Archive
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Dwain is collared by pork pie trap
IN the end, it was a particularly tasty looking pork pie that proved his downfall. After remaining on the run since he was first spotted at Sedgefield Racecourse in July, the game is finally up for Dwain. The stray dog has become a familiar figure on
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Completing the circle of clutter
MY husband - early retired and two months off his bus pass - was discussing child car seats with the dustman the other day. The dustman's a grandfather too, and I reckon he thought his car seat was better than ours, which we bought recently in the Mothercare
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Greggs pulls Christmas snackers to improve sales
BAKERY chain Greggs said hungry Christmas shoppers helped it improve like-for-like sales. The appetite of consumers for pies, sandwiches and pastries left same-store sales growth at three per cent in the ten weeks to December 27 - better than the 1.8
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Family tells of heartache after daughter's death
A DEVASTATED father has told how he found his 16-year-old daughter lying dead in the road just a mile from their home. Melanie Lisa Mullally is thought to have run across the road outside her grandmother's house in Front Street, Broom Lane, near Durham
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The men who aren't ashamed of being vain
Beautiful Boys (ITV1) : WHO'S a pretty boy then? Well, Dean Jackson for one. Looking good means as much to him as it does to customers at his hair and beauty salon in Durham. "You could call him obsessive," suggested girlfriend Kristie, as she manicured
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Loving politics
John Hurt was the best man for the job when it came to playing real life romeo MP Alan Clark. Hurt won a glowing endorsement from Clarke's wife Jane. Steve Pratt reports. ACTOR John Hurt has never been one to shy away from controversial characters. Roles
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Glaxo vows to fight tax bill
GlaxoSmithKline pledged to fight a tax claim that could cost the pharmaceuticals company as much as £2.9bn. The group, which was formed from the merger of Glaxo Wellcome and Smith-Kline Beecham in 2000, has received a bill for £1.5bn from the US Inland
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'Call centres resemble satanic mills'
SOME call centres still resemble "satanic mills", despite moves to improve working conditions and help staff who have to deal with abusive customers, a report has found. Research commissioned by the Health and Safety Executive found that many workers
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Chance to net cinema tickets on website
The Northern Echo's film website, Alternative Film, is helping to promote a one-night screening of the film Girl With a Pearl Earring. The film is an historical drama telling the imagined story behind one of Dutch artist Johannes Vermeer's most famous
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Future history passed over to city museum for safekeeping
THE first bicycle to be used by paramedics in a congested city centre has been preserved in a museum, despite being less than three years old. York's "ambu-bike" has been donated to the York Castle Museum after the ambulance service was given an updated
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Chloe jumps for glory
A YOUNG athlete is hoping to emulate her hero after jumping into the North-East record books. Long-jumper Chloe Gill, 11, of Blackhill, Consett, has twice broken the region's under-13 record. She trains with Gateshead Harriers, the same club as world
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Raid reward offered
A REWARD has been offered to help to catch armed robbers who snatched tens of thousands of pounds in a pre-Christmas bank raid. The £15,000 sum will be paid to anyone supplying information which leads to the arrest of the three or four-man gang who struck
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Joanne's magazine helps promote animal charities
AN ANIMAL enthusiast has launched a magazine to raise awareness and money for animal charities. For the past three years Joanne Rowley, who lives at a rescue centre in Stanhope, has been surrounded by animals, each with their own sad story. Her parents
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Diabetes patients urged to undergo eye screening tests
HUNDREDS of people living with diabetes have been warned that they are risking damaging their sight by not taking up free eye tests. More than 2,500 people in Darlington have been diagnosed as having diabetes, a condition that is becoming more common
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Inmate's family 'not told of death'
THE family of an inmate who was found hanged in his cell was told he was still in police custody when they went to visit him, an inquest heard yesterday. A jury heard how officers at Holme House Prison, in Stockton, discovered the body of Mark Allen,
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TV review
Beautiful Boys (ITV1) WHO'S a pretty boy then? Well, Dean Jackson for one. Looking good means as much to him as it does to customers at his hair and beauty salon in Durham. "You could call him obsessive," suggested girlfriend Kristie, as she manicured
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Tenants left in cold thanks to icy boilers
DOZENS of homes were left without heating when their newly-installed boilers broke down in sub-zero temperatures. Over the past few months, all council tenants on the Whitehill estate on the outskirts of Chester-le-Street, have had new heating systems
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Floral tribute on 170th anniversary of mill worker's death
A SIMPLE ceremony was held yesterday in memory of a young man who died in an accident aged 24. Mill worker William Wren died when a freak storm hit the North-East coastline, 170 years ago. The gale force winds of January 7, 1834, caused devastation across
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Nets proposed for footballers
YOUNGSTERS using a small patch of land on a Darlington estate to play football could get some netting for their goal posts. Firthmoor Community Safety Partnership is considering making improvements to the goalposts on land between Pateley Moor Crescent
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Centenarian insists on a low-key celebration
A TEESDALE woman who celebrates her 100th birthday tomorrow says she has no secret for her longevity. Mary Walker, of South Side, near Butterknowle, plans to spend her day with family and friends and insists she does not want any fuss made. Mrs Walker
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Anger at club's move to expand
RESIDENTS are opposing plans to increase the number of people allowed into a Yarm nightspot. The Keys, in the High Street, can accommodate 400 people, but a proposal has been submitted to increase capacity to 490. Members of Stockton Borough Council's
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Tragedy and joy as mother says thank-you to hospital
A WOMAN who tragically lost the father of her unborn child, then gave birth 14 weeks early, has thanked hospital staff who kept her son alive. Taylor Lee Stokoe weighed only 2lbs 3oz when he was born and was so premature his eyes were still shut. He was
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Better deaf services planned
SERVICES for deaf people in Darlington are to be improved. There are plans for several developments in facilities for adults and children with hearing impairments. Darlington Borough Council's cabinet has identified a need to focus more on helping those
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Grand effort by staff raises cash for local charities
FRONTLINE council staff have raised more than £1,000 for good causes with a charity event. Refuse collectors, community wardens, grounds maintenance workers, street cleansers, fleet management drivers, highways engineers and workshop employees from Redcar
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Landmark cafe bar to open in spring
A DURHAM landmark is due to start its new life as a riverside nightspot in the spring. Brown's Boathouse, on the banks of the River Wear near Elvet Bridge, will open in March as Chase. It has taken nine months to convert the 19th Century building, with
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Rail staff praised for maintenance work
ENGINEERS and contractors spent most of Christmas carrying out maintenance on stretches of the region's rail network. With minimal disruption to train services, they replaced a bridge deck at Bowesfield Lane, Stockton, and 16 track beams at King Edward
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School set for modernisation
PLANS are under way to rebuild a school where at present some children are being taught in temporary buildings. St Cuthbert's RC Primary School in Ropery Lane, Chester-le-Street, consists of four temporary classrooms and a main building that dates from
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£2.5m extension of primary school likely to be approved
PLANS to build a school to accomodate pupils being taught in temporary buildings are likely to be approved. St Cuthbert's RC Primary School, in Ropery Lane, Chester-le-Street, has four temporary classrooms and a main building which dates back to 1926.
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Anger as hospital closes A & E unit
A CONTROVERSIAL hospital, under fire for having too few beds, was forced to close its accident and emergency unit because it was too busy. Patients needing urgent medical care in the North Durham area last Sunday were sent to hospitals in Bishop Auckland
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Agency backs builders after bathroom 'nightmare' claim
A FORMER chef who was given a few years to live after contracting Motor Neurone Disease has criticised the agency responsible for converting his home. David Hainsworth said he has been living a nightmare since work started to convert his garage into a
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Homes plan facing local opposition
A FURNITURE store and petrol station could be demolished to make way for housing if the plans are approved later this month. Wear Valley District Council's planning officials will consider a proposal to demolish the disused Save filling station and Clifton
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Inspectors heap praise on primary school
INSPECTORS have praised a Hartlepool primary school and its pupils. An Ofsted report described Sacred Heart RC Primary School, in Hart Lane, as a very good school. The report said: "Pupils achieve well because the teaching is effective. A great strength
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On the road to promote tourism
TOURISM chiefs are taking to the road to further promote their money-spinning industry. Last year, tourism generated more than £42m for the Hambleton district. Now the district council's tourist section is holding a series of roadshows to promote the
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Councillors to consider flats scheme
PLANS have been submitted to convert a car showroom and workshop into 14 flats. Picktree Motors, in Picktree Lane, Chester-le-Street, has applied for planning permission to build two and three-storey apartments within its grounds. No objections have been
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Free Christmas tree recycling service
HOUSEHOLDERS across Hartlepool are being urged to recycle their Christmas trees by taking advantage of a free collection service. The kerbside scheme is being run by Hartlepool Borough Council as part of its commitment to promote recycling and the environment
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Community acts to improve village hall
A COMMUNITY is working to give its village hall a new lease of life. The latest fundraising event for Newton-le-Willows Village Hall is a table-top sale on Saturday, January 17, between 9am and 1pm. Organiser Christine Godden said: "Stunned by the closure
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Lollipop lady gets MBE for work
FOR 23 years Doreen Hailes went out in all weathers to make sure schoolchildren crossed a busy road safely. Mrs Hailes, 66, of Waldridge Park, Chester-le-Street, was given a memorable send off when she retired from her post looking after the pupils of
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Baby joy for IVF protest couple
A COUPLE who won the right to have fertility treatment after protesting at a football stadium are celebrating the birth of the baby they waited eight years for. Gary and Laura McGee, of Tanfield Lea, were caught in a postcode lottery trap that meant they
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Work is never done for Cinders
CINDERELLA made sure she kept up with her chores, when she visited Lumley Castle. Kate Heavenor, who plays the starring role in the Sunderland Empire's production, visited the hotel near Chester-le-Street on Wednesday, where she swept the grounds while
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'Fishing fleets facing a make-or-break year'
FISHING fleets in parts of the North face a make-or-break year unless there is an agreement on landing quotas in the North Sea, it has been warned. European MP for Yorkshire David Bowe said: "I am concerned that some sections of the fishing industry are
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John North: The pom who put pride in Oz
DANCING to the music of time - that is to say, surfing the Net for some Superbrain answers - John Briggs makes a remarkable discovery: the tune of Waltzing Matilda, Australia's unofficial national anthem, was written by a Shildon lad. Pom and circumstance
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Cobbler's new chapter
A COBBLER at loggerheads with his council is set to publish a book. Tony Martin is launching a self-published book on his long and bitter dispute with Durham City Council. Provisionally called Cobblers to the Council, it should be ready next month, to
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Comment from The Northern Echo: No time for service cuts
FOR much of last year the fire service was dogged by the controversy over pay. Such was the level of acrimony in the dispute that a great deal of suspicion and uncertainty persisted within firefighters. It was inevitable that wounds would take some time
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Gran at Large
MY husband - early retired and two months off his bus pass - was discussing child car seats with the dustman the other day. The dustman's a grandfather too, and I reckon he thought his car seat was better than ours, which we bought recently in the Mothercare
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McGrath poser for Tykes
Anthony McGrath's inclusion in the England one-day squad could lead to him standing down as Yorkshire captain. McGrath will have talks with Yorkshire's new director of cricket, David Byas, over the next few days to decide whether he should stay in the
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Groups review town plans
VOLUNTARY and community groups are to meet to review plans for the future of a town. A public consultation is currently being carried out on a new draft of a community strategy for Chester-le-Street, looking at the district's social, economic and environmental
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Rangers join the list of Lee's big-time admirers
SUNDERLAND could face competition from Scottish giants Rangers should manager Mick McCarthy decide to follow up his interest in Sheffield Wednesday defender Graeme Lee. Northern Echo SPORT revealed on Tuesday that the Black Cats were 'the top First Division
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Co-op shopper given VIP role
A LOYAL customer was called on to perform the re-opening ceremony at her local food store. Lifelong Co-op shopper Olive Oxley, 99, became a VIP celebrity for the day to help in the re-launch of the society's store in Sherburn Village. The Sherburn and
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Attack "nasty and vicious"
POLICE have described a late night attack on a convenience store as nasty and vicious and renewed their appeal for witnesses. Staff at the Bells store in Larkswood Road, in Redcar, were left traumatised after two men, one armed with a hammer and the other
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Team challenges Chancellor
A TEAM set up to tackle growing levels of bureaucracy has thrown down the gauntlet to Chancellor Gordon Brown to show he is on the side of business. The Red Tape Team, funded by regional development agency Yorkshire Forward and operated through Yorkshire
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Keeper lucky, Robson
NEWCASTLE boss Sir Bobby Robson last night insisted that Leeds keeper Paul Robinson should have been sent off for a first-half challenge on Kieron Dyer. The Newcastle frontrunner was clean through in the 33rd minute when he was confronted by Robinson
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Anger as hospital closes A & E unit
A CONTROVERSIAL hospital, under fire for having too few beds, was forced to close its accident and emergency unit because it was too busy. Patients needing urgent medical care in the North Durham area last Sunday were sent to hospitals in Bishop Auckland
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Smoking ban mooted
A COUNCIL is to consider banning smoking in all of its leisure centres. Sedgefied Borough Council is reviewing its smoking policy in all four of its leisure centres in Spennymoor, Shildon Newton Aycliffe and Ferryhill. A report to the council's cabinet
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How lies and deceit of a trusted mother led to jail and disgrace
THE cries of anguish from the public gallery said it all yesterday afternoon. As Christopher Grimes was jailed for 15 months for his part in his Aunt Mary's grand scam, his girlfriend and stepmother sobbed loudly. His father Edward, 48, in the dock beside
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08/01/04
HONOURS LIST: I AGREE with Glen Reynolds (Echo, Jan 2) that the honours system has lost its original value. As for medals for war service, I believe a person meriting a medal should have it presented. I quote my case which is one of many thousand of others
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Wandering minstrel David sings his way from coast to coast
WANDERING opera singer David Pisaro will bring the hills alive with the sound of music. The US tenor is setting off on a 200-mile trek across the North of England, stopping off each night to perform in pubs, churches, halls and farmhouses. He will sing
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Benedictine monk's body returned home
THE body of a Benedictine monk who founded an elite public school is being returned home 200 years after being buried. Father Bede Brewer was one of the founder members of Ampleforth College in North Yorkshire. His body was discovered in the crypt of
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BAE counters missile threat
AEROSPACE group BAE Systems has won a contract from the US Government to develop a system to protect passenger jets from shoulder-fired missiles. The US Department of Homeland Security said it had chosen BAE, US defence group Northrop Grumman, and United
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Pilot honoured for bravery under fire
A NORTH-EAST pilot has been honoured for his bravery under enemy fire in the recent Iraq conflict. Flight Lieutenant Steven Forster, 35, was awarded the Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service, for his work testing an aircraft in battle conditions for
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Best wishes from on board Titanic
IT is almost 91 years since the sinking of the Titanic and its terrible loss of life plunged both sides of the Atlantic into mourning. When the unthinkable happened to the supposedly unsinkable pride of the White Star Line, on a freezing April night in
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Making Bill big in Japan
Bill Murray was the only man for the job when director Sofia Coppola needed a comic for an offbeat movie. Steve Pratt reports. SOFIA Coppola had only one person in mind to play the leading role when she wrote Lost In Translation - Ghostbusters and Groundhog
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New To Rent
Identity (15) Stars: John Cusack, Ray Liotta, Amanda Peet, Clea DuVall, Rebecca De Mornay, Jake Busey, William Lee Scott, John C McGinley, Leila Kenzle, Bret Loehr A sudden torrential rainstorm and violent winds force ten complete strangers to seek refuge
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Nissan boss repeats warning over UK's stance on euro
UNION leaders are seeking urgent talks with Nissan managers after the company's chief executive Carlos Ghosn repeated warnings that the Sunderland plant could lose production of one of its most important cars if Britain remains outside the euro. Mr Ghosn
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Club veteran receives the first regional award
ONE of the best known faces in North-East clubland was awarded the first ever regional accolade for his work in social clubs, in the New Year's honours list. Jack Amos, 71, of Shotley Bridge, near Consett, received an MBE for services to workingmen's
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Orient excess
Steve Pratt discovers that Tom Cruise came within inches of being struck in the neck by a sword during the making of The Last Samuria after insisting on doing all his own stunts. The megastar played down the incident, which came after a year of intensive
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Scout leader collected 'depraved' porn hoard
A SCOUTMASTER who downloaded disgusting and depraved child pornography has been jailed for a year. Kelvin Marshall, 34, accessed degrading images of children involved in sexual activities, including sadism and bestiality, Teesside Crown Court heard. One
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Man in court after murder of policeman
A nightclub doorman was remanded in custody today after appearing in court accused of murdering Leeds traffic policeman Pc Ian Broadhurst. David Francis Bieber, also known as Nathan Wayne Coleman, appeared for a 10-minute hearing at Leeds Crown Court
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Leeds find no answer to curse of Shearer
ALAN SHEARER just can't get enough of Leeds. The Newcastle skipper has scored more Premiership goals against the men from Elland Road than any other club - his fourth-minute strike at St. James' Park last night was the 20th, and his 12th for the Magpies
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Contract win may create 200 jobs
UP to 200 jobs are to be created in the region thanks to a contract to help build part of the new Wembley Stadium. CBL Contractors in Hartlepool has been awarded work to fit the main cabling, terminations and electrical installations in the 90,000-seater
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PFA quiz Quakers over missing cash
The Professional Footballers' Association will hold talks with administrators today after voicing their concern over Darlington's unpaid players. Northern Echo SPORT understands the Quakers squad have now been paid the outstanding wages owed to them from
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Deputy PM gives approval to new shopping centres
DEPUTY Prime Minister John Prescott has cleared the way for the redevelopment of a derelict corner of Durham. He has approved four different planning applications for retail parks on the Dragonville Industrial Estate that could create hundreds of jobs
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Teen dead after horrific attack
DETECTIVES are investigating the murder of a teenager who was the victim of an horrific and sustained attack outside his home in Sunderland city. A police spokesman said officers were called when 19-year-old Scott Pritchard was found unconscious at the
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Steelmaker calls for show of faith from support agencies
SHORTLY after 9.40am yesterday, the unthinkable happened. Without a firework or fanfare, steelmaker Corus finally began talking about the way forward for steel on Teesside. Less than 12 months ago, such an event would have been surprising to the say the
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Kick For Touch should be on the ball
HENRIETTA KNIGHT'S embarrassment of riches within the chasing division is once again highlighted by the presence of the able youngster Kick For Touch (3.30) at Wincanton today. Among the of aces in her pack are Best Mate and Edredon Bleu, but youthful
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Police issue photograph of thief
POLICE have released closed-circuit television footage of a man wanted in connection with the theft of a gold chain from a Darlington jewellery shop. The thief entered Asquiths, in Post House Wynd, on Tuesday October 21, at about 2.40pm. He asked an assistant
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GNER services delayed
RAIL services on Britain's fastest line are getting back to normal after a power scare. Network Rail cut power to a stretch of the East Coast Main Line near Ferryhill this morning for safety work. GNER services were delayed as the electric-powered trains
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Five years for woman who stole £800,000 from bosses
DISGRACED businesswoman Mary Blair was jailed for five years yesterday for systematically stealing hundreds of thousands of pounds from a North-East garage. The 54-year-old, of Summerhouse Grove, Darlington, showed no emotion as Judge John Walford passed
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Dealer's ex-husband not guilty of handling drug money
THE ex-husband of a drug dealer jailed for the manslaughter of a vulnerable customer has been cleared of handling drugs money. David Storey, 36, has been found not guilty of taking £14, 000, the proceeds of his former partner's lucrative drug dealing
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Steel chief 'highly confident' of success
THE man tasked with saving steelmaking on Teesside last night insisted he was "highly confident" that thousands of workers had a secure future. Colin Muncie, managing director of the newly-formed Teesside Cast Products (TCP), said independent evidence
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The trouble with women in wigs
Brends Hale takes up her post as Britain's first female Law Lord on Monday. She talks to Women's Editor Christen Pears about wigs, women judges and her hopes for reform. BRENDA Hale has been described as many things - radical, outspoken, a "dangerous"
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Grandmother who couldn't read now teaches
A GRANDMOTHER who could not read or write until she was 62 has returned to the classroom - as a teacher. Betty Hetherington, from White-le-Head, near Stanley, County Durham, left school at 14. It was only when she went to Derwentside College at the age
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Mothers-to-be heed smoking ad warning
A SHOCK advertising campaign which featured a picture of an unborn foetus formed out of cigarette smoke appears to be working. Since the advert appeared in the North-East newspapers, the NHS has seen a 61 per cent increase in referrals from mothers-to-be
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Metro staff may strike on day of soccer match
THOUSANDS of football fans could face transport chaos if Metro workers go-ahead with a strike on the same day Newcastle United play a home match. The threat comes as unions plan a new wave of strikes following the collapse of a deal aimed at settling
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Craig splashing out to raise money for cancer charity
A POOL attendant is hoping to raise money for charity in memory of his mother by taking part in the world's biggest sponsored swim. Craig Murray, 34, who works at Darlington's Dolphin Centre, is planning to swim more than 200 lengths in the Butlins Swimathon
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Bar games win for pub regulars
EIGHTEEN customers from a Wear Valley pub showed their skills at traditional bar room games to win a trip to Germany. The team from the Golden Fleece, in Hope Street, Crook, were regional winners of the Pubmaster Pub Challenge in a competition held in
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Report praises school
A SCHOOL has been placed in the top 25 per cent in the country by Ofsted inspectors. Bedale High School was inspected in November and was classed as a good school with many very good features. The lead inspector said it was ready to become a leading edge
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£500 aid for arts group
A YOUTH group specialising in creative arts has been awarded a £500 community grant. The money from the North Eastern and Cumbrian Co-op's community dividend scheme has been given to Natural High in Willington. The group, formed in 1999, meets every week
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London talks take place on future of ghost ships
A HIGH-LEVEL meeting has been held in London to discuss the future of the controversial US Ghost Ships. The meeting was called by Environment Minister Elliot Morley at the request of Hartlepool MP Peter Mandelson and attended by the town's civic leaders
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Men released after arrests over robbery
THREE men arrested in connection with a post office robbery have been released without charge. The men, aged 23, 24 and 25, who were helping police with inquiries, were released yesterday. Two masked men left a shop assistant terrified after they threatened
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Job and Nemeth reward Downing's dazzle
GOALS from Joseph Job and Szilard Nemeth put Middlesbrough's Premiership campaign back on track with a 2-1 win over Fulham. But it was an awe-inspiring display from teenage winger Stewart Downing that left the Riverside crowd gasping. The 19-year-old
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Praise for council's work
SENIOR councillors in Darlington have praised the performance of the authority. Dramatic improvements by Darlington Borough Council has led to it being named the best performer in the country in a national newspaper poll last month. At a meeting of the
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Cinderella has a ball brushing up on her chores
CHRISTMAS may be over but pantomime fans still have until Sunday to see the star-studded cast of Cinderella. Kate Heavenor, who plays the starring role at the Sunderland Empire's production, kept up her chores at Lumley Castle near Chester-le-Street yesterday
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Ambulance grant request deferred
AN AMBULANCE service hoping to buy four vehicles had its application for funding deferred by Darlington Borough Council's Cabinet. Lieutenant Colonel Veitch, fundraising officer for St John Ambulance, which operates across County Durham, applied to the
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Arson attempt
Police in Sunderland say a fire at the New Monkey dance club in the Pallion area of the city was started deliberately. A canopy, windows and security shutters were damaged earlier this week. The fire was spotted by a police patrol.
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Gift in memory of Christine
DISTANCE proved no obstacle for a widower wanting to thank medical staff for the care they gave his wife. Christine Hutchinson was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2000, and died after a three-year illness, leaving husband, Superintendent Tony Hutchinson
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Craig splashing out to raise money for cancer charity
A POOL attendant is hoping to raise money for charity in memory of his mother by taking part in the world's biggest sponsored swim. Craig Murray, 34, who works at Darlington's Dolphin Centre, is planning to swim more than 200 lengths in the Butlins Swimathon
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Missing dog
A FAMILY is appealing for the return of their pet. The ten-month-old Jack Russell dog went missing from Selgarth Farm, Middleton Tyas, near Richmond, at noon last Friday. Anybody with information about the dog is asked to contact Gillian White on (01748
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Project helps trace mining history
HELP is being offered to people wanting to research their mining history. The Durham Miner Project is starting 14 courses in County Durham libraries and community centres from Monday. Courses beginning next week will run on Mondays at Thornley Library
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Grant aid for crafts guild
GRANT funding has ensured the future of an arts and crafts organisation in Richmondshire. Three years of funding from the Arts Council of England means Richmondshire Arts and Crafts Guild can take on a part-time administrator. The guild was set up with
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Invitation to get fit in the forest
ORGANISERS of 90-minute fitness sessions at Guisborough Forest and Walkway are looking forward to a healthy turnout. New Marske Harriers coach Jill Sexton will be leading the six Sunday sessions, between 10.30am and noon, starting from the Guisborough
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Festive fundraising success
RESIDENTS of Great Ayton have raised more than £4,000 for charity during the festive period. Carol services at The Christ church raised more than £2,300 which will be donated to the Diocese of Ho, in Ghana. This will be further boosted by a charity auction
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Appeal for return of stolen film
AN appeal has been made for the return of a film stolen with a camcorder during break-in. The silver Sanyo camcorder, in a brown and green leather-look bag, eight Fuji video tapes and a tripod were taken during a burglary at a house in Rose Lea, Witton
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Raid reward offered
A REWARD has been offered to help to catch armed robbers who snatched tens of thousands of pounds in a pre-Christmas bank raid. The £15,000 sum will be paid to anyone supplying information which leads to the arrest of the three or four-man gang who struck
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Euro success brings funds
SUCCESS in Europe has helped hand the North-East economy a £1bn boost -and more money could be on the way. Figures released yesterday by the Government Office for the North-East showed a record level of investment is being given to the region in European
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Gran At Large: Completing the circle of clutter
MY husband - early retired and two months off his bus pass - was discussing child car seats with the dustman the other day. The dustman's a grandfather too, and I reckon he thought his car seat was better than ours, which we bought recently in the Mothercare
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Bramble refuses comment
NEWCASTLE United star Titus Bramble today refused to comment on claims he had been cleared of rape allegations. Bramble and Chelsea's Carlton Cole were questioned by police investigating the alleged "gang rape" of a 17-year-old girl in a London hotel.
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Sweet scheme
THE emergency services are stretched to the limit in Soapland with a fire in Walford and the arrest of one of Weatherfield's most respected citizens. In Coronation Street (ITV1), flame-haired Rita Sullivan loses her rag with young Chesney, ill-behaved
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Alarm sounded over fire cutbacks
FIRE services across the region are facing the grim prospect of service cuts and job losses after funding changes left them with a multi-million pound shortfall. Chief fire officers have urged the Government to think again after receiving details of their
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Nurse is guilty of patient's assault
A HOSPITAL nurse has been found guilty of assaulting a vulnerable elderly patient. Sedgefield Magistrates' Court heard how auxiliary nurse Barbara Carty kneed a 73-year-old schizophrenic in the buttocks and region of his groin. The 46-year-old also nipped
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Seeking details about mine hero's medal
A PENSIONER is looking for more information about a medal presented to her grandfather for his heroic actions. Brenda Hutchinson, 74, wants to find out more about a medal given to her grandfather who was a rescuer in the 1909 West Stanley Burns Pit disaster
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Postman cuts daily round
THE postman is only calling on Wear Valley residents once a day from last Monday under a costcutting move to introduce a single daily delivery across the country by the end of March. The Royal Mail says that customers will all receive their post by lunchtime
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Protest over house plans
A FURNITURE store and petrol station could be pulled down to make way for housing if the plans are approved later this month. Wear Valley District Council's planners will consider a proposal to demolish the disused Save filling station and Clifton Suite
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Hard work pays off for Eifion
EIFION WILLIAMS was last night hailed as the man to fire Hartlepool United into the play-offs by teammate Chris Westwood. Williams has found a resurgence in confidence in recent weeks after grabbing three goals in his last five matches. But it was at
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Panto with modern twist
A TRADITIONAL pantomime has been given a modern day twist for two performances in Crook Civic Hall tomorrow. Wear Valley theatre group Jack Drum Arts have used their production of Red Riding Hood to explore social topics relevant to children and the elderly
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Brothers begin jail terms for drug supply racket
SONS of a respected farmer were starting lengthy custodial sentences last night for involvement in drug dealing. David Cairns, 25, who stored and dealt cocaine, ecstasy and cannabis from a disused quarry beside the family's farm in east Durham, was jailed
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New inquiry call over NHS star rating 'meddling'
THE Tories renewed calls last night for an inquiry into claims that former Health Secretary Alan Milburn interfered with the star rating of South Durham Hospitals NHS Trust. The upgrading of the trust in July 2002, from two stars to a maximum three, made
