Archive
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News in brief: Burial ground trees to go
Four trees in a Quaker burial ground in Darlington are to be felled. The borough council is expected to give consent for the felling of two sycamore trees, a semi-mature ash and a yew. An application has been made by the Friends Meeting House and will
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'Hounded' sex attack man back in prison
A SEX offender who indecently assaulted a girl after being released from prison, is back behind bars. Jobless Jeffrey William Scott admitted an assault on a 15-year-old girl, which took place shortly after he was released from a previous three-year sentence
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Railway station becomes a transport interchange
THE £468,000 transformation of a Teesside railway station has been completed. Thornaby Station has been given a new waiting room, shop and a ticket office, together with a 60-space park-and-ride car park and covered cycle parking facilities. Five display
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Auction house seeks hidden treasures
AN auction house is inviting people to take guns, fishing equipment or military items to an antiques fair later this month. Holt's auction house will be holding the fair at Lumley Castle, near Chester-le-Street, County Durham, on Tuesday, January 14.
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Runaway ferret gets a leg up from dog walker
A WOMAN out walking her dogs turned animal rescuer after a friendly ferret ran up her leg. Audrey Reynolds, 69, was walking her two dogs by the River Wear, at Chester-le-Street, when the animal came over to say hello. "I was walking along as the dogs
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Get your skates on
PEOPLE are being urged to shed the pounds by taking up skating. Staff at the open-air ice rink at the Life Science Centre, in Newcastle, have worked out that skaters can burn up to 555 calories in an hour, making skating an ideal way to get into shape
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Get your skates on
PEOPLE are being urged to shed the pounds by taking up skating. Staff at the open-air ice rink at the Life Science Centre, in Newcastle, have worked out that skaters can burn up to 555 calories in an hour, making skating an ideal way to get into shape
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Complaints group will probe crash
THE independent Police Complaints Authority has been called in to supervise an investigation into a single vehicle crash in which a 21-year-old man was killed. The crash happened on the A612 at the Scarthingwell crossroads, North Yorkshire, at 11pm on
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Animal protector takes busman's holiday to work on the wild side
AN RSPCA inspector is to live out his dream of working with wild animals during a month-long stay in Africa. Garry Palmer has worked with creatures of all shapes and sizes in his job as an inspector in the North-East. But his love of animals has taken
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Pair accused of attack
TWO teenagers appeared in court yesterday after a man was left lying in a pool of blood with a broken jaw following a street attack in the early hours of New Year's Day. Michael John Yarwood, 19, of Hargrove Road, Harrogate and a 17-year-old youth who
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Policeman Nick in marathon effort for children's charity
POLICEMAN Nick Arthur's has has gone on the run for charity. More used to policing the London Marathon than running in it, PC Arthur, 41, who is based in Middlesbrough, decided to get in shape and compete in this year's event to raise money for Childline
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Drug withdrawal plan formulated
A CHARITY has developed an action plan to help people suffering withdrawal from the anti-depressant drug Seroxat. Thousands of users of Seroxat, including many in the North-East and North Yorkshire, have reported withdrawal effects, from head pains to
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Families back meningitis campaign
FAMILIES of meningitis victims in the North-East have given their backing to a new campaign to raise awareness about the deadly disease. The Meningitis Research Foundation (MRF) launched its new television and radio campaign yesterday with the support
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Cameras installed to combat vandals
THE fight against vandalism has taken a high-tech turn in an attempt to protect a town's memorial park. Councillors in Easingwold have approved a closed-circuit surveillance scheme, which will monitor the bandstand and children's play area using cameras
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Wedding pride of polar explorer
POLAR explorer Robert Swan had been hoping for anything but snow when he gets married in his home town today. The first man to walk unaided to both North and South Poles is to tie the knot with fiancee Nicole Gallacher at St Mary's Church, in Wycliffe
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Staff join forces for charity
SUPERMARKET staff are to shed the pounds in aid of breast cancer research after a colleague's long battle with the disease. Ali Booth, who works in the Asda store in Thornaby, near Stockton, is in remission from the disease for the second time. Moved
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News in brief: Legendary rocker back
Legendary 1960s psychedelic rock guitarist Arthur Lee and his band, Love, return to the North-East later this month. The band played to a sell-out audience at the Newcastle Opera House in August and are returning to the venue on Tuesday, January 28. Doors
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Three parties interested in troubled club
THREE potential buyers have come forward for the troubled Tangerine Lifestyle health and fitness club, in Harrogate. Earlier this week, the club went into voluntary liquidation following a creditors' meeting. It had been feared that the club would have
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North's sad record of lung disease
NORTHERNERS are among the most at risk of suffering from lung cancer in the country, according to new figures. Eighty-five men out of a population of 100,000 have lung cancer in the North, along with 44 women, compared with the national average of 72
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Whitworth plans Roman conquest at Lingfield
SIMON WHITWORTH, who celebrated his 41st birthday by riding a winner at Wolverhampton yesterday, heads to Lingfield this afternoon where he reckons Roman Quintet (12.35) will also be in the money. "I'll be very disappointed if Roman Quintet gets beaten
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News in brief: Police hunt for drug thieves
POLICE are looking for thieves who smashed their way into a doctor's car and stole his bag, containing a range of drugs. The bag contained morphine, diazepam and pethadine. The car, a Suzuki, was parked in Kellfield Avenue, at the rear of Kelbrook Way
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News in brief: Snow and frost cause problems
Early frost and a light snowfall brought problems for road-users in north-west Durham yesterday. Motorists were faced with difficult driving conditions during the morning rush-hour on several roads in the Consett and Stanley areas. Police said the only
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Is the picture any clearer now?
The future of our multi-choice, multi-channel TV seems a little blurred. Entertainment Writer Steve Pratt attempts to guide you through the maze of what to see and what to switch off. "Television, it's evolving," states actor and writer Steven Berkoff
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Volunteers wrap up fundraising efforts
VOLUNTEERS have raised more than £2,000 for a cancer charity in the run-up to Christmas. Marie Curie Cancer Care raised £2,279 from a gift-wrapping service for shoppers over a fortnight at the MetroCentre, in Gateshead. It was the second year that the
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Couple's home raided on their wedding day
A BRIDE and groom returned from their wedding reception to discover their home had been ransacked by burglars. Rie and Colin Hargreaves had to make the heartbreaking decision to cancel their honeymoon to sort out the mess the thieves left behind. Cash
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Plan approved
APPROVAL was yesterday granted for a Quayside development of 81 flats, a five-floor, 234-space multi-storey car park, restaurants and offices. Members of Newcastle City Council's development services committee voted 7-4 in favour of the scheme, on a site
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News in brief: Snow and frost cause problems
Early frost and a light snowfall brought problems for road-users in north-west Durham yesterday. Motorists were faced with difficult driving conditions during the morning rush-hour on several roads in the Consett and Stanley areas. Police said the only
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Funeral of war widow
THE funeral of one of the country's first widows in the Second World War took place yesterday. Doris Sinclair died at Haughton Village Nursing Home, Darlington, after suffering from pneumonia. Mrs Sinclair's first husband, Sergeant William "Bill" Brown
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Angler killed by freak wave is named by police
AN angler killed after a wave swept him off a pier was last night named as Stephen Garnett. Forty-five-year-old Mr Garnett, of Armley, in Leeds, was one of three people who were fishing at the Northumberland port of Amble when weather deteriorated on
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Football club may be bought by council
COUNCIL chiefs are looking at whether they can save a football team by buying their ground, it emerged yesterday. City of York Council is considering whether it can acquire the Bootham Crescent ground of York City by a compulsory purchase order. The council's
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Reshuffle for radio presenters
A PROGRAMME and presenter reshuffle is under way at a local radio station. Matthew Davies, BBC Local Radio Presenter of the Year, is moving after four years as host of BBC Radio Cleveland's afternoon show to a new mid-morning, consumer programme. Mr Davies
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Reshuffle for radio presenters
A PROGRAMME and presenter reshuffle is under way at a local radio station. Matthew Davies, BBC Local Radio Presenter of the Year, is moving after four years as host of BBC Radio Cleveland's afternoon show to a new mid-morning, consumer programme. Mr Davies
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Search for relatives of road victim
POLICE are trying to track down relatives of a man who was killed in a road accident six days before Christmas. John Roland Brown was killed on December 19 when he was struck by a lorry as he walked on the westbound A66, near the Scotch Corner roundabout
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Man free after sex assault on teenager
A MAN who indecently assaulted a teenager in his home walked free from court yesterday. Anthony Byrne, 43, invited the 15-year-old into his house at Collingwood Street, South Shields, South Tyneside, where they played on his computer before it was decided
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Man free after sex assault on teenager
A MAN who indecently assaulted a teenager in his home walked free from court yesterday. Anthony Byrne, 43, invited the 15-year-old into his house at Collingwood Street, South Shields, South Tyneside, where they played on his computer before it was decided
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UniBond League: Lee out to plug leaky defence
UNIBOND LEAGUE: Spennymoor manager Tony Lee is hoping his side will stop the recent leaking of goals in today's home game with Stocksbridge, writes Ray Simpson. Moors have conceded 19 goals in their last seven league and cup matches, and Lee said: "We
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Mercy for kerb crawling doctor
A FAMILY doctor twice convicted of kerb-crawling has been allowed to keep his job after an investigation by the General Medical Council. No further action is to be taken against Dr Patrick Holmes, who works in Middleton St George, near Darlington. The
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Robson lines up an £8m bid for Belgian defender
NEWCASTLE United have turned their attentions to Marseille's Daniel van Buyten in a bid to bolster their backline. Manager Sir Bobby Robson is believed to be preparing an £8m bid for van Buyten - described in Belgium as their version of Jaap Stam - after
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City site found for health club HQ
Fitness club entrepreneur Duncan Bannatyne could move his headquarters to Durham because of problems finding a suitable location in Darlington. The move would be potentially damaging to a town trying to raise its profile as a haven for business ventures
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Macho praised by Sorensen
THOMAS SORENSEN gave a glowing assessment of goalkeeping rival Jurgen Macho last night and insisted: "He can be as good as he wants." In Sorensen's absence, Macho has emerged as a contender for Sunderland's player of the season with a string of top-class
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Petrol bombs flew in family feud over will
TERRIFIED residents were caught in the crossfire when rival factions of a North-East family started a petrol-bomb fight over a ceramic dog left in an old man's will. Exploding fire bombs lit up the night sky in a Hartlepool street when jealous relatives
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Still lords of our sky after 4,000 years
KEEPING dead rats in the freezer is guaranteed to cause at least a little friction in most households. Add to that the immense amount of time, commitment and money that falconers must devote to their sport, and you understand why it remains a minority
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Village halls facing cash crisis in Whitehall funding shake-up
Village halls across the North-East face extinction unless they receive urgent financial help, as a result of a Government funding shake-up. A change in the way the Learning and Skills Council allocates funding for adult education, due to take effect
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Hughes dreams of glory
AARON HUGHES may have starred on the Champions League stage but the Newcastle United defender still dreams of winning the FA Cup. The Northern Ireland international has played at many of Europe's biggest venues and has helped his club side back into the
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Techno family triumph
BUDDING boffins David and Rosie Johnson are following in their parents' footsteps. The Johnsons, including dad Simon and mother Eleanor, are to be featured on TV, creating working robots for Techno-Wars as part of the BBC2's Science Week in the spring
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Curtains close on cinematic history
AFTER the final credits of The Lord of the Rings have rolled, staff at a North-East cinema will say their goodbyes, switch off the lights, and leave the building. Their subdued departure will be in marked contrast to when Durham's Robins Cinema opened
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Swedish midfielder is Wilkinson's top target
HOWARD WILKINSON wants to make Sweden midfielder Pontus Farnerud his first signing as Sunderland manager after admitting he needs to strengthen "four areas" of his team. As Wilkinson confirmed he was making progress on two deals, it emerged last night
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In The Picture: My, Tracy, how you've changed
Children in soaps have a strange habit of disappearing upstairs only to reappear sometime later as a completely different person. The latest is Coronation Street's Tracy Barlow, who's changed her body, but not her morals. Tracy Barlow is the girl who
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New survey will test support for regional government proposals
A SOUNDING is being taken to test public support for a directly-elected regional government in the North-East. Thousands of people in County Durham are being surveyed to discover if there is backing for a referendum on proposals for a regional assembly
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At Your Service: A bright spot in the bleak midwinter
The congregation at a post-Christmas service at a newly-illuminated church was small but perfectly formed... all the more mice pies and friendliness to go round. IN rural parts where a priest may have several churches, umpteen hats and a timetable like
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Backlog threat to Cup
THE threat of a fixture backlog again looks like throwing the Durham County Cup into turmoil, with two of the first round matches already postponed. Reducing the senior event to eight teams and creating an Intermediate Cup last season failed to stop some
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Target set for health in New Year
FUNDRAISERS are determined to make 2003 a year to remember by providing their local hospital with life-saving equipment. The Friends of the Friarage Hospital, in Northallerton, have set themselves the target of £150,000 for an appeal which could benefit
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Queen makes Olive's big day
THE festive season brought a double celebration for Olive Thompson - and a birthday card from the Queen on Christmas Eve made her 100th birthday extra special. Olive's family travelled from all over the country to help the former nurse celebrate with
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Wearside League: Shields hoping to beat weather and Jarrow
The programme has again been badly affected by the weather and last night five of the scheduled nine games were postponed. The biggest casualty was the Durham Challenge Cup quarter- final between Birtley Town and Wolviston. In the league, the matches
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Techno family triumph
BUDDING boffins David and Rosie Johnson are following in their parents' footsteps. The Johnsons, including dad Simon and mother Eleanor, are to be featured on TV, creating working robots for Techno-Wars as part of the BBC2's Science Week in the spring
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Your region, your choice
THOUSANDS of households in County Durham are being surveyed to discover if there is backing for a referendum on proposals for a regional assembly. The county council has written to 32,000 randomly selected homes in the wake of the Bill that could pave
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For Your Benefit: Income boost for low earner
Q The Social Security Office tells my son, 21, that he cannot get any benefit because monthly he works 44 hours earning £181.36. Is this so? He cannot even pay for his prescriptions or the dentist. A Working less than 16 hours a week, and on those low
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Tait sees signs of progress towards Cup pot of gold
The FA Cup third-round pairing of Darlington and Farnborough may have done little to whet the appetite of neutral football fans but caretaker boss Mick Tait believes this afternoon's tie could be a blessing in disguise for Quakers. Tait would prefer to
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Jimmy plays Santa
A FORMER milkman brought some festive joy to young cancer sufferers. Jimmy Gustard, of Urpeth Grange, who himself suffers from an inoperable brain tumour, has been a regular patient in recent years at Newcastle General Hospital. Despite his own problems
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Murphy's the main Man
MAN MURPHY'S ability to handle heavy ground could prove crucial in what promises to be a battle royal for this afternoon's £40,000 Dipper Chase at Haydock. The abandonment of water-logged Newcastle has led to the race being switched from Tyneside, but
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Chips are down for criminals
POLICE officers in Middlesbrough are to be helped by the latest computer technology. They are being equipped with palm-sized computers which mean that checking the details of a suspect on the street will only take seconds. The mini-computers can even
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Controversy over fence replacement
A RARE 200-year-old ornamental wooden fence plagued by vandals could be replaced by a metal one to deter further damage. Councillors have decided that the fence, outside Guisborough's Sunnyfield House, should be replaced with a metal one in the same design
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Robert denies assault claim
LAURENT ROBERT last night vehemently denied attacking a journalist after Newcastle United's Premiership game with Tottenham Hotspur last Sunday, writes Steven Baker. As Newcastle conducted an internal investigation into Robert's altercation with Newcastle
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Raid faked by manager
A nightclub manager who faked a £15,000 armed robbery claimed she and her children were threatened with violence. Sarah Jane Porritt said she was locked in a cupboard during a raid at The Deck nightspot in Redcar. But detectives discovered that Porritt
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Bus subsidies review
BUS services in Darlington are to be revised for passengers using less commercially viable routes. Darlington Borough Council has been forced to take a detailed look at its supported bus services policy because of the possible abolition of Government
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Comment: No easy answer to gun menace
THERE have been examples in the past of poor legislation, drawn up in haste in response to tragic events. We must refrain from going down such a dangerous path in the aftermath of the terrible New Year party shooting in Birmingham. The response from Government
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Pod scheme poised for expansion
AN innovative community support scheme is expected to prosper in the New Year, according to organisers. Darlington set a national first last year when it launched the Pod project, bringing a wealth of support to youngsters and adults. The Pod, a 40ft
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Giving to Life tree appeal aids hospice
A FESTIVE fundraising initiative came to an end yesterday, and organisers hailed it a big success. The Reverend Robert Williams, of St Cuthbert's Church, Darlington, blessed the Giving to Life tributes left on the St Teresa's Hospice Christmas tree, in
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On offer: chance to be a film star
THE director of a hit Hollywood film is to scour the North-East for his next star. Peter Howitt, who wrote and directed the 1998 blockbuster romance Sliding Doors, with Gwyneth Paltrow and John Hannah, is holding auditions for the leading role of his
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Grateful refugee thanks Queen
AN ASYLUM seeker who has just won an appeal to stay indefinitely in the UK is to thank the Queen personally - by creating an image of her mother in needlework. Iranian refugee Kalid Salimi, who is living in Stockton, has had his application to remain
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Science park proposed for university site
A SCIENCE park tapping into the expertise at a neighbouring university campus could create up to 200 jobs. Sunderland City Council, university and business bosses in Sunderland are considering plans for a technology business park next to the Sir Tom Cowie
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Fireworks control campaigner takes case to Europe
A WOMAN battling to secure tougher controls on the use of fireworks has turned her back on Westminster and is now heading for the European Parliament to demand action. Housewife Marjorie Johnson is furious that, despite repeated requests for tougher laws
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News in brief: Burial ground trees to go
Four trees in a Quaker burial ground in Darlington are to be felled. The borough council is expected to give consent for the felling of two sycamore trees, a semi-mature ash and a yew. An application has been made by the Friends Meeting House and will
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Delay to trial over pop star harassment
A MAN accused of harassing pop star Robbie Williams failed to turn up to court yesterday to face trial. Sean Stimson, 29, allegedly breached a restraining order by writing letters to the singer's solicitors, Harbottle and Lewis, in July. But he did not
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Economy is not on the slide, says Sir Edward
Britain's top economist rejected suggestions that the British economy is on the slide, despite new reports showing consumer spending has slowed and house prices are faltering. Bank of England governor Sir Edward George said the situation was not as grim
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Runaway ferret gets a leg up from dog walker
A WOMAN out walking her dogs turned animal rescuer after a friendly ferret ran up her leg. Audrey Reynolds, 69, was walking her two dogs by the River Wear, at Chester-le-Street, when the animal came over to say hello. "I was walking along as the dogs
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Fund helps nature fans
YOUNG nature lovers have been given a helping hand to pursue their environmental interests. A £500 award from the North Eastern and Cumbrian Co-op's community dividend fund will help to meet the cost of field trips and craft materials for members of Kibblesworth
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Teenage pregnancies targeted
A NEW guide has been drawn up to help the struggle against unwanted teenage pregnancies in North Yorkshire. Offering advice and information for teenagers the pack is being distributed across the county through colleges, youth clubs and nightclubs. It
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Man stabbed eight times by bike gang
A GANG of 30 youths attacked a man in the street and stabbed him eight times during the New Year celebrations. Police said that the victim was assaulted shortly after he left a pub in York at about 12.30am on New Year's Day. As the man walked home with
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House prices expected to soar as boom heads North
THE North-East and North Yorkshire are expected to lead the housing market boom in the coming year as prices continue to rise dramatically. Experts predicted yesterday that four of the 20 local authority areas most likely to see the biggest price rises
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Dramatic start for stage school
A DRAMA school is looking forward to the first classes of the New Year after coming through the risks of its first term with flying colours. Sinead Brennan and husband Daniel Coll are no strangers to stage and screen. In panto at the moment in Chipping
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Jail for thief who raided hundreds of churches
A burglar who criss-crossed England and Wales raiding hundreds of churches in a nine-month spree has been jailed for four years. Christopher Coulthard, 40, sized up his targets dressed as a tourist and even carried his tools in a camera bag. Among his
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Burglar may face prison
A WOMAN burglar has been warned she may be facing jail. At Newcastle Crown Court yesterday, Linzi Elder, 23, who had a previous conviction for theft, admitted burglary. The raid was in Coronation Terrace, Springwell Village, Washington, Wearside, in July
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Change of command at air base
A CHANGE of command has taken place at an air base in North Yorkshire. Group Captain Ken Cornfield completed his final flight at RAF Linton-on-Ouse before handing over command to Group Captain David Harrison. Group Captain Cornfield has left the unit
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Mark boosts charity while keeping fit
IT started with the desire to get fit to play for his football team - and this Christmas it led to Mark Teasdale giving £1,900 to the Leyburn branch of Yorkshire Cancer Research. Three years ago, he entered the Great North Run to keep up his fitness during
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New ambulances expected this month
NEW ambulances to replace vehicles which were branded unsafe by paramedics could be on the streets by the end of this month. The North-East Ambulance Service (NEAS) has confirmed that it expects to take a delivery of the vehicles, based on a Mercedes
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Fundraising couple inspired by tragedy
A COUPLE who were touched by tragedy are helping the fight to prevent others suffering the same trauma. Phil and Kath Burton began a family fundraising campaign following the death of their seven-and-a-half-month-old daughter, Julia, in 1978. They have
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Heartbeat cells make way for police complex
A PROPOSED new police divisional headquarters will combine brick, glass and steel, but the complex designed for east Cleveland will also signal the end of a television series' set. The new district headquarters building has been earmarked for the Kirkleatham
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Campaigners wait to hear railway station's fate
A CHARITABLE trust is hoping it has done enough to persuade council chiefs it should be given the chance to take over the running of one of Richmond's historic buildings. Richmondshire District Council put the town's former railway station on the market
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News in brief: Police hunt for drug thieves
POLICE are looking for thieves who smashed their way into a doctor's car and stole his bag, containing a range of drugs. The bag contained morphine, diazepam and pethadine. The car, a Suzuki, was parked in Kellfield Avenue, at the rear of Kelbrook Way
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Publisher credited for award shortlist
AN independent publisher run by a former university reader has been recognised by an award shortlisting. Peter Lewis, an English reader at Durham University for 30 years, and his wife, Margaret, run Flambard Press from their home near Hexham, Northumberland
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Measures to combat speeding set for approval
PLANS to install speed humps to stop motorists speeding along village streets look set to be approved. Durham County Council's highways committee will be recommended on Wednesday to agree plans for seven humps to be installed at Barnard Avenue, Ludworth
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News in brief: It's Christmas all over again
THE tinsel may only have been down a few days, but delegates at a Harrogate exhibition next weekend will be planning for Christmas 2003. Buyers from around the world will decide what the must-have toy will be in December when they attend the first exhibition
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NCP won't seek compensation for damage to bollard
THE operators of a pioneering road toll system have decided against seeking compensation after a van collided with a barrier. Their decision followed an incident in October, shortly after the toll had been introduced in Durham city centre, when workman
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Aussie Vidmar ready to seize his opportunity
AUSSIE Tony Vidmar is playing for his future when he steps in to take the place of the stricken Ugo Ehiogu in Middlesbrough's FA Cup third-round clash with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge this afternoon. Boro rescued Vidmar from the prospect of the dole queue
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Finance director jailed for theft
A BUILDING society director who stole more than £200,000 to buy his family gifts and holidays and cope with his huge debts was yesterday jailed for 18 months. Gerald Waterworth, of Scalby, near Scarborough, North Yorkshire, was sentenced at York Crown
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Thanks for a great meal - you're all fired
Council chiefs enjoyed a slap-up Christmas dinner at a hotel complex - before telling managers they were closing it down and throwing 40 people on the dole, it was revealed last night. Officials dressed in paper hats tucked into turkey with all the trimmings
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Volunteers wrap up fundraising efforts
VOLUNTEERS have raised more than £2,000 for a cancer charity in the run-up to Christmas. Marie Curie Cancer Care raised £2,279 from a gift-wrapping service for shoppers over a fortnight at the MetroCentre, in Gateshead. It was the second year that the
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Plan approved
APPROVAL was yesterday granted for a Quayside development of 81 flats, a five-floor, 234-space multi-storey car park, restaurants and offices. Members of Newcastle City Council's development services committee voted 7-4 in favour of the scheme, on a site
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News in brief: Snow and frost cause problems
Early frost and a light snowfall brought problems for road-users in north-west Durham yesterday. Motorists were faced with difficult driving conditions during the morning rush-hour on several roads in the Consett and Stanley areas. Police said the only
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Teenager became impaled on spike
A TEENAGER who was the victim of an unprovoked attack almost died when he stumbled on to ornamental railings and impaled his chin on a spike. The spike just missed 17-year-old Stephen Ainsley's windpipe and a major artery in his neck. Stephen said: "A
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Angler killed by freak wave is named by police
AN angler killed after a wave swept him off a pier was last night named as Stephen Garnett. Forty-five-year-old Mr Garnett, of Armley, in Leeds, was one of three people who were fishing at the Northumberland port of Amble when weather deteriorated on
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'Attack' soldier improving
A SOLDIER, given a 50-50 chance of survival after an alleged assault just before Christmas, is making a slow recovery in hospital. Private Peter Rowe, of the Queen's Lancashire Regiment, was admitted to Middlesbrough General Hospital with severe head
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Flat blaze victim, 66, named
A PENSIONER who died as a result of a New Year's Day blaze at his home was named yesterday as William Stephenson. The 66-year-old was declared dead at South Tyneside General Hospital, despite attempts to revive him by paramedics after he was found unconscious
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Restaurateur expresses sadness at closure plan
One of the region's most progressive restaurant chains is closing the first restaurant it opened to concentrate on new ventures. Oldfield's has decided to close its restaurant in Barnard Castle, County Durham. The restaurant, opened by managing director
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04/01/03
FOREIGN POLICY: GEORGE Bush and Tony Blair seem to be hell bent on war and they must be stopped. The Tories are a dead loss and the Lib-Dems wishy washy, though I suspect they are anti-war. How do you rally a nation against a totally unjustified war?
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Talking Point: Who will gamble in seller's market?
THE age-old dilemma of the poker player - whether to stick or twist - is perplexing football managers. From Arsenal at the top of the Premiership down to Third Division basement club Swansea City, the temptation to strengthen squads is huge. But like
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My, Tracy, how you've changed
Children in soaps have a strange habit of disappearing upstairs only to reappear sometime later as a completely different person. The latest is Coronation Street's Tracy Barlow, who's changed her body, but not her morals. Tracy Barlow is the girl who
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Mystery of keen cyclist killed lying in the road
EXTREME sports enthusiast David Sturdy was named last night as the cyclist killed by a car which hit him as he lay in the middle of a road. The 48-year-old, from Darlington, died on Monday night when he was struck by a Nissan Primera on the A67 at Middleton
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Burglaries at an all-time low thanks to extra police
BURGLARIES are at a record low across Middlesbrough according to the latest figures. "Let it be known there will be no let up on our part," said Detective Superintendent Sue Cross, the town's crime manager. "House burglaries have fallen by almost 50 per
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Households urged to recycle festive waste
FRESH from recent festive excesses, many people's thoughts will be turning towards diets and healthier lifestyles. But first spare a thought for the environment and help the planet by recycling Christmas trees and cards. That is the message from the North-East's
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New survey will test support for regional government proposals
A SOUNDING is being taken to test public support for a directly-elected regional government in the North-East. Thousands of people in County Durham are being surveyed to discover if there is backing for a referendum on proposals for a regional assembly
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Robinson back in the frame
BEING on the sidelines has been a strange experience for Mark Robinson over the last two months. A regular in the Hartlepool United line-up this season, Robinson had missed just one League game before Brian Barry-Murphy arrived on loan in November. And
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The Albany Northern League Today: New faces welcome - chairman
Albany Northern League chairman Mike Amos will welcome new members with open teams at the end of the season - providing they meet the league's criteria. The league has come under attack this week for its handling of the North Shields affair during the
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Town chosen for exhibition
HARTLEPOOL has been chosen as the venue for a showcase of amateur photography. About 150 photographs selected from 680 submitted from around the UK will adorn the walls of Hartlepool Art Gallery, from Thursday until Sunday, February 2. The pictures, taken
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Bus subsidies review
BUS services in Darlington are to be revised for passengers using less commercially viable routes. Darlington Borough Council has been forced to take a detailed look at its supported bus services policy because of the possible abolition of Government
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Pod scheme poised for expansion
AN innovative community support scheme is expected to prosper in the New Year, according to organisers. Darlington set a national first last year when it launched the Pod project, bringing a wealth of support to youngsters and adults. The Pod, a 40ft
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Giving to Life tree appeal aids hospice
A FESTIVE fundraising initiative came to an end yesterday, and organisers hailed it a big success. The Reverend Robert Williams, of St Cuthbert's Church, Darlington, blessed the Giving to Life tributes left on the St Teresa's Hospice Christmas tree, in
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Drivers warned as snow sweeps region
DRIVERS were being urged to take care on the roads last night as heavy snowfall hit the region. The AA warned drivers to slow down after police reported a spate of minor road accidents in the bad weather. An Environment Agency spokeswoman said: "The weather
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Cautionary tales of pier pressure
A COUPLE of days after Brighton's West Pier collapsed so spectacularly into the sea, I visited Saltburn. The tide was in, forcing hordes of people to stumble along the stoneline while what looked like hundreds more strode along the pier. The big sea thumped
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On offer: chance to be a film star
THE director of a hit Hollywood film is to scour the North-East for his next star. Peter Howitt, who wrote and directed the 1998 blockbuster romance Sliding Doors, with Gwyneth Paltrow and John Hannah, is holding auditions for the leading role of his
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Science park proposed for university site
A SCIENCE park tapping into the expertise at a neighbouring university campus could create up to 200 jobs. Sunderland City Council, university and business bosses in Sunderland are considering plans for a technology business park next to the Sir Tom Cowie
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School computers will be available to all
PARENTS are being encouraged to tackle computer learning as a primary school opens its doors to the community. Stanley Crook Primary School celebrated the launch of its new computer suite just before Christmas. Now the school is looking to this year by
