THE town of Northallerton is gearing up for a four-day arts festival later this month. The Zest Fest will showcase the work of local amateur and professional artists and follows the success of a similar event last year. It features events which combine
A SCHEME to teach basic skills to council workers is to be expanded. Durham City Council joined forces with its unions to run courses on subjects including understanding a pay-slip, filling in forms, money management, letter writing and English. The first
AN informal area for youngsters had to be cleaned up after it was attacked days before its opening. The "pocket park'' in Co-operative Terrace, New Brancepeth, was created by teenagers from the New Brancepeth Youth Group with support from youth workers
U IS for untidy, ungrateful, unkind, unwilling, unpleasant and lots of other negative qualities. Sad, isn't it? When we think of teenagers - especially boys - it's usually the negatives that spring to mind. Well they shouldn't. Give them a break and think
North Yorkshire should become a single authority if a referendum votes in favour of a regional assembly, the local authority has said. Rather than disappearing to be replaced by other authorities within an assembly, the county council is determined to
A NORTH-EAST council official has been questioned over the alleged theft of thousands of pounds. Spennymoor Town Council clerk Terry Robson, whose disappearance from his County Durham home sparked a huge search, was arrested in Edinburgh on suspicion
A NEW book looks back over the last century in a town hailed as a 'cradle of the railways.' Fifty photographs dating back to the early 1900s illustrate Memories of Shildon, published by County Durham Books, the publishing arm of Durham County Council.
A SCHOOLGIRL beat almost 9,000 hopefuls to record a track for pop mogul Pete Waterman. Kathryn Coomber, 13, entered a competition as part of a promotional competition printed on the side of Hovis bread packets. Entrants had to sing a line from their favourite
A junior nurse who downloaded sickening images of child pornography from a US website at the centre of an international paedophile ring, was struck off yesterday. Lee Wright, 24, had thousands of pictures of girls and boys as young as three being abused
Genius Of The Vikings (five) The Vikings' reputation always used to hinge on their ability to rape, loot and pillage. Now they've been reinvented by the historical spin-doctors and, although they still aren't the sort of chaps you'd take home to meet
A charity worker who dealt in second-hand goods to aid his local church died after a fire spread to some of the items he kept for sale, an inquest heard yesterday. Ralph Bateman, 92, who lived above his shop in King's Road, Harrogate, died from smoke
More than 2,000 jobs at electricals retailer PowerHouse have been been secured after a buyer was found for the troubled chain. New Zealand firm Pacific Retail Group (PRG) sealed a deal with administrators at accountants Deloitte and Touche to buy the
She penned the hugely popular TV series Sex and the City, a frank account of the lives and loves of New York women. Now Candace Bushnell talks to Hannah Stephenson about her latest book and why she finally renounced singledom. CANDACE Bushnell, creator
CANDACE Bushnell, creator of Sex And The City, has made a fortune from penning tales about New York women in search of rich, powerful and sexy men. They never seem to quite find their Mr Big Love but they have plenty of adventures looking for him in the
POLICE confirmed last night that an officer had been taken off an investigation into the death of a North-East soldier. The Surrey police officer had been involved in the probe into the death of Private Geoff Gray, 17, of Seaham, County Durham, and three
A £4M electronic warehouse has been set up in the region to counter the potential effects of a terrorist attack. A number of blue-chip companies suffered in the wake of the September 11 att-ack on the World Trade Centre because their IT back-up was on-site
A SPEED trap on a country road raked in £7,500 in three hours - catching law-breaking drivers at a rate of one every 86 seconds. The temporary camera caught 125 drivers out of 1,200 on Elwick Road, Hartlepool, following complaints from residents about
In search of an ideal family holiday destination which was an easy drive from their North East home, Chris and Caroline Wright (along with junior reporter Joshua) headed for the Netherlands.... Many foreign holiday destinations suffer for their over-eager
FAMILIES of road accident victims joined in a tragic roadside memorial campaign launched on Sunday on the anniversary of Princess Diana's death. Small plaques appearing on verges and paths across the country mark the spot where a loved one was lost or
Sunderland could be tempted to rival Nottingham Forest for transfer-listed Newcastle United left-back Robbie Elliott. The Geordie defender yesterday admitted he is open to any offers as he looks to relaunch his stagnant career. Elliott, whose only start
Darlington manager Mick Tait has vowed to do all he can to help the club overcome a disappointing start to the season. Quakers have taken just three points from their opening five League games and lie second from bottom in Division Three. Perennial strugglers
Controversial former Middlesbrough striker Fabrizio Ravanelli wants to resurrect his career in England with First Division strugglers Coventry City. The 'White Feather' is ready to float back to the Midlands after being released by Derby County at the
PARENTS are being urged to look out for a back-to-school stationary set, costing £1, that contains a razor-sharp craft knife. Seven-year-old Daniel Parkinson needed four stitches to a cut finger after using the set and after his mother, Andrea, bought
A NEW football tournament attracted hundreds of youngsters and raised £450 for a youth education project. More than 40 teams took part in the first five and seven-a-side competition at Bishop Auckland College on Saturday. The event was organised by Stephen
A SITE once owned by chemical firm ICI is to become a major regional wildlife haven after a £700,000 investment. Work on creating the 380-hectare - or 940-acre - reserve near Billingham, on Teesside, began last year and is expected to attract a number
A SURPRISE guest attended a Darlington school to present prizes to pupils at a special summer workshops. The identity of the Darlington Football Club player was kept a closely guarded secret until the presentation at Hummersknott Comprehensive. Nearly
POLICE in County Durham are breaking technological boundaries by swapping their radios for a digital system. The force has switched to a new £3.36m digital radio network. Police will now carry hand-held radios which weigh less than 200 grams, or half-a-pound
Studying for a degree can be hard work, and combining it with a job and a family can make it even more challenging. Mature students and mothers of two, Annette Metcalfe and Beverley Wright, have achieved their degrees at the University of Teesside through
A HAIR-RAISING charity stunt which started out as a bet between two friends ended up raising £1,000 for a hospital maternity ward. The charity challenge began with an idle chat between Gary Howlett and John Gibson in Newton Aycliffe Workingmen's Club.
Inspired by a modest hero, Jim McTaggart makes a pilgrimage to the first World War battlefields of France to find where his father-in-law was awarded the military cross. As 36 British soldiers charged towards a German machine gun post on a pitch black
HUTTON INQUIRY: I THOUGHT Tony Blair gave strong, convincing answers when he appeared before the Hutton Inquiry (Echo, Aug 29). As Prime Minister, he fully accepted responsibility for Government decisions. He saw Saddam Hussain as a unique threat and
Darlington manager Mick Tait has vowed to do all he can to help the club overcome a disappointing start to the season. Quakers have taken just three points from their opening five League games and lie second from bottom in Division Three. Perennial strugglers
GLANCING at the paper quickly yesterday morning, an amusing story caught my eye. "Residents of a seaside resort woke up to find their beach covered in thousands of bananas." I pictured scenes reminiscent of the film Whisky Galore!, where a ship load of
Friends of a teenage schoolboy who was stabbed to death seven years ago have raised more than £9,000 in his memory to help other crime victims. Friends of Ian Gamble, who was 16, have handed over £1,256 to Charles Chatterton, co-ordinator of the Wear
PLANS to dismantle 13 dilapidated US ships in the North-East were last night branded an "environmental disaster in the making" by politicians and environmentalists. A row has broken out over the contract to dispose of the ships on Teesside. Environmentalists
The parents of a six-year-old boy who was crushed to death when a 5ft gravestone toppled on him have been paid £33,000 compensation. Harrogate Borough Council has agreed the out-of-court settlement with the family of Reuben Powell. Reuben died from severe
Genius Of The Vikings (five): The Vikings' reputation always used to hinge on their ability to rape, loot and pillage. Now they've been reinvented by the historical spin-doctors and, although they still aren't the sort of chaps you'd take home to meet
BUDDING artist Craig Pearson is preparing for his work to go on display for the first time. The 20-year-old, who works at the University of Durham as a trainee recruitment assistant, is currently putting the finishing touches to three abstract paintings
A PROPOSED education shake-up which could see 23 schools being closed in County Durham has not just attracted 'negative' feedback. The £300m masterplan to re-shape provision of schools in the county over the next 20 years has attracted great interest
A GROUP of friends who have been playing football together since they were 11-years-old have formed a new team. Goodfellas FC, the newest football team in Newton Aycliffe, date back to Greenfield Comprehensive School in the early Nineties Joint-manager
THE years fell away as a mountain of memories flooded back for a group of old friends from a former pit village who got together for the first time in over half a century last week. Faces and bodies may have shown signs of advancing decades, but for two
THE fight to save more than 200 homes from demolition starts this week for families living on a Bishop Auckland housing estate. Residents will get the chance to air their views on the proposed demolition of 248 houses at Woodhouse Close Estate in a series
CAR dealer Lookers yesterday revealed record profits on the back of industry forecasts that this year would be the second highest in history for car sales. The firm said pre-tax profits for the half-year to June 30 were up 34 per cent at £10.3m, while
AFTER consummate performances by Tony Blair and Alastair Campbell before the Hutton Inquiry, Downing Street looked on course to escape the examination surrounding the death of Dr David Kelly with its integrity pretty much intact. However, the evidence
Debbie Bradley always enjoyed crime programmes like Columbo on television, figuring out clues to the fictitious murder cases. Now Debbie has entered the world of criminal investigation for real, studying BSc (Hons) Crime Scene Science part-time at the
EVENT rider Natalie Lander is proving she has a head for figures, as well as a head for heights. In her spare time the 19-year-old, who works at the University of Durham as a finance secretary, is an accomplished horsewoman who tackles very large fences
In-Service Education of Teachers and Support Staff (INSET) offers the opportunity for continuous professional development through part-time study to both qualified and practising teachers and support staff in schools and other educational settings. Mother-of-two
More than 2,000 jobs at electricals retailer PowerHouse have been been secured after a buyer was found for the troubled chain. New Zealand firm Pacific Retail Group (PRG) sealed a deal with administrators at accountants Deloitte and Touche to buy the
WARTIME sweethearts who met at a town hall dance are celebrating 60 years of marriage today. Peter and Vi Ballatt, both 80, will receive a celebration card from Her Majesty the Queen to congratulate them on their diamond wedding and will celebrate at
SOAP schemer Jonathon Wrather shed his hard man image when he joined Bishop Auckland shoppers to celebrate a store's £1m new look. The former Coronation Street actor, who played bad boy Joe Carter, signed autographs and chatted with customers at Kwik
HOUSING Minister Keith Hill yesterday saw for himself how the North-East is helping to deliver the Government's Decent Homes agenda. During his visit, Mr Hill welcomed the recent publication of the North-East's Regional Housing strategy, which will form
Darlington manager Mick Tait has vowed to do all he can to help the club overcome a disappointing start to the season. Quakers have taken just three points from their opening five League games and lie second from bottom in Division Three. Perennial strugglers
So are you a highly organised Virgo, a generous Leo or a Gemini with a split personality? Or do you agree with recent research which suggests horoscopes are a load of rubbish and Russell Grant knows as much about your future as Russell Crow? The research
A TEESSIDE classics teacher enjoyed a celebration yesterday after 25 years' service at a school. Carole Rossiter received a floral bouquet at the private, all-girls Teesside Preparatory and High School, in Eaglescliffe, to mark the event. Mrs Rossiter
SCHOOLS in County Durham are to be asked what facilities they would like if they could start again, as education chiefs draw up a £150m wish list. The first leg of the education overhaul will involve consultation with secondary schools in East Durham
A NORTH-EAST woman is suing police after sensitive court material detailing an alleged rape was posted to the wrong address. The Darlington woman, who cannot be named, claims the error led to her becoming the victim of a hate campaign. The Crown Prosecution
Members of the public are being asked for their views on the amalgamation of two schools on Teesside. Formal consultation has started on a proposal to close St Peter's and St Andrew's Roman Catholic primary schools, in South Bank, and open a new school
A LISTED building has been made safe after it was damaged in a car crash. It was feared the derelict Grade II-listed Cross Keys pub, at Leven Bank, near Yarm, would have to be destroyed after a Ford Fiesta crashed into it and damaged the structure. Engineers
COUNCILLORS are being asked to back further use of a waste tip near Harrogate. Members of North Yorkshire County Council planning committee are recommended to approve a five-year extension for the High Rails Farm landfill site, at Ripley, for High Rails
A COUNTY'S emblem has caused problems for a new-look hotel. Eagle-eyed Yorkshire people saw red when they spotted a Lancashire version of the white rose had been put up in error at the front of the renamed Yorkshire Hotel, previously the Imperial, in
WEARSIDE JobCentres will open on Saturday morning as the Christmas jobs rush starts. Up to 300 posts will be available at the Sunderland, Washington and Southwick offices as stores and employment agencies recruit more workers for the seasonal spending
PLANS to provide extra car and bus parking spaces at a school are likely to be approved despite objections from councils and residents. The proposals for Easingwold School have twice been deferred by North Yorkshire Council Council's planning committee
People looking to improve their career prospects, whether they currently have a job or not, are being encouraged by the University of Teesside to lay new foundations for the future. The Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) has carried out a review of the University's
PROBLEMS have emerged with the introduction of a system of waste collection in the Hambleton district. The local authority is switching to a method of alternate weekly collections using wheelie bins. The first phase of the scheme began this week, with
THE Lyons Male Voice Choir is looking for singers to join its ranks. The choir will resume practices tomorrow, at Easington Lane before a programme of concerts that will include this year's Houghton Feast. It will be conducted by musical director Clare
Jet-ski enthusiast Simon Cave died because of a misjudgement as he tried to playfully spray his companion, an inquest heard yesterday. Mr Cave, 38, of Charnock View Road, Sheffield, died instantly when he was struck by a jet-ski piloted by Paul Morrisroe
Do you want to explore the worlds of crime scene investigation, virtual reality, computer games design, criminology and disaster management? Then head to the University of Teesside's open day on Wednesday, September 10, from 10am-4.30pm, where you can
Plans to extend a nightclub have been attacked by a local vicar. Carrington's, in Station Parade, in the central Harrogate conservation area, North Yorkshire, has lodged plans for a three-storey rear extension overlooking Rogers Almshouses, in Rogers
A GOVERNMENT inspector who approved highly controversial plans for a gaming arcade in Darlington has explained his decision. Gambling firm Count Cash, of Middlesbrough, had twice tried and failed to gain permission from council chiefs to convert a former
NEARLY four decades after his death, the legend of one of the world's best loved comics is being kept alive in Bishop Auckland. Fans of Stan Laurel have a new reminder of his early years in the town, which gave him his first taste for entertainment and
THE driver of a car which ploughed into a pub causing thousands of pounds worth of damage has admitted he had been drinking. Cesar Zuniga Pena had 91 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood when the accident happened at Fir Tree, near Bishop
Mother of three Marina Bushby is well on the way to a new career as a nurse by studying part-time at the University of Teesside. Marina, 48, from Marske, was inspired to train as a nurse after spending many years caring for her eldest child, Dean, 21,
TONY Lee is back as manager of Spennymoor after the Unibond League club parted company with Alex Mathie following Saturday's 3-1 home defeat by Hucknall. Lee, who quit as boss at the Brewery Field in January, was given the job for the second time on Sunday
Newcatle United will claim substantial compensation from Wales if Craig Bellamy jeopardises his career by aggravating a knee injury in Saturday's crucial Euro 2004 qualifier with Italy. United manager Sir Bobby Robson is seething after Bellamy, who has
THE law firm that acted for Newcastle United Football Club in the controversial Save Our Seats court case has merged with one of its competitors. Winskell and Winskell successfully defended the club against legal action taken by fans angered that they
A £230,000 training centre has been set up which could make hiring a plumber in South-West Durham easier in the future. Bishop Auckland College has capitalised on the need for more plumbers. The Plumbing Centre was developed by the college with support
SENIOR envoys of the UK's top business awards were in the region yesterday to encourage more companies to put their names forward for the accolade. The representatives of The Queen's Awards for Enterprise were joined by recent award winning companies
SENIOR officials responsible for compiling the Government's dossier on Iraqi weapons ignored concerns among the intelligence analysts about key claims in the document, the Hutton Inquiry was told yesterday. The inquiry heard that the "shutters came down
THE growing North-South divide could be halted by moving government departments away from London and into the regions, it was claimed last night. A report by think-tank Catalyst urged the Government to go further with plans to devolve Civil Service functions
A decision to extend a controversial safety camera project was last night attacked by a motoring group, as figures showed about £3m a year is generated by speedtraps in the region. A Northern Echo survey showed more 1,000 drivers a week in the North-East
A SITE once owned by chemical firm ICI is to become a major regional wildlife haven after a £700,000 investment. Work on creating the 380-hectare - or 940-acre - reserve near Billingham, on Teesside, began last year and is expected to attract a number
A SCHOOL kitchen has been closed after it failed to meet new safety regulations. Education chiefs admitted that St Andrew's Primary School in Henknowle, near Bishop Auckland, might not be the only one affected by the new regulations. Headteacher David
A FAMILY is calling for a busy shopping street to be made safe following the death of an 84-year-old woman. Mary Bongard, of Shaw Wood Close, Durham, was knocked down by a bus as she crossed North Road,Durham, on October 19, last year. She suffered head
CRIME in Darlington's town centre car parks is at an all-time low, according to new figures. The latest statistics for this year show that, up to the end of July, there were only 14 incidents in the car parks which are covered by the town's closed circuit
PLANS to extend Durham City's boundaries as far as Ferryhill if unitary local government is introduced have won councillors' backing. The Liberal Democrat-controlled city council's cabinet has approved proposals for a greater Durham that will be submitted
TOWNS and cities in the North-East are being urged to throw parties to encourage more immigrants to take a "Britishness test" and become fully-fledged citizens. From next April, local authorities will be expected to stage American-style citizenship ceremonies
If you would like to try out university study, why not try one of The Open University's short taster courses, Openings? Aimed at people who have had a break from studying, or who left school with few qualifications, these courses are the perfect way to
MICHAEL Dods fulfilled a long-held ambition by training his first winner at York yesterday, courtesy of Doctor One. Running in the colours of Darlington-based Pools winner Graham Spencer, the unfancied 100-1 shot Doctor One stayed on doggedly to beat
BLOCKS of flats may have to be demolished because of teenage yobs terrorising tenants. Hooligans have wrecked a number of flats at South Bank, near Middlesbrough, and owner Tees Valley Housing may now have to pull some of them down. The housing association
MORE than 2,000 homes have taken part in the first week of a major new kerbside recycling scheme in Darlington. Darlington Borough Council said it was delighted with the early success of the Time to Recycle project, which was launched this week following
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
CONSTRUCTION work on a £10m railway village will officially get under way next week. Derek Foster MP for Bishop Auckland will cut the first sod on Monday to mark the start of the exciting new project that will celebrate Shildon's railway heritage. The
conveyor-belt restaurant chain YO! Sushi has been sold to its management for £10m. The buy-out, led by three directors and private equity firm Primary Capital, will allow YO! Sushi to expand across the UK and internationally, with outlets opening shortly
COUNCILLORS are next week likely to approve the sale of empty council homes throughout Darlington. Darlington Borough Council hopes to sell some properties in North Road, Peabody Street, Ruby Street, Pensbury Street, Eastmount Road and Little Stainton
A COUPLE hope to gain permission to build a bungalow on their land at High Street, Bishop Middleham, although it lies outside the accepted boundary. But planners have so far recommended the proposal is refused. They say as the site is outside the settlement
Wanchai Lad looks the boy to back in the Cockle Novice Auction Stakes at Redcar this afternoon. Not only did the Alan Jarvis-trained colt tower over his rivals in the paddock prior to making a winning debut at Ripon nine days ago, but he also landed some
MORE golfers are needed for a fundraising tournament in aid of charity. Macmillan Cancer Relief is trying to raise £600,000 to improve services for cancer patients in County Durham. While 20 teams have signed up for the September 12 event, at least another
DEAD flies and a moth were found in the kitchens of a leading Teesside hotel, a court heard yesterday. Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council has taken action against the Regency Hotel, in Redcar. A jury at Teesside Crown Court was told yesterday that an
HEALTH officials want to use the electronic scoreboard at Darlington's new football stadium to get messages across to the public. The idea, to flash up information on health issues at half-time, was discussed at a meeting between Darlington Primary Care
THE growing North-South divide could be halted by moving government departments away from London and into the regions, it was claimed last night. A report by think-tank Catalyst urged the Government to go further with plans to devolve Civil Service functions
A NAVY seaman who served during the war in Iraq downloaded indecent images of children from the Internet, a court heard yesterday. Christopher Carey, 24, who is studying at South Tyneside College to upgrade his officer status in the Merchant Navy, was
PATIENTS at GP practices in the Sedgefield Borough are invited to hear how their Primary Care Trust (PCT) has performed over the past year. The trust launches its first annual report next Thursday at a board meeting in the bar room at Spennymoor Leisure
GENEROUS shop workers have raised £300 for a Girl Guide troop. A series of raffles and tombolas were held at the Woolworth's store, in Bishop Auckland, to raise money for sports equipment for the 2nd Bishop Auckland Guides group. Guide leader Lynne Garfoot
A DECISION on a proposed sale of school playing fields to raise funds for a tennis centre in Darlington will be taken by councillors next week. Darlington Borough Council announced plans earlier this year to sell land at Longfield Comprehensive School
