THE Northern Echo is promoting activities for children and teenagers throughout the summer holidays as part of its No Messin' campaign. The campaign aims to highlight the dangers of messing about on railways, and promote alternative activities. Every
Today marks the 60th anniversary of VJ Day - the end of the war in the Far East. But for thousands of British servicemen, their experience of war against the Japanese was in the horrors of prison camps. Nick Morrison meets a survivor. HERBIE Barwick was
RESCUE workers and investigators were last night combing the wreckage of ill-fated flight ZU 522 after an airline that carries thousands of Britons on budget trips to Cyprus suffered a mystery crash. Initial reports stated that the pilot was missing from
A YOUNG diabetic woman who was lost on a remote forest hillside without medication was airlifted to safety at the weekend. The woman and her partner had been walking their dog in Hamsterley Forest, County Durham, on Saturday afternoon when they became
JON Daly is getting into the habit of scoring important goals for Hartlepool United. Arriving from Stockport County last February, the big frontman has taken time to get used to Pool's way. But now, with three goals in his last seven games, Daly is starting
The situation at the top of the table is looking very interesting after Chester-le-Street beat the weather and Durham Academy to close in on leaders South Northumberland. Following a 33 minutes delay at the start, the Cestrians declared following 50 overs
VILLAGERS are prepared to travel up to 25 miles out of their way rather than pay a 25p increase to cross an ancient toll bridge. One farmer, who says he is not alone, already pays £200 a year and is considering travelling miles out of his way rather than
NEW laws are needed to stop councils in the North-East closing public toilets, say campaigners. The British Toilet Association (BTA) seized on figures revealing a nine per cent decline in the number of conveniences across the region between 2000 and 2004
A DURHAM benefit has never offered a ticket for retirement aboard a luxury yacht in the Bahamas, but if Neil Killeen is to have one next season he should at least have more time to organise events than Jon Lewis did last year. Durham have never officially
BOLO ZENDEN has pointed the finger at Middlesbrough chief executive Keith Lamb for making sure the Dutchman's return to the Riverside was one to forget. Zenden's first Premiership outing in a Liverpool shirt was ironically on the Teesside turf he starred
Two mums have caused outrage by leaving their respective children - the youngest just 11 months old - in inadequate care, while they jetted off abroad. Sarah Foster asks what might have prompted their drastic actions and what their children will have
With the programme again severely interrupted by rain, Hetton Lyons would be disappointed at not being able to pick up maximum points. However, with second-placed Whitburn restricted in their match with Eppleton to just six points for their efforts, the
With only three games to play, Castle Eden are now in a strong position to win the championship for the first time since they re-entered the league from the Darlington Building Society NYSD Premier League. They were the only side to win in Saturday's
SIX young apprentices are helping solve a skills shortage in the construction industry. Aaron Morris, Harriet Beverley and Dale Smith will start a plumbing apprenticeship with Coast and Country Housing, while Neil Bishop has chosen bricklaying as his
RESTORED gates to a club's former ground have formed an emotional entrance to the current stadium. Middlesbrough Football Club's past, present and future will be celebrated to mark the tenth anniversary of the club's move to the Riverside Stadium. The
PERHAPS those who decided to stay well away from Neasham Road on Saturday were wise enough to know what to expect. There were 4,371 at the Darlington Football Stadium four days earlier to watch Quakers' 2-0 win over Stockport. Yet, strangely, there were
FIRE chiefs have stressed the importance of smoke alarms after a pensioner died in a blaze. The man, who was in his eighties, is thought to have fallen asleep with a lit cigarette in his housing association flat - which was not fitted with a smoke alarm
UP TO 80 per cent of pubs in some of the poorest parts of the North-East will be given the go-ahead to allow smoking to continue in the premises under new Government plans. According to figures obtained by Fresh, the campaign for a smoke-free North-East
TO celebrate Sunderland's return to the Premiership, thousands of red and white balloons were released from a giant football in the centre-circle ahead of Saturday's season opener against Charlton. Ninety minutes later, the choice of celebratory act appeared
GEORGE BOATENG joked about it, Steve McClaren smiled about it. In fairness to them both they had a right to. Steven Gerrard's performance suggested he could quite easily have been getting on the end of his own crosses. That's how effective Gerrard's trademark
The South Bank Show: Margot Fonteyn (ITV1) Warlords (C4) A GUN-RUNNING adulteress reduced to living in poverty and surviving on cornflakes - probably not the image most people have of Margot Fonteyn. After all, she was the impossibly graceful ballerina
Regulars at York have enjoyed a host of high-class sport already this year thanks to the presence of Royal Ascot and there is more to come next this with the Ebor meeting. The three-day festival, normally the highlight of the season on the Knavesmire,
As part of The Northern Echo's Lifeblood campaign, which aims to encourage people to give blood, here are details of forthcoming donor sessions in the region. Today * Community Association, Tyne Road, Stanley, 2pm-7pm * St Gabriels Church, Allendale Road
Striker Simon Johnson is still awaiting his first goal since joining Darlington - but he could not have come much closer on Saturday, writes Craig Stoddart. His powerful header seemed a certain goal until the Leyton Orient keeper produced a great save
Ashington made the best of their good luck on Saturday and are now favourites to clinch the championship. Their game was one of only two to be played. Rival contenders Tynedale and Swalwell had their away fixtures washed out and Leadgate, who were also
DAVID Hodgson hopes to get a positive reaction from Clyde Wijnhard after substituting the Darlington striker at half-time on Saturday, writes Lee Hall. Hodgson felt Wijnhard was far from his best in the first half of Quakers' 1-0 defeat against Leyton
A COMPOST heap has been successful in deterring anti-social behaviour in Middleton St George, near Darlington. Last month, the parish council dumped grass cuttings and other debris from ground maintenance work at a spot in the water park used by youths
A GROUP of youngsters in Darlington is helping shape the future health of the town's population and tackling the growing problem of obesity. The Young People's Health Group (YPHG) is working with Darlington Primary Care Trust to provide an insight into
A RETIRED guide dog taught staff and customers at a town centre opticians about the work of The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association. Golden labrador Dixon and his handler Ron Pearson visited Specsavers in Newton Aycliffe, to show how important guide
A COUPLE from north Durham have celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary. Jack and Doris Easter held a party with family and friends at Hollygarth Residential Home, in Brandon Lane, Brandon. The couple met in Ushaw Moor Empire more than 60 years ago
A FRESH appeal is being made to Darlington residents, asking them to report young people acting suspiciously on school property over the summer holidays. Darlington's Community Safety Partnership, led by Darlington Borough Council and the police, is asking
EDUCATION bosses have been criticised over plans to withdraw school bus services in north Durham. Durham County Council is considering withdrawing the services to Blackfyne Community School, in Consett, and Pelton Roseberry Sports and Community College
MORE than £125,000 is being shared out among organisations and individuals among the arts world in North Yorkshire. The funding, announced through the Arts Council England, is designed to enable them to develop professionally and bring life-changing benefits
THE RSPCA is hoping to find homes for three lurchers in its care. The animals, all young bitches, are being kept at Deerness Kennels, Langley Moor. Their upkeep is being met by the charity's Durham branch. "They are lovely natured and just daft as brushes
A MOTHER was fighting for her life after suffering a heart attack following the discovery of her son's body. Shirley Dunn was rushed to hospital after she was told a decomposing body had been found near allotments. The remains were later identified as
A COUNCIL team is to take on a company in a cricketing contest. Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council players will swing into action against administration company Liberata, which the council works closely with. The two sides will take part in a 20-over
A RADIO presenter will help Doris Atkinson blow out the candles to celebrate her 100th birthday. It will be the icing on the cake for Mrs Atkinson when Stewart McFarlane arrives today from BBC Radio Cleveland. Mrs Atkinson, whose birthday is on August
A WARNING has been issued to householders to be on their guard against cowboy builders cold-calling for work. Council officials are keen to prevent a repeat of an incident in Hartlepool when they were left with a £10,000 bill to clean up tonnes of rubble
ALTERATIONS and extensions are to be made to a National Park centre to tackle dwindling visitor numbers. More educational and exhibition areas are planned for the centre at Danby, a former hunting lodge on Viscount Downe's Wykeham Estate, in the North
A CLAMPDOWN on litter in Darlington has led to more than 30 people being taken to court in the past month. The cases were brought against residents who had failed to pay fixed penalty fines issued for littering open spaces around the borough. Darlington
A DOG show with a difference was held at the weekend. The event, at the Grange Community Centre, in Hurworth, near Darlington, yesterday, featured various categories, including the most handsome dog, the waggiest tail, best biscuit catcher, best trick
HUNDREDS of unemployed people have been helped back into work as part of a Government project. The Thorntree and Brambles Farm area of Middlesbrough is noted as a deprived council estate, with 61 per cent of people out of work. Just over 15 months ago
DETECTIVES are investigating the death of a young man at a terraced house in York. The 20-year-old's body was found at the house in Garfield Terrace, York, at 6.10am on Saturday. The ambulance service was the first on the scene and they alerted the police
PEOPLE watched in horror yesterday as a woman fell hundreds of feet from a bridge into a river. The 55-year-old, from Gateshead, was swept away by the current after she fell from the Tyne Bridge, Newcastle, just before 1pm. A fire brigade boat was called
THE Northern Echo is promoting activities for children and teenagers throughout the summer holidays as part of its No Messin' campaign. The campaign aims to highlight the dangers of messing about on railways, and promote alternative activities. Every
THE conditions were perfect for a great day's flying at England's highest kite festival yesterday. Bright skies and a strong, steady wind gave enthusiasts hours of good flying time during the festival at High Force, near Middleton-in-Teesdale, County
Following relegation from the Arngrove Northern League, Willington made a winning start scoring two late goals to deny Wolviston a point at Hall Lane. Jimmy Greening gave the visitors an early lead but within five minutes Andrew Howard levelled. The game
BIG Brother winner Anthony Hutton is to light up his home town - by switching on the Christmas lights. The star, from Stanley Street, Consett, County Dur-ham, is to be asked to perform the ceremony on the new lights in December. He will be approached
VOLUNTEERS have had their hard work recognised with a national award. Members of Waterhouses Community Association, near Durham City, have been presented with the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service, by the Lord Lieutenant for Durham, Sir Paul Nicholson
WHEN his side last visited Arsenal in January, Graeme Souness' much-publicised bust-up with Craig Bellamy served to highlight the deep divisions and explosive personalities ripping apart the Newcastle camp. Eight months on, and Souness has failed to replace
A QUESTION mark hangs over the future of a museum and an art gallery in the North-East. Stockton's Green Dragon Museum and Billingham Art Gallery could be scrapped following a Stockton Borough Council cabinet decision to find "other cultural but non-museum
AS football fans roll into work this morning there will be mixed emotions. Some will retain a degree of optimism about the campaign ahead, while there will be those facing up to a season of struggle following their club's weekend reversal. But rest easy
PERHAPS those who decided to stay well away from Neasham Road on Saturday were wise enough to know what to expect. There were 4,371 at the Darlington Football Stadium four days earlier to watch Quakers' 2-0 win over Stockport. Yet, strangely, there were
SUNDERLAND: The young Black Cats were unlucky to be eliminated from the under 18 Velo tournament at the weekend in Holland by Japanese Tokyo Verde by 1-0 at the quarter-final stage. The goal came through an unfortunate deflection in the second period.
DARLINGTON FC has raised £1,400 to help victims of the London bombings. Quakers chairman Stewart Davies presented a cheque to Martin Ling, manager of Leyton Orient, on behalf of the London Bombings Relief Charitable Fund, at the weekend. The collection
At best Ako Sodje is a whirlwind of confusion and menace, a thorn in the side of opposing defences. But at worst he can look like his feet are on the wrong legs. On Saturday he was a mixture of the two, causing havoc in the Leyton Orient penalty area,
Police were today hunting a man who approaches women dressed only in a nappy and asks them: ''Are there any baby changing facilities in the area?'' The man hides in bushes late at night before moving towards his victims wearing just the oversized baby
WHEN it comes to footballing savvy, Mick McCarthy has it in spades. So just as one swallow doesn't make a summer, the Sunderland manager knows one defeat doesn't necessarily make for a relegation battle. As he analysed Saturday's opening day loss to Charlton
A COUNCIL chief has taken advantage of the Big Brother bug to improve communications with his staff. Durham County Council's new chief executive, Mark Lloyd, is keen to raise the profile of his post within the authority. He is setting the tone for a more
THE body of a missing North-East woman has been discovered by two fisherman in the North Sea. Kathleen Wilkinson, 56, has been missing for a week after failing to meet up with her youngest son. She had only recently left Shotley Bridge Hospital after
MORPETH Harrier Martin Scaife was only five seconds away from his own course record when he won yesterday's big Darlington 10K for the fourth time in five years. The 33-year-old supermarket manager only decided to run in his home town race 24 hours beforehand
THE conditions were perfect for a great day's flying at England's highest kite festival yesterday. Bright skies and a strong, steady wind gave enthusiasts hours of good flying time during the festival at High Force, near Middleton-in-Teesdale, County
BIKERS were in their element at the weekend when machines of all shapes and sizes were on display for the 11th Bikewise event. The initiative is run by Durham Police's motorcycle section and was held at its headquarters in Aykley Heads, Durham, yesterday
BB GUNS: THE call to take ball bearing guns off children (Echo, Aug 3) should become more than a call, it should be a shout. Putting toy guns into the hands of children so they can 'play' at killing is sheer stupidity. All toy weapons should, in my opinion
IT didn't matter if they ran or walked - it was just crossing the finishing line that was important yesterday. About 1,100 runners, some experienced and others taking part just for fun, descended on Darlington from across the region to take part in the
UP TO 80 per cent of pubs in some of the poorest parts of the North-East will be given the go-ahead to allow smoking to continue in the premises under new Government plans. According to figures obtained by Fresh, the campaign for a smoke-free North-East
This is the last time you'll hear from me. In this capacity anyway, writing about whatever happens to me with the assumption that it's actually interesting or relevant. I worked in the North-East for three-and-a-half years before coming down to London
A FORMER international football referee will officiate an all-star fixture at The Northern Echo Soccer Six next month. George Courtney will ensure former North-East pros and Coronation Street actors play fair when they face each other at Darlington Football
WITH one championship game left before departing for the Australia A tour to Pakistan, Mike Hussey again underlined his importance to Durham by making 146 out of 315 against Leicestershire at Riverside yesterday. He began the season by making 253 out
World premiere of battle show: THE world premiere of Trafalgar will open at Saltburn Theatre on Wednesday, for four nights. Commemorating the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar, it is based on the life and times of Horatio Nelson. It features
POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a man suffered serious injuries on Saturday night after being hit by a car on Market Street in South Bank. The man, in his 40's, had both legs broken when a BMW X5 hit him. He was taken by ambulance to James Cook
Two men and a juvenile were remanded in custody today when they all appeared in court charged with the attempted murder of a Chester-le-Street man. Kyle Rocky Brennan, 20, of The Crescent, Chester-le-Street and Nicky Gambell, 19, of Cleveland Avenue in
TICKETS are available for what is being hailed as a great example of sustainable tourism. It is estimated that the Boots and Beer Walking Festival will inject £35,000 into the local economy of Upper Wensleydale, North Yorkshire. The event for over-18s
A GARDEN that is home to hundreds of plant species is to get a makeover. The Botanic Gardens is one of Durham City's leading tourist attractions, with 80,000 visitors a year, but it hopes to attract more following a £110,000 refurbishment. The 18-acre
RESCUE workers and investigators were last night combing the wreckage of ill-fated flight ZU 522 after an airline that carries thousands of Britons on budget trips to Cyprus suffered a mystery crash. Initial reports stated that the pilot was missing from
Centuries from Somerset's new wonderboy Matt Wood and captain Ian Blackwell put Yorkshire Phoenix on the rack at Taunton yesterday - but in a pulsating finish last man Deon Kruis struck 20 off the final over to leave Yorkshire just three runs away from
JULIO Arca believes Sunderland will have to increase their concentration levels if they are not to endure a torrid return to the top flight. The Black Cats were caught napping, to greater or lesser degrees, for all three of Charlton's goals on Saturday
NEWCASTLE boss Graeme Souness last night imposed a media blackout in the wake of his side's 2-0 defeat at Arsenal, writes Scott Wilson. The Magpies were on the wrong end of two controversial decisions at Highbury, with referee Steve Bennett sending off
COURAGEOUS mother-of-two Nicky Weastell, who is battling cancer, took on another challenge yesterday - a 180ft bungee jump. The 35-year-old solicitor, who admits she is scared of heights, took on the jump to raise money for the hospital which is caring
A FORMER colliery village celebrated the reopening of its old miners' welfare hall as a refurbished community centre at the weekend. Dedicated volunteers have been working since April 2002 to revamp the disused hall, in Trimdon Station, after 22 years
PAULA Radcliffe is a world champion today after finally realising her dream of winning a global title by taking gold in the women's marathon at the World Championships in Helsinki. After the distressing scenes at the Athens Olympics last summer when she
Celebrations were held at the weekend to mark today's 60th anniversary of VJ Day. War veterans were out in force in the North-East yesterday as a mark of respect to their comrades who failed to return from the Japanese prisoner-of-war camps. Gavin Havery
A TOWN hall will open its first art exhibition today. Work by artists from across Sedgefield borough will be displayed in a purpose-built exhibition area at Ferryhill Town Hall. Ferryhill Town Council and the Ferryhill 2000 Committee hope to turn the
A BENCH has been unveiled in a Darlington park in memory of a resident who was a keen bowls player. Ken Abbott lived in Hummersknott Avenue for more than 30 years, after he moved from London in the 1970s. He was a very keen bowls player, both indoors
POLICE are appealing to the young vandals who have targeted two town centre schools during the summer holiday to stop. Officers in Newton Aycliffe are urging the youths thought to be responsible for smashing windows at Byerley Park Primary and St Francis
AN event to celebrate folk music in Durham was cancelled on Saturday afternoon because of heavy rain. The downpour at about 3pm made it impossible to carry on with the Folk Picnic in the grounds of the Durham Light Infantry Museum. About 550 people attended
A PROJECT to revitalise a North-East riverside moves up a pace this week. The River Team Revival Project, in Gateshead, looks at reversing environmental pollution and improving life for people who live and work in its catchment area. A small project team
POLICE are appealing for help in tracking down a man using a stolen credit card. The man used the card in several shops in Northallerton, Darlington and Cumbria on the afternoon of Thursday, July 21. Inquiries showed the card, along with a wallet and
RESIDENTS are developing plans for a piece of public artwork that will reflect the history of their area. The project, by the residents' association group for South Pelaw, Chester-le-Street, is in the early stages. The association has joined forces with
A TEENAGER who caused problems in his village has been given a three-year anti-social behaviour order (Asbo). Christopher Barnett, 15, of Wood View, Trimdon Station, did not oppose the order, which was made by North Durham magistrates on the application
A LOCAL authority is one step ahead of its rival after taking the winner's crown in a pedometer challenge. Chester-le-Street District Council beat Durham City Council in a contest to see whose leisure services staff could take the most steps over four
Niteowl Lad, who did this column a big favour when successful at Thirsk last Monday, can follow up under a penalty in the Windsor Fireworks Extravaganza Saturday 5th November Handicap over five furlongs at Windsor this evening. The fact that John Balding
RESIDENTS are being asked to keep a look-out for a gang of youths on bicycles who are suspected of committing crimes across Darlington. The appeal was issued by police following a burglary at the weekend, which comes after a spate of similar incidents
Guisborough's failure to win their game in hand further strengthens Saltburn's position at the top of the table. The sides have now played the same number of fixtures and with five matches to play the Seasiders enjoy a 33-points advantage which will take
FANCY dress characters took over Stockton's Preston Park during a fundraising walk for a children's charity. The 14th annual Yellow Brick Road walk took place yesterday and is The Children's Foundation's biggest annual event. The charity, based in the
A COUNCIL has teamed up with a DIY store to encourage more people to recycle their garden waste. From today until September 30, Gateshead residents shopping for gardening equipment at Homebase on the Team Valley will be reminded to recycle their garden
DURING half-a-century working as a stonemason, there are few farm buildings or cottages in his dale that John Coatsworth has not worked on at least once. Work in places such as Upper Harwood and Forest-in-Teesdale, County Durham, have been his life since
THE body of a missing North-East woman has been discovered by two fisherman in the North Sea. Kathleen Wilkinson, 56, has been missing for a week after failing to meet up with her youngest son. She had only recently left Shotley Bridge Hospital after
DURING half-a-century working as a stonemason, there are few farm buildings or cottages in his dale that John Coatsworth has not worked on at least once. Work in places such as Upper Harwood and Forest-in-Teesdale, County Durham, have been his life since
TWENTY-FOUR members of the Yorkshire Young Farmers emerged victorious in the northern Stockman of the Year competition. They took on teams from Cumbria, the East Riding, Lancashire and Northumberland when they travelled to the auction mart in Hexham.
Asking to see the wine list has taken on a new meaning at one North Yorkshire hotel. For the Cedar Court Hotel, in Harrogate, has created a "wall of wine" at its restaurant. The wall of 28 flattened bottles, created by Harrogate's Flat Bottle Company,
A POLICE team who successfully investigated a multi-million pound fraud have been rewarded for their "excellent" work. They were among members of the North Yorkshire force awarded commendations and certificates of appreciation at a ceremony in Newby Wiske
