Archive
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Counting cost of hospital trust's bulldozing action
ONLY five years after building a £250,000 medical records library, a North-East hospital trust had it bulldozed, it was revealed last night. Details of how a purpose-built medical records library was axed to make way for the new Bishop Auckland General
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The wonder of wall carvings on Woolies' frontage
IN revealing the answers to the Echo Memories' Christmas quiz, the chance arises to tell the story of one of the most curious, and elegant, buildings in Darlington town centre. It is number two on our montage - and practically everyone who entered knew
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Wilko's Thornton delight
HOWARD WILKINSON singled out Sean Thornton as a Premiership star in the making last night after the midfielder made an impressive debut in Sunderland's FA Cup victory. Thornton, 19, stole the show with an eye-catching display on his first senior appearance
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Massive investment for ice cream firm
The UK's largest ice cream products manufacturer has completed more than half-a-million pounds investment programme in North Yorkshire. Richmond Ice Cream, based at Leeming Bar, has upgraded its warehouse facilities for both packaging and raw materials
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Church officers train to fight child abuse
HUNDREDS of child protection officers are to be placed in churches as part of a crackdown on child abuse. The Church of England said the volunteers would be trained to detect signs of child abuse and be recognisable figures for children to approach and
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Horror as man uses guillotine to commit suicide
A shocked father discovered his son had beheaded himself with a home-made guillotine he had secretly erected in his bedroom. Boyd Taylor is believed to have placed the huge blade over his bed, attaching the contraption to an electrical timing device.
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Eco school set to be built
The first stage of plans to replace a dilapidated school building with a multi-million pound 'eco' primary will begin this autumn. Pelton Infant School and Pelton Junior School have been in need of repair for some time. The buildings date back to 1901
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Teenager in court charged with Samurai stabbing
A teenager has appeared in court charged with fatally stabbing a 31-year-old scaffolder through the heart with a Samurai sword. Benjamin Kelly, 18, of Outhwaite Street, Middlesbrough, stood impassive in the dock at Teesside Magistrates Court as he was
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'Hero' officer killed in anti-terror swoop
A police officer was stabbed to death and four others were injured last night during the arrest of three terrorist suspects in an operation linked to last week's discovery of the deadly poison ricin. The officer died during a raid on a flat in Crumpsall
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Top ten seems so elusive . . .
NORTH-EAST Pop Idol finalist Zoe Birkett last night looked likely to have the lowest chart entry so far of any contestant from the hit show. The 17-year-old, from Darlington, had high hopes of making the Top Ten with her debut single, Treat Me Like a
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Marketing strategy brings recruits to Army's door
A NEW recruitment marketing strategy has led to an increase in the number of people in the North-East volunteering to join the Army. A spokesman at regional headquarters in York said: "We have taken a new line in our recruitment campaigns and it seems
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Calls for improved safety at crossroads
AN accident yesterday will have strengthened the case for improvements at a crossroads which local residents claim puts lives at risk. Traffic on the B6275, between the A1 and Piercebridge on the North Yorkshire-County Durham border, often travels at
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Slimmers' effort remembers a friend
SLIMMERS hope to shed weight and raise money for a national cancer charity in memory of a friend who died of the disease. Susan King, 39, a shop assistant who lived and worked in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, died in September. Slimming World's Henknowle
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Seeing our boy play - at last
PARENTS of a postman turned Premiership player last night saw their son in an FA Cup tie after missing out last time because of car trouble. Former Bishop Auckland player Jeff Smith was impressive as left wing-back the first time his new club Bolton Wanderers
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Piling on the skills
A COMPANY which makes carpets for the Royal Family has contacted Bishop Auckland College to help increase its skills. Durham-based Hugh Mackay Carpets has enlisted the help of Optimum, the services-to-business arm of the college. Determined to secure
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Chance to have a say on countryside access
PEOPLE can have their say on proposals to extend access to large areas of the County Durham countryside. The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, grants a general right to walk on "access land". The Countryside Agency is producing eight draft maps
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School establishes worldwide links through own website
PEOPLE from all over the world can keep track of a school after it launched its website. St Hild's College CE Aided Primary School, in Gilesgate, Durham, is among only a few primary schools to have set up a site. Mainly designed as an educational tool
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Teenager to answer murder charge
A TEENAGER will appear in court today charged with the murder of a North-East man. The 19-year-old, from the West Lane area of Middlesbrough, where father-of-one Robert Dunne was fatally wounded on Saturday, was arrested on Monday after going to the police
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Right Choice stores sold
A CHAIN of 59 convenience stores was last night bought out of administrative receivership, safeguarding 160 jobs. The shops, which traded as Right Choice, have been sold to A&S, a new vehicle set up to make the purchase, for an undisclosed sum. A&
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Pledge to resolve damp problem
HOUSING chiefs have apologised for delays in dealing with damp in a house in Colborn, near Catterick Garrison, but have pledged to do all they can to eradicate the problem. Andrew Pavey and his wife, Amanda, first complained in August and were told fans
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Woman pays compensation to PC
A WOMAN has been ordered to pay compensation to a policeman she injured in a late-night incident. Janet Moseley, 40, of Kitchener Street, Darlington was distressed after she was locked out of her home by her boyfriend, Joseph Holmes. Darlington magistrates
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Town's new role takes step forward
PROPOSALS to turn Darlington into the gateway to the North-East took a step forward last night. Councillors gave the go-ahead for the latest phase of a regeneration scheme, which aims to attract new business to the town. The Gateway Project, being put
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College students progress to Oxbridge
FRIENDS will be reunited in the hallowed halls of Britain's leading universities next year after each achieving academic excellence. For 11 students from across east Cleveland have been accepted to study at Oxford and Cambridge universities. This is the
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Film makers' club to lose the hype
A GROUP of young people who have ambitions to make their mark on the world of film making have formed a new club. Formerly known as Club Hype, the group has reformed and will now be named Animates after funding for its first 12-month project ended. Parents
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Hijack threat tourist is freed
A NORTH-EAST tourist jailed for making a drunken threat to hijack a plane in Australia will be released from prison tomorrow. Thomas Lilico, 22, of Beechwood Avenue, Darlington, will be freed after serving two weeks of a month-long sentence imposed after
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Car owners offered cut-price security
OWNERS of vehicles which are vulnerable to theft are being offered cut-price security products. A grant from the Safer Communities Initiative has enabled crime prevention officers to make bright yellow steering wheel covers, known as Diskloks, available
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Kite buggying duo turn hobby into enterprise
A PAIR of thrill-seeking entrepreneurs have turned their passion for extreme sport into a business venture. Postman Martin Bloomfield and hotel manager Jean Denis Varlet took up kite buggying to unwind from the tensions of working life. They set up Airotherapy
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News in brief: Pensioners hold forum
The Cleveland Pensioners' Convention Forum, will be holding its annual meeting next Thursday, at 11.30am at the United Reform Church Hall, Station Road, Redcar. Guest speakers will be president Alan Wright and Michelle O' Rourke, from Redcar, and Cleveland
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News in brief: Felled tree blocks road
High winds felled a tree in Brompton-on-Swale and tore part of the roof from a filling station on Monday. The village's Gatherley Road was partially blocked near the Tudor Hotel by the tree, but no one was hurt. Meanwhile, staff at the petrol station
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Yeti experts head north to hunt the Bolam Beast
A TEAM of researchers is about to arrive in the region to investigate reports of a Geordie yeti. As revealed by The Northern Echo last week, the creature was spotted by people fishing at Bolam Lake, near Belsay, Northumberland. They reported it to Geoff
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Investment reaches £250m
The DuPont Textiles and Interiors company has taken its investment in the Wilton nylon site to £250m with the unveiling of a £7m control system. The modernisation process has put the latest technology hardware and software into its polymer plant. The
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Agricultural co-op names new manager
Farmway, the agricultural co-operative in Piercebridge, has announced the appointment of Dennis Rudkin as retail manager. Farmway is run and owned by farmers and recently announced plans to expand the business across the region. The company is also expected
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Bridget enjoys fruits of artistic labour
THE rich and colourful work of one of the region's artists has rewarded her with her first gold medal. Captured by the beauty of plants and their blooms, Bridget Gillespie was rewarded for her efforts by winning the top honour at the Royal Horticultural
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News in brief: Runners urged to aid hospice
Runners in the region planning to take part in the London Marathon are being urged to raise sponsorship for the Hartlepool and District Hospice. Sponsored runners will receive a T-shirt and money raised will help provide free specialist services for people
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Screening service cuts risk of fines
TELECOMMUNICATIONS business Executel has introduced a system to help small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) avoid being fined for cold-calling marketing activities. Executel, of the Team Valley, Gateshead, has launched a telephone preference service
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Monthly turnover soars at Lindy
COMPUTER peripherals firm Lindy Electronics enjoyed huge sales growth during the latter half of last year. The international arm of the Teesside firm recorded its best monthly turnover figures in November, only to more than double them in December. Last
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Region has highest number of 'homeless' battered wives
MORE battered women are fleeing their homes in a Teesside town than anywhere else in the country. Experts have no reason to believe the scale of domestic violence in Middlesbrough is worse than the national average of one-in-four women. But according
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Grassroots: Yarm and Eaglescliffe
GOOD NEIGHBOURS: The Yarm and Eaglescliffe Good Neighbours Scheme is an ecumenical initiative which was launched this year. It is run from Yarm's Methodist Church and offers home visits as well as lifts to hospital or other local destinations for elderly
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15/01/03
BURGLARY: BURGLARS must all be banged-up, booms Ray Mallon's big bass drum (Echo, Jan 10). But what is half-way down his column? He is rightfully pleased to point to burglaries in Middlesbrough plummeting by 40 per cent plus. Surely this cannot be the
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Drivers to face fines for idling engines
ELDERLY drivers and recovery vehicles could be exempt from proposed regulations to stop people running their engines while their cars are stationary. Council chiefs in Darlington are considering introducing the controversial measure in an effort to cut
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Sculpture expected to sell for £800,000 at auction
A SCULPTURE by North Yorkshire-born Lord Leighton is expected to fetch up to £800,000 when it is auctioned at the break up of the world's most comprehensive private collection of Victorian art next month. It follows the decision by the Forbes publishing
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Roadshow on public access rights
THE Countryside Agency is to hold a roadshow for residents in Teesdale to find out more about plans to increase public access rights. It will give local people the chance to look at maps pointing out where the proposed increases to public access rights
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Lucky escape for crash motorist
A WOMAN had to be cut from her upturned car yesterday after an accident on the A68, on the outskirts of Darlington. The woman, who has not been named by police, was on her way to work in Bishop Auckland when the accident happened at 9am, near the Faverdale
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Inquiry may hold up A66 improvements
A PUBLIC inquiry may have to be held before a multi-million pound improvement scheme can go ahead on a dangerous road. If an inquiry is held, the Highways Agency expects work on safety improvements to begin next year on the A66 outside the village of
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Dog walk in aid of charity
MORE than 100 dogs and their owners are expected to take part in a fundraising event to raise money for North-East organisations. The Great North Dog Walk has been organised by Barnard Castle Dog Training Club and will take place in the grounds of Raby
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Campaigners increase pressure for assembly referendum
CAMPAIGNERS for a North-East assembly launched a campaign yesterday aimed at taking the region a step closer to setting up it's own mini-parliament. Leaders of the campaign agreed that public opinion on holding a referendum on establishing an elected
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Pantomime sell-out likely
For the second time in recent years, Spennymoor Amateur Operatic Society's pantomime Dick Whittington is likely to be a sell-out. Dick is played by Beverley Fishburn, and Tommy the Cat by nine-year-old Nicolle Richardson in her first role with the society
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Passive smoking concerns revealed
A LEADING cancer specialist has urged North-East employers to be more aware of passive smoking in the workplace. Dr Graham Dark, a medical oncologist at Newcastle's Freeman Hospital, made his plea after a survey revealed that many employees still fear
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Youngsters get an opportunity to show their talent in schools competition
MORE than 1,000 pupils and students are to take to the stage in a Popstars-style competition. Singers, dancers and musicians from more than 25 schools in County Durham, Tyneside and Wearside will perform at auditions in talentSTAR. The competition runs
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Expansion of park-and-ride scheme in city
ACCESS to York could be eased with the addition of a new £3m park-and-ride site. The site, with a 500-car capacity, looks likely to be in the Wigginton area, though planners have said the possibility of sharing with Clifton Moor retail park would be looked
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Diagnosis of discontent at North's newest hospital
HARD-BITTEN NHS campaigner John Lister was shocked at the depth of feelings expressed by North-East hospital workers. During a fact-finding visit to the region, he carried out exhaustive interviews with scores of staff working in the North-East's newest
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Investment plan
A £35m investment is being proposed during the next year for schools, roads, homes, public transport and other schemes in York. The scheme, which represents a 20 per cent increase on last year's budget, is being proposed as part of City of York Council's
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Police hunt New Year robbers
POLICE are seeking thieves who robbed a Bishop Auckland woman in a New Year hoax. Detectives at Bishop Auckland hope to trace the couple, who left their 38-year-old victim hurt and frightened by her ordeal. The pair, a man aged about 30 and a woman in
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Police hunt New Year robbers
POLICE are seeking thieves who robbed a Bishop Auckland woman in a New Year hoax. Detectives at Bishop Auckland hope to trace the couple, who left their 38-year-old victim hurt and frightened by her ordeal. The pair, a man aged about 30 and a woman in
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Is time running out for this fugitive?
For almost six years, a former nightclub owner accused of being at the centre of a major drugs ring has lived a quiet life in the sun, out of reach of the long arm of the law. But now his past is threatening to catch up with him. Julia Breen reports.
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Pupils tested for drugs
CHILDREN as young as 11 are being targeted by police with sniffer dogs in a drugs crackdown outside schools. Officers were waiting for pupils outside the front gate of Walker Community College, Newcastle, yesterday, to test the youngsters as they went
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All-star cast joins list of Georgian theatre's patrons
ORGANISERS are putting the finishing touches to a reception marking the launch of a support network which has won a galaxy of stars' support. Timothy West, Rodney Bewes, Edward Fox, Prunella Scales, Patricia Routledge, Tim Healey and Denise Welch are
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Mayor addresses the fear of crime
THE Mayor of Middlesbrough, former "Robocop" Ray Mallon, returns to an all too familiar subject next month. The ex-detective superintendent, who last autumn launched a Raising Hope and Reducing Fear initiative in the town, is to be a guest speaker at
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Mayor addresses the fear of crime
THE Mayor of Middlesbrough, former "Robocop" Ray Mallon, returns to an all too familiar subject next month. The ex-detective superintendent, who last autumn launched a Raising Hope and Reducing Fear initiative in the town, is to be a guest speaker at
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Sports people sought for nominations
ENTRIES are being sought for a competition aimed at recognising sporting achievements. Easington District Sports Council is searching for sports stars who achieved success last year to reward them for their efforts. Among the categories for awards are
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Recycling made easier for residents
THOUSANDS of homes could help make Chester-le-Street a greener place through a recycling scheme. The district council is launching a fortnightly household waste collection service for paper and glass aimed at reducing the amount of material that goes
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Soccer club hit by cash threat
ONE of the country's best-known amateur football clubs is once again facing an uncertain future. Officials at ten-times FA Amateur Cup winners Bishop Auckland FC say they will struggle to survive if they lose their major source of income. For more than
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Dales location for YHA hostels
THE Youth Hostel Association has unveiled plans to expand its network of places to stay across Yorkshire. Richmond and Grassington, in the Yorkshire Dales, have been identified as possible sites for new hostels. Others could be established in Goathland
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How working together can bring rapid results
AN architectural company from Darlington is at the forefront of a new approach to save time and money in the construction industry. Browne Smith Baker is using the Partnering approach to complete projects. Partnering aims to bring architects, builders
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A mum who's brave enough to let go
THREE cheers for Seb Clover! And three cheers for his mum! Seb, who is 16 today, has just sailed the Atlantic single-handed - the youngest ever person to do so. It is a terrific achievement, a real boy's own adventure. And it was his mum who dared him
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Hodgson's heroics help Quakers make point
A tremendous 30-yard strike by Richard Hodgson with just three minutes left rescued a deserved point for Darlington at Oxford United last night. Quakers looked as if they were on the verge of only their second League defeat under caretaker manager Mick
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Sunderland progress despite FA Cup snub
THIRTY years on from the club pulling off the greatest FA Cup final shock of all time, Sunderland's management and fans last night delivered an embarrassing snub to the famous old competition. And 80 years after they won the first Wembley final, Bolton
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£350,000 facelift to improve city's 'forgotten' street
NEW life is to be breathed into a busy city centre street in a £350,000 enhancement. Work begins on Monday on the first phase of the development, designed to reinvigorate North Road, in Durham. A joint project carried out by Durham county and city councils
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Hijack threat student promises never again
The North-East student jailed for a drunken threat to hijack an Australian plane promised last night that he would never fool around on an aircraft again. Tom Lilico promised that from now on ''it is strictly tape over the mouth'' whenever he is on an
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Last Night's TV: Happiness (BBC2); Buried (C4)
Well, it beats being in jail THE dictionary describes happiness as "the feeling of being happy". More problematic is defining Happiness the TV series. It's easier to say what it's not. Not just a comedy. Not just a drama. Not a sit-com. Cold Feet, but
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A mum who's brave enough to let go
THREE cheers for Seb Clover! And three cheers for his mum! Seb, who is 16 today, has just sailed the Atlantic single-handed - the youngest ever person to do so. It is a terrific achievement, a real boy's own adventure. And it was his mum who dared him
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Head-bangers of the compensation culture
ONCE or twice a year the column is invited to share a room - on licensed premises, invariably - with a group of trainee journalists. There is no instructional role. Rather it is a re-working of the old Charles Atlas jest: "You too can have a body like
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Marcelino fires parting shot at St James' Park
SPANISH misfit Marcelino has issued a stinging broadside at Newcastle United and manager Sir Bobby Robson. And the Magpies have revealed the centre-back, whose three and a half years on Tyneside ended last week, has gone against a confidentiality clause
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Boro's double deal day?
MIDDLESBROUGH are expected to learn if their double raid on Derby County has been successful within the next 24 hours. Boro boss Steve McClaren is hoping to sign striker Malcolm Christie and defender Chris Riggott on three month loans, with a view to
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Police car smash
TWO police cars were badly damaged after they collided and hit two other cars on their way to an incident. The accident happened as two marked Vauxhall Astra police vehicles were responding to a report of a theft in progress in Wingate, County Durham,
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Echo Memories: The wonder of wall carvings on Woolies' frontage
IN revealing the answers to the Echo Memories' Christmas quiz, the chance arises to tell the story of one of the most curious, and elegant, buildings in Darlington town centre. It is number two on our montage - and practically everyone who entered knew
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US chain raises Safeway stakes
THE gloves are off in the fight for Safeway after the world's biggest retailer yesterday signalled its desire to add the supermarket chain to its stable. Wal-Mart, which took over Asda in 1999, announced it was poised to make a full cash bid if it gets
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National park 'would boost rural economy'
A NORTH Pennines National Park could provide the answer to the fragile, rural economy in Weardale and Teesdale. A plan being developed by Northumbria Tourist Board for the future of tourism in the region includes a possible new national park. Tourism
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Defiant cricketers: We go to Zimbabwe
THE England cricket team is to defy ministers and protestors by pressing ahead with its World Cup game in Zimbabwe next month. The decision was taken unanimously by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) management board at the Lord's ground in London
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Sharp-eyed shop assistant thwarts credit card fraud
A DRUG addict's attempt to buy goods with a stolen credit card was foiled by an alert shop assistant, a court heard yesterday. Sarah Tyrer, prosecuting, told Harrogate magistrates how John McGilvary, 32, attempted to buy tobacco from an off licence in
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Sikhs back campaign to save professor's life
MEMBERS of the Sikh community in the North-East have shown their support for a campaign to free a man facing the death penalty in India. Professor Davinderpal Singh Bhullar is facing death after he was denied asylum by Germany and sent back to India where
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News in brief: Park clean-up funding bid
COUNCILLORS yesterday agreed to apply for more than £265,000 to spruce up a Darlington park. The borough council is to make a bid to the Government's New Opportunities Fund for the cash to revitalise North Lodge Park. The council has already secured the
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Woodland work will improve access
IMPROVEMENTS to enhance Cow Plantation in Spennymoor are under way. Sections of the public footpath are being surfaced to enable access for wheelchair and pushchairs users. It means that in wet weather the paths will still be accessible and not so prone
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Trading watchdogs issue a warning over pirate goods
COUNCIL officers have warned video pirates selling counterfeit goods in Darlington they will be caught and punished. The warning came after a man was sentenced by Newton Aycliffe magistrates for illegally producing thousands of videotapes and compact
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News in brief: Park clean-up funding bid
COUNCILLORS yesterday agreed to apply for more than £265,000 to spruce up a Darlington park. The borough council is to make a bid to the Government's New Opportunities Fund for the cash to revitalise North Lodge Park. The council has already secured the
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US to be allowed to use Fylingdales for missile defence
The Government is expected to announce today that it has agreed in principle to allow the US to use the Fylingdales early warning radar base in North Yorkshire for its missile defence programme. Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon will make a statement to the
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Colleagues pay tribute to former headteacher
COLLEAGUES have paid tribute to a former headteacher who led the governor support service for schools in County Durham. Harry Wills, aged 59, from Barnard Castle, died during a New Year skiing holiday to Austria. He had devoted his working life to education
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Call for witnesses
POLICE are appealing for information after a van was set alight on a housing estate in Stockton over the weekend. At about 2am on Saturday staff at the Cleveland Police Control Room received a call from a resident saying a van was ablaze in the Kensington
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Protestors step up pace
A PROTEST group set up to combat industrial pollution on Teesside is stepping up its opposition to a toxic waste incinerator. Impact, which was set up at a meeting in Eston last week, wants to highlight the problems of living next-door to Cleveland's
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Cannabis 'jungle' in factory unit
POLICE have recovered cannabis worth at least £400,000 after finding a "tropical jungle". Officers in east Durham made the discovery at Cold Hesledon Industrial Estate, near Murton, on Sunday. On entering the two-storey Telmar E Ltd unit, they found hundreds
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Heart patient takes on an explosive challenge
FORMER heart patient Des Mahon is about to test himself to the limit - tackling three of the world's most notorious volcanoes. He plans to scale the heights of Etna, Vesuvius and Stromboli in an effort to save other people's lives. Mr Mahon, 54, of Easingwold
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£50,000 for police career in ruins
An ambitious young police inspector whose career was left in ruins after a road crash has been awarded more than £50,000 by a High Court judge. Karen Maddison, 31, had risen through the ranks to become Cleveland's youngest inspector and was rated in the
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Cinema pioneer Sir Anthony dies at 98
Film producer and director Sir Anthony Havelock-Allan has died aged 98. Sir Anthony, who was born at Blackwell Manor, Darlington, was the founder member of the Cineguild film company. He was producer or executive producer on films including Happy Breed
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Charges after customs raid
Cigarette manufacturer Imperial Tobacco was the subject of a customs investigation after officers raided its German subsidiary Reemtsma. The company said seven managers had been charged in connection with the inquiry, including Imperial's sales and marketing
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Car crime clampdown
POLICE officers in Stockton are to continue a high profile campaign to further reduce car crime in the area. Last year, a campaign was launched in the town urging motorists and householders to be aware of thieves. It has proved to be successful and there
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Caravan theft appeal
Police have released a photograph of a Hobby Prestige caravan worth £10,000 which was stolen from a County Durham compound. The caravan was one of 40 kept in a compound in Morrison Road, Annfield Plain, Stanley, when it went missing on December 29. It
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Yeti experts head north to hunt the Bolam Beast
A TEAM of researchers is about to arrive in the region to investigate reports of a Geordie yeti. As revealed by The Northern Echo last week, the creature was spotted by people fishing at Bolam Lake, near Belsay, Northumberland. They reported it to Geoff
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Calamitous kitten sparks emergency
GIZMO the kitten sparked a full scale rescue operation when she got stuck on top of a pylon and came within a whisker of death. The curious kitten came to a standstill 30ft up an electricity pole and was getting electric shocks every time she moved. RSPCA
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Colleagues pay tribute to education stalwart
COLLEAGUES have paid tribute to a former headteacher who led the governor support service for schools in County Durham. Harry Wills, 59, of Barnard Castle, died during a skiing holiday to Austria. He had devoted his working life to education, starting
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Community trust prepares station proposal
WORK has begun on a project that could see a building in Richmond run by the people, for the people. It was confirmed last week that two commercial bidders for the old railway station are out of the running. One was unable to provide a detailed financial
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Police seek to reunite owners and stolen bikes
ASTUTE police work has helped Richmond officers recover 12 stolen bikes, but now they have to find their owners. Anyone who has been the victim of bike theft during the past few months is invited to visit the town's police station tomorrow, between 2pm
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Warning over city roadworks
MOTORISTS face delays in Newcastle as roadworks are carried out on three main routes through the city. For the next two Sundays, either the north or southbound carriageways of the A167 Central Motorway will be closed for routine maintenance. On the Coast
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Move on play areas
PLANS for two children's play areas are forging ahead following the appointment of a contractor. Wicksteed Leisure has been chosen to construct the play areas at Grayfield's Recreation Ground and King Oswy Drive, Hartlepool. More than £150,000 is being
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Comment: A Government short on ethics
IT is to our nation's eternal shame that an England cricket team will play a World Cup match in Zimbabwe next month. The honour of hosting a major international sporting event should not be bestowed on a country wracked by repression and starvation, ruled
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Scheme to cut down on tourists' car usage
A SCHEME to encourage tourists to forsake their cars and use more environmentally friendly ways of visiting attractions will be discussed by Teesdale councillors today. Members of Teesdale District Council will meet to talk about the Tourism Without Traffic
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Rescue team in search for new members
VOLUNTEERS who offer a lifesaving service to find missing people are looking for new recruits. The Teesdale and Weardale Search and Rescue Team can be called out to anywhere in County Durham and parts of the High Pennines, including Cross Fell, the highest
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Op tragedy of pensioner
A PENSIONER died from complications following an operation aimed at improving her quality of life. Pauline Blackburn, 70, of Hazel Grove, Redcar, east Cleveland, had been in danger of having to have both legs amputated because of circulation problems.
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Collision victims named by police
THE woman killed in a head-on collision on a city bypass was named yesterday. Twenty-year-old Rebecca Whitwell, from Ashton Road, Stockton, was the passenger in a blue Renault Clio involved in a collision with a white Iveco lorry on the outskirts of York
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Heartbreak job hell - Elvis fan's sacking blues
A Nissan worker is claiming he was sacked from his £26,000 job for singing Elvis songs on the day the world remembered the King's death. Production line worker David Jewers, 37, was suspended after singing along to the stream of tribute songs piped through
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Investigation into arrested man's death
POLICE watchdogs are to launch an investigation into the death of a man eight weeks after he was arrested by North Yorkshire officers. The Police Complaints Authority will examine the circumstances that led to the death of 33-year-old Patrick Lowther.
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Clubs to have say on pitches
SPORTS clubs and community groups can have their say on sports pitches in Derwentside at a meeting tonight. Derwentside Leisure Services is holding a public meeting in the Lamplight Arts Centre, Stanley, from 6.30pm to 8.30pm. It aims to gather the views
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People sought to get things moving
Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council is looking for people who would like to have a say in improving public transport within the borough. The first meeting of a public transport forum will be at Redcar Library on Monday, at 7pm. The forum, hosted by Redcar
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Curtis turns fire adversity into showroom advantage
FURNITURE specialist Curtis Office Furniture has started the year with new business plans and a new showroom following a fire next to its premises in November. The blaze caused extensive smoke damage in the firm's Darlington base. Despite this the company
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Terror threat to reservoirs dismissed
EXPERTS last night played down fears of a terrorist threat to water supplies amid claims that a reservoir was to be fenced off to prevent an attack. Reports yesterday said water bosses had been asked by Government officials to secure one of Scotland's
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Bridge tragedy families sue firms
FAMILIES fighting for compensation following the death of four bridge workers will take the firms blamed for the tragedy to court in March. Relatives of the dead men are pursuing civil action against Darlington engineering group Yarm Road Limited - formerly
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Witch ready to wield magic
CLASSIC winning trainer Tim Easterby doesn't have too many National Hunt horses these days, but the ones he does run are normally worth following, a remark that applies to Witch's Brew (12.45) in the opener at Newcastle today. Witch's Brew didn't appear
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Hoon: let US use Fylingdales
Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon today told MPs that Britain should agree to a United States request to use the Fylingdales early warning station for its controversial national missile defence system. Mr Hoon said the Government had not yet formally replied
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A shocking case of criminal neglect
PROMPTED by the absurd "guideline" from Lord Woolf, the Lord Chief Justice, backed by Lord Irvine, the Lord Chancellor, that most first-time burglars should not be sent to jail, I highlighted here last week some discrepancies in sentences for burglary
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Safety charge may threaten rail fares
Passenger groups last night warned of a threat to fares if a new safety charge is imposed on train operators. The Government is proposing a single levy to pay for the work of the Health and Safety Executive's railway inspectorate potentially costing the
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Gadfly: Head-bangers of the compensation culture
ONCE or twice a year the column is invited to share a room - on licensed premises, invariably - with a group of trainee journalists. There is no instructional role. Rather it is a re-working of the old Charles Atlas jest: "You too can have a body like
