Archive
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School Closure Debate: Governers' association and union back proposal
THE row over the future of a high-performing school rumbled on this week, as governors pledged to fight to seek independence from Darlington Borough Council. The authority is keen to bring Hurworth and Eastbourne schools together in a £25m, 1,200-pupil
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Industry impressions in artwork
PEOPLE have been expressing through art what it is like to live next door to industry. Alison Bullock, occupational therapist, based at Newlands community mental health resource centre, Redcar, said: "Artwork is a popular way for many people to express
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Cuppa appeal
DURING March, St Cuthbert's is hoping supporters will help boost the coffers with a series of coffee mornings. Supporters are asked to stage a coffee morning or afternoon, or even a wine and cheese evening to bring in much-needed funds. Anyone interested
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Presentation by youngsters
A GROUP of young people from north Durham gave a presentation to a panel of judges in London yesterday. Derwentside District Council is one of only 11 across the country to be shortlisted for Beacon status for its positive youth work. The focus is on
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Shopkeepers angry at order to remove pavement boards
SHOPKEEPERS furious at the prospect of losing trade are vowing to fight to keep their advertising boards on the street despite warnings from council bosses. Sue McNulty, who owns McNulty's newsagents, in Linthorpe Road, Middlesbrough, believes the smaller
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Working up an appetite
FITNESS fans are being encouraged to work up an appetite for love next month Customers of Thirsk Swimming Pool's Zest Health and Fitness gym are being given the chance to win a romantic meal for two. Each time they work out in the gym, they get a special
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Hospice appeal moves closer to goal with two donations
THE campaign to build an extension to a much-loved hospice has got off to a flying start in the new year with two donations helping inch the appeal closer to its goal. Last year, St Cuthbert's Hospice, in Durham City, launched an appeal to open a ten-bed
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Campaign to attract pupils back to the school canteens
A CAMPAIGN to stem the number of North Yorkshire schoolchildren who are turning their backs on school meals has been launched. Education bosses said many pupils have stopped taking school dinners despite being offered more healthy options. North Yorkshire
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Mick cleans up in service awards
A GUISBOROUGH man has been rewarded for his efforts in providing catering and cleaning services for 1,000 young soldiers. Mick Dance, 49, a contract manager at the Army Foundation College (AFC) in Harrogate, was named winner in the Can Do category of
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Police inquiry leads to surgeon's arrest
DISGRACED surgeon Richard Neale has been arrested after a lengthy police investigation. The former consultant gynaecologist, who was struck off for a catalogue of errors that left some patients in agonising pain and unable to have children, was arrested
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Lib Dem MP backs candidate Hughes
NORTH MP Phil Willis has thrown his weight behind leftwinger Simon Hughes to succeed Charles Kennedy as Liberal Democrat leader. The MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, described the party president, now the favourite to win the contest
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Roadlayer who overcharged and threatened is locked up
A ROGUE trader who threatened business owners when they refused to meet his inflated prices for laying new drives has been jailed for 15 months. Traveller Joseph Kennedy, who sometimes claimed he was working for the Highways Agency, would cold call on
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Transfers low on Cats' agenda
SUNDERLAND have warned fans not to expect a rush of transfer activity this month - with manager Mick McCarthy more concerned about getting four of his first-team regulars back. With the deal to bring Swiss midfielder Ricardo Cabanas from Grasshopper apparently
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Missing schoolgirls found safe and well
TWO 15-year-old girls who have been missing since Wednesday have been found safe and well. Dishani Cooray of Sulgrave Road, in Washington, was left at St Anthony's Comprehensive School in Sunderland by her mother in the morning _ but she failed to attend
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Driver struck pensioner after 'pick up litter' plea
A PENSIONER was assaulted after asking a motorist to pick up a sweet wrapper, discarded from his car window. Stephen Jackson, 35, pleaded guilty to a charge of assault, causing the 71-year-old victim actual bodily harm, at a short hearing at Durham Crown
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Comment from The Northern Echo: Come off the fence, Alan
AS Health Secretary, Alan Milburn placed great emphasis on the need for the National Health Service to invest time and money in measures to prevent diseases as well as treatments to cure them. Of particular interest to us - because of our Chance to Live
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Stand up and be counted, Boro's big names are told
A FIT-AGAIN Gareth Southgate has urged Middlesbrough's senior players to "lead by example" as the club looks to haul itself out of its current slump. Southgate, who returned to full training yesterday and is expected to start in tomorrow's must-win Premiership
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Staff must pay into final salary scheme
MEMBERS of brewer Scottish & Newcastle's final salary pension scheme will have to contribute money for the first time. The FTSE 100 group will keep the scheme open to its 3,200 members but, from April 6, they will have to pay in six per cent of their
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Arjuna strikes deal with US company
A company in the region has struck a deal to supply software to a US firm. JBoss has made the deal with Newcastle's Arjuna Technologies for an undisclosed sum. The tie-up will see the software, which enables financial transactions over the Internet, used
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Shoptalk: On the silk road
AT Gary McConnell's shop in Middlesbrough you can buy your Chinese New Year cards, calendars, good luck charms, dresses, tops, shoes, jackets... just about anything Chinese. The shop is called Dong Ming, which is the name of Gary's wife. She comes from
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Marina body identified
THE body of a man discovered in a marina has been identified by police. The heavily-tattooed man is 30-years-old and originally from the Lancashire area. But officers from Cleveland Police say he was staying with friends in Hartlepool before tragedy struck
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Staff refuse to teach boy after attack
A TEENAGE boy is being cold-shouldered by his teachers following an attack on two male cleaners in the school grounds. The 15-year-old, who was not involved in the assault, has refused to name the two youths responsible - and teachers are refusing to
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Pressure grows on region's MPs to back full smoke ban
A SURVEY of North MPs suggests that campaigners for a complete workplace smoking ban still have some work to do. The results of the survey, released by Fresh, which is campaigning for smoking bans, show that most MPs are either undecided or favour some
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How US school's newspaper caught out royal pretender
AN American sex offender posed as a fictional aristocrat from the North-East of England in an elaborate scam to con schoolchildren. Joshua Gardner convinced pupils in the US state of Minnesota that he was the Duke of Cleveland and 27th in line to the
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Shoptalk: On the silk road
Happy New Year! Yes, next week sees the Chinese New Year, when we say goodbye to the Year of the Rooster and hello to the Year of the Dog. AT Gary McConnell's shop in Middlesbrough you can buy your Chinese New Year cards, calendars, good luck charms,
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Police inquiry leads to surgeon's arrest
DISGRACED surgeon Richard Neale has been arrested after a lengthy police investigation. The former consultant gynaecologist, who was struck off for a catalogue of errors that left some patients in agonising pain and unable to have children, was arrested
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Veterans turn back the years
FIVE million British men served their country during the First World War - now only 14 remain. Two of those men met yesterday to swap 215 years of stories. At 109, Henry Allingham is Britain's oldest man. He visited the region yesterday to meet 106-year-old
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Why the police hold the key
Anyone questioning the wisdom of putting the fight against anti-social behaviour at the top of the public agenda should reflect on the horrific deaths of a couple in Manchester earlier this week. Alex and Maureen Cochrane died in their beds after their
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Students form links to help build schools
STUDENTS in Darlington are mounting a fundraising campaign to help build an overseas school. Carmel College this week welcomed two students from a Northern Ireland school to learn about their similar campaigns. Caitlian Mullan and Ciara Hone and their
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Burglars also take cars worth
CARS worth a total of more than £100,000 have been stolen during a recent spate of burglaries across Stockton. Victims of the crimes, who had their homes broken into and personal property taken, then discovered the family car had also been stolen. In
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Pavarotti the scarecrow provides high note for hospital unit
SCARECROWS have been shown to have a heart - in one North Yorkshire village at least. More than £1,000 was raised by the annual scarecrow trail in the village of Well, near Bedale last summer. And now the proceeds have been used to buy new equipment for
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Call for speed reduction
A BUSINESS owner yesterday called for action to be taken to prevent motorists speeding in a Darlington street. Stan Howes, who runs the Cybertronic alarms firm in Station Road, spoke out after the shop was damaged when a car careered into it. The accident
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Milburn urged to support ban on smoking in the workplace
FORMER Health Secretary Alan Milburn is coming under increasing pressure to back a complete workplace smoking ban. Despite setting up a national network of smoking cessation officers, which has helped thousands of smokers quit the habit, the Darlington
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Pleas to make a sweeping decision
PUBLIC toilets closed by Ryedale District Council to save money should be re-opened and cash spent on buying a street sweeper. The plea came from councillors during a four-hour meeting when members discussed next year's budget, in which the authority
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Stately home is likely to be sold
IT was once one of the region's grandest mansions, birthplace of a Prime Minister, a prisoner of war camp and is currently a school for troubled youngsters. Now Windlestone Hall looks set to enter another phase in its history as councillors are preparing
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Double Vodka possesses enough spirit for victory
DOUBLE VODKA (3.00) has the right credentials to bag Musselburgh's Laura Todd Novices' Hurdle provided he stays on his feet. Although Chris Grant's five-year-old was a pretty useful ten furlong performer on the Flat, it has taken time for the penny to
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On TV last night
Hotel Babylon (BBC1) Tony Blair Rock Star (C4) Eleventh Hour (ITV1) HOTEL Babylon is Crossroads with a bigger budget and scenery that doesn't wobble. Check in at this plush London hotel and you get the chance to live out "your wildest, darkest, craziest
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Concern for missing schoolgirls
POLICE are concerned for the welfare of two 15-year-old schoolgirls who have been missing since Wednesday and are believed to be together. Dishani Cooray of Sulgrave Road, in Washington, she was left at St Anthony's Comprehensive School in Sunderland
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Police seeking to identify the body of man in marina
POLICE are trying to identify the body of a man found drowned in a marina. Passers-by alerted emergency services at about 11.30pm on Wednesday after spotting the man face down in Hartlepool Marina. Police and fire crews, along with paramedics and the
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Day-long search for father-of-two missing at sea
THE family of a fisherman were yesterday informed that an all-day search had found no trace of the father-of-two. Cleveland Police last night named the the missing man as Edward Frank Bissell. Twenty-five hours after his his boat, the 28ft coble Bonny-Lass
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Fourth armed raid on traders
A TAKEAWAY has become the fourth shop in a North-East town to be robbed by men with knives in less than a week. Detectives are investigating the methods used and the attackers' descriptions to see if the raids, in Darlington, are linked. An undisclosed
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Catholic leader's tribute to 'brilliant priest'
THE head of the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales has paid tribute after the death of a popular and well-loved priest. Monsignor Kevin Nichols, 76, died peacefully on Sunday at the Little Sisters of the Poor home, in Newcastle, where he lived
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Tait insists there will be no room for complacency
NEWCASTLE Falcons centre Mathew Tait has insisted there will be no room for complacency when his side take on Brive in the European Challenge Cup tomorrow. With last weekend's 47-20 win over Border Reivers having booked the Falcons' place in the quarter-finals
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Voters send clear message in referendum to save pub
VOTERS last night overwhelmingly backed calls for a landmark pub to be saved from demolition in the first parish referendum to be held in Darlington. Campaigners who have long battled to stop the White Horse Hotel, in North Road, being pulled down and
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Charity appeals for help from runners
A CHARITY is appealing for help from runners planning to take part in this year's Great North Run. The County Durham Society for the Blind and Partially Sighted is hoping for a fundraising boost from participants in the half marathon. The registered charity
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Anti-flu pill is 'ready for use'
LIMITED supplies of Tamiflu - the anti-flu pill which might contain the spread of a pandemic outbreak - are ready for use in the North-East. It is the first time health officials have confirmed that the anti-flu pills are available in the region. However
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Water safety playtime that could save a young life
A COUNCIL initiative has reached a significant landmark in its schools' water safety education programme. More than 100,000 children have now attended roadshows run by the Sunderland City Council team to promote water safety in schools throughout the
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Improvements plans to go on exhibition
A SERIES of exhibitions will outline planned improvements for Norton. Stockton Borough Council is inviting residents to have their say on them and suggest possible alternatives. The exhibitions will look at medium term improvements to traffic movement
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Children take to the stage
YOUNGSTERS will be recreating the magic of the West End when they take to the stage next month. Children from the Red Hall estate, in Darlington, have been rehearsing for their performance of Steppin' Out, which comes to the Arts Centre on Thursday, February
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Workers urged to help save energy
COUNCIL staff are being urged to join a national initiative designed to save energy. The Save Your 20 Per Cent Campaign was launched last year and aims to get people across the country to make a cut in the energy they use at home and work, to help the
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Post office hits the road
MOBILE post offices go on the road next week to keep services open in five County Durham communities. Counters are being set up a few hours a week to replace existing offices in Escomb, Witton Park and Toronto and restore services to Fir Tree and Cornsay
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School's bid for free parking
A LOCAL council is being asked to allow free parking in one of its car parks for a school park and walk scheme. St Mary's RC Primary School, in Barnard Castle, is hoping Teesdale District Council will permit free usage of its Galgate car park for parents
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Lap dancer caught out in strip search at airport
A DRUG-SMUGGLING male lap dancer called the Penetrator has been jailed after he was caught out in an airport strip search. Colin Reah's raunchy routine made him one of Britain's leading exotic dancers. Reah, 41, earned a living lap-dancing for women at
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Visitor centre forced to close
A VISITOR centre which opened 18 months ago has been forced to close through lack of funds. The £500,000 Meet the Middletons centre in Middleton-in-Teesdale is to close temporarily after it failed to attract enough visitors. The centre, which opened in
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£800 cockatoo targeted by thieves in pet shop break in
A BIRD worth more than £800 has been stolen from a pet shop. Other animals were released from their cages after the break-in at the shop. Thieves left a trail of destruction as they stole the pink goffin cockatoo, along with its cage, in the early hours
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Free concerts
A SERIES of free lunchtime recitals will be staged at Stockton Parish Church, beginning on February 14 and running until April 18, featuring singers and young musicians. The recitals vary from piano, trumpet and woodwind to strings. The hour-long recitals
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Gardens staff lay bait to kill rats
COUNCIL staff have moved swiftly to get rid of rats seen around a landmark town centre gardens in Harrogate. Rats were spotted at the Montpellier Gardens, which helped the town win the European in Bloom award two years ago. The rodents were first spotted
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Homes to be built on old nursery site
PLANS for 133 homes on a former nursery site in Knaresborough have been approved. Barratt Homes Limited was granted planning permission by Harrogate Borough Council's planning committee to build the homes in Halfpenny Lane. Planning officer Neville Watson
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Doctor facing fake note allegations
A DOCTOR will face a disciplinary hearing for allegedly offering to write fake sick notes. GP Anand Anand had told the General Medical Council that he was a victim of entrapment. One of his co-accused was yesterday cleared of allegations made by The Sunday
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How to keep your house warm while saving on energy bills
AN awareness campaign to protect wallets, homes and the environment has been launched. The Energy Saving Trust, Billingham, has carried out research into heating bills and cavity wall insulation. In response to the findings, the company has launched the
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School tops table for second time
A DURHAM school was celebrating its academic success yesterday after it again topped the secondary school league table in the county. The Indpendent Durham High School for Girls achieved a 100 per cent pass rate for five A* star to C grade GCSE passes
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Lotto rape case: Vow issued
A POLICE force has moved to reassure residents on an exclusive estate after a sex offender was found to be living in their area. Iorworth Hoare fled his £700,000 home at Darras Hall estate in Ponteland, near Newcastle, after his address was made public
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Man committed crime 'for night in warm cell'
A MAN who was homeless after prison release, told police he was going to smash a Chinese takeaway window so he would have a warm cell to sleep in, a court heard. Michael Strong, who had been jailed by Harrogate magistrates in August for offences which
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Banned driver caught on way to buy petrol
INSURANCE saleswoman Samantha Romanus defied a driving ban to put petrol her car. But she was caught out by driving slowly in an attempt to conserve what fuel she had left as she neared a filling station. A court heard yesterday that because her slow
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'13 sex offenders still in schools'
POLICE are investigating 13 sex offenders who may still be working in schools, Education Secretary Ruth Kelly admitted yesterday as she fought to save her career. They are among 88 sex offenders not added to the Government's blacklist since Labour came
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Deam comes true for hard-working teenager
A TEENAGE boy's dream came true when he met Sunderland boss Bob Murray. Phillip Marshall's tireless work for his community earned the admiration of the Sunderland chairman, who had asked to meet him. The meeting took place during Sunday's clash with Chelsea
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MP joins delegates to save hill climb
AN appeal is being made to the Government to save popular motorcycle time trials threatened by traffic laws. Ashok Kumar, Labour MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, yesterday joined a delegation to Westminster, hoping to save the Saltburn Hill
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Ambitious Shepherd looks upwards
GRAEME SOUNESS was last night told by chairman Freddy Shepherd to forget about using Newcastle United's extensive injury list as an excuse, and ensure a European spot in May is delivered. It has long been anticipated that failure to earn at least a UEFA
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Councillor highlights problem of unlicensed food-van traders
A CAMPAIGN to clamp down on unlicensed fast-food vans has uncovered more examples of the practice. The issue has been raised with North Yorkshire County Council by Harrogate-based councillor Cliff Trotter, He acted after the owner of a village post office
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Burdened Murray bends Henman's ear
Andy Murray has sounded out Tim Henman for advice on how to cope with the strains of being Britain's big hope for Wimbledon. Even though the 18-year-old Scot had experienced only positive press since his emergence during the last grass-court season, this
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Fail and pay the price, McCarthy tells stars
MICK McCARTHY has already begun preparations for next season's promotion campaign by warning his star players they are going nowhere, despite facing wage cuts of up to 50 per cent. While the Sunderland boss is refusing to throw in the towel on the fight
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Sound work if you can get it
After a lifetime of hearing problems, Ian Brink was gradually withdrawing from the world - until Jumble came along. Nick Morrison looks at how it's not just blind people who are benefiting from four-legged assistance. ONE of the worst things for Ian Brink
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20/01/06
FREE BUSES: I TOTALLY agree with the letter (HAS, Jan 14) re the free bus pass. It does look good on paper - at last the pensioners are being recognised - but the restrictions this free bus pass place on the pensioners are very many. We are dictated to
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Austin Reed sales rise after bosses keep their nerve
CLOTHING chain Austin Reed said Christmas had brought better sales and profits for its main brands. Austin Reed, which has its administrative and distribution centre in Thirsk, North Yorkshire, said the growth in like-for-like sales at its main chain
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Strike threat lifted at car parts factory
THE threat of a strike at a car components factory has been lifted after workers voted against it by three to one. Workers at Unipres, in Washington, Wearside, were balloted on strike action, which trade union Amicus said could have disrupted production
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Calling the tune for older listeners
SAGA is one of 13 bidders hoping to win a commercial radio licence in the region and create 30 jobs. Others in the race include All Talk FM (North-East), in Barnard Castle, County Durham, and 3 Rivers Radio and North East One, which are both in Newcastle
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Chelford on track with rise in orders
ONE of the region's IT companies has increased orders by 76 per cent during the past year. Chelford, which last year bought Darlington's Agility Systems, said it expected its full-year trading to be ahead of expectations and significantly ahead of 2004
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Impressive Princelet strikes at Taunton
Princelet looked a horse to follow when initiating a double for Nicky Henderson in the first division of the southwestracing.com novices hurdle at Taunton. Owned by JP McManus, the 13-8 favourite earned a 33-1 quote from William Hill for the JCB Triumph
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The killer flu: it's just a matter of time
Experts believe that the expected flu pandemic could kill up to 3,000 people in the North-East and North Yorkshire. Health Editor Barry Nelson starts a three-part series by examining whether the region's public sector is ready to cope, with a particular
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One brother released in Jenny Nicholl murder inquiry
POLICE have released one of the brothers arrested on suspicion of the murder of Jenny Nicholl. The man was released without charge late on Thursday night. A second man was still being questioned this morning. David and Robert Hodgson were arrested on
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Stand up and be counted, Boro's big names are told
A FIT-AGAIN Gareth Southgate has urged Middlesbrough's senior players to "lead by example" as the club looks to haul itself out of its current slump. Southgate, who returned to full training yesterday and is expected to start in tomorrow's must-win Premiership
