Archive
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Forum draws up road safety action targets
FERRYHILL residents are determined to make the town's roads safer for pedestrians and motorists. The Ferryhill Road Safety Forum has produced a list of schemes it wants Durham County Council to consider. A number of traffic blackspots have been identified
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Hospital hit by risk of gas cut
OPERATIONS at a North-East hospital had to be cancelled after workmen disturbed pipes providing oxygen to wards and operating theatres, it emerged this week. Patients about to undergo surgery at Shotley Bridge Hospital, County Durham, were told that their
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Top trio to miss out
NEWCASTLE Jesters are without three key players for tonight's home Superleague clash with the Cardiff Devils. Winger Louis Bedard's return to Tyneside has been delayed from yesterday to Saturday, while assistant captain Rob Wilson is due back on Monday
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'Surgeon's skill saved our little girl'
A GRATEFUL family, who say a sacked surgeon's skills saved their little girl, have made a powerful appeal in support of his attempt to get his job back. Consultant gynaecologist and obstetrician Neil Hebblethwaite was dismissed by the Friarage Hospital
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Campaign puts focus on career in childcare
A CAMPAIGN to encourage more people to take up careers in childcare is to be launched in County Durham. A programme of recruitment roadshows, combined with activities for children, will target major towns in the county over the coming weeks, to offer
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Drama with a security theme
YOUNG people are to perform a play to teach other residents in their community about home security. Young people are to stage the show, called Bogus Callers, at a community safety awareness event at Grey Gardens Community Centre, Coundon, at 6pm today
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Firefighters push the bed out for hospice funds
FIREFIGHTERS from one of the region's airports took part in a fundraising event yesterday to raise money for a charity in support of a long-serving colleague. The team, from Teesside Airport, was in Yarm and Stockton for a sponsored bed push, collecting
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Bus ban wins retail support
BANNING buses from a town centre seems to be winning support from businesses. A pilot pedestrianisation scheme has been introduced, with buses barred from the area of the Corporation and Newport Road junction, Middlesbrough, for six months. Barbara Wren
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Burberry set to float after turnaround in fortune
RETAIL giant Great Universal Stores, owner of Argos, is to float part of its famous luxury goods brand Burberry, completing a three-year turnaround for the upmarket label. Best known for its traditional check pattern, Burberry has been given a makeover
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School choir finds grrreat way to promote festive fair
TONY the Tiger went back to school yesterday to get singing lessons from youngsters who will be entertaining the crowds at a college fair. The Framwellgate Singers, from Framwellgate Moor Primary School, Durham, will be performing at the Christmas event
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Child charity chief to face sex charges
THE director of a charity providing after-school care for children has quit after being accused of child sex offences. Philip Hemmans resigned from his position at the Julie Graham Children's Charity following his arrest earlier this month. The 33-year-old
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Why the Bill loses out to the Street
CORONATION Street celebrates its 40th anniversary this week and, despite it being a national institution, I must admit that I don't go out of my way to watch it. However, I am often surprised about how its aficionados view it with an almost religious
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Baird sells menswear business
RUMOURS circulating in the City earlier this week that clothing company William Baird was up for grabs were confirmed last night after the group announced it was selling its BMB menswear business for £19m. The firm which is trying to sue Marks & Spencer
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Nissan decision on hold
A DECISION on where the new Micra will be built has been put back to the new year, with Nissan bosses awaiting the outcome of an EU inquiry into the legality of a proposed £40m grant. The European Commission this week sent a team to investigate claims
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Club changes mind over mast
CONTROVERSIAL proposals to build a mobile telephone mast at a North-East football club have been dropped in the face of a public backlash. Thornaby Football Club had agreed to allow a new mast to be erected at its ground, despite public opposition. However
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Move to employ refugees' helper
A worker could be employed by Hartlepool Borough Council to help asylum seekers settle into the community. The council will decide today whether to employ another resettlement worker to coordinate rehousing and support for refugees who come to the town
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Historic toast to the future of a new Europe
Tony Blair last night set out his vision of a new Europe in a historic meeting with French president Jacques Chirac in the heart of the North-East. The Prime Minister welcomed President Chirac to County Durham for crucial talks ahead of next week's crunch
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Kiwis offer a home to hero Sir Henry
A BRITISH hero could end up on the other side of the world after he was snubbed by his own country. North-East born general Sir Henry Havelock could be removed from Trafalgar Square after London mayor Ken Livingstone said few Londoners had heard of him
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Peacemaker's face was slashed
A YOUNG man was slashed across the face while trying to act as peacemaker during a night out, a court heard. Colin Holmes, 26, who carried out the attack while high on a mix of strong lager and pills, was jailed for three-and-a-half years yesterday. Durham
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Car hits house
TWO people were taken to hospital after a car hit a house in Darlington yesterday. The driver was attempting to park when it crashed into the bay window of a house in Salisbury Terrace. A man and a woman in the car were treated for shock at Darlington
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NHS link to private sector praised
AN NHS surgeon who is backing a new private hospital with his own money has praised Health Secretary Alan Milburn's decision to cut waiting lists by using the private sector. Plans for an £8.1m private hospital in Darlington, backed by a consortium of
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Thieves target paving slabs
DRIVEWAYS and pavements are being targeted by thieves. Four incidents of paving slabs being stolen, mainly from private drives, in Bishop Auckland and West Auckland, have been recorded in the past week. A Bishop Auckland police spokesman said: "They have
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Director to raise museum profile
ONE of the region's best-loved museums has appointed a director to raise the profile of the historic attraction. The announcement that Adrian Jenkins will take on the role of director at the Bowes Museum, in Barnard Castle, County Durham, follows the
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I fancy being a mayor
Supercop Ray Mallon is considering swapping his handcuffs for a mayoral chain when he eventually leaves the force. The detective superintendent, who was suspended from Middlesbrough CID three years ago today, said yesterday that he would not rule out
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Golf ball injury man gets £2,600 damages
THE etiquette of the golf course came under a judge's scrutiny after a veteran golfer's wrist was broken by an impatient player's tee shot. Robert Harvey, 65, began a court battle after he was left in agony when a ball hit by Brian Lynn soared through
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Dozy burglar who was caught napping
A "GOLDILOCKS" burglar fell asleep on the job after breaking into a family home. Derek Minnikin was found sound asleep on a child's bedroom floor by a shocked householder the morning after breaking into her home in Front Street, West Auckland, County
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Jenny's home is cat's whiskers
JENNY is one pampered puss. While other moggies count themselves lucky to own a favourite spot by the fireside, Jenny has her own front room. She also has a kitchen, a dining room and bedroom. Jenny's perfect pad, which she shares with several other pals
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Hunt for armed thugs after shop raid
TWO robbers threatened a shop assistant with a knife and piece of wood before stealing cash, phone cards and cigarettes. The pair struck at the Co-op, in The Drive, Usworth, Washington, at 8.30pm on Tuesday, and threatened the lone woman with violence
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Abusive letter writer released from prison
A POISON pen letter writer who brought misery to a Teesside estate has been released on bail after appealing against a prison term. Andrew Bewley, 39, formerly of Wharfedale Close, Ingleby Barwick, was sentenced to two months after admitting criminal
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Woman, 21, denies bottle
A YOUNG woman accused of striking a man with a broken bottle told a court yesterday she had put up her arms when he was about to hit her. Kelly Murphy, 21, said she had a cigarette, her bag and the drink bottle in her hand when she raised her hands up
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Probation officer denies driving death charge
A driver recklessly pulled on to a motorway causing another car to swerve and catapult across the road, killing the young woman driver instantly, a court heard. Recruitment officer Nichola Payne, 28, died when her Vauxhall Corsa spun on to the opposite
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Children risking death on rooftops
CHILDREN are risking their lives playing on roofs which have been the scene of a number of serious accidents. Two years ago, a girl was left paralysed when she fell through the roof of a building at the SailSport Industrial Estate, off Thornaby Road,
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Search to shed light on gemma's mystery illness
SCHOOLGIRL Gemma Carlton is one of a kind. The ten-year-old has been diagnosed as the only person in the world suffering from a mystery genetic disorder. Experts are baffled by the condition, which has left Gemma with severe physical and learning disabilities
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Things are really warming up for cinders
THE cast of a theatre's pantomime gathered for the first time yesterday to start rehearsals. The opening of Cinderella, at Darlington Civic Theatre, is next Wednesday night, and the show runs until Sunday, January 21. While many of the stars met at a
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Sparring Partners give Oliver a new twist
THE success of the film version was such that the story of Oliver Twist is best remembered for its song and dance routines. But the classic book by Charles Dickens about the boy who asked for more is a far more stark portrayal of the treatment meted out
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BMX bicycle youths in cash raid on garage
TWO youths escaped with cash after holding up a garage attendant with what looked like a gun. They forced the woman to open the till at the Chilton Moor Filling Station, Chilton Moor, near Houghton-le-Spring, before riding off on BMX bikes. "The attendant
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Artist draws on skills to win place in television painting contest
PAUL Dillon has double reason to celebrate his painting skills this week. Not only is he holding his first exhibition in nine years, but Paul will also be shown in the final of a television show painting contest. The 48-year-old, from Butterknowle, Teesdale
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Concern over missing man
CONCERN was growing last night for the safety of a missing Teesside man. Brian Clyde McDonald, 43, has not been seen since he left home in Loftus, east Cleveland, on Tuesday afternoon. He is 6ft 4in, with short, dark hair. He has a brown beard and moustache
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You write...
STEAM GEORGE Stephenson was not an inventor (Echo, Nov 28), he was an exploiter of other people's inventions. Steam was first successfully used by the ancient Greeks in the second century BC. Though they did not get around to using it for driving vehicles
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Adverts safety fear
COUNCILLORS have deferred a decision on whether to allow advertisements to be placed on the side of a bus stop over safety fears. More Group UK has applied to Darlington Borough Council for planning permission to place the advertisements on the side of
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Review of town's day care services
A GROUP carrying out a review of day opportunities for disabled people in Hartlepool is eager to hear people's views. Equal Ability, a consultancy for disabled people, wants to know what people in the town like to do during the day, and what they cannot
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Safety rules dim festive lighting
NEWTON Aycliffe's Christmas lights display will be greatly reduced this year because of tough rules imposed by Durham County Council. From this year, anyone wanting to hang festive decorations on lampposts has to apply for a permit. A check on Aycliffe's
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Solution in sight for village allotments dispute
A ROW over Barton's allotments could be resolved after more than a year of bitter debate, which has split the village and led to the resignation of a number of parish councillors. Richmondshire District Council's resources committee has agreed to use
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'Go green' plea to N-E tourism
TOURISM firms are being urged to go green to benefit their business and the environment. A national initiative was launched yesterday by the Countryside Agency and the English Tourism Council, to persuade businesses to be more environmentally-conscious
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Opening of £3m restaurant complex misses Christmas
PLANS to open a £3m pub and restaurant scheme, that will create up to 120 jobs in the centre of Durham, have been delayed five months. Cathedrals, in the city's Victorian former police station, in Court Lane, had been due to open this month in time for
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Three years down and three to go
RAY Mallon admits he has become obsessed. After three years fighting to clear his name since he was suspended from duty it would not be surprising if he found it hard to see beyond the mountain of documents he has amassed. But his latest pre-occupation
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Police hopeful of extra funding
CLEVELAND Police Authority was last night hopeful of Government help to offset the costs of long-running corruption inquiry Operation Lancet, following talks with a Home Office minister. A delegation from Cleveland Police Authority met Home Office Minister
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Waddle is returning
Chris Waddle will kick-off the New Year in a Tow Law shirt after last night agreeing an emotional return to the Ironworks Road ground. Ex-England international Waddle started his career with the Northern League club. Manager Graeme Forster had been hoping
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Families warned of Christmas debt crisis
DEBT misery will mar Christmas for countless families across the North-East. Determined to make this Yuletide special, hundreds of people have embarked on a spending spree - all of it on credit. Council officials in Middlesbrough are warning shoppers
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Kittens seek new owner
TWO playful kittens in need of new homes are firm favourites with staff at Paul Wilson's veterinary surgery, in Bishop Auckland, County Durham. Tigger and Mogwai's last owners are so fond of them that they want to follow their progress after they leave
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Harry makes boarding magic
HE has already worked his magic on the reading habits of a generation, now Harry Potter could be prompting a revival in another declining tradition. Boarding schools are reporting increasing interest from children wanting to live away from home, inspired
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World history on our doorstep
THESE are historic times which The Northern Echo may never see again - times in which we are the local paper for both the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition. Sedgefield and Richmondshire are the respective constituencies and their places
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Work starts to ward off flood threat
WORK has begun on mud banks that should provide basic protection to homes threatened by flooding. Workmen moved into West Auckland yesterday, where they will create temporary flood banks, about 1m high, from mud dredged from the River Gaunless. The Environment
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Parking issue under spotlight
RICHMOND'S business community faced the district council over a courtroom table as a public inquiry into amendments to the local authority's planning blueprint for the future got under way. The administration has been working with Richmond Town Centre
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Man arrested over death
A MAN arrested following the murder of a primary school teacher is still poorly but stable in hospital. The 39-year-old is under arrest in connection with the death of his partner, Lesley Grant, a teacher at Whinney Banks Junior School, Middlesbrough.
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Richmond Foods savours strong growth in profits
REDUCED costs and a more balanced customer base have helped Richmond Foods to improved profits. In the year to October 1, pre-tax profits increased by 25 per cent to £3.77m, compared with £3.023m in the previous 12 months. During the year, Richmond, based
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Residents warned over bogus security callers
HOUSEHOLDERS are being urged to be on their guard against bogus callers after a spate of incidents involving a company claiming to represent a council. Hambleton District Council issued the warning after several Northallerton residents received visits
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Gill attacks BA on Irish routes
BOSSES at Gill Airways have expressed anger and astonishment at the latest turn in what they describe as "copy cat" tactics by British Airways. Management at Gill has said that British Airways is trying to move into Gill's territory by offering a service
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Pupil hits high note in song contest
A YOUNG songwriter has received the acclaim of her school after penning the winning ditty in a competition to mark the opening of a junior extension. Jane Williamson, ten, from Polam Hall School, Darlington, took the contest's top prize with Millennium
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Lottery grant funds trips for friendship club
MEMBERS of a Teesside friendship group are enjoying two trips thanks to the National Lottery. The Friendship Club, from Grange Road Methodist Church, Hartlepool, was awarded £2,500 by the Winners For All fund. The 31 members of the club spent some money
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Survey on disabled care
A CONSULTATION exercise is being launched to help improve the care of young disabled people. Middlesbrough social services, and the Shaftesbury Society, a leading national specialist group, have teamed up to find out more about the needs of young disabled
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How the porn industry may help Madonna
A piece of Internet history was made this week when Madonna managed to get nine million people online for a live gig. It was the Material Girl's first live web concert as well as being her first UK concert for seven years. Visitors to www.msn.co.uk/madonna
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Youngster's honesty to be rewarded
A WOMAN is appealing for a youngster who returned her purse after it was lost on a bus to claim a reward. Dorothy Howe, of Hargreave Terrace, Darlington, was so impressed with the boy's honesty, she feels he deserves a proper thank-you. She was on the
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Accolade for storyteller
A CHILDREN'S storyteller from Darlington has been nominated as a national reading champion. Actor Robin Ellwood began telling stories to his young daughter in 1988. He was asked by a teacher friend to read to children at Gurney Pease Primary School three
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Animal circus plan is rejected
PLANS to hold a circus in a County Durham town have been rejected after councillors described the use of wild animals for entertainment as barbaric. Teesdale District Council's community services committee members voted against an application by the Great
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Old boy returns to Feethams
DARLINGTON manager Gary Bennett yesterday re-signed crowd favourite Phil Brumwell but released winger Mark Angel who has only played a handful of games since signing on a free transfer in the summer. Brumwell, who was signed by David Hodgson and Jim Platt
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Boro players frustrated
ANXIOUS Middlesbrough players last night pleaded with the club to shed more light on the ambitious attempt to bring Terry Venables to the Riverside Stadium. Only 48 hours before a crucial game against West Ham, Boro's first-team squad were yesterday in
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Marley is home after TV fame and another name
GOMEZ the whistling cockatiel finally returned home to his best friend and owner, seven-year-old Katrina Thompson yesterday. The grey bird - named Gomez by RSPCA for repeatedly whistling the theme to the Addams Family - went missing last week. But after
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Top surgeon challenges GMC charge
A TOP surgeon yesterday challenged the right of the General Medical Council to charge him with a second case of serious professional misconduct. Professor Kyprianos Herodotou Nicolaides, from South London, is alleged to have given evidence to a disciplinary
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Ramble to root out tree types
PEOPLE are being urged to join a guided walk to identify various species of trees. The three-hour walk will set off from Greatham Church, Greatham, near Hartlepool, on Sunday at 10.30am. Countryside warden Claire Studman will lead the walk. She said:
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Deception jury considers verdict
THE founder of a campaign group told a court yesterday that he had asked to borrow a digital camera to help with a newsletter. Richard Elliott said he approached the boss of a photography shop to ask if he could borrow the camera, but made no mention
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Planners blamed as firm puts expansion on hold
AN ENGINEERING firm has been forced to put major expansion plans on hold after planning chiefs rejected an application to develop an unused part of its site. Management at Thrislington Engineering, Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, said the decision to
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Carol service of remembrance
A NORTH-EAST funeral directors is to hold a special Christmas remembrance carol service for people who have lost their loved ones. John Meynell Funeral Services, in Darlington, says the festive season is often a difficult time for the bereaved. Shirley
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Rural vote battle in Blair territory
SHADOW Agriculture Minister Tim Yeo takes the battle for the rural vote to Tony Blair's doorstep this morning when he meets farmers and a village postmaster in the heart of the Prime Minister's Sedgefield constituency. His visit comes two days after the
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Referee under fire from Shearer
ANGRY Newcastle United skipper Alan Shearer has accused Kent referee Steve Bennett of costing the Magpies a possible Worthington Cup quarter-final spot. Shearer was brought down in a one-on-one by Birmingham keeper Ian Bennett in an incident which tipped
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Crime-fighting team to target arson attacks
ARSONISTS are to be tackled by a new crime- fighting team. Home Office funding of £83,000 is expected to be made available next year, to allow a joint service, three-member team to become fully operational. Cleveland Police scenes-of-crime expert, Detective
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Tobacco workers in lobby for jobs
TOBACCO workers whose livelihoods are threatened by a new European directive lobbied council officials yesterday for support in their fight to save their jobs. More than 500 jobs are at risk at the Rothmans tobacco plant in Darlington because of proposed
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Minister's sorrow as prison drug addiction unit opens
A GOVERNMENT Minister whose son died of a heroin overdose fought back tears as he opened a flagship addiction unit for prisoners yesterday. Ian McCartney, whose 23-year-old son died days after leaving prison, almost broke down when opening the Fresh Start
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Winter warning to motorists after crash
FIRE officers have urged motorists to be on their guard while driving on rural roads during the winter after a crash left two people in hospital. Margaret Gillies, 48, of Pickhill, and Mark Harrison, 17, of Sutton Howgrave, North Yorkshire, were both
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Warning after 92-year-old's winter fuel money stolen
A WARNING has been issued to pensioners after a 92-year-old woman had her winter fuel money stolen by bogus callers. While one man, claiming to be from a water company, distracted the woman, another sneaked upstairs and took the £200 government handout
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Talking about alien life
ALIEN life forms will be the theme of this year's prestigious lecture in memory of a nature lover. Doctor Phil Gates, a writer and lecturer at Durham University, will deliver a lecture entitled Alien Species - Encourage or Eradicate, as part of the Elgee
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It's Patricia OBE
A WOMAN who has championed the cause of disabled swimming over the past 25 years is coming back down to earth after picking up an OBE from Buckingham Palace. Patricia Bennett, of Brinkburn Road, Darlington, received the award from Prince Charles, rubbing
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Cancer patients asked for views
CANCER patients from across the region are being asked for their views on the treatment they have received. The Cancer Care Alliance wants to use patients' views to help improve the care it offers to them and their families. A number of patients from
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By George, what a pirate
THOUGH his team struggles of late, there is better news for Darlington FC chairman George Reynolds: he is directly descended from Barnacle Bill the Pirate. "He was my great, great uncle. I've joked about it for years and now I've got the proof," says
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Campaign puts focus on career in childcare
A CAMPAIGN to encourage more people to take up careers in childcare is to be launched in County Durham. A programme of recruitment roadshows, combined with activities for children, will target major towns in the county over the coming weeks, to offer
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Lamenting the man who fell to earth
I GREW up in awe of David Bowie. His moody, distinctive tones wafted through our house as my older brother and sister played his Ziggy Stardust and Aladdin Sane albums over and over. They and their friends worshipped him. They wore clothes like him, dyed
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Winter warning to motorists after crash
FIRE officers have urged motorists to be on their guard while driving on rural roads during the winter after a crash left two people in hospital. Margaret Gillies, 48, of Pickhill, and Mark Harrison, 17, of Sutton Howgrave, North Yorkshire, were both
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Challenge planned to warden cuts
CAMPAIGNING pensioners could appeal to the Local Government Ombudsman in a bid to save their resident wardens. A petition from Weardale is urging Wear Valley District Council to scrap plans to save £144,000 from its housing budget by sacking 22 wardens
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Landlord cleans up after vandals
A LANDLORD who sparked outrage when he said he would not serve gays was last night counting the cost of a paint attack on his pub. Vandals daubed white gloss paint over the front door of Ronald Ware's public house, The Balaclava, in West Cornforth, County
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Christmas hours extension for sex shops
DARLINGTON'S sex shops have been granted permission to extend their opening hours over Christmas. The Grange Road shop has been granted a variation of its licence to open on Sundays in December, including Christmas Eve. It will be trading between 11am
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Ready for some horseplay at lights switch-on
SADDLE up for a great Christmas - that's the word straight from the horse's mouth for the residents of Redcar. Cleveland Police horse, Huntcliffe and his rider, PC Mark Humble will lead Redcar's Christmas parade through the town on Sunday. Middlesbrough
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Crane firm hit by tough markets
SPECIALIST crane hire firm Baldwins Industrial blamed tough UK markets and the cost of moving equipment to the US for a 28 per cent fall in half-year profits. Baldwins, which employs 50 staff at its Middlesbrough site, issued a profits warning in September
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Book stores to aid Samaritans
SAMARITANS in Durham have teamed up with a book store to raise money for its work during the festive season. From Saturday, volunteers from the Central Durham branch will be gift-wrapping books at Waterstones, Saddler Street, in return for donations.
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Plans for city ambulance base unveiled
DURHAM City could be in line for a new ambulance station in a shake-up of the region's 999 service. The North-East Ambulance Trust is looking to establish a base at the Territorial Army Centre, in Gilesgate, on the outskirts of the city centre. Two emergency
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Scheme for new school approved
PLANS for a primary school in a former pit village have been approved by councillors. If Durham County Council can win £2.8m of Government funding, the school at Pelton, near Chester-le-Street, will open at the start of the autumn term in 2003. The scheme
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Teenager accused of raping cousin
A TEENAGER appeared in court yesterday charged with the rape and indecent assault of his young cousin. The 16-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is accused of committing the acts over the past two years, beginning when the victim was just
