Archive
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Fishermen are rescued after engine failure
THREE North-East fishermen had to be rescued when the engine of their boat failed three miles off the east Cleveland coast. The drama began shortly before 7am yesterday when the engine of the locally-registered vessel, Dawn Raider, failed. Humber Coastguard
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Line up of the usual suspects
SANTA Claus is coming to town - or, to be more precise, taking over the town. For years, Chester-le-Street, in County Durham, has had barely a limp stocking from the jolly Laplander, but now, thanks to a local appeal, the town has so many Santas that
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Children learn of soldiers' brave battles
THE grandson of a First World War casualty will recreate life in the trenches for students today. Infantryman James Condon, whose story will be told to pupils at Sunnydale School, Shildon, was one of thousands of soldiers to perish on the battlefields
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What's hot and what's not
What's hot THE SWEENEY: She's everywhere - presenting Saturday evening prime time shows, taking the hotseat with Graham Norton, and now she's taken the lead role in the West End's best selling musical Chicago. Claire Sweeney made the most of her time
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Partnership aims to boost number of child carers
MEN in Hartlepool are being challenged to reveal their caring side, by carving out a career in childcare. Hartlepool's Early Years partnership is aiming to boost the ranks of the town's child carers, and is hoping to recruit more men. It is also hoped
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Action plan for Christmas care
SOCIAL services chiefs in County Durham have drawn up an emergency action plan for the festive period. Services will be limited over the holidays, but officials aim to ensure that prompt and effective action is taken in emergencies. These situations include
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No Cup glamour for the Quakers
DARLINGTON'S reward for their victory over Altrincham in the second round of the FA Cup, was a far from glamorous replay of the Division Three play-off final of 2000, with Peterborough heading to Feethams on the weekend of January 5. In a far from exciting
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Record numbers take to ice
HUNDREDS of people are skating on thin ice - and enjoying every minute of it. People have been giving anything but a cold shoulder to Middlesbrough's big Christmas attraction - a temporary, outdoor ice rink that is making a return visit to the town centre
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Couple lucky to be alive as blast leaves house facing demolition
FIREFIGHTERS said a couple were fortunate to escape with their lives after a gas explosion left their home in ruins. The blast hurled 30-year-old mother-of-three Marie Johnson through the ground floor front window and into the garden of her home in Eamont
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Police warning follows theft of doctor's drugs
POLICE are warning that drugs stolen from a doctor's car are dangerous. The silver-coloured case of controlled drugs was taken from the boot of an on-call doctor's car, parked next to the Derwent Walk Inn, Ebchester Bank, near Consett. The theft took
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Christmas spirit brings festive cheer
A hospital got in the festive spirit when it held its Christmas bazaar. Centuries-old Sherburn Hospital, which is a few miles from Durham and is now a residential home, opened its doors to the public to offer some seasonal cheer. The event had stalls,
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Creditors meet over axed arts complex
A MEETING is to be held this morning for creditors of the failed Arc centre at Stockton. The controversial £9.5m arts centre was closed last month after operating for little more than two years. It went into liquidation after a rescue plea for £280,000
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Farming couple bid to end year on a high note
AFTER a horrendous year for farmers, Mark and Jane Gray are hoping the festive season will bring some cheer. Three years ago, they diversified and began selling freshly-cut County Durham-grown Christmas trees from the side of the A691, near their farm
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Amy's card proves tops
A NORTH-EAST teenager's Christmas card designs are to be sold throughout the UK for charity. Amy Pattison, 14, of Stockton, Teesside, designed a Christmas card with a camel design as part of a WH Smith competition involving hundreds of children. Her prize
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Call for rural overhaul
THE countryside's image needs a major makeover in the wake of foot-and-mouth, a landowner's leader has urged. The North-East branch of the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) will give evidence next year when Northumberland County Council holds
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Go-ahead urged for park-ride scheme
A scheme designed to ease traffic congestion in a North-East city is likely to take a step forward this week. Durham county councillors will be recommended on Thursday to grant planning permission for a park-and-ride complex at Belmont, on the outskirts
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12 injured as double-decker bus hits bridge
TWELVE people were injured this morning when a double-decker bus hit a railway bridge, slicing off the vehicle's roof. The bus was carrying 56 passengers when it struck the bridge at Metal Bridge, near Spennymoor in County Durham. All of the injured were
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A tale of electric rivalry
Q: ALISTAIR Cooke, in his Letter from America, said that Thomas Edison invented the electric light bulb. I understood that it was Sir Joseph Swan of Newcastle. - Mary Ellery, Peterlee. A: AMERICA'S Thomas Edison (1847-1931) was one of the greatest inventive
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Loyalty rewarded with dividend payment
THOUSANDS of North-East shoppers have been given a cash boost as they raid their wallets and purses to pay for Christmas. The North-Eastern and Cumbrian Co-op is paying out £2.9m in dividend payments to regular customers who have the "divi" card. Nationally
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Display revives Meccano magic
FANS of one the world's most enduring toys inspired children and adults with fabulous and far-fetched creations at the weekend. On Saturday, the North-East Meccano Society's display got even more children and adults hooked on the model-making toy. The
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The Monday Poem
Hollow Laughter Oh Moses, oh Moses! Whatever did I do, When I parted the Red Sea and let the tribes pass through? I look with undisguised dismay upon the tortured world, Where has love and patience gone? Who listens to my word? When all goes well I hear
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North-East name on Nobel roll of honour
WHEN Kofi Annan, secretary general of the United Nations, collects his joint Nobel Peace Prize today, 100 years since the first award was made, he will join an illustrious list of the great and the good. Among them is ex-foreign secretary and former Mayor
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Benefits ruling angers pitman
A FORMER miner with a heart problem has hit out at officials after they declared him fit for work. James Handy, 43, suffers from unstable angina - a narrowing of the arteries - and diabetes. He also has trouble walking. But the Benefits Agency decided
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Cricketer was bowled over by maiden
HE has been honoured by the Queen, but Tom Moffat's proudest moment came on Saturday. Celebrating his golden wedding with wife Nancy, he said his achievements would have been impossible without her by his side. Married on December 8, 1951 at St Paul's
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Help for youngsters to get on their bikes
A NORTH Yorkshire estate is helping to give local children more drive - quite literally. Zetland Estates has teamed up with Richmond School and the Rural Area Motor Project (Ramp) to help youngsters gain their Bridge Project Youth Achievement Awards.
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Vote for your sports favourite
WEB users can log on to vote for Darlington's young sports person of the year. Throughout the year the scheme, run by Orange, awards young sports people who have achieved great things in their chosen field. The winners have been entered into the final
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Surviving sextuplets ready to go home to their parents
FIVE babies born to a Libyan couple studying in the North-East are expected to leave hospital this week. Expert medical care at the Royal Victoria Infirmary, in Newcastle, saved the lives of five of the six children born to Jamal Abuhelfaia and his wife
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Education centre opens
AN education centre for nursery age children will be opened in Sunderland tomorrow. The £250,000 Early Years Centre, at Pennywell, has been created through the amalgamation of the estate's social services-run nursery and a community nursery. It brings
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Beaten Mowden need time to take stock
THE league table does not lie and while comfortably beating most of the sides below them, Mowden Park have now lost to all three teams above them in National Three North. While defeat is always disappointing, especially after three years of outstanding
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Quakers in luck again as Altrincham tamed
There was never much doubting the outcome of Darlington's FA Cup tie on Saturday as Quakers deservedly saw off the challenge of a team two divisions below them. But, as in the first round success at Kidderminster Harriers three weeks ago, Darlington were
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With this ring I thee wet . . .
CLUMSY cupid Paul Carr is £600 out of pocket after he popped the question to his sweetheart - then dropped the ring into a river. Paul, 19, thought it would be romantic to ask girlfriend Carly De Silva to marry him on the Millennium Bridge across the
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Husbands get the bird for festive carving
BLOKES are complete turkeys when it comes to carving the traditional Christmas bird. While the country's menfolk reckon they have a heart surgeon's touch with the knife, their better halves think otherwise. At least that is the claim of Sainsbury's, which
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Share recipe for traditional Christmas
A PUB landlord is looking for local traditions to make Christmas extra special this year. Sam Kidd, of the Old Farmhouse between Darlington and Middleton St George, is asking customers to share their family recipes, decorations and superstitions. The
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Display revives Meccano magic
FANS of one the world's most enduring toys inspired children and adults with fabulous and far-fetched creations at the weekend. On Saturday, the North-East Meccano Society's display got even more children and adults hooked on the model-making toy. The
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Signs of recovery in dale hit by virus
The beauty spot of Farndale may boast some of North Yorkshire's finest scenery, but this year has been one of the worst on record for business. Now, however, there are signs of a recovery, with two of its best known tourism enterprises - The Daffy Caffy
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Concern over junction delay
A VILLAGE is hoping for tidings of great joy in time for Christmas. For decades, the long-suffering residents of Longnewton, near Stockton, have had increasing road safety concerns over lorries taking a short-cut to Teesside International Airport through
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Dyer returns in triumph as Solano bags winner
KIERON Dyer made his return to action at Ipswich Town - but Newcastle United hardly needed him. The 22-year-old, who has been out since February, came off the bench for the last ten minutes at Portman Road - purely for the task of helping the visitors
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Booking disappoints Robson
NEWCASTLE United manager Bobby Robson last night questioned referee Rob Styles' decision to show a yellow card to winger Laurent Robert. The booking handed out to Robert was his fifth of the season and he will now miss the clash with Middlesbrough on
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Health fears over UK plane-spotters
FEARS have been raised about the health of a group of British plane-spotters being held in Greek jails on suspicion of spying. The father of one of the 12 people detained said many of the group had been struck down by a stomach bug for which they were
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Outrage at shamed officer's £500,000
A POLICE force has been accused of double standards on drink-driving after a disgraced detective received a golden goodbye worth almost half a million pounds. Last week, Home Secretary David Blunkett announced moves to tackle a "sickness culture" in the
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Public to take part in council wards review
CHANGES to the wards covered by councillors in east Cleveland could be on the way. The Local Government Commission for England is reviewing arrangements operating in Redcar and Cleveland, and the review aims to ensure every councillor in Redcar and Cleveland
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Howard's way leaves Turner pondering sale
STEVE Howard is the one that got away from Chris Turner. When Turner took over at Hartlepool in February 1999, he rued the sale of Howard which was completed hours before taking control. On Saturday he showed just why Turner's judgement was spot on as
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Promotion-chasing Darlington back in the hunt
DARLINGTON are back on the promotion trail in North One after sneaking an 18-15 win at West Park St Helens, while other results went in their favour. At the other end of the table, Middlesbrough eased their relegation worries with an excellent 25-20 win
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Youngsters give shop a festive air
A MUSIC shop has enlisted the help of some young artists to mark the festive season. The children from Ferndene Lodge day nursery and Elm Ridge pre-school nursery, in Darlington, were invited to decorate the windows of George Gladstone's Ltd, wood and
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Cash on offer to renovate property
THOUSANDS of pounds of regeneration cash could soon be flowing in to enhance the centre of a North Yorkshire market town. Bedale is poised to take advantage of a scheme that could see improvements to many of the older buildings within the conservation
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Rosie delivers christmas message to Santa - in person
IT IS the sort of trip most youngsters can only dream about - but for little Rosie Henry it has just become a reality. The four-year-old, from Romanby in Northallerton, North Yorkshire, was yesterday winging her way to Lapland, to meet Father Christmas
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Motorbike enthusiast lands website award
A BIKING enthusiast has been named as the latest winner of The Northern Echo's Communigate competition. Brian Moore, of Stockton, set up a website for fans of veteran BSA Bantam motorbikes four months ago and has had hits from across the world. His site
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Pier ban must stay, says dock company
A DOCK company is standing firm on its decision to ban anglers from an east Durham pier. Fishermen have used the North Pier, at Seaham, for years, but the Seaham Dock Company plans to stop issuing fishing licences from January 1. The firm is moving to
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Pupils take lead role in initiative to improve safety
PUPILS are spearheading a drive to improve safety outside their school. Children at St Helen's Primary School, Hartlepool, are taking the lead in the preparation of a school travel plan that aims to reduce parents' dependence on their cars, and encourage
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It's game on to find area's top pub teams
PUBS throughout the region are taking part in a competition to find the best games teams. First prize in the Pubmaster Pub Challenge is for a landlord and customers to fly to the US for a holiday. The knock-out tournament is based on traditional pub games
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Caine proves very able as early pace takes toll
SCOTTISH international Andrew Caine fulfilled his ambition of winning a first North-East Cross Country title as he ended the domination of ten-times champion Brian Rushworth in one of the most exciting senior men's races for years at Consett. The 24-year-old
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Moor programme triumph after five years' work
A regeneration programme on the North York Moors has been hailed as an economic and environmental triumph. Long-term private sector jobs have been created by the £2.83m effort at the same time as the heather-clad moors themselves have been enhanced. It
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NTL cut 4,000 jobs
DEBT-LADEN cable group NTL is to slash its workforce by up to 4,000 in a bid to claw back costs, the company said today. NTL, based in Hook in Hampshire, has a substantial base near Stockton on Teesside. It employs 17,000 but wants to reduce that to 13,000
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'Old soldier of the steelworks' Billy dies at 91
A FORMER steel worker whose angling exploits captured the imagination of enthusiasts throughout the North-East has died. For 80 years, Billy Lambert fished the waters of the Wear and Tees, and the Eden in Cumbria, along with the Tunstall and Derwent reservoirs
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Stroke victim's pet therapy
A STROKE victim is learning how to communicate again - thanks to a budgie he has taken under his wing. Derek Smallman, 71, a resident at Ayresome Court nursing home, in Yarm, near Stockton, Teesside, has been unable to talk since suffering the stroke
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Residents get on-line boost
A COMMUNITY group has been given a computer, thanks to The Northern Echo. The Black and Decker Workforce Charity read in the newspaper that an application to BT Community Connections for a computer by Chilton West Residents' Association had failed three
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Cabbieswarn of fares increase
TAXI fares could soon go up in Darlington amid drivers' objections to licence fee increases in the town. The changes were proposed in September and, following the publication of the detailed increases, Darlington Borough Council received a number of objections
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System crash affects more than thousand
COUNCILLORS are demanding to know why a new computer system used by more than 1,000 people has crashed twice in three days. Hundreds of workers at City of York Council were unable to use computers or access files for most of last Wednesday and Friday.
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Gun club battlers remain wary
GUN club members remain cautious, despite a partial victory in their battle to keep their range open. Owners of the Louisa Centre range, in Stanley, originally said it would close once building work for a new swimming pool began. Now, Derwentside District
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From man-eater to good fairy
LAST Of The Summer Wine's Jean Fergusson has given up her wicked, wicked ways. Before she became known as Marina, the man-eating cyclist in the long-running BBC comedy series, the actress was cast as the wicked witch in pantomime on account of her deep
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Why I must go back to Afghanistan
Yvonne Ridley, former journalist with The Northern Echo, tells Chris Webber about being a prisoner of the Taliban and reveals, exclusively, how her release was nearly scuppered by a diplomatic error. FRIGHTENED, hungry, filled with longing for her daughter
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Rubbish dumping scheme shelved
A WASTE company has dropped controversial plans to build a rubbish tip in Weardale. Premier Waste Management, working for Durham Country Council, had planned to site rubbish skips for recyclable waste next to a riverside caravan park. The company identified
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Prisoners 'watched pirate of Potter film'
AN investigation is under way into claims inmates at Durham's high security Frankland Prison watched pirate copies of the Harry Potter blockbuster movie. The children's favourite is still on show at cinemas around the country but a probe has been launched
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Villagers clean up on award at last
A VILLAGE has won a top award as part of the Tidy Britain campaign. Heighington has won the County Durham Tidy Village competition after years of entering the contest. The village has been presented with a sign marking its achievement, which was unveiled
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Phillips misses his big chance
ENGLAND striker Kevin Phillips was made to rue a rare penalty miss as Sunderland and Chelsea fought out their first goalless draw on Wearside for 32 years. The 48,017 fans thought Sunderland had cracked it when Republic of Ireland winger Kevin Kilbane
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24-hour prayers speed recovery
PRAYERS read in churches in a Northern dale have helped to speed the recovery of an Australian schoolgirl whose life was hanging by a thread. The family and friends of 14-year-old Johanna Elms prayed for her simultaneously in her home town of Gosford,
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Church spire mast plan goes to appeal
A BATTLE over plans to hide a mobile phone mast inside a church spire is being taken to appeal. Vodaphone wants to put its "hideaway" mast inside the spire of Holy Trinity Church, in Knaresborough. The spire dominates the North Yorkshire town's skyline
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'Beaten Boro must look forward' says McClaren
STEVE McCLAREN is adamant that Middlesbrough learned a salutary lesson against a Liverpool side scenting their first League title for 12 years. This always had the makings of a damage-limitation exercise for Boro, especially as they were without the inspiration
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£558,000 bid to promote health
THOUSANDS of pounds are due to be spent on encouraging an estate's residents to live more healthy lives. Darlington Borough Council and a series of partners have applied to the New Opportunities Fund for £558,000 to set up the Firthmoor to Health scheme
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Mikado show takes to the stage
A version of the musical Hot Mikado arrives in Chester-le-Street this Christmas. The Youth Connection Theatre Company will present its production at Pelton Roseberry Comprehensive School, from Wednesday to Saturday. Shows start at 7.30pm and admission
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N-E town to lead way with 'forgotten' babies memorial
A PIONEERING plan to remember a town's "forgotten" babies will lay the groundwork for the rest of the nation to follow, it was claimed yesterday. Consultant Peter Roper made the claim as design drawings for a memorial to the thousands of babies buried
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Hear all sides; Christian spirit under threat
DURHAM CITY OVER the first weekend of December, Durham Cathedral, a beacon of Christian civilisation, has been packed with folk attending Advent carol services. But on November 30, a council panel approved a public entertainment licence for the proposed
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Cheryl named as one of BBC's chosen few
A BUDDING actress from the North-East has been chosen from 12,000 applicants in a search for talent by BBC chiefs. Cheryl Dixon, of Newcastle, is one of 30 people set to be given roles in shows such as EastEnders, Casualty and Holby City, it was announced
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Parents back in classes
A REDCAR primary school is to get a special adult education centre to help parents learn at the same time as their children. Greengates Primary School, which serves the Lakes Estate, has been successful in getting a Local Learning Centre, which will contain
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Comment from The Northern Echo; A poor sense of timing
IN HIS short time at the Home Office, David Blunkett has not been frightened to duck contentious issues. Already he had tackled drugs reform by suggesting a reclassification of cannabis. And last week he dared to propose reform of the police service,
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Mystery blaze in shopping centre
POLICE and fire officers are investigating a town centre fire which broke out yesterday afternoon. The blaze started in a first floor storeroom above a novelty shop in Middlesbrough's Captain Cook Square shopping development, with the smoke spreading
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Bus cuts 'just the start' warning
PROTESTS about a bus company's proposals to axe services are to be made in Parliament. And, as Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland Labour MP Ashok Kumar unveiled plans to raise transport firm Arriva's intentions in the House of Commons, a leading councillor
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Action call over state of footpaths
RAMBLERS are calling for Government action after a new report branded the region's footpaths as some of the least accessible in the country. The Government's own Countryside Agency today published its Rights of Way Condition Survey, which revealed that
