Archive
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Light show for North-East tower building
A largely empty building is to host a £50,000 light show. The 18 storey glass fronted Centre North East building in the centre of Middlesbrough only has two tenants. But the entire 220ft high skyscraper - the tallest office complex in the North-East -
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Victory for Porton Down family
THE family of a North-East airman, who died nearly 50 years ago after lethal nerve agent was tested on him, came a step closer to discovering the truth behind the tragedy yesterday after a High Court ruling. Ronald Maddison, 20, of Consett, County Durham
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Wrexham win proves Quakers' progress
DARLINGTON'S progress under caretaker boss Mick Tait can be measured by the team's two differing performances against Wrexham this season. The Quakers were comfortably beaten by the Robins in the league, more so than the 1-0 scoreline at Feethams suggested
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Eating Owt: Vive la difference
MY dear old dad was a Cameron Highlander, an improbable regiment for a biscuit maker from Muswell Hill, though it probably explained his proselytizing passion for porridge. Until the 8.15am from Darlington to Kings Cross - calling at York, Doncaster,
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Promise to brides made by company
BRIDALWEAR firms have rallied round to save the day for hundreds of North-East brides who feared they would not be able to wear their dream dresses. More than 300 brides have been caught up in the chaos after one of the region's biggest bridalwear companies
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Jobs-axe firm now cancels hampers
BOSSES at global manufacturing company Black & Decker have been branded tight-fisted Scrooges after cancelling a long-standing Christmas handout for ex-employees. For more than 20 years, the American-owned company has brightened up the festive season
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Jobs-axe firm now cancels hampers
BOSSES at global manufacturing company Black & Decker have been branded tight-fisted Scrooges after cancelling a long-standing Christmas handout for ex-employees. For more than 20 years, the American-owned company has brightened up the festive season
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'Run-down' town to benefit from £30m spending plan
A PLAN to breathe new life into Hartlepool could see about £30m invested in run-down town centre areas. Hartlepool New Deal for Communities (NDC) has been carrying out consultation with residents which began in February and involved street workshops and
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Magician goes back to school
MAGICIAN Daniel Hunt, 23, will appear at his former school, Staindrop Comprehensive, near Barnard Castle, next Tuesday, at 7.30pm. "I've done a show every year at the school since I left," he said. "It's to say thanks for the support they gave me with
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Royal Navy trainee wins award
A NAVAL engineer with a head for figures collected a mathematics award at the end of his basic training course. Weapons engineering artificer Clive Treby, aged 22, from Bishop Auckland, completed his training at HMS Raleigh, the Royal Navy's new entry
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School's choir has plenty to sing about
PUPILS at a Darlington school were celebrating yesterday after their musical talents earned a £1,000 prize. Children from Alderman Leach Primary School emerged victorious in a Christmas carol competition, staged as part of a spectacular festive show in
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Appeal for fans to drink off football club debt
FANS of a non-league football team are being asked to drink the club out of financial trouble. Officials from Willington AFC have managed to strike an unusual deal with a national brewery to work its way out of debt. Last month, solicitors acting for
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Service offers young people a lift to work
A SCOOTER scheme to help people in rural areas get to work is launching an initiative to disseminate information about its services. The Wheels to Work moped loan scheme has been helping young people living in parts of Teesdale with poor transport links
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Booths help tourists to see city's sights
AN information booth which will help shoppers and tourists visiting Newcastle is unveiled this week. The Minister for Europe, Dr Denis MacShane MP, will open the first of the booths in the city centre on Thursday. At the touch of a screen, they will give
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Recycling test for councils
RECYCLING a mountain of waste from almost 80,000 homes will involve a massive technological challenge for three County Durham councils. Wear Valley, Teesdale and Derwentside District Councils are teaming up to offer people a Green Box scheme for waste
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Appeal for help to catch robbers
DETECTIVES investigating a robbery at a Co-op store in Hartlepool are appealing for businesses in the area to let them know if they have been asked to change large amounts of coins into notes. Last Wednesday, two female shop assistants at the North-Eastern
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News in brief: Young history pioneers
Pupils from Dodmire Primary School became the first to be involved in the Time Trackers living history project at Darlington Railway Centre and Museum yesterday. The living history scheme is being run for two weeks, twice a year, and sees the museum transformed
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Euro MP says regional assembly would be county's death-knell
NORTH-EAST Conservative MEP Martin Callanan has launched a campaign against a regional assembly for the north. He says proposals for an elected regional assembly would sound the death-knell for County Durham. He aims to enlist "an army of supporters"
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Hunt for owners of A1 hitchhiker Ferri
AN appeal has been launched to find the owners of a particularly independent cat, which hitched a ride along the A1 in a lorry. The female tortoiseshell, christened Ferri by RSPCA staff, was spotted by workers at Ferrow Monk Systems wandering around an
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Professor puts case for city culture bid
NEWCASTLE and Gateshead's bid for City of Culture status will come under the international spotlight this week. Professor Chris Bailey, associate dean in the School of Arts and Social Sciences at Northumbria University, will discuss creative hotspots
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Congestion zone's bus shuttle proves success
A SHUTTLE bus operating on Britain's first congestion-toll road is proving a success, according to a council. Durham County Council introduced the Cathedral bus serving Durham City's peninsula, including the castle, cathedral and university colleges,
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Marble arrives from Africa via Belgium
Middlesbrough firm Fred Jones Marble & Granite has provided the kind of polished finish that developer Terrace Hill wants for the "Cube" on Newcastle's Barrack Road. The two firms plan on making a big first impression for visitors to the building
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Opposition voiced to library service move
PLANS to move a library from a landmark building are being opposed by councillors who are organising a petition. Leaders of Middlesbrough Council are proposing to move the library service from the Carnegie building in the town centre, and house a craft
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Would you live here, Mr Blair?
What is it like to be driven from your street my neighbours from hall and to be left with a house nobody wants? Last night one man put his case to Prime Minister Tony Blair. Stuart Arnold reports. BACK in 1989 Tony Preece paid £23,000 for No 28 Alliance
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Homeless may use hall as flats
A FORMER church hall, built in the 19th Century, could be turned into flats for homeless families. St Clement's Church Hall, in York, has been the venue for dances, wedding receptions and community meetings for more than 100 years. But the local authority
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Bid to unlock £175m pot
SWEEPING changes that could unlock £175m to regenerate 35,000 council houses will be proposed tomorrow. Proposals for an outside body to run council housing stock are to come before Newcastle City Council's cabinet. Councillor Ruth Robson, cabinet member
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Marbles sure to sell for a nice round figure
THE contents of one of the region's best known houses, Victorian marbles and even a pardon from Elizabeth I will be going under the hammer later this week. Almost 1,300 lots of antiques and pictures will be sold at the latest catalogue sale to be held
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Residents lose fight against waste site
NEIGHBOURS have lost their battle to halt a new household waste site in Harrogate, aimed at taking the pressure off the town's lone council tip in Wetherby Road. A government inspector has ruled that the Oak Beck Park site, near the junctions of Skipton
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Ex-workers 'very hopeful' of takeover bid for steelworks
FORMER employees of a troubled North-East steelworks are pressing ahead with plans to take over the plant with the help of government agencies and a union-funded bank. Led by former managing director Bill Cooper, a working group of 20 say they are "very
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Eating Owt: Vive la difference
MY dear old dad was a Cameron Highlander, an improbable regiment for a biscuit maker from Muswell Hill, though it probably explained his proselytizing passion for porridge. Until the 8.15am from Darlington to Kings Cross - calling at York, Doncaster,
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Panto favourites have experience behind them
PERENNIAL panto favourite Berwick Kaler was yesterday back in his adopted city preparing to entertain his army of fans. The madcap Geordie performer has written and will be co-directing his 24th pantomime at the Theatre Royal in York. And together with
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Renowned child abuse expert suspended
A world-renowned child abuse expert has been suspended from both her consultant and teaching posts following a complaint to the powerful medical disciplinary body, The Northern Echo can reveal. Dr Camille San Lazaro, a consultant paediatrician at the
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School excludes 117
A SHOCKING 117 pupils have been excluded from a pioneering school in just two months. Three pupils a day have been handed exclusion orders in a "zero tolerance" crackdown since All Saints College on Tyneside opened its doors in September. The school,
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Man denies raping girl from hostel
A HOMELESS girl was raped by a man whom she begged for help, a court was told. The 16-year-old telephoned Barry Mays from a homeless hostel saying she had no one to turn to, said Christine Egerton, prosecuting. She claimed Mays took her back to his home
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Karen gives arthritic animals the needle
Pets in Cleveland with arthritis and sore muscles are being treated with acupuncture. Former working collie Bess has seen an improvement to her arthritic knees since Australian vet Karen Willmer began treating her. "Acupuncture is an animal-treatment
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Shining examples of art
THE distinctive style of Scandinavian glass products have gone on show in a colourful new display in the North-East. Smooth Finnish, which opened last night at the National Glass Centre in Sunderland, reflects the bold but experimental designs of glass
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Magpies directors' pay rises spark fury
Newcastle United Football Club small shareholders were left confused and outraged by a trip to the capital yesterday to demand answers as to why two directors granted themselves phenomenal pay rises. Douglas Hall, non-executive director and major shareholder
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Chapter of successes
A writer and publisher have scored a double triumph by making two shortlists. Neil Astley, of Northumberland, has been shortlisted for the Whitbread First Novel Award for his book, The End of My Tether. His publishing company, Bloodaxe, has been shortlisted
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Exhilaration for bucket shop
Online bucket shop lastminute.com has bought hot-air- ballooning-to-flying lessons business eXhilaration in a £1m deal. The former stock market star said the acquisition would boost the number of "lifestyle" products available to its customers. Founded
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Residents throw party for workers
RESIDENTS broke from tradition to throw a party for workers who dug up their road. While disruption caused by building and engineering work normally provokes discontent, Brandon residents were so happy with the conduct of men from Lumsden and Carroll
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Widow, 84, dies after blaze
A PENSIONER has died following a blaze at her home last month, it emerged yesterday. Retired teacher Vera Rigby was rescued after becoming trapped in the living room of her ground floor flat in Pasture Farm Close, Fulford, North Yorkshire, in the fire
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Safety crackdown fines total £250,000
PENALTIES for health and safety offences are getting tougher with fines in the North-East totalling almost £250,000. The Health and Safety Executive secured 92 convictions in the region, eight of which carried fines in excess of £10,000. National figures
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Travelling thieves promised a frosty reception
POLICE are launching a crackdown on travelling shoplifting gangs in the run-up to Christmas in east Durham. Officers have warned thieves to expect a frosty reception in Seaham, after launching an operation yesterday with town centre stores that will continue
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Drugs are driving up crime, say police
THE demand for drugs is driving up crime, says a North-East police chief. Cleveland Police are having to deal with about 650 crimes every day. The figures are revealedin the annual report of the Cleveland Police Chief Constable, Barry Shaw. Highlighting
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Consumers offered rights advice
SHOPPERS are being offered consumer rights advice during the countdown to Christmas. The Consumer Support Network, (CSN), an umbrella group of advice agencies, has been launched in Middlesbrough. Funded by a £10,000 Government grant, the scheme will see
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High-fliers change smugglers' bridleway
AN ancient smugglers' bridleway is to be changed because of sensitive security measures at RAF Fylingdales. Members of the North York Moors National Park's services committee have agreed to remove a section of the bridleway which extends within the high
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Angela does the honours as Darlington wins it
Darlington Building Society's commitment to looking after its own has won national recognition. The society was presented with the Community Service Award for regional lenders at the 2002 Mortgage Finance Gazette awards, held at the Gibson Hall in London
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Closure of maternity unit to be probed
THE public's help is needed during an investigation into the closure of a North-East maternity unit. Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council has set up a select committee to look into the closure and the public is invited to its first meeting, in Guisborough
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Christmas at the Bowes
A MUSEUM aims to get visitors in the mood for Christmas at a festive celebration. The Bowes Museum, in Barnard Castle, County Durham, will hold a Christmas extravaganza to entertain visitors to the 19th Century attraction next month. The event will be
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News in brief: Top marks for primary school
INSPECTORS have praised a school for its links with Europe. An Ofsted team visited the 235-pupil St Joseph's Roman Catholic Primary School, in Blaydon, Tyneside, and rated it "very good". They were impressed by its links with schools in several countries
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Why we're flocking back to M&S
It may be cold outside but things are hotting up at Marks & Spencer, as Women's Editor Christen Pears finds out. IT'S hot and humid at the Marks & Spencer spring/summer fashion launch. The gallery where it's taking place has been transformed into
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Schools to show clean bill of health
SCHOOLS across Stockton are to receive awards for displaying a clean bill of health. Twenty-two schools will be presented with bronze and silver awards under the Stockton Healthy Schools programme tomorrow. They had to show they were addressing health
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Santa's little helpers prepare for reindeer parade
CHILDREN from three schools have been working hard to prepare their costumes for the Christmas Cairngorm Reindeer Parade. Cancelled last year because of the foot-and-mouth outbreak, Prancer, Dancer and friends will be back in Middlesbrough on Sunday.
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News in brief: Top marks for primary school
INSPECTORS have praised a school for its links with Europe. An Ofsted team visited the 235-pupil St Joseph's Roman Catholic Primary School, in Blaydon, Tyneside, and rated it "very good". They were impressed by its links with schools in several countries
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Recycling test for councils
RECYCLING a mountain of waste from almost 80,000 homes will involve a massive technological challenge for three County Durham councils. Wear Valley, Teesdale and Derwentside District Councils are teaming up to offer people a Green Box scheme for waste
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Blueprint for region's future is unveiled
THE Government yesterday published the region's planning blueprint for the next 14 years. Regional Planning Guidance for the North-East will provide a framework for planners, business leaders and politicians. Some of the priorities in the document include
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Job has hopes for Geremi
JOSEPH-DESIRE JOB last night urged Middlesbrough to make Geremi's move to Teesside a permanent one. Cameroon international Job believes it is no coincidence that Boro's turnaround in fortunes has occurred at the same time as his fellow countryman's arrival
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Jonathan goes pop in Swaziland
From Darlington schoolboy to African pop star and environmental guardian, Jonathan Curren has packed plenty into his 33 years, John Dean reports. FORMER Darlington schoolboy Jonathan Curren has travelled the world, dedicated himself to protecting the
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Summer date for house price index
The Government plans to begin publishing its own monthly house price index from the beginning of next summer. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister said the National Statistics House Price Index, plans for which were unveiled in August, would be based
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Premium bond cash unclaimed
More than 12,000 people across the North-East and Cumbria have missed out on premium bond windfalls - purely because they have not claimed their winnings. Prizes totalling £736,100 are still waiting to be paid out and are currently being held by National
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Feeds mill hub of venture firm
An animal feeds mill at Piercebridge, near Darlington, is to form the hub of a joint venture company, FeedCo. It has been set up with immediate effect by North-East farming co-operative Farmway and Lloyd's Animal Feeds, the UK's largest privately-owned
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Former fireman relives Goddess glory days
As talks aimed at ending the firemen's strike reach a crucial stage, John Hobbs reports on the passion a North-East farmer has for the Green Goddess fire engines manned by the Army during the dispute. Farmer Frank Beddard fell in love with the Green Goddess
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Contracts in Oz
A DIVISION of the Cleveland Potash mine has won two contracts in Western Australia. It is the first time that Cleveland Cascades, the bulk-loading chute manufacturer based at Tees Dock, Middlesbrough, has sold to that region of Australia. Broad Construction
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Fresh bid hoped to persuade Lottery to splash out on pool
A FRESH bid to win National Lottery backing for a planned £1m dales swimming pool will be submitted next month. The Upper Wensleydale Sports and Recreation Association is seeking a £450,000 contribution towards creating a 20-metre pool behind the Dales
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Power supplier helps its staff balance life and work
Helping staff strike a balance between work and life away from the office or factory is a challenge facing all employers. A recent Government survey claimed that more than half of workers in the North blamed an unbalanced lifestyle on the demands of work
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Fans to drink off football club debt
FANS of a non-league football team are being asked to drink the club out of financial trouble. Officials from Willington AFC have managed to strike an unusual deal with a national brewery to work its way out of debt. Last month, solicitors acting for
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Man dies after road accident
A man has died after being critically injured in a road accident three weeks ago. Thomas Wake, 63, of Parkside, Seaham, is believed to have got off a bus and started crossing the B1404 Station Road, Seaham, when he was struck by a Nissan Micra. He was
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Storm misses cut by one shot
HARTLEPOOL golfer Graeme Storm crashed out of the European Tour qualifying School yesterday. The 24-year-old, who hit an impressive 67 on the opening day, had a difficult final day task in Spain after carding 73 and 72 on Saturday and Sunday. In the fourth
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Victory for Porton Down family
THE family of a North-East airman, who died nearly 50 years ago after lethal nerve agent was tested on him, came a step closer to discovering the truth behind the tragedy yesterday after a High Court ruling. Ronald Maddison, 20, of Consett, County Durham
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Job hewn out of Irish granite
A promise to get the job done in time for a visit by the Queen was enough to secure a granite worktops firm the contract to build an ornamental fountain for the Irish Presidential Palace. Granite Worktops Direct, based in Gilesgate, Durham, relied on
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Changing our perceptions with better communication
Zlie Gurin's job, encouraging the region's businesses to think communication when trading overseas, might have been made for her. She claims Irish, French and Spanish lineage, is fluent in German and French, can get by in Spanish, and has worked extensively
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Rallying cry for help to save manufacturing
Pressure is mounting on Chancellor Gordon Brown to back British manufacturing or witness its demise. The Government has been warned it needs to loosen the chains binding its coffers to bolster key areas, such as infrastructure, technology and skills,
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Captain's Corner: Taking the Mick
IT'S nearly two weeks since Chris Turner left Hartlepool to join Sheffield Wednesday and I would just like to take this opportunity to wish him all the best. Chris, or the gaffer as we always called him, was a breath of fresh air for Hartlepool and he
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How Durham proved a bigger lure than Arsenal for Gough
Michael Gough, the fast- maturing Durham opening batsman, has been telling the column how he almost ended up playing football for the Arsenal instead. As a 14-year-old, the versatile youngster played three Gunners trial matches in central defence - each
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Looking good for Hughes
RICHARD HUGHES did his level best to wrest the 2002 champion jockey's title from Kieren Fallon's grasp, but in the end a combination of ill-timed suspensions plus lack of firepower put paid to his chances. Hughes has turned his attentions to the all-weather
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Framework in place to provide ideal workers
A blueprint has been launched to marry the skills needed by employers with the CVs of future workforces. Training organisations do not always teach young people the essential tools they need to get on in North-East industry. The North-East's Framework
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Surgeon and son in Nepal rescue
A BRAIN surgeon and his son have saved a man's life while trying to keep a royal appointment. Neurosurgeon Fred Nath was trekking through the Himalayas on his way to be decorated with the Suprabal Gorkha Dakshin Bahu by the king of Nepal for his contribution
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Man questioned in drug death
A man is being quizzed by police over another man's drugs-related death. Police were called by paramedics dealing with a man suffering the effects of a drugs overdose at a house in Grove Hill, Middlesbrough, on Monday night. Their patient was certified
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Poom switch not to Gregory's liking
Derby County boss John Gregory last night admitted he never wanted to lose Mart Poom to Sunderland. The cash-strapped First Division strugglers had to allow the Estonian goalkeeper to join the Black Cats on loan to ease their crippling wage bill. And
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Businesswoman charged with theft
A Darlington businesswoman has appeared in court charged with 19 counts of theft. Mary Blair, 53, of Summerhouse Grove, is accused of stealing money varying in amounts from £3,850 to more than £84,600. She appeared at Darlington Magistrates' Court alongside
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Hospice issues giving appeal to shoppers
CHRISTMAS shoppers are being encouraged to give their support to a hospice appeal. St Teresa's Hospice, in Darlington, has set up this year's Giving to Life festive tree in the Cornmill Centre. For a suggested donation of £2, shoppers can write a personal
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Drug dealer had cannabis in kitchen
POLICE caught a drug dealer with four blocks of cannabis resin on his kitchen worktop, a court was told yesterday. Stephen Barber, 32, from Ferryhill, also had thousands of pounds in cash in the boot of his car, said Philip Lancaster, prosecuting. The
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Injured biker decides on return to college
AN injured motorcyclist is using his sick leave to study for new qualifications at his old college. Marc Batson was so badly hurt in an accident last July that he has not been able to return to work as a technician at Tallent Engineering, in Newton Aycliffe
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Secret agent on public display at museum
GIRLS, guns, gadgets and . . . posters. Where would the James Bond movies be without those fantastic posters advertising the exploits of the world's greatest secret agent? To mark the 40th anniversary of the first Bond movie, a North-East museum is hosting
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Fishermen wait in fear to hear of fleet's fate
THE North's fishermen were last night waiting anxiously to hear the result of talks which could make or break the region's fisheries fleet. Industry leaders were in talks with the European Commission in a bid to save cod fishing grounds from total closure
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Booths help tourists to see city's sights
AN information booth which will help shoppers and tourists visiting Newcastle is unveiled this week. The Minister for Europe, Dr Denis MacShane MP, will open the first of the booths in the city centre on Thursday. At the touch of a screen, they will give
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Railway museum manager moving on to a new station
A MUSEUM manager who arrived with a brief to close it, has left 13 years later with it on track for an exciting £7.9m development. If Timothy Hackworth boss Alan Pearce had stuck to his remit, the railway town of Shildon may never have made the bold bid
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Cross-country test
MORE than 200 children took part in the Darlington Junior Schools Cross-Country competition at the weekend. The event, organised by the Quakers Running Club and supported by Darlington Bondgate Round Table, was first run last year, when 11 schools took
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School buddy scheme
A BUDDYING scheme at a primary school near Darlington means children will never feel alone at playtimes. Nine pupils at Bishopton and Redmarshall School have been selected to patrol the playground and encourage youngsters to play together. All the "buddies
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News in brief: Landlord's to ensure safety
Students in York will be able to choose their accommodation with confidence in future with a new code of conduct for landlords launched tomorrow. The voluntary code will promote good standards and ensure safety. The City of York Council has worked in
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Pensioner admits 1970s sex abuse
A PENSIONER yesterday admitted sexually abusing two girls 30 years ago. William Barrigan, 76, of St Barbara's Walk, Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, indecently assaulted the girls, aged eight and 13, between 1972 and 1978. He was remanded on bail at Teesside
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Train firm reduces fares as thank-you
TRAIN operator Arriva Trains Northern has reduced fares by a quarter on one of its North-East routes until the end of the month. The company says the move is to thank customers using the Durham Coast route between Middlesbrough, Stockton, Billingham,
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Comment: Weighing risk and freedom
IN Britain, for most of the past 30 years, terrorist threats have been with us, courtesy of the IRA. There have been atrocities. Yet, the way we have gone about our lives has been unaffected. Today, in the aftermath of the Bali bombing, it is apparent
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Professor puts case for city culture bid
NEWCASTLE and Gateshead's bid for City of Culture status will come under the international spotlight this week. Professor Chris Bailey, associate dean in the School of Arts and Social Sciences at Northumbria University, will discuss creative hotspots
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Wish comes true
Melissa Wilkinson's fervent wish was to see Father Christmas. But the six-year-old was crestfallen when she made her annual visit to his grotto to find a caf there instead. So her grandmother, Deanna Walker, wrote a letter asking for Santa's whereabouts
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Bogus security man escapes with £20,000
POLICE are hunting a bogus security man who stole more than £20,000 from a garage. The thief, dressed in a uniform and posing as a security guard, walked into the Jet service station at the side of the A181 at Wheatley Hill, County Durham, at 11.45am
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Uniform decision on diet by cleaners
SIX CLEANERS who found they couldn't fit into their new work uniforms have vowed to shed the pounds and raise cash for charity. The women, from Gateshead Council's cleaning and catering service, ordered the outfits earlier this year, but collectively
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Collision witnesses sought
POLICE are appealing for witnesses to a serious road traffic accident that took place in Ripon earlier this month. Two silver cars, an Astra and a Peugeot 306, collided by the Safeway supermarket traffic lights on Harrogate Road at 2.20pm on November
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Sonny's work wins top prize at inaugural show
DURHAM'S first Open Art Exhibition attracted hundreds of people to the DLI Museum and Art Gallery for the announcement of the three winners. Three arts professionals were selected from 116 works exhibited out of an original entry of 500. First prize of
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Hear All Sides: Myra Hindley
MYRA Hindley is described as the icon of evil (Echo, Nov 16). She was the focus of hate. Not all of us join the chorus. Those of us who have read Leviticus know the function of the scapegoat. I believe that she should have been punished, but all punishment
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News in brief: Meningitis on-line help
People in the region are being urged to log on to a new website to alert them to the signs and symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia. Visitors to the site, at www.meningitis.org, can get tips on how to spot signs of the diseases and an explanation of
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Italians help out with fair at Roman fort
ITALIAN visitors are retracing the steps of their countrymen with a visit to Roman remains today. Tourism students Elena Lioli and Giulia Bufalini are spending a week on work placement at Segedunum Roman Fort and Museum, in Wallsend, Newcastle, where
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Robber is jailed for his first attack
A ROBBER who told police that he watched two other robberies take place before plucking up the courage to do it himself, was jailed for two-and-a-half years yesterday. Alan Novak, 21, was caught during his first attempt. He told police he was desperate
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Coroner denies theft
A coroner went on trial yesterday accused of stealing more than £185,000 from the beneficiaries of ten wills. Jeremy David Cave, 53, of The Grange, Balk, near Thirsk, North Yorkshire, denies ten counts of theft alleged to have been committed between April
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Entrepreneur unveils plan for city centre development
PROPOSALS have been announced that could revitalise retail and leisure facilities in a North-East city centre. Business entrepreneur Alex Bastholm has drawn up plans to develop the area round Sunderland's Crowtree Leisure Centre and the nearby former
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Funding information day
Small businesses may not be getting all the financial support they are entitled to, according to the North East Chamber of Commerce. The chamber is holding a European funding information day for firms with fewer than 250 employees - not including the
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School excludes 117
A SHOCKING 117 pupils have been excluded from a pioneering school in just two months. Three pupils a day have been handed exclusion orders in a "zero tolerance" crackdown since All Saints College on Tyneside opened its doors in September. The school,
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Man denies raping girl from hostel
A HOMELESS girl was raped by a man whom she begged for help, a court was told. The 16-year-old telephoned Barry Mays from a homeless hostel saying she had no one to turn to, said Christine Egerton, prosecuting. She claimed Mays took her back to his home
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Lifesavers praised after player's brush with death
VOLUNTEERS who helped save the life of a rugby player were praised yesterday. Team-mates of Redcar Thirds player Mark Fletcher, 29, were told that he "died twice" during efforts to save him when a neck injury caused a seizure. Yesterday, his family were
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Lifesavers praised after player's brush with death
VOLUNTEERS who helped save the life of a rugby player were praised yesterday. Team-mates of Redcar Thirds player Mark Fletcher, 29, were told that he "died twice" during efforts to save him when a neck injury caused a seizure. Yesterday, his family were
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Shining examples of art
THE distinctive style of Scandinavian glass products have gone on show in a colourful new display in the North-East. Smooth Finnish, which opened last night at the National Glass Centre in Sunderland, reflects the bold but experimental designs of glass
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Jail for man who rammed cop shop
An angry motorist who crashed his car into a £1m police station a month after it opened, has been jailed for two years. Joseph Lucas, 37, rammed the glass-fronted building three times before abandoning the Y-Reg Rover 25 and continuing the attack with
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Chorister pupils look ahead to the fruits of ceremonial labour
CHILDREN who took part in a tree planting ceremony yesterday should be around to see it bear fruit in years to come. Members of the Northern Fruit Group presented symbolic apple trees, a hardy vine and a fig tree to the dean and chapter of Durham Cathedral
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Hospital virus past its peak
THE number of wards that have had to be closed to new admissions at York District Hospital is now six. After seven were closed over the weekend, the situation is said to be improving. A total of 34 patients are now affected with 21 of those recovering
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Chapter of successes
A writer and publisher have scored a double triumph by making two shortlists. Neil Astley, of Northumberland, has been shortlisted for the Whitbread First Novel Award for his book, The End of My Tether. His publishing company, Bloodaxe, has been shortlisted
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Jailed charity worker's family clutches at Straw
THE family of jailed charity worker Ian Stillman will be taking his plight to the Home Secretary today. They have secured a face-to-face meeting with Jack Straw in London and are hoping to push his case - which they feel has been at a standstill for weeks
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Majestic toasts strong demand for bubbly profits
Majestic Wine thanked strong demand for both Old and New World wines as it toasted a surge in half-year profits and sales. The wine warehouse chain, which has outlets across the region, saw sales jump 27.9 per cent to £56.8m in the 26 weeks to September
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'Water is cool' thanks to company's donation to school
YOUNGSTERS now have cool water on tap thanks to a donation. Children at Newton Hall Infants School were presented with a water cooler by local firm AquAid after the school won a competition. The contest was organised by the firm as part of the Water is
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Firemen's anger at engines call-up
THE Government last night turned up the heat ahead of Friday's proposed eight-day firefighters' strike by ordering the immediate call-up of reserve appliances across the country. Nick Raynsford, Minister of State for Local Government and the Regions,
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Police launch new offensive
A CAMPAIGN is being launched in Hartlepool to deter crime and improve the safety of shoppers. Operation Yuletide will start at the beginning of December and will run until the first week in January. It aims to forge closer links between security at the
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Is there anybody out there?
A TOP star gazing academic's lecture promises to be out of this world. Professor Sir Arnold Wolfendale says he wants to engage his audience in the debate "Are we alone? The search for intelligent life". The 14th Astronomer Royal and Emeritus Professor
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The best man for fundraising
WEDDING guests have helped charity - by betting on the best man's speech. Relatives and friends of newlyweds Ian Mitchell and Charlotte Rigg organised a sweepstake on how long the best man's speech would last at their wedding last week, at Lea Close Farm
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Job Search: Vacancies
Social car scheme coordinator, Thirsk. £14,316pa pro rata, 20hpw, tba, Experience not essential. Must be computer literate. Duties to take bookings for transport and coordinate transport. Ref: NOE17824. Sales assistant, Northallerton. £4.50ph plus bonus
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Job Search: Vacancies
Kitchen assistant/cook, Hart Village, Hartlepool. £4.20ph, 20hpw, 5/7 days. Must have a food hygiene certificate and knowledge of preparing all foods. Ref: HAQ21248. Sales assistant, Hartlepool. 25 or 40 hpw, £4.30ph. Experience an advantage but not essential
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Job Search: Vacancies
Sales representative, Chester-le-Street. NMW. 10-38hpw, Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm. Must have previous experience. Own transport essential. IT skills an advantage. Ref: CHM15183. Receptionist, Seaham. £4.20ph, 20hpw. Must be computer literate. Experience preferred
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Teen changes plea in guard death trial
A teenager accused of murdering a former Welsh Guardsman who was kicked to death while sleeping rough in freezing conditions changed his plea to guilty today. David Pallister, 18, of Ashley Road, South Shields, Tyneside, admitted killing ex-soldier Richard
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Job Search: Vacancies
Driver, Bishop Auckland, £4.20ph, 40 hours. Must be 25+ with full clean licence. Ref: BIS 11777. Support worker, Darlington, £4.50-£5 ph. Must have current clean driving licence. To supervise people with leaning disabilities. Ref: DAE 32690. Joiner/window
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Teenager accused of seafront murder
A TEENAGER has denied murdering a former Welsh Guardsman as he sheltered from the winter cold while sleeping rough. Richard Jones, 47, was found lying in a pool of blood by a passer-by, who had stopped to offer him money for a bed in the early hours of
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Identical twin peaks of achievement
Identical twin brothers Gavin and Andrew Trowles have enjoyed parallel lives. They attended the same schools and technical college, worked in the same part-time jobs, and today, they both graduate from the University of Teesside with BSc (Hons) degrees
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CCTV viewed as a huge success
A CLOSED-circuit television network of cameras - funded by a 10p surcharge on parking - has produced 534 tapes of potential criminal evidence during the past year. The 100 cameras covering Harrogate, Ripon, Boroughbridge, Knaresborough and Skipton produced
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Drugs are driving up crime, say police
THE demand for drugs is driving up crime, says a North-East police chief. Cleveland Police are having to deal with about 650 crimes every day. The figures are revealedin the annual report of the Cleveland Police Chief Constable, Barry Shaw. Highlighting
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Blind pensioner attacked as she left church
POLICE have condemned as cowardly an attack on a blind pensioner as she was leaving church. The 85-year-old woman was on her way home from St Cuthbert's Church, in Durham City, when the attack happened, at around 12.20pm on Sunday. She was walking into
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Serving up steady supply
A NEW business venture is proving just the tonic for enterprising Karen Bell. The 31-year-old has launched an online trade directory for the pub, club, restaurant and leisure industry to help remove the headache of sourcing from suppliers. Her business
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News in brief: Decision due on closure
A MOVE to close Guisborough town centre to traffic to accommodate a farmers' market will be discussed today. Councillors look likely to decide to keep Guisborough's main shopping street of Westgate open to traffic and impose secondary measures. The meeting
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News in brief: Top marks for primary school
INSPECTORS have praised a school for its links with Europe. An Ofsted team visited the 235-pupil St Joseph's Roman Catholic Primary School, in Blaydon, Tyneside, and rated it "very good". They were impressed by its links with schools in several countries
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News in brief: Top marks for primary school
INSPECTORS have praised a school for its links with Europe. An Ofsted team visited the 235-pupil St Joseph's Roman Catholic Primary School, in Blaydon, Tyneside, and rated it "very good". They were impressed by its links with schools in several countries
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News in brief: Decision due on closure
A MOVE to close Guisborough town centre to traffic to accommodate a farmers' market will be discussed today. Councillors look likely to decide to keep Guisborough's main shopping street of Westgate open to traffic and impose secondary measures. The meeting
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Row led to man killing himself
AN unemployed man hanged himself after a long-running dispute with a neighbour, an inquest heard yesterday. Maurice Hauxwell, of West Auckland Road, Darlington, was visited by police after a row in which he had threatened his elderly neighbour. Just days
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Open door
Business Link Uncovered, a drop-in event on Wednesday, December 4, at the Imex Business Centre in Durham, aims to show the wealth of free information and advice that is now available. "We can provide, free of charge, access to a huge range of support
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Sects and the City
WITHIN one generation the City of London has changed beyond recognition. Thirty years ago, City men wore pinstripes and bowlers and carried brollies as they waddled penguin-like to their long lunches. Now City men have grown younger and become City persons
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Newboulds celebrates decade of pies for Asda
PIE firm Newboulds is celebrating after clocking up ten years supplying its traditional fare to supermarket Asda. The Middlesbrough-based company began supplying its pies, pease pudding, savoury duck and saveloys to the superstore in the early 1990s and
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Last Night's TV: Real Life: Size Matters (ITV)
Bigger would mean better for trio desperate to grow ON the face of it, this looked like another of those slightly sensational documentaries along the lines of Plastic Surgery Ruined My Penis Extension or 100 Great Surgical Procedures That Went Wrong.
