POLICE in North Yorkshire investigating the death of a 22-month old baby boy have tonight charged a 17-year-old male with murder and two sex offences. The youth is due to appear before magistrates in Scarborough tomorrow morning. Charlie Michael Johnson
A WOMAN made and sold pirate DVDs and computer games to order to help meet growing debts, a court heard. But, despite the presence of a large number of discs and computer equipment for copying mainstream films and games at her home, Gail Lawes was said
A DOUBLE civic reception has been planned to celebrate Durham County Cricket Club's double-winning success. The team, which has just recorded the most successful season in the club's 125-year history, is to be honoured with civic receptions by both Chester-le-Street
The Confederation of British Industry has this evening launched a condemnation of the way the bank of England handled the Northern Rock crisis. CBI director-general Richard Lambert attacked the banking regulation system, set up when the Bank of England
A POLICE force facing funding cuts of nearly £10m fears the move could affect its performance levels. The Government plans to give extra funding to poorer performing forces meaning North Yorkshire Police could miss out. If the current proposals are
AN airline has cut back part of its first full winter schedule after a lack of interest from passengers. But bosses at Durham Tees Valley Airport and Flyglobespan said the cutback was only a small part of the overall operations. Budget airline Flyglobespan
THE motorsport world is in mourning tonight after rally driver Colin McRae and his son made their final journey together today, side-by-side in a single coffin. Sporting stars were among almost 200 friends and relatives to attend the funeral of the former
A DECISION on whether to sue the Government over the foot and mouth outbreak in Surrey has moved a step closer. Lawyers acting for the National Farmers Union (NFU) have passed their initial research on to Richard Lissack, QC, for his view. Hundreds
THE FATHER of a Darlington mother-of-one who died in mysterious circumstances has warned his daughter's attacker that they will be caught. Mel Atkin has paid tribute to his loving 38-year-old daughter Debbie, who died shortly after an assault in her home
THE mother of a man who vanished five years ago has called for a fresh investigation into his disappearance. Scott Clive is believed to have been murdered but his body has never been found. The 30-year-old disappeared on October 10, 2002, after moving
TEENAGERS from the region who took their demand for free bus fares to Downing Street are close to victory, Gordon Brown revealed yesterday. The prime minister told Labour's conference that he wanted young people at schools and colleges to enjoy
Jamie T - Panic Prevention Perky, fun 21 year old newcomer Jamie Treays (or Jamie T) adds to the new found Thamesbeat scene with his debut album Panic Prevention. Joining artists such as Lily Allen and Larrikin Love in this new genre, which features
ARSON may not big or clever, but the debut offering from Darlington's premier fire-starters is undoubtedly both. It's little wonder that the fiesty foursome have been hotting up the pages of national music bible NME magazine when they can produce a record
A PENSIONER is seriously ill in hospital after a crash which left him with a punctured lung. The accident happened on the A167, Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, near the Gretna pub, on Tuesday, at about 3.40pm. The injured man, a 77-year-old from Aycliffe
POLICE in Darlington have nearly doubled their stock of cones just a week after launching an amnesty for their return. Hundreds of yellow traffic cones have gone missing across Darlington and County Durham in the past year. They are often taken by
THE funeral of Alistair Peach, the Scout leader who died in a car accident in last week, will be held tomorrow afternoon. Mr Peach, 21, died in Winston, near Darlington after crashing his car into a bridge on his way back from a meeting of the Heighington
A HOTLY-TIPPED North-East indie band are hoping to ignite the charts with the release of their debut album on Monday. Punk-pop quartet We Start Fires are urging the region to get behind them in their bid to make an impact on the national album charts
This cabernet sauvignon is a typical full-bodied varietal. It has a lovely deep garnet colour with a cassis and blackcurrant bouquet. This is a very tasty wine full of ripe red berry fruit complemented by soft tannins. It's 14 per cent alcohol, which
A new cancer information and support service will be launched this week, a year after the death of the woman who inspired it. Macmillan Cancer Support has teamed up with Durham PCT and Durham County Council to launch The Health Information Points
Newcastle United got back to winning ways thanks to a Mark Viduka and Charles N'Zogbia double act. The Magpies striker netted a brace of goals thanks to two assists from the impressive N'Zogbia, who helped himself to a goal himself just before the end
A WOMAN partygoer gouged a man's eye while her husband punched him in the head, a court was told yesterday. Anne-Marie Stobbs,36, and her husband Steven,37, were at a neighbours' New Year's Eve party in Yarm with their children when trouble broke out
PARKING spaces are at a premium in Barnard Castle, but rarely need to worry about finding somewhere to park my Fiat Punto during the day. That's generally because I just drop it off at the garage, such is the regularity of things going wrong on it.
Carmel RC College (John Caden Hall), The Headlands, Darlington Mowden Infant School, Bushel Hill Drive, Darlington Abbey Junior School, Abbey Road, Darlington Arts Centre (East Hall), Vane Terrace, Darlington Holy Trinity Youth and Community Centre
A patient brandished a knife in a doctors' surgery after becoming frustrated about her treatment. Sarah Charlton had the blade hidden up her sleeve when she turned up for her appointment at Marsden Road Health Centre in South Shields on June 20.
A DISABLED pensioner - battling to organise a Dad's Army convention - has had her car and home targeted by vandals with guns. Josie Collins, from Anfield Court, Red Hall, had the back window of her car shot through by vandals with an air rifle on Tuesday
A FATHER-of-two was crushed to death by a tree in a felling accident. Experienced tree surgeon Dennis Etheridge, 37, died when he was hit by the tree in woodland. He had been working on a tree thinning operation for nearby Partridge Nest Farm in Tynedale
MUCH has been said about the lack of entertainment being the main reason for the dwindling crowds at the Riverside this season. Nearly 31,000 supporters made the effort for the first Tees-Wear derby, nearly 2,000 more than their previous highest against
MUCH has been said about the lack of entertainment being the main reason for the dwindling crowds at the Riverside this season. Nearly 31,000 supporters made the effort for the first Tees-Wear derby, nearly 2,000 more than their previous highest against
Solutions ACROSS 1 Sabre-rattle. SABRE+RATTLE (bears anag.) 9 Rotherham. R+OTHER+HAM 10 Avast. A(V)A+ST 11 Minute. MIN(U+T)E 12 Heathens. (anag.) 13 Yellow. YELL+O+W 15 Set piece. SET+PIECE 18 Noblemen. NOBLE+ME+N 19 Metric.
CRYPTIC CLUES ACROSS 1 Angry bears move with a knocking sound and intimidate with a show of force. (5-6) 9 Poor actor follows Rex to different town (9) 10 Stop motorists around the top of Vauxhall Street (5) 11 Very small pit contains uranium
GARETH Southgate wants Dong-Gook Lee to prove his worth to Middlesbrough starting tonight in the Carling Cup tie at White Hart Lane. Lee is Boros only fit striker with first team experience and is expected to play a lone role in attack at Tottenham
A MOTHER and daughter were involved in a pub attack on an eastern European woman, a court heard. Racist remarks were aimed at the woman during the unprovoked incident, at the Pack Horse, in Tanfield, near Stanley. The 30-year-old Slovakian was at the
EIGHT suspected car thieves have been arrested after being caught in a sting operation. Police raided eight addresses in the Middlesbrough area yesterday morning and arrested six men and two youths, aged between 16 and 30. People were caught on video
VOLUNTEERS from a furniture help scheme have been hurt and the service has been thrown into turmoil after the van they were in was involved in a collision yesterday. Firefighters were called to the A167, in Ferryhill, at noon, after a large box van from
AN MP, a senior university academic and a student union official will be among the speakers at an appeal against a lap dancing club.The hearing against the granting of a premises licence for The Loft, North Road, Durham City, will be held at the city's
A PUBLIC exhibition about plans to extend the working life of a quarry will be staged today.Banks Developments is requesting permission to continue operating Hollings Hill Quarry, near Ebchester, County Durham for another 16 years.An exhibition outlining
ATTENTION Darlington's young sportsmen and women - a town-wide awards scheme has only two days left before nominations close.Darlington Sports Winners seeks to reward achievement and progress in all sports, at all levels.There are three presentations
A NEW community police inspector has arrived in the Crook and Weardale area.Inspector Tony Avery is looking forward to new challenges after moving from Darlington to take over from Inspector Victoria Fuller.After more than two years as a core inspector
DEVASTATED stall-holders are fearing for their futures after being given notice to quit their historic business premises.Stockton Borough Council has told the retailers they must leave The Shambles indoor market, in the High Street, by April next year.The
A riding school which offers riders with disabilities the chance to experience horse and pony riding is to benefit from a partnership with a national charity.The Unicorn Centre, based off Stainton Way, Hemlington, Middlesbrough, has teamed up with Children's
FUNDRAISERS have thanked people who supported the World's Biggest Coffee Morning and raised nearly £200 for the cancer charity.Sian Goodwin, a member of the Northallerton fundraising committee for Macmillan Cancer Support, held it in her home, in Turker
A FEMALE bodybuilding champion is also shaping up well in her role as an adult education teacher.Lesley Haswell broke off from preparations to defend her British natural bodybuilding title to pick up a tribute for her work with the Workers' Educational
A CHURCH that was due for demolition has had to close a month early in case it gets bats in its belfry.St Pius X Roman Catholic Church, in Sussex Road, Moorside, near Consett, was to be knocked down later this year and be replaced by a new church on a
THE future of a popular community bonfire could be in jeopardy unless money can be found from local sponsors.The annual Bonfire Night event in Northallerton has been a favourite with local people for decades.Every year, thousands of people from the town
THE final stage in a consultation involving youngsters in Billingham is to be held in the town at the weekend. The Billingham Partnership Board - in association with Billingham town and Stockton borough councils, Stockton Community Residents' Group Association
PLANS for housing on the site of a disused bus depot have been criticised by officials. Ravensworth Homes has submitted a planning application to demolish the former Arriva depot, in Station Yard, Richmond.The company is requesting permission to build
RESIDENTS of Ripon are invited to celebrate the United Nations International Day of Older People.Ripon Festivals has joined with Ripon city and Harrogate borough councils to mark the event, on Monday.The Salvation Army centre, in Lead Lane, is offering
A DRUNK burglar who stole goods from a boarded-up house after a party has been jailed for 18 months.Graham Kelly was among three men to take goods from the home, including a children's bike wheel and a Scalextric set.Kelly, 22, and Paul Beckett, 19, had
A SOUTH Durham town could be named the most enterprising town in Britain when the winners of a national competition are announced tomorrow.Volunteers from Bishop Auckland Town Centre Forum's marketing group have boosted business and increased community
CHILDREN at a Darlington Primary School have elected their own head boy and head girl.For the first time, Corporation Road Primary School decided to have two children to represent the school.An election was held, with an official voting booth and ballot
FOREST bosses are giving people an alternative way of improving their fitness, with a £20,000 Trim Trail in 900-acre Guisborough Forest. Twelve exercise areas, complete with timber-built apparatus, have been created along a one-mile circuit setting out
AN application for a community centre in Teesdale to hold an entertainment licence has split village opinion.Sure Start, which manages the Randolph Centre, in Evenwood, want the licence to be able to perform plays, films, live music and indoor sporting
VOLUNTEERS from across Darlington have been recognised for their work in the community.This week, Darlington Football Club hosted the Darlington CVS Volunteering Awards.The ceremony was hosted by Peter Barron, Editor of The Northern Echo, and the guest
MORE than 300 patients a month are being treated at home by Fast Response Teams.The initiative by North Yorkshire and York Primary Care Trust (PCT), is working to reduce the time patients have to spend in hospital.Officials say the number of referrals
YOUNG people interested in a vocational career are being offered the chance to work with Darlington Borough Council's Street Scene team.The young apprentice scheme will allow anyone aged 15 or over the chance to spend three days a week with the team.They
RESIDENTS have expressed their disappointment after losing a year-long fight to stop a supermarket building a petrol station near a school.Asda, in Whinbush Way, Darlington, has been granted permission to build a four-pump petrol station on the other
A FORMER footballer has set up a new physiotherapy clinic in Bishop Auckland. Drew Coverdale, who played for Darlington and Middlesbrough, opened Auckland Physiotherapy Centre in the town's North Bondgate earlier this month. Mr Coverdale made almost
OVER the years, we have had to sit back and endure the demise of our street markets and small businesses in city centres, brought about by a mere stroke of the pen from councils that are forever telling us that we must accept change to survive. Now
YOUR stories about the yob who urinated on a dying woman in Hartlepool and the vandals who trashed gravestones in North Ormesby, Middlesbrough (Echo, both Sept 20), left me feeling sad to be one of the same species as these people. But what left
MY views run contrary to those of Rob Merrick in his column about the EU Treaty (Echo, Sept 13). For a start, Tony Blair and Gordon Brown say the new draft is essentially different from the original and no red lines will be crossed. Yet Angela
THE Chief Constable of Cambridgeshire, Julie Spence, has said her force finds it difficult to cope with the huge influx of immigrants from Eastern Europe. She was careful what she said, but I'm sure the people of Cambridgeshire are very unhappy
WHEN the troops returned home at the end of the Second World War they were not willing to go back to the situation which existed before the war. They wanted a change and, to the surprise of many, a Labour government was elected at the next General
RE Brian Madden's letter following recent correspondence about school pupil bus pass rows (HAS, Sept 19). I don't know how long he has lived in Illinois, US, or if he has any children, but in today's world with one car per household, some with
POLICE are investigating an on-the-pitch clash which left a footballer with a broken jaw. York City player Chris Beardsley's jaw was broken in two places during a match against Grays Athletic in the Blue Square Premier League. The off-the-ball clash
A BABY girl miraculously survived when a car smashed into her buggy, only to die two days later when her drunken dad cradled her to sleep following a 15 pint binge. Two-week-old Ellie Walls became trapped down the side of a leather armchair after falling
Will Gordon Brown call a snap election? While the most informed commentators, headed by the BBC's peerless political editor Nick Robinson, fight shy of committing themselves, this column is prepared to go for it. Brown is sure to call an early election
With life expectancy so much higher now, it can be scary to sign up to marriage till death do us part. Does marriage reach its sell by date after seven years? German politician Gabriele Pauli, pictured below, thinks so. Campaigning for the leadership
IN a move that strengthens the North-East's claim to be a major centre for medical research, a super-scanner is coming to the region. The £2.5m Pet (positron emission tomography) scanner, bought with the help of a £2.3m grant from development agency
YORKSHIRE and the North-East were yesterday officially declared "low risk" areas for foot-and-mouth disease. As a result, farmers in the region can move livestock from farm to farm under strict biosecurity measures. However, the all-important autumn sales
Course specialist Illustrious Blue can make a triumphant return to Goodwood in the Charles James Homes Foundation Stakes. William Knight's four-year-old has not been seen on a racecourse since landing a ten-furlong Listed race at the Sussex track in May
COMMUNICATIONS agency Guerilla has appointed nine recruits. The Newcastle firm has recruited Tom Harrison, Julie Burrell, Cathy Tuffnell, Kaja Amundsen, Diane Malaugh, John Miller, Leanne Whittingham, Alex Lockey and Kimberley Workman. Managing director
FURNITURE retailer ScS yesterday pledged a resurgence after seeing its pre-tax profits fall by more than half. The Sunderland company described its performance for the ten months to July 28 as "disappointing," after pre-tax profits fell from £17.2m
COMPUTER games retailer Game returned to profit yesterday as it geared up for the Christmas trading season with an upbeat set of half-year results. The launch of new consoles, including the much-anticipated Playstation 3 (PS3), provided Game with a strong
CONSULTANCY White Young Green (WYG) yesterday hailed its North-East base as playing a major role in its annual results. WYG, which works with the built, natural and social environments, saw turnover rise 32 per cent to £220.6m in the year to June 30
ENGINEERING company The Tanfield Group has marked the end of a "transformational" six months for the firm by announcing its profits have more than trebled. The Wearside electric vehicle maker revealed yesterday that its pre-tax profit soared 209 per
RESIDENTS are celebrating after councillors rejected £50m plans to relocate one of the country's top independent schools on their doorstep. But the headteacher of Yarm School, David Dunn, said he was bitterly disappointed. Yarm School, founded in 1978
A TOWN football club that was evicted from its ground has secured a new lease from its landlord. Officials at Spennymoor Town FC were celebrating last night after they convinced Spennymoor Town Council to offer the club a long-term lease. During the summer
A POLICE force could lose nearly £10m in funding - enough money to pay for 300 frontline officers - because of its low crime rates. Government plans to give poorer performing forces extra funding could mean North Yorkshire Police losing out. The force
WHEN the Animal Welfare Act became law in England and Wales last March, we hoped it would put an end to cruelty and neglect. The first review of pet laws in 94 years, it replaced the Protection of Animals Act and combined more than 20 pieces of legislation
England seamer Ryan Sidebottom is confident he has the ability to take wickets on the sub-continent as he prepares for the one-day international series with Sri Lanka. Sidebottom missed England's disappointing showing at the ICC World Twenty20 because
Veteran Durham all-rounder Ottis Gibson flew to Sri Lanka yesterday as England's bowling coach after being confirmed as the season's most valuable player in the PCA Rankings. The 38-year-old West Indian, named the Professional Cricketers' Association
NEWCASTLE United chairman Chris Mort has revealed that Newcastle United's financial position was so dire when new owner Mike Ashley took charge the club could have been out of business by the end of this year. Ashley paid an initial £133m to buy the
Fernando Torres struck a hat-trick in a rare start for Liverpool as they edged an entertaining Carling Cup third-round clash at Reading 4-2. While Manchester City and Arsenal both edged through with narrow victories, goals were plentiful at the Madejski
ROY KEANE insists the changes are set to continue at Sunderland and he has not ruled out bringing in a director of football to lighten his workload. After a week in which such a role has hit the headlines for the wrong reasons, Keane remains open-minded
Jonny Wilkinson has admitted there is ''a challenging effect'' created by the balls being used at the Rugby World Cup in France. New Zealand fly-half and goal-kicker Dan Carter raised concerns that balls players have been given in practice are different
Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has issued a statement denying that a compensation package has been agreed for Martin Jol to leave White Hart Lane. Jol's position as boss has appeared under threat since Spurs officials met Sevilla coach Juande Ramos last
Martin Corry will lead England into their most important Test match since the 2003 World Cup final on Friday night, claiming: ''Captaincy is not something I strive for.'' Despite England's World Cup captain Phil Vickery being available again after serving
THE illegal drugs trade was dealt a blow yesterday when a police operation involving dozens of officers resulted in the arrest of a number of suspected heroin dealers.Police officers carried out a number of raids on private houses in the Chester-le-Street
INVESTIGATIONS are continuing into whether a potential exhibit from a flagship North-East art gallery breaches child pornography laws.Northumbria Police are examining the piece - thought to be a photograph that features a young girl - after being called
THE man responsible for one of Britain's worst animal cruelty cases is behind bars again after RSPCA officials discovered a fresh scene of "carnage" at his home. Repeat offender Lee Howard pleaded guilty to ignoring a lifetime ban on keeping animals and
MYSTERY surrounds the death of a 38-year-old mother-of-one found in her home with 150 injuries.Deborah Atkin, of Scott's Terrace, in the North Road area of Darlington, is believed to have been assaulted in the final moments of her life.But an inquest
Arsenal 2 Newcastle Utd 0 GIVEN that yesterday marked the end of London fashion week, it was fitting that Arsene Wenger successfully unveiled a collection of Arsenal players aimed primarily at next season in last night's Carling Cup third-round tie at
SAM Allardyce last night confirmed that Michael Owen is almost certain to miss England's forthcoming European Championships qualifiers with Estonia and Russia because of a "three-centimetre tear in his adductor muscle".And as if the loss of his leading
A NATIONAL Lottery ticket-holder has claimed a jackpot of £7.9m - four months after the draw was held. The lucky winner from North Yorkshire, who wishes to remain anonymous, scooped the cash after it had been left unclaimed since May 19. A National
The column goes on a journey - through the Tyne Tunnel, in feline footsteps, and down Apostrophe Avenue.A DADS and lads day - football, inevitably - we approached the Tyne Tunnel at the usual pedestrian pace. It'll be 40 years next month since the Queen
A NORTH-EAST MP has called for the Bevin Boys to come forward and claim their veterans' badges.Durham North MP Kevan Jones launched a campaign for the men who were conscripted to coal mines rather than the armed services during the Second World War to
ENGLAND football managers past and present who have North-East connections will figure prominently in this weekend's Great North Run.Former England and Newcastle United manager Sir Bobby Robson will start the 2007 Bupa-backed run, on Sunday.He will fire
As the tension in Burma escalates, Lindsay Jennings speaks to James Mawdsley, who experienced the brutality of the oppressive military regime which has caused world-wide condemnation.THE sheer scale of the protest is evident in the red river snaking down
THE murder of a North-East woman who was butchered and eaten by a cannibal killer will be featured in a television documentary.September Films will be in the region from today filming footage about the death of Julie Paterson in Darlington in 1998, and
A RETIRED detective who became an aid volunteer is waiting to hear if he will be able to deliver surgical instruments to a hospital for lepers in strife-torn Burma.Fred Farley, 67, from Coxhoe, County Durham, who was an inspector in the county's force
EMBATTLED Northern Rock last night bowed to pressure and scrapped a "generous" dividend payment to shareholders it previously announced in July. The Newcastle-based bank had been criticised for stating on Monday that it intended to go ahead with
HUNDREDS of disabled workers in the region were celebrating last night after the Government stepped in to stop Remploy closing factories without its permission. Work and Pensions Secretary Peter Hain entered the increasingly bitter conflict by
JO Pavey has pulled out of Sunday's BUPA Great North Run with a groin injury. Pavey, who finished fourth in what was her road running debut over the half marathon distance at last year's event, admits she is disappointed not to be competing on Tyneside
A PIECE of art at the centre of an alleged child pornography investigation belongs to Sir Elton John, the singer has confirmed. "Klara and Edda belly-dancing" by Nan Goldin was seized by police from Gateshead's Baltic Centre last week. The image of
TROUBLED mortgage lender Northern Rock is in talks over its future, including the possibility of a buyout. The bank said it is in discussion with a number of parties after it received approaches regarding a "variety of transactions", including the possibility
Ferryhill under 10s . Sponsored by Kelly's News Ferryhill entertained Newton Aycliffe youth and both teams went on the attack from the kick off with both defences holding firm with no clear cut chances from any team . In the second half Ferryhill attacked
HUNDREDS of disabled workers in the region were celebrating after the Government stepped in to stop Remploy closing factories without its say so. Work and Pensions Secretary Peter Hain entered the increasingly bitter conflict by imposing a government
