Archive
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You beauty - teams win place in finals
HAIRDRESSING teams have proved to be a cut above the rest by winning a place in the national finals of a beauty competition. The Saks teams from Chester-le-Street, in County Durham, and Ripon, North Yorkshire, have won places at the 50th annual L'Oreal
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Former public toilet proving a success as community office
A FORMER public toilet in Kirkbymoorside has proved a success since it became the town's community office. The centre, in Crown Square, has nine computers so people can develop IT skills, a keyboard for people with dyslexia and equipment for people with
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Community projects to get extra funding
COMMUNITY projects in North Yorkshire will get grants following the reduced council tax discount for second homes. Bill Cross, the county council's head of corporate policy, told the authority that other North Yorkshire councils were taking advantage
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Hospital expects to be among the best
SCARBOROUGH Hospital will become one of the country's leading district general hospitals and expects to achieve the Government's Foundation status within the next two years, according to the NHS trust that runs it. In plans outlining the future of the
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Paramedic Gerard retires after Army and 999 career
AFTER two successful careers totalling 43 years, paramedic Gerard Wild has retired. Before joining the ambulance service, Mr Wild, 63, was a tank driver with the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards -serving in Catterick Garrison, Cyprus, North Africa and Germany
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Gardening promoted as wildlife aid
VISITORS to a nature reserve can find out what they can do to make their own garden a wildlife haven at an event next week. Durham Wildlife Trust is to hold a Wild About Gardens event at its site at Rainton Meadows Nature Reserve and Visitor Centre, near
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Agency searching for next Kate Moss
A MODEL agency is coming to the North-East this month in the hope of finding the next Kate Moss. London agency Storm Model Management will hold auditions for young men and women. The event has been organised by the agency's model-booker, Tracie Bestford
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Rebirth of a village
AFTER lengthy negotiations and months of planning contracts have been signed to set in motion work to transform the fortunes of a north Durham village that has suffered years of neglect. Later this month, demolition will begin as developers prepare for
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Backing puts Mark on fast-track to success
KARTING champion Mark Burton is embarking on his third sporting season with a high-profile sponsorship. The 12-year-old, from Nunthorpe, Middlesbrough, was Karting Magazine's Rookie of the Year in 2003 and winner of last year's Karting North-East Championship
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Tie has Burke fired up
MATT Burke might boast a World Cup winners' medal, but the Australian full-back has still been getting a tingle of excitement about the last eight of the Heineken Cup. Burke will be part of the Newcastle Falcons side charged with stopping French champions
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Efforts of young are rewarded
ANNUAL awards recognising the achievements of young people in the Stockton area have been launched. The SMART awards - the Stockton Mayor's Achievement Recognition Trophy awards - are run ever year for youngsters up to 19 in the borough, and were launched
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Appeal to trace victim's property
SEVERAL items have been stolen from the home of a man who was found dead at his home last week. A mobile phone and a bicycle were among the articles taken from Keith Philpott's home in Axbridge Court, High Grange, Billingham. Although the distinctive
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Kiddykidd has pace to make good draw count
Merlin's Dancer and Cape Royal have both shown that the place to be in the sprints at Doncaster this week is right up with the pace and hard against the stands side rail. The one that is likely to get the favoured stands side pitch in the Stanleybet Cammidge
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£300m hospitals scheme unveiled
A PLAN to invest £300m to transform hospital services in the region was approved yesterday. The redevelopment of hospitals in Newcastle will see advanced trauma services and a specialist children's wing established at the Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI
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£1,500 for air ambulance
SAFETY workers have donated £1,500 to help keep the North-East's fleet of air ambulance helicopters flying. Two of the three helicopters operated by the Great North Air Ambulance Service have been grounded by a funding crisis. The fleet costs £2.5m a
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Administrator hopeful of finding buyer for pubs
ADMINISTRATORS last night said they were confident of finding a buyer for a troubled North-East pub and club chain. Wessex Taverns Group went into administration last week The group, based in Whitley Bay, North Tyneside, operates 32 outlets, mainly in
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Children's minibus joy
A SMILE has been brought to the faces of disabled children after the donation of more than £5,000 for a minibus. St Margaret's Way Respite Home, in Brotton, east Cleveland, provides vital respite for parents and guardians of youngsters. Marianne Dixon
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History talk
PEOPLE interested in the history of the Thirsk area are invited to a talk about community archaeology at 7.30pm, on Thursday, in Great Thirkleby Village Hall. The meeting is hosted by the local history society.
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Medical call-out campaign a success
A WISE old bird is celebrating the flying success of a health service awareness campaign. The Dr Wisely cartoon owl fronted the Out of Hours service, which was launched exactly a year ago. The feathery character is reminding the Teesside public of the
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Village plan opposed
A PROPOSAL to build a small industrial estate in a village has met local opposition. Malton Town Council is recommending the scheme, in Old Malton, should be turned down by district planners. The council heard from residents concerned about the plan by
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Youngsters are animated
Animation workshops are being held in Stockton next week and youngsters will be able to produce their own animation. The two-day workshop at Spark, in Bishopton Road West, will be run from Tuesday to Wednesday, from 10am until 2pm. The sessions will teach
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Major hunt for serial arsonist
AN arsonist is being hunted after threatening the lives of residents by setting fire to a string of vehicles. A spate of 16 similar incidents in the Tollesby Hall estate, in Middlesbrough, has sparked a major police hunt for the culprit. Thousands of
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Site visit to be carried out into plans for new estate
PLANS for a major housing development in a market town will be examined next week. Persimmon Homes (Yorkshire) Limited wants to build 84 houses and a car park to serve Easingwold Primary School, on land near Prospect Farm, Easingwold. The scheme includes
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School choir heads North for a highland fling
YOUNG singers hope to hit the high notes in a fling round the Highlands this weekend. The mixed-voice Durham School choir headed north of the Border yesterday at the start of a short Easter holiday trip to Scotland. A 40-strong ensemble led, appropriately
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Children check nutrition in meals
HEALTHY eating will be on the menu at a County Durham primary school next week when pupils will use computer technology to discover whether their choice of food is nutritional. Consumer watchdogs from Durham County Council's trading standards service
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Pope John Paul II dies
Prayers are being said in St Peter's Square, where many thousands of people are gathered to pay tribute. Polish-born Karol Wojtyla became Pope in 1978, taking a conservative stand on issues like abortion and contraception. He was the most widely travelled
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Not the royal wedding
Two celebrity weddings take place this week - with much in common. But, as each is shown on television will viewers be able to tell fact from fiction? The setting is Weatherfield not Windsor, but when Ken and Deirdre tie the knot - for the second time
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Jackie will cheer every goal says son
THE SON of Jackie Milburn claims his late father will be cheering every goal Alan Shearer scores as the Newcastle United captain closes in on dethroning the club's greatest goalscorer. Shearer's announcement that he is to carry on playing for one more
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Expansion plans for UniBond
Northern League chairman Mike Amos says that the League is unlikely to supply any clubs for the proposed expansion of the UniBond League. A meeting of leagues at the Northern League's level was told in midweek that the UniBond League is to set up an extra
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£300m hospitals scheme unveiled
A PLAN to invest £300m to transform hospital services in the region was approved yesterday. The redevelopment of hospitals in Newcastle will see advanced trauma services and a specialist children's wing established at the Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI
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Feet on the ground, head in the air
John Travolta is hot stuff on the dance floor but keeps his cool in his latest film. He tells Steve Pratt why he's still a high flyer in Hollywood. At his surprise 50th birthday party, Hollywood actor John Travolta was presented with a peanut butter and
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Where's Alvin?
"WHERE'S Alvin?" whinged my wife as yet another smarty pants programme about being thrifty arrived on our screens this week without the avuncular US presenter Mr Hall. His rib-tickling and slightly camp Your Money Or Your Life series on BBC2 has been
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Tomorrow's world
WITH so many "I want to be famous" competitions being decided in the last seven days - from Stars In Their Eyes to Masterchef and The Games - it has been the more infamous exploits in Blame The Parents (BBC1, Thursday) which have captured my family's
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Corelli team in town
The Little World of Don Camillo, produced by the same team behind the stage adaptation of Captain Corelli's Mandolin, is coming to Darlington Arts Centre. The play, focusing on the parish priest of a small Italian town, will be performed on Wednesday,
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Butler keen to make his Pool stay long-term
BACK in the North-East and Thomas Butler is enjoying his football once more. After an acrimonious departure from Sunderland at the start of this season, Butler moved north of the border to play for Dunfermline. He left The Pars in January and signed for
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Ex-hospital sites provide land to ease housing crisis
NEW homes for first-time buyers will be built on nine former hospital sites across the North-East as part of a fresh bid to tackle the country's housing crisis. The land - the size of 190 football pitches - will be transfered next week into the ownership
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Police to re-examine murder
POLICE will re-examine the murder of North-East mother Julie Hogg when changes to the double jeopardy law are introduced, it was announced yesterday. The mother-of-one was the victim of a sex attack at her home in Billingham, Teesside, in November 1989
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A Fantastick opportunity
North-East actor Dean Stobbart is stepping back in time for a revival of The Fantasticks. Steve Pratt reports. Stockton-born actor Dean Stobbart never intended to make his career in musicals, but that's the way it's worked out so far. He's spent most
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Soldier is found hanged at base
A NORTH-EAST soldier serving in Iraq has been found hanged in his barracks. Private Mark Stephen Dobson, 41, who lived with his parents in Darlington, was discovered at Basra Air Station, southern Iraq, on Monday. The Ministry of Defence has launched
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Art combines steel heritage with nature
A FIFTEEN foot steel flower is among the items due to brighten up a community. It will be joined at Longlands Doorstep Green, Landsdowne Road, Middlesbrough, by two butterflies, a caterpillar and an interpretation of the River Tees. The work has been
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Education leaders meet to discuss ways of helping young people
SENIOR education figures will speak at a national conference on young people and social exclusion, to be held in the North-East this month. Education watchdog Ofsted's chief inspector, David Bell, will be the main speaker at the two-day event. The conference
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Andrew hoping not to add insult to injuries
ROB Andrew has been putting on a brave face this week as well as playing mind games with Stade Francais by keeping them guessing about the state of Jonny Wilkinson's health. The Newcastle Falcons boss predicts a high-scoring game against Stade Francais
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In God's hands
THOUSANDS of Catholics across the region joined worldwide prayers for the ailing Pope last night as he continued to cling to life in his Vatican apartments. Tributes to his "extraordinary and wonderful life" poured in from clergymen and the faithful,
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Administrator hopeful of finding buyer for pubs
ADMINISTRATORS last night said they were confident of finding a buyer for a troubled North-East pub and club chain. Wessex Taverns Group went into administration last week The group, based in Whitley Bay, North Tyneside, operates 32 outlets, mainly in
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Boro boosted by return
STEVE McClaren last night hit back at criticism following comments he allegedly made during England's World Cup qualifiers last week. McClaren was quoted in last Sunday's newspapers as saying: "I don't like that word entertainment. I like a winning team
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Study finds errors led to death of children in N-E
HEALTH bosses have underlined the need to tighten up child protection in the wake of the Victoria Climbie scandal by highlighting recent failures in the region. A survey of child protection reviews carried out by the Durham Area Child Protection Committee
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Website set up in attempt to save pub
THE campaign to save a prominent North-East pub has been stepped up thanks to a new website. The White Horse Pub and Hotel, in North Road, Darlington, is the subject of a planning application to demolish it and build 64 flats. Premier Homes UK has submitted
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Club delighted as approval granted for new stadium
ONE of the country's most celebrated amateur football clubs is looking forward to a home of its own after stadium plans were approved. The plans for a football pitch, grandstand and terrace on the outskirts of Bishop Auckland, County Durham, means Bishop
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Hodgson shelves Rush sympathies
DAVID HODGSON knows all about the trials and tribulations of football management, and his experience helped to keep former teammate and Liverpool legend Ian Rush in the hot-seat of today's opponents Chester City. Last month Rush came close to quitting
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Agency searching for next Kate Moss
A MODEL agency is coming to the North-East this month in the hope of finding the next Kate Moss. London agency Storm Model Management will hold auditions for young men and women. The event has been organised by the agency's model-booker, Tracie Bestford
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Bogus callers strike three times
THREE men who conned homeowners out of hundreds of pounds and tried to trick an elderly Alzheimer's sufferer are being hunted by police. The bogus callers gained access to three homes in Darlington, stealing cash from two of them. At the third property
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Hartlepool's end of season run-in
THE only certainty about the Easter programme in League One was the uncertainty - and not just Hartlepool United's, writes Nick Loughlin. Pool only managed a single point in games with Huddersfield and Blackpool, but they weren't alone in failing to make
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Anger at firework youth's sentence
A FAMILY who were trapped in a burning house when a youth pushed a firework through their letterbox have spoken of their devastation after he was spared a prison sentence. Darlington MP Alan Milburn also pledged to look into the sentence, saying the family
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Souness backs Shearer to be next United boss
ALAN SHEARER was last night given Graeme Souness' unequivocal backing to become the next incumbent of the manager's chair at St James' Park - but only after the Scot has led Newcastle United to glory. Shearer confirmed yesterday morning what the whole
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At Your Service: Dawn chorus on Easter day
The weather may be damp and drear, but it's a privilage to be high on Middlehope Common for the first light of Easter. IT'S just turned 5am when we head out into Easter, a restless chanticleer already crowing its silly head off. Too late, old cock, too
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02/04/05
OBESITY: I AM pleased to hear that Darlington has made the right move to tackle the problem of obesity in the town (Echo, Mar 28). It upsets me that children of today are to be the first generation that are expected to die before their parents due to
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Lewis in runs for Durham
DURHAM'S deposed captain Jon Lewis is staking a strong claim to continue at the top of the order by making runs on the pre-season tour. Lewis, who is handing over the reins to Australian Mike Hussey, has made a century and 83 not out in matches against
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In God's hands
THOUSANDS of Catholics across the region joined worldwide prayers for the ailing Pope last night as he continued to cling to life in his Vatican apartments. Tributes to his "extraordinary and wonderful life" poured in from clergymen and the faithful,
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UniBond League: Moors pay for lack of a goalkeeper
Spennymoor's hopes of playing Radcliffe Borough today in the UniBond League have been dashed - because they haven't got a goalkeeper. Owner Benny Mottram revealed two days ago that he was "99 per cent certain" that Moors would resign from the UniBond
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Boro boosted by return of Viduka and Boateng
STEVE McClaren last night hit back at criticism following comments he allegedly made during England's World Cup qualifiers last week. McClaren was quoted in last Sunday's newspapers as saying: "I don't like that word entertainment. I like a winning team
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Silverware remains the big bait for Shearer
GIVEN his reputation for eschewing the high life, Alan Shearer has always come across as more of a Phil Collins man than a fan of The Clash. But, since announcing that he would retire at the end of the current campaign, the Newcastle skipper has been
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Appeal to trace victim's property
SEVERAL items have been stolen from the home of a man who was found dead at his home last week. A mobile phone and a bicycle were among the articles taken from Keith Philpott's home in Axbridge Court, High Grange, Billingham. Although the distinctive
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TV masterchef reveals restaurant dream
HAVING come within a whisker of winning last night's prestigious Masterchef Goes Large title on BBC2, Darlington runner-up Mark Todd spoke of his dream of opening a top Northern restaurant. The 26-year-old international sales manager for Future Publishing
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Go-Ahead misses shortlist
TRANSPORT group Go-Ahead has failed to make the shortlist on a franchise it has run for the past nine years. The Newcastle-based plc - which relies heavily on commuter routes in and around London - expressed "surprise and disappointment" that it had not
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Zenden wants Champions League football
BOLO Zenden dropped a bombshell on Middlesbrough's preparations ahead of today's Premier League clash at Crystal Palace by admitting he will leave the club at the end of the season if they fail to qualify for the Champions League. The Boro midfielder
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Comment from The Northern Echo: The legend plays on
JUST as they have never forgotten the exploits of Jackie Milburn, North-East football fans will also talk about Alan Shearer for generations to come. It has been a privilege to have had Shearer playing in the region for so long - and it is great news
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Organ appeal will be relaunched
A FUNDRAISING appeal to buy a replacement organ for one of Darlington's oldest churches will be revived next month. The pipe organ at St Cuthbert's Church, in the town centre, was built in 1880 but its condition has deteriorated rapidly in recent years
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Cabbies will welcome changes
CABBIES will face fewer medical tests if Darlington Borough Council passes new proposals. The council's licensing department has produced a report, which aims to bring taxi drivers' medicals in line with heavy goods vehicle and bus drivers. The current
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Hodgson shelves Rush sympathies
DAVID HODGSON knows all about the trials and tribulations of football management, and his experience helped to keep former teammate and Liverpool legend Ian Rush in the hot-seat of today's opponents Chester City. Last month Rush came close to quitting
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Horse hurt as box overturns on major road
RUSH-HOUR traffic was held up by an accident that left a horse box blocking the A690, in one direction, near Durham, last night. The alert was raised after the horse box overturned near a railway bridge, between Stonebridge and Langley Moor, west of Durham
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Another fundraising success for community
THREE years of fundraising have paid off as a community received a new mini-bus. Dene Valley Community Transport, in Eldon Lane, has gone from strength to strength since it was established about ten years ago. It has now taken delivery of its fifth minibus
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Charity appeals for figurehead
A CHARITY is looking for a volunteer to be its future figurehead in County Durham. The County Commander of the Durham branch of St John Ambulance is due to retire in three years time and the organisation is looking for a volunteer to act as his deputy
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Garden oasis in trouble hotspot
A RESIDENTS' group that has created an oasis of green among rows of terrace homes has opened its community garden. Almost two years after taking over two plots at Timothy Terrace Allotments, in Spennymoor, members of Eden Residents' Association are baring
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Teenage arsonist jailed for fire attack on bungalow
A TEENAGE arsonist who was at risk of starting more fires was jailed for three and a half years yesterday. Gareth Dunn, 18, set fire to a woman's bungalow after torching a garage on the same street two years before. He was arrested drinking in a nearby
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Debate on plan to increase taxi tariff
TAXI fares in Chester-le-Street could increase by 10p a mile if proposals are given the go ahead. The district council's licensing committee is also considering whether to increase the starting price from £1.40 to £1.60. Environmental health manager Paul
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Teesdale Talk: Awards fill the busy farmhouse
BUSY farmer's wife Kath Toward, has won yet another award to add to the impressive collection on her farmhouse mantelpiece. Mrs Toward is always active at her family's Herdship Farm, in Harwood, one of the highest holdings in Teesdale, or at a community
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Take care of your health on world awareness day
AN optitician is offering discounted eye examinations for mothers and children in Darlington next week. The offer is in support of World Health Day on April 7, the theme of which is healthy mother and child. Specsavers Opticians is emphasising the importance
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Plea to tanker driver after road accident
POLICE are appealing for the owner of an articulated tanker and other witnesses to come forward following a collision on Wednesday. The accident happened on the coastal road between Port Clarence and Hartlepool, and involved a blue Citroen Xara and a
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Racket sport may help to shed pounds
CHOCOHOLIC victims of the Easter bunny are being urged to swing a racket to lose a few pounds. Priory Badminton Club, at Guisborough, has been providing recreation and exercise for more than half a century and are looking for more members. Anyone who
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Man jailed for causing the death of his closest friend
A MAN has been jailed for causing the death of his best friend in a motorcycle accident. Colin Stewart, 41, was riding a trials bike, which had never been used on the road, when he swerved to avoid a Vauxhall Corsa, which had been involved in a collision
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It's Show Time - youngsters perform a medley of musical moments
CHILDREN performed a range of colourful dances at an Easter show in Darlington. The eight to 13-year-olds from the Redhall Partnership put on the dance show at the Harrowgate Hill Club. The first half of the show consisted of dances from the show Fame
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Trust looks at DIY system for appointments
HEALTH bosses in Darlington have been given a glimpse into the future, thanks to an electronic booking system. The revolutionary "choose and book" scheme is due to come into effect in the town in December. It will allow patients to go to their doctor's
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Garage arson attack probed
A garage in Teesside was wrecked by an arson attack yesterday morning. The garage, in Yarm Road, Stockton, was set alight by arsonists who forced their way inside at about 3.30am. They set a car alight, and the blaze spread to destroy another two cars
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Improving road safety is priority, transport survey concludes
REDUCING the number of road accidents and improving road safety is a high priority for the public, according to a transport survey. The consultation by North Yorkshire County Council involving thousands of people has been carried out to discover what
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Measures urged to help locals get on borough housing ladder
WIDE-RANGING measures to help ease the growing problem of local people unable to afford housing in rural areas are being proposed by a borough council. A detailed report on rural housing underlines the growing problem of rural people being priced out
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Hockey star Emma rewarded
YOUNG hockey star Emma Pledge has proved she is going places in her chosen sport. And now she has been rewarded for her hard work and achievement by a £100 award from Richmondshire's Local Sports Council. Ms Pledge, 20, from Ravensworth, was presented
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Family seek help in bid for justice
THE family of a North-East tourist who died after a fall from his hotel balcony yesterday launched their bid to take their fight for justice to the European Court of Human Rights. Relatives of Christopher Rochester, who died in hospital on the Greek holiday
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Golf club ordered to replant
A GOLF club owner has been ordered to restore a strip of woodland after ripping up trees to make a path for golfers. About 30 trees have been pulled out of Carr Wood, in Sedgefield, by developers extending Knotty Hill Golf Course. Sedgefield Borough Council's
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Rescued puppies in need of caring homes
ELEVEN pointer puppies need new homes after being rescued by the RSPCA from a property in the North-East. The plight of the dogs came to light yesterday after a concerned resident contacted the society to report concerns. RSPCA inspector Emma Ellis visited
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Volunteers meet for 'Cricketforce'
VOLUNTEERS are turning to television for inspiration to transform their local cricket club this weekend. Businesses and volunteers will be helping to give Crook Town Cricket Club a makeover. They will come together for a Ground Force meets Changing Rooms-style
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Congregation celebrates stalwart's life
A COMMUNITY has said its farewells to an elderly lady whose life was as colourful as a Hollywood film. A packed congregation attended the funeral of Barbara Hayward, a 92-year-old community stalwart from Staindrop, County Durham. The Reverend Alec Harding
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Soldier is found hanged at base
A NORTH-EAST soldier serving in Iraq has been found hanged in his barracks. Private Mark Stephen Dobson, 41, who lived with his parents in Darlington, was discovered at Basra Air Station, southern Iraq, on Monday. The Ministry of Defence has launched
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Hudspiths only absentess as Morpeth bid for sixth title on trot
MIGHTY Morpeth Harriers will be trying for a sixth consecutive victory in the Northern 12-Stage Road Relay Championships in Manchester today. And the Northumbrians, who have proved invincible in the competition since finishing fifth in 1999, will be welcoming
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Fears of another rail tragedy
CHILDREN are still gathering each day at the flower-strewn site next to the East Coast railway line where two boys died, causing locals to fear a repeat of Friday's tragedy. A concerned householder called police yesterday lunch-time after seeing a girl
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Costumes and flowers come out for spring
IT is that time of year when meadows and verges explode into colour as daffodils open up to greet the spring. And at one of the region's stately homes, Castle Howard near Malton, young and old alike are being invited to enjoy the spectacle. Costumed character
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Bethell confident Mine has the class to take Lincoln
BACKING group-class campaigners in handicaps is no bad thing and Mine (3.20) fits the bill to perfection in this afternoon's Stanleybet Lincoln. Trainer James Bethell hinted in a recent interview to readers of Racing North that he was considering running
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Wearside League: Jackson's delight
"We're back in business!", is the clarion call from Darlington RA who, after suffering a totally unexpected defeat a fortnight ago, went on to score 16 goals in the two subsequent games. "Perhaps losing to Boldon CA was a wake-up call. We hadn't lost
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The Lifeblood Campaign
As part of The Northern Echo's Lifeblood campaign, which aims to encourage people to give blood, here are details of forthcoming donor sessions in the region: Monday Community Association, Tyne Road Stanley 2pm-7pm Youth and Community Centre, Beechwood
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Souness backs Shearer to be next United boss
ALAN SHEARER was last night given Graeme Souness' unequivocal backing to become the next incumbent of the manager's chair at St James' Park - but only after the Scot has led Newcastle United to glory. Shearer confirmed yesterday morning what the whole
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Crew of adopted warship in busy shore leave
SAILORS from one of the North-East's adopted warships will be in the region next week to cement their new-found friendships - in real cement. Crew members from County Durham's adopted Royal Navy ship HMS Bulwark are spending four days in the region carrying
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A mother's love that helped to change 800-year-old law
IT has been a long, arduous journey, fuelled by a steely determination and a mother's love for her child. On Monday, Ann Ming will finally see her 15-year battle to change the double jeopardy law come to fruition after a tireless crusade, supported by
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Deane told: Push Cats to promotion
BRIAN Deane has been told to forget about being a super sub and focus on becoming a vital ingredient in Sunderland's Championship title mix. Deane arrived from Leeds United on deadline day and has travelled with the rest of the squad in preparation for
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North faces a labour shortage
THE region is facing a race against time to head off a major shortage of construction workers. For the past decade, thousands of North-East labourers have shored up the booming construction sector in London and the South-East. This has eased since the
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Put the kettle on love, we've just won £4m on the National Lottery
GRANDMOTHER Diane Downing had nearly four million reasons to smile yesterday. The 60-year-old has scooped £3,964,330 as her share of the Lotto's double rollover jackpot. She now plans to treat husband Kevin, 63, to a top-of-the-range Harley Davidson motorbike
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For Your Benefit I've been caring for my husband - can he claim any type of benefit?
Q My husband has been on Incapacity Benefit and Income Support, currently totalling £121.15 a week, for four years. Can he claim anything for me as a carer? I have to help him bath, take charge of his tablets, go out with him and cannot leave him alone
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Tykes link up with past
Yorkshire players past and present are expected to forge much stronger links if the seal of approval is given to the formation of the club's first Players' Association, writes David Warner. Around 90 out of 140 ex-players have responded positively, and
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Dawn chorus on Easter day
IT'S just turned 5am when we head out into Easter, a restless chanticleer already crowing its silly head off. Too late, old cock, too late. Up A1, A68 and A689 into Weardale, spring daffodils and occasional Easter bunnies caught in the hyperbolic headlights
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Not the Royal Wedding
The setting is Weatherfield not Windsor, but when Ken and Deirdre tie the knot - for the second time - in Coronation Street on Friday there will be eerie echoes of another wedding that day. To be fair, the soap couple set the date first. Granada had booked
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Police to re-examine murder
POLICE will re-examine the murder of North-East mother Julie Hogg when changes to the double jeopardy law are introduced, it was announced yesterday. The mother-of-one was the victim of a sex attack at her home in Billingham, Teesside, in November 1989
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Elliott's rapid rise is a surprise to Stewart
STEPHEN ELLIOTT was an unknown quantity when he first arrived at Sunderland, so much so that even strike partner Marcus Stewart admits to being caught unaware by the predatory instincts of the young Irishman. Eyebrows may well have been raised last summer
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Ex-hospital sites provide land to ease housing crisis
NEW homes for first-time buyers will be built on nine former hospital sites across the North-East as part of a fresh bid to tackle the country's housing crisis. The land - the size of 190 football pitches - will be transfered next week into the ownership
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Study finds errors led to death of children in N-E
HEALTH bosses have underlined the need to tighten up child protection in the wake of the Victoria Climbie scandal by highlighting recent failures in the region. A survey of child protection reviews carried out by the Durham Area Child Protection Committee
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Local rivals come out in support of Darlington
WHEN Darlington moved to Blackwell Meadows 11 years ago the clubhouse was modelled on the one built by today's visitors Rugby Lions during a period of great prosperity for the Midlanders. But there were already signs that Rugby had over-reached themselves
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Butler keen to make his Pool stay long-term
BACK in the North-East and Thomas Butler is enjoying his football once more. After an acrimonious departure from Sunderland at the start of this season, Butler moved north of the border to play for Dunfermline. He left The Pars in January and signed for
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New on Web
The Northern Echo's music website has expanded from indie rock to include all music genres. The site now features reviews and listings for classical, country, jazz and blues, and incorporates a weekly column from folk writer Jez Lowe. Log on to www.thisis
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Anger at firework youth's sentence
A FAMILY who were trapped in a burning house when a youth pushed a firework through their letterbox have spoken of their devastation after he was spared a prison sentence. Darlington MP Alan Milburn also pledged to look into the sentence, saying the family
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Comfort found at site of vigil
LAST Friday, children in high spirits met at the Five Arches bridge to celebrate the start of their holidays. Last night, a week after the tragedy that shocked the region, there was no joking, no drinking and no antics on the tracks. Instead, about 30
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Tributes paid to town stalwart
TRIBUTES have been paid to a man who was the driving force behind efforts to improve a Darlington estate. Ernie Martin, who died in hospital aged 77, launched the Branksome Residents' Association in 1994, with the aim of injecting community spirit back
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Policy review to tackle illegal travellers
A COUNCIL is due to adopt a new policy for dealing with travellers who illegally set up camps. Darlington Borough Council has been forced to take action several times over the past year to evict caravans and travellers from sites in and around Darlington
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Two arrests in theft probe
A WORKER has been arrested on suspicion of stealing thousands of pounds worth of caravan equipment from his employers to sell on Internet site ebay. Police were called to a north Durham company after items, including roof lights, windows, blinds, mixer
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Charity concert
THE Richmond Town Pipes and Drums, together with the Royal Signals Northern Band, will hold a joint charity concert in aid of St Teresa's Hospice, in Darlington, on Saturday, April 16, at the Zetland Centre, in Richmond, starting at 7.30pm. Tickets are
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Congregation celebrates stalwart's life
A COMMUNITY has said its farewells to an elderly lady whose life was as colourful as a Hollywood film. A packed congregation attended the funeral of Barbara Hayward, a 92-year-old community stalwart from Staindrop, County Durham. The Reverend Alec Harding
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Villagers celebrate decision to abandon landfill plans
VILLAGERS fighting plans to open Europe's biggest landfill site near their homes were last night celebrating victory after they learned that the application has been withdrawn. Premier Waste Management, which had been planning the 61-hectare site on farmland
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Saturday Spotlight: Noon out to prove that dreams can come true
NEWCASTLE Falcons are hoping to cause one of the shocks of the season when they face Stade Francais this afternoon. Chief Sports Writer Scott Wilson talks to their captain and finds that his world has already been turned upside down. ASK any neutral observer
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Easter treats hidden in depths of town's wood
YOUNGSTERS got to grips with nature yesterday as they tracked down hidden treats. Children and their parents visited Geneva Wood, in Darlington, for an Easter egg hunt organised by Darlington Borough Council's countryside team. A council spokesman said
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Golden boys are boxing clever
TWO young boxers have landed national titles for Spennymoor Boxing Academy. Reece Smailes and Ben Jackson won titles in the National Golden Gloves Championships at Gateshead Leisure Centre last weekend. Reece, 12, of Ferryhill, won the class one 52kg
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Fundraisers are urged to stride out
FUNDRAISERS are being urged to stride for charity in a sponsored guided walk. Highcliff Hike is a seven- mile walk in aid of Macmillan Cancer Relief starting at Guisborough Forest and Walkway Centre, in Pinchin-thorpe, east Cleveland. It follows forest
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North faces a labour shortage
THE region is facing a race against time to head off a major shortage of construction workers. For the past decade, thousands of North-East labourers have shored up the booming construction sector in London and the South-East. This has eased since the
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Eyesore building to make ways for flats
A BUILDING widely acknowledged as among the region's ugliest 1960s eyesores is to be demolished in the summer. Developers yesterday received planning permission for the demolition of Westgate House, in Newcastle. The site is earmarked for a £15m redevelopment
