Archive
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Jamie dances to awards triumph
Box office hit Billy Elliot swept the board last night as it waltzed off with four major titles at the British Independent Film Awards. The feel-good movie - filmed in Easington, County Durham - tells the story of a teenager from a mining town who becomes
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Birdwatchers' ticket
BIRDspotters are invited to join a special trip around the Stockton area this weekend. Countryside Wardens from the Castle Eden Walkway have borrowed a minibus to take them on a nature trail on Sunday. Expert birdwatchers will be on board to point out
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School exclusion record 'must do better' pledge
EDUCATION chiefs have admitted they must do better to improve Darlington's poor record on school exclusions. Figures released by the Department for Education and Employment (DfEE) show that the education authority's schools permanently expelled 29 youngsters
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Car crash caught out female burglar
A FEMALE burglar who used her victim's car as a getaway vehicle wrecked it as she drove off with her haul, a court heard yesterday. Kelly Louise Steer, 21, woke a woman neighbour at 4.25am when she crashed the car outside a house in Stockton. The woman
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Switch is one digit too much
LONDON has been calling the people of one area of County Durham. The trouble is, the local folk wish London would go and bother somebody else. The problem has been caused by the new inner London number (0207) which has replaced the old (0171) code. The
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The picture that gave BSE families justice
THIS haunting image of a dying teenager is believed to have moved Prime Minister Tony Blair to order compensation for families devastated by the human form of mad cow disease. It shows the emaciated form of Donnamarie McGivern, a bright youngster whose
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'Spy who bashed me' attacker escapes jail
AN Austin Powers fan who became "the spy who bashed me" after head-butting a woman while mimicking the movie character narrowly escaped jail yesterday. Keith Sheardown, 22, was cleared of indecent assault after he was accused of groping and biting a woman's
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Win prizes - women told
AN award scheme designed to promote women in business will be inaugurated in the region next month. The first North-East Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Awards will reward female business achievers in five categories. Apart from the overall North-East
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Travellers' wrong track worry
TRAIN passengers feared the worst when they were told their northbound express was on the wrong track. The GNER service from London stopped for half an hour on the East Coast main line in County Durham on Sunday night. One woman said: "The conductor made
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Families given early benefit from New Deal
FAMILIES attending two special half-term events are the first to benefit from New Deal for Communities cash in Hartlepool. The Government Office for the North-East recently approved funding for several "early win" schemes, including Family Learning Weeks
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Actor launches adult education initiative
NORTH-EAST actor Tim Healy has logged on for his first lesson in computing. The Auf Weidersehn Pet star joined other adult learners to get to grips with the mysteries of micro-technology, at one of 31 learndirect centres opening in the region. The Learning
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FA cash boost for daughters
FOOTBALL Association bosses have donated £1,000 to a trust fund for the daughters of a former professional soccer player. Gary Walton, 37, an ex-junior and reserve player with Newcastle United, died during a night out in the village of Coundon, near Bishop
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Taste of life before the mast for dignitaries
DIGNITARIES from North Yorkshire and County Durham visited one of the region's prized historical attractions yesterday. The High Sheriff of North Yorkshire, Gerald Turton, and the High Sheriff of County Durham, Libby Smyth, joined the Mayor of Hartlepool
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My battle with Rolex robbers
MULTI-millionaire George Reynolds told a court yesterday of the terrifying moment when he was attacked by a gang of vicious Rolex robbers. The Darlington Football Club chairman described how his frail 80-year-old mother-in-law joined in as he tried desperately
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CATS set to muck in on the farm
URGENT renovations to a Teesside community farm have been carried out by volunteers from the BP Cats terminal at Seal Sands. High Clarence Community Farm has welcomed about 250,000 visitors since it opened in 19991, but it had been struggling to recover
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Councillors take to road to meet voters
A LOCAL authority takes its attempt to make meetings more accessible a step further next week. Traditionally, the bulk of Richmondshire District Council's decision-making process has been confined to the headquarters at Swale House, in Richmond's Frenchgate
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New look, but welcome is still the same
REGULARS at a North-East pub could be forgiven for thinking they've walked into the wrong bar after a major refurbishment. Traditional local The Traveller's Rest, in Forster Street, Consett, is due to reopen by the end of the month after a £35,000 overhaul
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Going looks smooth for ships centre
A LONG-AWAITED Tall Ships Centre could be finished by Christmas, now that final planning permission has been granted. At a council planning and licensing panel meeting yesterday, marina developer Mandale Properties was given permission to build 58 new
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'Secret' garden volunteers honoured
THE Mayor of Stockton visited a secret garden yesterday to congratulate volunteers. Councillor Pete Andrew presented a plaque to staff and volunteers at the Ragworth Neighbourhood Centre. The garden won best voluntary project at the recent Northumbria
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Tobacco workers call for action
TOBACCO workers have repeated their call for the Government to intervene over proposed EU legislation on tar levels in cigarettes. As the last opportunity to amend the tobacco directive passed last night, regional union leaders at the Rothman's plant
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Job advice team rank best in UK
A CAREERS service in the region has ranked top in the country in a new survey. Figures published in the national Careers Service Performance Indicators report showed Stockton's Future Steps was top performer out of 68 similar services. The results were
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Band win accolade
A NORTH Durham band were named as the best in the North-East, at the national championships, in the Royal Albert Hall. Lanchester Brass Band came eighth out of 20 in their section at the competition, last Sunday. That placed them as highest in the region
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Crackdown launched to beat menace of the child drinkers
EMERGENCY measures are being taken to stop children as young as eight from hanging around street corners, drinking alcohol and causing trouble. Operation Asp - Anti-social problems - will be launched in Langbaurgh, east Cleveland, this weekend in response
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You write...
ROSA STREET SCHOOL THE Northern Echo has kindly given publicity to the Spennymoor Rosa Street School reunion. This was a totally worthwhile effort as it contributed to a hugely successful evening. As we walked around the school the past pupils were able
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Cooker fire drama of teenage babysitter
A TEENAGER caring for her younger brothers and sister had to be taken to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation after a cooker caught fire. Claire Mellor, 14, tried to get her brothers and sister out of the house in Lancaster Way, Thornaby, Teesside
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Care workers under pressure claims union
HOME care workers are being put under enormous pressure at work, according to a report by Britain's biggest union. Unison, the public service union, says poor pay, privatisation and budget cuts are ripping the heart out of home care services. Kath Hanlon
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Amusement arcade allowed
An amusement centre in Hartlepool has been given approval despite residents' concerns about youths gathering outside their homes. People in York Road and Middleton Grange Lane argued there were enough arcades in the area, which produced excessive noise
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Crime alert as dark nights approach
POLICE have issued a warning about sneak thieves as the dark winter nights approach. Northumbria Police detectives are dealing with a number of burglaries committed during the past week. Thieves have taken electrical goods, jewellery, ornaments and cash
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Action plan aims to revive town fortunes
DETAILS of a draft strategy that should assist the revival of the whole of the Wear Valley were revealed this week. Bob Hope, director of planning at Wear Valley District Council, told an audience of local business people and residents how the Bishop
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GMC suspends gynaecologist at centre of police inquiry
A GYNAECOLOGIST at the centre of a police investigation yesterday vowed to clear his name after he was stripped of the right to pursue medical practices. Dr Paul Vinall, who practises in both North and West Yorkshire, was arrested in July, over allegations
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IT's a family affair for young violinist
IT will be a family affair when a talented young violinist gives a recital in her home city. Holly Maleham, 18, of Durham, will perform the popular Max Bruch Violin Concerto, accompanied on piano by her mother Cherry, a piano teacher. The recital will
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Energetic fundraisers rally to raise children in need cash
FUNDRAISERS hope a sponsored head shave and signed football will net money for Children in Need. A football autographed by players from Darlington Football Club is to be auctioned during telephone bidding in aid of the charity and presented to the winner
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Diamond day celebrations
AS they celebrate 60 years of marriage today, George and Mary Taylor can reflect on a rich family tradition in the coal mining industry and worship in their local Methodist chapel. Many of the friends who will be attending their diamond wedding party
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Marathon task
A runner is looking to help to organise a marathon fundraising challenge. Former Royal Engineer Richard Brough, 25, wants to run the London marathon next year to raise money for equipment at South Cleveland Hospital, in Middlesbrough. As well as training
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Parking fees set to double for centre
CHARGES in some of Hartlepool's car parks may be doubled. Borough councillors are being asked to approve a series of new charges, which officers claim will still make Hartlepool one of the cheapest places in the region to park. It has been suggested the
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Ex-sawmills boss barred as a director
A FORMER sawmills boss has been barred from acting as a director for four years. Terence Jacques, of Bradley Cottage, Black Banks, Hamsterley, near Bishop Auckland, was disqualified at Durham County Court as a result of his misconduct as a director or
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Successor faces a challenge, says retiring college head
THE principal of a North-East college has spoken for the first time after announcing his retirement. Peter Shuker has been principal and chief executive of Darlington College of Technology for 14 years. He announced his decision, which will take effect
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Woman awaits trial in Spain
A WOMAN from the North-East is still awaiting trial in Spain on drugs charges, the Foreign Office has confirmed. Claire Brown, 26, formerly of Thorney Close, Sunderland, who is being held in jail, was arrested at Barcelona airport in November last year
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Trade Partners moves home
TRADE Partners UK, the former British Trade International, has moved its local Tees Valley team from Hartlepool to Darlington. Trade Partners UK is the new brand for export support services and provides a network of resources working to build British
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The Cyber Space
Surfing is not the only sporting interest for Internet users as more and more people keep up with their favourite sport online. And there is nothing those homesick ex-pats like more than to keep up with their former home town football team from all corners
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The long wait is over as Swan Hunter celebrates Navy contract
IT'S been a long and frustrating wait, but shipbuilding is back on the Tyne, and the furure's looking bright. Defence secretary Geoff Hoon may not have been very popular on South Tyneside, but he won't have to buy a drink in Wallsend for a good few years
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Welsh martyr to the cause
IT WAS an awards evening not a speech day, a sort of academic happy hour after which former Welsh Guards corporal Simon Weston - no stranger to hard shifts - publicly proclaimed himself "absolutely knackered". Other schools get the deputy director of
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Kept in the dark
Incompetence and complacency by ministers and officials hid the truth about the dangers of mad cow disease from the public for years, the BSE inquiry report said yesterday. People were repeatedly misled and kept in the dark by statements that underplayed
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Girl aged 12 found drunk and incapable after binge on cider
A 12-YEAR-OLD girl on her half-term holidays was found so drunk she was incapable of telling police her name or address, it has been revealed. Police initially thought the child had been sexually assaulted after she was found on scrubland in Darlington
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Boksic ready to call time on his country
Middlesbrough's Alen Boksic yesterday revealed he may quit international football following the resignation of Croatia coach Miroslav Blazevic. The 30-year-old striker could follow the example of Alan Shearer, who ended his England career in the summer
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Campbell injury blow
Darlington suffered yet another long term injury blow yesterday when Paul Campbell was ruled out until at least February. Campbell picked up a groin injury in the win over Torquay a fortnight ago, and at first it was thought he would be back in action
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Tees Valley pipeline project to safeguard 80 jobs
A NEW pipeline contract, made and designed on Teesside, will secure work for 80 people over the next six months. The deal has been secured by Wilton-based Enron's award- winning asset managementteam for work on the line for Huntsman ICI. Construction
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The ships are coming back!
SHIPBUILDING is returning to the North-East after Tyneside yard Swan Hunter landed a major Ministry of Defence order, bringing with it 2,000 new jobs. North-East Labour MPs yesterday hailed Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon's decision, even though the Cammell
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Warming to a global theme
WHILE Tony Blair was delivering his first speech in three-and-a-half years on the environment on Tuesday, an academic from Durham University was in Marseilles talking about seven years' research into rising sea levels. For the first time, Dr Ben Horton
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Matthews set to buy back firm
NORFOLK's most famous farmer, Bernard Matthews, is to buy back the company that bears his name in a £232m deal. Mr Matthews has made a 185p-a-share offer which will see the group, which produces poultry, fish and oven-ready turkeys and was floated on
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The Echo says...
IN any public scandal, it is understandable that many people will want someone to blame, someone's head to roll. While there may be some short-term satisfaction in that outcome, there is no long-term gain. Happily the Phillips report into the handling
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'Don't show dissent in public'
England's players have been warned to control their emotions on the field and vent any anger in the dressing room to avoid inflaming a similar situation to their infamous 1987 tour to Pakistan. With sensitivities high on England's first full trip since
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Simply's the best
WETHERBY'S reputation for attracting rising young jump stars has once again been reinforced with the appearance of Ballinclay King, Behrajan and Simply Gifted at the course today. Ferdy Murphy's Ballinclay King and Tim Easterby's Simply Gifted (2.45)
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Cold comfort from 1931 fridge
FARMER'S wife Maureen Mace boasts that her fridge is part of the family - which is not surprising as it is still going strong 69 years after it rolled off the production line. Maureen, who lives near the County Durham village of Esh, paid £7 for the mechanical
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Go-Peds are subject to road laws, say judges
Motorised Go-Peds are motor vehicles "intended for use on roads" and are subject to the full gamut of road traffic laws, two top judges ruled in a test case yesterday. The decision means owners of the 20mph motorised scooters must wear helmets, be licensed
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A not-so-close encounter . . .
POLICE say they have found no evidence of an object falling from the sky in a North-East city. Officers searched the Hendon area of Sunderland after a woman reported seeing the object on Tuesday morning - but found nothing. Theories include it being debris
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Minister backs scheme for jobs
TONY Blair's government threw its full weight behind plans yesterday to create 10,000 jobs in one of the North-East's worst economic blackspots. Regions Minister Hilary Armstrong confirmed she will be taking the lead in the £700m Arc project to regenerate
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Holly goes home - thanks to the Echo
AN injured German shepherd dog had a joyful reunion with her owners yesterday thanks to an appeal in The Northern Echo. Five-year-old Holly has been cared for over the past week by vet Paul Wilson, of Bishop Auckland, County Durham, who treated her after
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Brave officers to be honoured with medals
A POLICE officer who performed a daring river rescue is to be honoured for his bravery next week. PC Kevin Hood leapt into action to pull a woman from the River Wear, in Sunderland, after she jumped from the Wearmouth Bridge in September last year. He
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Shayler may not get his forum
The Crown Prosecution Service yesterday applied for all or part of the trial of former MI5 officer David Shayler to be held behind closed doors under the terms of the Official Secrets Act. An application by the CPS was posted in the Old Bailey, where
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Poppy appeal launched
TOWN mayor Dorothy Long has officially launched the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal for Darlington and District. Last year, the appeal, which is in its 79th year, raised £28,000 for former servicemen and their families. Certificates were presented at
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Theatre treat for youngsters
THE captivating play Mickey and the Emperor is to be performed at Bishop Auckland Town Hall next Thursday by the Theatre of the Incurable Players. The show features live music, puppets, and an animated set. It was written by David Almond, from Newcastle
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Trading under a new banner
INDEPENDENT retailers in a shopping area of Darlington are to market their businesses under a new banner, The Imperial Quarter. The new theme reflects the elegant range of shopping opportunities in a part of the town within a small radius of the former
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Roof plunge boy critical
A SEVEN-YEAR-OLD boy was in a critical condition yesterday after falling 30ft through a roof. The boy was playing with friends when they climbed on the slate roof of the Territorial Army centre in Highfield Road, South Shields, South Tyneside. The roof
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Redwood roasted over car cash gaffe
Former Tory Cabinet Minister John Redwood was yesterday roasted by Labour MPs after claiming the North-East had lost a massive car plant investment. Mr Redwood this week issued a statement commenting on news that Nissan ''will not invest for the new Micra
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Debate over regional assembly at critical stage, seminar hears
CALLS for a regional assembly were repeated at a seminar in the region yesterday. Durham County Cricket Club's Riverside ground, at Chester-le-Street, held the event, organised by the North East Regional Assembly, which looked at ways of breaking away
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Footbridge finally takes a river in its stride
THE final piece of one of the region's Millennium projects was lifted into place yesterday. The Millennium footbridge in Stockton has been built to link the thriving Teesdale development on the south bank of the Tees with Stockton town centre via the
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Fight ended in death, trial told
A GUEST at a New Year's Eve party told a jury yesterday how he saw his brother-in-law pick up a kitchen knife as he fought with another man. Ronald Wright said he saw Carl Portis pick up the knife in the kitchen and then lunge forward a couple of times
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Wild ideas on show in youth mini-play
THE WORK of a group of children battling to protect their local environment, is to be celebrated in Chester-le-Street tomorrow. Wildthings, a group of youngsters aged eight to 12, got together last year to tackle some of the issues in the local environmental
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Church ministers killed by 'appalling careless driving'
A LORRY driver who killed three Church of England ministers when his truck ploughed into their stationary car at traffic lights was cleared yesterday of dangerous driving. Long-distance lorry driver Mark King was cleared by a jury of three charges of
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Fredgaard ready for a quick return home
Danish club Lyngby are closing in on midfielder Carsten Fredgaard, who they sold to Sunderland last year. Fredgaard has failed to establish himself in the first team at the Stadium of Light and the Danes are keen to re-sign him. The two clubs are locked
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Scheme for homeless to expand
A SCHEME operating throughout the region to help young homeless people is being expanded. A Nightstop scheme is to be opened in Hartlepool to give temporary accommodation for up to three nights for homeless people aged between 16 and 25. Similar schemes
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Site blow for skateboard campaigners
CAMPAIGNERS seeking a skateboarding park are on a collision course with an east Durham council over where it should be built. It was almost two years ago that teenagers formed an action committee to get a skateboarding facility in Peterlee. Gareth Richards
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Staff celebrate in Sixties style
SPORTING bouffant hairstyles and long leather boots, staff at one upholstery shop took a step back in time to the mad world of 1960s fashion this week. The eight women from Conroys head office in Birtley dressed up in the trendy gear to celebrate the
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Childcare cash to create 1,500 more places
AN EXPANSION of childcare provision in the North-East comprising 1,503 new places was announced yesterday. The expansion is being funded by the New Opportunities Fund through childcare grants. Communities are to benefit from the increase in provision,
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Male nurse throws hat into the ring to replace Mowlam
A MALE nurse has become the latest candidate to enter the race to succeed Mo Mowlam as MP for Redcar. Andrew Scott, a 31-year-old staff nurse from Loftus, is standing for the Labour nomination. He recognises that the high-profile contest is likely to
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Boro end Colosimo interest
Middlesbrough yesterday halted a £1m move for Australian defender Simon Colosimo. Manager Bryan Robson made the decision after watching the 21-year-old centre-back play in a private match against Newcastle. Boro lost 2-0, with Alan Shearer scoring both
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Action needed to attract more jobs
A COUNCIL leader has admitted that more needs to be done to attract jobs to the area in the wake of new unemployment statistics. The latest figures released by the Tees Valley Joint Strategy Unit reveal that Tees Valley has a higher unemployment rate
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Village footpath at heart of row
A PROPOSAL to divert a long -established footpath has sparked a row in a rural east Durham community. Leading the campaign to keep the footpath where it is, Lawrence Teasdale has pledged to fight Haswell Parish Council's proposal to move the walkway.
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Controversial phone mast plan rejected
A CONTROVERSIAL application to extend a phone mast, situated near a Hartlepool primary school has been rejected by councillors. Phone company Orange had applied to add five metres to its mast at High Tunstall Farm, in Coniscliffe Road, so it could share
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First Light to shine for Niven
PETER NIVEN has the chance to supplement an already excellent record at Sedgefield by scoring aboard First Light (3.30) this afternoon. The majority of Niven's success has been achieved riding for Mary Reveley, but today he switches allegiance to the
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County bus pass approved
HALF-PRICE bus fares to Darlington are likely to be included in Richmondshire's new concessionary travel network, after all. When councillors met on Tuesday night, the local authority's officers recommended the administration sanctioned a partnership
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Postal workers end strike action
MAIL deliveries on Tyneside returned to normal yesterday after postal workers returned to work. A total of 74 staff walked out of the Royal Mail delivery office at Heaton, Newcastle, on Tuesday, in protest at the suspension of two colleagues. The stoppage
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My battle with Rolex robbers
MULTI-millionaire George Reynolds told a court yesterday of the terrifying moment when he was attacked by a gang of vicious Rolex robbers. The Darlington Football Club chairman described how his frail 80-year-old mother-in-law joined in as he tried desperately
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No blowing in the wind with Ted
FAR too many politicians suffer from what I call "the daffodil syndrome". They blow with the wind, this way and that, depending on the weather in their focus groups. You could not say that about Edward Heath who announced this week that after 50 years
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Campaign on kerb crawling
POLICE are celebrating the success of a campaign to crack down on kerb crawling. Since Operation Duet was launched earlier this month to issue offenders with court summonses, 11 have been served on men and 20 on women who were arrested for soliciting
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Travel girl's travel prize
A TEENAGER has proved herself a top trainee to win the holiday of a lifetime. Toni Inns, who works at the Wallace Arnold Travel Shop, in Middlesbrough, was named travel training programme trainee of the year at an annual awards ceremony in London. The
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National youth orchestra placing is another string in the bow of a young musician
A TEENAGE violinist from the North-East has been chosen to play in the National Youth Orchestra. Steven Proctor, 14, will join 150 talented musicians for a series of two-week residential courses next year as they practise for a number of concerts in some
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Church serves up wine and welcomes a bishop
A CHURCH in Darlington is to host several events in the coming weeks. St James the Great, Albert Hill, will be holding a wine tasting evening tomorrow. The event will also include a finger buffet and will be held in the church hall from 7.30pm. Wines
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Tributes after campaigning teacher dies
A NORTH YORKSHIRE headteacher, who took on the county's education authority over the closure of a village school, died suddenly at home yesterday. Elizabeth World, 51, was at the forefront of the campaign to save Gilling West from the axe six years ago
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Psychiatric order for drink-driver
A DRINK-DRIVER who rammed police cars and escaped four times from road traps was ordered to have psychiatric treatment yesterday. Malcolm Carter, 36, led three police cars on a long high-speed chase in his J-registered Vauxhall Cavalier. He reversed away
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Partners to light up town
A partnership has been formed to bring festive cheer to Redcar. The partnership has been set up between The Clarion, The Northern Echo's sister paper, serving Redcar and east Cleveland, Redcar Town Centre Management and Redcar Business Association, to
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Cabbies urge fare review
CABBIES are to be consulted on the possibility of increasing fares in a North-East town. Hartlepool Borough Council decided yesterday to survey all Hackney Carriage owners on proposals to increase fares by 15 per cent. A petition from 19 cabbies had asked
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Protestors fight to save 'only bit of green'
A PETITION signed by more than 3,000 residents with a message not to develop the last green site in Guisborough, is on its way to Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council. The council wants to move its headquarters to the market town but if it moves to Chapel
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Art gives hall room with lots of views
AN exhibition of County Durham landscapes painted by local artist Jason Lowes has opened in the region. Jason, of Rookhope in Weardale, has been drawing and painting since he was a teenager, and has worked as a designer, sculptor and model-maker for a
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Interprise brings world to Durham
INTERPRISE 2001 - Technologies for the Future is set for March 2001. Organised by County Durham Development Company (CDDC), it will each and every delegate with a schedule of pre-booked, 30-minute face-to-face meetings, it is the ideal forum for businesses
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Quarry death inquest opens
AN inquest into the death of a quarry foreman who was crushed to death by a skip, was opened and adjourned yesterday. Mark Andrew Armitage, 25, of Middleside, Middleton-in-Teesdale, died on October 19 after suffering massive internal injuries in the accident
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Aspin injury fear
Darlington defender Neil Aspin could miss Quakers' home game with Brighton on Saturday. Aspin was helped off the field with a cut above his left eye midway through the first half at Cardiff on Tuesday night and had to be substituted by youngster Jordan
