Archive
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Top Ten To Rent
UK DVD/VIDEO RETAIL: 1 (-) The Incredibles 2 (-) The Simpsons Season 5 Complete 3 (1) Alien Vs Predator 4 (-) Bridget Jones 1 And 2 Boxset 5 (-) Shrek 2 6 (6) Shark Tale 7 (-) Bubba Ho-Tep 8 (3) Layer Cake 9 (7) Little Britain: Series 1 10 (-) Bride &
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Hospitals to ban smoking
STEPS are to be introduced to make all hospital areas in the region smoke free. The County Durham and Darlington Acute Hospitals NHS Trust is updating its no smoking policy. It aims to implement a total smoking ban in all hospital grounds by next spring
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Black calls for action on injuries
RUGBY players may soon have to put their macho tendencies to one side for the sake of their careers, according to Newcastle Falcons' conditioning coach Steve Black. Ahead of the biggest game in the Falcons' history, the Heineken Cup quarter-final with
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Groundbreaking jockey Alex weighs up her future in the saddle
BRITAIN'S most successful female jockey has quit the saddle after losing an ongoing battle with her weight. Alex Greaves, 36, rode more than 300 winners in her 15 years as a professional and made history as the first woman to ride a Group One winner.
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New manager for theatre
A NEW manager has been appointed to run Durham's Gala Theatre. Simon Stallworthy, a former director of the Octagon Theatre in Bolton, takes over from next week, following a major restructuring of the management of the venue. The £14m flagship theatre
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The King And I, York Grand Opera House
THIS Rodgers and Hammerstein musical is stuffed with songs that you go in humming and an emotional cross-culture love story. How can it possibly fail given a production as sumptuous and lovingly crafted as this latest touring show? The musical is based
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Grown-up business of being a brother
"LOOK! Tigger!" Jonah bounded like that animal across the floor of Mothercare towards the racks of Tigger playsuits. They were fleecy, with bright orange and black stripes (of course) and matching hats with furry ears. Jonah was entranced. "We'll get
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Mother's last words to tragic schoolboy
A GRIEVING mother last night told of her final words to her "fantastic" son before he was killed by a train. Speaking for the first time since the tragedy that saw two youngsters killed on a railway line in Darlington, Christine Mullis said she spoke
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Gran At Large
LOOK! Tigger!" Jonah bounded like that animal across the floor of Mothercare towards the racks of Tigger playsuits. They were fleecy, with bright orange and black stripes (of course) and matching hats with furry ears. Jonah was entranced. "We'll get one
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England overcome stubborn resistance
AZERBAIJAN'S most famous sportsman is chess legend Gary Kasparov and, last night, England were grateful to second-half strikes from Steven Gerrard and David Beckham that prevented an unwelcome stalemate against the former Soviet state from wrecking their
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End of the road for animal transport
AN ambulance service for sick pets is coming off the road because its founders are retiring. For seven years, pet owners in east Durham and Hartlepool have been able to call the Graywall North-East Animal Ambulance in emergencies or to ferry their animals
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Hospitals to ban smoking
STEPS are to be introduced to make all hospital areas in the region smoke free. The County Durham and Darlington Acute Hospitals NHS Trust is updating its no smoking policy. It aims to implement a total smoking ban on all hospital grounds by next spring
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Nanny's goal
Elaine Glover has a role to remember in the new series of ITV1's Footballers Wives... playing a rape victim in episode one who returns to seek revenge as a nanny called Katie Jones. Steve Pratt talks to the actress about starring in a drama which concentrates
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N-E steel company is short of work
THE steel fabricator thrown off the Wembley stadium project yesterday revealed it was struggling to find new work. Cleveland Bridge UK, based in Darlington, is still involved in a legal battle with Australian company Multiplex, which removed it from the
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Food supplements given to children win backing
THE Government is backing a pioneering scheme to boost the nutrition of North-East children by giving them free food supplements. The scheme, in the Peterlee area of east Durham, follows the successful trial of special fish and evening primrose oil supplements
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Park and ride gets £9m funding
THE biggest park and ride scheme in the region was given the go-ahead yesterday with the long-awaited announcement of almost £9m of Government financial help. As expected, Transport Minister Charlotte Atkins announced the Government will finance the project
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School chiefs back Jamie's food crusade
IMPROVEMENTS to school dinners in County Durham are being proposed in the wake of stinging criticism of their content by TV chef Jamie Oliver. The chef, whose efforts to ween children off processed fast food and eat more healthily featured in programmes
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'Unhappy' M&S staff targeted
SHOPWORKERS' union Usdaw is to target Marks & Spencer staff in the North-East as it pushes to become the first recognised union in the store chain's 120-year history. Usdaw has started a recruitment campaign in the North West and plans to extend it
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Fire safety firm wins contract
A FIRE safety company has won a contract to maintain equipment for industries on Teesside. Peterlee Fire Company has signed a deal to support Semb-Corp Utilities UK's fire and safety management services. The agreement includes maintenance of extinguishers
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Councils clash over waste permit plan
DISTRICT councillors are demanding a meeting with their county council counterparts to ask why they weren't consulted about a decision to introduce a permit scheme at household waste recycling centres. Members of Wear Valley District Council's community
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Mystery of student's night in car
POLICE are trying to establish why a university student, who died after he was hit by a bus, had apparently spent the previous evening sleeping in his car miles from his lodgings. Newcastle University student Richard Hyde died on the outskirts of Stanley
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St John Ambulance thanks its supporters
THE County Durham branch of the St John Ambulance is thanking residents and businesses for backing its fundraising appeal, Wheels for Life. For the past 18 months, the charity has been aiming to raise £250,000 to replace is ageing ambulance fleet. Due
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Crush death firm fined
THE company in charge of a construction site where a worker was crushed to death by the portable building he was delivering has been fined £50,000. Marc Channon, 31, had taken the cabin to Seymour Civil Engineering's site in Ryal, Northumberland, on behalf
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Investors in railway rescue bid
PRIVATE investors are in talks over the future of a troubled railway, The Northern Echo understands. Under a deal being put together by Weardale Railway administrators Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PWC), a company already successfully running an established
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Don't tick boxes - talk to the public, council tells its staff
PLANS to improve how North Yorkshire County Council listens to members of the public comes under the spotlight next week. Councillors say staff should be trained and given more support in how they consult residents to make sure it is not just a "box ticking
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Art talent gives
COLLEGE students have been given a taste of life in a commercial world thanks to a competition designed to test their creative skills. Thirty young people studying national diplomas in multimedia and design at Darlington College had six weeks to come
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College news team hopes to make headlines
STUDENTS are hoping to make the news in a national competition designed to test their journalistic skills. Twenty-four year ten pupils from Northallerton College took part in a newspaper day organised by the national Times Educational Supplement. The
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Service tribute to loving couple
OLD friends of a couple who died within months of each other are invited to a service of remembrance next month. Durham-born Thomas and Doris Davison will make a final, poignant return to their home city for a service at the cathedral on Saturday, April
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Exchange group holds open event
A SPRING fair to explain the workings of a remarkable organisation that exchanges goods and services without the need for cash takes place this weekend. Durham Exchange is holding its open day at the Town Hall, in the Market Place, from 1pm to 4pm on
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St John says thanks for appeal support
THE County Durham branch of the St John Ambulance is thanking residents and businesses for backing its Wheels for Life fundraising appeal. For the past 18 months, the charity has been aiming to raise £250,000 to replace is ageing ambulance fleet. Due
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Underfunded volunteers to get a lifeline
A CASH helpline may be thrown to struggling teams of volunteers on Teesside. Councillors at Middlesbrough are expected to set up a training bursary using unspent grants earmarked to help the voluntary sector and community groups Middlesbrough Voluntary
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Board bus to solve issues
A HOUSING association's residents are being invited to solve their problems by hopping on a bus. Endeavour Housing Association staff are touring its housing on a yellow bus to meet tenants and resolve problems. Hartlepool was the bus's first destination
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Tenants' homely welcome
NEW housing tenants are being given a homely welcome as they pick up the keys to their property. A house-shaped starter pack will be handed to the tenants by Coast & Country Housing. The pack includes cleaning equipment, tea and coffee, toilet rolls
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Mark beats odds to take wheel of car
A DISABLED man is on the road to independence after beating the odds. Mark Devlin has passed his driving test, 28 months after undergoing a heart transplant and being warned he might not even walk again. The 23-year-old, from Billingham, was determined
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Nature reserve invites public to guided walk
TOWN residents will be invited to join a guided walk around a nature reserve to find out about projects on the site. The countryside team from Sedgefield Borough Council will lead ramblers around Byerley Park Local Nature Reserve, in Newton Aycliffe,
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Council defends decision to force bird club off site
A COUNCIL that caused feathers to fly with its eviction of a bird club from an observation site, says it acted correctly. It emerged last night that while forcing Teesmouth Bird Club to quit Hartlepool Observatory, Hartlepool Borough Council still charged
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Young student panel assesses area's colleges
STUDENTS attending Darlington College of Technology have struck gold, according to a survey of young people. An assessment of key areas of student life by a panel of young people has landed the college a coveted accolade. The Young People's Charter Award
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Young student panel assesses area's colleges
STUDENTS attending Darlington College of Technology have struck gold, according to a survey of young people. An assessment of key areas of student life by a panel of young people has landed the college a coveted accolade. The Young People's Charter Award
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Musical success
THIRTEEN students have battled it out in an annual music contest. The Leschinski music competition took place at Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College in Darlington. In front of a large audience, thirteen students performed a variety of classical and modern
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Pedestrian 'lucky' injuries not worse
A PEDESTRIAN who was injured by a people carrier which mounted the pavement has said that his injuries could have been much worse. Jim McConnell, 64, of Gainford, near Darlington, was clipped by the wing mirror of a blue Renault Scenic as he walked to
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Children's dream trip to cheer England
YOUNGSTERS from the most deprived parts of a North-East town were treated to a dream trip to see England's football heroes in action last night. Nine Darlington children watched the national team take on Azerbaijan at Newcastle United's St James's Park
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Allotment site growing in popularity
ALLOTMENT holders who once faced eviction after being told their site was going to close are celebrating their first year under new management. Plot holders at Barton, near Darlington, were issued with eviction notices by Barton Parish Council in 1999
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Apply now to vote by post
ANY members of the electorate in the Easington area planning to vote by post in the Durham County Council election, on May 5, needs to complete an application form, available from the district council offices, to be returned no later than Tuesday, April
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Family and friends marvel at Olive, 101 not out
INDEPENDENT 101-year-old Olive Oxley celebrated her birthday yesterday surrounded by friends. She welcomed a stream of callers to her home in Sherburn Village, near Durham City, and the telephone never stopped ringing. "I have had a wonderful birthday
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War mine found on beach is detonated
A WARTIME mine was last night blown up on a North-East beach after it was found to be too dangerous to move. The 2ft 6in-long Second World War spigot mine was discovered on sands at Seaton Carew, near Hartlepool. Last night, HM Coastguard issued an urgent
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Hospital fire staff honoured
STAFF who evacuated 86 patients from a hospital during a fire were yesterday honoured for their bravery. The team, from York Hospital, received awards from the Royal Humane Society. York Hospitals Trust chief executive Jim Easton presented the awards
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Men in court on kidnap charge
Six men have appeared in court accused of conspiring to kidnap a businessman. Builder Tony Pattison, 42, from Hartlepool, was snatched from the streets of his home town and held captive for 31 hours by an armed gang before being released near an exclusive
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Museum to get milestone visitor
A MULTI-MILLION pound railway museum is expected to welcome its 100,000th visitor today. Locomotion: National Railway Museum, in Shildon, County Durham, has been hailed a huge success since it opened in September last year. It was estimated that the North-East's
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Surviving the high life
Torvil and Dean are still regarded as the world's best skaters by the Russian-based company bringing Sleeping Beauty On Ice to Sunderland next week. The cast includes former German champion Mandy Woetzel who admits to Viv Hardwick that she's afraid of
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A moral vitory for David
I SUPPOSE my husband meant well when he got us tickets for the England v Northern Ireland football match last Saturday. It was an opportunity for me to cheer on my native team, the plucky little underdogs who didn't stand a chance. The only problem was
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31/03/05
PASS RATES: PETER Mullen (Echo, Mar 29) bemoans the fact that 40 per cent of schoolchildren are achieving below grade three GCSE in English and maths. Grade three GCSE is equivalent to an O-Level pass. In the good old days, only about 20 per cent of children
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Black calls for action on injuries
RUGBY players may soon have to put their macho tendencies to one side for the sake of their careers, according to Newcastle Falcons' conditioning coach Steve Black. Ahead of the biggest game in the Falcons' history, the Heineken Cup quarter-final with
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Ken still fighting fit at 75
MARTIAL arts student Ken Nevison is still very much alive and kicking at the age of 75. Mr Nevison, of Shildon, celebrated reaching three quarters of a century by taking part in his usual class at the town's martial arts centre. He was 58 before he started
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Banks and post offices under fire over ATM fees
BANKS and post offices are condemned today by MPs for the spread of cashpoints, or ATMs, that charge customers £140m a year to withdraw their own money. A report by the Treasury Select Committee criticises the high street banks for selling free machines
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Comment from The Northern Echo: Feeling the heat
JAMIE Oliver should be given a knighthood, according to Steve Sinnott, the general secretary of the National Union of Teachers. The TV chef certainly deserves national praise for his efforts in forcing the Government to act over the scandal of food in
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Nothing smart about this total wste of money
Smart Spenders (BBC1): THIS is the sort of programme that makes you endorse the order given to the BBC as part of its charter renewal to stop making copycat shows. Not only is Smart Spenders awful but rips off another BBC series - the one in which Alvin
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Deselected councillor finds another seat
A COUNCIL leader whose political future was threatened when he was deselected by his Labour Party branch has been thrown an election lifeline. Durham County Councillor Ken Manton, barred from defending his Sedgefield seat in May, is standing in Bishop
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Newcastle's young lions have their work cut out on Tyneside
COACH Peter Taylor has begrudgingly acknowledged that Newcastle United's England Under-21 stars face an uphill struggle to force their way into Graeme Souness' first team on a regular basis. Taylor has had the burgeoning talents of James Milner, Steven
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Robson close to compensation
Sir Bobby Robson last night declared it was "about time" negotiations were finalised over his severance package with Newcastle. The Magpies are understood to be close to reaching a financial settlement with their former boss after seven months of wrangling
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Holiday jaunt that ended in year-long freedom dash
IT WAS supposed to be the holiday of a lifetime - but a foreign jaunt turned into a life-or-death year-long dash for freedom. Barbara Wayward, the County Durham woman whose remarkable wartime adventure was as exciting as anything Hollywood could dream
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'Midget' Owen is under fire
SVEN-GORAN Eriksson launched a spirited defence of Michael Owen last night after the Real Madrid striker was the victim of a bizarre verbal attack from Azerbaijan coach Carlos Alberto. The Brazilian World Cup winner watched his side go down fighting 2
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Tributes paid to two best friends and talented sportsmen
THEY were inseparable. Stuart Adams, 15, and Lee Mullis, 14, shared a love of sport and a deep friendship. Lee was an outstanding golfer while Stuart's passion was football. Tributes to the two 'fantastic lads' have been paid from sports professionals
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Budget carrier celebrates success of new routes
BUDGET airline bmibaby has announced that two routes that started from Durham Tees Valley Airport at the weekend are already a success. The low-cost airline launched flights to Cork, in Ireland, and Paris on Sunday. More than 90 of the 130 seats available
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Shearer will play another season
Alan Shearer is expected to confirm on Friday he will postpone his retirement and play on for another season. The Newcastle United skipper was due to end his professional career in the summer but Magpie's manager Graeme Souness has been determined to
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WI news
Leadgate WI: The March meeting was presided over by Bessie Griffiths, vice-president in the absence of Mrs Walker, who was indisposed. A new member and a guest were welcomed and after the singing of Jerusalem the theme, The Charms of Durham, was read
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Police forces prepare to team up on training
NEIGHBOURING police forces are considering teaming up to provide joint training for all ranks and specialities. Durham and Northumbria forces are about to introduce their basic training regime for new-start probationers. The Initial Police Learning and
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Goal proves little consolation for Russell
Craig Russell could find little consolation in the Bank Holiday Monday draw at Bristol Rovers, despite ending his personal goal drought. The Darlington striker last night admitted his first goal of the season - after just 55 seconds - had little relevance
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Man denies rape charge
A TEENAGE girl who claims she was raped by a man while she lay in bed has denied making up the allegation in order to make him "go away". The teenager, who was 15 at the time of the alleged assault, was quizzed via video link by counsel for Derek John
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Vote due on golf plan
HOLIDAY cabins and an 18-hole golf course could transform one of the area's best known landscapes. Proposals for the development in the shadow of the Newton Cap Viaduct, near Bishop Auckland, go before planners this evening. Former Newcastle footballer
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Lawrence eyes up an Irish international future
LIAM LAWRENCE wants to force his way into Brian Kerr's World Cup plans after securing a Republic of Ireland passport. The Sunderland midfielder qualifies to play for the Irish through his grandfather, James Diggins, who hailed from Killarney in Co Kerry
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Town row over palns to sell off assets
A picture-postcard town has erupted into open revolt over controversial plans to finance a £4.5m council move by selling off local assets. Repeated attempts by local councillors to discuss the issue have descended into farce, with mass public invasions
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John North: 'I never realised we were poor until I caught that train to London'
A reunion at Witton Park recalled the pre-Category D community where there were three to a bed, 300 to a street, 97 per cent on the dole... and where kind hearts and cameraderie were the order of the day. SEVENTY years after he left Witton Park to seek
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Michael's law convicts killer
A MAN whose victim died 18 months after being attacked faces a lengthy prison sentence -thanks to a change in the law introduced after a campaign by The Northern Echo. The move by Northumbria Police is believed to be the first use of the new legislation
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Deadline day for story entries
TODAY is the last day for entries to the national short story competition run through The Northern Echo. Also backed by Orange and Darlington Arts Centre, the competition is organised by Darlington company Inscribe Media Limited. Adult category entries
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Enjoying a Fling
James Leece is dancing with destiny as he brings Matthew Bourne's famous Highland Fling toNewcastle next week. But he tells Viv Hardwick he has his eyes on Bourne's next massive dance project Edward Scissorhands. EXPERIENCED kilt-wearer James Leece is
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Football fan is not singing anymore
A FRUSTRATED football fan's 35 years of hollering at his struggling side have ended in surgery to save his vocal cords. Stuart Canvin, 42, has experienced highs and a lot of lows in his days as a fan of Conference side Scarborough FC. The vending machine
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Town has lowest number of Premium winners
DARLINGTON is the unluckiest place in the North-East for winning Premium Bond top prizes - but, for the second year running, winners in the region are the quickest in the country to claim their money Although the town won prizes totalling £133,000, the
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Judgement reserved on killer's appeal
Judgment was today reserved on the appeal by a drug addict jailed for life for murdering British backpacker Caroline Stuttle in Australia. Ian Previte, 32, was found guilty of robbing the 19-year-old and pushing her from a 30ft bridge in Bundaberg, Queensland
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Village school leading the way
ONE of the region's schools that is already leading the drive to give pupils healthy food is Our Lady Queen of Martyrs, in Esh Winning, County Durham. Awarded healthy school status in 2002, children at the school are involved in menu decisions. Pupils
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Food fair creates a stir
THE smokey taste of a chuck wagon all the way from Kansas, USA, was just one of the highlights of a food festival. With the smell of smoked meats from Mr BBQ lingering in the air, Auckland Castle, in Bishop Auckland, attracted thousands of hungry food
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Row after exam results fall at schools near academies
A row blew up today over the revelation that GCSE results have plunged at schools close to Middlesbrough's two controversial 'city academies'. Critics of the academy programme warned the expensive, privately-sponsored academies "creamed off" the most
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Gran At Large: Grown-up business of being a brother
"LOOK! Tigger!" Jonah bounded like that animal across the floor of Mothercare towards the racks of Tigger playsuits. They were fleecy, with bright orange and black stripes (of course) and matching hats with furry ears. Jonah was entranced. "We'll get
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Woman says goodbye to comforts to help the poor
A North-East woman is packing up her life and leaving home comforts behind in favour of one of the most impoverished corners of the world. Mel Parslow has sold most of her worldly goods and will let her house in Spennymoor, County Durham, to raise enough
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Centre's success is real
A high-tech company celebrated Easter with a Good Friday visit from the Prime Minister During a whirlwind tour of the region, Mr Blair visited the studios of Third Eye, at Low Willington Industrial Estate, where he launched one of the world's first immersive
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Will love last?
HERE comes the bride. No, not Camilla. This one's wearing specs not a crown and getting wed in Weatherfield not Windsor as Soapland's royals tie the knot - again. Mind you, Queen Deirdre does have a certain ring to it. Fifteen years after their divorce
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Accentuate the positive
Regional accents are an important part of our cultural heritage, yet many people feel having a pronounced accent is a handicap. Paul Walker, Chaplain of St Luke's Hospital, Middlesbrough, speaks up in defence of dialect. The best line in the first episode
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Martial arts win for schoolboy
A TALENTED schoolboy has returned from a competition in Portugal with a host of medals. Twelve-year-oldTom Smith picked up two individual gold medals, and a team bronze and silver in a taekwondo competition. Tom travelled to Peniche, in Portugal, with
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Tarraman to outgun rivals for in-form Johnston
MARK JOHNSTON'S Tarraman (2.20), who holds an entry in next month's 2,000 Guineas, should have too many guns for his rivals in the Badsworth Maiden Stakes at Doncaster. Johnston's Middleham stable has made a fantastic start to the new turf season, slotting
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More stable raids force owners to take action
HORSE owners are mounting late night vigils to catch thieves targeting stables in the Bishop Auckland area. A group of villagers are working with police to trap the culprits who raid isolated properties stealing hay, feed, generators, rugs and even ducklings
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Jail for disqualified driver who drank and went on driving spree
A drink driver was more than three and-a-half times over the legal limit when he ploughed into a rider and her horse. Simon Merry, 40, who was already disqualified, jumped into his BMW car following a drunken argument with his partner and sped off at
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Police chief urges runaway girl and cousin: 'Give yourself up'
A POLICE chief last night urged a runaway schoolgirl and her 23-year-old cousin to give themselves up. Detective Superintendent Shane Sellers made the plea as it was confirmed that the hunt for the missing 14-year-old Margaret O'Brien was concentrating
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All heart
Having parted company with BBC2's Have I Got News For You over revelations about his private life, Angus Deayton has turned to sitcom Heartless as a way back into TV stardom. Steve Pratt reports on Deayton's new role as a barrister who, quite literally
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Crush death firm fined
THE company in charge of a construction site where a worker was crushed to death by the portable building he was delivering has been fined £50,000. Marc Channon, 31, had taken the cabin to Seymour Civil Engineering's site in Ryal, Northumberland, on behalf
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QRS to double in size over 12 months
A MOVE to a new business park and an investment of nearly £1m will see a manufacturing company double its workforce and turnover in the next 18 months. Quality Roofing Systems (QRS), which specialises in conservatory roofs, has become the second business
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Airmen bring sense of community back to Iraq
AIRMEN from North Yorkshire are playing a vital role in changing the lives of people in war-ravaged Iraq. About 150 personnel from 34 Squadron RAF Regiment at RAF Leeming are part of the force protection wing, presently deployed at Basra. The wing, also
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Health unit work is praised in report
A REPORT praising the work of a health unit that provides around-the-clock care for people with severe mental health problems has been released. Service users and carers gathered in Darlington on Tuesday to receive the report highlighting the work of
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Youngsters jump at chance to join course
ENERGETIC youngsters have been practising their athletics skills during a four-day course at a Darlington sports centre. About 15 youngsters, aged eight to 13, are taking part in the Star Track athletics sessions at Eastbourne Sports Complex during their
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Store stands by decision on van
A SUPERMARKET said yesterday that it will not be welcoming back a burger van outside its store - despite receiving a petition from shoppers asking for its return. More than 2,000 customers signed the petition to get Big Al's Snack Attack back outside
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Battle to save the White Horse
PEOPLE living at the north end of Darlington last night declared their intention to fight plans to demolish a renowned pub and hotel. A public meeting to organise opposition to a scheme to pull down the White Horse Hotel, in Harrowgate Hill, attracted
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Traders save market
BUSINESSES have united to save an indoor market from closure. Traders at the Clifford Centre Family Indoor Market, in Stanley town centre, received notices telling them to leave last month. Former centre director Michael Smith informed the traders that
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Ice rink plans will be dropped
PROPOSALS to build an ice rink as part of a town centre redevelopment scheme are to be scrapped because of high costs. Sedgefield Borough Council's cabinet is being forced to throw out a plan to create a rink next to Newton Aycliffe Leisure Centre because
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Teenagers' leap to send classmate on conservation mission
A GROUP of teenagers are preparing for a sponsored parachute jump to raise money for a friend's gap year conservation trip. Robert Simpson, 17, from Bedale, needs to raise between £9,000 and £11,000 to go on the 18-month trip that will see him work on
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19-year-old denies attack on van driver
A 19-year-old man alleged to have beat up a van driver after asking him for a cigarette was yesterday accused of trying to "pull the wool" over the eyes of a jury. The prosecution said that Mark Blowes and his friends had come up with a story to clear
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Households to be given free light bulbs
TWO thousand low energy light bulbs are being given away by social services in North Yorkshire. The bulbs have been supplied by British Gas to tackle energy efficiency and fuel poverty. Households throughout the county are being offered up to four bulbs
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On TV last night
Smart Spenders (BBC1) THIS is the sort of programme that makes you endorse the order given to the BBC as part of its charter renewal to stop making copycat shows. Not only is Smart Spenders awful but rips off another BBC series - the one in which Alvin
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Look into future
A CLAIRVOYANT night is to be held at the Lamplight Arts Centre, in Stanley. Noel Sorbye and Sean Roper host A Special Evening of Clairvoyance on April 12. Tickets cost £8.50 and are available by calling (01207) 218899. Doors open at 6.45pm for a 7.30pm
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Oh we do like to bare beside the seaside
A BLONDE bombshell gave police a real eyeful when she was caught on camera wearing nothing but a pair of shoes. Posing on Redcar sea front for what appeared to be a men's magazine photo shoot, the woman not only turned a few heads in the town, but caught
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Farmers' clubs get help to rebuild
A FIELDWORKER has been appointed to help rebuild young farmers clubs affected by the 2001 foot-and-mouth outbreak. Karen Wasden, from Richmond, North Yorkshire, will work with clubs in the Eskdale district, which includes Stokesley, Loftus, Lythe, Whitby
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Long-service hailed as the benchmark
ONE of north Durham's longest-serving magistrates has retired from the bench. Marion Ward has retired after serving more than 30 years at Chester-le-Street Magistrate's Court and the newly-formed North Durham Courts. Ms Ward served as bench chairman at
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Hospitals get a health cheque from fitness centre
A HEALTH club has donated more than £2,000 to two Tees Valley hospitals that cared for a seriously ill member of staff. Bannatyne's Health Club, in Ingleby Barwick, gave the money to the University Hospital of North Tees and James Cook University Hospital
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Kruis joins up with the Tykes
South African paceman Deon Kruis has joined up with Yorkshire and is included in a squad of 13 for the pre-season practice matches against Warwickshire at Edgbaston and Sussex at Hove, writes David Warner. And Yorkshire will have another fast bowling
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Musical success
THIRTEEN students have battled it out in an annual music contest. The Leschinski music competition took place at Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College in Darlington. In front of a large audience, thirteen students performed a variety of classical and modern
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Coach networks her skills
A NETBALL coach who threw herself into a computer course is using her new-found skills to launch a club. Anne-Marie Wade took all eight modules of the European Computer Driving Licence in Darlington. And the 38-year-old, of Staindrop, County Durham, is
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Coach networks her skills
A NETBALL coach who threw herself into a computer course is using her new-found skills to launch a club. Anne-Marie Wade took all eight modules of the European Computer Driving Licence in Darlington. And the 38-year-old, of Staindrop, County Durham, is
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Pedestrian 'lucky' injuries not worse
A PEDESTRIAN who was injured by a people carrier which mounted the pavement has said that his injuries could have been much worse. Jim McConnell, 64, of Gainford, near Darlington, was clipped by the wing mirror of a blue Renault Scenic as he walked to
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Heart mum loses fight for life
A MOTHER-OF-FOUR has died after a worldwide search by doctors failed to find a cure for her heart condition. Emma Hall died in hospital on Easter Saturday, aged only 22, after losing a six-month battle against a mystery virus that left her needing a heart
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Printer 'who knew region better than anyone' dies, 78
A PRINTER who worked on a weekly paper for more than half a century, and was said to know more about the local news than anyone else, has died at the age of 78. Lewis Johnson went straight into The Teesdale Mercury's printing works at Barnard Castle,
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Allotment site growing in popularity
ALLOTMENT holders who once faced eviction after being told their site was going to close are celebrating their first year under new management. Plot holders at Barton, near Darlington, were issued with eviction notices by Barton Parish Council in 1999
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Hair salon is a cut above
A HAIRDRESSER can justly claim her business premises are a cut above the rest after landing a prestigious accessibility accolade. Janet Maitland Hair Excellence, in Gilesgate, Durham, picked up top prize in the health, hair and beauty category of the
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Plan to demolish homes debated
PLANNERS will today vote on whether to knock down eight houses. Derwentside District Council has lodged an application with its own development control committee to demolish four properties on Pemberton Avenue and four on The Bye, both in The Grove area
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Injury lift for Boro's McClaren
STEVE McClaren is set to receive a double boost as he returns to domestic duties this morning with both Mark Viduka and George Boateng winning their race to be fit for Middlesbrough's weekend trip to Crystal Palace. The Boro boss has spent the last ten
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Robbers hunted over raid on shop
THREE assistants were left shaken but unhurt after a knife-wielding raider struck as they were about to close a village store for the night. Police are hunting the robber and an accomplice, who kept watch and possibly acted as getaway driver, following
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Farmers clubs get help to rebuild
A FIELDWORKER has been appointed to help rebuild young farmers clubs affected by the 2001 foot-and-mouth outbreak. Karen Wasden, from Richmond, will work with clubs in the Eskdale district, which includes Stokesley, Loftus, Lythe, Whitby and Danby. The
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Sweeney commits his future to Pool
ANTONY Sweeney yesterday extended his stay at Hartlepool United, whether the manager does remains to be seen. Sweeney has bagged 12 goals from midfield this season and, after signing a one-year deal last summer, has now signed a longer-term contract at
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Carpet fitter ready for retirement
A CARPET fitter who has worked for Boyes in Darlington for 35 years has retired. Gordon Simpson was given a gold wrist watch and card signed by the shop staff, before being taken out for some leaving drinks by his friends. Mr Simpson, who was brought
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Police close two drug dens after judge issues warrant
POLICE swooped to close down two drug dens - one of which was also used as a brothel - after they were granted a court warrant. The addresses in Thornaby and Stockton were yesterday sealed and two men evicted under the Anti Social Behaviour Act 2003.
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Region must focus on improving employment rates
A stronger focus on improving employment rates in the region is needed, a leading think tank announced today. Traditionally, the North-East may have had its employment stronghold in the manufacturing and mining industries but by 2012, following decades
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Four jailed after foiled gun raid at post office
FOUR men convicted of an attempted armed robbery, in which a policeman was threatened with an imitation gun, have been jailed. PC Phillip Clapham gave chase when he saw Paul Sherrington, Ian Hart, and George Appleby fleeing the Shotton Colliery Post Office
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'I am so lucky to be alive after MRSA'
A MOTHER-OF-TWO said that she almost died after being struck down with the killer MRSA superbug four times at the same hospital. Diane Jackson, 32, told a national newspaper that she caught the drug-resistant bug four times over a period of 13 years after
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QRS to double in size over 12 months
A MOVE to a new business park and an investment of nearly £1m will see a manufacturing company double its workforce and turnover in the next 18 months. Quality Roofing Systems (QRS), which specialises in conservatory roofs, has become the second business
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Fighter Rebecca strikes bronze
A TRAINEE beauty therapist has notched up a kung fu victory. Rebecca Carey, 17, who works at the Visage salon, in Langley Park, has returned from the World Kickboxing Association's World Championships, in Cyprus, with a bronze medal. Rebecca, who is rated
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£280m to replace junk food with veg
THE crusade to make school dinners in the region healthier received a boost yesterday with a £280m Government package. Education Secretary Ruth Kelly said schools should spend at least 50p per child on food ingredients in a bid to transform the quality
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Michael's law convicts killer
A MAN whose victim died 18 months after being attacked faces a lengthy prison sentence -thanks to a change in the law introduced after a campaign by The Northern Echo. The move by Northumbria Police is believed to be the first use of the new legislation
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Prisoner found dead in cell had complained about move
A PRISONER who was transferred from one jail to another against his will was found dead hours after arriving in his new cell, an inquest heard yesterday. Andrew McPherson had told his girlfriend he hated Holme House Prison, in Stockton, and complained
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Former RAF fighter pilot scrambles for Blair seat
THE Conservative Party has chosen a key military figure to stand in the forthcoming General Election in Tony Blair's Sedgefield constituency. As British military spokesman, former fighter pilot Grp Capt Al Lockwood was the public face of the Armed Forces
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Action pledged after rail tragedy
THE tragic deaths of two teenagers on a railway line have led police to pledge tough action against anyone involved with underage drinking, if it is found the boys had been drinking alcohol before they died. Friends who were with Stuart Adams, 15, and
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Minister talks to teenagers on Eclipse scheme
Home Office Minister for Drugs, Caroline Flint, arrived in the region yesterday to see for herself how the war on drugs is paying off. Middlesbrough, Stockton and Redcar and Cleveland councils are among 30 local authorities chosen to drive forward a new
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Watching Brief: Beckham bags Bernabeu bragging rights
IF any of the England supporting public were unaware, the national side's camp confirmed this week that David Beckham and Michael Owen are under a bit of pressure. The confirmation came in the spirited defence of the duo from coach and team-mates alike
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Heart mum loses fight for life
A MOTHER-OF-FOUR has died after a worldwide search by doctors failed to find a cure for her heart condition. Emma Hall died in hospital on Easter Saturday, aged only 22, after losing a six-month battle against a mystery virus that left her needing a heart
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Bank workers wait to see where the axe will fall
WORKERS at more than 30 banks in the region are facing an uncertain future after 1,700 job cuts were announced across the UK. National Australia Bank said the cuts at its Yorkshire and Clydesdale banks - due to take place over the next 12 to 18 months
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Children's dream trip to cheer England
YOUNGSTERS from the most deprived parts of a North-East town were treated to a dream trip to see England's football heroes in action last night. Nine Darlington children watched the national team take on Azerbaijan at Newcastle United's St James's Park
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Trusts back mental health hospital plan
PLANS to build a £21m mental health hospital in north Durham have been given the go-ahead by local primary care trusts. Derwentside PCT and Durham and Chester-le-Street PCT signed off plans for the new development at recent board meetings. The new hospital
