Archive
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Man denies raping girl, 16, in city street
A TEENAGER was raped by a man after she was barred from a city centre nightclub for being too young, a court heard. Jurors were told that Glyn Teare, 18, led the 16-year-old away from a telephone box where she was trying to contact friends inside the
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Welcome boost as turnover continues to grow
CHRISTMAS is coming early for businesses across Darlington, as turnover has continued to show positive growth for the fifth month in a row, according to the business index for October. Employee figures are also up on last month, which is reassuring news
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Sage celebrates strong results
Software giant Sage has posted strong results and plans to recruit more staff on Tyneside. The firm says it will recruit 100 people to work in its head office at Newcastle Great Park. Sage finance director Paul Harrison said the firm had enjoyed a pre-tax
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Sharp rise in abuse of hospital workers
RECORDED attacks on hospital staff doubled in the first quarter of this year, according to figures from one of the region's largest NHS trusts. While the 1,000-bed County Durham and Darlington NHS Trust saw a big increase in what is described as "physical
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The Best way to remember
I'M with the football fans on this one - the fans who clapped for a minute to celebrate the life and talent of George Best. It was a nice, honest sort of gesture and seemed more appropriate than the minute's silence, much less mawkish than all those shirts
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Downing set for an early return
MIDDLESBROUGH'S assistant manager Steve Round has pencilled Stewart Downing in for a January return - a month ahead of schedule. The 21-year-old could be back in time for a potential Carling Cup semi-final if Boro beat Crystal Palace tonight and negotiate
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Stage blight - as show is cancelled
HUNDREDS of dance fans are furious after a Michael Flatley show was cancelled - because the stage is too small. Michael Flatley's Lord of the Dance was booked for four days in January at 2,000 capacity Newcastle City Hall. But the stage is not big enough
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Missing: One £3,000 temple
A GARDEN centre has increased its security after a huge outdoor ornament worth £3,000 was stolen. The Myriad six-column temple, which is three metres high, was stolen from Peter Barratt's Garden Centre, in Stockton, last month, along with its matching
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Low fat ice cream boosts Richmond
SALES of low-fat ice cream brand Skinny Cow helped Richmond Foods serve up underlying profit increases of 8.4 per cent yesterday. North Yorkshire-based ice cream manufacturer Richmond said the financial year had also got off to a good start with sales
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No change to TV deal
Sports minister Richard Caborn believes there is little chance of England's cricket fans seeing their Ashes-winning heroes playing Test cricket live on terrestrial television until the current deal with Sky ends in 2009. Caborn told a Commons select committee
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Princess Anne cancels prison visit
The Princess Royal today was forced to cancel an engagement at one of the region's prisons. Staff at Deerbolt Young Offenders Institution, in Startforth, near Barnard Castle, in County Durham, now hope HRH Princess Anne will be able to visit in the New
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Christingle market returns to town
A POPULAR festive market is returning to Darlington tomorrow, in time for the Christmas shopping period. The traditional Christingle market will be open on High Row for the first three Thursdays in December, from 1pm to 8pm. As well as buying gifts and
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Welcome boost as turnover continues to grow
CHRISTMAS is coming early for businesses across Darlington, as turnover has continued to show positive growth for the fifth month in a row, according to the business index for October. Employee figures are also up on last month, which is reassuring news
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Centre to open for former race dogs
A REHOMING centre for greyhounds, which will be the first of its kind in the North-East, will open in Wear Valley next month. The Hollin Hall Greyhound Rehoming Centre has been set up to re-train former racing greyhounds for domestic life at Fir Tree
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New parties spark race to buy Vardy
A TAKEOVER race for car dealer Reg Vardy was sparked yesterday as the Sunderland company revealed it was in talks with two more potential buyers. Shares in the dealer hit another all-time high yesterday after the company made the announcement. Both mystery
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Christmas fair
Argos and its distribution company, Exel, is hosting a Christmas fair in aid of Darlington's St Teresa's Hospice. It will take place at the Argos Distribution Centre, in Faverdale, on Saturday, December 17, from 4.30pm to 8.30pm. There will be festive
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Charity set to send gifts to disadvantages children
A charity which has won the hearts of residents in a north Durham community is in top gear to meet the needs of child victims of war, poverty, famine, disease and natural disaster. Operation Christmas Child based in Derwentside last year saw 17,000 shoeboxes
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Barclays banks on strong trade
BARCLAYS says it is trading in line with expectations after continued strong growth at its investment and fund management arms. In yesterday's third quarter trading update, the UK's third largest bank said its core high street banking arm continued to
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Attack on van driver
POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a van driver was stopped and attacked. The man was driving a white Mercedes Sprinter van from the A61 towards the A1, at the Rainton Flyover near Ripon, when he was forced to stop by three men in a black Citroen
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Accolades for health service employees
EMPLOYEES who are the lifeblood of health services in Sedgefield borough have been rewarded for helping to improve the care of patients in the area. Sedgefield Primary Care Trust (PCT) held its first awards ceremony this week to honour workers who have
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Smokers get help to kick the habit
NORTH Durham residents who want to kick the habit are being invited to stop smoking clinics. Smokers in the Durham and Chester-le-Street and Derwentside areas can seek help at one of the many sessions taking place across the area each week. Special clinics
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Volunteer groups playing vital role
A NEW report has revealed how council funding for voluntary organisations plays a vital role in helping to improve people's quality of life. Almost £400,000 was awarded to 36 groups from Hartlepool Borough Council's Community Pool in 2004/05. The worth
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Roads campaign takes to Internet
A CAMPAIGN to improve junctions on one of the busiest roads in North Yorkshire has gone online Details of the A64 Malton and Norton Junctions Action Group campaign can be viewed on the Internet, thanks to a partnership by members of the group. The website
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Pupils and parents help plant the foundations for a greener future
PUPILS at an east Durham school have been digging in to help improve their learning environment. In a bid to expand the horticultural dimension of its grounds, Easington Community School held a tree planting ceremony yesterday. The event was organised
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Parents join pupils to beat bullying
SCHOOL staff joined forces with children to push home the anti-bullying message. Youngsters and staff at RAF Leeming's community primary school held a "blue day" as part of a national initiative marking the end of anti-bullying week last week. They all
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Future of Christmas lighting looks dim
THE official switch-on of the Christmas lights in Northallerton will take place on Friday. But town councillors are warning that the future of the illuminations is under threat because of a lack of funds. The Northallerton Christmas Illuminations Working
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Approval for improvements at church
A DALES church has been granted permission for a £45,000 modernisation project by an ecclesiastical court. Judge Simon Grenfell, the Chancellor of the Diocese of Ripon and Leeds, has ruled that St Andrew's Church, in Aysgarth, Swaledale, should be allowed
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Council forums to seek public opinions
THE fire service and children are among topics of a consultation. The next round of Neighbourhood Consultative Forum meetings starts next week in Hartlepool. They are a council initiative to involve residents more in matters that affect their lives. At
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Grieving mother's appeal over son's killing
THE grieving mother of a care worker murdered as he went to visit an elderly client has appealed for help in bringing his killer to justice. Michael Grey suffered head injuries after he was attacked on November 11, near the Plaza Tavern, in the West End
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£80,000 bonus means extra dazzle in lights
DAZZLING lights will brighten more areas of a town this year after a cash boost. Residents and visitors to Stockton Borough will see more Christmas illuminations than ever before following an £80,000 bonus from sponsorship. Tomorrow sees the big Christmas
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Festival hoping to share success
ORGANISERS of one of Wear Valley's biggest annual events hope to share their success with two growing tourist attractions. Thousands of visitors are expected to attend the third annual Wear Valley Food Festival at Auckland Castle, Bishop Auckland, next
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Ministry's £1bn plan to upgrade garrison
PLANS for one of the biggest-ever military investments in the region will be announced today. The Northern Echo can exclusively reveal that the Ministry of Defence (MoD) is to spend £1bn on major developments at Catterick Garrison, in North Yorkshire.
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Two care centres open to support crime witnesses
TWO care units opened in the North-East yesterday offering greater support for crime witnesses. The units, in Sunderland and Newcastle, add to the already successful witness care units in the north of the region. The centres offer support for victims
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Residents facing bulldozers asked to plan new housing
RESIDENTS are being offered a say in their neighbourhoods' future - despite plans to demolish hundreds of homes. Their input is needed to draw up planning blueprints designed to ensure sustainable communities, claims Middlesbrough Council. The local authority
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Schoolchildren plant daffodil bulbs of hope
SCHOOLCHILDREN have helped plant daffodils for a charity in memory of people who have died of cancer. Marie Curie Cancer Care, which provides specialist nursing care for sufferers, has created one of its Fields of Hope in the grounds of Durham's University
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Police launch festive blitz on town centre criminals
POLICE have launched a blitz on criminals in the run up to Christmas. Officers in Consett are clamping down on shoplifters, pickpockets and bag snatchers who are targeting crowded shops in the town centre - and are warning shoppers and pub-goers to be
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Views sought on parking and traffic
RESIDENTS and businesses are being urged to give their views on car parking and traffic on Teesside at two consultation events next week. The survey is being carried out by the North Hartlepool Partnership to identify any parking or traffic improvements
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Walking tall
A record £3,742 was raised on a 23-mile sponsored walk from Lealholme to Marske, organised by the Take Heart Support Group, which provides exercise and relaxation classes to recovering cardiac patients throughout Middlesbrough and east Cleveland.
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On a roll with balls
PERHAPS the greatest of the little perquisites of being chairman of the league - you know, the Arngrove Northern League - is that you get both a half-time cup of tea beneath the stand and the invigorating debate which accompanies it. Thus at Billingham
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To the beat of a different drum
The Church of England marks a major landmark today with the enthronement of its first black archbishop. Mark Foster looks at the route taking John Sentamu to Archbishop of York. AN extraordinary service at York Minster will today see an extraordinary
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Xavier launches drug appeal
Abel Xavier has formally appealed against his 18-month ban imposed for testing positive for an anabolic steroid. UEFA have confirmed that the Middlesbrough defender has lodged an appeal with a hearing is likely to take place early in 2006. The 32-year-old
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Britain's first black archbishop inaugurated
The new Archbishop of York began his tenure today with a heartfelt call with a call for lost values - and more than a touch of humour. Dr John Sentamu, the UK's first black Primate of the Church of England's Northern Province, said the country had lost
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Doctor intended to kill, trial told
THE jury in the Howard Martin triple murder trial has been told it is "fanciful" to claim his three patients would have died when they did, without excessive morphine injections. Prosecuting barrister Robert Smith, QC, said of the 71-year-old former County
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Doctor's decision not to give evidence points to guilt
A murder trial jury has been told that a retired doctor's decision not to give evidence in his trial should not point to his guilt. Howard Martin's barrister today defended the former GP's decision not to go into the witness box at Teesside Crown Court
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Worker sold fatal gas can to teenager
A SHOPKEEPER who sold a butane gas lighter refill to a teenager who later died from sniffing the substance said yesterday he felt deep remorse for what happened. Appearing before magistrates in Peterlee, County Durham, Pearin Panathan, 31, of Belinda's
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More tests on cause of death
FORENSIC tests will be carried out to establish what caused a 26-year-old cricketer's death, after a post-mortem examination was inconclusive. Cricketer and rugby player Mark Foster was found dead in his home in Ormesby Bank, Middlesbrough. There are
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Quakers anxiously awaiting results of scans on Russell and Duke
Darlington expect to hear this morning the results of scans on injury victims Sam Russell and David Duke. Russell sustained an injury in training which ruled him out of Saturday's game with Rushden and Diamonds. If he has suffered a hairline fracture
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Sunderland 2002 v Sunderland 2005
ALMOST three years after Sunderland surprised the rest of the country by defeating Liverpool at the Stadium of Light, the Reds are back on Wearside tonight with the Black Cats desperate to win a Premiership home match for the first time since that December
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Grieving mother's appeal over son's killing
THE grieving mother of a care worker murdered as he went to visit an elderly client has appealed for help in bringing his killer to justice. Michael Grey suffered head injuries after he was attacked on November 11, near the Plaza Tavern, in the West End
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Woman dies after fall from viaduct
A woman has died after falling into a river from a viaduct in Bishop Auckland. Police are trying to find out how the woman, who is apparently in her 50s, fell from the Newton Cap viaduct into the River Wear this morning. She was in the water for several
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30/11/05
NE ASSEMBLY: YOUR correspondent J Routledge (HAS, Nov 19) claims that elected councillors have no right to sit on the North East Assembly. This is nonsense. If J Routledge was correct, councillors would have no right to sit on police and fire authorities
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Banned from driving after crashing into parked car
A woman has been banned from the roads after she pleaded guilty to drink-driving. Clare Burton, 35, of Quaker Lane, Darlington, crashed into a parked vehicle after a night out with friends. She was sentenced at Darlington Magistrates' Court yesterday.
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Royle's seal of approval gives Pool boost ahead of FA Cup encounter
HARTLEPOOL United's hopes of reaching the third round of the FA Cup - and a possible glamour tie - last night received a massive boost, thanks to Ipswich boss Joe Royle. Loan signing Dean McDonald has been given permission to play in Saturday's game with
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Police chief dismisses poll opposing 'super-force' plan
A NORTH-EAST police chief last night dismissed a poll that found overwhelming opposition to Government plans for a regional super-force. A Mori poll carried out for Cleveland Police Authority asked more than 2,400 people in County Durham and Teesside
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Comment from The Northern Echo: Powerful arguments
THE Government's energy review is certainly worth more of a greeting than Greenpeace's confetti of yellow stickers. Like the pensions review - if we want to retire before 67 we will have to save more either through taxes or private schemes - the use of
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Youth achievements are rewarded at ceremony
YOUNG people's achievements have been honoured by the Prince's Trust at an awards ceremony. TV presenter Edward Tudor Pole gave out awards at the Tall Trees Hotel, at Yarm, near Stockton, yesterday. Prince's Trust regional director David Beavis said:
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The Best way to remember
Far from falling silent, football fans used applause to pay their respects to George Best - and it was both honest and highly apt. I'M with the football fans on this one - the fans who clapped for a minute to celebrate the life and talent of George Best
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On a roll with balls
PERHAPS the greatest of the little perquisites of being chairman of the league - you know, the Arngrove Northern League - is that you get both a half-time cup of tea beneath the stand and the invigorating debate which accompanies it. Thus at Billingham
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On TV
ONE Life: The Naked Rambler (BBC1) Fatal Attraction (C4) WHO in their right mind would want to walk the 874 miles from Land's End to John O'Groats in the altogether? If the brass monkeys British weather didn't get you, then the locals would. During the
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Tales of Tow Law and beyond
ALMOST 40 years after his finest hour and a half, Mike Ingoe is back in print, and in the paper. He was Tow Law's goalkeeper in the legendary 1967-68 FA Cup run in which they froze out Mansfield Town 5-1, drew 1-1 with Shrewsbury Town and had they won
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Ministry confirms £1bn upgrade for Catterick
The Ministry of Defence has confirmed £1 billion plans to massively expand Catterick Garrison. Army officials plan to increase troop numbers at the base - already the largest in Europe - by several thousand. When the expansion is complete Catterick will
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Killer loses 'whole life' appeal
A killer who admitted murdering his girlfriend, her twin sister and a frail elderly couple lost an appeal today against an order that he must spend the rest of his life behind bars. At the Court of Appeal in London, the Lord Chief Justice, Lord Phillips
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Fairhurst's resurgence to continue
Chris Fairhurst had been quiet since the end of August but, with two winners from his last two runners, he's a trainer to keep an eye on and his Truckle looks interesting in the Ellerton Juvenile Novices Hurdle over two miles at Catterick this afternoon
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Chef helps pupils serve up healthy options
PUPILS at a secondary school have been learning about the importance of binning junk food in favour of following a healthy diet. Year nine pupils, aged 13 and 14, at Hurworth School Maths and Computing College, took time out from lessons to take part
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School Closure Debate: Further delays to academy proposal
COUNCIL chiefs have again delayed plans to pursue a £25m city academy for Darlington. The borough council is keen to see the development, which would combine Hurworth School and struggling Eastbourne Comprehensive, on the edge of town. It has been invited
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Carnival queen to light up village
A VILLAGE'S Christmas illuminations, which last year were switched on by Prince Charles, are to be lit up on Saturday. But the only royalty present at Middleton-in-Teesdale for the switch-on, at 4pm, will be the village's carnival queen, Kirsty Hutchinson
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Pupils' artwork goes on display
PUPILS' handiwork has formed an exhibition showcasing a spectrum of classroom skills. The artwork from the Norton School, Stockton, has been created by youngsters aged 11 to 16 and is on display at the town's Arc arts centre. The work represents the various
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Pupils presenting Oliver the musical
DRAMA students from Stockton Riverside College's School of Performing Arts are busy putting the finishing touches to their Christmas show. Oliver the musical will be performed at The Arc Theatre, in Dovecot Street, Stockton, from Friday to Wednesday,
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Volunteers sought for book delivery service
VOLUNTEERS are being sought to help enthusiastic readers who can't get about easily. Following the successful opening of the community resource centre in North Road, Stokesley, the home library and information service has gone from strength to strength
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Anti-nuclear campaigners take to rafters
Anti-nuclear demonstrators yesterday disrupted an announcement by the Prime Minister of a review into the UK's energy needs. As Tony Blair was preparing to unveil details that could lead to a new generation of nuclear power stations being built, two Greenpeace
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Low fat ice cream boosts Richmond
SALES of low-fat ice cream brand Skinny Cow helped Richmond Foods serve up underlying profit increases of 8.4 per cent yesterday. North Yorkshire-based ice cream manufacturer Richmond said the financial year had also got off to a good start with sales
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Warning of winter weather solar panels heating scam
HOUSEHOLDERS are being warned to be on their guard after an elderly couple fell victim to a solar heating scam. Trading standards officials believe that unscrupulous salesmen may be cashing in on fears about rising prices for gas and electricity as the
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Owen facing yet more time on the sidelines
STUTTERING Newcastle United have been rocked by the news Michael Owen is facing weeks on the sidelines, but insist midfielder Kieron Dyer will soon make a return to the first team fold. Despite the suggestion from assistant manager Alan Murray that Owen
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Showing off their skills
YOUNG stars from across south-west Durham will be taking part in a talent show at a comprehensive school on Thursday, December 8. Jugglers, magicians and dancers will be among the performers in the show, in Staindrop, near Barnard Castle. Yesterday, the
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Bakery firm helps secure road race
WARBURTONS Bakers is to help secure the North-East's oldest athletics club's road race. The six-mile Norman Woodcock Memorial Road Race has been organised every year since 1974 by Elswick Harriers, in Newcastle, in memory of Mr Woodcock, who kept the
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Worker sold fatal gas can to teenager
A SHOPKEEPER who sold a butane gas lighter refill to a teenager who later died from sniffing the substance said yesterday he felt deep remorse for what happened. Appearing before magistrates in Peterlee, County Durham, Pearin Panathan, 31, of Belinda's
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Centre to open for former race dogs
A REHOMING centre for greyhounds, which will be the first of its kind in the North-East, will open in Wear Valley next month. The Hollin Hall Greyhound Rehoming Centre has been set up to re-train former racing greyhounds for domestic life at Fir Tree
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More jobs going as hospital trust tries to break even
A hospital trust is shedding jobs in a bid to finish the financial year in the black. More than 100 jobs have already disappeared at the County Durham and Darlington Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, it was revealed last night. More are expected to follow. The
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Smokers get help to kick the habit
NORTH Durham residents who want to kick the habit are being invited to stop smoking clinics. Smokers in the Durham and Chester-le-Street and Derwentside areas can seek help at one of the many sessions taking place across the area each week. Special clinics
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Doctor Who's enemies visit the North-East
Some of Doctor Who's deadliest enemies will be on the prowl in the North-East this weekend. The Master, Cybermen and an Axxon will be making a nuisance of themselves at the Museum of Hartlepool this Saturday, between 11am and 3pm. They will be seizing
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Bakery firm helps secure road race
WARBURTONS Bakers is to help secure the North-East's oldest athletics club's road race. The six-mile Norman Woodcock Memorial Road Race has been organised every year since 1974 by Elswick Harriers, in Newcastle, in memory of Mr Woodcock, who kept the
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Nativity play to help pay for donkey in developing world
YOUNGSTERS at a school are preparing to stage their annual nativity play. Sixty Durham Chorister pupils aged four to seven will perform the play Donkey for Sale, by Nikki Davies, for nursery pupils and parents today and tomorrow in Durham Cathedral's
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Fairhurst's resurgence to continue
Chris Fairhurst had been quiet since the end of August but, with two winners from his last two runners, he's a trainer to keep an eye on and his Truckle looks interesting in the Ellerton Juvenile Novices Hurdle over two miles at Catterick this afternoon
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Ministry's £1bn plan to upgrade garrison
PLANS for one of the biggest-ever military investments in the region will be announced today. The Northern Echo can exclusively reveal that the Ministry of Defence (MoD) is to spend £1bn on major developments at Catterick Garrison, in North Yorkshire.
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Defence is the best form of attack for Southgate
GARETH SOUTHGATE believes Middlesbrough must rein in their 'gung-ho' style if they are to become serious contenders for trophies and break into the Premiership's top six. The Boro skipper is calling for a return to the miserly defensive form that typified
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Collingwood's Test best keeps England in series
Paul Collingwood chose a timely occasion to make his maiden Test half-century - because without him England would almost certainly have blown all chance of salvaging their three-match series against Pakistan. The Durham batsman, one of three Riverside
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£10m cheat's victims to be paid back by Halifax
Christmas came early for dozens of pensioners yesterday when the Halifax bank pledged to pay back everyone who lost their life savings in a £10m swindle. Bank bosses even put festive icing on the cake by promising to pay interest to all 84 investors who
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New beach complex for Whitby
Whitby is to get a state-of-the-art beach centre for holidaymakers. The £290,000 complex is to be built on the site of a former cafe on the West Cliff beach - and the scheme has been approved by Scarborough Council following protests that the original
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Setting the alarm clock and other life skills
YOUNG people are amazingly adept at working the latest gizmos. Their speed at texting on the minuscule keypads of modern mobile phones staggers anyone over a certain age. They took to Walkmans like ducks to water. Now it's iPods. As for programming the
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Rape charge denied
A MARRIED man raped a drunken woman after escorting her home from a nightclub, a court heard yesterday. She only realised she had been raped when she woke the next day, with vague memories of Jamie Volans, 27, being in the room with her, prosecutor Brian
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Teacher groped me, jury is told
A FORMER pupil sobbed as she told a court yesterday that a teacher stroked her bottom and made sexual remarks towards her. The girl, who was a teenager at the time of the alleged offences, said she burst into tears after Joseph Kerr stroked her bottom
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Pressure? I'm not feeling it says McCarthy
MICK McCarthy has admitted that his position is under threat but, with Liverpool hoping to pile on more misery this evening, the Sunderland boss denied that Saturday's post-match rant proved he is cracking under the pressure of trying to keep the Black
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Concern after riot police lose their bottle
RIOTERS in the region are throwing so many petrol bombs at the police that their supply of empty milk bottles is dwindling fast. The shocking admission was borne out yesterday as bricks rained down on lines of police as another officer was engulfed by
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School united in million-pound upgrade
Richmond School is in line for a £19m investment that will see all secondary age children taught on one site in the town. North Yorkshire County Council has earmarked the school to receive up to £19.2m from the latter stage of the Government's Building
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Record growth for Watson Burton
LAW firm Watson Burton last night said it had seen record growth in the past six months, with turnover increasing by 59 per cent. The Newcastle and Leeds-based practice is now believed to be the fastest-growing law firm in the country. It posted profits
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Sir Bobby assists Mandaric
Sir Bobby Robson has revealed that he is assisting Milan Mandaric in his search for a new Portsmouth boss. Robson, who has been out of the game since he was sacked as Newcastle manager last August, has been helping the Pompey chairman appoint a successor
