Archive
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Addict sprayed security guard with his blood
A HEROIN addict sprayed a supermarket security guard with a syringe of blood which he claimed was contaminated with the Aids virus, a court heard yesterday Paul Cunnington, 32, returned to the Asda store, in Boldon, South Tyneside, intending to use the
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Falling pound fails to lift manufacturers
THE dip in the value of the pound has failed to bring relief to Britain's manufacturing exporters, with overseas orders falling again in June, according to new figures. The Confederation of British Industry's monthly industrial trends survey showed manufacturers
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Officer spotted banned driver
A MOTORIST who drove while he was disqualified, was caught by a policeman who remembered him, a court was told yesterday. Paul Wilkins, 26, from Middlesbrough, was back before Teesside Magistrates two days later. Carol McMullen, prosecuting, said that
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Extra pounds delight dieter
A DIETER has gained one thousand pounds - in clothes vouchers. Kathleen Pentland, of Bishop Auckland, realised she needed a new wardrobe after dieting and soon afterwards found she had won £1,000 worth of clothes in a draw at Courtaulds Factory Shop,
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Silence from the man who suspended him
THE man who suspended Ray Mallon was last night remaining silent amid calls for him to return from his Caribbean home to answer the critics. Robert Turnbull, who, as an assistant chief constable with Cleveland Police suspended Det Supt Mallon in 1997,
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Get on your bikes, says minister
A GOVERNMENT minister yesterday urged everyone to "Get on your bike". But unlike former Tory minister Norman Tebbit's call to the unemployed, Local Government and Regions Minister Hilary Armstrong's plea was aimed at improving the environment and fostering
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Homes manager cleared of stealing benefit money
A MANAGER of homes for mentally handicapped adults was cleared yesterday of pocketing a former resident's benefit money. Linda Polson, 46, a director of Team Healthcare Consultants Ltd, was acquitted of theft after a three-day trial at Durham Crown Court
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Anglers to help agency in Tyne salmon survey
ANGLERS are helping officials find out how many salmon spawn in the once-polluted River Tyne. The Environment Agency has launched a tagging programme to learn more about stocks of the migratory fish. Radio transmitters have also been fitted to 20 salmon
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-Arrogant' surgeon lost his temper, hearing told
GYNAECOLOGIST Richard Neale lost his temper when a patient and her husband criticised him for botching her hysterectomy and leaving her with a infected wound, the General Medical Council heard yesterday. The husband, Mr B, told the council's professional
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Second World War shell found in shed
BOMB disposal experts had to be called in after workmen clearing a shed in Darlington found a 60-year-old artillery shell. The high explosive anti-tank shell was found in a shed in Haig Street, yesterday morning. Police were called in and contacted Army
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Woman loses High Court battle over fuel ruling
A WOMAN has failed in a High Court bid to overturn a Durham County Council decision that a local cement works can go ahead with a plan to burn waste derived fuel. The asthma Elaine Lowther developed seven years ago was probably caused by spillage during
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Brigade warns of candle peril after house blaze
A LIVING room was badly damaged after a candle set fire to a television. Two fire crews tackled the blaze that left the house in Cook Avenue, Bearpark, heavily smoke-logged yesterday afternoon. A Durham brigade spokesman said it was thought the scented
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Forest treks target elusive night birds
THE antics of amorous rare birds are among the attractions of two dusk walks through North-East woodlands. The Forestry Commission has organised treks to find nightjars tomorrow through Slaley Forest, near Hexham, Northumberland, and at Hamsterley Forest
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Householder trapped as car crashes
A MAN had a lucky escape after a car crashed through his bedroom wall while he was sleeping. Keith Little, 37, was trapped by rubble after the impact knocked down the bedroom wall at his home in Boldon Colliery, South Tyneside, a spokesman for Northumbria
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Students have designs on aid for asthmatics
YOUNG design teams from two South Durham schools have a chance to make their mark on an award-winning product which helps to ease the suffering of asthma victims around the world. Pupils from St John's RC School, Bishop Auckland, and Teesdale Comprehensive
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End in sight for bridge traffic jams
MONTHS of motoring misery are almost at an end as repairs to one of Darlington's busiest roads nears completion. The temporary traffic lights which allowed single file traffic to cross Haughton bridge, at the Haughton Road/McMullen Road junction, have
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Town cycle route opens as first link in network
THE first stage of a network of cycle routes for Northallerton, Brompton and Romanby has been opened. The Northallerton to Brompton cycle route links the village of Brompton to the district council offices, Hambleton Leisure Centre and the Allertonshire
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Draw win may save club from closure
A SURPRISE £5,000 charity draw win could have saved a small north Durham community's workingmen's club. Pelton Fell Workingmen's CIU club was due to be wound up at a Leeds court today for allegedly failing to pay VAT. But a surprise win on the Clubs and
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Fibre optics firm creates 200 jobs with move
THE region received welcome economic news yesterday with more than 200 new jobs set to be created at a marine project firm. CTC Marine Projects will relocate to a new site in Darlington in August after announcing a multi-million pound expansion scheme
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Kilimanjaro challenge
Raising money for breast cancer has become a mountainous challenge for North-East man Steve Coupland. Mr Coupland, from Darlington, has set himself the challenge of raising £10,000 for Breast Cancer Care, the charity which offers support to all breast
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Public protest over nuisance
RESIDENTS who say they have been forced to endure months of problems with speeding cars and late-night noise have called a public meeting. The problems were brought to a head on Sunday when a car smashed into several vehicles in Eastmount Road, Darlington
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Blue Circle jobs are at risk
WORKERS at a North-East cement works have three months to prove their worth in the face of an efficiency drive. Last month Blue Circle narrowly saw off a hostile takeover bid from French rival Lafarge which had sparked fears among its 180 staff at a cement
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Student claims GP's negligence ruined career
AN aspiring PE teacher is suing his family doctor after he claimed his career hopes were dashed when she failed to diagnose his illness. University student Alfred Hutchinson claims his life was left in tatters after GP Julia Lee failed to treat his appendicitis
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Hikers rise early for longest day
A GROUP of early morning walkers were determined to make the longest day of the year exactly that - by stepping out at 4.30am. As dawn broke, 21 people gathered for a five-mile walk in Teesdale, County Durham, to watch the sun rise and enjoy the beautiful
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Group helps ME victims cope with frustrations
A SUPPORT group has been set up for people suffering from severe fatigue, who were too tired to travel to existing help sessions. The condition of myalgic encephalomyelitis chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), causes severe fatigue, muscle aching and emotional
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Invitation to net a record
YOUNGSTERS in Hartlepool are being given the chance to learn basketball skills and help set a world record at the same time. Hartlepool Borough Council's sports development team is hosting a basketball coaching session, from 10.30am on Saturday, at Rossmere
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No headpine
A NIGHT of Seventies glam rock is being planned to raise cash for the British Heart Foundation. The charity dance night, in the ballroom of Darlington Arts Centre, will feature Richmond band Glad to be Glam. Seventies dress is preferable, but not necessary
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Prime Minister set to open Senstronics site
TONY Blair is tomorrow set to open a high-tech factory helping to ease the pain of a major jobs blow in his backyard. After rejecting the then-mothballed Fujitsu micro-chip factory Newton Aycliffe, high-tech components maker Senstronics was persuaded
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Councillors urged to oppose traffic lights
A COUNTY councillor will today urge his colleagues to reject plans for a traffic light junction between a housing development and a busy road. Members of Durham County Council's Highways Committee will visit Rainton Lodge, West Rainton, where Wimpey Homes
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Lottery boost for wildlife
WOODLAND and wildlife in the region will benefit from National Lottery grants amounting to about £600,000, it was announced yesterday. Durham Wildlife Trust will get a grant of £449,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund for work on 18 of its nature reserves
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Six youths bailed over attack
SIX youths were arrested yesterday morning over an attack last week which left a teenager seriously injured. The 15-year-old was assaulted at Ferryhill, County Durham, on Monday, June 12, and is still unconscious in Newcastle General Hospital, although
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Reece is key to celebrations
THOUGH he's too young to know it, Reece Ryan has notched up a very special place in the history of an east Durham seaside town. After months of searching for Seaham's first baby of the Millennium, organisers of a special gala exhibition have finally tracked
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Sixth form students to host festival of sports
STUDENTS at Darlington's Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College are to host a sports festival. On July 6, A-level physical education students will host the Top Sport Festival at the Eastbourne Sports Complex, in Hundens Lane, Darlington. The event is for
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Government -failing on emissions'
FRIENDS of the Earth has warned a North-East MP that the Government will not meet its target of reducing carbon dioxide emissions. In a recently-published draft Climate Change Programme, the Government said it wanted to reduce carbon dioxide emissions
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Residents' association puts on open evening
THERE is an opportunity to find out more about Owton Manor Residents' Association in Hartlepool at an open evening next week. As well as being able to find out how to take an active part in the association, there will be a chance for Owton Manor residents
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More than half a century on, the class of '45 recall their school days
EIGHTEEN old school friends gathered for a reunion this week - 55 years after first meeting at a North-East grammar school. Many of the old boys of St Mary's Grammar School, in Darlington, saw each other for the first time since 1950 last year, at the
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GM debate opponents to square up in North-East
OPPONENTS on either side of the GM food debate will come face to face at a public meeting being held in the North-East. GM Food - The Science Behind the Headlines - will discuss the benefits and risks posed by genetic modification of food and crops and
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Hall sold but not for a song - and not to
A NORTH-EAST mansion has been sold to an anonymous buyer for more than £2.5m. But it has been revealed that former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney and fellow rock legend Eric Clapton are not the buyers. The pair were reputed to have been interested in Wycliffe
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Major Minor event
The North-East Morris Minor Club will hold a rally at Beamish Museum, County Durham, on Sunday. People taking part are asked to meet in the Shepherd and Shepherdess pub, near Beamish, at 9.30am. For more details telephone 0191-387 3400.
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Call for lorry ban after leak of deadly chemical
COUNCILLORS are calling for a ban on chemical lorries travelling through a residential area after the leak of a toxic liquid. It has been revealed that a tanker which spilled 25 litres of phenol on a Teesside road, lined with houses and four schools,
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A question of judgement
MOST readers will now be aware that on Tuesday afternoon I was told that I had been cleared of any criminal wrong-doing in connection with Operation Lancet. I knew I would be. I know this case inside out. I knew there was not a shred of worthwhile evidence
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Mallon's fury boils over at 'dirty tricks'
CLEARED police chief Ray Mallon last night launched his fightback with a blistering attack on those who suspended him. Detective Superintendent Mallon has been on paid leave for two-and-a-half years and still does not know when he will be able to return
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Gabbiadini ultimatum
Darlington manager David Hodgson has said that if striker Marco Gabbiadini's heart is not at Feethams he needn't bother returning. Quakers believe that Gabbiadini, the division's leading scorer last season, has agreed a pre-contract and is on his way
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Shearer could be back, claims Sol
Sol Campbell is tipping Alan Shearer to make an eventual England comeback just 24 hours after the Newcastle striker reaffirmed his plans to quit international football. Campbell believes it is not far-fetched to suggest that the England captain will change
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Don't leave it all to the men in suits
THAT men dominate society is not much of a surprise, but the scale of the dominance of a small section of men is quite startling. And it is a problem that has to be addressed, because local government is dying a death of apathy. This cannot be allowed
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House-warming hope for the sheep farmer
IT may already be famous throughout the country and even the world, but the Swaledale sheep still has some lofty ambitions. The distinctive Yorkshire Dales breed could be set to bring fresh hope to beleaguered hill farmers, as part of plans to develop
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Hotel's moo-ving offer to ease the stress
HOTELIER Bill Ward has a new take on executive stress relief for anyone staying at his hotel - a room with a moo. He says it's no bull because guests can look after one of his Aberdeen angus herd as a great way to relax by washing, feeding and generally
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Tara survives
In the most dramatic circumstances Kayf Tara entered the record books as the first horse to regain the Gold Cup when getting up to beat Far Cry by a head at Royal Ascot. After greeting their charge into the spot reserved for the winner, connections -
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C&A_sales surge after closure decision
DOOMED C&A stores across the region have seen a surge in sales since announcing closure plans last week. Shops from Newcastle in the North down to York in the South, have witnessed a boom in business which many see as a direct result of their announcement
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College academy dealt knockout blow by conference organisers
A NORTH-EAST college thought it had boxed clever when it nominated two of its students as the warm-up entertainment for a national conference. But yesterday East Durham and Houghall Community College was dealt a body blow when it was told it was out of
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Brave jockey set for home a year after horror fall
INJURED jockey Scott Taylor could be about to return home permanently, nearly a year after he suffered serious head injuries in a riding accident. Scott, 27, from Fishburn, County Durham, has been told by doctors that he should be able to go home before
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-Give me back my job'
ZERO-TOLERANCE police chief Ray Mallon last night moved to quash fears that he would not be returning to work after being cleared in a controversial corruption probe. Detective Superintendent Mallon is desperate to return after being cleared of criminal
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Wheel help for PC
BEAT bobby Keith Todd yesterday picked up the keys to his new car. He received them from company secretary Ann Harris, above. The £7,000 Skoda Felicia has been donated by Sedgefield Motor Company, on the Sedgefield Industrial Estate. The firm has agreed
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German taunt by drunken fan
AN England soccer fan who was arrested for drunken behaviour told a policeman, "I'll bet you're a German," a court heard yesterday. Bryan Cowling, 26, a welder, ignored a warning about his abusive behaviour at 2.20am last Sunday outside Club Kudos in
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Hoppy to help out
WHEN three-year-old Jordan Ashton heard his playgroup was in need of funds, he rose to the occasion. And when it came to making good on his pledge, young Jordan gave a brilliant bouncing performance. The youngster climbed aboard his space hopper and completed
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Council staff hit saddle to test new route
A GROUP of keen cyclists helped to launch a section of the National Cycle Network in the region yesterday. Stockton Mayor Councillor Pete Andrew ceremonially launched a length of the cycle route at Castle Eden Walkway, near the town. The riders were part
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Show organisers keep an eye on the weather
ORGANISERS of Great Aycliffe Show are praying the recent warm weather continues this weekend. The event, which takes place on Saturday and Sunday, offers a host of free activities, including a rodeo bull ride, quad biking, a soft play area and craft demonstrations
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Student helpline is a winner
UNDERGRADUATES are to offer would-be students the benefit of their experience via a helpline telephone service. Durham University students have volunteered to give up their time on a rota basis to answer academic queries from pupils at local schools.
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Dunns on song
SONGS from through the ages will ring out at a North-East castle next weekend. Singing family The Dunns will perform at Barnard Castle, from noon on July 1 and 2. John and Gina Dunn and their daughters Hannah and Ruth will treat visitors to songs from
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Youngsters to sing out in festival celebration
AN OPEN air museum will come alive to the sound of music when about 2,500 children from 80 schools join in a festival of song and dance. Small groups of children will busk throughout the day at the Beamish Museum, County Durham, on Sunday, July 2. The
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Mother reopens village shop
A MOTHER of two is aiming to breath life into a rural community by reopening a village store. Julie Thompson admits she will be bucking the trend of stores having to close, but is convinced she has the right ingredients to make a success of the business
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Bus raid driver injured
A YOUTH who reached through a bus driver's window and snatched a bag containing more than £100 in fares is being hunted by police. The 50-year-old woman driver tried to fight back, but the youth, aged about 17, escaped on foot across a pub car park. The
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Anger at threat to withhold MS drug
A FORMER nurse has branded a possible decision to withhold a wonder drug from new multiple sclerosis sufferers as "immoral". Pauline Taylor, 48, from Durham City, who suffers from MS, was reacting to speculation that beta interferon may be withdrawn on
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Conditional welcome for pets
A NORTH-East vet has offered some valuable advice to pet owners wanting to make the most of changes to quarantine laws. With the summer approaching, Andrew Geldard, of the Stanhope Park veterinary practice, in Darlington, reminded pet owners that animals
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Software firm rewarded
A SOFTWARE company that helped a mobile phone firm start trading with the loan of a computer has received its reward - a new contract. Fone Logistics, formed four years ago, wanted to run System 21 software from JBA North-East so much that Durham-based
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Group rewarded
Barclays PLC has recognised the achievements of the Darlington and The Dales Group for its significant contribution to local and national charities. It was recognised in the Barclays Community and Diversity Awards, which were set up to encourage and reward
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Young football stars
HOWDEN-LE-WEAR Primary School's footballers finished their season in style as champions of the Bishop Auckland and District Under-11 Minor League C. The team, managed by Kenneth Bowser, took 22 points from ten games.
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Police hunt teenage girl after purse snatched
A TEENAGE girl who snatched a pensioner's purse may be implicated in a string of other offences. Cleveland Police say the slim blonde got into a getaway car which was involved in a hit-and-run accident on Teesside earlier this month and in similar bag
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And the bell's ringing for the class of '70 . . .
THE class of 1970 at a former Durham school is being invited to celebrate the Millennium at a reunion next month. Former pupils of Whinney Hill Secondary School, now part of Durham Johnston School, are holding a get-together on Saturday, July 26. Ten
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Easy rider - or in need of a few home truths?
NOBODY likes being told what to do, nobody likes being criticised. We'd all like to think we are perfect and bikers are no exception. Find me a motor cyclist who will admit he is actually not very good at riding and I'll find you a hen with teeth. It
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Major contract wins for Cleveland Bridge
A DARLINGTON-based engineering firm is building a strong future with the win of some impressive contracts in the Middle East and South America. Cleveland Bridge has been awarded contracts valued at more than £10m only weeks after completing a management
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Couple help out on sea adventure for disadvantaged
A COUNTY Durham couple are splashing out to help people from some of the most disadvantaged parts of the North-East. Rupert and Sarah Setchell, of Dipton, near Consett, signed up to take members of Gateshead community groups on the sea voyage of a lifetime
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Tenants to benefit from new agreement
THOUSANDS of council tenants across north Derwentside hailed a new deal with the council this week. The council has agreed to provide funding for residents' groups; establish performance targets for work in people's homes and to monitor work; and set
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20 companies battle for SBS_
AROUND 20 organisations are keen to deliver Business Link services in the Tees Valley and County Durham. The organisations have responded to the Government's call for expressions of interest in providing the new Small Business Service franchises in the
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In the US I'm cool - here I'm a freak
FRANCES Bignall is used to being stared at and the subject of verbal abuse when she walks along the street. "If you go abroad to somewhere like America, people think you are cool. Here people throw things in the street and call you a freak," says the
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Doctor settles out of court
AN aspiring physical education teacher who sued a doctor after his career was cut short because of appendicitis has settled out of court. University student Alfred Hutchinson claims his life was wrecked after GP Dr Julia Lee failed to give advice to his
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Plaque unveiled to cardinal
A PLAQUE was unveiled at the family home of the late Cardinal Basil Hume, in Newcastle, yesterday, to commemorate the former Catholic leader's life. The home in Ellison Terrace is now part of the University of Northumbria where it is used to house staff
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Town is given stamp of approval
A NORTH-EAST town is to be featured on a Royal Mail stamp for the first time in its history. The Gateshead Millennium Bridge is the subject of the latest first class stamp to celebrate the millennium. Gateshead Borough Council has commissioned a souvenir
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New dawn for cokeworks
REGENERATION Minister Hilary Armstrong was in the region yesterday to officially cut the ribbon on a new business park. The Durham North West MP was on Tyneside to mark the completion of the development of the former Monkton Cokeworks site in Hebburn.
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Students' designs on success
A SHOWCASE of designs by talented students have been on display at Teesside University. More than 100 exhibits have featured work by final-year design students. Work in the exhibition includes some by Gavin Bell, of Hartlepool, a 31-year-old former professional
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Something fishy's going on as town prepares for festival
THERE is definitely something fishy going on in Hartlepool as the town prepares for a Maritime Festival this weekend. Giant seahorses, fish, seagulls and weird and wonderful sea creatures are due to take the town by storm on Saturday, at 11.30am, for
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Charity's plea to enlist child befrienders
AN INTERNATIONAL children's charity is looking for people interested in working with youngsters in local authority care in the North-East. Spurgeon's Child Care is working in partnership with the five Tees Valley local authorities to establish an independent
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Butcher Martin's meat pies win national award
MEAT pies which sell quicker than hot cakes have won a butcher a national prize. Martin Blackwell has proved what hundreds of customers know already, that he is the upper crust of steak and kidney pie makers. Every day, Mr Blackwell's shop sells out of
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Swimmingpool tots raise cash for charity
YOUNGSTERS in Eston had a splashing time yesterday - and raised money for a children's charity. Most of the youngsters, ranging in age from babes in arms to five-year-olds were from Eston Sports Centre's mother and toddler group. But the event was also
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HANNAH TAKES THE PAIN OUT OF BACK TREATMENT PAYMENTS
TRAINEE osteopath Hannah Thompson wants to get her fingers into people's backs to help her qualify in the practice. She is offering her services at cut-price every other weekend in a bid to become registered by the General Osteopathic Council. Hannah,
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-Failed firm has no links with us'
A FIRM which shares roots with a discredited mortgage business has moved to distance itself from its sister company. Hartley James, which is based at Northallerton, North Yorkshire, and describes itself as an administration company making appointments
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Stadium plan anger
Everton fans are unhappy at plans by Merseyside rivals Liverpool to build a new £150m new stadium in Stanley Park, writes PAUL WALKER. Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry defended the idea of a new 70,000 all-seater ground being built close to their
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Murderer loses bid to sue hospital
A CONVICTED killer yesterday lost his behind-the-bars attempt to sue a health authority over the death of his wife almost 12 years ago. A judge dismissed Stephen Hudson's claim for civil damages and said she was convinced staff at Sunderland General Hospital
