Archive
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Park-and-ride 'free and easy'
TRANSPORT Minister Karen Buck praised highways chiefs yesterday for their courage and vision in opening one of the country's biggest park-and-ride schemes. Ms Buck cut the ribbon to launch a £10m scheme aimed at cutting traffic congestion in the heart
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Horden deny they are guilty of racism
HORDEN have issued a strong denial after being found guilty of racism at an RFU hearing in Durham City. The were reprimanded and fined £250 following an incident in a Durham and Northumberland Division One game against Billingham, who had a coloured player
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Dubious distinction
PAUL Collingwood wondered this week whether Durham were the new Surrey. Perhaps they are, although hopefully they'll never be nicknamed "showboats". Prior to Durham's elevation to first-class status only eight cricketers born within the county had played
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Breakthrough in isolating tumour stem cells
CANCER sufferers are being offered new hope following a major breakthrough in research into the root of the disease. Scientists at York University have become the first in the world to isolate the tumour stem cells that lead to prostate cancer. Existing
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Judge discharges the jury in teacher-schoolgirl case
THE jury in the trial of a teacher accused of groping a pupil was discharged yesterday. Drama teacher Joseph Kerr has been standing trial accused of two counts of sexual activity with a child while working at Haughton Community School, in Darlington.
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Art exhibition puts the spotlight on sexual health
A FREE art exhibition to mark World Aids Day was staged at Durham County Hall yesterday. The display was organised by Derwentside, Durham and Chester-le-Street primary care trusts' (PCTs) specialist health promotion services in a bid to raise awareness
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Engineering students go back in time to study the catapult
ENGINEERING students from Darlington College of Technology have been getting to grips with the technology of their forefathers. Twenty students on the full-time National Certificate in Engineering course travelled to the Royal Armouries, in Leeds, to
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Health trust gets employer award
A PRIMARY care trust in north Durham has been officially recognised as a good place to work. Durham and Chester-le-Street Primary Care Trust (PCT) has been awarded Practice Plus accreditation - the highest level of the Improving Working Lives initiative
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Young card designers honoured
A COUNCIL'S first Christmas card competition has been hailed a massive success, with more than 500 entries received from nine schools. The competition, run by Chester-le-Street District Council, has been open to entries within two categories, primary
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School celebrates its 21st Century technology suite
PUPILS and staff at a Newton Aycliffe school are celebrating the opening of a technology centre fit for 21st Century learning. The £438,000 development at Greenfield School Community and Arts College includes two classrooms for teaching electronics and
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Young keep up to date by phone plan
HUNDREDS of young people have signed up to a scheme keeping them up to date with youth events in Darlington - through their mobile phones. TextVibe was launched by Darlington Borough Council in June, as part of the authority's response to an Ofsted report
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School joins with nursery to help job-hunting parents
A PRIMARY school is preparing to expand its work after joining forces with a nursery service. The development makes Red Hall Primary School the latest in the Darlington area to accommodate the needs of the wider community. From early next year, Kids and
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Free market to attract shoppers
A TEESDALE visitor centre is to open its doors for free to encourage people to shop at a local produce market. Meet the Middletons, in Middleton-in-Teesdale, is waiving its entrance fee as it hosts its Very Merry Christmas Market on Saturday, December
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Police net 400 weapons in two-week amnesty
HUNDREDS of weapons have been handed to police during a two-week amnesty. Cleveland Police Chief Constable Sean Price said he was pleased with the collection of more than 400 weapons, including 380 knives, more than 500 rounds of ammunition, five rifles
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Review of maternity services
A HOSPITAL'S maternity service is to be reviewed after councillors raised concerns about new mothers being sent home within hours of giving birth. Health trust bosses agreed at a meeting to take a fresh look at the service at Malton Hospital. Alison Guy
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Many a good tune for 100-year-old Elsie
A KEEN piano player celebrated her 100th birthday with family and friends this week. Elsie Burton was born in Easingwold on November 27, 1905, and has lived in the town all her life. On Sunday, her family held a party for her at Easingwold Golf Club.
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Major gas leak in Middlesbrough
HUNDREDS of residents were told to stay indoors with their windows closed , as police cordoned of a large area of Middlesbrough, following a major gas leak near the town centre, today. The drama unfolded when a gas main on the site of the old Middlesbrough
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Comment from The Northern Echo: A tragic reminder
WHAT a terrible, terrible tragedy that we report on Page 1 today. The family concerned has already lost one young child to a cot death and is now coming to terms with losing a second - while knowing that their toddler might have inadvertently contributed
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New contracts
TYNESIDE software company Datawright has secured a hat-trick of lucrative contracts with a leading property company. Newcastle-based Grainger Trust plc has chosen Washington-based Datawright to improve its use of IT in business processes across three
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Crafty Christmas show
AN arts group is getting into the world of festive gifts with their latest show. Rural Arts North Yorkshire is running an exhibition of Christmas crafts for sale at its new creative venue, the Old Courthouse, in Westgate, Thirsk, on the weekend of December
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Hoop Dreams will come true
BASKETBALL will be the focus of a fun day on Teesside this month. Hoop Dreams, a Middlesbrough-based social inclusion project, is holding the primary school event at Eston Sports Academy, on Wednesday, December 14, at 10am. The aim is to introduce young
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Is this a gamble with people's lives?
Proposed changes to rural ambulance services are proving highly controversial in parts of the region. Health Editor Barry Nelson looks at the issues involved. ON a freezing, fog-shrouded night in Upper Weardale, more than 200 people turned out to a public
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Job hunt service is on the move
A JOB centre is to be opened in a Teesdale market town. JobCentre Plus yesterday signed a lease on premises at Enterprise House, on the Harmire Enterprise Park, in Barnard Castle. Work is now to begin to convert the site to a JobCentre Plus facility with
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Mixed results for schools as performance tables revealed
THERE is good and bad news for parents of primary school children in the North-East today with the release of the annual league tables. On the surface, primary schools across the region have scored their best ever English and maths results, with the science
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Pupils getting involved with wildlife
A WILDLIFE trust will work with a Weardale school in part a joint initiative. Durham Wildlife Trust will work with Wolsingham School and Community College as part of a Lottery-funded project called Hearts and Minds. It will run over three years and will
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Firm may win deal to secure Chernobyl site from leaks
ENGINEERING firm Cleveland Bridge could be vying for a lucrative contract at the scene of the world's worst civil nuclear catastrophe. The North-East company is hoping to secure work at Chernobyl, where the Ukrainian government is planning to rebuild
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Fairtrade status for county town
THE county town of North Yorkshire has achieved Fairtrade status after meeting five key goals. Northallerton is now one of 136 towns and cities in the UK to be named a Fairtrade town. To achieve the status, the town council must serve Fairtrade coffee
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Redcar and Cleveland
................................................................Pupils........Eng.............Maths..........Sci................Rank Badger Hill, Saltburn ..................... 28 89%. 96% 93% 6 Bankfields, M'boro....... 37 70% 59% 78% 35 Belmont, Guis'boro
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'Shotgun gangsters are trying to kill me'
A RETIRED businessman told of his terror last night after a series of chilling gangland-style death threats culminated in a shotgun attack at his North-East home. Detectives are investigating the threats that have led 60-year-old Leslie Jackson to fear
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Mixed results for schools as performance tables revealed
THERE is good and bad news for parents of primary school children in the North-East today with the release of the annual league tables. On the surface, primary schools across the region have scored their best ever English and maths results, with the science
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Another work of wizardry
HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE, Publisher: Electronic Arts. Formats: PS2, XBox, PC. Price: £39.99. Family friendly? 10+: THIS is the bookies' favourite for the Christmas number one slot. It's easy to see why. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire arrives
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Eagles aiming to complete a Fab full hand
FAB Flournoy's personal quest for the Holy Grail will come to an end on Sunday if the Newcastle Eagles lift the British Basketball League Cup. The Eagles player/coach takes his side to Birmingham to take on the London Towers in the BBL final in the hope
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Console demand too great for supply
RETAILERS were last night bracing themselves for a buying frenzy as die-hard gamers rushed to get their hands on the new Microsoft Xbox 360 console. There were reports yesterday lunchtime that in Manchester and Birmingham fans were already queuing outside
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Retail sales are worst in 22 years
RETAILERS could face a testing Christmas period after figures showed sales were the worst recorded in 22 years. Both the sales reported for last month and expectations for this month are the worst recorded in the history of the Confederation of British
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MFI quits potential loss-makers
FURNITURE retailer MFI scaled back its operations yesterday as it continued to suffer at the hands of a cautious consumer. MFI revealed it is quitting three businesses that are expected to make a combined loss of £10m this year - as part of a strategic
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Bid to bring civil service jobs to region goes online
THE region's bid to secure new civil service jobs resulting from a major Whitehall review has taken a step forward. A website has been launched setting out the North-East's economic package to attract Government departments and agencies relocating from
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Retail sales are worst in 22 years
RETAILERS could face a testing Christmas period after figures showed sales were the worst recorded in 22 years. Both the sales reported for last month and expectations for this month are the worst recorded in the history of the Confederation of British
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Advisors to tackle debts at hospitals
THE Government is to send financial task forces into two of the most indebted NHS hospital trusts in the region. It announced yesterday that so-called Turnaround Teams are to visit NHS hospitals that are battling serious debt problems due to overspending
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Workers stage first strike in pay dispute
WORKERS at a County Durham factory staged their first strike yesterday over a pay dispute that has rumbled on since July. Many of the 150 workforce mounted picket lines at the entrances to Hydro Aluminium Extrusions, in Birtley, after rejecting the company's
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Sales drive rewarded
A MOTOR dealership in Darlington has become the best performing Chevrolet franchise in the region. Figures released by Chevrolet UK for July to September gave first place to the Sherwoods franchise in Chestnut Street for the entire North-East, North Yorkshire
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In search of our own X Factor
AS regular readers will know, I'm not a great fan of reality TV. I find the likes of Big Brother, The Farm and I'm A Celebrity an instant turn off and it continues to amaze me why so many seemingly intelligent people continue to watch such drivel. But
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Tim Wellock's World
PAUL Collingwood wondered this week whether Durham were the new Surrey. Perhaps they are, although hopefully they'll never be nicknamed "showboats". Prior to Durham's elevation to first-class status only eight cricketers born within the county had played
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Hodgson wants return to glory
DAVID HODGSON last night reaffirmed his commitment to recreating the former glories he once brought to Darlington. The pressure is beginning to mount on Hodgson from fans unhappy with Quakers' poor form and lack of entertainment. Despite an encouraging
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Death of baby will remain a mystery
A TODDLER who climbed on the sofa beside his baby brother and fell asleep may have contributed to the baby's death, an inquest heard yesterday. When their father - who was sleeping in the same room - woke later, his nine-week-old baby son was dead. His
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Judge jails 'danger' gangster for gun offences
A GANGSTER was last night branded "a very dangerous man" by a judge when he was jailed for nine-and-a-half years for having a gun and ammunition in his car. Domenyk Lattlay-Fottfoy, a member of the Noonans gangland family, was stopped in a Jaguar car
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Horden deny they are guilty of racism
HORDEN have issued a strong denial after being found guilty of racism at an RFU hearing in Durham City. The were reprimanded and fined £250 following an incident in a Durham and Northumberland Division One game against Billingham, who had a coloured player
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Illegal sex drugs recovered from house after police raid
ILLEGAL sex drugs with a street value of about £25,000 have been seized in a house raid. Police and officers from a Government drug agency raided the house and recovered 5,000 Kamagra tablets -a version of Viagra that is unlicensed in the UK. Kamagra
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North-East is UK's second best location
FINANCE firm Deloitte has ranked the North-East as the second-best place to do business in the UK. According to a report by the firm, the UK is ranked the sixth most competitive place to do business among 25 world economies. Business leaders said the
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Round of applause for Viduka
STEVE ROUND believes Middlesbrough can reap the rewards from Mark Viduka this season as the Australian captain can use the domestic stage to enhance his World Cup aspirations. Viduka will lead his country out in Germany next summer after helping the Socceroos
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On TV
Death By Sex (C4) This World: Living Positive (BBC2) STEVEN Bailey's shopping list as he visited his local K-Mart store was bizarre. He bought a shirt for his nephew for Christmas and socks for himself and, oh yes, there was the duct tape and big plastic
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'Sick worker filmed by private eye turfing lawn'
A WORKER off sick with stress was secretly filmed turfing a lawn by a private detective employed by Nissan, a tribunal heard yesterday. The car firm suspected paint shop team leader Brian Murphy was running a business while off sick. The Newcastle employment
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Death of baby will remain a mystery
A TODDLER who climbed on to a sofa beside his baby brother and fell asleep may have contributed to the baby's death, an inquest heard yesterday. When their father - who was sleeping in the same room - woke several hours later, his nine-week-old baby son
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Durham's dilemma over international stars
THE recent success of their four current internationals has delighted Durham but left them with a dilemma as they look ahead to life in division one. They might even have a fifth international by the time they start against Kent at Canterbury on April
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Health boss stepping down from board
A SENIOR health figure is stepping down from the board of Darlington Primary Care Trust (PCT). Non-executive director Marion Pickersgill joined the trust at its inception in April 2002. During her time on the board she has been involved in issues surrounding
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Carers can take a break with scheme
CARERS are being offered help so they can take a short break away from looking after a loved one. Darlington Borough Council has launched a Carer Break voucher scheme to ensure people caring for a relative or friend can arrange for someone to take over
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Hear All Sides: The Schools Closure Debate
COMPROMISE: RE the current impasse whereby the overwhelming majority of rural Sedgefieldbased constituents wish Hurworth to obtain independent Foundation status and Darlington Borough Council's dictatorial wish to close it and move it to a Darlington
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Youngsters pack up boxes for foreign children
MORE than a hundred youngsters in poverty-stricken countries will be able to enjoy a happier Christmas this year, thanks to kind-hearted youngsters at a County Durham school. Pupils from Oakley Cross Primary School, in West Auckland, have been collecting
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Children learning the importance of pedal power
MORE than 200 children and parents got on their bikes to support a school project to get more people using pedal power. Abbey Junior School, in Darlington, was chosen out of thousands from the country to be a Bike-It school - a project run through green
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Mixed results for schools as performance tables revealed
THERE is good and bad news for parents of primary school children in the North-East today with the release of the annual league tables. On the surface, primary schools across the two regions have scored their best ever English and maths results, with
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From Russia, with love
YOUNGSTERS have been raising funds for an exciting project linking their school to eastern Europe. Children and parents from Abbey Junior School, in Darlington, packed customers' bags at the town's Marks and Spencer store in aid of the scheme. The project
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Pub hours extended despite objections from 33 residents
A TEESSIDE pub is taking steps to become a better neighbour amid concerns from residents over its new opening hours. The Roundel, in Mitchell Avenue, Thornaby, was granted an extension, by Stockton Borough Council's licensing committee, yesterday, despite
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Taxis of a high standard
PASSENGERS in Teesdale can look forward to an easy ride after the district's taxis passed safety tests with flying colours. Of the 40 taxis inspected, only two were found to have minor faults, which were rectified immediately. The inspections were a joint
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Ex-champion visits new speedway site
The first piece of land was unearthed yesterday at the site of new speedway track in the region. Former world speedway champion, Teesside-based Gary Havelock joined the crowd as the first bike made its way on to the track. Joining in the celebrations
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'We won't tolerate drunken mischief'
MAGISTRATES have warned that drunken antics will not be tolerated in the centre of Harrogate in the wake of new licensing laws which allow pubs and clubs to stay open longer. They heard how 18-year-old apprentice electrician Andrew Lister had shouted,
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Chef from US fined
A CHEF who brought his family to the UK from the United States fell foul of drink-drive laws when he allowed colleagues to persuade him to join them on a night out, a court heard yesterday. Harrogate magistrates were told how a police patrol spotted father-of-two
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Free bus during building works
A FREE temporary bus service is on offer during building works. The Stagecoach number 60 bus usually picks up residents in the Salters Lane area of Stockton, on the estate road. However, due to new house building by Wimpey, this is not possible while
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Luring women to construction
A COLLEGE is breaking down the barriers of the construction world to encourage more women into the industry. Redcar and Cleveland College is offering taster sessions to young women who may be interested in a career in construction. The Tees Valley Learning
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Festive frolics will take to the streets
STRESSED shoppers can take a break with festive street theatre. In the run-up to Christmas, there will be a host of entertainment in Stockton, Yarm, Thornaby and Billingham. The Bread and Butter Theatre, Matt Barnard and Faceless will be in Yarm and Thornaby
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'It's like Crewe taking over Liverpool'
It has been three-and-a-half largely successful years, but when Paul Garvin steps down as Chief Constable of Durham Police next week, it is against the backdrop of a bitter row about the future of the force. He tells Nick Morrison why he couldn't just
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'Sick worker filmed by private eye turfing lawn'
A WORKER off sick with stress was secretly filmed turfing a lawn by a private detective employed by Nissan, a tribunal heard yesterday. The car firm suspected paint shop team leader Brian Murphy was running a business while off sick. The Newcastle employment
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Trust launches service to help people stop smoking
A SERVICE to help people stop smoking is being launched this month in North Yorkshire. The Scarborough Whitby and Ryedale Primary Care Trust is encouraging local pharmacists to provide the NHS smoking cessation service in an effort to make it more convenient
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Season kicks off in lights fantastic
THE festive season has truly kicked off in Stockton after the Christmas lights were switched on by two Premiership football stars yesterday. Middlesbrough FC manager, Steve McClaren, and player, Franck Queudrue, were the men on the button, and at 6pm
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Shoptalk: charity cards are a swizz
FEELING charitable this Christmas? Many of us do, especially when it comes to buying Christmas cards. Around a third of all Christmas cards make money for good causes. All in all, it's a massive £100m a year for charities and a huge contribution to funds
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Fight broke out after wedding
A MOTHER and daughter were arrested after a fight broke out at a wedding party, a court was told. Police arrived and quickly halted the scuffle, which broke out between guests outside the pub where the reception was being held. Bishop Auckland Magistrates
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'We'll look after those hit hardest by the bad weather'
SOCIAL services officials in North Yorkshire are promising to offer emergency help to vulnerable people during the poor weather conditions. Working with other local organisations, they plan to ensure people are able to keep warm during any power cuts
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Operation Takeaway records 1000th car
A POLICE-led scheme to take uninsured motorists of the streets of County Durham and Darlington has recorded its 1000th car. Durham Constabulary teamed up with insurance firm Direct Line in April to launch Operation Takeaway, designed to target drivers
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Cathedral concert to pay tribute to doctor
A CONCERT will pay tribute to the memory of a doctor on Monday night. Ripon Cathedral Concert Society has arranged the tribute to former member Dr Ian Brown, who died earlier this year. It will feature the Bronte String Quartet, a young ensemble making
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Bad weather brings out rogue roofers
WARNINGS have been issued to householders to be on their guard for bogus workmen trying to cash in during bad weather. Trading standards officers say that, despite warnings, people are still being ripped off. Michael Welsh, Hartlepool Borough Council's
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Youngsters dig in for a blossoming springtime
GREEN-FINGERED youngsters have been caring for their area by planting bulbs. Youngsters from schools and sports clubs around Stockton have been giving the council's Care For Your Area team a helping hand. The sessions, which started last Saturday, are
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Pool won't underestimate cup rivals
THERE'S no danger of Hartlepool United under-estimating Tamworth at Victoria Park tomorrow. The Conference side may be at the foot of the table and finding goals hard to come by this season. But they won 2-1 at Bournemouth in the last round to earn a
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The charity card swizz
Charity Christmas cards are a great way of giving something back - but what if shops keep most of the cash? Shoptalk investigates. FEELING charitable this Christmas? Many of us do, especially when it comes to buying Christmas cards. Around a third of
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Go-ahead recommended for wind farm
CONTROVERSIAL plans for a wind farm which people living nearby fear could dominate the landscape have been recommended for approval by the local council. Planning officers at Derwentside District Council have recommended approval for an amended application
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Fines after meat sold from filthy factory
TWO businessmen who illegally sold meat to wholesalers across the country from a filthy North-East factory have been ordered to pay £100,000 by a court. Masoud Chinikar and Mahmood Arta, owners of the Meat Zone factory in Middlesbrough, were prosecuted
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Illegal sex drugs recovered from house after police raid
ILLEGAL sex drugs with a street value of about £25,000 have been seized in a house raid. Police and officers from a Government drug agency raided the house and recovered 5,000 Kamagra tablets -a version of Viagra that is unlicensed in the UK. Kamagra
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Burton's Bytes
HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE Publisher: Electronic Arts. Formats: PS2, XBox, PC. Price: £39.99. Family friendly? 10+ THIS is the bookies' favourite for the Christmas number one slot. It's easy to see why. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire arrives
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Concern as rising costs cut margins
MANUFACTURING is growing in the North-East but rising costs are continuing to squeeze margins and cause concern within the sector, the Engineering Employers Federation (EEF) Northern said yesterday According to the association's latest Economic Trends
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Fighting spirit beats rivals to punch
PUNCH Taverns was yesterday said to have won the £2.7bn race for rival Spirit - a deal that creates the largest pubs operator in the UK. Punch, which acquired Hartlepool-based Pubmaster in 2003, is reported to have offered £60m more than property tycoon
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Woman sentenced for animal cruelty
A WOMAN who kept 98 dogs and 22 cats in "appalling" conditions has been banned from having pets for ten years. Rachel Ashworth, 31, was also sentenced to 200 hours community service. Bridlington Magistrates' Court heard how she kept dogs soaked in urine
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Rail tsar facing charges over train row
THE country's rail tsar is facing criminal prosecution after allegations that he threatened and verbally abused a GNER worker on a train. Mike Mitchell, director general of railways at the Department of Transport, was interviewed by British Transport
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MP attacks city's 'selfish' dentists
DENTISTS who force patients to travel outside a North-East city to find NHS treatment were branded selfish by an MP last night. Durham City MP Roberta Blackman-Woods said the dentists - who were NHS-trained - were neglecting their "social responsibilities
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'I can make a bomb' teacher axed by agency
A TEACHER who allegedly told pupils he could plant a parcel bomb on their bus has been dismissed by the agency that supplied him, it has emerged. Mazin Albarq was dropped by supply agency, Teaching Personnel, which assigned him to teaching duties at two
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Mick retains Murray's backing
AS one of the few managers not to have been considered for the vacant position at Portsmouth, Mick McCarthy has been forced to accept that his stock has fallen dramatically because of Sunderland's shocking start to the season. But, while an increasingly
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Visit of Villa could be Souness' last chance
FREDDY Shepherd has been forced to issue a grovelling public apology to the 5,000 Newcastle fans who called for their manager's head during the second half of Wednesday's humiliating Carling Cup defeat at Wigan. With the Magpies chairman admitting that
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Wrecked car highlights stark warning against drink-driving
A POLICE force joined with the fire service yesterday to launch its Christmas anti drink-driving campaign. Officers from North Yorkshire are planning roadside checks every day across the county, while firefighters are going on the road with the mangled
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02/12/2005
GEORGE BEST: THE demise and death of George Best after a long battle with alcoholism has touched the hearts of most - not just the football fraternity. Being so talented at an early age in such a popular profession, in this day and age when one can become
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New contracts
TYNESIDE software company Datawright has secured a hat-trick of lucrative contracts with a leading property company. Newcastle-based Grainger Trust plc has chosen Washington-based Datawright to improve its use of IT in business processes across three
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Percussionist to strike
HOWARD JOHNSON pretty much throws Percussionist (2.05) in at the deep end by sending him on a mission to Sandown today. Just eight days ago Percussionist was making a successful jumping debut when toying with his rivals in an egg-and-spoon affair at Carlisle
