Archive
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Three North-East victims of helicopter crash
HOPE of finding a North-East man alive following a helicopter crash which claimed at least six lives faded after the search for him was called off tonight. The craft, carrying five passengers and two crew, three from the region, ditched in the sea 20
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Rotary clubs aid disaster victims
ROTARY clubs from across the region have helped bring aid to thousands of disaster victims in the past year. Money raised by clubs at Billingham, Bishopwearmouth, Durham Bede, Easington and Peterlee, Guisborough and Great Ayton, Hartlepool, Houghton-le-Spring
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Mine plans to create 60 jobs
PLANS to extract coking coal and fireclay from a new surface mine, with the creation of 60 jobs, were unveiled today. UK Coal, the country's biggest coal producer, said it was seeking permission to extract 1.27 million tonnes of coal and up to 500,000
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'Music is my first love'
World famous Martial Arts actor Steven Seagal explains to Viv Hardwick how he comes to be on a world tour as a blues musician and signer which takes in Newcastle next month. But more movies, and millions of dollars, are about to be spend on the career
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A Pauline end
WALFORD welcomes in the New Year with a funeral. These EastEnders (BBC1) take advantage of any excuse for a good old knees-up and the passing of Pauline Foultemper Fowler is a cause of joy to many. It hardly seems five minutes since she popped her clogs
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Swapping bodies with Elton John
Steve Pratt talks to up and coming actress Samaire Armstong about success, acting... and shopping. SAMAIRE Armstrong is talking about what she likes to do, but the American actress from The O.C. and Entourage can't quite bring herself to say it. "I like
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A gift that's truly worth its salt
I GOT some very nice presents this Christmas. I was particularly pleased with my posh new razor, my stripy shirt, my mulled wineflavoured toffees, and my Take That CD. Max, aged nine, was the only one who didn't get me anything but at least he
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Theatre goes back to roots
A THEATRE will go back to its roots with readings from little-known 18th Century plays. Restoring the Repertoire is a series of three readings of the sort of performances that would have been staged when Richmond's Georgian Theatre Royal opened in 1788
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999 teams tackle barn blaze after straw catches fire
TWO hundred bales of straw were destroyed in a barn fire yesterday. The blaze at Stainton Manor, Downholme, near Richmond, was seen from a nearby road by a motorist, who raised the alarm. Fire crews from Richmond and Leyburn spent most of the day at the
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'We want your dud presents'
A CHARITY shop is seeking donations of unwanted Christmas gifts to help raise money for a good cause. The Age Concern shop, in Middle Street, Consett, is looking for new stock and is appealing to anyone who is having a clear-out or anyone with gifts they
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Housing for elderly has first residents
A NEW housing complex is taking in residents. Bill and Rita Snee became the first to move into Callendar Court, a complex for older people at Brecon Lough, in Gateshead. It is the last of five housing schemes built since 2001 by Gateshead Council and
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Pupils elect members to youth forum
ELECTION fever hit Derwentside as hundreds of pupils from 41 schools campaigned for their right to fight for a better life for all young people. A record number of candidates stood in this year's elections for Derwentside's Young People's Forum. It is
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Girl, nine, wins logo challenge
A SCHOOL pupil has won a competition to design a logo to combat bullying. Madyson Alderson, nine, of St Mark's Elmtree CE Primary School, in Stockton, won the competition to design a logo for Stockton Borough Council's anti-bullying service. The competition
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Talented boxer who gets a kick out of sporting success
One of the world's top Thai boxers, whose life has been transformed by the sport, is looking for further success in the new year and is hoping to give something back to his community. David Roberts meets Darlington champion Michael Dicks. It was one PE
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Hear All Sides
OVERSTEADS HOUSE: RESIDENTS of Oversteads House, Ushaw Moor, Durham City, would like to thank John Routledge for his letter (HAS, Page 4, Dec 19) which asked why Durham City Council won't let the empty flats in Oversteads House. The council has told us
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December 28th, 2006
MUSLIMS: IN response to Kev McStravick and John Martin (HAS, both Dec 21) I must reiterate that I have not sought to minimise the terrorist threat. I have said that only a tiny minority of Muslims are involved in terrorism. It is an important point.
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Green resolutions urged
A CAMPAIGN has been launched to urge people to make composting their new year resolution. North Yorkshire County Council has joined Recycle Now and the Waste and Resources Action Programme (Wrap) to boost the recycling of kitchen and garden rubbish in
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Stepping out into new year
THERE is an invitation to start new year with a walk to blow away the cobwebs. Hartlepool Borough Council's countryside wardens and the Fens Residents' Association have joined forces to organise the circular stroll on Tuesday. The route will take walkers
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Holly and Santa seeking new homes
TWO former racing greyhounds called Holly and Santa are seeking a new home. The dogs, aged four and five respectively, have retired from the sport but are now in need of long-term homes. Holly, a bitch, is the smaller of the two and is said to be very
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Santa's laptop presents
PUPILS had an IT Christmas thanks to a company's gift. Youngsters at Beamish Primary School received ten lap- top computers from Procter and Gamble (P& G). The company's Newcastle technical centre (NTC), at Longbenton, delivered them just in time for
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University open for advice
EXPERTS from the Open University (OU) are to launch a series of advice sessions in the new year for anyone interested in a new challenge. The organisation will be holding one-to-one advice sessions in the Clayport Library, Durham City, starting on Wednesday
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'Hard work will pay off'
A RETIRED Navy officer gave a girls school a morale-boosting speech about working hard. Pupils at Teesside High School, in Eaglescliffe, were entertained with tales by Surgeon-Commander Nigel Scott-Moncrieff, who was a guest at their speech day. He described
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Prices cut to turn waste into compost
COMPOST bins are being made available at a cut price to encourage people to start the new year with recycling. Across Teesside, councils have joined forces with Recycle Now and Wrap (the Waste and Resources Action Programme) to get more people to recycle
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Bank launches mobile branch service in county
PLANS to launch a mobile banking service in North Yorkshire and the Redcar area have been announced. The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) aims to reach about 20 rural communities when the service hits the road in February. The mobile bank will be based in
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RBS to launch mobile bank for 20 rural communities
PLANS to launch a mobile banking service in North Yorkshire and the Redcar area have been announced. The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) aims to reach about 20 rural communities when the service goes on the road in February. The mobile bank, based in York
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Santa helps playgroup with wishes
FATHER Christmas has helped raise £400 for a playgroup. Money from the Santa's grotto run at Swinton Park before Christmas will go to Masham Playgroup. Felicity Cunliffe-Lister, from the Masham country estate, said: "It was a beautiful day and it all
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Renowned DJ to appear in region
ONE of the region's most renowned DJs will appear at a new venue next month. Paul Taylor, who is the resident at the Retro night in Yarm, near Stockton, will be on the decks in Bishop Auckland, County Durham. Retro is one of the longest-running nights
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Sports plans may receive boost
PLANS to attract funds for improved sports facilities in Osmotherley may receive a boost. At present, Osmotherley Parish Council and local community groups alone try to acquire funding. Under a North York Moors National Park proposal, that would change
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Bishop's plea over asylum seekers
A SENIOR clergyman will appeal for hospitality towards asylum seekers in his new year message. Earlier this month, the Bishop of Ripon and Leeds, the Right Reverend John Packer, used his maiden speech at the House of Lords to press for more humane treatment
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Walk arranged for rail passengers
A NEW Year's Day guided walk has been organised for passengers having a day out on Wensleydale Railway. The six-mile walk will leave Leyburn station at 11.50am for Redmire, to catch the 3.35pm return train. Trains will leave Leeming Bar at 10.35am, Bedale
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Council seeking power to levy fines in park-and-ride
COMMUTERS may face fines if they park their cars in a popular park-and-ride scheme without using the bus service which links the sites with the city centre. A number of changes are being considered for Durham City's park-and-ride scheme, including a proposed
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Panto joy for foster children
THEATRE bosses helped put some extra sparkle into the lives of foster children with a spectacular night out at the panto. Harrogate Theatre joined forces with Fostering North Yorkshire and invited more than 100 foster carers and foster children to their
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If you were wondering about that big hole in the ground...
FOR those who wondered about a big hole being excavated near Durham City's riverbanks, all has now become clear - thanks to a giant information board - the first of a series of such boards. The excavation represents the start of work on the city's swimming
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'Robocam' is tackling violence head-on
ROBOCAMS are to be used for recording the devastating effect of domestic violence. As police forces across the region tackle the scourge, two head cameras will be taken to homes to record the aftermath of an attack. Hartlepool officers will be using the
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Tories pressing ahead with plans for 300mph train link
CONTROVERSIAL plans for 300mph levitating trains to run between the North-East and London are being drawn up by the Conservatives. The Tories today announced a series of options for more high-speed rail routes in the UK - even though experts have branded
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Defendant denies nine charges
A 25-YEAR OLD man appeared in court yesterday charged with nine counts of committing or attempting to commit commercial burglary. David Errington pleaded not guilty to all of the offences, eight of which are said to have taken place on the same day. Mr
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Lee can ensure Jewel shines for his fan club
GRAHAM LEE'S booking for Bellaney Jewel (1.20) at Catterick could be a significant pointer to the prospects of the John Quinn-trained mare. The former Grand National-winning jockey, who is based at Ingleby Barwick, has a huge following of punters on his
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Symonds and Hayden scupper England's best mis-laid plans
THE TIMING was reminiscent of one of Michael Hussey's exquisite cover drives or Ricky Ponting's trademark pull shots. And the end result stung every bit as much. While Andrew Symonds and Matthew Hayden were carting England's beleaguered attack to all
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The folly of execution
SADDAM Hussein's fate is sealed. He will be hanged any day and images of his lifeless face will be flashed around the world to prove he is gone. The execution will be celebrated by Saddam's enemies, not least the families of those who were tortured and
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999 calls give ambulance crews record Christmas
AMBULANCE crews in the North-East dealt with a record number of calls over Christmas. The North-East Ambulance Service Trust's control room received more than 4,800 calls between Friday, December 22 and midnight on Boxing Day, up from 4,638 last year.
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Schoolchildren dig deep for regeneration project
SCHOOLCHILDREN have branched out to help return a working site in Teesdale to its natural beauty. After years of being used as a site to spread sludge from water treatment at Lartington works, near Barnard Castle, Northumbrian Water is restoring the nearby
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Track owner tries again to gain approval
A BIKE track owner is appealing for common sense to prevail after spending £19,000 on failed planning applications. Steve Harrison is preparing to submit yet another document to make his unique motorcross track, in Urlay Nook Road, Eaglescliffe, legal
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Diamond romance began on silver screen
A COUPLE whose romance came straight from the movies will celebrate their diamond wedding anniversary today. Maurice and Marjorie McAdam, both 81, from Bishop Auckland, met at the Cinema Rex in Shildon when they were 16. Maurice worked as a film projectionist
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Police warn residents not to get complacent about crime
POLICE in Teesdale have warned that neither they nor the public can become complacent, despite widespread drops in crime rates. For the period between April 1 and November 30, there was an overall reduction in crime of 18.8 per cent compared to the same
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Giving in the spirit of season
GIVING was in the minds of the Friends of Barnard Castle Preparatory School following a successful Christmas fair. It was the first time the friends had held a Christmas fair and shoppers were greeted with a glass of mulled wine and Christmas gifts and
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Fighting spirit vital to avoid whitewash
Richard Dawson, the former England and Yorkshire off-spinner writes exclusively for The Northern Echo. The lads are up against it again. Australia are desperate to beat us 5-0 but we've still got every chance of stopping that. No-one wants to be on the
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Youth team ready to make step up
Darlington's entire youth team are on standby to make their professional debuts for the virus-stricken club in Saturday's match with Shrewsbury Town after a club coach warned the situation could get worse before it gets better. A combination of injury
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Shrinking class finds growing success
SIZE, or lack of it, is everything to a successful North-East slimming class. Consultant Dawn Ferguson has seen her Slimming World group rapidly decrease in size during the past year, despite class numbers expanding by the week. Such has been the weight
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Charity offers gifts with a difference
A CHARITY is appealing for supporters to buy a belated Christmas present for local communities. The County Durham Foundation has come up with its own gift shop, allowing individuals and companies to buy gifts ranging from a £10 football kit for a village
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Acquisition helped van rental company move into top gear
2006 in review by Deborah Johnson JANUARY THE legal dispute between Multiplex and Cleveland Bridge over the Wembley Stadium project took another twist after a secret email from Multiplex came to light. The company proposed, allegedly, to "f***" its rival
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Pools hoping to end year in style
AFTER a miserable opening to 2006, Hartlepool United are seeing out the year in style. January started with three draws, two defeats and the manager being replaced. December is ending with a club record seven successive wins, the latest of which came
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Industry focused on targets
Mitchell Smith, regional director of North-East building company Rok, belives the construction industry will continue to grow next year. "I Believe the construction industry will continue to be buoyant over the next 12 months. Social housing will remain
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Pedestrian project works fail to deter sales shoppers
ROADWORKS on the controversial Pedestrian Heart scheme in Darlington town centre failed to stop shoppers from flocking to the Christmas sales. The two main shopping centres - the Cornmill Centre and Queen Street - reported a sharp rise in footfall, even
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Recycling fashion
PUPILS got a lesson in recycling when they made school uniforms out of waste. Hurworth School Maths and Computing College, near Darlington, held a rubbish fashion competition, with a pantomime dames theme, to celebrate their last day of term. Teacher
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Warning over car valuables
CAR owners in Darlington are being urged to keep valuables away from view when they return to work. Police fear thefts from vehicle could surge in the town after the Christmas period. Offences of that nature are prevalent in the town. About 70 per cent
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Club's good work
THE chairman of the Rotary Club of Darlington has presented the club's trophy for Darlington College's Most Enterprising Student of the Year award. Winner Clint Cullen was picked ahead of six other students from the college. Mr Cullen, of Fishburn, near
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Residents' plea over parking
RESIDENTS in a busy town centre street have urged Darlington Borough Council to drop plans for no-parking zones outside their houses. People living in Grange Road are complaining that no-waiting restrictions planned for the alleyway behind their homes
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Family's Christmas ruined by brick-throwing 'cowards'
A MAN whose Christmas was ruined when a brick was thrown through his conservatory was "fuming" when police did not come to investigate. David Hutchinson, of Spring Court, Darlington, heard a bang from his back garden at about 10pm on Christmas Day. He
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Defendant denies nine charges
A 25-YEAR OLD man appeared in court yesterday charged with nine counts of committing or attempting to commit commercial burglary. David Errington pleaded not guilty to all of the offences, eight of which are said to have taken place on the same day. Mr
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Fresh application for bike track
A BIKE track owner is appealing after spending £19,000 on failed planning applications. Steve Harrison is preparing to submit another document to make his motorcross track, at Urlay Nook Road, Eaglescliffe, legal. He says the site has been used for more
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Opera group to take on Wild West
THE Wild West comes to Richmond as the town's operatic society began rehearsals for Calamity Jane. The group will start to prepare for its next show at the operatic hall, in Bargate, at 7.30pm on Tuesday, January 9. The show will be staged in the town's
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County bus fares decision has not stopped learners - report
A CONTROVERSIAL decision to charge students over 16 for bus journeys to school and college has not led to a drop in the numbers opting for further education, as feared, according to council officials. Officers at North Yorkshire County Council concluded
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Friendship link to be forged thanks to pioneering nurse
THE little-known story of a nurse from the region who helped develop the health service of a South American country has been revealed. An approach to leaders of Thirsk Town Council, North Yorkshire, from a town in Uruguay could be the start of an unlikely
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Major tree planting project
A MAJOR tree replanting programme has begun in the county. Yorkshire Water has started planting 130,000 trees to replace woodland it owns that have been damaged by winter storms. Over the past two years, damaged trees have been felled. Some of the timber
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Plans to extend council's access video link scheme
A scheme that gives people improved access to council services may be expanded across County Durham. A £200,000 video conferencing pilot scheme has been such a success that organisers are keen to extend it across the county. The Video Conferencing Access
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Extra cash to help people stay in their homes
A SERVICE which helps elderly and vulnerable people to stay in their own homes is to be extended. The Supporting People Grant, funded by the Government and operated by Durham County Council, provides alarm schemes and warden services to help 13,000 people
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Search for a precious stone
The Ruby In The Smoke (BBC1): MRS Holland is a villainess who's missing something - her teeth. So she makes do with her husband's. Fortunately he's dead because the very thought of sharing a set of false molars would make mealtimes an absolute misery
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Reliving a tragedy to help others
THE family of a North-East woman killed in an overseas terrorist attack have relived the horror to help future victims.In July last year, a bomb explosion in Turkey claimed the life of 21-year-old Helyn Bennett, from Spennymoor, County Durham, while
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Heroic grandma prevents death leap from bridge
A GRANDMOTHER risked her life to save a man from jumping 40ft from a bridge.Celia Knowles sprang into action when she saw the middle-aged man climbing over the side of a bridge, about to jump into the freezing river below.The 50-year-old ran towards the
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Rebecca appointed to rail safety role
A RAIL operator has appointed a new officer to get the message across to youngsters to stay away from danger and keep off the tracks.Nexus, which operates the Tyne and Wear Metro, has appointed Rebecca Ditchburn as its schools and community liaison officer.The
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Online council services are launched
TWO services allowing Wear Valley residents to apply for planning permission and licenses online have been launched.The planning application service is part of a national portal to guide people through the process.It can also save money, with an average
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England crash to humiliating defeat
Fourth Test Match Melbourne England 159 (A J Strauss 50, S K Warne 5-39) & 161 (B Lee 4-47) v Australia 419 (A Symonds 156, M L Hayden 153, S I Mahmood 4-100) Australia beat England by an innings and 99 runs ENGLAND'S Ashes misery continued as they crashed
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Shoppers ditch web to shop, shop, shop
SHOPPING centres across the region have reported near-record takings over the Christmas period - quashing speculation of shoppers switching from the high street to the internet. However, the lavish spending has come with a warning attached as consumers
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Jailed for drunken drive of terror
TWO men were forced to hand over the keys to their car by a drunk who drove them around a busy town centre. A court heard the pair were sitting on a wall near their car when they were approached by 27-year-old Andrew Lee and two other men. Lee forced
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Acquisition helped van rental company move into top gear
JANUARY THE legal dispute between Multiplex and Cleveland Bridge over the Wembley Stadium project took another twist after a secret email from Multiplex came to light. The company proposed, allegedly, to "f***" its rival. It marked the latest stage in
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Leadbitter grateful for a helping hand
GRANT Leadbitter has cited the influence of Sunderland's experienced players have had on his impressive run of form. The midfielder, who turns 21 next month, netted the second goal in the 2-0 win over Leeds United on Boxing Day. Leadbitter has now scored
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Rossi bids a fond farewell
Giuseppe Rossi returns to Manchester United next week with mixed feelings about his five-month loan spell at Newcastle United. Rossi will be in manager Glenn Roeder's 16-man squad for the last time when Newcastle travel to Everton this weekend. He will
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Woodgate's a father figure to rising stars
ANDREW TAYLOR has revealed how Jonathan Woodgate is helping nurture Middlesbrough's young players into international stars of the future. Plenty has been made of Woodgate's exceptional performances on the pitch since his August move from Real Madrid but
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Quiz of the year
CELEBRITY GOSSIP 1) Which Hollywood actress split from her rock star husband this year? 2) Which singer and actress released the children's book The Showgirl Princess this September? 3) Which socialite made headlines this year due to her super skinny
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Cleared surgeon to go back to work
A CONSULTANT surgeon who was charged with the manslaughter of a patient is expected to return to work in the new year.The charges against John Gordon Stephen were dropped a month after he was accused of killing Alan Dunn, who had stabbed himself in the
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Stadium a no-go zone for Quakers
A NORTH-EAST football club has been declared a no-go zone in order to stem a virulent bug that has devastated its playing squad.Players and staff at Darlington FC were yesterday told to steer clear of its stadium for 48 hours after the outbreak which
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Stealing plans is simply not cricket
THE fact that England actually have bowling plans may come as a surprise to many who have witnessed the Ashes debacle Down Under, but their theft, like Shane Warne's flipper, has left Freddie Flintoff's men in something of a spin.The tourists, 3-0 down
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Officer rescues man from icy beck
A police officer last night described his fears for a man he rescued from an icy beck.Sergeant Robert Bowles was speaking for the first time of the moment he jumped into Cod Beck, in Thirsk, North Yorkshire.The officer plunged into the water twice, keeping
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The Grail trail
According to legend, the Holy Grail could be hidden in Glastonbury, in Rosslyn Chapel in Scotland or Malta. But, as Lindsay Jennings discovers, it could be buried in Yorkshire. ELVIS does his shopping in the Wal-Mart in Caro, Michigan in the US. Marilyn
