HARTLEPOOL United's new Nike home shirt will go on sale to fans on Friday. It was launched on Monday by Antony Sweeney and Joel Porter and is the same style as Barcelona's new home kit. "We are hoping the new kit proves as popular as the last - it's
A PENSIONER is recovering from a five hour operation to repair a broken hip after trying to fight off three muggers with her walking stick. Three teenagers threatened 70-year-old Joan Gaunt from Darlington before grabbing her handbag, which contained
Publisher: Capcom Formats: PSP Price: £29.99 Family friendly? 12+ Capcom has a rich and diverse back catalogue of gaming goodness and it certainly isn't averse to exhuming some of its best titles to delight
Publisher: Electronic Arts Formats: PC, XBox 360 Price: £39.99 Family friendly? 13+ Electronic Arts has certainly cornered the market in Lord of the Rings tie-ins. As well as paying a sizeable amount to create
Another female hip-hop singer who is currently making big waves in America. Fans of Ashanti and Ciara will like this simple and slightly dark, yet catchy single from the young star. Expect to see it chart in the top ten this side of the pond with
Another anthemic rock single from the band which, like fine wine, seems to improve with age. Although some of the rough and raw edges of early singles like Buck Rogers may have disappeared, the band continues to churn out fine tunes and their crashing
Reeking of mid-80s influence, this is a punchy, poppy offering with dark overtones that is easier to like than dislike. They may be labelled as Joy Division junkies, but the Editors breathe just enough of their own life into their work that the nod
Ronan Keating talks to Steve Pratt about his decision to star in a North-East charity event. After 12 years in the spotlight, Ronan Keating decided it was time to take a break from the public eye. Not that he wasn't busy - walking across Ireland for
Following the runaway success of the Festival last year, Warner Music and Universal have teamed up again to bring you the second instalment. Including tracks from Hard-Fi, The Zutons, The Flaming Lips, Maximo Park and many more... For your chance
An ARMY signals expert who supervised the Royal princes during their training has been jailed for killing a policeman. Staff sergeant Steven Graham yanked on the handbrake of local bobby PC Joe Carroll's patrol car as they travelled at 70mph. PC Carroll
It has been shown time and time again down the years just how much being in-foal improves certain mares. Aahgowangowan is the latest example and Michael Dods' mare, who is thriving at present, is fancied to make the long trip from Darlington to Windsor
QUICK-thinking firefighters plugged two leaking gas pipes with home made wooden pegs, as flames threatened a block of flats. The makeshift plugs sealed in the gas until a gas fitter could arrive on the scene in Fraser Grove, Hartlepool. Cleveland Fire
IT'S hard not to feel a little bit sorry for the Citroen C4. Any car is going to have a tough time competing with the Focus, the Golf and the Astra, but Citroen chose the same moment to launch the C4 hatch as all three best sellers became new models.
A LESBIAN couple who were lawfully married in Canada in 2003, have failed today in their High Court bid to have their union recognised in Britain. Celia Kitzinger, 49, a professor at York University, and Sue Wilkinson, 52, a professor based at Loughborough
TONY Blair was engaged in a frantic round of diplomacy last night. He hopes to win support for a UN resolution that will end the bloodshed in the Middle East. But after this weekends carnage one thing is clear: Lebanon cannot afford to wait for a UN
MOTORCYCLING stars are heading for a Northallerton nightclub to take part in a chat show organised by a racing club. The show, in Club Amadeus, will follow the recent successful Night With The Stars. The evening, on Wednesday, August 9, is organised by
A FREE competition will be held at a skate park on Saturday. It will be the first such competition to be held at Kirkbymoorside Skate Park and will give skaters a chance to show off their skills. The event is aimed at 13 to 19-year-olds, with prizes on
PRICELESS religious artefacts will go on display in Wensleydale as part of a touring Bible exhibition. A rare Gutenberg Bible, ancient Greek papyri and a Hebrew scroll are in the collection, to be shown in Hawes and Leyburn. The exhibition charts the
RENOVATIONS at two libraries have proved a success. Major refurbishments were carried out at the libraries and information centres in Boroughbridge and Knaresborough this year. The Knaresborough library is now open every day, and Sundays are proving popular
A TOWN is urging its local authority to rethink its decision to refuse grant aid for security camera protection for a Victorian park. Shildon Town Council's bid to install a £100,000 CCTV system in Hackworth Park has been turned down by Sedgefield Borough
COUNTY Durham's consumer watchdogs plan more work to tackle doorstep crime and the sale of dangerous substances to youngsters. Durham County Council's trading standards service has outlined what it plans to do over the next year to protect consumers,
POLICE and children are paying a lasting tribute to a football-loving officer who died nine years ago. PC Keith Maddison, 46, collapsed after a heart attack in May 1997 while he was following two men who had abandoned a stolen horse box in Howden-le-Wear
A PLEA by a livery stables owner to keep a residential caravan on site so someone can be on hand to tend horses at short notice should be rejected, say planners. They are recommending refusal of an application for the caravan to remain at Farnham Livery
A HOSPITAL has been praised by MPs for harnessing patient power to improve the care given to mothers who give birth by Caesarean section. Northallerton's Friarage Hospital was named winner for involving women in improving its maternity services in awards
YOUNG sportsmen and women in Richmondshire had their talents recognised at an awards ceremony. More than 100 awards and certificates were presented at the district local sports council event at The Wensleydale School, Leyburn. Councillor Jim Fryer, chairman
A REFURBISHED village centre will be officially opened by MP Helen Goodman tomorrow. West Auckland Village Centre, opposite the village green, will be opened at 2pm. The centre has undergone an extensive revamp with the help of a £20,000 National Lottery
HIGHWAY chiefs are planning to ban trucks from a seaside town's street because they are damaging historic buildings. The buildings in Whitby's Church Street have shallow foundations and are shaken by vibrations from lorries. The narrow street is popular
PREPARATIONS are under way for an annual summer show. The four-day event will be held at Preston Park, Eaglescliffe, from Friday, August 25 to Monday, August 28. Friday is a family fun day, with circus skills and a performance by Festival Circus, along
A FIRE safety scheme has helped a housing company win national recognition. Coast and Country Housing launched the scheme with Cleveland Fire Brigade and scooped two highly-commended accolades in the Protecting People and Strategic Risk Management categories
ROMAN soldiers have once again marched through York in a show of strength. The former invaders of Britain and creators of York were out in force in the city. But unlike the early Roman invasions, the soldiers were part of a re-enactment for the nine-day
RESIDENTS are calling for the authorities to act after a spate of anti-social behaviour around a leisure centre. More than 50 residents of Heather Way and Bracken Close have signed a petition calling for action from police and Derwentside District Council
VILLAGERS are fighting to try to keep a bus service that they say is vital to them. Durham County Council has withdrawn funding for the Arriva-run 52 service, between East Hedleyhope and Durham, as part of a large cut in its budget for subsidised services
MPs on Friday saw in action a campaign to raise young people's aspirations. Durham City MP Roberta Blackman-Woods and North Durham MP Kevan Jones visited the North-East Really Delivers (Nerd) Campaign when its tour bus stopped in the Durham's Market Place
INSPECTORS say County Durham's courts are doing a good job, but have recommended improvements. Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Court Administration said the county's magistrates court and Durham Crown Court had some of the country's shortest waiting lists
AN emergency investigation has been called for after protests over the closure of a college nursery. Hartlepool Borough Council is to put the planned closure of First Steps under the microscope. A meeting of the full council voted unanimously to refer
VOLUNTEERS have recreated a famous relic during restoration work. The Prince's Trust team, with Cleveland Fire Brigade, have painted a replica anchor from the Titanic as part of their 12-week course. The six members have been getting their hands dirty
FEARS over loud late night music and vandalism may scupper an auction mart's plans for a drinks licence. An application for a licence to sell alcohol has been submitted by Thirsk Auction Mart for its new site. The licence would allow the mart to sell
A ZULU performance poet and a storyteller are to entertain audiences in Durham. Nkosana Mpofu and Ben Heggarty will perform at the Durham Light Infantry Museum and Durham Art Gallery as part of Durham County Council's 44-day World Culture 2006 events
A CHURCH'S summer entertainment for village youngsters has been hailed a success. St Barnabas Church, at Bournmoor, near Chester-le-Street, hired youth worker Mike Kelly to run activities last week. There were crafts, games and music for seven to 11-year-olds
FAR from ploughing a lonely furrow, dozens of tractor enthusiasts enjoyed a scenic drive through dales countryside yesterday. Hamsterley and District Vintage Collectors Club organised a charity route in aid of Teesdale and Weardale Search and Rescue Team
A CITY councillor has hit out at vandals who snapped two young trees planted by pensioners to brighten up a roadside. Eleven whips of various species were planted last year alongside the A167 at Nevilles Cross, Durham City, by members of Nevilles Cross
THREE graphics pupils put pen to paper to give a new look to a local business. The Stokesley School students beat dozens of competitors to have their work used to rebrand a horticultural nursery. Thomas Lawton, Chris Cuffe and Thomas Knight, from year
YOUNGSTERS under five in the Brandon area have the chance for a day of fun as part of National Play Day. Brandon and Deerness Valley Sure Start is taking part in the event, organised by Sure Start nationally, and has organised activities at Durham Community
PEOPLE can sample food from all over the region as a supermarket celebrates some of its locally produced goods next month. Asda, in Spennymoor, will welcome suppliers from across the North-East as part of a week-long event where customers can taste their
TWO of opera's best known classics come to a Teesdale castle next month. Raby Castle, near Staindrop, is staging Madam Butterfly on Friday, August 11, followed by Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro on Saturday, August 12, in the gardens. The productions
RESIDENTS fear more noise, nuisance and vandalism if a student union complex extends its hours until 3am at weekends. Durham Students Union (DSU) is applying to Durham City Council for a licence for music and dancing until 3am on Fridays and Saturdays
BLOOD stocks in the North-East and Yorkshire could run short because young people are not giving at the same rate as their older counterparts.The National Blood Service is concerned that many of the region's regular donors are coming up to the compulsory
NIALL QUINN, the new Sunderland manager whose tenure started in style with a comprehensive win at Carlisle United, knows all about the importance of a decent delivery. So it is little wonder the new boss is looking to Liam Lawrence to remind him of his
AN internationally-renowned opera singer returned to the region yesterday to sing the final hymn with his mother as she retired after 44 years as a church organist. Tenor Ian Storey, who sings opera around the world, paid a surprise visit to Chilton,
A PARK in which two people died remained closed yesterday, a week after the tragedy. Riverside Park, in Chester-le-Street, was closed until today as a mark of respect to Anne Collings, 69, of Seaham, County Durham, and Claire Furmedge, 38, of Chester-le-Street
AFTER Adam Boyd's departure, Hartlepool United's players were given a final chance to stake their claim for his place at the weekend. And, while John Brackstone proved an unlikely double scorer at Gretna, it was Michael Proctor of the strikers who hit
THE WIDOW of a Labour MP who died from Alzheimer's has called on Tony Blair to help find a cure for the disease that blighted his friend's life. Pat Boyes said the Prime Minister and her husband Roland became friends when Mr Blair was elected as a fellow
A FACTORY was severely damaged when a fire broke out at the weekend. The Katell factory, on the Aycliffe Industrial Estate, in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, was well alight when crews responded to an automatic alarm early on Saturday. Fire chiefs said
A BISHOP has spoken of his pain at the continued suspension of a parish priest. The Right Reverend Kevin Dunn, the Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle, visited St Augustine's RC Church, Darlington, yesterday, where the priest, Father Michael Higginbottom,
Israel last night bowed to international pressure and agreed to a 48-hour suspension of aerial activity over southern Lebanon after more than 50 civilians - half of them children - were killed in the deadliest Israeli airstrike so far. The suspension
AMATEUR chefs are being urged to take simple precautions to ensure summer barbecues don't end in food poisoning. Hartlepool Borough Council's healthy eating co-ordinator Kim Baines said: "The current hot weather provides ideal growing conditions for the
Schools will no longer be required to teach teenagers to understand the difference between "right and wrong" under plans revealed yesterday. Instead, children will be encouraged to develop what officials have described as "secure values and beliefs".
STRUGGLING Bishop Auckland FC have been given a boost as they try to revive their bid for a new stadium. The County Durham club was plunged into turmoil when their long-awaited move to a new ground at Tindale Crescent collapsed last week. Directors have
PARALYMPIAN Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson has been featured in a list of the UK's 25 most influential disabled people. The Disability Now newspaper's first Influence List reveals which disabled people are seen to have the most power in society. Wheelchair
A POPULAR festival has drawn to a close for another year after its one-month run. Thirsk Rotary Club, which organised Thirsk Festival, in North Yorkshire, arranged a number of leading attractions for the event. The annual festival was extended from its
TELEVISION stars reigned victorious when they took on former professional players in a charity football match. Actors from ITV's Emmerdale won 4-2 over Bernie Slaven's Select XI to raise money for motor neurone disease. Former Boro star Bernie put on
THE family of a teenager killed in a car crash are hoping to create a memorial to her. Tracey Barnett, 16, of the Gore Hill Estate, Thornley, County Durham, died days after leaving Wellfield Comprehensive School, in Wingate, when she was flung from the
STAFF have been assaulted attempting to stop swimmers carrying out potentially fatal acts at a Teesside waterway. Alan Slater, manager at the Tees Barrage, in Stockton, said he believed warnings had been given to about 600 people over the past week.
NORTON are still second from bottom but put more light between themselves and Hetton Lyons when they won for only the fourth time. Gateshead Fell were expected to provide stiff opposition, but the Teessiders enjoyed a comfortable five-wicket victory and
NON-PAYING HOBBY: IN Tory Jim Tague's continuing tirade of personal abuse against me (HAS, July 21) he claims I have not listed the North-East Assembly on the register of members' interests. This is a lie. It is listed, and has been for years. He has
How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria? (BBC1); Alive: Lost On The Mountain (C4); Where The Heart Is (ITV1): The BBC might just as well have called it How Do You Solve A Problem Like Graham? Having paid Graham Norton a fortune to switch from C4, the
SEEDED Robert Dinwiddie is the North-East's leading hope in the English Amateur Championship which starts today, although Durham County champion Michael Curry is desperate to have his say. Walker Cup star Dinwiddie, from Barnard Castle, has high hopes
WHEREVER I've gone over the past week, people have asked the same question: "How's that little girl doing?" Rosie Wright, the three-year-old terribly injured at Riverside Park in Chester-le-Street when a huge inflatable sculpture broke free from its moorings
PHIL Mustard's nine catches in the championship match at Lord's made him the country's leading wicketkeeper with 46 dismissals in first-class cricket this season. He is one ahead of Derbyshire's James Pipe, who was signed from Worcestershire, whose highly-rated
To mark the Queen's 80th birthday this year, the largest ever exhibition of her eveining gowns and jewels has gone on display at Buckingham Palace. Women's Editor Sarah Foster looks back on seven decades of style. THE young woman with the creamy skin
THE leading three sides all won, so South Shields still head the table by nine points. Burnmoor accumulated quickly against Philadelphia, with Chris Ellison (66) and Barry Dews (45) producing 98 for the first wicket. An unbeaten 64 from skipper John
Seaham Park are the new leaders following a comfortable victory over Silksworth, whose total of 151 quickly evaporated when openers Andrew Docherty and David Hanson took control. Docherty made 30 before being caught but Hanson batted throughout for an
KIMBLESWORTH beat both the weather and Shildon to retain their grip at the top, but it was a close call. Faced with a target of 186, they scraped home by one wicket. After Adam Cochrane made a crucial 70, last pair Nigel Darling and David Showler saved
ONLY a couple of weeks ago Bishop Auckland appeared invincible but Great Ayton are in pole position after inflicting an eight-wicket defeat on their rivals at Kingsway. They dominated and in Riaz Afridi again had the match-winner. The Pakistani has added
THE Blackhall bandwagon rolls on and they racked up their 14th victory at the expense of winless Darlington RA. Paul Moss struck 16 boundaries in a century made from 91 balls and Tony Booth had 17 fours in an undefeated 116 as the pair shared a second-wicket
THE Friends of Eastbourne Park will meet at the pavilion in the park at 10am on Thursday, August 10. Anyone interested in helping to improve the park is invited to attend.
PARISHIONERS using a temporary church building will be consulted over possible changes to the church. All Saints and Salutation Church, in Blackwell, Darlington, was built in 1937 as a temporary measure until a larger building could be constructed. No
A FAMILY'S pain at losing a father and his two sons has been increased by vandals who wrecked a memorial to them. The bench in the garden of remembrance at St Andrew's Church, Haughton, Darlington, was installed in February. The seat was chosen by Bob
COUNTY Durham's consumer watchdogs plan more work to tackle doorstep crime and the sale of dangerous substances to youngsters. Durham County Council's trading standards service has outlined what it plans to do over the next year to protect consumers,
ANTI-SOCIAL behaviour at the site of a demolished school has risen since the start of the summer holidays. The area around the former Springfield Primary School, in Salters Lane, Darlington, has been blighted by trouble since it closed in April. Fire
A STORE has been given an Ab Fab reopening. The Savers Store in Skinnergate, Darlington, was re-opened after a two-week refurbishment by a Patsy lookalike from television comedy Absolutely Fabulous, which stars Joanna Lumley. It was one of the first Savers
PREPARATION work continues this week for the installation of an art feature as part of Darlington's Pedestrian Heart. The interactive Life Pulse artwork, which features five light columns, will be installed in Blackwellgate in the autumn. There will be
A BOARDED-UP petrol station could be knocked down to make way for a three-storey apartment block. Plans have been unveiled to convert the former Kirklee Petrol Station, in Victoria Road, Darlington, into 33 two-bedroomed apartments. The Esso petrol station
A UNION has vowed to fight redundancies at a company which provides support services to young people. Connexions Tees Valley is being disbanded and its work, and workers, divided between children's services departments at the five local councils. The
A TOURIST railway which closed 18 months ago took another step to getting back on track as a station reopened at the weekend. Weardale Railway crashed in January last year with debts of almost £1m, but has been taken over and a new business plan has
GARETH Southgate will be warning Steve Gibson not to check his telephone bills next month - because the Middlesbrough manager intends to have a mobile phone glued to his ear for the duration of this week's tour of Germany and Holland. The Boro squad travel
THE breath-taking skills of the pilots of the Red Arrows drew gasps of wonder at the 18th Sunderland International Airshow at the weekend.The air display team proved to be a highlight of the event on both days, weaving its magic before thousands of spectators
Middlesex v Durham (Natwest Pro40 League) A CENTURY of the highest quality by Owais Shah consigned Durham to a 13-run defeat in their opening match in division one of the NatWest Pro40 League at Lord's yesterday.On another perfect pitch, they did reasonably
Middlesex v Durham (County Championship) : Day Four THE difficult balancing act between introducing new blood and pressing for victory saw Durham's thrilling chase peter out in disappointing fashion at Lord's on Saturday.It looked bizarre that, from
MICHAEL BRIDGES wants to be reunited with Niall Quinn at the Stadium of Light and help the good times roll back to Sunderland.Bridges, on the losing Carlisle United side as the Black Cats ended their pre-season preparations with a 3-0 win at Brunton Park
AN international cricket team helped mark the first match in 20 years to be held at a Yorkshire village with links to the game.The hamlet of Cover Bridge is hailed as the place where cricket in Yorkshire began more than 300 years ago The hamlet has not
Gary May has written a warts-and-all account of life as a cabin crew member with Virgin Airways. He tells Lindsay Jennings about wild parties, revenge against passengers and avoiding the Pink Mafia.FOR someone who calls his private parts the "big fella
David Hodgson still wants another striker to spearhead Darlington's promotion push next season, but he is satisfied with the way his squad rebuilding has gone this summer.An increase in funds has enabled Hodgson to attract a higher standard of player
THE North-East will be the first place in the country to have "shooting galleries" where addicts can inject their drugs.The Northern Echo can reveal that some of the region's most hardened heroin users will have access to the facility in Darlington.Unlike
