty of stealing money from a Darlington funeral parlour. David Jonathan Errington, of Bardon Moor, Darlington, was convicted of breaking into the offices of John
CHILDREN have been learning how to battle the germs that lead to upset stomachs and sore throats. School nurse support worker Diane Garthwaite has been promoting the benefits of Sally Soap to pupils at Firthmoor Primary School, in Darlington, as part
A DARLINGTON school is celebrating sporting success for two of its teams. Rise Carr Primary School's year three tennis team has won the Darlington round of the Spring Health Mini Tennis Challenge for the third successive year. The team of seven and eight-year-olds
A NORMANDY veteran met members of a North-East community group yesterday to talk about the recent D-Day celebrations in France. Charles Turnbull, 87, of Carrville, served with Durham Light Infantry between 1940 and 1945. He was evacuated from Dunkirk
ENGLAND football legend Peter Beardsley visited a school yesterday to field questions from pupils. The former Newcastle United striker gave youngsters at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs School, in Esh Winning, advice on how they can achieve their goals. He
A new radio station dedicated to North-East rock fans has reported a positive response since its launch on June 9. Kerrang! Newcastle 107.5, run by Metro and Magic 1152, uses rock DJs from local universities and colleges. To support a campaign to keep
A VOLUNTEER who works tirelessly for his community has been honoured with a national award. Pensioner Alex Bain collected his 'Celebrating Older People Achievements' award at the Palace of Westminster. Local MP Dari Taylor nominated Mr Bain, 72, on behalf
ONE of the world's most celebrated and controversial modern artists is exhibiting in the North-East - for the first time since graduating from the University of Sunderland a decade ago. Richard Billingham won global recognition with the publication of
A crimebusting squad of officers set up to tackle robberies and street crime in Middlesbrough has had an impact on crime levels. Latest figures show a fall of more than 40 per cent in the first four months that the seven-strong team has been operating
FIVE years after launching a £300,000 fund for a much-needed refuge for stray animals, a charity is nearing its target. However, in a bid to fulfil the dream, Saltburn Animal Rescue Association (Sara) must find between five and eight acres of land to
Legendary journalist Harold Evans was knighted by the Prince of Wales yesterday - and recalled how the heir to the throne attended one of his news conferences 26 years ago. The former editor of The Northern Echo, who went on to edit both The Sunday Times
A YOUNG apprentice is constructing a promising career for herself at one of the country's largest house builders. Lianne Walker, 20, thought all was lost when, having planned to study for an NVQ in business administration, her training scheme was closed
SMOKING at work could become a thing of the past in north Durham, as a drive to cut premature deaths and boost the health of residents gets under way. People in Derwentside have much worse health and don't live as long as the national average. Derwentside
Pupils from Barnard Castle Preparatory School have raised £228.39 for Teesdale and Weardale Search and Rescue Team when they set up a cake stall at break. The event was to repay the rescue team, which visited the school earlier this year. Meg, a border
Police are appealing for witnesses to an accident that left a motorcyclist with a serious leg injury. It happened on the A170, between Helmsley and Sutton Bank, at 12.40pm yesterday. A gold-coloured Volvo was overtaking two stationary cars, causing a
AN initiative to tackle anti-social behaviour has been hailed as a success. Scarborough's Safer Communities Partnership appointed an anti-social behaviour co-ordinator, Drew Fussey, in April to ensure there was a consistent approach to dealing with the
A dispute about a controversial housing development may be resolved next week when the planning application goes before councillors. Planning officers say they are hopeful that the proposals by George Wimpey North East, for 36 houses on land off Crosby
Pupils from Barnard Castle Preparatory School have raised £228.39 for Teesdale and Weardale Search and Rescue Team when they set up a cake stall at break-time. The event was to repay the rescue team which visited the school earlier this year. Meg, a border
A TEAM of burglars who targeted shops and chemists all over the country were jailed for a total of eight years yesterday. The gang, all from Sunderland, hid surveillance equipment in roof spaces to obtain the alarm key codes used by staff. They then entered
A NEWTON Aycliffe school has gained an award for its work in improving the health of students. Greenfield School Community and Arts College received a County Durham and Darlington Healthy School Award for achieving the nationally accredited standard in
SPECIALISTS from the Netherlands and Sweden are in the North-East this weekend to help tackle problems of water quality, flooding and environmental quality. The visitors will take part in workshops with organisations including the Environment Agency,
RESIDENTS are being encouraged to help a team of people with mental health problems transform a piece of overgrown land into a working allotment. The team of 12 people, with occupational therapy staff from east Cleveland, meet every Wednesday to clear
CONVENIENCE store chain Bells has beaten competition from BMW and British Gas to win a national training award. Bells, based in the Tees Valley, won the Large Employer award at the National Modern Apprenticeship awards, organised by the Learning and Skills
SHOPKEEPERS across the UK will suffer as a result of England's Euro 2004 defeat on Thursday night, analysts are predicting. The failure by the England team to qualify for the semi-final stages of the competition could cost the retail trade millions of
McDONALD'S is throwing open its doors on Monday to show guests around one of its factories. Visitors will be given the opportunity to ask questions, such how the food is made and where the ingredients come from. They will visit Marlow Foods, in Stokesley
A TEAM of volunteers from a vets' practice have raised nearly £7,000 for Guide Dogs for the Blind after taking part in a tough mountain challenge. Three vets, three receptionists and a nurse from Marske Vets, near Redcar, and the nurse's son, took part
Darlington Building Society NYSD Premier League: Darren Hickey has played his last year for Darlington RA after relinquishing the captaincy and resigning his membership. The timing of his decision is somewhat surprising since he is out of action at present
Readers Durham County League: Brandon have not forgotten Stephen Ball in 15 years. It was in 1989 that he scored the first ever century on the ground when he took part in a celebration game. "I well recall Stephen scoring 100 and since then he has been
HOME Secretary David Blunkett was last night locked in a battle with Humberside Police Authority over its refusal to suspend under-fire Chief Constable David Westwood. In an unprecedented move, Mr Blunkett threatened to take the authority to court unless
A GROUND-breaking scheme has been launched in North-East prisons which aims to help inmates go straight when they are released. The Reducing Offending Through Advice (Rota) scheme was launched yesterday by Lord Filkin, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of
INDUSTRIAL action by North-East ambulance crews hits a peak this weekend, according to union officials. An overtime ban introduced by members of the Unison union ten days ago means that up to 21 frontline emergency ambulances will be off the road over
Durham Coast League: Following their morale-boosting victory over neighbours and arch rivals Silksworth last weekend, Ryhope aim to keep the pressure on the leading pack when they line up against Dawdon. A blow to the Wearsiders is the unavailability
A TAXI driver was kidnapped and forced at knifepoint to take three passengers home, a court heard yesterday. Trevor Fraser told the men he already had a fare when they approached his cab in Middlesbrough town centre and asked to be taken to an estate
GREAT Britain's leading Olympic hope Paula Radcliffe last night called for the region's athletics fans to keep her bid for a gold medal this summer on track. Radcliffe will be the star attraction at the Norwich Union Grand Prix at Gateshead tomorrow when
A TAX expert who traded in the most perverted images of babies and toddlers ever seized in Britain has been jailed for three years. Duncan Rusk, 38, signed up to an Internet club, based in York, which specialised in pornographic images of children under
A TEN-year-old schoolgirl has shattered a North-East long jump record. Helen Simpson, from Barnard Castle Preparatory School, County Durham, made a jump of 4m 3cm at the Headmasters Conference North-East meeting, at Gateshead International Stadium this
CAMPAIGNERS battling to stop a rusting so-called ghost fleet from being scrapped in the North-East have hailed a decision to carry out some of the work in the US. Environmental pressure group Friends of the Earth said the decision by the US Maritime Administration
THE A689 east out of Sedgefield is a fast dual carriageway. It has a pleasant enough view towards the Cleveland Hills but your eyes have to battle through the smoky chimneys of the chemical industry to see that far. It has none of the dramatic hills that
THE Northern Echo's campaign to erect a memorial to the forgotten victims of the region's worst mining disaster is nearing its target. Trustees charged with spending the cash raised by the newspaper's readers believe they are months away from unveiling
MORE North-East trains are arriving on time, but the latest industry figures reveal that at least one in ten journeys are still late. Quarterly performance figures issued by the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) showed that nationwide 83.1 per cent of trains
Fosters Northumberland and Tyneside Senior League: Although the halfway stage of the season will not be reached until next week, it is just about make or break for Whickham today as they strive to avoid returning to Division A2 after just one season in
AN iron and steel company is creating 100 jobs in the region after securing a £120m contract. VAI UK, whose blast furnace division in Thornaby, Teesside, led a European consortium to win the contract in South America. Along with German company Ferrostaal
A GUILLOTINE traditionally used to dispose of members of the aristocracy has been built by a baronet to form the centrepiece of a village fair. Sir Anthony Milbank's family have lived at Barningham Park for more than 300 years and he commissioned the
THE last cigarette made at the Rothmans factory in Darlington will roll off the production line in the next week. The end of production comes nearly 28 years after the factory opened in the town, which created 1,000 jobs and had a significant impact on
CAMPAIGNERS in favour of an elected regional government in the North-East met yesterday to drum up support. More than 50 high profile people gathered at Durham County Cricket Club to check on the Yes4thenortheast campaign's progress. Key speakers included
MUSICIANS from all over the world will be in the North-East next week. The Grand Union Band will play a one-off concert on Wednesday, as part of the Durham Brass Festival 2004. Tickets for Carnival Brass, which starts at 7.30pm at the Gala Theatre in
TWO weeks of sporting events involving hundreds of children culminated in a colourful closing ceremony yesterday. The Sedgefield Olympics Festival involved 36 primary schools from across County Durham. Each of the seven secondary schools in Sedgefield
A MAN who killed his son with an "ill-considered, rash and dangerous" driving manoeuvre has been spared jail. Paul Marshall, 56, was told by a judge: "The punishment you have is the tragedy of causing the death of your own son. No court can impose any
James Bond though he must be dreaming, but this was no ordinary Bond girl, and nor is she an ordinary actress. Honor Blackman tells Nick Morrison why she's still an outsider. IT'S a frustrating time for Honor Blackman. It's not that there's any shortage
A CAR-THIEF who murdered a Manchester United fan by deliberately running him down as he stole his car has failed in an Appeal Court bid to overturn his conviction. Glynn Ellis, 46, of Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, died when he was struck by his own
A PENSIONER has spoken of her horror as she woke to find a burglar rifling through her bedside cabinet. The 81-year-old, who does not wish to be named, has spoken out in the hope that her story will encourage other pensioners to be more vigilant over
WHEN it comes to property market advice, then Channel 4 must surely have the monopoly. The thing is, which programmes are made for Park Lane and which ones are more like a second-hand market stall on the Old Kent Road? Two female presenters are currently
Villagers at Eyam, in Derbyshire, will forever be remembered for giving their lives trying to halt the spread of the plague. THE contagious clich about avoiding like the plague may never have applied to Eyam, where last summer Sunday, we attended a memorable
Foster's ECB North-East Regional Premier League: The match of the day is between second-top, unbeaten Blaydon and Chester-le-Street, who have lost twice but by a strange quirk of the system enjoy a two-point lead over their rivals. "We have done much
MAXINE ROBINSON: IT was most disappointing that The Northern Echo continued its witch hunt for Maxine Robinson in the court report (Echo, Jun 18) with its front page headline 'Triple child killer to be free in four years'. The judge, Mr Justice Clarke
A COUNCILLOR who was accused of threatening to put a fist in another member's face has been cleared of any wrongdoing. Bill Blenkinsopp, a member of Sedgefield Borough Council in Tony Blair's County Durham constituency, has condemned the investigation
A NEW cycling facility at a Darlington primary school has inspired the headteacher to learn to ride a bicycle. David Hayllar, headteacher of Heathfield Primary School, said: "I can't think why I didn't learn as a child, because my brothers and sisters
CATERING students proved they were upper crust when they took home the prizes in a national bread baking competition. Bakery students from Darlington College of Technology claimed six accolades, including two firsts, two seconds and two thirds in the
THE boss of a North-East haulage company has been jailed for driving the wrong way down a dual carriageway. Neil Green, 45, who runs a company in Middlesbrough, was found guilty of dangerous driving after Carlisle Crown Court heard how an oncoming car
DARLINGTON MP Alan Milburn was quizzed by the public yesterday when he appeared on Radio Four's Any Questions? The former Health Secretary appeared on the show, which was hosted by Jonathan Dimbleby at Durham School last night. It came in the same week
A dance project involving 100 young people was staged on the roof of the region's National Glass Centre yesterday. The newly choreographed work, entitled Dragonfly, was specifically created for the Sunderland venue. The production marked the culmination
A NORTH-EAST maternity ward that prompted a patient revolt when it closed has reopened after 18 months. Campaigners formed a "Mums' Army" when the South Tees Hospital NHS Trust closed the maternity unit at Guisborough Hospital, east Cleveland, in November
TODDLERS celebrated a Government award for their nurseries with a breakfast party this week. Rosedene Children's Nurseries, which works closely with Redcar and Cleveland SureStart Partnership, gained the Quality Counts title for two of its nurseries at
STUDENTS have given the grounds of a sports centre a makeover as part of a work placement. The 15 youngsters, from Risedale Community College, Catterick Garrison, worked with staff at Colburn sports centre on the two-week project. They cleared the grassed
RISING athletics stars from a college have been celebrating their success at two major competitions. Teams from Northallerton College won through to the regional finals of the English Schools Track and Field Cup. They were up against teams from eight
GOOD causes have benefited from a mayor's fundraising efforts during her year in office. Councillor Doreen Greenwell presented cheques for £1,868 to representatives of Rosebank School in Ferryhill, for children with special needs, and Macmillan Nurses
A cyclist is nearly at the half-way point of a marathon bike ride that has taken him the length of the UK using one of the longest routes. Duncan Mackay, who was brought up in Northallerton, but now lives in London, is travelling from Culver Point on
BUSINESSES have given their backing to plans to create a management body for two market towns. The body will co-ordinate marketing, provide a voice for the trade community and promote social and economic vitality in Malton and Norton. It will be launched
ROAD safety campaigners have expressed their disappointment at a council decision to maintain the 70mph speed limit through two County Durham villages. Chester Moor and Plawsworth residents wanted to see the stretch of the A167 where they live reduced
A GROUP of avid readers from a Chester-le-Street school are to judge work entered into a children's book competition. The Carnegie Medal has been in existence for nearly 70 years and is Britain's oldest children's book award. The Shadowing Scheme invites
BREWERY group Jennings Brothers appointed former Pubmaster boss John Sands as a non-executive director at its annual meeting yesterday. The brewery, which has 36 per cent of its pubs in the North-East, said the appointment would come into effect on September
A £2m community centre will be opened in County Durham today when North Durham MP Kevan Jones releases 500 balloons to mark the occasion. It will be the headquarters of Sure Start Stanley and will offer facilities to parents and children in the area.
ARMED police were called to a council housing office after a tenant who had been evicted turned up with a gun. David Richards, 46, marched into the reception in Church Road, Stockton, and threatened to blow an official's head off. Teesside Crown Court
TWO boy burglars who battered a deaf mute man with hammers were locked up yesterday. Judge Roger Scott allowed the media to name and shame Daniel Thompson, who was 14 at the time of the attack, and Anthony Hinchcliffe, who was 15, and ordered their mothers
FRIENDLIER relations between Britain and Libya could mean a jobs boom for the North, it is being forecast. US sanctions lifted in response to Colonel Gaddafi's agreement to dismantle weapons of mass destruction and offer compensation to victims of the
FIRST-time buyers are scrimping, saving and borrowing vast sums of money from parents to get on the property ladder, a survey has found. Just less than a quarter of people buying their first home said they could afford to buy on their own, while 57 per
Q I am a widow of 87 who could not get Pension Credit because of my savings. However, I receive Attendance Allowance due to my disability. Am I entitled to Carer's Allowance, as I need more care now that my health is deteriorating ? A No. Carer's Allowance
LIAM LAWRENCE'S arrival at Sunderland was marked by the departure of striker Tommy Smith last night. Smith, along with Darren Byfield and John Oster, has been in negotiations with the Black Cats over a new deal since the end of the season. But, during
A SUPPLY chain consultancy said it could bring millions of pounds-worth of business to the region's economy thanks to an overseas contract. First Chambers Limited, of Middlesbrough, is working with a Saudi Arabia-based client to source goods and materials
WHEN he examined the failings in the vetting procedures on Ian Huntley, Sir Michael Bichard raised serious concerns about the lack of integration between police forces. It was clear from his findings that the resistance to greater co-operation was largely
RAIL enthusiasts who supported a museum's campaign to buy a famous locomotive queued up yesterday to gain exclusive access to tickets for its inaugural journey. First in line at the National Railway Museum (NRM), in York, was Nigel Petre, from Dewsbury
PORTUGAL's victory over England on Thursday could have been predicted, according to North-East academics. By beating England on home territory two nights ago, Portugal illustrated a phenomenon that was scientifically proved by a team at Northumbria University
DURHAM briefly scented an unlikely win when they reduced Glamorgan from 115 for one to 150 for seven at sunny Sophia Gardens yesterday. But merely by hanging around for 21 overs in an otherwise inexperienced batting line-up, Matthew Maynard held up their
Australian left-hander Phil Jaques yesterday became the only batsman in Yorkshire's history to score a double century both for and against the club when he took his epic innings against Hampshire at the Rose Bowl on to 243. And director of cricket, David
THE Northern Echo Job Fair Exhibition Roadshow kicked off yesterday. The event, held at the Blackwell Grange, Darlington, aims to provide people with opportunities and information on careers and training. Today, the roadshow will be at North Yorkshire
SOME tip-top sprinters clash in the opener at Newcastle this afternoon this afternoon and I fancy Somnus to come out in front. The line-up for the Group 3 Foster's Lager Chipchase Stakes (1.55) includes Ayr Gold hero Quito, mud-loving, Tadcaster-trained
MEMBERS of a police authority have raised concerns over the purchase of a £1,500 microwave to heat prisoners' food by a force crippled with financial problems. The appliance, bought by Cleveland Police, which is struggling with a £7.3m budget "black hole
