Archive
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Confident Reds to be feared
MIDDLESBROUGH welcome European champions Liverpool to Teesside this evening and Steve McClaren believes the Reds' eminent status should strike fear into the rest of the Premiership - including Chelsea. Despite finishing a colossal 37 points behind the
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Liddle may be secret weapon
Durham City boss Neil Hixon believes former Darlington star Craig Liddle could be a decisive factor in their championship chase. Liddle, who quit Darlington because of injury at the end of the season, is just one of many summer signings by Hixon as he
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Worker trapped in cash machine
A MAN had to be rescued by firefighters after he became trapped in a cash machine. The 51-year-old arrived at the machine with colleagues to replenish the money at about noon yesterday. The procedure for workers is to climb inside the 8ft device and lock
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Return of the Wilde Rover
Some actors say they can't get in touch with the character they're playing until they put on the shoes. Former Coronation Street actor Iain Rogerson has a different take. "For me, it's when I get the trousers, because then you know what you're going to
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Confident Reds to be feared
MIDDLESBROUGH welcome European champions Liverpool to Teesside this evening and Steve McClaren believes the Reds' eminent status should strike fear into the rest of the Premiership - including Chelsea. Despite finishing a colossal 37 points behind the
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Town's twister alert
WEATHER experts last night said it was entirely possible a freak storm in a North-East town could have been a tornado. Eyewitnesses in Darlington reported seeing a tornado sweeping over the town on Thursday, after sudden storms broke. Last night, meteorologists
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Sack holds no fear for me, insists embattled Souness
AN embattled Graeme Souness last night insisted he was not afraid of losing his job despite a calamitous pre-season leaving him short of both options and firepower ahead of the opening weekend of the Premiership season. All of Britain's leading bookmakers
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Health officials testing their readiness for flu pandemic
HEALTH experts in the North-East are to test their ability to cope with a flu pandemic. Fears that a potentially devastating pandemic -a worldwide epidemic -could hit the UK at any time have prompted the first major exercise to be held in the region.
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North-East company wins £30m Dubai contract deal
A project worth £2.5bn to build the Middle East's largest development is being managed by a company from the North-East. K Home International, in Thornaby, near Stockton, will create up to 250 jobs after winning its biggest contract to date, which will
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Cricket returns to field after forty years of sheep grazing
WHILE England's cricketers continue to perform well against Australia in the Ashes, a local cricket club also had cause for celebration this week. Stanhope Cricket Club, in Weardale, County Durham, played their first game in more than 40 years after the
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Beauty pageant winner to fly flag for North-East at national competition
A NORTH-EAST woman will fly the flag for the region when she competes in the Miss England contest next month. Insurance worker Carrianne Green aims to do the region proud when she contests the nation's biggest beauty and talent pageant in Liverpool on
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Velodrome bid could bring Olympic glory to the region
A TEAM of North-East architects is in the running to win a contract to design the velodrome cycling facility for the 2012 Olympic Games in London. Faulkner-Browns, in Newcastle, has been shortlisted and has a strong chance of securing the contract, according
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Teesdale Talk: Ponies set targets for success
Freda and Richie Longstaff, well-known Dale pony specialists, had an American counterpart, Steve Barker, as a guest at their farm in Newbiggin, in Upper Teesdale, this week. Eleven years ago, Mr Barker bought two of their young ponies, along with three
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Taxi driver jailed for attacking paramedic
A TAXI driver who beat up an ambulance driver in a road rage incident after the emergency vehicle blocked his path has been jailed for nine months. Richard Heslop was described as "arrogant and obnoxious" by Recorder Gillian Matthews, who said she had
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Flights ease airport misery
BRITISH Airways is hoping to resume more services today after two-thirds of staff agreed to return to work, ending misery for thousands of travellers. Some baggage handlers and other employees reported for duty yesterday morning, and others decided to
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Hooded man with knife threatens shop assistant
A ROBBER escaped with more than £100 after threatening a shop assistant with a knife. The incident happened at Brigg's Newsagents and General Store in Station Road, West Rainton, at 6pm on Thursday, while there were no other customers in the shop. He
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Emily's football match supports hospital
A FOOTBALL crazy teenage girl and her brother have achieved their goal of aiding a hospital which helped them survive. Fourteen-year-old Emily Bateman and her brother, Michael, both spent the first weeks of their lives at what was then South Cleveland
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Recycling centre changes defended after complaints
COUNCIL chiefs have defended changes at North Yorkshire's household waste recycling centres after criticism from users. Complaints were made after Environmental Waste Controls Plc (EWC) took over the management of the 16 sites just over a month ago. Users
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Council expected to join in opposing opencast mining
PEOPLE fighting plans for mining on 111 acres of farmland are likely to get a heavy-weight ally next week when Durham County Council weighs in on their side. More than 2,500 people have signed a petition against Hall Construction's proposal to work a
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Doctors say next pregnancy could kill me, but I want more children
A MOTHER of 15 who claims almost £49,000-a-year in benefits says she will continue having children even though her next pregnancy could kill her. Margaret Wilson, 41, and her partner refuse to work because of the amount of benefits they can claim. Eric
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Woman jailed for smuggling
A woman was jailed yesterday for smuggling drugs into Durham Prison. Teesside Crown Court was told that Caroline Simpson, 35, smuggled heroin and bupreonorphin into the jail for a friend's boyfriend who was a prisoner there. The Recorder of Middlesbrough
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After the heroics of both Storm and Skelton, now it's the turn of Dinwiddie
IN 1999 Hartlepool's Graeme Storm's nerve-defying six-foot putt clinched victory over the United States. Two years ago Middlesbrough's Michael Skelton was part of another successful Walker Cup team. This weekend Rob Dinwiddie wants to become the most
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Cancer nurses to attend drop-in event
SPECIALIST cancer nurses will hold a drop-in session for patients and their carers later this month. The meeting for past and present cancer patients and for carers and relatives of those with cancer will be held between 10am and noon on Wednesday, August
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Nursing staff join in birthday celebration
CARING mother Julie Stead decided that, on reaching the big 40, she wanted to do something special to mark the occasion. And as well as celebrating her birthday, the Leeming mum decided to help the special care baby unit at the Friarage Hospital, in Northallerton
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Shopping centre hosts safety show
A SCHOOL safety campaign is to be staged at a Durham City shopping centre next month. Staff at the Millburngate Shopping Centre are planning a two-day event, on September 3 and 4, when there will be information and advice on safe travel to and from school
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Company wins £30m Dubai deal
A project worth £2.5bn to build the Middle East's largest development is being managed by a company from the North-East. K Home International, based in Thornaby, Teesside, will create up to 250 jobs after winning its biggest contract to date, which will
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At Your Service: Inside the inside-out church
St Andrew's Church came to Blackhall on the back of a lorry 75 years ago, when it moved 15 miles down the road and was re-built inside out. JUST because the name of Blackhall is thought to have come from "black holes" - a reference to the caves when seen
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Museum recalls Japanese PoW experiences
VICTORY over Japan and the end of the Second World War will be remembered this weekend at a museum dedicated to all the Allied airmen who died during the conflict. An exhibition outlining the British involvement in the war in Asia will open at Yorkshire
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Police drugs crackdown led to man's arrest
A POLICE drugs crackdown on a housing estate led to hundreds of arrests, a court heard yesterday. A lawyer claimed that there were up to 700 cases awaiting trial and sentence from undercover operations on the Grove Hill area of Middlesbrough. The court
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Collins treading a familiar path down to Victoria Park
SUNDERLAND'S Neill Collins yesterday joined the ever-growing Wearside connection at Hartlepool United. The defender has moved to Pool on a half-season loan, after Black Cats' boss Mick McCarthy allowed the 21-year-old to move on a temporary basis. He
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Hodgson demands more of the same from Quakers
WITH just two games played, the League Two table may be as telling as a British weather forecast, but Darlington manager David Hodgson wants this afternoon's top of the table clash with Leyton Orient to be the first of many for his side this season. Hodgson
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Gang locked up after assault
A GANG of youths was last night starting custodial sentences after pleading guilty to an unprovoked attack on a man in his 20s. The group of six, aged between 14 and 17, threw punches and kicked their victim to the ground before stabbing him five times
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Tykes glad to see the back of heroic Wood
Yorkshire became sick and tired of the sight of Matt Wood at Taunton yesterday - but to a man they applauded the Somerset opening bat when his epic innings of 297 was ended. Director of cricket David Byas even gave him a standing ovation from the dressing
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We are in this battle together, declares determined Breen
THE critics might claim they need the luck of the Irish - but Gary Breen is hoping a demonstration of the Republic of Ireland's legendary battling qualities will be good enough to keep Sunderland in the Premiership. Breen, who will be captaining the Black
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Three-year-old Stephen raising funds in memory of his mother
A THREE-YEAR-OLD boy is taking part in a sponsored walk to raise funds for cancer research in memory of his mother. In May, Stephen Rais lost his mother, Janet, to breast cancer, only days after her 40th birthday. Next Saturday, he will walk with his
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Chancellor leads tribute at Cook funeral
Former Foreign Secretary Robin Cook was hailed as "the greatest parliamentarian of our times" when political leaders joined family and friends at his funeral yesterday. The description came from Chancellor Gordon Brown, who said Mr Cook's parliamentary
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Terror camp claims refuted
POLICE and national park officials last night dismissed claims that the Yorkshire Dales have become a haven for terrorists. North Yorkshire Police and the Yorkshire Dales National Park said there was no evidence that indoctrination camps were being held
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Town's youngsters to support hospice in fundraising year
YOUNG people in Darlington are to spend a year fundraising in aid of a hospice. It is the first time that youngsters in the town have selected a charity of the year - but hopes are high that the children and teenagers can raise at least £2,000 in 12 months
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Regional award for two specialist nurses
TWO specialist nurses have been recognised at national level for their work in identifying people at risk of osteoporosis. Christine Scollen, specialist nurse for osteoporosis prevention for Sedgefield Primary Care Trust, and Sheila Ruddick, osteoporosis
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College provides the venue for a showcase for determined artists
ARTISTS with disabilities ranging from blindness to Downs Syndrome are staging an exhibition. Paintings, photographs and embroideries will be on display at Darlington College, Cleveland Avenue, Darlington, until September. The collection, organised by
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Pubs try to push for late drinking
A NUMBER of pubs, bars and clubs in Darlington have applied to council bosses to stay open later. Town centre venues including The Lounge, Escapade, Flares, Turks Head, Route 66, The Barracuda (formerly Humphreys), Yates, Atlantic Bar and Club, The Brown
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Teenage thief in court
A TEENAGE girl from Darlington has pleaded guilty to shoplifting, handling stolen goods and criminal damage. The 15-year-old, who can not be identified for legal reasons, admitted the charges at Darlington Magistrates' Court yesterday. The youth stole
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Diabetic aims to tackle Roman wall
A DIABETIC woman is taking on a walking challenge to raise money for essential medical equipment. Hannah Pierson, from Bolam, near Darlington, will walk the length of Hadrian's Wall to raise funds for fellow diabetics. She is following the fundraising
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Man spared jail for attack
A MAN who punched his former partner in the face before kicking her "as hard as he could" while she lay on the ground escaped jail yesterday. Peter Joicey, 37, attacked Valerie Walton when she went to their home to collect belongings at the end of their
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Family fun day to aid hospice
A PUB family fun day is being staged to raise money for a hospice appeal. Staff from The White Tun in Witton Gilbert hope to bring in money for St Cuthbert's Hospice, in Durham City, during an afternoon of bank holiday fun on August 29. Earlier this year
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Redemption, not relegation is aim
MICK McCarthy might not have much in common with the mandarins of the Football Association but, this summer, the Sunderland boss has been following the governing body's lead. Never one to use evocative prose unnecessarily, McCarthy has been banning words
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Crowds flock to fun day
GREY skies and persistent showers failed to dampen the spirits of families who turned out for a fun day yesterday. The event was held in Spennymoor town centre and included street entertainment, children's activities and games. All activities were free
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People urged to take up million miles challenge
PEOPLE in Darlington are being encouraged to walk one million miles as part of a regional fitness challenge. The Million Miles challenge is a Sport England initiative and part of the Everyday Sport campaign which aims to get people more active. Over ten
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£2m project to revitalise a town's water supply
A VITAL £2m project to improve the water mains in Crook begins next week. Work by Northumbrian Water to renew 28km of water network starts on Monday, and will continue for the next nine months. The scheme is designed to improve the water quality in 2,000
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Life's a beach for the kids on holiday
IT was far from the ideal weather, but youngsters held a beach party yesterday to celebrate the success of a holiday play scheme. The party was organised by King James Community Association, in Bishop Auckland, to mark the end of a week of activities.
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Grounds for optimism at Ripon for Najeebon
NAJEEBON (3.15) represents a rock-solid each-way investment for Ripon's most valuable race of the year, the six-furlong £50,000 Great St Wilfred Handicap. Mick Channon's sprinter signalled his turn was near when touched off by Currency at Haydock less
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Anthony is Big Brother winner
SEVENTIES disco dancer Anthony Hutton became the winner of Big Brother's sixth series last night. Following the closest final yet, the 23-year-old from Consett, County Durham, beat Eugene Sully to the reality television show's crown. He jumped and danced
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Wearside League
Teesside Athletic make their debut this afternoon and could hardly face a stiffer test at Stokesley SC who are expected to be strong title candidates, writes Malcolm Pratt. Steve Watson is their new manager and Glen Shepherd coach and the pair have brought
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Veteran warned over court outburst
A GULF War veteran ended up in the dock after a woman using a mobile phone narrowly avoided a crash. Father-of-two Steven Harrison, 37, showed his fury when he appeared before magistrates in Teesside yesterday, having been charged with using threatening
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Tears for a love lost to terrorism
ANGUISH etched across his face, the fiance of a North-East woman killed by a terrorist bomb left hospital to say a final goodbye yesterday. Stephen Stables left hospital in a wheelchair for only a few hours to join family and friends of Helyn Bennett
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Premier Commentary: There's only one destination for the Premiership crown - boring eh?
THE shirts, the sponsor and the club badge may have changed but Jose Mourinho's loveable arrogance remains the same. In his assured Portuguese manner, Mourinho accepts the challenge to defend the Premiership crown this season will be harder, yet maintains
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Football club puts carveries on menu for fans at home games
DARLINGTON Football Club manager David Hodgson became a chef for a day to promote the club's latest off-field venture. The club will start serving carveries at the Darlington Football Stadium from noon today, ahead of the game against Leyton Orient. The
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Runners' dash for cash
SPECIAL prize-money of £100 is on offer for record-breaking performances in tomorrow's big Darlington 10K. And current record holder Martin Scaife reckons his time of 30 mins 21 secs can be beaten if the right field is assembled. The 33-year-old Morpeth
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Supermarket says regulator 'put cart before horse'
SUPERMARKET chain Somerfield last night criticised the Competition Commission (CC) for intervening in its takeover of 115 former Safeway stores from Morrisons. Somerfield said the commission had "put the cart before the horse" in its provisional finding
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Flights ease airport misery
BRITISH Airways is hoping to resume more services today after two-thirds of staff agreed to return to work, ending misery for thousands of travellers. Some baggage handlers and other employees reported for duty yesterday morning, and others decided to
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Awol soldier gets discharge
A SOLDIER who alleges he was bullied is to be medically discharged from the Army after he told doctors he would kill himself if he returned to base. Lee McDonald said last night he was "over the moon" at news that he stands to be formally discharged on
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Police urge missing teenager to get in touch
POLICE are appealing for a missing teenager to get in touch to let them know he is safe. Adam James Trussler, 14, left his home in Oakfield Lane, The Grove, Consett, County Durham, at 9.15am on Wednesday. When last seen by his mother, Julie Todd, he was
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Shakespeare with a twist
Illyria will perform William Shakespeare's Comedy of Errors at Guisborough Priory next Thursday and Friday. The group has been performing at the venue for ten years and productions have included Five Children and It, Macbeth and The Reluctant Dragon.
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Action to reduce long-stay parking
AN experimental parking restriction may be introduced in an area of Hartlepool to cut down on motorists using it as a car park while they are at work. A number of businesses in the Vicarage Gardens area of Hartlepool require short-stay parking for their
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Meeting to explain licensing changes
PEOPLE in the Chester-le-Street area can find out how the new licensing laws will affect them at a public meeting next week. Chester-le-Street District Council is holding the event in the town's Bullion Hall, South Approach, on Thursday to explain to
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Cameras to tackle litter and fly-posting
A FURTHER £15,000 is to be spent on covert CCTV cameras to tackle littering and dog-fouling. Officers from Hartlepool Borough Council are proposing to buy the cameras after the success of an existing system which is used to monitor areas of the town hit
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Motorcyclists' award to Ann
A DEDICATED local volunteer has been rewarded for her outstanding contribution to motorcycle sport this week. Ann Cairns was presented with the Christopher Horn Award, a regionally-recognised trophy, presented by the North-East Autocycle Union to motorcycle
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Funeral service held for attack victim, 21
THE funeral has taken place of popular 21-year-old student Joe Medforth. Friends of the psychology student, from Ryther, between York and Selby, said they felt cheated that he had been taken from them so young. Hundreds of mourners packed into St Wilfred's
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Heritage rail station damaged by thieves
BURGLARS have dealt a cruel blow to plans to restart a cash-stricken heritage railway by raiding its main station. Although the thieves escaped almost empty-handed, they damaged original features at Stanhope station, part of the Weardale Railway, in County
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Ceremony offers chance to remember
A CEREMONY to commemorate the 60th anniversary of VJ Day will take place in Richmond on Monday. Veterans and members of the public are invited to attend the service at the Friary Gardens War Memorial at noon. Veterans of the Far East campaign have been
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Credit card numbers found in store's torn rubbish bags
A CRACKDOWN on identity thieves has has found a till roll with 17 credit card numbers printed on it, in torn bags of rubbish behind a department store. The Middlesbrough town centre store is not being named. But management hasbeen informed of the discovery
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Thieves taking advantage of unlocked doors
CARELESS residents are providing thieves with easy picking in a Teesside town. Criminals did not have to break in to homes in Middlesbrough to help themselves to cash, jewellery, credit cards and mobile phones. To the despair of Cleveland Police, and
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Gymnasts raising funds to train in US
GYMNASTS from Redcar are to visit the US later this year to take part in intense training with their American counterparts. Sixteen athletes, aged from eight to 14, will be in Maryland, from October 16 to 27, where they will stay with local families and
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Coaches discover talented cricketers
YOUNGSTERS have been enjoying some cricketing tips from the experts. More than 50 youngsters took part in three days of training at Hambleton Leisure Centre, in Northallerton, courtesy of Yorkshire County Cricket Club. Children from the age of six were
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Young musicians rise to challenge of working with the best
YOUNGSTERS entertained audiences after a summer school with an internationally-renowned conductor. North Yorkshire Schools' Symphony Orchestra and Wind Band studied for five-and-a-half days at Barnard Castle School under director Simon Wright. The 79-
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Competition for children with taste
YOUNGSTERS are being invited to do their bit to promote locally-produced food. The Clayport Library, in Durham City, is staging a competition for children aged five to 15 to design a postcard promoting food grown close to home. It is to encourage young
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Sack holds no fear for me, insists embattled Souness
AN embattled Graeme Souness last night insisted he was not afraid of losing his job despite a calamitous pre-season leaving him short of both options and firepower ahead of the opening weekend of the Premiership season. All of Britain's leading bookmakers
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Singers revive the wartime spirit with railway centre show
A GROUP of singers came together yesterday to recreate the wartime spirit. The singers put on a show to help encourage people to record their memories of the war. The We'll Meet Again show was part of the BBC People's History series. Harry Herring, a
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Saturday Spotlight: Redemption, not relegation is aim
MICK McCarthy might not have much in common with the mandarins of the Football Association but, this summer, the Sunderland boss has been following the governing body's lead. Never one to use evocative prose unnecessarily, McCarthy has been banning words
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Driving school aims to double its fleet
THE largest independent driving school and instructor training centre in the North-East plans to double in size. Clearway, in Redcar, already has a fleet of 22 cars and 18 instructors working in the Cleveland area. George Barnett, who founded the company
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Tears for a love lost to terrorism
ANGUISH etched across his face, the fiance of a North-East woman killed by a terrorist bomb left hospital to say a final goodbye yesterday. Stephen Stables left hospital in a wheelchair for only a few hours to join family and friends of Helyn Bennett
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Can I claim Carer's Allowance?
Q Our son has just been awarded Disability Living Allowance (DLA) at the middle rate for care and the lower rate for mobility. Will this affect the child support payments he has to make and can either my wife or I claim Carer's Allowance for looking after
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13/08/05
BRIGHT JACKETS: WHY the outcry about the fluorescent jackets worn by offenders as they work out their sentences doing community service? (Echo, Aug 3). Apart from the safety angle, the fact is these workers are criminals (hopefully ex-criminals) paying
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Comment from The Northern Echo: A certain lack of judgement
RACING pundit John McCririck showed during his recent, stomach-churning performance on Channel 4's increasingly vile Celebrity Big Brother series that he has no class. His decision to launch an attack on Tony Blair from the cathedral pulpit at Robin Cook's
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Weather looks set to thwart Hussey's plans
MIKE Hussey's hopes of securing promotion before he leaves Durham at the end of the month look like being frustrated by the weather in the current game against Leicestershire at Riverside. Hussey survived a searching test from South African left-armer
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Attraction is back in the spotlight
THE spotlight will be firmly on Attraction (2.50) at Newbury today following a frustrating season as far as the Middleham-based star is concerned, writes Colin Woods. It's been a case of after the Lord Mayor's show for Attraction, who in 2004 claimed
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Fears grow for missing woman
CONCERNS are growing for a 33-year-old woman missing from home. Caroline Michelle Wood, from Yarm, Teesside, was last heard from last Saturday, when she spoke to her partner on her mobile phone. It is believed she is in the Scarborough or Filey areas
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Guisborough given chance
Guisborough have the opportunity to reduce Saltburn's 49 point lead at the top of the Darlington Building Society NYSD Premier League Premier Division when they play twice this weekend. At home to Great Ayton today they name Chris Allinson for Johnny
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Guisborough given chance
Guisborough have the opportunity to reduce Saltburn's 49 point lead at the top of the Darlington Building Society NYSD Premier League Premier Division when they play twice this weekend. At home to Great Ayton today they name Chris Allinson for Johnny
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Parkland walk for Alzheimer's Society
A SPONSORED walk has been organised in a scenic part of Derwentside to raise money for people who suffer from dementia. The Alzheimer's Society Memory Walk 2005 will take place in Allensford Country Park. Derwentside residents are being encouraged to
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Call goes out for entries to show
ORGANISERS of a popular town show are advising amateur crafts people and gardeners not to leave their entries to the last minute. The closing date for applications to craft and horticulture classes at Great Aycliffe Show, to be held at School Aycliffe
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Inside the inside-out church
JUST because the name of Blackhall is thought to have come from "black holes" - a reference to the caves when seen from the North Sea - it shouldn't be assumed that it had nowt. The beach, the Pleasure Gardens, the Temperance Hotel and the inlets were
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Display of cars from America
THERE will be a display of American custom and classic cars along the front at Saltburn on Sunday, September 4. The event, which runs from 10am to 6pm, is a celebration of motor transport in all its extreme forms and a celebration of Saltburn. Entry is
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A year in pictures
A PHOTOGRAPHIC review of the year's events in Bishop Auckland town centre will be displayed in a supermarket until the end of the month. Asda in Bishop Auckland will host the exhibition, giving visitors the chance to relive some of the most memorable
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Suspected dealers target of dawn raids
MORE than 30 suspected drug dealers were targeted during dawn raids yesterday netting £100,000 worth of illicit substances. Thirty-six men and women were arrested in the Byker, Walker, Scotswood, Cruddas Park and Benwell areas of Newcastle, and in Gateshead
