Archive
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War-hardened soldier trembles as he holds son for the first time
ASKED how it felt like to hold his five-week-old son in his arms for the first time, Trooper Matthew Tapp found it difficult to put into words. "I don't know, really - but my legs are still shaking," he said. The 23-year-old was greeted at Catterick Garrison's
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MPs aim to close abuse loophole
NORTH-EAST MPs are hoping to close a legal loophole which they say gives child abusers a chance to escape justice. Redcar MP Vera Baird, a Queen's Council lawyer, and Sunderland MP Chris Mullin argue that it should be possible to jointly prosecute couples
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Avocets enjoy a paddle in Neasham's shallow pools
APRIL had plenty of interest for local birders even if lacking in major rarities. Summer migrants continued to flood in, the first swallow I've heard of was at Nosterfield on the 6th and an early cuckoo was near Kirby Fleetham on the 9th. A nice flock
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Mascot fun at Sedgefield gala day
PLENTY of entertainment is on offer at Sedgefield tomorrow when the course hosts its Butterwick Hospice Care race night. As well as a conventional programme of horse racing, racegoers can also enjoy the Mascot Three-Legged Derby and the Hobby Horse Oaks
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Children sing and dance for Europe
HUNDREDS of youngsters from County Durham have tried a little taste of Europe. Almost 350 pupils from 40 primary schools joined in Europe Day celebrations last Friday at County Hall in Durham. They sampled a continental breakfast and conversed in foreign
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Approval for 75 homes at former prison gardens
A MAJOR homes development in Northallerton - taking in a special needs unit - has been given the go-ahead. Hambleton development control committee yesterday agreed to the scheme for 75 homes on the site of the former prison gardens. But members insisted
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Villagers celebrate first meeting for new councils
THIS week marked the start of a new era as two newly-formed parish councils met for the first time. Villagers in Eldon and West Auckland gathered after both won campaigns to have their own parish council. The two communities made their bids to form the
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Second outlet for JC Media
A computer supplies business is marking its first anniversary by revealing expansion plans. Family run JC Media, in Clarks Yard, Darlington, has thrived since opening in May last year. Brothers Jeff and Craig Wright, who set up the business, are now planning
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Castle to hold displays
A FUN day for all the family will be held on Bank Holiday Monday at Walworth Castle, near Darlington. The event includes displays of jousting and sword fighting, children's rides and games, trade stalls and a car boot sale. Full catering facilities are
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Students put their artwork on display for exhibition
PARENTS and governors got an eyeful of pupils' artwork during an exhibition this week. Year 11 art students at Hurworth Comprehensive School, near Darlington, have put their work on display. About 70 GCSE students took part in the exhibition, which was
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Former pub to be converted into a £1m walk-in surgery
HEALTH officials are finalising details to lease a former pub and turn it into a £1m surgery. The disused Blacketts public house will become a three-storey one-stop-shop for patients in Darlington. As well as medical practices, the building will become
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Council says it can do more for minorities
A NORTH-East council has been praised for its work in making pensions and benefits more accessible to ethnic minorities. Darlington Borough Council's benefits team was one of ten local departments across the country to take part in a study which looked
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PC's move blamed for rise in crime
A PARISH council has said the removal of its community police officer has led to a rise in crime. Hurworth village beat officer PC Karl Lowe been seconded to help with police public order training. At the last meeting of Hurworth Parish Council, PC Lowe
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Two arrested after shots fired at car
TWO men arrested on gun charges after a car parked at a North-East college was riddled with bullets have been released. Armed police raided a flat in Rye Hill, Newcastle, on Wednesday, after the shooting a few hundred yards away at Newcastle College car
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Parish Council
NEW CHAIRMAN: Councillor Bill Oliver has taken over as the chairman of Middleton St George Parish Council. Councillor Brian Jones stepped down at a meeting earlier this week after being elected as ward councillor for Sadberge in the recent local elections
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Couple celebrate anniversary
A HUSBAND and wife animation team is celebrating an action-packed first year in business. Niel and Diane Bushnell specialise in 3D animation, illustration and storyboarding, and already have a number of high-profile customers. They worked on the first
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Police chief greets new recruits
A POLICE chief has promised the public more police officers which they can be proud of. Yesterday, Cleveland Chief Constable Sean Price met the first 24 of 60 recruits and said he was delighted to be welcoming high quality people to add to the Cleveland
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Swooping on truants
POLICE officers are teaming up with the Education Social Work Service (ESWS) in the Hambleton District next week to crack down on truancy. The truancy sweeps, which are part a national programme, will see officers and ESWS staff approaching any youngsters
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Terror as FBI agents grabbed my husband
THE wife of a North-East man at the centre of a police search across the US has told of the terrifying moment the FBI caught up with him. Andrew Jones - along with his estranged American wife Amanda and her 18-month-old son Justice Gallon - had not been
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Taking over as mayor
A NEW mayor has been elected for east Cleveland. Conservative candidate Norah Cooney was appointed as mayor, at Eston Town Hall, on Tuesday. Coun Cooney, who represents the Longbeck ward in Marske and New Marske, immediately expressed her sympathy for
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Grenfell Club unveils £4,000 lighting system
THOUSANDS of pounds worth of lighting has been installed at a club for people with learning disabilities. The money for Redcar's Grenfell Club has come from community grants and fundraising activities The club, which is based in Ridley Street, received
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Mum's torment over missing son
IT IS the not knowing that is eating away at Sandra Flintoft and her family. Since her son, Craig Hetherington, disappeared after leaving Middlesbrough's Cornerhouse pub after a night out with friends, Mrs Flintoft has been left agonising over what may
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Students send support to Sherpa school
FINANCIAL aid has been delivered to a boarding school for Sherpa children. The funds were raised by pupils, parents and staff at Queen Mary's, an independent school for girls at Baldersby, near Thirsk, as part of their ongoing support of the venture.
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News in brief: Taking over as council chief
A RETIRED probation officer is the new chairman of Middlesbrough Council. Father of five, Councillor Peter Porley was yesterday sworn in as Chairman of the council - a post which was previously known as Speaker of the Council. During his year in office
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Blooming good effort
THREE of North Yorkshire's gardens will be open to the public this Sunday in aid of the St John Ambulance. Arden Hall, at Hawnby, near Helmsley, has grounds which include a magnificent ancient yew hedge and a laburnum walk which will be a riot of colour
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Row over cycle and pedestrial route plan
PLANS to give cyclists and pedestrians a safer route to two schools have upset neighbours who fear the area will become the noisy haunt of skateboarders. Harrogate Borough Council wants to make life for cyclists and walkers more attractive and convenient
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News in brief: College chief's theatre role
THE new chairperson of the board of governors at York Theatre Royal is to be Professor Dianne Willcocks. Prof Willcocks, principal of York St John College, is taking over following the retirement of the Dean of York, the Very Reverend Raymond Furnell,
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World record attempt will be at snail's pace
RACING of a leisurely kind will be hosted in Hambleton for a second year running this month as competitive snails prepare to take to the track. An attempt to break the world record for snail racing will be one of the highlights of this year's Herriot
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A great lake has come of age
It was branded a white elephant when it opened, but Keilder Water in Northumberland has become not only a vital water resource for the region, but a successful tourist attraction that has transformed the local economy. As staff prepare to celebrate the
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Massive boost for girls football
GIRLS across North Yorkshire are being encouraged to go football mad - with the announcement of a £50,000 boost for the female game in the county. The cash, from the UK's largest sports charity, the Football Foundation, will fund a development officer
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Charter for Bowey Construction
A NORTH-EAST construction company has received an award. Bowey Construction, of Newcastle, has been named as a Chartered Building Company. The company, which employs more than 200 staff in the region, is one of only a handful of companies accorded the
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More fun on adventure playground
CHILDREN at an infants school can let off steam thanks to a new adventure trail. After months of fundraising, pupils at Ouston Infant School, near Chester-le-Street, have more opportunities to climb, jump, clamber, run and swing, with the creation of
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Postmaster resigns over new pension system
A POSTmaster has resigned from his job over controversial plans by the Post Office to introduce electronic pension payments for customers. Bob Wilson, who runs Heighington Post Office, near Darlington, said he has been forced to close the branch because
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News in brief: Taking over as council chief
A RETIRED probation officer is the new chairman of Middlesbrough Council. Father of five, Councillor Peter Porley was yesterday sworn in as Chairman of the council - a post which was previously known as Speaker of the Council. During his year in office
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Lotto winner maintains his laid-back approach to life
A TEESDALE farm worker who scooped £170,000 in last weekend's Lotto draw is planning to use the cash to top up his pension. Phillip Williams, a 46-year-old bachelor who lives at Barnard Castle, discovered his good fortune when he returned home from the
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Warning of care home closures
CARE home bosses have warned they may have to close if local authority fees are not increased. Independent carers across the region say the industry is suffering as never before. In Darlington, the Independent Sector Provider Group (ISPG) has taken legal
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Support for aspiring Olympian
A BREWERY has agreed to sponsor one of the region's youngest talents in the world of sport. Camerons Brewery, of Hartlepool will sponsor Anne-Marie Perry, 15, who already has a number of successes in her chosen sport of dressage. The teenager is a member
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£1m boost to clean streets
RUNDOWN parts of Stockton are to be tidied up thanks to a £1m National Lottery grant. Stockton Borough Council has been given £944,580 by the lottery's New Opportunities Fund to work with other agencies in cleaning up Stockton's streets. The cash will
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www.blessed
A NEW website dedicated to Bede and the museum in his honour was the subject of an unusual service of blessing yesterday. New team rector at Jarrow, Father Bill Braviner, performed the blessing at Bede's World. The website was then launched by Nick Collins
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US police defend themselves in search for missing family
Police who mounted a search across the US for a North-East man and his "missing" family have defended themselves against allegations of being over-the-top. The small police department in the town of Rainier, Oregon, called in the FBI to help the hunt
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Police visibility most important - survey
A major survey has been carried out to help police in England's biggest county increase their visibility to the public. The results reinforced the need for high-visibility policing - with 60 per cent of respondents considering it more important that officers
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Payroll savings proposed
DURHAM's new credit union hopes to boost membership by organising payroll deductions. The Durham City and District Credit Union has attracted more than 70 members since it started life at the turn of the year. It now has three collection points - it hopes
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Family battles over special teaching rule
A BOY with special needs is facing a 12-mile taxi ride to nursery school every day, after council officers ruled it was better than teaching him at his village school. Isaac Cain, three, of Lanchester, near Consett, has been diagnosed with global developmental
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Shop Talk: What's on offer, now that Tara's departed
THREE tea towels for a fiver? Or a £750 dress for £240? At Dalton Park you could have both. When Dalton Park opened a few weeks ago, it caused traffic jams as the world and his wife went shopping for a bargain. But now the fuss has died down, it's time
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Children sing and dance for Europe
HUNDREDS of youngsters from County Durham have tried a little taste of Europe. Almost 350 pupils from 40 primary schools joined in Europe Day celebrations last Friday at County Hall in Durham. They sampled a continental breakfast and conversed in foreign
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Invitation to view replica gospels
DURHAM Cathedral is inviting the public to join in weekend celebrations marking the arrival of a facsimile version of the Lindisfarne Gospels. The high-tech replica of the 1,300-year-old manuscript, produced by experts in Switzerland, was commissioned
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How to catalogue your CD collection
CD Box Labeller Pro, Format: PC CD ROM, Publisher: Greenstreet Software. Sure Thing CD Labeller, Format: PC CD ROM, Publisher: Sure Thing Press It 2.0 SE. Free download Neato CD Label Designer, Publisher: Neato ALMOST every PC these days comes with a
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The chase for Kluivert is on
THE race to land Dutch striker Patrick Kluivert for a cut-price fee will begin in earnest today - with Newcastle United among the frontrunners for the Barcelona striker's signature, writes Adam Murray. A clause in the Holland international's contract
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Flushed with embarrassment - Mayor Mallon has chains stolen
IT could hardly be more embarrassing - former tough detective Ray Mallon has had his £60,000 mayoral chains of office pinched from under his nose. Mr Mallon, the man who pioneered zero tolerance policing, was attending a function as Middlesbrough Mayor
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Councillor set to forfeit seat
A COUNCILLOR faces losing his seat because he has not attended enough meetings. Labour man Keith Murray-Hetherington, who has represented Stanley on Durham County Council since 1997, has attended only eight meetings in the last two years. He now stands
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New affiliated venue for dressage riders
A NEW affiliated dressage venue has been opened between Scruton and Kirkby Fleetham in North Yorkshire. Val Stubbs of Penwell Farm, Little Fencote, Northallerton has been successfully running unaffiliated dressage for several years and hopes to continue
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WI news
Leadgate WI: MRS Walker presided over the April meeting of the group and extended a warm welcome to all those present. Members who had been suffering through ill-health were remembered. The theme was read by Mrs Buchan. In the absence of secretary Mrs
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Flagship school's £200,000 shortfall
A FLAGSHIP £2m school which was yesterday awarded a glowing Ofsted report is looking at axing staff to plug a huge financial shortfall. Firthmoor Primary School in Darlington, which only opened in January, has confirmed it faces a budget deficit of more
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Calendar Girls keep a film date with Cannes
THE inspiring story of how 11 Women's Institute members posed naked to raised thousands of pounds for charity is being launched at one of the top film festivals in the world. The film, Calendar Girls, based on how members of Rylstone and District WI in
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Widdrington could team up with Graydon
BRISTOL Rovers boss Ray Graydon could offer released Hartlepool United midfielder Tommy Widdrington a Football League lifeline. Widdrington was yesterday handed a free transfer by Pool boss Mike Newell and the Bristol Rovers boss is now ready renew their
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Encouraging debut for Luke
A YOUNG Northallerton College student made a promising debut as an England badminton player last weekend. Luke Brudenell, who lives in Brompton, won two of his three doubles matches in the international team event against Denmark, Holland and Sweden.
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Foreign steel for cattle grids? Let's buy British, says council
SEVEN new cattle grids in the Esk Valley and Glaisdale will be made from steel imported from abroad. Danby Group parish councillors were angry when they heard that the steel would come from abroad, particularly in light of the situation at Corus on Teesside
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Mum's anger as son shot in face
A MOTHER has called for an end to Britain's gun culture after her eight-year-old son was shot in the face with an air rifle. Dylan Cook was lucky to escape with his sight after an older boy shot him just below the right eye with an airgun pellet. Police
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Stars brought to life in showtime
POP stars from Will Young to the Village People will be brought to life in a special tribute concert this week. The Stars in Your Eyes-style show, organised by Moveable Feast Arts of South Moor, near Stanley, will star dozens of contestants, including
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Invitation as cathedral unveils Gospels copy
DURHAM Cathedral is inviting the public to celebrate the arrival of a facsimile version of the Lindisfarne Gospels today. The high-tech replica of the 1,300-year-old manuscript, produced by experts in Switzerland, was commissioned by the British Library
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Party at the theatre
SUPPORTERS of one of County Durham's oldest theatre celebrated the venue's new look. The Empire Theatre in Consett, re-opened in March after a nine-month closure and a major £700,000 refurbishment. Last weekend, groups who had raised funds for the revamp
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Lessons in road safety for child cyclists
A CYCLING proficiency course designed to keep youngsters safe on the roads has proved a success. The first two courses held by special constables in Chester-le-Street were fully booked. The courses, held on successive Sunday afternoons, are for riders
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Pony dates
Bedale & West of Yore PC. - May 26: Fun day at Thorp Perrow, starting at 11am with clear round jumping & SJ, handy ponies 12-2pm, all entries taken on the field, details 01677 460410, open to all, age limit 16. Jun 7 & 8: Tetrathlon, junior
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Comment: Stop dithering over the euro
THE decision as to whether Britain should join the European single currency is momentous. It has economic, political and constitutional repercussions of epic proportions. The Government's chosen course of action to scrutinise the options has been wise
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Driver injured in road-rage attack
A road-rage attack in a busy town centre has left a driver with head injuries. A 42-year-old man in a silver Volvo 940 car was waiting at traffic lights next to the Company Row Wetherspoon's pub in Consett, when a dark coloured Rover 214 pulled up along
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In-form Lewis keeping Durham in the hunt
JON Lewis's fifth half-century in five championship innings kept Durham afloat in their match against Worcestershire at Stockton yesterday. The captain finished on 66 out of a total of 146 for three in reply to the visitors' 395, which was at least 100
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Is this the start of a leadership challenge?
During the days of the Cold War when the Soviet media was a branch of its government, a band of people emerged to interpret for the West the real meaning of the most minute developments in Soviet corridors of power. Known as Kremlin watchers, they could
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Man charged over robbery at services
A MAN arrested and charged in connection with Tuesday's robbery at Scalby Mills service station, in Burniston Road, Scarborough, faces several other charges. He appeared before Scarborough magistrates yesterday charged with three further robberies - two
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Rare birds need more volunteer protectors
BIRD lovers are being urged to stand guard over a colony of rare birds trying to keep a foothold on the North-East coast. A small number of little terns, one of Britain's rarest seabirds, nest each year on beaches near Hartlepool. The appeal comes as
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Rail staff dress daft
STAFF at Arriva Trains Northern are taking part in the company's Dress Daft Day to raise money for charity. Suits and even some uniforms are being cast aside today for the event in favour of an array of colourful costumes. It is expected that the event
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Caitlin, four, comes to mother's aid
A MOTHER who collapsed at her home said how she was saved by the quick-thinking of her four-year-old daughter who dialled 999. Lisa Robson, 24, said she had just made breakfast for daughter, Caitlin, on Tuesday, when she passed out at the house in Chester-le-Street
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Bohemian Spirit sets up training double for Brown
LAST Saturday's Bilsdale point to point, held at Easingwold, saw a double for Michael Brown's stable. The first leg came when the promising five-year-old Bohemian Spirit (P Armitage/York & Ainsty) won the restricted under Ben Woodhouse. The Sylvia
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Search launched for girl band members
THE search is on to find talented girls with attitude for a new North-East band. Genius Entertainment, in Stanley, is looking for feisty female singers, drummers, guitarists and keyboard players for an all-girl group in the style of Canadian punk pop
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Mum's torment over missing son
IT IS the not knowing that is eating away at Sandra Flintoft and her family. Since her son, Craig Hetherington, disappeared after leaving Middlesbrough's Cornerhouse pub after a night out with friends, Mrs Flintoft has been left agonising over what may
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Blair backs kerbside recycling
A NEW household recycling scheme in County Durham is being backed by the Prime Minister. By the end of August, all 100,000 homes in Sedgefield, Chester-le-Street and Durham City should have kerbside recycling. The Kerb-it scheme will replace the paper
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Gymnasts bring back a clutch of medals
A WORLD-CLASS gymnastics centre that opened this year has already proved its worth. Deerness Leisure and Gymnastics Centre in Durham, was designated an Institute of Sport High Performance Centre in January. The club sent 24 youngsters to Stoke-on- Trent
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Council using -bully boy' tactics over toilets
A COUNCIL has been accused of "bully-boy tactics" after closing North York Moors public toilets. Scarborough Council boarded up the toilets at Commondale and Westerdale without warning last week, angering local people. Danby Group Parish Council had been
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Police launch massive fraud investigation
The real cost of a massive learning fraud could reach almost £38m, police revealed. Cleveland Police has launched what is believed to be the biggest ever fraud investigation in the North involving the multi-million pound abuse of Individual Learning Accounts
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Cars put to the test
ROADSIDE checks on vehicles are being carried out in the county. Durham Police are staging a two-week safety campaign to make motorists more aware of the need to maintain cars, vans and motorcycles. At a series of roadside checks this month police will
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Plucked to safety
A LUCKY hen which was rescued from a burning barn has completed its happy ending - by hatching its chicks. The fire broke out at Gainford Hall, Gainford, south-west Durham, on Wednesday afternoon and took firefighters several hours to bring under control
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Tips for jobseekers
TIPS on making a good impression at job interviews were handed out by a beauty therapist in Chester-le-Street this week. What outfit and colours to wear and make-up tips were offered by Caroline Mason, 32, at a seminar at the Red Lion Hotel in Chester-le-Street
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Children sing and dance for Europe
HUNDREDS of youngsters from County Durham have tried a little taste of Europe. Almost 350 pupils from 40 primary schools joined in Europe Day celebrations last Friday at County Hall in Durham. They sampled a continental breakfast and conversed in foreign
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Burton's Bytes: How to catalogue your CD collection
CD Box Labeller Pro, Format: PC CD ROM, Publisher: Greenstreet Software. Sure Thing CD Labeller, Format: PC CD ROM, Publisher: Sure Thing Press It 2.0 SE. Free download Neato CD Label Designer, Publisher: Neato ALMOST every PC these days comes with a
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Terror on the seafront
Secret History: Brighton Bomb (C4); Club Reps: The Workers (ITV1) THE plan was a fiendishly simple one. Weeks before the Tory Party Conference, an IRA explosives officer booked into room 629 in the Grand Hotel on Brighton seafront. He planted a bomb in
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Police-chase driver is jailed for 15 months
A 26-YEAR-OLD driver whose car had to be forcibly stopped by police after a pursuit through a North-East town was jailed for 15 months yesterday. Wayne Parker, 26 of Braithwaite Road, Peterlee, east Durham, admitted dangerous driving, damaging a vehicle
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'Millionaire' major used in flights ad
WHO Wants To Be A Millionaire fraudster Charles Ingram flew by the seat of his pants as he cheated his way to TV's top prize. Yesterday, a budget airline took advantage of his new-found notoriety to advertise its cheap flights from the North-East. Easy
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It's been a long and winding road that's led to these Arms
WHEN Barbara Johnson and Peter Phillips set out to fulfil their dreams, the last thing they expected was to end up running the Morritt Arms Hotel. The devious route which led them to Greta Bridge traced a path from Switzerland, where they met and fell
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Teenagers fly the flag in Europe
YOUNGSTERS from Consett YMCA will be forging international links when they travel to Europe this summer to represent the region at two separate events. One group will travel to Prague in August to take part in the YMCA Europe Youth Festival, while young
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Morgan fans gather
A CAR owner showed off his pride and joy at one of the region's leading attractions yesterday. Tony Oliver and his three-wheeler sports car led a convoy of Morgan sports cars that roared into the car park of the Beamish Museum, near Chester-le-Street,
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Worker gave people free mobile airtime
A MOBILE phone worker was jailed for five months yesterday after admitting illegally crediting customers with almost £10,000 of airtime. Nineteen-year-old Steve Patton, who worked as a customer services representative at the Orange call centre in Darlington
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Tragic war tale is an inspiration to actors
WHEN North-East soldier Henry Taylor Clark said goodbye to his infant son before he boarded a troop ship bound for the Mediterranean, he knew it was for the last time. Pte Clark, back on leave from the front, had spent a few precious days at home in Consett
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Top carpenter
A TEENAGER has been named as the North-East's best apprentice carpenter. Christopher Rowland, 19, studies the skill at Redcar and Cleveland College of Technology. After being named winner of the North-East Skillbuild regional final at Darlington College
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Chairman appointed
A FORMER East Durham pitman is the new chairman of Durham County Council. Father-of-seven Alan Fenwick, 72, of Seaham, will perform the ceremonial role for the next two years. He takes over from Charlie Magee, councillor for Ferryhill, having spent the
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Island death trial off again
A FAMILY'S agonising wait for justice over the death of a young Chester-le-Street man in a Greek hospital has been prolonged. Relatives of Christopher Rochester, 24, were in Rhodes, this week hoping to see five Greek medics stand trial accused of killing
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Nursery owner fights plan to force him out of home
THE owner of a Stokesley business is appealing against a planning decision to force him to move from his home. Derek MacDonald bought the Riverside Nurseries business in Stokesley about six months ago. Since then, he has built a farm shop on the land,
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Shipman 'does not care for elderly prisoners'
PRISON chiefs have rejected claims that killer GP Harold Shipman cares for elderly patients in his North-East jail's hospital wing. The 56-year-old, serving a life sentence in Frankland Prison, Durham City, has wheeled old inmates about, helped them into
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Free checks on offer for your pet's teeth
PET owners are being encouraged to give their pets gleaming gnashers as part of an awareness month. Abbey Veterinary Centre, based in Durham and Chester-le-Street, and Vets4Pets, situated in Framwellgate Moor in Durham, are urging owners to take more
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Casting vote gives council an historic first leader
HISTORIC or unlawful? Both were used to describe the decision to elect a district council leader during a heated debate on Wednesday. Independent members of Teesdale District Council clashed with Labour and Conservative rivals as to whether they needed
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MP appeals to unions and bosses to join euro dialogue
Ashok Kumar, MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, argues passionately that North-East businesses and people need Britain to join the euro as soon as possible. "THE single most important decision this Government will take will be to enter the
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Ryan puts Cell Pack online
A WEBSITE designer, of South Shields, has used his skills to help a battery-pack business. Ryan Mason, 21, joined training provider Access Training who found him work with local company Cell Pack Solutions. Mr Mason's website design expertise has been
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Call for the return of war memorial
A CAMPAIGN is gathering pace in Chester-le-Street, calling for the return of a memorial for fallen World War One heroes. The large monument that once stood on the edge of the town's market place was dismantled in the 1950s by Chester-le-Street Urban District
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Opera star will reach new heights
AN opera singer will be taking to the skies after winning the chance to ride in a helicopter. Connie Reeves, a member of Opera Nova, won the trip in a raffle held at Marks and Spencer, in Darlington, to raise funds for the Great North Air Ambulance. Mrs
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Teams compete on the river
A SUMMER of major rowing competitions got under way on the River Wear in Durham last weekend. The city has a long rowing tradition and its annual regatta, coming up in June, is the country's second oldest, pre-dating the more well-known event at Henley
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Andy shows Yorkshire grit to race to victory
SHEER determination drove a promising young athlete from Northallerton to the Yorkshire under-15 800m title last weekend. Andy Lagan had been suffering from a virus ahead of the championships at the Don Valley Stadium, Sheffield and still felt unwell
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Wellock's World: Headlines you thought you'd never see
HIGH on the list of candidates for headlines you thought you'd never see was an offering on Wednesday which read: "Wembley way ahead of schedule." This is a bit rich considering that it took three years between playing the final match in the old stadium
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Trophy night
Middlesbrough and ex-England defender Colin Cooper will be handing out trophies at a football club's annual presentation night. Lakeside FC holds the event on Friday, June 27, in the Lakeside club, Newton Aycliffe, County Durham.
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Children brighten up centre
YOUNGSTERS have brightened up their village community centre after a £10,000 revamp. Children in Tanfield Lea, near Stanley, worked with local artist Mick Brown to create murals inside the young people's community room, next to the village junior school
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Keeping the tidal wave of spam from your in-box
Imagine living in a fair-sized house, arriving home from work, and not being able to open your front door because you've got so much junk mail. When you finally do make your way in, you have to waste precious time sorting through all this rubbish to find
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Leader steps down after ten years
A COUNCIL leader received a standing ovation after handing over the reins to his deputy. Councillor Bob Fleming has stepped down after ten years as leader of Great Aycliffe Town Council. Although continuing as a council member, he is moving aside to concentrate
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Children compare building skills
NURSERY school children have been putting their newly acquired house building skills to the test in the classroom. Youngsters from Trimdon Village Infant School were given a tour of a new housing estate by Alexander Developments, of Fishburn. During the
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Pupils get a taste of life in the health service
MORE than a hundred teenagers gained an insight into the NHS at a careers event which was held yesterday. The event, at County Hall, Durham, was organised by the University Hospital of North Durham with help from the Durham Business and Education Executive
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Residents have reason to smile
UP-DATED dental services are to be provided in the heart of Darlington in a boost for oral health care. Darlington Primary Care Trust (PCT) is proposing moving the Community Dental Service clinic from outdated premises in Archer Street to modern ones
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A&E made cheerful
ASPIRING designers have been drawing up plans to create a fun children's area at Darlington Memorial Hospital. Six art and design students at Darlington College of Technology were asked by casualty staff to make three rooms in accident and emergency more
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Leader steps down after ten years
A COUNCIL leader received a standing ovation after handing over the reins to his deputy. Councillor Bob Fleming has stepped down after ten years as leader of Great Aycliffe Town Council. Although continuing as a council member, he is moving aside to concentrate
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Island death trial off again
A FAMILY'S agonising wait for justice over the death of a young Chester-le-Street man in a Greek hospital has been prolonged. Relatives of Christopher Rochester, 24, were in Rhodes, this week hoping to see five Greek medics stand trial accused of killing
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Teenagers' lift scare
SEVEN teenagers were trapped in a lift during their school prom. Firefighters were called to Gisborough Hall Hotel, Guisborough, east Cleveland, at 11.50pm on Wednesday night. The youngsters were released after being stuck in the lift for 30 minutes.
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Brave youngster making progress
A disabled child is making progress thanks to the love and support of her fundraising family and friends. Doctors cannot diagnose a cause for four-and-a-half-year-old Chloe Harrison's inability to walk or talk. She also has epilepsy. Her mother, Claire
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Major cash investment for county's youngsters
HUNDREDS of thousands of pounds more will be spent providing better services and facilities for young people across the county. With a teenage population of almost 50,000 in North Yorkshire, the county council's education service has agreed to increase
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Crackdown on dangerous tyres
SAVING lives is the driving force behind the police authority's latest campaign to check the tyres of motorists across the county next week. Drivers may face prosecution if they are found by Road Policing Group officers and Tyre Industry Council (TIC)
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Soldier presses for world record
AN Army recruiting sergeant aims to prove he's the best by making an attempt on the world record for bench presses. Green Howard Sergeant Chris Gent, from Guisborough, is already in training for the test of strength and stamina, which demands he lifts
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Captain Mitch is honoured by college
THE captain of a college football team has been presented with a trophy for his outstanding performances on the pitch. Mitch Cameron, a student at Northallerton College, has led his under-19 football team to victory at the North Yorkshire County Cup and
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www.blessed
A NEW website dedicated to Bede and the museum in his honour was the subject of an unusual service of blessing yesterday. New team rector at Jarrow, Father Bill Braviner, performed the blessing at Bede's World. The website was then launched by Nick Collins
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Sir Bobby is new patron of Rainbow Trust
SIR Bobby Robson has been appointed as the new patron of a leading children's charity. The Newcastle United manager was announced as patron of the Rainbow Trust at the trust's annual Rainbow Ball, at Newcastle's Marriott Gosforth Park Hotel. Performing
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Postmaster resigns over new pension system
A POSTmaster has resigned from his job over controversial plans by the Post Office to introduce electronic pension payments for customers. Bob Wilson, who runs Heighington Post Office, near Darlington, said he has been forced to close the branch because
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The whole tooth, and nothing but the tooth
Having bad teeth can have a major impact on a person's self-esteem. With National Smile Week upon us, Barry Nelson sorts out the crowns from the veneers, and asks whether we should just take better care of what we have. IT is impossible to open a magazine
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News in brief: Chance to set up website
People interested in setting up a community website are invited to attend a free workshop today. The workshop will be hosted by The Northern Echo's Communigate programme at Darlington Library in Crown Street between 10am and noon. Free websites are available
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Starring role in quest to cut truancy
A SCHEME to tackle truancy in schools in Stockton and Thornaby is going from strength to strength. The Thornaby and Stockton Deanery Excellence in Cities action zones attendance project is managed by Stockton's Educational Social Work Service. Recent
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Rylstone WI the toast of Cannes
A group of ladies from a North Yorkshire Women's Institute was the toast of the Cannes Film Festival today after the story of their famous naked calendar shoot was turned into a movie. The film, Calendar Girls, is being given its first official screening
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Tenants facing court over gas fire safety checks snub
POTENTIALLY life-saving checks on home appliances are being passed up by one in three council tenants in Middlesbrough. Since Middlesbrough Council technicians started the checks in April, about a third of households have failed to keep the appointments
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Community centres welcome introduction of internet
NEIGHBOURHOODS spread across a Teesside town have been given a ticket to ride the information superhighway. Successful bids for £500,000 in Government and National Lottery cash have ensured the installation of the latest technology at four Middlesbrough
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Town to get adoption support group
A service for people affected by adoption is being introduced to Teesside following the success of a scheme in Darlington. The service in Hartlepool, run by Durham Family Welfare, offers help and support to those trying to trace their birth parents or
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Gymnasts bring back a clutch of medals
A WORLD-CLASS gymnastics centre that opened this year has already proved its worth. Deerness Leisure and Gymnastics Centre in Durham, was designated an Institute of Sport High Performance Centre in January. The club sent 24 youngsters to Stoke-on- Trent
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Providing roadshow for council tenants
A HOUSING organisation is trying to win the hearts and minds of a town's tenants. Erimus Housing, which plans to manage Middlesbrough's 13,000 council houses, is taking to the streets with a roadshow highlighting the kind of improvements it will carry
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News in brief: Chance to set up website
People interested in setting up a community website are invited to attend a free workshop today. The workshop will be hosted by The Northern Echo's Communigate programme at Darlington Library in Crown Street between 10am and noon. Free websites are available
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Middleham set pick out their horses to watch
FOR a change, instead of leading on a winning horse, trainer, jockey or owner, Racing Week takes you to the Blue Lion, East Witton, to join the Middleham trainers and their hosts Skybet, the Harrogate-based internet betting firm. The media day dinner
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Sales dip for Filtronic
Electronics firm Filtronic is expecting to record a dip in its wireless infrastructure sales of around 15 per cent in the second half of the financial year. The firm, which employs more than 250 staff at the former Fujitsu plant at Newton Aycliffe, County
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Teesdale's teenage table tennis star hits the international trail
A TEENAGER who took up table tennis just three years ago has won the under-14s title at the English School championships. David Meads, 13, of Gainford, learnt to play age the age of nine, on a plank of wood which his father Colin fashioned to cover the
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Acquisition boosts energy firm
The retailing arm of a major energy provider has doubled in size, after acquiring a similar business. Its acquisition of ShopElectric makes Northern Retail Limited the UK's fourth largest electrical retailer, with a £100m turnover. The company, which
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Washing protest over tuition fees
STUDENTS sent a delivery of dirty washing to the Prime Minister's Sedgefield home - after accusing the Government of taking the shirts off their backs with proposed tuition fees. Durham University students led a protest march through the city last Wednesday
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Two arrested after shots fired at car
TWO men arrested on gun charges after a car parked at a North-East college was riddled with bullets have been released. Armed police raided a flat in Rye Hill, Newcastle, on Wednesday, after the shooting a few hundred yards away at Newcastle College car
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75-year-old killed as cars collide
A MAN was killed and two others badly hurt when a four-wheel drive vehicle and a car collided yesterday. The 75-year-old front seat passenger of an Isuzu Trooper died when the 4x4 turned off the A19 in North Yorkshire, near the Tollerton crossroads, and
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Cars put to the test
ROADSIDE checks on vehicles are being carried out in the county. Durham Police are staging a two-week safety campaign to make motorists more aware of the need to maintain cars, vans and motorcycles. At a series of roadside checks this month police will
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Anger over elderly residents' communal room charge
PLANS to make a weekly charge for using the communal area in a new £3m development at Brompton, near Northallerton, have sparked unrest among local elderly people. Richmond MP William Hague, who officially opened The Orchards development last Friday,
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Rider prepares for charity marathon
THE assistant manager of a Northallerton charity is preparing for a gruelling cycle ride to help raise money for an expensive piece of new equipment. The existing stick-chopping machine at Chopsticks, in Springwell Lane, is 60 years old and, according
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Angel of North creator summons a steel army as art enters a new domain
A SHIMMERING sea of sparkling steel sculptures moulded from the bodies of 290 ordinary people was unveiled by artist Antony Gormley yesterday. The Domain Field, created for the Baltic Gallery, in Gateshead, used people from all walks of life and all ages
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Cars put to the test
ROADSIDE checks on vehicles are being carried out in the county. Durham Police are staging a two-week safety campaign to make motorists more aware of the need to maintain cars, vans and motorcycles. At a series of roadside checks this month police will
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Last Night's TV: Terror on the seafront
Secret History: Brighton Bomb (C4); Club Reps: The Workers (ITV1) THE plan was a fiendishly simple one. Weeks before the Tory Party Conference, an IRA explosives officer booked into room 629 in the Grand Hotel on Brighton seafront. He planted a bomb in
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Teenagers' lift scare
SEVEN teenagers were trapped in a lift during their school prom. Firefighters were called to Gisborough Hall Hotel, Guisborough, east Cleveland, at 11.50pm on Wednesday night. The youngsters were released after being stuck in the lift for 30 minutes.
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Off mapping the border country
THIS week's Diary comes from Hereford, which is close to the Welsh border. It is a small but delightful city containing a wealth of history in its setting among lush and beautiful countryside. It is a former Saxon capital of West Mercia and remains a
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Tyne Tees admits it sponsored Tories' reception
TELEVISION company Tyne Tees last night admitted it had sponsored a Conservative Party reception - but denied it had made a donation to the political party. The broadcasting company, which is based in Newcastle, was revealed yesterday to have given £1,445
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Sentence warning to cigs smugglers
MAGISTRATES gave a stern warning to holidaymakers yesterday after jailing a North-East man who tried to smuggle 28,000 cigarettes into the UK. Colin Baxter, 27, was cautioned by customs officials after he was stopped at Teesside Airport last November
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Is this the start of a leadership challenge?
During the days of the Cold War when the Soviet media was a branch of its government, a band of people emerged to interpret for the West the real meaning of the most minute developments in Soviet corridors of power. Known as Kremlin watchers, they could
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Dods heads for a Polish Corridor
MICHAEL DODS' bold decision to send Polish Corridor (4.00) on the long trip from Denton to Newbury looks poised to reap a handsome reward in the mile-and-a-quarter RCI Handicap. Polish Corridor races almost exclusively in the North, but doesn't always
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Team of detectives probes father's death
DETECTIVES are treating the death of a North-East father-of-three as suspicious, it was revealed last night. John Lacy of Fryer Crescent, Darlington, died from a brain haemorrhage on Tuesday, nine days after he was assaulted by drunken revellers. The
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Taxi robbery: two charged
Two men were last night charged with the robbery of Middlesbrough taxi driver James Graham. The duo, also from Middlesbrough, one aged 30, the other 22, will appear before Teesside magistrates today. Mr Graham and his taxi were located on the taxi firm's
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Headlines you thought you'd never see
HIGH on the list of candidates for headlines you thought you'd never see was an offering on Wednesday which read: "Wembley way ahead of schedule." This is a bit rich considering that it took three years between playing the final match in the old stadium
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World's biggest biodiesel plant -fantastic' idea for farmers
THE North-East is in the running to house the largest biodiesel plant in the world. The Biofuels Corporation, which has its headquarters in Middlesbrough, announced this week that plans were in an advanced stage to build only the second such plant of
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Roller-skier spreads anti-smoking message
A PROFESSIONAL cross-country skier is in the North-East to raise awareness of the dangers of smoking. Canadian Phil Shaw, who is roller-skiing the length and breath of the country, stopped off in Darlington yesterday. Mr Shaw, 36, has already travelled
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Macho 'proud' of tenure
JURGEN MACHO insists he can walk away from relegated Sunderland this summer with his head held high. The Austrian goalkeeper only played 13 Premiership games this season and the Black Cats have not collected another point since he was axed for the match
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England game a sell-out in 53 minutes
NORTH-EAST football fans demonstrated their renowned passion for the game yesterday - by snapping up England tickets in record time. It took less than an hour for all 24,000 available seats to be taken for the national team's clash with Slovakia at Middlesbrough's
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'Ironic' use of threatened view
A MOORLAND view, which could be blighted if a gas well gets the go ahead, is being used to promote an environmental initiative in Europe. The leaflet was put together by the Farm and Rural Community Scheme, an experimental scheme launched by Prince Charles
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Burst pipe brings city to standstill
HUNDREDS of people woke up to find themselves without water after a burst main. At around 7am on Wednesday, Northumbrian Water received a report that the main water pipe at New Elvet, Durham City, near Scruffy Murphy's pub, was leaking on to the road.
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Fight starts to stop axe falling on factory jobs
THE fight to save a North-East factory started yesterday when key figures met to try to stop the axe falling on hundreds of jobs. Clothing manufacturer Sara Lee Courtaulds warned staff on Wednesday that the plant at Tindale Crescent, Bishop Auckland,
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Scarecrows join in the family fun
POPULAR scarecrowWorzel Gummidge and his many look-a-likes were enjoying the fun at a community day in Coxhoe last Saturday. Youngsters from Coxhoe donned their best scarecrow outfits and arrived at the fun day dressed as the famous character, played
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War hero to be honoured
Hundreds will gather this weekend to honour the North-East war hero who saved hundreds of lives in one of the bloodiest conflicts of the First World War. John Simpson Kirkpatrick is a national hero in Australia, for his sacrifice and heroism during the
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Blacksmith's blooms draw admiring looks
AN EYE-catching flower has been drawing admiring glances from residents and motorists passing through a Teesdale village. But although the 7ft-high bloom may have been buffeted in the recent wind and rain, it is in no danger of wilting, as it has been
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Bridges that span years of city's railway heritage
In last week's Durham Memories we found that by the year 1844 Durham was served by three railway stations. Only one of these was located in the city, at Gilesgate, which was built in 1844 and linked to the Leamside line by a branch line running from Belmont
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Parish backs protesters over objections to village flats plan
HURWORTH Parish Council has joined residents fighting plans to build a block of six flats in the village. On Tuesday, the council inspected the proposals to demolish Church View Garage, one of the last remaining businesses in the village, to make way
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Millennium hopes dashed by cash grant mystery
MILLENNIUM fund-raisers in Northallerton this week claimed they are being used as "a smokescreen" to cover plans to develop a park in the town. They say efforts to create a marker for the new century - in the form of an enhanced park at the Applegarth
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16/05/03
TONY MARTIN: HOW bizarre can the British justice system be when it so often seems to consider the welfare of the criminal and then stamp down hard on the victim? Tony Martin lived in a remote farmhouse and if he called the police when burglars broke in
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Bridges that span years of city's railway heritage
In last week's Durham Memories we found that by the year 1844 Durham was served by three railway stations. Only one of these was located in the city, at Gilesgate, which was built in 1844 and linked to the Leamside line by a branch line running from Belmont
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Date
Island death trial off again
A FAMILY'S agonising wait for justice over the death of a young Chester-le-Street man in a Greek hospital has been prolonged. Relatives of Christopher Rochester, 24, were in Rhodes, this week hoping to see five Greek medics stand trial accused of killing
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Date
Sir Bobby is new patron of Rainbow Trust
SIR Bobby Robson has been appointed as the new patron of a leading children's charity. The Newcastle United manager was announced as patron of the Rainbow Trust at the trust's annual Rainbow Ball, at Newcastle's Marriott Gosforth Park Hotel. Performing
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Stock up now, because nanny doesn't always know best
'USE it or lose it" doesn't always apply. Not when nanny knows best and nanny lives in a tangle of red tape in an ivory tower in Brussels. We used to dust flowers of sulphur on our dahlia tubers to prevent them rotting in winter storage and dip our brassica
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Watch Ricketts go, says Boateng
PREMIERSHIP defenders have been warned to watch out for Middlesbrough's out-of-sorts striker Michael Ricketts next season. The once capped England international failed to turn on the style for the Teessiders after moving from Bolton in January. And the
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News in brief: Man charged with stabbing
A MAN appeared in court yesterday charged with stabbing a teenager. Christopher Robinson, 48, of Burnhope Road, Barmston, Washington, Wearside, was charged with unlawful wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. It follows the stabbing of a
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Petch climbs into top six on Isle of Man
SCORTON'S Steve Petch overcame his dislike of tarmac to record his best finish for a couple of years on the surface with a superb top six placing on last weekend's Roush Manx National Rally on the Isle of Man. Driving the SGP Motorsport Hyundai Accent
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The mission that made men heroes
Immortalised in the classic film, the Dambusters' raid has become the stuff of wartime legend. On the 60th anniversary today of their daring attack, Christen Pears looks at their legacy. ON the evening of May 16, 1943 a squadron of 19 Lancaster bombers
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Farmers will have to wait for mart move
FARMERS keen to switch monthly market sites in Northallerton will have to wait until June for the move. This information was revealed at Tuesday's meeting of Hambleton District Council in response to a question from local farmer Coun Bert Langthorne.
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Leader gives first speech
THE first female leader of Chester-le-Street District Council set out the council's new vision for the future at her first meeting this week. In her first speech as leader, Linda Ebbatson set out new aims and objectives for the council. Unlike other councils
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Test cricket boosts region's economy
The onset of test cricket will bring the equivalent of a six-hit boost to the North-East economy, business experts believe. A report by Durham University Business School outlines the potential benefit of up to 60,000 spectators coming to Chester-le-Street
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Lotto joy for £170,000 winner
A COUNTY Durham farm worker is keeping his feet firmly on the ground after scooping more than £170,000 on The National Lottery. Phillip Williams, of Barnard Castle, plans to save his winnings from Saturday's Lotto draw to build himself a nest-egg for
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Churches forge new links with covenant
THE Church of England and the Methodist Church are celebrating closer links as they prepare to sign a covenant of friendship and co-operation. The covenant between the Diocese of York in the Church of England and two Methodist Districts will be signed
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Town will look at CCTV option to tackle disorder
RESIDENTS fed-up with vandalism and public disorder in Yarm have installed their own CCTV system. As a result, Yarm Town Council is to look again at the possibility of a CCTV system for the High Street, in a bid to combat problems caused by drinkers in
