Archive
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Rate-setting panel concerned about rising inflation
A cut in interest rates before Christmas looked unlikely last night after it was revealed that the Bank of England's decision to leave the cost of borrowing unchanged was unanimous. All nine members of the bank's monetary policy committee (MPC) voted
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TV chef opens charity event
ONE Fat Lady got proceedings off to a sizzling start when a North-East shopping fair was held yesterday. The annual two-day Durham Shopping Extravaganza, at the Ramside Hall Hotel, was opened by television chef Clarissa Dickson Wright. The event, which
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Upgrade easing waiting lists
A SCANNER that has undergone a £600,000 upgrade was officially unveiled yesterday. The scanner, at Darlington Memorial Hospital's magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) department, has already improved services by reducing waiting lists for cardiac patients
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Diabetes service lapsed for two years
HEALTH bosses have admitted that a vital screening service to prevent people suffering from diabetes losing their sight was allowed to lapse for two years. Officials from North Tees Primary Care Trust (PCT) have conceded that a camera used to pick up
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Xavier absence not a problem for McClaren
A RESOLUTE Steve McClaren last night insisted Abel Xavier's failed drugs test had not hindered Middlesbrough's preparations for the start of the UEFA Cup group-stage, and claimed his players were determined to put this week's dramatic events firmly behind
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Leaked report reveals early fears over future of school
A SENIOR council boss had expressed serious concerns about the prospect of Hurworth School gaining foundation status long before campaigners targeted it as an option for the future, it has emerged. In a report for local Labour group figures, Darlington
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Sexual health tips
STUDENTS have been advised how to protect their sexual health. Debra Chalmers, County Durham and Darlington Chlamydia Screening Service health advisor, and Lesley Hunter, Darlington Primary Care Trust sexual health outreach worker, visited Darlington
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Anger as go-ahead given for pub site to become housing
CAMPAIGNERS spoke of their disappointment after a controversial housing plan on the outskirts of Durham City was given the go-ahead last night. Outline permission to develop the two-acre site of the Cock O' the North pub/restaurant, on the A167, at Farewell
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Pupils' pride in community
PRIMARY school pupils are taking pride in their community by designing poop scoops. Children at Dene Valley Primary School, near Bishop Auckland, came up with ideas as part of The Pride in Wear Valley Campaign - a joint initiative by Wear Valley District
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Celebrations to remember home front
AN event to commemorate the efforts of those on the home front during the Second World War is being held this Saturday. There will be 1940s memorabilia and displays from a re-enactment society, from 11am to 4pm, at the Wood View Community Centre, in Wood
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Accountant named chief of NHS trust
A FORMER council leader has been appointed as a health chief on Teesside. Hartlepool accountant Russell Hart has been appointed to serve as chairman of the board of North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust for a four-year term, from November 1, on an annual
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Charity crafts
A GROUP in Ferryhill will hold a community event today to help them on the final stretch of a charity campaign. The chat and craft group, at Dean Bank Literary Institute, will display the clothes and items they have knitted for the Feed The Children campaign
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Fearless men are going hairless
A QUARTET of brave male staff members at a food store are bracing themselves for a tear-jerking experience, all in a good cause. But for Neil Gray, manager of the Somerfield branch in Hetton-le-Hole, on Wearside, the pain will all be self-inflicted. For
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Hodgson demands more hunger for success
DARLINGTON'S embattled players must get greedy if they want to revive their faltering start to the season, according to manager David Hodgson. Quakers have endured a miserable week, having lost at Bury on Saturday and suffered elimination from the LDV
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Health accolade for city council
STAFF at a local authority should be in tip-top condition after being brought up to scratch on a range of health issues. It led to a bronze national Working for Health award being presented to Durham City Council for its commitment to the well-being of
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Former prisoner gives pupils the inside story
A FORMER prisoner's stories brought the years of the Second World War to life for a group of schoolchildren yesterday. Captured three days before the end of the conflict, Willie Benoit was held prisoner in County Durham for three years and did not return
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NHS relocation could bring 800 jobs to the North-East
MORE than 800 jobs could be brought to the North-East with the creation of one National Health Service "super-division". The NHS is amalgamating up to four of its operations to form a new Business Services Authority (BSA), which will have its headquarters
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Housing in woods gains approval
A CLEARING in a North Yorkshire woodland can be developed for extra housing, councillors have decided. Their approval of the plan at Laverton Woods, Laverton, near Ripon, went against a planning officer's advice. Planning officer Mike Warden said the
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Outdoor play for youngsters
CHILDREN can keep themselves busy during the half-term holiday with a variety of activities in Stockton. The Corner House Project and Stockton Community Safety Team are offering eight to 14-year-olds a chance to take part in the Play Outdoor Initiative
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One lucky bottle will win a sunny holiday
RECYCLING glass bottles could soon send one lucky family on a £3,000 sunshine holiday. When residents across Tees Valley put their empty bottles in the recycling box, they can write their name and address on a coupon, provided at every home, and put it
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NHS relocation could bring 800 jobs to the North-East
MORE than 800 jobs could be brought to the North-East with the creation of one National Health Service "super-division". The NHS is amalgamating up to four of its operations to form a new Business Services Authority (BSA), which will have its headquarters
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'Don't dismiss our demo'
COUNCIL leader John Williams' dismissive response to Saturday's demonstration against the closure of Hurworth school only goes to illustrate the arrogant and cynical approach of Darlington Borough Council ( Echo, Oct 17). By calling this legitimate campaign
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Revealed: The Ripper hoax suspect
A 49 year-old North-East man is being questioned by police hunting the infamous Ripper hoaxer - Wearside Jack. John Humble, who lives on Sunderland's Ford Estate, was arrested on Tuesday and was still being questioned by detectives late last night. Earlier
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Meeting over unruly youths
A PUBLIC meeting has been called to discuss vandalism and anti-social behaviour in West Auckland. Residents are urged to attend the meeting next month to put their concerns to police and councillors. Problems have increased dramatically over the past
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Easterby's double success
Tim Easterby was in double form at odds of near 78-1 at Newcastle thanks to wins with Robinzal and Collateral Damage. The latter was backed from 9-2 into 11-4 favourite in the Mali Jenkins Maiden Stakes and duly obliged with a decisive victory under Dave
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More volunteers needed for new cancer centre
A NEW centre designed to help cancer sufferers and their families is to open in east Durham later this year. Ahead of the opening, an appeal has gone out for volunteers to work in the important new venture. The Macmillan Cancer Information and Support
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Community blighted by chilling hoax
For nearly three decades, the former mining community of Castletown, Sunderland, has been linked with the notorious hoaxer Wearside Jack. Yesterday, residents recalled the fear and rumour that has pervaded their lives. Gavin Engelbrecht reports. Meanwhile
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Nosworthy relishing derby challenge
THE nearest thing to a derby experienced by Sunderland's Nyron Nosworthy in the past has been Millwall and Gillingham's head-to-heads in the Championship last season. Not surprisingly Nosworthy expects Sunday's meeting of two old North-East adversaries
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Scott Wilson's Zurich diary
Zurich is famous for its clocks and banks, so it was perhaps inevitable that the Middlesbrough press pack would arrive in the city yesterday both late and skint. The tardy timekeeping was particularly unacceptable given Zurich's clock-making heritage
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Anger as borough's class sizes stay at more than 30
ALMOST one in four primary school pupils in a North-East town are still taught in classes of more than 30, figures show. And the proportion in oversized classes is above one in ten in nearly every other authority in the North-East and North Yorkshire.
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Clark returns to sidelines after red-card show
BEN Clark is facing three games on the sidelines after Hartlepool United decided not to appeal against the red card he received in Tuesday's LDV Vans Trophy defeat at Scunthorpe. The Pool midfielder's return to the side ended when he was sent off in injury
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Support Our Port: Port receives takeover offer
TEESPORT owner PD Ports last night confirmed it had received a takeover approach. Although the company declined to name its mystery suitor, The Northern Echo understands it is Australian investment bank Macquarie, which has built up a range of transport
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Schwarzer's spy reports back with positive news
SWITZERLAND'S neutrality might be fiercely guarded but Mark Schwarzer has revealed that one of the Swiss league's leading lights has been spying for Middlesbrough in the last fortnight. As well as playing alongside the Boro goalkeeper in the Australian
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'Sensitive' courts to become permanent
NEW courts are to become permanent in the North-East following a successful pilot period. The Government has announced it is to broaden the "sensitive" court scheme, after successful trials in seven areas, including County Durham. Pioneering sittings
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Motorhead prize
The Northern Echo has teamed up with MVC to give readers a chance to win the Motorhead box set: Stone Deaf Forever. The prize includes 99 tracks - 19 previously unreleased - a poster and booklet. For a chance to win, log on to www.entertainmentnorth east.co.uk
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"I'll fight to defend homes in town'
A BITTER row has erupted following the suspension of a leading campaigner opposed to plans to demolish 1,500 homes. Councillor Ken Walker, who represents Gresham on Middlesbrough Council, has hit back at accusations that he refused to toe the Labour party
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Pepper spray to replace CS gas
DURHAM Constabulary will be the first force in the region to replace its hand-held CS sprays with an aerosol containing pepper. The CS sprays used to control violent suspects by the force are to be phased out from next month. The force is opting for a
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Cash soon for scanner left idle, MP told
A HEALTH minister admitted yesterday that North-East patients were right to protest at being sent 30 miles for a private scan while an NHS machine stood idle. But Liam Byrne insisted the much-criticised arrangement was only temporary, because a local
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On TV
Jamie's Great Escape (C4) Cold Blood (ITV1) Grand Designs (C4) AT least Jamie Oliver's departure made someone happy. As the scourge of the turkey twizzler packed his bags and got behind the wheel of his camper van, wife Jools was sobbing that she didn't
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New setback for £35m
PLANS for a privately-financed £35m "super-school" to be created in the North-East have been dealt a serious double blow, The Northern Echo can reveal. Ministers have trumpeted the so-called education village in Darlington - the first of its kind in the
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Expert warned police of doubts
THE voice expert who analysed the Wearside Jack tape said last night that he had written to police in 1979, warning the West Yorkshire force that the tape was a hoax. Stanley Ellis, who was teaching phonetics at Leeds University at the time of the Ripper
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Rate-setting panel concerned about rising inflation
A cut in interest rates before Christmas looked unlikely last night after it was revealed that the Bank of England's decision to leave the cost of borrowing unchanged was unanimous. All nine members of the bank's monetary policy committee (MPC) voted
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Bored? Get yourself down to the bottle bank
'DAD, I'm bored." It must be the phrase kids say more than any other, with the possible exceptions of "I had it first", "It's not fair" and "Are we there yet?" "There's nothing to do," they cry, even though they have televisions all over the house, more
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'North-East must be ready to face the worst if a flu pandemic breaks out'
A DOOMSDAY scenario of overflowing hospital mortuaries and economic paralysis could happen in the region, unless we are ready for a potential flu pandemic. Not since the height of the Cold War have such detailed contingency plans been drawn up to put
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Dad At Large
'DAD, I'm bored." It must be the phrase kids say more than any other, with the possible exceptions of "I had it first", "It's not fair" and "Are we there yet?" "There's nothing to do," they cry, even though they have televisions all over the house, more
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Owen injury sparks pitch battle
NEWCASTLE UNITED boss Graeme Souness is confident Michael Owen will be fit to face local rivals Sunderland, but the England striker's injury scare has forced the 'suicidal' manager to relocate training. The alarm bells have been ringing on Tyneside long
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Man charged over Ripper hoax
DETECTIVES charged a 49-year-old man today in connection with the infamous Ripper hoaxer Wearside Jack. John Humble, from Sunderland, will appear before magistrates in Leeds this afternoon charged with perverting the course of justice following a breakthrough
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20/10/05
BIRD FLU: I WAS shocked by the complacent attitude to bird flu shown by Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt (Echo, Oct 18). Her suggestion that there is no risk in eating poultry seems to ignore the inherent dangers of intensive farming. Simple measures
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Xavier absence not a problem for McClaren
A RESOLUTE Steve McClaren last night insisted Abel Xavier's failed drugs test had not hindered Middlesbrough's preparations for the start of the UEFA Cup group-stage, and claimed his players were determined to put this week's dramatic events firmly behind
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Inside justice
AN event aiming to help youngsters stay away from a life of crime is being staged in Darlington on Saturday. Visitors will also be given a glimpse of what it is like to be in prison, through presentations given by Darlington Youth Offending Service. The
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Niall takes plunge
A SCHOOLBOY will celebrate his ninth birthday with a sponsored swim to raise money for his local church. Niall Mellor is hoping to raise about £200 for the Under The Roof Appeal at St James Church, Coundon, when he takes to the water at Woodhouse Close
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Shopping centre gets display award
A SHOPPING centre has been presented with an award for its floral displays. The Prince Bishops Centre, in Durham City, won the Best Kept Commercial Premises title in the annual Beautiful Durham Competition Awards - the sixth successive year it has taken
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Caravan site grows
PLANS for 158 more pitches at a caravan park were unanimously supported by councillors yesterday. Teesdale District Council's planning committee backed the application by Lambton Adventure Park Ltd to reorganise Witton Castle, near Bishop Auckland. But
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Walkers to raise funds for bus
A HARDY bunch of walkers will set off tomorrow to raise funds to replace a bus used by a city's Shopmobility scheme. The existing 14-seater wheelchair-accessible vehicle, which transports disabled people to events in the Durham area, requires extensive
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Tourist destinations celebrate success in North-East awards
COUNTY Durham tourism businesses were celebrating last night following their success in the first North-East England Tourism Awards. Organised by regional development agency One NorthEast, the awards were announced last night at the Stadium of Light.
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Generous pupils donate Christmas gifts to Romanian children
CHILDREN from Derwentside handed over Christmas presents for youngsters less fortunate than themselves as part of an annual initiative yesterday. The Operation Christmas Child bus visited St Mary's Primary School in Blackhill, Consett, to collect shoe
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£30 fine for cycling in town centre
POLICE are putting the brakes on cyclists who are causing misery for town centre shoppers. Anyone caught riding through the pedestrianised areas of Redcar's shopping precincts will be issued with a £30 fixed penalty. Cleveland Police have teamed up with
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Role of probation service
CRIMINOLOGY and law students have been getting a closer look at the trials and tribulations of offenders who become the responsibility of the probation service. A role-play exercise featuring heroin user Tommy, who is found guilty of theft, assaulting
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Utility firm scam to secure bank details
A SCAM to con householders out of their bank details has been uncovered by fraud squad officers on Teesside. Conmen, pretending to work for utility firms, are tricking people into handing over their bank account number to pay an overdue bill. The information
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Charity for bereaved fears it will have to close
A CHARITY which offers free counselling to the bereaved is facing closure because of a lack of funds. Bereavement Care, based in Northallerton, helped 52 people in the past year alone. It was set up 15 years ago and recently expanded its work into child
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Setting sail to salute Cook
YOUNGSTERS are getting their boats ready for an annual Parade of Sail, next week, celebrating one of the greatest mariners who ever lived. It will be the sixth such parade in the village and organisers are hoping for more entries than ever. The pageant
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An illegal rocket could cost £80 fine
POLICE have issued a warning that people who flout firework laws face an £80 fine. With Bonfire Night rapidly approaching, officers will be keeping a watchful eye on the Stockton skyline, looking for late night rockets. Sergeant Colin Whitfield, of Stockton
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Runaway cat has tell-tail scar
A CAT has returned home nearly two-and-a-half years after he went missing - minus his tail. Kelly Hannon, 23, longed to see her pet Syris again after he disappeared from her home in May 2003. She searched high and low for him and put up dozens of pictures
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News in brief
COUNCILLORS in Pickering have backed moves to close the Market Place on Mondays. The experiment is part of a controversial proposed traffic strategy for the town. About £500,000 is to be spent on schemes to improve traffic flows, road safety projects
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Reynolds pleads guilty
GEORGE Reynolds, the flamboyant former chairman of Darlington Football Club, today pleaded guilty to cheating the public revenue of £650,000. His cousin Richard Tennick admitted the same offence - which occurred between April 5 1998 and June 15 2004 -
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Appeal renewed over rape
A MAN with a distinctive mark on the right side of his face and a tattoo on his right arm is being sought in connection with a rape. The attack occurred more than a year ago in Gateshead, but detectives yesterday renewed their appeal in an attempt to
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children have a ball at rugby tournament
HUNDREDS of youngsters took part in a school rugby tournament yesterday. Almost 300 primary and secondary school children from across the Bishop Auckland area took part in a tag rugby development day at the town's rugby club. In tag rugby, players wear
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Hopes that £3,000 holiday competition will spark wave of recycling
RECYCLING glass bottles could soon send one lucky family on a £3,000 sunshine holiday. When residents from Darlington put their empty bottles in the recycling box, they can write their name and address on a coupon provided at every home and put it in
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Locked back alley gates put in place to defeat criminals
THE keys to the first set of gates to be installed as part of a £500,000 crime initiative will been handed over today. The scheme, an attempt to keep burglars out of Middlesbrough homes, will be used for back alleys near 800 homes in the North Ormesby
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Compost takes its turn in recycling
A PROJECT to encourage people to recycle their household waste has been launched in Middlesbrough. The Turn To Compost scheme is designed to raise awareness, while cutting the amount of compostable kitchen and garden rubbish going to landfill. Middlesbrough
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Couple walk free after passion at the bus stop
A COUPLE arrested for a public show of passion, yesterday walked free from court. Michelle Randall and Michael Derek Langley's open air sex show, on grass behind a bus shelter, attracted a mixture of amusement and shock, on a Monday afternoon in June.
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So - what do you think of services?
PEOPLE are being sounded out on what they think about life in east Cleveland and what they want and expect from local services. The ideas of 1,500 residents, aged 16 and over, across 22 wards are being canvassed in the biggest opinion poll of its kind
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Girl's attacker gets course to curb temper
A MAN who slapped and pushed his 17-year-old ex-girlfriend and also damaged her hi-fi system has been ordered to go on a course teaching him to curb his violence. Michael Parker, 22, was also told to do 80 hours unpaid work in the community and to stay
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Manbow destined to make it a happy return
Manbow, a progressive chaser who has won four of his six starts over the larger obstacles, is fancied to go well on his reappearance in the betdaq.co.uk Handicap Chase over three miles at Haydock this afternoon. Micky Hammond's strapping gelding always
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Vaccination plan as bird flu fears rise
PLANS to vaccinate everyone in the UK against a flu pandemic if a potentially-fatal strain emerges have been announced. Chief Medical Officer Sir Liam Donaldson said 120 million doses would be needed to cover the population. But he said the vaccine could
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Revealed: The Ripper hoax suspect
A 49 year-old North-East man is being questioned by police hunting the infamous Ripper hoaxer - Wearside Jack. John Humble, who lives on Sunderland's Ford Estate, was arrested on Tuesday and was still being questioned by detectives late last night. Earlier
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Revealed: The face of Ripper hoax suspect
THIS is the 49 year-old North-East man being questioned by police hunting the infamous Ripper hoaxer - Wearside Jack. John Humble, who lives on Sunderland's Ford Estate, was arrested on Tuesday and was still being questioned by detectives late last night
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Next boss announces retirement
NEXT chairman David Jones yesterday announced his retirement from the clothing and homeware chain that he took from the brink of bankruptcy into the FTSE 100 Index. Mr Jones, who recently published a book on his career in retail while battling Parkinson's
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Walking my way into a protest
'I don't mind motorways as long as I've got them to myself," said my husband, at the end of a day of road works and traffic jams and driving for miles with great wagons thundering past on either side. We'd been to a family celebration in Birmingham, but
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Runaway cat has tell-tail scar
A CAT has returned home nearly two-and-a-half years after he went missing - minus his tail. Kelly Hannon, 23, longed to see her pet Syris again after he disappeared from her home in May 2003. She searched high and low for him and put up dozens of pictures
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Appeal renewed over rape
A MAN with a distinctive mark on the right side of his face and a tattoo on his right arm is being sought in connection with a rape. The attack occurred more than a year ago in Gateshead, but detectives yesterday renewed their appeal in an attempt to
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Christmas fear for Whittard profits
TEA and coffee specialist Whittard of Chelsea is bracing itself for a difficult Christmas after reporting a 3.9 per cent fall in sales over the past 20 weeks. The company warned shareholders it remained cautious about prospects, even though the sales
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Success in store
FURNITURE retailer Barker and Stonehouse has opened its seventh store, strengthening its presence outside the North-East. The Middlesbrough company said thousands of customers have visited its 35,000sq ft store in Hull since it opened at the weekend.
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Google drops e-mail name in the UK
INTERNET search engine Google has dropped the Gmail name from its e-mail services in the UK yesterday in a long-running dispute about ownership of the trademark. The US company bowed to the demands of a British company a fraction of its size and changed
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Engineering firm comes from behind after Wembley crisis
ENGINEERING company Cleveland Bridge last night remained cautious about predicting a major revival - despite winning an £11m contract. The Darlington company, which last year built the iconic steel arch at Wembley before becoming locked in a dispute with
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Hunting Jack
It was just two minutes long and contained 257 words, but it sent the biggest police manhunt in British history on an 18-month wild goose chase. Nick Morrison looks at how Wearside Jack hindered the search for the Yorkshire Ripper. TO George Oldfield,
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Struggling to attract sponsors
BY banning tobacco advertising, the European Union has attempted to cut the number of its citizens lighting up. But, while the policy has clear health benefits, it also threatens to claim a high-profile casualty. While the rest of the world is being turned
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Arrest in hunt for bar fight killer
A MAN is being quizzed by detectives about a man's death, following an incident at a North-East bar. David Cutts, 49, fell or was pushed down a flight of stairs after being involved in a fight at Benson's Bar, in Linthorpe Road, Middlesbrough, at the
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Comment from The Northern Echo: No need to panic
DO you remember the Sars virus from two years back? Most of the Far East was wandering around wearing facemasks and here in the North-East boarding schoolgirls from exotic countries were placed in quarantine. It seemed only a matter of time before we
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Hundreds turn out for Rachael's funeral
One of the biggest funerals ever seen in Darlington was held yesterday, as family and friends paid their last respects to 24-year-old Rachael Foster. Miss Foster died on Wednesday last week after a long illness, aged only 24. Yesterday, a huge procession
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Bird flu lifts drugs firm
SHARES in drug maker GlaxoSmithKline rose yesterday after a rival announced that sales of its bird flu drug had more than doubled. Swiss firm Roche said sales of Tamiflu, which is seen as the best treatment for bird flu, soared to £122m in its third quarter
