Archive
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Praise for district nurses who battled through weather
DISTRICT nurses have been praised for their dedication to duty during the recent arctic weather. In one case a nurse did six home visits on foot in the snow, which took her seven hours. Staff also stayed overnight at Urgent Care Centres across County
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Doorstep caller fended off knife attack
A POWER company canvasser had to fend off a knife attacker during a home call, a court heard. Stephen Leach lunged several times with a knife at Josh Rooney on the doorstep of a house in Chester-le-Street, County Durham. But, Durham Crown Court heard
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Latest British casualty takes Afghanistan death toll to 250
A BRITISH soldier from A Company 4 Rifles has been killed in an explosion in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence said tonight. The death of the soldier, serving as part of 3 Rifles Battle Group, takes the toll of British dead in Afghanistan to 250 since
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Terror threat level raised to "severe"
THE threat to the UK from international terrorism was tonight raised from substantial to severe - meaning an attack is "highly likely". Home Secretary Alan Johnson said although the threat had increased there was no intelligence to suggest an attack
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HUMAN BED-WARMERS
I was asked a strange question today. As a divorce lawyer where do I stand on Holiday Inn’s announcement that it is to trial human bed warmers? To be honest, I never thought that I was obliged to take a stance on this issue. However, as someone who
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Builders uncover underground burial vaults
UNDERGROUIND burial vaults containing human remains have been uncovered by contractors breaking up a building garage on a development site. The chambers below Villiers Street, in Sunniside, Sunderland were discovered under a former Sunday school building
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The Weardale workings-out
I'M still fascinated by William Emerson, the legendary Hurworth mathematician. It was said, though, that he needed the peace of Weardale in which to do his workings out. In Hurworth, his maid became worried that she hadn’t seen, or fed, him for three
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Match Preview: Portsmouth v Sunderland
PORTSMOUTH James Begovic Mokoena Kaboul Hreidarsson Mullins Brown Diop Boateng Utaka Piquionne Bent Campbell Reid Henderson Cana Malbranque Zenden Turner Da Silva Bardsley Gordon SUNDERLAND Sunderland subs (from): Fulop, Carson
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200 days until Tall Ships arrive
A SPECIAL event has been held to mark 200 days until the Tall Ships arrive in the region. Organisers and sponsors gathered together at Hartlepool United Football Club last week to hear about the latest news for the Tall Ships Race 2010. Hartlepool Mayor
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Thousands of shoppers' credit cards may have been 'skimmed'
POLICE have warned shoppers to check their bank accounts after a sophisticated credit card skimming device was discovered. The machine was found by an alert shopper at the Asda supermarket in Whinbush Way, Darlington. Police said last night that the
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Darlington ska band celebrates 21st birthday
A SKA band from Darlington are to celebrate their 21st birthday with a special show later this month. The G Men mark the special occasion with a headlining show at The Forum, Borough Road, on Friday, January 29. The group will be supported by two other
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Match Preview: Crewe Alexandra v Darlington
CREWE Phillips Brayford ODonnell Mitchell-King Tootle Westwood Schumacher Walton Murphy Zola Donaldson Purcell Diop J Smith G Smith Dempsey Waite Giddings White Miller Arnison Liversedge Darlington Darlington
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Schoolgirl to take on charity sky dive
A SCHOOLGIRL is to take on a charity sky dive to raise money in memory of her mother. Rachel Johnston's mum, Janet Elizabeth Culley, passed away last year after losing her battle with oesophageal cancer. Now the 16-year-old Darlington Education Village
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Town experiment worth £400,000 in coverage
A PIONEERING website designed to promote Darlington to the wider public has been worth £400,000 of coverage, according to council leaders. The Darlington Experiment cost only £22,000 to set up, but coverage in the regional and national media
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Police seize illegal off-road motorcycles
A CRACKDOWN on illegal motorcycles is underway after complaints from residents in Edmundbyers and Stanhope. People living in the areas raised concerns during Police and Communities Together (PACT) meetings in December, that illegal off-road motorcyclists
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Housing company donation to earthquake appeal
A WEAR Valley-based housing management company has raised more than £250 to help earthquake victims in Haiti. Staff at Dale and Valley Homes organised a casual clothes day at their offices on South Church Industrial Estate, in Bishop Auckland, took part
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Let the ITV trials go ahead
There is an awful lot of time, money and creative thinking going on into the bids to run pilot schemes for a new way of providing ITV regional news. The possibility of trialling Channel 3 regional news in the Tyne Tees and Borders TV region, as well
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Madden clear to make Darlington debut
Steve Staunton has explained how new signing Simon Madden was unable to make his Darlington debut during Tuesday's win at Rotherham because of suspension. Madden arrived last week, but the former Shamrock Rovers right-back had a ban hanging over him
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Bruce fumes over Jones reports
FURIOUS Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has challenged Liverpool counterpart Rafael Benitez to put up or shut up over his pursuit of Kenwyne Jones. The 49-year-old has grown exasperated recently with repeated speculation on Merseyside that he will
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Tory candidate speaks to residents
THE Conservative party candidate in Darlington for this year's General Election will hold an open session with residents next week. Edward Legard, who was chosen to represent the Tories in 2008, will hold a question and answer session on Wednesday
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New safety course launched at college
A NEW service for plumbers and gas fitters has been launched at a Tees Valley college. Middlesbrough College is now offering assessment for the ACS Gas Safe Certificate - a legal requirement for those working on gas fittings and appliances. Assessments
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Clampdown on prostitutes benefits community
A VICE operation has been hailed a success following a number of arrests. Residents in Middlesbrough's Middlehaven and Gresham wards had been complaining about rising numbers of prostitutes working the streets around their homes and the associated anti-social
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Plans for new cycle park on track
RESIDENTS are being given the chance to have their say on plans for a new cycle track in Middlesbrough. The £700,000 proposal for Prissick Base, off Marton Road, is being devised to encourage people to adopt a healthier lifestyle. The
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North-East theatre company under threat
A NORTH-EAST theatre company faces closure unless more people get behind it, according to its managers. Despite spending tens of thousands of pounds on vital improvements to Sunderland’s Royalty Theatre, the company is finding it increasingly hard to
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Wilks up to fifth in Monte Carlo
DARLINGTON rally driver Guy Wilks made a super start to the final day of Rallye Monte Carlo and heads to Monaco for tonight's stages in fifth place. He and co-driver Phil Pugh were second fastest on SS11 this morning - the 30km Montauban S/
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Noisy sex woman handed suspended sentence
A WOMAN handed an Asbo for having sex too loudly with her husband escaped a prison sentence after admitting breaching it within days of it being imposed. Caroline and Steve Cartwrights sex life was so loud, the local postman and a woman taking
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Quiet corner for a good read
A NEW reading corner has opened at a Durham school. It is hoped the new facility will encourage students at Durham Gilesgate Sports College to read more and boost literacy levels. The corner was created following a project involving the school and the
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Pools launch their new away kit
Hartlepool United's first team squad will be at Victoria Park from 4pm on Monday to celebrate the launch of the club’s new away kit. The new black and gold design was worn for the first time in the game at Leeds United on Boxing Day and
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Cancer con accused misses court date
A WOMAN charged with a series of frauds worth £160,000 after she allegedly conned people into thinking she had terminal cancer was facing arrest after failing to appear in court today. Emma Charlton, 25, was expected at Newcastle Crown Court
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Tornado pulls the Prince of Wales train to museum
A HISTORIC stream locomotive from the region will pull the Prince of Wales as he arrives at the world’s oldest surviving passenger railway station by royal train. The Tornado, the first main line steam locomotive to be built in Britain for nearly 50
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Women urged to attend cancer screenings
HEALTH chiefs are urging women to attend cervical screening appointments in line with a Europe-wide cancer prevention week. European Cervical Cancer Prevention Week runs from Sunday to Saturday, January 30. NHS North Yorkshire and York says more than
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School's new £1m extension scheme
A NEW £1m school extension to provide student accommodation has been officially opened by the Archbishop of York. Dr John Sentamu headed to Cundall Manor School, near to Thirsk, to open The Jaytee Foundation Building. The new building
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Life sentences for Chilton torture murderers
TWO people are today starting life sentences after being found guilty of the brutal torture murder of a man at the home they shared in County Durham. Clare Nicholls, 28, will serve a minimum 32 years for the torture and murder of her patrner
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Top of the mops
TWO sisters are hoping to clean up in business after setting up for themselves. Debbie Benfold and Lynne Davison have set up a domestic cleaning firm called Dely after borrowing money from a landlord. The fledgling company received a £1,800 loan from
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Former Boro physio dies, aged 85.
FORMER Boro physio Lew Clayton has died after a short illness, aged 85. Mr Clayton, who retired to live in Redcar, joined Middlesbrough in 1977 to work under manager John Neal after trainer Jimmy Headridge left Ayresome Park to take up a
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Sobering thoughts
A couple from the region believe they have found a way of helping problem drinkers get back on the wagon. Health Editor Barry Nelson reports. A NORTH-EAST businessman who says an Eastern European clinic saved him from alcoholism wants
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Composting advice
THE Jacksons, from Great Ayton, are planning on doing a lot of renovations to the garden this year and anticipate plenty of clippings and organic matter. Rather than ferrying the waste to the tip they fancy trying composting it, but would like
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Love bites
You might not want to buy your man flowers this Valentine’s Day, but you can always shower him with cupcakes instead. He’ll love them, says Sharon Griffiths. WHEN Sex and the City’s Carrie Bradshaw nibbled a pink cupcake from the New York Magnolia
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Home and away
Relocation: Phil Down Under (C4, 8pm); Empire of the Seas: How the Navy Forged the Modern World (BBC2, 9pm) JANUARY is traditionally the time when our minds turn to making fresh starts, and this month’s big freeze has made the idea of moving
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Frozen Wear
LAST week you carried a photograph of the River Wear in Durham City frozen over in the recent winter weather and stated elsewhere that the last time this happened was in 1979. Well, I have some photos of the Wear frozen over in December 1981 and
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Bumps and lumps
RE George Appleby’s letter, “Think about it…” (HAS, Jan 18), in which he asked why planes aren’t made of the same stuff as the indestructible black boxes carried on aircraft. Everybody knows the black box is made of rubber. A plane made of rubber
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Maggies's quote
FOR the benefit of those who persist in quoting Margaret Thatcher’s speech on “society” out of context, she was showing concern for people who would become dependent on the state when there was more they could do to help themselves, hence “there
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Dresdel memories
IT was good to read Steve Pratt’s article, headed “Rose-tinted” (Echo, Jan 12), about Harrogate Theatre marking its 110th anniversary. I was a paper boy near Ashford, Kent, in my youth (late Fifties) and I remember delivering a paper to Sonia
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Politics
THE politicos have already started to use these columns as a vehicle for electioneering in advance of the forthcoming General Election. So let me make a point as an elderly member of the voting public. The Liberal Democrats, if elected, intend
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Airport fortunes
IT was a great tragedy to read that Durham Tees Valley Airport is proposing to reduce its operational hours, make up to 32 people redundant, outsource some of its operations and take on board some services currently provided by its business partners
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Health battle
COLUMNIST Peter Mullen expresses his disappointment at the difficulties US President Barack Obama – above – is having with his proposed healthcare reforms, commenting that 45 per cent of the population are disgruntled (Echo, Jan 19). Surely this
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Staff praised
ON behalf of the Registered Nursing Home Association we should like to express our sincere thanks to nursing home staff throughout Yorkshire and Humberside for maintaining vital services to patients during the extremely difficult weather conditions
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Tax deadline
I WOULD remind your readers that the self-assessment tax return deadline of January 31 is fast approaching. More than 4.1 million taxpayers have already filed their returns online, but there are hundreds of thousands of returns still to be filed
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Give Obama the time he still needs
SHORTLY after Barack Obama was elected as US President, I posed a simple question: when would we look back on those days of joy and euphoria and ask ourselves when it all went wrong? Well, the answer, judging by the results of this week’s Massachusetts
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Taming the Tiger
Tiger Woods’ high-profile infidelity, and subsequent admission into a clinic for sex addicts, has highlighted a growing area of therapy. Jim Entwistle asks whether sex addiction is an affliction, or just an excuse for philandering husbands.
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Logic versus emotion
THE wheels of our justice system grind exceedingly slowly, but it must surely be a good thing that the best legal brains will examine whether or not councils are right to close their residential care homes. The councils’ case has a cool-headed
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Brown agrees to appear before Iraq inquiry prior to general election
GORDON Brown agreed today to give evidence to the Iraq Inquiry before the general election. The Prime Minister wrote to inquiry chairman Sir John Chilcot this morning offering to appear as a witness next month or in March. Mr Brown wrote
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Skoda more than happy for Wilks to tackle Brazil and Argentina
GUY Wilks will enter rounds two and three of the 2010 Intercontinental Rally Challenge, running Skoda UK Motorsports Fabia S2000 on Rally International de Curitiba in Brazil (March 4-6) and Rally Argentina (March 19-21). The timing of the announcement
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Has Peter Crouch joined the RAF?
IT was a big day for Bedale in North Yorkshire yesterday as hundreds turned up to welcome RAF Leeming personnel home from Afghanistan. It's the front page picture in today's Northern Echo. But who's the tall guy in the middle of the
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Bajan can fire back on Polytrack
BLUE BAJAN has his first allweather start in nearly three years at Wolverhampton and can make a triumphant return to the winter discipline. The Betdaq The Betting Exchange Conditions Stakes looks a tricky little contest, with plenty of question
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The joys of being England’s tired skipper
HELLO everyone, Straussy here. I’d like to thank The Northern Echo for giving me this opportunity to write to you personally to explain my decision to stand down as England captain ahead of the forthcoming tour to Bangla… Bloody hell, is
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Four go back to Blackwell
DARLINGTON have re-signed two of the four players they lost to Mowden Park last summer. Centre Andy Pugh is expected to be in action at Driffield tomorrow, while 6ft 8in lock Chris Oakley should be available for selection soon. After emerging
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Gopperth warns Falcons to focus on task in hand
WITH a home quarter-final against Heineken Cup opposition to play for, Newcastle Falcons fly-half Jimmy Gopperth has warned against complacency ahead of this evening’s final Amlin Challenge Cup group game with Petrarca Padova. A victory for Newcastle
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Majestic Federer sends out message to rivals
WORLD NUMBER ONE Roger Federer sent out an ominous warning to his rivals with the most comfortable of second-round victories over Victor Hanescu at the Australian Open. The Swiss maestro needed only an hour and 39 minutes to overcome the 47th-ranked
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Borwell through to round two
SARAH BORWELL has reached the second round of a Grand Slam doubles event for the first time in her career after triumphing at the Australian Open in Melbourne. Middlesbrough-born Borwell and partner, American Raquel Kops-Jones, secured a 6-4,
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Ginola is relishing the 2018 campaign
DAVID Ginola believes England would stand a good chance of winning the 2018 World Cup if they are chosen to host the tournament. The Frenchman, who spent seven years of his playing career in England and earned hero status at Newcastle United
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Madden clear to make debut
STEVE STAUNTON has explained how new signing Simon Madden was unable to make his Darlington debut during Tuesday’s win at Rotherham because of suspension. Madden arrived last week, but the former Shamrock Rovers right-back had a ban hanging over
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Bristol trip sees Pools rack up yet more miles
AFTER an all-night haul up the M1 in the early hours of Wednesday morning, Hartlepool United’s players embark on another motorway marathon today. Following their game at Charlton on Tuesday night, Pools today head off for Bristol. It means this
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Next franchise ‘will be success’
THE Government last night attempted to dispel fears of a third franchise failure on the East Coast Main Line by setting out what it expects of firms bidding to secure the route. On a visit to Newcastle central station. Transport Secretary Lord
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Area’s experts to play a part in gas storage facility
NORTH-EAST engineering experts will play an integral part in a huge offshore gas storage facility to be built in salt caverns deep beneath the seabed. Designers and engineers at energy firm Amec’s industrial headquarters, in Darlington, will work
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Making a stir in his home town
A CHEF is returning to his home town for his latest role. Alex Doughty has been appointed head chef of The West Park Cafe, in West Park Village, Darlington. The 33-year-old, originally from the town, joins after a six-year stint as sous chef
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New fund aims to support recovery
A £125M “super fund” will be officially launched today, aimed at supporting hundreds of businesses and creating thousands of jobs to help the North-East’s economic recovery. The Finance for Business North-East Fund will be unveiled by MP Rosie
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Mother’s new court fight to keep her poorly child
AN ill toddler could be put up for adoption, despite the efforts of her devoted mother to care for her herself, following a court ruling yesterday. The girl, referred to in court only as B, was left with heart and breathing problems after being
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Event sets out to fill more than 200 jobs
MORE than 200 jobs in the region’s thriving contact centre industry will be on offer at a recruitment event. The Contact Centre Recruitment Day, one of the UK’s largest events of its kind, is being held in Sunderland next week, and will include
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Butter-Fingers to have hand in world market
A WOMAN whose successful dinner parties saw her launch her own range of butters is now taking her product international after striking details with a raft of the UK’s most exclusive retailers. Kairen Dods set up Butter-Fingers in Shildon, County
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Mother of 28 retires from police force
A POLICE dog who became a web sensation mothering her newborn pups live on the internet retired from the force yesterday. Heidi, a German shepherd, has bred 28 puppies in three litters for Northumbria Police, the majority of which have gone
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Increase in rickets as children play indoors
DOCTORS in the North-East have warned of a “disturbing” rise in the number of children with rickets. About 20 new cases of rickets are being diagnosed a year in Newcastle. They said one of the problems is that youngsters spend more time indoors
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Robson heads Boro’s big list of injuries
DESPITE being saddled with an injury list that now stretches to nine senior players, Middlesbrough manager Gordon Strachan is extremely unlikely to make any new signings ahead of tomorrow’s Championship home game with Swansea. Barry Robson, Isaiah
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Hughton in for Pompey defender
CHRIS HUGHTON has admitted that the Newcastle United squad does not possess sufficient depth to challenge for both FA Cup and Championship honours. Despite last night having a bid of around £1m accepted for Portsmouth defender Mike Williamson
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Kilgallon completes his Sunderland move
HAVING completed the signing of former Sheffield United centre-half Matt Kilgallon late last night, Sunderland are hoping to pull off a defensive double after tabling a formal offer for former Newcastle United full-back Habib Beye. Kilgallon
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Living the Olympic dream
Two of the region’s rising sports stars were given a preview of the London 2012 Olympic Park yesterday. Rachel Wearmouth joined them for the exclusive tour. FOR talented swimmer Lyndon Longhorne, competing in the London 2012 Olympics was
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Woman to take legal action over op agony
A WOMAN is taking legal action against a hospital trust after enduring months of agony because surgeons left a three centimetre pin in her little toe. Janice Wayman, 49, from Ferryhill, County Durham, had what should have been routine surgery
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Festival will celebrate role of Nelson’s deputy
THE descendent of Nelson’s second-in-command – who played a crucial role in the Battle of Trafalgar – has spoken about her pride at seeing a festival launched to honour his name. Susan Collingwood-Cameron, the great-great-great niece of Admiral
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Seeking foster home for deaf, partially-blind pup
A DEAF and partially-blind puppy is looking for a foster home with an older guide dog. Whippet-cross Ivy was born at Dogs Trust, near Darlington, three months ago, and while her six siblings have found homes, she has not been so lucky. Animal
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Industrial heartlands at centre of finance pledge
A REVOLUTION in financial services to help new businesses flourish in the “neglected” North was promised by the Liberal Democrats yesterday. Nick Clegg’s party pledged to set up local enterprise funds to provide capital to companies in Britain
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Arrests in New Year murder inquiry
DETECTIVES investigating the murder of a man who died six days after a New Year’s Day attack have arrested four people. Barry Self, 38, died after he was assaulted in the street outside a house on Leam Lane Estate, Gateshead, where he had been
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‘I lost a leg, but I wish I was still there with the lads’
BOMB blast survivor Scott Cooper has vowed to return to Afghanistan to seek revenge after losing a leg. The 19-year-old soldier had been in the country just one month when he stepped on an improvised explosive device (IED), losing his right leg
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Right Flank manoeuvre their way to front line
A COMPANY of soldiers from the region has been deployed to Afghanistan – paving the way for further troop deployments later this year. Right Flank, a company of 150 troops from the 1st Battalion Scots Guards, based at Catterick Garrison, North
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After the heat of battle, a warm welcome home
Hundreds of people, young and old, lined the streets to welcome back RAF personnel from a tour of duty overseas. Andy Walker joined them. A SEA of smiling, supportive faces greeted troops as they marked their safe return from Afghanistan with
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Bloodgate rugby coach is school’s guest speaker
A RUGBY coach who was given a ban amid the Bloodgate cheating scandal will be a guest speaker at a school with a proud history of producing the game’s best players. Dean Richards will speak at Barnard Castle School, in County Durham, on Saturday
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‘Bus-surfer is unrepentant’
THE mother who reported her 12-year-old son to the police for bus-surfing has said she is ashamed by his unrepentant attitude. Catherine Malone has vowed to call in the police again if son Marcus tries the dangerous stunt again. The news comes
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102-year-old in homes challenge
A 102-YEAR-OLD North-East dementia sufferer is at the centre of a European human rights challenge over the fate of pensioners living in condemned care homes. Lawyers will claim that Stockton Borough Council breached Sarah Rutter’s human rights
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NHS to put £500,000 into creating school academy
THE NHS plans to pump £500,000 into a new school academy in the North-East. The North Stockton Academy will have a science specialism and health and wellbeing theme. Union bosses have been largely supportive of the move, with NHS Stockton-on-
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Council puts the squeeze on lunch
DURHAM County Council may find it easier than expected to tighten its belt during the impending squeeze on public spending, after axing politicians’ free lunches. An internal email leaked to The Northern Echo reveals that the council has put a
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Murder trial jury to consider its verdicts
THE judge in a murder trial is expected to conclude his summing-up today before the jury retires to consider its verdicts. After a day’s delay, the Recorder of Middlesbrough, Judge Peter Fox, began his speech to the jury of seven men and five
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Bridge revamp moves a step closer
A MAJOR improvement scheme for Middlesbrough's iconic Transporter Bridge moved a step closer to securing cash from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF). Development funding of £111,500 was awarded to help progress the plans towards a full bid for £2.03 million
