Archive
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Charity worker falsified receipts
A CHARITY worker who stole from his employer escaped jail yesterday. Stephen Joseph Phillips, 41, of Ashbrook, Sunderland, admitted nine counts of false accounting and four of theft when he appeared at Teesside Crown Court. The court heard the offences
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Local heroes young and old help to open multi-million pound superstore
A PAIR of young local heroes signalled the start of a shopping frenzy as a town's new store opened for business for the first time yesterday. The multi-million pound Asda store in Peterlee, County Durham, was opened by Sarah Dowson and Frances Lee, two
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N-E mother's warning over debt trap
A NORTH-EAST woman who has debts of about £17,000 from a High Street bank was at the centre of an awareness campaign yesterday. The unemployed east Cleveland mother told her story on a video which was screened by the Trading Standards Institute at the
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Subjects of lessons are quite a handful
EXOTIC creatures patrolled the classroom when secondary school students learned all about the environment. Pupils from St John's RC Comprehensive School, in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, came face to face with a Chile-Rose tarantula, a snake, a toad
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Youngsters get chance to taste European life
COUNTY Durham teenagers are being offered the chance to see how their counterparts in Europe live. Young people aged 14 to 18 can sample life in France or Germany on two exchange visits being organised by Durham County Council next year. "An exchange
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Grieving New York wakes up to a new nightmare . . .
WHEN she woke up yesterday morning, New York attorney Bridget Fitzpatrick thought it would be a good time to give up smoking. By nine o'clock she was lighting another cigarette - and trying once again to come to terms with scenes of almost apocalyptic
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Ban stops workers parking near offices
HUNDREDS of civil servants are angry after being banned by shopping centre managers from parking in prime spaces in front of their offices. Benefits Agency workers at Durham House, Washington, are threatening to boycott the town's Galleries shopping centre
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Bus services hit as pay-row drivers pledge more strikes
BUS services were severely disrupted yesterday as drivers across the region continued with industrial action. The 24-hour strike over pay and conditions took place at Stagecoach North East bus depots in Hartlepool, Stockton and Darlington, with drivers
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Report on release of sex attacker due
long-awaited findings of an investigation into how a child sex attacker was freed just months before he killed in the North-East will be released tomorrow. The inquiry was launched after Dominic McKilligan was jailed for life, in July 1999, for the murder
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Excavators boss digging for victory
EUROPE'S premier excavator manufacturer Komatsu UK, has appointed a new managing director. He is 39-year-old PETER HOWE, who is promoted from the position of deputy managing director at the business in Birtley, County Durham. He is one of the youngest
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Businesses advised on combating terrorism
A unique security seminar offering advice on terrorism to businesses has taken place in the region. Crime Free Zone put together a security conference to give guidance and advice to companies in County Durham. They set up the initiative after Durham police
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'Bitter? I could have been a Beatle'
I t was August 1962. Pete Best, a drummer with a band from Liverpool, just about to break into the big time, was getting married in two days. The band was playing the Cavern in Liverpool after a successful tour in Hamburg. His manager called him and asked
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Warm response to eastern europe appeal
RUMMAGING around in cupboards and wardrobes has helped pupils give a boost to people in Eastern Europe. Youngsters at Ryedale School, in Nawton, have collected a huge amount of clothing to send to Romania, Albania and the Ukraine. The school will send
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North-East swoop in UK drugs investigation
Three middle-aged men from the North-East have been arrested as part of a huge nationwide drugs bust. The National Crime Squad today swooped on homes in Tyneside, Merseyside and Scotland, arresting at total of 13 people and smashing what is thought to
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Quakers Clark move on hold
DARLINGTON'S move for Hartlepool's Ian Clark has been put on hold after the two clubs failed to conclude a deal for the winger. Clark was expected to sign on the dotted line at Feethams this morning after it was reported the clubs had agreed a £10,000
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The honour of war
In the war against terrorism there comes more news from the home front: the IRA is to issue campaign medals to its terrorists. This news was announced on Remembrance Day. It will be interesting to see what form these awards take. The VC, perhaps - where
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How Hendy of Hurworth hotted up the derby
The great Brian Henderson, whose funeral is today, is remembered not just for his 463 games (and three goals) for Darlington but for a Hurworth derby. It was 1974 in the occasionally equivocal Church and Friendly League. Gordon Metcalfe, a bit bairn of
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Horrified Sir Paul witnesses the crash
SIR Paul McCartney told of his horror after witnessing the aftermath of the disaster from the window of his Concorde flight, which landed in New York just minutes after the crash. The former Beatle was flying into New York's JFK airport to promote his
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Karting team revs up to win gruelling race
KARTING enthusiasts were in top gear to grab victory at a rival track. A five-strong team from the Top Gear indoor karting centre in Durham emerged triumphant after a gruelling two-and-a-half hour distance test at the weekend. Driving in stints of a quarter-of-an-hour
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School in shock after pupils death
A SCHOOL was in mourning last night after a pupil collapsed and died during a lesson. An investigation is under way into the death of 14-year-old Jamie Bucknell, who died during an English lesson at Huntington School, in York, yesterday. The year ten
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It's time for Reid to deliver, claim fans
UNDER-PRESSURE Sunderland manager Peter Reid faces a fans' revolt unless he can inspire an immediate Premiership revival. The Wearsiders have slumped to fifth bottom place in the table after three defeats in the last four games. And unrest among supporters
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Make theirs a double, barman
DRINKERS at a newly-refurbished pub saw double yesterday. Ten sets of identical twins made a VIP appearance at the Gretna Green, near Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, to celebrate its reopening after a £42,000 refurbishment - and to promote a two-for-one
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Rebel with a cause
MUCH-IMPROVED Rebel Son rates the top bet on a fascinating seven-race card at Sedgefield this afternoon. Course director and local permit holder John Wade has generously sponsored the £12,500 hurdle at 2.50 to celebrate his birthday, although I regret
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Man had sex with 14-year-old girl in shop
A 31-YEAR-OLD man who admitting having sex with a 14-year-old girl in the back room of his father's shop was given a suspended prison sentence yesterday. Andrew Bell, of Anson Walk, Coundon, received a nine months sentence suspended for two years, when
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Are we getting into bed with the devil?
JUST 37 days after the war against terrorism started in earnest, troops backed by the international coalition reached the gates of Kabul, the Taliban regime is seemingly on the brink of collapse and a key war aim is on the verge of being fulfilled. But
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Jobs fair hailed a big success
HUNDREDS of people turned out for The Northern Echo's Autumn Job Fair at the Dolphin Centre, in Darlington, yesterday. More than 25 companies and organisations were represented at the event, which attracted people from across the region. Members of the
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Masked raider stabs jewellery shop manager
A JEWELLERY shop manager was stabbed in the neck as he grappled with a masked teenaged raider. The 45-year-old man and two staff members tackled the robber, who was wielding a large knife. The manager suffered two wounds to his neck and one to his hand
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Women want new laws on fireworks
CAMPAIGNERS battling for tougher laws on fireworks are challenging a Government minister to a face-to-face meeting in a bid for action. Three women battling to sweep away laws dating back to 1875 say mayhem caused in the run up to this year's Bonfire
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Laying some firm foundations for learning
CHILDREN from a Darlington primary school had the chance to learn all about house building when they visited a college's bricklaying course. Children as young as five from Skerne Park Primary School spent a day at Darlington College of Technology, where
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Card scheme is back for season
A Christmas card which raises cash to help keep the Harrogate District Talking Newspaper for the Blind operational, has gone on sale. The painting by John Sibson features the war memorial near St Peter's Church, with a Christmas tree alongside it. The
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New recruits to the ranks of city's freemen
A FORMER council chief and the oldest member of the mayor's bodyguard have joined the Durham City Guild of Freemen. The guild dates back hundreds of years, to the time when craftsmen and traders, including masons, joiners and cordwainers, ran the city's
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Southgate hopes to be fit to face old Villa colleagues
MIDDLESBROUGH defender Gareth Southgate is hoping to shake off a knock in time to make his first return to Aston Villa on Saturday. The 31-year-old centre-back picked up what is thought to be a minor problem while on duty for England in the 1-1 weekend
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Talks pull back job losses to 87
CONSULTATION between management and workers at Finnish plastics component firm Perlos has led to fewer redundancies than originally anticipated. The Rainton Bridge, Sunderland-based business yesterday confirmed that it was making 87 of its 320-strong
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Projects keeping company busy
THE Tyneside office of global project and cost consultant Faithful&Gould is enjoying a period of intense activity, having picked up a number of new projects. Two projects have been awarded by Northumbrian Water. The first provides the consultancy
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Advance effort speeds ahead
DEVELOPER Terrace Hill has let the top floor of the Advance Building at Teesdale Business Park to the National Care Standards Commission. The deal for the 12,500 sq ft floor has been concluded in record time, with construction of the three-storey building
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Energy boost for creative pupils
GREEN-THINKING youngsters were celebrating yesterday after winning an environmental award and £100 for their school. A group of nine-year-old pupils from Queen Mary's School, at Topcliffe, near Thirsk, produced displays about their visit to the Teesmouth
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Unity bid over remembrance
A MAYOR has pledged to try to reunite a city's official Remembrance Day gathering amid growing public unease over two rival ceremonies which have split a city. A leading Royal British Legion member has also asked the local branch to reconsider its breakaway
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Park schemes shape-up
THREE major new attractions at a popular countryside park in Hartlepool have moved a step closer to becoming reality. Construction work has started on a junior adventure and fitness area for eight to 13-year-olds, which is based on a fort design, another
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Turning up heat on safety lessons
FIRE officers are struggling to educate young people about the dangers of starting fires after an increase in the number of malicious blazes in Country Durham. Since last year there has been a 22 per cent increase in malicious fires, with a total of 784
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Job Search 2001
MORE details about the jobs below are available from the Employment Service Direct on (0845) 606 0234. Office manager, Thirsk. £13,764 to £15,342pa, 37hrs pw. Must have good admin, telephone and reception skills with word processing ability. Should be
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Drugs ring 'second-in-command' locked up for 12 years
THE "second-in-command" to a fugitive drug baron has been jailed for 12 years for his part in a £3m narcotics ring. Michael Watts, 34, was arrested when undercover police smashed his operation and seized Ecstasy and cannabis destined for towns across
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Child starts bedding blaze
SEVERE damage was caused to a bed after a child set fire to it using his sister's lighter. The incident happened in Overdale Road, South Bank, Middlesbrough, while the child was in the house with his mother. On discovering the blaze, the woman tried to
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Man found guilty of trapping bird species in decline
ANIMAL welfare workers found three wild birds and the most complete bird-trapping kit they had encountered during a raid on a North-East house, a court heard yesterday. John Tams - also known as John Dugdale - failed to attend but was found guilty of
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Vandals strike again in village
A wave of vandalism has swept through a North Yorkshire village in the week formal bids have been submitted for sites for CCTV cameras. Scotton has been plagued by incidents of criminal damage, nuisance and abuse for the past 12 months, despite a police
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Protest to be mounted against mast plan for beauty spot
A PUBLIC protest is planned in the heart of a national park today by campaigners who have spent the past two years resisting plans for a telecommunications mast close to their homes. The dish and tower are part of a package which will allow emergency
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High-tech team is a Neet response to litter problem
A battle to rid a town's streets of rubbish is being stepped up with the introduction of a litter-fighting team. From this week, the four-strong Neighbourhood Environmental Enforcement Team (Neet), will patrol the streets of 14 wards belonging to Middlesbrough's
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The youngsters who are hooked on acting
LIKE Peter Pan, a small part of 18 of the region's most talented youngsters will be forever young. For the six to 11-year-olds will be able to look back on the time they starred at one of the North-East's leading venues in Peter Pan - The Pantomime. The
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A nation still living in fear
"RELAX, folks" says one official, speaking to millions of disbelieving television viewers. "Accidents happen. This one isn't bin Laden's handiwork." But after the terror of September 11, which left an outraged United States, and New York in particular
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Murton climb out of hole
A NOMADIC Northern League club return to play at home for the first time in 18 months tonight. Local people have been urged to rally round Murton FC on the team's reappearance at Welfare Park, in the former east Durham pit village. Tonight's Albany Northern
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GP wins appeal over suspension
A doctor who once treated Prime Minister Tony Blair has won his appeal against suspension. Dr Sivaguranaphan Srirangalingam, known as Dr Sri, 61, of Trimdon Station, in Mr Blair's Sedgefield constituency, was suspended for nine months by the General Medical
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Firefighters in drive to reduce arson attacks
FIRE officers are striving to educate young people about the dangers of starting fires after an increase in the number of malicious blazes in Country Durham. Since last year, there has been a 22 per cent increase in malicious fires in the county, with
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Triumphant alliance at gates of Kabul
FIGHTERS of the Northern Alliance were last night at the gates of the Afghan capital Kabul following the dramatic collapse of resistance by the ruling Taliban across large swathes of the country. Taliban troops were reportedly in flight after days of
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Hammers close in on nailing down Lee
WEST HAM are close to agreeing to pay £500,000 for unhappy Newcastle United midfielder Robert Lee. The former England international last month submitted a surprise transfer request, which was promptly rejected by the Newcastle board. Hammers manager Glenn
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Job Search 2001
MORE details about the jobs below are available from the Employment Service Direct on (0845) 606 0234. Security officer, Thornaby. £4.31ph. Must have driving licence, be age 25-plus and provide ten-year checkable work/school history. Ref: THN 6058. Santa
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Job Search 2001
Care assistant, Stanley. £4.10ph, 21hrs pw. Experience working in care home for elderly is essential. Must be able to provide two work reference and be flexible. Ref: STG 14468. RMN, Stanley. £18,000 to £20,000pa. Required for nursing home. Must be registered
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Children get the message on being model passengers
A SPECIALLY-designed car is driving home to children the importance of wearing a seatbelt. The vehicle, manufactured in conjunction with a local model maker, is on a tour of Middlesbrough primary schools. By using models as passengers, Middlesbrough Borough
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Airlines braced for more misery
THE American Airlines plane crash in New York yesterday will have a disastrous effect on the airline industry, aviation experts have warned. The global aviation industry is already suffering huge losses as a result of the September 11 terrorist attacks
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Students' art skills on show
SIX students on a basic watercolours course for adults competed in a contest to mark the end of their studies. The adult learning classes at Haughton Community School, Darlington, sponsored by Darlington Borough Council's lifelong learning team, held
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Chance for residents to get voice heard
RESIDENTS in Hartlepool's central area are being reminded that the next meeting of their Central Neighbourhood Forum takes place today The forum, which gives people an opportunity to air views, put points to council officers and discuss ways of improving
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Leading UK economist gives annual lecture
ONE of Britain's leading economists will be in Darlington on Friday to give an annual lecture. Professor John Kay, a fellow of St John's College, Oxford, has interests encompassing both business strategy and public policy. His work is mostly concerned
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Gift lights way for Scouts
MEMBERS of a local Scout group are enjoying the great outdoors again, thanks to a cash grant from a building society. The 1st Kirklevington Scout group, near Yarm, received £360 from Newcastle Building Society to help buy new camping and outdoors equipment
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Apache's salute
AN aircraft which has struck fear into the hearts of soldiers around the globe hovered over the north for the first time yesterday. An Apache helicopter flew into the Army Air Corps base, at Dishforth, to mark the departure of commanding officer Lieutenant
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Camp site plan for Dales farm
A FARM which lost its livestock to foot-and-mouth disease could be converted into a camp site. Members of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority gave their consent to a pony trekking centre at Ashes Farm, near Hawes in Wensleydale, a few weeks ago
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End in sight for waiting lists over one year - health chiefs
HOSPITALS across North Yorkshire are on course to ensure none of their patients wait more than 12 months for treatment, health officials have claimed. Four of the county's five acute hospitals had no one waiting for longer than 12 months by the end of
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New hearing in badger case
MAGISTRATES decided not to accept a farmer's guilty plea when he appeared in court yesterday to answer charges of interfering with a badger sett on his land. Mark Simpson, of Hunter Hill, Seamer, near Middlesbrough, admitted blocking holes leading underground
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Artist makes appeal for the preservation of town's art gallery
A DARLINGTON artist has appealed for the town's art gallery to be retained. Darlington Borough Council is considering removing the gallery from the Crown Street library to make way for a public access computer suite. The proposal has been prompted by
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Traffic wardens now armed with scooters
A new "flying squad" of traffic wardens will strike fear into the hearts of errant motorists with their latest weapon. From this week the team of two will take turns to patrol the streets of Teesside on a shining silver scooter. Concentrating mainly on
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Knifeman in assault on woman
A WOMAN was subjected to a serious sexual assault after being attacked by a man carrying a knife, police said yesterday. The 26-year-old woman was crossing Scarcroft Park, in York, late on Sunday night when she was confronted by the man. The incident
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Job Search 2001
MORE details about the jobs below are available from the Employment Service Direct on (0845) 606 0234. Programme coordinator, Newton Aycliffe, £12,000 pro rata, 20hrs pw, must have experience, D32/33 and either IBT2, NVQ3 or ECDL. Ref: NEU 15811. Taxi
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Force spells out progress on website
A POLICE force's progress over the past year is outlined in a new report. The Chief Constable's annual report for 2000-2001 has just been published by Cleveland Police, and, for the first time, can be accessed on the Internet. It includes special features
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Cannabis find in empty house
Cannabis plants with an estimated value of tens of thousands of pounds have been recovered from an empty blaze-hit house. The surprise discovery of what police believe was a long-standing cannabis growing operation was made on Sunday evening as a result
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An ale and hearty affair
THE Oxford English Dictionary defines "tithe" as "to grant or pay a tenth of one's goods, especially in support of the church". Scripturally, at least, it still applies. Far from being the tithe that binds, however, most Anglicans appear to believe that
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Keeping work in N-E
ENTERPISE agency Entrust is managing a construction industry training scheme to ensure future jobs on North-East building projects go to Tynesiders. The Ignite project, launched in June, has already developed successful links with major construction projects
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Man critical after attack in street
A MAN is in a critical condition after being attacked on a busy North-East street. The 34-year-old, who lives locally, was attacked on Normanby Road, South Bank, in Middlesbrough, near its junction with Market Street. He suffered severe facial and internal
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Your chance to be a LiveWIRE
YOUNG business people on South Tyneside are being urged to enter a national competition, which is being co-ordinated locally by the Tyneside Economic Development Company. The Shell LiveWIRE Young Start-Up Award is an annual competition designed to recognise
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Taliban resolve crumbles ahead of final offensive
TALIBAN forces appeared to be fleeing Kabul last night as the opposition Northern Alliance said their troops had pushed to the gates of the Afghan capital. As US jets patrolled the skies, witnesses saw cars, trucks and armoured personnel carriers filled
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Promise to restore run-down park to its former glory
PLANS are being made to restore an historic park that was once a jewel in the region's crown. When it was founded by Sir Eustace Smith in 1921, Smith's Dock Park, in Normanby, Middlesbrough, was a prime recreational spot. Covering a wide area of green
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Drive to reduce arson attacks
FIRE officers are striving to educate young people about the dangers of starting fires after an increase in the number of malicious blazes in Country Durham. Since last year, there has been a 22 per cent increase in malicious fires in the county, with
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Deaths admitted
A 19-year-old butcher from North Yorkshire yesterday admitted causing the deaths of two people by dangerous driving. Andrew Dennis Tock was remanded on bail for pre-sentence reports when he entered his pleas at York Crown Court. Tock, of Thornton-le-Dale
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Cash boost for holiday club
AN after-school and holiday club for disabled children in Darlington has received £1,950 from the Abbey National Community partnership. The Darlington After School and Holiday (DASH) club will use the money for equipment and to meet the costs of playcare
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1,200 stub out habit
MORE than 1,200 people have stopped smoking in the past year, thanks to the services offered by six primary care groups in County Durham and Darlington. That is more than three times the target set by the Government for the team of smoking cessation advisors
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Glittering ceremony as High Sheriff nominated
THE new High Sheriff of Durham was officially nominated at a glittering, centuries-old ceremony at London's High Court yesterday. Judges and court officials wearing official clothing presided over the nomination of 51 High Sheriffs and their deputies
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Europe trips on offer for teenagers
COUNTY Durham teenagers are being offered the chance to see how their counterparts in Europe live. Young people aged 14 to 18 can sample life in France or Germany on exchange visits being organised by Durham County Council next year. "An exchange visit
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Local charity branch wins help accolade
THE Newton Aycliffe branch of a national charity which helps families in debt has been named the best in the country for two months in succession. Each month, managers at the Bradford headquarters of Christians Against Poverty (CAP) assess each centre
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Fears over register office allayed
AN office for the registration of births and deaths is to stay open, councillors have been assured. Durham county councillors Bill Blenkinsopp and Terry Hogan had expressed their concern that the registration service in Newton Aycliffe was to be closed
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'Heavy round' mail worker wins damages
A POSTAL worker who complained her delivery round was too difficult for a woman has won more than £5,000 damages. Janice Gibson, 43, of Roker, Sunderland, said she aggravated a shoulder complaint while carrying heavy bags of letters and parcels up hundreds
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Sheila stars for England
DOUBLE World Veterans Championships gold medallist Sheila Allen produced one of her best performances leading England to victory in the Home Countries Cross Country International in Falkirk. The 44-year-old Sunderland University domestic was beaten only
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Hear all sides
SIR PETER BONFIELD I AGREE with the editorial (Echo, Nov 1) that no one should begrudge senior directors handsome salaries and gifts on their retirement if they have earned it. But the pay-off Sir Peter Bonfield will receive beggars belief. If he had
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Survey of the surveyors
THE eyes of chartered surveyors around the world will be on their North-East colleagues this month as they take part in a special professional survey. All 3,000 members of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors in the North-East are being sent a
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Three-year success
NATIONAL chartered surveyor and property consultant Gerald Eve is celebrating three years on Tyneside, having carved out a fair slice of the North-East property market. The Newcastle office covers Teesside to the Scottish Borders. The business is best
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Convent's £4m transformation
A MAJOR development which attracted former Tory leader William Hague to its inauguration last September is in its final stage, with the majority of its 42 new and converted properties already occupied. St Anne's Convent, in Richmond, North Yorkshire,
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Staff express despair as arts centre closes
Stockton's multi-million pound arts venue has been dissolved today after being beset by financial troubles for more than two years. The Arc opened three months late and £1million over budget in January 1999 and since then it has failed to live up to expectations
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Echo Investor
THIS week sees a further collection of company results covering the full scope of former technology darlings across to perceived defensive plays. Firstly, we can test the inflationary waters with October's year-on-year figure published today expected
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Flying start idea for firefighters
YOUNG firefighters on Teesside will get the chance to start training early if the Government approves a Cleveland cadet scheme. Plans are being drawn up for a Youth Fire Training scheme in Redcar and Cleveland to teach firefighting skills to 16 and 17
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Murder charge despite operating table error
A man who stabbed his friend has gone on trial for murder - even though it was a surgeon's operating table blunder which killed him. Barman Andrew Ferguson, 29, stabbed 33-year-old Paul Cardella during a violent row, driving the seven-inch blade into
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Comment from The Northern Echo; Who can make peace?
WE must not assume that the military action in Afghanistan is as good as over. The Northern Alliance controls only 40 per cent of the country. While Kabul appears to be at its mercy, the Taliban heartland in the south of the country may be more difficult
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Oh God, not again
IT had been a city slowly beginning to regain its confidence after the unthinkable horrors of September 11. But last night, New York was plunged back into fear, disbelief and despair after a passenger jet with more than 250 people on board crashed into
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Rockaway already in mourning
The New York district where the jet went down was already mourning dozens of victims of the September 11 terror attacks. A large number of the firefighters and port authority officials killed in the World Trade Centre horror lived in the Rockaway area
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Runaway returns a star
AN author who last visited Teesside as a teenage runaway, returned for a book signing on Sunday. When he was 16, Edinburgh-born Neil Shaw-Larkman, whose book The Great London Adventure is set to become a Christmas best-seller, stopped off in Middlesbrough
