Archive
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Blair weakened as MPs reject terror measures
TONY Blair suffered his darkest day as Prime Minister when MPs refused to back anti-terror laws he insisted were vital to protect the nation from further atrocities. Forty-nine Labour MPs joined the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats in voting down plans
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Fitting tributes to fallen heroes
LEST we forget, and even in 2005 it probably isn't likely, tomorrow is Remembrance Day. Derek Boorman's evocative new book on Britain's rich heritage of war memorials appears appropriately. "I'm still moved by them, very often by the same ones," he tells
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Business briefs
Ottakar's bid ruling delayed HMV will have to wait to find out if competition watchdogs will permit its £96.4m takeover bid for Ottakar's. The owner of the Waterstone's chain has been told by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) that it will not make a decision
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Builders reflect on a 40-year legacy
FOR 40 years, John "Ticker" Barron and Vic Jacques have been able to drive past the towering Blue Circle cement chimney in Upper Weardale, smile contentedly and reflect: "We built that". They were among a select band of young lads, taken on by the then-Mitchell
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'Skills could close productivity gap'
BRITISH businesses will struggle to compete overseas because of low skills levels, a business leader said last night. Bill Midgley, president of the British Chambers of Commerce, said that the productivity gap with France and the US would only get wider
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Barron is back
MICKY Barron yesterday completed his second 90 minute appearance of the season. The Hartlepool United captain played for the reserves in their single-goal defeat to Lincoln as he steps up his return from a pre-season knee operation. Hugh Robertson, who
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Critics
Gaslight, Darlington Civic Theatre EMMERDALE of the 1800s swirls out of the mists of time as former scenery-chewing brother and sister Chris and Zoe Tate become embattled husband and wife in the more genteel surroundings of Victorian London. The battle
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Chemicals company reacts to plant closure speculation
A CHEMICALS company said yesterday that speculation its factory in the region could close with the loss of 230 jobs was unfounded. Fears that work could move overseas has risen among employees of Elementis Chromium after the multi-national announced plans
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Town's silent tribute
THE Darlington branch of the Royal British Legion will be joined by other ex-service organisations, the town's mayor and the public for two minutes' silence tomorrow, at 11am. The Civic Service of Remembrance will take place at Holy Trinity Church, in
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First Group recovers from terror attacks
THE operator of the Transpennine Express franchise reported a strong showing by its rail operation yesterday, despite the London terror attacks having a "significant" impact on business. First Group, which operates nearly a sixth of the UK rail network
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Council cuts bus network to save costs
Councillors have approved cuts to 20 per cent of County Durham's bus network to claw back rising costs despite concern about the impact on deprived communities. The Labour-run council's cabinet has agreed to cancel ten subsidised services and implement
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Horror on a summer's day
A PHOTOGRAPH of Ann Heron's smiling happy face has been the inspiration for successive detectives not to give up the search for her killer. The apparently motiveless murder prompted the biggest manhunt ever mounted by Durham Police, involving more than
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Clark predicting a bright future for N'Zogbia
CHARLES N'ZOGBIA has been backed to become one of Newcastle United's leading lights for years to come - meaning £9.5m winger Albert Luque could become an expensive substitute when he returns to action. N'Zogbia has taken to Premiership life in superb
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Developers harbour great hopes for shopping complex
A £10m retail development in an unemployment blackspot could create up to 200 jobs. Architects Browne Smith Baker (BSB), which has offices in Newcastle, Darlington, Leeds and Hull, has designed the shopping centre in Seaham, County Durham. Byron Place
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Bridges blow for Quakers
MICHAEL BRIDGES last night quashed David Hodgson's hopes of taking the former England Under-21 international back to the region by insisting he has no intention of joining Darlington. Quakers boss Hodgson claimed on Monday that the former Sunderland striker
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Tributes paid to Richard Whiteley at York Minster
More than 2,000 people packed York Minster today to celebrate the life of former Countdown host Richard Whiteley. His co-host Carol Vorderman led the tributes to Whiteley, who died aged 61 in June following a heart operation. Vorderman, who struggled
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Man cleared of sex attacks on children
A MAN accused of sex offences involving two young girls, including the rape of one, was yesterday cleared of the final two charges. Edwin Christopher Shield, who has been in custody since the complaints were made in early February, was free to return
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Concerns over fire service changes
FIREFIGHTERS have voiced serious concerns over proposals for a reorganisation of the service. Cleveland Fire Brigade proposes mothballing one fire station, operating fewer fire engines and moving 66 frontline firefighters to home visits and fire prevention
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Deception alleged
A MAN has been arrested on suspicion of obtaining property by deception. Alan Craddock, 55, of Croxdale Grove, Bishop Auckland, was questioned by police last week. The arrest follows concerns raised with Cleveland Police by a woman from Stockton who reported
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Police carry on search for Jenny
THE search for the body of missing woman Jenny Nicholl continued yesterday. Trained police officers returned to Badger Beck Plantation on the outskirts of Richmond, North Yorkshire. It is understood the 19-year-old camped in the woods near Waithwith Bank
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Horseracing champion Bob to receive honorary degree
HORSE racing legend Bob Champion will be among those awarded an honorary degree by Teesside University tomorrow. The Guisborough-born jockey made national headlines in 1981 when he won the Grand National on Aldaniti after a two-year battle against cancer
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Campaigners admit defeat in battle to save pool
VOLUNTEERS who have battled to save a community swimming pool have reluctantly admitted defeat. Shildon Community Pool Association announced its decision at a public meeting this week, saying it had exhausted all avenues in its bid to save the pool, which
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Plans to share school sports
PLANS to allow the community to use a school's sports facilities may be abandoned. St Francis Xavier School, in Richmond, has offered the district council use of its new sports hall. The school wants £150,000 towards the cost of the building in return
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Hunt after sex assault on driver
POLICE are hunting two men who sexually assaulted a male driver by the side of a road. The victim had just got out of his car in a layby on the eastbound side of the A66, on Teesside, near the airport turnoff, in the early hours of Sunday. He was approached
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Ship's memorabilia donated to city
CREW from HMS Invincible paid a last visit to their adopted city to hand over a selection of ship memorabilia. Durham City Mayor John Lightley was presented with a board carrying the ship's battle honours, a glass plaque and other items. Lieutenant Commander
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Burglary victim was robbed
A DESPERATE burglary victim who agreed to pay a £4,000 ransom demand for stolen antiques ended up being robbed twice. The antiques collector agreed to meet the man responsible for the £46,000 raid on his home in Billingham, Teesside. He was told to bring
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Tenants urged to vote on transfer
COUNCIL house tenants in north Durham are being urged to use their vote on the future ownership of 7,600 properties. Derwentside District Council wants to transfer the homes to not-for-profit organisation Derwentside Homes. It says the transfer is in
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Dentist faces jail over sex act
An NHS dentist who performed a sex act while his patient lay unconscious in his chair has been warned he is facing jail. Lee Gaukrodger's 32-year-old victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had gone to his surgery for a tooth extraction but when
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Babel hubble and bubble
A SHAKESPEARE play whose name is never uttered by superstitious actors is exciting a theatre director. Theatre Babel began a five-night run with Macbeth at the Gala Theatre in Durham on Tuesday. The company version's of the tale - often referred to merely
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Football chairman makes sure hopes are staying sky high
A FOOTBALL club chairman is looking to the skies for inspiration when his club take on high-flying rivals this Saturday. Darlington FC chairman Stewart Davies is hoping his team's season will be given a big boost when they play Wycombe Wanderers this
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Careers fair spiced up to inspire youngsters
WORLD-famous footwear designed exclusively for stars - including ex-Spice Girl Geri Halliwell - is being used to inspire young entrepreneurs. The glittering array of heels, including Ginger Spice's sparkling Union Jack platform boots, will storm on to
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Three freemen continue family's tradition
A TRADITION that has spanned at least five generations was kept up this week when a family achieved what is thought to be a unique honour. Darren Ridley Brown has been made a Freeman of the City of Durham - joining his father and grandfather as three
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Man jailed
Police investigating the theft of a Mercedes found the buyer of the stolen car in possession of a sawn-off shotgun. Andrew Ross originally claimed he found the weapon, together with ammunition, in the boot of the £30,000 car only an hour before police
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Tall tales and revolutions
l The chimney, along with the rest of the Eastgate plant, was commissioned in 1965. l More than 100 workers built the cement works and the 2,800ft-long conveyor running into it from the quarry above. l The chimney extracted waste from two kilns - two
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NHS dentist faces prison over sex act
An NHS dentist who performed a sex act while his patient lay unconscious in his chair has been warned he is facing jail. Lee Gaukrodger's 32-year-old victim, who cannot be named, was having a tooth extraction. When she came round from the anaesthetic,
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Foreign dentist forced out
A DRIVE to recruit more NHS dentists in the region has run into difficulties. In the past year, more than 500 foreign dentists have been recruited to areas where NHS dentists are in short supply. But in Scarborough, where hundreds of patients queued in
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Advice for veterans and their families
AS Remembrance Sunday approaches, the Veterans Agency is reminding people in the region of its services. The agency is available all year round for anyone who has served in the HM Armed Forces and their families. It can offer advice on a variety of issues
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Wise approach to environment
YORKSHIRE Water will hear next week if it has been successful in a competition to find the UK's greenest companies. The company's environment and catchment team and facilities department have both reached the finals of the Green Apple Environment Awards
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Ready to Rumble can make long journey worthwhile
RELIABLE Ready To Rumble (2.00) looks a rock-solid each-way option for the Arrow Novices' Handicap Chase at Ludlow. Brancepeth-based Richard Guest doesn't normally bother sending his horses on such a long trek from the North-East unless he thinks the
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Market report
Oil producer BP kept the London market in the red yesterday after investors lost the right to the most recent dividend payout. Shares in the UK's largest company fell two per cent on a day when stocks going ex-dividend filled the top five places on the
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Well trodden road of parents' panic
WHEN a friend told me how her three-year-old son ended up wandering along the busy road outside her home I was horrified. Horrified, because I know how easily it could happen to any of us. The phone rang. He ran out of sight. She dealt with her caller
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Ann Heron murder: Husband is arrested
THE husband of a murder victim, whose throat was cut as she sunbathed at their home more than 15 years ago, was being held by detectives last night. Businessman Peter Heron, 70, has been arrested in connection with the unsolved murder of his wife, Ann
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Red, white and blue as city remembers
AN ARMISTICE Day commemoration of the two world wars will take place in Durham City this week. The event, organised by St Cuthbert's Hospice, will be held in Elvet Methodist Church in the city tomorrow. Billed as A Remembrance In Words And Music, the
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TUC calls for overhaul of training for staff
AN urgent overhaul of training is needed to tackle the serious shortage of skilled workers ''crippling'' parts of industry, the Trades Union Congress (TUC) said last night. Research for the union organisation found that a third of businesses offered no
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England 'off the pace' - Robinson
Andy Robinson has conceded that England have ''dropped off the pace'' since their World Cup triumph two years ago. And with the countdown continuing to England's world title defence - the opening game of France 2007 is just 22 months away - autumn Test
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Farmers may pay price for profits fall
Robert Wiseman Dairies reported a 22 per cent fall in profits yesterday and said tough trading conditions would force it to review milk prices. Wiseman said it was selling its milk at a "significant premium" over its rivals after guaranteeing its price
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I travel, therefore I am...
'I'd like to welcome customers aboard the sixteen-thirty-three Virgin train to Birmingham New Street...' If you travel by train as much as I do you'll be used to that sort of announcement coming over the PA system as soon as you've got settled in your
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'I can picture my brother's terror'
HILARY Holland doesn't talk about her brother much. Almost three decades have passed since he was killed, but the passage of time has not made it any easier. "It has been 26, 27 years, something like that, but I still can't say my brother's name," she
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Struggling borrowers owe more
THE amount of debt owed by people struggling to keep up with repayments has reached a new high, a debt charity said. The Consumer Credit Counselling Service (CCCS) said the average person going to it for help with debt during the three months to the end
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UK status suffers another blow
THE status of the UK as an oil exporter was dealt another blow yesterday by figures showing the economy relied on imports of crude in September. Not since records began a quarter of a century ago has the UK imported more oil than it sold overseas for
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Man denies cruelty charges
A man yesterday pleaded not guilty to causing the deaths of 29 animals. Lee Howard appeared before magistrates in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, where he denied causing unnecessary suffering to 13 horses, four dogs, 11 hens and a rabbit by unreasonably
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Fitting tributes to fallen heroes
LEST we forget, and even in 2005 it probably isn't likely, tomorrow is Remembrance Day. Derek Boorman's evocative new book on Britain's rich heritage of war memorials appears appropriately. "I'm still moved by them, very often by the same ones," he tells
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Goalkeeper Alnwick produces a striking performance
BEN ALNWICK feels six years of hard work on the training field, trying to complete a transformation from striker to goalkeeper, has finally paid off for him at Sunderland. Alnwick's rise up the ranks at the Stadium of Light was completed on Saturday when
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Region pays its respects to heroes
All events on Sunday unless otherwise stated SOUTH-WEST DURHAM Aycliffe Village: 3pm, St Andrew's Church, walk to war memorial for wreath-laying. Bishop Auckland: 10.45am, tribute at war memorial. 11.15am service in St Anne's. Chilton: 10am, service in
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Northgate performance 'satisfactory'
COMMERCIAL van hire group Northgate said it expects "satisfactory" results this year. In a pre-close trading statement yesterday, the Darlington plc said it had been affected by weakness in the UK market, partly due to problems in the construction, retail
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Salute to the Green Howards
Green Howards who have been killed on active service since the end of the Second World War will be remembered tomorrow. The Armistice Day Service at the Royal Armouries, in Leeds, will also mark the last time that the Green Howards remembers its dead
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Ex-Soprendo's new one-man magic show
A TELEVISION magician is bringing his third one-man show to the North-East. Geoffrey Durham: No Hat, No Rabbit features the award-winning magician who shot to fame as the Great Soprendo. He has shed that spangly-suited image now and has come up with new
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Burglary victim was robbed twice
A DESPERATE burglary victim who agreed to pay a £4,000 ransom demand for stolen antiques ended up being robbed twice. The antiques collector agreed to meet the man responsible for the £46,000 raid on his home in Billingham, Teesside. He was told to bring
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Cook called up as injured Vaughan awaits verdict
England's preparations for the first Test continue to be overshadowed by the uncertainty surrounding captain Michael Vaughan's knee injury. It was expected Vaughan - now rated "very doubtful" - would finally discover yesterday whether the suspected cartilage
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On TV last night
Natural World: The King Cobra And I (BBC2) When Sex Becomes An Addiction (five) ROMULUS Whitaker is a man who's out to save the King. He's not a royalist but someone who's devoted his life to snakes, notably the King cobra. They're big. Very big. The
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MMP on top form as work starts on school expansion
A CONSTRUCTION company is to start work on a £2.8m contract at a North-East school. MMP Construction (NE), a division of Newton Aycliffe's MMP Group, will develop a sixth form centre and make internal alterations to St Leonard's School, in Durham. The
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Boro relief at Boateng's lucky escape
MIDDLESBROUGH are hugely relieved after influential midfielder George Boateng returned to training with Holland, erasing fears of him spending months on the sidelines. Initial reports that Boateng had done serious damage to his knee ligaments in a challenge
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Education bosses 'shun drama'
THE country's highest profile children's theatre festival opens in the North-East today - but the organiser says drama projects are still being ignored by the UK's education authorities. Darlington-based CTC Theatre has raised £45,000 in funding from
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Force merger
A SINGLE police force covering the entire North-East moved a step closer yesterday after the Government revealed its preferred option was to merge the Durham, Cleveland and Northumbria forces. However, the chairman of Cleveland Police Authority warned
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Ready to Rumble can make long journey worthwhile
RELIABLE Ready To Rumble (2.00) looks a rock-solid each-way option for the Arrow Novices' Handicap Chase at Ludlow. Brancepeth-based Richard Guest doesn't normally bother sending his horses on such a long trek from the North-East unless he thinks the
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Due to be meteoric success
WOULD-BE astronomers have the chance to look out for meteors, under the guidance of a local expert. Astronomer John Reed and author Darren Bushnall, who has written a book on astronomy, will talk people through the night sky on Thursday next week. The
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I was taunted, says accused neighbour
A CAMPAIGNER who denies terrorising his neighbours claims it is his life that has been made a misery, a court heard. Trevor Davidson, of Norton Green, Stockton, is facing an anti-social behaviour order (Asbo) after a neighbourhood dispute spiralled out
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Hard work pays off
YOUNG achievers returned to school for a ceremony to celebrate their GCSE success. Students who left Sunnydale School, in Shildon, last summer were presented with awards by Peter Barron, editor of The Northern Echo. Students achieved the best examination
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Pair face food safety charges
THE owners of a shop at the centre of a food poisoning outbreak have appeared in court. Michelle Robson, 29, and Mark Robson, 34, of Robson's Fresh Foods in Front Street, Stanley, County Durham, face charges under food safety and health and safety regulations
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Heartbreak of pensioner as Shetland pony stolen
A PENSIONER who has bred Shetland ponies for much of his life has been left heartbroken by the theft of one of his favourite animals. Richie Dixon, 71, said Suzie, who was taken from a field at Morrison Busty, Ann-field Plain, near Stanley, County Durham
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Museum ready to show off revamp
A MUSEUM is about to celebrate the completion of a £500,000 improvement project. The project at Ryedale Folk Museum, at Hutton-le-Hole, on the North York Moors, will be finished by Friday, November 18, after which the public will be able to view the changes
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Granny was twice limit for driving
A GRANDMOTHER had drunk twice the legal limit for driving when she crashed her car with two grandchildren inside, a court heard yesterday. Barbra Salkeld, 53, of Gent Road, Bishop Auckland, was banned from driving for 20 months by South Durham magistrates
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Investigations begin after fire breaks out at site
THE owner of a petrol station hit by fire yesterday said the damage could have been much worse. The blaze broke out at Middleton Service Station, in Middleton, near Pickering, at about 7pm on Tuesday. Shop staff saw the smoke and called the fire brigade
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Ice rink to arrive in town for Christmas
PEOPLE in Bedale will be able to get into the festive spirit next month when a temporary ice rink comes to town. The nine-metre square rink will be in the car park at Bedale Hall on Saturday, December 3, to coincide with the town's Georgian Christmas
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Bryan manages to help fundraising pub
FORMER England football captain Bryan Robson popped into a pub in his hometown to collect a charity cheque for £10,000. The ex-Manchester United player who now manages West Bromwich Albion met customers in The Black Horse in Front Street Chester-le-Street
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Device to safely lift elderly people
SAFETY devices are giving pensioners an uplifting experience after potentially damaging falls. Coast and Country Housing has invested in three Elk lifting machines, which slowly elevate people who have fallen back on their feet, or into their seats or
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Pupils raise funds for their safe cycling scheme
CHILDREN have been stars in raising cash to help stay safe. The pupils at Redcar's Lakes Primary School organised a talent show to bring in funds to buy a cycle store, so their bikes can be kept secure at school. The school has also obtained grants to
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Officers in
TWO officers have been shortlisted in a national awards scheme for their exceptional police work. Durham Police officers PC Dave McKenna, who patrols the beat in Sedgefield division, is among the nominees for community police officer of the year. Sergeant
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Shortage of sperm donors at clinics as law changes
A SPERM shortage is affecting fertility clinics since a change in the law removing the right to anonymity for donors. The number of sperm donors has declined rapidly since 2000, due to growing awareness that men could be contacted by children born from
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Earl takes part in N-E service
THE Earl of Wessex will lay the first wreath at the annual Remembrance Service in Sunderland on Sunday. The Earl and Countess are paying a two-day visit to the city this weekend, during which they will take part in the service - one of the biggest outside
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Job-hunters helped by online move
COUNCIL chiefs are developing new ways to recruit staff using technology. Through an online register, applicants can submit their qualifications, experience and preferences for employment, which can later be matched with vacancies. After initial screening
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They're knocking down our house
A STUNNED family found bulldozers trying to knock down their home - while they were still living in it. Pauline Rain was doing the washing at her home when she heard a loud noise. She ran out to find bulldozers knocking down their 5ft garden wall. She
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Government grants approval
THE Office for the Deputy Prime Minister has decided that Stanley can have its own town council. The announcement follows a campaign that resulted in a 3,000-name petition being submitted to Derwentside District Council in favour of the scheme. The authority
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Inquiry into rural housing
PEOPLE in east Durham have been invited by the Commission for Rural Communities (CRC) to voice their views on housing problems. As part of its rural housing inquiry, the CRC is inviting the public to present opinions at a session on Monday, between 6.30pm
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Planning ahead to produce a wealth of entrepreneurs
ABOUT 100 children from schools across Durham took the first step towards becoming the business magnates of the future yesterday at the launch of a competition. Former Newcastle United manager Sir Bobby Robson was at The Gala Theatre to kick off the Future
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Comment from The Northern Echo: We hope he was wrong
TONY Blair could not have tried harder to win the House of Commons vote on whether terror suspects could be detained for up to 90 days. He was impassioned, he was angry, and he believed he was right. Gordon Brown and Jack Straw were rushed back from Israel
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Ann Heron murder: Husband is arrested
THE husband of a murder victim, whose throat was cut as she sunbathed at their home more than 15 years ago, was being held by detectives last night. Wealthy businessman Peter Heron, 70, has been arrested in connection with the unsolved murder of his wife
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Quest for last piece in the puzzle
THE death of Private George Thomas Kirby came as a particularly cruel blow to his family. Having survived four years under fire in the trenches and capture by the Germans, he died aged 23 - almost certainly of flu - on Armistice Day. At a memorial ceremony
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Hunter slams 'money-grabbing' Pickering
HARTLEPOOL warrior Michael Hunter last night blasted back at moaning Esham Pickering by insisting: 'If I had my way I would fight you tomorrow.' But the North-East's recently-crowned triple boxing champion admits his management team are unlikely to sanction
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Girls school leads the way with business challenge
A TEAM of girls have shown they really mean business by completing their first challenge for the Future Business Magnates competition ten days ahead of schedule. The team, from Durham High School for Girls, was the first to complete their task, more than
