Archive
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Another setback for Dyer
Kieron Dyer has suffered a setback as he battles to overcome his injury nightmare. The Newcastle midfielder's progress has been hindered by another hamstring strain, wrecking his hopes of returning against Arsenal on Saturday. But the problem is not believed
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Accolades for woodland friends
THE dedication of volunteers who have worked to improve a woodland area in Darlington has been recognised with two awards. The Friends of Geneva Wood triumphed in an environmental initiative run by the Wildlife Trust, npower and local councils. The group
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Cabbies await licences decision
FIVE cabbies are to go before Darlington's licensing committee next week to find out whether they will be allowed to keep their taxi licences. Three of the five will appear before the council's committee, next Wednesday, because they have not passed a
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Family's desperate hunt for donor
A BABY fighting a serious liver problem could die within 14 days if he does not receive a transplant. Five-month-old Lennox Nicholson is fighting for life in St James University Hospital, Leeds. His parents have been told a transplant is his only chance
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Brothers deny 'unprovoked' attack on man in the street
A MAN was left with fractures to his leg and ankle and part of his ear missing after allegedly being attacked by two brothers. Clive Buxton was first assaulted by David McDonald as he walked home after a night out with his brother and a friend, a court
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Readers shed light on life of artist
READERS of The Northern Echo have help piece together a little about the life of a mystery artist, whose work went under the hammer yesterday. Last week, Newcastle-based auctioneers Anderson and Garland appealed for information about artist Ron Gribbons
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High praise for Surestart nurseries
SURESTARTt officials are celebrating after two playgroups and creches received glowing reports from Government inspectors. Leapfrogs, in Hindpool Close, on the Central Estate, and West View-based Ladybirds, both in Hartlepool, underwent separate inspections
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Warning to motorists to safeguard property
POLICE in Spennymoor have issued a reminder to motorists to safeguard their property from opportunist thieves. PC Gordon Reid said there had been a spate of thefts of CD players from cars parked in and around the town in recent weeks and urged owners
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New timetable for rail services
NORTH-EAST rail passengers could see some changes to their regular services when GNER introduces its new timetable from Sunday. The train operator's winter timetable will mean the 10pm train from King's Cross to Newcastle terminates at York on Monday,
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Students with taste for bread making
STUDENTS endured the heat of the kitchen as they learned about industrial catering at Darlington College of Technology. Thirteen youngsters, aged 14 and 15, from Staindrop Business and Enterprise College, spent the day making bread and Christmas puddings
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Alcoholic fined for Asbo breach
AN alcoholic pleaded guilty to breaching his anti-social behaviour order (Asbo) after he was picked up by police for standing among a group of rowdy friends. James Leadbitter, who is barred from being drunk, abusive or threatening, as well as being banned
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Open rebellion over plans to merge police forces in North
THE Government last night faced an open rebellion from police authorities over plans to merge police forces. The Association of Police Authorities (APA), which represents police authorities in England and Wales, warned that many will not meet a Home Office
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Thoughts tree to support good cause
PUB regulars are being invited to share their Christmas thoughts while raising money for charity. The Duke of Wellington pub, at Neville's Cross, in Durham City, is installing a Christmas Tree of Thought to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Relief. In
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Woman saved by quick-thinking dog
A North-East woman has been saved - by her quick-thinking dog. The woman, from Billingham, suffered a diabetic fit and officials say her life was probably saved by her pet which pressed a panic button to alert council wardens. The prize pooch has been
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Gate to protect nature reserve
ACTION is being taken to clamp down on anti-social behaviour at an internationally-important nature reserve. A gate is being installed on the approach road to the North Gare, on the outskirts of Hartlepool, to bar vehicles during the hours of darkness
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Plan revealed to develop site of former asbestos factory
A PUBLIC exhibition is to be held next week to reveal the latest multi-million pound proposal to develop a landmark site which has been derelict for more than a decade. The Commercial Estate Group and Hallam Land Management are considering a joint development
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Pledge to provide disabled with more fitness facilities
AN initiative has been launched to offer disabled people across Sedgefield borough greater access to fitness facilities and sports clubs. Sedgefield Borough Council's inclusive fitness initiative aims to create wider equality and improve the fitness of
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Former minister to visit college
FORMER Minister of Education Estelle Morris will visit a college today to check on the progress of students. Now Baroness Morris of Yardley, the former Cabinet minister is visiting East Durham and Houghall Community College, in Peterlee, in her capacity
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Woodland group opposes sculptures
A WOODLAND watchdog has overwhelmingly rejected plans to put animal sculptures in its 60-acre site. Members of Harrogate's Pinewood Conservation Group voted to reject the idea of wooden sculptures at the beauty spot. Their decision came after some group
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Church could become safe haven for revellers
A TOWN centre church could soon open all night at weekends to provide somewhere safe for pub and clubgoers to go. The idea is being explored by the church council at St Peter's, in Harrogate. The idea comes shortly after the Government's round-the-clock
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Plans to create 3,500 homes within 15 years
ABOUT 3,500 homes could be built in the Ryedale area in the next 15 years. The building programme is set out as one of the district council's key aims for the future. The authority said 45 hectares of land have been set aside for homes and businesses
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Man hit with golf clubs in attack
A MAN was left unconscious after being set upon by a gang of teenagers in the street. Police believe that the three attackers continued to hit the man with golf clubs even as he lay on the pavement bleeding from a serious head wound. In what is thought
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News in brief
Santa's grotto goes on tour: FATHER Christmas will be touring Skelton on Saturday. He will leave the Civic Hall at 9.30am, travelling along the High Street, onto Station Road, past the primary school and along Bylands Road before returning to the Civic
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Comment from The Northern Echo: The new boy does well
IT was not a bad first day for the new leader of the Conservative Party, David Cameron. Not a bad day at all. His calm, measured performance during Prime Minister's questions was an impressive debut. He lived up to his promised restraint - his lurch away
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MP to press minister on future of air base
THE future of one of the region's major RAF bases will come under the spotlight next week. The long-term future of RAF Leeming, in North Yorkshire, is under threat. It is currently home to Tornado F3 jets, which are soon to be phased out. Anne McIntosh
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Fish oil study results revealed
A NORTH-EAST study has shown that taking food supplements can dramatically improve the behaviour of young children. Details of the Peterlee trial, which involved giving babies and toddlers daily doses of high-quality fish and evening primrose oil, were
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Momentum building at MMP Group
CONSTRUCTION company the MMP Group is planning to increase the workforce at its Metek Building Systems division. Ten jobs are being created at Metek, in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, in the new year after it secured contracts worth more than £3m. Metek
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Talks save 20 jobs at Tinsley
MORE than 20 jobs have been saved at a redundancy-hit metal fabrication company. The Eliza Tinsley Group, which employs 210 people in Evenwood, near Bishop Auckland, County Durham, announced last month it was making 85 redundancies. But after a meeting
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Readers shed light on life of artist
READERS of The Northern Echo have help piece together a little about the life of a mystery artist, whose work went under the hammer yesterday. Last week, Newcastle-based auctioneers Anderson and Garland appealed for information about artist Ron Gribbons
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The legacy of the angry dreamer
Twenty five years ago today, Mark Chapman walked up to John Lennon in New York and destroyed the dreams of millions around the world. Nick Morrison looks at the impact of the life - and death - of a musical genius. EVEN before John Lennon's death had
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Talks save 20 jobs at Tinsley
MORE than 20 jobs have been saved at a redundancy-hit metal fabrication company. The Eliza Tinsley Group, which employs 210 people in Evenwood, near Bishop Auckland, County Durham, announced last month it was making 85 redundancies. But after a meeting
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08/12/2005
GEORGE BEST: I READ with interest Peter Mullen's 'tribute' to the late George Best (Echo, Nov 29) filled as it was with Christian love and forgiveness (I don't think). I recall his similar attack on George Harrison on his passing. His particular offence
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Man shot dead on airliner
A MAN who claimed to have a bomb on an American Airlines plane in Miami was shot dead by a US federal officer last night. Flight 924 had just arrived from Colombia and was heading to Orlando. Homeland Security Department spokesman Brian Doyle said the
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European campaign over for Ferguson
Manchester United crashed out of the Champions League and had the safety net of the UEFA Cup ripped away as well on a miserable night at the Stadium of Light. Sir Alex Ferguson may have found it easy to fend off talk about his long-term future at Old
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Reveley is Welcome
HUNTINGDON has been a happy hunting ground for Keith Reveley this season and once again the Lingdale handler shouldn't leave the track empty-handed. Reveley's raiding party kicks off with Welcome To Unos (12.30), unpenalised for his latest win and a leading
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Hunt for girl's body continues
THE hunt for the body of murdered shopworker Jenny Nicholl continued yesterday after searches of a wood drew a blank. An area of Badgerbeck Wood, on the outskirts of Richmond, North Yorkshire, was cordoned off on Tuesday night. The country lane past the
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Grieving husband 'cheated of justice' as driver is fined
A grieving husband has hit out after a driver involved in an accident in which his wife died received a £500 fine. Lynn Hunter died from severe head injuries three days after the accident. The 48-year-old had been driving to Windsor to visit her daughter
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Manor Born gobbled up by rival sausage maker
SAUSAGE maker Manor Born has been bought by a Sheffield food manufacturer. Manor Born, which is based in Thirsk, North Yorkshire, supplies most major supermarket chains and also has licensing agreements with Heinz and Colman's Mustard. Manor Born's owners
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54pc profits rise for water firm
NORTHUMBRIAN Water yesterday announced a 54 per cent rise in half-year profits and pledged to invest even more money on improvements to benefit customers if the trend continues. The company's £64.3m in pre-tax profits reflected a recent 9.9 per cent increase
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Becks still in front as pay peaks
A leading football analyst believes that earnings at the top end of the game's pay scale have peaked. Stan Lock, of stockbrokers Brewin Dolphin, is convinced clubs are watching the purse strings more than ever. ''Most of the Premiership teams have got
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Family's desperate hunt for donor
A BABY fighting a serious liver problem could die within 14 days if he does not receive a transplant. Five-month-old Lennox Nicholson is fighting for life in St James University Hospital, Leeds. His parents have been told a transplant is his only chance
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Restaurant plans look likely to be approved
COUNCILLORS are likely to approve proposals next week to convert a Darlington shop into a restaurant. Stewart Northall has applied to the borough council for permission to change the use of the second-hand goods shop, in Gladstone Street. But residents
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Villagers might get new hall
PLANS for a community hall are expected to be approved by councillors next week. Darlington Borough Council has received an application for the demolition of the old wooden village hall, in Bishopton. A new hall would be built in its place, incorporating
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Eye-catching college 'will rank among most visionary in country'
PLANNERS have revealed more details of an eye-catching £70m college. The new Middlesbrough College is part of the Middlehaven regeneration plan. The five-storey building will have the capacity to house up to 17,000 students and 1,000 staff. Covering 30,000
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Pensioners entertained by youngsters at school Christmas party
OLD and young enjoyed a Christmas party at a Darlington school yesterday. About 150 pensioners joined pupils from Longfield School to enjoy a dinner and entertainment. Last week, students brought in food to make up Christmas hampers. There was a competition
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Heart patients are urged to remain active during winter
HEART patients in Darlington are being urged to avoid becoming housebound during the winter weather. Many people living with coronary heart disease (CHD) fear cold weather can bring on an attack. But the town's health officials say that, with the right
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On song at library
THERE is a warm Christmas welcome in library. A number of choirs from schools and colleges across Hartlepool are entertaining at the town's Central Library, in York Road, with a variety of Christmas carols and songs. Students from the Manor College of
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Scott sympathises with Pool's frustrated fans
MARTIN Scott admits he can understand the frustration of Hartlepool United's fans. The Pool boss has come in for criticism from sections of the Victoria Park crowd this week as Pool lost successive home games to Tamworth and Colchester. With another home
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Motorist in accident was disqualified
A DISQUALIFIED driver who caused an accident when she pulled into the path of another car pleaded guilty to motoring charges when she appeared before South Durham magistrates yesterday. Leanne Erin Akers, 21, of Third Street, Crookhall, near Consett,
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Charity provides tonic for children spending Christmas in hospital
CHILDREN who will spend the Christmas period in hospital were given a tonic yesterday after they were presented with toys. Young patients at Bishop Auckland General Hospital enjoyed unwrapping the gifts, most of which are designed for children with disabilities
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Father wins chance to appeal
A NORTH-EAST father who was told by a county court judge he could only contact his daughter by sending her six letters a year has won permission to challenge the order. The father from Sunderland, who cannot be named for legal reasons, went to the Court
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Course to present warts and all view of Roman empire
THE rise and fall of the Roman empire will be examined, warts and all, in an evening class in the New Year. Following the acclaim of the BBC's stark drama series, Rome, Durham Sixth Form Centre is to run an eight-week course, Murder, Treason and Politics
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Police to step up patrols of city's pubs and clubs
POLICE are stepping up patrols around a city centre's pubs and clubs during the weekends leading up to Christmas, following the recent changes to the licensing laws. Officers say they have noticed a marked increase in disorder in Durham City in the past
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Fishermen owe lives to heroes of the sea
A FISHERMAN told last night how he and his skipper escaped death after their vessel sank in icy waters off the North-East coast. What caused the drama is still unknown, but one theory is that their boat was swamped by a gigantic wave. Last night, seafarer
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Sea cadets searching for snug harbour
A MAYOR is being asked for his help in keeping a sea cadet unit afloat. The 30 youngsters in the TS Marlborough Sea Cadets, at Middlesbrough, have received their marching orders from their base at Coulby Newham, which they share with 104 Pioneer Regiment
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Patience a virtue for Luque
Nobby Solano last night assured Newcastle United fans that £9.5m signing Albert Luque will become at massive success at St James' Park. But Solano also pleaded for patience from the supporters - and from the Spanish international who has struggled to
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Nearly 200 objections to mobile phone mast
ALMOST 200 people have objected to plans for a 52ft mobile phone mast at the entrance to a town. Objectors say the controversial plan has galvanised residents into action because it would ruin an attractive view of Masham, near Ripon. Mobile phone company
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Youngsters show stage talents
YOUNGSTERS at a prep school have been proving they have got what it takes when it comes to the stage. Young pupils at Aysgarth School, near Bedale, staged their own production of Bobbin and the Mystical Pathway, a comedy that tells how a small town defeated
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Pay rise for school classroom assistants likely to be agreed
A PAY deal that should see a wage increase for 1,500 classroom assistants is expected to be signed today. Durham County Council's cabinet is expected to ratify a deal agreed with unions to increase the wages of non-teaching staff in the authority's schools
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Officials reject takeaway's plan after strong opposition
COUNCILLORS have rejected a pizza shop's request to open late after hearing complaints of noise, litter and drunken behaviour. Soprano's Pizza Takeaway, in Leyburn, wanted to change a condition of its planning permission to stay open until 1.30am every
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'I was watching cartoons at the time of alleged assault'
A MAN accused of trying to abduct a schoolgirl has told a jury he was watching cartoons at the time of the alleged attack. Christopher Howe said he had collected his two children from school and was at home with them at the time a 14-year-old girl said
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Deadline extended as bin Laden's man pleads for hostages' freedom
One of Britain's highest-profile Islamic extremists issued a televised appeal yesterday for the release of hostage Norman Kember in Iraq. In an extraordinary development, Abu Qatada, who has been described by intelligence agencies as Osama bin Laden's
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Prizes offer to encourage recycling
PEOPLE are being given the chance to win prizes as an incentive to recycle rubbish. Every month, a visitor to five recycling centres in North Yorkshire will receive a £50 gift voucher that can be redeemed at several outlets. Residents can enter the draw
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Here's how things will go in Germany
THE eyes of the footballing world will turn to Leipzig tomorrow as the German city hosts the draw for next summer's World Cup finals. FIFA promise a "celebration of football" involving supermodel Heidi Klum, Colombian singer Juanes and magician Hans Klok
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George Reynolds loses appeal
A former football club chairman jailed for three years after admitting his part in cheating the taxman out of more than half a million pounds lost an appeal against his sentence today. Judges at the Court of Appeal in London refused to cut the jail term
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Film telling story of hero, and campaign to remember him, is premiered
THE story of a forgotten war hero whose courage was only recognised 60 years after his death was shown for the first time last night. About 100 people gathered at The St George Hotel, Durham Tees Valley Airport, to watch a preview of a film charting the
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Why it's not so grim up North
RESEARCHERS have finally proved that the South is not the best place in Britain to live. Nearly half of the areas of England and Wales where people have the highest standard of living are in the North, with Newcastle and Harrogate, North Yorkshire, named
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Open verdict on woman who plunged down cliff
A WOMAN who suffered from schizophrenia and depression plunged to her death from a North-East cliff, an inquest heard. June Hetherington, 51, of Thirlmere Drive, Skelton, east Cleveland, was discovered at the base of the 475ft Hunt Cliff, in Saltburn,
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Hague back in the front line
WILLIAM HAGUE ended his exile from frontline politics last night when he agreed to serve new Tory leader David Cameron as Shadow Foreign Secretary. The appointment - to one of the top three Shadow Cabinet posts - hands the Richmond MP the job of developing
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Hodgson left frustrated with AWOL Kandol
David Hodgson will hold showdown talks with Tresor Kandol this morning before deciding the fate of the AWOL striker. Kandol, who joined Darlington on-loan from Dagenham & Redbridge last month, finally returned to Darlington yesterday - six days after
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Pupils get into the festive spirit
A NORTH-EAST school rocked around the Christmas tree yesterday as pupils recorded a festive song. More than 300 students at St John's RC Comprehensive School, in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, helped record an original track called Wake Up It's Christmas
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University rooting for pair in X Factor
A UNIVERSITY says it is rooting for X Factor contestants Journey South. Professor Graham Henderson, vice-chancellor of the University of Teesside, said he wants to see Andrew and Carl Pemberton win. Their mother, Genda, has worked as a catering assistant
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Region's researchers may have cure for deadly diseases
A cure may be on the way for some of the world's most deadly diseases, it was disclosed today. Toxic shock syndrome, septicaemia and the flesh-eating disease necrotizing faciitis, which kill thousands of people, could be consigned to medical textbooks
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Car found in river
Police divers have been called in after a car was spotted in the Tees near Yarm. The vehicle is believed to have been driven down steps behind the town's Somerfield supermarket and into the river. A spokesman for Cleveland Police said it was not known
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Hague back in the front line
WILLIAM HAGUE ended his exile from frontline politics last night when he agreed to serve new Tory leader David Cameron as Shadow Foreign Secretary. The appointment - to one of the top three Shadow Cabinet posts - hands the Richmond MP the job of developing
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John North: The One who got away
The One O'Clock Show proved essential lunchtime viewing in the early 1960s, until time was finally called. UG and Og were positively Neanderthal, a bit like Bill and Ben the Flowerpot Men - on television at much the same time - in that no-one could remember
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Dozens of mayors gather at castle to help annual fundraising event
MAYORS have come together for a pre-Christmas gathering, staged for the first time in a new venue. First citizens and their consorts from towns, cities and boroughs from south of the Tees to north of the Tyne, took up the invite for a Victorian afternoon
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Local backing helps firm to expand
ONLINE accommodation provider Bedsearcher plans to increase its hotel bookings sales from £4m to £40m next year. The Internet booking company, which is based in Darlington, has recently moved to larger headquarters. It plans to recruit 20 staff after
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Cameron soothed: 'I'll help you to achieve your dreams'
DAVID Cameron made good on his pledge not to indulge in "Punch and Judy" politics yesterday - but still showed he is capable of delivering a powerful blow. In 30 electrifying minutes in the Commons, the new Conservative leader discomforted Tony Blair
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It's the food that makes you sick
Jamie Oliver's just got an award from BBC Radio 4 in recognition of his school dinner campaign. Quite right too. The trouble is, there's only one Jamie Oliver and too many causes needing his attention. For instance, didn't someone once suggest he should
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Duke carves his name in history in minster plans
THE Duke of York has lent his support to a £23m fundraising drive to restore part of York Minster. Prince Andrew has sponsored the first of more than 2,500 stones in need of replacement on the East Front of the building. The prince carved the first letter
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Pushing the goat out
THE words of children's author Anne Fine were ringing in my ears as I lugged my third black bin bag of old toys, games, books and videos off to the charity shop this week. She was, commendably, urging Northern Echo readers to spend money helping those
