POP heart-throbs Westlife raised the temperature in more ways than one tonight after part of their stage set at the MetroRadio Arena in Newcastle caught fire. The incident came part way through their Back Home gig in front of a packed audience. A spokeswoman
Local Heroes had their biggest win of the season with a 11-3 win over Red Hall. The first half was even, with the score 3-3 at half-time. Heroes goalkeeper Owen Amos - who has international experience between the sticks - looked uncomfortable. Outfield
NEWCASTLE City councillors approved a budget of £262.4m tonight, including a 3.9 per cent rise in council tax. The money includes the continuation of a non-emergency phone service for Newcastle residents following the withdrawal of Government funding
ONE man was cut free from a collision involving two cars near Darlington today. The accident happened around 4pm on the B6275 between Piercebridge and Shildon. The injured man was freed from one of the vehicles by firefighters before being transferred
FIRECREWS attended a serious blaze at Harrogate Grammar School. Emergency services were called to the scene on Arthurs Avenue shortly before 6.30pm tonight. The roof of a two floor gymnasium, measuring approximately 40m by 20m, was involved and five
A MUSICAL about life in 19th century London is being performed at a Darlington girls school. Pupils from Polam Hall School are putting on three performances of the Threepenny Opera. The Threepenny Opera is widely regarded as a milestone of 20th century
BUDDING chefs faced a race against the clock as they competed in a Ready, Steady, Cook-style challenge. The culinary showdown took place in the kitchens at Darlington College, with rookie catering students being given a handful of ingredients and tasked
PUBLIC open spaces in Darlington have been given the government's highest award for their cleanliness and safety. Darlington Borough Council has been given a Beacon award in the Better Public Places category. Communities and Local Government minister
POLICE have arrested two women on suspicion of child neglect after four children were rescued from a flat fire. Firefighters were called to Ripley Avenue, North Shields, late on Tuesday night after a pan caught fire. The children, including a six-month
An appeal by Redcar Bears' speedway boss Glyn Taylor to Vera Baird QC MP to intervene in the problems new signing Tyrone Proctor was suffering in obtaining his exit visa from the British Consulate in Canberra - has reached a quick and satisfactory conclusion
Tuesday, March 5, 2008 Elite League: Nottingham Panthers 6-2 Mobilx Newcastle Vipers FOUR unanswered Panthers goals in the final period saw Nottingham pull away to beat the Vipers with ease. Kevin Bergin, who had opened the scoring, completed
Hetton Lyons Cricket Club have signed Sri Lankan Malinga Surappulige as their overseas player for 2008. The 24 year old fast bowler represents Badureliya Sports Club in Sri Lanka and has taken 138 first class wickets (as at 27th Feb 2008) at just
BUSINESSES and schools have handed over more than £4,000 to a hospice after holding a range of Christmas events. The Queen Street Shopping Centre held the festivities in December which raised £4,077.32 for St Teresa's Hospice. The fun included a Santa's
YOUNG animators have learnt from the best on a fact-finding trip to Disney World. Students and staff from Darlington Colleges media courses were treated to a professional tour of the amusement park in Florida. The 13 students were taught how to draw
TWO students who are studying German are jetting off to the continent to take part in a multi-media project. Sean Kerr and Amy McDonald, who are taking A-level German at Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College, Darlington, will fly to Berlin at the end of
THE first crown court hearing involving the creator of the Dreamspace inflatable artwork - which flipped over and killed two women - was held today. Artist Maurice Agis, 76, from east London, who conceived the multi-coloured inflatable sculpture, was
With a mixed variety of a well known cast, Semi-Pro could well be the best Will Ferrell film since Anchorman, but it would take a hell of a lot to knock that from the top spot! The film centres on a stage in the life of Jackie Moon (Will Ferrell) and
AN RAF Harrier jet was forced into an emergency landing this afternoon after the aircraft's canopy smashed mid-flight. The fighter had to land at Durham Tees Valley Airport after its pilot reported getting into difficulties at 2.42pm. The airport was
A GYNAECOLOGIST who fondled the breasts of a patient has been told he will be allowed to work again. Dr Odenefe John Isiavwe, who came to England from Nigeria with his wife partly for IVF treatment, gained his full UK medical registration in September
HOPE is gone for a fisherman who fell into the North Sea. Police, air and lifeboat teams will return to the spot, two miles off Blyth, Northumberland, where the 27-year-old prawn fisherman went overboard as soon as the weather permits. But they will
As news spreads that bargain basement shop Poundland is to move to Darlington's historic High Row, the column pops out to check out what's on offer IN for a penny, in for a pound, Darlington fears a cut-price cuckoo in its carefully guarded nest
Childhood seems to get shorter and shorter, but teenagers need looking after just as much as the younger ones SO WHEN did you last buy a doll or a toy train for an 11-year-old? Probably not since the 1950s. Top children's author Jacqueline Wilson
DAVID Lacey's cynical take on Fairtrade (HAS, Feb 28) would be tempered if he had been privileged to speak to unemployed coffee pickers in the developing world. I was able to do this on a trip to a Fairtrade coffee plantation in Nicaragua recently
SOME years ago the then chairman of Rolls-Royce said that the role of the State when major industries were about to fail was to "nationalise, reorganise and privatise" and this is exactly what has happened in the case of Northern Rock. The State
I WOULD like to strongly counter the views of Des More (HAS, Feb 28). Execution is a violation of the most fundamental human right, the right to life. It cheapens all our lives and demeans the justice system to permit judicial killing. One may
YOUR correspondent Sue Webster called for teacher training days to be taken from the teachers' holiday entitlement (HAS, Feb 29). Prior to1985, schools were required by law to be open to pupils for 190 days per year. In 1985, the then Education
RECENTLY, I went to the post office bureau de change in Silver Street, Durham, for some euros and found a notice saying they no longer accepted cheques. Last time I used my debit card, which the bank told me replaced my cheque book, I was charged
I LEFT Tudhoe Grange Comprehensive School, County Durham, in 1983 and while there a number of pupils were frequently subjected to physical assaults, verbal and racial abuse. Even though corporal punishment was still legal, no one was ever disciplined
THE Home Office has rejected calls for a mandatory DNA database as "impractical and unethical". Surely if a universal system was introduced more criminals past and present (especially those criminals who escape from various prison establishments
UP and down the land, 2,500 communities are fighting the closure of their local Post Office. Well, actually, the number at present is just a few dozen. That's because the closure programme is broken into bits, which avoids a national reaction. Still
IT is right, of course, that local authorities are called to account and their shortcomings exposed to the public whose money is being spent. But we also believe in highlighting the good work that councils do, much of which is taken for granted.
THE link between alcohol and anti-social behaviour is irrefutable and it is a problem in every town in Britain. Critics of the introduction of 24-hour drinking can justifiably describe it as a failure. Violence has increased, the thin blue line
A North-East drug clinic is to carry on its pioneering work after being given Government approval. Health Editor Barry Nelson looks at the shooting gallery' where drug addicts are given heroin on the NHS IT is sobering to think that even in a relatively
FIREFIGHTERS were called to a house in Moulton, near Richmond, following a diesel spillage from a central heating tank. Two appliances attended at the address, when the incident was reported just before 9.30am today. Diesel had leaked out of a central
SUPERMARKET chain Morrisons took a record share of the grocery market last month, industry figures showed. The group, which is based in Bradford, gained an 11.6 per cent market share - its best performance on record - as its sales increased at
WINN Solicitors, in Newcastle, which specialises in road accident and personal injury claims, has appointed Chris Birkett to manage the more than 750 claims received by the firm each month. Mr Birkett, 36, will be responsible for the first response
STEELWORKERS on Teesside are to play a major part in the construction of two Royal Navy aircraft carriers after Corus won a Ministry of Defence contract worth about £65m. Corus has been chosen to provide 80,000 tonnes of steel for the "future
A COMPANY is expecting to double its workforce and increase turnover to £35m by 2010 thanks in part to a groundbreaking sales management tool it has developed. Data analysis firm Rocket Science, of Riverside Park, Middlesbrough, was set up in
ENTREPRENEUR Javed Majid has spoken of his excitement as he announced a start date for work on a luxury hotel and homes development in the region, creating up to 500 jobs. Mr Majid, owner of Hotel Tall Trees, Yarm, near Stockton, was granted outline
A COUNCIL is asking the public to help catch thoughtless dog owners who do not clean up after their pets. Ferryhill Town Council has received an increasing number of complaints about dog fouling in the King George V park. The council is urging
MOTHER'S Day flowers should go on the compost heap not in the bin, say Wear Valley District Council. Composting flowers and fruit and vegetable peelings at home can help to reduce levels of methane at landfill sites. Paula George, waste minimisation
A TOWN is being given a facelift that will attract new shoppers and make it safer for residents. Willington is receiving a £45,000 revamp that will include new picnic tables, trees and enhanced road safety measures. Work is under way on a number
PRIMARY schoolchildren have used their creative talents in a competition to help promote an environmental project. Ninety youngsters were asked to design a logo for The Shildon Mustard Seed Project, which was launched last September. The winners
A FORMER clothing factory site will be redeveloped for housing as part of a regeneration scheme for three rundown areas. Sedgefield Borough Council has outlined plans for 1.78 acres of land known as the Praxis site in Dean Bank, Ferryhill. Cabinet
PUPILS in North Yorkshire have been named among the top performers in the UK, with test results for 14-year-olds placing the county in the top ten nationwide. Government officials congratulated North Yorkshire County Council for pupil achievement
TENANTS whose homes were affected by shoddy workmanship will receive £100 compensation. Richmondshire District Council agreed to the goodwill payment to residents of flats at Gayle, near Hawes, after contractors botched repairs and heating installation
YOUNG people who are not interested in sport and exercise are being targeted by a £185,000 gym. The Zest Health and Fitness Centre was officially opened yesterday, at Hambleton Leisure Centre, in Northallerton. The gym features equipment for youngsters
A LEISURE centre is taking part in the world's largest swimming fundraising event next month. Local people are being encouraged to take part in the annual Swimathon, which raises thousands of pounds for Marie Curie Cancer Care. Stokesley Leisure
A BUSINESSWOMAN is hoping her new venture will buck the national trend of rural facilities being lost. Jane de Cogan has opened Kilburn Village Stores in Kilburn, near Thirsk. Before the store was set up, local people faced a 15-mile round trip
ESH Winning Primary School has won a national award for its school garden. The Religious Education and Environment Programme (Reep) works with schools to promote links between religion and the environment community Esh Winning Primary School won
A MAN who broke a former school friend's jaw in an attack outside a pub was yesterday warned he could be facing a prison sentence. The assault was carried out by 36- year-old David Connon in a cul-de-sac behind the Kestrel, in Seaham, County Durham
AN off-licence which was claimed to have had a reputation among teenagers as one of the easiest places in a town for underage drinkers to buy alcohol has had its licence revoked. A licensing sub-committee of Derwentside District Council yesterday
A DISTRICT council has announced that, as part of Fairtrade Fortnight, it has achieved Fairtrade Town Status. Chester-le-Street District Council and the town's Fairtrade Steering Group, which includes residents and businesses, has planned activities
HOUSEHOLDERS in East Durham are being urged to guard against spring burglars. Police are warning residents that warmer weather brings an increase in burglaries and thefts from sheds, garages and gardens. Unlocked doors and unattended items give
YOUNG people who have not been able to follow traditional routes into the construction industry are being given the chance to start building careers for themselves. Thanks to the Easington Youthbuild scheme, youngsters started work this week, renovating
WOMEN of all ages are being urged to support the fight against cancer by taking part in a 5km sponsored run. Hartlepool will host its second Race for Life on Sunday, June 15, which is being organised by Cancer Research UK. Race for Life began in
RESIDENTS are being urged to be on their guard after sneak thieves reached through a letterbox and stole keys - and then took the family car. The thieves struck on The Ings Estate, Redcar, between 11pm on Monday and 6.45am yesterday. Police said
A BUSINESSMAN has been handed a £25,000 bill for waste offences after firefighters were repeatedly called to tackle fires at his site. Hartlepool Magistrates' Court fined Ian Rumble £13,500 and ordered him to pay costs of £4,365.90 to the Environment
DRIVERS are being called to support a clampdown on criminal damage in Hartlepool. The Safer Hartlepool Partnership has appealed for public support following a spate of damage to car wing mirrors. Motorists are being urged to park in driveways
RESIDENTS of a windswept village are calling for a rethink on recycling to prevent rubbish being blown through the streets. Lingdale is strewn with litter on days when people leave rubbish for recycling, councillors have said. They said the problem
NEWCASTLE Falcons lock Andy Perry has signed a new two-year contract that will keep him at Kingston Park until the summer of 2010. The former Royal Marine, who is currently in his third season with the Falcons, has made 58 starts and six bench appearances
RUSH hour traffic was brought to a halt this morning following a collision between a motorcycle and a bakery van on the A66. At around 8.20am Darlington police were called to the A66 between Morton Park and the Darlington Arena on the Neasham Road turn-off
THE first winners of a high profile awards scheme for local authorities will be revealed tomorrow night. The shiNE Awards 2008 were launched to recognise the achievements of the region's councils and fire services. A total of 228 entries were
A JUDGE has spoken of his worries about an increase in the number of teenagers mixing large amounts of alcohol and drugs and getting into trouble. Judge Peter Armstrong made his comments as he sentenced Shane Lowther for a drink and cannabis-fuelled
PLANS for a controversial quarry extension near an ancient monument site have been thrown into disarray following a legal challenge. Tarmac Northern won planning permission in January last year from North Yorkshire County Council to extract 1.1
FOUR-AND-A-HALF years ago, when Louise Carlin bought the Jubilee Fields Post Office, in Coronation Avenue, Shildon, on paper the business was viable. Situated within Shildon's Thickley ward, which is listed among the ten per cent most deprived
A SEARCH for a missing fisherman who fell overboard into the North Sea has been called off. The 27-year-old, from the Philippines, lost his balance in high winds off the coast near Blyth, Northumberland, at about 5pm yesterday. The skipper of the vessel
PUPILS in their final year of primary education could start at their new schools early in a bid to improve results in Darlington. Darlington Borough Council has launched a review to how they could improve the move from one school to another. Murray
WOODCRAFT (3.50) bids to wipe away the misery of a dreadful jumps debut by capturing Catterickfs Raceday Hospitality Novicesf Hurdle. Donald McCainfs recent recruit was a fair miler when trained by Barry Hills, but gave new connections no encouragement
DANNY Cipriani will make his first Test start when England tackle RBS 6 Nations Championship opponents Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday. Cipriani has been handed the full-back role instead of Gloucesterfs Iain Balshaw, who drops to replacement
Chelsea aim to make it to the Champions League quarter-finals tonight. Chief Football Writer Paul Fraser previews tonight's ties. CHELSEA (0) V (0) OLYMPIACOS (Sky Sports 2, 7.45pm) THE goalless draw in Athens has given Chelsea the perfect platform
AC Milan 0 Asenal 2 (Arsenal win 2-0 on aggregate) ARSENAL marched into the quarter-finals of the Champions League as late strikes from Cesc Fabregas and Emanuel Adebayor helped send holders AC Milan crashing out at the San Siro. Gunners boss
Manchester United 1 Lyon 0 (Man Utd win 2-1 on aggregate) CRISTIANO RONALDO again showed his liking for the big stage by scoring the winner at Old Trafford as Manchester United set another Champions League milestone. The Portugal winger steered
FOR nine members of Sunderland's youth team, tomorrow night's FA Youth Cup semi-final first leg with Manchester City represents an opportunity to hit the heights with their hometown team. For defender Niall McArdle and midfielder Conor Hourihane
A NINE-YEAR-OLD boy is recovering at home after being bitten by a dog. The boy suffered facial injuries when he was attacked by a Staffordshire bull terrier-type dog yesterday afternoon in South Shields, South Tyneside. He was released from South Tyneside
A crucial late wicket by Ryan Sidebottom meant England finished on a high on the opening day of the first Test against New Zealand today. Ross Taylor and in-form Brendon McCullum combined in a productive 85-run sixth wicket stand settling the batting
PARENTS throughout the region yesterday found out whether their children would be able to attend the secondary school of their choice.It emerged that a higher percentage of children in the North-East have been offered one of their preferred secondary
A VIDEO featuring elderly people dancing with trolleys in the market place of a North-East town has become an internet phenomenon. Since it was posted on video website YouTube, the dance featuring members of Growing Older Living in Darlington (Gold) has
A MAN who played an important role in ensuring the well-being of coffee plantations in East Africa, then retired to a hamlet in a North-East dale, has died.As an entomologist working for the Colonial Office in Tanzania - then Tanganika - in the Fifties
A MAJOR initiative to warn people of the consequences of driving under the influence of drugs is being launched across the region this week. The campaign will raise awareness of the dangers of drug-driving and the penalties for anyone caught driving under
A COUPLE celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary were among dozens of passengers who arrived at an airport two days early after a blunder by airline Ryanair.The 29 passengers were not told that their flight, the first from Durham Tees Valley Airport
THE Football Association last night refuted suggestions that they had treated Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard more leniently than Middlesbrough striker Jeremie Aliadiere.An FA regulatory commission overturned Lampard's three-match ban for violent conduct
A YOUNG mother is celebrating after turning her big loss into a big win.Seven months ago, Jade Patrick felt so bad about herself she could not look in the mirror - at 18st 2lb, her appearance reduced her to tears.Her battle with her weight began as a
JOEY Barton will not be available for Newcastle's Premier League away game at Liverpool on Saturday after the midfielder's legal team failed in an attempt to alter the conditions of his bail.Barton, who is due to return to Liverpool Magistrates Court
CRITICS of the switch to 24-hour drinking claim late-night violence has increased, attempts to stagger closing times have failed and dreams of a continental-style cafe culture in the region have not become reality.The Government last night announced changes
IT didn't feel like the most positive of afternoons at the time, but Sunderland manager Roy Keane feels Saturday's goalless draw with Derby could yet play a pivotal role in guaranteeing the club's Premier League survival.A point at Pride Park was hardly
A TEESSIDE university student has fallen ten floors to his death from a building on the campus. Police were called to the scene in Middlesbrough around 6.30pm last night. A spokesman for Cleveland CID said the death was not being treated as suspicious
FOREIGN prisoners are being offered £3,000 to leave Britain, the Government admitted tonight. The standard financial reintegration package is £800, but, as reported in Tuesday's The Northern Echo, the higher offer has been introduced as the jail population
Oldham Athletic 0 Hartlepool 1 AT the 12th time of asking and after 1,070 minutes of action, Hartlepool last night ended their awful run of results away from home with a deserved win. Michael Mackay's deft finish was enough to see off Oldham and
THE search for a missing fisherman was called off tonight after rescuers said there was no hope he was still alive. A rescue operation was launched after the man fell overboard in the North Sea today. The skipper of the 19-metre Sanlormarho raised the
