Archive
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Hopes fade of luring Gazza to Darlington
Darlington's hopes of landing former England star Paul Gascoigne appear to be fading after United Arab Emirates club Al Jazira claimed the midfielder was close to joining them. Al Jazira's account manager Paul Austin-Price insists Gascoigne is only in
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Stadium of Light no haven for rivals
GEORGE McCARTNEY last night warned Sunderland's First Division rivals that adopting a safety-first philosophy at the Stadium of Light will end in tears. Sunderland were unable to penetrate Cardiff City's blanket defence on Tuesday - but McCartney is adamant
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Cabbie back in driving seat after serving ban
A TAXI driver who lost his licence when his wife reported him to the police for drink-driving is back in business. Brian Edward O'Neill, 36, was at Darlington Borough Council's licensing committee yesterday to apply for a Hackney carriage licence after
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Police hunt knife robber
A MAN used a knife to threaten his victim during an attempted street robbery in Ferryhill. Police are appealing for information about the attack in Durham Road, in the Dean and Chapter area of town, at about 7.30pm on Tuesday. A local man in his 20s was
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New music venue is granted licence
A NEW music venue in Darlington has been granted an entertainment licence. The former Borough Road Music Centre has been leased from Darlington Borough Council by businessman David Cox, who aims to turn it into the Music Forum, a members-only live music
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Uniform police to undertake investigation skills training
HUNDREDS of police officers are to sharpen their investigation skills under a pilot on-the-job training package. Front-line officers in Derwentside and Sedgefield divisions will be the first to pilot the scheme, which will eventually be rolled out to
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Trainer's got an 'L' of a problem
LEARNER drivers are needed to help a driving instructor ditch his own L plates. Andrew Endrodi, a trainee driving instructor, has been studying for his Advanced Driving Instructor qualifications for 18 months. But unless he finds at least six volunteer
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To care is not to swear
X is for X Rated - which is probably what your language often gets like as you negotiate life with boys. They could make a saint swear, never mind an ordinary mortal mum. Under your breath, of course. Because we are all sensible, responsible parents and
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School closing for staff member's funeral
A SCHOOL will remain closed tomorrow as a mark of respect for a staff member who died at the weekend. Pupils and staff at Wolsingham School and Community College will be at the funeral of father-of-two Kenny Walton, who had worked at the school as a behaviour
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Exhibition celebrates artist's work
AN exhibition about William Morris and the Arts and Crafts movement in the North-East has opened in the region. The Bowes Musuem, in Barnard Castle, County Durham is celebrating the work of the artist and his contemporaries in the late-19th and early-
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Asylum, with buckets and spades
IT'S just before 4.45am when the big bus from London drops the last of its human cargo round the back of Stockton High Street; if they know the phrase at all, the frightened family of five will be hoping that this is indeed the darkest hour before dawn
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shopping extravaganza turns spotlight on festive season
Durham Shopping Extravaganza - which runs for a second day today - features numerous Christmas present ideas, some of which are displayed above by the event chairwoman Caroline Broadfoot. Staged at the Ramside Hall Hotel, Carrville, near Durham, all proceeds
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gucci back in fashion
DESIGNER clothing and luxury goods brand Gucci last night reported significant sales growth. The Italian fashion house, home to British designers Alexander McQueen and Stella McCartney said retail sales had "surged" since the beginning of August, boosting
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Magical Dream duo
NICK LITTMODEN has saved up a couple of his best two-year-olds, Wavertree Dream and Magical Mimi, for today's most valuable race, the £100,000 Tattersalls Autumn Auction Stakes at Newmarket. Stable jockey Ian Mongan partnered both to victory last time
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Dot and Audrey on the run
Two of our best known charcter actresses hope the police won't recognise them in their latest caper, they tell Steve Pratt. PASSENGERS waiting for a train at Blackburn Station were surprised to witness two of our most recognisable actresses join a group
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Bad gamble
From law enforcer to ganster's daughter, Simone Lahbib is best-known for playing the prison governor in Bad Girls, but is now joining the underworld herself as Jacqueline Cutler in six-part drama Family. Steve Pratt reports. SCOTTISH-born actress Simone
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Club row star was 'stunned by blow'
POP star Cheryl Tweedy wept yesterday as she told a court that she punched a nightclub toilet attendant because she was scared of what she might do to her. The 20-year-old Girls Aloud singer dabbed her eyes with a tissue as she described how Sophie Amogbokpa
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Cheating death on the way to war
IT had just gone ten o'clock and the military personnel on board a flight bound for the troubled Suez Canal Zone were settling down for the night. As they removed their heavy boots and undid their thick tunics, their minds turned to what might lie ahead
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Parents of Russian burns victim disappear
A campaign to bring a horrifically burnt child to Britain for life saving treatment took a sinister twist last night. The parents of seven-year-old Mariana, who was doused in petrol and set on fire by Russian mafia thugs have disappeared. A 14-year-old
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Army museum grant in doubt
A DELEGATION is traveling to London today to lobby the Ministry of Defence (MoD) in London over plans for an Army museum. There are fears the £22m development near Marne Barracks, at Catterick Garrison, in North Yorkshire, could be in jeopardy if wrangling
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Kim hopes to chill hearts in show
AS the blonde, blue-eyed commandant's secretary, Helga, in the hit TV sit-com Allo, Allo, Kim Hartman was the heart-throb of the limping Herr Flick of the Gestapo. Now she is hoping to chill hearts as the wicked queen Morgana in Middlesbrough Theatre's
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Army museum grant in doubt
A DELEGATION is traveling to London today to lobby the Ministry of Defence (MoD) in London over plans for an Army museum. There are fears the £22m development near Marne Barracks, at Catterick Garrison, in North Yorkshire, could be in jeopardy if wrangling
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Brenda leaves force after 39 years
THE longest serving civilian at Durham Police has stepped down, after 39 years with the force. Brenda Surtees, 59, of Leadgate, near Consett, plans to start her retirement with a three-month holiday in the Australian sunshine. She joined the force as
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Praise for new centre
LOTTERY bosses have praised a newly-built community centre in a County Durham town. The Jubilee Fields Community Centre, in Shildon, has been a made a flagship example of how a community has turned itself around with the aid of a lottery grant. This week
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Driver dies as car hits signpost
A MAN in his early thirties died after the sports car he was driving crashed into a road sign and burst into flames. The man, thought to be from the Stockton area, had not been formally identified by police last night. His male passenger, also from the
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Club row star was 'stunned by blow'
POP star Cheryl Tweedy wept yesterday as she told a court that she punched a nightclub toilet attendant because she was scared of what she might do to her. The 20-year-old Girls Aloud singer dabbed her eyes with a tissue as she described how Sophie Amogbokpa
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Music while you travel . . .
CAST members from a production of Roald Dahl's story, The Twits, entertained Metro travellers in a bid to draw visitors to their show. The actors took up a popular busking spot at the Newcastle's Monument Metro station to treat travellers to some tunes
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Andrea nails place in national finals
A BEAUTICIAN has landed a place on a shortlist for an award. Nail technician Andrea Joynes, from Saks, in Chester-le-Street, has made it through to the finals of the hair and beauty group's national awards. She is one of four people in the country to
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Vic and Bob fall in for Catterick comedy
NORTH-East funny men Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer will hit the nation's television screens in the New Year with a sitcom about two daft social club bouncers. The pair, who front hit TV show Shooting Stars, are busy filming the six-part comedy which has
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mystery of stolen honey has happy ending for family business
ENTREPRENEUR Tony Reay found himself in a sticky situation yesterday. The drama began when Mr Reay discovered that hundreds of jars of flavoured British honey, manufactured through the Kidhugs business run by him and his wife, Linda, were inside his car
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Chris, 17 launches new radio station
A student became the first person to present the North-East's newest radio station this week. Chris Hakin, 17, from Darlington, had expected to work the weekend shift on 107.5 Radio Hartlepool. However, on Monday, he was asked to stand in for the weekday
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TV review
ONE Life: Rat Attack (BBC1) NOT everyone would agree with Sue when she says: "It's like rearing a baby. Of course I love him. Why wouldn't I? He's beautiful." She was talking about a rat, a creature few regard as good-looking, and certainly not suitable
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Lord Chancellor to decide on court's fate within days
AS one of North Yorkshire's magistrates' courts waits to learn its fate, another is preparing to reopen following refurbishment. Northallerton Magistrates' Court, in Racecourse Lane, is due to be returned to use by the start of next year, and will be
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Police to sharpen detective skills
HUNDREDS of police officers are to sharpen their investigation skills under a pilot on-the-job training package. Front-line officers in Sedgefield and Derwentside divisions will be the first to pilot the scheme, which will eventually be introduced to
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Why Uma Kills Bill
Writer-director Quentin Tarantino was so determined to cast Uma Thurman as the star of Kill Bill that he postponed filming until she gave birth to her second child. Steve Pratt reports Hollywood actress Uma Thurman became The Bride in a late night conversation
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Planet Zog
X is for X Rated - which is probably what your language often gets like as you negotiate life with boys. They could make a saint swear, never mind an ordinary mortal mum. Under your breath, of course. Because we are all sensible, responsible parents and
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Stolen goods warning
PUB-goers could be offered items stolen from a bird and animal sanctuary, say police. Falconry equipment taken from the Exotic Animal Welfare Trust, at Boundary Farm, Tow Law, County Durham, includes 30 metal foot rings and a bag. Police believe they
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Playwright to return North
Nicholas Briggs, the brother of BBC TV presenter Colin Briggs, will return to his roots when he directs a murder mystery play. The play, The Dead of Night, will run from Tuesday, October 21 until October 25 at Durham's Gala Theatre. Mr Briggs, who has
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Step back in time
MORE than 300 sailors, buccaneers and solders will re-enact the Battle of Trafalgar this weekend. The re-enactment will recreate attempts by Napoleonic forces to capture British frigates in 1805. It will take place at Hartlepool's Historic Quay from 10am
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Grenade is unearthed in archaeology project day
PEOPLE were evacuated from a public park after a live hand grenade was discovered in an archaeological dig. Without realising the danger, one of the archaeologists, Gary Green, picked it up and took it past groups of children inside a building to report
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Most 'not ready for interest rate rise'
HOMEOWNERS could be in for a shock if interest rates rise, with 60 per cent underestimating the impact it would have on their mortgage, research has shown. The survey comes after Bank of England Governor Mervyn King said the central bank would have to
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Most 'not ready for interest rate rise'
HOMEOWNERS could be in for a shock if interest rates rise, with 60 per cent underestimating the impact it would have on their mortgage, research has shown. The survey comes after Bank of England Governor Mervyn King said the central bank would have to
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Profits at GUS are likely to beat forecasts
Retail group GUS forecast better-than-expected profits yesterday after a strong summer performance from its high street catalogue chain Argos. GUS said sales at Argos in the six months to September 30 rose 14 per cent, with the figure on a like-for-like
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The rise of a resilient rodent
ONE Life: Rat Attack (BBC1) NOT everyone would agree with Sue when she says: "It's like rearing a baby. Of course I love him. Why wouldn't I? He's beautiful." She was talking about a rat, a creature few regard as good-looking, and certainly not suitable
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Stephenson's legacy to live on in collaboration
THE legacy of the North-East's most famous engineering family is living on in a new business venture. The Stephenson centre, at Newcastle University, opens today in a bid to build better links between business and universities. The centre is named after
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double celebration for composer
AN acclaimed European musician had double cause to celebrate during a return visit to the North-East yesterday. Arvo Part had engagements at both Durham Castle and Durham Cathedral on a red-letter day. The 70-year-old Estonian composer of choral and orchestral
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Flats scheme likely to win approval
COUNCILLORS are being urged to approve plans for 32 flats to be built in Darlington. Maro Developments is expected to win backing for the scheme in Woodland Road. It would see the properties built on the site of a former petrol station and an area to
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Permission granted for barn conversion
A WENSLEYDALE couple who have been fighting since January for permission to convert a barn into a family home have won an important victory. David Winspear and Sharon Spensely were rebuffed twice by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, despite
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Becks' jeweller sees sparkling sales
New ranges in leading department stores Selfridges and Harvey Nichols helped celebrity jeweller Theo Fennell report a 26 per cent surge in sales. The group, which has 13 outlets in the UK, said revenues of £6.7m for the six months to September 30 reflected
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Calendar girls blockbuster has movie fans flocking to cinema
CROWDS have had to be turned away from a cinema because demand to see the latest blockbuster has gone through the roof. Jeremy Powell, who owns the Palace Theatre, in Yorkersgate, Malton, said the phones had been ringing off the hook with people wanting
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Punishment more fitting
IT is difficult to comprehend the pain and anguish suffered by Michael Wheeler's young victims and their families. They will be punished for the rest of their lives. Their ability to cope with the harrowing crimes committed by Wheeler was made even more
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Court hears of moment girl found sister's body in room
A 15-YEAR-OLD girl ran screaming from a bedroom after finding the blood-stained body of her sister, a court heard yesterday. Emma Ruddick told how she walked into the bedroom of her sister, 12-year-old Natalie, to be confronted by the horrific sight.
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Trust helps school's status bid
A BENEFACTOR has stepped in at the 11th hour to help a school bid for specialist status. The Newlands Catholic School in Middlesbrough has applied for specialist science college status. Pupils, parents and staff had worked hard to raise money to make
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Medicine men hailed by delighted Woodward
Clive Woodward last night paid tribute to England's ''world class'' medical team after he announced a full-strength team for Saturday's Subiaco Oval showdown against South Africa. England's injury fears for the pivotal Pool C clash have eased dramatically
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Carry on sergeant
After 12 years and 13 series, Heartbeat shows no sign of stopping. One of the few original stars still appearing, Derek Fowlds, admits that he didn't think the series would last beyond the first six episodes. Now, he tells Steve Pratt, the man known as
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Billie Fizz
Billie Piper is famous for being the pop star married to an older man. Now she's playing a budding pop singer married to an older man in a new version of Chaucer's The Miller's Tale. Piper reveals to Steve Pratt that she started out as an actress and
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Doctor Max
Maxwell Caulfield was asked to leave his British drama school and ended up making his name in US glossy drama series Dynasty. Now he's back as a doctor in top-rated BBC 1 drama series Casualty and feels his character is reigniting his love of acting.
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Life-saving brain scanner left idle
A new £1m brain scanner is lying idle because of staff shortages, it was revealed last night. Bosses at the James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, admit that the neurosciences scanner cannot be used because of lack of trained staff. Since it arrived
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Stephenson's legacy to live on in collaboration
THE legacy of the North-East's most famous engineering family is living on in a new business venture. The Stephenson centre, at Newcastle University, opens today in a bid to build better links between business and universities. The centre is named after
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Old at last
SHE'S played elderly retired women for so long on stage and screen that it's hardly surprising you end up discussing old age with Stephanie Cole. But the star of touring drama The Shell Seekers, which plays Darlington Civic Theatre next week, is quick
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Hectic lifestyles lead to mishaps
HECTIC lifestyles are proving costly for people who are losing keys and wallets, leaving doors open in their houses and running out of petrol, research showed yesterday. A survey of 1,000 adults revealed a catalogue of mishaps as they attempted to juggle
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Derby date for Massimo
MASSIMO Maccarone's make-or-break season at Middlesbrough is set for a belated start in this Saturday's derby with Newcastle United. The Italian suffered a difficult first year in the Premiership, even though he finished as the club's top scorer with
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Pupils enjoy global cuisine
Catering staff at a school have helped pupils enjoy the tastes of the world. The 300 youngsters at St Peter's C of E Primary School, Brotton, east Cleveland, have been studying cultures and cooking dishes from a different country each day, including Italy
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gipsy tradition restored with the return of horse flashing
THE number of horse-drawn gispsy wagons may be down this year but the ancient tradition of running - or "flashing" - horses at a North-East fair is back. Police banned horse flashing at last year's fair in Yarm, near Stockton, for safety reasons, but
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'Shunned' mayor calls on critics to drop party politics
AN under-fire mayor has rounded on his town hall critics, warning them: "There's no place for party politics here." Hartlepool's directly elected mayor Stuart Drummond used his second annual state of the borough debate to take a swipe at the councillors
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Pool exit for keeper
ANTHONY WILLIAMS is expected to be farmed out on loan by Hartlepool United within the next 48 hours. A number of Third Division clubs have been monitoring the player's situation and just last week he was being tracked by ambitious Hull City. Manager Neale
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Taxi driver in pub brawl loses licence
A TAXI driver involved in a pub brawl has had his licence revoked after being convicted of assault. Darlington Borough Council's licensing committee heard that Paul Thomas Laing, 35, threw the first punch, which resulted in several people becoming involved
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Czech region's leader in talks over North links
THE president of the regional government of Moravia-Silesia, in the Czech Republic, has met North-East Assembly chairman Bob Gibson to discuss links with the region. Evzen Tosenovsky is spending five-days in the North-East to talk about the development
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The final word on film endings
ANYONE with a grasp of history knows what is going to happen, but hit movie Titanic was yesterday named the film with the greatest ending of all time. The film, about the love story which unfolds between Jack and Rose on the stricken ship, topped a poll
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Scheme to burn cattle fat: more information needed
A COMPANY hoping to burn cow fat from BSE cattle has not provided enough information for a decision to be made, it was revealed last night. The Environment Agency (EA) is in the middle of an investigation into SembCorp Utilities' plan to generate green
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Identity of dead man on moor remains a mystery
A CORONER admitted yesterday he had no option but to record an open verdict into the mysterious death of a well-dressed man, found on a North Yorkshire moor. An inquest was reconvened at Richmond Town Hall yesterday, more than six years after the skeletal
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Real estate firm announces takeover of Eddie Stobart
BRITAIN'S best-known lorry firm Eddie Stobart has announced it is to be sold to a real estate business. The move means that Edward Stobart, the chairman and chief executive of Eddie Stobart, will step down. WA Developments (International) has acquired
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Inquiry after fuel spillage at airport
HEALTH and safety officials and airport managers are investigating an accidental fuel spillage that caused chaos for commuters at Newcastle Airport on Tuesday night. One flight was cancelled and incoming flights had to circle the airport for up to 40
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American beauty lifts Body Shop
ETHICAL retailer Body Shop International yesterday posted a 140 per cent rise in half-year profits to £10.1m, but said UK sales had been slow. The group said strong contributions from its Americas region drove the rise in pre-exceptional operating profits
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16/10/03
IRAQ MEMORIAL SHORTLY after the military success in Iraq, Tony Blair said there would be some kind of ceremony to honour the British contingent. He stressed, however, that this would not be a tribute to the fallen, and so a memorial service was held in
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Chilling phonecall to murdered schoolgirl
Schoolgirl Natalie Ruddick had received a chilling phone call weeks before she was stabbed to death by her big sister's boyfriend, a court heard yesterday. Terrified Natalie, 12, rang sister Claire, 17, to tell her about the sinister threats from a mystery
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Steele a star
MENTION the name Tommy Steele and those who remember the 47 year career murmur "isn't he dead?" Far from it, the 66-year-old bounces down the stairs of Newcastle Theatre Royal's foyer to captivate a new generation of youngsters who are about to become
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Pictures of teen tearaway circulated
HUNDREDS of leaflets are to be handed out in an area terrorised by a tearaway teenager to stop him reoffending. On Tuesday, Ashley Lindo, 13, was made the subject of an Anti-Social Behaviour Order (Asbo) until his 18th birthday. Teesside Magistrates'
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Cyclist hit by blast as firework explodes
A CYCLIST was left "black and blue" with bruising after he was hit by the door of an exploding telephone box on Tuesday evening. Martyn Miller was thrown across the road by the blast, which took place at about 6.10pm when he was travelling home along
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'Beckham spat on my country's badge' - Alpay
Turkey defender Alpay yesterday claimed England captain David Beckham spat on the badge of his national team shirt during the ill-tempered Euro 2004 qualifier in Istanbul. The Aston Villa player has come under fire from England players and the media since
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And what really makes me mad...
I AM enjoying the new TV series, Grumpy Old Men, in which forty and fifty-somethings like Bob Geldof and Rick Wakeman moan about all the things that bug them in modern life. But it's not just men who get annoyed by double glazing salesmen who phone you
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Pub wins right to stay open an extra hour
A CONTROVERSIAL application for a pub to stay open later has been approved. The Windsors pub in Marske Road, Saltburn, will be allowed to stay open until midnight on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights despite concerns from local people about noise and
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Police accused of arrest violence
THREE brothers on trial for threatening behaviour claimed yesterday that they were the victims of police violence - and produced video evidence to back up their allegations. Andrew, Michael and Trevor Milburn told magistrates in Richmond, North Yorkshire
