Archive
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Chinese revolutions to raise cancer funds
A MAN will ride 750 miles across China on a unicycle to raise charity funds. World unicycle champion Roger Davies will collect money for Cancer Research in memory of his friend's mother, who recently died of breast cancer. Mr Davies, 40, from Norton,
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High note for silver band
COCKERTON Silver Band has raised more than £2,500 over Christmas for new instruments with some of the money going to the tsunami appeal. The band's next concert is this evening at Holy Family Social Club, Darlington, at 7.30pm. Tickets can be obtained
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From youth club to FA Cup heroes
Yeading FC are mere upstarts in footballing terms, celebrating their 44th birthday this year. Scott Wilson looks back at the history of a club with very humble beginnings. YEADING began life in 1960 but, at that stage, the club were nothing more than
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Columnist Mark retraces pub walks
NORTHERN Echo columnist Mark Reid has brought out a revised edition of an acclaimed walking guide. Mr Reid, who writes a column in The Northern Echo's 7Days pullout, has published guides under the Inn Way title -circular walks via traditional pubs covering
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Festive season no cause for celebration at JJB
JJB Sports dealt the retail sector another blow yesterday after lowering profits expectations in the wake of a tough Christmas. The group said turnover in the six weeks to January 2 fell by two per cent and by 1.4 per cent when more established stores
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Battered and braced for more
STORMY weather battered the North-East and North Yorkshire yesterday, delaying commuters and leaving thousands of homes without electricity. With more gale force winds and heavy rain predicted, safety experts warned that road conditions could become more
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Souness goes transfer crazy in January sales
NEWCASTLE UNITED'S January sales frenzy hit overdrive last night when it emerged they have made an incredible double swoop for Samuel Kuffour and Sylvain Distin. Within an hour of learning the Magpies were in advanced talks with Bayern Munich defender
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Local man's message about life in Army
A SOLDIER is returning home to talk to young people about a career in the Army. Craftsman Martin Keegan, from Shildon, is spending two weeks in the Army Careers Information Office in Bishop Auckland town centre, offering advice to local youngsters considering
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Yeading chairman's goal is a picture of success
YEADING chairman Phil Spurden is no stranger to a hammer and nails. While his Newcastle counterpart, Freddy Shepherd, has spent the last fortnight thrashing out the multi-million pound signing of Jean-Alain Boumsong, Spurden has busied himself mending
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All-girl rock band will make their television debut on youth news show
AN all-girl rock band from Stockton, are due to star on a youth news programme. Welcome to Failure have been competing in battle of the bands across the North-East. The group is writing new material and hopes to get into the studio to record an EP to
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Alexander the not-so-great
US moviegoers may have shunned Oliver Stone's Alexander over fears of gay sex scenes, but the director is hoping for a more reasonable reception in the UK. Steve Pratt reports. THE battle lines have been drawn. On one side, American movie critics and
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Fast-track op clinics 'slash waiting lists'
HEALTH Secretary John Reid yesterday hailed the Government's treatment centre programme for speeding up operations for patients and slashing waiting lists. Dr Reid said the centres had treated more than 120,000 patients since they were launched. But the
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Forgotten prison works to be staged
THE forgotten works of one of the North-East's favourite playwrights will be performed for the first time this month after they were painstakingly pieced together from scraps of paper and old scripts. The Prison Plays were inspired by Tom Hadaway's time
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Drax more than happy to party with his players
WHEN Graeme Souness cancelled Newcastle United's Christmas party last month, it was widely interpreted as an attempt to keep some of his more wayward stars on a tight rein. Yeading boss Johnson Hippolyte also likes to know exactly what his players are
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North lashed by storms and gales
HIGH winds and driving rain caused havoc across the North-East and North Yorkshire last night. Trees were uprooted, blocking roads, rivers burst their banks, cars and lorries were buffeted by 70mph gusts, electricity cables were felled and 6,000 homes
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Bags to save lives
ABOUT 50 older people from East Durham are the first in the county to receive new shopping bags, which could save their lives this winter. The bags, made from reflective white nylon, can be picked up by car headlights and therefore make it more likely
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Police plea after bogus workers target woman, 89
THE family of an elderly woman who was conned by doorstep thieves have spoken of her ordeal. The bogus callers escaped with a four-figure sum of money. The 89-year-old, who has poor eyesight and hearing and limited mobility, had kept it in a tin together
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Anger at leaflets promoting site for new medical centre
HEALTH bosses have refused to withdraw thousands of leaflets claiming that a council has selected part of a recreation ground for a new medical centre. The Durham Dales Primary Care Trust (PCT) also rebuffed a request from Wear Valley District Council
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Club fills gap after cinema closure
WHEN the closing credits rolled for the last time at Durham's only cinema, The Robins, film fans were at a loss. The North Road venue's demise two years ago, left car-less youngsters and students in particular, facing a long journey to multiplex cinemas
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Former drug addict jailed for 12 months
A PROLIFIC offender who burgled a retired woman's home to pay off a drug debt was jailed yesterday. Brian Leopard broke into the house in Nunthorpe, Teesside, on August 29, after being told by dealers he had to pay off his debt. Teesside Crown Court heard
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Teenage robbers are spared jail
TWO robbers who targeted customers as they left a post office were spared jail yesterday. Colin Clark, 19, demanded cash and cigarettes from Michael Hardy and Mark Redman outside the Whitburn Road post office, in Sunderland, on May 27 last year. His accomplice
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Seeking to improve floral displays
COUNCILLORS are to look at ways at improving the floral displays in a Teesdale town. Barnard Castle's garden competition will also be discussed and members of the town council will look at how to encourage more entries. In a report to town councillors
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Plan for famous pub is debated
PERMISSION to alter and extend a historic pub should be refused to protect its character, say council officers. Enterprise Inns has applied to Hambleton District Council for permission extend the Crown and Anchor, in Front Street, Sowerby, near Thirsk
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Attacks on ducks are investigated
A FAMILY of ducks have been terrorised by children. In one incident, the ducks, at Grewelthorpe, near Ripon, were pushed into the road in front of traffic. The matter was reported to the parish council, but vice-chairman Peter Fettes believes it was an
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Third trial for would-be
A RADIO station is to begin its third trial broadcast as the battle to win a commercial license for an area hots up. Hambleton Radio is setting up a station in Thirsk and will start broadcasting at 10am next Saturday. Station chairman Chris Parkin said
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Wearside League: RA tipped for victory
Darlington RA make the long trip to Windscale without three key players but still start favourites against the Cumbrians. Striker Warren Byrne, Martin Brown and Andrew Singlewood are ruled out and an additional headache for manager Dave Woodcock is the
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McCarthy refusing to accept 'underdog' tag
MICK McCarthy is not on the look-out for an FA Cup upset today, because the Sunderland boss feels there is nothing to choose between his Championship promotion hopefuls and Crystal Palace's Premiership strugglers. The two sides are separated by just six
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Moors benefit from £3m grant
THE North York Moors have benefited from nearly £3m from Brussels and Westminster to safeguard the future of the heather landscape and its moorland sheep. Bracken growing out of control on the moors is a key threat, according to Michael Graham, estates
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Wardens recruited for town nature reserves
Darlington's seven local nature reserves (LNR) have three new volunteer wardens. Peter Dixon, John Griffiths and Terry Beer have all been recruited in recent weeks. English Nature and Darlington Borough Council have designated four new areas in Darlington
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Teddy bears tonic for young patients
YOUNG patients in Darlington Memorial Hospital's children's ward have some new companions. Homecare Heating Supplies has donated 12 teddy bears to brighten up the ward. Company chairman Brian Cheffings said: "Because we've had such a successful year and
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Death driver facing prison
A MOTORIST who admitted causing a teenage girl's death by dangerous driving was told by the judge he will go to jail. Bradley Dickinson, 20, of Lilac Grove, Redcar, east Cleveland, pleaded guilty at Teesside Crown Court to causing the death of 17-year-old
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BMX park to be built on housing estate
A CONTROVERSIAL scheme to build a BMX track on a Middlesbrough housing estate has been approved. Concerns had been raised about the location of the planned track next to the Beechwood Youth and Community Centre. The project had been supported by members
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News in Brief
RAILWAY FORUM: A forum has been set up to discuss a possible railway line in Saltburn. The Saltburn Line Users Group has arranged for a talk on community railways to be given by Neil Buxton, development manager for the Association of Community Rail Partnerships
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Trust plea for help with bird project
LANDOWNERS are being urged to help to preserve the habitats of the endangered grey partridge. Residents of Redcar and Cleveland, which is prime partridge territory, are being asked by the Game Conservancy Trust to join the Partridge Count Scheme. The
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Lane is closed
Drivers are being warned about the temporary closure of Sneck Gate Lane, in Newby, near Stokesley, for five days from January 14. It will be shut from its junction with Bromley Lane to its junction with the B1365 for repair work to be carried out.
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Man in court on murder charge
A MAN appeared in court yesterday charged with the murder of a disabled pensioner. The body of Jack Carter, 62, was found by his son in a downstairs shower room at his home in Sandmoor Road, New Marske, east Cleveland. He had suffered head injuries. Keith
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Church's £100,000 to support workers
THE Diocese of York is donating £100,000 to stricken areas of south-east Asia devastated by the tsunami. The money, from central diocesan funds, will be channelled directly to church leaders in the affected regions. The Archbishop of York, Dr David Hope
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New year, new job
A STUDENT has started the new year as a trainee floor fitter. Teenager Robert Bell was disappointed when he left school and found joinery courses in the area were full. But the youngster has got off to a great start this year with Wilson Carpets and Flooring
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Go straight - or to jail
A MAN who stole a pub's ornamental trough was told by a court yesterday to go straight - or face prison. Nicholas Keith Johnson admitted stealing the £200 Victorian draining trough from outside Bar Med, in part of Harrogate's Royal Baths. He also pleaded
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Driving instructor is jailed after fatal high-speed race
A DRIVING instructor who raced a high-powered car at more than 100mph prior to an accident that killed a father-of-four has been jailed. Michael Lopez, 28, who trains driving instructors, was driving an Audi S2 Quattro that overtook a Lexus IS200 approaching
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FA Cup day is so special for Joel
JOEL Porter knew their was something special about the FA Cup when he watched Norman Whiteside curl Manchester United to victory in 1985. The competition reaches far and wide and, as a six-year-old back home in Adelaide watching Ron Atkinson's side beat
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Winter of discontent
Natural disasters and clean up campaigners are causing problems for some of the programmes in the new TV schedules - and that's before they've even been shown. The year is barely a week old but already BBC1 and BBC2's much-heralded winter schedules are
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Myhre reflects on invite to Palace
THOMAS Myhre will be handed the task of keeping Crystal Palace hot-shot Andy Johnson quiet this afternoon but, had things gone a little differently in the summer, the Sunderland shot-stopper could have been part of the opposition ranks. The Norway international
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Winter of discontent
The year is barely a week old but already BBC1 and BBC2's much-heralded winter schedules are suffering a bumpy ride. For starters, recent catastrophic events in Asia have led to the postponement of Supervolcano, the centrepiece of BBC1's £178m new season
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Airport unveils £56m expansion plan
A BLUEPRINT to create 2,500 jobs through the expansion of a North-East airport was unveiled yesterday. The £56m plan will see a major overhaul at Durham Tees Valley Airport, including the creation of a hotel, air freight operation and business park. Airport
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Audiences will warm to a chilly tale
TICKETS have gone on sale for the latest pantomime from the Appleton Players. The group is preparing to stage Polly in Pantoland at the village hall in Appleton Wiske, near Northallerton, next week. It is an original story, which sees many familiar pantomime
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Shop's disaster cash is stolen
A THIEF has taken a sweet jar full of money intended for the tsunami appeal after bursting through the doors of a North-East off-licence. The thief stunned staff in the Burn Valley Wines store, in Hartlepool, when he grabbed the jar, containing about
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North lashed by storms and gales
HIGH winds and driving rain caused havoc across the North-East and North Yorkshire last night. Trees were uprooted, blocking roads, rivers burst their banks, cars and lorries were buffeted by 70mph gusts, electricity cables were felled and 6,000 homes
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The Albany Northern League: Revenge over Prudhoe is the main driving force for Nissan
Washington Nissan are looking for revenge in the Second Division promotion clash at leaders Prudhoe today. Nissan go into the game in fifth place, just four points behind Prudhoe with four games in hand, and manager Wilf Constantine said; "Prudhoe are
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From the radio to the road
Having strayed from their stage act, comedy duo Punt and Dennis are back with a new tour. Steve Pratt reports. AFTER five years of concentrating on two radio series, comic duo Punt and Dennis realised that they didn't have a stage act any more. The Now
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08/01/05
EUROPE: DAVE Pascoe's letter (HAS, Dec 28) reveals the level of mounting hysteria about the EU within UKIP. I'd like to bring some facts to his attention. Firstly, whether he likes it or not, Britain has always had closer historical ties with Europe than
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DIY fan evicted over £12,400 bill for botched work to council house
HANDYMAN Derek Bolam is being evicted from his house after he wrecked it in a series of DIY disasters. Mr Bolam ripped out his staircase, left live wires dangling from holes in the ceiling and removed all his upstairs interior walls during late-night
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Zara on course of drugs after hair dye reaction
WHEN Zara Sutton tried to dye her hair, she never imagined the result would be anything like this. A reaction to the dye left her face and eyes swollen, and 15-year-old Zara needs steroids and antihistamines to treat it. Within days of using the non-permanent
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Smile, it's Bermuda
THE town crier of St George's doffed his hat to salute us as we sailed past, ringing his bell to celebrate our safe arrival. As he did so, the Norwegian Majesty swept past within three yards of him, all 38,000 tons of her, ten stories high, gleaming white
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Quakers' destiny is in the hands of players
DARLINGTON manager David Hodgson has told his players that their League Two destiny lies in their own hands. Sixth-placed Quakers meet Oxford United at the Williamson Motors Stadium this afternoon, aiming to build on their impressive start to the year
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Out of order
POLITICIANS, police and campaigners last night condemned a decision by magistrates to protect the identity of a North-East teenager locked up for breaching one of Britain's toughest anti-social behaviour orders (Asbo). A legal bid by The Northern Echo
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Behzadi on a mission
YEADING defender Bobby Behzadi is used to difficult missions - so the job of knocking Newcastle out of the FA Cup should be no trouble at all to the former US Marine. Behzadi, who was born in Iran, worked for the US Navy for three-and-a-half-years as
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Airport unveils £56m expansion plan
A BLUEPRINT to create 2,500 jobs through the expansion of a North-East airport was unveiled yesterday. The £56m plan will see a major overhaul at Durham Tees Valley Airport, including the creation of a hotel, air freight operation and business park. Airport
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Flanker Charvis to draw on French experience
AS A 32-year-old veteran of many Welsh clashes with France, Newcastle Falcons flanker Colin Charvis knows a massive forward effort will be needed in today's Heineken Cup clash in Perpignan. Charvis also knows from experience the sort of physical reception
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Tourists urged not to snub region
A TRAVEL agency is appealing to holidaymakers not to abandon plans to visit unaffected resorts in countries hit by the tsunami disaster. Travelcare, which has offices in the North-East, said many customers were changing plans and opting for alternative
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Appeal is made over missing college student
POLICE have appealed for a man to contact his family after he left his home leaving a note that gave cause for concern. College student Stephen Burn left his parents' home in Hesleden, near Peterlee, in County Durham, on Wednesday morning and has not
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Cup something special for Pool striker Porter
JOEL Porter knew their was something special about the FA Cup when he watched Norman Whiteside curl Manchester United to victory in 1985. The competition reaches far and wide and, as a six-year-old back home in Adelaide watching Ron Atkinson's side beat
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Striking workers agree to talks
STRIKING workers at a Stockton factory have agreed to a fresh round of talks with managers in a bid to break the deadlock. Bosses at British Polythene Industries (BPI), also known as Visqueen, agreed to hold a meeting with conciliation service Acas and
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'Cheeky chappie' Thomas stars in calendar
A NORTH boy with Down's syndrome is featured in a charity calendar published to raise awareness of the condition. Eight-year-old Thomas Cullen, of Thirsk, North Yorkshire, had his picture taken for the Shifting Perspectives calendar. The project was the
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Tsumani disaster - N-E in Action
HARTLEPOOL: Supporters and staff of Hartlepool United Football Club will hand over £40,000 before the kick-off of its FA Cup clash with Boston United today. The club's owners, Increased Oil Recovery Ltd, and shirt sponsors Dove Energy noted that Premiership
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Event tax could devastate region's country shows
NEW taxes proposed by the Government could devastate the region's traditional country shows, organisers fear. Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell has outlined plans to levy a minimum £5,000 tax on public events attracting more than 6,000 people. Organisers
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Auditions to be held for talent night
A NORTH-EAST initiative that aims to uncover talented musicians will hold auditions for a celebration. Next month, talentSTAR will celebrate its third anniversary with its 100th show. The show will feature some of the finest performers who have appeared
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Comment from The Northern Echo: High hopes for airport
REGIONAL airports are capitalising on the increase in passenger numbers generated by low-cost carriers. It has been good to see Durham Tees Valley Airport reaping some of the rewards of this trend. However, if the airport is to compete on equal terms
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Garbled call may hold clue to killer
A CALLER who left a garbled message with police about the murder of a teenager could hold the key to solving the crime, detectives said yesterday. Twelve months since Scott Pritchard was bludgeoned to death on his doorstep in Sunderland, detectives renewed
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Another battle for Trincomalee
HMS Trincomalee in Hartlepool is the oldest ship afloat in the United Kingdom. Trincomalee itself is under water, inundated by the tsunami. No-one knows whether it is hundreds or thousands who are dead, but the homeless figure runs to 96,000. Trincomalee
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Out of order
POLITICIANS, police and campaigners last night condemned a decision by magistrates to protect the identity of a North-East teenager locked up for breaching one of Britain's toughest anti-social behaviour orders (Asbo). A legal bid by The Northern Echo
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Trust welcomes bid to keep paintings in N-E
PLANS to keep a series of 17th Century paintings in their North-East home have been welcomed by a local civic trust. Bishop Auckland Civic Society has backed a proposal that the Zurburan paintings remain at Auckland Castle, in Bishop Auckland, County
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Alexander the not-so-great
US moviegoers may have shunned Oliver Stone's Alexander over fears of gay sex scenes, but the director is hoping for a more reasonable reception in the UK. Steve Pratt reports. THE battle lines have been drawn. On one side, American movie critics and
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On a grander flightpath
DURHAM Tees Valley Airport's rapid expansion has hit more than a little turbulence over the past ten years. But yesterday, the airport once firmly labelled as second fiddle to Newcastle showed it is ready to become a major UK player. Plans for a £56m
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MP puts his weight behind park and ride
DURHAM MP Gerry Steinberg will launch the work on a £10m project to ease the city's traffic problems. On Monday, he will cut the first turf on the site at Belmont of one of three park and ride car parks that Durham County Council will build. The council
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Crook banned for five years from car parks
A CAR crook has been banned from car parks in Teesside until 2010. Christopher Wood received a five-year Anti-Social Behaviour Order at Teesside Magistrates' Court, yesterday. Wood, 21, of Hartington Road, Middlesbrough, was also banned from touching
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Public tip will close
A PUBLIC rubbish tip will close on Monday so a nearby landfill site can be landscaped. Durham County Council will close the Butsfield Civic Amenity Site near the A68 at West Butsfield. The council has to comply with planning law, which states that a public
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Teddy bears tonic for young patients
YOUNG patients in Darlington Memorial Hospital's children's ward have some new companions. Homecare Heating Supplies has donated 12 teddy bears to brighten up the ward. Company chairman Brian Cheffings said: "Because we've had such a successful year and
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Tributes paid to popular community priest
POPULAR Roman Catholic priest Father Tony Battle died last week aged 62. A service will be held at St Mary's Cathedral, in Newcastle, where he served much of his ministry. Father Battle, who for the past three years was parish priest at St Patrick's in
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Intruder 'was looking for a friend'
A MAN was caught sneaking around a family's home in the early hours of the morning, a court heard yesterday. Barry Walker, 26, drunkenly thought he was in a friend's house when he entered the home of Heather Fielding and her 16-year-old daughter in Cheltenham
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Rundown building gets £10,000 facelift
A building that had fallen into disrepair has been given a major facelift. The Salvation Army has invested more than £10,000 to refurbish its building in Church Street, Norton, near Malton. The building has been flooded twice and had stood empty for nearly
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Reveller struck with bottle
A NEW Year's Eve reveller needed stitches after he was hit in the face with a bottle in a Middlesbrough pub. The 19-year-old was drinking with friends in the Corner House, Zetland Road. At about 11.50pm, he was approached by four men and felt someone
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Recruiting more social care workers
A DRIVE to recruit more social care staff gets under way next week. Durham County Council is joining a national campaign, which will run until February 4 to encourage more people to consider a career in social care. The authority has vacancies for social
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Welcome lift as community groups get Carelink coach
COMMUNITY groups in the Sedgefield borough area can now travel in style following the delivery of a new Carelink coach. The Mayor of Sedgefield Borough, Councillor Marie Predki presented the keys to representatives of Carelink affiliated groups at the
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Paralysed firefighter honoured for service
A FIREFIGHTER paralysed from the chest down in a horrific cycling accident has been honoured by the fire service. Peter Hoare collided with a broken-down bus as he cycled between Northallerton and Leeming Bar in May 2002. The accident left him paralysed
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Election requested for council vacancy
AN election has been requested to fill a vacant council seat. The vacancy on the west ward of Barnard Castle Town Council was caused by the resignation of Councillor Anne Francis. It was advertised in the Press and on noticeboards and residents have until
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Scientist's second degree
AN ACADEMIC whose work straddles the often competing fields of Christian theology and science has been awarded a second PhD. Durham University scientist and theologian David Wilkinson was previously awarded a PhD in theoretical astrophysics for his work
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Four contest a key city council seat
FOUR candidates will stand in a key Durham City Council by-election. Nominations closed at noon yesterday for the by-election in Newton Hall North ward to be held on February 3. The four candidates are Liberal Democrat Amanda Hopgood, Labour's Aurelia
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Charity takes control of town's leisure facilities
A CHARITY has been formed to take control of council-owned sport and leisure facilities. Richmondshire Leisure Trust (RLT) has been set up to manage Richmond Swimming Pool and the dual-use facility at Richmond School, currently run by the district council
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Comment: Confused, inconsistent and barmy
BOTH the Labour and Tory parties have placed anti-social behaviour at the top of the agenda for the forthcoming General Election. It is the issue on the doorsteps of Britain and politicians are desperate to demonstrate that they are listening to voters
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College students in awards spotlight
STUDENTS were honoured for their academic achievements at a ceremony last night. Youngsters at Carmel RC Technology College saw their hard work rewarded, with a host of accolades given out. WINNERS ICT Award - Emma Rowlinson. The Almit Science Award Biology
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Cutting nuisance telephone calls
CONSUMER watchdogs are advising people who endure nuisance phone calls and e-mail scams that help is on the way. Darlington's trading standards team said systems such as a Telephone Preference Service (TPS) and "silent call guard service" are available
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Top award for science
A SCIENCE student has received a top award. Cheryl Connorton, 22, received the Cleveland Scientific Institute Presidential Award, as the brightest young prospect on Teesside. University lecturers nominated her when she was an apprentice at technical training
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Teenager admits theft charges
A TEENAGER who was released from custody last month yesterday admitted breaking into a house and stealing valuables worth £440 in September last year. The 17-year-old, from Darlington, appeared before the town's youth court faced with a joint charge of
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Village fears over speeding
COUNCILLORS have expressed concern after a week-long traffic survey in their village found almost half of vehicles were speeding. About 20,000 vehicles were checked as they passed through the village of Neasham - of these 8,500 were speeding. At a meeting
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Return to school, truant told
A 13-YEAR-OLD boy has been told he must attend school as part of the conditions of his supervision order. Darlington Youth Court heard that the teenager regularly plays truant and on Thursday spent only ten minutes in the classroom. The boy, who cannot
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Bug forces hospital to shut five wards
SIX wards at a North-East hospital have been affected by a bug that causes vomiting. Bosses at the 1,000 James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, said five medical wards and one surgical word had been affected by the outbreak. In an attempt to
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Quest to help rid binge drinking
A NIGHTCLUB owner will next week launch what he claims is Darlington's most expensive pint in an effort to deter binge drinking. Les Langley is introducing the £3.50 pint of Kronenberg Blanc on Friday at his members-only Atlantic Bar, in Duke Street.
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Warning over tsunami collections
POLICE are warning householders not to give money to two young girls who claim to be collecting for victims of the tsunami. A resident of The Mead, Darlington, contacted police after the children, aged about eight or nine, were spotted knocking on doors
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£40,000 essential upgrade for security camera system
A £40,000 upgrade to a dated security camera system has been welcomed by residents who say their lives are being blighted by vandalism and crime. A project to improve the out-dated camera system in Skeleton, east Cleveland, has now been approved after
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McClaren in the pro camp as camera debate rages
STEVE McCLAREN has backed calls for the introduction of video technology to decide key decisions in football matches ahead of this afternoon's FA Cup third round tie against Notts County. The Middlesbrough boss made the statement after watching referee
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DIY fan evicted over £12,400 bill for botched work to council house
HANDYMAN Derek Bolam is being evicted from his house after he wrecked it in a series of DIY disasters. Mr Bolam ripped out his staircase, left live wires dangling from holes in the ceiling and removed all his upstairs interior walls during late-night
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Internet initiative wins praise
A GOVERNMENT survey has praised a local council for its moves to make planning decisions available on the Internet. Chester-le-Street District Council's planning web pages were rated 14th best in the country out of 387 planning authorities that took part
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Village fears over speeding
COUNCILLORS have expressed concern after a week-long traffic survey in their village found almost half of vehicles were speeding. About 20,000 vehicles were checked as they passed through the village of Neasham - of these 8,500 were speeding. At a meeting
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UniBond League: Scott is new boy for Moors
Spennymoor include new signing Chris Scott in their squad when they go to Lincoln United today. Moors, who have lost just twice in 15 games, signed the former Sunderland player from Queen of the South in midweek and, subject to international clearance
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Caught on film
POLICE are seeking two shoplifters who stole sportswear from a store in Consett. The women went into DG Sports and took a number of items of clothing into the changing rooms where they removed the security tags and left without paying. Clothing worth
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Club fills gap after cinema closure
WHEN the closing credits rolled for the last time at Durham's only cinema, The Robins, film fans were at a loss. The North Road venue's demise two years ago, left car-less youngsters and students in particular, facing a long journey to multiplex cinemas
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Tayla ready to celebrate recovery
A GIRL is looking forward to her ninth birthday next week after she made a remarkable recovery from a fatal disease. Tayla Cookson was diagnosed in 1999 with neuroblastoma, a rare form of childhood cancer, but is now free of the disease. She is preparing
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Jonny and team mates narrowly avoid mid-air collision on flight
RUGBY player Jonny Wilkinson and his team mates narrowly missed being involved in a mid-air collision during a flight to Barcelona on Thursday. Newcastle Falcons' players and management were on board the easyJet flight when they say they came so close
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Comment: Need for new faces as Boro feel the strain
ON A warm summer's day in August, Steve McClaren modestly sat before the gathered media throng in the press room at Rockliffe Park to preview the season. Having drafted in five new signings who brought with them valuable European experience to a relatively
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Harriers hope for better run
DEFENDING champions Sunderland Harriers hope to erase nightmare memories of their last visit to Chester-le-Street when they continue their chase of arch-rivals Morpeth in the fourth DP Furniture Express North-East Harrier League meeting tomorrow. The
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Rock Music to beat all comers
THE current spell of wet and windy winter weather threatens both of the meetings at Uttoxeter and Haydock, subject to inspections this morning, but hopefully not Lingfield, where the man-made polytrack surface can withstand just about any amount of rain
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Appeal for care staff
A DRIVE to recruit more social care staff starts next week. Durham County Council is joining a national campaign, which will run until February 4, to encourage more people to consider a social care career. The council has vacancies for social workers,
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Revo can be crowned King of Sandown
KING REVO (3.10) is 100 per cent revved up to reign supreme in this afternoon's feature event at Sandown, the £100,000 Class A Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle. At the start of the current jumps' season King Revo's trainer, Patrick Haslam, reckoned it was 50
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Quakers' destiny is in the hands of players
DARLINGTON manager David Hodgson has told his players that their League Two destiny lies in their own hands. Sixth-placed Quakers meet Oxford United at the Williamson Motors Stadium this afternoon, aiming to build on their impressive start to the year
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Striking workers agree to talks
STRIKING workers at a Stockton factory have agreed to a fresh round of talks with managers in a bid to break the deadlock. Bosses at British Polythene Industries (BPI), also known as Visqueen, agreed to hold a meeting with conciliation service Acas and
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Singer Jane to tour in region
SINGER Jane McDonald is coming to the region as part of a national tour. She will be at the International Centre, in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, on January 30; the Grand Opera House, in York, on February 1; Newcastle City Hall on February 5; and Middlesbrough
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Stamp celebrates a shorthorn with big name in cattle rearing
A COW called Lovely Lesson has given her stamp of approval to a new Royal Mail collection celebrating traditional and rare breeds of animals in the UK. The five-year-old cow, which belongs to the shorthorn breed, posed alongside her owner's daughter at
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Boro want Geremi
CHELSEA'S African midfielder Geremi was believed to have been on Teesside yesterday discussing a move back to Middlesbrough, writesPaul Fraser. The Cameroon international looks destined for a second spell at Boro as manager Steve McClaren searches for
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From a monster to a miracle
In a marked contrast to that of a predecessor, St Michael's church, in Bishop Middleham, was sorry for the Rev Adele Kelham's departure. UNAMBIGUOUSLY assailed by the Morning Chronicle as a "mitred termagent, the spirit incarnate of malice and all uncharitableness
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Contract-handling inquiry to be public
AN investigation into an Audit Commission report criticising a North council's handling of a consultant's contract on sea defence work will be held in public. Scarborough Council also agreed that cross-party members should meet to decide what action needs
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Newcastle bigger than Chelsea - Babayaro
CELESTINE BABAYARO has cheekily belittled league leaders Chelsea by claiming new employers Newcastle United are a much 'bigger' club. The Blues are on course for their first title in 50 years having extended their lead at the top of the Premiership to
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Souness goes transfer crazy in January sales
NEWCASTLE UNITED'S January sales frenzy hit overdrive last night when it emerged they have made an incredible double swoop for Samuel Kuffour and Sylvain Distin. Within an hour of learning the Magpies were in advanced talks with Bayern Munich defender
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For Your Benefit: Should I pay the contributions?
Q My pension forecast tells me that when I reach the woman's pension age of 60, I will have 26 qualifying years, giving me a 67 per cent basic State Pension of £53.33 a week. The forecast says if I pay £116.45 for missing contributions, I will gain another
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Poundzone shops closed
THE chain that operates Poundzone stores has gone into administration, forcing several shops to close. RSW Group, which bought Poundzone in July 2003, went into administration after the shops did not trade as well as predicted. PricewaterhouseCoopers
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Marks & Spencer blames price cuts for fall in profits
MARKS & Spencer has cut its profit forecasts after it was forced to make price cuts to clear excess Christmas stock. As the troubled retailer's ill-fated Lifestore in Gateshead closed, it said trading had become more difficult since November and it
