Archive
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'Ambulance service changes will reduce response times'
Hundreds of people crowded into a North-East town hall last night to hear proposals for changes to rural ambulance services. The proposals involve replacing permanent standby ambulance crews at rural County Durham locations, such as St John's Chapel,
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The village built on booze
THE beer talking, as usual, last week's column wondered which town or city had had the most pubs per head. Newcastle, it was said, had had 446 pubs and beer houses for a mid-nineteenth century population of 88,748 - one for every 200 people, bibulous
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Cancer sufferer had incurable condition
A cancer sufferer allegedly murdered by his family GP would have died regardless of any morphine overdose administered by the doctor, a court heard today. Dr Howard Martin faces three charges of murder in relation to the deaths of three patients in County
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Nissan success highlighted in dinner speech
FORMER diplomat Sir Christopher Meyer highlighted his admiration for the Nissan success story at a speech in Durham. The former British Ambassador to the US expressed his admiration for the manner in which the Japanese car maker placed its faith in the
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Screams ignored as girl raped in alley
A TEENAGER'S screams for help were ignored when she was dragged into an alley and raped, police revealed last night. The 19-year-old was attacked as she walked home through Darlington. Police say her cries were ignored, just as another woman's pleas for
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McClaren pledges his heart and soul to Boro
STEVE McClaren last night claimed that, by signing a new four-year deal, he had underlined his "whole-hearted commitment" to Middlesbrough. But, despite pledging himself to the Teessiders until 2009, neither the Middlesbrough manager nor his chairman,
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I refuse to be run out of town
A HUNGARIAN cowboy has vowed to stay and fight despite being ordered to pack his bags by Government officials. The planning inspectorate has given horse trainer Django a year to move off land near Keld, in Swaledale, North Yorkshire. The horse trainer
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I'll get the goals, says Le Tallec
ANTHONY Le Tallec has promised Mick McCarthy he will score the goals to keep Sunderland in the Premiership, provided the Black Cats boss gives him an extended run in the team. Le Tallec made only his fifth start of the season last weekend and, while he
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Art attack at college
THE writing was on the wall for students at Darlington College of Technology after they turned their hands to graffiti. Art and design students spent the day creating street graphics, with the help of professional graffiti artist Paul Richardson. The
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'Ambulance service changes will reduce response times'
Hundreds of people crowded into a North-East town hall last night to hear proposals for changes to rural ambulance services. The proposals involve replacing permanent standby ambulance crews at rural County Durham locations at St John's Chapel, Middleton-in-Teesdale
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Christmas comes early with new play area
THE Mayor of Great Aycliffe has visited a play area in the village, following a £50,000 improvement. Councillor Val Raw was joined by Aycliffe Village councillor John Dormer to inspect the new facilities. The play area was given a complete overhaul after
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Changes to street warden service
THE street warden service in Middlesbrough is to be restructured to ensure that they are not taking on challenges that should be left to the police. Members of the public can often get confused about the specific role wardens play in crime prevention,
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Agencies working together to urge drinkers to think
PUBS, off-licences, police and local authorities have been working together for the past year to forge a new partnership aimed at reducing alcohol-induced anti-social behaviour in town centres. Bishop Auckland, Crook and Barnard Castle are among the first
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School reaches £50,000 target to apply for specialist status
STAFF and students at a north Durham school are celebrating after securing the sponsorship it needs to apply for specialist status as a sports college. Leading entrepreneur Sir Tom Cowie, who is backing the bid by Blackfyne Community School, in Consett
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Youngsters celebrate teamwork
FOURTEEN young people will be celebrating their teamwork at a presentation evening. The youngsters from The Youthy, in Thornaby, and Ingleby Barwick Youth Club will be rewarded for gaining a level one qualification in teamwork and communication. Stockton
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Helpless drinkers can crash at centre
A CENTRE where binge drinkers too plastered to get home can "crash down" for the night has been opened in the North-East. The drastic measure was introduced to ease the pressure on ambulance crews in Newcastle who say can no longer cope with the tide
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SCS is sitting pretty on record profits and has plans for expansion
FURNITURE retailer ScS Upholstery bucked the gloomy retail trend by announcing record profits and plans for further expansion yesterday. Chief executive David Knight said the Sunderland-based firm was not being affected by the slump in consumer spending
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Dog walker missing
POLICE are becoming increasingly concerned for the welfare of a missing east Cleveland man. Ian Parkes, 44, also known as Timmy, of Child Street, Brotton, was seen walking his neighbour's dog at 9pm on November 10. He returned the dog, but has not been
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Motorised presents that may be illegal
PARENTS were advised by police yesterday to check the law if they plan to buy their children mini-motos or motorised scooters for Christmas. It is expected that a number of such toys will be given to children across the region, especially in rural areas
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Folk concert
FOLK band Steam Radio are playing at the Witham Hall, in Barnard Castle, on Friday, at 8pm. Tickets cost £5 for adults, £3 for concessions and £12 for families and are available by calling (01833) 631107.
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Store's £1,000 gift to help youngsters
A 24-hour supermarket in Durham yesterday celebrated an expansion that has created 150 full and part-time jobs. The Tesco Extra store, at Dragonville, opened four years ago, recruiting many local unemployed people. It now has 600 staff. The original 60,000sq
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Chef tickles young tastebuds with healthy dishes
SALMON risotto, rainbow mashed potato and speciality breads are on the menu at a Durham prep school as a means of getting the healthy eating message across. Chef Janet Simpson organised a tasting afternoon at Bow, the prep school for Durham School, yesterday
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Tories send survey to 1,500 homes
DURHAM Conservatives have launched a campaign to find out what residents think about a range of issues. The City of Durham and Easington Conservative Association is sending a survey to more than 1,500 homes in the city to gather views on things such as
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Major blitz on drunken violence
BOOZE-fuelled violence, disorder and anti-social behaviour are being targeted in a new crackdown across North Yorkshire. Operation Half will start tomorrow and continue throughout the festive season, finishing on January 11. Throughout the campaign, which
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Accolade for anti-theft organisation
AN anti-theft group has been presented with a safer business award from the Home Office. The group, in Scarborough, is the first in North Yorkshire to be given the accolade. It was awarded in recognition of the group's work in making Scarborough a safer
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Hodgson plans double loan swoop as clock ticks
WITH tomorrow's deadline on emergency loan signings looming, Darlington manager David Hodgson will attempt to complete an audacious double transfer swoop within the next 24 hours. Hodgson is preparing to hold talks with a Premiership club to discuss the
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Schools get £1m windfall to discourage car travel
SCHOOLS are to receive £1m to encourage walking, cycling and bus use among pupils. Two hundred schools in North Yorkshire will share the cash, each receiving between £4,000 and £12,000. The money has come from a fund set up jointly by the Department for
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Chris faces a mammoth task at signing
ECHO Memories journalist Chris Lloyd will be signing copies of the fantastic new book, A Walk in the Park: Memories of Darlington 4, in Ottakar's, in the Cornmill Centre, on Saturday, from 11.30am to 1.30pm. The book costs £6.50 - with 50p going to create
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Soldiers win bronze in contest
A NORTH-East soldier has led his troops to glory in one of the world's toughest military competitions. Captain Tom Winney, of the 1st Battalion The Green Howards, helped his Army company land a coveted bronze medal in the gruelling Cambrian Patrol contest
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Meyer culpa
He's been attacked for "pedalling tittle-tattle" and is still facing calls to resign as chairman of the Press Complaints Commission. But Sir Charles Meyer regrets nothing following the publication of his memoirs, he tells Lindsay Jennings. SIR Christopher
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Aker Kvaerner loses £7m worth of work in a month
ENGINEERING services firm Aker Kvaerner has lost more than £7m worth of work in the region this month. The company, which employs more than 1,000 people at its Stockton site, lost a contract with chemical group BASF worth £6m a year for maintenance on
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Air of Affection upsets Mares' Maiden punters
THICK fog nearly scuppered yesterday's meeting at a very murky Sedgefield, the meeting only getting the green light a half-an-hour before the scheduled 12.30pm start time. And the gloom didn't stop there because favourite backers were set for a nasty
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Players get on the road
DARLINGTON football players will be driving around in style after the club signed a deal with a car rental company. Darlington Football Club's (DFC) first team footballers will be supplied with a range of Audis, Volkswagens and Vauxhalls from Reflex Vehicle
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Should we run the risk of rape?
Rape is never excusable, but in today's imperfect world, we must be responsible for staying safe. IN an ideal world, of course, you'd never lock your front door, you could leave your car unlocked, leave a camera on the seat in full view and maybe even
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A village built on booze
THE beer talking, as usual, last week's column wondered which town or city had had the most pubs per head. Newcastle, it was said, had had 446 pubs and beer houses for a mid-nineteenth century population of 88,748 - one for every 200 people, bibulous
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Comment: The more things change, the more they stay the same
What has changed following confirmation of Steve McClaren's new four-year deal at the Riverside? In reality, not a lot. The Middlesbrough manager remains hell-bent on taking the Teessiders to the upper reaches of the Premiership and the latter stages
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Ex-mascot could be world's top mayor
FORMER football mascot Stuart Drummond will soon learn if he is this year's World Mayor. The Hartlepool United fan, who was re-elected as Hartlepool Mayor this year with a landslide victory, is a finalist in the global competition to find the most competent
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Defence team will not call doctor
A RETIRED GP accused of killing three of his patients will not give evidence in his trial. Dr Howard Martin's defence started yesterday, but he will not be going into the witness box. The first defence witness was Home Office pathologist Dr Nathaniel
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Vizsla rolls up at last
A RUNAWAY dog has been found after a search involving 100 people in two counties. Fred the Hungarian vizsla spent five days on the run. He escaped while on a walk with owner Andrew Simister in the Valley Gardens, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, last Monday
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Oils firm clinches Indian tree deal
A PRODUCER of environmentally-friendly fuel has signed a deal with an Indian plantation for the supply of feedstock for its biodiesel refineries. Teesside-based D1 Oils plc will take up to 100,000 tonnes of oil from jatropha trees harvested from 40,000
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Pet owners taking a lead to tackle town's stray dog problem
DOG owners in the North-East are helping to tackle the problem of stray dogs and fouling. Middlesbrough Council has been working with the Dogs Trust to address the problem by encouraging responsible ownership. Between them, they have microchipped 2,685
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Glimpse of hope for Elementis workers
WORKERS facing redundancy at Elementis Chromium have been given fresh hope from development agency One NorthEast. The agency, which administers government grants across the region, has held talks with Elementis, in Eaglescliffe, near Yarm, over the company's
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Oils firm clinches Indian tree deal
A PRODUCER of environmentally-friendly fuel has signed a deal with an Indian plantation for the supply of feedstock for its biodiesel refineries. Teesside-based D1 Oils plc will take up to 100,000 tonnes of oil from jatropha trees harvested from 40,000
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SCS is sitting pretty on record profits and has plans for expansion
FURNITURE retailer ScS Upholstery bucked the gloomy retail trend by announcing record profits and plans for further expansion yesterday. Chief executive David Knight said the Sunderland-based firm was not being affected by the slump in consumer spending
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Comment from The Northern Echo: Is this going too far?
IN the drive to attract television viewers, there will always be a need for creativity which pushes the boundaries. Little Britain has certainly pushed those boundaries and become enormously successful as a result, with an array of brilliant characters
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Should we run the risk of rape?
IN an ideal world, of course, you'd never lock your front door, you could leave your car unlocked, leave a camera on the seat in full view and maybe even wodges of money on the dashboard as well. You could walk away and be sure that when you came back
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Bell and Pietersen give a glimpse of the future
Ian Bell and Kevin Pietersen gave England a glimpse of the future as each made his second Test hundred to keep the tourists alive in their three-match series against Pakistan. It remains to be seen whether the fourth-wicket pair's combined efforts - they
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23/11/05
FIREWORKS PLEA: HOW I agree with the writer about fireworks (HAS, Nov 22). Despite the new laws, the fireworks this year have been as bad as ever. They went on here, day and night, from early October and have just about stopped now. Soon they'll begin
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Musical youth have bullying beat
YOUNGSTERS who made a song and dance out of tackling bullying have won a regional competition. Pupils from Bishop Barrington School in Bishop Auckland competed in the North-East Regional Anti-Bullying Song Competition on Monday, the beginning of anti-bullying
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On TV last night
Dragon's Den (BBC2) Boudicca's Treasures: Revealed (five) WHAT is it about entrepreneurs and bodily functions? Clearly, there are a lot of people who believe there is a great untapped market out there, that our lavatorial needs are somehow being neglected
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Parents urged to keep children in school
PARENTS have been urged not to take their children out of school after 45 pupils were stopped in two hours during Darlington's latest truancy sweep. The sweep on Friday, November 18, involved six of the council's education welfare officers, three police
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Free karate courses
FREE karate courses are being organised to help encourage people of all ages to take up the sport. Vinay Thawait, who has 31 years of teaching experience, is behind the sessions, in Hartlepool, which are open to children from the age of six years and
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Murder inquiry as assault victim dies
POLICE have launched a murder investigation after a man who suffered head injuries in an assault later died in hospital. Michael Grey, 45, was assaulted in the area between the Plaza Tavern public house and the post office at the top of Ellesmere Road
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Man attacked after leaving pub
A man was treated in hospital after he was attacked from behind and kicked unconscious. The 38-year-old, from Coulby Newham, Middlesbrough, had been drinking with friends in The Fox pub, in Guisborough, east Cleveland, before setting off to return home
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Man told ex he had hired a hitman
A MAN who told his girlfriend that he had hired somebody to kill her has appeared in court. Over a period of ten days, Keffan Gardner Hopper, 22, of Angram Place, Newton Aycliffe, made threatening calls and text messages to former partner Jacqueline Crichton
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Agencies working together to urge drinkers to think
PUBS, off-licences, police and local authorities have been working together for the past year to forge a new partnership aimed at reducing alcohol-induced anti-social behaviour in town centres. Bishop Auckland, Crook and Barnard Castle are among the first
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Smiles sent miles in a box
Disadvantaged boys and girls in eastern European countries will enjoy a better Christmas this year thanks to the efforts of big-hearted schoolchildren. Girls at Teesside Prep School, in Eaglescliffe, have been collecting small toys, stationery, toiletries
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L'Antartique all set for a shot at the big time
L'ANTARTIQUE (2.35) could be described as swimming in shallow waters at present, but provided he wins at Wetherby today a shot for the big-time beckons. The Irish import will pick up relative peanuts if as expected he storms to victory in the Rocom Novices
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Improvements slash fuel bill for hundreds
HOUSEHOLDERS are seeing their fuel bills cut by a third, thanks to heating and insulation improvements, a housing association claims. Yorkshire Coast Homes, from Scarborough, says hundreds of tenants have benefited from new windows and doors, upgraded
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Campaign urges take-up of tax benefits
A campaign has been launched to increase the take- up of council tax benefits across the Hambleton district. Thousands of leaflets and posters are being sent out - and a new outreach surgery established - to encourage people to check if they are entitled
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Speaking of success . . .
Pupils are celebrating after taking three top awards in a speech and drama competition. The team from Queen Mary's School at Baldersby, near Topcliffe, won the improvisation, choric speaking and dualogue categories in the Teesdale Music, Speech and Drama
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Wealth for Warmth
PEOPLE on benefit can find out if they can get extra money to keep warm during what is expected to be a colder than normal winter. Durham County Council's Welfare Rights Team will hold a session at County Hall, Aykley Heads, Durham, on Friday, between
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Man nearly blinded with gun
POLICE are appealing for witnesses to come forward after a man narrowly escaped being blinded when a ball bearing gun was fired at him. The incident occurred in Bishop Auckland's Newgate Street, near the Woolworths store, at around 2pm on Monday. It is
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Health talk
MEMBERS of the public are being invited to have their say on local health services at a meeting of the Sedgefield Patient and Public Involvement Forum. The group will hold a public meeting at Bishop Middleham Village Hall on Tuesday November 29, from
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Festive acts
Circus duo The Curious Eyebrows and comedy pair the Fairly Famous Family will keep shoppers amused in the run up to Christmas. On Sundays, December 4, 11, and 18, they will be in the Castlegate Shopping Centre, Stockton. Children can also get into the
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Pandas awards ceremony
Community groups will be honoured at an awards ceremony for their environmental success. The People And Nature Development Awards (Pandas) take place tomorrow at Arc, in Stockton. The ceremony, presented by the Mayor of Stockton, is a celebration of the
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Accident verdict after man hit by car
A PENSIONER died after he stepped into the path of an oncoming vehicle on a notoriously dangerous road, an inquest heard. Ronald Walker was making his way home after enjoying his regular couple of pints in the Roseworth Community Social Club when the
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Pervert victim wins landmark legal victory
A victim of a perverted preacher has won a landmark legal victory to sue for compensation. In 1977, a teenage Kevin Young received a three month prison sentence for burglary, but was brutally abused by prison worker Neville Husband at Medomsley Detention
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Teenager admits robbery
Thieves who robbed a man will learn their fate at court next month. Thomas Wales, 19, yesterday admitted his part in the attack on a 25-year-old victim on June 28. A pair of training shoes, £30, tobacco and a medicine bottle and its contents were taken
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Communities get payback
A PROJECT allowing communities to choose the type of unpaid work carried out by offenders has been launched. Tasks undertaken by offenders who receive community orders could include removing graffiti, clearing litter, repairing playgrounds or renovating
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Plan for speedway's return enters the home straight
TOP-CLASS speedway is returning to the North-East after a decade-long absence. Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council has given the go-ahead for a track at the South Tees Motorsports Park, at South Bank, which should be up operating by March. Teesside has
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Xavier banned for 18 months
MIDDLESBROUGH defender Abel Xavier has been banned for 18 months following a positive drugs test. The 32-year-old failed a test following Boro's UEFA Cup match against Xanthi on 29 September after samples revealed the presence of methandienone, also known
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Extra flu vaccine is released as GPs' supplies run short
THE Government has been forced to release hundreds of thousands of flu vaccine doses after unprecedented demand prompted by fears of a pandemic. Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt said she had authorised the release of 400,000 doses of vaccine after GPs
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Murder hunt launched
Detectives last night launched a murder hunt after a care worker who staggered into hospital with serious head wounds died from his injuries. Michael Grey, 45, was in a coma for more than a week after he was attacked in Newcastle on November 11. Mr Grey
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Tsunami relief raises £2,500
FULL Monty firemen who were banned from stripping in their brigade uniform raised more than £2,500 for charity. Firefighters were told by bosses at the County Durham and Darlington Fire Brigade that operational kits could not be used for a striptease
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Political group supports regional superforce
THE County Durham Labour Party has backed plans for a single regionwide police force. The party says that creating one superforce, by amalgamating the Durham, Northumberland and Cleveland forces, would be better than the alternative put forward by Cleveland
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Failed takeover
POWERGEN owner E.On last night revealed it had been thwarted in its attempt to buy rival Scottish Power for more than £10bn. Germany-based E.On said it had ended takeover talks after failing to win the support of the Scottish Power board or secure access
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Stalking a Trojan Horse
Obviously I no longer keep sufficiently abreast of the news. Until it was upon us I had no idea there was to be a high-powered "inaugural'' North-East Economic Forum, held last Friday on the PM's constituency doorstep at Hardwick Hall, Sedgefield. The
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'New low' in village school merger battle
THE relationship between villagers in the Prime Minister's constituency and their local council has reached "a new low point" following an exchange of letters over controversial school reorganisation plans. School governors in Hurworth, in Tony Blair's
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Heart op figures confirm wait has been cut
PATIENTS needing heart surgery can now expect to have their operation within weeks of seeing a surgeon, according to hospital bosses. The past few years has seen the transformation of heart surgery services at the James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough
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Mourner who spat at officer is spared prison
A WOMAN who bit, scratched and spat at a police inspector when trouble flared at the funeral wake of a cousin, was spared prison yesterday. Magistrates heard how mother-of-two Louise Hart turned abusive and violent as police quelled trouble outside the
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Woman and teenagers admit assaulting boy, 14
THREE teenagers and a woman have admitted beating a 14-year-old boy. The quartet had been due to go on trial at Teesside Crown Court, but changed their pleas at the last-minute, jointly admitting a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm between
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Professor in Neale case to face GMC
A PROFESSOR who gave a "potentially misleading" reference for disgraced surgeon Richard Neale is to appear before the General Medical Council (GMC). Professor James Drife, from the University of Leeds medical school, will face a week-long fitness to practice
