Archive
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Worker makes good on marathon swim pledge
A COUNCIL worker jumped in at the deep end when she promised to help boost the coffers of the mayor's charity crusade. Last year, Christine Brown promised the then deputy Mayor of Sedgefield Borough, Councillor Jackie Piggott, that she would swim the
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Awards for taking stand
COUNCIL leaders in Darlington are looking for local heroes who have stood up to trouble-makers. The Home Office's anti-social behaviour unit has launched the third Taking a Stand Awards. The accolades are presented to individuals or groups which have
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A tribute to Nelson
STAFF and visitors to Darlington's Crown Street Library are joining in Trafalgar Day celebrations. On Friday, there will be activities with a Trafalgar theme. At 2pm, there will be a free talk by the Reverend Hilary Jackson about Captain Cumby, of Heighington
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National award for community service
A STALWART of the community is being honoured with a top national award. Muriel Boreland, chairwoman of the Brougham Area Residents Association in Hartlepool, is being honoured for her tireless work in the town. She is to be given a Year of the Volunteer
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Tenants given help to find grant funding
NEW tenants at a thriving business park in Darlington are being offered up-to-date advice on available grants. Bosses at Lingfield Point said traders had the chance to access money from groups locally, regionally, nationally and even from Europe. Grants
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Former police authority boss suspended by Labour Party
THE former chairman of Cleveland Police Authority has been suspended by the Labour Party for opposing plans to demolish 1,500 homes. Councillor Ken Walker, who represents Gresham on Middlesbrough Council, has been barred from the party for three months
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Police arrest man in Ripper hoax probe
A 49-YEAR-OLD man was arrested last night by police investigating the so-called Wearside Jack hoax letters and tape sent to the Yorkshire Ripper inquiry team. West Yorkshire Police said the man was arrested in the Sunderland area on suspicion of attempting
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Jobs boost with opening of innovation centre
UP to 60 jobs could be coming to a former steeltown with the opening of a £1.1m innovation centre. The 7,800sq ft building on the site of the former Consett steelworks will provide a starter home for new businesses and is being seen as an important step
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Delight for school as its sporting
A NORTH Yorkshire school is celebrating sporting success in two fields of endeavour. Youngsters at Northallerton College have been making their mark in the worlds of both netball and rugby. In netball, the A team took the honours in the U19s Hambleton
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Plan for 6ft fence again put on hold
CONTROVERSIAL plans to erect 6ft-high fencing to enclose playing fields at Harrogate Grammar School have again been put on hold. It had been expected that the issue would be dealt with at North Yorkshire County Council's planning committee in Northallerton
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Mushtaq could return in spin threat to England
England could be faced with a familiar spin threat in their first post-Ashes assignment with veteran Mushtaq Ahmed being considered for a recall. Mushtaq's 80 first-class wickets for Sussex last summer have put him into the reckoning for the three-Test
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Slowdown hits furniture chain
ONE of the North-East's biggest names plunged into administration last night as new figures revealed an alarming increase in regional business failures. DP Furniture Express, the Sunderland-based company formerly known as Durham Pine, said the deteriorating
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Wearside Jack: arrest in Ripper hoax riddle
A 49-YEAR-OLD man was arrested last night by police investigating the so-called Wearside Jack hoax letters and tape sent to the Yorkshire Ripper inquiry team. West Yorkshire Police said the man was arrested in the Sunderland area on suspicion of attempting
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Rail services get a new look
THE Government yesterday signalled a new look for train services in the Midlands. It also announced that the CrossCountry franchise run by Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Trains company would be re-let in autumn 2007. Two new franchises - to be called East
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PD Ports receives takeover approach
Teessport owner PD Ports today confirmed it had received an initial takeover approach. The Middlesbrough-based ports and logistics operator declined to name its suitor and said there was no certainty that it would result in an offer. PD Ports owns and
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Work begins on town's £6.5m 'pedestrian heart'
WORK on one of the most controversial developments in Darlington in decades will officially get under way next week. Contractors are moving into the town centre to begin work on a £6.5m pedestrian heart project. Birse Civils Ltd will be creating the new
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Murder hunt police in plea to revellers
DETECTIVES hunting the killer of a North-East man have called on nightclub revellers to come forward with vital information. A murder investigation was launched after David Cutts, of Nimbus Close, Marton Manor, Middlesbrough, was declared brain dead and
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In preparation for the Volvo Masters
BOTH this week's Mallorca Classic and the Madrid Open are used by most golfers as preparation for the Volvo Masters next week - and I'm no different. Ideally it would be great to do well and record great finishes in all three competitions but the majority
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Dictator in the dock
Almost two years since he was found in a tiny cellar by US troops, Saddam Hussein finally goes on trial today. But with his defence questioning the legitimacy of the court, Nick Morrison looks at the hearing and what it could mean for the future of Iraq
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Solano fit to face Sunderland
AFTER being applauded back on to the training field by team-mates, Newcastle winger Nolberto Solano has declared himself fit and ready to take on Sunderland on Sunday. Solano has yet to make his second debut for the club following his deadline day switch
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How to spot a truly happy marriage
A lovey-dovey act in public can hide all sorts of problems, so how can you recognise the clues to the marriages made in heaven? HOW on earth do you prove you are happily married? Tricky one this, especially for the Beckhams. At a libel trial later this
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DNA crucial in Wearside Jack breakthrough
New DNA evidence brought the breakthrough in the hunt for the infamous Ripper hoaxer Wearside Jack. Cold case detectives swooped on Wearside and arrested a man after unearthing new evidence. A 49-year-old Sunderland man was being quizzed yesterday, accused
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Crafty activities for children's Halloween
SPOOKY entertainment is planned for children in the run-up to Halloween. The creative talents of primary school children will be put to the test in a variety of events at the Castlegate Shopping Centre, in Stockton, during the half-term holiday. Events
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Visit the courts - and the cells
VISITORS to a court will see mock trials and the wills of such figures as Princess Diana, William Shakespeare and Freddie Mercury. Those are just some of the events to be staged during the open day at the Teesside Combined Court Centre and the Teesside
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Inquest rules on artist shot by robbers while in India
AN inquest into the death of a naturalist who was shot as he sketched wildlife in India heard yesterday that he was unlawfully killed. David Green, described as a quiet and gentle man, was killed as he worked on his latest piece of art by a river. The
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Apple a day taking root
SCHOOLCHILDREN in east Durham are preparing for a healthier future. Pupils at St Cuthbert's Primary School will be planting an apple tree in the school grounds to mark National Apple Day. The activity is also part of a project to teach children the importance
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How to spot a truly happy marriage
A lovey-dovey act in public can hide all sorts of problems, so how can you recognise the clues to the marriages made in heaven? HOW on earth do you prove you are happily married? Tricky one this, especially for the Beckhams. At a libel trial later this
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Government plays down bird flu fears
THE Government moved to calm bird flu fears last night after a North-East farmer found eight dead seagulls in a week. Cattle farmer Jeff Horn called the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) after he saw the dead seagulls around Greatham
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'Unsafe' trench cost man his life
INVESTIGATIONS are continuing into the death of a 41-year-old foreman ground worker who died in a trench collapse. News that the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is still looking into how Neil Dunstan met his death on an east Cleveland building site
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'I was questioned in the Wearside Jack enquiry'
Police quizzed scores of North-East men as the hunt for the Yorkshire Ripper grew increasingly desperate. One of them was Northern Echo journalist John Hobbs. He tells his story here. AS a BBC radio news reporter in the 1970s I was more used to covering
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Work starts on 450 homes to transform a neighbourhood
WORK has started on a £50m transformation of a west Middlesbrough neighbourhood. More than 450 homes will be built during the redevelopment of central Whinney Banks, which will be known as Acklam Green. The first group of homes will be apartments, bungalows
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Palestine gunmen release N-E man
A NORTH-EAST journalist has been released unharmed after he was kidnapped by masked gunmen in Israel. Freelance photographer Adam Pletts and US colleague Dion Nissenbaum were taken by Palestinian gunmen as they worked on a story in the Gaza Strip. Last
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In preparation for the Volvo Masters
BOTH this week's Mallorca Classic and the Madrid Open are used by most golfers as preparation for the Volvo Masters next week - and I'm no different. Ideally it would be great to do well and record great finishes in all three competitions but the majority
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The biggest sidings in the kingdom
SIDINGS of comfort and joy, John Briggs comes across a 100-year-old postcard on ebay which confirms a long held belief: the railway marshalling yard at Shildon really was Britain's biggest. We were taught as much at Timothy Hackworth juniors, but we were
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McCarthy quick to defend Davis
MICK McCARTHY has jumped to the defence of under-fire Kelvin Davis ahead of Sunday's trip to Newcastle United, after the Sunderland goalkeeper was singled out for criticism by the Match of the Day team. Since making a £1.25m move from Ipswich Town in
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Prisoner may be on run in North-East
AN escaped prisoner from Cumbria may be on the run in the North-East. George Skelton, 29, appeared at Newcastle Crown Court in July 2003 and was sentenced to 78 months in jail for robbery and false imprisonment. On August 27, he escaped from Haverigg
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McCarthy quick to defend Davis
MICK McCARTHY has jumped to the defence of under-fire Kelvin Davis ahead of Sunday's trip to Newcastle United, after the Sunderland goalkeeper was singled out for criticism by the Match of the Day team. Since making a £1.25m move from Ipswich Town in
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Council is urged to back YMCA
MEMBERS of a town council have spoken in favour of a new YMCA centre. Barnard Castle community police inspector Kevin Tuck asked members of Barnard Castle Town Council to support the venture. He said: "If we can provide a facility that reduces the amount
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Allo, Allo - it's pantomime season
IT will be a case of 'Allo Allo' for Sleeping Beauty in this year's pantomime at Middlesbrough Theatre. Television star Kim Hartman, bound to be remembered forever as the unforgettable Nazi beauty Helga in the long-running comedy, is playing evil fairy
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Week of healthy living activities
FAMILIES in east Durham are being encouraged to start a new chapter of healthy living. Easington Colliery Library, in Seaside Lane South, is holding a week of events to encourage families to adopt a healthier lifestyle. The Health Week, which has been
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Library to open seven days a week
AN award-winning library is to become the first in County Durham to open seven days a week. This weekend, Clayport Library, in Durham City, will have its first Sunday opening and will celebrate with events ranging from a children's party to lute performances
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Children's centre opens
COUNTY Durham's first purpose-built Children's Centre was opened in Haswell yesterday. The centre is in the grounds of the east Durham village's primary school and was opened by Durham County Councillor Norman Wade, who was assisted in his task by four-year-old
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It could be the end for Xavier, warns Taylor
PLAYERS' chief Gordon Taylor last night warned Abel Xavier his career was hanging in the balance following last month's failed drugs test. The Middlesbrough full-back has protested his innocence after his A-sample came back positive following the UEFA
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Clark's injury-time dismissal adds to Pool's LDV agony
THE most profligate of first-half performances saw Hartlepool United knocked out of the LDV Vans Trophy at Scunthorpe last night. Pool have been accused of being too negative away from home this season, but last night they created 11 chances in the opening
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Parade to honour local hero
YOUNGSTERS are getting their boats ready for an annual Parade of Sail celebrating one of the greatest mariners who ever lived. The Great Ayton pageant will see scores of home-made craft sail down the River Leven next week. It is only one of the events
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Judge: 'People are sick and tired of violence'
PEOPLE in Harrogate must be sick and tired of street violence, a visiting judge told an offender yesterday. District Judge Sheila Driver, from Sheffield, was sitting at Harrogate Magistrates' Court when 21-year-old Paul Lawrence was brought before her
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Father declared not guilty of killing son as case collapses
A FATHER accused of murdering his son has been declared not guilty. Robert Stacey, 52, was said to have battered 19-year-old Scott Pritchard to death in January last year. Scott was found dead at the rear gate of his home in Lindsay Close, Hendon, Sunderland
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Hadfield proud to win silver medal
HARTLEPOOL light flyweight Michael Hadfield was down but not disheartened following his defeat in the 2005 World Cadet Championships final. The Headland ABC boxer put in a spirited performance before losing 26-17 to Kazakhstan's Sattibayev Olzhas over
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Bellway delight at record profits
LOW-cost homes builder Bellway posted record profits yesterday as it remained upbeat about the coming year despite a slowdown in the housing market. Pre-tax profits were up 6.2 per cent to £218.2m as the Newcastle-based company announced 7.8 per cent
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On TV
Neighbours (BBC1) The Unteachables (C4) I CURED myself of my addiction to Neighbours some years ago. But, in the interests of celebrating its 20th anniversary, felt obliged to stroll down Ramsay Street once more, especially as the producers made so much
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MP puts North-East tram system back on the agenda
ALAN Milburn has revived hopes of a tram system serving the North-East by calling for it to be the centrepiece of plans for economic revival. The Darlington MP and former cabinet minister said extending light rail to County Durham and Tees Valley was
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No time for fine words
IT is almost a year since the North-East flatly rejected an elected regional assembly, but the questions about where the region goes from there remain largely unanswered. Indeed, in many ways, the region appears more disunited than ever over how its affairs
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Father declared not guilty
A FATHER accused of murdering his son has been declared not guilty. Robert Stacey, 52, was said to have battered 19-year-old Scott Pritchard to death in January last year. Scott was found dead at the rear gate of his home in Lindsay Close, Hendon, Sunderland
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19/10/05
ROAD SIGNS: I am Australian. Having motored a few thousand very pleasant and easy miles through France, we came to the UK and have concluded that your road signs are made for locals who presumably know their way around, and are not made to help and guide
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Boro look too strong for Grasshoppers, says Haas
When Middlesbrough take on Grasshoppers in Zurich tomorrow, they will encounter a side bereft of Switzerland's biggest stars. Chief Sports Writer Scott Wilson talks to former Grasshoppers and Sunderland defender Bernt Haas to find out. GIVEN that Switzerland's
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Company's plans are boosted by fresh investment
A COMPANY spun out from university research has just received a major six-figure investment. Biofresh Limited, set up by researchers at Newcastle University to commercialise new technology to extend the shelf life of fresh food, clinched investment from
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Whispering set for a four-timer
Get more racing online at www.racing-north.co.uk. William Haggas improved Escayola out of all recognition in the last half of 2003. He now has another prolific winner on his hands in the shape of Whispering Death, who bids for the four-timer in the PDS
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Arrest in pub stairs death
A 21-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder following the death of a man who fell down stairs at a Middlesbrough pub. David Cutts, 49, of, Marton Manor in the town, suffered severe head injuries at Benson's Bar in Linthorpe Road at the
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Inquiry into plan to force firms out of their premises
A PUBLIC inquiry was held yesterday into a council's decision to force businesses from their properties as part of an ambitious plan to regenerate a north Durham town centre. Derwentside District Council intends to spend £500,000 demolishing the buildings
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Quakers spurn chance to exorcise the demons
DARLINGTON'S problems show no signs of easing after they were knocked out of the LDV Vans Trophy by Conference side Kidderminster Harriers last night. Quakers may have been bad at Bury on Saturday, but David Hodgson's men sunk to an even lower ebb in
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Film star is centre of attention as cast prepares for musical
ONE of the fendered friends from the 1968 film version of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang roared into the region yesterday to promote the musical's North-East theatre run... even if the original magical machine is no longer roadworthy. While a new £1m version
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The strange ways of the media
After almost half a century in journalism, I still often find myself mystified by the ways of the media. The Press and TV went to town on the drive-by shooting in Nottingham of 14-year-old Danielle Beccan. The outcome of the murder trial headed every
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Traders ready for markets spectacular
SHOPPERS can enjoy different markets this weekend as part of a national celebration. Darlington Borough Council is taking part in National Market Fortnight, run by the National Market Traders' Federation. The aim of the scheme is to promote different
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Calling all young witches and wizards
IT'S that time of year when spooks and spectres come out of hiding - to the delight of youngsters everywhere. And at Kiplin Hall, near Scorton, children are being given the chance to join in the fun of the Halloween season. Next Wednesday, from 11am to
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The answers to all of your questions - just a click away
COUNTY council staff are helping to deliver a pioneering scheme which allows library users to get instant answers to their questions over the Internet. Enquire is a service available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. During normal office hours, staff
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Xavier: I am not a drugs cheat
ABEL Xavier last night insisted he was not a drugs cheat and promised to do everything possible to clear his name after his positive test for a banned substance. The Middlesbrough full-back, who is excluded from all competitions, has confirmed he failed
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Discovering roots of Bodhi tree
EAGER youngsters have been getting a flavour of Indian culture during a series of craft and dance sessions. Pupils at Framwellgate Moor Primary School, in Durham, are receiving lessons, helping to shine some light on the traditions of the sub-continent
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It's not fair, says bomb row teacher
A MUSLIM teacher at the centre of a police probe over claims he warned pupils that he would plant a bomb on their bus insisted last night that it was all a misunderstanding. Physics teacher Mazin Albarq insisted he knew nothing of complaints from parents
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The biggest sidings in the kingdom
SIDINGS of comfort and joy, John Briggs comes across a 100-year-old postcard on ebay which confirms a long held belief: the railway marshalling yard at Shildon really was Britain's biggest. We were taught as much at Timothy Hackworth juniors, but we were
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The biggest sidings in the kingdom
SIDINGS of comfort and joy, John Briggs comes across a 100-year-old postcard on ebay which confirms a long held belief: the railway marshalling yard at Shildon really was Britain's biggest. We were taught as much at Timothy Hackworth juniors, but we were
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Bellway is still building on growth with record profits
LOW-cost homes builder Bellway posted record profits yesterday as it remained upbeat about the coming year despite a slowdown in the housing market. Pre-tax profits were up 6.2 per cent to £218.2m as the Newcastle-based company announced 7.8 per cent
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Petrol price surge pushes inflation up
A SURGE in petrol prices pushed the annual rate of inflation higher in September for the fourth month in a row, official figures showed. The Consumer Prices Index (CPI) rose to 2.5 per cent last month from 2.4 per cent in August - remaining at its highest
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'Overseas bank jobs upsetting customers'
STAFF at Lloyds TSB are facing high levels of customer dissatisfaction about the bank's policy of transferring work to India, a union claimed last night. A survey of nearly 2,000 branch managers and staff found that 96 per cent of people thought customers
