EIGHT people who ran three huge North-East drugs factories believed to be linked to London-based Triads were jailed yesterday. The seven men and one woman, who are all of Vietnamese origin, had been involved in the large scale cultivation of cannabis
A 17-YEAR-old boxer was rushed to hospital when he collapsed after winning a bout in a North-East match. Teenager Craig Harbord, who attends East Durham and Houghall Community College had not long left the ring at Plains Farm Social Club in Sunderland
A MOTORIST is fighting for his life after colliding with a stationary articulated lorry. The 43-year-old, from the Wear Valley in County Durham, suffered serious leg and internal injuries. His Ford Iveco hit the German-registered Mercedes Benz Actross
A SPURNED lover who turned himself into a petrol bomb at a busy garage has been spared jail. Paul Wayman, 31, terrified filling station staff and passers-by when he emptied a fuel hose over himself and constantly flicked his lighter in a suicide threat
POLICE who searched a family home discovered £12,500 of cocaine as well as a stun gun and a pistol, a court heard. Householder and father-of-three Andrew Usher was yesterday (FRI) jailed for three-and-a-half years after a court heard he was forced
Jack Hatfield Sports Teesside League: DIVISION ONE, D'ton Rugby Club 1 Carlin How 3. Darlington Rugby Club entertained champions Carl How who took a seventh minute lead through Kristian Kamara. The Rugby Club fought back but in the 23rd minute Nicky
North East Ladies League: Wingate Ladies Bowls Club won the League Championship by a comfortable eight points with the following squad: Ann Banks, Peggy White, Hala Collingwood, Margaret Healer, Betty Kyle, Lillian Gillis, Joan Devine, Marnie Wilkinson
Consett Sunday League: NEWCOMERS Stanley Royal made it a magnificent seven wins out of seven to maintain their position at the top of Division One. Last season's runaway Stanley Sunday League champions, who have won every league fixture they have played
Wilf Noble Building Supplies Eskvale and Cleveland League: Goldsborough v Lingdale Utd. I20th minute Clarke beat the Lingdale defence and calmly rounded the keeper to give Goldsborough the lead however, the lead was short-lived when shirt pulling in
Cleveland Bays: TONIGHT sees a rare Friday evening of speedway action at South Tees Motorsport Park with the Cleveland Bays taking on the Hull Vikings in a five heat junior challenge immediately after the Redcar/Sheffield Premier League match at 7.30pm
AFTER capping a memorable season in style by claiming the Teesside Union Matchplay Championship, serial winner Jamie Birkbeck has set his sights on some of the biggest amateur prizes again next year. Given the way he has enjoyed one of his most consistent
The Northern Echo Darlington Sunday Invitation League, Sunday, September 24, Division One. THE game between Model T and Smith and Allan saw the T start much the brighter, only for Paul Freary to lob over the advancing Potts to give Smith and Allan a 1
When Rebecca Anson's sporting achievement was recognised at the Local Heroes Awards last year, it was for the remarkable feat of winning a national competition for the second year in succession. One year on and Rebecca is in line to make it a hat-trick
Tuesday's column told of how football fever had swept Winterton Hospital in the 1960s, both patients and staff benefitting enormously. Jack Turton, who co-wrote a hospital history, continues assiduously to mop the column's brow - though there's talk of
Marske United could be refused entry to next season's FA Cup - even if they continue their magnificent run and reach this season's first round proper. A massive 687 clubs entered this season's FA Cup, and the FA has decided that they would like to trim
Darlington Church and Friendly Football League: DARLINGTON East End WMC entertained Shildon Elm Road WMC in a very good even encounter. It was the home side who broke the deadlock in a breakaway for Danny Wilson to give them an interval lead. The visitors
STAGE show Captain Corelli's Mandolin will be touring community venues across County Durham from next week. Mike Maran's production of the classic novel opens at St Catherine's Community Centre, Crook, on Monday, at 7pm. Tickets can be booked by calling
POLICE are issuing crime prevention warnings to motorists taking part in this weekend's Great North Run. Advice has been sent by email to thousands of runners taking part, advising them to make sure their possessions are locked out of sight while they
AN exclusive health spa and country club could become part of plans to revive a rundown pub. Residents will be asked what they think of the scheme for the Yorkshire Dragoon before developers finalise the details. Architects are working on several ideas
ARTISTIC teenagers have used their creative side to brighten up a youth centre. A mural portraying life in a Kenyan village has been put on display at the Nunthorpe Youth and Community Centre. Sisters Laura and Amanda Salway, along with friend Jenny Gott
A TRIO of Middlesbrough footballers have been spreading their knowledge of leadership. Chris Riggott, Lee Cattermole and Matthew Bates are taking time out from training to speak to youngsters at the club's Study Support Centre They helped children from
A SERVICE which has helped more than 1,500 people back into work has closed. Tributes were paid to the Redcar and Cleveland Action Team as it said goodbye at its base, in Goldenboy Green, South Bank, Middlesbrough. The tributes were led by Redcar MP Vera
A WOMAN who known as the voice of the Teesside Combined Court Centre retired yesterday. Teesside's most senior judge said that receptionist Diane Patton had made an inestimable contribution in her 26 years the court. The Recorder of Middlesbrough, Judge
A TOWN trail has been launched to guide visitors around Richmond's historic sites. Seven interpretation boards have been installed around the town and a leaflet has been published with more detailed information about the locations. The trail, funded by
A MEMBER of the catering flight at RAF Leeming is flying high after preparing winning dishes in a highly regarded cooking competition. Acting Corporal Chris Matthews competed against seven other service chefs in the event sponsored by the Worshipful Company
A DEVELOPER has taken over a town centre leasehold. Stockton Borough Council announced yesterday that Halladale has taken over the Mars leasehold interest in Billingham Town Centre. Halladale has been working with the council on the regeneration of the
YOUNG sports stars have been rewarded for their efforts in an annual awards ceremony. Hambleton and Richmondshire School Sports Association held its 20th awards ceremony at Northallerton Coll- ege. Prizes were presented by former international and Premiership
THE discovery of raw sewage in a back garden has heightened concerns about the strain being placed on drains in Leeming Bar. Councillors have complained for years that expansion of the village, parts of which have flooding problems, has not been matched
WASTE and how it is collected and disposed of is the subject of a public gathering next week. Richmondshire District Council hosts the waste forum at the Middleham Key Centre on Wednesday, at 7pm. Parish councils and business organisations have already
A CHARITY appeal has boosted the coffers of a North Yorkshire group by nearly £2,000. Thirsk Royal Air Force Association raised £1,838 for welfare funds through its Wings Appeal collection. It was held in Thirsk, Sowerby, Easingwold and surrounding
A LOCAL charity has thank-ed all who supported a recent fundraising evening. The ABCers, a group of young people aged 18 to 25 with learning difficulties, was established two years ago and is self-funded. Members attend residential or local further education
COUNCILLORS have deferred a decision on whether to award a grant to a village hall project costing almost £500,000. The hall committee at Low Worsall, between Great Smeaton and Yarm, where the community is rallying round in support of the scheme, hopes
A PENSIONER suffered horrific injuries yesterday after falling under the wheels of a train as he waited on the platform. Paramedics administered morphine to the 70-year-old, who was conscious and in a great deal of pain throughout his 30-minute ordeal
THE head of the region's largest hospital trust has criticised Government cuts which will slash medical training budgets by almost £10m. Sir Miles Irving, speaking at his last meeting as chairman of Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said the
A COLOURFUL mural has been installed in Cockfield this week. The mural, at the village's recreation ground, was created with the help of a number of groups and young people. It has been commissioned by the Burnt Houses, Esperley and Cockfield Partnership
ORGANISERS of an awards scheme created to recognise the achievements of young people in Sedgefield are broadening their search for unsung heroes. The Sedgefield Awards for Sensational Youth (SASY) scheme was created by Sedgefield Borough Council to give
SPORTS-MAD pupils welcomed some international competition as they played host to visitors from another continent. Students and staff at Barnard Castle School have been entertaining counterparts from the Chilean school Craighouse, during a three-week rugby
MORE than 50 youngsters have joined the region's newest Scout troop. Holmedale Scout Group held its first meetings this week, with sections for Scouts, Beavers and Cubs. The groups will meet weekly at Dalton and Gayles village hall, near Richmond, and
THE man who designed the inflatable artwork which led to the deaths of two women and seriously injured a young girl when it tore free from its moorings has talked about the horror. On July 23, a giant inflatable sculpture broke free from its moorings
A TOWN is gearing up for the start of a celebration that dates back almost 1,000 years. Houghton Feast began in the 1100s, held to mark Michaelmas. An ox roast was added to the event by Rector Bernard Gilpin in the 16th Century, but the feast died out
PROPOSED sites for a long-awaited £2.5m health centre have gone on display during a public consultation event. Proposals for the new facilities in Chilton were first put forward in 2002, during a £90m investment programme for the region's health care
PUB customers dived for cover after a football supporter smashed a beer glass against the wall, a court heard. Mark Ward, 30, of St Mary's Court, Middlesbrough, pleaded guilty to damaging a picture at The Turf public house in Richmond, North Yorkshire
GREEN-FINGERED Norman Ellis picked up a hat-trick of honours in the annual Sedgefield Golden Lion leek club show at the weekend. Mr Ellis won the H Lamb Trophy for best leek in show, the W Sumner Memorial Salver for winning stand of stump carrots and
MORE than 1,300 primary school children are to attend an event that aims to make them safer. Hartlepool's 11th Crucial Crew event will take place in the British Energy Training Centre at Hartlepool Power Station from Monday until October 13. Crucial Crew
A BRASS band is blowing its own trumpet as it prepares to enjoy its 21st anniversary celebrations. The Thirsk Royal British Legion Band will mark the anniversary with a concert at the weekend. It formed in 1985 for an Armistice Day parade. Since then,
AN application to build ten houses on the site of the old school in Eggleston, near Barnard Castle, has been conditionally approved by Teesdale District Council. Councillors voted unanimously to back the proposal at a planning meeting on Wednesday evening
A CARE home is to stage an exhibition to celebrate the life and work of a much-loved artist and teacher who died earlier this year. The event will be staged at the Teesside Cheshire Home, in Marske, east Cleveland, which provides care for 27 young adults
I DON'T suppose you've noticed, but it's British Food Fortnight. There was a time, of course, when give or take the orange, spices or packet of tea, that 90 per cent of the food we ate was British, most of it from within a few miles from home. Now food
For the past few weeks, readers of The Northern Echo have been nominating charities to benefit from a cash giveaway organised by the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF). Now readers have the opportunity to vote for their favourite from the shortlist published
A CHOIR is trying to trace all its former members for a reunion concert to mark its 20th anniversary. The Carol Andrew Singers, who perform all over the North-East, would like all 125 former singers to come together with the present 50-strong choir for
Extras (BBC2); What Not To Wear (BBC1): THE sight of Dame Diana Rigg with a condom dangling from her head is one that will remain with me for some time. There she was supping a bowl of soup during the lunch break from filming when suddenly - ping, a
POLICE are issuing crime prevention warnings to motorists taking part in this weekend's Great North Run. Advice has been sent by email to thousands of runners taking part, advising them to make sure their possessions are locked out of sight while they
A CHOIR will be performing in the region in the build-up to the finals of a national competition. The Tees Valley Youth Choir regularly performs across the country, and has an annual European tour. The choir, which was established in 1993, will compete
TOP Gear presenter Richard Hammond thanked Yorkshire Air Ambulance for helping save his life as he left hospital yesterday. Mr Hammond laughed and joked with the air ambulance crew as he left Leeds General Infirmary, eight days after he was seriously
THE number of people killed or seriously injured on roads in the region increased last year - despite a decrease nationally. Statistics revealed yesterday show that 1,891 people were killed or seriously injured on roads in this region last year. This
THE family of a seven-year-old girl have condemned a decision to open a new school with workers still on site after the youngster fell and injured her leg on a playground barrier. Ellie Naisbitt, from Close House, near Bishop Auckland, needed hospital
YOUNG love has inspired a tree sculpture designed by GCSE art students. The students from Bedale High School, North Yorkshire, worked with professional artists Lee and Jill Brewster, of Hurworth, near Darlington, on a project, which was unveiled in Bedale
APOLOGIES to Durham CCC for relegating them prematurely in this space last week, and to Paul Bielby for tarring all football agents with the same toilet brush. He writes to say that he carries out his work as an agent for local clubs in the Darlington
OUTDOOR clothing company Berghaus was presented with a Queen's Award for Enterprise in its North-East headquarters. Berghaus non-executive chairman and mountaineer Sir Chris Bonington accepted the award on behalf of the company in Sunderland, along
ROY Keane last night insisted Graham Kavanagh's knee operation was a case of "short-term pain for long-term gain", but the Sunderland boss admitted he was growing increasingly concerned at his side's lengthening injury list. Kavanagh underwent surgery
Despite a poor performance on Tuesday, resulting in a first defeat in six League Two games, David Hodgson refuses to criticise his players and instead points the finger of blame at a demanding schedule. Tuesday's defeat at Mansfield Town saw Darlington
A SERVICE is being held to mark the 75th anniversary of the formation of the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association. Guide dogs and their companions will be at Durham Cathedral on Saturday, October 7, for the 5.15pm service. The service is being held at
A BLITZ on crack-dealing in a North-East town is starting to have a knock-on effect for addicts, according to drug workers. With the second day of police raids taking another 22 suspected dealers off the streets of Middlesbrough yesterday, supplies of
A PROSTITUTE was snatched from the streets and beaten as she was held captive for five hours by a man who had made her pregnant. Lesley Watts claimed she was hit in the face with a television remote control and punched by attacker Antonio Williams during
A DISPUTE over a sword between two museum curators, one dressed in full Roman soldier regalia and the other going by the name of Maximus Gluteus, ended up in court. But Keith Mulhearn, 40, of Fossway, in York, was yesterday cleared of assault and affray
NEWLY-FORMED pressure group the North-East Taxpayers' Alliance launched itself on to the region's political stage yesterday with a call for the closure of the North-East assembly. The Alliance - formed by members of North-East Says No, which waged the
House price inflation picked up this month amid signs that last month's interest rate rise has not cooled the property market. Figures from the Nationwide Building Society show house prices increased by 1.3 per cent in the month, after a rise of 0.8
COLIN Gordon, the latest agent to claim football is "riddled with corruption", was last night forced to defend his actions after Middlesbrough head coach Steve Round was linked to the vacant managerial position at West Brom. Gordon, who represents Round
A SEVEN-YEAR-OLD was stung at least 30 times by a swarm of wasps in her school playground. "It was like something out of a horror film," said Zoe Simpson's mother, Karen. "It's every parent's worst nightmare, seeing their child being attacked and being
POLICE have come under fire for leaving a dog in a car for almost 36 hours after arresting its owner - a woman convicted of attacking her brother with rhubarb. Margaret Porter was detained on Tuesday in Leyburn, North Yorkshire, for breaking an anti-social
AN abandoned dog was found emaciated and covered in cuts and bruises after its unconcerned owner kicked it out, a court heard. Spike, an English Bull Terrier was found roaming the streets of Stockton, Teesside, by a police officer on the beat in April
Newcastle United 2, Levadia Tallin 1. At a time when Newcastle United are ready to install a technological system that analyses the on-field performances of their players, there was only one statistic that mattered last night. After gaining the upper
ONE of the region's most influential business people is to give an insight into how he turned an idea into a global technology business. Paul Callaghan, founder of the Leighton Group, will talk about the organisation's development from a blank sheet of
SHEET metal fabrication company Kaytu Systems is breaking into new global markets following a management buyout. The move has secured 30 skilled jobs and there are plans to create another ten. The company, in South Shields, South Tyneside, previously
A PETROCHEMICAL group majority-owned by the Saudi government last night paid £440m for part of Teesside's chemical industry and pledged to invest £80m. The Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (Sabic) is buying Huntsman's base chemicals business on Teesside
JOEL Porter admits the mental scars of last season have been healed. Hartlepool United's Australian striker was sidelined for most of the campaign with knee trouble and, after returning in the closing weeks of the season, couldn't help stop the fall into
JOHN Reid yesterday became the first Cabinet rival to strongly hint he would challenge Gordon Brown for the Labour leadership, as the party's conference closed in Manchester. The Home Secretary, who relishes his role as Labour's leading rightwing hard
PO CLOSURES: RURAL post offices are an essential lifeline for many older people in the North-East, yet their future is at risk unless the Government acts quickly. The Government will decide whether to extend its current subsidy of rural post offices
In the 18th century, Emma Hamilton rose from the humblest of backgrounds to become England's biggest star. Now a new biography reveals the woman behind the myths. Women's Editor Sarah Foster speaks to its author and finds out how |Emma's love for Nelson
CONSIDERING the area is known as the "hotbed of football", the season in the North-East seems to have kicked off like a damp squib. The noble exception is Hartlepool, who are the only one of our five league teams hitting anything like top form at the
SCHOOLCHILDREN have been tucking into meals from different countries this week to celebrate the school's international award. Croft Primary School, near Darlington, has been awarded an International School Award by the British Council. It won the same
A HOUSEBUILDER has donated £1,000 to help renovate a pavilion in a Darlington park. George Wimpey has given the cash to help revamp Eastbourne Park, in the town. The pavilion, which has been in a state of disrepair for a number of years, requires about
WHERE were you when you heard that Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond had been involved in a 300mph crash? No, it's not a life defining moment, like where you were when you heard Kennedy had been assassinated or Presley had died. But you must surely remember
A LEISURE complex planned by Darlington Football Club next to its stadium can be built without a survey to assess the impact it will have on the local environment, it was revealed last night. The development will include a hotel, restaurants, bowling
NEWCASTLE Falcons will hand three academy products their first senior starts in tonight's EDF Energy Cup tie away to Premiership champions Sale Sharks. Eni Gesinde, who has played regularly for Darlington Mowden Park in recent seasons, will be at blind
THE Darlington Citizens' Advice Bureau is being forced to suspend its drop-in sessions while volunteers get to grips with a new computerised case recording system. This will bring it into line with most bureaus in England, and will help to track the
ARTY pupils placed themselves in the frame this week when they visited a stately home to get inspiration from ancient portraits. Children from Raventhorpe Preparatory School, in Darlington, were invited to examine the oil portraits in Kiplin Hall, near
A TEENAGER has won a place in a martial arts competition. Joanna Dinsdale, 15, who attends Hurworth School, has qualified for a national karate championship. Joanna came fourth in the GKK 14-to-15-year-old girl regional championships at Dewsbury last
HELLVELYN (3.10) possesses all the hallmarks of a class act in today's Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket. Bryan Smart's youngster proved he was a tip-top performer by landing Royal Ascot's Coventry Stakes in spectacular style under an exceptionally confident
AMATEUR singers and actors are preparing for the highlight of their stage careers - taking part in an opera along with a cast of nationally-known stars. Forty amateurs will appear beside the professionals in Bizet's Carmen next month. Stars of the show
HEALTH officials have been recalling their milestones and successes as Darlington Primary Care Trust (PCT) prepares to enter a new era. Current PCT board members hailed the new facilities put in place over the past four years, and the fact the trust had
TRADERS in Darlington fear for their future with the possibility of a multi-million pound superstore. Gavin Havery visited Hexham, England's favourite market town, to see how Tesco affected the local economy when it began trading a year ago.THE walk from
A MOTHER last night said she would not wish her family's ordeal on anyone after the human form of mad cow disease killed her son months after he developed symptoms.Margaret Marshall believes burgers are the most likely reason her son, Stephen, 30, contracted
BYE bye baby - that was the message from Durham Tees Valley Airport yesterday, as it unveiled new services to help compensate for the loss of eight routes from low-cost airline bmibaby. From February 13, Ryan-air will operate a new route to Barcelona
