For years NHS patients have been used to going back to the dentists every six months for a check-up. That is likely to change after April 1 when the new NHS contract comes into force. The great majority of dentists in the region will continue to operate
A DISUSED BMX track could be converted into an allotment after a council received a petition organised by a teenager. Sixteen-year-old Michael Bowerbank, whose petition was signed by more than 50 residents of Catchgate, near Stanley, County Durham, wants
THE cost of re-routing a major gas pipe, which has delayed work to pedestrianise a North-East town centre, will leave a substantial shortfall in funding for the project, a council meeting was told. Part of the original plans for the £6.5m Darlington Pedestrian
REDCAR'S offer to provide a temporary home for the William Hill Lincoln while Doncaster is closed has been handsomely rewarded with the best day's action ever seen at the seaside track. Equine stars turn out from every corner of the country, but as far
NEARLY one in four NHS dentists will go private on April 1 in some parts of the region, The Northern Echo can reveal. Provisional figures show a significant number of dentists will defect from the health service when the new NHS dental contract goes live
THE path of true love ran smoother for hundreds of migrating toads yesterday when a road leading to their breeding pond was temporarily closed to traffic. But while a barrier was placed across Deadman's Lane, in Blackhall, on the east Durham coast, there
A PLEA from a school caught the imagination of students who have put the finishing touches to a sensory garden. The 12 young people advertised for community projects that they could work on as part of their studies, and St Paul's RC primary responded.
A SCHOOL is celebrating after receiving a Quality Mark award for the third time in succession. St Chad's RVCA Primary School in Witton Park, Bishop Auckland, completed the triple honour after receiving a glowing report from Durham Local Education Authority
A MASSIVE blaze caused chaos yesterday as it ripped through a warehouse. The fire at the Bonded Warehouse, on Newcastle's Quayside, forced the evacuation of the exclusive Copthorne hotel opposite. Sixty firefighters battled the blaze, and city centre
LANDLORDS are being warned to get their houses in order after one problem-plagued pub had its licence revoked. Time has been called at the Halfpenny pub, in Middlesbrough, following major concerns over the level of crime and disorder associated with the
A REVIEW of CCTV security cameras in Hambleton has been completed. Councillors concluded that the cameras do deter crime and help reduce the fear of crime, but made a number of recommendations for the future of the system. The district council started
RANGER Lee Rankin will lead a six-and-a-half-mile guided walk to nature reserves on Tuesday. The walk will visit Waldridge Fell and Cong Burn Wood, Sacriston Wood and Daisy Hill reserves, starting at the Tinkler Row car park, in Waldridge, at 10.30am.
PLANNERS will decide next week if proposals for 100 homes should be approved. Bett Homes North-East wants to develop land south of Lime Street, in South Moor, Stanley. It has submitted a planning application to Derwentside District Council and the matter
A PUB is about to turn back the clock to the days of serving wenches and foaming flagons of ale. The Buck Inn, at Thornton Watlass, near Bedale, is planning a Medieval night complete with court jesters, minstrels and ladies-in-waiting. A lord - played
AN environmentally friendly building that opened this month has won an award. The Greenhouse, at Annfield Plain, near Stanley, was the winner of the Sustainability Constructing Excellence Award. The £4.2m two-storey business centre has solar panels and
BUSINESSES are being invited to bring an added flavour to a food festival The festival, titled Eat Around the World in Easington, will offer visitors the chance to sample the wide variety of food and drink on offer in the district. The event, which is
WOMEN are being given the opportunity to learn how to pole dance at a charity event to raise money for people with learning disabilities. It will be one of the taster sessions on offer at the Girls' Night Out event at Derwent Manor, at Allensford, near
VICTIMS of domestic violence are to benefit from the exertions of community development worker Emily Munday. Emily will spend 11 days trekking across the 100-mile Annupurna and Dhaulagiri mountain ranges, in Nepal. The venture has been organised by Family
YOUNGSTERS from two schools have enjoyed a banquet fit for royalty as part of a joint history project. Pupils from Pittington Primary School, in Durham, and St John's Primary School, in Shildon, tucked into a three-course feast in the banqueting hall
A run-down industrial estate may be revamped to bring it in line with Middlesbrough Council's vision for the town. Parts of Cannon Park have become derelict and empty units have turned into an eyesore. A team of consultants will be appointed to devise
FOUR homes in Cockerton have been burgled. The thief or thieves entered the properties in Darrowby Drive, Hensfield Grove, and Skeldale Grove. In each case, the offender entered the home through an unlocked back door and stole property, including handbags
SCIENCE enthusiasts demonstrated their skills to secure second place in a national competition this week. Students from Prior Pursglove College, in Guisborough, east Cleveland, took part in the final of the Paperclip Physics competition at the University
A PLAN to help manage and maintain a newly-restored park could be approved by senior councillors next month. South Park, in Darlington, has undergone a major refurbishment over the past few years, with almost every area enhanced. The scheme, designed
FOOD business operators are being warned to maintain hygiene standards after the successful prosecution of a pizza shop. Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's food team inspected Le Basil, in Eston High Street, and discovered dirty food rooms and dirty
A RIPON city centre housing plan which sparked widespread opposition has been withdrawn by developers ahead of next week's meeting of Harrogate Borough Council planning committee. Leeds Federated Housing Association's plan for two blocks of affordable
THE tireless work of dedicated fundraisers has again provided their local hospital with vital equipment. Patients at the Friarage Hospital, in Northallerton, will benefit from more than £12,000 worth of medical equipment, thanks to the volunteers of the
VOLUNTEERS are needed to help build on the success of an existing rural youth service. Six volunteers working from Evenwood Community Centre have already staged a number of youth events. The events came after securing £40,000 funding, but further help
THE path of true love ran smoother for hundreds of migrating toads yesterday when a road leading to their breeding pond was temporarily closed to traffic. But while a barrier was placed across Deadman's Lane, in Blackhall, on the east Durham coast, there
'HIS sister, Bertha, was in the sports shop business with him, and she was on holiday on the south coast when she read in the paper that he'd been selected as England captain for the first Empire Games," says Jack Hatfield of his father, "so she had to
AFTER spending years and years scouring the region for rising talent, it is understandable the Middlesbrough recruitment and Academy team were a little disappointed to hear comments made after the Bryan Robson era at the Riverside Stadium. Assistant manager
A VIOLENT mother who attacked another woman has been jailed and told by a judge that she deserved to have her children taken away from her. Mother-of-three Kelly Kay, 25, was told to spend her time in prison thinking about the effect on her youngsters
Crook Town know they need to win at Darlington RA this afternoon to stay in the second division promotion hunt. Crook's involvement in the FA Vase, until they were knocked out three weeks ago, has meant they have fallen behind in their league games and
COUNCILS in the North-East are being encouraged to crack down on mini-motorbikes that cause misery to residents. Figures show that there has been a 20-fold increase in the number of the bikes since 2001, with 144,000 in use across the country. Although
WHEN Graeme Souness was routinely asked about a possible successor to Alan Shearer, the former Newcastle boss would claim it was impossible to replace the irreplaceable. Shearer, he would claim, was a total one-off, a player so unique it was senseless
CHESTER-LE-STREET women's team look set to add the Northern Six-Stage Road Relay title to their North of England cross country championship in Manchester today. The Cestrians, who became the first North-East women's team to win a national championship
A FAMILY company that runs four care homes in the region has been sold to Avery Healthcare. Supreme Care Homes, which was founded in 1970 by the Pickersgill family, said there would be no job losses and the changeover would be as smooth as possible. Supreme
A 21-YEAR-OLD man who pleaded guilty to his part in a knifepoint robbery at a North-East corner shop has been told he will go to prison. Christopher Shoulder stole money and cigarettes from Noaman's store, in Darlington, along with an accomplice who was
RETIRED teacher David Priestley has at last discovered the facts about a tragic chapter in his family's history - thanks to a 90-year-old edition of The Northern Echo. He spent a long time questioning relatives and searching old documents at his home
ENGLISH PARLIAMENT: LORD Falconer has told the English people that England will never have its own Parliament. If, like me, you are utterly fed up with being told what you can't have and why you shouldn't have it, purely because you are English, then
Fourteen years after Sharon Stone made her famous knickerless flashing scene in Basic Instinct, the actress is starring in the sequel. Now 48, she talks to Steve Pratt about taunting, teasing and stripping off. SHARON Stone is being a bit presumptuous
HUNDREDS of schools across the North-East and North Yorkshire will close on Tuesday as a result of the biggest strike for 80 years. The industrial action by the union members will see many school staff walk out of work for the day - resulting in the closure
A POPULAR retired teacher has died at the age of 74. Robert Edwin Burnside, known as Eddie, was a well-known figure throughout Teesside and east Cleveland. Born in Philadelphia, County Durham, he was the second son of Alf and Margaret. The family moved
THE region's most powerful NHS boss has denied that the North-East health service is in crisis. David Flory, acting chief executive of the North-East NHS, said he wanted to reassure patients after news leaked out of mass job losses at a number of the
NEARLY one in four NHS dentists will go private on April 1 in some parts of the region, The Northern Echo can reveal. Provisional figures show a significant number of dentists will defect from the health service when the new NHS dental contract goes live
REDCAR'S offer to provide a temporary home for the William Hill Lincoln while Doncaster is closed has been handsomely rewarded with the best day's action ever seen at the seaside track. Equine stars turn out from every corner of the country, but as far
HUNDREDS of schools across the North-East and North Yorkshire will close on Tuesday as a result of the biggest strike for 80 years. The industrial action by the union members will see many school staff walk out of work for the day - resulting in the closure
AN MP is backing a campaign by the residents of three villages to persuade highways chiefs to cut the 70mph limit on a busy dual carriageway. North Durham Labour MP Kevan Jones joined residents of Chester Moor, Plawsworth and Plawsworth Gate, who gathered
COUNCILLORS have refused to back down to criticism of plans to close Hurworth School, and said the debate created by it had been good for education in Darlington. Councillor John Williams, leader of Darlington Borough Council, and Councillor Chris McEwan
SHOPPERS will be able to pick up more than they bargained for when in Middlesbrough today. Captain Cook Square shopping precinct is giving a free canvas shopping bag to anyone spending £20 or more at stores in the centre. One thousand bags will be available
AN international day is being planned in Darlington on Tuesday, April 4. The event at The Forum, in Borough Road, Darlington, will see an international food-tasting event, musical workshops, arts and crafts, dance sessions and information stalls. The
A CAMPAIGN has been launched to fight plans for new parking charges in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Residents and small businesses are unhappy about a Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA) decision to introduce a £30 annual fee for residents
THE lowest accident figures in 30 years have been achieved across Stockton. Transport chiefs at Stockton Borough Council are celebrating with the announcement of the best figures since records began three decades ago. The final figures for last year have
THE winners of an annual competition to encourage young people to learn more about the world of business were announced this week. Hilary Armstrong, Labour MP for north-west Durham, presented prizes at the ceremony, organised by Wear Valley Forum for
A BURGLAR who targeted a friend's home where he had recently been living as a lodger was spared jail yesterday. Mark Phelps had stayed with Ian Walker and his family as a guest at their home in Concord, Washington, Wearside, between May and June last
FOR many people today they are just curiosities - but the waymarkers that dot the roads and lanes of Yorkshire once had an important role to play. Be they milestones, fingerposts or any other design, they were once compulsory and gave travellers the distances
SCHOOL pupils have reopened a village shop that underwent a £60,000 revamp. The youngsters from Sacriston infants and junior schools unveiled the new-look Co-op, in Front Street, Sacriston, and were presented with £100 for both of the schools' funds to
MUSIC professional Keith Peberdy - who has a resume listing The Rolling Stones - will pass on his experience to keen youngsters. A taste of the high life will descend on Stockton during the Easter holidays, with tutor Mr Peberdy, who has worked with legends
A YOUNG artist is the toast of her school after winning a county Many Nations competition. Gabrielle Fulton, aged ten, from Our Lady and St Thomas RC Primary School, Willington, was judged the best in her age group in a competition promoting positive
VILLAGERS have been counting men and women who go into their public toilets - as part of a campaign to prevent them from being closed. Local residents hope to prove there is a need for the conveniences, which are under threat as a cost-saving measure
A NEW strategy to help bring a growing number of empty properties back into use has been launched in east Durham. As a result of funding from the Easington Colliery and Horden Pathfinder group, Easington District Council has appointed an empty homes officer
A PARKING attendant has relived his horror after he was knocked down by a driver who was asked to move off yellow lines outside a school. Malcolm Riddiough, a Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council parking attendant, was on patrol outside Teesville Infants
ARMY chef Robert Everson is feeding the 500 in Iraq. The Darlington corporal and father-of-two joined the Army as a chef in 1997. He has worked with the Royal Scots for three years and, before that, the Welsh Guards, and has served in Bosnia, Kosovo and
A PROJECT to help keep young people off the streets is essential for the development and reputation of the north side of Darlington, a council meeting was told. North Road residents have frequently complained of anti- social behaviour in the community
A SCHOOL'S environmentally-friendly flag was raised yesterday by conservationist Professor David Bellamy. Dodmire Infant School, in Darlington, has been awarded the national Green Flag, giving it eco-school status for its work to encourage pupils and
THE county records office for North Yorkshire is gearing up for its third annual open day. The event will take place between 10am and 4pm next Sataurday, at the record office in Malpas Road, Northallerton. Visitors will be able to take behind-the-scenes
PART of the region has been named and shamed as having among the worst postal services in the country -with one in ten letters delivered late. Only 90.1 per cent of first-class post sent to Teesside's sorting office reached its destination the next day
RORY Delap revealed he has been impressed by the way Grant Leadbitter has handled the pressures of playing in a struggling Premiership side and predicted a bright future ahead for him. Leadbitter was one of only a select few to emerge with any credit
STEVE McClaren last night admitted the balls had fallen in Middlesbrough's favour during the FA Cup semi-final draw, but warned his players to concentrate on a Riverside replay with Charlton before dreaming of a last-four showdown with West Ham. With
A FAMILY company that runs four care homes in the region has been sold to Avery Healthcare. Supreme Care Homes, which was founded in 1970 by the Pickersgill family, said there would be no job losses and the changeover would be as smooth as possible. Supreme
LINDISFARNE lies beneath a fresh white blanket, wind wilful, causeway causing concern. "It's a bitter morning," says the warmly welcoming Brother Damian, "even for here." In the summer there may be 10,000 visitors a day, in the winter there are just 140
After suffering the indignity of a 5-0 drubbing at home to Carlisle last Saturday, Darlington manager David Hodgson has spent this week trying to gee up his morale-sapped squad. A game billed as Darlington's biggest of the season turned into a nightmare
ON Saint Patrick's Day, everyone is Irish, proclaims the poster on the wall in the pub. To be more precise - on any day of the year just mention you're visiting Ireland to anybody and you'll find that they, too, have been there, love it and have a special
TIMES have been tough for trainer Andy Crook since successfully plundering the 2003 Scottish National with Ryalux. Despite dwindling numbers in the Middleham handler's stable, it's been impossible to wipe the smile off Crook's face, a grin which could
THREE defeats in as many matches has dropped confidence to a new low since Glenn Roeder took over caretaker responsibility at Newcastle United. But, with eight games remaining, starting tomorrow at Charlton, Roeder insists this is not a time for self-pity
A MAN who stabbed a 46-year-old woman in the leg with a kitchen knife in an unprovoked attack was jailed for four years yesterday. Paul Boaler beat his victim until she bled, then tried to cut her throat, before stabbing her in the leg, on November 7
THE threat of relegation hanging over Darlington Mowden Park has been removed following the RFU's confirmation that only two clubs will go down from National Three North. Traditionally it has been three, but that has been reduced by the knock-on effect
UNLESS Sven-Goran Eriksson is contemplating the bold move of naming both Ugo Ehiogu and Gareth Southgate in his World Cup squad, it is unlikely the England boss learned too much from his Thursday night trip to the Valley. With Middlesbrough and Charlton
SWEET shop owners have stepped in to help a charity after a collection box was stolen from a pub. The box, in aid of Zoe's Place Baby Hospice, in Middlesbrough, was stolen from The Location, in Post House Wynd, Darlington. When regular customer Philip
KEVIN Ball revealed he has been plotting the club's first victory in nine against an in-form Blackburn Rovers side with the assistance of Sunderland's fanatical following. Ball yesterday let slip that, despite his overnight rise from club academy coach
GOALS have been in short supply for Hartlepool United this season and, with nine games to go, Thomas Butler is calling on everyone to chip in. The return to action of Adam Boyd and Joel Porter has given everyone a lift, as well as boosting Pool's firepower
Q I have been a widow for 32 years and live on a State Pension of £109.51 a week, rising to £114.11 in April. I pay no council tax and have £2,000 savings. Can I claim anything? A If you are 65, yes. You would be eligible for Savings Credit of about £16
STEVE McClaren last night admitted the balls had fallen in Middlesbrough's favour during the FA Cup semi-final draw, but warned his players to concentrate on a Riverside replay with Charlton before dreaming of a last-four showdown with West Ham. With
DANCE band enthusiasts from all over the region descended on a remote moorland pub to pay a sentimental tribute to radio DJ Frank Wappat. Musicians and singers helped the veteran BBC local radio presenter launch his latest venture aimed at promoting local
WHEN peace campaigner Norman Kember arrives home on British soil today, it will be a joyous moment not many of us expected to be able to celebrate. Despite his impeccable credentials as a man of peace, it seemed too much to hope that he would escape with
ENGLAND have suffered a major World Cup scare after Newcastle United striker Michael Owen was forced to undergo surgery for a second time last night. Owen, a club record £16m buy from Real Madrid last summer, has gone under the surgeon's knife again after
Bishop Auckland will give striker Graham Robinson a second debut when they go to Fleetwood today. Robinson had a loan spell at Bishops from Whitby earlier in the season and during the week the Seasiders decided to release the South African after nearly
A WOMAN was relieved that the sale of her house had not been completed sooner - after she won the £25,000 Postcode Lottery jackpot. Jacqueline Middleton, 53, of Lilac Road, Ferryhill, in County Durham, became the 18th winner of the Lottery yesterday.
FIVE graduates have been handed grants totalling £20,000 to start their own businesses. A learning scheme, funded by the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (Nesta), was piloted in the North-East to coach graduates for the world of
