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Stories for 22 April 2005
Consett,Stanley,Chester Le Street News
Inquest into death of man in police probe
AN inquest was opened yesterday into the death of a man who was arrested in connection with the disappearance of a former miner three years ago. more...
Driver banned after incident with cyclist
A VAN driver collided with a cyclist on a busy bypass, shortly after the pair exchanged words over the manner of his driving, a court heard. more...
Darlington,Newton Aycliffe,Sedgefield News
Six months jail for punch that broke jaw
A 20-YEAR-OLD man was jailed for six months yesterday after he admitted throwing a punch which broke his victim's jaw in two places. more...
Addict told to take drive test
A HEROIN addict who repeatedly drove while disqualified was told by magistrates yesterday to take his driving test. more...
Message scheme can save lives
PEOPLE who want to take part in Darlington's Message in a Bottle scheme are being urged to call into the town's Neighbourhood Watch office in Gladstone Street. more...
Helpine concerns unfounded
COUNCILLORS asked to investigate the effectiveness of a helpline for Darlington residents said there are no problems. more...
Trust works on help for minorities
A MENTAL health trust has carried out its first census to improve services for ethnic minorities. more...
Walking for charity
CHARITY fundraisers organised a dog walk with a difference when they set out to conquer a North-East landmark. more...
Crime team to beat the thieves
A TEAM of specially-trained police officers will investigate every house break-in the county. more...
Take a look at home security
HOME security upgrades are available for residents over 60 through Darlington's Community Safety Partnership. more...
Police warn revellers of latest crime weapon
REVELLERS who cause trouble in Darlington town centre are being warned the police will be watching them extra carefully from tonight - as officers take their newly-armed riot vans out for the first time. more...
Guilty of possession
TWO men found in possession of cannabis and ecstasy tablets were both given 18-month community rehabilitation orders by magistrates yesterday. more...
Caring for their food
CARE staff from across the region have been cooking up treats for elderly people. more...
Expansion plan for recycling services
PLANS to spend £730,000 on Darlington's household recycling centre have been unveiled. more...
Coroner rules on baby's death
A BABY girl who died when she was only eight days old had a heart defect, an inquest heard yesterday. more...
Durham,East Durham News
Cash stolen from fish warehouse
POLICE are hunting burglars who escaped with £1,500 after breaking into a Durham fish warehouse. more...
Police appoint expert team in quest to cut burglaries
A TEAM of specially trained police officers is to investigate every house break-in across County Durham and Darlington. more...
New team of community police officers patrolling the streets
A TEAM of community police officers is now patrolling the streets of east Durham in an attempt to reduce the fear of crime. more...
Permits for waste disposal discussed
TWO local authorities are to scrutinise an unpopular decision by Durham County Council to introduce permits for waste disposal. more...
Youngsters targeted for disease screening
YOUNG people in County Durham are being encouraged to think about the consequences of chlamydia in a campaign launched this week. more...
Offenders spruce up hall
A VILLAGE hall is looking in pristine condition thanks to the efforts of offenders who were sentenced to do unpaid work in the community. more...
Choral group concert marks new season
DURHAM Choral Society will open its 2005 season in Durham Cathedral next month with performances of 20th Century music. more...
Preaching conference opens in city
A THREE-DAY preaching conference attracting visitors from across the world opened yesterday. more...
East Cleveland News
£155m to build five new schools
A MASSIVE £155m schools building programme has been given the go-ahead on Teesside. more...
Witness plea after stabbing
POLICE are appealing for witnesses to a stabbing which took place in daylight in High Street, Redcar, on Wednesday. more...
Classmates have designs on innovation awards
TWO teenage inventors are hoping to walk away with top design awards today. more...
All change at housing office
A HOUSING organisation has announced changes to its area offices. more...
Don't tolerate bad behaviour
HARTLEPOOL'S anti-social behaviour unit is calling on residents not to suffer in silence. more...
Northallerton,Richmond,Hawes News
Election candidates raise concerns over assets sell-off
William Hague says the "whole community is in uproar" over whether Richmondshire District Council should sell off its town centre assets to finance a £4.5m move to Colburn. Chris Lloyd and Joe Willis ask the four candidates in the General Election how they would resolve one of the most contentious issues facing the district in the past few decades more...
Social servies staff achieve national honours in care
A TEAM of carers who provide help and support for some of the most vulnerable people in society is celebrating national success. more...
Crash driver was on wrong side of road
DRIVER Susan Palin crashed her car into another woman's vehicle, then crawled towards her as she lay in the road, repeating: "What have I done to you?" a court heard yesterday. more...
Caring for carers with massage offer
CARERS got a taste of their own medicine yesterday when they were offered therapeutic massages from the British Red Cross. more...
Man made threats to smash car
GRANDMOTHER Linda Green's car outing with her daughter and two young grandchildren ended in terror because of the antics of a man waving a bottle of cider and banging on her vehicle, a court was told yesterday. more...
Army tonic for sick children
HOSPITAL staff yesterday said a big thank you to the Army for donating DVD players, PlayStations and games to a children's ward. more...
Approval to convert pub
A scheme to turn a disused pub into a community hall and housing development in Nidderdale has been approved. more...
Teesside News
Willow artist weaves his magic for visitors
CREATIVE visitors to a country park have been given a lesson in garden decoration. more...
Voters on alert with polling cards due
VOTERS in Hartlepool are being urged to watch out for the arrival of their polling card for the forthcoming elections for the town's MP and mayor. more...
Spotlight on young parents
A CONFERENCE designed to give advice and support to young parents took place in Tees Valley yesterday. more...
Civic hat-trick for meeting room
MIDDLESBROUGH'S deputy mayor has completed a hat-trick of visits to a community meeting room. more...
Wasteful method to make cash
A RECYCLING firm is offering to pay schools and community groups for old textiles. more...
Tragic student is remembered
SOCCER-LOVING students hold a fundraising football tournament this weekend in memory of a friend who died of epilepsy. more...
The North East Advertiser
Miners' memorial idea wins support
A BID to house a permanent miners' memorial on a redeveloped former colliery and cokeworks site has won widespread support. more...
Father of fatal crash victim found dead in hotel room
A GRIEVING family has been dealt another tragic blow following the death of a young father whose daughter was killed by boy racers. more...
Rena says farewell to charity shop
CHARITY champion Rena Shaw has hung up her fundraising boots after helping to pull in more than £1m for Cancer Research. more...
Priority for homes may be changed
A COUNCIL is to consult housing groups over planned changes to the way it allocates accommodation. more...
Candidates square up for General Election
SEVEN candidates are contesting the Redcar constituency in next month's General Election. more...
Alert issued over forged £20 notes
SHOPS, pubs, clubs and other businesses have been warned to beware of the circulation of fake £20 bank notes around County Durham. more...
Amelia celebrates her century
AMELIA USHER, a pillar of the north Durham community, has celebrated her 100th birthday. more...
News from the Guilds and WIs
Wentworth Park WI: THE annual meeting was held in Ouston Community Centre April 14. more...
£155m schools project
FIVE new schools are to be built in Redcar and Cleveland in a multi-million pound project announced yesterday. more...
Rapist may be free in just four years
A SERIAL rapist was freed from jail - only to strike again. more...
The North East Business
Funding for N-E wind farm projects
WIND farm projects in the North-East could benefit from a bank's plans to plough £5m into the sector. more...
Housebuilder confident - despite selling less property
HOUSEBUILDER Persimmon yesterday sought to reassure investors by praising the resilience of the property market - despite selling fewer homes than a year ago. more...
£7.4bn takeover toasted
A £7.4bn takeover offer to create the second-largest wine and spirits firm in the world was last night accepted by Allied Domecq. more...
Index aims to redeploy 160 staff
UNION leaders last night claimed to have saved up to 160 North-East store workers from the axe. more...
Company shortlisted for award
A SOCIAL enterprise company has been shortlisted in the regional finals of an award. more...
Firm links up in £5m deal
NORTH-East firm AK Engineering Services has linked up with three partners in a deal worth £5m a year. more...
Wasteful method to make cash
A RECYCLING firm is offering to pay schools and community groups for old textiles. more...
Delay over ship refit puts jobs at Swans in jeopardy
SHIPBUILDER Swan Hunter will continue to cut jobs if talks over a lifeline naval contract drag on, it emerged last night. more...
The North East Dst
Acrimony over establishment of new Lyke Wake Walk group
A BREAKAWAY club set up to continue the tradition of the Lyke Wake Walk has come under fire from original club members. more...
No flock wallpaper shock in new Indian restaurant
IN A small town already well catered for with Asian food outlets, any new kid on the block is going to have to be either exceptionally good or radically different in order to cut the mustard (seed). more...
Organic milkman is cream of the crop
ORGANIC dairy farmer Gordon Tweddle is the cream of the crop. more...
Badminton run up going well for Skiver
Morton-on-Swale international Nicola Tweddle has been in good form recently, with success at events across England. more...
Scottish success for Stokesley rider
YOUNG Stokesley rider Cornelia Papiez, aged 11, has got the new showing season off to a flying start by taking the show hunter championship at Kilmaurs Show, Kilmarnock with her 133cm show hunter pony, Antoinette's Catamount. more...
Busker's kindness repaid
A CHARITY busker found himself on the receiving end of a kind gesture when he was presented with a cheque for £700 to pay for a well-deserved holiday. more...
Alternative site for airport expansion to be looked at
A DARLINGTON councillor is going all-out to ease the "horrendous" impact of a major airport expansion on people living nearby. more...
Tees juniors row well at inter-regionals
THREE junior members of Tees Rowing Club competed at the Junior Inter-Regional Championships were held at Nottingham Holme Pierrepoint last weekend. more...
Gait price a surprise
AUCTIONEERS were surprised by the high price paid for sheep grazing rights near Hawes. more...
Planning verdict goes against Irish horse importer
A BUSINESSMAN who imports Irish horses to sell on in the UK has been refused planning permission to retain changes he has already made at his premises. more...
Fight to protect village's character homes goes on
PROTESTERS are continuing their campaign to protect Eaglescliffe from housing developments after Government officials rejected an invitation to visit. more...
Villager's -wonderful' legacy for hospital Friends
A SMALL band of hospital Friends, who are continually striving to provide extras for patients' comfort, has been left a "wonderful" legacy of £112,000. more...
New prom garden will include fossils and mosaics
A NEW garden is to be built on Saltburn's upper promenade near the top of the cliff lift. more...
Special sale
LEYBURN. - Last Fri. Fwd: Catalogued entry of 54 cattle for April show & sale for North-East Limousin Breeders' Club. Judge: Alan Hall, Darlington. Champion: GD&J; Clark, Castle Eden, 2-y-o bull Castleden Urchin by Lino out of Castleden Marielle, 2,600gns to Chris Manners, Northumberland; res: D&M; Cormack, Thirsk, 20-m-o bull Redstone Ultra, unsold. Top price: JM&SP; Cooper, Harrogate, Voyager, non-ped March 04-born bull, 3,600gns to DH Weathehead, Pateley Bridge. more...
Swaledale firms fight car park charges
BUSINESSES in a Dales village are hoping to generate support for their fight against increased parking charges. more...
Town council looks at reopening toilets
RICHMOND Town Council is to discuss a plan to reopen the Market Place toilets. more...
Protests grow over school closures
A BARRAGE of criticism has been fired at Darlington Borough Council ahead of a meeting to decide on school closures. more...
Council outlines three-year strategy on yob culture
A THREE-YEAR blitz on anti-social behaviour is being lined up in Darlington. more...
Three wins in a week clinch title for Middleham
MIDDLEHAM clinched the title with two games to spare with a 4-2 win at Reeth on Monday - their third victory in six days. more...
Injured police dog recovers after attack
Police dog Zoltan is on the mend after being stabbed in the chest during an arrest in Stockton. more...
Richmond boys edged out by late try
RICHMOND School's under-16s rugby team just missed lifting the Yorkshire Cup when a late try denied them victory in the final at Doncaster last Saturday. more...
How to help a hedgehog
A HEDGEHOG rescuer is raising awareness after saving hundreds of the spiny mammals across Cleveland and County Durham. more...
Quakers stutter in final weeks
DARLINGTON must improve their poor record against struggling teams this season when they attempt to take a firm grip on a promotion play-off position against third from bottom Rushden tomorrow. more...
Joes Edge wins Scottish National in thrilling finish
JOES Edge did it, in the most thrilling way, landing the Scottish Grand National at Ayr at 20-1 under a fine ride by Keith Mercer and edging out Ruby Walsh on Cornish Rebel by the shortest of short heads. more...
Johnson steps up Scottish championship bid
LEEMING rally driver Kevin Procter continued his superb 2005 form when he added the Shenpar Phoenix Stages title to his list of successes. more...
Hurry for free advice
A FREE planning advice service for farmers and agricultural businesses in North Yorkshire has been given the go-ahead to continue until the end of June, but farmers are being urged to use it quickly. more...
Gone is child's freedom to roam and to learn
WITH some of my grandchildren in the car, the topic under discussion was "what was it like when you were little?". more...
Still more questions than answers over SFP
THE confusion and uncertainty over the Single Farm Payment was still very obvious this week. more...
Tagging rare gun brings influx of orders
A RARE 17th century gun retrieved from the wreck of King Charles II's famous man o'war, the Stirling Castle, has led to an influx of orders for a Masham company. more...
Seems too good to be true because it is
PAY off my debts. Win £250,000. I could be sitting pretty, it said. All I had to do to gain this bounty was to scratch off the silver panels to find three matching symbols. more...
Call for radical approach to end transport logjams
DARLINGTON needs to clear the decks on traffic snarl-ups. more...
Motor sports may fall foul of Defra payment rules
MOTORCYCLE trials organisers are fighting to save their sport by pressing for clearer guidelines on using moors and farmland. more...
Community award at the age of 90
AN EAST Anglian man who settled in Guisborough has received a community achievement award at the age of 90. more...
Looking Back
FROM this newspaper 150 years ago. - Middleton Fair - The annual Spring Fair was held on Thursday. There was a good show of cattle, and most of them were sold at good prices. There were also premiums for the following:- For the best cart horse, £8, awarded to Mr Wm. Longstaff of Stotley Hall, near Middleton, for his horse "Starling"; for the best Scotch Pony, £4, awarded to Mr Wm. Raine's horse "Hue and cry", of Mickleton; for the best coach horse, £2, awarded to Mr Myers' horse "Golden Pippin"; for the best bull under 2 years old, £4, awarded to Mr Thos. Raine, of Barnley, near Egglestone. more...
Just to put you in the picture
YOUNG people and staff from the Thirsk Clock youth centre are to feature in a six-minute video about its activities and services. more...
Senior health staff insist: Friarage maternity unit is not at risk
HEALTH managers have described claims that the Friarage Hospital maternity unit is at risk as unfounded. more...
Steak or fish on Fridays - a Papal puzzle
BISHOP John Crowley of Middlesbrough, a former secretary to the late Cardinal Hume, told the story of a "steak of a lifetime" bought for Pope John Paul when he visited Britain in May 1982. more...
Forty years of blisters and vistas on a great adventure
IT might have taken 30 years for the idea to catch on. But the Pennine Way has certainly gone on to make its mark in the walkers' world. more...
Anger at threat to ploughing near henges
ANGRY farmers have told English Heritage that proposed restrictions on ploughing in an area of eight square miles around three scheduled ancient monuments near Bedale could threaten their businesses. more...
Scotmail Lad seals double victory for Mulhall
JOCKEY Clive Mulhall was in double winning form at the Cleveland point to point held at Stainton Vale last Sunday. more...
Family's relief at call from backpacker feared lost
THE importance of phoning home has been drummed into one young backpacker after an international campaign was launched to trace his whereabouts after he was feared missing. more...
These happy piggies go to market
RARE breed pork and sausages have gone on sale at a Leyburn shop, thanks to business links forged between the proprietor and a Wensleydale farmer. more...
Prices at the markets
BARNARD CASTLE. - Wed of last week. Fwd: 797 sheep. Lt hoggs to 130p av 100.2p; std to 121p av 105.2p; med to 123p av 112.5p; heavy to 121p av 108.2p. Cast ewes: Cont £56; BFL £33.50; Mule £50.50; Swale £44.50. more...
Pony dates
Bilsdale Hunt. - May 7: point to point, Rising Sun Farm, Easingwold, first race 2pm. Free passes for qualifying farmers and landowners, sae to Michael Heywood, Chapel House, Knayton, York YO7 4AZ. more...
East coast inspires Eton boys
THE exhilaration and adventure of teaching art, especially to bright students in a creative environment, is captured in the latest exhibition at the Zillah Bell Gallery in Kirkgate, Thirsk. more...
Maternity warning
RUMOURS about the future of maternity services at the Friarage Hospital, Northallerton, persist because more and more people are aware that closure is an option that is being looked at. more...
Cup organisation under fire as Darlington cruise into final
THE prospect of an all-Darlington Durham Cup final moved a step closer on Wednesday night, but the organisation of the event came under fire as Darlington beat a Blaydon second XV 53-5 in the semi-final and Mowden Park were made to wait another week before visiting Westoe. more...
Master cooper turns from beer to water
BEER and water do not usually mix, but the opposite has proved to be the case for Jonathan Manby. more...
Scheme puts farmers under stress
A CHARITY is concerned about the severe stress farmers are under through problems surrounding the new Single Payment Scheme. more...
A home for nesting birds and rare butterflies, but is it good or evil?
WHILE many of our hedgerow trees and shrubs are bursting into leaf, the blackthorn is producing masses of thick, white blossom. more...
The North East Entertainment
When the presenter goes barking mad
Ray Mear's Bushcraft (BBC1); Born With Two Mothers (C4): THE whole idea of Ray Mear's Bushcraft sounds so unlikely. more...
Museum steps up security for visit of Raphael's painting
GATES to a museum are being locked each night while it houses a valuable work of art. more...
Die Fledermaus, Darlington Operatic Society, Darlington Civic Theatre
ENTERTAINMENT might be the new religion, but the society seems to be praying for good fortune after being forced to drop plans for Jesus Christ Superstar to celebrate its Diamond Jubilee Year and opting for an ambitious version of Johan Strauss's comic operetta. more...
Simon proves ideal rock and role model for his pupils
A NORTH-EAST teacher will prove he can join the Fame Academy tonight when he performs the UK's number one single on primetime television. more...
The North East Features
Banging the drum for diabetics
With the general election looming, the national charity Diabetes UK is calling for prospective MPs to make the illness a priority. Health Editor Barry Nelson reports. more...
ShopTalk: Time to get shirty
The cheap men's shirts now available may not be tailor-made, but they'd cut the mustard in most offices. more...
On TV
Ray Mear's Bushcraft (BBC1) more...
22/04/05
BACK OUR BOYS: HOW fickle some Darlington supporters are. The club has done everything in its power to help to bring the crowds to the Williamson Motors Stadium, by allowing children in free, and by allowing David Hodgson to bring in a number of class players. more...
A ragged trousered educationalist
He left school at 16, but today Lord Sawyer will be installed as Chancellor of Teeside University. Nick Morrison talks to the trade unionist who hauled himself up to become one of the architects of New Labour. more...
Comment from The Northern Echo: Balancing the scales
IN this column yesterday, we bemoaned the lack of public confidence in the criminal justice system. more...
Shoptalk
THERE comes a time in a man's life when he has to get out of his jeans, T-shirt and trainers and into a suit, complete with shirt, tie and proper shoes. I think it's called growing up - as well as a transformation. more...
The band that beats the bulge
A revolutionary form of stomach surgery is helping thousands of obese Europeans shed weight. Health Editor Barry Nelson discovers why so few such operations are done in the North-East. more...
Burton's Bytes: Horror on the high seas
COLD FEAR, Publisher: Ubisoft. Formats: PS2, Xbox, PC. Price: £39.99. Family friendly? No. Over 18s only: COLD FEAR was up against it from the start. more...
Losing out in the casino gamble
IF in war the first casualty is truth, in this election campaign it appears to have been regional casinos. more...
The North East Leisure
Horror on the high seas
COLD FEAR, Publisher: Ubisoft. Formats: PS2, Xbox, PC. Price: £39.99. Family friendly? No. Over 18s only: COLD FEAR was up against it from the start. more...
The North East News
Howard pledges to scrap stamp duty for most
STAMP duty would be scrapped for the majority of homebuyers in the North-East and North Yorkshire, under Conservative plans unveiled yesterday. more...
Parrot breeder to protest against confiscated birds
A protesting parrot breeder plans to perch on a giant grandfather clock until his confiscated birds are returned. more...
Breeder in court over fine payments
A PARROT breeder was yesterday ordered to pay £130,000 in court fines at a rate of £150 a month. more...
Teesdale talk - French tourists enjoy local sights
Four tourists from France sounded quite animated this week as they translated the words on a history display board at the site of a Roman ford used for three centuries by troops to cross the River Tees at Barnard Castle. more...
Tribunal is told faulty car left plant
A MECHANIC who said a car had left the Nissan factory with a potentially dangerous fault declined to hand over the details when bosses visited his home, a tribunal has been told. more...
Sir Trevor praises all-weather centre
FORMER England footballer Sir Trevor Brooking has officially opened a £485,000 sports facility in the region. more...
Police officer Jim prepares for Cup Final after FA call-up
A DRUGS squad officer is to lay down the law at the final of the world's oldest football competition. more...
Former Boys Brigade leader admits sex attacks
A former Boys Brigade leader from the North-East was jailed yesterday after admitting a string of child sex attacks and internet pornography offences. more...
Take a walk to celebrate 40 years of the Pennine Way
HUNDREDS of people will tramp along one of the country's best loved walking trails this weekend to celebrate its 40th birthday. more...
Losing out in the casino gamble
IF in war the first casualty is truth, in this election campaign it appears to have been regional casinos. more...
Obesity 'cure' surgeon hit by funding crisis
A SURGEON who believes he can "cure" patients whose lives are threatened by obesity says he may have carried out his last operation because of lack of funds. more...
London link made with unidentified body in car
UNCERTAINTY continues to surround the identify a man whose badly burnt body was found in a car that was on fire. more...
'Mask' baby Isobel makes history
A SIX-MONTH-OLD baby has become the youngest person in the world to receive revolutionary treatment for a rare medical condition. more...
Baroness highlights the crisis facing homeless
BARONESS Maddock visited the region yesterday to focus on the crisis she said was facing homeless single people. more...
The week that shamed justice
THE teenage son of a hospital consultant, who knocked down and killed a young girl while speeding, escaped with a fine of just £500 yesterday. more...
My nightmare: Belsen
A Belsen survivor has spoken for the first time about her experiences at the Second World War concentration camp. Toni Zwaak decided to break her 60-year silence following the anniversary of the liberation of the camp in the hope that her experiences will teach children the truth about war. She shared her story with Nicola Juncar. more...
One step closer to sale of Feethams
THE trust that owns the derelict former home of Darlington Football Club last night took a big step towards disposing of the ground. more...
Man told to pay £900 to authority
A MAN locked in a ten-year feud with a rural council was last night ordered to pay the authority £900 by a judge. more...
Work on £25m school site to go ahead after funding deal
A DEAL was reached last night to rebuild one of the region's schools after education officials agreed to underwrite the project. more...
No comment over spitting court case
CLUB bosses are refusing to get publicly involved in controversy surrounding Premiership footballer El Hadji Diouf. more...
Pupils to try healthy lunch for free
THOUSANDS of pupils will be offered a free school dinner to promote healthier menus. more...
Connor's first steps to recovery
A CHILD'S first birthday is supposed to be a happy occasion, filled with memories the family will cherish for life. more...
Simon proves ideal rock and role model for his pupils
A NORTH-EAST teacher will prove he can join the Fame Academy tonight when he performs the UK's number one single on primetime television. more...
Overdose man's wife thought he was past help
A woman who watched her reclusive husband die of a drugs overdose told police she did not call for help because he had turned blue and she thought it was too late, a court heard. more...
Breeder in court over fine payments
A PARROT breeder was yesterday ordered to pay £130,000 in court fines at a rate of £150 a month. more...
Jury told husband suffered too much
A WOMAN who watched her reclusive husband die after he took an overdose told a doctor she felt he had suffered enough, a court has heard. more...
Airport business park row still to be resolved
PLANS to develop a business park at Durham Tees Valley Airport are no further forward after concerns over its location. more...
Diouf to deny disorderly conduct allegation
Premiership footballer El-Hadji Diouf is to deny an allegation of disorderly conduct when he faces magistrates. more...
Soldiers show off latest equipment at open day to tempt recruits
TERRITORIAL soldiers paraded alongside impressive machinery at the launch of a recruiting campaign. more...
The week that shamed justice
THE teenage son of a hospital consultant who knocked down and killed a little girl has escaped with a fine of just £500. more...
Hoaxes down as suspect calls are challenged
FIRE chiefs are finally overcoming hoax callers, who cost the emergency service hundreds of thousands of pounds every year. more...
Rising crime figures are an accounting blip - Labour
VIOLENT crime returned to the top of the election agenda yesterday after Home Office figures revealed a surge of nine per cent in recorded incidents in the final three months of the year. more...
Inquest into death of man in police probe
AN inquest was opened yesterday into the death of a man who was arrested in connection with the disappearance of a former miner three years ago. more...
The North East Sport
Wings can fly high in Sandown Derby trial
SANDOWN stages an important Derby trial this afternoon featuring the leading Middleham-based contender, Hearthstead Wings (2.20). more...
Double Olympian Holmes reveals plans to quit
Double Olympic champion Kelly Holmes announced yesterday this will be her final competitive season. more...
Wellock's World: An ever-darkening sewer
IF we think things are bad at Newcastle, spare a thought for the team they beat in a semi-final replay at Roker Park the last time they won the FA Cup 50 years ago. That was York City, who on Tuesday night lost 4-0 to Canvey Island. more...
Scott escapes touchline ban
MARTIN Scott has escaped a touchline ban and is free to help plot Hartlepool United's push for the play-offs. more...
Teaming up with Tel was a mistake, Robson
FORMER Middlesbrough boss Bryan Robson has admitted that bringing Terry Venables in to work alongside him at the Riverside almost wrecked his managerial career. more...
Yorkshire's on-song Harvey thumps a career-best
Revitalised Ian Harvey plundered his career-best score of 161 not out to charge Yorkshire on to 401 for seven and maximum batting bonus points against Somerset at Headingley yesterday. more...
European victory for Hughes at Spa
WARREN Hughes notched up TVR's first ever international sportscar win at the weekend with victory in the first round of the European Le Mans Series (LMES) at Spa in Belgium. more...
Team-mates may leave, but I'm staying put - Shay
SHAY Given has predicted a summer of upheaval at St James' Park, but the sought-after shot-stopper insists he will be going nowhere in the close season. more...
Bates gets the all-clear
RELIEVED Mark Proctor has backed Matthew Bates to go from strength to strength after the young defender survived a health scare yesterday. more...
An ever-darkening sewer
IF we think things are bad at Newcastle, spare a thought for the team they beat in a semi-final replay at Roker Park the last time they won the FA Cup 50 years ago. That was York City, who on Tuesday night lost 4-0 to Canvey Island. more...
McCarthy turning to hot-shot Elliott for season's end
AN EXPECTANT Mick McCarthy is looking for Stephen Elliott to fire Sunderland towards the top-flight this weekend, after claiming that the striker's recent rest has left him refreshed and raring to go. more...
Harmison does the historic trick, but Collingwood's ton is vital
THE true value of Paul Collingwood's century was underlined by the subsequent clatter of wickets, topped by an amazing Steve Harmison hat-trick at Riverside yesterday. more...
The North East,Darlington News
Drugs gang to serve longer sentence
An eight-strong drugs gang snared by police after a lengthy undercover operation will have to serve even longer in jail because of a change in judges' sentencing powers. more...
The North East,Durham News
Bogus filmmaker who videoed girls is jailed
A bogus filmmaker who made hundreds of videos of naked teenage girls was jailed for six years today. more...
Motorist shocked vandals with electrified car
Plagued motorist Peter Bayles prepared a shock for vandals who attacked his car. more...
The North East,Sedgefield News
Bereaved parents of soliders challenge Blair
Bereaved parents of soldiers killed in Iraq today shared an election platform as they challenged the Government over the decision to go to war. more...
Tyneside News
Sex offender banned from child work
A FORMER councillor jailed for indecently assaulting a schoolgirl has been banned from again working again with children. more...
Index aims to redeploy 160 staff
UNION leaders last night claimed to have saved up to 160 North-East store workers from the axe. more...
Wear Valley,Bishop Auckland,Barnard Castle News
Trust works on service for minorities
A MENTAL health trust has carried out its first census to improve services for ethnic minorities. more...
Homes future up for debate
THE first part of the formal process of transferring Teesdale's council housing stock is about to start. more...
Fighting for a smoke-free zone
COUNTY Durham has a new leader in the fight to stop smoking in workplaces. more...
Scrutiny of permits for waste disposal
TWO local authorities are to scrutinise an unpopular decision by Durham County Council to introduce permits for waste disposal. more...
Crime team to beat the thieves
A TEAM of specially-trained police officers will investigate every house break-in the county. more...
A rural upbringing produced healthy stock
A GREAT grandfather, who celebrated his 100th birthday yesterday, puts his health and independence down to good Welsh farming stock. more...
Coroner rules on man's suicide
A TRAVELLER found hanging at a Bishop Auckland caravan park intended to take his own life, a coroner has ruled. more...
Charity is a good bet
A BETTING shop has given £1,000 to a charity that feeds children every morning and gets them to school on time. more...
African adventure for charity volunteer
A TEESDALE volunteer has exceeded her fundraising target for a trip to Africa. more...
Conman cheats cash out of OAPs
A CONMAN posing as a council worker duped pensioners out of their cash after he offered to remove unwanted furniture from their homes. more...
Wearside News
Tribunal is told faulty car left plant
A MECHANIC who said a car had left the Nissan factory with a potentially dangerous fault declined to hand over the details when bosses visited his home, a tribunal has been told. more...
University agrees China college deal
ONE of the region's universities has signed an agreement with a counterpart in China to improve relations between the two. more...
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