Archive
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Register deadline looms for referendum voters
TIME is running out for voters to register for the referendum on regional government in the North-East. Sunderland has been chosen as the main centre for the count and the city council's chief executive, Ged Fitzgerald, has been appointed chief counting
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Still shooting from the lip
The US queen of the barbed one-liner, Joan Rivers, has a career stretching back to Johnny Carson's The Tonight Show in 1965. Viv Hardwick talks to the woman who invented Hollywood's red carpet and asks if she's serious about claiming to be Broke And Alone
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Digging up cemetery's troubled past
A ONCE forgotten burial ground that divided a community celebrated its 150th anniversary at the weekend. Hillside Cemetery, at Houghton-le-Spring, Wearside, is one of the only burial grounds in England to feature burial vaults in the rock face of the
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Men who kicked stranger escape jail
Two men who kicked a stranger unconscious following an altercation in a take-away have escaped jail. Daniel Fleary, 22, and Kevin Ashton, 24, were described as "drunken, loutish and obnoxious" by Judge Les Spittle, who gave both men community punishment
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Runners battle the blazing sun in annual race
NEARLY 1,200 runners pounded the streets of Darlington yesterday as the annual 10K Road Run was staged in glorious sunshine. Much of the town centre was sealed off to allow athletes young and old to test themselves on the ten-kilometre two-lap course.
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Wilks fails in Finland
GUY WILKS was a "bitterly disappointed" man after being forced out of the Rally of Finland at the weekend. The Darlington driver, second in the Junior World Rally Championship at the start of the event, was looking to close in on the lead but saw his
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Still shooting from the lip
The US queen of the barbed one-liner, Joan Rivers, has a career stretching back to Johnny Carson's The Tonight Show in 1965. Viv Hardwick talks to the woman who invented Hollywood's red carpet and asks if she's serious about claiming to be Broke And Alone
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Saluting the true badge of courage
It is Britain's most famous medal and its recipients join the most exclusive of military clubs. Now the stories of all 1,354 men to have been awarded the Victoria Cross are brought together for the first time. Nick Morrison reports. PRIVATE Wakenshaw
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Ideal setting for artistic challenge
ARTISTS are being invited to take part in a watercolour challenge at a stately home on Saturday. Ronald Falck, artist in residence at Castle Howard, near Malton, has organised the competition, which is open to all amateur watercolour artists. Competitors
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Matchside battle to save heart attack fan
FOOTBALL officals battled to save a Hartlepool United fan's life after his heart stopped for five minutes. The man collapsed suffering from a heart attack and was taken to hospital during half-time at Saturday's game against Bradford at Victoria Park.
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Umpire's report to help President's match probe
Darlington Building Society NYSD Prenier League Premier Division: LEAGUE President Chris West will tonight call for a report from the umpires following the fiasco which took place at Saltburn on Saturday. Blackhall declared with only 72 runs on the board
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Worldwide cultures clash in spectacular style at festival
THE 40th Billingham International Folklore Festival got off to a red-hot start as the sun shone down on the crowd that turned out for the opening ceremony. On Saturday afternoon, the parade started at the Telstar Pub, Marsh House, Avenue, Billingham,
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Grooming or a bottle of Broon?
IT'S a fair bet that if you go down to the Quayside on a Saturday night and ask one of the many stag parties oozing around in a fog of lager and aftershave about their beauty regime, you'll be told just what to do with your plucked eyebrows in language
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Comment from The Northern Echo: Being whiter than white...
OF all of the members of the New Labour generation, Alan Milburn has strong claims to have been the most adept at avoiding controversy. Even when he was handed "the poison chalice" of the Department of Health, the Darlington MP never put a foot wrong.
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Graeme thanked for fundraising efforts
OPERA star Graeme Danby has helped raise £100,000 for a children's charity. Mr Danby, the principal bass for the English National Opera, was born in Consett, County Durham, and is now based in London. He makes several trips back to the region each year
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Riverbank rescue
FIREFIGHTERS were called to lift a middle-aged man up a riverbank at Ramshaw, near Bishop Auckland, County Durham, in the early hours of Saturday. Emergency services, which were called to Oaks Banks by the victim's nephew, found him unconscious when they
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Rebellious artist displays prints on village green
An angry artist decided to get her own back when three nude prints were rejected for an exhibition - by displaying them on the village green. Painter Barbara Gardner was so angry after being told the work was not required, she displayed her pictures on
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Robson and Shearer in eye of another storm
NEWCASTLE United are facing a mini-crisis ahead of the Premiership kick-off. Sir Bobby Robson will be urgently seeking clarification over exactly who approached who regarding the possibility of skipper Alan Shearer moving to Celtic. Bhoys chairman Brian
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Salmonella cases increase
Health officials investigating an outbreak of salmonella infection today revealed the number of people struck down by the illness continued to rise. Up to last night, there were 69 confirmed cases of the food bug and 14 suspected cases. The outbreak is
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District's economic growth UK's worst
PART of the North-East has the worst rate of economic growth in the UK, according to a new study. Tees Valley and Durham comes bottom of a national league table for growth (GDP), registering only 1.1 per cent per year between 1998 and last year. By contrast
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North-East braced for storms and flooding
AFTER basking in blistering weekend temperatures, the region was last night placed on flood alert. The heatwave which saw temperatures reaching 30 degrees is set to come to an abrupt end with storms and flash flooding being forecast as the North-East
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TV review
Real Life: Lin and Ralph - a Love Story (ITV1, Sunday) Johnny & Denise - Passport to Paradise (BBC1, Saturday) THE heart-warming tale of Lin and Ralph proved to any cynics out there that love really does conquer all. They have been married for 17
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Woman stabbed
A woman is in a serious condition in hospital after being discovered with stab wounds at a house in the Gateshead area. The 42-year-old woman was discovered after police were called to an address in Larchwood Gardens, in the Lobley Hill area at 4.30pm
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09/08/04
DARLINGTON TOWN CENTRE: I STRONGLY believe that, although the changes planned for Darlington town centre will undoubtedly enhance the look, that will all be for nothing if we can't attract more shoppers to the town. We must ensure these car users have
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Pair keep season alive
PAUL Collingwood found the perfect ally in Andrew Pratt as they kept Durham's season very much alive yesterday. Their unbroken stand of 52 hauled Durham above visitors Worcestershire into second place in the second division of the totesport League. Collingwood
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Relaunch of offshore off-licence delayed
THE relaunch of a controversial offshore off-licence could be set back a day, due to bad weather at sea. Businessman Philip Berriman had planned to re-open his floating cigarettes and alcohol store today, moored about 14 miles off Hartlepool. His yacht
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A love to warm the heart
Real Life: Lin and Ralph - a Love Story (ITV1, Sunday); Johnny & Denise - Passport to Paradise (BBC1, Saturday): THE heart-warming tale of Lin and Ralph proved to any cynics out there that love really does conquer all. They have been married for 17
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Howard to visit
CONSERVATIVE leader Michael Howard will visit Middlesbrough tomorrow and will meet Mayor Ray Mallon. They start the morning at the Street Warden Briefing Centre, on the Canon Park Industrial Estate. At 11.45am, Mr Howard will make a speech at the Thistle
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Monster trucks are biggest attraction at North-East motor show
MONSTER trucks wowed a crowd of more than 30,000 at the region's biggest motor show at the weekend. The North-East Motor Show, the largest motor exhibition and family fun day in the North, took place on Saturday and yesterday at Herrington Country Park
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Fanning is proving he is no average Joe
Joe Fanning has for long been one of the most under-rated riders in the business but he's at last getting the recognition he deserves. The Irishman, who rides the majority of Mark Johnston's horses, has had a good few weeks with Group success aboard the
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Blaydon are not at the races
Foster's ECB North-East Regional Premier League: BLAYDON'S lead at the top is looking tenuous and after losing for only the second time on Saturday, they now have three sides breathing down their necks. Sunderland did their championship aspirations a
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Good day for Bolton in race for honour
Durham Senior League: Boldon were the only side in the top three to win and increased their lead to 12 points in the championship chase. The Hetton Lyons v Burnmoor game ended in a draw, while Boldon were involved in a hard-fought victory over South Shields
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Appeal for help on behalf of foreign students
AN urgent appeal has been made for accommodation for a group of foreign students who will have nowhere to stay when they arrive in the region. International charity AFS UK is looking for volunteers to house four Brazilian teenagers, who will arrive next
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A win's a win as Quakers end first day jinx
AFTER such a long wait Darlington were never going to complain about the manner in which they earned a rare opening day home victory. And although comforting to think Quakers got the better of Grimsby without being at full throttle, Saturday's win left
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...as experts show extreme skills
FEARLESS motorbike riders showed off their skills on two wheels at a fun day yesterday. Thousands of people turned up for the annual Bikewise event at Durham Police headquarters in Aykley Heads, Durham. They enjoyed a display by trials bike champions
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Retired guide dog recovers from op
A RETIRED guide dog is recovering from lifesaving surgery after collapsing during a walk. The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association paid the £1,000 bill for a windpipe operation for Ned, a 12-year-old black labrador. Ned was John Easton's eyes until four
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Church boosts charities
A FUNDRAISING night in Darlington has raised more than £1,000 for breast cancer research. The event was organised by All Saints' and Salutation Church and held in the church's Millennium Centre, in Ravensdale Road. A raffle and craft stalls contributed
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Sunshine brings out crowds for gala
SIZZLING temperatures brought record crowds to Ferryhill at the weekend for two days of carnival fun. Ferryhill Gala started as a Millennium project and is proving more popular every year. Community groups came up with the idea of staging an annual event
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Autobiography aids homeless
A DARLINGTON woman's autobiography has raised £240 for a homeless charity. Bedpans and Britches, by Betty Shaw, tells of her time working in the Land Army in the 1940s and as a nurse in Cardiff. It went on sale in February in aid of the Nightstop charity
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Man fined after bags of human hair found
A HAIRDRESSER who illegally dumped bags of human hair in an alley has been fined after Middlesbrough Council used its new powers to curb the problem. Allan Cox, of Allan George Hairdressing and Beauty in Baker Street, Middlesbrough, was prosecuted for
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Advice group forced to cuts its rural support
RURAL outreach services run by the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) have been cut because of a lack of funding. The Hambleton Bureau had been holding weekly outreach sessions in Thirsk, Stokesley and Bedale, but during this month and next, the sessions will
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Council sell-off threat is huge blow for boxing club
A COUNCIL has threatened to sell a community boxing club's equipment on the open market following a year-long dispute. The Impala Fitness Club, in Frederick Street, Stockton, was closed by Stockton Borough Council last year after a dispute about the lease
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Mini games give a taste of Athens
A MINI Olympic-style event aiming to get more North-East people involved in sports and exercise took place this weekend. The first High Street Games was held in the Baltic Square, Gateshead, on Saturday. It was organised by the National Lottery and Gateshead
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Police draft in cell vehicle at resort
POLICE at Scarborough are stepping up their presence during the peak summer holiday weeks after dozens of arrests involving drunken gangs. A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said a mobile cell truck had been drafted into the resort and would be posted
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Stevie Mal is latest addition to flock
THE latest new arrival in a rare bird breeding programme was unveiled yesterday. Stevie Mal, a Chilean Flamingo, was born last week at the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, in Washington, Wearside. The chick was named after Steve Vint and Malcolm Robinson,
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Crowds bask in sunshine as competitors vie for show honours
SATURDAY'S sweltering temperatures encouraged thousands of people to make a visit to the 97th Osmotherley and District Show. The animal, handicraft and horticulture classes provided the usual raft of winners and losers and the ever popular, vintage displays
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Strips for pets success
Entrepreneur Peter Birney, of Jesmond, Newcastle, has received orders from around the world after launching football strips for pets, including pigs, mice, parrots - even TV's Blue Peter dogs - on the website soccerpets.co
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Umpire's report to help sort out fiasco
LEAGUE President Chris West will tonight call for a report from the umpires following the fiasco which took place at Saltburn on Saturday. Blackhall declared with only 72 runs on the board for the loss of seven wickets and there was further controversy
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Campaign to target biker death toll
MIDDLE-AGED men returning to motorcycling after a long absence are set to be targeted in new Government plans to cut the numbers of biker deaths. Officials say that born-again bikers aged between 30 and 60 often ride powerful machines they are unable
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Shooting from the lip
IS it really possible to believe that raucous Joan Rivers, the US comic famed for her love of opulence, could call her latest tour Broke And Alone In The UK? True, Joan Rivers Worldwide Inc nearly went bankrupt when a business partner made off with $37m
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Grenade sparks alert
A PENSIONER sparked a bomb scare with a 60-year-old hand grenade at the weekend Shortly before 10am on Saturday, police received a report that the 82-year-old man, who has not been named, had a Second World War grenade at his home in Clifford Terrace,
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Teenager held in jail over holiday island death
A BRITISH teenager was behind bars in Spain last night over the death of a 19-year-old who collapsed following a bar fight in Ibiza. Richard Caisley, from Newcastle, died in hospital on Thursday following the incident in the resort of San Jose two days
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More women in charge at N-E council
A NORTH-EAST council is one of only eight authorities where half of the top five percent of earners are women. Middlesbrough Council had 55 per cent of its top roles filled by female staff, according to figures submitted to the Audit Commission for the
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Mixed reaction after plans for superstores are rejected
THERE has been a mixed reaction to the news that plans for two multi-million pound superstores for Teesside have been rejected by the Government. The schemes for the Tesco and Asda stores in Canon Park and at Middlehaven, Middlesbrough, were refused by
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Sunshine brings out crowds for gala
SIZZLING temperatures brought record crowds to Ferryhill at the weekend for two days of carnival fun. Ferryhill Gala started as a Millennium project and is proving more popular every year. Community groups came up with the idea of staging an annual event
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Painting the town red for carnival
SHOPKEEPERS painted a town red at the weekend to create a colourful backcloth for a carnival parade. Organisers of Middleton-in Teesdale Carnival chose a red theme for shop window decorations hiding clues for a Scarecrow trail contest, one of many held
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Pupils meet sport star
CHILDREN about to make the move from primary to senior school have met one of their sporting heroes. Sunderland AFC has been running summer schools at the Stadium of Light as part of the SAFC Foundation's Step Up programme. Pupils from nine schools across
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Couple's diamond day
WAR-TIME wedded bliss has endured for a County Durham couple, who enjoyed their diamond wedding day with friends and family. John, better known as Don, and Annie, 'Nan', Armstrong, played host to a non-stop stream of well-wishers at their home in Ludworth
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Protest over plan to build houses on site of factory
A CITY council has protested over plans to demolish an engineering works and replace it with eight homes. Ripon City Council believes Tritan Engineering, which is making the application, is seeking an over intensive and out-of- character development.
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Anger as vandals leave trail of damage
LATE-NIGHT binge drinkers have been blamed for a trail of damage across Harrogate's 200-acre Stray. Four young trees have been badly damaged and one of them snapped in two on the West Park Stray, near Otley Road. Meanwhile, a bus shelter fronting West
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It's sweat and cheers for Cooper
THE shirt might not have been as drenched, but 12 months on, the excitement level was just the same for Neale Cooper. At Peterborough a year ago today, Hartlepool United opened their season with a thrilling 4-3 win, coming from behind to seal victory
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Durham Diary
FOUR Durham players embarked on a hectic few days yesterday, which involved getting from Chester-le-Street to Billericay in Essex last night. That's where the A team play their Second XI Trophy semi-final today, with tomorrow as a reserve day in case
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Charity needs drivers to help patients
A DURHAM charity is looking for drivers to take blind and partially-sighted people to hospital appointments. The North Road-based County Durham Society for the Blind and Partially Sighted runs the transport service and needs volunteers to take patients
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Fashion role
BILLINGHAM film star Jamie Bell has been chosen as the face of fashion designer Miu Miu. He will star alongside Hollywood actress Maggie Gyllenhaal in posters and adverts for the autumn/winter collection. Jamie, 18, has just landed a part in the remake
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Kilroy Silk out of Hartlepool race
ROBERT Kilroy Silk has ruled himself out of the Hartlepool by-election. After the UK Independence Party (UKIP) decided to contest the seat there was talk that Kilroy Silk was preparing to stand. But last night he said he would not be throwing his hat
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Grooming or a bottle o' Broon? The choice is yours chaps...
A grooming parlour just for men? In the heart if the macho North-East? Surely some mistake. Nick Morrison tries it out and asks if facials and footie can ever co-exist. IT'S a fair bet that if you go down to the Quayside on a Saturday night and ask one
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Alan competes in firefighters' sports contest
A NORTH-EAST firefighter is preparing to represent Britain at an international contest. Alan Nixon, 40, of Darlington, will compete in several cycling categories at the World Firefighter Games, in Sheffield, this year. Mr Nixon began racing at the age
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Memorial for Queen Mother
A memorial in the shape of a sundial is to be set up as a tribute to the late Queen Mother at one of her favourite museums. It will be placed in the grounds of the Bowes Museum at Barnard Castle, Co Durham, which she visited regularly for most of her
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House price inflation stands still for region
House price inflation rose across all regions of the UK except for the North-East and London, Government figures showed today. The Office for the Deputy Prime Minister said the increase in the year-on-year inflation rate to 13.9 per cent across the whole
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Regional battle to be best post office
TOP performing post offices in the region have been short-listed for awards in the search for the UK's best branches. The post office in High Street, Stockton, is bidding for the main award in the best branch category. Gilling West Post Office, near Richmond
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Rock School opens doors to young talent
BUDDING North-East rock stars dreaming of being the next Busted, McFly or Avril Lavigne can hone their talents this week. Gateshead Council is running a Rock School, in the Big Top, at Saltwell Park, Gateshead, from today until Thursday. The workshops
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Music centre opens
A COMPLEX aiming to help develop budding pop talent has opened its doors. Genius Entertainment has moved into the former Ever Ready Batteries production site, in Tanfield Lea, Stanley. The building has been converted to provide two rehearsal rooms and
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Same old story as Black Cats defeated in opener
LAST season, Sunderland were well-organised, hard-working and industrious, but lacked that little bit of extra quality that might have taken them into the Premiership. On Saturday, as the new Coca-Cola Championship got underway at Coventry, the Black
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'Stacking shelves was better than title'
THE glamorous life of being crowned Miss Great Britain failed to pay off for a NorthEast beauty queen who reportedly picked up only £1,300 during her reign. Nicki Lane, 26, from Middlesbrough, would have been better off stacking shelves at Woolworths,
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Teen found dead at training centre
A teenager has died after being found hanging in his room at a County Durham secure training centre in the early hours of this morning. The 14-year-old, who has not been named but comes from Burnley, in Lancashire, was discovered by staff shortly after
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Hoist by my own charade
Never agree to a blind date organised by a distant friend. It can reveal how little he or she knows you. I made the mistake of being persuaded into meeting a bloke for a drink just because my so-called friend said she'd knew we'd hit it off. "Every time
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Scanner contract claims rejected
ALAN Milburn last night dismissed as "utter claptrap" concerns over his possible involvement in the awarding of a £95m NHS contract. The controversy was sparked by the awarding of a five-year contract for hospital MRI scanners to Alliance Medical, whose
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Workshops for children at museum
YOUNGSTERS with a passion for art and drama are being invited to join workshops at Darlington Railway Centre and Museum. The Train Tribe initiative returns to the North Road museum on Monday, August 16, for a week. There will be two arts, crafts and drama
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Murton close in on title
Durham Coast League: MURTON have the championship in their sights after winning at Peterlee and seeing nearest challengers Silksworth falter. The reigning champions dominated and, after declaring with 208-4 on the board from only 38 overs, sent Peterlee
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Joyous Storm ends wait for first professional win
HARTLEPOOL'S Graeme Storm yesterday secured his maiden professional victory at the European Challenge Tour's Ryder Cup Wales Challenge. Storm won with a stunning 26 under par 262 total to claim a prize of 20,000Euros (£13,793). He has won 34,310 Euros
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Thieves hijack scarecrow speedcop
A LIFELIKE scarecrow, which helped to cut speeding through a village, has been stolen. The scarecrow, called Nancy, was dressed as a policewoman holding a speed gun and was created as an entry in the carnival at Middleton-in-Teesdale, County Durham. She
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End justifies the means in Quakers' first-day win
AFTER such a long wait Darlington were never going to complain about the manner in which they earned a rare opening day home victory. And although comforting to think Quakers got the better of Grimsby without being at full throttle, Saturday's win left
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Kyle key man for us, says Elliott
SUNDERLAND striker Stephen Elliott has admitted that team-mate Kevin Kyle is integral to his side's chances of making it to the Premiership this season. Kyle was a 54th-minute substitute as the Black Cats opened their Coca-Cola Championship account with
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Tomlinson in hunt for minor medals
Long jumper Chris Tomlinson insists he can snatch a surprise medal in Athens although he admits it is highly unlikely he will come away with the title. The 22-year-old from Teesside firmly believes that if he matches his lifetime best of 8.27metres he
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Adcock on form
Foster's Northumberland and Tyneside Senior League: TYNEDALE took a big step towards the title when they defeated nearest rivals Ashington. Tim Adcock (60) and Stuart Kay (36) were the backbone of an innings which produced the healthy total of 221-7,
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Fashion role
BILLINGHAM film star Jamie Bell has been chosen as the face of fashion designer Miu Miu. He will star alongside Hollywood actress Maggie Gyllenhaal in posters and adverts for the autumn/winter collection. Jamie, 18, has just landed a part in the remake
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Baptism of fire for Comrades
Darlington RA faced newcomers Shotton Comrades on the opening day of the season and passed the test with a 4-1 victory against the former Albany Northern League club. An early goal by Lee Johnston was just what they needed and when Stephen Sinclair added
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Evenwood end Esh's hopes
Readers Durham County League: EVENWOOD still command a useful lead at the top after defeating Esh Winning. Esh were a potential threat in third position before the start of play, but any lingering hopes are now at an end. A four-man attack had Esh back
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Kelly casts eye over The FA
GRAHAM Kelly, as from last sordid Sunday the Football Association's last chief executive but two, is still much involved with the game. Despite a stroke, diabetes and epilepsy he has qualified as a referee and is active in youth leagues, has gained his
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Anger as cliff climber risks life
A DANGEROUS attempt to scale a 300ft cliff has been condemned by a lifeboat crew after the stunt turned a routine rescue into a life threatening incident. A 36-year-old man was rescued by teams from Redcar Lifeboat Station when he became trapped by the
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Town's historic role to go on show
PLANS to finally acknowledge the unique role a North-East town played in the history of the railway have been revealed to The Northern Echo. The proposals have been outlined after two railway historians called for a investigation into Stockton Borough
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Firework firm aims to show off its skills
A NORTH-EAST fireworks company will light up the skies for more than 200,000 people this week. Alan Hillary Pyrotechnics, based in Gateshead, has been invited to perform at the British Firework Championships, which takes place in Plymouth tomorrow and
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Old mill pipped at post in TV contest
SUPPORTERS of a campaign to bring new life to an 18th Century cotton mill were putting on a brave face last night after the building they love was beaten into third place in the BBC2 series Restoration. Gayle Mill near Hawes, North Yorkshire, was one
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Seaside fun at school
CHILDREN got a taste of the seaside in Darlington. Despite rainy weather, more than 150 parents and children attended the Fun by the Sea event, staged by SureStart at Skerne Park Primary School. Children played in the rain, in the sand and water, wrote
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Boyd is tracked
Adam Boyd is attracting interest, with North-East rivals Sunderland and Newcastle casting an eye over the striker at the weekend. Boyd carried on his goalscoring form of last season, with a coolly-taken penalty to level the game with Bradford on Saturday
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Doctor announces retirement
A DOCTOR who helped shape health services in Darlington is retiring after serving the town for almost 30 years. Denmark Street GP Roger James will finish work next month after spending most of his career developing local medical services. Born in Dunbar
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Action call over disabled parking bays
CAMPAIGNERS are calling for Government action to tackle the problem of disabled motorists being prevented from using reserved parking bays. They believe the problem in Darlington is as bad as ever, with supermarkets among the chief culprits for not doing
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Police appeal after blaze
POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a boxing club in Grangetown, near Middlesbrough, was set alight by suspected arsonists. The building was badly damaged in the blaze, which happened in the early hours of Sunday after the club was broken into. Four
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Firework firm aims to show off its skills
A NORTH-EAST fireworks company will light up the skies for more than 200,000 people this week. Alan Hillary Pyrotechnics, based in Gateshead, has been invited to perform at the British Firework Championships, which takes place in Plymouth tomorrow and
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Joy for villagers as shop and post office prepare to open
VILLAGERS who refused to give up the fight when their village shop and post office closed last year will celebrate the opening of replacement facilities on Friday. A new post office and shop has been set up at the Memorial Hall, in Middleton Tyas, near
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Residents' plan rejected
Residents in four cottages have lost their application to create an access near Scarah Bank, Clint, in Lower Nidderdale. A planning application for the access and an extension of gardens into farmland was refused by Harrogate Borough Council planners.
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Candidate hits campaign trail
POLITICIAN Iain Wright lost no time in hitting the campaign trail after he secured Labour's nomination to stand in the Hartlepool by-election. Within 12 hours of his overwhelming result, the 32-year-old local councillor was keen to make an impression
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Music centre opens its doors
A COMPLEX aiming to help develop budding pop talent has opened its doors. Genius Entertainment has moved into the former Ever Ready Batteries production site, in Tanfield Lea, Stanley. The building has been converted to provide two rehearsal rooms and
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Campaign to cut farm injuries
Health officials are trying to cut the number the number of people killed and injured on farms through a new campaign. Hambleton and Richmondshire Primary Care Trust (PCT) has joined forces with the Health and Safety Executive to highlight the importance
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Cumbrian Scott takes Darlington 10K honours
BORDER raider Mike Scott got his figures spot on when he took the honours in yesterday's Darlington 10K. The 38-year-old Carlisle accountant decided on a flying visit to the North-East after seeing details of the race on the Internet and the late entrant
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North-East braced for storms and flooding
AFTER basking in blistering weekend temperatures, the region was last night placed on flood alert. The heatwave which saw temperatures reaching 30 degrees is set to come to an abrupt end with storms and flash flooding being forecast as the North-East
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Fanning is proving he is no average Joe
Joe Fanning has for long been one of the most under-rated riders in the business but he's at last getting the recognition he deserves. The Irishman, who rides the majority of Mark Johnston's horses, has had a good few weeks with Group success aboard the
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Sparkling craftwork draws the crowds
SPARKLING examples of traditional North Pennine craftsmanship have been drawing crowds to a North-East museum. Hundreds of extra visitors have called at Killhope, the North of England Lead Mining Museum, in Upper Weardale, County Durham, since it opened
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Retired guide dog recovers from op
A RETIRED guide dog is recovering from lifesaving surgery after collapsing during a walk. The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association paid the £1,000 bill for a windpipe operation for Ned, a 12-year-old black labrador. Ned was John Easton's eyes until four
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Synthonia share the spoils
Darlington Building Society NYSD Premier League Division One: Billingham Synthonia are still out in front even though they shared the honours with third-top Seaton Carew. James Manners, eight boundaries and a six in 76, and John Steel (31) laid the foundations
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Grieving parents' anger at 'waste of daughter's life'
THE parents of an unborn baby girl who died during a car dash between two North-East maternity units said an autopsy report has strengthened their resolve to make sure other families do not suffer in the same way. Health trust bosses said hospital blunders
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Experts issue warning over holiday gas dangers
NORTH-EAST sun-seekers are being urged to ensure their holiday does not end in a poison gas tragedy. The deaths of two couples abroad in the past 18 months have shown that travellers can be at risk of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning in all sorts of accommodation
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Vandalism puts chapel under threat
A VILLAGE chapel is under threat because of vandalism. Over the past few weeks, Sunnybrow Community Chapel has had windows broken, guttering and downpipes have been damaged and the building has been daubed with graffiti. The chapel is used for regular
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Party fun for Chloe
REGULARS at a village pub helped to raise funds over the weekend for a girl suffering with cerebral palsy. A fun day was staged at The Locomotion pub, in Heighington, on Saturday in aid of six-year-old Chloe Miller. Live bands, tombolas and stalls were
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Sports clubs benefit from sale of land
A LONG awaited land deal is allowing two Bishop Auckland sports clubs to make progress with exciting development plans. Trustees for Kingsway, the 117-year-old ground that was home to the town's cricket and football clubs, have released the first money
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Partially-sighted woman's plea for return of phone
A DEAF and partially-sighted woman from Middlesbrough made a plea yesterday for the return of her mobile phone. Sarah Standing has been left distraught since her phone was stolen from her pocket in a town centre pub. She hopes the thieves will return
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Salon owner finds room for expansion on the doorstep
FINDING new premises on his doorstep seems to have paid off for a Bishop Auckland businessman. Tarn Nichol, who owns the town's Saks hair and beauty franchise, has created a stylish £500,000 salon next door to his former premises in Newgate Street. The
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Church Concert
The Flute Cocktail Quartet will be in concert at St Nicholas Church, Guisborough, on Monday, August 30, at 3pm. Tickets cost £5 and £2.50 for students and are available on (01287) 280524 or at the door.
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Diamond day for Salvation Army couple
LIFELONG Salvation Army stalwarts Bill and Elsie Piercy have celebrated their diamond wedding at Norton-on-Derwent. The couple, both born and bred in Norton, have lived in the same house in Dean Road, for more than half a century. Mr Piercy, 85, spent
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Aussie weights up his future
MIDDLESBROUGH goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer has refused to rule out the possibility of the new season being his last at the club. Schwarzer's current Boro deal expires in May and, while contract talks have been ongoing all summer, the two parties are no nearer
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Clark gets it right with screamer
GOALKEEPER Sam Russell may have been man of the match on Saturday, but it was substitute Ian Clark who produced the only goal and a stunning strike worthy of winning any game. It was the 29-year-old's 26th goal in 118 Darlington appearances, but few can
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Cash for advice group to expand
THE umbrella organisation for County Durham's smallest councils is being helped to expand. The Durham Association of Parish and Town Councils provides advice and information on national policy changes to its members. But only 98 of the 189 councils eligible
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Kittens found abandoned on step
THREE newborn kittens nearly used up all their nine lives when they were dumped on a doorstep. The kittens were left in a cardboard box in Kelloe, near Durham City, without water or food. Durham City Cats Protection, which is looking after them, said
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Wilks turns attentions to Junior World title
DARLINGTON'S Guy Wilks is hoping to emulate his performance in the latest round of the British Rally Championship by closing the gap in the race for the Junior World Rally title. Last weekend in the Isle of Man, Wilks drove largely unchallenged to take
