Archive
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Police anger at terror claim
POLICE last night discounted claims that al Qaida planned a strike on Tony Blair's North-East home. A story in the Daily Express yesterday claimed that two Lithuanian asylum seekers, arrested two miles from Mr Blair's constituency house in County Durham
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17/08/04
FIRE SERVICE: I AM a firefighter in the County Durham and Darlington Brigade. At the beginning of the fire dispute, the Government declared that modernisation did not necessarily mean job cuts. Two years on, I am working night duty with 50 colleagues
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Fresh greens on menu
THERE is a growing trend for golf enthusiasts to try their hand at different courses with friends instead of becoming a member at a club. With that in mind there are a new set of greens to add to the testing list at Headlam Hall, near Darlington. A nine
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Whicker's wartime blockbuster
Whicker's War (C4); 50 Ways To Look Great Naked (five): WHEN you have someone with the stature of Alan Whicker fronting a show, there is little else you need to do. The makers of Whicker's War resisted the modern temptation to rely on computer graphics
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Learning gremlins are about to meet their match
Every adult in County Durham without qualifications will soon be able to face their gremlins and go back into learning. Deputy Business Editor Julia Breen reports. IN the jungle, he braved leeches and scorpions and spent much of his Army career fighting
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Teen faces jail after attacking officer
A TEENAGER armed with a 7in knife who attacked a special police constable was facing a lengthy prison sentence yesterday. The Recorder of Middlesbrough, Judge Peter Fox, told 17-year-old Mark Davies that he had been dealt with too leniently in the past
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Centre closes, but couple still help birds
A COUPLE have vowed to continue helping injured and neglected wildlife, despite the closure of their bird of prey sanctuary. Neil and Juliana Fowler were forced to close the Scotton Owl and Raptor Rehabilitation centre they ran from their home in Scotton
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Back to school - 1960s style
Summer holidays may be precious for most teachers but Viv Hardwick meets one who was prepared to give up his break so he could go back to the classroom. MOBILE phones and hair gel were unheard of when Tom Smith was at school; the cane, on the other hand
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North bosses 'ignoring assembly preparations'
A REPORT published this week reveals that public groups in the North-East are doing little to prepare for an elected regional assembly. Independent think-tank the New Local Government Network says most intend to "firefight" the issue if and when it arises
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Prescott's rapid rescue
A CANOEIST told yesterday how he was rescued from the rapids by Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott. Graham Cook, 35, was knocked over by a raft while tackling a river in Snowdonia, North Wales. The father-of-three travelled about 80 metres in the capsized
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Skipper aims to bury Euro 2004 nightmare
DAVID Beckham will use tomorrow night's friendly with Ukraine to exorcise the demons that continue to plague him following England's summer surrender in the European Championships. The England skipper will lead his side out at St James' Park still smarting
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Comment from The Northern Echo: Stars not above scrutiny
IT was inevitable that the issue of drugs would rear its ugly head at the Olympic Games in Athens. No-one, however, could foresee an incident involving two Greek superstars, missed tests and a mysterious road accident to which there were no witnesses.
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Village gets cash injection for completion of facelift
THE finishing touches are to be carried out on a programme of improvement work designed to rejuvenate a County Durham village. A facelift of Ushaw Moor is already under way, but yesterday Durham County Council announced it was to spend a further £125,000
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Invite to other firms
RENOWNED fish restaurant company Harry Ramsdens has turned over part of one of its car parks to other businesses. The company's restaurant at Gateshead MetroCentre will now have a Greggs bakery and DP Furniture Express on 4,000sq ft of land. DP Furniture
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Worker denies tractor deaths
A FARM worker taking a shortcut across a busy road caused the death of two men when their car collided with his tractor's trailer, a court heard. Paul Humpherson and Peter Gates died instantly when their car crashed into the back of Andrew Breckon's tractor
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Heroic Hobbs defies pain
GUISBOROUGH'S Dennis Hobbs gritted his teeth and put in an heroic performance at Croft in round ten of the THINK! British Superbike Cup on Sunday. Riding the Scott Leathers backed 1000cc Suzuki, the 22-year-old was racing just days after being hospitalised
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Little Chef gets a tummy tuck
ROADSIDE restaurant chain Little Chef has put its famous logo on a diet. The company has commissioned a slimmed-down version of the chef character without his tummy in response to growing awareness of healthy eating. Tim Scoble, chief executive of Little
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Man questioned in rape inquiry
A man has given himself up to police, hunting the rapist of a school girl. A 23-year-old Middlesbrough man walked into South Bank, Middlesbrough, police station, in the early hours of Tuesday. The 13-year-old girl has told Cleveland Police she was attacked
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£1m move for telecoms operator
A TELECOMS company has announced a £1m plan to move to larger premises to cope with its expansion. Russell Telecom, which celebrated its 20th anniversary in the region earlier this year, has invested in a 6,500sq ft building at the Watermark office complex
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Wet and wild in Yorkshire
LAST week I escaped my City of London parish and spent a few glorious days in God's own country, Yorkshire. Well, I say "glorious" when actually it chucked it down most of the time. We went to our favourite resort, the Cliffe Mount Hotel in Runswick Bay
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Floral season
Sedgefield Garden Society opens its new season on Tuesday, September 7, when the speaker will be Dr Alan Pearson on flowers of Crete. The meeting will be held in Ceddesfeld Hall at 7.45pm. Members are planning an outing to the autumn Harrogate Flower
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Revised design for hall's access ramp
REVISED plans have been submitted to build a disabled access ramp at the front of Barnard Castle's Witham Hall. The access ramp is being built as part of £6m redevelopment of the building. Teesdale District Council has approved plans for most of the development
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Child care for dads
A CHILDCARE course for fathers proved such a success that another is to be held. Sure Start Ferryhill and Chilton linked with Bishop Auckland College to offer the course. The module teaches fathers basic child care skills and offers the first step in
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Homeless alcoholic given absolute discharge
A HOMELESS alcoholic known by police in Darlington and Bishop Auckland was yesterday given an absolute discharge after being verbally abusive. John Reintoul, 51, of no fixed address, is subject to an anti-social behaviour order because of his repeat offending
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Coaching with safety message
ASPIRING footballers got the chance to hone their ball skills with Darlington Football Club defender David McGurk, thanks to Network Rail. The company has been working with Football in the Community to provide after-school and holiday activities to encourage
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Festival success
THOUSANDS of visitors to Saltburn's seventh Festival of Folk Music, Dance and Song, including some from as far away as Australia, enjoyed good weather at the weekend. They were entertained by a range of performers and were able to meet musicians taking
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Foundation provides town with life-saving medical equipment
IT IS hoped more lives will saved after three defibrillator units were bought for a Teesside town. The Hartlepool branch of the British Heart Foundation raised £6,000 for the units and donated them to the town. One has gone to the Mill House Leisure Centre
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Theatre group in rehearsals for Broadway comedy musical
A TALENT show to celebrate the best young entertainers in Derwentside takes place this week. The show, staged by Derwentside Young People's Forum, is at the Empire Theatre, in Front Street, Consett, tomorrow, at 7pm. Young people aged from eight to 19
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Theatre group in rehearsals for broadway comedy musical
THE world's most famous man-eating plant arrives in Durham City next week. Rehearsals are under way for the production of the Broadway musical Little Shop Of Horrors, staged by Dionysis Theatre Company, at the Gala Theatre, and featuring hit songs Skid
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Driver admits causing death of teenage friend
A DRIVER has admitted causing the death of a friend who was a passenger in his sports car when it crashed into a lamppost. Lee Taylor, 19, was in 22-year-old Robert Garrod's MG ZT Rover when he lost control at a roundabout on the A195 Northumberland Way
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Man hunted after girl, 9, assaulted
POLICE are searching for a man who indecently assaulted a girl of nine in daylight. The girl had been playing with friends in Jameson Road, in the Owton Manor area of Hartlepool, on Sunday. After a while, she walked further up the street to sit alone
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Seeking views about policing
VILLAGERS are to be given the chance to have a say about policing in their community. A series of surgeries are being organised by Easington Colliery's local beat officer to give people a chance to air their concerns. The first will take place on Thursday
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Village gets cash injection for completion of facelift
THE finishing touches are to be carried out on a programme of improvement work designed to rejuvenate a County Durham village. A facelift of Ushaw Moor is already under way, but yesterday Durham County Council announced it was to spend a further £125,000
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Hunt for man after girl of 13 is raped
POLICE are hunting a man who raped a 13-year-old girl. The youngster was attacked in a doorway in a street running down the side of a Middlesbrough pub, where she had been drinking with a friend of the same age. Detectives have security camera film of
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Families caught in storms
ADVERTISER sub-editor Eileen Smith was among thousands of holidaymakers from the region caught up in Hurricane Charley as it swept across Florida. Mrs Smith, of Catterick Village, was visiting Orlando with her husband, Andrew, and teenage daughter, Claire
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Delicate surgery
A SURGEON at Sunderland's Royal Infirmary had to seek the assistance of the fire brigade to help remove a metal nut from a man's private parts. It is understood the steel ring had been in place for some two weeks when the 30-year-old man sought medical
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Students to get exams support clinic
STUDENTS are being given a helping hand in coping with impending exam results at a clinic to help them plot their next move. Hundreds of youngsters will find out their A-Level grades on Thursday and will have important decisions to make about their future
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Sports club saved
A village sports club has been saved from almost certain closure by a grant made possible by a load of old rubbish. The bowling club at Thornton Dale, near Pickering, has been saved from the axe thanks to £28,500 from the environmental body Yorventure
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MRSA hospital 'on top of problem'
A HOSPITAL has refuted claims it has worryingly high levels of the MRSA superbug. The survey, in The Sun newspaper, singled out a number of hospitals, including Newcastle General. It used swab tests to identify where the bug was present in the hospital
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Miniature tall ship arrives in town
A PREVIEW of the majestic vessels that will visit the region for next year's Tall Ships' Race was revealed yesterday. The Thyra, a scale model of a barque that carried coal from the North-East to Denmark during the 19th Century, has arrived at Gateshead
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Police treat death as suspicious
POLICE are treating the death of an oil industry worker as suspicious. The body of Lewis Welch, 32, was found at a house in Wheatacre Close, Marske, east Cleveland, shortly before 7pm on Saturday. Mr Lewis, a single man, had only returned to the UK the
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Employees know their rights
Employers will be both interested in, and alarmed at, the contents of the Employment Tribunals Service Annual Report for 2003/2004. The report makes grim reading. It confirms a significant increase in the number of tribunal applications and indicates
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Food bug victim undergoes lifesaving stomach surgery
A RETIRED lorry driver who was one of the victims of a major salmonella outbreak has had a lifesaving operation. Father-of-four Brian Hume, 66, of Flint Hill, near Stanley, County Durham, is one of 95 confirmed cases of the food bug. The infection is
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Wembley deal hope hit by fatal blow
ENGINEERING company Cleveland Bridge's hopes of returning to the £750m Wembley Stadium project appeared all but over last night, as a bitter dispute with the main contractor took a fresh twist. Multiplex started removing hundreds of tonnes of steel from
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Back to school - 1960s style
Summer holidays may be precious for most teachers but Viv Hardwick meets one who was prepared to give up his break so he could go back to the classroom. MOBILE phones and hair gel were unheard of when Tom Smith was at school; the cane, on the other hand
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Second attempt to secure a bargain in the summer sail
After last month's disasterous attempts to reach Britain's first offshore off-licence was aborted because of bad weather, Neil Hunter vowed he would try again. Here's how he got on yesterday. IT was one of those shopping trips from hell. You know the
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Not every Dog has its day
A visit to one of the region's first titally no-smoking pubs fails to set the column's enthusiasm alight "But the children of the kingdom shall be cast into outer darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Matthew 8:12 AT The Spotted Dog
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Road chaos claim rejected
ORGANISERS of last weekend's British Superbike Championship event have rejected claims that it caused traffic chaos. About 35,000 people descended on Croft Circuit, near Darlington, for the contest, being held in the North-East for the first time. Major
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Chinese opera event draws a full house
THE classical music of the Orient came to the region yesterday with a three-hour performance by the Manchester Cantonese Opera Group. The group were at the Vane Tempest Hall, Durham City, to give a recital of a traditional Eastern opera to members of
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The race is on to make a killing out of Ascot
IT is described as a wonderful luxury seven bedroomed house, set in three acres and situated only five miles from York Racecouse. And for a cool £24,000, this detached home can be yours for five days, along with the hot tub, personal gym, tennis courts
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Communities vote for best police officers on the beat
EIGHT local police officers have been named as the best on their beat by the people they serve. They have been picked as the district winners of North Yorkshire's Community Police Officer of the Year awards. The overall winner, to be named at a presentation
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Jenas backs Milner to be World Cup player
JERMAINE Jenas has tipped Newcastle team-mate James Milner to force his way into Sven-Goran Eriksson's squad for the 2006 World Cup in Germany. Milner will complete a whirlwind four days when he lines up for England Under-21s this evening as they take
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Lawrence a big hit with boss and the fans
INDUSTRIOUS midfielder Liam Lawrence is proving a big hit on Wearside with both the Sunderland fans, and his new boss. Lawrence, signed from Mansfield in the summer, has immediately established himself in Mick McCarthy's first team, and in just two games
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Singh leads way
Vijay Singh now sits on top of the golfing world - in every way except the official rankings. The 41-year-old's play-off victory in the USPGA championship gave him not only the third major title of his career, but also his ninth US Tour win in 20 months
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Family sits out Florida storm
A NORTH woman holidaying in Florida spoke yesterday of the devastation left in the wake of Hurricane Charley. Eileen Smith, her husband Andrew, and daughter Claire, who live in Catterick Village, North Yorkshire, are on holiday in Orlando. When the hurricane
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Quakers confident of future
Officials at Darlington Football Club say they are confident the club can shake off the shackles of administration in weeks not months. The club is still in administration after being saved from the threat of closure by the Sterling Consortium's take-over
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Hats off to Keith's marathon undertaking
FUNERAL director Keith Rawlings is spearheading a coast-to-coast cycling challenge to boost the funds of his local Scout troop. The 54-year-old keen cyclist will lead a party of 13 tackling the 134-mile trans-Pennine route over the Bank Holiday weekend
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Teens die in crash on A19
Two teenagers died and two friends suffered serious injuries in a road crash earlier today. The four friends, all in their late teens, were on the A19 dual carriageway, near Hartlepool, Teesside, when their Vauxhall Astra overturned. The red P-reg car
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Indecency charges admitted by man
A MAN has admitted indecency charges against four girls over a period of almost eight years. Thomas Johnson was yesterday set to stand trial at Durham Crown Court on eight counts of indecent assault, which he denied at a previous hearing. But when he
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Tributes paid to former fire chief
TRIBUTES have been paid following the death of a former Teesside fire chief, whose funeral takes place this week. Assistant Chief Officer George Mudd, of Cleveland Fire Brigade, rose through the ranks from firefighter at Redcar Station to assistant chief
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£17m tax rebate a boost for Lookers
A VAT rebate of more than £17m helped double the half-year profits of car dealer Lookers. The company was paid the money in respect of tax wrongly charged on demonstration cars up to 30 years ago. Lookers, which is based in Manchester and has a Teesside
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Author's West End thrill
A best-selling novel by former vicar Graham Taylor is about to be made into a West End and Broadway show. Mr Taylor had to sell his motorbike to get his first book, Shadowmancer, published. It became an international best-seller and a multi-million dollar
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Tributes are paid after 19-year-old dies on scooter
TRIBUTES have been paid to a 19-year-old scooter rider who died in an accident at the weekend. The mother of Stockton man Ben Larkin was too distraught to speak yesterday, other than to say her son was a "brilliant, just brilliant" person. Mr Larkin was
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Hero Derek finds an old penny, a ring pull... and a lost engagement ring
AN off-duty police officer and his trusty metal detector came to the rescue when a distraught woman lost her diamond engagement ring on the riverbank at a North-East beauty spot. Metal detecting enthusiast PC Derek Sirett was called in after a two-hour
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Celtic wait for Juninho
CELTIC are expecting to learn within the next 48 hours whether Middlesbrough's Juninho has had a rethink and opted to turn his back on Teesside, writes Paul Fraser. The little Brazilian faces a struggle to command a place in Steve McClaren's starting
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People power will guarantee China's success
Professor John Wilson, director of Teesside Business School, has returned from a fact-finding trip to China. He talks to Business Echo about his experience. THE itinerary seemed daunting. In the space of 12 days, my colleague Dave Eadson and I were to
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Job Search: Vacancies
Team leader, Stanley. £7.88ph, 37.5hpw, Mon-Fri, between 5.30am-10.30pm. Must have experience of running a welding or fitting team. Employer will provide safety clothing. Ref: STG 17276. Welder, Stanley. £7.38ph, 37.5hpw, Mon-Fri, between 8.30am-10pm.
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Terror at seaside as flood wrecks village
A MAJOR rescue operation was under way last night after a picturesque seaside village in north Cornwall was hit by a wall of water. Three people were reported missing as dozens of residents and holidaymakers stranded on rooftops and in cars were winched
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Downing tipped for full honours
NOT since the days of John Barnes and Chris Waddle have England had a natural left-midielder, but the next wing wizard could hail from the North-East. Even when the Ukraine visit St James' Park tomorrow night there will not be one player Sven-Goran Eriksson
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The Great Debate - My View: 'The decisions that matter will still be made in London'
This November will see a referendum on a North-East Regional Assembly. I do not believe that a regional assembly would add any value to the North-East. Instead, it would lead to a significant increase in the levels of bureaucracy and would cost both business
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Work begins on Quadrus Centre
WORK has begun on the Quadrus Centre, a £5m office development in South Tyneside. The development is at Boldon Business Park, overlooking the lake. The business centre is about to transform the gateway to the borough. The infrastructure, including roads
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There is no easy solution when colours clash
EasyJet founder Stelios Haji-Ioannou has angered telecoms group Orange with his plan to start a mobile phone company that will sport his distinctive orange logo. Business Editor Mike Parker looks at the possible outcome if the two companies decide to
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Eating Owt: Not every Dog has its day
A visit to one of the region's first titally no-smoking pubs fails to set the column's enthusiasm alight "But the children of the kingdom shall be cast into outer darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Matthew 8:12 AT The Spotted Dog
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Bad day for Tait
COACH Martyn Moxon reckons he will have two hours today to sort out the nightmare which wrecked Australian paceman Shaun Tait's Durham debut, writes Tim Wellock. Durham travel to Colchester for a four-day game starting against Essex tomorrow, in which
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Equal pay claims to go before tribunal shortly
A FINAL judgement on a long-running legal dispute between female workers and a council over equal pay will be made in the coming weeks. Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council became the first in the region to sign a deal for single status for its staff,
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Customs put the squeeze on offshore off-licence
Britain's first offshore off-licence was struggling to stay afloat last night after a crackdown by customs officers. Businessman Philip Berriman has vowed not to give in, but his partner, Trevor Lyons, has conceded that their cut-price cigarette and alcohol
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Local soldiers join the Green Howards
A TRIO of new faces has joined the region's regiment after completing their training at Sandhurst. They will join The 1st Battalion the Green Howards once they complete their infantry platoon commanders course in Wales and Kenya. They recently visited
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David hopes to copy success
A Scottish construction consultancy has chosen Sunderland for its first regional base. Business Editor Mike Parker investigates why changes on Wearside are proving such a draw. DAVID DENT'S childhood memories of Newcastle Quayside are vivid. He recalls
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Soap stars turn out to back youth club
SOAP stars will join former international football players for a charity match this weekend to help a North-East youth football club. Actors from Coronation Street, Holby City, Hollyoaks and Brookside will be joined by some of the biggest names in the
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Beauty and the best
Jenny Needham visits a beauty salon with a Mediterranean touch - decor with Grecian influences and an exclusive range of products from sunny Spain. SHARON Payne believes there are three vital ingredients in a successful beauty business. And Sharon should
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Sulamani's worth an opening day wager
IF recent gallop reports prove to be correct then Sulamani (3.00) is going to be a hard horse to beat in the Juddmonte International Stakes on day one of York's Ebor meeting. With a cool £450,000 in the kitty for the much-sought after Group 1 prize, the
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TV review
Whicker's War (C4) 50 Ways To Look Great Naked (five) WHEN you have someone with the stature of Alan Whicker fronting a show, there is little else you need to do. The makers of Whicker's War resisted the modern temptation to rely on computer graphics
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Convenient purchase for Sainsbury's
SUPERMARKET chain Sainsbury's has increased its presence in the convenience store sector by adding regional operator Jacksons Stores to its group. The move, which involves 114 neighbourhood shops across Yorkshire and the north Midlands, follows the acquisition
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Mourners remember murdered twins
Hundreds of mourners gathered to remember murdered twins Diane and Claire Sanderson whose bodies were found near Selby last month. The bodies of the 27-year-old sisters were discovered in the village of Camblesforth near Selby, North Yorkshire, on July
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'I met my virgin husband on the Internet'
Valerie Azzi is fighting to bring her young Algerian husband, who she met on the Internet, to live with her in the North-East. She tells Sarah Foster how, contrary to what the authorities believe, her love is genuine. A HANDSOME young man stands in the
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Defoe the man for Sven
JERMAIN Defoe is hoping to follow in the footsteps of Wayne Rooney as he attempts to persuade Sven Goran Eriksson that he is the man to replace the Everton striker in Austria and Poland next month. Rooney's foot injury is almost certain to keep him out
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Johnson's rapid ton livens up Riverside proceedings
THINGS happen when Somerset visit Riverside. Last season they were dismissed for 56 as Durham beat them by 318 runs; yesterday Richard Johnson thrashed a century off a mere 63 balls. It was comfortably the fastest first-class century of the season, beating
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Off-shore off-licence owner will battle Government in court
One of the men behind Britain's first offshore off-licence is planning to take his battle with the Government to the courts. The confusing law surrounding the validity of the business could finally be settled when Trevor Lyons challenges Customs and Excise
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Couple set for Africa teaching mission
A NEWTON Aycliffe couple are preparing to fly on a mission to Africa. Jim and June Brown, from The Torch Bearer Ministry, are heading to Tanzania next Tuesday, for two weeks. They will be living in basic accommodation with a missionary, Pastor James Colton
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Army has students in its sights
YOUNG people in Bishop Auckland are being encouraged to choose a career in the Army. The Armed Forces has launched an intensive campaign in the town, aimed at those youngsters who have just left school and will be collect their GCSE results on Thursday
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Repeat success for gardener
JOAN Kemp-Ambler's hobby paid off yesterday when she won her town's garden contest for the second year. She was awarded the £50 prize after impressing judges with the colourful display at her home in Wellington Road, Barnard Castle. Mrs Kemp-Ambler, who
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Harassment youth locked up
A TEENAGER was locked up yesterday after breaching an anti-social behaviour order by harassing his mother. Newton Aycliffe Youth Court heard that the 17-year-old went to his mother's house in the town at 4.40am on July 30. Bill Brabban told magistrates
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Top dogs bring in charity cash
A CHARITY dog show at the weekend was a big success, raising about £600. The event, organised by Skernedale Dog Training Club, was held at Hurworth Grange, Hurworth, near Darlington, on Sunday, and attracted lots of spectators as well as entries. The
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Homes plan for site of eco-village
THE site of plans for the region's first eco-village is likely to be developed with a housing estate. People who strongly opposed proposals for the environmentally-friendly estate, in Newton Aycliffe, are expected to offer few objections to the new scheme
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Child care for dads
A CHILDCARE course for fathers proved such a success that another is to be held. Sure Start Ferryhill and Chilton linked with Bishop Auckland College to offer the course. The module teaches fathers basic child care skills and offers the first step in
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Taxi drivers ready to take on council
TAXI drivers have been complaining about the increasing cost of securing a new licence from Darlington Borough Council for some time. But the relationship between the trade and the local authority has reached an all- time low, with two drivers winning
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Methodist minister dies aged 64
A FORMER Methodist minister has died, aged 64, two years after retirement. The Reverend John Wesley Williams served as a minister in Barnard Castle, Houghton-le-Spring and Ferryhill, as well as Gloucestershire, Shropshire, Yorkshire, Lanarkshire and Cumbria
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Methodist minister dies aged 64
A FORMER Methodist minister has died, aged 64, two years after retirement. The Reverend John Wesley Williams served as a minister in Barnard Castle, Houghton-le-Spring and Ferryhill, as well as Gloucestershire, Shropshire, Yorkshire, Lanarkshire and Cumbria
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Homeless alcoholic given absolute discharge
A HOMELESS alcoholic known by police in Darlington and Bishop Auckland was yesterday given an absolute discharge after being verbally abusive. John Reintoul, 51, of no fixed address, is subject to an anti-social behaviour order because of his repeat offending
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Education centre debate
COUNCIL chiefs are to discuss the downsizing of a £4.8m scheme to provide an education centre. The development on the Skerne Park estate, in Darlington, faced difficulties when it emerged the project was running over-budget. Governors of the primary school
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Charity effort
SLIMMER Diane Wilson, 34, from Darlington, will be raising funds for the British Heart Foundation by taking part in the Great North Run on Sunday, September 26. She is now a consultant for Changes in Darlington, which also helped Christine Tonge, from
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Dentist sought to man new centre
A FULL-TIME NHS dentist is being recruited in Darlington to man a health facility in the town centre. The search has begun for a suitable candidate to operate from practices in the town until the Park Place centre is ready to open next year. The initiative
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Council plans service centre
A NEW integrated service is to be provided to allow a seaside resort's local authority to offer a better service to residents and visitors alike. Under its Customer First initiative, Scarborough Borough Council is to open a modern, customer-friendly service
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Couple's wedding is ruined by thieves
SEVERAL arrests have been made after a newlywed couple had about £2,000 of gifts and possessions stolen from their hotel. Jayne and Owen Pinchbeck, from Redcar, made the discovery after returning to their room at the Spa Hotel, Saltburn Bank, Saltburn
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Cancer group makes plea for runners
A CANCER charity is looking for runners to champion their cause in this year's Great North Run. Marie Curie Cancer Care provides free nursing to give terminally ill people the choice of dying at home surrounded and supported by loved ones. The charity
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Captain to lead by example
A TEENAGE swimmer who has captained Yorkshire is to pass on her skills by becoming a club coach. Hannah Creelman, 18, from Northallerton, is to take over as coach of Thirsk White Horse Swim Team. The club was left without a coach last month when they
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Equal pay claims to go before tribunal shortly
A FINAL judgement on a long-running legal dispute between female workers and a council over equal pay will be made in the coming weeks. Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council became the first in the region to sign a deal for single status for its staff,
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Ben's 500-mile march in the name of peace
A UNIVERSITY student has defied torrential rain and painful blisters to carry on with a 500-mile peace walk. Ben Macpherson is trekking from his home city of Edinburgh to London to promote world peace. The 20-year-old, who is studying politics and philosophy
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Smokers using pub as clinic to help stub out cigarettes
A QUITTERS' clinic held at a pub in Teesside is helping smokers stub out the weed. The neighbourhood scheme is one of a number established by Hartlepool Primary Care Trust (PCT) to help reduce the number of smokers in the town. Surveys show that 40 per
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Pensioner is hurt in crash
A PENSIONER was seriously injured after a collision with a car yesterday. The woman, in her 80s, was crossing the road at traffic lights when she was struck by a Citroen Picasso car. The accident happened at about 10.10am in Consett, County Durham, at
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Roadshow highlights work of life-savers
THE vital role played by the ambulance service will be highlighted at a roadshow next week. Ambulances, together with a full range of life-saving equipment, will be on display at Tennant's Auctioneers, in Leyburn, on Thursday, from 10am to 4pm. Yorkshire
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Theatre talent show
A TALENT show to celebrate the best young entertainers in Derwentside takes place this week. The show, staged by Derwentside Young People's Forum, is at the Empire Theatre, in Front Street, Consett, tomorrow, at 7pm. Young people aged from eight to 19
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Step on career ladder
TEENAGERS worried about exam results are being urged to consider an apprenticeship. A booklet has been launched in North Yorkshire with information about the scheme and the 150 careers available in North Yorkshire. Sam Leigh, 19, of Northallerton, who
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Knit and Natter Club cash boost
MEMBERS of the Knit and Natter Club, which meets at Crookhall Community Association, near Consett, have received a £500 windfall. The club was awarded the money from the North-Eastern Co-op's Community Dividend Scheme. It will use the money to buy equipment
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Two in court over death of pensioner
TWO men appeared in court yesterday charged over the death of a pensioner who was shot in his local pub. Fred Fowler, 72, was shot at the Tap and Barrel pub, in Hendon, Sunderland, last month. The attack also left 19-year-old Michael Nixon injured. William
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Police name man killed by hit and run driver
Police have named a North-East man who was killed in a hit and run smash as he walked to a cash machine. They said 51 year old Ray Thompson from Acklam in Middlesbrough died when he was struck by a Rover 25 car on Monday. Mr Thompson was married and had
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Jobs threat protest
Trade union Unison is calling for Government action to save up to 50 NHS jobs in Newcastle. A review has resulted in the proposed closure of the Prescription Payment Compliance Unit in Jesmond with the work to be devolved to local NHS Trusts.
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Museum recreates art show of 1894
A NORTH-EAST museum has claimed a coup by securing an exhibition of art that has not been seen for more than 100 years. The exhibition, at Bowes Museum, near Barnard Castle, County Durham, will recreate a show of Paris poster art first held in London
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Jazz band to compete with the best
YOUNGSTERS are marching on to success after qualifying for the 31st World Jazz Band Championships. The Shildon Jubilees will travel to Wales at the end of this month to battle for honours against 40 bands from all over the country. Band founder Lesley
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Jobs threat in NHS fraud unit closure
ABOUT 50 NHS jobs in the North-East could be cut because of plans to close a dedicated fraud-busting unit, according to public sector union Unison. The Prescription Payment Compliance Unit, based in Jesmond, Newcastle, is due to close as a result of a
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Olympian's swim call
AN Olympic swimmer has joined forces with Bubble the Dolphin to encourage more children to learn to swim. Chris Cook, who is representing Great Britain in the men's 200m breast stroke in Athens, is supporting the push to encourage Stockton children to
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Train operator begins work on key stations
IMPROVEMENTS to one of the region's key railway stations, valued at about £1m, has got under way. Passengers at York station will see a number of changes over coming months as part of an investment programme by train company GNER. It began yesterday with
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Union anger at outsourcing proposal
Unions have reacted angrily to proposals by one of the region's best known employers to outsource dozens of jobs to India. Around 50 former civil service jobs at the National Savings complex at Millburngate House in Durham City are thought to be affected
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Mowbray targets gold
ALISON Mowbray is confident that her quadruple sculls crew will benefit from their no-risk approach when they look to end Great Britain's gold medal drought on Sunday. Richmond-born Mowbray, who finished tenth in the women's single sculls at Sydney, provided
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Taskforce in drive for green outlook
MEMBERS of an environmental taskforce will take a bus trip around east Cleveland today to help them plan a green vision for the area. Councillors and members of the Redcar and Cleveland Partnership's Environment Group, including representatives of the
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The natural way to meet emissions targets
The Government has set targets for reducing carbon emissions - increasing the proportion of electricity generated from renewables and woodfuel is seen as part of the process. Richard Pow, the Forestry Commission's regional development officer, said: "
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Pool end their jinx in front of the cameras
AT the seventh time of asking, Hartlepool United have finally cracked their Sky jinx. Pool last night managed to win in front of the Sky Sports cameras for the first time, as they coasted to an impressive win at Huddersfield. Second-half goals from Kevin
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RSC brings Caesar into town
The Royal Shakespeare Company is bringing Julius Caesar to Northallerton from September 14 to 18. It is the fifth time the company has brought its touring show to the town and it is expected to play to capacity audiences at Hambleton Leisure Centre. The
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What goes up, does not always come down
HAVING seen the UK market decline for more than three years, potential investors could be forgiven for feeling less than enthusiastic about investing money in the market. The prospect of possibly watching the value of your investment melt away is enough
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Manhunt ends as tragic bride's father arrested
The father of a young bride, who was shot dead in her home more than two weeks ago, was arrested last night in connection with her murder following a huge manhunt. Terry Rodgers, 55, was in custody after hundreds of officers spent four days searching
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Firm produces package to ease symptoms
A NORTH company has developed a way to manage a common and distressing condition, which could bring relief to thousands of people. Yorktest Laboratories, the North Yorkshire company that last year claimed a world first by developing a quick screening
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Miniature tall ship arrives in town
A PREVIEW of the majestic vessels that will visit the region for next year's Tall Ships' Race was revealed yesterday. The Thyra, a scale model of a barque that carried coal from the North-East to Denmark during the 19th Century, has arrived at Gateshead
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Tributes paid to former fire chief
TRIBUTES have been paid following the death of a former Teesside fire chief, whose funeral takes place this week. Assistant Chief Officer George Mudd, of Cleveland Fire Brigade, rose through the ranks from firefighter at Redcar Station to assistant chief
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Horse riders gain as farm diversifies
AN enterprising farmer and his wife have created a cross-country course for horse riders alongside rolling fields as a diversification venture. Andrew and Tracey Clarkson's idea to expand the income of their 200-acre farm at Thornthorpe, near Malton,
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Pilot scheme will enable every adult to reach a basic level
MOST people have seen the gremlins TV adverts that show adults terrified of returning to learning. The adverts were part of a Government drive to improve literacy and numeracy, called the Get On campaign. Now County Durham has been chosen to pilot a national
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Air show organisers expecting big crowd
ORGANISERS of this weekend's Yorkshire Air Show are advising enthusiasts to arrive early. Thousands of people are expected to turn up at Elvington, near York, following a record number of advance ticket sales. To keep queuing to a minimum, Elvington Events
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The little boy nobody wanted
When Debbie Nichol started fostering, she admits she was a little naive in thinking she would get a lovely child who was always saying thank you. Now she knows better, but that doesn't mean she has any regrets, as Nick Morrison discovers. DEBBIE and her
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Bishops revisited
That rare combination of Crook lad and Bishop Auckland fan, Alan Adamthwaite is writing a new history - a "fresh" history might be more appropriate - of the Bishops' post-war pomp. The first 40,000 words contain five examples of a word that might these
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Venezuelan referendum eases oil supply fears
OIL prices pulled back from yesterday's record highs amid early indications that Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez had survived a key referendum. The cost of a barrel of crude peaked at $46.91 in New York - the highest level in 21 years - before falling
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Tribute to Coward
THE elegant days of the 1920s and 1930s are in Richmond this week, with a show dedicated to Noel Coward. Richmond Operatic Society presents Cowardy Custard at the Georgian Theatre Royal. It celebrates 50 years of Coward's work, featuring songs, music,
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Sulamani's worth an opening day wager
IF recent gallop reports prove to be correct then Sulamani (3.00) is going to be a hard horse to beat in the Juddmonte International Stakes on day one of York's Ebor meeting. With a cool £450,000 in the kitty for the much-sought after Group 1 prize, the
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Construction industry in race to change its image
THE construction industry has launched a charm offensive to fill an estimated 430,000 vacancies by 2010. The Government has a £76bn building plan for the next five years, but a shortage of trained workers could jeopardise key projects. If London wins
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Safety drive near circuit
A POLICE bid to cut accidents on the roads during the British Superbike Championship has been declared an overwhelming success. Officers from six forces awaited the 35,000 spectators who arrived at Croft Circuit, near Darlington, at the weekend. With
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Last chance for web training
TIME is running out for village halls, community centres and libraries to sign up for a free computer training scheme run by The Northern Echo. The paper's Communigate team is offering to hold free sessions at community venues, including UK Online facilities
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Woman arrested in child murder case
A 34-year-old woman was today arrested in connection with the murder of a two-year-old boy. Kyle Fisher, who lived on the Central Estate in Hartlepool, died in hospital last month, two days after being discovered collapsed at his babysitter's home. Cleveland
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Centrica in Dyno-Rod talks
CENTRICA has emerged as a possible bidder for drain cleaning business Dyno-Rod. The British Gas owner is in talks with Dyno-Rod that could lead to a takeover of the business. The news comes four days after a separate group of investors failed to complete
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Google set to begin trading
Trading in shares of Google could begin tomorrow after the firm asked US regulators to rubber-stamp its registration. Approval from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) would enable Google to close the auction that is determining its share price
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Job Search: Vacancies
Welder, £7.35ph, 40hrs pw, must be qualified MIG/MAG welder with BSEN 287/2, carbon and stainless steel experience. Ref: NEU 18615. CNC machine operator, £6.55 to £7.35ph plus shift premium, 39-42.5hrs pw, required to use plasma cutting equipment, CNC
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Nursery provision at the waterfront
THE business park which houses the headquarters of regional development agency One NorthEast will soon be home to a nursery catering for 100 children. The Waterfront development, at Newburn Riverside, Tyneside, has announced the provision of a 6,500sq
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Ultraframe shares slump on warning
CONSERVATORY maker Ultraframe rocked investors with a profits warning yesterday after a disappointing start to its key summer season. Shares slumped 35p, or 32 per cent, to 75p, after Ultraframe said worsening conditions in the UK and North America meant
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Assurer will give retired a better deal
A LIFE assurance company was launched yesterday to tap into the country's growing retired population. Just Retirement, which has been set up by Mike Fuller, the former head of Britannic Retirement Solutions (BRS), will offer enhanced annuities and equity
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Mother's tribute to son killed in car crash
The mother of a talented teenager killed in a car crash this evening paid tribute to her "perfect son". Richard Clemot-Escobar, 18, died along with his friend Katy Linighan, 18, when the Vauxhall Astra they were travelling in overturned on the A19 dual
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NHS trust spends thousands replacing missing linen
Laundry staff at an NHS Trust have got themselves into a lather about the amount of linen lost in the past year. During the last 12 months, North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust has spent nearly £20,000 replacing lost items. It is thought most of the lost
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Coffee Republic recovery on track
COFFEE Republic said its recovery was on track after a string of disposals and a change to its deli format helped arrest a slump in sales. The group, which has been shedding under-performing bars to focus on a profitable core of 50, said like-for-like
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BAE Systems buys software firm
BAE SYSTEMS became the sole owner of a business specialising in software for the defence industry after buying GKN's 50 per cent stake for £14.5m. The UK company already owns half of Aerosystems International, whose designs are used on the Eurofighter
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Jobs galore
MORE details about the jobs below are available from Jobseeker Direct on (0845) 606 0234. Team leader, Stanley. £7.88ph, 37.5hpw, Mon-Fri, between 5.30am-10.30pm. Must have experience of running a welding or fitting team. Employer will provide safety
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Online site for tourists is launched
AN online "virtual visitor centre" for a North area has been launched. Features on the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority site include e-postcards, which can be sent to friends and family, and an interactive photo gallery. Annie Galloway, head of
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Back to school
MOBILE phones and hair gel were unheard of when Tom Smith was at school; the cane, on the other hand, was all too familiar to the backsides of the rule-breakers. Now Tom is reliving those days, only this time from the other side of the desk, and without
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Gladiator star to appear at theatre
A FORMER Gladiator is one of the TV celebrities appearing in a North-East theatre's repertory season. James Crossley took the name Hunter in the hit 1990's TV series in which muscle-men and women were given aliases and took part in competitions. Mr Crossley
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Industry helps school to Eco-status
STAFF from a North-East company have taken another step forward in their efforts to help a school achieve Eco-status. BP Cats, based on Teesside, has been working with Northgate Junior School, in Guisborough, which was visited by a representative from
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Fatal blow to hope of saving Wembley deal
ENGINEERING company Cleveland Bridge's hopes of returning to the £750m Wembley Stadium project appeared all but over last night, as a bitter dispute with the main contractor took a fresh twist. Multiplex started removing hundreds of tonnes of steel from
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Quakers allay fans' fears
Darlington have moved to allay fans' fears with the club closing in on completing its eighth month in administration. Although the club were saved from extinction by new owners Sterling some months ago, today marks exactly 34 weeks since it went into
