Archive
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'I was told to shoot black children'
PILLARS of smoke spiralled slowly into the morning sky as we picked our way through the rubble of the previous night's rioting. The smell of thousands of coal fires mingled with the stench of burning rubber and alcohol spilt from countless looted liquor
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Mum's anger as stripper hides his bare essentials
FURIOUS mum Brenda Gavillet has complained to trading standards - after a "weedy" stripper failed to do a Full Monty at her daughter's 18th birthday party. The family paid £65 for "Six-pack Steve" to surprise dental nurse Sarah, believing he would go
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Man quizzed over girl's road injuries
POLICE were last night questioning a man over a hit-and-run accident which left a seven-year-old girl with severe head injuries. The youngster was hit by a yellow Citroen Saxo car on Colescliffe Road, near the junction with Heathcliff Gardens, in Scarborough
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Black PC loses his claim for damages
A BLACK police officer who sued a neighbouring force after he was "humiliated" by fellow officers when a woman falsely accused him of rape has lost his claim for damages. PC Steven Allen, 35, claimed he was abused by colleagues because he was black. The
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Accident verdict on rally death boy, 11
A VERDICT of accidental death has been recorded on 11-year-old Marc Taylor, who was killed in a high-speed crash. A rally car skidded into a crowd of spectators during the Cheviot Rally in Otterburn, Northumberland, on February 13 last year. The inquest
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Tesco's domination continues
GROCERY giant Tesco's domination of the UK market shows no signs of weakening after it unveiled another strong rise in sales. The group, which announced full-year profits of £1bn in April, said like-for-like sales in the past three months were 6.7 per
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Any help to pay the mortgage?
Q People with low incomes paying rent can get rent rebates. What about those with a mortgage? AThose on Income Support or Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance get limited help with their mortgage payments but they are the only ones. QMy State Pension is
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There's no stopping disco champion Sheriden, nine
SHE'S the North-East's own dancing queen. Sheriden Kennedy, nine, of Delves Lane, near Consett, County Durham, beat competition from across the whole region in the solo disco dancing section of a dancing competition held in Whitley Bay. "She's just absolutely
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Award marks university success
A CBE has been awarded to the former Vice-Chancellor of Newcastle University. James Wright held the post from 1992 until his retirement last year and is recognised for his services to higher education. He said: "I am deeply honoured by this award. "It
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Shearer scoops OBE
Newcastle striker Alan Shearer today received an OBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours list. In a glittering career which has saw him captain his country and win the Premiership with Blackburn Rovers, Shearer returned to the norh-east in 1996 for a then
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To cap it all, bus firm fires John, 64
BUS driver John Turnbull was sacked just three months before his retirement - for wearing a flat cap at the wheel. Mr Turnbull, 64, who had an unblemished career, was shocked when he was told he was being dismissed from his £12,000-a-year job. His only
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A wee problem with the yukky plant!
It's Father's Day tomorrow so we've decided to serve up an extra helping of The Things They Say... - mainly to help our Dad At Large off-load some of the huge number of anecdotes which have been flooding in from around the region... ERNIE Reynolds, of
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Hear All Sides
Letters from The Northern Echo TONY BLAIR HUGH Pender (HAS, June 12) is, as usual, gloating over Phoney Tony and his puppeteer Government. Getting one in four votes is not a very good victory. I can assure him that the Tory Party will come good again
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People needed to form panel
A Borough Council is looking for people to join an independent panel to consider the payments made to councillors. Gateshead borough's 66 councillors all receive a basic flat-rate allowance, but those who have extra responsibilities are paid additional
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Goal hero Shearer nets royal honour
NORTH-East football hero Alan Shearer is among the sports and showbusiness stars in the Queen's Birthday Honours List published today. The 30-year-old Newcastle United striker, who receives an OBE for his services to football, has been one of the most
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Protestors consider road legal challenge
PROTESTORS whose battle against a proposed road being laid through a field appeared lost earlier this week are planning a legal challenge. Darlington Borough Council's planning committee approved plans for the site, off Barmpton Lane, Barmpton, near Darlington
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Bends diver's compensation claim fails
A SCUBA diver, left with both legs paralysed by the bends after a dive to a wreck, has had a High Court bid for six-figure compensation rejected. Father-of-three Geoffrey Hardaker, 57, sued both Newcastle Health Authority and the Northumbria Chief Constable
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Town respects wartime heros
A branch of the Durham Light Infantry is planning to mark the 85th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme next month. The Chester-le-Street branch will hold a ceremony dedicated to the town's men who died in the most costly battle in British military
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£17.5m store proposal facing a long delay
ASDA'S £17.5m new store in Bishop Auckland will not be built until at least next year, the company said yesterday. The 40,000 sq ft development has planning consent in principle, but is awaiting final approval from the new Housing and Planning Minister
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Rising from the mist...
A MIST hangs over the canopy of leaves which is home to a very special family. The hillsides are steep, the vegetation green and luscious, the silence only broken by the sound of birds and insects. A rustle of leaves heralds the arrival of the creatures
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Leniency for farmer who grew cannabis
A FARMER who smoked cannabis which he grew in his attic to ease chronic back pain escaped a prison sentence yesterday. Police discovered dozens of cannabis plants and nine bags of skunk cannabis valued at £3,500 plus heat lamps and other paraphernalia
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Headteacher who is stunned to become a dame
THE headteacher of a Darlington special school is to become a dame. Dela Smith, who has been headteacher at Beaumont Hill Special School since 1992, said she was "absolutely stunned" by the news. "I am very deeply moved to be honoured in this way - it's
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Nothing pale about this imitation
REVIEWS Crazy Taxi. Platform: PS2. Publisher: Acclaim. (£39.99) THE first fruits of Sega's multi-platform strategy appear this month when one of the best games ever released on Dreamcast arrives on PlayStation 2. Originally released more than a year ago
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Brace of twins help school to swimming gala glory
ANYONE watching the winning team in action at a schools' swimming gala could have been left with the feeling that they were seeing double. St Bede's Primary School, Darlington, had two sets of identical twins in their girls team, which swept the board
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Care work recognised by awards
SOCIAL services staff who provide front-line care and support for thousands of people across North Yorkshire have had their efforts recognised. The hands-on care staff work in a variety of areas including looking after people in their own homes, day centres
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Freak downpour swamps villages
AN estimated two inches of rain fell in parts of the region yesterday causing floods and major rail disruption. A lightning bolt struck signalling equipment serving the East Coast mainline at Darlington causing delays of up to two hours. The Environment
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Vickers' chance of Army contract goes to trials
VICKERS Defence Systems has a one-in-three chance of providing the Army's next generation of Future Command and Liaison Vehicles (FCLV). The Newcastle company is one of three defence contractors asked to take part in trials to see which company's vehicles
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Police check 100 taxis in operation
A CHECK on more than 100 taxis has ensured that potential death traps have been taken off the road. In a day-long operation by Durham Constabulary and Chester-le-Street District Council, two taxis were immediately removed from circulation, while a further
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Double joy as pond makes clean break of restrictions
AN angling club hit by foot-and-mouth disease restrictions is celebrating the reopening of its ponds - on top of a welcome cash boost. The Langley Park Angling Association opened Littlefairs Pond at Edmondsley, Country Durham, yesterday. The event comes
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Community honour
A WOMAN who works tirelessly to help her community has had a play area named after her. Work has started on the playground on the Woodhouse Close Recreation Ground, Bishop Auckland, which is the first project created with the help of Sure Start Wear Valley
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Quinn backs Reid to maintain player power
REPUBLIC of Ireland international Niall Quinn is backing Sunderland boss Peter Reid to maintain the club's renowned team spirit no matter how many new players he brings in during the summer. Reid has made no secret of the fact that he aims to strengthen
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Computer centre available to all
RESIDENTS in Hartlepool are taking advantage of a computer learning centre which was opened as a partnership between the town's college of further education and Tektra last month. The centre, Access IT, which is opposite the Citizens Advice Bureau in
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25 years of study shows high degree of patience
A FORMER mayor will receive his degree today 25 years after he started his studies. Councillor Barry Woodhouse, of Stockton Borough Council, will be celebrating the silver jubilee of his studies when he receives his Open University BSc (Hons) degree from
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Young guns set to fire
THE REGION'S top young athletes get their final chance to win selection for the English Schools Championships in the annual inter-counties match between Durham, Northumberland, Cleveland and Cumbria at the Sheepmount Stadium, Carlisle, this afternoon.
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Students make finals in national competition
A TEAM of three A-level students have won a place in the national finals of a chemistry competition. Polly Cranmer, from Seaham, Richard Row, from Consett and Joseph O'Connor, from Blackhill are studying A-level Chemistry at New College Durham. They won
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Extra bins used in bid to halt fly-tippers
TWO new bins are being used in the battle against fly-tippers in Stockton. Council workers have put two extra 110-litre bins in Hartington Road in a bid to stop people simply dumping rubbish in derelict areas or back streets. Councillor Geoff Field, the
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'The Enforcer' to maintain Ice cool record
IT'S no coincidence that Kieren Fallon is nicknamed "The Enforcer", such is his supreme strength in the saddle. Nor is it any surprise he gets along so well with York-bound Ice (3.10), a tricky ride at the best of times, upon whom Fallon has a 100 percent
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What goes around comes around
NORTH Cowton village green is not exactly Newcastle Town Moor, nor the fair which annually encamps upon it a prize every time rival to the Hoppings. The fair and North Cowton green seem made for one another, nonetheless - made to measure, it might almost
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Turn your attention to hanging baskets
NOW is the time to prepare for next year's spring display. Seeds of wallflowers, forget-me-nots and cushion daisies should all be sown during the next two or three weeks. However, consideration should also be given to winter-interest hanging baskets and
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Addict stole two TVs from his father
A HEROIN addict stole his father's television twice, a court heard yesterday. Robert John Thornton, 19, of Stephenson Street, Ferryhill, County Durham, admitted two charges of theft and one of burglary at Teesside Crown Court. He was also sentenced on
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Crucial deal heads for fall
THE controversial deal between Go Racing and the BHB looks like collapsing after a crunch meeting between both parties failed to reach an agreement over the use of pre-race data. As a result, the £307m ten-year deal with 49 courses looks like falling
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Elaine hopes artists will rise to the occasion
AN unusual artist is hoping to become one of the first people in the region to teach people how to sculpt with balloons. Elaine Shaw, of Hartlepool, has just launched her own business as a balloon decorator providing arrangements for special events. She
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Residents claim to be kept in dark over transport corridor
A COUNCIL is being accused of "riding roughshod" over local opinion in an effort to push through an unpopular development. Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, in partnership with Middlesbrough Borough Council, has appointed a firm of consultants to
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Viewing regiment's history explored
A GROUP of Teesside army cadets has taken a step back in time to explore its regiment's history. Thirty cadets from the Redcar Detachment of Cleveland Army Cadet Force's C Company visited the Green Howards Museum, in Richmond, for their introduction to
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Anti-bail hostel protestors plan march through town
ANTI-BAIL hostel protestors are planning a march through a town centre to highlight their fears before an impending public inquiry. The inquiry into the 25-bed hostel at Chester-le-Street is due to start on Tuesday, July 10, at the Red Lion pub. It had
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Families' hopes for inquiry dented
A SENIOR Government official dealt a blow to campaigners calling for a public inquiry into the foot-and-mouth crisis. Newly-appointed Chief Whip Hilary Armstrong told protestors fighting a mass burial site in Tow Law, County Durham, that such inquests
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Wildlife centre may be built
A SHOWPIECE botanical and wildlife centre could form part of a city's ambitious regeneration strategy. Newcastle City Council and Newcastle University are considering ideas for a multi-million pound oasis with a string of satellite gardens in Going for
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A wee problem with the yukky plant!
It's Father's Day tomorrow so we've decided to serve up an extra helping of The Things They Say... - mainly to help our Dad At Large off-load some of the huge number of anecdotes which have been flooding in from around the region... ERNIE Reynolds, of
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Father-of-two jailed for weapon attack
A FATHER-OF-TWO who launched a savage attack on a delivery driver with a home-made weapon has been jailed for three months. William Hickman, 20, attacked Donald Deacon with a pool ball in a sock as he stood outside the Oriental Express, in Grangetown,
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Comment from The Northern Echo - Honours where they are due
'I REALISE that I am a very fortunate man," said Alan Shearer yesterday. Nearing the end of a wonderful career, it has not been a vintage year on the pitch for Newcastle United. But off it, everything has gone right - a baby son, the Freedom of Newcastle
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Focus switches on to economics
WITH few high-profile companies reporting next week, City eyes will instead turn to economic news. Transport group Stagecoach, which has a stake in Virgin Rail, is expected to post a drop in profits on Wednesday. Analysts are predicting full-year profits
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Pensioners' TV licence battle
A PETITION has been launched by pensioners who are angry because they have to pay television licence fees. The pensioners, from the Sunderland area, are hoping to put pressure on the Government to grant free television licences to all elderly people,
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UEFA rules set to scupper Miller proposal
TOMMY Miller is unlikely to be heading to Brann Bergen on loan. The crack Norwegian outfit are hoping to utilise their close ties with Hartlepool United to lure the goalscoring midfielder and boost their chances of progressing into the Champions League
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Catering duo feed hunger for park jobs
FOOD producers in the North York Moors National Park are being given a boost. The new operators of Sutton Bank visitor centre restaurant are aiding the local economy with a menu of local foods. Beck Richardson and Alison Consett, who are running the popular
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Headteacher Bill bids farewell to school life
AFTER 36 years in education, an east Durham headteacher is preparing to bid a final farewell to school life. Bill Mulligan has been at the helm at St Bede's Catholic Comprehensive School for the past 16 years and staff are planning a gala goodbye for
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Workers to get on their bikes
WORKERS are being encouraged to leave their cars at home and cycle to work. Wednesday, is National Bike to Work Day and Durham County Council wants as many people as possible in the county to take part. Ben Dellow, the council's travel plan officer, said
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Zoo blocks kids from disease
THREE children were refused entry to Blackpool Zoo because they live near a foot-and-mouth burial site. Laura Waddell, seven, brothers Marc, three, and Billy, two, had looked forward to the trip for weeks. But as they were walking through the gates with
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'It's a fare cop - and -taxi driver' officer gets his man
A luckless drink-driver ended up red-faced after he stepped into a police car thinking it was a taxi. Gary McGowan, 27, jumped into the "cab" as he tried to evade police officers. He was so drunk that he thought the blue beacon on the top of the car was
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Officers may face CS charges
OFFICERS serving with a North-East police force could face criminal charges over the use of CS spray. James Gergely spent two days in hospital receiving treatment for burns and blisters after being sprayed in 1999. A spokeswoman for the Police Complaints
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Council spells out support for domestic abuse victims
MORE than 170 incidents of domestic abuse were reported to police in Ryedale in the past 11 months - but campaigners have stressed that help is available for victims. The extent of the problem was highlighted at an awareness day hosted by Ryedale Domestic
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Youngsters' plans for the future of country
HOT on the heels of the General Election, more than 350 youngsters will spell out their plans for the country's youth today. The Oakwood Centre, Eaglescliffe, will be the venue for The Event - What's It All About. Hosted by children's television presenter
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Youngsters' plans for the future of country
HOT on the heels of the General Election, more than 350 youngsters will spell out their plans for the country's youth today. The Oakwood Centre, Eaglescliffe, will be the venue for The Event - What's It All About. Hosted by children's television presenter
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Market with Continental touch
STALLS with a continental flavour are bringing cheer to Shildon today and tomorrow. Traders have travelled from the Netherlands, France, Germany, Spain and Italy for the town's latest European market. Organiser Sedgefield Borough Council expects 30,000
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Classic cavalcade motors towards glorious landmark
THE roads of County Durham will adopt the look of a bygone era as a cavalcade of lovingly restored cars takes part in a now annual test of safety and reliability. Despite fears it would fall victim to the foot-and-mouth outbreak, the Beamish Reliability
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Crucial deal heads for disaster
The controversial deal between Go Racing and the BHB looks like collapsing after a crunch meeting between both parties failed to reach an agreement over the use of pre-race data. As a result, the £307m ten-year deal with 49 courses looks like falling
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Lions roar in Brisbane
The British Lions roared out a warning today with a 42-8 demolition of Queensland Reds in Brisbane. Graham Henry's side swept aside the Super 12 semi-finalists with an awesome four-try first-half display which left the hosts reeling. The Reds were left
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Memories of village in book to raise funds
A BOOK of memories about life in a Redcar village has gone on sale to raise money for the local church. Dorothy Shaw, who has lived in Marske most of her life, has brought together her thoughts on the village in a book called Marske Remembered. The book
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'No more job cuts' pledge by Glaxo
A DRUGS firm last night pledged not to inflict any further job losses on its North-East workforce. The promise came as GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) announced a £1.2m aid package to help 400 workers due to be axed at its plant in Barnard Castle, County Durham
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Youth robbed in park
A 14-year-old has been robbed by two 6ft youths in Stanhope Park, Darlington. One asked the boy for cigarettes then searched his victim's pockets and stole a wallet containing various cards, including a cash card. He then punched the youngster in the
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Brewery rejects offer as too low
WOLVERHAMPTON and Dudley Breweries (W&DB) has outlined its reasons for rejecting Pubmaster's bid for the company. W&DB claimed that Pubmistress, the owner of Pubmaster, was trying to "buy W&DB on the cheap." Pubmaster's offer of 480p per share
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Move to improve safety of children
SCHOOLS across the Hambleton area of North Yorkshire are being targeted in a major campaign to improve child safety. Every one of the district's 60 primary schools is to be sent special resource packs by the local authority's environmental health team
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Hotel may nip award
CRAB Manor Hotel, the sister operation of the Crab and Lobster restaurant at Asenby, near Thirsk, is in the running for a national award. The hotel has been shortlisted for a Catey Award, the Oscars of the catering and hospitality industry. The hotel
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Durham poised to open up quick-bowling Hatch
LEADERS Durham could hand 6ft 8in Darlington paceman Nicky Hatch his first team debut in tomorrow's Norwich Union League division two match against Essex at Ilford. Hatch, who spent the winter playing in Australia, recently recovered from an Achilles
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Doomed cinema launches project
A DOOMED cinema is giving birth to a new cinematic venture - just days before it screens its last show. The 1930s art deco Odeon, in Middlesbrough, is being used to launch an Internet film project, TeesFilm.Net. Work is starting on three short animation
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Man jailed over haul of cocaine
A COCAINE user was jailed for four years yesterday after police found more than £2,000 of the drug in his home. At Teesside Crown Court yesterday, Rashid Adamson, 31, of Sadberge Hall Farm, Darlington, admitted possessing cocaine with intent to supply
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Car dealer chief is a knight of the road
THE chairman of one of the region's leading car dealers is awarded a knighthood. Peter Vardy, chairman of Sunderland-based Reg Vardy, receives the honour for his services to business and education in the North-East. Mr Vardy said: "I am very surprised
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Council's housing wins praise
A REPORT has hailed housing services in Darlington as among the best in the country. But an equal opportunities strategy must be drawn up by Darlington Borough Council for it to improve further. As part of the Government's Best Value regime, Audit Commission
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Nothing pale about this imitation
REVIEWS Crazy Taxi. Platform: PS2. Publisher: Acclaim. (£39.99) THE first fruits of Sega's multi-platform strategy appear this month when one of the best games ever released on Dreamcast arrives on PlayStation 2. Originally released more than a year ago
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What goes around comes around
NORTH Cowton village green is not exactly Newcastle Town Moor, nor the fair which annually encamps upon it a prize every time rival to the Hoppings. The fair and North Cowton green seem made for one another, nonetheless - made to measure, it might almost
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Excavating knowledge around the workplace
LEARNING IT skills has proved so popular for staff at Komatsu UK, that bosses have decided to put on extra classes. The Birtley excavator manufacturer, originally decide to run the Computer Literacy and Information Technology (Clait) stage one course
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A case of murder most enjoyable
MISS Marple takes to the stage to solve the Murder at the Vicarage, in a theatre group's interpretation of the Agatha Christie classic. Shildon theatre and drama group, Centre Stage, hosts its latest production next weekend, in the town's civic hall.
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Church stance on divorcees debated
CONTROVERSIAL proposals to allow divorcees to remarry in church will come under the spotlight next weekend. The Ripon diocese will be the last to discuss the proposals before they go back to the General Synod for a final decision. An "open and frank"
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Golden couple join celebration service
A DEVOTED couple are marking their golden wedding anniversary by taking part in a special service with hundreds of others who are sharing the same celebration. Thomas and Joyce Longstaff, of Coniston Crescent, Crook, read about the Golden Wedding celebrations
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Footballers wanted
YOUNGSTERS are being invited to take part in trials for an under-11s football team which has just secured sponsorship for next season. St Mary's Under-11s Football Team is holding the trials at St John's School, Bishop Auckland, on Saturday, June 30,
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12,000 cricket fans expected
A TOWN is preparing for a carnival of colour when 12,000 cricket fans invade this morning. Chester-le-Street's Riverside ground, in County Durham, has doubled its capacity to cater for the supporters of Pakistan and Australia, who meet in a one-day rerun
