Archive
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Smith poses challenge for new boss
MIKE NEWELL will be forced into his first major decision as Hartlepool United manager today. Since taking over the Victoria Park hot-seat, it has been almost plain sailing for Newell. Pool may have been knocked out of the FA Cup by Southend United but
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Love, fowl play - and money for old laces
ROMANCE is not dead. Tony Blair is loyally standing by his wife Cherie and in Swaziland, King Mswati III has been so taken by the Miss Swaziland who represented his country in the Miss World competition that he plans to marry her. The only hitch is that
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For Your Benefit: Advantages of sheltered living
Q Two years ago, my father, now 85, assigned the house he lives in over to his family. He is on Income Support (IS) and is contemplating a move to council-run sheltered accommodation. What rent will he be required to pay? A If he continues to be entitled
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Kingsmark is basking in Todhunter's pond
TALK about a big fish in a little pond. This year's gallant Grand National fourth, Kingsmark, really is a whale in with minnows at Martin Todhunter's small stable situated at the village of Orton, near Penrith. Martin has around 20 other horses in his
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Police appealing for public to help protect post offices
THE public is being urged to join a campaign to protect post offices from thieves. Yesterday, Durham Police launched Operation Sayan, aimed at protecting the 39 post offices in the Chester-le-Street and Durham divisions. It involves both uniformed and
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Town's tree cut down by vandals
TOWNSFOLK awoke yesterday to find vandals had sawn down their Christmas tree in the night. But the people of Saltburn had the last laugh when workmen simply erected it again, albeit six feet shorter. Police were yesterday planning to inspect security
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Lawyers ready to move in to final phase of development
THE FINAL phase of a business development in Bishop Auckland town centre will be occupied by a solicitors' firm by the end of next year. A three-storey office block is to be built on the site of the former Wear Valley Hotel, in Newgate Street, as part
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Shame of fitness boss jailed for drugs
A COLOURFUL North-East businessman and champion body-builder was jailed last night for his involvement in international drug-running. Gym owner Marty Yates-Brown, a former senior Mr Britain, was handed a three-year prison term after it was revealed he
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Local pudding is voted best in the country
PUDDINGS made in North Yorkshire have been voted the best in the country. People had already been swapping traditional Christmas puddings for special treat laced in cognac, available only from Lewis and Cooper stores in Northallerton and Yarm, and other
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Man faces jail for drug debt threats
A MAN who spent a large part of a £150,000 compensation payout on cocaine was told by a court yesterday to expect a prison sentence after making a string of threats against a couple he claimed owed him money for drugs. Gary Jonathan Buck pleaded guilty
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Work disrupts Metro service
SOME Metro rail services will be suspended during part of tomorrow morning to allow operator Nexus to carry out work. The service will be suspended from Heworth to South Shields, in South Tyneside, and from Heworth to South Hylton from the start of service
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News in brief: Roll up for rock night
AN evening of live rock music from six of the most popular bands from Teesdale, Darlington and Weardale is taking place on Thursday. The Christmas Cracker event is being held in The Barn suite, the Jersey Farm Hotel, Barnard Castle, in County Durham.
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Thalidomide victim joins fight to stop tax grab
A NORTH Yorkshire man has joined a national campaign to persuade the Chancellor to stop his tax grab on Thalidomide victims. Campaigners have accused Gordon Brown of taking £6m in tax from victims of Thalidomide when every previous Chancellor from every
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Transport of the future
CHILDREN in Ferryhill Station have completed a project to raise awareness of transport issues. The Sustainable Transport Education Programme (Step), delivered by Groundwork East Durham, was a project for year 5 and 6 pupils at Ferryhill Station Primary
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New head at university
THE university of Teesside, in Middlesbrough, has appointment a new vice-chancellor. Professor Graham Henderson will take over the running of the university when current vice-chancellor, Professor Derek Fraser, retires next year. Prof Henderson is Prof
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Susan's window takes top prize
A SHOP owner is enjoying an early dose of festive cheer after winning a town's first Christmas window display competition. Susan Clark, who runs Buttons and Bows, a haberdashery store in the indoor market, Spennymoor, beat ten other traders in the town
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New role in Albert Square for N-E star
FORMER Coronation Street star Jill Halfpenny is set to swap the street for the square as Phil Mitchell's new love interest. Former Byker Grove star Jill joins the set of EastEnders as Kate Tyler, in an explosive storyline following the death of the character
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Waste not, win a lot
A NORTH Yorkshire authority is among the leaders when it comes to recycling - and that's official. Richmondshire District Council is the only one in the country to win three grants from the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs over the
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Bella in good voice on eve of 103rd birthday
BELLA Gauden was in good voice for her 103rd birthday celebrations yesterday. She joined in heartily as singer Philip Corrigan sang some of her favourites at the Langley Park Residential Home, near Durham City. Annie Isabelle Gauden actually reaches the
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School's five-a-side teams sweep the board at tournament
FOOTBALL teams from Ferryhill School have won the Darlington and Durham Racial Equality Cup. Schools from Darlington and County Durham were invited to take part in the one-day event. During the day there were a number of displays and events running alongside
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Mobile phone scam: four sentenced
A MOBILE phone scam led to four men appearing before Teesside Crown Court yesterday. Paul Cox, 25, of Granville Road, Peterlee, and Andrew Hadley, 25, of John Street, Houghton-le-Spring, pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to defraud. Colin Cleary
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Panto time with the MetroGnomes
FREE festive fun for all the family is on offer at Gateshead's MetroCentre as the MetroGnomes return with their pantomime. Herbert, Sherbet, Maggot and Rusty will take to the stage from Monday, starring in their Christmas pantomime, A White White Christmas
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News in brief: Boy fighting for his life
AN 11-year-old by is fighting for his life in Newcastle General Hospital after being involved in a collision with a car. A police spokesman said the boy, who is from the Benwell area of the city, had got off the 10A bus, which had stopped on West Denton
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Recruiting drive starts for countryside groups
PEOPLE who care about the countryside are being given the chance to influence how it is managed. Residents of County Durham and Northumberland have been invited to become members of two new bodies being set up as part of the Countryside and Rights of
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New arrival is a family event
A FAMILY is preparing for a special Christmas after its latest addition means it now spans five generations. Lennon Lee Yates, who was born just over a week ago, completes a family headed by Vera, 79, and Arthur Bartholomew, 84. Below them in the hierarchy
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Healthy organisations celebrate awards win
SCHOOLS and businesses in Darlington have been presented with Hygiene and Healthy Eating Awards. Thirty-two schools and businesses received certificates from Health Minister Alan Milburn yesterday. The awards are divided into two categories - the Heartwise
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Police bill is lower than first thought
PEOPLE in Teesside will not have to pay as much as was originally thought for police services next year. Cleveland Police Authority had previously warned of a "yawning gap" between Government grants for the service and expenditure, which would have to
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Youngsters live out their pop dreams
YOUNG hopefuls from across County Durham have lived out their pop star dreams before a packed audience. More than 400 people filled the Lamplight Arts Centre in Stanley to see 23 acts take the stage for the Youth Clubs County Durham Stars in Your Eyes
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Brotherly effort helps to set new standards in recycling
TWO green-fingered hands are better than one it seems as brothers are awarded for their efforts in recycling. A North Yorkshire household waste centre has become the first in the county to recycle and compost more than 50 per cent of the rubbish that
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News in brief: Roll up for rock night
AN evening of live rock music from six of the most popular bands from Teesdale, Darlington and Weardale is taking place on Thursday. The Christmas Cracker event is being held in The Barn suite, the Jersey Farm Hotel, Barnard Castle, in County Durham.
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Fresh salvo in row over North Sea fish quotas
THE region's fishermen last night accused the European Commission of stage-managing a disagreement over cuts in catch quotas so it can force an emergency ban and the subsequent ruin of the British fishing industry. Whitby fisherman Richard Brewer, who
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Mental health talks held
EXPERTS from Europe gathered in the North-East yesterday to discuss advances in treating a mental illness. The conference was organised by Rethink, formerly the National Schizophrenia Fellowship, at Newcastle Falcons Rugby Club, Newcastle. Speakers included
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£6m bid made for school cash
A NEW drive to help schools become the focus of community renewal is at the forefront of new thinking being pioneered in Sunderland. The finishing touches have been added to a £6m bid for funding from the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund over three years, to
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Town's next mayor dies after illness
THE deputy mayor of Darlington, Ken Walker, has died just a few months before he was set to become mayor. Councillor Walker died on Thursday night after a long illness. He was first elected to Darlington Borough Council in May 1983 and served the North
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Milestone in car seizures
POLICE in east Cleveland seized their 250th vehicle as part of their campaign to crack down on road tax dodgers, Operation Cubit. The police have been running the operation several days a month since it began in May. Sergeant Mike Cane, from Eston Police
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Wearside League: New Marske aiming to topple Stokesley from pole position
The leadership could change hands today if leaders Stokesley SC fail to win at third from top New Marske. Only two points separate the sides with Birtley Town in second position, a point off the leaders. Stokesley could include fit-again Ricky Farrell
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News in brief: Football traffic control plan
WEARMOUTH Bridge, in Sunderland, will be reduced to one lane in each direction this weekend. The lane closures will be in place from 11.30pm today to 5am tomorrow to allow for the installation of traffic management devices to help control traffic for
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News in brief: Man dies in car crashes
A MAN has died after his car crashed through a fence in Stockton Road, Middlesbrough. An inquest into the death of Thomas Beresford Davison, 65, known to friends as Barry, was opened and adjourned in Middlesbrough, yesterday. Mr Davison lived in Grosvenor
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Easy riders bear festive gifts
About 100 bikers will take to the streets today to bring Christmas cheer to deprived youngsters. The convoy of Harley-Davidson motorcycles sets off from Just Harleys, in Sandyford, Newcastle, and will travel to the offices of radio station Century FM,
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Easy riders bear festive gifts
About 100 bikers will take to the streets today to bring Christmas cheer to deprived youngsters. The convoy of Harley-Davidson motorcycles sets off from Just Harleys, in Sandyford, Newcastle, and will travel to the offices of radio station Century FM,
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Pair are jailed for fatal attack on drug addict
TWO men were jailed for ten years yesterday over the killing of a homeless drug addict. Judge Mr Justice Keith told Steven Small and Brian Lancaster, both 33, that they had carried out two cowardly attacks on Robert Parkin, known as Swampy, whose body
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Four arrests as rifles found during raids
POLICE seized four rifles in early-morning raids in Durham yesterday. The weapons were seized by detectives, accompanied by officers from Northumbria, who executed search warrants at eight addresses in the Gilesgate and Sherburn Road areas. Three were
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Fireworks and fun as streets come to life for Lantern Parade
HUNDREDS of schoolchildren braved the cold to take part in a spectacular festive show last night. The annual Lantern Parade is one of the highlights of the Christmas celebrations in Darlington. The town centre was brought to a standstill for the procession
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Art auction nets £580,000
A FINE art and antiques auction that netted £580,000 was last night hailed a success. The four-day auction at Anderson and Garland, in Newcastle, featured 2,500 lots, including a painting by Victorian artist Atkinson Grimshaw, which sold for £149,000.
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Robbers jailed for hostage terror
A robber who terrorised office staff with a knife and held an elderly woman hostage in demand for money has been jailed. Thomas Mason, 26, burst into the housing benefits office in Shiney Row, Wearside, with accomplices Stephen Ambler and Kay Thompson
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Digging back through 2,000 years to the teesside of biblical times
A SURPRISE discovery has unearthed a fascinating picture of people more than 2,000 years ago. A standard archaeological search carried out on the site of a George Wimpey estate being built off Dixon's Bank, Marton, Middlesbrough, has revealed remains
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Pain and gain for charity
A NORTHERN Echo reporter went through the pain barrier to raise money for The Giving Tree appeal. Sedgefield chief reporter Andrew White got colleagues, friends and family to sponsor him to have one of his leg swaxed yesterday. Beauty therapist Joanna
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Chemical talks held
ASHOK Kumar, Labour MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, will hold talks over the future of Teesside's chemical industry. The MP will meet Lord Sainsbury, Department of Trade and Industry Science Minister, and industrialists on Monday to discuss
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Digby drops in for breakfast briefing . . . before lessons
A SCHOOL that has no problem getting its pupils to lessons on time has held a power breakfast with one of Britain's most famous business faces. Digby Jones, the director-general of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) visited Carr Hill Primary
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Date fixed for Tyne crossing inquiry
A PUBLIC inquiry into the proposed £139m New Tyne Crossing will start on March 4, it was announced last night. The hearing, to be chaired by Government inspector Stuart Nixon at Jarrow Community Association is expected to last up to six weeks. A pre-inquiry
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News in brief: Football traffic control plan
WEARMOUTH Bridge, in Sunderland, will be reduced to one lane in each direction this weekend. The lane closures will be in place from 11.30pm today to 5am tomorrow to allow for the installation of traffic management devices to help control traffic for
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Funding gift that Rita was destined never to see
A DEVOTED fundraiser battling multiple sclerosis died just a day before she could have seen how much money her efforts had helped a North-East hospice. Rita Willis, 63, had been determined to help the patients and the staff at St Cuthbert's Hospice, in
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Charity takes on consultant
FOURTEEN months after the start of a major fundraising campaign, the Macmillan cancer charity has announced the appointment of County Durham's first dedicated palliative care consultant. When the Macmillan County Durham appeal was launched at Auckland
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Newcastle chief set to make lazy Laurent pay
FRUSTRATING French winger Laurent Robert is set to pay for his non-display in Newcastle United's Champions League defeat by Barcelona. Magpies manager Sir Bobby Robson was driven to despair as Robert was put to shame by a Dutch master-class from Barca's
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Police appealing for public to help protect post offices
THE public is being urged to join a campaign to protect post offices from thieves. Yesterday, Durham Police launched Operation Sayan, aimed at protecting the 39 post offices in the Chester-le-Street and Durham divisions. It involves both uniformed and
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At Your Service: Gale warming
The reincarnation of St Thomas's, Stanley - destined a decade ago for closure - is proof that miracles can happen. AMONG the things they still talk about on Stanley Hill Top is the afternoon of January 31, 1948, when Stanley United played Yorkshire Amateurs
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Let our cartoon favourites brighten your Christmas
THE North-East's favourite cartoon couple, Horace & Doris, have served up a Christmas treat - their very own book. Hen-pecked Horace and irrepressible Doris have become a much-loved daily feature of The Northern Echo. Fans have bombarded us with requests
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Santa gives out tips on teeth
SANTA dropped into a Christmas party to give children an extra gift this week. Pre-school children at Sure Start's Christmas party, in Loftus, were given a toothbrush and toothpaste from Santa, as well as tips on how to keep teeth clean.
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Young join forces to help struggling families
CHILDREN are serving up treats for people less well off this Christmas. Youngsters in 11 primary and secondary schools across Middlesbrough have filled 400 hampers for families and young people who have recently left care and will be on their own this
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Grassroots: Washington
FESTIVE EVENTS: Springwell Village will hold a number of events over Christmas. There will be a quiz and games night from 8pm on Thursday, at 50p per person. A quiz will be held on Christmas Eve, with a Boxing Day family disco from 7pm to 11pm. Tickets
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Double the fun at party
SANTA will be appearing at two Christmas parties at Southlands Leisure Centre, in Middlesbrough. Two parties will be held next Saturday, one for under-fives and the other for older children. The under-fives' party includes seasonal games and activities
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News in brief: Man dies in car crashes
A MAN has died after his car crashed through a fence in Stockton Road, Middlesbrough. An inquest into the death of Thomas Beresford Davison, 65, known to friends as Barry, was opened and adjourned in Middlesbrough, yesterday. Mr Davison lived in Grosvenor
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Michael tipped for title
FORMER National champion Michael Openshaw will be hot favourite to win the senior men's title in today's North Eastern Counties Cross Country Championships on home ground at Chester-le-Street Riverside. The 30-year-old, who started his athletics career
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Decision on homes delay
OBJECTORS to a controversial housing development may have to wait until the New Year to find out if it will go ahead. Land south of Moor Lane, Wingate, was earmarked for housing in 1983, and, at a public inquiry in 1999, it was decided that 60 homes could
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Cycle and walk plan for health
DURHAM County Council will be holding a festive bike ride and walk on the Durham coast. The events, held tomorrow and on Monday, follow previous successful initiatives organised as part of the Sustainable Health for Easington project. The On yer Bike
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Training on offer for IT jobs
A TRAINING package has been prepared by a Yorkshire IT organisation to combat a skills shortage. Taitec's Harrogate centre drew up its strategy in response to research, which suggested a European computer skills shortage of 1.7million jobs by 2005. Centre
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Caravans expansion
PLANS to extend a holiday centre with 27 static caravans and ten spaces for tourers would have an adverse impact on a rural riverside area and should be refused, say planning officers. The application by the Camping and Caravanning Club would be an extension
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News in brief: Burglars take oil paintings
VALUABLE jewellery and oil paintings were among items stolen from a Topcliffe house while the owners watched television in another room, between 7pm and 8.30pm on Thursday. Silverware and glassware is also missing. Police are anxious to talk to anyone
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Bowlers celebrate securing Lottery grant to fund new equipment
CLUB members are bowled over with their new equipment after securing a National Lottery grant. The bowling club at Seaham Leisure Centre was given £1,900 by the Lottery's Awards for All scheme, which helps community organisations. The donation has enabled
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Varsity pub opens its doors
A PUB designed to appeal to a city's large student population opened its doors this week, just as the student term came to a close. But assistant manageress Lucy Nicholson said the timing of the opening of the Varsity, in Durham, would allow some of the
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New firm for £230m project is revealed
A NEW preferred bidder for a £230m partnership scheme with a council - which could create 2,000 jobs - has been announced. Developer Liberata has replaced Amey for the contract after Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council said parts of Amey's original programme
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Defensive duo showing way forward - McClaren
STEVE McCLAREN last night hailed his goalscoring centre-backs for helping Middlesbrough's strikers in their hour of need. Between them, Boro's front two have only scored in six of their 17 Premiership matches this season - with Massimo Maccarone top-scoring
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The muscle king unmasked as a drug baron
THE public image of Marty Yates-Brown, a former senior Mr Britain, grandfather and fitness club boss, is far removed from the man whose life was laid bare in court. The 55-year-old entrepreneur, who built up the Classic World of Fitness chain over the
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Young guns in control
DARLINGTON'S player-coach Phil Lancaster will be on the bench for the third successive week today, hoping for another match-winning performance from players half his age. The home match against Macclesfield, which kicks off at 2.30, is a key game in the
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Behind the thin blue line
Documentary film-maker Colleen Cairns was shocked by the amount of alcohol women in the North-East consume on a night out, she tells Steve Pratt. COLLEEN Cairns admits that viewers may be shocked by a new Tyne Tees Television series in which cameras follow
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Victory for residents
RESIDENTS' fears over speeding cars could be allayed with a 40mph limit through their village. Darlington Borough Council is applying to put the speed restriction on the A68 at Redworth village. The council placed an advisory 30mph sign on a bend into
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News in brief: Football traffic control plan
WEARMOUTH Bridge, in Sunderland, will be reduced to one lane in each direction this weekend. The lane closures will be in place from 11.30pm today to 5am tomorrow to allow for the installation of traffic management devices to help control traffic for
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Lock up to beat sneak-thieves
POLICE have urged householders to take extra security measures during the dark nights to beat the thieves. The warning comes after a handbag, containing credit cards and money, was stolen from a house in Bishop Auckland on Thursday. The thief is believed
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Missing man
A MISSING man is being urged to contact his family or the police. Because of recent domestic problems, 40-year-old David Elcoat had been staying with his parents at Deneview, Cassop, County Durham, instead of with his wife at their home in Dunelm Road
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Panto time with the MetroGnomes
FREE festive fun for all the family is on offer at Gateshead's MetroCentre as the MetroGnomes return with their pantomime. Herbert, Sherbet, Maggot and Rusty will take to the stage from Monday, starring in their Christmas pantomime, A White White Christmas
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Derelict house blaze
Firefighters used specialist equipment to help deal with a blaze in a derelict terraced house yesterday. Two appliances, including a ladder platform, were sent to tackle the fire in an empty house in Ewehurst Parade, Dipton, near Stanley, just before
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Concern mounting over cattle disease
CATTLE disease cases look to be on the up - and, with no vaccination, Yorkshire farmers may have reason to be concerned. Increasing numbers of animals are being affected by a strain of pneumonia that causes death without quick diagnosis and treatment.
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Hospitals winning battle over bug
A HOSPITAL trust claims it is winning the battle against so-called superbug infections. This week, new research showed that the number of deaths caused by the superbug MRSA increased from eight per cent in 1993 to 44 per cent in 1998. Only a year ago,
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Swimmers in national final
A GIRLS' swimming team from the North-East will compete against the best schools from around the country. The pupils from Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College, Darlington, have reached the finals of the National Schools' Swimming Championships, at Ipswich
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UniBond League: Bishops boss sets target
Bishop Auckland manager Brian Honour has set himself a target as they prepare to face Leek Town at Dean Street today, writes Ray Simpson. Bishops lost 5-0 to Spennymoor in a cup tie in midweek, and Honour said: "The game made me realise what we have to
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Boost for town's road network
Improvements to Darlington's roads are likely after the borough council received an additional £268,000 from the Department for Transport. The money was awarded to the local authority in recognition of its performance in improving roads this year, and
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Police issue safety advice to residents
RESIDENTS are being urged to lock themselves in while at home following a series of sneak-in burglaries. Police officers are examining a number of incidents which have occurred over the last few weeks where thieves have entered houses in the Sowerby and
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Councillors on offensive in row over spending allowance
GOVERNMENT assumptions that Hambleton's council tax should be three times higher than it is have been strongly criticised by councillors. The district council's spending allowance for next year has been based on an average council tax levy of nearly £180
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Film dream a step closer for fan Paul
FILM MAKERS have secured funding to develop a movie about the life of a disabled North-East football fan. Northern Film and Media has agreed to provide cash for the screen adaptation of Paul Hodgson's autobiography, Flipper's Side. The people behind the
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Youngsters live out their pop dreams
YOUNG hopefuls from across County Durham have lived out their pop star dreams before a packed audience. More than 400 people filled the Lamplight Arts Centre in Stanley to see 23 acts take the stage for the Youth Clubs County Durham Stars in Your Eyes
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Father Paul wins award for reading
A CLERGYMAN has won a national award for encouraging boys to read. Father Paul Baker, of Pennywell, Sunderland, is a volunteer at Grindon Broadway Junior School, where he encourages a love of books and leads classes and assemblies on reading. In recognition
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Echo's boost for cancer care
THOUSANDS of pounds have been raised by readers of The Northern Echo to help breast cancer victims. More than £4,000 was raised at The Northern Echo fashion show, held at Tall Trees Hotel, Yarm, Teesside, in October. The event, which featured models who
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Crime bus hits the road
THE latest tool in the fight against crime in rural Durham communities has been unveiled. Marc, the Multi Agency Resource Centre, run by Derwentside Crime and Disorder Partnership, aims to help residents in isolated villages. The mobile centre, bought
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Free entry offered at infantry museum
HUNDREDS of people are expected to snap up an offer of free entry to a Durham museum. The DLI, formerly the Durham Light Infantry Museum and Durham Art Gallery, at Aykley Heads, Durham, is running the promotion on Boxing Day and New Year's Day. Visitors
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Crackdown slashes number of walk-in house burglaries
WALK-IN burglaries in Darlington have been dramatically reduced thanks to a police campaign launched last month. Darlington Police's Operation Velvet is aimed at reducing home and garage break-ins, especially during winter, when it gets dark earlier.
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Carers will get civic honours
A TOTAL of 25 foster carers, with 175 years of caring between them, will be honoured next week at a Christmas party. Special mention will be made of Ormesby couple Brenda and Bill Rathbone at the Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council event. The couple
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In The Picture: Behind the thin blue line
Documentary film-maker Colleen Cairns was shocked by the amount of alcohol women in the North-East consume on a night out, she tells Steve Pratt. COLLEEN Cairns admits that viewers may be shocked by a new Tyne Tees Television series in which cameras follow
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Widening gap between poor North and wealthy South
A report calls on the Government to put more effort into closing the gap between the poverty of the North and the wealth of the South. Hayley Gyllenspetz reports. THERE is a stark conclusion to the Institute of Public Policy Research (IPPR) report which
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North-East couples cannot afford large families
COUPLES in the North-East are having fewer children because they cannot afford to bring up a large family. Birth rates in England and Wales have dropped to their lowest level since records began in 1924, according to figures from the Office for National
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Comment: Time to look at the facts
WHEN the Labour Government was elected to power in May 1997, after so many years in the political wilderness, there was genuine hope that the needs of the North-East would be fairly addressed. A Prime Minister with a North-East constituency was supported
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Go for Fondmort
MICK FITZGERALD will not be wearing his kid gloves when partnering leading Tripleprint Gold Cup hope Fondmort (2.30) at Cheltenham this afternoon, writes Colin Woods. Capturing such competitive and high-profile chase handicaps requires a fair amount of
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Theatre is celebrating after a successful year
THE Theatre Royal, in Newcastle, is celebrating a successful year. The venue averaged 6,602 customers a week over the year, presented 352 performances and filled 67 per cent of its seats - eight per cent more than the national average. Membership of the
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Pellet gun sentence is halved
A YOUTH who shot a 14-year-old boy in the face with a metal pellet gun had his sentence halved at London's Court of Appeal yesterday. Andrew Nixon, 19, of Fairview, Ovington, near Richmond, North Yorkshire, pleaded guilty to unlawful wounding at Teesside
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MP and bus company in clash over cut to service
A BUS company boss and an MP have clashed over the planned withdrawal of a service on Teesside. Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland MP Ashok Kumar is to protest to Transport Secretary Alistair Darling about plans by the Stagecoach Transit company to
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Art auction nets £580,000
A FINE art and antiques auction that netted £580,000 was last night hailed a success. The four-day auction at Anderson and Garland, in Newcastle, featured 2,500 lots, including a painting by Victorian artist Atkinson Grimshaw, which sold for £149,000.
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Pay dispute by tug boat men could end in strike
AN INDUSTRIAL stand-off over pay at a North-East dock could escalate. Union negotiators for tug boat crews at Teesport may hold a strike ballot in January if a three per cent basic pay increase is not extended to bonuses and other benefits and if current
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Freed charity worker vows to clear name
FREED charity worker Ian Stillman returned to Britain yesterday, vowing to clear his name. Mr Stillman, 53, who is deaf, has an artificial leg and suffers from diabetes, was greeted by cheers from his tearful family as he arrived at Heathrow airport,
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Showbiz world mourns Dixielander Billy
NORTH-EAST comedian, Billy Martin - best known for his stage partnership with Bobby Hooper in the Dixielanders - has died aged 79. Fellow comedian, Bobby Pattison, said: "He was a raconteur and very, very funny. But he was also a home-loving man, and
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Sports group celebrates Lottery award of £1.6m
A SPORTS organisation was awarded £1.6m to promote healthy living in local communities yesterday. Durham Sport, which covers County Durham and Darlington, was awarded the sum from the Sport England Lottery Fund to develop its Active Sports Programme over
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Plea made by father of Katie
THE father of an 11-year-old girl who was seriously injured when she was knocked down by a hit-and-run driver has made an emotional appeal for the motorist to come forward. Jeff Scales, 38, of Haxby, York, said his daughter Katie had lost her memory and
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Accolade for mature student
A MATURE student's commitment to going back to school has earned him a national accolade. David Brennan, 40, has won the Institute of Management's Student of the Year award. The project engineer, from South Shields, has spent the past three years studying
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Trade mission sets up jobs hope
THE NORTH-EAST is set to get a healthy jobs boost following the success of the latest trade mission to China, organised through Trade Partners UK. Hundreds of jobs will be created after MKW Engineering Ltd in Ryton, Gateshead, signed a joint venture with
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Seeing stars
A CHRISTMAS wish came true for Rosanna Pagan and friend Fiona Lofthouse, from Middlesbrough, when they met the boys from band Blue. Rosanna's father, Mark, who runs Pagan Eyecare opticians, in Middlesbrough, arranged the meeting when he was asked to fit
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Historians uncover charter anniversary
A PROJECT to write a detailed history of a thousand-year-old market town has turned up a surprise anniversary. A team meets weekly to write what is to be known as Kirkbymoorside Times, published in monthly sections starting next March. Headed by Bill
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The Albany League Today: Town seeking revenge
Billingham Town are looking for revenge when West Auckland visit Bedford Terrace today. Town were thumped 5-0 by West in the opening week of the season, but feel they can turn the tables. Manager Allan Robinson said: "We want to continue the good form
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Friends' kidney swap 'success'
THE North-East's first friend-to-friend live kidney transplant appears to be a success, organ donor Derek Marshall has revealed. Mr Marshall, 56, who donated one of his kidneys to lifelong friend Bill Brough, 54, on Wednesday, was speaking from his home
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14/12/02
FOX HUNTING: THE Government has introduced a new Hunting Bill. As it stands, this bill will outlaw some forms of hunting with dogs - such as hare coursing and deer hunting - but fox hunting is likely to continue in certain areas. The RSPCA believes this
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Quakers out to provide the fireworks
DARLINGTON caretaker boss Mick Tait is hoping his side can provide the spark in Hull City's last game at Boothferry Park after the club were refused permission for a fireworks display finale. The Tigers had hoped to commemorate the day before moving to
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Phillips tipped to save Sunderland
KEVIN KILBANE last night singled out Kevin Phillips as the man to fire Sunderland to safety. The Black Cats entertain Liverpool tomorrow knowing defeat could see them hit rock bottom in the Premiership. And Kilbane is convinced that if Sunderland can
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Murray takes salary cut as plc tightens its belt
SUNDERLAND chairman Bob Murray has forfeited £250,000 after admitting to feeling "inadequate'' as the club has gone into a spiral of decline and amassed debts of over £25m. Millionaire Murray has taken a two-thirds cut in his £75,000-a-year salary, and
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Premier commentary: Tel has gone from frying pan into fire
SAVING Middlesbrough from almost certain relegation must now seem like a picnic for Terry Venables compared to his current problems at Elland Road. When Venables was first charged with the unenviable task of guiding beleaguered Boro to Premiership safety
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Fast 500 status for growing tech firm
A DURHAM computer company has been ranked among some of the fastest growing technology companies in the world. Waterstons Computer and Business Consultancy has secured a place in the Deloitte & Touche Tohmatsu 2002 European Technology Fast 500, which
