Archive
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Crime rate drops by 40% with city residents' help
POLICE have welcomed a sharp fall in crime - achieved with help from members of the public. Northumbria Police said there had been a drop of almost 40 per cent drop in crime in Newcastle during the first two weeks of March, compared with the same period
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Supplement may be health risk
Shoppers have been warned about traces of a banned harmful substance found in a number of nutritional supplements. Environmental health officers at Sunderland City Council are working with chemists and health food shops to ensure none of the products
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Southgate's gamble is paying big dividends
MIDDLESBROUGH manager Steve McClaren admits inspirational centre-back Gareth Southgate took a gamble when joining the club last summer. But the Boro boss has been delighted to see his £6.5m capture prove that it was a gamble worth taking. There were many
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Hall conversion go-ahead
BONNY Bobby Shafto would certainly fail to recognise his old home in the coming months. For final permission for the conversion of Beamish Hall, next to Beamish Museum near Stanley, into a hotel complete with restaurants, bars, function rooms and offices
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New mobile home offers MS sufferers chance of holiday
SUFFERERS of multiple sclerosis will soon be able to take holidays in an adapted mobile home. The Darlington and District MS Society is raising money to buy the caravan, which will be based in Morecambe. It will be modified so that people in wheelchairs
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Proposed factory silos pose eyesore risk, warns council
A DETAILED bid for a new factory, bringing 27 jobs to North Yorkshire, will be tabled when Richmondshire District Council planning officers meet next week. The former Camas works in Brompton-on-Swale has been empty for some years and, after becoming a
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Advice in store
Members of the Darlington and district branch of the Multiple Sclerosis Society will be at the Marks and Spencer store in Darlington on Monday, April 15. They will be handing out information to shoppers and answering questions about the condition.
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£500,000 grant to ease city traffic
A £500,000 government grant is to be invested in easing congestion on city streets. The Department for Local Government and the Regions has released the cash to help cover the cost of a system pioneered by the City of York Council, which will provide
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Touch of spice as famous faces drop in for reopening
SHOPPERS who turned up for the opening of a North-East discount department store could barely believe their eyes when Posh and Becks dropped in for a spot of bargain hunting. The celebrity pair were in Hartlepool for the opening of the new-look Designer
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Filling station revamp
A DARLINGTON centre petrol station is to be redeveloped by Shell. The company has applied to Darlington Borough Council for planning permission to alter the petrol station in Woodland Road. The plans include extending the shop, building a canopy, increasing
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Easter parade fun
WALKING carrots and giant rabbits were among the sights on show at an Easter parade at Polam Hall Junior School, Darlington. The girls from Year 1T wore costumes, made from crepe paper and face paints, as part of the school's traditional Easter parade
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Marriage milestone celebrated by couple
A HURWORTH couple are celebrating their diamond wedding anniversary tomorrow. Bill and Freda Jefferson, both 81, met through a relative in 1939 and were married at Holy Trinity Church, Darlington, in 1942. They lived in Darlington until 15 years ago,
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Double celebration with family Silver and gold
AN ANNIVERSARY party was a real family affair for two couples from York yesterday. Ann and Arthur Coatesworth, of Copmanthorpe, were celebrating their golden wedding anniversary, 50 years after tying the knot at St Nicholas's Church in Askham Bryan. Their
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Memories recorded on videotape for posterity
Pensioners are recording their memories on a time capsule videotape. The 22 members of the Looking at Memories video group, in Darlington, have recorded short videotapes. They recorded their memories at a temporary studio at Haughton School and then visit
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Springtime inspiration for craft day
THE first signs of spring provided the inspiration for a crafts contest at a nursing home. Church View Residential Care Home, in South Church, near Bishop Auckland held an Easter activities session yesterday, when residents decorated Easter bonnets and
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Village plans jubilee party
Sedgefield will be marking the Queen's golden jubilee with a weekend of celebrations. Sedgefield Community Association is organising the event, which will run for four days, from May 31 to June 3. To include all the family, the event is expected to feature
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Trips bring in cash for cancer aid
A SERIES of trips have raised hundreds of pounds for cancer sufferers. Excursions, to Dublin and the Caterpillar Factory, near Leicester, have raised more than £500 for Teesdale Cancer Research UK. The group regularly organises trips and weekends away
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News in brief : Grant boosts for learning
Two adult learning projects have been awarded grants from the Government's Adult and Community Learning Fund. Darlington College of Technology has received £21,350 to encourage disaffected and disadvantaged young adults to gain qualifications as community
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Church flies flag again 50 years on
A FORGOTTEN church flag has been flown for the first time in 50 years. The St George flag, bought to commemorate the Queen's Coronation in 1953, was recently discovered in a corner of the clock tower at Holy Trinity Church, in Darlington. The Reverend
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Bell requests new name for daughter
CHILD killer Mary Bell is asking the courts to place a veil of secrecy over her daughter - for life. Bell, 44, is seeking an order in a bid to give her child a new start with a new name. An order which banned her from being named was made when she became
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Amazed at prospect of getting virtually lost
A VIRTUAL reality maze has been constructed by a student at a North-East university before the real thing is constructed in the Kielder Forest. The maze has been created by Andrew Paterson, who graduated from the computer- aided graphical technology applications
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Enhancing social life for professional people
PROFESSIONALS living in the Tees Valley who want to improve their social lives can join a special events club. Tees Valley IVC is a non-profit making events club aimed at graduates and professionals living in the Tees Valley region, but stresses that
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Residents are urged to go green
RESIDENTS in east Durham are being urged to help create a greener environment for future generations. District of Easington cabinet member for the environment Councillor David Taylor Gooby is asking everyone to do their bit for the community. A local
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Churches unite
A dance-drama on the crucifixion was staged at the start and finish of an annual Good Friday inter-church procession in an east Cleveland town. More than 100 people turned up to the event, which started at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, in Saltburn, before
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News in brief : Project to beat conmen
A SCHEME to protect the public from high-pressure salesmen and bogus callers has been launched by Redcar and Cleveland Council. Trading standards support officer Michelle O'Rourke has been appointed to advise the public and deal with their complaints.
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Safer courts praised
THE safeguarding of an east Cleveland magistrates' court has been welcomed by the local MP. The Northern Echo reported on Thursday that cells are to be added to Guisborough Magistrates' Court and disabled access to the courthouse improved. Now Middlesbrough
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Allotment for the children
A DISUSED village allotment is being taken over by children. Sure Start East Cleveland is part of the Government's drive to improve opportunities for parents and youngsters aged under four living in deprived areas. Now the Loftus group is asking Redcar
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Donegan returns for N-East performance
MUSIC legend Lonnie Donegan is making a welcome return to the region - and this time it will be a real family affair. King of skiffle Donegan, still going strong after more than 50 years in the music business, is to perform at the Hardwick Hall Hotel,
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Hospital staff get cash award tonic
PATIENT areas at a Teesside hospital are to be improved thanks to a £2,000 windfall. A competition was run by North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust at the University Hospital of North Tees to find the best maintained ward or department. The day case unit
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Artist's work flies high
AN exhibition of work by a Durham painter is on display at an Easington art centre until April 24. The paintings, by George Horn, of Shotton Colliery, are in oils, watercolours and acrylics. The display includes a scene from a flight over the Alps in
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So who was the best Bond?
AS THE cinema's longest running franchise, the James Bond films are surefire box office hits these days. It wasn't always that way, as actress Eunice Gayson recalled at the opening of the Bond, James Bond exhibition. She played casino siren Sylvia Trench
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News in brief : Three injured in car crash
Police said three people were lucky to escape with only slight injuries when a car in which they were travelling mounted a drystone wall and rebounded into the road on its roof. The accident happened in Cutlers Hall Road, Blackhill, near Consett, at 7.30pm
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Farmers' mart prepares for reopening auctions
THE future of a farmers' auction mart that has been an important part of the community for generations has been assured. Concerns were raised over the future of the mart in Masham, North Yorkshire, because it has not been open since last February, when
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Arrest over banned group
POLICE have arrested a man in Scarborough on suspicion of supporting a banned paramilitary organisation. It follows a swoop on the resort's Golden Last Hotel, in Eastborough. North Yorkshire Police said "various items of property were seized". Today,
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Hospital pledge over cemetery
A CEMETERY containing the remains of nuns and monks will remain undisturbed when a hospital closes. Officials at the St John of God Hospital at Scorton, North Yorkshire, have confirmed that the consecrated plot, behind the main building, would not be
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Hospital pledge over cemetery
A CEMETERY containing the remains of nuns and monks will remain undisturbed when a hospital closes. Officials at the St John of God Hospital at Scorton, North Yorkshire, have confirmed that the consecrated plot, behind the main building, would not be
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Plans unveiled for jubilee celebration
A TOWN has unveiled its plans for the Queen's golden jubilee celebration. A jubilee committee, headed by Northallerton Mayor, Sally Anderson, hopes to provide a packed programme of events on Saturday, June 1. The committee is applying for permission to
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Carer Millie makes grade
A DYSLEXIC foster carer has surpassed her own expectations by returning to college to develop her skills in looking after her young charges. Millie Tilley has been awarded an NVQ Level Three in Caring for Children and Young People, from Redcar and Cleveland
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Adultery footballer revealed
The Premiership soccer star who fought a legal battle to prevent a Sunday newspaper exposing his adultery can today be named as Blackburn Rovers player Garry Flitcroft. The 29-year-old footballer's identity was revealed after a legal injunction ended
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Getting creative with art awards
COMMUNITY groups looking to get in touch with their artistic side are being urged to apply for grants. Wear Valley Arts hopes to inspire clubs or associations to apply for arts grants of up to £500 under its Mission to Commission scheme. The arts body
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Deal is struck with Germans to take fridges
THOUSANDS of unwanted fridges are to be shipped abroad for disposal by a hard- up council desperate to reduce a mountain of unwanted appliances. Fridges are being stockpiled across the region, because local authorities have been banned from dumping them
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SATURDAY SPOTLIGHT : Reid hoping seven will prove to be lucky again
In 1995 Peter Reid took charge at Sunderland with seven games to save the club from relegation. As Sports Writer Frank Johnson discovers, seven years later he's in exactly the same position SEVEN YEARS ago yesterday Peter Reid was given seven games to
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Young farmers' club in need of members
A young farmers' club is determined to keep its head above water while trying to boost numbers. Masham YFC had between 15 and 20 members when it raised £1,500 for two local causes with a barn dance at Tim Gibson's farm, near Crakehall. The money, which
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Church tower mast given the go-ahead
A church has won its battle to incorporate a mobile phone telecommunications mast inside its tower. Holy Trinity Church, in Briggate, Knaresborough, faced opposition when the plans by Vodafone were announced, and Harrogate Borough Council refused planning
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Monster on menu as pub gets new look
A FAMOUS coastal pub had an unexpected monster guest to mark its opening this week. Following a £600,000 face-lift, Tavistock at the Grotto, formerly the Marsden Grotto, opened to the public, offering a seafood restaurant, two bars and a bistro. Top of
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Don't be cruel for sake of football says Kylie
A HOPPING mad giant kangaroo skipped to a league game yesterday to urge fans to kick cruelty out of football. Campaigners yesterday joined Kylie the kangaroo at the main entrance of St James's Park, to call on Newcastle fans to boycott kangaroo leather
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Hats on show at music hall night
TWO evenings of nostalgia and family fun will be helping to fund another next week. Old Time Music Hall returns to Richmond's Zetland Christian Community Centre on Thursday and Friday - and every seat sold will boost the coffers of this year's Richmond
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Philosophers called to order
RICHMOND'S Pub Philosophers will meet in the Black Lion Hotel, Finkle Street, on Wednesday, to discuss the need for order. Baroness Harris of Richmond will give a talk. Tickets cost £5, with proceeds going to charity. The evening begins at 7.30pm. For
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Quakers end run with Tigers victory
Hull City 1 : Darlington 2 - Darlington secured their first win in 11 matches with a hard-earned 2-1 win at Hull on Saturday. The home side were big favourites to win the game but Darlington dealt with most of their attacks with Adam Reed and Craig Liddle
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The last of the action heroes?
Action films were once box office gold dust, but as the public appetite seems to have changed, Film Writer Steve Pratt asks if their muscle-bound stars have lost their pecs appeal ARNOLD Schwarzenegger begins by declaring how happy he is to be back in
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Pledge to prosecute illegal car washers
POLICE are to crack down on the growing problem in car parks. Car washers in Saltburn, Markse and Loftus are harassing motorists in car parks in order to fund their drug habits. PC Eddie O'Hara, from Loftus community policing team, said: "We have heard
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New police team steps out with mission to improve community's quality of life
A NEW police squad will be on the beat from next week to improve the quality of life for people living in Redcar and Cleveland. The Neighbourhood Task Group is a five-member team of officers funded by the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund. The squad will look
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Funding boost to build schools
FUNDING has been secured to provide two new schools in Sunderland next year. The Local Education Authority has been given £4.8m for a replacement school for Grangetown Primary and to combine Davenport and Wellbank special schools. Both projects are planned
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Wearmen crash again in London
Arsenal 3 : Sunderland 0 - Struggling Sunderland crashed to their fourth consecutive defeat in London this season and there could be no complaints about a comprehensive 3-0 Arsenal victory which may well have been even greater. Sunderland never recovered
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SOMETHING FOR THE WEEKEND
SATURDAY - BEST FACTUAL Those House Detectives At Large (BBC2, 8.10pm) tackle the challenge of saving a villa outside Calcutta that was once the home of Clive of India. What they find surprises even these experienced investigators. BEST DRAMA Tony Parsons's
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Pay rise for police authority members
MEMBERS of Cleveland Police Authority have given themselves a pay rise. The authority met on Thursday and agreed to adopt an hourly rate of £18 and a maximum yearly income of £8,000 for members' attendance allowance -an increase of £1 an hour and £500
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Long-awaited Metro extension opens - to face drivers' strike
THE long-awaited Metro extension linking Newcastle and Sunderland will start operating tomorrow. Delayed by vandalism and bad weather, the first working week of the new line will be marred by a one-day strike on Tuesday when about a third of Metro train
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'Punish pupils who lie' demand teachers
TEACHERS are demanding action to punish the children who wreck their careers by making false allegations of abuse. Members of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL), are calling for pupils to face suspension or expulsion and have their school
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Quinn not worried about Cats' relegation threat
SUNDERLAND club captain Niall Quinn insisted last night: "We are not thinking about being relegated." The Republic of Ireland striker, who returns to his old stamping ground at Arsenal this afternoon, admits that the Wearsiders have been sucked into anxiety
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Riding high again . . .
THE return of one spring tradition yesterday could epitomise the rebirth of the North Yorkshire Dales in the wake of last year's foot-and-mouth outbreak. The Middleham Stables open day was a casualty of the epidemic 12 months ago. The cancellation heralded
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Forensic officers probe art room fire
POLICE are investigating a fire which destroyed part of a community centre early yesterday. Firefighters were called to the Stanley Community Centre, in Tyne Road, Stanley, County Durham, at about 2am when a blaze broke out. Sergeant Eddie Bell, of Consett
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School's maths funding bid 'falling short'
A SCHOOL is appealing for a private company to help it pay for a range of new facilities. Hurworth Comprehensive must raise another £15,000 in six months to reach its target of £50,000 to bid for specialist maths and computer status. If it fails to raise
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School's maths funding bid 'falling short'
A SCHOOL is appealing for a private company to help it pay for a range of new facilities. Hurworth Comprehensive must raise another £15,000 in six months to reach its target of £50,000 to bid for specialist maths and computer status. If it fails to raise
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Marking project lights the way to better home security
HUNDREDS of householders in an east Cleveland town are taking steps to put burglars on the run. Specialist property marking kits have been sent to 1,000 homes in Redcar and all the valuables registered will be logged on to a computer database accessible
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Modernisation plan takes step forward
A £140m plan to modernise NHS hospitals on Tyneside by using private finance is a step closer to reality. The Newcastle Hospitals Trust has shortlisted three bidders who are interested in remodelling the trust through the Government's Private Finance
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Wearside League : Shields all set for 'massive' clash
There is no doubt where the match-of-the-day is. Third-placed Redcar Town meet leaders North Shields with just five points separating the pair although the hosts have a game in hand on their rivals. "It's a massive match for both teams," declared Redcar
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Cracking down on theft of older cars
POLICE have set up a security scheme aimed at cracking down on the growing number of thefts of older vehicles. Detectives in Sunderland say a pattern of car thefts is emerging in parts of the city, showing thieves are targeting older models. To combat
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Catching tragic teenager's drugs supplier 'is unlikely'
DETECTIVES fear they may never catch the dealer who supplied a North-East teenager with the heroin that killed her. It is nearly a year since the death of schoolgirl Catherine Longstaff, who had ambitions of becoming a doctor. A student at King James
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Youth project is stalled by failure to find co-ordinator
ORGANISERS of a centre for young people in Ferryhill are still searching for a qualified youth worker to help run it. Ferryhill Town Council advertised the post of project co-ordinator two months ago, but have not had any inquiries from a suitably qualified
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Holy law is the order of the day
Five graveyards, the same number of villages, three churches and North Yorkshire police force are providing a new rewarding challenge for a North-East vicar THE column's multi-talented mother-in-law died last October, her loss felt only last Sunday morning
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Conlon returns to bolster Quakers' flagging season
Deadline came and went on Thursday without Darlington getting involved in the transfer whirlwind which always takes place at this time of the season, but Quakers will have a new face in their side at Hull this afternoon. However, the player isn't so much
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Six-shooters back on Champions' League trail
Newcastle United 6 : Everton 2 - NEWCASTLE'S push for a Champions' League place is firmly back on track after Bobby Robson's side derailed Everton's revival under David Moyes. United, desperate to hang on to fourth spot in the Premiership and the promise
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University reveals sporting ambition
A showpiece centre for sport is to be developed at one of the region's universities. The centre, at the University of Teesside, in Middlesbrough, is expected to be open by September next year and will cost in the region of £6m. The Olympia Building will
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Travellers' site rethink call
COUNCILLORS are calling for revisions to controversial plans for travellers' accommodation at the gateway to a village. Durham City Council's development control committee has deferred a decision on the proposed development in the hope it can be made
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Festival to help brush off blues
EXPANDING a music festival could help with the regeneration of a run-down town centre. The Stanley Blues Festival, held in August, has become a major event in the North-East's musical calendar. Since its humble beginnings almost ten years ago it has grown
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Positive Honour hoping to turn the tables
FA Vase preview : Durham City manager Brian Honour believes that his players will be "fully charged" as they try to salvage their FA Carlsberg Vase final dreams today. City go into their all-Northern League semi-final second leg against Whitley Bay trailing
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Williams at the double for Pools
Oxford United 1 : Hartlepool United 2 - Efion Williams scored his first two goals in a Hartlepool United shirt on Saturday afternoon to clinch victory over Oxford United at the Kassam Stadium. Williams, a £30,000 capture from Torquay United, superbly
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EASTER OUTINGS : How I failed in my mission
MY mission was a failure. I had been planning to put the numbers 007 after my name but, after completing the spy training course at the new James Bond exhibition, it's more a case of oh-oh-dear. My efforts were more George Lazenby, who played the screen
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Club entrepreneur plans to transform town's nightlife
A CLUB boss is aiming to transform a market town's nightlife. Billy Walton, who owns Crocodillos nightclub in Front Street, Chester-le-Street, opened a £750,000 bar in the town this week and plans to transform part of the market place into another nightclub
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Farmers' mart prepares for reopening auctions
THE future of a farmers' auction mart that has been an important part of the community for generations has been assured. Concerns were raised over the future of the mart in Masham, North Yorkshire, because it has not been open since last February, when
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Cross is raised on hilltop as 2,000 attend Easter service
MORE than 2,000 people flocked to a North-East hilltop yesterday to join the raising of a cross and an outdoor Easter service. The event, at Tunstall Hill, Sunderland, was the largest it has been since it was started 40 years ago by St Cecelia's RC Church
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Police beg for end to motorway mayhem
DESPAIRING police last night appealed to drivers to slow down after the worst start to an Easter weekend on Britain's roads for decades left four dead and scores injured. More than 30 vehicles were involved in an horrendous pile-up in dense fog on the
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Merger makes way for new era of education
A NEW school will be created on the site of St Peter and Paul RC Primary School in Stockton from September 1 this year. The school will be formed when English Martyrs and St Peter and Paul RC Primary Schools close on August 31 and are merged for the start
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Award points museum towards record season
ONE of the region's smallest museums re-opened yesterday for the summer season. The Tom Leonard Mining Museum, at Skinningrove, east Cleveland, pays tribute to the area's mining heritage and, although it has been closed over the winter, there has been
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Long-awaited Metro extension opens - to face drivers' strike
THE long-awaited Metro extension linking Newcastle and Sunderland will start operating tomorrow. Delayed by vandalism and bad weather, the first working week of the new line will be marred by a one-day strike on Tuesday when about a third of Metro train
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University reveals sporting ambition
A showpiece centre for sport is to be developed at one of the region's universities. The centre, at the University of Teesside, in Middlesbrough, is expected to be open by September next year and will cost in the region of £6m. The Olympia Building will
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Horse-loving royal to get close-up view of artist's work
AMATEUR artist Neil Johnson is hoping that one of his paintings will receive royal approval. Mr Johnson, former chief executive with Derwentside District Council, has given his painting of a horse to the British Horse Society, which will raffle it during
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Debt-hit trust appeals for help
HEALTH bosses have had to bail out one of the region's largest hospital trusts, which was facing debts of £2m. South Tees Hospitals Trust, which is being expanded, had to ask Tees and County Durham health authorities for financial support to balance its
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Debt-hit trust appeals for help
HEALTH bosses have had to bail out one of the region's largest hospital trusts, which was facing debts of £2m. South Tees Hospitals Trust, which is being expanded, had to ask Tees and County Durham health authorities for financial support to balance its
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Blessing for visitor centre
A NEW visitor centre is to be opened tomorrow by the Archbishop of York, the Right Reverend David Hope. The centre has been built in the ruined shell of a 17th Century mansion in the shadow of Whitby Abbey. English Heritage said the completion of the
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Band's reel effort to raise charity cash
AN IRISH folk band from the region are joining a fundraising effort to buy specialist hospital equipment. The Wild Cats are staging a gig to raise money for the Darlington Diabetics Retinal Camera Appeal. The appeal aims to buy a £60,000 specialist camera
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Council housing survey
MORE than 21,000 questionnaires are being sent to Wear Valley homes, in the most comprehensive study of housing in the district. Wear Valley District Council is to undertake its first study of housing needs, to help the council provide affordable housing
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Soldier bride's big day takes back seat
FLOWERS and frocks have had to take a back-seat for a Bishop Auckland bride-to-be, as she serves on a peace-keeping mission in Bosnia. Corporal Jamie Parkin is due to get married in just over a month, but the run up to her wedding is being spent in eastern
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Touch of spice as famous faces drop in for reopening
SHOPPERS who turned up for the opening of a North-East discount department store could barely believe their eyes when Posh and Becks dropped in for a spot of bargain hunting. The celebrity pair were in Hartlepool for the opening of the new-look Designer
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Line-dancers' cash target
THREE girls are hoping they can raise enough money to compete in the line-dancing Olympics in October. Darlington friends Amanda Clixby, 12, Amy Maxwell, 13, and Nichola Young, 13, have already danced their way to a number of titles. Earlier this month
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Cutbacks that help visually impaired
OVERGROWN tree branches should be given the chop, say councillors who are backing a campaign to make streets safer for visually impaired people. Wear Valley district councillors are supporting an appeal by the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association to get
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Focus is on women's technical know-how
A WEEK of events giving women the chance to learn about music, sound engineering and much more has been organised. The course, which is open to women and girls of all ages from Darlington, is being held at a recording studio in the town from Monday to
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Demolition work gets under way
WORK has got under way on a major project to improve the physical environment for the people who live and work in an area of Teesside. Workers have begun demolishing the first blocks of houses in the Trinity Crescent area of North Ormesby, starting with
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Amanda's already a winner - now she hopes to pick one at National
A NORTHERN Echo reader is hoping her lucky streak will lead to a win during her VIP day at the races. Amanda Price, 26, from Spennymoor, is the winner of The Northern Echo's competition to enjoy a special day out at the Grand National next Saturday. The
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North Yorkshire news in brief : Information for future nurses
AN event to attract people into nursing takes place in Harrogate on Wednesday, April 10. The nurse education information afternoon will be held in the lecture theatre at Harrogate District Hospital, between 2pm and 4.30pm, and includes information on
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Meg looks for a home now future is brighter
CHASING a ball in the spring sunshine is the most natural thing in the world for a dog. But for the animal lovers who cared for Meg, the simple sight brings a lump to their throat. Meg may look and act like any other dog but, until recently, the four-year
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Enterprising schoolgirls scoop award
A TEAM of schoolgirls has beaten groups from around the world in an enterprise challenge. The group of five girls from Staindrop Comprehensive, in County Durham, represented the region at the European Young Enterprise trade fair, which attracted 60 teams
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Music school for DJs and wannabees
BUDDING DJs and the next pop idols have been given the chance to expand their experience and get their music heard at a special music school. Run by popular music agency Generator, the New Generation Pop and DJ School has been running all week at the
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Lucy leaves the rainforest behind for Moors project
A WOMAN whose career has included caring for orphaned baby monkeys and working with wildlife in Africa, has been appointed to a key job in the North York Moors National Park to boost many of its struggling businesses. Lucy Saggers has joined the park
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Celebrating Angel's popularity
VISITORS to the Angel of the North in Gateshead this weekend will get the chance to see a range of souvenirs reflecting the popularity of two of the region's most instantly recognisable landmarks. A mobile information centre will be at the base of the
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Heading for new heights
There's a chance to scale fresh heights on a new course. Ormesby Sports Complex wants people to join its new climbing wall course, on Tuesdays, for people aged 16 and over between 7pm and 9pm. A qualified instructor takes participants through five course
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Go-ahead for homes on site of ex-school
PLANS to turn land at a former primary school into a new housing estate have been approved - despite a string of objections from local people. The plans involve building 41 houses on the site of the old New Marske Infants School, in New Marske, along
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Former driver gets his own radio show
A FORMER Durham haulage worker is hosting his own late-night radio show next week. Jon Harle, of Birtley, Gateshead, quit his job as a haulage worker 17 years ago to follow his dream of a career in radio. Next week, he begins The Northern Nights, a late
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Firms helps players to build a future
TEENAGERS from the Chester-le-Street and Washington Schools Under-14s will play with pride in new kit at a national tournament. Team members are hoping to be spotted by scouts from some of the country's leading football clubs at the tournament, on the
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Be considerate to blind people, drivers urged
THE Mayor of Sunderland is asking motorists to have consideration for blind people and not park on pavements. Councillor Ken Murray is backing an appeal by the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association for people to take into account the difficulties faced
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Quick-thinking driver helps save the life of passenger
THE quick-thinking actions of a coach driver helped save the life of one of his passengers who took ill. Driver Graham Walker acted swiftly when told that Joe Wilson had blacked out while the bus was travelling on the A19. Sedgefield Borough Council's
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Pair put wheels in motion for charity
TWO teenagers are taking part in a 600-mile fundraising journey to raise the awareness of being disabled after being inspired by the words of singer-songwriter Bob Dylan. The lyrics "Feel like falling in love with the first woman I meet/Putting her in
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Grassroots : Washington
EMPLOYMENT HELP: The Washington Millennium Centre in Concord houses Job Linkage/Backup North. It is an employment and recruiting initiative offering services including advice and guidance interviews and Flexible Training Fund, Job Access Fund and Recruitment
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Festival to help brush off blues
EXPANDING a music festival could help with the regeneration of a run-down town centre. The Stanley Blues Festival, held in August, has become a major event in the North-East's musical calendar. Since its humble beginnings almost ten years ago it has grown
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Mum's tears of joy for Vikki's dance success
MOTHER Lorraine Thompson said she almost burst with pride when she was given a running commentary over the phone of her daughter's victory in a major dancing competition. Her 14-year-old daughter, Vikki Peacock, of Moorside, Consett, won her category
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Read all about it...the news from 1886
AT the time it was a handy way of filling a gap in a door frame, but 116 years later the newspaper, which a builder used in a County Durham home, has become an historical artefact. A copy of the North-Eastern Daily Gazette, dated October 23, 1886, was
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Hunt for clues to rubbish tip bones
POLICE officers are expecting to spend the rest of the Easter weekend completing an inch-by-inch search of an old rubbish tip where human remains were found. Bones were unearthed by a digger driver at the site near Strensall, north of York, on Thursday
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COMPETITION : Be born again with cosmetics
VIRGIN Vie's new summer catalogue comes out on Wednesday and is packed with cosmetics, skincare and bath and body products. From the new Colour Drench lipstick to the popular aromatherapy products, there is something for everyone, including special ranges
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Rugby Preview : Falcons determined to fight off Shark attack
NEWCASTLE Falcons welcome in-form Sale Sharks to Kingston Park tomorrow in what is a must-win game for Rob Andrew's flagging side. However, manager Andrew is well aware that despite the massive importance of the fixture to Newcastle's Heineken Cup ambitions
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COMPETITION : Get on-line for education
Worried about your child's Standard Assessment Tests (SATS)? Education.com has teamed up with The Northern Echo to bring you the chance to one of win 12 fantastic study guides to help your child surpass the class! StudyPlus is a fantastic online learning
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Plans discussed for future of precinct
RESIDENTS packed into a library to discuss the future of a shopping precinct in Blaydon. Concern was expressed about the centre, where a number of shops have closed in recent months. Ward councillor Malcolm Brain, who chaired the meeting, said talks had
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Quick-thinking driver helps save the life of passenger
THE quick-thinking actions of a coach driver helped save the life of one of his passengers who took ill. Driver Graham Walker acted swiftly while told that Joe Wilson had blacked out when the bus was travelling on the A19. Sedgefield Borough Council's
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Will's 'call home' appeal to Amanda
Pop idol Will Young last night appealed to missing teenager Amanda Dowler to get in touch with her family. The singer made the TV appeal to the 13-year-old - known to her family as Milly - before going on stage before 12,000 fans at the Sheffield Arena
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Deal is struck with Germans to take fridges
THOUSANDS of unwanted fridges are to be shipped abroad for disposal by a hard- up council desperate to reduce a mountain of unwanted appliances. Fridges are being stockpiled across the region, because local authorities have been banned from dumping them
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Successful operation to cut crime
POLICE officers in South Tyneside have claimed success following another high-profile initiative. Operation Lonestar II cut core crime by 21.9 per cent in the Boldons, Cleadon and Whitburn, and also addressed the fear of crime by successfully increasing
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Fire-raisers' trail of damage at famous shrine
A religious shrine in North Yorkshire - part of a town's traditional tourist trail - has been attacked by vandals who tried to start a fire. The Grade I listed building, known as the Shrine of Our Lady of the Crag, is one of Knaresborough's best-known
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Clergyman opening new CAB centre
OUTSPOKEN clergyman the Right Reverend David Jenkins, the former Bishop of Durham, has been invited to perform the opening ceremony when a Citizen's Advice Bureau is launched next weekend. Dr Jenkins has been a patron of the Friends of Hambleton CAB,
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Regional news in brief : Fatal crash witness plea
Police are appealing for information about a fatal car crash in the early hours of Thursday. The incident happened shortly before 3.40am when a Ford Sierra collided with a fence post on Mainthorpe Terrace, Hartlepool, Teesside. No other vehicles are thought
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Comment from The Northern Echo : The hypocrisy of celebrity
FOOTBALL stars and super models are happy enough to pick up the ludicrously fat pay cheques which accompany their fame. So when these so-called role models are exposed as liars, cheats and hypocrites, their howls of protest about consequent publicity
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Museum quiz has a sweet incentive
STAFF will be egging youngsters on as they take in the exhibits at one of Richmond's award-winning museums. Children touring the Green Howards Regimental Museum have always been invited to enter a quiz as they make their way round, with a certificate
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Emma is delighted to volunteer
A SINGLE mother from Middlesbrough is well on her way to a rewarding career - after signing up as the town's 300th Millennium Volunteer. Emma Thomas, 21, of Coulby Newham, joined Millennium Volunteers - a national scheme which gives youngsters the chance
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News in brief : Grant boosts for learning
Two adult learning projects have been awarded grants from the Government's Adult and Community Learning Fund. Darlington College of Technology has received £21,350 to encourage disaffected and disadvantaged young adults to gain qualifications as community
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Read all about it...the news from 1886
AT the time it was a handy way of filling a gap in a door frame, but 116 years later the newspaper, which a builder used in a County Durham home, has become an historical artefact. A copy of the North-Eastern Daily Gazette, dated October 23, 1886, was
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The man who'll help you bag a bargain
With a devoted audience, an eye for a bargain and a forthcoming visit to the North-East, Bargain Hunt presenter David Dickinson looks set to go from strength to strength. Steve Pratt meets the man as renowned for his personality as his presenting THE
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HEAR ALL SIDES : DAVID DUDDIN
I WAS quite appalled at your right-wing attitude to the case of David Duddin, the prisoner who sued a hotel in Yarm for holiday pay earned while serving his sentence (Echo, Mar 23). I expect that he was employed by the hotel with an agreed set of terms
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Racing Prospects : Tees Components has class to make trek worthwhile
Mary Reveley never runs her horses out of their depth so the hint should be taken with Tees Components, who makes the long trip for the bluesq.com Queens Prize Showcase Handicap over two miles at Kempton this afternoon. Although he's making his handicap
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Drivers ignore the dangers of journeys in fog
A SENIOR fire officer has confirmed that, in his view, it was a miracle no one died in yesterday's pile-up in fog on the A1 (M) in North Yorkshire. Four people had been killed in similar incidents, which dominated news bulletins the night before. Even
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Queudrue earns Boro share of the spoils
Middlesbrough 1 : Tottenham 1 - Franck Queudrue scored his second goal for Middlesbrough to deny Tottenham an historic North-East treble at the Riverside Stadium. The French defender, on loan from Lens until the end of the season with a view to a permanent
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Angler reels in friend's lost watch from river
Angler Brian Douglas was stunned when he lost his watch out fishing only for his pal to reel it in two weeks later still ticking. Brian, 64, thought his timepiece was gone for good when it fell in the river while he was out salmon fishing. But by pure
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Durham are disqualified after champion Rob's helping Hand
Athletics : NEWLY-CROWNED British Veterans cross country champion Rob Hand became the first over-40 to win the opening leg of the annual Elswick Road Relays yesterday. But the Durham City doctor was later disqualified for also running the anchor leg for
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In the Picture : The sun sets on The Big Breakfast
As the public lost its appetite for the anarchic style of The Big Breakfast, Channel 4 bosses decided to change the menu. But will the alternative dish up the goods? It's tempting to say that British early morning television will never be the same again
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Riding high again . . .
THE return of one spring tradition yesterday could epitomise the rebirth of the North Yorkshire Dales in the wake of last year's foot-and-mouth outbreak. The Middleham Stables open day was a casualty of the epidemic 12 months ago. The cancellation heralded
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At Your Service : Holy law is the order of the day
Five graveyards, the same number of villages, three churches and North Yorkshire police force are providing a new rewarding challenge for a North-East vicar THE column's multi-talented mother-in-law died last October, her loss felt only last Sunday morning
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Catching tragic teenager's drugs supplier 'is unlikely'
DETECTIVES fear they may never catch the dealer who supplied a North-East teenager with the heroin that killed her. It is nearly a year since the death of schoolgirl Catherine Longstaff, who had ambitions of becoming a doctor. A student at King James
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Play-off hopes take a fall
HARTLEPOOL United's Easter programme has suffered a major setback after influential midfielder Mark Tinkler was ruled out of both games. The 27-year-old sustained a freak knee injury last Monday, when falling off a ladder, and he has been ruled out of
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The sun sets on The Big Breakfast
As the public lost its appetite for the anarchic style of The Big Breakfast, Channel 4 bosses decided to change the menu. But will the alternative dish up the goods? It's tempting to say that British early morning television will never be the same again
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Families sought to host children from Chernobyl
MORE volunteers are needed to help with an established project that helps children whose lives are still blighted by the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, 16 years after it happened. Ten children from Belarus are looking forward to a month in North Yorkshire
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PREMIER COMMENTARY : Make or break time for defending champions
'Never write Manchester United off' has been a phrase used more often than most this season. But surely not even the might of United could bounce back to claim a record fourth successive Premiership title if they were to be defeated at Leeds today. Six
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Robson salutes inspirational Dyer
BOBBY ROBSON last night hailed the return to form and fitness of Kieron Dyer and declared: "People can't live with him when he plays like this.'' World Cup hopeful Dyer was inspirational as Newcastle romped to a 6-2 victory over Everton at St James' Park
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Northern League : Auckland agree to share
West Auckland have come to the aid of neighbours Evenwood by agreeing to share their ground for the rest of the season. Evenwood have had problems with their floodlights this season, and they had to postpone one game at short notice last week because
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Queen Mother dies
Buckingham Palace has announced that the Queen Mother has died "peacefully" in her sleep at Windsor. She died "peacefully in her sleep" this afternoon at Royal Lodge, Windsor. "The Queen was at her mother's bedside," said a Palace spokesman. "Queen Elizabeth
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Help close to home for rural residents
A scheme to create a one-stop shop providing community services in rural areas will soon reach fruition. The community office project in Kirkbymoorside, to help those in northern Ryedale, is just weeks away from opening, with information and services
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Concern over NUM share of compensation
FORMER mineworkers in County Durham are paying among the highest level of union deductions in the country from compensation payments. The National Union of Mineworkers Durham Area takes up to 7.5 per cent from successful damages claims in return for the
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Elite gather in Darlington for big prize
Bowls : SIXTEEN of the top teams in the UK are chasing over £10,000 prize money in a four-day Easter Bowls Festival at the Darlington Morrison Centre. Nearly 200 players are currently competing in the prestigious Famous Grouse Top Ten Classic 2002 - which
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Two charged following post office raid
TWO men will appear in court this morning following an armed raid on a post office earlier this week. The men have been charged with robbery and a firearms offence, while one of the men faces a further charge of burglary, and have been kept in police
