Archive
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Spanish jail move for N-E man
A NORTH-East car dealer facing extradition to France to answer drug smuggling charges is to be moved to a jail in Madrid. Brian Charrington, 43, from Middlesbrough, has been detained in Alicante, Spain, since his arrest on August 17. The businessman,
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Wherefore art thou, actors?
A NEW amateur dramatic society is looking for more members with a view to producing a series of classic and modern plays next spring. Spotlights, of Shotley Bridge, Consett, is looking for anyone interested in acting, as well as people to help with lighting
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Homes plan on ex-steel site
PLANS to build 56 homes on the site of a former County Durham steelworks have been unveiled. Derwentside district council- lors are expected to grant permission next week. The site of the former steelworks is now a multi-million regeneration area called
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Hail the two Marys
THEY were of the Sunday School and of the old school, both called Mary but addressed universally as Miss Adams and Miss Perks. "Even the other teachers were a bit in awe of them, never mind the children," it was recalled last Sunday. "You sat still in
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Farmer wins approval for car repair workshop
A FARMER has been given permission to turn his pig sties over to cars and motorbikes, despite opposition from neighbours. People protesting about noise from the Croft Circuit motor racing circuit near Darlington feared Ian Wilson's plans to turn a pig
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Flash flood hits town centre
BUSINESSES in a town centre are counting the cost of a flash flood that struck yesterday afternoon. Shops and pubs in Front Street, Chester-le-Street, County Durham, spent last night cleaning up after heavy rainfall flooded the town centre's main drains
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Major effort to develop environment
SURVIVING fragments of ancient woodland are to be linked together under a major initiative launched yesterday in North Yorkshire. The Howardian, Hambleton and Cleveland Hills have been chosen as the initial target area for the ambitious scheme by the
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Carers 'let girls go drinking'
TWO North-East social workers are under investigation over claims they allowed two young sex abuse victims to get drunk on a night out in Scarborough. Ann Pennels and Michael Boyle, who both work for Darlington Social Services, have been suspended indefinitely
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Treasure hunt
The natural treasures found in rock pools are up for grabs in a Wearside treasure hunt this weekend. Sunderland City's Countryside team has organised the hunt, at Whitburn Sands, opposite Cornthwaite Park, Whitburn, for 10.30am tomorrow. For more information
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Torturer gets life after teenager's 17-hour terror
A PSYCHOPATH tortured a terrified teenager for 17 hours while holding him at a friend's house, a court heard yesterday. Robert Craig, 28, was given an automatic life sentence yesterday. Newcastle Crown Court was told that Craig led David Griffiths, 19
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Friends ensure bridegroom has an ice day
BRIDEGROOM Shaun Blake said he wanted a wedding with a difference - so his pals duly obliged. They hired an ice cream van to take Shaun to the church. And to make it authentic, the van's chimes played the Wedding March. The stunt was witnessed by guests
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Thome is looking ahead to an all-Light future
Emerson Thome caused a bit of a stir yesterday - by not having a go at Chelsea. Instead he predicted that Sunderland had everything in place to be the greatest club in Britain. Luca Vialli claims that everybody hates the Blues but Thome sidestepped the
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Outrage as death charges are dropped
GERMAN police have dropped charges against a man who was accused of kicking to death a North-East worker. Spray painter Ronny Redhead never regained consciousness after he suffered a blow to the head while celebrating his 24th birthday at a German beer
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How betting shop staff knew they had found the write lottery winner
MILKMAN Malcolm Green won more than £8,000 on the Irish Lottery despite losing his ticket - after betting shop staff recognised his handwriting. Malcolm, 35, had put the numbers on in May but had accidentally thrown his betting slip away and had given
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Funding for germ warfare death probe
POLICE investigating the death of a North-East serviceman who took part in tests at Porton Down germ warfare base have been given a Govern-ment grant to aid their work. Last year, Wiltshire Constabulary and officers on secondment from the Ministry of
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Spotlight falls on utilities
UTILITY giants and high technology firms will be in the spotlight next week as the reporting season gets into full swing after the summer break. Plans by international exploration group BG, the business formed by the demerger of British Gas in 1997, to
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Drunken attacker 'fuelled by lust'
A SCHOOLBOY who attacked and attempted to rape a sixth form girl was sentenced to four years behind bars yesterday. The 16-year-old girl was left battered and bloodstained after a night out celebrating the end of GCSE exams. Glen Coltman, now 15, was
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Seeking guidance over the safety of radio masts
DURHAM County Council is to produce a guidance document on radio masts in schools. The siting of masts has provoked controversy in recent weeks over the possible health effects of radiation emissions. Now cabinet members have asked the council's policy
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Double jobs blow as caravan and coatings firms wield the axe
A MERGER deal between two of the biggest names in the region's caravan sector will see the loss of 130 jobs in County Durham. The announcement yesterday by the Explorer Group was followed by a further redundancy blow for the county with 57 jobs going
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Can I claim Incapacity Benefit for my wife?
Q My wife (66) gets no State Pension because she did not pay enough contributions. I am 61 with Incapacity Benefit (IB) of £67.50 a week. Can I claim anything for her yet? A As she has reached 60 you should be able to claim £40.40 for her on your IB,
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Durham progress halted by downpour
WHAT is known in cricket Press boxes as an SOTI brought an abrupt halt to Durham's encouraging progress against Hamphire at the Riverside yesterday. They had reached 246 for four when lunchtime rain turned into a Storm Of Tropical Intensity, ending hopes
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Director loses appeal against jail sentence
A FORMER brewery director yesterday lost his appeal against a jail sentence for two offences of-drink-driving. It was pleaded that David Beecroft, 41, had suffered extra punishment by being sacked as a £68,880-a-year director of Castle Eden Breweries
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Director loses appeal against jail sentence
A FORMER brewery director yesterday lost his appeal against a jail sentence for two offences of-drink-driving. It was pleaded that David Beecroft, 41, had suffered extra punishment by being sacked as a £68,880-a-year director of Castle Eden Breweries
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Tykes opt against an appeal
Yorkshire yesterday decided not to appeal against the eight points they have had deducted by the ECP Pitches Panel because of the 'poor' preparation of the Scarborough pitch for the current game against Championship leaders Surrey. But after lengthy talks
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Age proves no barrier for footballer, 66
FOOTBALL-MAD Marshall Lawson can lay claim to being the oldest winger in town after turning out for his Sunday league team at the age of 66. The grandfather played for his local side, Annfield Plain, in County Durham, in their 8-2 away drubbing at Marske
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New plea for witnesses a year after rape attack
THE hunt for a savage late-night rapist is being stepped up - a year after he put a young woman through a terrifying ordeal. Detectives are renewing their appeal for public help in tracking down the man, 12 months after he struck in Colburn, near Catterick
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Keegan gives Cole his chance as lone ranger
England coach Kevin Keegan has defended his decision to axe Michael Owen in favour of Andy Cole as he reverts to a one-striker formation for the first time against World and European champions France in Paris tonight. Keegan heaped lavish praise on Owen
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Bennett looking to turn Feethams into fortress
DARLINGTON manager Gary Bennett is hoping to turn Feethams into a fortress and keep the club on the winning track at home to York City today. Quakers lifted everybody's spirits with a battling but deserved home win over Plymouth on Tuesday, which stretched
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Woman slashed train conductor with bottle
A WOMAN slashed a train conductor's face with a broken bottle after he told her to leave a first class compartment with her four-year-old son because she did not have the right ticket. Leigh Coggins, 38, was given her freedom by a judge at York Crown
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Waddle return looks doomed
Tow Law look set to fail in their audacious bid to bring former star Chris Waddle back to the club. The former England International, who has 62 caps, started his career at Tow Law, before moving on to make his name at Newcastle United, Spurs and several
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Confident Sunderland fear rain
A win for Sunderland in the first Wear-Tyne derby would put the Wearsiders in a strong position to clinch the championship. The appalling weather last weekend washed out the entire programme on Saturday and in Monday's matches second-top Durham Academy
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Stammerer 'forced' to give talk
A FACTORY worker with a chronic stammer claims he needed hospital treatment for depression after being forced to speak in public by his bosses. Kevin Alderson, 39, has spoken of his humiliation and is being backed by his union, the GMB, over his claim
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Toffee firm chews on discovery of rival brand Down Under
A FAMOUS toffee firm is chewing over the revelation that it has a rival lurking across the other side of the world. Farrah's Harrogate Toffee, which dates back more than 160 years, only learnt of the rival brand when a resident of the spa town bought
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Echo web scheme gains credit
The Northern Echo's free community web site scheme got off to a flying start when it went live for the first time yesterday. CommuniGate is a scheme which allows non-profit making groups the chance to set up their own sites for free. South Darlington
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Teaching a matter of trust
TEACHERS will be relieved that Marjorie Evans has been cleared of assaulting an unruly pupil. The High Court judge ruled that she had "administered the entirely appropriate form of restraint hold". Teachers have been given guidance by the Department for
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Talk Marketing aim to be one of the best
A TEES VALLEY marketing firm has entered the Best New Business in Tees Valley Awards. Billingham-based Talk Marketing provides a diverse range of marketing, public relations and education services and has entered the best service award category. The competition
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Families warned of growing danger of discarded needles
AS the number of discarded syringes continues to grow across Teesside, people are urged to be vigilant when using public amenities. From April this year, Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council has had 89 requests to collect needles from locations across
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City to host top bloom event again
DURHAM has become the first city in the UK to be chosen twice as the host city for the Britain in Bloom National Awards presentation. The city cathedral will be the venue for the millennium celebration awards evening and awards later this month. Hosts
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Huge cash investment will provide boost to water quality
A MASSIVE sewage treatment project designed to process waste from the equivalent of almost half a million people in East Durham should become fully operational later this year. The multi-million Northumbrian Water scheme consists of two projects, one
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Detectives trace woman in car before death crash
POLICE investigating a horror crash which left two pedestrians dead and another fighting for her life have traced a woman who had been a passenger in the car before it crashed. Teacher Angela Ovington, 28, of Chester-le-Street, was killed instantly, while
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Vandals force war veterans to quit
YOBS are forcing Battle of Britain veterans to consider selling their crime-hit club. Sixty years after they helped knock Hitler's Luftwaffe out of the skies, the pensioners are coming under fire from vandals - and losing the fight. Members of Middlesbrough's
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Businessman not guilty in cheques fraud case
A BUSINESSMAN who returned from Africa will not face prosecution for allegedly handling two stolen cheques which figured in a £51,000 fraud. John Saunders was one of a number of people accused of handling telephone bill payment cheques stolen by an employee
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Problem estate is considered
AN ESTATE in Willington is being considered for demolition in an attempt to wipe out a rising tide of crime and vandalism. Wear Valley District Council is in the process of consulting tenants of the 30 flats and maisonettes in Chapel Walk about the future
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Advance to Game Boy
AMID all the excitement generated by the Nintendo Game Cube in Japan last week it was easy to overlook another hardware launch. Although the next generation Game Boy is effectively entering a market of one (in the West at least), it's probably not going
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Chocolate deal for town falls through
A CHOCOLATE company has been accused of pulling out of a £300,000 town centre sponsorship over fears it will suffer from bad publicity. Nestle was to sign a three-year sponsorship deal with Stockton Borough Council to promote the town centre and pay for
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Hail the two Marys
THEY were of the Sunday School and of the old school, both called Mary but addressed universally as Miss Adams and Miss Perks. "Even the other teachers were a bit in awe of them, never mind the children," it was recalled last Sunday. "You sat still in
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Man jailed for attempting to smuggle drug into prison
A MAN was jailed yesterday for attempting to pass drugs to his common-law-wife in prison. Stefan Edmund, 35, was told he was to be searched after using the lavatory while visiting his former partner in Low Newton Prison, a women's jail on the outskirts
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Man jailed for attempting to smuggle drug into prison
A MAN was jailed yesterday for attempting to pass drugs to his common-law-wife in prison. Stefan Edmund, 35, was told he was to be searched after using the lavatory while visiting his former partner in Low Newton Prison, a women's jail on the outskirts
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Drive to spread computer learning with mobile gym
A MOBILE computer gym designed to bridge the technology gap on under-privileged housing estates visited Durham yesterday. The fully equipped mobile training centre rolled into Sherburn Road during the estate's fun day. Designed to give computer training
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Advance to Game Boy
AMID all the excitement generated by the Nintendo Game Cube in Japan last week it was easy to overlook another hardware launch. Although the next generation Game Boy is effectively entering a market of one (in the West at least), it's probably not going
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Minister joins fight to keep cement jobs
LOCAL Government Minister Hilary Armstrong is to put pressure on cement company Blue Circle to secure the future of its Weardale plant. The company, which employs 170 people at its Eastgate site, is nearing the end of a production review to decide where
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Chief's role in France policing
A SENIOR police officer from the North-East will play a crucial role in policing the England soccer team's build up to the World Cup qualifying games. Area commander for Newcastle Central, Superintendent Graham Stafford, was in Paris this week heading
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Chase driver, 20, locked up
THE driver of a stolen car who led Cleveland Police on two high-speed chases in one day was put behind bars for 28 months yesterday, and disqualified for three years. When Darren Dalziell, 20, from Middlesbrough, was first spotted in the Vauxhall Corsa
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Carers -'et girls go nightclub drinking'
TWO North-East social workers are under investigation over claims they allowed two young sex abuse victims to get drunk on a night out in Scarborough. Ann Pennels and Michael Boyle, who both work for Darlington Social Services, have been suspended indefinitely
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Size matters for Newcastle new boy
Newcastle's new hit Daniel Cordone has been stunned by the size of crowds in the Premiership. The Argentinian striker said: "I was told what to expect at Manchester United but I have been amazed that we got more than 50,000 for games against Derby and
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Dozens of fans arrested
POLICE yesterday launched a major crackdown on football hooligans on the eve of England's friendly match with France. More than 20 people were banned by courts from going to the fixture in Paris under a new law rushed through after the violence at Euro
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Thome is looking ahead to an all-Light future
Emerson Thome caused a bit of a stir yesterday - by not having a go at Chelsea. Instead he predicted that Sunderland had everything in place to be the greatest club in Britain. Luca Vialli claims that everybody hates the Blues but Thome sidestepped the
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Bennett looking to turn Feethams into Fortress
DARLINGTON manager Gary Bennett is hoping to turn Feethams into a fortress and keep the club on the winning track at home to York City today. Quakers lifted everybody's spirits with a battling but deserved home win over Plymouth on Tuesday, which stretched
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Turner welcomes big return
HARTLEPOOL United boss Chris Turner last night laid out the Victoria Park welcome mat for Chris Freestone. The striker left Victoria Park on a free transfer during the close season and makes a quick-fire return with his new club Shrewsbury this afternoon
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Hague drops in for PR visit
CONSERVATIVE Party leader William Hague visited the offices of the public relations company employed to boost his public image, yesterday. Mr Hague visited the offices of Yellow M, in Newcastle, to meet the people in charge of increasing his and the party's
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Ex-police worker accused
A CIVILIAN worker with a North-East police force was charged yesterday with living off immoral earnings. John Dockerty, 27, a former finance officer at Durham Police's headquarters in Durham, was charged at Consett police station last night. Also charged
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Size matters for Newcastle new boy
Newcastle's new hit Daniel Cordone has been stunned by the size of crowds in the Premiership. The Argentinian striker said: "I was told what to expect at Manchester United but I have been amazed that we got more than 50,000 for games against Derby and
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Drunken attacker 'fuelled by lust'
A SCHOOLBOY who attacked and attempted to rape a sixth form girl was sentenced to four years behind bars yesterday. The 16-year-old girl was left battered and bloodstained after a night out celebrating the end of GCSE exams. Glen Coltman, now 15, was
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Thunderbirds are go
THUNDERBIRDS are go again. The International Rescue team is to return to our TV screens in a re-run of the original series. Set in the year 2065 and first screened in 1965, the cult science fiction series follows the fortunes of the Tracy Family who run
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Cannabis is found growing on patio
POLICE who raided the home of a woman found cannabis growing on the patio and paraphernalia for mass production of the illicit drug, as well as seeds and leaf remains in the loft, a court heard. Dominique Young told drugs squad officers she had bought
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Age proves no barrier for footballer, 66
FOOTBALL-MAD Marshall Lawson can lay claim to being the oldest winger in town after turning out for his Sunday league team at the age of 66. The grandfather played for his local side, Annfield Plain, in County Durham, in their 8-2 away drubbing at Marske
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New plea for witnesses a year after rape attack
THE hunt for a savage late-night rapist is being stepped up - a year after he put a young woman through a terrifying ordeal. Detectives are renewing their appeal for public help in tracking down the man, 12 months after he struck in Colburn, near Catterick
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Turner keen to welcome back returning striker
HARTLEPOOL United boss Chris Turner last night laid out the Victoria Park welcome mat for Chris Freestone. The striker left Victoria Park on a free transfer during the close season and makes a quick-fire return with his new club Shrewsbury this afternoon
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Lee to call changes
Bishop Auckland manager Tony Lee is forced to break up a winning side at home to Marine today. Bishops have won their last two matches, but midfielders Andy Howarth and David Gallagher, as well as defender Mark Salmon, are all unavailable. Lee will call
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Outrage at killer's mercy plea
A SELF-confessed killer has outraged his victim's family by appealing against his six-year jail sentence for lying to two murder trial juries. Labourer Billy Dunlop, 37, escaped the full weight of the law for killing pizza delivery girl Julie Hogg after
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Three arrested over stabbing
A TEENAGER from East Durham has been taken to hospital after being stabbed in the stomach. The victim was left with a stomach wound after being stabbed with a small knife during the incident in West View, Murton. He was taken by ambulance to Sunderland
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Three arrested over stabbing
A TEENAGER from East Durham has been taken to hospital after being stabbed in the stomach. The victim was left with a stomach wound after being stabbed with a small knife during the incident in West View, Murton. He was taken by ambulance to Sunderland
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Vandalised bus shelter is to be removed
A BUS shelter at Scotton, near Richmond, is to be removed after complaints that it has become a target for vandals and noisy youths, with some using it as a toilet. Scotton Parish Council has asked for the shelter, at the junction of Meanee Road and Bedale
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Vandalised bus shelter is to be removed
A BUS shelter at Scotton, near Richmond, is to be removed after complaints that it has become a target for vandals and noisy youths, with some using it as a toilet. Scotton Parish Council has asked for the shelter, at the junction of Meanee Road and Bedale
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Jewellery thieves in double raid on store
BOSSES at an East Durham department store are tightening security after two raids by thieves in a week. Argos, in Broad Close, Peterlee, has been targeted twice by thieves who smashed windows at the back of the store and raided jewellery cabinets. In
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Agricultural show names new president
A FORMER Lord Lieutenant of Cleveland has been named as the new president of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, responsible for the Great Yorkshire Show. Lord Gisborough succeeds outgoing president Warren Fenwicke-Clennell and his 12 months in office
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Orange may sack more over e-mails
MOBILE phone giant Orange has refused to rule out further job losses after it sacked 45 staff over claims they circulated obscene material on company computer systems. Orange also defended its stance over the sackings, despite accusations that it acted
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Guidance plan on school masts
DURHAM County Council is to produce a guidance document on siting radio masts in schools. The siting of masts has provoked controversy over the possible health effects of radiation emissions. Cabinet members have asked the council's policy development
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A chilling tale of a haunted past
AT a little after midnight on a wintry night nearly 150 years ago, nightwatchman James Durham was feeling the cold. He had been on duty since 8pm and a further six hours of his shift stretched in front of him, and all he had for shelter against the snow
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Schools shake-up a mixed blessing
A proposed radical overhaul of the academic timetable could revolutionise school holidays. Education correspondent Dawn Turnbull spoke to those who could be affected by the changes l The number of terms in the school year would be doubled to six l There
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Mandelson greets young patient at hospice charity shop opening
NORTHERN Ireland Secretary of State Peter Mandelson MP was in the region yesterday to open a charity shop. Mr Mandelson opened the Butterwick Children's Hospice Charity Shop, in York Road, Hartlepool. Faye Stephenson, ten, a patient, presented Mr Mandelson
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Families asked for their verdict on council service
A TEESSIDE town hall wants to know if it is loved. A total of 1,750 questionnaires will soon be dropping on doormats across east Cleveland seeking the people's verdict on Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's operation. The 14-page forms cover all aspects
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Anyone lost Nelson?
DO YOU recognise this tabby cat? The lost pet turned up at Paul Wilson's veterinary surgery, in Bishop Auckland, at the weekend, and staff have had no luck in tracing his owner. The six-year-old neutered male is affectionate and distinctive with his missing
