Archive
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Breaking news: Helicopter crashes in Afghanistan
A Chinook helicopter has crashed in Afghanistan, NATO said tonight. There is no immediate word on casualty numbers.
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Traveller sent to jail
AN ELDERLY traveller has been jailed just over two weeks after he was released from prison. John Munnelly, 70, pleaded guilty today to not registering with police between May 14 and 29 to meet the terms of his place on the sexual register. Munnelly,
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Mum jailed for stealing from the estates of dead people
A new mum has been jailed after pocketing over 70,000 from the estates of deceased clients at the solicitors firm where she worked. Lindsey Rafter used her position in the probate department at Murray Humpries solicitors in Seaham to hatch the cruel
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Death crash driver in court
A VAN driver charged in connection with a crash in which four members of the same family died made his first appearance in court today. Scott Easton, 22, of Hebburn Road, Stockton, is accused of four counts of causing death by dangerous driving. The
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Overlooking contrasting buidlings in Newcastle with the Sage in the background taken by Helen Capstick.
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Souter Lighthouse, Seaburn taken by Margaret Manuel.
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Durham City, early morning in October taken by Jim Kelly.
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The Sage Centre looking through the Millennium Bridge, Newcastle taken by Margaret Manuel.
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Taken by Jim Kelly from the Baltic Mill looking across the city landscape.
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Durham Cathedral Sanctuary Knocker taken by Lindsey Davidson
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Lake at Belasis Business Centre Billingham taken by Peter Cuthbert.
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Stanhope Agricultural Show taken by Tom Nattrass.
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Medieval walls to be rebuilt
DAMAGED medieval walls at a popular tourist spot are being rebuilt due to £130,000 of European funding. Over the centuries the 876-year-old walls of Fountains Abbey abutting the River Skell have taken a battering. The surging river has ripped out
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Salad sales underpin rise in profits
A SURGE in demand for salads during last year's hot summer helped Northern Foods boost annual profits by 21 per cent, the group revealed today. The company, which employs 300 people at its base in Leeming Bar, North Yorkshire, revealed a nine per cent
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Listed bridge may be protected
A LISTED bridge regularly damaged by lorries may be protected by bollards to restrict vehicle access. The grade II listed Blakey Bridge, near Thirsk, has sustained over 30,000 of damage mainly from lorries in the last 15 years. The bridge which links
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Glassmaker sees profits rise - and predicts further growth
GLASS maker Romag has revealed a 25 per cent increase in its half-year pre-tax profits, buoyed by strong sales of its specialist PowerGlaz product. The firm, based in Consett, County Durham, said it was confident about future sales of the range, which
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Company under investigation by fraud officers
A BIODIESEL company based in County Durham has been drawn into an investigation by the Serious Fraud Office, The Northern Echo can reveal today. Officials fear shares in Worldwide Bio Refineries, in Newton Aycliffe, may have been sold to unassuming investors
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Back from Iraq
SOLDIERS who returned to Catterick Garrison from Iraq have been reunited with their families and friends. A plane carrying 150 troops from B Company of the 1st Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment touched down on Tuesday night (May 29) at Durham Tees Valley
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Book worms excited
A RARE first edition that is about to go under the hammer is causing excitement in the book world. Arthur Ransome's children's book Swallows and Amazons became an instant classic when it was first published more than 70 years ago and is still in print
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Post Office one of first in country to be taken under WHSmith's wing
ONE of the region's Post Offices is to be among the first in the country to be placed into the hands of WHSmith. The future of Post Office services in Middlesbrough are to be safeguarded after it was announced the main post office in Grange Road would
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Wembley thrill for young England fan
FOOTBALL-mad Matthew Chesney is about to have his dream come true when he steps out at the new Wembley stadium as an England mascot. The 11-year-old, from Ingleby Barwick, on Teesside, has been chosen from thousands of hopefuls to walk out with the players
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Region plays part in protecting rare butterflies
FORESTS in the region are playing their part in protecting the future of rare woodland butterflies. The number and diversity of butterflies and moths in England's woodlands has declined considerably over the last 50 years. Working with Butterfly Conservation
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First picture of man killed in van explosion
THIS is the first picture of the man who died when his van blew up in a County Durham town at the weekend. Welder Andrew Herd, 33, was driving his red Ford Transit box-van through Wolsingham at about 7am on Saturday when a gas cylinder in the back ignited
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Tears as Madeleine's parents meet Pope
THE parents of missing Madeleine McCann shed tears today during an emotional trip to the Vatican to meet the Pope. Gerry and Kate McCann were given the honour of meeting the Pontiff during a General Audience at the Vatican. The couple are very devout
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Crash accused in court
A 22-YEAR-OLD man appeared in court today charged in connection with a car crash which killed a mother, her fiancee and two of their children. Scott Easton appeared at Northallerton Magistrates Court charged with four counts of causing death by dangerous
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Court orders pensioner, 82, to wear electronic tag
AN 82-year-old man convicted for drink-driving is thought to be one of the oldest people in the country to be electronically tagged. John Burns, from Stockton-on-Tees, was fitted with the device - normally used on burglars and yobs - and put under curfew
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Historic window restored
ONE of the most famous pieces of medieval stained glass in the world has been restored. The St Willliam Window in York Minster has been hidden for ten years and depicts the only miracle attributed to him that took place in his lifetime. Experts will
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McClaren to take part in Great North Run
ENGLAND boss Steve McClaren is to take part in the BUPA Great North Run, it has been announced. McClaren, formerly manager at Middlesbrough, lives in North Yorkshire, and was the event's official starter last year. He will be raising money for Macmillan
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Multi-million investment at North-East firm
MANUFACTURING company Haani Cables Limited has invested £3.5m in expanding its North-East site. The company, based on Hartlepool's Toft Farm Industrial Estate, has quadrupled the size of its premises, where it makes around 4,000 different types of electric
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'Ghost ships' deal renegotiated
NINE 'ghost ships' will not be recycled at a North-East shipyard, it was revealed this morning. Able UK, which had won a contract to dismantle up to 13 vessels at its facility in Hartlepool, said a contract with the US government had been renegotiated
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Warning over the price of grass silage
FARMERS have been warned grass silage could be costing much more than they think. An analysis of farm costings has shown third and fourth cut silage can be twice as expensive to produce as first cut. Dr Michael Marsden, KW Alternative Feeds technical
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Beef Expo attracts record attendance
THE National Beef Association's Beef Expo 2007 proved a huge success at Skipton, in North Yorkshire, with almost 6,000 farmers attending - the largest crowd it has ever attracted. Export orders worth £498,000 were won as importers from 12 countries arranged
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Meeting to discuss dairy plant closure
THE National Farmers' Union (NFU) North-East regional dairy board meets in Northallerton on Thursday. Issues to be discussed include the closure of the Dairy Farmers plant at Whitby and the success of the recent Great Milk Debate run by the Womens Institute
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Future mapped out for group director
THE director of project management group Faithful+Gould's (F+G) two North-East offices has been promoted to the position of managing director for the North of the UK and Ireland. As well as directing and co-ordinating the offices in Newcastle and Stockton
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Court ruling may hit payments safety net
FEARS have been raised by the North-East construction law sector over the future of small building contractors, following a court ruling that could take away their payment safety net. The Construction Act has been in place since 1998, which
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Thousands to attend North Sheep event
ABOUT 8,000 farmers are expected to descend on Weardale next week for North Sheep 2007. Organised by the Northern region of the National Sheep Association, it will feature industry leaders, international buyers, more than 100 trade
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Website to help keep checks on aphids
The British Potato Council (BPC) has launched its web-based aphid-monitoring service for the 2007 season. Designed to help potato seed growers maintain the high health status of the British crop, it is updated daily by the York-based Central Science Laboratory
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Legislation reminder about webside infornation
COmpanies should, by now, have acted on new legislation which came into force earlier this year requiring all companies to provide information relating to their company particulars on their website and on electronic documentation. This legislation has
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Health trust signs deal with solicitors
ONE of the region's largest health trusts has chosen Ward Hadaway to provide its legal services. County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust has signed a three-year contract with the Newcastle law firm, which now acts for more acute hospital trusts
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Law firm's authority contract
LAW firm Dickinson Dees has won another significant deal outside of the region, after being appointed to advise the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities on the preparation of a waste management strategy. The three-year deal sees the Newcastle
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Internet trading site plans to expand
A NEW company to help businesses capitalise on the selling power of internet auction site eBay has revealed ambitious plans to increase turnover to £14m and have a 100-strong workforce within its first two years of trading. County Durham-based Bay
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British investors are being duped by boiler room scams
According to the Financial Services Authority (FSA), at least 100 companies are known to be targeting British investors with boiler room scams. They are so named because they employ people to cold call unwary investors. The "sales force" is usually housed
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Confidence boost for small businesses
CONFIDENCE and optimism among businesses in the North-East remains high but below the national average, according to new research by financial company KPMG. Confidence among UK small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in the prospects for their business
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Kwik Save stores to close in region
FOUR Kwik Save stores in the region will close today, with the loss of up to 60 jobs, as part of a dramatic nationwide restructure. The stores - in Sunderland and Gateshead in the North-East, and York and Selby in North Yorkshire - are among
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You don't need lots of cash to play Stock Market
There are a large number of misconceptions when people think about investing in the Stock Market. It is generally believed you need large sums of money to make it a worthwhile exercise. This is not true. Although a pension is undoubtedly one of the best
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Rik Warburton: Getting the right advice when selling your business
After years of long hours, sacrifice and the inevitable shaky moments, the effort seems worth it. Your business is successful and now you've decided to sell up and start the next chapter in your life. After focusing most of your attention on building
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Joining forces to provide protection
TWO former North-East policemen have joined forces to provide a protection service for people who may be at risk of industrial espionage, kidnap and theft. Retired Northumbria Police officers Andy Redhead and Peter Thompson have pooled
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Benefiting from smoke ban
A BUSINESS that makes all-weather shelters is hoping the impending smoking ban will help fuel its plans for expansion. Smoke and Weather Shelters UK was launched in the North-East in 2005, after founder Bill Harris realised the level of
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Offering some Emotional Logic
A NEW company claims to be able to "revolutionise" the way other businesses and brands research their target markets. Emotional Logic, based in Newcastle, will use a range of tools, including emotional and statistical analysis, to offer an insight into
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Warning to shareholders over Biofuels restructure
TROUBLED North-East firm Biofuels Corporation saw its share value drop by more than a quarter yesterday after it gave an update on its debt restructuring plans. The biodiesel producer, based in Teesside, saw its shares trade at a low of 9p during the
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Renowned design company proud to have roots in region
For a company which has been behind some of the region's best-known building developments, Red Box Design Group has maintained a surprisingly low profile. Business Correspondent Deborah Johnson looks at how the group has made its mark around the world
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Staff raising a glass to recycling
CONSTRUCTION group Frank Haslam Milan (FHM) North East is doing its bit for the environment in the run-up to National Recycling Week, which starts on Monday. The firm is collecting its glass water bottles and taking them to Sunderland's National Glass
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Leisure group unveils Grand blueprint for hotel
HOTEL and restaurant chain Tavistock Leisure Limited yesterday said it is planning to breathe new life into its latest North-East acquisition. The group has added The Grand Hotel, in Hartlepool, to its portfolio of properties for an undisclosed fee, and
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Biodiesel company drawn into probe by fraud office
A BIODIESEL company based in the North-East has been drawn into an investigation by the Serious Fraud Office. Officials fear shares in Worldwide Bio Refineries, based in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, may have been sold to unwary investors
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John Prescott
IT is most gratifying to hear that Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott only took a very small staff with him on his latest "important diplomatic mission" to America and the Caribbean on "our" behalf, to wit: a special advisor (he never listens?
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Stitches in time
I HEAR, frequently, of many old household gadgets that are still in use. I have a Jones sewing machine, (bought on my marriage, in 1953, for £5). This has on its body As supplied to Her Majesty Queen Alexandra'. Her reign was 1901-1907, so this
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Middle East
MESSRS Winstanley and McStravick both seem to have missed one vital point in their HAS comments about Islamic terrorism and jihad, and that is that a military jihad can only be sanctioned by a Koranic scholar of great repute and character. So far
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European Union
A CONVERSATION with the manager of E.ON, the German company that took over a number of power companies such as Powergen, revolved around the problem of bringing all the pension schemes and other factors together. The methods of consultation with
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Nuclear power
THE quotes from Greenpeace in your article, "The need to go nuclear" (Echo, May 24) are, I'm afraid, typical of such organisations in that they are either wrong, or they demand the completely impractical. Current designs of nuclear power stations
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Recycling
EXCESS household waste and unneeded packaging will cost local authorities in England £3bn in landfill tax by 2013, meaning a massive burden on council tax payers and the cutting of funds for recycling. In this financial year alone, council landfill
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Mumbai calling
Mumbai Calling (ITV, 10pm); Families At War (five, 9pm) BIRDS Of A Feather meets The Kumars in ITV1's latest attempt to find a hit comedy series. As the pilot show lasts just 22 minutes, it's difficult judging if this sit-com set in an Indian call centre
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An invitation to watch seals
COUNTRYSIDE wardens in Hartlepool are leading a Seal Watch at the weekend. It will be held at British Energy's observation hide, overlooking the wildlife haven at the Seal Sands and Tees Estuary, from 10am to noon, on Sunday. There is wheelchair access
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Funding secured to maintain tour office
A TOURIST service which was under threat of closure has reopened for the summer season. Great Ayton Tourist Information office was opened in 1989 by Hambleton District Council. It ran until 2005, when budget cuts meant the council could no longer fund
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Woman fined £1,500 over pruning of trees
A WOMAN'S attempts to prune back a neighbour's trees proved costly, after she was fined £1,500 for causing them permanent damage. Julie Walsh found herself before Teesside Magistrates' Court yesterday, facing six charges of contravening tree preservation
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Teacher with DNA Boogie invited to Blair reception
A TEACHER has been invited to meet the Prime Minister, for a second time, in recognition of his contribution to public services. Before Tony Blair steps down as Prime Minister on June 27, one of his last public engagements will be to entertain invited
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Vaughan released
England captain Michael Vaughan, fresh from his century in the Headingley Test, will play for Yorkshire Phoenix in their Friends Provident Trophy game against Durham Dynamos at the same venue on Sunday. But Vaughan is unavailable for Phoenix in their
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Police appeal for information
POLICE are appealing for information about a road accident that left a woman with a broken leg. The 67-year-old is believed to have suffered the injury after getting out of a private hire car on Sunday night. Police said the incident happened at about
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It's a crafty way to spend an afternoon
GREEN-FINGERED youngsters turned their attention to spring gardens at an arts and craft session yesterday. More than a dozen children took part in the activities at Ingleby Barwick Library, where Stockton Borough Council's library service was holding
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Thanks for golden gifts
A COUPLE from High Escomb wish to thank family and friends for helping them raise £800 for the British Heart Foundation in celebration of their golden wedding anniversary. Des and Joan Graves asked for donations to their favourite charity rather than
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Butchers shop to move on after 100 years
A HISTORIC shop in Barnard Castle will move premises in the coming weeks. William Peat butchers and bakers is to move from its location on Galgate to two new shops in the centre of the town, on Horsemarket. The firm, which employs more than 20 people
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Call for review after Labour party voting controversy
INDEPENDENT councillors have criticised the Labour party for giving all but one of a council's 27 available chairmanships to its own party members. Each of Sedgefield Borough Council's advisory and decision-making panels has a chairman and vice-chairman
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Labrador found
A GOLDEN labrador was found tied up outside a police station at the weekend. The male dog, thought to be between three and five years old, was discovered outside the police building in Stanhope at about 11am on Saturday. The dog is now in the care of
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Wedding presents are snapped up
A MOTHER and daughter team's new business is proving to be picture perfect after branching out from photography to wedding gifts. Unique2U Photography, in Newgate Street, Bishop Auckland, is run by Rosina Sampson, 49, and Rosina Precious, 24. They started
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Students hunt for treasure on the internet
HUNDREDS of pupils queued to sign up for after-school activities from traditional sports to hi-tech internet treasure hunts. More than 500 pupils at Barnard Castle School went to a summer term activities ceremony, where more than 100 curricular clubs
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Derby boss scotches speculation he might quit
Derby manager Billy Davies is preparing for the challenge of the Barclays Premiership after committing his future to the club. Following the victory over West Brom in the Coca-Cola Championship play-off final speculation immediately began that Davies
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Robinson believes England can turn it round
England captain Jason Robinson has issued a defiant rallying cry on behalf of the battered tourists as they prepare for Saturday's second Test against South Africa at Loftus Versfeld. Harlequins wing David Strettle has become the third player to fly home
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Rooney brings Hatton
Ricky Hatton has urged his legions of supporters to put tribal differences aside when they converge on Las Vegas next month for his light-welterweight super-fight against Jose Luis Castillo. More than 8,000 fans are expected to jet across the Atlantic
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Independent chairman tops FA reform
The Football Association have voted to accept the biggest reform of the governing body in their 144-year history. From next year, the FA will have an independent chairman and a semi-independent disciplinary body. Changes to the board should also mean
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Bale has big plans
Gareth Bale wants to help Tottenham continue their progress following his £10million move from Southampton. Spurs have finished fifth in their last two Premiership campaigns and boss Martin Jol has already started his plans for next year by recruiting
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Sunderland keen to land West Brom duo
SUNDERLAND are attempting to make the most of West Bromwich Albion's failure to return to the Premiership by acquiring at least one of their most highly-rated talents. As well as being interested in full-back Paul McShane, manager Roy Keane has been impressed
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Pupils spread the green message
PUPILS have been promoting an environmentally-friendly message. Youngsters at Great Ouseburn and Bishop Monkton primary schools, near Boroughbridge, have been looking at green issues as part of a Harrogate Borough Council project. At Great Ouseburn, pupils
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Work to start on repairs for Scout hall
A SCOUT group has raised £15,000 to revamp its ageing headquarters. Members of the 1st Thirsk Scout Group plan to repair their hall in Picks Lane, which was built in 1916 as a classroom and taken over by the Scouts in 1968. The list of work required
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Divided opinion over school's proposal for new sports hall
PLANS for a new sports hall at Ripon Grammar School have divided residents. The scheme will be considered by North Yorkshire County Council's planning committee on Tuesday, when members will hear that the authority has received 38 letters of objection
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Residents' road safety campaign faces defeat
RESIDENTS campaigning for safer access to a proposed housing development in Bedale could see their hopes dashed. Campaigners gathered 300 names on a petition which claimed that the planned access for 37 houses, to be built by Persimmon Homes on land
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Hyypia rules himself beyond Sam's reach
A LACK of dialogue between Newcastle United's two largest shareholders has forced Sam Allardyce to pursue bargain signings initially, but his hopes of landing Liverpool's Sami Hyypia took a knock last night. The Finnish defender has been among Allardyce's
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Museum may have to cut opening times
A MUSEUM run by volunteers might have to close more often if new helpers cannot be found. Organisers at Richmondshire Museum, in Ryder's Wynd, Richmond, will hold a coffee morning to seek more helpers. Volunteers are asked to give up a couple of hours
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History meeting
THE next meeting of Stokesley Local History Study Group will be on Monday, between 1.30pm and 3pm, in a community care meeting room above the library, in Town Close. People are invited to reminisce about Stokesley. For more details, call Christine Miller
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Market hit by weather aftermath
A MARKET in Bedale yesterday was hit by the aftermath of bad bank holiday weather. The event, with additional stalls, was the first step towards what local people hope will become an annual event to mark the granting of the town's market charter by Henry
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Jewel find inspires Michael
A TEN-YEAR-OLD boy won an inaugural writing competition. Wensleydale Writers held a competition for children aged 11 and under, as part of this year's Middleham Stables Open Day. Youngsters were challenged to write about the Middleham Jewel, a 15th Century
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Hold the anchovies - we're about to abseil
TWO pizza shop workers are hoping they can deliver the goods for cancer care. Paul Bussey and Gareth Stones, who both work for Domino's Pizza, are to abseil the Baltic art gallery, in Gateshead, to raise money for Marie Curie Cancer Care. Mr Bussey,
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Session to help trace family trees
A ROADSHOW to help people trace their family history is to take place next week. Clayport Library, in Durham City, is to stage the day-long event on Tuesday, from 10am. Who Do You Think You Are? has been organised by The Northumberland and Durham Family
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Club chess victory
MEMBERS of a chess club are celebrating after winning a regional championship for the second time in three years. Durham City Chess Club took the title at the North of England Club Championships, held at Heywood, near Manchester, last weekend. Durham
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Crackdown targets attacks on trains
THE rail industry has teamed up with transport police to launch a pre-emptive strike on railway vandalism in the North-East. During the half-term holiday, railway operators and the British Transport Police have been targeting the growing number of yobs
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Police thank youngsters for their help with survey
TEENAGERS who helped a police review of community priorities were thanked by being taken for a spin - literally - round force headquarters. The youngsters, aged from 12 to 15, visited Durham Police's Aykley Heads complex, in Durham, yesterday. It was
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Starry night to recognise community helpers
STAR parents, grandparents and carers in Derwentside had their outstanding work recognised at an awards ceremony on Friday. The Derwentside Achievement and Volunteer Awards - also known as the Star Awards - recognise the contributions made by people in
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Safety aids in wake of traveller deaths
TRAVELLERS going to and from next month's Appleby Fair are being encouraged to use extra safety measures being offered to them by police. The event, in Cumbria, attracts gipsies and horse-lovers from across the country, but getting there has proved dangerous
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'Rock's greatest failure' produces a successful night
A CULT singer/songwriter played to a packed house over the bank holiday weekend. John Otway, the country's self-confessed most unsuccessful artist, who has built a large fanbase due to his wacky stage shows, performed in Crook, County Durham. Appearing
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Carte blanche for the planners
FIRST he promised a new "openness" at almost the moment his fellow MPs voted to exempt themselves from public scrutiny. Later hinting that he might reverse this misjudged act of self-interest, which has the opposite effect, Gordon Brown, our incoming
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Impact has pace to win Needler
MERSEYSIDE handler Paul Green looks to be in with a great chance of plundering the Hilary Needler Trophy with his speedy filly, Sudden Impact (7.20). Beverley's two-year-old dash often throws up championship material and by lifting the silverware Sudden
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Good tenants will be given vouchers to revamp homes
COUNCIL house tenants who look after their homes and pay rent on time will be rewarded with home improvements and gift vouchers under new plans. The incentives will cost Darlington Borough Council £45,000 a year - but the council said the scheme will
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Hear All Sides
TOWN CENTRE THE planters on High Row, Darlington, may need modifying. The fact is that the planters are level with the pavement at the High Row side, but have a sheer drop at the other side which faces Prebend Row, which means that there is nothing to
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Scheme will have graffiti vandals in the can
ANTI-GRAFFITI paint will be used for the first time in Darlington. The product will be piloted on shop walls in Whitby Way, Branksome, and could be used throughout Darlington if successful. The end wall of the row of shops will be coated with the substance
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Healthy treats become night-time treats at cafe
A RESTAURANT whose menu is based around healthy eating is opening a pavement cafe and extending its hours. That Juice Place, in Skinnergate, Darlington, has a basement juice bar and cafe. It was opened 18 months ago to offer a new type of eating establishment
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Durham fans face Friday dilemma
DURHAM cricket fans will be spoilt for choice on Friday, when the West Indies begin a three-day match against the MCC at the Racecourse ground, while the county side entertain Worcestershire bolstered by three internationals. New signing Scott Styris
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Quakers ready to move for Oakes
DARLINGTON are preparing to make a move for released Swansea City goalkeeper Andy Oakes. The 30-year-old was freed by the Swans this month and Quakers boss Dave Penney has registered his interest in the former Derby County man. First choice goalkeeper
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Barred drinker jailed after throwing glass at pub TV
A MAN who hurled a beer glass at a £1,000 plasma TV screen in a Darlington bar was jailed for eight weeks yesterday. Jon William Soley, of Locomotive Street, Darlington, was barred from the Shuttle and Loom, in Whinfield Road, but went to the pub on
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Pogatetz is told he's not wanted
Austria captain Andreas Ivanschitz has warned Middlesbrough's Emanuel Pogatetz he is not wanted in the national team. Defender Pogatetz has been out of the frame after incurring a two-match suspension during a World Cup qualifier which, with Austria co-hosts
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Farah is angered by Chambers' drug claim
European cross-country champion Mo Farah yesterday branded Dwain Chambers a "loser" and dismissed his claims that only drug-fuelled athletes can win an Olympic title. Farah, 24, the European 5,000 metres silver medallist, is trying to compete with the
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A freak show too far
WITH yet another series of Big Brother ready to begin, British television is again about to scrape the gutter in the name of entertainment. What started as an interesting idea has descended into increasingly dubious taste as the programme-makers have
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Five, four, three, two, one - we have lift-off
YOUNGSTERS launched themselves into the school holidays yesterday by making rockets.Children went to Wynyard Woodland Park for the Build a Rocket event. They were asked to take along two two-litre plastic pop bottles, which they made into a rocket and
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GP practising life in the slow lane
PATIENTS and colleagues helped a popular Spennymoor doctor celebrate his retirement after more than three decades serving the community.Dr Andrew Sanderson retired from St Andrew's Medical Practice after 35 years as a general practitioner in the town.Dr
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Gurkhas give schoolchildren a glimpse of life in the Army
CHILDREN were well-drilled when Gurkha soldiers visited a school.A dozen Gurkhas travelled from their training base at Catterick Garrison to spend the morning at Abbey Junior School, in Darlington.They appeared at assembly and taught year six pupils about
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Care home death - women walk free
A CARE home worker acquitted of the manslaughter of a resident has spoken of her sorrow over the death of a man she counted as a friend.In a dramatic development, care assistant Marion Dixon and care home owner Christina Hooper, both 53, walked free yesterday
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Mother pays fond tribute a year after son's death in park
THE mother of a schoolboy killed by a joyrider has planted a tree in his memory, a year after his death.Clare Conroy marked the anniversary of her eight-year-old son's death by planting an apple tree in the grounds of his school.It is a year this month
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School heads disciplined over youngster's injuries
A SCHOOL head and her assistant have been disciplined after a disabled child was seriously injured in a fall from her wheelchair.Seven-year-old Lucy Branton, who suffers from cerebral palsy and epilepsy, suffered a broken nose, black eyes, displaced teeth
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Concert brings home the joy of music for 101-year-old
A CENTENARIAN who still teaches music was treated to a serenade in her sitting room.Violinist Helena Ruinard gave a private concert for 101-year-old Dorothy Walker at her North Yorkshire home.The performance was part of the Swaledale Festival's Concert
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'Carriers left our new life in pieces'
EMMA PERRY was looking forward to beginning a new life on the other side of the Atlantic. But her dreams turned to heartbreak when her family's worldly goods finally arrived.They discovered that most of their possessions had been destroyed when a container
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Much-respected racing journalist is honoured
A TRIBUTE was paid yesterday to one of the most respected figures on the northern horse racing scene.Redcar Racecourse staged a race to honour racing journalist Matt Seymour, who has worked for The Northern Echo since 1953.Matt began as a junior clerk
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The bootblack Raphael
From his humble North-East beginnings, artist John George Brown became one of the most commercially successful artists in America. Mark Patterson looks at his lifeINSIDE the grand art gallery built by American circus king John Ringling, cool despite the
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Children make mosaic tribute
CHILDREN at a Darlington primary school have worked with a local artist to produce a mosaic.Artist Petra Lloyd, a former graphic artist at The Northern Echo, worked with children at St Augustine's RC Primary School to produce a mosaic of St Augustine
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Nightclub's later hours will 'not add to trouble'
A TOWN centre nightclub has secured permission to extend its weekend opening hours.The Cube, in Spennymoor's High Street, has been granted a variation to its premises licence, giving customers longer drinking time.It can stay open until 4.30am on Fridays
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Children enjoying a taste of the sporting life
YOUNGSTERS are enjoying a series of half-term events.They are taking part in a wide variety of activities at Hambleton Leisure Centre, Northallerton, and today sees the return of taster sessions in fencingRun in partnership with the Modern Pentathlon
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A fun day came with a safety message
MORE than 100 people braved the rain to take part in a community safety fun day in Ushaw Moor yesterday.Face painting, children's entertainers and football games were among the activities on offer at the event, which was held at the Bobby Robson Sports
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Coach hopes to lead crowds to new pool
A SWIMMING coach will take the plunge and encourage the public to take advantage of a pool under construction.As work progresses on Durham's pool and leisure centre, next to the Sixth-Form Centre, in Freeman's Place, the city council has appointed a swimming
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Trying to get back to normal after blast tragedy
A MARKET town left devastated by an explosion at the weekend took the first steps towards normality yesterday.Shops reopened for the first time since the blast, which killed 33-year-old van driver Andy Herd in the early hours of Saturday, although it
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Long wait over for Longbridge restart
THE Longbridge car plant in Birmingham was reborn yesterday when production started two years after the collapse of MG Rover.Although MG's new Chinese owners hailed the moment as the restart of British car production at Longbridge, the new set-up is very
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Donor plea as four-year-old is finally released from hospital
A YOUNG boy in desperate need of a bone marrow transplant has been allowed home from hospital for the first time since February.Four-year-old Riley Mulvany, who has the rare genetic condition chronic granulomatus disorder has been allowed home after 12
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Police criticised as speeding officers escape punishment
THE police have been accused of double standards after it emerged that almost 90,000 officers across England and Wales were let off speeding fines last year.One in 200 police officers is fined and given points on his or her licence after triggering a
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Emotions run high as Iraq tour of duty ends for troops
SOLDIERS last night experienced an emotional homecoming after a seven-month tour of duty in Iraq.About 150 troops from the 1st Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment returned to Catterick Garrison from a peace-keeping role working with Iraqi security forces.The
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Just Roman by the mill
YOUNG visitors to a museum have been learning about life in Roman Britain.Roma Antiqua historical re-enactment group gave demonstrations of clothing, weapons and medical equipment from the Roman era, at Durham University's Old Fulling Mill Museum of Archaeology.A
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Recreating days of the dinosaurs
ENTHUSIASTS for all things prehistoric are being invited to enjoy a date with the dinosaurs.A Dinosaur Coast Day is being staged in Dalby Forest, near Pickering, North Yorkshire, on Sunday, when the clock will be wound back millions of years.Television
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Dancers prepare to bring fairytale to life
YOUNG dancers are in final rehearsals for their latest show after working alongside professional actors in pantomime.Students from the Heritage School of Dance, Stockton, are preparing to appear in Pinocchio at the Georgian Theatre Royal, in Richmond,
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Policeman's choice was a fair cop
A COUPLE who met while both were serving police officers will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary this week. Laurie Heslop, 85, was introduced to his wife Jean, 84, by a colleague.Mr Heslop was a chief superintendent of Durham Police from 1977 until
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The curse of the apostrphe
An 11-mile walk is enough to get the heart pumping, but being greeted by random punctuation is guaranteed to raise blood pressureHARDLY an ambition, but something we'd often wanted to do, she and I hoofed on Saturday the 11-mile round-trip between Langdon
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Mayor's golf charity event will be a hole lot of fun
NEW mayor Marian Swift got into the swing of her charity fundraising by encouraging people to sign up for a golf competition.The mayor's annual golf day takes place at the Stressholme Golf Centre, in Darlington, on Friday.Councillor Marian Swift, who
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McClaren admits he had to copy Capello's lead
England boss Steve McClaren has claimed he would have been "foolish" not to follow Real Madrid manager Fabio Capello's example in ushering David Beckham back from the wilderness. Having dropped Beckham in such a public manner immediately after succeeding
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But what about the neighbours?
THE controversial Home Information Packs, which have been temporarily put on hold, are meant to tell you about the house you're buying. But, valuable though it may be to know about radiators and insulation and boiler efficiency, let's face it, what we
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Findings soon on rape of soldier
AN investigation into claims that a North-based soldier was sexually assaulted by comrades - who filmed the incident on a mobile phone - could be published this week.The Royal Military Police launched an inquiry after a complaint was made by the parent
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MP's anger at 'unjust' pay awards to nurses
TEN of the region's MPs have protested to Gordon Brown about an "unjust" pay award that has provoked NHS nurses to threaten industrial action for the first time.The Labour backbenchers have condemned the Chancellor's bitterly-fought decision to stage
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Councillor convicted of attack on his wife
A COUNCILLOR was convicted of beating up his Ukrainian-born wife after smearing her face with curry during a drink-fuelled argument.Hartlepool borough councillor Trevor Rogan grabbed his wife by the throat, hit her, twisted her arm and pulled her hair
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Boateng future uncertain
GEORGE BOATENG'S future remains uncertain but Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate insists the Dutch midfielder has grown more accustomed to his captaincy role as time has gone on.Birmingham City are understood to be interested in taking Boateng back
