Archive
-
Date
Fatal blast costs firm £10,000
A FIRM has been fined £10,000 following its conviction over the death of a worker in an explosion. Brief Breeze, formerly trading as Hedley Engineering Services, of South Shields, pleaded guilty before South Tyneside magistrates to an offence under the
-
Date
Enron Direct jobs in pipeline
ENRON Direct, one of the UK's leading suppliers of gas and electricity to small and medium-sized businesses, is expanding its Teesside operations, creating 46 new jobs. The company is establishing a new customer service centre at its administrative base
-
Date
PENALTY ROBS WEARMEN
SUNDERLAND 1, LIVERPOOL 1 A HOTLY disputed penalty 12 minutes from time robbed Sunderland of their first home win over Liverpool fror 43 years. Peter Reid's men looked set to end a run of three Premiership games without a win when Scottish international
-
Date
Hunt for armed robber
ARMED police were called in after a teenager robbed a man at gunpoint as he walked home from the pub. Detective Inspector John Watts said the victim, who has not been named, was confronted as he was walking in Otto Terrace to Eden House Road, in Sunderland
-
Date
£500 fine for selling fireworks to boy, 15
A SHOP owner was fined £500 plus £175 costs yesterday for selling fireworks to a 15-year-old boy. John King, of Kings of Saltburn, appeared before Guisborough magistrates charged with selling fireworks to a person apparently under 18. He admitted selling
-
Date
Host of talent on show at art exhibition
AN EXHIBITION created by people with disabilities has opened to acclaim. The Appreciating Ability 2 exhibition, which opened this week at Bishop Auckland Town Hall, was created by people with learning or physical disabilities and the elderly. Professional
-
Date
School's show is an eight-day wonder
SCHOOL stage stars have produced an instant hit show in just over a week. A huge cast of pupils from Bishop Barrington School, in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, have had just eight days to rehearse their parts in the Broadway musical Once On This Island
-
Date
Operation Alligator drugs bust
POLICE have recovered around £30,000 worth of drugs and property in raids on Teesside. Operation Alligator involved 18 officers from the specialist district support unit, community policing teams, the dedicated district drugs unit and a dog handler. They
-
Date
Racial equality group expands
DARLINGTON and County Durham branch of the Racial Equality Council (REC) is to expand. For many years, the branch has operated on a shoestring budget from members' homes. In 1999, Helen Attewell was employed as a part-time development officer, based in
-
Date
Watchdog crime shake-up
AN INDEPENDENT watchdog for the victims of serious crime is to be the centrepiece of a radical shake-up in the justice system, The Northern Echo can reveal. Ministers are considering new proposals that will put the rights of victims ahead of those of
-
Date
Smart cards on the school menu
A cashless school meals system on trial at schools is proving a huge success. Four secondary schools in Gateshead have been trying out a new smart card service, resulting in a sizeable increase in pupils using Gateshead Borough Council's school meals
-
Date
Mandelson will still be standing for Hartlepool
BELEAGUERED MP Peter Mandelson has reiterated his intention to fight for his Hartlepool seat. In his first live interview since his resignation as Northern Ireland Secretary, Mr Mandelson dismissed claims he had gone back on his word and decided to quit
-
Date
Plea to minister over beck flooding
A PLEA for extra help is to be made to the Government on behalf of east Cleveland's flood ravaged villages. Agriculture Minister Elliott Morley has agreed to meet a deputation from Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council which is campaigning for special
-
Date
Wind farm 'go-ahead soon'
A HUGE wind farm project for Teesside that would form part of a £2bn steel community regeneration plan could get the go-ahead within weeks, The Northern Echo can reveal. Sources close to the project confirmed last night that an announcement is imminent
-
Date
Arca raring to go after South American stay
JET-lagged Julio Arca insisted last night that he will be ready for Sunderland's crucial clash with Liverpool at the Stadium of Light tomorrow. The winger told Sunderland manager Peter Reid "count me in" after he finally returned from playing in the South
-
Date
His truth goes marching on . . . and on
THE Salvation Army citadel stands enduringly in Bolckow Street, Eston, the Cleveland Bay next door on one side, the Wellington Hotel 100 yards away on the other. It was once an ironstone village, Henry Bolckow the ironmaster, and still a village when
-
Date
Restaurant's historic sundials restored
IN a month which has so far included fog, snow, rain and floods, the clouds cleared just in time for the unveiling of two newly-restored sundials. They have adorned the walls of the Restaurant on The Green, in Richmond, for almost three centuries. Eagle-eyed
-
Date
Police in hunt for masked raiders
MASKED thugs threatened two female shop assistants with a hammer during a store raid on Teesside. A Cleveland Police spokeswoman said: "Two female members of staff were threatened with a hammer and while one of the men smashed at the cash box, the other
-
Date
Looking for jobs at the touch of a button
JOB hunters in Durham can turn to the latest technology to help them find work. The city's JobCentre is one of 12 in the country to try out computer terminals that can pinpoint more than 300,000 vacancies across the country. The traditional job vacancy
-
Date
Police unit has the gear to go really wild
A SPECIALIST police unit has been kitted out with new equipment which could become the fashion blueprint for forces nationwide. Helmet, visor, goggles, thigh-length waders and a grasper are parts of the essential uniform for the elite team of Cleveland
-
Date
Drugs snapped up in Operation Alligator
POLICE have recovered around £30,000 worth of drugs and property in raids on Teesside. Operation Alligator involved 18 officers from the specialist district support unit, community policing teams, the dedicated district drugs unit and a dog handler. They
-
Date
Twins needed for cot death study
SCIENTISTS are appealing to the parents of newborn twins to help them beat the scourge of cot death. The team who run the Durham University sleep-lab in Stockton need up to 100 sets of twins under four months old to help with their research into the causes
-
Date
Campaign goes to London
COMMUNITY Health Councils and their supporters from across the region will be converging on the Houses of Parliament next week to try to guarantee their future, The Health and Social Care bill, which includes the abolition of CHCs, is due for its final
-
Date
Tait is delighted to be back
DARLINGTON'S new assistant manager Mick Tait is delighted to be back at Feethams. Tait left eight years ago to continue his career at Hartlepool, but he revealed that he jumped at the chance to return when the assistant manager's role was offered to him
-
Date
Recognition for outstanding students
A PROFOUNDLY deaf girl and a family man who combines study with full-time employment were honoured at a student award night. Sarah Levitt, 21, of Hartlepool, and Dale Clarke, 35, of Thirsk were two of the winners at Hartlepool College of Further Education
-
Date
Industrial accident report out
ONE of Europe's most comprehensive reports into the effect of industrial accidents on wildlife has been completed in the region. Billingham-based Industry Nature Conservation Association (INCA) has organised the wildlife audit on behalf of companies operating
-
Date
Education office workers' parking prompts warning
PEOPLE are warning that someone will be killed or seriously injured on their Darlington estate, if the council does not address traffic problems. Residents in the Mowden area of town say they are tired of having to dodge parked cars to get to their homes
-
Date
Flood defence cash rise too small, says agency
A TEN per cent funding boost for flood defences across Yorkshire was agreed at a meeting yesterday. It is a lot less than the 60 per cent increase originally requested from the Regional Flood Defence Committee by the Environment Agency, last month, and
-
Date
Armed robbers target man in car
ARMED robbers attacked a man in his car and then made off with thousands of pounds in Barnard Castle. The man had parked in the Bank area of the town late on Thursday when two men in ski masks and boiler suits attacked him and threatened him with an 18in
-
Date
Internet chat girl, 15, missing
A young grammar school girl has disappeared after telling friends she was going to visit an older man she met through an Internet chatroom. Friends of Alison Wood, 15, told detectives that she said she was going to travel to Swindon, Wiltshire, to see
-
Date
Mandelson tells of his 'accident'
PETER MANDELSON yesterday likened his fall from office over the so-called "passports-for-favours" affair to a "ghastly road accident". In his first live interview since his resignation as Northern Ireland Secretary, Mr Mandelson denied that he had decided
-
Date
Teenagers convicted of wounding
Two teenagers, armed with a stick and a pool ball in a sock, attacked a work colleague in the street, Teesside Crown Court heard yesterday. Jonathon McIlvenney, 18, and Mark Elliott, 19, were convicted of wounding Steven Forrest when all three were trainees
-
Date
Rally driver is due home after crash
A YOUNG rally driver is due back in the North-East next week, following a car crash in Sweden. Guy Wilks, from Heighington, near Darlington, was injured when his Ford Puma car crashed into a private vehicle. Contrary to earlier reports, the 19-year-old
-
Date
Fowler ready for Kev, warns Hamann
Robbie Fowler is again ready to put the 'frighteners' on Premiership defences, claims team-mate Dietmar Hamann. The German midfielder said he had been hugely impressed by the Liverpool striker's comeback, which continues in the top-of-the-table clash
-
Date
Sorensen expects to end Liverpool jinx
DANISH international goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen is confident Sunderland can halt their worrying Premiership slide by breaking a 43-year hoodoo against Liverpool this afternoon. The Wearsiders have slipped to fourth place in the table following defeats
-
Date
Striking postal staff returning to work
POST Office workers will be back at work today after a lightning strike. About 100 staff at Hartlepool's Post Office depot in Clark Street stopped work at 6.30am yesterday in a dispute about overtime. The walkout came a year after workers took similar
-
Date
Swimmers vie for the honours
A GROUP of swimmers hope to make a splash when they take part in a competition over the weekend. The Bazuka National Swimming Championships for secondary schools take place at the Crystal Palace Leisure Centre, London, today, and St John's RC Comprehensive
-
Date
Pocket money robber locked up
A MAN who threatened young teenagers for their pocket money was locked up for 27 months yesterday. Mark Anthony Costen, 18, preyed on youths in Darlington, County Durham, Nigel Soppitt, prosecuting, told Teesside Crown Court. Costen targeted two boys
-
Date
Injuries force Reid to put full squad on alert
ANXIOUS Sunderland boss Peter Reid counters an injury crisis by putting his entire 30-man first team squad on emergency stand-by at the Stadium of Light today as he tries to plot a first home win over Liverpool for nearly 43 years. It is the first time
-
Date
The mouse that could save your child's life
THIS is the mouse which could save your life and the lives of your children and grandchildren. From the tip of his genetically-modified whiskers to the end of his pink tail, he could be worth his weight in gold if he can help scientists at Newcastle University
-
Date
Business whizzkids try out sales talk
A GROUP of young entrepreneurs who have been chosen for an international trade fair are practising their sales patter for home customers this weekend. Before they leave for the Young Enterprise fair in Stavanger, Norway, next month, the four students,
-
Date
Snap reply
A second cameraman went sprawling yesterday when covering a visit by Peter Mandelson, but this time the former minister was at least 5ft away. Mr Mandelson instantly turned and joked: ''You see, I didn't touch him''. The light-hearted comment came as
-
Date
Police unit has the gear to go really wild
A SPECIALIST police unit has been kitted out with new equipment which could become the fashion blueprint for forces nationwide. Helmet, visor, goggles, thigh-length waders and a grasper are parts of the essential uniform for the elite team of Cleveland
-
Date
Welfare of rare UK birds is safeguarded by Special Protection Area
MANY of Britain's rarest birds are to get further safeguards following the official designation of a vast tract of northern England as a Special Protection Area (SPA). The internationally-recognised new status for 40 per cent of the North Pennine Moors
-
Date
Bumper week of blue chips ahead
THE City has another bumper week of blue chip results to look forward to, with figures due out from giants such as BP Amoco, Lloyds TSB and Cadbury Schweppes. The fuel protest lobby will be keeping a close eye on the annual figures presented by petroleum
-
Date
Mandelson is all smiles on packed day in constituency
Looking back to just over a fortnight ago when you resigned, are you still staggered by what happened on that day? Of course, to an extent I am. These things just happen out of the blue in politics, politics is like that. Life goes on. It's like suddenly
-
Date
Mandelson backs Pool ambition
PETER Mandelson yesterday presented Chris Turner with his Nationwide League manager of the month award - and backed Pool for promotion. Turner picked up the honour after his team put together a run of four wins and two draws in the first month of this
-
Date
Blair in steel rescue talks
STEEL unions on Teesside have held crucial talks with the Prime Minister Tony Blair on the future of the threatened Teesside steel industry. Corus announced more than 6,000 job losses last week, but agreed not to start formal consultations until a meeting
-
Date
Darlington have brothers back in harness
DARLINGTON welcome back fly half Paul Lee today for the first time since he was punched in the eye against Huddersfield on October 21. Lee's vision was affected and the need to put his career in the Fire Service first raised doubts about his future in
-
Date
Rats' nests found at fruit firm
HEALTH inspectors found two rats' nests at a fruit wholesalers in the region. District Judge James Prowse, who viewed photographs taken inside the Fruit Warehouse, at South Bank, near Middlesbrough, described conditions as "absolutely appalling". He fined
-
Date
Press and media get broadside from rector
A CLERGYMAN has chosen the approach of Lent to launch an attack on the national Press, urging his congregation not to take everything they read in the papers as gospel. The Reverend Richard Cooper writes in this month's edition of his parish magazine
-
Date
Joking in the the face of adversity
A THOUSAND or so steel jobs are hanging by a thread on Teesside. A second Government minister in the Mandelson/Hinduja passport controversy is facing pressure to resign. But, it seems, Tony Blair is keeping his sense of humour. This week, Stockton South
-
Date
Opinion
WE were promised that the breaking of the British Gas monopoly would drive down prices. It would appear the forces of competition have not had the desired effect. In recent weeks, four of the new suppliers have increased their prices by between four and
-
Date
Family's relief as killer gets life
A FAMILY have spoken of their relief after their brother's murderer was jailed for life. Lee Bright, 26, launched a knife attack on Wearside bachelor Bruce Walker, on December 23, 1999. The body of Mr Walker, who bled to death from three knife wounds
-
Date
Smacking claims teacher suspended
A TEACHER has been suspended amid allegations of smacking children in her care, it was revealed last night. The female teacher, who has not been named, was suspended on full pay from her post at Darlington's Springfield Primary School. It has been alleged
-
Date
Pills help Dyer campaign
KIERON Dyer is taking the tablets to spare Newcastle boss Bobby Robson and England coach Sven Goran Eriksson a joint headache. The Geordies' gem plays at Charlton tomorrow after an extended dose of double aspirin every day to help cure his shin problem
-
Date
Driver hit pensioner with bottle, court told
A SERIAL road rage driver ended up violently attacking a pensioner with a bottle, a court heard yesterday. William Bell, 63, needed hospital treatment for a cut to his head when Michael Watson attacked him in a motorway lay-by, it was alleged. Newcastle
-
Date
Driver hit pensioner with bottle, court told
A SERIAL road rage driver ended up violently attacking a pensioner with a bottle, a court heard yesterday. William Bell, 63, needed hospital treatment for a cut to his head when Michael Watson attacked him in a motorway lay-by, it was alleged. Newcastle
-
Date
McCoy's Cool reception for Pipe's Trophy dream
MARTIN PIPE launches a fearsome six-pronged attack on today's £100,000 Tote Gold Trophy at Newbury spearheaded by Tony McCoy's aptly-named mount Mr Cool (2.35). The iceman McCoy makes few mistakes when it comes to cherry-picking the cream of Pipe's powerful
-
Date
Tel was my inspiration, reveals Gregory
Aston Villa boss John Gregory has revealed that Terry Venables was the inspiration behind him moving into football management. Former England midfielder Gregory was in his prime as a player when he worked for four years under Venables at Queen's Park
-
Date
Top boss Venables would prefer to have award in May
TERRY Venables picked up the manager of the month prize for January and declared he'd be a happier man if he landed the award again come May. Middlesbrough's head coach, who couldn't remember the last time he took the accolade, was quick to point out
-
Date
Watch out for old mate Merson, Boro warned
MIDDLESBROUGH go into today's game against an unpredictable Aston Villa side with Terry Venables warning against the threat of former Riverside favourite Paul Merson. Boro go into the game looking to extend their unbeaten run to 12 games, and hoping to
-
Date
Smacking claims teacher suspended
A TEACHER has been suspended amid allegations of smacking children in her care, it was revealed last night. The female teacher, who has not been named, was suspended on full pay from her post at Darlington's Springfield Primary School. It has been alleged
-
Date
Artist brushes up on public architecture
AN ARTIST has created his own action plan for a local authority. The multi-media presentation by David Goard has been unveiled at Gateshead Civic Centre as part of the Year of the Artist scheme. Mr Goard has worked with Gateshead Borough Council's planners
-
Date
Gardens tidied for start of holiday season
DEAD, dying and diseased trees are to be removed from a tourist spot before the holiday season begins. A major operation is being launched to improve the cliffs beneath the Esplanade, in Scarborough, over the next few weeks. Hundreds of dead and diseased
-
Date
Racial equality group to create jobs at new office
THE Darlington and County Durham branch of the Racial Equality Council (REC) is to expand. For many years, the REC operated on a shoestring budget, working from members' homes and reaching victims of racism by word of mouth. In 1999, Helen Attewell was
-
Date
Scout pack may face closure in 75th year
LEADERS of a north Durham Scout group say they could be facing closure in their 75th anniversary year if they don't raise £100,000. The 2nd Chester-le-Street Group has been under threat ever since redevelopment plans for the town were announced three
-
Date
Is the Dream really over now?
SEGA did more to popularise video gaming in this country than any company since Atari. First the Master System then the Mega-Drive made consoles seem cool once again. Even Nintendo couldn't compete. So it was with a heavy heart that I read last week of
-
Date
His truth goes marching on... and on
THE Salvation Army citadel stands enduringly in Bolckow Street, Eston, the Cleveland Bay next door on one side, the Wellington Hotel 100 yards away on the other. It was once an ironstone village, Henry Bolckow the ironmaster, and still a village when
-
Date
Petition calls for circus ban
ANIMAL rights protestors handed a 2,000-signature petition calling for a ban on performing circus animals to a North-East council, yesterday. Members of the North-East Animal Rights Coalition have taken to the streets of Chester-le-Street, County Durham
-
Date
Students in bus smash
A BUS load of students on their way to college in Darlington escaped injury today when their coach was involved in a collision with a car in North Yorkshire. It's understood the bus had stopped to let on on-coming vehicle through a narrow gap in Middleton
-
Date
Electricity firm accused of jeopardising business park
AN electricity company has been criticised for leaving a local authority powerless in the fight to create jobs. Richmondshire District Council gave the go-ahead to an extension at Brunt Acres industrial estate, in Hawes, last year, and was hoping it would
-
Date
Hospital friends spend £65,000 on life-saving equipment
A HOSPITAL support group has proved its worth in the most practical way - by buying some life-saving equipment. Malton Hospital has taken delivery of a £65,000 ultrasound machine bought with cash raised over the past three years. The Community Friends
-
Date
Animal rights protestors call for circus ban
ANIMAL rights protestors handed a 2,000 signature petition calling for a ban on performing circus animals to bosses at Chester-le-Street District Council yesterday. The North-East Animal Rights Coalition (NEARC) took to the streets of the town in recent
-
Date
Meetings to offer advice on fostering
GATESHEAD Borough Council is raising awareness of fostering in a series of information meetings in March. Last month, the authority was caring for about 300 children, either in foster homes or ion residential care. While the majority of these children
-
Date
£500 fine for selling fireworks to boy, 15
A SHOP owner was fined £500 plus £175 costs yesterday for selling fireworks to a 15-year-old boy. John King, of Kings of Saltburn, appeared before Guisborough magistrates charged with selling fireworks to a person apparently under 18. He admitted selling
-
Date
Tragic Laura to get award for courage
A TEENAGE girl who learned to cope with the tragic loss of her parents will step forward to receive a national accolade in recognition of her courage tomorrow. Laura Frost, who earned widespread sympathy and admiration after the death of her parents,
-
Date
School's stolen canoe is found
AN eagle-eyed reader of The Northern Echo has helped a school left high and dry by the theft of a canoe. The £500 two-seater Canadian canoe was stolen from King James First Community College, in Bishop Auckland, in the school holidays. A reader saw the
-
Date
Strike hits post office depot
POSTOFFICE workers in Hartlepool held a lightening strike today in a dispute over overtime. Around 100 staff at Hartlepool's post office depot in Clark Street stopped work just before 7am in dispute over the amount of mail being handled by staff. The
-
Date
Comment from The Northern Echo: Second chance for third way?
SO can the "third way" ever work? Tony Blair's political philosophy is to marry the demands of big business with the requirements of the people. Business wants profit; the people want decent, affordable services. Can the twain ever meet? Last summer there
-
Date
Pub chain dismisses landlords' concern
A NATIONAL pub chain has dismissed concern over its plans to move into Richmond. Landlords meet on Monday to thrash out a plan of action which they hope will block Wetherspoons' bid to convert the post office in Queen's Road into one of 110 new outlets
-
Date
Joking in the the face of adversity
A THOUSAND or so steel jobs are hanging by a thread on Teesside. A second Government minister in the Mandelson/Hinduja passport controversy is facing pressure to resign. But, it seems, Tony Blair is keeping his sense of humour. This week, Stockton South
-
Date
Joking in the the face of adversity
A THOUSAND or so steel jobs are hanging by a thread on Teesside. A second Government minister in the Mandelson/Hinduja passport controversy is facing pressure to resign. But, it seems, Tony Blair is keeping his sense of humour. This week, Stockton South
-
Date
New home for charity shop
A CHARITY shop welcomed its first customers on Thursday after moving from its old premises. The Teesside Hospice shop was opened by volunteers after relocating to Linthorpe Road, Middlesbrough. The old branch, in Newport Road, was closed last week. A
-
Date
Comment from The Northern Echo: Gas suppliers under pressure
WE were promised that the breaking of the British Gas monopoly would drive down prices. It would appear the forces of competition have not had the desired effect. In recent weeks, four of the new suppliers have increased their prices by between four and
-
Date
Gang escapes in well-planned raid
A THREE-MAN gang escaped with several thousand pounds from the safe of a village post office in a well-planned raid. Detectives last night appealed for information to help them trace the gang who struck at Kelloe, near Durham City, shortly after closing
-
Date
Probe into centre blaze
COUNCIL bosses are to launch an investigation after a fire at Darlington's Dolphin Centre led to hundreds of people being evacuated yesterday. A toilet roll holder is understood to have been deliberately set alight. Firefighters used breathing apparatus
-
Date
Dad At Large
When love breaks down ALADDIN the rabbit needed a new girlfriend. As you may know, Aladdin has lost two girlfriends recently. Both called Jasmine, both died within weeks of moving in with him. Not his fault - just one of those things. Original Jasmine
-
Date
Education office workers' parking prompts warning
PEOPLE are warning that someone will be killed or seriously injured on their Darlington estate, if the council does not address traffic problems. Residents in the Mowden area of town say they are tired of having to dodge parked cars to get to their homes
-
Date
A tale of mice and men
SO far, the mice have failed to produce a best-selling novel set in Edwardian Newcastle, but there is a little bit of Catherine Cookson in the white laboratory rodents running around Newcastle University - even if they don't know it. Bizarrely, yesterday's
-
Date
West is best for thousands of fans
HEARTTHROB boyband Westlife began a string of five shows at the Telewest Arena in Newcastle last night with a performance in front of thousands of screaming fans. The five Irish teen idols, who have recorded this year's Comic Relief single, a version
-
Date
The mouse that could save your child's life
THIS is the mouse which could save your life and the lives of your children and grandchildren. From the tip of his genetically-modified whiskers to the end of his pink tail, he could be worth his weight in gold if he can help scientists at Newcastle University
-
Date
Rally driver is due home after crash
A YOUNG rally driver is due back in the North-East next week, following a car crash in Sweden. Guy Wilks, from Heighington, near Darlington, was injured when his Ford Puma car crashed into a private vehicle. Contrary to earlier reports, the 19-year-old
-
Date
If techno-babble gives you a pain, you may have internesia
IF you understand such simple computer terms as "hacker" or "virus" then, believe it or not, you are in the minority of those of us in the North. Most of us wouldn't know a "cyberslacker" if we tripped over one and would probably tell somebody complaining
-
Date
If techno-babble gives you a pain, you may have internesia
IF you understand such simple computer terms as "hacker" or "virus" then, believe it or not, you are in the minority of those of us in the North. Most of us wouldn't know a "cyberslacker" if we tripped over one and would probably tell somebody complaining
-
Date
Farmer left 12 dead sheep lying in fields
A RESPECTED Dales farmer, whose animals won prizes at agricultural shows, left dead sheep on her fields and a lamb dying from a gaping wound, a court heard yesterday. North Yorkshire mother-of-four Helen Benson, who was born into a farming family and
-
Date
A tale of mice
SO far, the mice have failed to produce a best-selling novel set in Edwardian Newcastle, but there is a little bit of Catherine Cookson in the white laboratory rodents running around Newcastle University - even if they don't know it. Bizarrely, yesterday's
-
Date
Appeal to blondes after man attacked
POLICE who studied closed circuit footage of an attack which left a man critically injured in hospital are urgently trying to trace two blonde women who tried to help the victim. The 32-year-old man, from Thornaby, Teesside, was punched to the ground
-
Date
Rage driver hit girl, 15, court told
A motorist who tried to scare a group of youngsters but knocked down a 15-year-old girl by mistake was ordered to pay her £1,000 compensation yesterday. Andrew Causier, 23, told police that he had been attacked earlier by a drunken group of youths outside
-
Date
Injuries force Reid to put full squad on alert
ANXIOUS Sunderland boss Peter Reid counters an injury crisis by putting his entire 30-man first team squad on emergency stand-by at the Stadium of Light today as he tries to plot a first home win over Liverpool for nearly 43 years. It is the first time
-
Date
Crozier in code vow
FOOTBALL Association chief executive Adam Crozier has taken steps to ensure his tough new disciplinary code is rigidly enforced. Crozier personally instigated a crackdown on players' behaviour at the start of the season but in several decisions by the
-
Date
Tragic Laura to get award for courage
A TEENAGE girl who learned to cope with the tragic loss of her parents will step forward to receive a national accolade in recognition of her courage tomorrow. Laura Frost, who earned widespread sympathy and admiration after the death of her parents,
-
Date
Big three in the spotlight
THE REGION'S big three of the region's top football clubs could face harsh penalties over the alleged use of fake passports among foreign players. Middlesbrough, Sunderland and Newcastle could all be given severe fines or even a points deduction if players
-
Date
Mandelson tells of his -accident'
PETER MANDELSON yesterday likened his fall from office over the so-called "passports-for-favours" affair to a "ghastly road accident". In his first live interview since his resignation as Northern Ireland Secretary, Mr Mandelson denied that he had decided
-
Date
Pool's midfield trio earn
POSITIVE Hartlepool United boss Chris Turner last night saluted the midfield trio he believes is the best in the business. Pool entertain fellow form side Blackpool at Victoria Park this afternoon, with Turner - who was yesterday presented with the Nationwide
-
Date
Bennett determined to solve attitude problem
A POSITIVE attitude is the key to Darlington triumphing in their crucial clash with fellow strugglers Shrewsbury at Feethams today, according to manager Gary Bennett. Quakers are now just four points off the bottom of the table following Carlisle's victory
-
Date
Bell rings out a warning for Marske's Vase rivals
Marske United manager Charlie Bell has told his players that they have nothing to fear when they take on Marlow for a place in the quarter-finals of the FA Carlsberg Vase this afternoon. Marske head south confident they can continue their dream run and
-
Date
Land Rover to cut back by 250
LAND Rover is to cut up to 250 jobs at its Solihull plant in the West Midlands. Voluntary redundancies are being sought following a change in shift patterns due to a shortfall in diesel engine supply. The cutbacks will affect production of the Land Rover
-
Date
Facing a bright future, schoolgirl looks to the stars
SCHOOLGIRL Zoe Birkett did not need to enter television's Popstars programme in her bid to realise her dream of singing stardom. The 15-year-old pupil at Carmel School, Darlington, has just signed to a local recording label and is hoping to clinch a major
-
Date
Campaign cafe opens to hear pension views
RESIDENTS are being encouraged to drop a line to their MP at a campaign caf opening in Middlesbrough. Age Concern Teesside is running the caf on February 27, at its offices in Borough Road, from 9am until 4pm. Older people, their relatives and friends
-
Date
Fletcher lays down the law to tourists
ENGLAND have acted to a prevent a repeat of the flashpoints which marred their previous encounter with Sri Lanka by warning the players to be mindful of their behaviour during the forthcoming series. The tourists were given an insight into the sensitivities
-
Date
Report highlights industry's threat
ONE of Europe's most comprehensive reports into the effect of industrial accidents on wildlife has been completed in the region. The Industry Nature Conservation Association (Inca), which is based in Billingham, Teesside, has organised the wildlife audit
-
Date
Dentists know the drill for helping patients
THREE dentists in the region have shown they really know the drill for success. They are among the first in the UK to be accredited under a programme from Denplan, a dental healthcare provider. The programme has been designed to help independent dentists
-
Date
Enron Direct jobs in pipeline
ENRON Direct, one of the UK's leading suppliers of gas and electricity to small and medium-sized businesses, is expanding its Teesside operations, creating 46 new jobs. The company is establishing a new customer service centre at its administrative base
-
Date
Entrepreneurial gloom
BRITONS are three times less likely to start their own business than people in the Third World, according to a new report. Brazil, Argentina and India all have more entrepreneurial activity per head than the UK, according to the report by Ernst &
-
Date
Twins plea in cot death research
SCIENTISTS are appealing to the parents of newborn twins to help them beat the scourge of cot death. The team which runs the Durham University sleep-lab in Stockton needs up to 100 sets of twins under four months old to help with its research into the
-
Date
dorothy, 91, gets switched on to overseas family link
ONE of the oldest residents at a care home has been given a new lease of life thanks to the Internet. Dorothy Money, 91, from Moor Grange Residential Home for Older People, Spennymoor, used to communicate with her daughter Anita, who lives in Canada,
-
Date
Mother's renewed anguish over baby
HOSPITAL officials have apologised after a mother was told she will have to wait weeks to find out what happened to her dead baby's organs. Zoe Matthews' son, Owen Robson, was stillborn at Darlington Memorial Hospital seven years ago. After news of the
-
Date
Farewell to the film-maker who told Hannah's story
BARRY Cockcroft, the man behind the touching film of Yorkshire Dales farmer Hannah Hauxwell, has died aged 68. Film-maker Mr Cockcroft, who lived in Cornwall, spent 20 years with Yorkshire Television recording the lives of ordinary folk from the county
-
Date
Family's relief as killer gets life
A FAMILY have spoken of their relief after their brother's murderer was jailed for life. Lee Bright, 26, launched a knife attack on Wearside bachelor Bruce Walker, on December 23, 1999. The body of Mr Walker, who bled to death from three knife wounds
-
Date
Driver in court over A1 deaths
A man has appeared in court accused of causing six deaths in a crash on the A1(M). Brian France, 54, of Birdwell, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, is charged with six counts of causing death by dangerous driving near Boroughbridge, North Yorkshire, last November
-
Date
Teenagers convicted of wounding
Two teenagers, armed with a stick and a pool ball in a sock, attacked a work colleague in the street, Teesside Crown Court heard yesterday. Jonathon McIlvenney, 18, and Mark Elliott, 19, were convicted of wounding Steven Forrest when all three were trainees
-
Date
Watch out for old mate Merson, Boro warned
MIDDLESBROUGH go into today's game against an unpredictable Aston Villa side with Terry Venables warning against the threat of former Riverside favourite Paul Merson. Boro go into the game looking to extend their unbeaten run to 12 games, and hoping to
-
Date
Poor and elderly will be hit by gas rises
PENSIONERS and poor families will be badly hit by an above-inflation rise in gas bills, consumer groups said last night. British Gas announced yesterday that its prices would rise by 4.7 per cent from April 1, adding an extra £14 on the average annual
-
Date
Inquiry finds mental health service flaws
AN inquiry into a fatal stabbing involving two North-East mental health patients has criticised the quality of care they received and called for wide-ranging improvements. A 43-year-old father of three died when he was stabbed through the chest with a
-
Date
MR bean rejuvenated in animated series
LICENSING and merchandising group Entertainment Rights has snapped up the intellectual property rights for a new cartoon version of the accident-prone comedy character Mr Bean. A 52-part animated series is being produced for ITV, with Rowan Atkinson continuing
-
Date
Weaker housing market costs Beazer profits dip
THE weaker housing market in the middle of 2000 led to a decline in half-year profits at housebuilder Beazer, the group said in its last set of results before being taken over by rival Persimmon. Beazer, of Bath, showed pre-tax profits for the six months
-
Date
Echo winners enjoy free trip
CHILDREN from a North-East school have taken their latest free trip following a competition organised by The Northern Echo. Pupils from Staindrop Primary School, in Teesdale, County Durham, visited the Centre for Life, in Newcastle. The youngsters enjoyed
-
Date
Firm fined after worker's death
A FIRM has been fined £10,000 following its conviction over the death of a worker in an explosion. Brief Breeze, formerly trading as Hedley Engineering Services, of South Shields, pleaded guilty before South Tyneside magistrates to an offence under the
-
Date
Traffic scheme now permanent
AN experimental scheme designed to reduce congestion and accidents in a busy Durham shopping street will be made permanent. Durham County Council plans to follow up its decision by making environmental improvements, including the widening of pavements
-
Date
Pupils in dance-athon to boost charity
A GROUP of 125 pupils put on their dancing shoes yesterday to raise money for the Malcolm Sergeant Cancer Appeal for Children. The youngsters from the Thornaby Community School took part in a sponsored dance-athon. The marathon dance started at 1pm with
-
Date
Is the Dream really over now?
SEGA did more to popularise video gaming in this country than any company since Atari. First the Master System then the Mega-Drive made consoles seem cool once again. Even Nintendo couldn't compete. So it was with a heavy heart that I read last week of
-
Date
School repairs to cost more than £1m
A NORTH-East primary school destroyed by fire will cost more than £1m to repair. The estimated £1.3m bill for the damage to Hardwick Primary School, in Sedgefield, County Durham, was revealed today as two teenagers appeared in court in relation to the
-
Date
The religion of yoga
MADONNA swears by it, Geri Halliwell says it's responsible for her new shape and Sting's done it for years. Yoga, once done by a few ladies in the village hall, is suddenly big business, and anyone who knows anything about health and fitness has tried
-
Date
Man accused of raping
A MAN appeared in court yesterday accused of the knifepoint rape of a teenage girl. Michael Marsden, 21, is alleged to have carried out the attack on the 17-year-old girl, near Albany Village Centre, in Washington, Tyne and Wear, on the night of December
-
Date
His truth goes marching on... and on
THE Salvation Army citadel stands enduringly in Bolckow Street, Eston, the Cleveland Bay next door on one side, the Wellington Hotel 100 yards away on the other. It was once an ironstone village, Henry Bolckow the ironmaster, and still a village when
-
Date
MP cuts turf at site of £2.4m college centre
A TEESSIDE MP cut the first turf for the construction of a £2.4m learning resource centre yesterday. Dr Ashok Kumar, the Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland MP carried out the ceremony at Prior Pursglove College, Guisborough. The building, including
-
Date
Blair in steel rescue talks
STEEL unions on Teesside have held crucial talks with the Prime Minister Tony Blair on the future of the threatened Teesside steel industry. Corus announced more than 6,000 job losses last week, but agreed not to start formal consultations until a meeting
-
Date
Blair in steel rescue talks
STEEL unions on Teesside have held crucial talks with the Prime Minister Tony Blair on the future of the threatened Teesside steel industry. Corus announced more than 6,000 job losses last week, but agreed not to start formal consultations until a meeting
