Archive
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ScooterCabs take to the road
A FORMER television sound engineer yesterday unveiled his solution to the problem of drink-driving. John Orr, 28, launched the business in Newcastle. ScooterCabbies will arrive on scooters which can be folded up and placed in the boot of the customer's
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GSK shares fail to respond to Levitra approval
DRUGS firm GlaxoSmith-Kline saw little change in its share price yesterday, despite approval in the US of its answer to Viagra. GSK has been desperate to get its version of the erectile dysfunction tablet, called Levitra, into US pharmacies. The drug
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Soldiers' tribute to 'forgotten war' heroes
TWO North-East soldiers have returned after representing the region's regiments in a ceremony to mark the 50th anniversary of the Korean War. Corporal Michael Gibbons, of Salgrave, in Washington,Wearside, and Corporal Craig Hepburn, of Jarrow, South Tyneside
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Net widens in the hunt for fish raiders
THIEVES have embarked on an aquatic crime spree, netting thousands of pounds worth of fish and pond accessories. They have landed fish, water pumps and filters plus other aquatic accessories in six garden raids in Darlington over the past week. One man
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First-time buyers push lending to new heights
MORTGAGE lending broke more records in July as the number of borrowers increased again. A total of £25bn was advanced during the month, 12 per cent more than during June, which was also a new high, according to the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML). There
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New twist in battle for Drax
THE battle for control of Britain's biggest power station heated up yesterday after generator International Power raised its offer for the debt-laden Drax plant. Formerly known as National Power, International Power had already offered about £80m to buy
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Two charged with robbery
TWO unemployed men have been charged with robbery and theft after four alleged incidents in Darlington. Keith Lupton, of Mallin Road, Darlington, and Geoffrey John Baker, of Hollyhurst Road, both 25, were charged this week. The charges follow incidents
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News in brief: Appeal after armed robbery
Police have renewed an appeal for help from the public after a post office was robbed last week. Two robbers, one carrying a gun, made off with thousands of pounds in a raid on the post office in Dipton, near Stanley, on August 12. The masked raiders
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Choir is singing out for more men
VETERANS of a male voice choir hope an appeal for members hits the right note with young singers in the North-East. Shiney Row Male Voice Choir is recruiting to replace older members who are gradually retiring, leaving numbers thin on the ground. Choir
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Passenger protest at bus service
AN irate passenger says he will continue to monitor the performance of a Darlington bus service. Anthony Mallon had to wait five weeks for a reply after complaining about Arriva's 22 service between Minor's Crescent and the town centre. He sent a letter
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Councillors visit region for Mayor's crimefighting tips
A COUNCIL has turned to Middlesbrough's crime busting mayor for advice on how to deal with anti-social behaviour in their own authority. York City Council is impressed by the way Mayor Ray Mallon is tackling the problems caused by gangs of unruly youths
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Mayor's tribute to civic stalwart
A FITTING tribute to a former deputy mayor of Darlington was paid yesterday. The town's present first citizen, Councillor Ron Lewis, presented a cheque for £1,000 to Mary Richardson, of the Tees area group of the National Association of Colitis and Crohn's
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Police search
PEOPLE living near Darlington's South Park were woken in the early hours by a police helicopter. Officers were in pursuit of a motorcyclist who had allegedly failed to stop at 1.30am on Tuesday. A police car had been following the biker and called in
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New bid to revive pub and restaurant redevelopment
A THIRD attempt is being made to turn a pub and restaurant complex into a commercial success. In little more than two years since the opening of Cathedrals, following a £3.5m development of Durham's disused Victorian-built police office, two ventures
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Life in ruins for high-flying officer caught drink-driving
A FORMER senior traffic police officer - once responsible for targeting drink-drivers - yesterday admitted being almost four times the legal limit on a busy North-East road. Inspector Elizabeth Byron, 43, who headed Hertfordshire's road policing unit
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Move to help victims of violence
SOCIAL services, the police and other agencies in the North-East are to be offered extra guidance to help victims of domestic abuse. A book giving advice on domestic violence has been published as part of a Government-funded initiative. Originally produced
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Youngsters clean up
RESIDENTS and youngsters from the Mandale Estate in Thornaby are joining forces next week for a litter-pick. Mandale Association of Residents has organised the litter-pick and has enlisted the help of youngsters. Stockton Borough Council's new mascot
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Brothers saved from house fire
TWO men were rescued, including one from a roof, after a blaze swept through the kitchen of a house on Teesside. Gerald Winn scrambled out of his bedroom window on to the roof of an extension at his home in Albion Terrace, Boosbeck, east Cleveland, while
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News in brief: Appeal after armed robbery
Police have renewed an appeal for help from the public after a post office was robbed last week. Two robbers, one carrying a gun, made off with thousands of pounds in a raid on the post office in Dipton, near Stanley, on August 12. The masked raiders
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Criminals fund police drug ops
MONEY seized from a drug dealer is being used by police to finance further operations. Following the conviction of the dealer from Middlesbrough's Grove Hill, a judge at Teesside Crown Court ordered the confiscation of £71,000, found at the home of the
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News in brief: Hotel scheme decision put off
COUNCILLORS have deferred a decision over a plan to turn a hotel into flats. Malcolm McKee has applied to turn the hotel he owns, the Regency Hotel, in Coatham Road, Redcar, into 42 self-contained apartments. Planning officers had recommended councillors
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Eviction notice
A COUNCIL is reinforcing its anti-drugs message by evicting a dealer's mother. Wear Valley District Council has been granted a possession order on a house on the Woodhouse Close Estate, in Bishop Auckland. Darlington County Court issued the order after
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Knightly legend is revisited
A LEGEND from Bishop Auckland was brought to life yesterday. Shoppers in the town centre enjoyed a parade and musical performance based on the tale of Pollard and the Boar. Families attended workshops at the town hall with artist Barbara Agar to create
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Artist's mural designs too bright for town
AN artist must go back to the drawing board after his designs for murals in Ferryhill were rejected as too bold. Ferryhill Town Council is considering brightening up blank walls in the town with artworks. Artist Steve Hunter produced ideas for various
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Changes to assessments
CHANGES are to be introduced to the way people are assessed for disability parking badges in part of the county. Previously, disabled people in the Easingwold and York area were given a mobility assessment by their GP. Assessments will be carried out
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Council calls on Robocop in fight against bad behaviour
COUNCIL bosses have turned to one of the country's best known mayors to learn new ways of dealing with anti-social behaviour on housing estates. York City Council has been impressed by the way Mayor Ray Mallon, who was known as Robocop for his no-nonsense
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Health theme for children during parade
ABOUT 1,000 youngsters yesterday celebrated a summer of fun provided by a town's playschemes. They took part in the traditional end-of-scheme parade in Middlesbrough. Playscheme co-ordinator Sally Danks said: "All the playschemes have emphasised the importance
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Time to dump disposables
PARENTS are being urged to stop buying disposal nappies and switch to "real" ones instead. Hambleton District Council is mounting an exhibition early next month to promote washable nappies as part of the county-wide Rethink Rubbish campaign. The idea
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Two bins for everyone in recycling drive
MORE than 13,000 householders will be getting to grips with a new rubbish bin system next week in a bid to reach recycling targets. Residents in Easingwold and Bedale will be some of the first to adopt the new waste collection scheme, which should be
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City booklet offers guide to smoke-free businesses
A NEW guide is highlighting the growing number of city businesses that have banned smoking. Sunderland City Council has produced its fourth Smoke Free Air Guide, which lists 150 pubs, cafes, restaurants and other businesses that either ban smoking or
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Cemeteries examined to make headstones safe
WORK gets under way this week on a safety exercise in Middlesbrough's cemeteries. The council is doing a survey on all headstones and the work will start in Linthorpe cemetery, where there are an estimated 4,000 tombstones. "This is an essential piece
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Move to upgrade four railway bridge barriers
COUNCIL bosses have revealed plans to upgrade another four of the region's potentially dangerous railway bridge barriers. North Yorkshire County Council has already completed work to strengthen barriers at 11 road-over-rail sites and is seeking Government
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Shooting case pair cleared of murder bid
TWO men were found not guilty yesterday of a shooting in a rugby club car park. During a seven-day trial at Teesside Crown Court, the jury heard that Anthony Walls, 23, survived being shot in the car park of Guisborough Rugby Club, east Cleveland. The
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Choir is singing out for more men
VETERANS of a male voice choir hope an appeal for members hits the right note with young singers in the North-East. Shiney Row Male Voice Choir is recruiting to replace older members who are gradually retiring, leaving numbers thin on the ground. Choir
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Volunteers needed for healthcare scheme
PEOPLE who live with long term illnesses are wanted to help deliver a healthcare scheme. The six-session self-management course is aimed at helping people take control of their condition and boost their quality of life. Those with ailments including arthritis
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Brave traders' charity parachute jump
Store owners are to leap from a plane over the North-East coastline to raise cash for charity. The traders, all from Park View in Whitley Bay, North Tyneside, make their sponsored parachute jump on Sunday, August 31. They hope to raise more than £3,000
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Record profits at Domnick Hunter
AIR filtration group Domnick Hunter saw half-year profits surge 16 per cent to a record high. The company makes filtration and purification products for a range of industries. Pre-tax profits for the six months to June 30 of £5.7m were within market expectations
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21/08/03
IRAQ: I HAVE to admit that peace has yet to be fully restored in Iraq. Anti-Western Iraqi civilians and supporters loyal to Saddam Hussein are shooting at and killing our soldiers and our great American counterparts. Let's stop pussyfooting around. Let's
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Hutchinson poser for Darlington
Darlington defender Joey Hutchinson is facing a race against the clock to be fit in time for tomorrow night's Third Division clash at Northampton Town. The 21-year-old summer signing from Birmingham City has not figured since limping off on the opening
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Tregoning eyes the Nunthorpe
GROUP one sprints do not come much weaker than this afternoon's Nunthorpe Stakes on the final day of York's Ebor Festival, although one man who will not mind in the least is the trainer of Dominica, Marcus Tregoning. Top Aussie speed star Choisir ruthlessly
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Soap Watch: Baby crazy
WHO'S the daddy? Poor Laura is struggling to decide whose name to put on the birth certificate in EastEnders (BBC1). Daft Garry thinks the baby is his, the result of a drunken fumble in an alley. Husband Ian reckons it can't be his because he's had a
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Saint's alive and kicking!
Saint Alebe produced a powerful run in the long York straight to record a dramatic last-to-first success in the £190,000 Tote Ebor on the Knavesmire yesterday. The late-maturing four-year-old, trained by David Elsworth at Whitsbury, was away from home
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Breakthrough drug for lung disease
A breakthrough drug cocktail which can almost double the life expectancy of people suffering from a devastating lung disease could be available on prescription within the next 12 months. The Northern Echo reported last year how the combination drug used
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Review ends in job cuts at Nestl
CHOCOLATE and confectionery firm Nestl Rowntree is to shed 220 jobs at its York factory. A range of managerial, supervisory and technical support staff were told yesterday they were to be made redundant from the Wigginton Road plant. The posts will go
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Sex case man's Internet ban
A MAN has been banned from using the Internet as part of bail conditions. David Plank, 45, of Ashdown Close, Thornaby, Stockton, is facing 16 charges of making indecent photographs of children. He denied the charges at Teesside Magistrates' Court on Tuesday
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Soccer fans on target for charity total
THE GOAL is in sight for football fans who set themselves a £1,000 target to help a regional hospital charity cause. Members of the Chester-le-Street and District branch of the Sunderland AFC Supporters' Association staged a charity night on their return
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Former boss arrested in fraud case
DETECTIVES investigating an alleged £300,000 fraud have arrested the former managing director of a North-East building firm. Officers from the Northumbria Police economic crime unit searched the home of Peter Spoors, 51, the former boss of Miller Homes
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Baby crazy
WHO'S the daddy? Poor Laura is struggling to decide whose name to put on the birth certificate in EastEnders (BBC1). Daft Garry thinks the baby is his, the result of a drunken fumble in an alley. Husband Ian reckons it can't be his because he's had a
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Solano puts his Newcastle future on the line
NOLBERTO Solano is ready to quit Newcastle United over his club v country row with Sir Bobby Robson. Solano linked up with Peru for last night's friendly against Mexico in Panama City in defiance of Robson's wishes. The United boss insists the winger
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Officers 'delayed Deepcut evidence'
POLICE chiefs have been accused of being prepared to ignore vital evidence about the deaths of four soldiers at Deepcut barracks. Families of the four victims - who included Geoff Gray, 17, of Seaham, County Durham - said they were considering making
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Last Night's TV: Sticky sheets and a sub story
Warships (five): WATCHING television is an education in itself these days. Every night there's a documentary telling you everything you never wanted to know about a fresh topic. At least Major Gordon Corrigan, our guide through the history of the submarine
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Bombing, looting, stoning, - just an everyday tale of post-war Iraq
Another bomb, a grenade attack, four policemen sacked for corruption and the usual stoning of security patrols - all in a day's work for North Yorkshire soldiers in Basra. Northern Echo reporters Steve Parsley and photographer Stuart Boulton joined them
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News in brief: Trap driver's death charges
A MAN appeared in court yesterday charged in connection with the death of a horse and trap driver killed in a dual carriageway crash. Wayne Walker, 33, of Springwell, Tyne and Wear, died and his horse had to be destroyed after a collision with a Honda
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Body armour plans under fire
MOVES to make police and traffic wardens wear body armour have been criticised by unions. County Durham Police are looking at the idea after high profile incidents across the country in which officers have been injured or even killed by weapons. If the
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Couple offer reward for cat's return
DISTRAUGHT cat owners are offering a reward after their pet was stolen from a cattery. Eight-year-old Thomas, who belongs to Fred and Amy Foster, was among four cats stolen from the Blue Acres Boarding Kennels and Cattery at Coxhoe. The couple were shocked
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Notes From Planet Zog: Getting tough with the three Ts
T is for TRAINERS, TELEVISION and TELEPHONES... ...AND if you have had a teenage son in the last ten years and have managed to get through without a single row on any of those subjects, then you are a genius and should certainly be writing this column
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Crime fight paying off
NEW partnership initiatives and the opening of a drug addiction centre have brought a dramatic drop in crime in the Wear Valley and Teesdale districts. Figures for the Wear and Tees police division for the three months from April to June show a 16.3 per
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North-South economy gap is growing
THERE was more evidence last night of the growing economic gap between the North-East and the more prosperous South. Figures from the Office for National Statistics show that the region has the lowest Growth Value Added (GVA) in the country. GVA is a
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£13m road cash
The Government has given final approval for a £13m scheme to complete the dualling of a city road. Construction work on the A69 Scotswood Road, Newcastle, will start next April to make the remaining one-and- a-quarter miles of single carriageway, between
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Police arrest GP over 'sex attacks'
A FAMILY doctor was last night being questioned by police on suspicion of indecently assaulting children and women. Dr Syed Amjad Husain was arrested over alleged assaults against five females, who are all patients at his North-East surgery. The Darlington
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Skaters slip into dangerous territory
SKATEBOARDERS may wax lyrical about their sport - but council chiefs are less than lyrical about their wax. The sport is still growing in popularity, with children and young adults taking to the streets with their hobby. But although the potential dangers
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Record profits at Domnick Hunter
AIR filtration group Domnick Hunter saw half-year profits surge 16 per cent to a record high. The company makes filtration and purification products for a range of industries. Pre-tax profits for the six months to June 30 of £5.7m were within market expectations
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England on target but doubts remain
David Beckham, Michael Owen and Frank Lampard were England's goal heroes against Croatia at Portman Road as Sven-Goran Eriksson somewhat unconvincingly extended his winning streak to six games. Beckham's penalty, Owen's header and Lampard's thunderbolt
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Mendieta's class can spark Boro's Euro bid
GEORGE Boateng is convinced that the capture of Gaizka Mendieta can add the "extra touch of class'' needed to confirm Middlesbrough as contenders for a place in Europe. Spanish star Mendieta is in talks with Boro in a bid to finalise details of his one-year
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Getting tough
T is for TRAINERS, TELEVISION and TELEPHONES... ...AND if you have had a teenage son in the last ten years and have managed to get through without a single row on any of those subjects, then you are a genius and should certainly be writing this column
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Love's divine century puts Durham in charge
COACHES and theorists often preach that their players have to learn when to seize the moment, and it was immediately after lunch that Durham swept into overdrive yesterday. From an evenly-balanced 114 for three against Hampshire at Riverside, Martin Love
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Tributes to pub favourite
REGULARS at a Chester-le-Street pub are mourning the loss of one of its best customers - an Alsatian dog. Keegan, the faithful companion of owner George Watson, was well-known around the town, greeted in the streets and welcomed in its pubs, especially
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TV review
Warships (five) WATCHING television is an education in itself these days. Every night there's a documentary telling you everything you never wanted to know about a fresh topic. At least Major Gordon Corrigan, our guide through the history of the submarine
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Advice service given lifeline
A CHARITY has handed Durham's independent advice service a funding lifeline. The future of Durham Citizens' Advice Bureau (CAB) had been in doubt unless it secured more funding to meet rising accommodation costs following its move to new premises in the
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Five calls for police 'grassing' hotline
A HOTLINE set up by a police force for officers to report corrupt colleagues has received only five calls in the past year. The confidential phone line, enabling County Durham officers or police staff to raise concerns about unethical or dishonest behaviour
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National surfers head for the North
A NORTH-EAST beach is taking over as the top destination for the UK's leading surfers. The O'Neill British Cup, one of the most important British surfing events of the year, is traditionally held at popular surfing beaches such as Newquay, in Cornwall
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Theatre's coup attracts star cast
A STAR cast will be taking to the stage as the curtain rises on the first regional repertory production of Yasmina Reza's ART next month. In a coup for Harrogate Theatre, in North Yorkshire, the successful British play will be opening its autumn season
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Mr Nasties get Empire's new season off to a bouncing start
AS ITS summer season draws to a close, a North-East theatre has unveiled its forthcoming programme with an invitation to audiences to "let us entertain you". Yesterday, the Sunderland Empire drafted in the services of two soap star "nasties" to launch
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Dinosaur Isle finds discussed by expert
DINOSAUR discoveries unearthed north of the border in recent years are the subject of a talk next week. Expert Neil Clark will discuss the series of Scottish finds, including a major discovery of a sauropod, nicknamed Dougie, at Durham's DLI Museum and
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Couple's 500-mile trip to visit a dentist
THE worrying shortage of NHS dentists was highlighted yesterday after one woman revealed how she and her husband would have to travel hundreds of miles to have their teeth checked. Glynis Ludkin, who recently moved to the village of Hackness, near Scarborough
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Getting tough with the three Ts
T is for TRAINERS, TELEVISION and TELEPHONES... ...AND if you have had a teenage son in the last ten years and have managed to get through without a single row on any of those subjects, then you are a genius and should certainly be writing this column
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Workers uncover Roman remains as they lay pipes
THE first evidence that the Romans once settled in a part of the North has been unearthed by water engineers. Artefacts dating from the Second Century have been found during work to lay water mains near Northallerton, North Yorkshire. Roof tiles, ceramics
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Castle Howard holds clear-out
WHEN the average household has a clear-out of old clothes they might end up at a charity shop or even at a local jumble sale. But Castle Howard is not your average house and when they have a clear-out they go that little bit further - and pop along to
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£10,000 ambulance gift
THE Yorkshire Air Ambulance will land at York Racecourse today to mark a £10,000 donation given to the charity by Arriva Trains Northern. The Arriva division's commercial director, Dyan Crowther, will hand over the cheque to television presenter Harry
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Siena ready to end Flo's nightmare
TORE Andre Flo's Sunderland nightmare was poised to end last night after Siena renewed their interest in the £6.75m misfit. The Serie A club will contact Sunderland today regarding a £2.5m transfer. Siena made an inquiry about Flo last month, but after
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John North: A snip for solidarity
There may have been no Charlie Dimmock but the people of Bishop Auckland had plenty to celebrate at the launch of thier community garden. THE delightful Ms Dimmock perhaps being unavailable, we were invited on Sunday to open a community garden in Bishop
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Review ends in job cuts at Nestle
CHOCOLATE and confectionery firm Nestl Rowntree is to shed 220 jobs at its York factory. A range of managerial, supervisory and technical support staff were told yesterday they were to be made redundant from the Wigginton Road plant. The posts will go
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News in brief: Appeal after armed robbery
Police have renewed an appeal for help from the public after a post office was robbed last week. Two robbers, one carrying a gun, made off with thousands of pounds in a raid on the post office in Dipton, near Stanley, on August 12. The masked raiders
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News in brief: Man accused of harassment
Roy Lingley, 76, of the Fallows, Cockfield, appeared before Bishop Auckland magistrates yesterday charged with harassing neighbour Raymond Watson by depositing animal excrement on the front garden and footpath of his house. The case was adjourned until
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Choir is singing out for more men
VETERANS of a male voice choir hope an appeal for members hits the right note with young singers in the North-East. Shiney Row Male Voice Choir is recruiting to replace older members who are gradually retiring, leaving numbers thin on the ground. Choir
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Two charged with robbery
TWO unemployed men have been charged with robbery and theft after four alleged incidents in Darlington. Keith Lupton, of Mallin Road, Darlington, and Geoffrey John Baker, of Hollyhurst Road, both 25, were charged this week. The charges follow incidents
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Pay cut plan unreasonable say housing repair workers
A COUNCIL is being unreasonable to ask its housing repairs staff to take pay cuts, union officials have said. Workers from Wear Valley District Council's housing maintenance department have vowed to stand their ground in a contract dispute that has lasted
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Shopsafe hits dotcom milestone
THE 2,000th shop has been added to a growing list of secure UK shopping websites operated by an online shopping portal. Shopsafe.co.uk lists approved retailers' websites and is designed to give the public greater confidence when shopping online. The portal
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Bus driver fights off three raiders
A WOMAN bus driver fought off three robbers who tried to drag her off her vehicle. The raiders struck at about 6.30pm on Tuesday, after the E6 service had dropped off its last passengers at Sunderland Interchange and the driver was making her way back
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Too phew in the shops
SCORCHING temperatures have been blamed for emptying the high street of shoppers this summer as scores of people headed for the coast. Department store group Beale showed the impact of the heatwave after it trimmed sales expectations for the rest of the
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Dementia safety scheme piloted
A pilot scheme is aiming to keep elderly Alzheimer's Disease sufferers safe in their homes. The project involves installing sensors to the external doors of clients' homes. If a door is opened during a pre-set time an alert is sent to the community alarm
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Tennis club enjoys change in fortune
A CLUB is enjoying one of the best year's in its history less than three years after vandals nearly forced it to close. Bishop Auckland Tennis Club has the strongest membership it has had in more than 50 years and a crop of talented youngsters. Coach
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Ornaments puzzle
POLICE are seeking the owners of several garden ornaments thought to have been stolen. The ornaments were discovered in a Metro car abandoned off Corporation Road, Darlington, earlier this month. Police believe the car might be linked to a burglary in
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First phase of £1m estate transport lift
THE first phase of a £1m scheme to improve bus links to some of Darlington's estates will get under way next month. Earlier this year, the Government awarded Darlington £1,070,000 under the Urban Bus Challenge project, which aims to help deprived areas
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Drivers told how to fight tickets issued under illegal signs
Motorists who want to fight convictions for speeding on a stretch of road with illegal signs will find out next week how they can. Information packs are being prepared for drivers looking to query fixed penalty notices issued for breaking the 50mph limit
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Battle of the bands winners hit the studio
FOUR teenagers have taken the first step towards rock stardom, after winning a battle of the bands contest. Chris Moodie, Andrew Scully, Karl Borrowdale and David Wilson, from Harelaw, near Stanley, were one of five Derwentside bands that took part in
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Youngsters meet mini-olympic test
DOZENS of youngsters were Olympians for a day when they took part in a fun sporting event. About 130 children, who attend youth groups and holiday clubs in Darlington took to the field at Polam Hall School for Girls for a series of contests in the town's
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Demolition work to begin
DEMOLITION work has started on a run-down street in Ferryhill Station. Most of Chapel Row, where 23 out of 25 houses have been declared unfit for habitation, will be demolished in the next few weeks. Sedgefield Borough Council has set aside £250,000 to
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Partnership to increase broadband awareness
THOUSANDS of homes and businesses across North Yorkshire are about to benefit from broadband thanks to a newly formed partnership. Yorkshire Forward, BT and the region's Business Links have joined forces to improve awareness of the benefits of broadband
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Chance to explore police headquarters
POLICE in North Yorkshire will be welcoming visitors to their headquarters next month. As part of the National Heritage Open Days initiative, Newby Wiske Hall and its grounds will be open on September 13 and 14, from 10am to 4pm. On the Saturday there
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Star swimmers pay a visit
INTERNATIONAL swimmers Caroline Saxby and Chris Alderton met young stars of the future at development camps designed to encourage children to excel at the sport. Ms Saxby, a Commonwealth Games finalist, and Mr Alderton, a European Youth Olympics silver
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Nightmare for players
VILLAGE performers are venturing into a world of suspense and intrigue in their latest production. The Hutton Rudby Amateur Dramatic Society has won fans in the past with their comic shows at the village hall. For their autumn production they are staging
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Borough's elderly have new champion
A RETIRED postman has been nominated to deliver pensioners a better deal in east Cleveland. Mike Findley, newly-elected councillor for Longbeck ward at Marske, has been chosen as Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's Older People's Champion. He said:
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News in brief: Go-ahead given for church
PERMISSION has been granted for a church to be built on the edge of Knaresborough, against the advice of planning officers. The Wetherby Road Trust has been given the go-ahead to build a church and 129-space car park in a field by Wetherby Road. Supporters
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Energy-saving bulbs pile up
THOUSANDS of free power-saving lightbulbs are languishing in a Stockton basement because they have not been claimed by people who are entitled to them. The energy-efficient lamps have been reserved for households on low incomes by project workers at Stockton
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Nursery plans likely to get the go-ahead
PROPOSALS to build a nursery in Hartlepool look likely to be approved. Members of Hartlepool Borough Council's planning committee will meet on Wednesday to discuss plans to build a nursery unit at the town's Lynnfield Primary School. It would include
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Grassroots: Crook
NEW PREMISES: The Signpost information centre in Hope Street, Crook, is moving this month, thanks to a grant from the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund. Signpost is seeking volunteers to join the organisation. The South West Durham Credit Union will continue
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Grassroots: Yarm and Eaglescliffe
FAMILY FUN: Preston Hall Museum holds a family show this weekend, with entertainment including a fun fair, showjumping, sideshows and trade stands. The fun begins tomorrow and continues until Monday. Tomorrow, entrance costs £1, with children wearing
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Horse trailer thieves strike at nurseries
THIEVES cut through a gate and moved a forklift truck to steal a horse trailer. The gang struck at Lintzford Nurseries, on the border between County Durham and Gateshead, over the weekend. After cutting the lock on the gate and forcing off the hinges,
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News in brief: Man accused of harassment
Roy Lingley, 76, of the Fallows, Cockfield, appeared before Bishop Auckland magistrates yesterday charged with harassing neighbour Raymond Watson by depositing animal excrement on the front garden and footpath of his house. The case was adjourned until
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Church celebrates with flowers
A FLOWER festival has helped mark a church's 150th anniversary. The recent flower festival at North Road Methodist Church, Durham City, is part of year-long celebrations to mark the church's 150th anniversary. The church's first foundation stone was laid
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News in brief: Hotel scheme decision put off
COUNCILLORS have deferred a decision over a plan to turn a hotel into flats. Malcolm McKee has applied to turn the hotel he owns, the Regency Hotel, in Coatham Road, Redcar, into 42 self-contained apartments. Planning officers had recommended councillors
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PO exercise a sham, says MP
AN MP has branded a Post Office consultation over a branch closure as a 'sham,' after leaflets announcing the decision appear to have been printed months ago. The information booklets announcing the decision to close the Picktree Lane Post Office in Chester-le-Street
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Sticky sheets and a sub story
Warships (five) : WATCHING television is an education in itself these days. Every night there's a documentary telling you everything you never wanted to know about a fresh topic. At least Major Gordon Corrigan, our guide through the history of the submarine
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Turning up the heat on weather issues
PALM trees and sandbags were used to launch a campaign to raise awareness about the impact of climate change after the latest burst of changeable weather. The Middlesbrough Council roadshow was launched this week at the Berwick Hills branch of Morrisons
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'Having a baby damaged my heart'
After a pioneering operationwhen she was a baby, Lynne Gordon was told she could look forward to a long and healthy life. Then she fell pregnant. Barry Nelson reports on how having a child put a young mum's life at risk - and the trauma of waiting for
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Children bring forest tales to life
DEEP in a forest a group of children worked their magic to bring the woodland to life at the weekend. A series of plays was performed by schoolchildren at Hamsterley Forest to mark the completion of a new out-of-school scheme. More than 50 youngsters
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Lads strike Lotto joy
A 14-strong syndicate of tradesmen is celebrating scooping £85,248 on the National Lottery. Known as The North Kenton Lads Syndicate, the group from Newcastle City Council includes plumbers, joiners and bricklayers who all work at the City Works Depot
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Council to face court over pool death
THE HEALTH and Safety Executive is to prosecute Scarborough Borough Council after a teenager died in one of its swimming pools three years ago. John Rudderham, 16, was at the Atlantic waterpark in North Bay with friends on a day trip from his home in
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Artist captures Dales 'magic'
ARTIST Janet Rawlins will be exhibiting her most recent work on the theme of the landscape and legends next month. The display, at the Dales Countryside Museum in Hawes, North Yorkshire, starts on August 30 and continues until September 17. Museum manager
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Yorkshire reveal big plans
Yorkshire intend to pump a further £25m into Headingley to make it one of the best cricket stadiums in the country by 2006. The plans include increasing capacity to 20,000, and come on top of the £10m already invested on developments on the east and west
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For sale: a semi fit for a queen
IT may be described as semi-detached - but that is where any resemblance to the average family home ends. Just on the market is an Englishman's home that really is a castle, complete with turrets, imposing battlements and a long and royal history. Snape
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Boxing club forges new links
YOUNGSTERS from Bishop Auckland Amateur Boxing club are enjoying a taste of paradise this week as they take part in the club's first overseas trip. A squad of ten boxers from the club are visiting part of central Europe known as the Bohemian Paradise,
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Task force lays down jobs plan
A BLUEPRINT for bringing back jobs to Weardale was launched this week with a challenge to residents to 'make it work.' The Weardale Task Force sent out summaries of its strategy, Renewing Weardale, to 4,000 homes this week following a launch on Tuesday
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Comment: Tough questions on education
IT has been a disappointing week for the Government's avowed top priority: Education, education, education. First it was announced that the latest primary school test results failed to show any improvement, despite a multi-million pound drive to lift
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Twins win gold in rowing championships
TWINS Jessica and Alexandra Eddie got their first taste of rowing when they were still at primary school. A decade on, and the sisters are not only considered among the most promising young rowers in the country, but are also hotly tipped to represent
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Hotel makes debut in top guide
A COUNTY Durham hotel has featured in one of the country's top guides. Lumley Castle, situated near Chester-le-Street, has been awarded an entry for the first time in the new edition of the Good Hotel Guide. Recommendations from the public are used to
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Antiques valuation
AN ANTIQUES expert will be aiming to put a price on family heirlooms at a fundraising valuation night. North-East antiques expert Giles Hodges will be at the Ravensworth Arms at Lamesley, between Chester-le-Street and Gateshead, on Tuesday September 16
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Mendieta's class can spark Boro's Euro bid
GEORGE Boateng is convinced that the capture of Gaizka Mendieta can add the "extra touch of class'' needed to confirm Middlesbrough as contenders for a place in Europe. Spanish star Mendieta is in talks with Boro in a bid to finalise details of his one-year
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Animated band on way to pop career
AN animated band made their debut yesterday to become the region's first cartoon pop group. The Close-Ups are designed to follow the success of Damon Albarn's Gorillaz with their first single, I'm On My Way. They were devised by Tees Valley musician Carl
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Festival returns home
REAL-ALE fans are working up a thirst in readiness for a summer festival which is returning to its traditional venue. The Durham Beer Festival, organised by the local Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) branch, was one of the region's biggest when it was held
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700 indecent images of children found on computer
A MAN who had nearly 700 indecent images of children on his computer escaped a prison sentence yesterday. Francis William Mingay was arrested after a police raid at his home, in Southgate Avenue, Ripon, North Yorkshire, on December 7 as part of Operation
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New trains for Trans Pennine
TRANS Pennine Express rail passengers are to benefit from £250m worth of new trains. Transport companies First Group and Keolis, which are set to take over the franchise in the New Year, said yesterday that the new rolling stock should cut journey times
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How we conquered the Atlantic
WHEN I was a child holidaying on the Irish coast, we happily shivered and froze in the deep, green cold waters of the Atlantic Ocean, emerging blue, with chattering teeth, to be wrapped in thick towels after only about 20 minutes, even on the sunniest
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£30,000 haul found in raids
ABOUT £30,000 in drugs and cash have been recovered following police raids on North-East homes. At 3pm on Tuesday, officers from the Stockton police drugs unit stopped a 26-year-old man in a car in the Darlington area. The man was found in possession
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GCSE pass rates drop
OVERALL GCSE pass rates have fallen this year - but the number of students getting top grades has increased, it was revealed last night. More than 600,000 pupils across the country will pick up their grades today. But the results sparked fears that the
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Man 'stable' in hospital after street shooting
A MAN is recovering after being shot during an attack in a residential street. The attack happened at about 1.20pm on Tuesday, in Borrowdale Street, Hetton-le-Hole, on Wearside. An ambulance was called and paramedics arrived to find a man with gunshot
