Archive
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A teatime to remember . . .
A TEENAGER who had tea at 10 Downing Street with the Prime Minister's wife said last night it was the best experience of her life. Samantha Pitchford, 14, was one of three youngsters from Darlington chosen by the town's MP, Alan Milburn, to travel to
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Security is simple with 2020 Vision
SECURITY technology company 2020 Vision Systems has won a contract to distribute surveillance systems worldwide. An innovation by the company, which is based in South Shields, South Tyneside, has been greeted as a major technological advance in the fight
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Raphael will be in the picture
RELIABLE Raphael (3.20) rates a first-class each-way bet on day one of Newcastle's eagerly-awaited Northumberland Plate meeting. Tim Easterby's tough-as-teak mare rarely fails to give anything less than 110 per cent, a trait worth its weight in gold when
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New To Rent
UK DVD/VIDEO RENTAL: 1 (1) Scary Movie 3 2 (-) The Haunted Mansion 3 (4) Runaway Jury 4 (10) Mystic River 5 (3) Something's Gotta Give 6 (2) Big Fish 7 (-) The Missing 8 (5) The Lord Of The Rings - The Return Of The King 9 (9) Open Range 10 (6) Paycheck
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Weapon hunt called off
The hunt for the murder weapon used in the brutal slaying of Julie Smailes was called off today. A specialist police search team spent yesterday and all of Wednesday digging up a garden behind a semi-detached council house in Briardale, Delves Lane, near
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Ricketts' exit a boost to Boro's Viduka hopes
LEEDS striker Mark Viduka's move to Middlesbrough took a step closer last night after Michael Ricketts completed a move in the opposite direction. Ricketts has been given a free transfer after struggling with form and fitness since arriving at Boro from
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Gran At Large: Why some things aren't for sharing
IT seemed as if they were going to be friends. Meeting face to face in mid-crawl, they'd gazed at one another for some time. This first experiment in socialising seemed to be working. A young mother I'd got to know by the swings in the park had told me
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...and some rail magic
Northern Stage artistic director Alan Lyddiard was probably the only person in the North-East with enough experience to take on such an ambitious project as railway opera Blaze. He talks to VIV HARDWICK about the highs and lows of creating a massive community
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Villagers kick off memorial games
HUNDREDS of villagers braved pouring rain and wind at the weekend to support a series of charity football matches in memory of a much-loved member of the community. Residents of Sacriston and neighbouring Langley Park, descended on Sacriston Welfare Football
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Courtroom will host community art exhibition
AN exhibition of community art is being held in a court. Thirsk Courtroom is hosting the exhibition from July 5 to 9. Exhibits will include a wide range of arts, from mosaics to textiles. The charity Rural Arts will also be announcing its plans to transform
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Batty musical
American Deven May and former Chitty Chitty Bang Bang star Emma Williams are hoping to take Bat Boy The Musical from West Yorkshire Playhouse to the West End. The pair talk to Steve Pratt about being bats. IS IT a bird? Is it a plane? Is it Superman?
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Road accidents claiming more deaths
The death toll on Britain's roads is increasing, official Government figures out today showed. A total of 3,508 people died on the roads in 2003 - 2% more than in 2002, the Department for Transport said. The total of people killed or seriously injured
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Priviliaged pooches and DIY disasters
The Most Pampered Pets In Britain (ITV1); Honey I Ruined The House (Ch4): IN the past, I have been accused of spoiling my pet rabbit Scoop, who has the run of the garden and the house and a variety of treats on tap. But Scoop looks positively hard done
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Add your voice to health debate
HEALTH issues are in the spotlight next week as another Wear Valley group takes up the challenge to influence improvements in the district's dismal record. The Wear Valley Community Network is calling people to a meeting on Wednesday that could affect
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Actress forced into a supporting role
THE show must go on for an amateur thespian who took the cliche break a leg literally. Liz Moss will play the role of Adriana in the production of The Comedy of Errors by The Castle Players theatre company, from Barnard Castle, County Durham, next month
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Engineer to lead commercial development team
RICHARD Maudslay, left, will lead the team responsible for turning research into commercial development and jobs in the North-East. Mr Maudslay, an electrical engineer and deputy chairman of the House of Hardy Group, based in Alnwick, has been appointed
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North-East misses out on Dixons jobs
THE North-East has missed out on a massive job creation scheme by Dixons. The electrical retailer announced yesterday that 1,000 jobs would be created across England, Scotland and Wales to capitalise on improved trading conditions. But the omission of
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Hundreds run for cancer charity
THE pink signs pinned to the backs of runners' vests provided the most poignant image at Sunday's Race for Life in Darlington. Hundreds of them were on view at the town's South Park, each giving the name of a loved one whose life had been blighted by
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Bank's interest rate vote was unanimous
MEMBERS of the Bank of England's rate-setting committee were unanimous when they voted in favour of a second consecutive rise in the cost of borrowing. The report into this month's meeting of the monetary policy committee (MPC) showed members were concerned
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Children to perform in street theatre festival
DURHAM will play host to a day's music, dance and drama on Saturday when more than 100 children join a festival of street theatre. There will be fireworks and fountains as well as dragons and dancing demons to celebrate the end of a week's work called
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Why some things aren't for sharing
IT seemed as if they were going to be friends. Meeting face to face in mid-crawl, they'd gazed at one another for some time. This first experiment in socialising seemed to be working. A young mother I'd got to know by the swings in the park had told me
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Cigarettes smuggler fails to have convictions quashed
A CIGARETTES smuggler jailed for two years after admitting evading £400,000-worth of duty yesterday failed to get his convictions overturned. Stephen Christopher Makin wanted to withdraw his guilty pleas, because on the day after he entered the pleas
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Webster hoping for bright start
IT will be third time lucky for Robert Webster at the De Vere Northumberland Seniors Classic when he tees off in the first round on Friday, writes Paul Fraser. And, although the 59-year-old may be giving away a couple of years to those he is competing
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' I have a killer's brain in my basement'
As Belgian child murderer Marc Dutroux starts his life term in prison, psychiatrist Helen Morrison, author of My Life Among The Serial Killers, talks to Hannah Stephenson about her experiences of working with some of the world's worst murderers. TO a
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Scheme extended to another 12,000 homes
A WHEELIE-BIN scheme to increase recycling is being extended to another 12,000 homes. Householders in Stokesley, Great Ayton, Brompton and the villages surrounding these areas will soon have wheeled bin refuse collections. They join the 18,000 homes in
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All-weather pitch 'a great opportunity'
WORK has started on a £485,000 all-weather pitch to boost sports facilities in a town. The pitch, on land between Hambleton Leisure Centre and the Allertonshire School, in Northallerton, will be big enough to accomodate six games of tennis or two games
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Accolades for young sports stars
DISABLED young people from across the North-East were honoured yesterday at an awards ceremony for their sporting achievements. They were recognised for displaying bravery and determination despite suffering from various mental and physical disabilities
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Hunt after man tried to trick stroke victim
DETECTIVES are looking for a man who tried to swindle money from an elderly stroke victim. A police spokesman said the 73-year-old woman, who lives in a detached home in North Magdalene, Medomsley, near Consett, had suffered two strokes - the most recent
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Call for help to find attacker of woman
REVELLERS are being urged to help police find the man who attacked a woman in a nightclub. The woman, in her early 20s, was punched in the face by a man she had met at Crocadillos, in Front Street, Chester-le-Street, and danc-ed with earlier. She suffered
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Jack needs a home
A DOG which is coming to terms with the loss of its owner is in need of a home for a second time. Jack was only six weeks old when the National Animal Sanctuary Support League recovered a litter of five puppies. All were found homes, following an appeal
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Aaron's logo on parade
A PRIMARY school youngster will have the thrill of seeing his art work on display at his village carnival this weekend. Aaron Kirkbride has created a logo, which will be used by St Helens Residents' Association when they revive the carnival. The association
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Delight as deal saves 180 jobs
THE crushing blow caused by the closure of a car parts plant was last night cushioned by the news that 180 jobs will be saved in the region. Workers in Shildon, County Durham, were devastated when Calsonic Kansei announced it was shipping work abroad.
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Celebration beer marks return of brewery to founding family
A BREWERY has developed a new ale to mark the company returning to the ownership of its founding family. Masham-based brewer T&R Theakston has brewed bottle-fermented Celebration Ale using pale malt and traditional Golding English hops. Members of
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Animals killed in arson attack
Arsonists have targeted animals in two attacks. Two kittens and 25 chickens died in blazes on an allotment in Wylam Road, Shield Row, Stanley, County Durham. PC Graeme Whitfield, of Consett Police, said: "It is an unspeakably cruel thing to do to animals
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Children go down to the nursery for a teddy bear's picnic
youngsters held a teddy bears' picnic yesterday in aid of National Bear Week. A small donation from the staff and children at Just Learning Nursery, Durham Road, Stockton, was made to the event and all money raised will go to the Action Medical Research
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Companies out to sign up staff
More than 30 employers who are looking for staff have signed up to attend a jobs fair. Jobcentre Plus has organised the event at Washington Leisure Centre, Wearside, where hundreds of jobs will be up for grabs next Wednesday. Employers including Asda,
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Boney and her merry band of madmen
WANDERING through west Wales, we bump into Boney Maroney, deputy leader of the Official Monster Raving Loony Party and - since there's not much of the lass - clearly a political lightweight. With her are fellow Loonies like Lord Toby Jug, campaigning
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Children aid book prize judges
PUPILS at a Newton Aycliffe school are contributing to the selection of a literary award. The youngsters at Greenfield School Community and Arts College have got their heads buried in books shortlisted for The Carnegie Medal. The award is given annually
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Inquiry to decide village green bid
A THREE-year battle over a village green could be brought to an end this week at a public inquiry. Villagers put their arguments forward yesterday as to why the contested land at Rumby Hill, Crook, should be registered as a village green. The dispute
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Pupils' hard work rewarded by school
PUPILS at a Darlington school have been rewarded for their work at an awards ceremony. Almost 100 pupils at Eastbourne Comprehensive School were presented with certificates by Peter Barron, editor of The Northern Echo, on Tuesday. Headteacher Karen Pemberton
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Wool appeal
THE Inner Wheel Club in Bishop Auckland has issued an appeal for people to donate surplus knitting wool to the club. Members of the club use the wool to knit blankets and clothing for charities at home and abroad. Donations can be left at the Four Clocks
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Host of ales at festival
BADGER Tanglefoot, White Bullet and Spitfire are some of the intriguingly named ales on offer at the annual Sedgefield beer festival. The eleventh annual festival, organised by Sedgefield Community Association, is being held on Friday and Saturday, July
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Fears grow for teenager
Fears are growing for the safety of a teenager missing for more than a week. James Brown, 15, has been in foster care in Jarrow, South Tyneside, for four years, but recently moved in with a new foster family in Benwell, Newcastle. He was last seen leaving
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Council demands a meeting with boss of under-fire force
THE chief constable of an under-fire police force has been called to appear before a council's influential scrutiny committee. Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council is trying to set up the meeting with Cleveland Police's Chief Constable Sean Price for
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Sorry I bombed your church, says war pilot
A WARTIME pilot who bombed a church by mistake is making a pilgrimage from Germany to say sorry. Willy Schludecker made a split-second decision to jettison his bombs while in a dogfight over Northumberland. But he has only recently discovered that his
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Almhouses service tribute
A SERVICE celebrating the 328th anniversary of a group of almshouses in the region will be held this evening. The service to remember and acknowledge the life and work of Sir William Turner is held each year, on the anniversary of the day the almshouses
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Joan receives OBE from the Palace
A GRANDMOTHER-OF-NINE who is helping to spearhead a £52m revival of a Middlesbrough estate is to receive an OBE for her community work. Joan Ford, from the West Lane area of town, will be presented with the award at Buckingham Palace tomorrow in front
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Police close in on final murder clue
DETECTIVES hunting the weapon used in the horrific murder of Julie Smailes were last night digging up a garden. Miss Smailes was found dead in her home in Wingrove Terrace, Leadgate, near Consett, County Durham, in October 1996. The 27-year-old sales
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Seeking answers to tragic riddle
THE police team sweeping forgotten corners of a council house garden yesterday were watched by dozens of residents. They looked on as the specialists, in blue overalls, searched for the knife that killed Julie Smailes - a murder weapon which has eluded
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Problems are 'taking time'
PROBLEMS with the basement of Northallerton Town Hall are taking time to resolve, the town council has been told. Councillor Ken Billings said that area of the building - which was affected by flooding - was causing more frustration than the roof, which
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Warning over regional rule
A NORTH-EAST town needs a voice at regional level to consolidate the gains it has made and to ensure that its regeneration is completed, its mayor said last night. Middlesbrough Mayor Ray Mallon, above, giving his second annual report to the town's full
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Festival set to be a big success
A TOWN'S summer festival promises to be bigger and better than ever this year. Celebrate takes place in Chester-le-Street next month. Chester-le-Street District Council has hired Durham-based marketing and PR agency, She's Gott It, to ensure this year's
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Prescott denies rumour of assemblies vote backtrack
JOHN Prescott yesterday sought to quash rumours that the Government is preparing to shelve referendums on setting up elected assemblies in the North-East and Yorkshire. The Deputy Prime Minister insisted the polls would take place even if the Electoral
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Crime group make-over gets results
A CRIME-FIGHTING initiative in Darlington has been praised as the best in the Tees Valley - a year after a police chief admitted it needed revitalising. The town's Neighbourhood Watch project got high marks in a review carried out by the Safe in Tees
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Perfect timing key to England success
Sven-Goran Eriksson declared that England have the self-belief to be successful at Euro 2004 as they are peaking at the right time. Eriksson's side come up against hosts Portugal in tonight's quarter-final, with the Swede again pitting his wits against
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Delight as deal saves 180 jobs
THE crushing blow caused by the closure of a car parts plant was last night cushioned by the news that 180 jobs will be saved in the region. Workers in Shildon, County Durham, were devastated when Calsonic Kansei announced it was shipping work abroad.
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Motorist escapes his burning car
A car burst into flames as the trapped driver talked to a 999 operator after a crash yesterday. The 29-year-old's Volkswagen Passat hit a low-loader pickup truck after coming off the A66 on the westbound carriageway at Sadberge, near Darlington, shortly
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Charity soccer
A CHARITY football match featuring a host of famous ex-players is set to be staged in Crook. Crook Town will be taking on a celebrity team at its Millfield ground on Saturday, July 3, in a match raising money for Cancer Research UK. The event has been
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ITV plans to double budget
BROADCASTER ITV is to double the programme budget of ITV2 as part of a major investment in multichannel services. The television company, created by the merger of Granada and Carlton, will show more sports, US series and movies on ITV2, as well as support
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Youth club leads way
TEENAGERS in Chester-le-Street could be the stars of tomorrow after a club for young people became one of the first of its kind in the country. Chester-le-Street Youth Centre has gained official Make Space status as part of a pioneering campaign to create
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Appeal granted in court battle over extension
A COUPLE could end up paying their neighbours £40,000 in a court battle over a "claustrophobic" kitchen and a 12- year-old covenant. The 200sq ft extension at the home of Colin Bailey and Pamela Waterton-Bailey is due for demolition. But yesterday the
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Killer jokes
Tom Hanks admits he's never seen the original Ealing version of The Ladykillers and says he'd probably never have taken on the role if he had. Steve Pratt reports. IF you're going to remake one of the best-loved Ealing comedies, The Ladykillers, perhaps
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Woman to protest at Spain's bull run
A North-East woman will join hundreds of animal rights campaigners racing naked through the streets of a Spanish city The protestors are staging the Running Of The Nudes ahead of Pamplona's annual bull run. Diane Sanderson, of Newcastle, will join about
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Fans line up to bid for souvenirs of loveable comedy star
WITH his trademark grin and tousled hair, Stan Laurel earned lasting fame by landing his partner Oliver Hardy in 'another fine mess' on stage and screen. Nearly four decades after his death, the comic genius is still a global superstar with fans around
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Visitors will grow to love sculptures
SIX dancers with a difference have taken up residence on the lawns of a council's offices. The dancers are living sculptures made from scaffolding poles, galvanised wire and rubber hose and covered with growing plants. They are human scale and have been
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24/06/04
AIR CRASH THE aeroplane which Mary Grant (HAS, June 18) saw crash near Shildon was an RAF Short Stirling heavy bomber, which came down in Store Fields, killing its crew of seven on May 31, 1944. The aircraft , serial number LK517, was on a cross country
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Wembley arch lit up after England football victory
THE new Wembley Stadium arch, constructed in the North-East, has been raised into its final resting place. Cleveland Bridge, of Darlington, has been building the 1,700-tonne structure for the past year. It was secured into its final home by a team of
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Moutaineer shot at by soldiers
Britain's most successful high-altitude climber has described how he was nearly shot by gun-toting soldiers as he returned from conquering the world's seventh highest peak. Alan Hinkes was speaking at his first appearance back in the North-East after
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Fixtures announced
DARLINGTON will play host to relegated Grimsby Town on the opening day of the newly named Coca-Cola League Two season. Carling Cup holders Middlesbrough host Tyne-Tees rivals Newcastle United a week later when the Premiership season kicks off. Sunderland
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'Sweets are not the root problem'
The long-held view that eating too many sweets during childhood causes dental problems later in life is a myth, North-East scientists have discovered. They found that the relationship between childhood and problems with teeth and gums diminished with
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Chinese tea market opens up to Taylors
Taylors of Harrogate has shipped a £30,000 order of flavoured teas, including China Rose Petal tea, to Shanghai. The specialist tea and coffee merchant has been exporting teas for 12 years and now serves 30 countries. Madeline Wolfe, Taylors export manager
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Licensing scheme to be extended
A CRACKDOWN on drink-fuelled crime and disorder is to be expanded, after a pilot scheme more than halved offences in pubs and clubs. Durham Constabulary has introduced a team to monitor licensed premises in its north division, which takes in the districts
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Security is simple with 2020 Vision
SECURITY technology company 2020 Vision Systems has won a contract to distribute surveillance systems worldwide. An innovation by the company, which is based in South Shields, South Tyneside, has been greeted as a major technological advance in the fight
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Nine years for heroin dealer
A DRUG dealer was last night starting a nine-year jail sentence for supplying heroin around the region. Robert Kelly, 40, was told by a judge that the evidence against his high-ranking involvement in the illegal trade was unassailable. He was arrested
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Twins take over Telegraph
THE millionaire Barclay brothers have ended months of uncertainty about the future of the Daily and Sunday Telegraph by buying both newspaper titles. Hollinger International accepted a £665m offer from the Barclays instead of a rival bid from venture
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Feast of carnival fun
MUSIC, dance and entertainment is set to bring Darlington to life during the town's 22nd annual Community Carnival this weekend. Grand floats, created by schools, community groups and organisations using this year's theme of Myths and Legends, will parade
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Rooney hops into the limelight
AS the nation braces itself for tonight's Euro 2004 showdown between England and Portugal, one exciting newcomer is attracting phenomenal interest. Described by experts as quick on his feet and already the focus of attention despite being so young, he
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Show draws record crowd
RECORD crowds dodged torrential showers over the weekend to make it a vintage year for the 23rd Great Aycliffe Show. Organisers said the car parks at the Oakleaf Leisure Centre, in Newton Aycliffe, had never been fuller and estimated that more people
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Pupils stage classic musical
CONSIDER yourself invited to a production of the classic musical Oliver! Children of Park View Community School, in Chester-le-Street, have converted their theatre to look like Dickensian London. An all-singing, all dancing cast of 60 Year 7 and 8 pupils
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Comment from The Northern Echo: Don't lose this opportunity
AT a time when the enormity of voting on the question of regional government needs to be hammered home, the last thing the Government needs is speculation that the scheduled referendums might be delayed or scrapped altogether. Deputy Prime Minister John
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Plea to ease Rooney burden
STeven Gerrard has warned of the dangers of putting too much pressure on Wayne Rooney as England's new sensation looks to dump host nation Portugal out of Euro 2004. Gerrard is aware of the growing expectation level on the shoulders of 18-year-old Rooney
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Pub trade puts the fizz back into Scottish & Newcastle
BREWER Scottish & Newcastle is expecting to raise a glass to improved annual profits at its UK business - helped by better than expected market conditions in the pub trade. S&N said it expected this year's operating profits in its UK beer division
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The NHS battleground
'It is time to speed up reforms': Prime Minister Tony Blair yesterday set out a vision of "personalised" public services which he said would be at the heart of a third-term Labour government. Speaking at Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital in Westminster, Mr
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Concern over missing man
POLICE are concerned for the safety of a 25-year-old man missing from home. Kevin Cahill, who suffers from epilepsy and depression, has been missing from his home in Starbeck, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, since 2am on Tuesday. The Upper Wharfedale Fell
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Fan caught out by pub prank
ENGLAND fan Kevin Chipchase thought he had had one drink too many when he returned from Portugal - and saw his house had been turned into a pub. A huge brewery sign was illuminated outside his home in Clifton, York, accompanied by a sandwich board which
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Plea for witness to match night attack
POLICE are appealing for the driver of a blue car who may have witnessed a vicious attack to contact them. At 10.15pm last Thursday, the night of the England and Switzerland match, a 26-year-old man was walking along Westgate, Guisborough, east Cleveland
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Author to present awards
A COUNTY Durham children's author is to present prizes to adult learners. Anne Fine, from Barnard Castle, who was Children's Laureate from 2001 to 2003, credits her success to her parents' determination to give her the education they never had. Ms Fine
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Time to plant parsley, sage and rosemary
PUPILS have transformed a bare yard into a miniature monastic herb garden at Durham Cathedral. Youngsters from Shincliffe Church of England Primary School, in Durham, planted sage, parsley and rosemary, similar to those used by medieval monks for medicinal
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Rallying call to share views over war memorial tribute
A MEMORIAL to a market town's war dead may become a reality with the official launch of a dedicated committee tonight. The Chester-le-Street War Memorial Association is holding a public meeting and wants people to attend and share their views. Members
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Support urged for five-a-side event
POLICE officers are becoming football fans this weekend when they turn out to support a five-a-side tournament. Organisers have urged fellow members of the Easington community policing team to scout for players to take part in the event on Saturday at
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Accident verdict on 'drunk' pensioner
AN elderly man died instantly when he was struck by a car as he staggered along a busy road after a drinking session, an inquest heard. Robert Ash, 73, of Lingfield Ash, Coulby Newham, collided with a Vauxhall Astra, on the A174, near Ladgate Lane, Middlesbrough
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Staff saddle up for Coast to Coast
TWO charities will receive £5,000 if staff from a Teesside company complete a tough challenge. Eight employees, from Huntsman Polyurethanes, on Wilton International Site, are preparing to take part in the Coast to Coast cycle ride. They expect to take
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Woman says drink was spiked in pub
POLICE are investigating allegations by a mother-of-two that her drink was spiked in a Darlington town centre pub. Frances Millar, 37, fell on to broken glass after becoming ill during a friend's birthday celebrations. She cut her arm, requiring 30 stitches
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Jack needs a home after owner's death
A DOG which is coming to terms with the loss of its owner is in need of a home for a second time. Jack was only six weeks old when the National Animal Sanctuary Support League recovered a litter of five puppies. All were found homes, following an appeal
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£1.5m set aside for improving town roads
COUNCIL officials have announced a £1.5m investment in improving roads in Darlington. The borough council is ploughing £1m into repairing, maintaining and improving the area's road network. A further £500,000 is being spent on improving footpaths and
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Pyramid building is simple for pupils
A PILE of sticks and rubber bands were transformed into a four metre-high pyramid by primary school pupils. In an hour, the nimble-fingered team of year six pupils created the intricate structure in the playground at Escomb Primary School. The project
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Woman rescued
A woman is recovering after falling 14ft from a riverside wall. Firefighters were called shortly before 2am yesterday to Staithes Road, Dunston, Gateshead, to rescue the wo-man, in her 20s, trapped on mud flats. She was taken to the town's Queen Elizabeth
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Store to run camera clinic
PHOTOGRAPHIC enthusiasts are being invited to have their cameras checked free of charge. A camera clinic, run by Jessop's, will be held in Durham next month. The event will be held in the company's store at 19 High Street, where qualified technicians
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Go-ahead expected for £3m upgrade work at hospital
PLANS for £3m of improvements at a hospital will go before councillors next week. The proposals will see the services provided at Malton, Norton and District Hospital, Hospital Road, Malton, brought under one roof for the first time. The main alterations
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The Boy George Musical Taboo, Newcastle Theatre Royal
CAMP, brash and extremely colourful - the Boy George Musical Taboo takes a lot of inspiration from the man himself. It's full of wacky and wonderful costumes, plenty of outrageous antics and more than a little attitude - but, sadly, that's where the similarities
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Plea to apply for jobs as lifeguards
AN appeal has been issued for more lifeguards to come forward to help patrol beaches during the summer months. Earlier this year, Hartlepool Borough Council agreed to re-instate lifeguards in the town after withdrawing the service in 2001 due to financial
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Special vehicle rolled out for roads survey
LASERS, video cameras, satellite technology are all helping to build up a comprehensive picture of the state of County Durham's road network. Durham County Council is the first authority in the country to use the array of technological wizardry on board
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Nurses urged to help tackle heart disease
STUDENT nurses due to qualify next year are urged to help tackle one of Teesside's biggest killers - heart disease. Staff from the heart unit at The James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, will hold a drop-in afternoon at the Express By Holiday
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Minister to open school
SCHOOLS Minister David Miliband MP will officially open a school for children with learning difficulties this week. Mr Miliband will open Columbia Grove School, in Washington, Wearside, tomorrow. It caters for North-East pupils aged two to 11 with autism
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Wrangling over lights resolved
WEEKS of wrangling over the affiliation of Northallerton's Christmas lights committee has been resolved. District councillor John Coulson had called on the committee to be split from Northallerton Town Council. Now the town council's amenities committee
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Bird's-eye view of buzzard chicks raised in rural valley
A PAIR of buzzards have raised three chicks in a rural valley for the first time. The birds began building their nest in Washburn Valley, near Harrogate, North Yorkshire, in March. The chicks hatched early last month and have been fed on a diet of rabbits
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Mayor shuffles cabinet
THE Mayor of Hartlepool has re-shuffled his cabinet following last week's local elections. Councillor Stuart Drummond's cabinet still has seven people but includes two new faces. Coun Stephen Wallace, the new leader of the Labour group, will take over
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Perfect shoe size as wasps nest in pensioner's slipper
A PEST control officer found the shoe was on the other foot when a swarm of wasps caught him by surprise - lurking inside a pensioner's slipper under her bed. Pat Dodd made the discovery when he was called out to deal with a few troublesome wasps in the
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Police close in on final murder clue
DETECTIVES hunting the weapon used in the horrific murder of Julie Smailes were last night digging up a garden. Miss Smailes was found dead in her home in Wingrove Terrace, Leadgate, near Consett, County Durham, in October 1996. The 27-year-old sales
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Group to stage Shakespeare play
A DARLINGTON drama group is to tackle a Shakespeare play for the first time. Members of the St Augustine's Repertory Society (Stars) say they have had great fun getting to grips with A Midsummer Night's Dream, a Shakespearean tale of young love, teenage
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Coetzer held up by weather
AS a native of Aberdeen, the unseasonal temperature didn't bother him, but it was a frustrating day for Kyle Coetzer on the first day of his first-class debut for Durham at Cardiff. The only creatures on the Sophia Gardens playing surface were seagulls
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Blaze of life for opera...
It's taken two years and £250,000 for Creative Partnerships Tees Valley, led by Carol Alevroyianni, to put an opera about the railways on the map. She talks to VIV HARDWICK about using virtually every corner of the North-East to turn a dream into a reality
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Anger as killer returns to Army
A KILLER who shot dead a North-East soldier was allowed to resume his military duties the day after he was released from prison, it has been revealed. Lance Corporal William Graham was jailed for two years for the unlawful killing of Corporal Anthony
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Councillor cleared of making threat of violence
A councillor who was accused of threatening to put a fist in another member's face has been cleared of any wrongdoing. Bill Blenkinsopp, a member of Sedgefield Borough Council in Tony Blair's County Durham constituency, has condemned the investigation
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Tenants have say on future of homes
THOUSANDS of council house tenants have added their voices to a long-running debate on the future of their homes. Following months of discussions over the future ownership and management of its housing stock, Wear Valley District Council is expected to
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Pub trade puts the fizz back into Scottish & Newcastle
BREWER Scottish & Newcastle is expecting to raise a glass to improved annual profits at its UK business - helped by better than expected market conditions in the pub trade. S&N said it expected this year's operating profits in its UK beer division
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Why I prefer the wild side of reality TV
WHO would have thought watching a hare on a golf course could make such riveting viewing? He didn't do much. He just sat there really, blinked a bit and looked around. Perhaps that was the attraction. He wasn't plied with alcohol, put in a pen with a
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Praise for angels who saved Charlie
A HORSE owner has praised the efforts of rescuers who came to the aid of his animal after it became stuck in a stream. A JCB was eventually used to lift Charlie, a thoroughbred cross, out of the stream near Lartington Hall, near Barnard Castle, on Monday
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Plea for truth as Red Caps mourned
A YEAR after the murder of their sons by an Iraqi mob, the families of six British Red Caps are still pleading with the Government to tell the truth about their deaths. The soldiers were gunned down as they defended a police station in Majar al-Kabir,
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Football club's goal to attract business
PLANS have been unveiled to encourage more local businesses to get involved in a North-East town's football club by organising an open day at its stadium. Recently appointed commercial manager of Darlington Football Club, Bob Gorrill, last night revealed
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Outside Edge, Darlington
THANKS to Richard Harris' witty script, this is superb middle England entertainment from a cleverly-chosen selection of flannelled fools. The village cricket setting for marital mayhem worked a treat on TV in the 1980s and 1990s and barrels into life
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£1.5m pledged for town roads
COUNCIL bosses have announced a £1.5m investment in improving roads across Darlington. The borough council is ploughing £1m into repairing, maintaining and improving the area's road network. A further £500,000 is being spent on improving footpaths and
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Corus set to see profits
Corus is predicting it will return to profitability in the first half of this financial year. The group pointed to its restructuring, better market conditions and a sharper commercial focus for the improving financial performance. The group expects to
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Classic Jaguars offer a rare treat at wings and wheels display
CAR enthusiasts are in for a treat this weekend as two rare Jaguars go on public display. A 1953 XK 120 and an XK 180 concept car will make an appearance at the Yorkshire Air Museum's Classic Wings and Wheels Show on Sunday. It will be the first time
