Proud Yarm AA can boast yet another National Champion in their ranks. Stockton's Barry Smith came from nowhere to win Saturday's NFA Division Three National on Stainforth and Keadby Canal beating the 660 entry to record 18.9.12. It was a hard match for
Shildon R and AC - Athletes from 24 athletic clubs from the North-East, north west and Scotland took part in the Carlisle Open Meeting held at the Sheepmount Stadium. In the Under-13s Boys, Shildon athletes Anthony Brown and Khalil Thompson came away
A MAJOR review of Catholic schools in North Yorkshire and Teesside has said that many are not educationally viable without non-Catholic pupils. A consultative report, published by the Middlesbrough diocesan council for education which covers an area stretching
Some fine individual performances have emerged in an end-of-season league of honour in the Slazenger Harrogate and District League. In division one, the Harlow partnership of Simon Daly and Sophie Jacob for Harlow did not miss one of their 14 matches.
AMID the celebrations to mark the arrival of the Taliban in Kabul three years ago was an ominous sign of things to come. Cassettes, videos and televisions were smashed in the street, cameras destroyed, even soft toys ripped into pieces - all forbidden
FIREfighters have been praised for their swift actions after they pulled three greyhounds from a burning house and tenderly revived them. Members of Blue Watch, at Middlesbrough fire station, were alerted to the blaze by neighbours in Belle Vue Grove,
CYCLING champion Steve Davies is on top form after winning a clutch of medals at the British National Track Championships in Manchester. Davies, an account executive with BIB (Darlington) Ltd and a member of Ferryhill Wheelers, won gold in the 500m time
A FORMER MI6 spy has escaped a jail sentence after admitting downloading sickening child pornography from the Internet. Alan Coates was a counter surveillance expert for more than 30 years before joining Cleveland Police force working behind the scenes
Pizza Perfekt moved into fourth place in the Third Division thanks to a 13-1 victory over Hogans. An under-strength Hogans side, which was relegated from Division Two last season after finishing bottom of the pile, remain in the woodeb spoon position.
A NORTH-EAST couple due to marry on the 107th floor of the World Trade Centre this week have been forced to scrap their wedding plans. Paul Burns and Amanda Aithwaite were due to fly to the US on Wednesday, but realised their plans were in tatters after
A MARKET town guesthouse has been described as almost perfect in the latest edition of the Good Hotel Guide. Homelands, at Galgate in Barnard Castle, has been run by Mrs Irene Williamson, aided by her husband John, for the past six years. The guide describes
A YARM nightclub owner could hear today whether he can go ahead with his plan to build a family burial ground at his farmhouse. Mr Javid Majid owns the Tall Trees hotel where the fashionable and nationally-renowned Club M is held. He has applied to Stockton
A COMPUTER-friendly parrot has received 63 e-mail messages from around the world since its owners set up an address for it a month ago. Albert, the blue-fronted Amazon parrot at the Walworth Castle Hotel, Darlington, has been making new feathered and
BOBBIES are offering free house survey visits in a bid to beat burglars. Langbaurgh Crime Prevention Officer, PC Jim Brown, said: "Dwelling house burglaries have fallen from more than 5,000 offences in 1996 to 1,030 last year. "We want to keep that momentum
A RUSSIAN pianist will be playing to a near sellout crowd at the Krikleatham Almshouses at Redcar on Wednesday. Evgeny Samoilov will play at the 100-seater chapel at the 17th Century building knowing that three quarters of the tickets had been sold before
THE CHIEF constable of Cleveland Police said he was satisfied nothing untoward happened in withdrawing a speeding ticket from one of his officers. Chief Constable Barry Shaw told a packed audience at Stockton Central Library, that he had every confidence
Sir, - Further to the "piffle" I read regarding Creets bridge in our village, what an enormous pity the views of our own parish council were not adhered to. Councillors Ashby and O'Keefe were campaigning for this bridge to be widened long before it collapsed
SOFTWARE supplier JBA is celebrating 20 successful years in business with plans to create 20 jobs. The Durham business, established in 1981, has experienced significant growth in the past five years and is forecasting a 50 per cent increase in turnover
A HARD-working consumer watchdog has received a national accolade. The work of Redcar and Cleveland Trading Standards' consumer and money advice service is being recognised in the presentation of a Legal Services Quality Mark. The department dealt with
NEW animal movement classifications announced this week label much of the North of England as "high risk." Strict controls will be imposed but, although it means no animals can be moved in or out of the area, movements will be allowed within the zone.
RICHMOND'S first farmers' market has been given the go-ahead this weekend, after months of careful debate. Farmers will turn to the town's shoppers on Saturday, urging them to 'fall in love with local food' to limit the impact of the foot-and-mouth crisis
GOVERNMENT officials fighting the latest outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease said last night they were concerned about the theft of a heavily contaminated pressure washer from a burial site for infected animals. The machine, which had been used regularly
CASUALTY may be one of the BBC's most watched, longest-running drama serials but nothing can be taken for granted in the modern TV world. So when Darlington-born Mervyn Watson was appointed series producer he sat down and took a long hard look at the
GEORGE W Bush's first words following Tuesday's attack - about "finding the folks responsible" - were not promising, but his speechwriters soon took over. Ever since, the President - and those around him - has sounded calmly in control. He has not succumbed
CONCEIVED in a flash of inspiration, the graceful arch of the Gateshead Millennium Bridge is a feast for the eyes - and thousands of feet have been itching to cross it since it first graced the North-East skyline. Affectionately nicknamed the Blinking
A NEW magistrates' court, which has not cost council taxpayers a penny, was opened by the Princess Royal yesterday. The £2m building, in Peterlee, east Durham, was funded by development company Modus Properties, in an exchange deal for the site of a former
THE Paramount hotel group has invested more than £1m in a new events and conference centre at the 17th century listed Redworth Hall hotel. The centre was opened on Monday by Dr John Bridge, chairman of regional development agency One NorthEast. The country
REDCAR and Cleveland education authority has made considerable progress in promoting improvements across its 67 schools, the Office for Standards in Education said this week. Overall, the authority was effective, well-run and strongly committed to schools
A WIND of change could be blowing through a company that underwent devastating job cuts this year. Bosses at Corus's Bi-Steel and Construction Services wing, based at Redcar, claim the firm's design and construction work will have the edge in orders for
Soccer star A YOUNG girl from a Stockton soccer team was the star of the show in a national competition last month. Abbey Lyle, right, the only girl taking part in the LEGO Futebol de Salao national championships in Birmingham, scored both goals in a
A MYSTERIOUS benefactor has donated £6,000 to an east Cleveland charity. Saltburn Animal Rescue Association (Sara) will use the legacy towards its sanctuary appeal. The charity aims to provide accommodation for the animals it rehomes as it always has
UNDERWATER explosives experts are being called in amid fears that a wrecked munitions ship may be breaking up, releasing its lethal cargo off the east Cleveland coast. A plea for help is being sent to the head of the Ministry of Defence's underwater survey
Crook League - The normally reliable Gavin Witton of Crook Olde Horse Shoe became the unluckiest player on Finals Night at Crook Spitfire Club when he lost in all three finals. In the League Singles Championship he went down 3-2 against Adam Martin of
MY ten-year-old son looked glum and thoughtful: "Mum, my favourite TV programme, Cardcaptors, isn't on because of this war thing." This was Tuesday. I was listening to the news on the radio. The boys were watching it on television in the next room. Our
ALL five North-East teams in the first round proper of the Senior Knockout Cup are away from home tomorrow, with all but Westoe facing lengthy trips to the Midlands. It's not much better for Westoe, who have come through the two qualifying rounds and
THREE men appeared in court yesterday accused of involvement in an alleged hit-and-run incident. Trevor Kellett, 22, Steve Johnson, 42, and 18-year-old Gareth Walton were arrested by police investigating the incident in which a man was injured when he
MY ten-year-old son looked glum and thoughtful: "Mum, my favourite TV programme, Cardcaptors, isn't on because of this war thing." This was Tuesday. I was listening to the news on the radio. The boys were watching it on television in the next room. Our
A DURHAM prison's governor and staff have won praise following an unannounced inspection. In February, HM Inspectorate of Prisons visited Frankland Prison, run by Ivor Woods, and found the jail had made considerable progress since the last inspection,
POLICE in Durham are hunting thieves who stole bikes and equipment worth £24,000 from a shop. The raiders struck at Specialist Cycles, Frederick Street South, Meadowfield, between 7.30pm on Tuesday last week and 9.50am the following day. Their haul included
A NEW series of free evening arts classes starts in Saltburn at the end of the month. The Community and Arts Association is running ten sessions on a Friday night called Insight Evenings. Each of the ten classes has a different theme with the purpose
Newly-elected Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith moved swiftly to stamp his authority on his party last night, installing key supporters to his Shadow Cabinet. After appointing one-time rival candidate David Davis as party chairman, Mr Duncan Smith appointed
Exhausted rescue workers were last night refusing to give up hope that some victims of the World Trade Centre disaster would still be found alive. As the official death toll for the world's worst terrorist atrocity crept towards 5,000, firefighters continued
DARLINGTON'S Rhythm 'n' Brews Festival reaches its climax on Sunday with a packed programme of activities in the Market Square, the Dolphin Centre and several pubs. The fun begins with a performance of gospel blues by Michael Mulroy at St Cuthbert's Church
LEGAL action is being taken by residents to stop a children's day nursery from opening near homes. People living in Gatehouse Close, Darlington, are hoping to have a restrictive covenant, which has dictated the use of the building since the 1970s, enforced
A CHARITY which helps people with multiple sclerosis has received a boost. The Darlington branch of the Multiple Sclerosis Society is £3,000 better off after a cheque for that sum was presented to the charity by British Telecom at Crathorne Hall Hotel
There have been bridges across the River Tyne since AD120, when the Romans built the first link between Gateshead and Newcastle. Emperor Hadrian ordered the building of the first bridge - Pons Aelius - on the site of the present Swing Bridge. With the
A NORTH-EAST man claiming benefits as a wheelchair-bound invalid boasted that he went jogging three times a week, a court heard. John Moses, 50, and his wife Victoria, 44, are charged with swindling disability income and other DSS allowances amounting
TWO public meetings have been organised to discuss proposals to improve a memorial park. The meetings will be held in Quaking Houses and South Moor, both near Stanley, next week, when the results of a survey will be revealed. The survey, by environmental
THE terror was etched on every screaming face. A giant cloud mushroomed ominously towards them, obliterating the sunlight as they fled, panic stricken for their lives. Gripping the edge of his sofa, Tony Ward scanned the screen desperately searching for
GRIEVING Roy Cameron has condemned a twisted phone pest who claimed to have murdered his daughter. Gavin Waters made a string of calls to strangers, one of them claiming he murdered student Sara Cameron, 23. Detectives traced the calls and swooped to
A £2m facelift for the outdated Newgate Centre has been given the go-ahead by councillors. Retail giant Asda is committed to improving the centre when it moves out to a new superstore due to be built at Wilson's Forge next year. Plans include a glass
WHEN Joan Whitney suffered a heart attack in 1996, it was a bolt from the blue. She was 58 and had always led a healthy lifestyle, revolving mainly around her love of badminton, a game she's played for more than 30 years. Worse news was to follow. Just
TRIBUTES have been paid to an east Cleveland councillor who died on Tuesday. Barbara Bowater, 53, who represented the Grangetown ward on Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, died peacefully in the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough following
ONE of the disgraced police officers forced to quit over an alleged sex romp while on duty has had a request for a review of his hearing turned down. Former PC Michael Hendy and fellow Barnard Castle officer Marc Watson were found guilty during a recent
TWO weeks of term and already you've run out of ideas about what to give them for their packed lunch. Maybe we worry too much about variety. Virtually every school day for six years my younger son had garlic sausage sandwiches. He has grown up big and
MAJOR improvements to protect Hurworth village green were given the green light this week. The £3,500 scheme, funded by Hurworth Parish Council, will be phased in over two years and the cost split between two 12-month financial budgets. Plans, drawn up
GAS pipeline company Lattice signed up the first customer to its 186K telecom network as regulatory price cuts hit first-half profits. A major unnamed UK 3G operator will use 186K's fibre-optic cables in a deal Lattice chief executive Phil Nolan said
Darlington Church and Friendly League - RA Youth were involved in a very good game against Wheatsheaf Wanderers winning 10-3. The RA goals were scored by Darren Kokes (5),Chris Marksby (2), Ben Spence, Dean Lawson and Craig Adamson with Paul Hannah(2)
TALKS on subjects as varied as golf and the life of a cleric are included in the new series of lectures arranged by the Richmondshire Museum. Angus Goodfellow starts the season on Thursday, October 25, with an address on the Royal and Ancient Game of
DIPLOMATIC pressure is mounting on the Greek government amid fears by a family that their son who died on holiday had one of his kidneys stolen for sale on the organ black market. Parents of Chris Rochester, 24, who died after he fell from an apartment
CARDIAC rehabilitation nurse Joy McCulloch is limbering up for Sunday's Great North Run to help raise money for Darlington's Save Our Sight appeal. The appeal launched at the town's Memorial hospital in May aims to raise £60,000 to buy a special digital
THE owners of the highest pub in England, known for being host to the annual Swaledale sheep show, have become the latest victims of foot-and-mouth disease. Mr Alec Baines and his wife, Margaret, who run the Tan Hill inn, had the disease confirmed in
Sir, - In response to the letters of Brian Kennedy, Shirley Fletcher, Mark Beevers and the comments made by Spectator in recent weeks about the Saltburn sculptures, I feel that what is being discussed is taste, and never can two people agree on what is
THE NFU and English Nature this week launched a joint campaign to help farmers achieve new wildlife targets at a time of bleak farm incomes and the foot-and-mouth crisis. The scheme involves simple, low-cost land management steps and provides signposting
A PUB has applied for permission to extend its opening hours as part of a refurbishment programme. But a rival trader is calling for Middlesbrough Borough Council to impose a minimum entry fee to make it fair to nearby premises. Flares, on Albert Road
AT THE time of Agincourt, Middleham sent men to France who won a certain little skirmish. On Sunday, Yavana's Pace, one of Mark Johnston's stalwarts, also pounded his French rivals into the ground as he landed the Prix Gladiateur at Longchamp. Joe Fanning
Junior round-up - Whitley Bay Mischiefs earned an excellent point from a 4-4 draw against Kingston River Rats in the English Under-10 North. Mischiefs gained the point with an all important equaliser from James Chivers with a little under three minutes
Hello, is that you Tel? Steve Gibson here. Sorry to hear the viewing figures for The Premiership are not too good. And you must be sick already of loading up that stupid Prozone. "We've got a smashing new manager here at the Boro. Lovely feller, and a
THE wool board will adapt and play an important part in the future of the UK sheep industrys even though the severe impact of foot-and-mouth devastated board plans and operations over the last year. In the report and accounts for 2000-200l, Mr Frank Langrish
THE star-spangled banner flew at half-mast yesterday over a North-East building with historic trans-Atlantic links. Washington Old Hall, the ancestral home of the family of the first US president, is a popular visitor attraction for large numbers of American
THERE'S no stopping Irish wizard Aidan O'Brien these days. Backed by the immensely influential Coolmore Stud, every year he seems to have an embarrassment of riches in the two-year-old division. This season is no exception and a telling example of the
A NEW cycle bridge across a busy dual carriageway near Sedgefield was officially opened by Prime Minister Tony Blair last week. Mr Blair opened the County Durham Gateway Bridge across the busy A689 at the site of the former Wynyard Station. The Prime
South West Durham League - Spennymoor Jubilee and Willington Spectrum have gained promotion to division one. Langley Park had looked likely to earn one of the promotion spots but they lost their last league game 10-0. Shildon Town A and Bishop Auckland
THE annual Battle of Britain Parade, organised by the Redcar and District branch of the Royal Air Force Association, will take place on Sunday. The parade will assemble at the Rafa Club on Newcomen Terrace at 11am then march to the war memorial on Coatham
WORK by Middlesbrough artist Glynn Porteous, on display at a Redcar museum, has reunited him with a long-standing fan. In the 1970s Mr Porteous's work was featured in military magazines and catalogues where schoolboy Phil Philo - now the curator of the
A GUISBOROUGH school was subject to earthquake-like tremours at 11amlast Friday when more than 1,400 pupils jumped simultaneously for one minute in a scientific experiment. Similar mass jumps were staged at hundreds of other schools to create a large
THE nightjar, an elusive and once-threatened bird, known for its characteristic call and acrobatic displays, has made a comeback in the North Pennines. To highlight its return and publicise the reopening of forestry footpaths in Weardale, the Forestry
Bass North Cleveland League - Normanby Parklands recorded their 14th win in 21 games defeating Dormans by seven wickets. When the visitors made first use of the wicket they were restricted to 24 for nine which included 26 by Dale, while for Parklands
ON occasions, the behaviour of wild creatures can be baffling, especially when they do not conform to our expectations. I experienced a simple example during this morning's walk. As I climbed the hill, I noticed a carrion crow perched in the middle of
TEESSIDE has been put on high alert as a result of the horrific events in America. Cleveland Police said it had put its Counter Terrorist Strategy into action as soon as it heard what was happening in the States on Tuesday afternoon. A spokesman said
AN engineering firm has been fined for breaches of safety regulations after a woman's thumb was amputated by an unguarded machine. Vehicle gasket makers Elring Klingor (Great Britain) Ltd of Troisdorf Way, Kirkleatham Business Park, near Redcar, were
Alice McCullagh, a nine-year-old Yarm School pupil from Saltburn, is to make her debut at the Horse of the Year Show at Wembley next month after beating off competition from riders five years her senior to qualify. Alice will ride both her working hunter
Roseberry Group North-East Durham League - The championship will not be decided until tomorrow's final games since both East Rainton and Wearmouth won at the weekend. East Rainton go into their last game eight points in front of Wearmouth and they enjoyed
Stanley United's long-serving manager Vince Kirkup reckons that one win will kick-start his team's season. So far, the Hill Top club has taken just one point out of a possible 21 after Kirkup predicted that the side was good enough to finish in the top
PEOPLE in Sunderland are being urged to help make a local beach a tidier place. Sunderland City Council is organising a clean-up of the sands at Hendon on Saturday as part of the national Beachwatch initiative, run by the Maritime Conservation Society
THIS August was a good summer month. With winds mainly from a south-westerly quadrant, temperatures over the month were above normal. Just warmer than last year's, it was the mildest August since 1997. It was also fairly sunny and rainfall generally in
A GUISBOROUGH pub licencee has been criticised for making a last-minute withdrawal of a controversial application to extend its opening hours. Alison Round, licencee of The Buck, applied to Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's licensing committee for
Sunderland Catholic Club Over-40s League Ithe Premier League, in gusty conditions, both Billingham Wanderers and Northumbria Police took time to settle and ended drawing 1-1. The visitors took the lead after 15mins with a good shot from Steve Green. The
Spennymoor United haven't had much to cheer about recently - but they were happy to receive an award on Tuesday night. The UniBond League have introduced a Fair Play award this season in each division, and after August's games, Spennymoor were adjudged
A DELIGHTED County Durham breeder had her seven-year-old skewbald gelding qualify for the Horse of the Year Show at Wembley at the weekend. Clare Martin of Stainton Village and her husband, Glen, took their 16hh gelding, Merrigan, down to the Colour Horse
PEEPING behind the scenes is always fun, and that is part of the appeal of the now well-established heritage weekends - and there's also the matter of free entry to some places. Having developed a taste for high places on some Highland passes this summer
THE 21st Great North Run, the world's biggest half-marathon, takes place on Sunday with a field of 47,000 runners. Entrants of all ages and abilities will line up near Newcastle hoping that the months of training and effort will pay off. While the eyes
Liverton Road, passing through the village of Liverton Mines, near Loftus, will be closed for three weeks from Monday. This will allow for the reconstruction of Liverton Bank, resurfacing of the road between the railway bridge and Station Hotel and major
TWO men were being quizzed by police yesterday after an early morning blaze which claimed the life of a young woman. The woman, who has yet to be named, died in hospital in Scarborough where she had been taken suffering from smoke inhalation. The alarm
HARTLEPOOL United boss Chris Turner is pinning his faith on a new system. After two successful seasons playing with three central defenders, the Pool boss changed his tune last week and fielded a 4-4-2 line-up. And despite the 1-0 reverse at Scunthorpe
Bedale Hunt. - Variety show at Masham town hall rescheduled dates October 30 and 31, and November 2 and 3. Tickets £10 include supper. For details, ring Anne White on 01325 378259. BHS Durham. - Oct 4: Ernest Dillon FBHS, show jumping for fun or glory
SUE Todd, 41, from Appleton Wiske, near Northallerton, has swopped her riding boots for running shoes to enter tomorrow's Great North Run. Sue usually takes part in competitive long distance riding with her horse, Phantom, but because of foot-and-mouth
MUSLIMS in the North-East have pleaded for unity in the aftermath of the tragedy. With feelings running high, it is feared that some could use the attack as an excuse for reprisals against the Muslim community. One leader said: "We are calling for unity
YOUNG talent will be give the chance to shine as a theatre project brings glamour to the amateur stage. Dioynsis Theatre Company, which describes itself as the "new theatrical experience for the North-East", aims to hunt out the region's top young performers
AMIDST the mayhem this week and fears of a much bigger than expected world economic slowdown, reflected in jittery stock markets and general doom-mongering, there was some good news here in Darlington. One of the region's great industrial companies announced
A POPULAR vintage vehicle event in east Cleveland is due to take to the streets of Saltburn this weekend. It will be the ninth time Middlesbrough and District Motor Club has held its Vintage Spring Hill Climb in the town and this year's event is sponsored
A WOMAN picked up more than she bargained for when she visited a shopping centre. Sharon Ollie, a home care assistant from South Shields, won £800 worth of holiday vouchers in a Postcards from Paradise promotion at Durham's Prince Bishops shopping centre
POLICE are warning people to be on their guard against bogus callers who are phoning elderly people and arranging to visit their homes. Bishop Auckland detectives say they have had a number of complaints from people in the town who have been contacted
ENVIRONMENTAL improvements to the River Swale are to be carried out this autumn after a rejuvenation scheme was allowed a five-month extension. The Swale regeneration project, led by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, had been due to finish
A LANDMARK development spearheading the long-awaited renewal of Bishop Auckland's dwindling fortunes is under way. Builders have started work on a £675,000 conversion of a Newgate Street church into an exciting 'one stop' community centre in the heart
AN OLD soldier is preparing to sweat it out in an African desert to help ex-servicemen. Former Durham Light Infantry sergeant Bob Martin is the oldest member of a 70-strong team heading to South-West Africa for a week-long walk across 80 miles of the
A POPULAR vintage vehicle event in east Cleveland is set to take to the streets of Saltburn this weekend. It will be the ninth time Middlesbrough and District Motor Club has held its Vintage Spring Hill Climb in the town and this year's event is sponsored
LEAD deposits from old mine workings in the upper dales could mean a chemical time bomb is ticking away beneath riverside pastures, a scientist has said. Now environment experts, local authorities and the government are poised to meet to thrash out how
A MASSIVE new shopping development is on target for completion next month. Eighteen of the 23 shops in a shopping mall anchored on a giant Morrisons supermarket at Redcar are either already pre-let or under offer to a variety of national multiple retailers
Sarah Bilton, 25, is from Hartlepool and went to Brierton Comprehensive School and Hartlepool Sixth Form College. Sarah moved to New York City in October 1998 when Macy's department store sponsored her visa to work for as a manager of human resources
NORTH-East firms doing business with the US are reviewing arrangements in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on America. A number had been planning meetings with their counterparts across the Atlantic in the next few weeks, but have had to cancel
Hospital staff have been offered some relief by the jailing of a drunken, drug-abusing nuisance. Andrew Callan, described as a thorn in the side of the accident and emergency department staff at Durham's University Hospital, was jailed for 18 months.
COUNTY Durham traffic police have launched a month-long crackdown on speeding drivers at known hot spots. Crews are taking the force's mobile speed cameras to problem areas including major routes such as the A690 at West Rainton, near Durham City and
A FORMER student of Sir William Turner's College in Redcar is embarking on a new career on the other side of the world. Jill Stanton, 39, who grew up in Redcar, has been working as director of women's apparel for sports giant Nike at their headquarters
For most people, the initials WWF conjure up images of big-eyed pandas or natterjack toads, something cuddly, appealing, or at least worth preserving. For teenage boys it means American wrestlers. World Wrestling Federation, neither cuddly nor particularly
Darlington's talented youngsters were given a major boost when the members of the Darlington League voted to adopt the new 11-up scoring system. The juniors travel virtually every weekend, playing in tournaments where the 11-up system will be used and
A crisp factory worker with a chronic stammer who sued bosses after he was forced to speak in public faces a wait to find out if he has won his claim for damages. Kevin Alderson claimed he needed psychiatric treatment after being forced by Walker's Crisps
A NATIONAL advisor on myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) has lodged complaints against a council and hospital over their handling of the case of a Teesside teenager. Paul Franklin, child protection advisor for the Association of Young People with ME and vice-chairman
THE robust growth in high street sales slowed last month, official statistics have shown. Figures from the Office for National Statistics showed the volume of retail sales in August was 0.5 per cent above July and 6.3 per cent higher than August 2000.
POLICE have confirmed they are to be part of a new community office in the heart of Swaledale. Hudson House is due to open in Reeth next year, making the town the third in the Dales to open a one-stop shop for tourists and locals looking for information
A NORTH Yorkshire woman faced a traumatic wait for news of her son, who works just yards from the World Trade Centre in New York, scene of Tuesday's terrorist attack. Mrs Jenny Tomlain-Reeves, of Sinderby, near Thirsk, finally learned that 28-year-old
BRITAIN'S oldest department store is to change its name as part of a multi-million rebranding programme by retail giant John Lewis. Bainbridge, in Newcastle's Eldon Square shopping centre, was founded in 1838 and is a household name throughout the North-East
PEOPLE in Thornaby are celebrating after they won their battle to save their post office. Following a huge public consultation with householders and MP for Stockton south, Dari Taylor, the Post Office Network decided not to relocate the post office in
Hello, is that you Tel? Steve Gibson here. Sorry to hear the viewing figures for The Premiership are not too good. And you must be sick already of loading up that stupid Prozone. "We've got a smashing new manager here at the Boro. Lovely feller, and a
TWO weeks of term and already you've run out of ideas about what to give them for their packed lunch. Maybe we worry too much about variety. Virtually every school day for six years my younger son had garlic sausage sandwiches. He has grown up big and
CASUALTY may be one of the BBC's most watched, longest-running drama serials but nothing can be taken for granted in the modern TV world. So when Darlington-born Mervyn Watson was appointed series producer he sat down and took a long hard look at the
Whatever happened to Johnny Edgar, we asked by way of tail end titillation on Tuesday. He is alive and well and still a little embittered. Though he'd played in every round before the 1951 Amateur Cup final, was even on the team picture in the Wembley
From this newspaper 100 years ago. - Fashionable ball at Richmond. In honour of the home coming of their eldest son, Mr Bertram Walker, the Mayor and Mayoress of Richmond (Captain and Mrs Gerald Walker), of The Hill House, entertained a large and fashionable
Esh Winning completed the double by winning the Under-13 division of the Readers Durham County League and the R S Pratt Memorial Trophy, writes MALCOLM PRATT. They are also runners-up to Ryhope in the Durham County Under-13 Cup which was their only defeat
THE life of one of the most controversial British commanders of the First World War will be explored in a talk next month. Sir Douglas Haig was Commander-in-Chief of the British Expeditionary Force, and his period of command included the most costly battles
ARTIST Naomi Vincent explores themes of memory, stability and the transience of perfection through floating structures on the lake beside the Stable gallery at Old Sleningford, Mickley, near Ripon. Three pieces sit on the small, tranquil lake set in the
RURAL Affairs minister Mr Alun Michael will be handed a dossier of devastation when he visits North Yorkshire on Monday. The county has compiled a series of case studies showing the havoc wreaked on farms, businesses and tourism by the foot-and-mouth
Crook's new manager Ronan Liddane is "delighted" with his side's start to the season. He took over during the summer and has seen Crook recover quickly from relegation last season, and push themselves into promotion contention this time around. "I'm very
COMPETITION for places is intensifying at Feethams. Darlington's players head for Torquay this morning, knowing that any slip in standards could cost a first-team place. A strong Quakers second-string, coached by the recently-retired Martin Gray, deservedly
THE amount of industrial emissions in the North-East fell by 12 per cent between 1998 and last year, according to a report. The State of the Environment report, released by the North-East region of the Environment Agency, says there have been reductions
A CLEAN-UP of the beach at Saltburn takes place tomorrow by organisations in the town which have adopted the stretch of sand. Saltburn 500 Club and Surfers Against Sewage adopted the beach. They will be carrying out seasonal surveys and a clean-up as
A former US soldier who sued Northumbria Police over allegations that she suffered racist and sexist taunts by fellow officers has won £7,500 damages. Jennifer Ord, 36, was part of a Northumbria Police promotion push when she left the US Army to join
Letters from The Northern Echo TERRORISM THE tragedy, if that be the word for it, at The Pentagon and World Trade Centre has made a deep impact on a people whose reserves of shock had appeared drained by Oklahoma City, Waco and other calamities of recent
WITH the superstructure of Darlington Football Club's new stadium complete, the first consignment of 25,000 seating units has arrived at the Neasham Road site. But before a single seat can be put in place, 100,000 fixing holes will have to be drilled
A DRIVER who sped up a one-way street wrecking cars and injuring several people was jailed for 12 months yesterday. Mark Billingham, 36, of Trafalgar Terrace, Darlington, was three times over the drink-drive limit as he drove his Range Rover Discovery
TOP science students at the Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College in Darlington have won prizes for their efforts. The annual Heckscher Wolf prizes went to Robin Carter and Marilyn Willi for chemistry, David Bruce and Simon Dobson for maths, and Philip Tuddenham
FISHERMAN on the Yorkshire coast are urging the Government to give them more time to introduce new nets. The nets, with smaller mesh, have to be used from next year to help conserve fishing stocks in the North Sea. David Frampton, a Whitby skipper, said
Officials hunting the terrorist mastermind behind the horrific attacks on New York and Washington were building a clearer picture yesterday of how the devastating operation was carried out. More than 4,000 FBI agents have been assigned to work on the
AEROSPACE firm BAE Systems is confident of securing key deals for its Hawk training aircraft as its first-half profits edged ahead. The group is still waiting for lucrative orders from the Ministry of Defence and the Indian government but said it was
DEPARTMENT store group John Lewis said it was confident of stemming its profit fall this year after strong first-half sales. Profits across the business, which owns the Bainbridge department store in Newcastle and Waitrose supermarket chain, have fallen
PASSENGERS using Chester-le-Street railway station have the chance to see a classic British film at a discounted price - and all because it is the station master's birthday. Station master Alex Nelson has organised the discount with the Tyneside Cinema
Paul Errington and Gary Adey wrote their names into the record books when they produced magnificent performances for Federation Special Durham Senior League club Hetton Lyons. Paul achieved the unbelievable feat of taking six wickets in an over and Gary
A WOMAN picked up more than she bargained for when she visited a shopping centre. Sharon Ollie, a home care assistant from South Shields, won £800 worth of holiday vouchers in a Postcards from Paradise promotion at Durham's Prince Bishops shopping centre
THE Government's rural recovery coordinator will be in North Yorkshire today, hearing first-hand about the impact of foot-and-mouth on businesses and communities. Lord Haskins' role is to assist local authorities and other agencies in planning for the
Whatever happened to Johnny Edgar, we asked by way of tail end titillation on Tuesday. He is alive and well and still a little embittered. Though he'd played in every round before the 1951 Amateur Cup final, was even on the team picture in the Wembley
NEWCASTLE Jesters owners Fablon are hoping the already delayed season can now be put off until October. The firm's chairman, Graham Gutteridge, has asked the Ice Hockey Superleague to allow them to put their season face-off further back to allow the team
A PUBLIC meeting will decide the fate of a village play park being targeted for a housing site. The offer by Miller Homes has created bitter division in Middleton St George, where tempers flared at Monday's parish council meeting. The plan opens up the
Newton Aycliffe - Peter Milburn and Sue Milburn have had an outstanding week, both producing excellent times. In the Amble Dolphin run, a tough 10k over sand and road, Peter Milburn managed a very good fourth, ahead of the fast-improving Brent Morfoot
YOUNGSTERS from Brompton-on-Swale are taking to the road this weekend in their campaign to raise cash for a skate park. Income from a stall at the village fete is already in the kitty, which stands at about £100. The initiative has also won the support
LEISURE managers in Darlington are offering young people a chance to take control of their own club. A grant from the Awards For All lottery group will be used to relaunch the Friday Night Club at the town's Eastbourne Sports Complex - and organisers
VILLAGERS who have described a temporary telephone mast as a monstrosity are fighting to ensure that it does not become a permanent fixture at Well, near Bedale. The 40ft steel mast has been erected on land at the telephone exchange in Church Street by
NINE-YEAR-OLD Alice McCullagh of Saltburn and her beloved ponies have qualified for next month's Horse of the Year Show at Wembley. Alice and Little Storm, a 133cm working hunter pony and Starlyte Orinocho, a 122cm show hunter pony will be making their
ENGLAND'S stunning 5-1 victory over Germany has no doubt boosted the number of football fans signing up for their local Sunday league or pub team. And in the football-crazy North-East thousands of players turn out every weekend despite a less-than-healthy
Worthington CIU Team Knock-out Cup - Peter Davison, the team captain, became the hero of Fishburn when he potted the final black to give his side a one point home win over League Champions elect, Wheatley Hill A in the quarter final of the Team Knock-out
For most people, the initials WWF conjure up images of big-eyed pandas or natterjack toads, something cuddly, appealing, or at least worth preserving. For teenage boys it means American wrestlers. World Wrestling Federation, neither cuddly nor particularly
New County North Durham Youth League - Tony Thirkell scored twice when Redheugh defeated Consett in the Under-16 division. Cleveland Hall threw off the challenge by Leam Rangers by a 4-2 margin while South Shields edged Winlaton by the odd goal in the
MORE than 100 disabled children will have the chance to compete in a mini-paralympics next week. The youngsters from special and mainstream schools in County Durham will be joined at Shildon's Millennium Athletics Stadium next Tuesday by Olympic 400m
SIMON Watson was on a conference call with a client on the top floor of the 50-storey skyscraper next to the World Trade Centre when the first plane hit its target. While his colleagues bustled around and watched the spectacle from their Manhattan office
TRIBUTES have been paid to a prominent east Cleveland councillor who died on Tuesday morning. Coun Barbara Bowater, 53, who represented the Grangetown ward on Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, died peacefully in the James Cook University Hospital
TOUGH bio-security measures introduced to prevent the spread of foot-and-mouth in North Yorkshire have succeeded, Government officials claim. The Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (Defra) said the threat of disease in the Thirsk area
A NEW community office in the former police house at Masham could be ready by next summer if plans and funding come together. An open meeting called in Masham on Tuesday to update local people on the project was told that permission for change of use
FARMERS spend more than £16m a year looking after hedgerows, according to an NFU survey of 1,000 members. The rate of planting is increasing and more than 80pc actively manage their hedgerows to help wildlife and conserve the landscape. This care for
Sir, - It is only a few hours since the holocaust descended on New York and Washington but we already know that some aspects of our living have changed, perhaps forever. No doubt future high-rise buildings will be designed to minimise the impact of aircraft
QUAKERS make the long haul to Torquay tomorrow with their unbeaten run stretching to five games after a home draw with Carlisle United. It was the lowly Cumbrians who quickly took control at Feethams on Saturday, with direct attackers Steven Halliday
RICHMOND shoppers are invited to fall in love with local food when the town holds a farmers' market to help the rural economy out of the foot-and-mouth crisis. Twenty farmers will set up stalls in the market place tomorrow from 7.30, alongside the usual
ACCIDENT investigators are renewing their appeal for witnesses to a motorway crash last week which left a driver fighting for his life. The unnamed driver was behind the wheel of a white van travelling north on the A1(M) in the early hours of Tuesday
WORKERS who have helped take a Darlington manufacturing company from the threat of closure to a roaring success in just over a year will be rewarded today. Cleveland Bridge has bucked the downward trend for manufacturing companies in the North and has
FIREFIGHTERS fought a week-long battle against rubbish tip fire. The blaze started at the Mark's Quarry landfill site, Pithouse Lane, Leamside, near Durham, at the begining of last week, sending clouds of smoke over the countryside. By Monday firefighters
MILLIONS of people across Europe will pay their respects when they join in a three-minute silence today to mark the tragedy in America. The silence will be held at noon across Europe and at 11am British time. Local authorities, churches and other organisations
SOMETHING fishy has been going on at a North-East indoor market. In addition to the usual fare of cod, trout and other everyday fish, IK Fisheries is offering shark steaks at Durham City. Owner Ian Kennedy said: "The shark was caught locally when it strayed
MORE than 400 jobs will be created at Colburn business park at Catterick. Work to install the £1.5m initial infrastructure is now under way, and will be completed in January 2002, providing a 25-acre development site on former Catterick Garrison land.
STOKESLEY Methodist Church circuit has raised many thousands of pounds over the last five years to appoint a third full-time minister. The achievement bucks the downward trend of church life elsewhere - just over a week ago, Christianity in Britain was
AN outcry over a decision to axe door-to-door rent collection in Richmondshire has prompted the district council's housing chiefs to promise a meeting with tenants who have objected. More than 30 people signed a petition circulated in Catterick Village
THE chairman of a pub licensing committee has criticised a Guisborough landlady for a mix-up which led to a coach load of people travelling unnecessarily to the hearing. Protesters to plans by the Buck inn to remain open until 1am at weekends travelled
BRITISH holiday companies were last night trying to help thousands of UK tourists stranded in America by the trans-Atlantic flight ban. Airlines are poised to resume flights after the US lifted its aviation ban. The UK Government, too, announced its ban
SHOPPERS gave chase as a bag snatcher attempted to flee from a store car park, a court heard. Kenneth Stephen Ashurst prised the bag from the grasp of a 51-year-old woman, dragging her along the ground before the strap snapped, at the Arnison Centre in
