Archive
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95% of houses out of reach for new buyers
THE region's first-time buyers are being frozen out of the housing market by a massive rise in prices, according to a report today. A nationwide survey says 95 per cent of houses in the North-East and 92 per cent in North Yorkshire are out of the price
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Terrified terrier reunited after 100ft quarry tumble
A YORKSHIRE terrier who fell nearly 100ft amazed rescuers when he walked away without a scratch. One-year-old Bailey survived two dramatic falls at Crime Rigg Quarry, Sherburn Hill, near Durham. He first fell 25ft on to a ledge and then plunged a further
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Pool on course for a place in history
MORE than halfway through the season and Hartlepool United's squad may be on track for a place in history. Reaching the play-offs last season was a big achievement for the club, but this campaign promises just as much, if not more. Many - and boss Neale
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Revenge is next target for confident Darlington
DARLINGTON head to Bradford and Bingley in good spirits and looking for revenge after an early-season loss. The National League Three North side beat local rivals Mowden Park 28-22 last week and go into the match with just one injury concern. Prop Paul
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Ten-year plan working for McCarthy
MICK McCARTHY has revealed how his policy of buying players for the 'next ten years' is reaping its rewards on Wearside. The Sunderland manager raised eyebrows amongst the Stadium of Light faithful with his summer acquisitions - bringing in 'unknowns'
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Old favourite with added beans appeal
A SAUSAGE that combines the great British banger with baked beans was launched yesterday. High quality sausage maker Manor Born, of Thirsk, North Yorkshire, is hoping to tickle the tastebuds with its pork and Heinz Baked Bean sausage - a tomato-flavoured
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Fear that North manufacturers will miss out on boom
MANUFACTURERS in the region are at risk because they have failed to capitalise on a world market boom, a survey suggests. The Ernst and Young winter forecast shows the UK economy improving modestly this year, with growth of 2.6 per cent, but economic
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Worst Christmas sales for 20 years
RETAILERS suffered their worst Christmas for more than 20 years as sales volumes fell one per cent last month, official figures show. Clothing retailers and non-specialist stores were the worst hit with only Internet retailers showing any significant
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Banned driver jailed for 18 months
A BANNED motorist who crashed into a car carrying a baby during a police chase, was yesterday jailed for 18 months. Terence Mark Simpson was one of six people injured as a result of the accident he triggered, as he tried to shake-off a pursuing police
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Football chairman blames decision to quit on row
TROUBLED football club Spennymoor United will today play its last game under its chairman of four years, Benny Mottram. After playing Frickley Athletic in the quarter final of the Presidents' Cup today, the club will face a battle for survival without
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Desperate for a home of her own
Soaring house prices are a boon - provided you already have a foot on the property ladder. But a new survey says the cost of a new home has radically outstripped salaries, leaving first-timers high and dry. Julia Breen and Dan Jenkins report. Radiographer
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Zenden forced to curb attacking instincts
BOLO Zenden is having to change his game in the absence of George Boateng but the Middlesbrough midfielder is desperate to keep his current scoring streak going. With fellow Dutchman Boateng nursing a broken toe, Zenden has been forced to curb some of
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Water company fined after sewage spilled into beck
WATER supplier Northumbrian Water has been fined thousands of pounds after admitting polluting a beck close to a school. A member of the public alerted authorities to the pollution of Whitecliffe Beck, in Loftus, east Cleveland, which was found discoloured
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Lesbian facing jail after torching ex-lover's bed
A woman who doused a bed in petrol and set it alight while her lesbian former lover lay naked with a new girlfriend is facing a "substantial" jail term after being found guilty. Jealous Sarah Metcalfe, 46, of no fixed abode, discovered her ex-girlfriend
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Lee can Transcend the fear factor
GRAHAM LEE might well be in for a white-knuckle ride aboard hard pulling Lord Transcend (2.10) in Haydock's Grade 2 Peter Marsh Chase. Howard Johnson's terrier-like grey does not take kindly to hanging around, attacking his obstacles with the sort of
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Luncheon with Frost
As a man who has made his living out of interviewing world leaders and A-list celebrities, Sir David Frost might have found it difficult to change sides. But, as he tells Steve Pratt, he is thoroughly enjoying having questions fired at him on the one-man
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The future's Orange
Billed as more reality than soap, the US-made series The O.C. admits it's ludicrous and vacuous, but it's trash TV and we are, increasingly, liking it. Think Beverly Hills 90210 crossed with Dawson's Creek spiced up with a touch of Dallas and Dynasty
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Jobs make money
SCHOOLGIRLS moved by the Asian tsunami disaster have been busy doing odd jobs to help the relief appeal. Samantha Marshall, Laura Peveller and twins Danielle and Jessica Frisby, all aged 12, from Esh Winning, have so far raised £140 for the disaster fund
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Drug users force revamp of toilets
PUBLIC toilets which had become a regular haunt of drug users in Darlington are to be refurbished. The borough council's planning committee has agreed to the revamp of the East Row facilities, in the town centre. Council officials said the conveniences
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College shows facilities to public
THE doors of a sixth form college are being thrown open so the public can see its new facilities. At the beginning of the academic year, a building extension was completed at Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College, Darlington, containing science labs, a sports
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13-year-old boy had drugs worth £1,300
A 13-YEAR-OLD caught with £1,300-worth of cannabis was given the drugs by his mother's ex-boyfriend, a court heard yesterday. The teenager ran away from home following an argument with his mother and went to stay with her former boyfriend in London. The
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Look back on the battles
THE history of the DLI began in 1758, when General John Lambton of County Durham first raised the 68th Regiment of Foot as part of the British Army. It saw action with Wellington in the Peninsula War when it won its first battle honours. Later, the Regiment
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Major's retirement marks era's demise
WHEN Major Christopher Lawton celebrates his 55th birthday today, the occasion marks not only the end of an illustrious army career, but concludes an era as well. The last serving member of the original Durham Light Infantry, his retirement closes the
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Olympian to aid hospice
OLYMPIC athlete Chris Tomlinson has leapt to the aid of a cash-strapped hospice. Long-jump finalist Tomlinson, 23, from Middlesbrough, has agreed to help launch a money-raising zip slide for the Teesside Hospice this summer. The giant slide, made up of
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Officer to lead green campaign
A spokesman has been appointed to champion the issues of preserving the environment and saving fuel in North Yorkshire. Nick Coakley, 24, has been confirmed as the environment and energy conservation officer for Ryedale District Council. The post is split
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95% of houses out of reach for new buyers
THE region's first-time buyers are being frozen out of the housing market by a massive rise in prices, according to a report today. A national survey says 95 per cent of houses in the North-East and 92 per cent of houses in North Yorkshire are out of
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Children distraught after adopted rare bird poisoned
CHILDREN at a North-East school have been left devastated by the illegal poisoning of a red kite they adopted as part of project to bring the rare bird of prey back to the region. Headteacher Angela Exley said a "hushed silence" had fallen over the morning
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Bethany donates all her birthday money to tsunami appeal
A LITTLE girl was so moved by the tsunami disaster she asked friends to send her money for the relief fund - rather than presents for her fifth birthday. Bethany Starkey, from Eaglescliffe, arranged for all her birthday money to be donated to the appeal
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Wilks hot on the leader's trail
GUY Wilks overcame an early setback to climb to fourth place after the opening day of the Monte Carlo Rally. The first leg of the all-asphalt event consisted of just four tricky stages, run through the Alpes Maritimes high above the famous Principality
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Prisoners' artwork displayed at Minster
Artworks by inmates at an East Yorkshire jail will be featuring in an exhibition at York Minster later this month. The GCSE and A-level ceramics work has been produced by prisoners serving at HMP Wolds. This is the third year the exhibition has been held
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Youngsters create park
A GROUP of youngsters are creating a community park which they hope will encourage wildlife. The group of 13 to 17-year-olds, are transforming the area behind Butterfly World in Preston Park, Eaglescliffe. They hope to attract different species of butterfly
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Souness defends Faye move as deal draws near
GRAEME Souness last night insisted that Portsmouth's Amdy Faye would not be a "panic buy", despite admitting that Newcastle would be taking on champions Arsenal tomorrow with an unbalanced midfield. The United boss confirmed that chairman Freddy Shepherd
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Souness defends Faye move as deal draws near
GRAEME Souness last night insisted that Portsmouth's Amdy Faye would not be a "panic buy", despite admitting that Newcastle would be taking on champions Arsenal tomorrow with an unbalanced midfield. The United boss confirmed that chairman Freddy Shepherd
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Banks and insurers to update market
The insurance and banking sectors move into the spotlight this week with Prudential, Aviva and Northern Rock leading a clutch of blue-chip companies in updating the market. The season of annual results from UK banks begins on Wednesday when Northern Rock
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A duty to give a helping hand
PEOPLE already on the housing ladder have good reason to celebrate a buoyant property market. With mortgage rates remaining at a relative low level, homeowners are reaping the rewards of a sound investment in bricks and mortar. The downside of rising
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Robinson determined to keep the boss happy
SUNDERLAND midfielder Carl Robinson insists the Black Cats have an added incentive for promotion this season - guaranteeing Mick McCarthy's future at the club. The Wales international believes the one sure way to stop the former Republic of Ireland boss
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Community stalwart dies aged 88
A SUCCESSFUL businessman and charity group founder has died aged 88. Wilf Ward founded structural steelworks company Wards of Sherburn, near Malton, in 1948 and it grew to employ upwards of 600 people. In 1984, he was awarded the OBE for his significant
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Robinson determined to keep the boss happy
SUNDERLAND midfielder Carl Robinson insists the Black Cats have an added incentive for promotion this season - guaranteeing Mick McCarthy's future at the club. The Wales international believes the one sure way to stop the former Republic of Ireland boss
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Garden row MP declines to speak
A LABOUR MP who tried to claim almost £1,500 to spruce up his garden declined to speak last night as he emerged from a constituency party meeting. Frank Cook, who represents Stockton North, repeated "no comment" as he left. Earlier in the week, Bob Gibson
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Panto stars do their bit in aid of charity appeal
AN amateur dramatics group has vowed to give the money from the final performance of their pantomime to the tsunami appeal. The cast and crew of Centre Stage, in Shildon, were so touched by the plight of those affected by the disaster that they wanted
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Pupils add some cheer
Pupils have brightened up their play area with the help of a graffiti artist. Children at Warwick Road Primary School, in Bishop Auckland, took part in the artistic challenge funded through the Children's Fund. The eight to 13-year-olds, who have moderate
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Canada tribute to hero airman
GENEROUS North Americans have donated nearly £11,000 to The Northern Echo's Forgotten Hero appeal. Hundreds of people in Canada and the US have given cash for a bronze statue of Second World War hero Andrew Mynarski to be built at Durham Tees Valley Airport
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People demand closure of path
DOZENS of people have written to Darlington Borough Council urging the closure of a pathway which has become a haven for criminals. People living near the newly-opened walkway connecting Ullswater Avenue and Railway View, near Neasham Road, Darlington
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Good sport of sorts
THE BBC must be hoping by turning the clock back with some programmes we'll all return to loving EastEnders. Fat chance. Despite playing the "who's he, another rugby player?" game with my wife, the new series of SuperStars (BBC1, Sunday) opened with the
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Founding chairman of TVR steps down
THE founding chairman of the country's largest urban regeneration company has resigned, it was revealed yesterday. Peter Middleton, who has been chairman of Tees Valley Regeneration (TVR) since 2002, was unavailable for comment last night, but a statement
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22/01/05
ROYAL FAMILY: Yet again Mr Tate has hit the nail on the head in condemning the undemocratic monarchial system (HAS, Dec 31). Why should our society be less open, just because a few pampered royal sycophants may be unseated? How Britain has been tied into
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The future's orange
Think Beverly Hills 90210 crossed with Dawson's Creek spiced up with a touch of Dallas and Dynasty - and you have The O.C. After just one season, the US hit has successfully crossed over from teen drama to pop culture phenomenon. The series about "the
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Tests ordered on magazine's free laser pens after pupil's eye injury
LASER pens offered as free gifts on a magazine have been sent to a laboratory for safety tests after allegations that a child's eye was damaged by the device. Copies of the magazine have been removed from shops near Woodham Community College, in Newton
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Anger as work on junction delayed
A COUNCILLOR has criticised plans to delay improvements to one of the region's most notorious accident blackspots. The Long Newton junction on the A66 has seen a series of crashes in recent years, as motorists travelling towards Stockton must cross two
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Tenants talk about their future homes
COUNCIL tenants will meet today to discuss the future of their homes. The conference will be held at the Red Lion in Chester-le-Street, from 9am to 3pm. Chester-le-Street District Council has to decide by July on the best long-term options for the management
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Youngsters gain access to forum
YOUNGSTERS living in isolated east Durham communities will soon be able to get out and about more easily. Access to a wide range of activities for 11 to 16-year-olds will now be available thanks to a donation by the Liveability Fund of £30,000 for a new
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Demolition marks end of an era
MORE than 100 years of scholarly history came to an end this week with the demolition of an old school building. Workers stripped tiles from the Arthur Pease School, in Trinity Road, Darlington. The building is to be replaced by a block of 23 luxury apartments
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Play area unsuitable for phone mast plan
A MOBILE phone company has been refused planning permission to erect a phone mast next to a children's play area. Hutchinson 3G wanted to erect the 12m mast, with its three-metre dish, in the car park of the Plough Inn at Mountsett in Dipton. But Derwentside
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Bus passengers survive air gun shooting
YOBS fired an air gun through the window of a bus, narrowly missing passengers. The pellet went through the single decker, smashing the glass on both sides of the aisle. None of the nine passengers was hurt, although one or two were showered by small
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Five years on, villagers get their nursery back
A village has welcomed the decision to set up a children's nursery there, having been five years without one. The nursery will be opened in Hampsthwaite C of E Primary School, in Nidderdale, in September, subject to planning permission. It has been given
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Region's dog patrol ready to sniff out first sign of trouble
CRIMINALS are sure to think twice about tackling North Yorkshire Police's newest recruits, soon to be sniffing out law breakers on the streets. German Shepherd dogs Rudi, Bruno, Blaze and Jess have successfully completed a 13-week course at the Dog Training
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Revival of town relies on charity
A PROJECT dedicated to the revival of a North Yorkshire town hopes to secure its future by becoming a charity. Community leaders feared the work of the Richmond Swale Valley Community Initiative (RSVCI) would stop when regional developmeny agency Yorkshire
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Delectable Dubai
Built on sand and immense wealth, Dubai is a mystical mix of the old and the new. Sam Moritz finds the perfect destination for a luxury break and an Arabian adventure. Welcome to downtown Dubai - a kaleidoscope of skyscrapers, poised like tubes of Refreshers
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Football star opens town's new £2.2m sports facilities
FORMER Middlesbrough and England star Gary Pallister has opened sport facilities that will play a major part in a drive to get people fit. The £2.2m Acorn Centre at Acklam Grange School, Middlesbrough, has purpose-built sport and fitness facilities for
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Heavy fines handed out to litterbugs
MAGISTRATES are backing a council's crackdown on littering. When two Redcar men did not turn up at Teesside Magistrates' Court for failing to pay on-the-spot £50 fines for dumping litter, the bench ordered each to pay £350 in fines and costs. The court
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Story time at libraries
STORYTELLING sessions are taking place at libraries across Hartlepool to encourage youngsters and their families to read together. The sessions take place at Central Library, York Road, on Mondays at 9.45am, Throston Grange Library, Glamorgan Grove, on
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Quakers have a score to settle, says Hodgson
DARLINGTON manager David Hodgson is relishing this afternoon's clash with League Two strugglers Shrewsbury Town by declaring: "We have a score to settle." Less than a month after Quakers suffered their heaviest defeat of the season at Gay Meadow, fourth-bottom
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Dream becomes reality for Taylor the local hero
Newcastle fans love their homegrown stars. Defender Steven Taylor is the latest North-East player that the supporters at St James' have taken to their hearts. Chief Sports Writer Scott Wilson speak to him ahead of tomorrow's game. It is no coincidence
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Former jailbird's new conviction
While detained at her majesty's pleasure, Peter O' Sullivan saw the light - and is now the life and soul of Northland Methodist Church IT was in the part of Holme House prison in Stockton known as the Black Hole of Calcutta - still less commodious than
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Tests ordered on magazine's free laser pens after pupil's eye injury
LASER pens offered as free gifts on a magazine have been sent to a laboratory for safety tests after allegations that a child's eye was damaged by the device. Copies of the magazine have been removed from shops near Woodham Community College, in Newton
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Schools inspector warns of threat
EVANGELICAL Christian schools have a worse record at teaching tolerance than Muslim schools, it has emerged. Inspectors found that 42.5 per cent of independent evangelical Christian schools were failing to help pupils to learn to respect other cultures
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Boro's young guns may be answer to problem
MIDDLESBROUGH'S central defensive crisis may open the first-team door for two of the club's youth team heroes, according to boss Steve McClaren. Injuries to Chris Riggott and Ugo Ehiogu have led the Boro chief to scour the footballing classifieds for
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Garden row MP declines to speak
A LABOUR MP who tried to claim almost £1,500 to spruce up his garden declined to speak last night as he emerged from a constituency party meeting. Frank Cook, who represents Stockton North, repeated "no comment" as he left. Earlier in the week, Bob Gibson
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Repeat success for Echo crossword winner
VERY little in our giant Christmas crossword stumped our winner Colin Gray - which is as it should be - as he is the groundsman at Stockton Cricket Club. For Colin, 58, it was his second success - he won in 2001 and was pulled out from nearly 100 completed
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Milburn opens £2m walk-in health centre
AN innovative walk-in health centre - only the third to be created in the North - was opened yesterday by the town's MP. Former Health Secretary Alan Milburn toured the new facility at Dr Piper House, in King Street, Darlington, before performing the
