DRUG-addicts throughout the North-East have been warned that rogue substances could be on the streets after two people were left fighting for their lives after taking what police believe to be tainted cocaine. A man and a woman are in a life-threatening
DRUG-addicts throughout the North-East have been warned that rogue substances could be on the streets after two people became critically ill from taking what police believe to be tainted cocaine. A man and a woman are in a life-threatening condition
A PILOT was killed while another cheated death after a dramatic mid-air collision involving two gliders. The accident, around 4.15pm yesterday afternoon, left debris scattered over quarter-of-a-mile near Sutton Bank, North Yorkshire. Both men were believed
THE man jailed after being unmasked as the notorious Yorkshire Ripper hoaxer will this month bid to have his eight-year sentence slashed. John Humble, who claimed to be responsible for 13 murders and seven attempted murders, will have his case heard
A JURY has been sworn in this morning in the case of a man accused of kidnapping and raping a six-year-old girl, two days after Christmas. Peter Ivor Voisey, also known as Smith, denies three charges of abducting the child from her home in North Tyneside
SCOTLAND Yard were interviewing a man today after he was arrested in the secure area of Downing Street last night
TWO youths who were passengers in a stolen car that killed an eight-year-old boy have been sentenced to four years behind bars. Lee Fenton, 19, admitted aggravated vehicle taking, being carried in a vehicle which caused injury and possession of a class
A MAN who died taking part in the Great North Run was from the Barnsley area of South Yorkshire, it was revealed today. No further details have been released of his identity or the circumstances surrounding his death. Last year four men died while running
A DROP-IN stall to help unemployed people get a foot on the jobs ladder is launched today. Called JobS mart, it is based in the indoor market at the Middleton Grange Shopping Centre, Hartlepool, in the unit formerly occupied by Hartlepool Action Team.
TALENTED young musicians are preparing for a concert in Ripon Cathedral. Eight musicians and a brass ensemble will perform on October 12. All won prizes or were praised in the 2006 Ripon Young Musicians of the Year competition. More than 50 music students
FUNDS are on offer to help community groups cover the cost of lighting up their towns this year. Ryedale District Council has funds to help voluntary and community organisations buy Christmas lights. The closing date for applications for the cash is on
TEN-year-olds faced brain-teaser challenges high up in the Pennines. The year five pupils from Yarm Preparatory School faced pretend piranhas, trapeze and a zip-wire in a three-day stay at the Robinwood Activity Centre, at Alston, Cumbria. Other challenges
CAMPAIGNERS are angry after discovering ten beds had been cut at a community hospital before a public meeting was held. More than 100 people attended a meeting of the North Yorkshire Scrutiny of Health Committee on Monday to oppose the proposals for bed
VISITORS to a stately home can take part in a national art event next weekend. Artist Susan Beaumont leads an afternoon of drawing which ties in with The Big Draw, a campaign to encourage people to pick up a pencil. Visitors to Kiplin Hall, at Scorton
THE humble garden robin has beaten off competition from its feathered friends to be named Yorkshire's favourite bird. It topped a poll run by the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and attracted the celebrity votes of former cricket umpire Dickie Bird and the Archbishop
HOUGHTON FEAST: AS a native of Houghton-le-Spring, I was interested to read Mark Summers' article (Echo, Sept 29). I have to take issue on one point. Mark wrote that "the feast died out after the Second World War". On the contrary, I believe that the
STAFF and residents at a residential home are donning jeans for charity. The staff of Sowerby House, in Sowerby, near Thirsk, will be supporting the Jeans for Genes scheme on Friday by donating £1 to wear jeans for the day. In the UK, one child in every
BUDDING writers have won praise for their work from a best-selling author. North Yorkshire writer GP Taylor, author of the fantasy novels Shadowmancer, Wormwood and Tersias, spent a day at the King's Academy, in Coulby Newham, Middlesbrough - and he said
BREAST cancer patients will benefit from money raised through a performance by a stage hypnotist. David Knight, who is billed as the world's fastest stage hypnotist, staged a show at the Hambleton Forum in Northallerton. A total of £1,354 was raised
PARISH councillors have raised no objections to plans to reorganise parking at a busy service area but want to be sure the development has no adverse effect on the immediate area. The site of Leeming Bar Services on the northbound A1 near Northallerton
A STAR-studded lunch is to be held in honour of local hero and Dire Straits founder Mark Knopfler. The Variety Club for the Northern Region will hold the event on Thursday, October 19, at Newcastle Civic Centre. The lead guitarist and vocalist lived in
TEENAGERS are to get behind a virtual wheel to prepare themselves for life in the driving seat. Driving lessons, interactive workstations and the chance to get behind the wheel of a car and drive are on offer to youngsters across Redcar and Cleveland.
A MAN who started out as a student and rose to become head of the vice-chancellor's office is celebrating 30 years at the same university. Mark White, 48, arrived in Middlesbrough on September 27, 1976, from his home town of Stoke-on-Trent to study for
PET lovers and their pooches turned out in force at the weekend to support their local branch of a national animal charity. More than 50 people took part in a sponsored dog walk at Preston Park, near Eaglescliffe, on Saturday. It raised more than £1,000
COUNCILLORS are to discuss the possibility of creating a new graveyard - because existing ones are full. Members of Derwentside District Council will debate whether to turn land in Moorside, near Consett, into a cemetery. The authority owns the land,
BIRDS of a feather flocked together at a garden centre over the weekend. The Northumberland and Durham Bantam Show, at Dobbies Garden World, in Birtley, near Chester-le-Street, on Saturday, included 700 bantams, chickens, cockerels and water fowl and
A THEATRE will echo to thundering drum rhythms at a concert this week. The Mugenkyo Taiko Drummers will take to the stage at Hartlepool's Town Hall Theatre on Thursday. Established in 1994, the Mugenkyo Taiko Drummers have spearheaded the development
A PRIMARY care trust comes into being today. Redcar and Cleveland Primary Care Trust (PCT) has the same boundaries as Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council. It covers the area previously run by Langbaurgh PCT - Redcar, Marske, Saltburn, Guisborough, Skelton
CHARITY shop volunteers have described their shock at discovering sneak-in thieves had stolen their takings. Pauline Patterson, manager of the Arthritis Care shop in Front Street, Chester-le-Street, said her deputy manager was out of the shop, which was
SANTA Claus will make an early visit next week as part of a charity fundraising event. Dobbies Garden World, in Birtley, is holding the charity night on Thursday, to raise money for St Cuthbert's Hospice, in nearby Durham City. The centre will be showing
A COUPLE from Chester-le-Street have celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary. George and Margaret Holt were married on September 28 at St Steven's church in Oldham. Mr Holt, 85, a former motor mechanic, was born in Manchester and Mrs Holt, 81, was
A COMPANY set up to manage, maintain and improve east Durham's council housing stock is proving a success. East Durham Homes' (EDH) achievements were detailed at its second annual meeting on Thursday. Alan Caygill, chief executive of EDH, told the meeting
STREET wardens are to deliver fresh fruit and vegetables to disabled and elderly residents in a Durham village. In the newly launched pilot scheme, the Easington District Council crew will be operating the service in South Hetton, after teaming up with
PEOPLE are invited to plant a tree during a green day. The event, at the Rivergreen Centre, Aykley Heads, is to show off Durham County Council's plans to improve the area between the East Coast Mainline and the nearby cycle track. Suggestions include
A DOCTOR will give a talk at the next meeting of the Durham Voluntary Group of Diabetes UK. Dr David Clifford, from Chastleton Surgery, Framwellgate Moor, will talk about his experiences as a GP with a special interest in diabetes services. The meeting
A WEAR Valley chef, who is one of Darlington College's most successful former students, has returned to inspect the kitchens. Ben Greeno, 26, studied catering at the college between 1996 and 1999. Since leaving, he has gone on to work in Michelin-starred
A BARNARD Castle woman will appear alongside a host of celebrities in a book of poems to celebrate cats. Mary Robertson wrote a purrfect poem about her cat, Tiddlywinks, for a competition, and was considered the best in the region by cat food company
A COUNCIL in North Yorkshire is considering spending £5,000 on barriers to keep yobs from congregating in a car park and racing. Officers of Ryedale District Council are recommending the installation of barriers at three of the four entrances to Wentworth
PATIENTS at two hospitals are being invited to give their views on the care they receive. A sample of patients admitted to the university hospitals of North Tees and Hartlepool in the summer will be sent a questionnaire this month. The aim is to receive
RESIDENTS are being invited to have a say about major developments in the town. A series of public meetings will be held in Middlesbrough to provide information about the Local Development Framework, which will decide how land is used and developed in
THE families of two teenagers who died in a road accident have donated thousands of pounds to a charity they hope will save other families from suffering. Relatives and friends of Kane Banner and Ryan Fairley raised £4,122.60 in their memory for the
A WELL-KNOWN North-East businessman will visit a school this week to unveil a dance and fitness suite named after him. Sir Tom Cowie will be at Bishop Barrington School, in Bishop Auckland, on Wednesday, as the suite in its sports hall is named in his
AN event to tackle anti-social behaviour has been hailed a success by organisers. More than 1,000 schoolchildren attended the Anti-Social Behaviour Awareness Day, organised by the Hartlepool Anti-Social Behaviour Unit. Year eight pupils from every secondary
A COMMUNITY centre which is the hub of a small village has been renovated thanks to the efforts of local people. The village hall in Redworth, near Shildon, has been extensively refurbished to include toilets, disabled facilities and extra storage after
SUPERMARKET staff will become Dancing Queens as they raise money for charity. Colleagues from Asda's store in Spennymoor will perform a medley of Abba tracks with a dance routine for each as part of their fundraising for Tickled Pink Breast Cancer Care
A CHARITABLE policeman bagged almost £200 from supermarket shoppers at the weekend ahead of a sponsored parachute jump. PC Keith Todd, who patrols the streets of Sedgefield, was at the Co-op store to pack bags for customers on Saturday.He is taking part
The questions ordinary people have always wanted to ask the experts Why are left-handers at greater risk of accidental death? Should you pickle your conkers? How do ants survive in the microwave? If you were in a free-falling lift, would jumping
SPIN doctors have their work cut out. They not only have to plan ahead, by choosing good days to bury bad news, but they have to react to the unexpected. Who, for example, could have predicted the events of the Labour conference? A love-in was meant to
BORDER CONTROLS: WE still find writers to HAS accusing the Government of not securing the country's borders sufficiently well. Have they forgotten the Schengen Agreement (1985 and 1990)? Have they ever heard about it? Schengen is a small town in Luxembourg
A FORMER trade union political officer has received nearly £41,000 in compensation after a tribunal ruled she was the victim of constructive dismissal. The Newcastle employment tribunal found the GMB guilty of the offence against Jane Brown, 41, of Consett
A NORTH-EAST MP will put herself in the shoes of a pregnant woman living on Income Support this week. Helen Goodman, who represents Bishop Auckland, will carry out the experiment to see if it is possible to sustain a healthy pregnancy on state benefits
ORGANISERS of the Great Yorkshire Show have been dealt a blow in their attempt to create a £2m development. The Yorkshire Agricultural Society wanted to showcase a farm shop as part of a new regional agricultural centre. The project, next to Sainsbury's
A NORTH-EAST pub has been recognised by an "industry bible" for the 25th year in a row. The Rose and Crown at Romaldkirk, near Barnard Castle, County Durham, is one of only 66 pubs in the country to feature in the Good Pub Guide every year since its first
LAWYERS and accountants for a North-East company are asking for more in fees than asbestos victims will get in compensation. After a five-year battle, a total of £69m in compensation has been set aside for workers at the Washington Chemical Company,
Darlington 23, Darlington Mowden Park 8. IN A game which started poorly and faded away, Darlington could take heart from the victory, but there were no bragging rights to be paraded against such strangely muted opposition. Mowden held an inquest afterwards
BLAYDON moved up into third place in National Three North with a 45-14 win at home to West Park St Helens. The division's leading points scorer, fly half Richard Windle, took his tally to 67 by scoring one of Blaydon's seven tries and converting five.
WE haven't had a September like it for 277 years. Last month, which ended on Saturday, was the warmest since 1729, meteorologists revealed. The average temperature was 16.6C - 2.9C above the average for September. Last September's average was 15.1C. Amateur
Rail Link was a shock winner of a star-studded Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp. The three-year-old colt, trained by Andre Fabre and ridden by Stephane Pasquier, landed the spoils from the mare Pride, who finished fast to snatch second place. Japanese
CHARTING a wide path at Pontefract this afternoon could prove to be the most sensible option on the rain-softened ground. In such circumstances a high draw over the six-furlong course often confers a major advantage, a factor well worth bearing in mind
IMAGES of how a residential scheme on a route into a North-East city could look have been released. A proposal to create eight three-storey houses on the former Tower Garage site in Palace Road, Ripon, North Yorkshire, is being submitted to Harrogate
AN MP is to meet the Prime Minister to discuss the future of sugar beet growers in North Yorkshire. The meeting has been called amid concerns over the closure of York Sugar Factory next spring. Anne McIntosh, MP for the Vale of York, will meet Tony Blair
IT has been clear for some time that all has not been well behind the scenes at Darlington Football Club. Clashes between manager David Hodgson and new chief executive Jon Sotnick led to club chairman George Houghton being forced to issue a statement
DAVID CAMERON'S bid to persuade voters the Tories have changed was in trouble last night after an embarrassing gaffe by his policy chief suggesting the NHS could be privatised. As the Conservative Party conference got under way in Bournemouth, Oliver
ELVIS impersonators, daredevil aerobatics and thousands of ordinary people helped make yesterday's Great North Run as colourful as ever. Nearly 37,000 people took part in the world-famous run, and more than 40,000 in the full range of events - and they
DOUBLE North-East road race champion Stephen Hepples was the region's first finisher in 21st place but he admitted afterwards: "I didn't have a good run." It was the 26-year-old Redcar-based Newham and Essex Beagle's first run between Newcastle and South
An average of two to three children in every classroom, plus many thousands of British adults, are thought to be dyslexic to some degree. At the start of Dyslexia Awareness Week, Women's Ediotr Sarah Foster looks at the problem and finds out how it's
The Postman Pat we all know and love has a long nose, glasses... and only three fingers. His illustrator Stuart Trotter tells Owen Amos why. STUART Trotter has worked with some of the biggest names in entertainment. But they're not pop stars. And they're
DURHAM City are through to this morning's FA Cup draw thanks to a comfortable 5-1 win at home to Hallam from the Northern Counties East League. They got off to a great start when Leon Ryan nodded down a right wing cross for Micky Chilton to turn in from
Bishop Auckland were furious after being involved in a penalty controversy in their defeat at Horden on Saturday. Bishops thought they'd cancelled out a 25 yarder by Horden's Kevin Dixon, when a second half penalty by Danny Newby hit the bar, and he scored
As part of The Northern Echo lifeblood campaign, which aims to encourage people to give blood, here are details of forthcoming donor sessions in the region:TodayVillage Hall, Belbrough Lane, Hutton Rudby, 3pm-7pmThe Three Tuns Hotel (Elvet Suite), New
A NEW mother says she feels abandoned by the NHS after being diagnosed with the MRSA superbug ten weeks ago.June Banks, 31, from Gayle, near Hawes, North Yorkshire, said she and her partner have been "left in the lurch" after being diagnosed by midwives
DANCING sheep wowed crowds at the 21st annual Masham sheep fair on Saturday.Among the many attractions at the show, which took place in the market place in Masham, North Yorkshire, were sheep judging, sheep dog demonstrations and sword dancing.The town
TELEVISION presenter David Dickinson filmed his new show in the North-East this weekend - and crowds queued to show him their bobby dazzlers.Mr Dickinson was filming Dickinson's Real Deal, a new antiques show for ITV1.In it, members of the public are
MORE than 1,000 people including Tony Blair have backed a scheme which could save an ailing North-East village made famous by the Prime Minister.Property developer Rupert Beckwith-Moore wants to invest hundreds of thousands of pounds into Trimdon Village
JONATHAN WOODGATE may only be on loan but he is desperate for his hometown club to avoid a relegation battle - something he feels Middlesbrough will become embroiled in if points do not arrive quickly. The defeat to Sheffield United on Saturday means
NEW Marske won their first game of the season and although they are still in bottom position, the New Marske camp will be both relieved and pleased with the 2-0 outcome against Willington. A goal in each half and a clean sheet defensively meant three
CONTROVERSIAL plans by Network Rail to dig up a mothballed North-East rail route have been opposed by transport chiefs. Network Rail is proposing to remove all track from the 21-mile long Leamside line, which links Ferryhill, in County Durham, with Pelaw
Cracker (ITV1); The Good Housekeeping Guide (BBC1) ; HG Wells: War With The World (BBC2): Fitz is back from "the land of skin cancer and Skippy" - a description of Australia you won't find in the travel brochures - and up to his old tricks. But things
THERE was a moment last season, quite a few of them actually, when Aston Villa's poor form was greeted with calls for the removal of David O'Leary as manager. His response was to suggest supporters are a fickle bunch. Now, given the immediate transformation
Heiress Paris Hilton is a ''celebutard'', Posh Spice a ''tanorexic'' and Johnny Vegas owns a fine pair of ''moobs'', according to a book published today. It has been created as a guide to the key words and phrases recently added to the English language
DANNY Wilson admitted his relief after seeing off Wrexham and securing a home win. After comprehensive back to back wins at Peterborough and Grimsby, the last thing the Pools boss wanted was to return to Victoria Park and fall down in front of their own
A DEFIANT Glenn Roeder last night defended his negative approach after his shot-shy Newcastle side slipped to a comprehensive defeat to Manchester United. Despite Obafemi Martins' two-goal salvo against Levadia Tallinn on Thursday night, Roeder chose
TESCO: I REMEMBER the little town where I was born. The quiet Victorian simplicity of the town centre, with its unique ambience. The councillors were local businessmen who considered it their duty to support the people of the town and uphold its history
ROY Keane heads off this week for a bonding exercise with his Sunderland squad hoping to face some serious selection headaches when he returns, writes adam murray. On Saturday the Black Cats' boss made six changes to the side beaten at Ipswich seven days
PENSIONERS living in flats threatened with demolition received more bad news last week, when it was confirmed rents will increase in their new accommodation. Darlington Borough Council plans to demolish the 33 flats at Linden Court, in Hurworth, and replace
HEALTH officials in the North-East last night moved to calm fears after the Government said people might have to wait for their flu jab this year. The Department of Health said yesterday that some surgeries would have to share their supplies of the jab
MEMBERS of Darlington and District Indoor Bowls Club have celebrated the installation of a £40,000 surface. It was launched on Saturday by Darlington Mayor Eleanor Lister, who bowled the ceremonial first ball during her visit. After the mayor's show,
MOST people talk about holidays with their hairdresser - but that may soon change. Lorraine Emerson, a self-employed hairdresser, is also a qualified advisor at Darlington Citizens' Advice Bureau (Cab). Now, she is combining her roles to provide life
A WEAR Valley chef, who is one of Darlington College's most successful former students, has returned to inspect the kitchens. Ben Greeno, 26, studied catering at the college between 1996 and 1999. Since leaving, he has gone on to work in Michelin-starred
Hartlepool United 3, Wrexham 0.THEY say the best strikers are the bravest. Those willing to put their head in where it hurts and take the knocks get the rewards.After suffering damaged tendons and ligaments in his hand at Hull City 13 days ago, Jon Daly
With David Hodgson's days at Darlington apparently numbered, Martin Smith has spoken out to defend the manager he says has the support of all the players.Hodgson has been suspended pending an investigation into the "performance of the club and the background
Sunderland 1, Sheffield Wednesday 0.IN the summer when Sunderland supporter Gavin Leadbitter was contemplating a future away from the Stadium of Light he must have thought the chance to score in front of his own fans had passed him by.Feeling a little
Manchester United 2, Newcastle United 0.IN Manchester, it is known as the Theatre of Dreams. To Newcastle, however, it has become the Venue of Nightmares.Yesterday's 2-0 defeat at Old Trafford - a result which hardly begins to explain the vastness of
TRAGEDY struck the Great North Run again yesterday, a year after four competitors lost their lives during the race.Organisers Nova International last night confirmed a 29-year-old man died during the race, the world's biggest half-marathon.The name of
Sheffield United 2, Middlesbrough 1.REFLECTING on his latest defeat as Middlesbrough manager, Gareth Southgate could not have tried to sound any more upbeat than by claiming similar performances from his players will end in more victories than reversals
KEVIN Ball was last night being lined up to replace suspended Darlington Football Club manager David Hodgson.Former Sunderland captain Ball has emerged as the leading candidate to succeed Hodgson, who was suspended by the club on Saturday, while an internal
