THE Conservative Party has held on to its seat in the Washington East Ward by-election on Sunderland City Council tonight. The full result was: Angela Cuthbert (Conservative) 1,196; David Snowball (Lib Dem) 206; Dianne Elizabeth Snowdon (Lab) 994.
THE opening event of a town's annual festivities has received a £6,000 shot-in-the-arm as preparations reach fever pitch. This year's Houghton Feast celebration will feature a colourful starting ceremony designed by the local community, backed by special
SENIOR Labour figures are at loggerheads over the timing of elections to a new super council for County Durham. Labour MP Kevan Jones, with the backing of opposition councillors, is calling for elections to the new unitary authority to be held as early
A TEENAGER has narrowly missed being given a custodial sentence after admitting possessing drugs with intent to supply. A judge, who described Michael Todd as naive, told him he was the first person he had not imprisoned for the offence. Teesside Crown
ACADEMICS claim Durham's cricket success last season was more down to good fortune than strong play on the field. Researchers at Salford University, near Manchester, claim second-placed Durham were the luckiest side in cricket's LV County Championship
TEN men and two women were today arrested in a police crackdown on house burglaries. They were detained for offences including theft, burglary, handling stolen goods and assisting an offender. Sixty officers swooped on addresses across Middlesbrough
THE CHAIRMAN of a flagship North-East gallery at the centre of a police investigation has spoken out in defence of staff who called in police to see if an exhibit breached pornography laws. Northumbria Police seized a photograph called "Klara and Edda
GRAEME Storm holed an 18-foot birdie putt on the final hole to claim a valuable point for Great Britain & Ireland on the opening day of the Seve Trophy. But the Hartlepool golfer's heroics were not enough to prevent Nick Faldo's side losing the opening
SUNDERLAND manager Roy Keane has taken former Manchester City midfielder Kiki Musampa on trial. Musampa is a free agent after leaving Turkish club Trabzonspor and has been allowed to train with the Black Cats in the hope of earning a deal. The Holland
THE FATE of controversial plans to scrap rusting American warships in a North-East yard will be decided next week. After years of wrangling, inquiries and legal battles Able UK is poised to get the go-ahead for its plan to make its yard in Hartlepool
A WOMAN and her husband have been cleared of a New Year's Eve party attack in which she was alleged to have gouged a man's eye. The judge Recorder Brian Cox QC stopped the trial on its second day when Anne-Marie Stobbs,36, and her husband Steven,37,
TWO men are starting life sentences today for the murder of a North-East man who 'taxed' one of their drug dealers. Richard Petty, 34, from Billingham, was stabbed to death for the sake of £80 Teesside Crown Court heard. Mark Pearson and Joseph Tingle
THIEVES who spent hours stealing thousands of pounds worth of lead from the grounds of a famous museum are thought to have been mistaken for workmen. They stripped 30 metres of lead flashing, up to 12ins wide, from two lodge houses at the gates of the
A TEENAGE boy was remanded in custody today charged with the murder of a 22-month-old baby. The 17-year-old youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared before magistrates in Scarborough accused of killing Charlie Johnson. The baby died in
VOTERS are going to the polls today in two North-East by-elections that could help decide whether the Prime Minister calls a general election this year. Gordon Brown is under pressure to call a snap election and cash in on his popularity. The Prime
Eddie Izzard has come a long way since his stand-up days in London clubs. He tells Ben Falk about his new life - and new accent - in the States IF someone asked you five years ago what Eddie Izzard would be doing in 2007, you'd be forgiven if playing
One of the nicest things about being very rich and very famous is that it gives you the freedom to choose any role you want, regardless of the payroll, George Clooney tells Steve Pratt IN a business where the talk is often about the size
VIPERS go into this weekend's matches against Hull and Sheffield having answered the question about their 11th import. The club has parted company with forward Aleksandr Shevchenko, with coach Rob Wilson admitting "it just wasn't to be". The 23-
Our Friends In The North is being revived as a play for the first time in 25 years. Viv Hardwick talks to North-East playwright Peter Flannery about his workfs TV impact and his delight at Our Friendsf new Geordie cast ARROW-born playwright Peter
A TAXI driver was lucky to avoid serious injury or even death, say police, after stone throwing hoodlums targeted his cab. Geoff Charlton's windscreen was cracked by a stone thrown by a gang as he drove through east Middlesbrough. "These attacks are
The line-up may have changed, currently Keisha Buchanan, Heidi Range and Amelle Berrabah, but the babes burst back into chart contention with a solid toe-tapper which fizzes along with hypnotic appeal. Cathy Dennis and Lukasz Dr Luke' Gottwald are
The unsigned indie band from Brooklyn, New York, actually created this catchy single way back in 2004, when frontman J Stuart was told he had HIV before a second test revealed he was all clear. But the 18 days of agony for Stuart produced a burst
As you'd expect, the poorest and final track lifted from the Brazilian six-piece's debut album. Mercifully short, there is still a touch of Eurovision-style clap-along content which the hardiest will enjoy. A return to Sao Paulo for more recording
A HEALTHY mixture of the old and new for us local folk fans this week, reflecting the way that the music continues to inspire those of us who have been around for a while, as well as those who are drawn to it afresh. Tonight it's the ladies who
WHAT'S ON: Tomorrow evening Djangology at the Kings Head, Richmond, on Saturday the Grand Union Orchestra at Darlington Civic, 01325-486555, and on Wednesday the Mike Gibbs Orchestra at Sage, Gateshead, 0191-443-4661. CD REVIEWS: Paul Chambers/Bass
A COUPLE who lost their daughter to leukaemia have raised nearly £17,000 in just three months for a fund they set up in her name. Mike and Claire Wren lost their three and a half year old "pink princess" Charlotte on June 14 this year after a long
WHAT'S ON: The Northern Sinfonia under the baton of Thomas Zehetmair opens its season at The Sage Gateshead with an all- Beethoven programme at 7.30pm tomorrow. Paul Lewis plays the Piano Concerto No 4.0191 443 4661. Kleiber: Mozart (Medici Masters
Sara Evans: Greatest Hits (Sony/BMG Records) WHAT'S the connection between a female country artist and Strictly Come Dancing? Those in the know will be aware that Dancing With The Stars, the US version of our TV show, had Sara Evans performing
Beverley Knight tells Viv Hardwick she has sympathy for Amy Winehouse as she begins a massive UK tour which includes Middlesbrough and Gateshead. BEVERLEY Knight's solid 13-year success in the music business allows her to express some sympathy
HE cry goes out in EastEnders (BBC1) this week - "Get Carter". Not the one that looks like Michael Caine but an equally hard-edged character, Shirley Carter, a lady not to be messed with. Her landlord should know better than to ask the barmaid
WE have recently seen our new, party-elected Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, invite an ex-Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, a Conservative and a person he once wrote a book about in no uncertain terms, to tea at No10 Downing Street and, on her leaving
WHEN you join the British armed services you give up the right as an individual to decide for yourself who your enemies are. In effect, you become an instrument of the state, to go where you are sent anywhere in the world and to fight against
RE Abdul Jaleel's letter about the Woodlands Hospital, Darlington (HAS, Sept 21). I recently had an operation there, resulting in an overnight stay. I have to say that, in comparison to Darlington Memorial Hospital, the experience was very comforting
I WAS shocked to see local heroes Ant and Dec poke fun at a regional institution last Saturday - namely Northern Rock. Over the years, Northern Rock has helped many local charities and we should be supporting it where we can by opening an account
THERE is no doubt William Hague presents himself as an intelligent, friendly and honest-looking politician. He probably has the image that would attract the electorate to him as a leader of the Conservative Party and possible Prime Minister. But
MARK Anderson (HAS, Sept 19) should start thinking outside the box. New Labour is anything but left-wing. In fact, the three main parties no longer truly represent left, right or the centre of political ideology - they represent an ideology driven
AS an old man of 46, I now live in the US, but was lucky enough recently to visit Darlington, where I was born and grew up. The design and strategy of the new town centre is wonderful. While keeping traffic from most of the area, it manages to
THE chairman of the arts complex at the centre of a "child porn" investigation has defended the actions of staff who called in police. Sir Ian Wrigglesworth, chairman of the Baltic Centre, in Gateshead, said staff had "behaved extremely responsibly"
MY husband and I moved to Canada from Billingham in 1971, but returned and enjoyed a great week in the town last week. We flew via Flyglobespan from our local airport, Hamilton, and were both impressed with Newcastle Airport, which we found very
A FURNITURE remover has become the first entrepreneur to benefit from a £10.9m business start-up scheme launched in east Cleveland. It is hoped the programme will encourage hundreds of local would-be entrepreneurs and transform business and employment
The Secret Diary Of A Call Girl (ITV2, 10pm) Meet The Natives (C4, 9pm) The Whistleblowers (ITV1, 9pm) SOME programmes make you laugh, others make you cry. Some programmes entertain, others annoy. Then there's The Secret Diary Of A Call Girl, which just
COMMUNITY groups have been promised a say in controversial plans to close a much-loved centre and town hall to make way for a modern building. Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council has pledged to involve user-groups and residents in plans to draw up a
COUNCILLORS have been accused of fudging a controversial decision after they agreed to a compromise over long-running traffic problems at a busy junction in Bedale. The move, by the Hambleton committee of North Yorkshire County Council, coincides with
A WOULD-be burglar who left his potential victim terrified has been given one last chance to overcome his drug addiction. Heroin addict Michael Whitelock was trying to break into a house in Blakelock Road, Hartlepool, when he was spotted tampering with
A FORMER teacher has returned to the classroom to help a school mark its 50th anniversary. Stan Josephs went back to Thirsk School, where he taught history and French from 1958 to 1963, to help it celebrate half a century of learning. His visit was part
A LEADING Bedale businesswoman and founder member of Bedale and District Ladies Coffee Club has died aged 87. Arthur and Mary Dalton are best remembered for selling TV and radio sets, jewellery and gifts from their shop for 22 years. The couple celebrated
A TOWN councillor has been accused of breaking the rules after he tendered his resignation, only to withdraw it days later. A row has broken out following the U-turn by Councillor James Earl, who is a member of Yarm Town Council. Coun Earl was one of
A SUPERMARKET is to re-open next week after changing hands. The former Co-op store, in Annfield Plain, near Stanley, has been taken over by Tesco. All 45 Co-op staff have transferred to their new employer, and another 160 jobs have been created at the
ORGANISERS have sold 30 per cent more tickets than usual for the popular Masham Arts Festival. The festival runs in the town from October 19 to 27, with many attractions, including arts, music and cookery. Ian Scott Massie, who organised the event's calendar
A DISABLED pensioner, who is battling to organise a Dad's Army convention, has had her car and home targeted by vandals. Josie Collins, from Anfield Court, Red Hall, Darlington, had the back window of her car smashed on Tuesday. Later that night, after
PULSES were racing as young people took the first steps to healthier hearts and lifestyles on a fun activity day yesterday. The 170 children across seven age groups took part in the Healthy Hearts events at Sherburn Village Primary School, near Durham
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
FOUR members of Barnard Castle Rotary Club have been recognised for their contribution to the Rotary movement. Paul Harris Fellowship Awards were given to George Jameson, Mike Hemingway, Frank Ash and Eric Carter. Mr Jameson is the longest-serving of
VOLUNTEERS who run a network of women's clubs have been angered by vandals who targeted their headquarters. The chairwoman of Durham County Federation of Women's Institutes was devastated when graffiti was daubed across the group's county office, in Spennymoor
A RIDING school which offers people with disabilities the chance to experience horse and pony riding is to benefit from a partnership with a national charity. The Unicorn Centre, off Stainton Way, Hemlington, Middlesbrough, has teamed up with Children's
THE chairman of a Teesdale carers group whose future has been thrown into doubt has criticised the hospital trust that wants to sell its headquarters. Last night, Teesdale District Council granted two applications for outline planning permission made
A TRUST combining the two organisations responsible for sports and arts provision will be launched with a host of free activities. Derwentside's Leisureworks has organised a week events at its five buildings across the district, starting on Saturday,
THE first stage of a multi-million pound housing masterplan, designed to regenerate struggling communities, has been given the go-ahead. Cabinet members at Sedgefield Borough Council have approved a redevelopment scheme for a run down area of Ferryhill
POLICE are appealing for witnesses after two youths launched an unprovoked attack on a man returning home from work. The 27-year-old victim was walking past Bell's stores, in Brancepeth Road, Ferryhill, at about 10.20pm, on Monday, when he became aware
A BEST-SELLING North Yorkshire author has signed copies of her novel at a book festival. Diane Setterfield made a big impression in the US with her debut novel, The Thirteenth Tale. The book took the number one spot in the New York Times, Wall Street
UNCLE Sam's American Circus opened to an ecstatic audience last night after a move as complex as any juggling act. Ringmaster Gavin Brand had to co-ordinate the arrival of 15 trucks, 34 caravans and put up the tallest tent in the UK with the help of 20
RESIDENTS of a new housing estate in Darlington will, politically, live in Hurworth - causing a councillor to complain to the authority's chief executive.More than 140 homes are being built at Snipe House Farm, next to the Skerne Park estate.But despite
AN AWARDS ceremony will honour businesses who have made extra effort to accommodate disabled people. The fifth Darlington Access for All Award will be presented to the business or organisation that has demonstrated a commitment to ensure their building
DRINKERS have just over two months to wait until the re-opening of their local pub.The new owners of the White Horse Hotel, in Harrowgate Hill, Darlington, have announced the pub will re-open on December 11.Sizzling Pub Co, part of the Mitchells & Butlers
A DARLINGTON artist is hoping his exhibition will bring a splash of colour to a Teesdale town.Lee Hutchinson's collection of about 80 canvasses and 50 computer generated prints will be on show at Witham Hall, in Barnard Castle, from tomorrow until next
POTENTIAL jurors in the race-fixing trial involving Kieren Fallon and two jockeys from the region were yesterday told they could not serve if they had bet on any of the races in question. The 100 members of the public were given a questionnaire that asked
FLY THE FLAG AT a meeting of Ferryhill Town Council this month, a motion was presented by two opposition councillors - one Liberal Democrat and one from Fair (Ferryhill Association for Independent Representation) - which requested that either the Union
WITNESSES are still being sought to a £12,000 raid on a shop despite two arrests. Raiders broke into the Chips computer shop, Northallerton, North Yorkshire, to steal limited edition goods. The thieves stole Halo 3-branded X-Box consoles and games. The
IF Kate and Gerry McCann appear unnaturally stoic and dignified in the face of all the criticism, abuse and accusations that have been thrown at them over the past few weeks it is probably because, for them, the worst has already happened. They have
ENERGY efficiency company Eaga yesterday made its fourth acquisition in the past 12 months after buying central heating company AFR for up to £3m. The latest acquisition for the Newcastle plc is being hailed as a stepping stone for further growth for
A DELEGATION of leading European chemical site managers has visited the Tees Valley to find out more about the industry-leading companies. About 20 representatives from the European Chemical Site Promotion Platform held a seminar at the Wilton Centre,
BIOFUELS company D1 Oils yesterday said its Teesside refinery was still running below capacity as the sector continues to face several short-term challenges. The Middlesbrough-based plc said the industry remains "immature" and trading has been affected
ENGINEERING company The Tanfield Group has revealed it could create a minimum of 1,000 jobs when it expands. The Tyne and Wear company, which makes zero-emission vehicles, wants to invest tens of millions of pounds in a new site, to boost production capacity
I'M now convinced an election cannot be held on October 25 - for so long the rumoured date - and it is Gordon Brown himself who has made that impossible. Before I explain, it means the Prime Minister is left with a choice of sending voters to the polls
THE new owner of 13 hotels previously run by the collapsed Swallow hotels group is considering putting the sites back up for sale. REIT Asset Management last night admitted that selling the hotels it acquired from the troubled London and Edinburgh Swallow
Gulf Express has been running well and can take top honours in the Dalby Screw-Driver Handicap at Pontefract. Sir Michael Stoute's charge looked a promising type when winning on his seasonal bow before finishing second in a competitive heat at Chester
GRAEME STORM prepares for his first match-play event since his amateur days today, determined to demonstrate his Ryder Cup credentials to Nick Faldo. Criticism has been levelled at Faldo for the way he picked North Yorkshireman Simon Dyson and Scotland's
THE father of a mother-of-one who died in mysterious circumstances has vowed that his daughter's attacker will be caught. Debbie Atkin, 38, who had a teenage daughter, was assaulted at her home in Scott's Terrace, Harrowgate Hill, Darlington, shortly
A LOTTERY player has finally come forward to claim on a four-month-old winning ticket. But although the North Yorkshire winner, who has chosen to remain anonymous, has pocketed a cheque for nearly £8m, the lateness of the claim has cost them. Since the
In the cold light of day, looking back at England's win over Samoa on Saturday, you have to say it was a bit of a mixed bag. However, there was an over-riding sense of relief and pleasure from both fans and the players themselves that they had come through
Jonny Wilkinson has called for ''an enormously committed'' England display in tomorrow night's World Cup eliminator against Tonga. England will arrive at Parc des Princes, knowing their miserable reign as world champions would reach a shambolic conclusion
IT is very important for all Darlingtonians to come to the aid of their town today and to vote. The elected mayor campaign has been a peculiar exercise in democracy. First of all, less than five per cent of the town's electorate signed the petition which
Jack Amos - great man, no relation - has died, aged 75. Though the epitaph "I told you I was ill" could never be more appropriate, he never let it stop him for a minute. Jack had a medical history, one of these columns once observed, about which Simon
TEESSIDE company MP Storage and Blending is doubling its workforce after being acquired by a national firm, which is re-locating part of its operation to the region. Banner Chemicals Group has moved its solvent storage and distribution depot to Middlesbrough's
HOUSEBUILDER Barratt Developments yesterday predicted a bright short-term future for the group - but said it was unclear how long the housing market would take to recover from recent interest rate rises and the impact of the credit market crisis. Housebuyer
Yorkshire have completed the signing from Sussex of Pakistan fast bowler Rana Naved-ul-Hasan as their overseas player on a two-year contract. The deal is subject to 29-year-old Naved making a full recovery from the shoulder dislocation he suffered recently
IT isn't something I thought I would experience this season, but last weekend I have to admit I felt a twinge of sympathy towards Chelsea fans. Not a great deal you understand, but enough to temper any schadenfreude I might have felt about events at Stamford
Coventry stunned an inexperienced Manchester United side to send the Premier League champions crashing out of the Carling Cup at Old Trafford last night. Roared on by more than 11,000 travelling fans, Iain Dowie's side were impressive throughout against
A snippet in last week's column about Sixties' band Amen Corner sparked a lot of interest and a flood of correspondence. Amen Corner has brought the column to its knees, so great the interest in last week's angle on the subject. It has also raised the
As the couturier to royalty and celebrities, David Emanuel's name is synonymous with glamour. He talks to Lindsay Jennings about what Princess Diana was like in private, her wedding day joy, and why he's decided to design for the high street. AT the top
Peter Moores is hoping England's latest wicketkeeper can heighten his selection problems when his illness-ravaged squad step up their preparations for the one-day series against Sri Lanka. The England coach is hoping to build on his side's remarkable
A FATHER-of-two was crushed to death by a tree in a felling accident. Experienced tree surgeon Dennis Etheridge, 37, from Dipton, near Stanley, County Durham, died when he was hit by the tree in woodland. He had been working on a tree thinning operation
A FATHER has set up a carpentry business inspired by his daughter, with each piece bearing a carved lily.Gavin Kirkbride, 31, has wanted to be a carpenter since he was a small child and saw mice carved in his grandfather's ashtrays.The ashtrays were made
A NORTH-EAST town has once again come up smelling of roses in the Britain in Bloom contest.Stockton has been named the winner of the best city category, following its silver award in the same category last year.The latest silver gilt award from the Royal
A BABY girl survived when a car smashed into her buggy - only to die two days later when her drunken father 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 from the
HUNDREDS of mourners packed into a church to celebrate the life of a young soldier.St John's Church, in Darlington, was left with standing room only as nearly 300 mourners gathered for the funeral with full military honours of 18-year-old John Dean Myers.Private
THE headteacher of one of the country's top independent school says he is "dismayed and bewildered" that £50m relocation plans have been thrown out.David Dunn said the decision to stop Yarm School moving to a 120-acre site at Town End Farm, off the A67
A TEENAGE boy has been charged with the murder of a 22-month-old baby. The baby boy died from head injuries on 17 May. He was taken to Hull General Infirmary from a house on Maple Drive in Scarborough but desperate efforts by medics could not save him
THE United Nations' Security Council has urged Burma's military government to exercise restraint towards peaceful protesters. The council expressed concern at the government's violent response to demonstrations in the reclusive Asian nation - renamed
AFTER again establishing himself in Roy Keane's first team following uncertainty over his future, defender Danny Collins has explained why he never wanted to leave Sunderland. Towards the end of August the versatile defender was informed by Keane he was
JOEY Barton is hoping to make his eagerly-awaited Newcastle United debut against his boyhood heroes, Everton, in ten days' time. The tough-tackling midfielder has grudgingly accepted that he will not be fit enough to face his former employers, Manchester
Little has been heard from Northern Rock shareholders since the bank's recent crisis. Last night, Stuart Arnold spoke to one investor. BRIAN Peart could be forgiven for feeling bitter at Northern Rock's recent troubles.The retired builder, from Witton-le-Wear
AN ANGRY Gareth Southgate last night claimed a refereeing error had cost Middlesbrough a place in the fourth round of the Carling Cup. The Boro boss criticised referee Keith Stroud after Gareth Bale's 72nd-minute opener was allowed to stand despite Tottenham
IF you listened to most London-based pundits, you would think that the world and his wife were conspiring against Tottenham boss Martin Jol. Try telling Gareth Southgate this morning, though, that the Dutchman is the most put-upon manager in the Premier
THE head of the UK's leading business organisation last night launched a stinging attack on the financial authorities for failing to prevent Northern Rock's spectacular slump.CBI director general Richard Lambert said the recent run on the bank, which
AN art exhibit that police are examining to see if it breaches child pornography laws belongs to Sir Elton John.A statement on Sir Elton's website confirmed he is the owner of the photograph, called Klara and Edda Belly Dancing, which was produced by
DARLINGTON decides today whether it should radically transform its political system and go for an elected mayor. And last night, it appeared as if a surprisingly large number of people had already taken the opportunity to cast their votes. It
A PROUD Yorkshire woman who has only been outside the county twice in her life celebrated her 100th birthday with a day at the races.Elsie Calvert, of Pickering, in the north of the county, bets on the horses every week, but had never been to a meeting
