Archive
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Caring for Caitlin helps couple come to terms with their loss
WITH her blonde curls and big blue eyes, little Caitlin is like any other Tellytubby-loving toddler. At just 20 months, she is too young to understand that she now lives with her grandparents because of the tragic death of her mother, 20-year-old Rachael
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More property needed to help homeless
A HOUSING association is looking for more landlords to take part in a scheme which helps homeless people move into good quality housing instead of bed and breakfast accommodation. Endeavour Housing, which has been running the scheme in partnership with
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Prison for pair in terror attack
TWO men subjected a friend to a terrifying ordeal of violence for no apparent reason, a court heard yesterday. They pummelled and slashed Paul Clement, 26, for more than half-an-hour before tying him to a chair, threatening to kill him and shaving his
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Russell hat-trick sinks Quakers
Since the beginning of the term Darlington have been in decline and Saturday's defeat at home to lowly Torquay was without doubt the low of the season. Make no doubt about it: Darlington were dire. Torquay snatched all three points with a deserved 3-1
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Arriva bosses get tough in bid to settle dispute
ARRIVA Trains Northern last night signalled a new get-tough approach with striking conductors. The company revealed it was withdrawing rest day working with immediate effect in a bid to hit conductors in the pocket. The tactic is aimed at stopping striking
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New plea over road rage attack
POLICE have renewed an appeal for help in tracing a road rage attacker who slashed his victim's arm and face. Investigations into the attack, nine months ago, have failed to track down the driver, who used a four-inch knife on his victim. The attack happened
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Storysacks inventor tells his own story
A MAN whose simple idea has made reading more fun for young children has given a talk on his invention in Darlington. Neil Griffiths, who invented Storysacks, was at the town's Arts Centre as part of a celebration day held by the Darlington Storysacks
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Resolute teenager to pick up award
A NORTH YORKSHIRE teenager is one of only ten people about to pick up a national award after winning the praise of hospital staff. Robert Hornby, 17, has been chosen to receive a Child of Resolution award this year after making incredible progress during
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Talks puts focus on area's film history
A MUSEUM on Teesside is preparing to stage a talk on North-East film history. It will be given by Tony Hillman, a Darlington film enthusiast who has brought a touch of magic to Stockton's Green Dragon Museum by putting on a display to mark the 100th anniversary
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Dobbin up for Cup
THE booking of Tony Dobbin for Carbury Cross (2.10) in the £100,000 De Vere Gold Cup at Haydock is a hint not to be missed. Seven days ago at Newcastle Dobbin grabbed the headlines in a similarly high-profile long-distance chase by snatching a last-gasp
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Concern over lack of beds put hospital plan at risk
MPs were so concerned by a lack of beds at a proposed £97m North-East hospital they considered scrapping it before a brick was laid. In the end, the Government went ahead with the University Hospital of North Durham - ordered by the Conservatives - because
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No stopping Pool at home
HARTLEPOOL United romped to a 5-1 victory over hapless Southend at Victoria Park. The win means Pool have bagged 22 goals in their last five home games. Ritchie Humphreys started the rout, tapping in from close range after nine minutes. James Coppinger
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New name for policing panel
A POLICING group has decided to change its name because members want to be seen in a more positive light. Ryedale Crime Reduction Panel will be known in future as Ryedale Community Safety Panel, which organisers believe better reflects low crime levels
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Under-age sales being looked into
INVESTIGATIONS into why youngsters were sold cigarettes and lighter fuel illegally have begun by trading standards officers in Redcar and Cleveland. Two volunteers - a 12-year-old boy and 15-year-old girl - visited a total of 17 premises in the borough
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Drive to protect homes from fire
A CAMPAIGN to make sure all homes in Darlington are fitted with smoke alarms has been launched on the town's Skerne Park estate. Darlington and County Durham Fire and Rescue Service has been hard at work promoting fire safety in the home to people across
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Mercy for a killer abused by girlfriend
A TEENAGE killer who strangled his girlfriend was given a four-year prison sentence yesterday - after a court heard he was a victim of domestic violence. Billy Clifton, from Darlington, had originally been charged with murder. But in a highly unusual
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New award for bridge repair partnership
THE partnership which pioneered the rapid repair of Richmond's Mercury Bridge has won its second award. The River Swale washed away the central pier of the historic crossing in June, 2000, leading to fears that it could be some time before the road to
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'Missing link' Carbone out to net Boro future
STEVE McCLAREN has hailed loan signing Benito Carbone as Middlesbrough's missing link - but warned he must produce goals as well as guile to clinch a permanent move to the Riverside. Carbone has created two goals in as many appearances since his arrival
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Park support group's year 'satisfactory'
THE annual meeting of Sedgefield Friends of Hardwick Park reported a satisfactory year in which there had been a small increase in membership. Chairman Jack Glendinning reported the grant of funds by Historic Libraries for the publication of a book on
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Initially, Kirsty's music efforts pay off
TALENTED teenager Kirsty Biddulph is years ahead of other young musicians having earned a coveted national accolade at the age of just 15. With a diploma from the Associated Board of the Royal School of Music, Kirsty, from School Aycliffe, County Durham
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Stalker could face life sentence
A serial stalker who threatened to sexually mutilate TV vet Trude Mostue is facing life in jail unless he can be cured, a judge warned yesterday. Construction worker John Maynard, from York, is so anxious to receive psychiatric treatment that he has already
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Holiday company boss jailed over -ray of sunshine' con
A BOSS of a holiday firm which conned people out of £1.5m by promising to bring a ray of sunshine into their lives before fleecing them has been jailed. Worldwide Vacation Club lured potential buyers into high-pressure sales presentations and convinced
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Councillors demand inquiry into police management
COUNCILLORS in a Teesside town are calling for an investigation into Cleveland Police. A motion of no confidence in the under-fire force, proposed by Hartlepool Borough Council's opposition Labour group, received unanimous cross-party support at a meeting
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Three-year sentences for city break-ins
TWO men who carried out a spate of house burglaries have been jailed. Paul Rowntree, 21, admitted six break-ins in the Sunderland area during August last year, and Matthew Rainton, 19, pleaded guilty to four, at Newcastle Crown Court. Property worth £3,500
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Cash call in tribute to Wesley
AN appeal is being made for £900 towards the cost of recording a compact disc to celebrate the first visit of Methodism founder John Wesley to a North-East dale. The historic recording, which involved 300 musicians and singers, was made last weekend at
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Oil rig deaths 'could have been prevented'
The deaths of two North-East oil rig workers almost four years ago could have been prevented, according to a fatal accident report published yesterday. Richard King, 56, from Jarrow, South Tyneside, and Roland Duffell, 40, of Alnwick, Northumberland,
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Water plea by Lions' head
THE president of a Teesside Lions Club has returned from a mission to Ethiopia to see how money raised by the group is helping to transform people's lives. Giles Bolitho, president of the Redcar and Middlesbrough group, accompanied 12 other supporters
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Banks and tobacco in focus
BANKS and cigarettes will be the topic of discussion on the market next week. Royal Bank of Scotland is expected to come out with sector-beating profit growth of 25 per cent when it reports on Thursday, fund manager Gerrard said. Overall, profits are
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Schoolboy dies in plunge from bridge
A schoolboy has died after apparently jumping from a bridge, police said last night. The body of Matthew Curry, a pupil at Newcastle Grammar School, was found below the Tyne Bridge. A Northumbria Police spokeswoman said family and friends of the 16-year-old
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A meeting of the minds... and the spirits
THOSE Ordnance Surveyors who depict churches with towers and churches with spires and churches with nothing much up top at all, would find an awful lot to the square inch in Yarm Road, Stockton. Anglicans, Methodists and Roman Catholics congregate within
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Music to watch the night sky by
STARGAZERS in the region will be able to view the heavens on their doorstep when a new planetarium opens next week. The £90,000 building at the Castle Eden Walkway park, Thorpe Thewles, near Stockton, will complement an observatory already at the site
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How the Stone Age beat the wobble
It's 18 months late, but the first new crossing over the Thames in more than 100 years opened for good yesterday. And, as Nick Morrison discovers, the North-East provided a steady hand. ITS design may have been an innovation - a shimmering blade of light
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Hear All Sides
Letters from The Northern Echo METRIC MARTYRS ON Monday at the High Court in London, the Metric Martyrs' Appeal was rejected with the damning statement that all EU legislation now overrules British law, upholding the judgement from Sunderland, where the
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Pool boss sets points
CHRIS Turner has set his play-off chasing Hartlepool players a minimum 20-point target if they are to stand a chance of realising their ambitions. With 13 games remaining, Pool lie in tenth spot in Division Three on 47 points, just four points out of
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Passenger 'ashamed'
A HOLIDAYMAKER who was arrested after telling an airport security guard to "watch the Semtex" in his pockets, has been cleared of any wrongdoing. Bishop Auckland magistrates heard yesterday how Michael Brown, made the comments as he went through heightened
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Decision delayed on homes proposal for carnival site
A DECISION affecting the future of Billingham's annual carnival and flower show was delayed by councillors yesterday. Organisers claim the popular event is under threat by a housing association's plans to build ten old people's bungalows on the site.
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nervous teacher gives notice of his intention to tie the knot
THE writing was already on the wall when a couple went for a walk in the rain around a North Yorkshire landmark. What teacher Chris Moss had not told his intended, Elizabeth Tennant, was that he had been to the promenade overlooking Richmond's River Swale
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Sorensen hoping for glory
DANISH international goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen believes that Newcastle United can qualify for Europe this season - if they bounce back after losing to Sunderland tomorrow! No-one has done more in recent seasons to thwart the Tynesiders in derby matches
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What surprises are in store at film awards?
Billy Elliot star Jamie Bell was as shocked as everyone else when asked to step forward to collect the best actor prize at the British Academy Film Awards last year. Few expected the Billingham teenager to beat Hollywood heavyweights like Tom Hanks and
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Plan for 'floods tax' condemned
HOMEOWNERS and farmers should not have to pay taxes to defend their properties from flooding, rural campaigners have declared. The Government's plans for flood defence funding could see two million at-risk households rerquired to pay £60 a year to protect
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Crash tragedy driver faces jail
A DRINK-DRIVER who caused the deaths of a six-year-old girl and her grandmother after a pre-Christmas drinks session was facing jail last night. Pensioner Susan Harty was about twice the legal drinkdrive limit when her red Vauxhall Corsa was involved
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Boost for livestock farmers
A NORTH YORKSHIRE company is developing a new type of cattle feed which could provide a welcome boost for beleaguered British farmers . Ecosyl Products Ltd, which invents treatments for cattle and sheep, has won a DTI-funded Smart award to develop a process
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Surgeon's sights set on cycling for charity
AN eye surgeon has got on his bike to raise more than £1,000 for a Save Our Sight appeal. Chrisjan Dees, who is an ophthalmic consultant for South Durham Health Care NHS Trust, aims to cycle from his Middleton St George home to an eye clinic at Bishop
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Zoe's Pop Idol dates sell out in a day
TICKETS to see singing sensation Zoe Birkett in the North-East as part of a UK tour have sold out in less than a day. Teenager Zoe, of Darlington, will be starring at the Telewest Arena, Newcastle, with the other finalists from ITV's Pop Idol competition
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Research highlights inequality at work
WOMEN in the North-East are getting a raw deal at work, according to new figures. The Women at Work report, compiled by the Northern TUC, reveals that 37 per cent of women feel they have been discriminated against at work. It also shows that, on average
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Sexing up the garden path
The producer of a major new TV series describes it in the following terms: "They are fighting for a place, all they want to do is have sex and take over the world". Goodness, you think, this must be a bonkbuster addition to the late night schedule on
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Work gets under way on estate facelift
A MAJOR facelift of a Teesside housing estate has been launched. Play facilities for youngsters are in the opening £140,000 first phase of a regeneration programme on Middlesbrough's Easterside estate. Youth shelters or havens and a multi-use games court
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Workshop will go with a bang
MUSICIANS and dancers will learn the secrets of a stage phenomenon at workshops next month. During a visit by dance troupe Stomp to perform at Sunderland's Empire Theatre, two founder members will hold workshops at Sunderland University. On Monday, March
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Walder injury means Wilkinson must provide cutting edge
ENGLAND hero Jonny Wilkinson will be pressed into service for Newcastle at Bristol today following a recurrence of David Walder's hamstring injury. It was planned to rest Wilkinson ahead of England's potential Grand Slam decider against France in Paris
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Teenager locked up for threat with fake gun
A TEENAGER who wrongly believed his ex-girlfriend had been raped pushed an imitation handgun into the face of her alleged attacker in a crowded supermarket, a court heard yesterday. Daniel Reed, 18, of Consett, County Durham, was sentenced to nine months
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Prison for pair in terror attack
TWO men subjected a friend to a terrifying ordeal of violence for no apparent reason, a court heard yesterday. They pummelled and slashed Paul Clement, 26, for more than half-an-hour before tying him to a chair, threatening to kill him and shaving his
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Go-Ahead's warning
TRANSPORT group Go-Ahead has warned of a further squeeze on profits as air and rail services continue to come under pressure. The Newcastle firm runs the Thames Trains and Thameslink commuter lines, as well as bus services in the UK, and also has a substantial
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Ehiogu off as Hammers beat Boro
Middlesbrough's eight-game unbeaten run was ended at West Ham on Saturday - ending any hopes Steve McClaren's men had of climbing into the top ten for the first time this season. The 75th minute strike from Frederic Kanoute was enough to earn the Hammers
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Support group seeks friendly help
A SUPPORT group that helps adults with learning difficulties get out and about in Derwentside is appealing for volunteers. County Durham Care's Friendships in Durham service was set up to help people make greater use of their spare time in the Consett
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Community urged to make voices heard
A CAMPAIGN to engage thousands of local people in the way their city is run is being launched on Wearside. Next week, Sunderland City Council will launch its Community Sprit initiative, targeting 20,000 residents. Over the following four weeks, it will
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Care staff face early closure threat
STAFF at an old people's home threatened with closure have reacted angrily to news they might have to leave much earlier than expected. Thirty workers at Sunningdale Residential Home, in Ouston, near Chester-le-Street, had been told the Durham County
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Repair bills may force sale of famous country house
CIVIC leaders have admitted they may have to sell off a famous country house because they cannot afford massive repair bills. North Yorkshire County Council is seeking fresh ideas from would-be investors about the future of the 17th Century Grantley Hall
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Residents face council tax rise
TAX payers in South Tyneside face a 7.9 per cent rise in their council tax in the spring. The majority of Band A, the lowest tax band, householders will pay £699.42. Councillor Paul Waggott, leader of South Tyneside Council, said: "Our spending plans
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Sponsors sought for anti-bully initiative
CAMPAIGNERS hoping to set up an anti-bullying service in Darlington are still seeking sponsorship. Anne McGrath and Geoff Freeman are working to create a counselling and support service for children who are suffering from bullying. The pair have created
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Reynolds sells up - for 'first love'
Darlington FC owner George Reynolds said last night he had decided to sell his main business to concentrate on his "first love" - the Quakers. Mr Reynolds, 65, has clinched a deal to sell his George Reynolds UK chipboard factory for an undisclosed sum
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Main rail lines shut down by storms
The East Coast main line was shut down for four hours yesterday after high winds forced the closure of York railway station. Hundreds of people had to be evacuated from the station after corrugated iron was blown off the roof, crashing onto an overhead
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Millennium Bridge for N-E city
ANOTHER North-East city is getting a Millennium Bridge this weekend. Durham city's footbridge, the first in the city for decades, will be lowered over the River Wear by a 500-ton crane this morning. The bridge, which will link Framwellgate Waterside and
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Comment from The Northern Echo - Pure Scotch on the rocks
OCCASIONALLY, sport produces a priceless, nerve-tingling moment: Hurst's hat-trick; Botham's Ashes; Ali's "rope dope" flooring of George Foreman; Red Rum's epic third Grand National victory; Torvill and Dean's joyful Bolero. Who could have imagined that
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£17.6m grant boost to promote extra skills
COUNTY Durham has won £17.6m of European funding for schemes to improve people's education and skills. The money has come from the European Social Fund Objective Three programme, which supports employed and unemployed people by helping them to acquire
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Action call to stop nuisances
MORE support and extra resources are needed to tackle the problems of anti-social behaviour in Newton Aycliffe. That was the conclusion of a meeting called to discuss ways to tackle the nuisance. Police representatives, teachers, drug and alcohol co-ordinators
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Care homes to close earlier than scheduled
RESIDENTS and staff face an early move from two old people homes which are shutting six months ahead of schedule. Durham County Council has brought forward the closure of the homes, Moor Grange, in Spennymoor, and Stoneleigh, in Barnard Castle, to October
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Muslim to give talk on Islam
THE first Muslim to say prayers in Durham Cathedral is to visit Teesdale next month to give a lecture on Islam. Freelance journalist Farah Khan will visit St Osmund's Centre, Gainford, to give the talk, called An Introduction to Islam, on March 19. The
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Car thief jailed for stabbing owner
A TEENAGE junkie was jailed for five years yesterday for stabbing a man who caught him trying to steal his car. A judge told 19-year-old Andrew Poole that he could have killed Mark Lambert, who was trying to stop him from driving away in Mr Lambert's
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Man cleared of blackmail
A MAN has been cleared of blackmailing a taxi-firm boss after one of its drivers failed make a pick-up. Robert Wright, 20, was said to have demanded £500 from the owner of the firm near Consett, County Durham, after a mini-bus driver took a group of men
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Woman fled from husband's threats
AN estranged husband broke into his wife's home and threatened her with a kitchen knife when she returned from a night out. Jealous alcoholic Thomas Mulley, 45, turned up at the house in Gleneagles Road, Sunderland, after a drinking binge in the early
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Campaign urges pensioners to make sure they claim their benefits
A DURHAM County Council campaign has helped pensioners win thousands of pounds in benefits. The social services department's welfare rights team made income support claims for 331 individuals and couples last year, resulting in payments totalling £113,968.40
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Really smart way to beat the weather
A DARLINGTON shop owner is keeping up with the latest innovation in menswear by selling climate-sensitive coats. The jackets, which are imported from continental Europe, store excessive heat - either from the wearer or the weather - to keep the wearer
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Sexing up the garden path
The producer of a major new TV series describes it in the following terms: "They are fighting for a place, all they want to do is have sex and take over the world". Goodness, you think, this must be a bonkbuster addition to the late night schedule on
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£1bn power plant for Teesside?
BRITISH Energy hasn't ruled out building another nuclear power plant on Teesside, once an existing operation reaches the end of its life. A plant, costing more than £1bn could be built next to the existing power station in Tees Road, Hartlepool, with
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Disability advice given
AN organisation is being launched to highlight the needs of young disabled people and give them advice. Disability Outlook plans to set up a young disabled person's forum aimed at 14 to 30-year-olds in and around Durham. The organisation is looking to
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Reid boo-boys attacked by derby rival Robson
NEWCASTLE United boss Bobby Robson has branded as "brainless'' the fans trying to hound Peter Reid out of Sunderland. Ahead of tomorrow's derby between the sides at the Stadium of Light, Robson rounded on the boo -boys who have called for Reid's head
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Clearance scheme to go ahead
COUNCILLORS in Cleveland are pressing ahead with a scheme which could see hundreds of homes bulldozed. Swathes of Grangetown and South Bank are designated for a revamp in a bid to revitalise the area. Members of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's
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Police get more time to look at dealer's overseas assets
A JUDGE has allowed police more time to investigate the overseas' assets of a convicted drug dealer. Drugs squad officers in County Durham were yesterday granted an extra month to make inquiries into Spanish property and a bank account believed to be
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A meeting of the minds... and the spirits
THOSE Ordnance Surveyors who depict churches with towers and churches with spires and churches with nothing much up top at all, would find an awful lot to the square inch in Yarm Road, Stockton. Anglicans, Methodists and Roman Catholics congregate within
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What next for the colourful character with Midas touch?
GEORGE Reynolds' plans to sell off his chipboard business will come as a bitter blow to the 180 staff who work there. The exuberant chairman of Darlington Football Club had once said he would pass the business to his workforce. But instead, he has chosen
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Cash award puts coaching scheme on the right track
A SCHEME to train athletics coaches for youngsters in east Cleveland has been given a cash boost. The Awards for All scheme has given £1,675 to provide training for coaches for the East Cleveland Athletic Track Association. The group has already been
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Driver sought after snatch attempt
A MOTORIST who tried to pull a schoolgirl into his car is being sought by police. Detectives want to speak to anyone who saw the attempted abduction in Manor Road, Sulgrave, in Washington, Wearside, on Thursday, at 8.45am. A four-wheel drive H-registration
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Reynolds calls on fans to pay for a new striker
Darlington chairman George Reynolds last night turned the tables on the fans, claiming he is waiting for the Feethams faithful to return before splashing out any cash on the team. Supporters have been crying out for a new striker all season and any hopes
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Police find woman's body
POLICE searching for a missing North-East woman have found her body in a garden. The body of Patricia Clarkson, 29, was discovered on Tyneside on Thursday night as police stepped up their hunt for the mother, who disappeared from her home on Tuesday.
