HOAX callers using mobile telephones to call out fire crews are finding themselves on the receiving end of a nasty shock. Cleveland Fire Brigade was called out more than 200 times in response to false alarms made through mobile telephone calls this year
A FRISSON of emotion rippled around The Northern Echo's head office at a little after 4pm yesterday. Journalists are a notoriously cynical bunch, but when our public address system told us that the £20,000 target had been reached and so Hannah Maxwell-Jones
TWO months after Health Secretary Alan Milburn ordered an inquiry into alleged cigarette smuggling at his local hospital, bosses say there is still no evidence to back the claims. Mr Milburn ordered the probe at Darlington Memorial Hospital, in October
CHRISTMAS has returned to a Teesside community after an absence of 20 years. It was in the 1980s that the lights went out at South Bank following repeated vandalism on the Christmas tree bulbs. Now, 29-year-old mother-of- two Kim Drury , the holder of
PARENTS in a North-East town could face bills of up to £150 a year to send their children to school, as part of council cuts. Darlington Borough Council is considering reducing the catchment area for school buses. It will mean children living within three
HOARDINGS surrounding the building site of a multi-million pound development are being transformed by children's artwork. The vision of primary schools has been called on by Durham City Council to brighten up the wooden boards around its £29m Millennium
A PERSISTENT young offender left tell-tale fingerprints on the keys of a vehicle stolen from a college car park, a court heard. Police saw Mark Thompson behaving suspiciously around a Ford Mondeo car, worth £3,500, on June 8, three days after it was taken
CHRISTMAS is a time for giving. Around the world, gifts are being wrapped and children's hearts are beating a little faster as the excitement mounts. In Nunthorpe, Middlesbrough, extra-special preparations are being made for a little girl called Hannah
NORTH ROAD RAIL MUSEUM I READ Gordon Fraser's letter (HAS, Dec 9)) while on a weekend visit to the North Road Railway Museum in Darlington. His admirable sentiments towards the National Rail collection at York and the Hackworth Museum at Shildon must
TOTTENHAM fans have been warned not to expect any significant investment in the team from their new owners by the chairman of AEK Athens, the Greek club which ENIC have already backed. AEK's chairman, Cornelius Sierhuis, revealed his belief that "the
DARLINGTON yesterday signed the Flying Postman to boost their fortunes. Manager Gary Bennett yesterday signed 31-year-old striker John Williams on a contract for the rest of the season, after he was released by York City last week. Williams was given
European Tour chief Ken Schofield regrets the communication breakdown which led to yesterday's 'High Noon' showdown with star golfers. And Schofield, the tour's executive director, admits talking to players will assume "a higher priority" from now on.
YOU might think that it breaks the bank to buy a Christmas present for the Queen. After all, just what do you get for the woman who has everything? But, surprisingly, the Royals almost compete to see who can buy the least extravagant gift. If reports
AEROSPACE and engines group Rolls-Royce is to sell its materials handling division Clarke Chapman. The sale to Nottinghamshire-based engineering and construction group Langley Holdings is for an undisclosed sum. Gateshead-based Clarke Chapman employs
THE bitter battle for the ownership of Sedgefield racecourse appeared to be at an end last night. Yesterday, Appeal Court judges rejected a bid by Hilary Scotto to stop the course falling into the hands of Northern Racing, owned by millionaire entrepreneur
It may sound barmy, but the British Army may be about to start marching on tippy-toes. And the rousing trumpets and drums that accompany the troops around the parade grounds could end up playing an altogether more gentle melody. What is more, those guns
DURHAM County Council's social services department has won Investor in People status for the third time. The award is given to companies and organisations that are committed to training and developing their staff. IIP assessors praised management and
SUNDERLAND striker Niall Quinn has been boosted by a scan all-clear on his injured back. Quinn, 34, is fit to face former club Manchester City tomorrow after boss Peter Reid expressed relief that the trouble was not serious. Reid said: "I was worried
BUS services in the Richmond area are being cut because not enough people are using them. Arriva published a new timetable yesterday and it involves the axeing of some routes to reduce costs. Scotton and Tunstall are likely to come off worst, with the
IN the sure and certain knowledge of his eventual demise, William Mason had himself measured for a coffin, lay in it in his shop window - eyes closed, old black trousers on - and invited the local photographer around to record the life and death occasion
A RADIO appeal to help make sure that under-privileged youngsters have a merry Christmas touched the hearts of service personnel. Airmen and women at RAF Leeming heard the appeal on TFM and promptly started raising funds for the cause. Crew from the base's
THIEVES have prompted a regeneration group to ask the Home Secretary for extra police help. Last week, thieves stole 76 Christmas lights from Marske town square. It was the first time the east Cleveland town had decorated the square after Marske Town
ONE of the main planks of the Government's attempts to be seen to be tough on crime is the anti-social behaviour order. As we report on our front page, the first order in the Prime Minister's Sedgefield constituency was issued yesterday. It is only the
THE Women's Royal Voluntary Service is hoping to take advantage of the Christmas spirit. Volunteers are wanted to work on tea bars in prisons, magistrates' courts, and the Books on Wheels service. WRVS volunteers will be on duty at tea bars in Durham,
A TEESSIDE great-grandfather died because he was haunted by his suffering in a Japanese prisoner-of-war camp, according to his family. On May 3 this year, Cyril Robinson, 82, of Mendip Drive, Redcar died and, at an inquest in Middlesbrough on Tuesday,
WORK will begin next year to restore an ancient County Durham church gutted by fire. St Brandon's Church, at Brancepeth, near Durham City, was reduced to an empty shell by the blaze in September 1998. Despite forensic examinations, no cause has been found
MEMBERS of a north Durham support group were celebrating yesterday after receiving a cheque for £2,800 from the National Lottery. Consett Disabled Persons Club plans to spend the money on repair work at its headquarters at Ashdale Road. Alex Watson, leader
DOZENS of jobs have been earmarked for the chop at a council. Derwentside District Council, which must find up to £500,000 annual savings ahead of next year's budget in order to maintain services, has embarked on a major restructuring programme designed
OFFICIALS at New College Durham are drawing up detailed plans for the £18m development of the Framwellgate Moor campus. They plan to submit their proposals for the ambitious scheme to Durham City Council and the Further Education Funding Council early
A COUNTY Durham family support group has issued an appeal for divorced or separated parents to plan their Christmas arrangements carefully. The Durham and Darlington Family Mediation Service has urged families to include children in planning what happens
A FARMER has accused people of waging a vendetta against him in their bid to have a piece of land registered as a village green. Fred Wilson, 55, says land in The Hollow, near Howden-le-Wear, was bequeathed to him by his father, who bought it in about
FROM diaries about their lives to online performances, celebrities are embracing the Internet like never before. It is now possible to read how Hollywood actress Melanie Griffith tackled her addiction to pain killers in a sugary online journal at www.melanieonline.com
A £100,000 scheme to demolish 50 houses and nine garages on an estate in St Helen Auckland has been approved. Most of the houses, in Tintern Road, on the Leazes Lane Estate, are boarded up. They will be demolished to make way for a regeneration scheme
WINNERS of a contest to come up with old fashioned cleaning remedies swept the board at a prize presentation yesterday. Actor Mike Burns, who is playing Widow Twankee in Aladdin, at Middlesbrough Theatre, presented awards to the winners of the Grandma's
OF course, it's a lie, a great big festive lie. Yet most parents of young children must admit they are guilty of propagating the myth that this fantasy figure exists. Just one look at the delight on our youngsters' innocent, shining little faces at the
THE supermarket giants' battle for top place in the nation's hearts and pockets moved up a gear after new figures revealed good news for Asda. The Leeds-based chain has overtaken arch-rival Sainsbury to become Britain's second biggest grocer. Asda said
GARDEN centre staff have stepped in to add Christmas sparkle to a hospice. The Peter Barratt's Garden Centre group presented a selection of decorated Christmas trees, tinsel, baubles and streamers to Butterwick Children's Hospice, in Stockton. The decorations
THE jury in the case of a man accused of the shotgun murder of a 26-year-old man was sent home last night for the second time after failing to reach a verdict. The jury at Teesside Crown Court had convicted Anthony Bottrill, 41, of High Street West, Redcar
A TEAM of local government experts, which inspected Richmondshire District Council last month, praised the authority for its "can-do" ethos and commitment to best value. As part of an overhaul of local government, the district council volunteered for
DETECTIVES were continuing to question a 26-year-old man last night on suspicion of murder. Passers-by discovered the body of a 35-year-old man in Heaton Road, Byker, Newcastle, shortly before 1am yesterday. The 26-year-old was arrested five hours later
WILLIAM Hague has every right to attack the Labour Government over its record on crime. Indeed, as leader of the Opposition, he would be failing in his duty if he didn't. However, in London there is still a very sensitive murder investigation going on
PRIME Minister Tony Blair has launched the latest initiatives in the Sedgefield Borough Council Community Rangers scheme - a Smart Card and a website. The idea is to encourage youngsters aged between five and 15 in Mr Blair's constituency to become good
A PENSIONER who tried to smuggle more than £100,000 worth of heroin through a North-East airport was jailed for eight years yesterday. Mohammed Saddiq, 79, claimed he had been stopped by two gunmen in Pakistan as he prepared to fly back to the North-East
Users of a run-down hut on Teesside are pinning their hopes on a National Lottery grant to pay for a new building. So many people want to use Marton Community Centre, near Middlesbrough, that many are being turned away. The hall plays hosts to community
A FORMER County Durham police officer is facing a court appearance over drink-drive allegations. Alan Penman, 54, was arrested by police following a late night incident at Redworth Hall Hotel, near Bishop Auckland, on August 10 this year. He has since
A DEVELOPER was last night celebrating winning a seven-year battle to create a major riverside housing scheme. Secretary of State of Environment, Transport and the Region's, John Prescott, has given his seal of approval to plans by Yorkshire-based St
A FAMILY mediation service has hit back at criticism of the use of mediation in divorce cases. The Durham and Darlington Family Mediation Service says mediation is still a successful tool in helping people resolve their differences. The move follows national
A bitter battle for ownership of Sedgefield racecourse has been raging for more than two years. Northern Racing, owned by millionaire entrepreneur Stan Clarke, has been bidding to add Sedgefield to its portfolio since 1998. Mr Clarke has received praise
A MOTHER'S kiss for a special little birthday girl - a poignant demonstration of the love surrounding Hannah Maxwell-Jones . . . Watched by Father Christmas, Hannah shares a tender moment with mum Allison on a day which saw an astonishing public response
NEWCASTLE are eyeing Paris St Germain fullback Jimmy Algerino in the event of Didier Domi heading back to France. Algerino, 29, is also being linked with Middlesbrough. But the Magpies are in particular need of a left-back now that Domi appears to have
Former Heartbeat star Bill Maynard has decided to find out if the grass is greener on the other side of the camera. Bill, 72, who makes his final appearance as Claude Greengrass on Sunday, in the Heartbeat Christmas Special, aims to become a producer.
THE chairman of the steel task force has issued an upbeat message, despite the threat of further mass redundancies in the New Year. Alistair Arkley said he expected "significant developments" on further measures to help both redundant workers and create
CAR mechanic David Bruce was just a step away from giving up his dream of becoming self-employed when thieves left their unwanted mark on his business. They stripped his new Autodoctor premises bare the night before he was due to open for business, and
A GUIDE to County Durham's former pit villages has landed a group of youngsters a prestigious prize. The Mid Durham Projects Club, based at Gilesgate Community Centre in Durham, won Durham County Council's Youth Work That Works Award. The youngsters wanted
FOREIGN Office officials were last night still trying to discover the fate of a North-East man seized by Chinese police. Thomas Dobson, who is believed to come from Barnard Castle, County Durham, was bundled into a police van in the former Portuguese
A former North-East MP's grandson was jailed yesterday after he used his inheritance to set up a cannabis farm. Carl Leadbitter, 24, whose late grandfather Ted Leadbitter was the Labour MP for Hartlepool, was caught with plants worth £19,000 in his home
MPs were in demob-happy mood yesterday. The Commons was rattling through its final business before packing up and heading home for the Christmas holidays. But just before midday, the seasonal festivities were put on hold as the House listened in rapt
RADIO DJ Wayne Tunnicliffe has apologised after a naked stunt caused a crash on a busy motorway. Wayne, 26, a presenter on Metro Radio in Newcastle, bet on air that he would go naked if Big Brother star Craig Philips did not get to number one with the
A COUNCIL is stepping in to prevent a Darlington estate becoming isolated, after a bus company's decision to cut services to the area. Arriva has announced that it is cutting a number of services which are not profitable. Estates throughout Darlington
TERRY Venables believes English football should take time out at Christmas and New Year to give the fans and players a break. Middlesbrough face four games in eight days and Venables will be working on Christmas Day at the training ground. And he said
A DURHAM policeman has landed a national award for steering youngsters away from crime - by getting them hooked on fishing. PC Mick Watson won acclaim from the angling community when the scheme was launched at Witton-le-Wear, near Bishop Auckland, at
A TEESSIDE mayor took part in a poignant tree planting ceremony yesterday after inheriting a family forest. Councillor Arthur Dobson, Mayor of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, inherited the Family Wood, in Borough Park, Redcar, from last year's mayor
A YOUTH scheme which tackles issues including bullying and teenage pregnancy through drama has been given a £7,500 grant. The Willington Youth Project will use the money to buy a public address system, microphones, lighting and materials to take their
Bitter wrangling over the future of a racecourse will hopefully be resolved today, by three top judges at London's Civil Appeal Court. Widowed Hilary Scotto, whose husband, Frank was chairman of Sedgefield Racecourse, County Durham, risks six-figure legal
FLOOD-hit residents are to be given the chance to grill the Government minister responsible for flood measures. At a meeting in Skinningrove, East Cleveland on Tuesday night, Ashok Kumar, MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, told residents that
HEALTH bosses have moved swiftly to reassure cancer patients about the quality of treatment after a potentially damaging new report. Cleveland was named as one of eleven areas in England which does not have a medical oncologist - a highly specialized
THE Women's Royal Voluntary Service is hoping to take advantage of the Christmas spirit. Volunteers are wanted to work on tea bars in prisons, magistrates' courts, and the Books on Wheels service. WRVS volunteers will be on duty at tea bars in Durham,
A SCALE model of a ship was presented to a mayor as an early Christmas present yesterday. The model of a floating production storage and offtake vessel was presented to the Mayor of Middlesbrough, Councillor Kath Bevington, on behalf of the Transporter
ANIMAL welfare staff are seeking the owners of a cat found abandoned. The grey tom cat was found in the Greenbank area of Eggleston, near Middleton-in-Teesdale, without a collar. Appeals for its owners have produced no response. Pauline Wilson, of the
TOBACCO workers met council chiefs this week to raise concerns over possible job cuts in the industry. Union and management representatives from Darlington's Rothmans plant met Darlington Borough Council chief executive, Barry Keel, to hammer home their
A MAN snapped when he came across his former partner's new boyfriend visiting her house. Paul Donnelly, 24, told the man to get out, grabbed him by the collar, ripping his shirt, and threw him to the ground, Durham Crown Court was told. In the ensuing
ORGANISERS of this year's Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal in Darlington have thanked volunteers for helping to raise £31,047. The figure accumulated in the town and surrounding areas beat last year's total by almost £4,000. Darlington appeal organiser
A FOOTBALL club is giving away free places on a fitness course using the same techniques as its star players. Middlesbrough Football Club is encouraging supporters to get active, by giving away 1,000 free places on its Sport for Life programme. Developed
A band brought in the brass for a youngster who has captured thousands of hearts. Pride Valley Brass Band's concert for five-year-old Hope Elliott, who has a rare facial condition, was a sell-out. The event, in St Matthew's Church, Silksworth, raised
SWEEPING reforms of mental health laws could see people locked up and forced to have treatment - even if they have committed no crime. Health Secretary Alan Milburn unveiled proposals yesterday heralded as the biggest shake-up in the field for more than
A CONSERVATIVE councillor says Darlington residents face a significant increase in council tax next year. Tony Richmond, the Conservative group leader on Darlington Borough Council, says householders could face rises of more than ten per cent. He claims
