Archive
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Man to face court over river pool tragedy
A 26-YEAR-OLD man has been charged with the manslaughter of a foundry worker found face down in a river pool nearly a month ago. Detectives had been waiting to speak to the man since he was found unconscious in the same pool as the dead man - Michael
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Goalie nets £20,000 for pitch mark burns
AN international goalkeeper, who has played for three North-East clubs, has won £20,000 damages after suffering "horrific" burns when he dived to make a save. In what is believed to be the first case of its kind in Britain, former Sunderland, Middlesbrough
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Price of pub brawl
A SENIOR care assistant has been ordered to pay compensation after hurling beer at a barmaid, which sparked a mass pub brawl. Susan Short was left with a cut to her face after the incident on October 15, last year, at the Cauld Lad, in Hylton Castle.
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Pilot in hospital after plane hits cables
AN amateur flyer was recovering last night after a lucky escape when his microlight aircraft hit a power cable and crashed in a field. The 36-year-old man, who was said to be an experienced pilot, suffered only minor injuries in the incident. He was cut
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Turbo Genset swallows up IPS
ELECTRONICS systems firm Intelligent Power Systems has been snapped up by The Turbo Genset Company in a £1.5m deal. IPS, of Gateshead, designs and builds power electronic systems, including high-voltage power supplies for lasers, film and television set-lighting
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Toddler drowns
A toddler has died after falling into a garden pond. The 18-month-old boy was taken to hospital after being pulled from the pool in Thornaby, Teesside. He was later confirmed dead at North Tees General Hospital. Updated : 11:45, Thursday 5th July
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Massive surge in recruits at call centres
THE traditional image of counter clerks and telephonists in the British workplace is being wiped out by a boom in call centres, a study has revealed. Figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed that the number of call centre jobs
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Tourists spared airport misery
THOUSANDS of tourists have been spared further holiday misery after Spanish coach drivers called off strike action. Flights are finally getting back to normal at Teesside and Newcastle airports after the 72-hour strike by coach drivers. There were fears
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Youngsters give it some stick for children's art day
BOBBIES got on their bikes to raise £3,000 for a good cause in a marathon ride. A team of 12 Cleveland Police officers and their friends embarked on the 100-mile Coast-to-Coast ride to help fund treatment for eight-year-old Katie Rawson. Among the participants
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Forgotten works of composer march on
THE forgotten works of a renowned North-East composer have been collected together and recorded for the first time. Shildon-born George Allan is regarded as one of the greatest composers of marches for brass bands. His marches, many of which were composed
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Rail battle to end in court
THE battle to run the East Coast Mainline could end in the courts after both rival bidders threatened legal action if they run out the losers. A decision on who has won the franchise is expected within the next few weeks, with existing operator GNER strongly
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Getting to the match on time proved a mission impossible
WHAT with the Sunderland Stadium Of Light and the National Glass Centre being built in the city within the last five years or so, you would be forgiven for thinking they are trying to lighten up on the banks of the Wear. Perhaps it is the "sun" element
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Public to have say on second tunnel
THE public will have the chance to have their say over proposals for the second Tyne Tunnel next week. Plans for the new £120m river crossing, which will run alongside the existing tunnel, are to be displayed at a series of community exhibitions. Staff
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Firefighter praised for grabbing mugger
AN off-duty firefighter who chased a serial handbag snatcher was commended for his bravery yesterday. Ian Williams chased Mark Thomas Pain in his car after he saw him involved in an attempted robbery in January this year. Pain, 21, of Elsmere Walk, Pallister
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3,000 jobs boost at Dixons and Asda
RETAILERS Dixons and Asda plan to create more than 3,000 jobs between them over the next year. Dixons will create 1,300 jobs at existing and new stores, including 120 in the North-East. Meanwhile Asda plans to take on 2,000 full and part-time staff over
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£2m school hailed as milestone for estate
THE regeneration of a rundown council estate has moved a step closer to reality. Darlington Borough Council has submitted an outline planning application for a £2m junior school to provide the centrepiece in the regeneration of the town's Firth Moor Estate
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Vardy feels the pinch in price battle
CAR dealership Reg Vardy has been hit by customer concern about the high prices of new cars in the UK. The Sunderland-based business said it had suffered a "very uncertain trading environment", as people held off buying cars in the UK, and sought cheaper
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Plastic gun brother was playing cowboy game
A MAN playing cowboys and Indians with a plastic toy pistol and his ten-year-old brother in their garden was arrested by armed police, a court heard yesterday. Stewart Philip Elve, 24, of Miner's Crescent, Darlington, is standing trial at Teesside Crown
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RR looks to bigger cut of the market
FABRICATION firm RR Engineering is planning to break into new markets after buying the first of a new generation of laser cutting machinery. RR Engineering in Scarborough is looking to expand after buying a £300,000, Japanese-made Mazak STX Mark II computer
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No Secret in return to winning ways
MAINTAINING a comprehensive record of handicap ratings and their movements up and down the scale is a crucial part of any successful tipster's armoury. Haydock-bound Secret Conquest (2.40) is a classic case in point. On Saturday I advised readers of this
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Football coaching offered to children
YOUNG footballers can improve their soccer skills at summer holiday coaching courses run by Sunderland AFC. The club's team of FA-approved coaches will be touring the North-East. The fee for the courses, for children aged up to 14, is £12, or £10 for
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Blood disease hardship fund row
HAEMOPHILIA campaigners have rejected moves to tone down their demand for redress over a deadly infection. The national Haemophilia Society has revealed it is to ask the Government to set up a hardship fund for people who have contracted hepatitis C through
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Tributes to brave family man
TRIBUTES have been paid to a devoted family man and university manager who died following an eight month battle with a rare form of cancer. Steve Johnson, 38, died at the end of last month after bravely fighting a pelvic cancer that attacks the muscles
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Dragon roars for North trio
A GROUP of rowers from the region are preparing to represent their country in a 2,000-year-old sport. Lenny Webb and Allyson Smith, both of Middlesbrough, and Sharon Whitton, of Hartlepool, are representing Great Britain in Philadelphia, US, in the world
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Yards' future looks bleak as 71 paid off
THE future of a North-East ship repair yard looks increasingly bleak after a dozen more workers were laid off. Yesterday, PricewaterhouseCooper, receivers for Cammell Laird, announced another 71 redundancies at the company's three sites at Birkenhead,
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Spruce-up for moor nears completion
A PROJECT to renovate Hartlepool's Town Moor will soon be finished. The work should end in three weeks' time, and will see the moor's crumbling footpaths resurfaced. There will also be Victorian-style railings on the side of the moor facing the sea, to
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Road scheme attacked
TEESSIDE Green Party has joined the debate about the proposed east Middlesbrough transport corridor. The party says the rail link from Nunthorpe to Middlesbrough is under-used, and proposals for a road in the Ormesby Beck Valley "deeply flawed". A party
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Take a clothes peg and create a showpiece . . .
THE latest exhibition at a Newcastle art gallery will develop during the summer with the help of visitors. Forming Attachments is an exhibition at the Laing Art Gallery where visitors can work with artist in residence, Tanya Axford, to create sculptures
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Noise warning from RAF base to residents
PEOPLE living near RAF Leeming are being warned of possible disturbances from unusual air and ground activity this month. Tornado F3s from XI (Fighter) Squadron will be setting off for Alaska this weekend to take part in an exercise. Because of limitations
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Invitation to transport forum
THERE are still a few places left at a sustainable and green transport forum this weekend. The LA21 Community Action Forum event will start at 10am, on Saturday, at Craghead Village Hall, near Stanley. It will be an opportunity to find out more about
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Phew, what a scorcher!
THOSE lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer, when we could bask in the sun without fear of developing skin cancer and when the pollen was to be enjoyed for its fragrance, not detested for its allergic menace. What ever happened to those good old days? It seems
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Theatre hosts Hungarian dance band
TRADITIONAL Hungarian song and dance will come to County Durham today. Folk group Jaszagi will give two performances to 1,100 primary pupils, at the Empire Theatre, Consett. They will then be joined by dancers and 40 young brass musicians for a public
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Another disaster for Newcastle
I HAVE never seen anything like Bobby Robson's press conference at Newcastle United on Tuesday. It was an extraordinary performance - one, despite my respect and admiration for Mr Robson, I suspect he will come to regret. He summoned the reporters to
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Another disaster for Newcastle
I HAVE never seen anything like Bobby Robson's press conference at Newcastle United on Tuesday. It was an extraordinary performance - one, despite my respect and admiration for Mr Robson, I suspect he will come to regret. He summoned the reporters to
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Cycling bobbies go coast to coast for Katie
A GROUP of schoolchildren from Middlesbrough have been turning giant canes into artwork, as part of National Children's Art Day. The youngsters, from Keldholme and Coulby Newham schools, have been working with artist Lee Dalby, yesterday and today, to
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Overflowing with milk and honey
OFFICIAL opening time again, on this glad-handed occasion at Ramshaw - one street, two pubs, a clearly cared-for chapel and now a £54,000 community garden and play area. Someone from a fancy Newcastle public relations firm had even prepared a press release
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Overflowing with milk and honey
OFFICIAL opening time again, on this glad-handed occasion at Ramshaw - one street, two pubs, a clearly cared-for chapel and now a £54,000 community garden and play area. Someone from a fancy Newcastle public relations firm had even prepared a press release
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Four deaths in 27 days - and questions still remain
FOUR deaths in the space of 27 days in the late summer of 1975 sparked a furore that left countless questions unanswered. Now, 26 years later, they are the subject of a major police investigation. The deaths occurred at the psychiatric unit of Darlington
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Youngsters rewarded for good citizenship
TWO hundred schoolchildren have become better citizens, thanks to an initiative from a football club. The youngsters were the first to complete the Shining Through project, launched last year by Sunderland AFC with Durham County Council. They received
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Farmers get video reminder of disease
FARMERS are being sent videos on foot-and-mouth precautions amid fears they are unwittingly prolonging the epidemic. The 14-minute film covers basic measures to prevent the spread of the disease, as well as how to check livestock for signs of illness,
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Supermarket cash boost for social club
A SOCIAL club for people with learning disabilities has been given an £1,800 gift from supermarket chain Somerfield. The Bishop Auckland Gateway Club has 55 members and is based at King James I Community Association. It has a junior section which meets
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Ken and Anita are dream Wynners
A WOMAN who repeatedly dreamed that her Lottery numbers had come up has won a £3.6m jackpot. Anita Wynne, 46, from Darlington, has had a recurring dream for the past few months that one of her usual eight lines had hit the jackpot. On Sunday when she
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Mystery deepens over 1975 tragedy
A FRESH investigation into an horrific hospital death 26 years ago has turned into a major police inquiry, The Northern Echo can reveal. Jonathan Longstaff, was one of four patients who died within 27 days of each other in the summer of 1975. Mr Longstaff
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Henman's pledge
Tim Henman today bellowed - I'm going to win Wimbledon. The super Brit set up a semi-final showdown with Goran Ivanisevic tomorrow by beating Swiss star Roger Federer 7-5 7-6 2-6 7-6. Sixth seed Henman, 26, said: "It's very satisfying to get the job done
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Plea for lorry after gala suffers setback
TIME is running out for organisers of the first Ferryhill Gala to find a stage for entertainers to perform on. The centrepiece of the two-day community event, which takes place on August 11 and 12, will be a series of performances by local bands. The
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School shows off its new building
STAFF at a school destroyed in an arson attack earlier this year have invited parents and friends to look round their new building. Hardwick Primary School, in Sedgefield, was damaged by the fire in January and children had to be taught at various locations
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Hilton family checks in for reunion
HISTORY came full circle yesterday with a reunion of the descendants of a North-East family which played a key role in the founding of the US. More than 50 distant cousins of the Hilton family, from the US and Canada, returned to their roots at Hylton
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Lucky lobsters survive the pot
A PIONEERING effort to ensure fishermen a future is giving thousands of lobsters a new chance of life - by returning them to the sea. Live egg-bearing females are escaping the pot by being taken out to sea and released back into their natural habitat.
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Four arrested after robbers wield bats to take club cash
FOUR men have been arrested after a robbery outside a workingmen's club by raiders wielding baseball bats. Three committee members from New Durham Workingmen's Club were taking two bags of cash to the bank, on Tuesday morning, when they were ambushed
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Skilled workers shortage hits auto manufacturers
A six-month survey of more than 200 UK automotive sector firms has identified potentially damaging shortages of staff. The businesses surveyed, including 50 in the North-East, employ more than 17,000 staff. They identified shortages in engineering and
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Foot-and-mouth in the Vale of York
The first outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease has been confirmed in the Vale of York yesterday at Kirby Knowle, near Thirsk. Nearly 200 cattle and 2000 sheep will have to be slaughtered. Local Tory MP Anne McIntosh said: "This is news we have all been
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Firm denies redundancies speculation
ENGINE manufacturer Cummins acted last night to reassure staff that they are not facing compulsory redundancies. Cummins, which employs more than 800 in Darlington, County Durham, said earlier this year it was looking for about 30 staff to leave the company
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Voicing fears over threat to world peace
UNTIL recently, there was a peace camp outside the secret US spy base at Menwith Hill, where veterans of Greenham Common gathered to alert the world to global domination by the US military. Few really bothered to listen to what they were saying. But perhaps
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'Birth blunder' girl in line for massive payout
AN 11-year-old girl, left desperately disabled by medical blunders during her hospital birth, has won the right to massive compensation. Laura Anne Smith will never be able to look after herself after her mother, who was just 19 at the time, was given
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Speeding driver 'could have hurt youngsters'
A MAN sparked a police chase through streets as young children played at the roadside. Stephen Winthrop, 26, was spotted by officers speeding along High Lane Row, Hebburn, Tyneside, and accelerated when he realised that he was being followed. Newcastle
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Hear All Sides
Letters from The Northern Echo HELEN QUICK WITH regard to the sad case of headmistress Helen Quick, isn't it about time that the practice of publishing the league tables is abolished? SATS are meant to be a measure of a child's progress through his/her
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Ex-police special locked up for Ecstasy offences
A FORMER special police constable was jailed for six years yesterday after a court heard he was caught dealing in the potentially-fatal drug, Ecstasy. York Crown Court was told that Philip Steele, earned almost £16,000 through drug dealing. Steele, 33
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Cargo set to roll through port again
CARGO could soon be passing through a North Yorkshire fishing port, which lost its links with the trade last year. Scarborough Borough Council has agreed the try out a new operating arrangement for Whitby - and there are hopes that a deal with a new customer
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Bus bother
THOUSANDS of parents have been warned that their sons or daughters may not get a free bus to and from school. More than 10,000 parents received a letter this week from Darlington's education boss Geoffrey Pennington. He warned of cuts to free school transport
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Crack squad signs up detective
A DETECTIVE who has led a string of high-profile investigations is set to become one half of a crack murder squad. Detective Superintendent Mark Braithwaite, the town's crime manager for the last three years, is leaving Hartlepool to take up a new senior
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Celebrated pianist returns to North-East
INTERNATIONAL concert pianist William Fong will be touring the North-East this month. William, who was born in the US, but was brought up in Durham, will return to the region for a series of concerts and masterclasses. The masterclasses, which are aimed
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pondlife celebrated on new set of stamps
FROGS, beetles, fish and dragonflies can be found in ponds across the country - and soon people will find them on their mail through a new set of stamps. The stamps feature pondlife and aim to celebrate Britain's fascination with ponds and their environmental
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Organs of holiday death dad removed
ORGANS were taken from the body of an engineer who died during a Mediterranean holiday. The body of Keith Miller, 32, was returned to his family in Tunstall, Sunderland, after his death in Ibiza on June 6. But his heart, lungs, kidneys and liver are still
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Anger at farce of spy base invasion
AN MP is calling for an urgent review of security at a US spy base in North Yorkshire following the ease with which Greenpeace protestors took over the top secret site. Phil Willis, Liberal Democrat MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, said most people
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Williams next for hero Henin
Justine Henin will meet Venus Williams in the Ladies' Singles final after beating Jennifer Capriati in three sets on centre court today. Eighth seed Henin didn't make the best of starts with Capriati claiming the first set, 6-2 but the teenager's reply
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Skipper Shearer on the comeback trail
NEWCASTLE United boss Bobby Robson suspects skipper Alan Shearer has defied doctors orders in a determined effort to speed up his recovery from make-or-break knee surgery. Quick-healer Shearer, who has confounded medical opinion down the years with rapid
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Get on the history trail
Local historians Cath and Tony Lynn are presenting a series of walks around Saltburn, looking at the 140-year-old town's development. The two-hour walks include a ride on the cliff lift, and a 25 per cent discount at the Saltburn Smugglers Heritage Centre
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Family terrified after pony is attacked
A FAMILY feared for their lives when they witnessed a stallion savagely attacking a pony. Graham Chalk and his family were walking on a footpath just outside Bishop Auckland, County Durham, when they noticed a badly injured pony. Moments later, the large
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284 jobs still in balance
SANYO bosses last night said it was too early to speculate on the outcome of talks over the future of more than 300 threatened jobs. The company announced last week that it was entering a consultation process ahead of the possible closure of its plants
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Boro in the clear to step up move for Southgate
LIVERPOOL have cooled their interest in Aston Villa's Gareth Southgate, seemingly leaving the way clear for Middlesbrough boss Steve McClaren to intensify his efforts to land the England defender. With Anfield target Sol Campbell making a controversial
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Comment from The Northern Echo - Strong case for welfare reform
THE outrage which has greeted the Government's plans for regular medical checks on disabled people is not unexpected. Critics automatically assume such reforms will equate to cuts in benefits payments. If the Government's sole intention was to cut the
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Aerial crimebusters make debut
AN unusual police flying squad will be dropping into a football tournament at the weekend. Durham Constabulary's newly-formed parachute display team will make its first official jump on Sunday to launch an international under-16 soccer tournament. The
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Murder hunt continues
POLICE investigating the death of a father shot dead at his office desk have made a fresh appeal for information three years on. Businessman Stephen Sweeney's body was found by his partner and seven-year-old daughter at his Gateshead upholstery factory
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Volunteers urged to report for weekend beach clean-up
VOLUNTEERS are being urged to support two beach clean-ups this weekend. Project workers at North Yorkshire and Cleveland Heritage Coast are appealing for help with work at Staithes and Runswick Bay. The clean-ups are part of a major conservation initiative
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Phones work offer was just an empty promise
THE promise of providing beleaguered North-East steelworkers with hi-tech jobs has proved to be empty. On Valentine's Day this year, as union leaders prepared to meet Corus bosses following its decision to axe more than 6,000 jobs nationwide - including
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Warning after residents are duped by cash prizes promise
TRADING standards chiefs in Darlington have issued a warning over foreign companies promising big cash awards which fail to materialise. Scores of complaints have been received from residents in the town who have received mailshots telling them they have
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Reynolds splashes out to sign Conlon
DARLINGTON chairman George Reynolds yesterday paid his "biggest ever" transfer fee to bring York striker Barry Conlon to Feethams. Quakers have been tracking the promising 22-year-old Irishman since the end of last season, when he turned down an offer
