Archive
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Lots of fun in stores
SHOPPERS were treated to a day of family fun when they visited their local supermarket yesterday. Morrison's stores in Darlington and Bishop Auckland laid on a day of fun to raise money for charity. Visitors to the company's Newgate Street store, in Bishop
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Simon gets off to flying start before trek
IT was up, up and away as more than 200 balloons were released in Durham's Market Place on Saturday. Durham University student Simon Unter, who is studying at St Cuthbert's Society, held a balloon race as part of his drive to raise money for the National
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Planning objectors to get their say
DURHAM County Council is considering allowing objectors to planning applications to speak at meetings. On Thursday, the council's planning committee will be recommended to give applicants and objectors ten minutes each to state their views. Currently,
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No holding Nicola back supporting charity
A DEAF teenager who is also going blind yesterday took up her latest challenge - an abseil from the Tyne Bridge. Nicola Henderson, 18, from Blyth, Northumberland, has Usher syndrome, which meant she was born unable to hear. She has been losing her sight
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Patrols keep playground spick and span
ANOTHER North Yorkshire school has joined the county's health drive. Colburn County Primary is the latest recruit to the Hambleton and Richmondshire Healthy Schools Scheme. Part of the project involves a focus on litter and each of the classes at Colburn
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Record cig haul
CUSTOMS officers have seized a record number of illegal cigarettes and tobacco in the region in the last year. Between April 2000 and March this year, more than 45 million cigarettes were confiscated by customs officials compared to 17 million the year
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What's hot and not
STEEL CITY: Forget spending thousands of pounds on posh holidays with isolated beaches and hot sunshine - the ultimate honeymoon destination is a lot closer to home. More than 400 couples have booked to spend the most romantic night of their life in Sheffield
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Residents' views sought on sports ground scheme
RESIDENTS are being urged to back a campaign to improve Yarm's ageing sporting facilities. Yarm Recreation Ground Trust was established in 1921 to provide facilities for the town's residents to play sport. Eighty years on it is launching a project to
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Future remains bright as Orange comes out top for the fourth time
TELECOMS firm Orange has come top in a customer satisfaction league for the fourth year running - thanks to its North-East workforce. Orange, which employs 5,500 staff at call centres in Darlington, County Durham, Peterlee, East Durham, and Tyneside,
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Anger at flyover delay
A COUPLE whose son was killed on a notorious road have criticised delays in the building of a flyover. Colin and Chris Sanders's son, Jamie, 16, from Northallerton, died in January when he was in a collision with a car at Bilbrough Top junction, on the
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Beach volleyball hailed a success
HUNDREDS of youngsters took to the beach yesterday to take part in a volleyball competition. The second annual Junior Beach Volleyball Tournament took place on Redcar beach, east Cleveland, with more than 200 youngsters taking part. It was organised by
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Stressed out
Work-related stress is costing businesses £70 million and 6.5m days off sick every year, new research revealed today. Almost 150,000 workers have taken at least a month off because of stress-related illness. Those hit hardest by high levels of stress
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Blaze destroys high-tech firm
EXPERTS are investigating the cause of a blaze that destroyed an electronics factory at the weekend. More than 30 firefighters fought for more than three hours to control the fire at Thorn Homeserve, West Boldon, near Sunderland. The unit, in Didcot Way
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Get ready for the newest kit on the block
REVIEWS Sony announced last week that it had already shifted 13 million PlayStation 2 decks worldwide. Not bad for a console that costs £269 and only went on sale last year. But 13 million is a mere drop in the ocean compared to the splash Nintendo expects
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News from the Darlington & Stockton Times
The latest news from the Darlington & Stockton Times will be updated here every Friday. You can also read the latest farming news from the paper online in the farming section of this website. Opinion and Features can be found in our Features section
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"Not for sale" - Milburn
The NHS isn't up for sale, Health Secretary Alan Milburn insisted today. The minister and Darlington MP dismissed growing union fury about the Government's plans to inject private cash into the health service. But Mr Milburn, who said the NHS would not
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Berenguel may fit bill for defender role
SUNDERLAND manager Peter Reid, stepping up his search for a new right back, has been linked with Spaniard Hector Berenguel, writes FRANK JOHNSON. The 26-year-old helped Seville win promotion to the top flight last season, but his contract has expired
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£324,500 Lottery bonus for park
THE revitalisation of a town park has been given a boost with National Lottery funding of £324,500. Regeneration work at Shildon's Hackworth Park has been awarded the money from the Heritage Lottery Fund, it was announced at the weekend. The project has
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Tories hit back at criticism of 'exclusion'
TORIES on the county council in North Yorkshire have hit back at criticism over the dominant party's decision to take the chairmanships of three of the five scrutiny committees on the authority. The Labour and Liberal Democrat groups claim the Conservatives
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Thousands flock to Hoppings
THOUSANDS of people flocked to Europe's largest travelling fair over the weekend to soak up the sunshine and enjoy the thrills. Up to a million people are expected to visit The Hoppings on Newcastle Town Moor - now in its 119th year - during the next
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Mysterious road block connected with landslip
WHEN the cones appeared, blocking off one lane, passing drivers expected workmen to appear soon after. But months went by and nothing was done to the normally quiet country road. The reason for the single lane and the traffic lights on Cocken Bank, which
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School praised for improving standards
A TOWN centre school has won praise for its improving standards, relations with parents, and handling of ethnic minority children. Abingdon Primary School, in Middlesbrough, is described as "a good school where pupils are keen to learn" by inspectors
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walkers follow yellow brick roads
THE sun shone brightly on families who stepped out to raise money for a leading regional children's charity yesterday. The Children's Foundation held its Yellow Brick Road sponsored walk in the grounds of Beamish Museum, near Stanley, County Durham. Walkers
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Development plan may attract £5m from Europe
The Yorkshire coast's economy is in line for a major boost, with the prospect of more than £5m from Europe. Development plans drawn up for Scarborough and Filey envisage a potential £2.82m being allocated to the resorts, and £2.28m for the Whitby area
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Venture to help tourists to return
NATIONAL Park chiefs have unveiled a new venture, which they hope will help to tempt more tourists back to the Yorkshire Dales. The Bus n' Boots scheme overcomes some of the obstacles imposed to stamp out foot-and-mouth disease. Walkers can ride the mini-buses
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Football club to coach children
DURHAM City Football Club has launched coaching sessions for local schoolchildren who could be the supporters of the future. Manager Brian Honour and coach Chris Emerson are visiting primary schools to pass on valuable playing and training skills to the
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Pistol Pete bidding for five star show
Pete Sampras today launched the defence of his Wimbledon title in brilliant style. The American top seed thumped Spaniard Francisco Clavet 6-4 7-6 6-4 on the Centre Court. Sampras, 29, is setting out to equal Bjorn Borg's record of five singles crowns
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Divers take the drop for fund
DAREDEVILS experienced the ultimate adrenalin rush when they threw themselves off a platform 90ft in the air to raise money for charity. In a drive to raise money for the National Kidney Research Fund, volunteers took part in a scad dive at Hartlepool
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Sexy Homer's special protection
AMOROUS condor Homer has brought a whole new meaning to safe sex after his beak proved too much of a passion killer. Zoo staff were forced to take emergency measures after he started causing serious injuries to mating partner Marge by love-biting her
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Information tour hits the road
A ROADSHOW designed to inform people about the work of Richmondshire District Council starts its tour of the area tomorrow. The event, at Upper Wensleydale community office, in Hawes, will see staff answering questions and handing out leaflets, from 1pm
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Disabled man's compensation call after his 'holiday hell'
A CRIPPLED former Special Forces hero is demanding compensation from a holiday company after it failed to provide him with special facilities. Laurence Mason, 50, of Stockton, booked an Airtours family holiday in Majorca through Travel Deals Direct. Mr
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Parents' pride in Liberty star Michelle
THE parents of Popstars reject Michelle Heaton have spoken of their joy after she netted a £2.5m record deal. Michelle, 21, along with the four other finalists from the shows, has signed up to Richard Branson's V2 label after forming new group, Liberty
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Parents' pride in Liberty star Michelle
THE parents of Popstars reject Michelle Heaton have spoken of their joy after she netted a £2.5m record deal. Michelle, 21, along with the four other finalists from the shows, has signed up to Richard Branson's V2 label after forming new group, Liberty
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Mixed blessing for vet
LEADING lady veteran Sheila Allen collected a hat-trick of top titles yesterday - and then expressed her disappointment at not being able to take on the world's best over-40s in Australia next month. The 42-year-old Sunderland University cleaner won the
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Army enlisted by disability group
A DISABILITIES group has enlisted the help of the Army to ship two adapted buses to their counterparts in Russia. People who attend County Durham Care's Spennymoor Day Centre have raised £4,000 to cover the cost of renovating and transporting two former
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Bulger father calls for calm
THE father of murdered toddler James Bulger last night called for public "restraint" over the release of his son's killers. His plea came as Home Secretary David Blunkett admitted that Jon Venables and Robert Thompson could face real dangers when they
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All about worms
YOUNGSTERS at a Darlington primary school are to learn about the environment by building a wormery. Pupils at Mowden Infant School will be visited by environmental experts WasteWise to learn how to design and build a wormery in school. Deputy headteacher
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Letters
HEADGEAR BUS driver John Turnbull who was sacked for wearing his flat cap (Echo, June 16) raises important issues. A driver who is in his sixties can have need of headwear and a cap is fine with the fashion of the region, as long as it meets the style
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Teenager survives 25,000 volt charge
YOUNGSTERS have been warned to stay away from railway lines after a schoolboy survived an electric shock of 25,000 volts. Michael Ellison, 16, was recovering in hospital last night after he was left with burn holes to his scalp and forehead. His toes
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Future remains bright as Orange comes out top for the fourth time
TELECOMS firm Orange has come top in a customer satisfaction league for the fourth year running - thanks to its North-East workforce. Orange, which employs 5,500 staff at call centres in Darlington, County Durham, Peterlee, east Durham, and Tyneside,
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Residents' fears over cattery bid
UNCERTAINTY still surrounds the possibility of a cattery being created in a village. Plans to use a warehouse at the back of Middle Farm, Carlton, Teesside, as a boarding cattery have been submitted to Stockton Borough Council. The farm fronts the main
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Pick-up proves a tonic for volunteers
A NEW vehicle is helping conservation volunteers to greater efforts in North Yorkshire. A new pick-up that doubles as a personnel carrier and is, appropriately, coloured green, has been bought by Harrogate Borough Council with grant aid from the Countryside
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Odds and ends into instruments
ODDS and ends were music to the ears of Teesside youngsters, who used them to create percussion instruments for a performance. The children, from Park End, Berwick Hills and Pennyman schools, in Middlesbrough, worked with the local musicians' collective
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Anti-nuclear campaigner
AN ANTI-NUCLEAR campaigner is appearing in court today after taking part in a sit-down protest. Andrew Gray, 33, from Newcastle, was charged with causing a breach of the peace when he sat in front of the gates at the Royal Naval Armaments Depot at Coulport
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Closure for group created to develop play opportunities
A GROUP set up to expand and develop play opportunities in Guisborough is to close, despite an appeal for another play area. For the past four years, Guisborough Town Council has made the improvement of play provision in the town its top priority, with
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Think-tank slams Blair plans
A top left-wing think-tank today criticised Tony Blair's plans for increased public-private partnerships. The Institute for Public Policy Research said the private sector has a chequered history in delivering public health and education projects. Its
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Army called in to help ship out buses
A DISABILITIES group has enlisted the Army to help ship two adapted buses to Russia. People who attend County Durham Care's Spennymoor Day Centre have raised more than £4,000 to pay for the renovation and transport of two former county council buses to
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Vandals wreck play area revamp work
VANDALS are wrecking efforts to install equipment at a Ferryhill playing field. Workers are installing £25,000 of play equipment at the King George V field. But Jamie Corrigan, executive officer of Ferryhill Town Council, said: "There has been a group
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Mother's call for school first aid
A MOTHER has called for a review of first aid procedures in schools after her son was injured playing football. Richard Scott, of Bolton Close, in Newton Hall, Durham City, broke his arm during the lunch break at Framwellgate School. The 14-year-old was
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Residents' views sought on sports ground scheme
RESIDENTS are being urged to back a campaign to improve Yarm's ageing sporting facilities. Yarm Recreation Ground Trust was established in 1921 to provide facilities for the town's residents to play sport. Eighty years on it is launching a project to
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Police hunt for "Tex"
POLICE are hunting a cowboy who wears a Stetson and answers to the name of "Tex" following a vicious bar room brawl. The man, aged around 50, dresses like a wild west gunslinger, has long grey hair and a beard. He is wanted following a fracas at a pub
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Graduate named UK's top mentor
A NORTH-EAST graduate has been named the UK's top mentor after showing skill at coaching youngsters. Juanita Husbands, a Teesside University law graduate, is the first to attain the title from the National Mentoring Project. Launched by the Government
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Youth games a major attraction
HUNDREDS of youngsters took part in an action-packed day of sport and competition on Saturday. Representing the districts of Hartlepool, Stockton, Redcar and Cleveland and Middlesbrough, the Partnership Youth Games organised by Teesside Sport took place
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Henman off to a flier
Tim Henman today got his campaign to win Wimbledon for the first time off to a storming start. The British No1 hardly broke sweat as he stormed into the second round after thrashing Artem Derepasko, 21, in straight sets. Henman, 26, delighted his screaming
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Objectors allowed to have their say
DURHAM County Council is due to allow objectors to planning applications to speak at meetings. The council's planning committee will be recommended on Thursday to give applicants and objectors ten minutes each to state their views. They will also be asked
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Sexy Homer's special protection - for that condor moment
AMOROUS condor Homer has brought a whole new meaning to safe sex after his beak proved too much of a passion killer. Zoo staff were forced to take emergency measures after he started causing serious injuries to mating partner Marge by love-biting her
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Burning questions
WE have an ornament that has been in our family for years, of a man sitting on a tree stump holding an axe. He is four inches high and dressed in what looks like Georgian costume. I think it may be German or Dutch. Alongside him there is a basket, like
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Burning Questions
WE have an ornament that has been in our family for years, of a man sitting on a tree stump holding an axe. He is four inches high and dressed in what looks like Georgian costume. I think it may be German or Dutch. Alongside him there is a basket, like
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Bridging the past and the future
Millennium Bridge Move over darling, we're the capital of enterprise Innovation builds a future, before your very eyes Leads you on a historic walk, where two unite as one Long may it continue, region is exceedingly strong Eye-catching, blinking marvellous
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Company in top flight talks
DELEGATES from the international aerospace community will be in the North-East this week to discuss the latest fire-testing methods concerning aircraft materials safety. Darchem Engineering Ltd, Stillington, near Stockton is hosting the International
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Sports news from the Darlington & Stockton Times
The latest sports news from the Darlington & Stockton Times will be updated here every Friday. You can also read the latest farming news from the paper online in the farming section of this website. Opinion and Features can be found in our Features
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Beat bobby locked up - but it's all for a good cause
A FRIENDLY neighbourhood bobby was locked up over the weekend - and pelted with wet sponges. PC Kevin Woodcock, beat officer for Evenwood, near Bishop Auckland, County Durham, got a good soaking as he helped pupils, parents and teachers from the village
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Swiss roll for Ahl
Lucie Ahl today became the first British casualty of Wimbledon after being crushed 6-4 6-1 by Emmanuelle Gagliardi. Ahl, the British No2, lasted just one and a half hours into the tournament before being dismissed by the Swiss ace. Victory for the 26-
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Nursing home plans rejected
COUNCILLORS have rejected plans for a private nursing home near a busy Durham shopping area. Horizon Care Homes wanted to build the 44-bed home on land behind Front Street, Framwellgate Moor, Durham. Durham City Council's development control committee
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carnival a success despite parade diversion
JAZZ bands and floats added to the carnival atmosphere in the streets of Willington at the weekend. But the procession was marred by not being allowed along the main street, said organiser Christina Jackson. Mrs Jackson, a member of the Willington Community
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News from the Darlington & Stockton Times
The latest news from the Darlington & Stockton Times will be updated here every Friday. You can also read the latest farming news from the paper online in the farming section of this website. Opinion and Features can be found in our Features section
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School opened by rugby star
A NEW Stockton primary school has been opened yesterday by former England Rugby Union international player Rob Andrew. Oak Tree Primary School was created by joining Newtown Infant and Junior schools and the new building has been refurbished and extra
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Youngsters triumph in safety quiz
SAFETY-conscious children have been named champions in a borough-wide quiz. Youngsters from St Mary's RC Primary School, in Grangetown, triumphed in a road safety quiz organised by Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council. The winning team, made up of Clare
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No let-up vow by police chief as figures show cut in crime
POLICE chiefs have hailed a big drop in the number of burglaries and violent crimes throughout North Yorkshire. Significant reductions in these offences were the main features to emerge from new statistics, which show that there were 2,003 fewer crimes
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Fears fuel Kluivert approach
NEWCASTLE United's fears over the future of Alan Shearer have been underlined by an audacious approach for Barcelona's superstar striker Patrick Kluivert. Skipper Shearer, who underwent a make-or-break operation in May to cure niggling tendinitis in his
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dragon boat racers paddle up funds for guide dogs for blind
DRAGONS breathed life into a fundraising event staged on the River Tees at the weekend. Fifteen teams from businesses around the region took to the river at Stockton, on Saturday, to take part in dragon boat racing to raise money for the Guide Dogs for
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Norwegian fliers visit unit's birthplace
MILITARY pilots and aircrew from Scandinavia visited the birthplace of their unit, at Europe's biggest army base. Members of 332 Squadron Royal Norwegian Air Force travelled to Marne Barracks, at Catterick. Although now an army base, it was known as RAF
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Action plan for nature sites
COUNCIL chiefs are to map out a strategy for two wildlife sites in Darlington. They aim to set up groups to oversee improvement works to the Brankin Moor nature area, near the new Darlington football stadium, and Brinkburn Pond. Brinkburn Pond, which
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Helicopter rescue as man goes overboard
A MAN was plucked from the North Sea after he fell overboard from a pleasure craft off the Northumberland coast. The man's wife raised the alarm and the Newbiggin-by-the-Sea Lifeboat and the rescue helicopter from RAF Boulmer were scrambled. He was pulled
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School wins praise from watchdogs
A village school operating in cramped conditions with 76 pupils has been praised by Ofsted for its high standards. The education watchdog says North Rigton Chuch of England Primary School, near Harrogate, has a "very good" quality of teaching. Since being
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Spy double to open region's fun day
PEOPLE in Stanley town centre will be shaken, not stirred, by an annual fun day with an exciting new theme. James Bond 007 look-a-like Nick Richmond will no doubt ooze danger and sex appeal as he declares the Stanley Annual Fun Day for The Cancer Research
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Doubt over rail firm's claim for pay-out
TRAIN operator GNER's bid for compensation following the winter rail chaos was in doubt last night after it emerged that it used a collapsed insurance company. GNER, which runs the East Coast main line between London and Edinburgh, intends to pursue Independent
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Fishermen call up Jaws to sink seals menace
Fishermen have found a bizarre way of preventing seals from devastating their catches - inflatable sharks. The blow-up Jaws lookalikes, which act like aquatic scarecrows, can now be seen along the North Yorkshire coast. Trawlermen claim the amount of
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Contestant's MTV hope
BIG Brother contestant Narinder Kaur hopes the exposure she gained on the TV programme will launch her career on the MTV music channel. The 28-year-old former Bollywood actress, raised in Killingworth, North Tyneside, is the third person to be evicted
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Contestant's MTV hope
BIG Brother contestant Narinder Kaur hopes the exposure she gained on the TV programme will launch her career on the MTV music channel. The 28-year-old former Bollywood actress, raised in Killingworth, North Tyneside, is the third person to be evicted
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Alarm at family doctors shortage
PATIENTS could face longer waits to see their doctor unless urgent action is taken to boost the number of GPs in the region. Doctors say that efforts to increase GP numbers are failing to keep pace with resignations and retirements. A senior GP warned
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Tennis serves up homes
CONSERVATIONISTS are hoping an endangered species of mouse will play ball in the North-East - with some help from Wimbledon. Some of the 36,000 tennis balls used during the tournament, which starts today, have been earmarked for the Northumberland countryside
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Children turning to soccer to kick habit
CHILDREN were encouraged to swap cigarettes for sport in an anti-smoking event at a football club Middlesbrough Football Club has teamed up with Teesside Health Action Zone to organise four football tournament days at the Cellnet Stadium, of which yesterday's
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Firefighters find pensioner dead in flat kitchen
FIREFIGHTERS called to a pensioner's flat after the smoke alarm went off found a man dead in the kitchen. Two crews went to the warden-controlled flat in Newlands Road East, Northlea, Seaham, County Durham, yesterday morning. They broke in when they got
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Debt problems on the increase
THE number of people seeking help with debt problems on the Yorkshire coast has soared, according to the local Citizen's Advice Bureau (CAB). Marie Galloway, manager of the Scarborough and Whitby CAB, says in its annual report that staff dealt with 16,533
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Witness appeal after car crash
POLICE are appealing for witnesses to an accident that left a woman with serious back injuries. She was driving a car which left the road and hit a wooden fence, on Saturday morning. The woman, from Durham, was taken to the city's University Hospital
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Funeral pyre ash will be shifted to landfill site
ASH from a mass foot-and-mouth funeral pyre will be stored on Teesside before being shipped out of the region. Specialist contractors wearing protective clothing and special helmets are expected to start work this week digging up ash from the former burning
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Farewell for Carson
Willie Carson was on Saturday back in the Ascot winner's circle he visited so regularly as a jockey. Carson took time out from his duties as a BBC presenter to watch Muja Farewell, whom he bred and owns in partnership, in the Palan Handicap. And the former
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Railway on right track to reopen
VOLUNTEER railway enthusiasts have reached a landmark agreement to pave the way to reopen a branch line to passengers for the first time in nearly 50 years. Wensleydale Railway plc has completed negotiations with Railtrack to take over the 22-mile stretch
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Scheme to replace house with flats opposed
COUNCILLORS are being asked to refuse plans to demolish a two-storey detached house and replace it with a three-storey building housing 12 apartments. The proposal to knock down Virginia Lodge, on Darlington Lane, Stockton, which is set in its own grounds
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Battling Bradford crowned Masters
RADFORD City veterans were last night crowned Northern Masters champions - as the over-35s proved they still have plenty of ability, despite the advancing years, thinning hair and expanding waistlines. There was plenty of talent on show in the four team
