Archive

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Dorothy can be punters' friend at Brighton

Punters shouldn't go too far wrong by teaming up with Dorothy's Friend (4.05) at Brighton this afternoon. Roger Charlton's gelding is desperately trying to make up for lost time and the fact that he wasn't beaten far into fifth spot on his belated seasonal

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...but too late to save jobs at Carpets International

Royal carpet manufacturer Carpets International is cutting almost 300 jobs in the UK, including 74 at its Hartlepool yarn business. The Bradford firm, which went into administrative receivership on August 20, is shedding 74 jobs at its Hartlepool factory

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Kilbane and Gray exits complete Cats' exodus

Kevin Kilbane and Michael Gray became the final two star names to head for the exit doors at Sunderland, as the club's mass summer exodus was completed minutes before yesterday's transfer deadline. The pair took Mick McCarthy's clear-out of senior players

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Hotel faces demolition after housing scheme is approved

One of Crook's landmark buildings is to be bulldozed to make way for houses four years after it was given a £500,000 refurbishment. A last minute plea to planners from people living near the Uplands Hotel failed to stop Persimmon Homes being granted permission

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Public inquiry into A66 upgrade starts next week

A big attendance is expected when a public inquiry is held next week into plans to upgrade one of Britain's most dangerous trunk roads. The proposal is to make two stretches of single carriageway, totalling seven miles, on the A66 between Scotch Corner

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Firm settles £180 restaurant bill with buckets of pennies

A RESTAURANT boss was furious when a group of diners settled their bill - with 18,000 pennies. The police became embroiled in the row between Vincenzo Arceri and a firm that had an office party at his Italian restaurant, Emilios, in Durham City. The recruitment

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Work to begin on railway attraction

Construction work on a £10m railway village will get under way next week. Derek Foster, the MP for Bishop Auckland, County Durham, will cut the first turf to mark the start of a project to celebrate Shildon's railway heritage. The venture, which is a

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Returning to West Indies

An engineering business is looking to the West Indies in search of more international sales. K Home Engineering, in Thornaby, Teesside, is among 24 firms from across the UK to sign up for a trade mission to Trinidad this month. The company specialises

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Submarine wrecks could be designated war graves

For 86 years two wrecks have sat on the sea bed off the Scarborough coast, attracting a wealth of sea life and causing endless misery to the fishermen who lose their nets on them. Teams of divers have spent the past ten years searching the waters for

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Dorothy can be punters' friend at Brighton

PUNTERS shouldn't go too far wrong by teaming up with Dorothy's Friend (4.05) at Brighton this afternoon. Roger Charlton's gelding is desperately trying to make up for lost time and the fact that he wasn't beaten far into fifth spot on his belated seasonal

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Cyclist breaks pain barrier for charity

A 15- yaer-old girl made a brave effort to ride from Lands End to John O'Groats for charity. But Sophie Adams, of Norton, near Stockton, had such pain in her knee that she could not cycle the whole journey. Norton Comprehensive pupil Sophie, whose grandfather

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Community group to hold elections

An organisation spearheading regeneration work in a town is holding elections. Nominations to the board of the Billingham Partnership, which must be submitted by September 19, are being particularly encouraged from sports groups. Ten of the partnership

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Workers to share Orange windfall

Scores of North-East workers are on the verge of banking their second major windfall in four years after France Telecom confirmed it wanted to take complete ownership of Orange. The French company, which already has an 86.3 per cent stake in Orange, is

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High-earners cause problems for town, says study

The high standard of living in a spa town is causing problems for residents, according to a report. The Harrogate district's first community plan said the high number of well-paid professionals and retired people in the town has pushed up house prices

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Parish councillors waive cash claims

Members of a parish council serving neighbouring villages have waived their right to expenses or allowances. In keeping with their previous stance, the chairman and members of Pittington and Littletown Parish Council, near Durham, agreed to forego any

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Children interview for workers

Health bosses have taken a fresh approach to recruiting children's workers - they let the youngsters interview the candidates. Gateshead Health NHS Trust, which achieved a three star rating from the Commission for Health Improvement (CHI) for the first

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Latest fashions on display

Some of Darlington's leading fashion shops will be showing their latest collections this month. A Show in Fashion, hosted by DJ Judie McCourt, will take place at the Atlantic Bar and Club, on Tuesday, September 16. The show will include clothes from Affleck

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saleroom hopes lots of interest will attract doll collectors

A variety of highly collectable items are expected to have enthusiasts flocking to a Yorkshire Dales saleroom later this month. Tennants of Leyburn is having a collectors' section in its next general sale, which will take place at the salerooms on Saturday

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Play park scheme moves a step closer with community fun day

Villiage campaigners will make a start on their play park in the next month or two. Sherburn Oak (Outdoor Action for Kids) was set up 18 months ago to develop plans for a complex at Sherburn, County Durham, that can be used by youngsters from toddlers

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Homes may be built at site of tragedy pub

The pub at the centre of an incident that resulted in a man's death could be demolished to make way for houses. The Rise Carr Hotel, in Darlington, has been closed since the death of David Willis, 51, last year. Wharton Construction has applied for planning

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A gold-digger and proud of it

As presenter of Hidden Treasure, a new series featuring some extraordinary finds by metal detectors, Miranda Krestovnikoff has discovered a passion for the past. She talks to Cathy Mayer FOR someone who hated history at school, Miranda Krestovnikoff is

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The saddest homecoming as fallen comrades touch down

THE latest victims of the continuing turmoil in Iraq returned to their native soil for the last time yesterday and were given a sombre heroes' welcome. Grieving relatives were joined by Armed Forces Minister Adam Ingram and the Duchess of Gloucester for

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Meeting for familes affected by retained organs scandal

THE largest single meeting of North-East families affected by the retained organs scandal is expected to take place tomorrow night. The main reason for holding the meeting is to set up a support group to help the thousands of people affected by the scandal

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Lynn challenges Paris flops

Lynn Davies has told Britain's under-achieving athletes they must take responsibility for their performances at the World Championships - and challenged them to set the record straight at next summer's Olympic Games in Athens. UK Athletics, the governing

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Hunt after news of £2.3m shortfall leaked

A SEARCH is under way to find the person responsible for leaking confidential information about a massive overspend in a council department. A memo has been sent to members of Middlesbrough's Labour Party after the £2.3m social services shortfall was

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Sven's gem

AMONG the problems with Sven-Goran Eriksson and his partner Nancy Dell-Olio is their spelling. You always have to check it - the posher papers even seek out umlauts from the cellar. It was never like that with Alf Ramsey and his wife, Phyllis. Sven, as

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A chance to restore faith

THE age of television phone polls has become a turn-off. From Big Brother to Pop Idol and its seemingly endless spin-offs, millions of pounds continue to be pocketed by executives on the back of cheap TV. The fact that a programme based on talentless

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TV review

The Curse Of Blue Peter (five) Naked Celebrity Ambition (five) THERE are times you don't want to watch soaps, dramas about doctors or detectives, or serious documentaries. All you want to do is wallow in some trash TV, and this double bill from five was

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Clarion Homes breaks the mould by appointing female construction boss

Clarion Homes, in Yarm, Teesside, is challenging the building industry's male-dominated image by appointing REBECCA SNOWDON as construction manager. She joins the ten per cent of women making up the UK construction workforce. She said: "Since leaving

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Driven to despair by ministry's 'betrayal'

Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon was under intense pressure last night after the widow of David Kelly told how the Iraq weapons expert felt "totally let down and betrayed" by the Ministry of Defence for allowing his name to be made public. In poignant evidence

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Cort deal is rejected

IT was all quiet for Newcastle United on transfer deadline day as the cost of missing out on a lucrative Champions League campaign hit home. Manager Sir Bobby Robson had been considering a move for a new striker to boost a squad severely lacking the pace

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No frontiers to compassion

The Government claims to have 'tuned the corner' on the problem of asylum, but sociologist Dr Colin Clark says last week's figures give only half the story - and radical action is needed if the issue is ever going to be resolved With the word 'asylum'

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Vitality of dale lies with viewers

Television viewers could help strengthen the North-East's place on the national tourism map by supporting two historic sites as they bid for money towards their restoration. A former Second World War prisoner of war camp in County Durham will feature

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Teaching staff cuts made to save cash

Schools across the North have had to make teaching cuts because of falling rolls and budget pressures, it was revealed yesterday. And last night it emerged that the number of teaching staff in County Durham has dropped by 22, with 16 voluntary and six

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Taylor Woodrow in £480m takeover

Housebuilder Taylor Woodrow has announced a £480m takeover of rival Wilson Connolly. About 300 jobs will go if the deal, which has the unanimous backing of Wilson Connolly's board, goes ahead. Most of the jobs are likely to go as a result of combining

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Charity seeks tall model for Stella gift

Newleywed fashion designer Stella McCartney has donated an outfit to be auctioned on behalf of Barnardo's at a fashion show organised by the charity next week. The organisers of the show are desperate to find a tall model to show the trouser suit off

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Hunt after news of £2.3m shortfall leaked

A search is under way to find the person responsible for leaking confidential information about a massive overspend in a council department. A memo has been sent to members of Middlesbrough's Labour Party after the £2.3m social services shortfall was

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Kate's take on women at war

Kate Adie's latest book explores the role of women in warfare. Women's Editor Christen Pears reports Throughout history, the battlefield has been a male preserve but where women have appeared they have left a lasting impression. From Joan of Arc to Violette

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Alec wants one more win

Alec Stewart will end his illustrious Test career later this week with one last ironic gesture by putting England's fortunes ahead of the same personal agenda which critics claim has motivated him during the latter stages of his international career.

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Laboratory firm claims first with allergy test

A NORTH-EAST firm which helps people identify food allergies is claiming a world-first. Yorktest Laboratories has developed an easy to use, quick screening test for food intolerance. Costing £19.99, the process involves providing a pinprick of blood to

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hooked on serving up a festive season full of laughs

It may only be September, but preparations are already under way for this year's panto season. Geordie actor Tim Healy joined former Big Brother contestant Jonny Regan to launch Newcastle Theatre Royal's pantomime, Peter Pan. Healy, who will soon begin

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Trebles all round at Allied Domecq

Drimks firm Allied Domecq shrugged off tough economic conditions to announce profits had grown strongly at the end of its financial year. The company, updating shareholders in a trading statement, said earnings would also be in line with expectations,

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Firm settles £180 restaurant bill with buckets of pennies

A RESTAURANT boss was furious when a group of diners settled their bill - with 18,000 pennies. The police became embroiled in the row between Vincenzo Arceri and a firm that had an office party at his Italian restaurant, Emilios, in Durham City. The recruitment

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Home found for stained glass window

A strained glass window is on the move for a second time. The window has been at the Co-op funeral home at Strathmore House, Hartlepool, for more than 30 years, but is moving to the Church of St James the Apostle, in the town. There is no longer a place

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Patrick takes up new role after promotion to N-E police force

A new figure has taken control of the purse strings for a North police force. Patrick Melia yesterday took up his post as Durham Constabulary's finance and administration director. He takes responsibility for overseeing the force's annual budget of almost

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Decision looming as private firms seek NHS work

The identity of the private health companies likely to run two new NHS treatment centres in the region will be revealed later this week. Health chiefs on Tyneside, Wearside and Northumberland want to clear their waiting lists by bringing in one or more

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Mayor and Mayoress welcome prospect of radio station for city

A NORTH-EAST city's mayor and mayoress were among the first to give a live interview when Durham Local Radio (DLR) took to the airwaves yesterday. The station, which broadcasts on 107FM, is taking part in its second month-long-trial. The station, which

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Traffic problems will result in death, fear town's cabbies

Cabbies fear town centre traffic problems will end in a death or serious injury. Unrestricted bumper to bumper on-street parking means taxi drivers are turning blind on to the roadway from a new rank in central Middlesbrough. Private cars are also parking

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Parnaby worry for McClaren

STEVE McCLAREN is anxiously waiting to hear the extent of young Middlesbrough full-back Stuart Parnaby's injury. The Boro boss has received plenty of good news over the past ten days as he finally struck lucky in his summer shopping spree. But now McClaren

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Pension scheme's bid to find ex-miners

A bid has been launched to track down former pitmen who paid into the Mineworkers Pension Scheme (MPS) but have since "disappeared". The MPS, which covers the majority of ex-miners, has about 140,000 deferred members who are due to receive a pension when

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Project to find N-E talent gets under way

A project to find and nurture business talent is under way in the North-East. Universities across the region are taking part in a national programme funded by the Learning and Skills Council which will help potential entrepreneurs in disadvantaged areas

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Child prostitute figures cut but vigilance goes on

A reduction has been recorded in the number of child prostitutes working on the streets of Middlesbrough but a welfare worker is calling on people to remain vigilant. Wendy Shepherd, who runs the Barnados SECOS project (Sexually Exploited Children on

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Brazilian health workers invited to share expertise

Cleveland health workers were so impressed by a children's project in Brazil, they invited the team behind it to Teesside to find out more. Raquel Guzzo, professor of psychology at the Pontifical Catholic University of Campinas in Brazil, and a student

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Thieves target town's motorists

Opportunist thieves have left motorists thousands of pounds out of pocket after a series of thefts. Police have reiterated their pleas for drivers to be more vigilant following the spate of thefts in Darlington yesterday and over the weekend. Cars, stereos

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Competition call to singers

Drinkers in Darlington who fancy their chances as a pop star can enter a "pub idol" contest. The Brinkburn, in Lady Katherine Grove, is one of 85 John Barras pubs in the UK to run the competition. Over the next six weeks The Brinkburn will be staging

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Housekeeper stole cheques from employer

A housekeeper who got "ideas above her station" stole from her employers, a court was told yesterday. Mandy Boyd, 44, was employed in October 1999 to look after frail Francis and Marcia Hudson, who were in their 80s, and lived in a cottage in the grounds

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Covering the miles in aid of charity

Student Andrew Gosling cycled through Bishop Auckland yesterday on his mission to raise money for charity. The 22-year-old from Sedgefield is on his way from John O'Groats in the far north of Scotland to England's most southerly tip, Land's End. He started

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A decade in charge for health trust boss

A health chief was yesterday celebrating ten years at the helm of a Teesside hospital. Joan Rogers took charge of the former Hartlepool General Hospital on September 1, 1993 in her second chief executive's role. Now she is chief executive of North Tees

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Purpose-built offices open for business

Small businesses are being offered the chance to move into fully furnished offices. Ten offices have been created by Teesdale Development Company at Enterprise House on Harmire Park, Barnard Castle. The units, complete with computers and high speed Internet

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Shoplifter jailed the day after he was caught

A shoplifter who asked a court for quick justice got his wish yesterday. Karl Carroll stole razor blades worth £109.70 from Morrison's supermarket, in Harrogate, on Sunday and spent the night in a police cell before appearing at the town's magistrates

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Aim for sport to lead to studies

A sports project to keep young people on the right track is up and running. Consett Juniors, which has hundreds of budding footballers aged eight to 18 on its books, has merged with Consett YMCA Juniors FC. The partnership will also involve Derwentside

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Bob queues for ten hours to be first into new store

A security guard queued for ten hours to ensure he was the first through the door at the opening of a supermarket. A multi-million pound Tesco store was officially opened in Chester-le-Street Market Place yesterday. The development will help breathe new

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Scout trio must trek their way to Milan

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Soldier accused of guard murder

A SOLDIER was remanded in custody last night accused of murdering a North-East guardsman on a Northern Ireland Army base. Coldstream guard Dean Troy Eddy, 21, from Billingham, Teesside, was found shot dead at Shackleton Barracks in Ballykelly, County

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Genetics unit to improve service

For the first time, people living in part of the region now have a dedicated genetics service. A ceremony at the James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, yesterday marked the beginning of a medical genetics service covering Teesside, South Durham

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02/09/03

ASYLUM SEEKERS: F WEALANDS (HAS Aug 27 and 29) blames poverty and social deprivation on asylum seekers and illegal immigrants. It is unlikely that even a total end to immigration would have any measurable effect on these problems. Poverty in Britain causes

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End is in sight for Drax negotiations

THE future of Europe's biggest coal-fired power station will be secured before the end of the year, sources have revealed. The management team running the debt-laden Drax power station, near Selby, North Yorkshire, has entered exclusive talks with International

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A chance to restore faith

THE age of television phone polls has become a turn-off. From Big Brother to Pop Idol and its seemingly endless spin-offs, millions of pounds continue to be pocketed by executives on the back of cheap TV. The fact that a programme based on talentless

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Seriously ill man hunted by police

Police and health officials are trying to trace a seriously ill man who urgently needs hospital attention. The man walked into Malton Hospital, in North Yorkshire, but then walked out before he could be treated. Health workers said he had a serious chest

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No headpine

The Curse Of Blue Peter (five), Naked Celebrity Ambition (five) THERE are times you don't want to watch soaps, dramas about doctors or detectives, or serious documentaries. All you want to do is wallow in some trash TV, and this double bill from five

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This is child abuse in another guise

NOW and again, in a belated and forlorn attempt to improve my mind and morals, I dip into one or other of the posh papers. You find some exquisite contradictions there. For instance, can anyone explain to me why The Guardian - so zealous for human rights

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VA Tech reaches across Atlantic

A Tyneside firm is hoping to use its expertise to help rebuild the US power grid following the recent electricity blackouts. VA Tech Transmission and Distribution is in talks with utility companies over ways in which power can be more reliably delivered

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Service gives access to cash

Service Network has teamed up with The North East European Information Centre to offer its members a free grant-finding service. The Durham centre's Grantfinder service is a database of UK and EU funding, including grants, loans, subsidies, venture capital

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Tree likely to be felled for expansion despite protests

A tree at the centre of a preservation battle, looks likely to be brought crashing down to make room for industrial expansion. Planning officers have reluctantly recommended that an ash tree should be felled to make way for a proposed expansion at Leyburn

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Railway chiefs to tackle danger on the lines

Railway bosses in the North-East last night pledged to target the vandals whose dangerous antics on the tracks could spark a disaster. The region has been confirmed as one of the worst in the country for people trespassing on railway lines and putting

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End is in sight for Drax negotiations

The future of Europe's biggest coal-fired power station will be secured before the end of the year, sources have revealed. The management team running the debt-laden Drax power station, near Selby, North Yorkshire, has entered exclusive talks with International

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Spreading the word brings good news

HERBERT Kim strikes me as a fascinating person. The new chief executive of one of the much-feted centres of excellence would appear to have enjoyed a diverse and challenging life in business. However, it was the means by which he was attracted to the

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Staff nurse in child porn case faces hearing

A staff nurse who downloaded thousands of Internet sex images of children is facing misconduct charges. Lee Wright, 23, of Marmaduke Street, Spennymoor, County Durham, is due to appear before a Nursing and Midwifery Council Professional Conduct Committee

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Inge makes the leap from housewife to complementary therapist

A mother of two with a keen interest in health has gone from full-time parent to running her own successful complementary therapy business. Inge Westerlinck, of Saltburn, launched Healing Hands in March last year with the help of Tees Business Link's

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Alert as hawks taken from centre

PEOPLE have been put on alert following the theft of three valuable birds. The Harris hawks were stolen as they sat on their perches in a staff-only display area at Falconry UK, at Sion Hill Hall, near Thirsk, North Yorkshire. A reward is being offered

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Dialect day puts accent on regions

LOCAL dialects from all over the North-East and North Yorkshire will be heard when members of dialect societies meet to exchange some of their favourite sayings on Saturday. More than 100 enthusiasts are expected to gather for a celebration called Dialect

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Funding boost that will help thousands

The region is to receive £85m funding to boost the skills of thousands of people. The money, part of the European Objective Three programme, is being made available to organisations involved in training, work experience or supporting small and medium-sized

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UK manufacturing showing the first signs of recovery...

The UK's manufacturing industry is beginning to show signs of a recovery. According to the latest Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply's (CIPS) Purchasing Managers' Index, production increased at its sharpest rate for 15 months during last month

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Sven's Sardinian gem

Sardis may lack the trappings of a top restaurant but it attracts its fair share of celebrities, including England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson and partner Nancy Dell-Olio AMONG the problems with Sven-Goran Eriksson and his partner Nancy Dell-Olio is their

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Letters

ASYLUM SEEKERS F WEALANDS (HAS Aug 27 and 29) blames poverty and social deprivation on asylum seekers and illegal immigrants. It is unlikely that even a total end to immigration would have any measurable effect on these problems. Poverty in Britain causes