A MOTORCYCLIST was killed on Wednesday in a head-on smash at a notorious North Yorkshire accident black spot. The collision on the B1257 took place close to Chopgate which has been the scene of many fatal accidents. The Triumph motorbike was ridden
TWO milk men were taken to hospital today after their milk lorry overturned on their morning round. The North-East Ambulance Service received a call to Cadger Bank, on the B6296 road, between Lanchester and nearby Hollinside, in north-west Durham, after
North Yorkshire County Council has approved schemes for additional classrooms at three schools. Luttons County Primary School at West Lutton, near Malton, is to get a temporary classroom and six car parking spaces. A single-storey classroom extension
MYSELF and my wife are firmly against an elected mayor for Darlington. As an exresident of Middlesbrough, I personally fear the consequences of having a local despot. My wife Linda signed the petition for a mayor because she was told that it
MIKE McTIMONEY tells us that "bikes are not cars" (HAS, Page 10, Mar 3). A reply, which is equally simple, is that cyclists are not pedestrians. When the idea of Pedestrian Heart was first mooted, there was talk of making Darlington town centre
I WOULD like to thank, through your newspaper, the people I met in Darlington last year. I visited the Nestfield Club, previously known as the Albert Inn, last summer to retrace the footsteps of my grandfather, James McNicholas, who lived and
IT now seems a major concern of many people to establish a favourable legacy for Tony Blair. This becomes more difficult with every passing day as more people realise the incompetence and folly of his government. We even have two ex-ministers
AS a resident of Saltburn I find it utterly astonishing that Redcar and Cleveland's Conservative-Liberal Democrat and Independent Coalition Council is reportedly to withdraw its £50,000 contribution to Tees Valley Regeneration. Obviously such a
IRANIAN President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has recently put two fingers up to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and ignored its deadline to stop uranium enrichment. There are those who think that this is just posturing for domestic political
TWO news items lately should show up capitalism in the US for what it is. Geoff Landes was gravely injured in Iraq, while serving with US forces. Multiple shrapnel wounds and injuries to his head resulted in surgeons being forced to remove part
THE publicity given to climate change has distracted attention from a more immediate danger, namely that carbon dioxide impairs our ability to stay awake - the wellknown "stuffy room" effect. Being heavier than air, CO2 sinks to the floor. Scientific
I READ that, irrespective of the fact that it was fuel from a depot in the South-East that caused the petrol crisis last week, that we in the North-East are being penalised by having to pay extra for our petrol. The 2012 Olympic Games are costing
THANK you so much for the new Worrever column by John Reynolds (Echo, Mar 2). I thought his first letter about snow, which led to the introduction of the column (Echo, Feb 9), was great. I will be sending it to a school in Switzerland for the language
HAVING read the North-East Historical Characters section of your supplement, 1001 Great Things About North East England (Echo, Feb 28), why was Jeremiah Dixon not included? Surely this famous man from Cockfield, County Durham (who helped to survey
HUNDREDS of wellwishers have left messages of hope for an eight-year-old boy whose family died in a road accident. A fund set up to help Macauley Gilbert come to terms with the loss of his two younger brothers, mother and her fiance, last night topped
SWIMMERS are being encouraged to take the plunge and raise money for a cancer charity this month. The Woodhouse Close Leisure Centre pool, in Bishop Auckland, will be available for swimmers taking part in the annual Swimathon event, which this year will
INCONSIDERATE motorists who are hampering a weekly market day clean-up are being warned their cars could be impounded. Ferryhill Town Council chiefs say people are recklessly driving around bollards and across pavements to park in the Market Place while
A MAN who stabbed a boy to death on his 16th birthday - and then bragged of his brutal deed from the roof of a shed - was yesterday jailed for 16 years. After plunging a knife into the chest of Glen Corner, Lee Firman climbed the nearby shed and stood
TWO pilot schemes have been launched to tempt families to take part in swimming sessions. Sport England has awarded thousands of pounds to two councils. Sedgefield Borough and Wear Valley District Councils - which received £10,000 and £7,000 respectively
A JUDGE was appalled by photographs of a woman's face after she was beaten by her drunken boyfriend. Recorder Tara Turner jailed Joseph Fox, 39, and ordered an extension of his release licence period to protect the public. Fox's girlfriend of one month
A MAYOR is hoping to make his town a better place by taking a positive approach in the fight against crime and disorder. Hartlepool Mayor Stuart Drummond has announced his intention to promote the importance of good behaviour, while focusing less on
A LACK of late-night taxis in Durham is fuelling the potential for violence and disorder among revellers, councillors say. Members of Durham County Council's health scrutiny sub-committee joined police on the beat in the city centre for four hours on
MEETING PLEA AS residents of Durham City we are very dissatisfied that there has been no proper public consultation, as promised by the leader of the city council, Councillor Fraser Reynolds, in the Durham City Newsletters which were sent out last year
A READY meal produced in a North Yorkshire market town has won an award in a national competition. Holmesterne Foods, in Richmond, was among the winners of the BPEX Foodservice Pork Product of the Year competition, with its twice-braised pork shank with
A DISPUTE over an old barn which was converted into a house without planning permission is expected to be resolved this week. Despite objections from neighbours and parish councillors, planning officers at Hambleton District Council are recommending conditional
NORTH Yorkshire wealth preservation specialist Jonathan Fry and Co Ltd has expanded its team of advisors. DOUGLAS MACNAUGHT, formerly with Dales firm RST Financial Consultancy, has joined the company as trainee client manager. Mr Macnaught hails from
A MIDDLESBROUGH councillor has quit the Labour Party, declaring he still intends to fully represent his electorate. Councillor Brian Hubbard is putting himself forward as an independent candidate in May's local government elections. Elected in 2003 for
Darlington-based Robinsons International has appointed ANTHONY ROBINSON as managing director. At 35, Mr Robinson is one of the youngest leaders in the European removal company industry, and during his time at Robinsons has helped win several national
A FARMING couple from North Yorkshire who have built up a £2m sausage-making business are to put their culinary skills to the test on television show Ready Steady Cook. Debbie and Andrew Keeble, who run their Debbie & Andrew's brand from their Thirsk
Once, Britain had a pattern of secondary schools that was clear to just about everyone. There were grammar schools, technical schools and (sadly the sump of a divisive system) secondary moderns. Around 40 years ago, these, or most of them, vanished under
Party Animals (BBC2, 9pm); The Curse Of The Ice Mummy (C4, 11.05pm); Lemur Island (five, 7.15pm). By episode six, Party Animals is proceeding nicely - like This Life but with politics. There's plenty of bad language, sneaky sex and incisive political
A THIEF who stole from a diabetic friend after being allowed into his home was yesterday branded "mean, nasty and selfish" by a judge. But Norman Dickson was spared jail after a court heard a probation worker, who had dealt with him in the past, was convinced
OLYMPIC rower James Cracknell will be offering tips for success to business leaders in the Tees Valley. More than 300 delegates are expected to attend the free Going for Gold day workshops aimed at boosting business performance. Double Olympic gold medallist
TEESPORT has developed a rapid response to tackling an oil spill or major pollution. PD Ports, owner of the Middlesbrough port on the River Tees, has developed a method of dealing with potential oil spills, which has gained recognition from the Maritime
A HOTEL has opened its doors after a £500,000 refurbishment. The 110-bedroom Blackwell Grange, in Darlington, has been fitted with new carpets and soft-furnishings in the bar and restaurant, and plasma screen televisions in all bedrooms. The hotel's
Architects RyderHKS has appointed a healthcare group leader. PAUL WILLETTS - formerly assistant director for commissioning, facilities and planning at South Tees Hospitals NHS Trust - joins with 25 years' experience in the health service. Executive
A YOUNG criminal swapped a stolen Ford Focus for a high- powered Jaguar car and led police on a 95mph pursuit through a residential area. A court heard yesterday that the sports car, which was stolen and driven by Stuart Lawson during the pursuit in Darlington
POWER firm OEL is helping rebuild the Iraqi energy industry. The Northumberland firm has been hired by the country's new government to help train workers to operate new power stations in Baghdad and Kirkuk. Thirteen Iraqi civilians, sponsored by the ministries
TRAVELCARE, in Bondgate, Darlington, is offering a sweet incentive for tourists to change their money with them. Everyone who buys holiday currency from Travelcare will receive a free Cadbury's Creme Egg, and will also be entered into a draw to win a
AN innovative hat company is celebrating the launch of a website. Hats n' Stuff, based in Beechwood Avenue, Darlington, has recently launched www.hatsnstuff.co.uk The website - designed by Edward Robertson website design, Darlington - allows customers
England are aiming to adopt a ruthless approach to Friday's warm-up match with Australia as they attempt to further disrupt the world champions' preparations for the World Cup. Australia's bid to become the first side to win three successive World Cups
A MAN lured a nine-year-old girl into a dark wood and sexually assaulted her after he followed her off a bus, a court has heard. Kevin Toner, 20, is said to have used subterfuge to get the girl to go with him and not run for help. It is alleged Mr Toner
A VIOLINIST has hit the right note to secure a cash boost. One of Redcar's most talented musicians, Sam Kennedy will use his £500 award to buy a better instrument. Mr Kennedy, 22, was awarded the Tall Trees Bursary by Platform, a classical music organisation
A MAN who delivered a stolen BMW car to Northern Cyprus appeared in court yesterday on a money-laundering charge. Brian Johnson drove the £37,250-vehicle, stolen months earlier from outside the owner's home in West Yorkshire. Durham Crown Court heard
Brian Ashton believes England have been relegated to the ''second division of world rugby'' as they prepare for a Twickenham showdown with RBS 6 Nations title favourites France. But England's bid for a first victory over Les Bleus since the 2003 World
Olivier Milloud is expecting a tough battle up front if he replaces injured team-mate Sylvain Marconnet for France's RBS 6 Nations Championship showdown against England on Sunday. The Bourgoin prop is set to be thrown into battle at Twickenham following
VILLAGERS are furious after highways bosses decided against implementing road safety measures. Residents say that parked cars in Romanby, Northallerton, are effectively turning a stretch of road into a single carriageway - restricting vision round a bend
Jamie Carragher hailed one of Liverpool's greatest European results, after they reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League last night. Eidur Gudjohnsen gave Barcelona a 1-0 win at Anfield, but Rafael Benitez's men progress on the away goals rule
A MAN who pleaded guilty to two shoplifting charges is unlikely to go to prison - despite committing 21 similar offences since 2003. Matthew Arnold Bower, 38, admitted two theft charges at Darlington Magistrates' Court yesterday. The bench ordered a pre-sentence
A HOTEL wants to make improvements by adding a leisure centre for guests. The Lodge at Leeming Bar, which has 39 bedrooms, has expanded rapidly since it was opened as Motel Leeming on the northbound A1 by Polish businessman Stanislaw Les in 1961. The
STUDENTS are being urged to recycle using free compost bins on offer to schools in Ryedale. The bins are being given away by Ryedale District Council. Elizabeth Shields, chairwoman of the community services and licensing committee, said: "Pupils are learning
THE tragedy which has befallen eight-year-old Macauley Gilbert is so utterly heartbreaking that it is hard to think about what he must be going through. Macauley is the sole survivor of a terrible accident in which his two younger brothers were killed
A WOMAN has realised her childhood dream by opening boarding kennels. Janet Sunter opened Croft Farm boarding kennels, in Grinton, near Reeth, at the end of last year. The kennels are built on the site of an old pig shed and can accommodate up to 19 dogs
ARRIVA bosses have blamed buses running late in Darlington on the town's Pedestrian Heart and traffic problems. Company chiefs made the claims at a heated public meeting at Skerne Park last night. The Park East community partnership, which incorporates
A TEENAGER who rode a motorbike with one of its brakes held together by a shoelace has been fined £355 by magistrates. Craig Stuart Bennett, 18, admitted driving a motorbike without a helmet, riding with
Catterick Garrison Football Centre has been given coaching equipment by Barclays Bank. The centre has teams competing in the Teesside Junior Football Alliance in the under 12, 14 and 15 age groups. They also have a mini soccer centre for younger children
A CONSERVATION group's new website is proving a big hit. The North York Moors Association site was attracting less than 1,000 hits a month. But after an upgrade, www.north-yorkshire-moors.org.uk, now gets 20,000 a month. "We're astounded and delighted
The Wensleydale Country Market, formerly the Women's Institute market, will be held in Leyburn Methodist Church hall, in Leyburn Market Place, from 10am every Thursday, except the first Thursday of the month. There will be an Easter market on April 5,
MILLER Construction has swelled its annual order book to more than £400m for the first time, after winning a £4.8m contract to refurbish Newcastle's Theatre Royal. After a series of major contracts throughout the UK by the firm, which has a base in
Public relations firm The Partners Group has made a new appointment to promote a revolutionary device to help thousands of elderly and disabled people open and close their front door. GEMMA RUTHERFORD has joined the York firm as an account executive to
Business resource efficiency specialist Midas, based in Newcastle, has made ASTLEY FENWICK its resource efficiency broker, to help the firm cope with demand for the free service. Mr Fenwick, who has 30 years' experience in the sector, will manage solutions
AN application for permanent permission for a log cabin used to sell farm produce is likely to be given the go-ahead. Raymond Emmerton has applied to Derwentside District Council for the cabin at Brockwell Farm, Lanchester. Planning officers have recommended
PLANS to demolish a rundown estate to make way for a modern development are likely to be approved next week. The regeneration of the Hardwick estate in Stockton could begin in earnest this summer if planning permission is granted. Barratt and Haslam Homes
A HEALTH watchdog has upheld a widow's complaint that doctors should have handled her sick husband's case in a different way. But the Healthcare Commission also decided that it would not be appropriate for her to order bosses at Darlington Memorial Hospital
GARETH SOUTHGATE was labelled naive by Sir Alex Ferguson in December but, with Middlesbrough's FA Cup quarter-final against Manchester United fast approaching, there is no danger of the less experienced boss taking his eye off the ball. When United,
A RADIO presenter has joined forces with a North-East ghost hunter to organise a series of spooky séances across the area. Craig Bailey, who presents the breakfast show on Alpha 103.2, is offering listeners the chance to attend séances with paranormal
Sir Alex Ferguson has launched a scathing attack on Lille for their behaviour in the Champions League first-leg encounter against Manchester United a fortnight ago. Ferguson attempted to play down the row which accompanied Ryan Giggs' quickly-taken free-kick
NEW College Durham is inviting people to attend its annual public meeting tomorrow. The theme of the event, at the Framwellgate Moor campus, will be Skills for Success. Complimentary drinks and a light buffet will be available from 5pm. The formal proceedings
* The Nstar Finance and Business programme - set up to help companies achieve their growth potential - has appointed PAUL FREEMAN as project manager. Based in Newcastle, NStar - an early stage finance and business support company - recently established
A TAXI driver has been fined for illegally picking up passengers off the street. Sean Dixon, 38, was given eight points on his licence and fined £200 after being caught during a Stockton Borough Council operation. In October last year, undercover officers
TWO new directors have been appointed to a Barnard Castle regeneration company. Joining the Teesdale Marketing team are Jill Cole and Ruth Robson. Ms Cole is a freelance arts consultant and the director of the Turrets, the youth
COBBLED alleyways in a North Yorkshire town centre are being repaired as part of a £75,000 scheme. Residents and community leaders have been voicing concerns about the state of the alleyways leading off Thirsk town centre for several years. Many of the
ROY KEANE is determined to see his side dressed for success, and believes standards off the pitch will play a part in Sunderland's promotion push. The Black Cats have undergone rapid change since the appointment of Keane last August. After spending years
A LIVE music night is to be held at a club which was threatened with closure. The Comrades Club, in Richmond, is the venue for the event, which has been organised by the Sounds in the Grounds committee of Eppleby Forcett School. Club officials announced
QUORN owner Premier Foods has seen annual sales of its meat-free products made in the region climb to £110m. The plc said that almost one in five households across the UK is now eating Quorn manufactured at its sites in Billingham, Teesside, and Stokesley
A GIRL who lives only a few hundred metres from a school could be forced to travel nearly ten miles every day from September. The father of Laura Blenkinsopp has criticised council bureaucracy which will not allow his daughter to attend
A MOUNTAIN of compost made from garden waste is being given away to encourage people to do their own composting. Durham County Council's Big Heap Roadshow will tour the county from tomorrow and visitors will be able to take up to three bags each. People
RESIDENTS have urged a planning inspector to block plans to redevelop former university student accommodation. Durham City Council refused planning permission in September for the redundant buildings in Mayorswell Close to be turned into 43 apartments
A HEADTEACHER who was involved in a legal battle with his former local authority after he contracted a deadly lung disease has died. Tributes have been paid to Robert Fleming, the former headteacher of Tudhoe Grange, near Spennymoor, County Durham, after
POIGNANT memories of days spent pushing a father's wheelchair have been put into print.Pete Stokell, of Thirsk, North Yorkshire, has penned the semi-autobiographical novel, The Wheelchair Days.It follows five years of meeting people in Thirsk and Sowerby
THE fantasy world of Lewis Carroll is to be brought to life in an art exhibition.Many leading artists are to display work at The Gallery, in Ripon, North Yorkshire, giving the tale a modern feel.Work by the legendary Salvador Dali will be on show in The
HE hasn't been in office for 18 months yet, but already the Archbishop of York has a permanent place of honour in his province.Yesterday, Dr John Sentamu came face-to-face with his own likeness - in a sculpture soon to be given pride of place in Selby
YOUNG people in North Yorkshire watched weeks of their work go up in flames - but it was all in the name of art.More than 40 teenagers gathered to see their dragon-themed sculpture set alight as part of a project to encourage young people to become more
VILLAGE school pupils have been given a taste of town life at a large college.The pre-prep school of Ashville College, in Harrogate, welcomed youngsters from Lofthouse Primary School for the first in a series of visits.Lofthouse School, in the heart of
A HOSPITAL porter is setting off on the adventure of a lifetime to raise funds for the Alzheimer's Society.Ged Brown, who works at St Luke's Hospital in Middlesbrough, will trek along the Great Wall of China in October.He chose the charity because his
A 92-year-old artist will show off her work in her first exhibition.Self-taught quilter Emily Gardner has donated 20 patchwork quilts to Ryedale Folk Museum, in Hutton-le-Hole.The quilts will feature in an exhibition, Patchworks, from Saturday until April
Obese expectant mothers are having a "major impact" on the NHS due to the increased risk of complications and the need for extra equipment and staff, say North-East researchers.A study found that the women need more one-to-one care, which can affect waiting
BAPTIST churches in Wolsingham and Hamsterley have welcomed a new minister, the Reverend Jim Williams, and his wife, Sally.The couple met members at an open day at Wolsingham on Saturday when Dr David Neil, formerly of Crook, rededicated the church following
THE Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has defended its role in a controversial rape trial that led a judge to claim the legal system was "utterly failing" children.In a letter to The Northern Echo, Cleveland's chief crown prosecutor, Martin Goldman, said
POLICE nationwide are turning to the North-East's expertise as they prepare to launch neighbourhood policing across the country.Officers in Hartlepool were among the first in the country to take part in the initiative, which gives every community local
THE son of a shipyard worker who died after breathing in asbestos has launched a £90,000 fundraising appeal in his memory.Joe Wallace, from the Red House area of Sunderland, died in 2005, aged 66, only months after being diagnosed with mesothelioma.He
A teenager has finally realised his dream of playing football for his local team after finding boots to fit his massive size 17 feet.And it quickly became clear that 14-year-old Alan Toward's new boots were made for scoring after he netted his first goal
HEALTH bosses in the North-East have been ordered to end the scandal of people with hearing problems waiting seven months for tests.A Department of Health study found that patients in the region faced the second longest wait for an assessment anywhere
A PIONEERING development which has brought a range of community facilities together under one roof has celebrated its first anniversary.The Coleridge Centre, in Coleridge Gardens, Darlington, is used by various organisations and the shared development
A COUNCILLOR says a North East farmers' market which has only just been saved by an agreement with the local council may be under threat again if a town centre toilet block is closed.Barnard Castle Farmers' Market meets on the first Saturday of every
A children's bereavement service - believed to be the first of its kind - has been launched to help support thousands of troubled youngsters in the region.A major research project identified a lack of services for specialist bereavement in the Hartlepool
AN eight-strong team of Durham pupils is busy putting the finishing touches to a drama and music extravaganza.The performance, involving students from all years at Belmont School Community Arts College, will form a key element for the band of eight as
SPECULATION was mounting last night that North-East football was on the verge of the biggest transfer of the season - with radio phone-in presenters The Three Legends poised to sign for rivals the BBC.The popular talk show trio - former Newcastle United
A SCHOOL'S drama and music students are busy with final preparations for their latest production, to be staged at Durham's Gala Theatre.Pupils at Durham High School for Girls will be presenting The Secret Garden, which is inspired by the Edwardian children's
THE fundraising efforts of two motorcycling friends have been boosted with a donation from colleagues. Phil Robson and Ian Callaghan are preparing to follow in the tracks of late British motorbike racing legend Barry Sheene on a charity biking marathon
EVEN without the carrot of Champions League football next season, Kieron Dyer will become a phone pest to ensure Jonathan Woodgate rejoins Newcastle United in the summer. Woodgate has proven over the past eight months that the worst of his injury problems
PSV Eindhoven manager Ronald Koeman admits he would take a gamble on Thierry Henry if there is any chance of him being fit. The Arsenal skipper is expected to return to the squad for tonight's crucial Champions League clash, despite having not trained
DARLINGTON were yesterday told they can have Ian Miller for another month. But Quakers face the prospect of losing the Ipswich Town defender if they reach the play-offs. Miller is scheduled to return to Ipswich after Darlington's home clash with Lincoln
BARCLAYCARD yesterday said it was cutting more than 600 jobs in Manchester and transferring some work to the North-East. The credit card firm is closing its Manchester call centre in July and will move some operations to its centre on the Teesdale Business
CAR dealer Henson Motor Group yesterday unveiled ambitious plans to increase turnover from £13m to £100m and create more than 250 jobs in the next three years. The Newcastle new and used car retailer intends to take the number of outlets it operates
STREET cleaner Gordon Quarmby has been praised for his level-headedness after he found a plastic bag in a lay-by containing an unexploded bomb. Inside the bag was a rusty Second World War 18lb artillery shell, which was exploded by bomb disposal experts
A DISABLED man appeared in court yesterday charged with the attempted murder of his terminally ill father 22 years ago.Neil Cowton was charged with attempting to murder his dying father, John Rispin Cowton, by administering the tranquilliser drug valium.The
As Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett prepares for a European summit in Brussels, she outlines why she'll be seeking to cut the red tape burden for North-East businesses and to secure a pledge to tackle global warming. I SHALL be in Brussels tomorrow
The column goes in fruitless search of the man who supposedly did a nose job on the piano on Saltburn Pier. ONCE unkindly described by fellow poet Philip Larkin as a "bearded loony", the eminent Craig Raine - fellow and tutor at New College, Oxford -
A TAXI driver who was allegedly beaten by a rival cabbie said he was being victimised because he is Polish.Stanislaw Mackowiak said he was punched several times while he was sat in his car reading a newspaper by a fellow taxi driver, who had remonstrated
He's perhaps not your idea of the ideal husband, but Tom Jones, who with his wife Linda has just celebrated their golden wedding anniversary is a good advert for marriage. FUNNY thing, marriage. It's been in the news a lot this week. David Cameron's
