ENGLAND'S former Middlesbrough manager Steve McClaren tonight insisted he will not resign despite England's failure to qualify for Euro 2008. After the humiliting 3-2 defeat to Croatia at Wembley, McClaren expressed his regret and offered an apology
England were eliminated from Euro 2008 after a diabolical 3-2 defeat against Croatia. England had fought back from two goals down before Mladen Petric fired home from 20 yards break England's fans hearts. It leaves no British representatives in the
ENGLAND crashed out of Euro 2008 after slipping to defeat in a roller-coaster game at Wembley. Croatia took a 2-0 lead at half-time, but second half goals from Frank Lampard, who converted from the penalty spot, and Peter Crouch brought England level
JUST when England looked to be heading to the finals, Croatia struck a hammer blow to go back in front. Mladen Petric struck a shot from outside the penalty area which hit the back of the net to give them a 3-2 lead with just 13 minutes left. Steve
PETER Crouch brought England back on level terms with a great finish from a David Beckham cross. Beckham, brought on by Steve McClaren at the start of the second half, crossed from the right for Crouch to calmly bring the ball down and slot home for
ENLGAND were given a lifeline when Frank Lampard pulled a goal back from the penalty spot after 56 minutes. Jermaine Defoe, a second half substitute, was adjudged to have been fouled in the penalty area and Lampard stepped up to slot home the spot kick
ENGLAND'S Euro 2008 hopes are hanging by a thread at half-time in their crucial qualifying game at home to Croatia. England trail 2-0 in a game they need only to draw to progress to the finals. On a rain-sodden Wembley pitch England suffered a disastrous
A PENSIONER who once ran a bed and breakfast hostel sexually abused the daughter of one of his guests, a court heard yesterday. The girl was four-years-old when Christopher Dance is alleged to have laid her on a bed and indecently assaulted her. A
Publisher: Eidos Formats: PSP Price: £29.99 Family friendly? 12+ PLAYING Tomb Raider: Anniversary on a next gen console only serves as a salutary reminder of just how far video games have come
With Christmas just around the corner, why not double your gadget fun by choosing a cookery gizmo? No, I'm not thinking about those ohso-seventies comedy aprons, more like microchip multi-blenders and computerised cookers. So if you really want to
Children's books reviewer Rosalind Kerven pick the books to buy for your children this Christmas STORY COLLECTIONS DARK winter evenings are a great time to curl up and share a good collection of stories. And what better for pre-schoolers than
THIS band will change your life," declared the front cover of the NME in January 2004. For one woman, they did exactly that. Such was her passion for the group that Helen Chase, a mother of two from Morpeth, Northumberland, took a year long career
YOUNG cyclists who braved the cold to arrive to school by bike have been rewarded with hot food. National sustainable charity transport Sustrans and Carmel RC College teamed up to launch the Bike It project at the school with a breakfast bonanza. Students
DAMIEN Duff has returned to full training after seven months out following a serious foot injury. The 28-year-old Newcastle United winger has been sidelined since the Magpies trip to Portsmouth in April. Duff has managed just 20 league appearances for
Solutions ACROSS 1 Pleasure. PLEA+SURE 5 Battle. BA+TTLE (anag. of 16a) 9 Lettable. LETT+ABLE (ref to 16a) 10 Attlee. A+TTLE+E (anag. ref to 16a) 12 Canute. CA+NUTE (ac rev & tune anag.) 13 Penelope. PEN+ELOPE 15 Britten. B+RITTEN
CRYPTIC CLUES ACROSS 1 Agreeable emotions certain after urgent entreaty (8) 5 Conflict as graduate upset 16 (6) 9 16 fit and suitable for hiring out (8) 10 A broken 16 takes energy from a former PM (6) 12 Old Viking tune transposed after Bill
A MAN who fled his native Cameroon when he was tortured is now facing deportation. Nya Yakam Moise Vidal, known as Vidal by his friends and family, is expected to be flown out of the country on Monday after he was detained when went to Stockton police
An Army staff sergeant told an employment tribunal that he flatly denied sending a lesbian soldier sexually explicit text messages and telling her he might be able to convert her. The senior NCO was giving evidence at a tribunal in Leeds which is examining
A MASKED robber, armed with a knife, threatened a cashier and snatched more than £500 in cash in a determined raid on a County Durham bookmaker's last night. About 8.40pm the raider, wearing a dark balaclava and dark clothing, burst into the premises
ONE of the region's biggest tourist draws is celebrating after being selected for a second top accolade in the space of just days. Only days ago the North York Moors Railway was voted the best visitor attraction of 2007 by the Yorkshire Moors and Coast
The infection strikes again in a newly rebuilt Britain. This film is set 28 weeks after the initial outbreak of the virus. An area of London has been rebuilt and repopulated once the virus was considered "Dead". The story follows two children and their
The future of a popular long distance walk has been secured thanks to a £90,000 scheme to halt erosion. Thousands of hikers each year trek along the Lyke Wake Walk across the North York Moors. The constant tramp of feet on the path has led to bad erosion
Norton U15 Girls went into this fixture with runaway league leaders Middlesbrough with some trepidation, but started the game admirably competing whole heartedly in every department, and nearly shocked their counterparts when Laura Brookes powered down
A BRITISH man and his five-year-old son drowned today after being swept out to sea in Spain, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said. The man's two sons were washed into the ocean as he took a picture of them at a viewing point at Tossa de Mar on the
TEENAGE schoolchildren will don jackets and helmets on Friday at their local fire station. County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service has invited pupils from upper schools in the county to spend a day with Red Watch. Their duties are likely
A TANKER rolled over and blocked a major Teesside industrial link route today. The A178 to Seal Sands, near Billingham, was closed to traffic in both directions after the accident at about 11am. The DHL tanker was empty and police reported no leakage
THE SON of the Durham coroner died hours after his car left a rain-lashed road and struck a tree, last night. Aidan Clifford Tweddle, 21, was cut free from the damaged Subaru Impreza car at the scene of the accident, between the Cock o' the North roundabout
Graduates and award-winners from the University of Teesside are receiving their awards at ceremonies at Middlesbrough Town Hall today. All results are in PDF format and Adobe Reader will be required to view the files. Adobe Reader can be downloaded
Consett Mischiefs 4 Leam Rangers 1 This was an enthralling encounter and for a time the Mischiefs were under the cosh. The defending was superb but it also helps to have a world class goalkeeper and they certainly have that in Matthew "Masher" Lovett
THE closing date for the Rok Community Challenge competition is fast approaching. The scheme offers community groups across the region the chance to win a makeover for their buildings. Rundown community centres, sports pavilions and church halls
A FALSELY imprisoned former policeman last night spoke of his frustration at not being able to take legal redress against the people he holds responsible for putting him behind bars. Former Cleveland Police traffic officer Sultan Alam, 45, was
This week the column recalls that time in the 1960s when April Fool's Day came around every week FOR the sixth time in his 69 years, John Graham won last week's annual contest to find the World's Biggest Liar. "I've run out of lies, so now I've got
Despite his footballing skills and huge salary, Wayne Rooney has gone back to school in a move that will hopefully inspire lots of lads who've lost their way in education WAYNE Rooney is brilliant. Now there's a sentence I never thought I'd write
I AGREE with the unnamed writer from Richmond (HAS, Nov 15) about pedestrians. I consider myself a responsible driver, but, as he says, pedestrians pose many problems. I know the spot he refers to outside the schools in Richmond. I try to avoid
RC AGGERSBURG was generous to Sedgefield Borough Council (HAS, Nov 15). It is incompetent with regard to recycling. For example, you have to take the material you want to recycle to other points in the borough - in my case, living in Sedgefield
THREE cheers to Tony Blair for introducing his sports foundation (Echo, Nov 15) to get more children involved in sport, and for pointing out that getting more adults involved in coaching is crucial to this initiative. Athletics, particularly, is
CHRIS Lloyd deserves great praise for his Saturday column (Echo, Nov 10) in which he drew attention to the horrors and heroism of the Spanish Civil War, the curtain-raiser to the Second World War, and the sacrifices made by North-East volunteers
RE your article headed "Keen to dispel rumours of his death" (Echo, some editions, Nov 15) about Jeff Gill, the 83-year-old from Sherburnin- Elmet, near York, who was told by a number of authorities that he had died. We wish to clarify that, when
PETE Winstanley (HAS, Nov 19) says he hopes I am not attempting to excuse or justify Islamophobia. My answer to that is: "Far from it." If he took time to read what I actually said (HAS, Nov 14) he would have noticed I referred to the apparent
MUCH as I admire the achievements of Guardian Media group chief executive John Myers in the radio industry, he's wrong when he claims (Echo Business, Nov 19): "There isn't a radio station in the North- East that reaches the 40+ listener - people
WHAT a difference 60 years makes. Happy occasion though it was, the diamond wedding of the Queen and Prince Philip, below, unwittingly exposed the much-changed relationship between us, the people, and the royal family. A facsimile of The Daily Telegraph's
ALIEN culture, foreign culture, racial culture, xenophobic culture, political culture, drugs culture, gay culture, permissive culture, pop culture, royal culture. I'm getting really tired of hearing about them. So tired, the only culture I respect
IT simply defies belief. Two computer disks containing the personal details of every child in the country, plus the bank account and national insurance numbers of their parents or guardians, are posted to the National Audit Office in an envelope
Is it a hedge or a work of art? While the ancient tradition of hedge laying may be in decline, Ruth Campbell found dedicated enthusiasts at the annual Yorkshire championships THE slashing sound of sharp, doubleedged blades swiftly rising and falling
THE trustees of the City of Durham Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) have appointed a legal adviser. Ann Owens, a senior family solicitor with law firm Blackett Hart & Pratt, will provide free legal advice to the CAB board. She will advise on issues
NORWEGIAN recruitment consultancy Techconsult is expanding its Teesside operations just over a year after it set up its first UK office in the region. Techconsult, which provides resources to international engineering and construction companies
BREWER Scottish and Newcastle (S&N) yesterday unveiled plans for a leaner business as it continues to ward off an unwanted £7.3bn approach from European rivals Carlsberg and Heineken. The Newcastle Brown Ale maker announced proposals to save
CONSERVATIVE leader David Cameron has given his backing to The Northern Echo's campaign to boost the North-East economy by more than £1bn over the next ten years, bringing thousands of jobs to the region. Buy North-East, run in conjunction with
A MAN is recovering from surgery after he was bitten by a dog as he tried to protect his pet. At about 3.45pm, on Saturday, the 44-year-old man, accompanied by his sister, was walking his labrador near Murphy Crescent, on Woodhouse Close Estate
PEOPLE with holiday caravans in the Durham Dales are being urged by police to clear out valuables over winter. Traditionally, thefts from empty caravans increase in the weeks leading up to Christmas, so police are stepping up patrols at sites in
FORMER members of a workingmen's club have criticised a deal which saw the venue sold to a housing developer. Horndale Workingmen's Club, in Newton Aycliffe, closed 18 months ago after several years of financial difficulties. Shortly after it
THE headteacher of a primary school in Teesdale has paid tribute to governors, parents, volunteers and pupils after receiving a glowing education inspection. Because of its status, Gainford Church of England School was also subjected to a visit
A TOWN post office's move has been delayed. The Post Office had intended to relocate from the Co-op store, in Spennymoor, to Festival Walk shopping precinct by Monday. But Post Office bosses have confirmed that the move has been delayed and is
YOUNG people are being invited to join an election race that will give them a say on issues that affect their generation. Sedgefield Town Council, the Rotary Club and community association are launching a council to give young villagers greater
DROP-IN sessions on the importance of providing affordable homes for local people are taking place. Parish councils, residents and landowners are urged to attend the sessions, which will take place between Monday and December 4. Hambleton's rural
A NEW youth councillor is hoping to recruit locals in an effort to reduce the number of plastic bags wasted. Hannah Keal, 16, of St Nicholas Street, Norton, has joined the Malton and Thirsk Liberal Democrats group. She has been named as the group's
A COMPETITION has been launched to find a name for a community centre to be created in a former cinema. A committee set up to run the Elite, in Leyburn, signed a tenyear lease with the owners of the building on Friday and plans to open it as an
A HIGHWAYS expert has condemned a dangerous road running through a small village. Yesterday, Richard Lee, from Condor Projects Limited, took photographs of the A684 at Ellerbeck, near Osmotherley, to find out how to make it safer. He was there
A STATELY home will be the venue for a charity event in aid of disadvantaged children. The Harrison Trek For Children in Nepal will take place at Castle Howard, near Malton, next summer. It is being organised by UK charity New Futures Nepal and
A COMMUNITY project aimed at improving quality of life in a north Durham community has won a national award. MP Hazel Blears, secretary for communities and local government, presented the Crime and Safety Initiative Award to the I Respect - We
CONSUMERS are being encouraged to watch their "waste lines" this Christmas. The County Durham Waste Awareness Partnership wants people to consider the environment when shopping for the festive season. In County Durham, each person will throw
A DURHAM University college has taken delivery of two new rowing boats, to go with its refurbished boathouse. Alumni of St John's College paid for the boats for its student team, and raised most of the £56,600 for boathouse improvements. Roddy
RESIDENTS who acted as "guinea-pigs" in a successful recycling trial are preparing for the next phase in the scheme. Households in Newton Hall, Durham, have taken part in a pilot project involving Durham City Council and disposal company Premier
TWO sisters have qualified for the next year's world triathlon championships. Fiona and Louise Burnie will run, cycle and swim in the championships in Vancouver, Canada, in June. There will be no sibling rivalry, because Louise will compete in
A TEENAGER has appeared in court charged with murdering his brother. Daniel West, 18, appeared at Hartlepool Magistrates Court today (WED) accused of stabbing his elder brother, William, to death with a knife. Mr West, of Helmsley Street, Hartlepool
A MAN jailed for benefit fraud won his release on appeal to the crown court yesterday. Peter Shaun Burnip, 40, was last month jailed for 24 weeks by North Durham magistrates, after admitting failing to declare a change in circumstances relating
IT HAS starred in the film Billy Elliot and the TV series Auf Wiedersehen Pet. Now, at 97 years old, Middlesbrough's iconic Transporter Bridge has been immortalised in metalwork. Youngsters working with the youth charity Fairbridge researched
HAVING one too many drinks could land revellers and the landlords who serve them in court this Christmas. Police are urging bar staff on Teesside to refuse to sell alcohol to partygoers who they believe have had enough. Cleveland Police want to
SCHOOL pupils will today learn how to put an end to bullying. The Anti-Bullying Accreditation launch, at the Education Centre in Norton, will help children to discover ways to end bullying through a series of talks and workshops. Speakers include
A MINIATURE railway is being helped back on track after fire damage. The roof and doors of the potting sheds at Teesside Small Gauge Railway, in Preston Park, were damaged in the blaze in February. Building firm Rok has started work to remove
TWO Teesside care homes for children are celebrating after being labelled "outstanding" by inspectors. Rochester Road children's home, and Hartburn Lodge, both in Stockton, received the highest marks from Ofsted inspectors at their recent reviews
BIG brother will be keeping a closer eye on trouble makers in an area of Middlesbrough following the installation of six security cameras. Stem (Stronger together in east Middlesbrough) has bought the cameras to protect the Park End community
HEALTH workers endured a hair-raising experience as they raised money for Children in Need. Michael Johnson, Craig Leathley and Alan Jukes all had their chest's waxed for charity. The three, who work for the Tees, Esk and Wear Valley NHS Trust
GUIDELINES for cemeteries across Stockton are likely to be introduced in an effort to make them more accessible for visitors. A review by Stockton Borough Council's environment select committee has been looking into policies and regulations involving
A YOUNG troublemaker has had nine months added to a jail sentence he is already serving after breaching an anti-social behaviour order for the second time. Luke Bowers went on the rampage through Northallerton with a gang of friends and attacked
HEXHAM'S four-mile stamina-sapping Northumberland National (2.10) has Canada Street's name written all over it. When Howard Johnson's gelding bravely rallied to nail Baron Monty at Kelso last season today's long-distance chase immediately came to
Northampton Town 2 Darlington 1 DARLINGTON were left to rue a string of missed chances in their first FA Cup meeting with Northampton Town as the Cobblers' deservedly marched into round two in last night's replay. When the teams met ten days ago
A TOWN centre church is to hold a Christmas tree festival next month. St Cuthbert's Church at the Market Place will hold an exhibition featuring more than 20 decorated trees sponsored by individuals, groups and business in the town. Each tree will be
PUPILS at Darlington Education Village stage a production of The Little Shop of Horrors this week. Students from Beaumont Hill Technology College and Haughton Community School will tread the boards in the stage version of the Roger Corman film, a black
DEAN WHITEHEAD wants manager Roy Keane to hand him a recall to Premier League action this weekend, but the Sunderland captain accepts the decision is beyond his control. Whitehead emerged through an hour of reserve team football in yesterday's
EMANUEL Pogatetz has claimed that the whole of Austria will be cheering for England during this eveningfs decisive European Championships qualifier with Croatia. And with Steve McClaren facing a selection dilemma in the absence of John Terry,
NORTH-EAST mortgage lender Northern Rock said today that its advisers had begun talks with a number of interested parties over rescue plans for the business. The Newcastle-based group, which has borrowed an estimated £24bn in emergency funding from the
TWO British military personnel were killed when their RAF Puma helicopter crashed in Iraq, the Ministry of Defence said today. Two other people were seriously injured when the aircraft came down near Baghdad last night. The MoD said it was too early
A LOCAL football referee was beaten up by four men in an unprovoked attack as he walked home from a pub. Geoff Johns, 42 - known throughout the North-East as Geoff the Ref - was punched to the ground and kicked in the head. The men attacked Mr
Steve McClaren is preparing to take the biggest gamble of his managerial career by plunging international rookie Scott Carson into the hot-house of England's make-or-break Euro 2008 qualifier with Croatia at Wembley, while dropping David Beckham.Despite
A WOMAN dubbed the Cocaine Queen of the Caribbean when she was jailed for 24 years over a major drug smuggling operation, has told an inquest how a fellow prisoner who hanged herself was a self-harmer.Julie Patterson, 51, received one of the largest sentences
DANNY Wilson has under 48 hours left to make the signings he wants to freshen up his Hartlepool United squad. Pools have failed to build on an encouraging start to life in League One and sit in mid-table after dropping more home points, this time against
MICHAEL OWEN'S Newcastle United team-mates are insisting the England striker will return to fitness as good as ever, regardless of whether his comeback is in two weeks or six.Owen has made a further trip to Germany, where he has seen renowned specialist
Everyone has an opinion on Steve McClaren's selection for tonight's vital game. Chief Sports Writer Scott Wilson weighs up the options the England coach has at his disposal IT is the biggest team selection of Steve McClaren's life, but the absence
THE Northern Rock name and potentially hundreds of North-East jobs could be saved through new takeover proposals for the troubled Newcastle lender revealed yesterday. US private equity firm JC Flowers confirmed it submitted its offer for Northern Rock
A MULTI-MILLION pound extension to a shopping centre reached a milestone with the arrival of a giant crushing machine which will gnaw its way through 2,800 tonnes of concrete and brickwork. The crusher is a key instrument for waste recycling and is expected
MYSTERY surrounds the future of a North-East football club's youth development officer. Rumours on Darlington Football Club's internet message board yesterday suggested that Mick Tait - a former manager of the club - had been suspended or had left after
A JUDGE acceded to an addict's plea to go behind bars to help him to kick his drug habit. Twenty-two-year-old Anthony Wallace was given a six-month jail sentence suspended for two years, plus a supervision order, at Durham Crown Court in August after
