Archive
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Mart prices
BARNARD CASTLE. - Wed of last week. Fwd: 1,733 sheep. Hoggs lt to 114p av 100.8p; std to 124p av 111.4p; med to 121p av 110.3p; heavy to 114p av 104.3p; overall Cont/Suff av 112.3p; overall Mule av 106.8p; overall Swale av 100.1p. Cast ewes: Cont £47.50
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Shops warned after undercover operation
SHOPS in Stockton could face prosecution after an undercover operation exposed sales of cigarettes and alcohol to under- age youngsters. Stockton Borough Council's trading standards and licensing service carried out two test purchase operations involving
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£30m refit of trains at half way stage
TRAIN company GNER is about half way through a £30m refit of its electric trains. The York firm said yesterday that 15 of the 30 Mk4 trains were now in service on the East Coast Main Line. Work is on schedule to rebuild the remainder of the fleet by October
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Pope recovers after operation
THE Pope last night underwent an operation after being rushed to hospital for the second time in a month. A Vatican official said Pope John Paul II suffered a relapse after being affected by flu at the beginning of this month, and was taken to Rome's
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Collapsed company 'had too much debt'
ANOTHER 155 workers at two car parts manufacturers lost their jobs last night. Presswork Metals in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, has closed with the loss of about 95 jobs. They join about 200 former colleagues who were made redundant last year. The
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Businesswomen bare (nearly) all to help the homeless
A TEAM of high-powered businesswomen showed off their assets when they stripped for a saucy charity calendar. The Grainger Trust women, who are more used to dealing with homes for a property developer, posed with just a few carefully positioned power
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Comment from The Northern Echo: The duty of a just society
IT would be easy - and popular - to say that Maxine Carr should be treated like any other released prisoner and should be made to face up to society for her crime. After all, she was linked to one of the most horrific and heartbreaking murder cases in
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Burton's Bytes: A High-flyer in the Mario mould
BANJO PILOT: Format: Game Boy Advance. Publisher: THQ. Family friendly? Yes. DO you remember when Nintendo took a certain moustachioed plumber and dumped him on a power go-kart for some racing fun with his friends? We all thought the company had lost
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Surgery gives Tyler thumbs for first time
LITTLE Tyler Dolan has received a helping hand after surgery gave him thumbs for the first time. Now the four-year-old is like any other child in school and is proud to be able to hold a pencil like his classmates. He was born with a rare genetic disorder
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Mystery over headless bodies find
ARCHAEOLOGISTS excavating a Roman cemetery have discovered 36 decapitated bodies. The skeletons of 49 young men and seven children were found near The Mount in York. Most of the men had had their heads removed and one was bound in shackles, believed to
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Husband was 'driven to kill'
A HUSBAND who murdered his wife in a frenzied knife attack after he was humiliated and ostracised by her family was beginning a mandatory life sentence last night. Amir Shazad carried out the killing 18 months after he moved to the North-East from Pakistan
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Patriarch Express to steam away from rivals again
EVERY season Sue Smith seems to come up with a new star and she's cracked it again with Kempton-bound Patriarch Express (2.20). The Bingley-based handler and her former showjumping husband, Harvey, are impossible to keep out of the limelight for long.
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Pregnancies reduce slowly
A DRIVE to cut the number of teenage pregnancies is making only slow progress in the North-East, according to new figures. The number of conceptions among under-18s fell by 4.7 per cent between 1998 and 2003, compared with a nationwide decline of 4.4
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Man admits murder of devoted mother of two
A MAN has admitted killing a devoted mother who was found stabbed to death in a house at Craghead, near Stanley, hours after celebrating her birthday. The blood-soaked body of Susan Carr, a 38-year-old mother of two teenagers, was found at a bungalow
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Hunt supporters turn out in defiance
THOUSANDS of supporters turned out at hunt meets across the region on Saturday in a show of defiance against the new hunting ban. On the first weekend since the ban came into force on Friday, the hunting lobby gathered to demonstrate their continued battle
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Thirsk teenager aims for cricketing glory
A TEENAGER from North Yorkshire is continuing to make spectacular progress as a cricketer of immense promise. Rochelle Petty, from Thirsk, is one of only two girls to secure one-year contracts with the Yorkshire Academy. She currently travels to Headingley
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Eaga named as preferred bidder
HEATING and insulation specialist the Eaga Partnership has been named preferred bidder for a Government contract. The Department for Environment, food and Rural Affairs yesterday announced the group was in line to operate the Warm Front programme, in
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Action grows to keep blood unit at the Memorial
CAMPAIGNERS are stepping up their fight to stop the closure of a Darlington hospital unit. New action was agreed at a public meeting on Wednesday called by a group fighting plans to switch the Memorial Hospital's haematology unit to a centralised department
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D&S tests Freedom of Information Act
THE Darlington & Stockton Times has tested out the new Freedom of Information Act by requesting information from a local authority which previously kept it secret. Richmondshire District Council responded well within the 20 working day deadline for
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Landowner makes £3m pool offer if homes go ahead
A LANDOWNER has promised to build a £3m swimming pool in Guisborough - if his plans for a housing development on a greenfield site are approved. Bernard Lax, whose family has owned Galley Hill Farm, off Stokesley Road, Guisborough, since 1951, is hoping
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Humiliated husband 'was driven to kill'
A HUSBAND who murdered his wife in a frenzied knife attack after he was humiliated and ostracised by her family was beginning a life sentence last night. Amir Shazad carried out the killing 18 months after he moved to the North-East from Pakistan to be
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Soldiers say farewell to comrade
PEOPLE turned out in force to pay tribute to a soldier who died in a car crash while on leave from Iraq. Some mourners had to stand outside St Patrick's Roman Catholic Church at Langley Moor, near Durham City, to hear the requiem mass for Lance Corporal
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Initiative offers smokers help to quit
SMOKERS wanting to kick the habit are being offered help by a health initiative. Darlington Primary Care Trust's (PCT) stop smoking service is to hold weekly sessions outside office hours at the town's walk-in medical centre, Dr Piper House. The first
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Campaigners put their case against town centre changes
CAMPAIGNERS battling to prevent the removal of features from Darlington's historic High Row have submitted their formal objections to council bosses. The town's civic trust is fighting against the proposed demolition of the area's three-tiered steps,
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Travellers and pupils suffer after bleak week of whiteness
TRAVEL, trade and schools were all hit as severe weather blitzed the region this week. As workers struggled with rush-hours, some schools were closed amid heating problems and difficulties for both teachers and pupils reaching classrooms. And gritting
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Smoke ban is a winner
A COFFEE shop which is packing in the customers despite warnings that its total smoking ban threatened to take away trade has been presented with an award. When Gillian Richardson opened Preston's Coffee Shop in Front Street, Chester-le-Street, she was
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Re-tiling forces closure of pool
SWIMMERS are being warned that their local pool will be closed for more than two weeks for maintenance work. Richmond swimming pool will close on Monday, March 7. The pool and the poolside will be re-tiled before the pool is re-opened on Friday, March
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A bright idea to slow global warming
HOUSEHOLDERS are being urged to be more efficient by switching to a free energy-saving scheme. Over the next two months, about 18,000 energy efficient lightbulbs are being given to people in the Ryedale area. Altogether they are worth more than £100,000
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Latest movies come to film fans
FILM fans frustrated at living miles from their nearest multiplex will soon be able to visit their local village hall to watch the latest blockbusters. Arts development agency Arts in Richmondshire is launching a project to take major films around the
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Child carers demand change
CHILD carers from Teesside have taken their concerns to the top. Five youngsters who care for disabled parents in Middlesbrough met representatives of the three major political parties at the Houses of Parliament, in London, yesterday. They joined 20
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Place for little ones to play
EVERYTHING in the garden should be rosy this summer for teenage mothers at a residential development aimed at helping them gain their independence. The Tees Valley Housing Group has improved the grounds of Anna Court, a group of sheltered apartments in
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Second chance to obtain passport and help rare breed
DUE to the great success of the recent passport day organised by the Cleveland Bay Horse Society, by kind permission of York Horse Sales, a similar event is to be held next Saturday, March 5. The event will offer the chance to obtain equine passports
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Durham top
THERE are more Google website hits for Durham City than for any other town or city in the county. Typing Durham City in the Google search engine produces four million results. The town with the second highest number of results in the county was Darlington
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Patrol car hits post to avoid crash
POLICE have appealed for help in tracing a car that caused one of its patrol cars to crash into a lamp-post as it answered an emergency call. A police spokesman said officers were driving a marked Ford Focus along Billy Mill Avenue, North Tyneside, following
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Have say on £25m health care centre
AN extra public meeting has been arranged so people can find out about the services planned for a £25m integrated health and social care facility. The plan is a partnership project between Langbaurgh PCT and Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council. A meeting
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Talks get under way to buy and revitalise bus station
A BUS station that has been the subject of heavy criticism from passengers and residents may be about to change hands. Durham County Council yesterday revealed it is in negotiations with current owners Arriva, to buy the North Road bus station, the main
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Wardens win funds to stay
The future of Wear Valley's street warden scheme has been secured. Funding was due to run out for the project next month, but now it has been announced that not only will it continue - but it will also be extended. The announcement was made on Monday
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Footballer helps two pupils net jobs
MORE students are being encouraged to make a career out of sport. Redcar and Cleveland College has introduced a course in sport and recreation, which will be led by ex-footballer Andy McLaughlin. He has set up a project with Tees Valley Leisure and already
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Capita celebrates sweet sixteen
OUTSOURCING specialist Capita has returned record results for the 16th consecutive year. The group, which employs 1,000 people in the region, provides Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) services. For the year ending December 31, turnover increased by
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Tories launch area website
THE Conservatives have launched a website for a County Durham constituency in advance of the General Election campaign. North West Durham Conservatives have set up their site - www.nwdurhamconservatives.com - to provide more information about the local
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Government to meet half Labour conference policing costs
THE Government will meet half the costs of policing the recent Labour Party Spring Conference. The Home Office said it was to give Northumbria Police, which spent nearly £3m on security, £1.44m to cover the additional expenditure the force had to meet
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Call for help with calendar
AMATEUR photographers are needed to help out with one of Durham City's most popular annual fundraising events. Every year, St Cuthbert's Hospice produces its Views Of Durham calendar, which is famed for its high-quality pictures of Durham City and the
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City mayor mediates in row brewing over youth cafe
A CITY'S mayor is making anonymous fact-finding visits to a youth cafe and the surrounding area in response to calls by neighbours for it to be relocated. Ripon Mayor Stuart Martin has been called in to act as mediator after residents and traders in the
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Don't worry about breaking the chain
IF my obituary, or that of one of my nearest and dearest, appears elsewhere in this week's D&S Times, it will be entirely my fault, because I broke the chain. Not only did I fail to forward an e-mail to ten friends within three hours, I didn't forward
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Town moves to make trade more fair
COUNCILLORS are raising a toast to Darlington becoming a Fairtrade town. Last year, the borough council passed a resolution to support and raise awareness of the Fairtrade Foundation. The organisation aims to tackle poverty, ensuring that food producers
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MP urges a solution to fuel poverty
VULNERABLE householders are being urged by their MP to apply for heating and insulation grants. Easington MP John Cummings said that Government grants are available to help those in need keep their homes warm and save money on fuel bills. Mr Cummings
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Schools gain cash to make healthier meals
HUNDREDS of thousands of pounds will be injected into primary school meals across County Durham later this year to ensure the standard of food served to pupils continues to improve. In September, Durham County Council will invest £300,000 into the school
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New idea to solve impasse over institute
PEOPLE at Sutton-under-Whitestonecliffe are being given what may be their last chance to have a say on the future of their village institute. An extraordinary general meeting in the institute on Monday (7.30) will to try to resolve a complicated five-year
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'Death risk' gives Carr right to secret new life
Soham murderer Ian Huntley's former girlfriend Maxine Carr yesterday won an indefinite order protecting her new identity to fend off the "real and significant risk" of injury or death. The injunction granted by Mr Justice Eady at London's High Court was
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Walks look at reform and conservation
THE forthcoming Single Farm Payment Scheme, cross-compliance measures and the new Entry Level Scheme make it more important than ever to ensure habitats are managed with conservation in mind. Tyne Tees and Northumberland Farming and Wildlife Advisory
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Kick-start recycling
CHILDREN are being urged to recycle by Freda the frog. Freda is Stockton Borough Council's recycling mascot and who is showing youngsters the benefits of recycling through an online game called Duncan's Football. Players have to make Duncan, one of Freda's
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Walder back for the Falcons
DAVE Walder returns to the Newcastle Falcons team for the home match against Gloucester on Sunday. For his first start since suffering a knee injury on January 2 he will be at full back in place of Toby Flood, who has been named at fly half for England
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Jim cracks record in debut race
VETERAN athlete Jim Caddy sprinted past the finish line to break a British record in a race he had never run before. The runner, who competed at the British Masters Championships in Cardiff last weekend, arrived back at his Redcar home with three gold
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From the sordid to the spooky
The World's Most Successful Madam (C4); The Real Exorcist (C4): AN old school friend declared that Margaret McDonald "wasn't what you'd call that sort of girl". Clearly she misjudged her classmate who, when jailed in France in 2002 for pimping, had nearly
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Henge champions stress the tourism point with MEP
A EUROPEAN MP has called for more study into scheduled ancient monuments which have become the focus of a controversial quarrying plan near Bedale. He is being asked to seek European funding to look at issues surrounding their conservation and tourism
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Pony club dates
Bedale & West of Yore PC. - Feb 27 and Mar 5: pony club games practice, 3-6pm, at Catterick. Tel Rowan on 01748 832829. Mar 27: team SJ competition at Northallerton EC. Details 01845 526185. British Eventing. - Mar 20 & 30: cross-country training
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Second parking fine is last straw for gallery
FURIOUS business partners are withdrawing their sponsorship for Darlington Borough Council projects after a second customer received a £60 parking fine. Richard Hindle and Gwen Brown, who own Gallerina in Duke Street, have confirmed they will not renew
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Looking Back
From this paper 150 years ago. - The River Tees being frozen over at Barnard Castle, the inhabitants have got up to several games. On Monday last a match at football was played between the 2nd and 5th companies of the Militia, who are at present assembled
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On Tv
The World's Most Successful Madam (C4) The Real Exorcist (C4) AN old school friend declared that Margaret McDonald "wasn't what you'd call that sort of girl". Clearly she misjudged her classmate who, when jailed in France in 2002 for pimping, had nearly
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Funds put by for flooding emergency
CLIMATE change has prompted a local authority to put thousands of pounds aside for emergency equipment in preparation for flash floods. The announcement of a £10,000 grant for a new Climate Change Programme was made at a meeting of Wear Valley District
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The Buck stops here for lovers of country pubs
'YOU are lucky," the woman on the table next to us at the Buck Inn at Maunby said to her companion, "to live in such a quiet, tucked-away village with such a good pub on your doorstep." And I would agree with her on both counts. The hamlet of Maunby is
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'Harold delivers first-class service to our community'
Nominations have been flooding in for The Northern Echo's Neighbours From Heaven awards and the chance to win a dream cruise. Sarah Park reports on the first of our nominees. ONE man has devoted his retirement to making his community feel safer and for
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Board game kids are way past Go
SCHOOLchildren are helping to put their town on the map by creating a local version of the world's most famous board game. Youngsters from primary schools in Ferryhill and Chilton have designed their own Monopoly boards featuring local buildings. Jayne
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Shearer sparks night of dominance for Magpies
HEERENVEEN winger Ugur Yildirim might have won a recent competition to find the world's best free-kick taker. But in Alan Shearer Newcastle have their own set-piece specialist. The United skipper provided yet more evidence of his enduring ability last
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Arable Outlook conference hears about machinery and markets
THERE is an opportunity to make considerable machinery cost savings on most farms, but these need to be planned and achievable in the medium term, at least. John Bailey, TAG machinery consultant, told the recent Arable Outlook conference at Scotch Corner
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Residents' joy as masts at sports club are rejected
RESIDENTS have won their battle to prevent a radio base station and three phone masts from being erected at Yarm Sports and Social Club. Officers recommended approval of the scheme at a meeting of Stockton Borough Council planning committee on Wednesday
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Shop Talk: The clever cereal con
You may think of breakfast cereals as healthy but you may be surprised by how much sugar they contain. DO you want to give your child a healthy breakfast? How about three spoonfuls of sugar and a dollop of salt? No? But if you're giving them a typical
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Kall Kwik yields first victory for Petch junior
IN his very first outing in his newly-acquired Group N Subaru Impreza, County Durham youngster Stephen Petch emulated his father's success by taking a dramatic victory on the Kall Kwik National Rally last weekend. Originally from Hamsterley but now living
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Is February Fill-Dyke a thing of the past - despite this week's snow
THEORIES about global warming continue to circulate, with scientists apparently uncertain about whether it is really happening. In general, and based on what we observe in the countryside around us, it appears that our climate is getting warmer, even
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Another classy display from Titus
THE 'Titus Bramble for England' campaign may not boast the membership levels of 'Stay With Shearer' group, but numbers are growing. Despite his classy Man of the Match display against Chelsea on Sunday the former Ipswich defender still has much to prove
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Free and easy
OUR use of the new Freedom of Information Act to obtain material from Richmondshire District Council was motivated by a desire to see if the legislation worked. It clearly does and the Darlington & Stockton Times is pleased that the council responded
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Enigmatic postbox messages are baffling
REMEMBER those little tags on post boxes that gave the time of the next collection? We complained a while ago of their disappearance, particularly as you could never be sure, if posting a letter close to the last collection time, whether or not you were
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Bafta award for Dales artist
TEESDALE artist Keith Alexander is off to the Caf Royal in London on Wednesday, having seen his web site nominated for a British Academy of Film and Television Arts (Bafta) award. He is one of five nominated in the factual category of Bafta's Interactive
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Equal pay issue forces up tax bill
TAXPAYERS in County Durham are facing above-inflation rises in their council tax bills this year to offset a £12m equal pay claim from staff. Membersof Durham County Council voted to ratify the authority's £500m budget for the coming year at an emergency
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Police numbers fall in two forces
THE number of police officers employed by two North-East forces fell last year, contrary to the national trend. Cash-strapped Cleveland saw its number of officers fall by almost six per cent from last March to September, a loss of 96 officers. Durham
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Paul died, but his legacy is hope
The North-East is now the front line in the war against cancer. Health Editor Barry Nelson finds out how one man's vision became reality. A FEW years ago, cancer scientist Professor Herbie Newell had a vision. He dreamt of a new research institute based
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A high-flyer in the Mario mould
BANJO PILOT: Format: Game Boy Advance. Publisher: THQ. Family friendly? Yes. DO you remember when Nintendo took a certain moustachioed plumber and dumped him on a power go-kart for some racing fun with his friends? We all thought the company had lost
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Don't freeze, folk told
ADVICE workers are urging pensioners to sign up to a scheme to keep them safer and warmer in their homes. Wear Valley Citizens' Advice Bureau is backing a campaign by independent gas and electricity group Energywatch to make sure more people know about
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Ban comes into force - and hunts across the region turn out in show of defiance and determination
IT WAS with an air of defiance and determination that hundreds of hunt supporters gathered in Masham on Saturday, the day after the ban came into force. Determined to preserve a proud tradition, people travelled from miles around to see the West of Yore
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Homes to face 3.9% council tax increase
MOST council tax bills in Derwentside are set to rise by nearly £35 a year after the district council voted through its budget for the coming year. Bills across the district are set to rise by 3.9 per cent in the coming financial year and with 70 per
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Appleby deal looks unlikey
DARLINGTON'S promotion aspirations may not be realised until May, but assistant manager Mark Proctor last night revealed preparations are already underway for next season. While Quakers' quest for League One football tops the agenda with 12 games to go
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Cleared of assault but PC is sacked
A POLICE officer convicted of assaulting two prisoners but later cleared on appeal has been sacked by his force. PC Paul Ions had his convictions for assault quashed by a court. But last night, Cleveland Police said that he had been found guilty at a
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Councillors unhappy with 'pathetic' choice of street names
PARISH councillors in Darlington are up in arms about street nameplates on a new development. A reference to a famous 18th century farming family has incensed members of Archdeacon Newton Parish Council because the place where the plates are sited has
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Airports flying high as passenger numbers soar
THE number of passengers using the North-East's two airports has almost trebled since 1990, a report reveals. Figures published yesterday show Newcastle and Durham Tees Valley have enjoyed soaring success along with other regional airports around the
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Praise for campaign that targets overuse of drugs
A LEADING microbiologist has praised the success of a campaign to reduce excessive antiobiotic prescribing. Professor Adrian Walmsley, an expert on infectious diseases at Durham University, said the Moxy Malone cartoon campaign, had helped to raise awareness
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Skatepark redesigned with features that youngsters asked for
THIS is the first glimpse of designs for the long-awaited skatepark to be built in Darlington's South Park. If the plans get the go-ahead from Darlington Borough Council's planning committee, the £55,000 park could be finished in June - ready for the
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Northallerton see off North Shields to hit top spot
North Shields 0 Northallerton Town 3 WITH the match of the day between the two leading second division clubs Newcastle Blue Star and Washington Nissan being postponed, Northallerton Town took full advantage to move into pole position with a superb 3-0
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Watching brief: Boro bank on Hasselbaink
JIMMY-FLOYD Hasselbaink could be forgiven for having a sense of deja vu about last night's victory against Grazer AK at the Riverside Stadium - and for thinking his football career had finally come full circle. Hasselbaink - as revealed in yesterday's
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Equal pay issue forces up tax
TAXPAYERS in County Durham are facing above-inflation rises in their council tax bills this year to offset a £12m equal pay claim from staff. Members of Durham County Council voted this week to ratify the authority's £500m budget for the coming year at
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Misguided offspring
THE world would surely be a better place if Douglas Hall were a mansion on the Isle of Man, rather than the misguided offspring of a multi-millionaire. It strikes me that the son of Sir John Hall isn't fit to lace Craig Bellamy's boots, never mind air
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Focus on health matters earns school top award
A PRIMARY school has celebrated getting top marks in a healthy school award. The occasion was marked by Woodlea Primary School in Fencehouses, with a day of healthy activities, including aerobics classes, food tasting and dental health sessions. School
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Time for women to relax as centre hosts day of pampering
LAZY aerobics, hand massage and workshops in positive pasta and making your own salads and juice were on offer at a pampering day in Stanley last week. A group of 20 young women were at Stanley Youth Centre for the healthy living event arranged by the
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Cliffhanger as mobile library finds going tough
RED faces were on the books when a new mobile library vehicle failed to climb a steep fellside road in Swaledale. Readers in the tiny hamlet of West Stonesdale, above Keld, were unable to change their books after a hairpin bend proved too much for the
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Capita celebrates sweet sixteen
OUTSOURCING specialist Capita has returned record results for the 16th consecutive year. The group, which employs 1,000 people in the region, provides Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) services. For the year ending December 31, turnover increased by
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Pool boss praises Brackstone
NEALE Cooper has saluted rookie defender John Brackstone after the 20-year-old helped Hartlepool United to back-to-back wins. Following the defeat by Luton last week, Pool's first since December 7, Cooper's side beat Port Vale and Brentford to strengthen
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Boxers the best Tough Guys
EIGHT boxers from Darlington have proved they are some of the toughest men in the country after completing a charity challenge. The team from Darlington Boxing and Martial Arts Academy beat the Gurkhas and Royal Marines to win the recent Tough Guy challenge
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Hospice honours fundraising achievement
THE fundraising efforts of the Editor of The Northern Echo, Peter Barron, are being celebrated by the North-East's leading children's hospice. The Teesside-based Butterwick Hospice is putting on a lunch in his honour today to mark a £10,000 milestone
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Killer jailed
A jealous boyfriend who murdered his lover was jailed for life today. Peter Killeen, 57, attacked Susan Carr, 38, so savagely she was unrecognisable to her own mother and could only be identified by her deformed toe. Newcastle Crown Court heard how Killeen's
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Dad joins undertaking business with modern approach
A FATHER has decided to follow in his son's footsteps by joining his funeral business. Mel Whitehouse has given up being part of the legal profession to join his son, John, in the family firm, Whitehouse Funeral Service, in West Auckland Road, Cockerton
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O'Toole receives union backing
FORMER Euro MP Mo O'Toole has won the backing of a key trade union in her fight to become Labour's candidate for the Parliamentary seat of Bishop Auckland. At a meeting in Gateshead on Wednesday night, the North-East branch of Amicus endorsed Ms O'Toole
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Blocked road leads to renewed calls for salt barn
RESIDENTS of upper Wensleydale urged North Yorkshire County Council to redouble its efforts to build a salt barn to help with winter road clearance. A lorry jackknifed in Bainbridge in icy conditions on Wednesday morning, blocking the road through the
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Store's gift helps preserve lifeboat image for posterity
TWO large prints of a world famous nineteenth century lifeboat have been handed to a seaside museum to keep its memory alive. An impressive painting of the Zetland lifeboat caught the eyes of crew members from Redcar at a Morrisons supermarket. They approached
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Mother attacked after row over child
A ROW over babysitting sparked a late-night fight in Darlington town centre, magistrates were told. Laura Jane Hodgson, 20, of Saltersgate Road, Darlington, slapped her friend Tracy Jones after an argument over Miss Jones' baby, said Sheila Moore, prosecuting
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Wainwright strike gets Quakers back on track
DARLINGTON travel to London to take on Leyton Orient tomorrow hoping to build on two encouraging results and performances which have hauled them back into the League Two promotion play-off places. Quakers followed up a creditable 1-1 draw at Wycombe Wanderers
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Henman on the march
Tim Henman played Russian roulette on his way to booking a quarter-final place at the Dubai Tennis Championships yesterday. The British No 1 beat Igor Andreev 7-6 (7-5) 6-1 after beating compatriot Greg Rusedski in a thriller on Tuesday. Henman had to
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Suggested by readers
BOOK-lovers across North Yorkshire are being invited to read books recommended by other library users. The service, Borrowers Recommend, has been launched at a number of the county council-run libraries. Using data provided by the Public Lending Right
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Man threatened to kill partner during attack
A MAN subjected his partner to a vicious attack and threatened to kill her when she asked him to leave her home, a court heard yesterday. Andrew Paul McDermott, 31, of Ingleton Road, Stockton, told his girlfriend Claire English he would beat her so badly
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Charity shop revamp
A CHARITY shop is closing for a week for refurbishment. The Cancer Research Shop at Market Place West, Ripon, will close tomorrow and re-open on Monday, March 7. Staff hope that by giving the shop a new look they will be able to attract more people through
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Toilet closure plans get bogged down
PLANS to close 23 public toilets on the Yorkshire coast and in the North York Moors National Park have been delayed. Scarborough Borough Council's cabinet has called for a detailed report on how many people use the toilets and what the running costs are
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Take a leaf out of our booklet
REPRESENTATIVES from more than 70 organisations braved the snow to take part in a tourism-boosting event. They met in Leyburn, to take part in an annual leaflet and information exchange. Accommodation and information providers attended the event to collect
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Youth leader fears a lack of consultation may hit centre
A YOUTH leader with plans to build a £500,000 youth centre fears a lack of consultation could put the scheme in jeopardy. Teesdale District Council has granted planning permission to Teesdale Community Resources (TCR) for its new youth centre on Strathmore
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Specials out in force to find recruits
SPECIAL constables will be out and about across the county on Saturday and Sunday as part of National Special Constabulary weekend. The event is designed to increase public awareness of the role of the special constables and to encourage people to join
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Hunt riders are facing prosecution over protest
A GROUP of hunters could be facing prosecution. The 14 mounted supporters broke away from more than 500 members of Northumberland's Percy Hunt during a protest in Alnwick, Northumberland, against the ban on hunting with dogs. Police said that, last Saturday
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Gymnasts put skills to test for first time
MORE than 200 youngsters enjoyed their first taste of competitive sport when they took part in Durham County Gymnastics Association's Schools' Novice Competition. Children from schools throughout the Easington, Sedgefield and Wear Valley areas showed
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Gymnasts put skills to test for first time
MORE than 200 youngsters enjoyed their first taste of competitive sport when they took part in Durham County Gymnastics Association's Schools' Novice Competition. Children from schools throughout the Easington, Sedgefield and Wear Valley areas showed
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Sporting hero aims to inspire students
A FORMER Boro player and World Cup soccer star returned to his roots encourage more youngsters to take part in sport. Former Northern Ireland international Jim Platt made 482 appearances for Middlesbrough Football Club and was North-East Player of the
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Volunteer stole from HIV fund to pay off debts
A TRUSTED volunteer who stole more than £2,500 from a HIV charity to pay off his own debts was jailed for 15 months yesterday. Stephen Cogdon, 24, worked at Wear Body Positive for five years before swindling the company's funds. Newcastle Crown Court
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Youngsters make voice heard on web
CHILDREN with special educational needs are making their voices heard on a website. The youngsters, from across Teesside, shared their experiences of school on the website for Facilitating Inclusion North-East (Fine), a Government-run initiative to increase
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Rotarians donate £1,000 to museums
A rotary club has marked the centenary of its network by making donations to two museums. The Rotary Club of Guisborough and Great Ayton donated £500 to both the Guisborough Museum and the Captain Cook Schoolroom Museum, Great Ayton. Club president Mark
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Team wins contract
The catering team at Newcastle United has won a contract to provide on-deck corporate hospitality for the Tall Ships Race. Newcastle United Football Club Conference and Banqueting, which operates the corporate hospitality at St James' Park, will provide
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Campaign urges motorists to drive out car criminals
POLICE are using the power of advertising to alert motorists to a huge increase in car crime. Radio adverts will be broadcast and posters placed on the backs of buses and lampposts in hot-spot areas of Middlesbrough where thieves break into parked cars
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Pupils shown value of healthy eating
PUPILS from a north Durham school will get a lesson in healthy eating next week at an event featuring taster stalls with fruit and vegetables. More than 120 Year 9 and 10 pupils from Tanfield Comprehensive School, in Stanley, will take part in a Carousel
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Dentist hosts birthday party
A DENTAL practice is inviting patients to a champagne celebration of its 20th birthday. Dentist Catherine Dowding opened Cumberland House Dental Practice, in Coxhoe, in 1985, after converting an existing building. On Friday, March 18, she is inviting
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Morrison extends his big UEFA Cup adventure
MIDDLESBROUGH were described by their Grazer AK counterparts as arrogant during the pre-match build up to this encounter and the Teessiders delivered the perfect riposte last night by making sure of a place in the last 16 of the UEFA Cup - at the Austrians
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Children raise tsunami funds
Children at Hurworth School Maths and Technology College, near Darlington, have raised £532 for the tsunami appeal by having a non-uniform day. Year eight has also raised £111 by hosting a hot dog stand and year ten has raised £130 by running a tuck shop
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Charity shop re-opens with a new look
A CHARITY shop has reopened after a having a facelift. The Oxfam shop, in Bondgate, Darlington, opened yesterday after a two-week refurbishment. An extension to the building now houses the clothing section, and a changing room has been added. A children's
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Dog issues addressed
AN action plan to tackle problems with dogs in Darlington has been launched. The borough council's public protection scrutiny committee has set up a group to investigate issues such as stray dogs, complaints about dog fouling and barking, and the role
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Man assaulted girlfriend
A MAN subjected his partner to a vicious attack and threatened to kill her when she asked him to leave her home, Darlington magistrates heard yesterday. Andrew Paul McDermott, 31, of Ingleton Road, Stockton, told his girlfriend, Claire English, he would
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Cheque fraud link to fire at man's home
CHEQUES from a coal merchant's bank book went missing around the time of a fire at his home, a court heard. Inquiries revealed two of the cheques were paid into the bank account of a woman in east Durham, within days of the fire. Durham Crown Court heard
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Conservatives get website up and running
THE Conservatives have launched a website covering a County Durham constituency in advance of the forthcoming General Election campaign. North West Durham Conservatives has set up its site - www.nwdurhamconservatives.com - to provide more information
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House can be pulled down and replaced
A CONTROVERSIAL plan to demolish a house and replace it with six smaller houses has been given approval. Teesdale District Council gave planning permission to the scheme at Harmire Close, Barnard Castle, despite hearing it would amount to an average of
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Over-60s brave the cold to finish tree planting
MEMBERS of an over-60s group have done their bit to improve their local community, with the help of a city's former mayor. The last of 11 trees was planted in wintry conditions in the Nevilles Cross area of Durham yesterday. All 11 have been bedded in
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Skate park costs problem resolved
YOUNG people in Sedgefield borough will continue to enjoy skate park facilities on their doorstep. Sedgefield Borough Council has been forced to pull the plug on a mobile skate park because of high running costs. But the council has identified kit that
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Protestors fight plans for footbridge
HORSERIDERS and parish councils are fighting plans to rebuild a footbridge across the River Nidd at Kirk Hammerton, near Harrogate. North Yorkshire County Council is applying for planning permission to replace a toll bridge, which was demolished 40 years
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Schools gain cash to make healthier meals
HUNDREDS of thousands of pounds will be injected into primary school meals across County Durham later this year to ensure the standard of food served to pupils continues to improve. In September, Durham County Council will invest £300,000 into the school
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News in brief
ROAD CLOSURE: An emergency road closure has been placed on Majuba Road, Redcar, due to a build-up of sand. Work will be carried out by Redcar and Cleveland Council over the next couple of days to remove sand accumulating on the road, which is making conditions
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Ancient treasures are a triumph for the Bowes
AN EXHIBITION of international importance, arrives at the Bowes Museum in March. Ancient Treasures was shown at the British Museum in London to great acclaim, and the Bowes is the only other place in the country where it will be seen - testimony to its
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New hybrid is top for health, fertility and yield
A NEW dairy hybrid is claimed to combine optimum health and fertility with optimum yield. The Norstein - a Holstein and Norwegian Red cross, pictured left - is being promoted by the Green Acres AI company. The breed is a completely new hybrid which, in
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Girls' footie day seeking entries
ENTRIES are being invited for a successful football tournament which has mirrored the rise of female football in recent years. Organisers of the fifth annual Durham Constabulary and Durham FA girls' seven-a-side competition expect the usual deluge of
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Fanny Cradock - The Life And Loves Of A Kitchen Devil, The Studio, York Theatre Royal
LONG before Jamie Oliver and all those other TV celebrity chefs, there was Fanny Cradock. Julia Darling's play reveals her driving ambition and a private life that any soap writer would die for. Sandra Hunt stars in this one-woman show, presenting an
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Protest over blocked footpath
TRADERS have claimed an accident is waiting to happen after a house builder blocked off part of a footpath next to a busy entrance to an industrial estate. Workers at the Park Road South Industrial Estate, Berry Edge, Consett, have sent a petition to
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25/02/05
REGIONAL ASSEMBLY: I READ with growing dismay Nick Morrison's report about the evolution of the Regional Spatial Strategy (Echo, Feb 23). I thought that the vote against the Regional Assembly was the end of it. Now I learn that an unelected assembly is
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Equal pay issue forces up tax
TAXPAYERS in County Durham are facing above-inflation rises in their council tax bills this year to offset a £12m equal pay claim from staff. MembersofDurham County Council voted to ratify the authority's £500m budget for the coming year at an emergency
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Car boot sale boss fined for fake goods
TRADING Standards officials have achieved a landmark ruling that will have an impact all over the country after prosecuting a car boot sale boss. George Banks, who runs the Redcar Racecourse event, was fined £6,000 for allowing counterfeit goods to be
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Hundreds use health centre
A PIONEERING walk-in medical centre has been hailed a huge success after hundreds of people came through the doors during its first month. Darlington MP Alan Milburn opened Dr Piper House, the walk-in health centre and headquarters of Darlington Primary
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More arrests in raids
NEARLY 100 police officers took part in a crime crackdown across the region as part of an ongoing operation to rid the streets of criminals. Suspects were led away in handcuffs as Cleveland Police mounted the latest phase of Operation Sabre. About 90
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Try to make life easier, farmers told
THERE was a great need for farmers to try to make life easier for themselves on the farm, said John Bailey. This was particularly important at a time when farming was becoming much more difficult and demanding all round. He suggested that, apart from
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Wellock's World: Misguided offspring
THE world would surely be a better place if Douglas Hall were a mansion on the Isle of Man, rather than the misguided offspring of a multi-millionaire. It strikes me that the son of Sir John Hall isn't fit to lace Craig Bellamy's boots, never mind air
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Thieves take 168 budgies
A BUDGERIGAR breeder is offering a reward of £5,000 for the safe return of 168 show birds stolen from an aviary in her garden. The birds disappeared from The Green, Chester-le-Street, between 4.30pm and 8.35pm last Saturday. Only one bird was left behind
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Cousteau dives again
He introduced millions to his undersea world and now he has proved the inspiration for a critically-acclaimed film. Nick Morrison looks at the legacy of Jacques Cousteau. THE overalls and red woollen hats are there; the boat is fitted with the same features
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Jim beats age, and record
VETERAN athlete Jim Caddy sprinted past the finish line to break a British record in a race he had never run before. The runner, who competed at the British Masters Championships in Cardiff last weekend, arrived back at his Redcar home with three gold
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Now uplands feel cold
While coastal areas of the region enjoyed a largely chaos-free day, hilly areas bore the brunt of yesterday's wintry weather. Heavy snow showers hammered the Pennines and parts of North Yorkshire and seven moorland roads in County Durham were closed.
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Call for action in wake of toddler's death
AN inquiry into the death of a toddler has recommended improvements be made in communication between social services, the police and health services. It follows an investigation into the death of 13-month-old Kieron Brown, of Malton, North Yorkshire.
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Market town to get £2m revamp
THE centre of a market town is due to be transformed as part of a multi-million pound restoration scheme. Work begins on the first phase of the Historic Town Centre project, in Barnard Castle, County Durham, next month. This phase is expected to cost
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Johnson trio put down markers for Cheltenham
NORMAL service was resumed last Saturday, thank you, even if "substitute" jockeys had to be used. Howard Johnson took an excellent hurdles double at Haydock and also added the Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton. Mephisto took the Haydock opener, the Grade 2
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Honorary doctorates to be given
SIX leading figures from the worlds of science, finance, the arts and religion are to be awarded honorary doctorates by Durham University. The university will be awarding honorary degrees during the coming year to banker Sir Derek Wanless, director of
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'Government is on a path to Auschwitz'
A HIGH Court judge with a love of hunting has quit the judiciary in disgust, accusing the Government of acting like the Nazi party. Michael Spencer QC angrily said the hunting ban was the first step along the same path that eventually led to Auschwitz
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Centre can be built, but access is major difficulty
A HALF-MILLION pound youth project given planning permission on Wednesday might never be built on its chosen site. A proposal to replace the Teesdale Community Resources (TCR) Centre at Birch Road, Barnard Castle, with a new building adjacent to the sports
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Council backs plan to bring broadband to remote areas
NORTH Yorkshire councillors have approved a project to help remote rural communities by bridging a gap in high speed internet access. The county council worked with the regional development agency Yorkshire Forward, the Government Office for Yorkshire
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Arch enemies begin new war of words
A NEW war of words broke out last night between North-East steel company Cleveland Bridge and its former employer at the new Wembley Stadium. Australian company Multiplex revealed that the Darlington-based company's withdrawal from the north London stadium
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Special livestock sales
BARNARD CASTLE. - Tues. Fwd: 340 cattle for show & sale. Champion: JW Dent & Sons to Cooper £560; res: J Buck to Cooper £555. Prizes. - Single bullock: 1 J Buck £555; 2 R Walker £590; 3 D&P Ayre £595. Single hfr: 1 JW Dent & Sons; 2 J&
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Fraud and error cost benefits £600m
ABOUT £600m was lost last year to housing benefit cheats and through errors in processing claims, despite efforts to tackle the problem. The figure was revealed by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) in a new report. It is based on a random survey
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Genius who kept Britain's great deterrent in the air
The funeral will be held next week of a North-East academic whose genius helped to save throusands of lives during the Second World War. Gavin Havery profiles one of the war's unsung heroes. A MILE above the ground, Tom Willmore's heart froze when he
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Liddle transfers attention to women's game
CRAIG Liddle has been making a name for himself as part of the Darlington defence for the past eight years but now he wants to become a success in women's football. Though not ready to hang up his boots just yet, Liddle, 33, is behind a new sports shop
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Hunt supporters out in force in show of defiance against ban
THOUSANDS of supporters turned out at hunt meets across the region on Saturday in a show of defiance against the new hunting ban. On the first weekend since the ban came into force on Friday, the hunting lobby gathered to demonstrate their continued battle
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Drama pupils work all night long
A SCHOOL drama team went without a night's sleep to raise cash for families with disabled children. The event at Wolsingham School and Community College raised £300 for the Independence 4 Disability group in Weardale. Ten students from Year 10 and one
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Third abduction alert
PARENTS are being warned to be vigilant after a third report of a bogus social worker trying to abduct a child. The incident happened last Thursday at about 1.45pm when a woman called at an address in Dovedale Avenue, Grangetown, and said she was there
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Thrill of the chase lost in drag hunt
IT was a typically English picture postcard scene. Forty riders in smart blazers, traditional pinks and polished brass buttons taking the lead of an excitable pack of hounds. But as South Durham Hunt galloped across Tony Blair's pretty Sedgefield constituency
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474 products on dye list as deadline passes
A total of 474 products have now been recalled in the alert over the cancer-causing dye Sudan I, the Food Standards agency said last night. A fresh list of 146 more items was published by the agency yesterday. A previous total list of 430 was found to
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Celtic legends' unlikely visit
STAITHES will become a sea of green and white at Easter, when fans converge on the coastal village for a visit from the Celtic Roadshow. Up to 300 Glasgow Celtic fans are coming from all over the country to help celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Loftus
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Geologists brave icy wastes
TWO North-East geological experts hope their visit to the Antarctic will increase the understanding of volcanoes. Prof Jon Davidson, 45, head of Durham University's Earth Sciences Department, and Dr Dougal Jerram, 35, a lecturer at the university sponsored
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Tributes to maths professor
TRIBUTES have been paid to a brilliant mathematician who spent much of his life teaching in the North-East. Prof Tom Willmore, 85, died on Sunday of an infection he caught while suffering from a brain tumour. He became chairman of pure mathematics at
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The hydra that needs beheading
The billboards at the local cinema inform me that The Magic Roundabout is now showing. For a moment I thought this was a film about the way the Treasury distributes taxpayers' money. The public is taxed, the Treasury allocates cash to numerous quangos
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Kendal defeat leaves Mowden among strugglers
WHILE Darlington did well to draw at home to second-placed Macclesfield last Saturday, Mowden Park lost 32-7 at Kendal and results elsewhere left them among five clubs embroiled in a tight battle to avoid the third relegation spot in National Three North
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Tributes to maths professor
TRIBUTES have been paid to a brilliant mathematician who spent much of his life teaching in the North-East. Prof Tom Willmore, 85, died on Sunday of an infection he caught while suffering from a brain tumour. He became chairman of pure mathematics at
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Latest movies come to film fans
FILM fans frustrated at living miles from their nearest multiplex will soon be able to visit their local village hall to watch the latest blockbusters. Arts development agency Arts in Richmondshire is launching a project to take major films around the
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New subsidy on offer for land used to graze horses
HOME owners who also have grazing land for horses are being alerted to a new subsidy payment being offered by the Government. Tom Oates, of the specialist equestrian property department of chartered surveyors and land agents George F White, said: "In
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The hydra that needs beheading
The billboards at the local cinema inform me that The Magic Roundabout is now showing. For a moment I thought this was a film about the way the Treasury distributes taxpayers' money. The public is taxed, the Treasury allocates cash to numerous quangos
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Understand your local crop market
ARABLE farmers must understand what the market - particularly their local market - requires. Alastair Dickie, marketing director of the Home Grown Cereals Authority, said they should find out who their nearest processors were and what they needed. They
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Bridges stays with Cats next season
MICHAEL BRIDGES will be staying at Sunderland next season after proving his fitness, despite hardly having the chance to shine. The striker was been plagued by a series of Achilles and knee injuries during his time at Leeds United, with both Bolton and
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Fan banned for racist chants
AN Austrian football fan has been banned from attending football matches in the UK after he was caught making racist chants at Middlesbrough's Riverside stadium. Grazer AK supporter Martin Robier was heard making monkey chants when Boro striker Jimmy
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Parents vow to fight on
Parents have pledged to continue their campaign against plans to demolish part of a Darlington school. The borough council is proposing to tear down the infants' area of Corporation Road Primary School, as part of a £350,000 scheme to create a multi-use
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Sing the blues
An up-and-coming British Blues band will play in the region next month. The Matt Schofield Trio will perform at Darlington Arts Centre in Vane Terrace on Friday March 4, from 9pm. The gig takes place in the Rhythm 'n' Blues club. Admission is free. Published
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SEEL of approval for e-learning programme
A NORTH Yorkshire company is celebrating after a business strategy programme it has been involved in winning a major European award. The Strategy Blueprint initiative, devised and piloted in the Yorkshire and Humber region, has become one of only two
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Tsunami thief locked up for eight months
A TEENAGER who stole charity boxes containing donations for the tsunami disaster appeal to buy drugs has been jailed. Teesside Crown Court was told Stephen Sparrow did not give a damn that the money had been donated by Teesside residents in the wake of
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Forum will now need £24m to be viable for further 25 years
COUNCILLORS were due to discuss the future of Billingham Forum yesterday after officers reported it would take a £24m revamp to keep it viable. Separate proposals to consult the public about the future development of the town centre have also been unveiled
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McClaren delighted
STEVE McCLAREN declared he was 'delighted' with his side's battling UEFA Cup victory at the Riverside Stadium, writes Will Scott. The Middlesbrough boss saw his side lose a goal after only seven minutes - Boro's first in the UEFA Cup on home soil - but
