Archive
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Friends of the family come to visit
YOU can pick your friends, but you can't pick your relations, it's often said, but sometimes you can't help feeling very glad you're related to someone, and proud of them. Such was the case for the D&S Times last weekend when the statue of Second
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Too frail for sex abuse case
A FORMER parish councillor facing a catalogue of sexual abuse charges dating back to the 1960s will not stand trial - because he could not stand the stress. Clifford Worley had been charged with 12 counts of indecently assaulting a girl under 16 between
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Court evicts crack house tenant
POLICE who closed a crack house have had the tenant evicted from the premises. Officers raided the house on Teesside at the end of March, after complaints from neighbours about drug-taking and prostitution. They used powers under the Anti-Social Behaviour
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Union demands answers over hospitals crisis
UNION officials want to know if the controversial private finance initiative contributed to a cash crisis at a North-East superhospital. South Tees Hospitals NHS Trust has been ordered by the district auditor to make cuts of £66m over three years to settle
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Fashion - at a price?
THE environmental campaign group Greenpeace is sometimes its own worst enemy. The group's members' predilection for handcuffing themselves to anything they don't like is getting a bit tiresome and, we suspect, unproductive in generating the desired effect
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Could hospital cuts mean ailing services?
After years of unparalleled investment in the region's health services could the party be over? Health Editor Barry Nelson considers the omens. NOT only have the brakes been applied at South Tees Hospitals Trust but some would say it looks more like an
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Loftus Bank work starts - again
WORK has started to repair damage caused by the latest landslip at Loftus Bank. A team of men worked for nine months to reshape the hill following a devastating landslide in 1999. They removed unstable ground, and replaced it with clay fill. The latest
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Challenge for title
A TEAM of rising young sports stars start their campaign to be crowned European champions today. Woodham Warriors, the American flag football team from Woodham Community Technology College, near Newton Aycliffe, represent the UK in the European championships
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Cash boost for charity
A FOUR-year-old from Spennymoor who has Down's Syndrome accepted a cheque on behalf of a trust from a local college. Gabrielle Toas and her mother, Christine, collected a cheque for £53 from Bishop Auckland College's Spennymoor Computer Learning Centre
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Barnardo's expands disabled sitting service
PARENTS of disabled children living in the North-East are being offered help to look after their youngsters. The project, run by Barnardo's, has been made available to parents across the region after a successful trial in County Durham. It offers short
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Parking limits are relaxed
COUNCIL bosses have bowed to pressure from angry business owners and have made changes to controversial on-street parking charges in Darlington town centre. The borough council installed parking meters on several streets in the town centre last November
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Cash boost from college
A FOUR-year-old from Spennymoor who suffers from Downs Syndrome accepted a cheque on behalf of a trust from a local college. Gabrielle Toas and her mother, Christine, collected a cheque for £53 from Bishop Auckland College's Spennymoor Computer Learning
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Knife attack boyfriend told he faces prison
A BOYFRIEND who flew into a rage and tried to kill his partner with a knife in a sudden and unprovoked attack is facing jail. Andrew Burn, 22, claimed he was merely trying to frighten his then girlfriend Zoe Lonsdale, 19, into dumping him. But he was
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Hospital jobs and services at risk after audit rebuke
PATIENT services may be hit at the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton because South Tees Hospitals NHS Trust has been ordered to make cuts of £66m over the next three years. James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough and the recently re-opened Guisborough
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Engineers move in to replace gas main
A £400,000 engineering scheme is under way in Newton Aycliffe to upgrade gas supplies. A team of engineers from Northern Gas Networks will replace more than 2km of old metal gas main with durable plastic pipe. It is among the first projects by the region's
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Knights of the Horn launch
A FORMATION meeting is being staged by the Knights of the Horn, which fosters fellowship and charitable causes, to serve the Whealtey Hill, Wingate and Thornley areas of east Durham. Anyone aged 21 or over is welcome to attend the meeting, at the Crossways
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Stars for a night in aid of hospice
PEOPLE in Bishop Auckland will become stars for an evening in aid of a children's hospice. Tindale Crescent Workingmen's Club hosts a Stars in Their Eyes event this evening, and fundraisers will be transformed into well-known singers. Money raised from
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Pupils to test skills at cycling
PUPILS will be putting their cycling skills to the test this weekend in a new inter-schools competition. Bike Trax 05 is to be held at Summerhill, in Hartlepool, a 100-acre council-run country park off Catcote Road, on Saturday, from 10am to 1.30pm The
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Group battling to protect old housing developers
A GROUP has been formed to fight the latest in a rash of planning applications to tear down Edwardian houses and replace them with flats. Stockton South MP Dari Talor, who shares residents' concerns about the threat to the character of Eaglescliffe, has
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Taking a look at careers in childcare
A SERIES of events designed to promote childcare as a career choice will be staged in Darlington next week. Darlington Borough Council's early years team will host story days and teddy bear hunts and people considering a career in childcare will be able
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With grateful thanks to the man from the ministry
THE citizens of Well, a village betwixt Masham and Bedale, have good reason to revere a certain D Brier of Her Majesty's Planning Inspectorate. Mr Brier may be the absolute epitome of the faceless bureaucrat or may be a thoroughly nice chap. Whatever
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Defra official visits Dales
A SENIOR Government official has been on a fact-finding trip to the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority. Authority chairman Carl Les said the visit of David Coleman, Defra's head of the countryside (recreation and landscape), was an opportunity for
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It's all in the family for father's day fun run
THREE generations of the same family will ensure an annual fun run really lives up to its name. Brian Simms, 62, his son Michael, 38, and Michael's daughter, Emily, four, all from Eston, near Middlesbrough, will take part in the two-mile family fun run
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Russian teachers to visit schools
A GROUP of teachers will come from Russia with love when they visit the region next week. The seven teachers will travel from County Durham's twin city of Kostroma, and will each attend a school in the area, teaching children about their lifestyle and
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Joel, 5, ready to tackle ten-mile Cycle for Life
SCHOOLBOY Joel Currell has been warming up this week in preparation for a charity bike ride in aid of cancer care at the weekend. The five-year-old will be the youngest person to participate in Sunday's Cycle for Life through the streets of Hartlepool
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Two schools to close in shake-up proposal
COUNCIL bosses last night confirmed proposals to close the two schools involved in Britain's first education federation - and replace them in a multi-million pound project. The Northern Echo can reveal that governors are considering plans to shut top-performing
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Stunt riders prepare to steal show
THE Royal Artillery motorcycle display team will be the star attraction at an Army open day later this month. The team, known as the Flying Gunners, will entertain the crowds at Catterick Garrison on Saturday, June 25. The soldiers regularly appear at
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£10,000 is needed to clear hall's debts
PICKERING'S Memorial Hall still needs nearly £10,000 to clear its debts, the hall's charitable trust was told at its annual meeting. But trust chairman, the Reverend Ivon Baker, said that after a difficult period last year, he was able to report on "remarkable
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Major city scheme gets the go-ahead
PLANNING permission has been granted for the first stage of a major city centre redevelopment scheme. Harrogate Borough Council has approved plans for a supermarket, attached shops and 29 apartments on a semi-derelict site west of the Market Place, in
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Council to discuss college proposal
MULTI-million pound plans to build a college in Scarborough are to be discussed next week. The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) has put forward the idea, which will see a merger of the resort's sixth form college with Yorkshire Coast College in a purpose-built
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New refuse era is wheeled in
RESIDENTS of Northallerton and Romanby get their first wheelie bin refuse collection service on Monday. The 5,394 households are the last in the Hambleton District Council area to come under the wheelie bin scheme. Each home gets two bins - black for
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Pussy-footing around
THERE are many people who think Lee Bowyer ought to be in jail, yet even if he is found guilty in a court of law of assaulting a team-mate he will probably get away with a suspended sentence. He has already been fined and served a ban, so a public slap
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Global fun at firm's family day
A FAMILY fun day in Barnard Castle is going global. Entertainment at this year's GlaxoSmithKline fun day, on Sunday, will include Chinese Dragon Dancers, American horses and a Caribbean steel band. There will also be fair rides, bouncy castle and side
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Music stars are killed in hit-and-run
TWO respected North-East musicians have been knocked down and killed in a hit-and-run accident. Joe Scurfield and Keith Morris were struck by a white BMW as they crossed Westgate Road, in Newcastle, at 10pm on Wednesday. The car did not stop and was later
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Scotsman makes a flying visit
ONE of the world's most famous steam locomotives - The Flying Scotsman- will be on show at a conference this weekend. And Nobel Prize-winning Archbishop Desmond Tutu and former US Secretary of State Colin Powell will be the key speakers at the Yorkshire
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Promotion all but assured
THERE will be no counting of the chickens, but Durham are as good as promoted on the evidence of yesterday's Riverside run spree, which took them to 380 for four against Essex. Apart from defying predictions that they would implode once international
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£596,500 lottery grant for cemetery
CASH from the Heritage Lottery Fund is boosting plans to preserve and improve a historic cemetery on Teesside. Middlesbrough Council has been awarded £596,500 to help meet the cost of the £1.2m restoration programme at the Victorian Linthorpe Cemetery
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Workers reassured following takeover
MORE than a thousand staff involved in the supply of gas in the North-East and Yorkshire have been reassured over their futures following a £1.4bn takeover. Their company, National Grid Transco, was sold last week to consortium Northern Gas Networks Holdings
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Beefy gives backing to the best of British
A FORMER England cricketer more used to making mincemeat of his opponents was behind the counter of a County Durham butcher's shop yesterday. Ian Botham visited McFarlane's Butchers, in Barnard Castle, as part of his campaign to promote British produce
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School's tuck shop sells only fruit
A SCHOOL has set up a fruit tuck shop for its pupils. And year six youngsters will run the healthy break-time stall at South Stanley Junior School. It was formed after the school received a grant from Derwentside Primary Care Trust (PCT) of £100 to promote
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Plan for hotel on site of industry
PLANS for a hotel and restaurant on the site of a former steelworks have been revealed. An outline planning application has been submitted with details of the proposed £2.2m development, which would create more than 50 jobs. A 24-room hotel and 150-seat
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Lavilla hails fans
CROFT Superbike winner Gregorio Lavilla has praised the North-East crowd for the way he was feted after his dramatic victory in race two, writes Matt Westcott. The Spaniard has raced all over the world before coming to the Bennetts British Superbike Championship
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So much to see and enjoy on a gentle stroll through the woods
ONE of the finest means of learning about the countryside and its wildlife is to take a walk through a deciduous woodland. You might not wish to learn anything, however; your desire may be only to commune with nature without bothering to study or identify
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Special sales
KIRKBY STEPHEN. - Tues. Fwd: 1,203 sheep inc anniversary show. Judge: Jim Holden. Prizes. - Cont X 35kg & up: 1 GR Brass, Bridge End £61; 2 G Harker & Son, Punchard House, £60; 3 J Fawcett & Son, Hollins Farm, £58, all to Kepak, Preston. Suff
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Councillors split over design
THE thorny question of what is art taxed planning councillors at Darlington this week. The owner of Urban Chaos, a shop in Duke Street, argued that a spray-painted mural on the shop's frontage was skilful art. Planning officer Adrian Miller told councillors
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The age-old evil of binge drinking
For many years now I have been convinced that alcohol is a bigger threat to society than drugs. As a rookie police officer, I remember a sergeant with 25 years experience telling me that "drink is the root of all evil". That may be a bit of an exaggeration
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Flats plan for Feethams site meets opposition
RESIDENTS fear plans to build 60 flats next to the former home of Darlington Football Club will spoil the area. Aston Investments and Rotherham Holdings have submitted the plans for two blocks - three and four storeys high - on vacant land to the south
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Fire Up The Band sets up Epsom double for Nicholls
THE scattergun approach was how David "Dandy" Nicholls tackled the Epsom sprints last Saturday and his tactics paid off as usual at the Surrey course with two top winners. Fire Up The Band scooped the five-furlong Vodafone Dash under a strong Richard
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Accountant stole from employers to feed cocaine habit
A COMPANY accountant who stole more than £7,000 from his firm to fund his cocaine habit walked free from court today. Brian Lowther had already been sacked from Springfield in Sunderland for stealing a "substantial" amount of money, but bosses at Gain
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Fahey hopes Realism strikes
Richard Fahey looks to be striking while the iron is hot with Realism, who has strong claims from a favourable draw in the CSFB AES Handicap over a mile and a quarter at Sandown this afternoon. Fahey's runner was progressive on a sound surface last year
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North-East pair's hopes wane
GRAEME Storm and Kenneth Ferrie's hopes of landing strong finishes in the KLM Open ended largely in disappointment yesterday. The North-East pair are both lying well off the pace in Holland going into today's second round and are faced with plenty of
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The dangers of not thinking it through
'WE ARE a victim of our own success," said Coun Nick Wallis, Darlington Borough Council's "cabinet member" for highways and transport, referring to the apparently sudden realisation that one of the town's main roads might not cope with an extra 2,200
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Horse riders told to keep off villages' long-awaited path
FEARS for the safety of pedestrians have been raised following reports of horse riders using a new path linking two villages. On Monday, Neasham Parish Council voiced concerns about people exercising their horses along the Neasham to Hurworth path and
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Music stars are killed in hit-and-run
TWO respected North-East musicians have been knocked down and killed in a hit-and-run accident. Joe Scurfield and Keith Morris were struck by a white BMW as they crossed Westgate Road, in Newcastle, at 10pm on Wednesday. The car did not stop and was later
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Drinker who drove at bouncers is barred from town's pubs
A MAN who was jailed for driving his car at a group of bouncers has been banned from all the pubs and clubs in a North-East town. Shaun Cooper was sent to prison for two-and-a-half years earlier this year after he drove his car at doormen working at a
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Academic elected to the Royal Society
A UNIVERSITY professor in the North-East has earned the accolade considered the knighthood of the science world. Professor Richard Samuel Ward was named among 44 pre-eminent scientists from the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth elected to the Fellowship
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McCarthy awaits decision on striker Stead
MICK McCARTHY will learn within the next 72 hours whether Blackburn striker Jon Stead has accepted the challenge of spearheading Sunderland's Premiership return. After talking to the Black Cats over a proposed £1.5m move, eventually rising to £1.8m, Stead
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Sheep farmers brave rain for upbeat message
CONTINUOUS rain failed to dampen the enthusiasm of the thousands of sheep producers attending North Sheep 2005 on Wednesday of last week. The event held at Cumbrian agri-businessman Allan Jenkinson's Whinfell Park, where industry leaders expressed optimism
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New Act gives councils greater powers to prosecute
FLYTIPPERS now face jail for the offence. Under a new law, they now face five years in prison and a maximum £50,000 fine. Defra's Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act came into force on Tuesday, giving councils greater powers to prosecute offenders
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Two schools to close in shake-up proposal
COUNCIL bosses last night confirmed proposals to close the two schools involved in Britain's first education federation - and replace them in a multi-million pound project. The Northern Echo can reveal that governors are considering plans to shut top-performing
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Clarkson grabs wickets and runs for Kirby Sigston
KIRBY Sigston are still out in front after they won for the seventh time in eight outings last Saturday, defeating Hutton Rudby by four wickets. The home side posted a useful 173-6, which included 99 by Hereford. He was bowled needing just one run for
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Dismay as vandals attack memorial to Queen Mother
A MEMORIAL to the Queen Mother has been vandalised after only three weeks. The armillary sphere - an elaborate sundial - was bought by the Friends of the Bowes Museum and installed in the grounds in May as a tribute to Her Majesty, who was their patron
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The Dutiful Daughter, Courtyard Theatre, West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds
KE Zin is the dutiful daughter of the title and at the heart of this ambitious East-West collaboration between the Playhouse and the Sichuan People's Art Theatre in China. This princess of the Isle of Joy obeys her royal father to the letter, until a
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Man in court for assault on teenage boys
A champion mouse breeder who was tormented for months by yobs finally snapped when he spotted someone stealing his pears, a court was told today. Ginger bearded Tim Kniveton blew a fuse after teenage tearaways threw eggs at his farmhouse home, damaged
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Prices at the auction marts
BARNARD CASTLE. - Wed of last week. Fwd: 403 sheep. Std lambs to 141p av 136.3p; med to 158p av 140.2p; heavy to 145p av 138.2p; lt hoggs to 104p av 92.1p; std to 113p av 98.3p; med to 120p av 117.5p; heavy to 117p av 113.8p; owt to 122p av 103.8p. Cast
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Home water cooler service may tap into global market
WATER cooler maker Ebac is looking to take its home delivery service global, after North-East trials proved a success. The company, based in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, is more than doubling the workforce for its Bottled Water Direct division, in
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Garden show hit by vandals
EXHIBITORS at a Redcar garden show have vowed never to return to the area after they were targeted by sneak thieves at the weekend. The thefts marred Redcar and Cleveland Council's first ever garden show at Kirkleatham Museum. A juggler from Nottingham
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As near as dammit to real driving
GT4, Publisher: Sony. Format: PS2. Price: £39.99. Family friendly? Nothing to worry about: WHEN I tell people that part of my job entails testing cars, nine out of ten can't disguise their envy. It must be great, the thinking goes, to spend part of your
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New hate law will protect satanists
Satanists and pagans will enjoy the same protection as Christians under new laws banning incitement to racial hatred published yesterday. Even atheists will be protected by legislation which aims to prevent people being victimised for their "beliefs".
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Fahey hopes Realism strikes
Richard Fahey looks to be striking while the iron is hot with Realism, who has strong claims from a favourable draw in the CSFB AES Handicap over a mile and a quarter at Sandown this afternoon. Fahey's runner was progressive on a sound surface last year
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Ascot is indeed a flat race for county's hosts
THOUSANDS of racing enthusiasts will flock to York for Royal Ascot next week - but it appears that few are willing to stay in North Yorkshire, and even York has accommodation to spare. Transfer of the meet to York racecourse prompted many in the county
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Museum on track for three grants
A TOURIST attraction showcasing the region's railway heritage has launched a bid for funding. Darlington Railway Centre and Museum could be revitalised if applications for grants from three organisations are successful. The venue has applied for nearly
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The age-old evil of binge drinking
For many years now I have been convinced that alcohol is a bigger threat to society than drugs. As a rookie police officer, I remember a sergeant with 25 years experience telling me that "drink is the root of all evil". That may be a bit of an exaggeration
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Shoptalk
WANT to save yourself £150? Then it's time to make the switch. The prices of gas and electricity have soared in recent years. But you don't have to give up long hot baths or wear five jumpers on chilly days to save money. Instead, you can just change
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Too old and frail to face sex-abuse trial
A FORMER parish councillor facing a catalogue of sexual abuse charges dating back to the 1960s will not stand trial - because he could not stand the stress. Clifford Worley had been charged with 12 charges of indecently assaulting a girl under 16 between
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Richardson returns to the fray in Wales
NORTHALLERTON co-driver John Richardson made a welcome return to competitive action following three and a half months out when he was reunited with Scorton's Steve Petch on last weekend's Mutiny National Rally in Wales. Having sustained back and rib injuries
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Brave fight against the Big C
Bollocks To Cancer (C4): STEVEN Liddell began the film by telling us about his cancer. "Fortunately, I had the tumour removed; unfortunately, it was attached to my left bollock at the time," he said. I can't help feeling sorry for 19-year-old Steven.
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Big things to come from Durham, according to Lloyd
FORMER England coach David Lloyd has predicted Durham will win the County Championship First Division within the next decade after becoming a big fan of Martyn Moxon's side. Lloyd remembers the days in the early nineties when talk was rife of Durham becoming
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On TV last night
Bollocks To Cancer (C4) STEVEN Liddell began the film by telling us about his cancer. "Fortunately, I had the tumour removed; unfortunately, it was attached to my left bollock at the time," he said. I can't help feeling sorry for 19-year-old Steven. Not
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Urgent public appeal to plug rail cash gap
CAMPAIGNERS who restored timetabled passenger trains to Wensleydale two years ago may reach the end of the line unless they can raise £100,000 in the next seven weeks. Wensleydale Railway Association is seeking what it describes as ''financial angels'
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ShopTalk: The power of free choice
You may think it would be a headache, but changing your power supplier is actually very simple. ShopTalk show you how. WANT to save yourself £150? Then it's time to make the switch. The prices of gas and electricity have soared in recent years. But you
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Rape, wheat and barley feature in open day plots
THE biggest cereal and oilseed rape variety event in the North-East takes place at Croft later this month. The annual crop variety open day, organised by Farmway, will feature a record 12 oilseed rape varieties, 11 wheats and seven barleys at Grange Farm
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Thieves 'running scared' after 180 arrests
A POLICE operation is being hailed a major success after netting 180 arrests in seven weeks. Operation Tribune has targeted known and persistent offenders committing vehicle crime and shed and garage break-ins. As a result, crime in Darlington and south
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Saltburn face derby test after victory over Boro
RICHMONDSHIRE, bottom of the premier division with only one win in nine attempts, are hopeful Shanoka Dissanayake will return from Sri Lanka in time to play against Bishop Auckland at Kingsway tomorrow. Dissanayake, an integral part of the team, had to
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Tim Wellock writes...
THERE are many people who think Lee Bowyer ought to be in jail, yet even if he is found guilty in a court of law of assaulting a team-mate he will probably get away with a suspended sentence. He has already been fined and served a ban, so a public slap
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Company move as community centre lease dispute drags on
A THREE-YEAR dispute over a lease at Saltburn's community centre and theatre is rumbling on with the Community and Arts Association seeking advice from the Charity Commission. Association chairman Philip Thomson said the annual meeting had decided in
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Jaques is felled at the final hurdle
Australian left-hander Phil Jaques stood on the brink of a double achievement in the Roses match at Headingley yesterday before failing at the last hurdle. The Yorkshire opener was in such good form during the morning that he looked set to become the
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Quakers to meet with Larkin again
DARLINGTON manager David Hodgson will hold further talks with Mansfield Town striker Colin Larkin today after abandoning his interest in Swansea's Paul Connor. Hodgson has chosen not to pursue Connor any further after learning the Bishop Auckland-born
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Extra cash would help bridge gap until link boosted numbers
STALWART supporters of the Wensleydale Railway Association who have already paid their dues in membership fees and, in some cases, voluntary work, are now being asked to dig even deeper to help keep their cherished project on track. With the annual meeting
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Ryanair boss in N-E for talks
LOW-cost airline Ryanair is looking to strengthen its links with North-East tourism agencies, in a bid to help market the region abroad. Cathy Timlin, a senior manager with the Dublin-based company, has lined up meetings with regional bodies such as One
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Matchmaker makes perfect match for graduate
SARAH Sparshott's work placement went so well that she created a job for herself. The 23-year-old former Bedale High School student from Thirn proved invaluable at York publishing company Stone Soup and became a full-time member of staff after taking
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Firm's fun day
GUESTS at this year's GlaxoSmithKline fun day, on Sunday, in Barnard Castle, will include Chinese Dragon Dancers. The fun starts at 10.30am. Admission is by programme, at the gate for £1. Children and senior citizens are free
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Battle on the court
YOUNG netballers battled it out in the Darlington primary schools netball tournament. The competition, at Longfield School, was won by Mowden Junior School, and the runners up were Raventhorpe. The competition, on Wednesday, which was sponsored by Master
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Town will celebrate a bygone era
A MURAL depicting images of a town in years gone by is to be erected on the site of a former cinema later this month. The 80ft by 8ft design will be assembled where the Tivoli Cinema used to stand in Spennymoor town centre, near the town library, on Saturday
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Young fashion stars raise money for their lessons
YOUNG models took to the catwalk in aid of their school. Several pupils from North Road Primary School showed off the latest high street designs in the fashion show, which was organised by the Friends of North Road Primary School, to raise money for the
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Stars to aid Zoe's Place
PEOPLE in Bishop Auckland will become stars for an evening in aid of a local children's hospice. Tindale Crescent Workingmen's Club hosts a Stars in Their Eyes night this evening, when performers will be transformed into well-known singers for their acts
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Approval for housing and leisure scheme
DESIGNS for a major leisure and housing scheme have been approved by council officials. It is the latest milestone for Redcar's Coatham Enclosure - now dubbed the Coatham Links development - believed to cost £55m. The final revised plan was formally approved
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Museum on track for three grants
A TOURIST attraction showcasing the region's railway heritage has launched a bid for funding. Darlington Railway Centre and Museum could be revitalised if applications for grants from three organisations are successful. The venue has applied for nearly
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Murder charge
A MAN has appeared in court charged with the murder of a father of three. Steven Doyle, 37, of Blyth, Northumberland, died in Newcastle General Hospital on Saturday, three weeks after he suffered severe head injuries in an alleged attack at the Quilted
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Team in Europe to challenge for sports title
A TEAM of rising young sports stars start their campaign to be crowned European champions today. Woodham Warriors, the American flag football team from Woodham Community Technology College, near Newton Aycliffe, represent the UK in the European championships
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Villagers object to division of home
PLANS to convert a house in a Teesdale village into two separate homes may be given approval despite objections from residents. Teesdale District Council planning officers have recommended planning permission is granted for the conversion of Jubilee House
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Sound advice translates into cash for the community
FOUR community groups in Darlington have benefited from grants from the National Lottery Awards for All Scheme. The groups won almost £20,000 between them to help pay for small projects. Last month, the Branksome and Cockerton West Community Partnership
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Beefy gives backing to the best of British
A FORMER England cricketer more used to making mincemeat of his opponents was behind the counter of a County Durham butcher's shop yesterday. Ian Botham visited McFarlane's Butchers, in Barnard Castle, as part of his campaign to promote British produce
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Father's Day treat aboard
DADS can enjoy a treat this Father's Day by riding the footplate of a steam train. Darlington Railway Museum, North Road, Darlington, is offering steam enthusiasts the chance to climb aboard with the engine driver while the children ride along behind
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Sunshine and rowers at 'Henley of the North'
THOUSANDS of spectators are expected to attend one of the region's longest-established sporting events this weekend. In its 171st year, the annual Durham Regatta attracts rowers from across Europe to compete in a weekend of racing on the River Wear. Last
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Details unveiled of a plan to shape a parish's future
A BLUEPRINT has been drawn up to shape the future of a Wear Valley market town. Wolsingham Parish Council has worked with residents to produce a parish plan, which contains the results of a comprehensive survey and recommendations on how to improve the
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Gold from Dame Tanni for association offices
SPORTING hero Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson who usually receives gold medals, found herself in the role of presenting gold. The paralympic champion, who has won a total of 11 gold medals, marked the start of a new era for a Redcar-based housing association
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Can you bear to look?
MODELS of bears being tortured go on sale at one of the region's historic tourist attractions this weekend. Piranha Studios, in Newcastle, has teamed up with York Dungeons to launch Dungeon Bad Taste Bears. The six will include Stretch, a teddy bear hung
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Town supports air ambulance
TRADERS and organisations in Malton are staging a day of events on Tuesday to raise funds for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance Service. The Leeds-based service is regularly called out to transport people to hospital. Children at St Mary's Catholic School,
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Beefy gives backing to the best of British
A FORMER England cricketer more used to making mincemeat of his opponents was behind the counter of a County Durham butcher's shop yesterday. Ian Botham visited McFarlane's Butchers, in Barnard Castle, as part of his campaign to promote British produce
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Major boost for beauty spot
NIDDERDALE'S area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB), which stretches from the north Leeds borders to parts of Mashamshire, has been given a major financial boost. The Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has granted the area a
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A craft handed down through generations
AN exhibition has opened celebrating traditional hand knitting in the Yorkshire Dales. The event at the Dales Countryside Museum, in Hawes, explores the past, present and future of the craft. It looks at materials, patterns and some of the small Dales-based
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Army medics are recruited to lifesaving response team
THE Army and ambulance service in North Yorkshire have joined forces to provide life-saving emergency medical aid. Combat medics from 24th Medical Squadron of the Close Support Medical Regiment have been recruited for the ground-breaking scheme to operate
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Bid to win compensation for 200 sacked workers
A LEGAL team is looking at pursuing a compensation claim for more than 200 sacked workers. The O'Donnell Brothers civil engineering firm, which had depots on Teesside and Tyneside, went into administration early last month. Administrators sacked 229 of
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Freeze on interest rates is welcomed
BUSINESSES in the region last night praised the Bank of England for once more freezing interest rates. George Cowcher, chief executive of the North East Chamber of Commerce, said: "This is a sound decision by the Bank of England. "For the tenth month
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Royal Academy has space large enough
NORTH Yorkshire artist, Michael Bilton, has had a painting accepted for the Royal Academy's Summer Exhibition. The semi-abstract picture in oils is one of his larger canvasses, measuring 6ft square. Called Whispering Wood, it is an atmospheric evocation
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Information on recycling
A SERIES of drop-in sessions is to be held to enable residents to find out more about a recycling initiative. Organised by Hartlepool Council, the question and answer events, at five separate locations, form part of an extensive consultation exercise.
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Car parks must go to pay for council offices move
OFFICIALS are sticking with plans to fund Richmondshire District Council's controversial move to Colburn. They have recommended approval for the controversial sale of car parks and office buildings in Richmond. The latest report from chief officers at
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All eyes on the fillies during practice run for ladies' day
THE frocks were dazzling, the hats were big, and the heels were high, but yesterday was only a dress rehearsal for Royal Ascot. Ladies day at Ripon Racecourse attracted the usual array of brightly-coloured designer outfits. The annual event is a top date
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Blitz on resort's wrecked boats and tractors
FISHERMEN at Saltburn are pleased to know that the borough council is carrying out a blitz of unlicensed tractors and boats at the lower promenade boat park. "The tractors with council notices on them are an eyesore," said Ron Batchelor, 65, of Brotton
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Comment from The Northern Echo: Railway reservations
WHEN the Weardale Railway was opened last summer, it was a day of celebration in a beautiful part of England. And when it went into voluntary liquidation in January, with debts of almost £1m, it was a crushing disappointment. We are pleased to report
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New route to tackle the same enemy
WOMEN from across Darlington and the surrounding area are gearing up to take part in the annual Race for Life in the town's South Park on Sunday. As the park is undergoing restoration, a new route has been planned. Race for Life events are held across
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Souness revolution has O'Brien heading for exit
ANDY O'BRIEN will be unveiled as a Portsmouth player this lunch-time, but Newcastle United boss Graeme Souness last night insisted the summer departures from St James' Park will be replaced. Pompey are believed to have lined up a deal - understood to
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Maternity unit under threat year after reopening
HEALTH chiefs have warned that the maternity unit at Guisborough General Hospital could close because of financial constraints. South Tees Hospitals NHS Trust owes £31m, having borrowed the money from the strategic health authority and local primary care
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Rumble strips to be ditched after a decade
A TEESDALE village is to do away with its anti-speeding rumble strips, following complaints from residents. The six strips were put along Main Road at Gainford more than ten years ago in a bid to slow traffic passing through the village on the busy A67
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Attacker who bit off man's earlobe is jailed
An attacker who bit off a man's earlobe during a confrontation in a city bar has been jailed for three-and-a-half years. Gavin Kerr, 27, plunged his teeth into Robert Welsh's ear as they fought on the floor in Yates wine lodge in Sunderland. Newcastle
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When the playstation Prince came to call...
GRADUATES who have set up their own businesses on a North-East university campus received the Royal seal of approval yesterday. And a fleet-footed Prince Andrew even tried out a game-playing version of a computer dance mat when he met the entrepreneurs
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Sheep put the P in pollution project
ENGINEERS at a North-East engine manufacturer have discovered a new way of helping the environment - and there is an inexhaustible supply of the vital ingredient. The company is experimenting with sheep urine in an effort to cut the harmful emissions
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Wellock's World: Pussy-footing around
THERE are many people who think Lee Bowyer ought to be in jail, yet even if he is found guilty in a court of law of assaulting a team-mate he will probably get away with a suspended sentence. He has already been fined and served a ban, so a public slap
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The fuse is lit, but could the right to roam backfire at ramblers' expense?
A DAMP squib. Yet worth igniting. But could it backfire? That perhaps sums up the new right-to-roam in the Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors, where the contentious measure came into force late last month. So far, there has been no report of any phalanx
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Armed response units confiscate Fred's flintlock
A PIRATE enthusiast who calls himself Flintlock Fred had the shock of his life when two armed police units arrived to confiscate his 50p toy gun. Steve Dungworth, 43, had bought the toy flintlock from a car boot sale when he joined the Whitby International
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Veazey makes Croft rostrum
AFTER a promising start to the 2005 season, Middlesbrough road racer Paul Veazey finally netted his first rostrum placing when he finished third in the National Superstock Cup race at Croft circuit last weekend. Having contested the previous three rounds
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Marton bounce back from first defeat to see off Guisborough
MARTON quickly saw off the challenge from Guisborough last Sunday to maintain pole position in Division One. They had the home side back in the pavilion for just 88 runs as Matthew Telling took 6-37 in 17 overs. Graham Shaw (48no) and Andrew Morrow (40no
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Museum on track for three grants
A TOURIST attraction showcasing the region's railway heritage has launched a bid for funding. Darlington Railway Centre and Museum could be revitalised if applications for grants from three organisations are successful. The venue has applied for nearly
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Rowing For The Record: Rowers hold Families Day to thank supporters
THE crew behind the North Atlantic rowing attempt are making good progress, although fatigue is beginning to set in Nigel Morris and George Rock, of Ingleby Barwick, Stockton, along with fellow crew members Steve Dawson and Rob Munslow, are thinking of
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'My dad should suffer for what he did'
When Jane was 11, her father began sexually abusing her friends. She tells Nick Morrison how a Barnardo's counselling service has helped her rebuild her life. THE stories had been going around Jane's school for months. At first, Jane denied it, protecting
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Historians with a long police record
The North-Eastern Police History Society - dedicated to preserving the history of policing from the Tees to the Tweed - is celebrating its tenth anniversary. Gavin Havery Reports. ANTI-SOCIAL behaviour, binge drinking and complaints that there aren't
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Bride's search for the right shoes ends in finding them for others
A BRIDE with a passion for fashion has gone into business specialising in designer wedding footwear. Allison Mendelsohn, from Newton Aycliffe, set up Exclusively Shoes following a difficult search for the perfect footwear for her own big day. She said
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Cash hold-up - but railway rescue 'close'
REGENERATION agency One NorthEast is withholding vital funding from a rescue package for the troubled Weardale Railway - until it can be convinced the heritage line has a sustainable future. A behind-the-scenes deal to raise £500,000 to save the County
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Promotion all but assured
THERE will be no counting of the chickens, but Durham are as good as promoted on the evidence of yesterday's Riverside run spree, which took them to 380 for four against Essex. Apart from defying predictions that they would implode once international
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Burton's Bytes: As near as dammit to real driving
GT4, Publisher: Sony. Format: PS2. Price: £39.99. Family friendly? Nothing to worry about: WHEN I tell people that part of my job entails testing cars, nine out of ten can't disguise their envy. It must be great, the thinking goes, to spend part of your
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10/06/05
FOOTBALL VIOLENCE: THE law should not intervene in violence on the football field. The police cannot cope with everyday anti-social behaviour with villains breaking the law and they have a very poor response in coping with complaints from council tax
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Beaten to death with an iron
AN octogenarian psychopath bludgeoned a 93-year-old carehome resident to death with an iron. May Thrower, 83, struck Olive Garvie at least 12 times on the head and in the face. Staff at Coniscliffe residential home, in Jesmond, Newcastle, discovered Thrower
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Porsche recovered after short police chase
Businessman Darren Bosi was the victim of a highway robbery when he saw his £20,000 sports car pull up in front of him - seconds after it had been stolen. Mr Bosi, who runs a hairdressing salon in Benton, Newcastle, was returning to a city centre car
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Killer PC will still get pension
A KILLER policeman will still be able to pick up a hefty force pension when he is released from prison, it has emerged. And it was revealed that Ivor Jones has yet to officially resign from Cleveland Police - despite being jailed a week ago for eight
