Archive
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Research uncovers kids' attitude to poverty
NEW research charting the attitudes of children to poverty in Britain shows that North-East kids believe that not having a safe place to play nearby is the biggest sign of poverty. Children in the North-East are also more likely than their peers in the
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Alarm at Pilkington site
FIVE fire crews were tonight called to the premises of Pilkington UK in North Ormesby Road in Middlesbrough. They were joined by a hydraulic platform and an emergecy tender following the alarm at 22.12pm.
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Burglar spared jail after baby son's death
A BURGLAR has been spared jail so he can be with his family as they grieve for his baby son. Stuart Cooke stole a computer screen and bottle of vodka from a student flat in Borough Road, Middlesbrough, on January 27. The victim, University of Teesside
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Successful street market to continue
NEW farmers markets revived in a village after an interval of more than six decades have been such a success that they will continue next year. The final one of the current season is to be held on Sunday September 30 in the main streets of Middleton-in-Teesdale
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Collingwood fined for lap dance visit
ENGLAND one-day captain Paul Collingwood has been fined after admitting he visited a lap-dancing bar the day before he was out for a duck in the vital World Twenty20 match against South Africa. The Durham ace had earlier apologised for his "mistake",
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N&SA U15 Girls looking for new players
Norton & Stockton Ancients JFC Under 15's team are looking for new players. Please contact John on 01642 570085 or 07860310948.
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Match Reports 17 September 2007
Tom Blakemore started the scoring with a 35 yard screamer which relaxed the amber army with Liam Woodhouse getting 4. Carl Robinson scored his 1st for the Club and Aidan Cattermole finished the scoring. MOM Liam Woodhouse but special mention for Dan
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Councillor suspended
A CONTROVERSIAL councillor has been suspended for a month after emailing derogatory remarks about a former council employee to all members. Middlesbrough councillor Joan McTigue was hit with the heavy sanction after she refused to appear before the
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Police await test results following man's death
DETECTIVES investigating the death of a man outside a busy pub are awaiting the results of post mortem tests. Police have also reissued an appeal to a potential key witness who may have seen events in the Tap and Spile pub, in Darlington, before Maurice
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Police uncover drugs den
POLICE have discovered what is believed to be the biggest cannabis farm ever uncovered in a North-East town. Beat officers were carrying out a separate investigation in Hartlepool's Whitburn Street when they noticed the distinctive smell of the plants
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Burglars targeted office buildings
THREE burglars targeted office buildings using the premise of distributing catalogues offering print copies of famous paintings. But, having gained access to various commercial premises round County Durham, the gang managed to take four wallets and a
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Lordenshaw by Barry Robertson with Peter Cain (Toon Publishing, £8.99)
THE Northumbrian Iron Age fort of Lordenshaw exerts an uncanny influence on local history guide Linn Rorting and through Linn on her lover Dodd Law. Linn believes she has discovered a gateway to the goods but Dodd is more sceptical until a series
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Codename Beggarman by Pat Monteath (Quill Publishing, £7.99)
IN the final instalment of this spy thriller set against the more recent "troubles" of Ulster, disgraced super agent Richard James is tempted to take on one last assignment - to eliminate a top-level mole who is devastating British intelligence
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The Lazarus Strain by Ken McClure (Allison and Busby, £9.99)
MEDICAL scientist turned thriller writer McClure has produced another chiller to make you fear your very survival. Ex-special forces soldier Dr Steven Dunbar is tasked by the government to investigate hi-tech crime in the world of science and medicine
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The Last Testament by Sam Bourne (Harper Collins £6.99)
AN unsolved riddle of the Bible is at the heart of this religious-conspiracy-theory thriller that takes in ancient mysteries and assassinations amid the already bloody mayhem in the Middle East. It's fast, it's furious and it should give Dan Brown
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Brother Odd by Dean Koontz (Harper Collins, £6.99)
IT'S time to go dark-dreaming with Koontz again as the horror master conjures up his nightmare visions. Odd Thomas, who has been befriended by the ghost of Elvis, has fled to a remote monastery after personal tragedy, but he gradually realises
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Cappadocian Moon and Other Stories by Christopher Arthur (Melrose Books www.melrosebooks.com, £13.99)
A COLLECTION of short stories with a haunting quality that makes them stick in your mind long after you have turned the last page. Human beings are quirky creatures at the best of times and it is this quirkiness that Arthur explores, whether he
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Dying patients check out of hospice over smoking ban
DYING patients have checked out of a hospice because they were not allowed to smoke cigarettes. At least two terminally ill people have left St Leonard's Hospice, in York, after being denied what a doctor described as one of their few remaining pleasures
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War Paint: Art, War, State and Identity in Britain 1939-1945 by Brian Foss (Yale, £35)
HE awkwardly named Ruby Loftus Screwing a Breech Ring by Dame Laura Bright became the most widely publicised painting of a female factory employee and is one of many placed under spotlight in this fascinating examination of British war art during
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Doubting John
In God We Doubt: Confessions of a Failed Atheist by John Humphrys (Hodder, £18.99); Darwin's Angel: A Seraphic Response to The God Delusion by John Cornwell (Profile, £10.99) SECULARISM and atheism are becoming more powerful and influential in Britain
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Man dies murder charge
A MAN appeared in court yesterday and denied a charge of murder. Mark Lewin, 35, pleaded not guilty to murdering Christopher Brown, 40, during a short hearing at Newcastle Crown Court. Mr Brown died during an incident at Tasman Road, Thorney Close,
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Gas fears
Police in Northallerton are appealing for information after a number of small gas canisters usually used in the catering industry, were found in the Broomfield Park area of the town. These canisters are generally used for charging up whipped cream
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Police seek woman who targeted Asian family
POLICE are appealing for help tracing a woman alleged to have subjected an Asian family to a torrent of racial abuse. Police have released CCTV stills of the woman, thought to be in her late teens, who harassed the family on a Metro train service from
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High speed rail link call
Creating a north-south high-speed rail link as well as new fast cross-Pennine services could benefit the UK economy by more than £10 billion, a report from a development agency group said this afternoon. The report envisages not only links between
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Speeding clampdown slams brakes on motorists
POLICE are claiming a success after a high-visibility operation aimed at clamping down on speeding. The operation was designed to deal with the additional traffic heading to Scarborough for the Gold Cup motorcycle race meeting at Oliver's Mount at
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Northern Rock share price latest
4.35 pm- Northern Rock shares were trading on the London Stock Exchange at 306.00p - a rise of 8.22 %
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Police hunt flasher
A MAN who indecently exposed himself to passengers on a railway station while his friends filmed the incident is being hunted by police. British Transport Police are appealing for information regarding the identity of the man caught on CCTV at Fellgate
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Mustard gets England call
Durham's Phil Mustard has been called into the England one-day squad to replace Matt Prior. Mustard has been in red hot form all summer and was likened to Australia's swashbuckling Adam Gilchrist by Shane Warne after a memorable innings at Lord's in
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Competitors turn out in force
COMPETITORS turned out in force for the eagerly awaited Environment Agency supported N.E River Championship. The 100 anglers were spread from Croxdale through Durham downstream to Chester le Street and the event was also used to carry out a fish survey
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Barbel dominates winner's net
BARBEL dominated the winner's net during the RSPS Alan Howe Memorial Lower Swale Championships staged between Asenby and Helperby. Idle's Charlie Hardaker lifted the coveted trophy recording 27.5.0. Bomb and triple caster fished down the middle delivered
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England's cup hopes take a blow
ENGLAND'S hopes of progressing in the World Twenty20 suffered a major setback after a middle-order collapse condemned them to a five-run defeat against New Zealand. Chasing New Zealand's competitive total of 164 for nine, England seemed on course to
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Cabbie taken to hospital after car hits landmark
A CAB driver was taken to hospital this morning after his taxi smashed into a landmark in a County Durham market town. Police and paramedics were called to the Market Cross in Barnard Castle after a blue Skoda Octavia cab, owned by Hodgson's Private
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Man admits girl's death
A MAN has confessed to killing tragic teenager Rebecca Hood. The 18-year-old was found strangled to death at a house in Redhouse, Sunderland, on July 1. Michael Taylor, of Rutherford Square Redhouse, was charged with the popular teen's murder
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Business Echo PDF - September 18th 2007
Business Echo PDF - September 18th 2007
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O2 to sell iPhone in UK
Mobile phone giant O2 has won the battle to sell the Apple iPhone in the UK. It will be the exclusive UK carrier for Apple's revolutionary iPhone when it makes its debut in the UK on November 9. iPhone combines three devices into one - a mobile phone
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Lifeboat scrambled after pier worker goes missing
A LIFEBOAT crew was scrambled after reports that a man helping to remove fireworks from a pier following the departure of the QE2 was missing. The man, one of six workers working on the Tynemouth Pier where heavy waves were breaking, was later found
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Music to your ears
After months of speculation Apple has finally announced the new iPod line-up - and very nice the new touch screen looks, too. If, however, you don't fancy owning an MP3 player as ubiquitous as Apple's icon, there are plenty of alternatives BEST FOR
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Mum’s the word for sewing business
THREE mothers are hoping to turn a lifetime's love of sewing and quilting into a business venture. The North Yorkshire-based group is looking for a fresh venture after taking a break from work to bring up their children. United by a love of sewing
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Blue Dragon
Publisher: Microsoft Formats: XBox 360 Price: £39.99 Family friendly? 12+ THERE'S a slight air of desperation about Blue Dragon. It's not the sprawling plot, or the crisply unoriginal graphics
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A touch of class
The iPod has been an incredible success for Apple, but its days are numbered because the company has a new flagship coming soon - the iPod Touch UNVEILED by Apple boss Steve Jobs last week, the new Touch looks similar to an iPhone - and it can
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Loki
Publisher: Ascaron Formats: PC Price: £29.99 Family friendly? 12+ FANS of Norse mythology, not to mention the Marvel comic character The Mighty Thor, will know instantly that Loki is the god
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Trauma Centre: Second Opinion
Publisher: Atlus/Nintendo Formats: Nintendo Wii Price: £39.99 Family friendly? 12+ HOW many of you had the classic board game Operation when you were kids? Chances are, it's still hiding up
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Toys go virtual
KIDS today are growing up in a wired (and wireless) world and it hasn't taken toy manufacturers long to wake up to the fact. A new generation of toys has arrived that merge play in both the online and off-line worlds. A product called Webkinz - basically
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Ian Porterfield
WHAT a quality piece by Mike Amos (Backtrack, Sept 14) about the late, great Ian Porterfield. It was a telling insight into "Porter" the person with Amos describing the likeable Scot as warm and genuine. All concerned should be praised for the
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Brown and Thatcher
IT was odd to see Gordon Brown being the courteous host to Margaret Thatcher because they are supposed to represent opposite poles of the political spectrum. I am sure that both parties will have thought through what they saw themselves achieving
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British culture
AS people go about their business, they shop in American-style shopping centres, buying American-style clothes. They eat in American-style takeaways, drink American beers, or go and watch American-made films. They head home hoping they won't be
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Valient effort
TEN years ago, a young lad by the name of Francis Jones was introduced to me by Mark Lincoln, a close Darlington friend of mine and very knowledgeable boxing man. Mark told me Francis had the ability to make it as a professional boxer. As a boxing
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Not a pretty sight...
ON Friday, September 14 I walked around Darlington town centre during my lunch break and witnessed sights I've read about in history. Groups of feral youths marauding in packs with no respect for the elderly or, indeed, other people as in Elizabethan
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Northern Rock
THE history of Northern Rock goes back to the 19th Century savings clubs set up by skilled working men, which helped them escape the clutches of the slum landlord through buying their own homes. Along with the trades union and the co-operative,
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A big secret
The Great Olympic Drug Scandal: Revealed (Five, 9pm) You're Not Splitting Up My Family (C4, 8pm) WHEN I was at university, a mate and I once sat and discussed our neighbour's new girlfriend. I thought she was quite pretty, and said so. "Get away
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Wright happy with life
TOMMY Wright is enjoying a new lease of life at Darlington after admitting personal problems overshadowed his first season at the club. The 22-year-old striker was one of manager Dave Penney's first signings when he joined Quakers from Barnsley
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Firefighters remain at farm blaze
FIREFIGHTERS are still at the scene of a farm blaze on Teesside which has blazed through the night. Twenty five firemen fought the fire at Dovecote Farm, Elwick, Hartlepool, at its height, on Monday night. Fire crews set up an exclusion zone around
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My View: Street pair celebrate training lanmark
ANYONE collecting their Northern Echo from the publisher's Priestgate offices this morning may well need a reality check. Don't worry, though, if you bump into Roy and Hayley Cropper, from Coronation Street, in neighbouring Cafe Gulp. Roy's Rolls hasn't
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Classroom inspiration is the key
A FORMER teacher has started a business to motivate and inspire professionals in the classroom. Joo-Lee Stock, from Durham, has launched a coaching service to work with newly-appointed and promoted teachers in secondary schools. The 45-year-old, a former
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Care company's rapid growth points way to a healthy future
A HUSBAND and wife who set up a business to train people in the South Tyneside care sector have expanded it more than seven-fold in the three years that it has been trading. Northern Care Training, set up in October 2004 by Amanda and Ian Dickinson,
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Former car worker is on the road to success
AFTER a decade of late nights and shift work at Nissan's Wearside factory and with plans to start a family, David Anderson decided to become his own boss. Now, Mr Anderson's plumbing business is doing so well that it is looking to expand. His first step
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Transatlantic co-operation secures $115m purchases
LAW firm Watson Burton has advised American security technology business Federal Signal Corporation (FSC) on the $115m acquisition of two companies. The company, which has its North-East base in Newcastle, helped FSC purchase PIPS Technology Limited,
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Homecoming for lawyer
LAWYER Lorna McShane has returned to the North-East to become a partner in the planning department at commercial law firm Muckle LLP. Ms McShane, who was born in South Shields, worked as an in-house lawyer for various North-East local authorities before
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Artists given hope of work by showcase
A GRADUATE used her passion for creative design to set up a not-for-profit fine arts business. Carol Metcalfe, who completed a part-time business development programme and new entrepreneur scholarship at Newcastle Business School (NBS), established Musa
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Dickinson Dees sets up property department
LAW firm Dickinson Dees is creating a commercial property department at its recently-opened York office. The division will cover the whole of Yorkshire, with particular emphasis being placed on clients in North Yorkshire, the East Riding, Hull and South
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Record year for firm as expansion continues
WARD Hadaway has reported a strong business performance. The Newcastle firm saw turnover rise by 16 per cent to £25m in the 12 months to the end of April, with profit per equity partner (PEP) rising by ten per cent to £405,000. The record figures mean
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Organic milk price gap narrows
ORGANIC dairy farmers have been urged to hold their nerve amid predictions of near parity in organic and conventional milk prices. Hi Peak Feeds, of Derbyshire, said promised increases in conventional milk will bring it within two pence a litre of organic
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Tickets on sale for potato event
ONLINE ticket registration is now open for British Potato 2007 at the Yorkshire Event Centre, in Harrogate. Tickets for the event on November 28 and 29 cost £14 for the first visitor, and £8 for each subsequent one booked by the same person, available
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Website is launched to help pig breeders
A YORKSHIRE pig-breeding company has launched a website giving producers tips on how to make significant feed savings. ACMC has calculated that, nationally, an improvement of just 0.1 in feed conversion would save 267,000 tonnes of feed, worth £40m.
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High burger sales good news for breed
ABERDEEN Angus beef producers are celebrating after breaking into a massive new market. Burger King customers are snapping up Angus Burgers at such a rate that they have already captured 20 per cent of the High Street chain's market, despite costing 50p
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Wireless project comes to an end
CROFT Technology has increased communication links within the region by helping to deploy the biggest wireless network in the North. The Newcastle company recently completed a two-year programme on behalf of DurhamNet to install a wireless network that
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Hygiene key to milking parlour design
A MILKING parlour designed to improve hygeine has been launched. Fullwood is offering the all-enclosed design as an optional extra on its new models of herringbone and rapid extra parlours. The Cleanline design encloses essential milking equipment behind
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Healthy message for employers
THE Government's director for health and work is to address employers in the region. Professor Dame Carol Black will speak at a conference organised by manufacturers' group EEF Northern to help cut down on workplace absence levels. An EEF survey showed
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SembCorp contract boost for company
ENGINEERING firm Day and Zimmerman has been awarded a five-year contract with Teesside industrial utilities provider SembCorp Utilities UK. The deal, worth an undisclosed sum, will mean the firm takes important engineering services to support SembCorp's
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Imperial Tankers bought for £5m
COUNTY Durham group Hargreaves Services has bolstered its chemical transport division with the acquisition of a Teesside-based rival. Hargreaves will pay £5m for Imperial Tankers, of Billingham, which specialises in the transport of liquid products.
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Our tea's fair dinkum Aussie amber fluid
A SPECIALIST tea company has secured new clients and is in talks to export to Australia. Sunderland-based Honeybush and Butterbum, which specialises in importing loose leaf white tea from China, operates under the brand name 't'. It supplies white tea
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Reputation led firm to again head 500 list
LAW firm Dickinson Dees has again topped the region's Legal 500 list, having achieved high-profile deals across all its practice areas. The company, which is based in Newcastle and has offices in Stockton, York and London, was praised for its "national
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Making a striking impression
CLOTHING and home furnishings retailer Laura Ashley yesterday said improvements to its store portfolio helped to increase first-half profits. Pre-tax profits rose by a third to £4m this year to July 28, while sales increased 6.9 per cent to £113.9m
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TNEI wins Tesco contract
ENERGY consultancy TNEI has expanded into new premises after securing a contract with supermarket chain Tesco. The company has moved to Milburn House, in Dean Street, Newcastle, as it works with Tesco to roll-out renewable energy technology at retail
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Grainger makes £47.9m buyout
PROPERTY group Grainger yesterday announced the acquisition of The Tilt Estate Company for £47.9m. Tilt owns more than 300 residential units in East Dulwich, London, and its property portfolio is valued at £62.5m. Two-thirds of the properties are subject
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Victory for campaigners in battle to build £300m port
PLANS to build a £300m deep sea terminal and create 5,500 jobs in the region could be only months away from final approval. The campaign to build the container terminal at Teesport, in Middlesbrough - known as the Northern Gateway scheme - has cleared
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Firm shows that town's a great place to work in
DARLINGTON law firm Latimer Hinks is proving the town is a great place to do business. The firm has a team of more than 50 people, serving private and corporate clients throughout Teesside, South Durham, North Yorkshire and beyond. The team operates
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Leading name heading for Ward Hadaway
THE countryside team at North-East law firm Ward Hadaway has been bolstered by the addition of one of the leading names in the field. Jonathan Thompson has more than seven years' experience in agricultural law and rural property, and worked at Dickinson
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Leaving a legal legacy
Blackett Hart an dPratt has emerged as the rising star in the North-East legal sector in the latest Legal 500. DURING another year of record growth, Blackett Hart and Pratt (BHP) completed three mergers, became a limited liability partnership, restructured
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Wet summer puts dampener on celebrations
OVER the past few weeks, we have begun to see a number of UK retailers announcing their quarterly results, which included what is normally the busy summer months. Rising interest rates and one of the worst summers on record have obviously taken their
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High Street supermarket muscles in on insurance
WELL-TIMED for the autumn car-buying season, Tesco is bringing its formidable High Street muscle to the highly competitive car insurance market with its launch of Tesco Compare.com, its long-awaited price comparison website. Tesco's unique blend of strategy
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New opportunities for investors
The North-East continues to promote its re-development and Mincoffs Solicitors LLP reports that the commercial property market in the area appears to be thriving, with many of its clients making the most of the opportunities available. In recent years
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Northern Rock's despair continues as shares fall
NORTHERN Rock endured another disastrous day on the London stock market yesterday as its shares continued to tumble. The mortgage bank, which became the first major UK casualty of the global credit crunch last week, saw its share price fall by more than
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Who's the best and what are they best at?
AGRICULTURE AND ESTATES Dickinson Dees LLP, Newcastle Cartmell Shepherd, Newcastle Ward Hadaway, Newcastle Jacksons Commercial & Private Law LLP, Stockton Latimer Hinks, Darlington Blackett Hart & Pratt LLP, Darlington Smith & Graham, Hartlepool BANKING
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Wings across the ocean
The first long-haul flight from Newcastle to Dubai has been hailed as one f the region's most significant developments. Business reporter Deborah Johnson speaks exclusively to Laurie Barryman, manager of Emirates. AS the man who took the decision to add
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Lawyers leading the field
LEADING lawyers in the North-East and their fields: HELEN AGER, Crutes Law Firm, commercial litigation. RICHARD ARNOT, Mincoffs Solicitors, licensing. NIGEL BELLIS, Dickinson Dees, corporate and commercial. DAVID BRADSHAW, Hay & Kilner, Clinical negligence
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Muckle creates springboard for success after busy year
MUCKLE has advised on many of the region's major deals during the past 12 months. Prominent among those was the £25m flotation of Vertu Motors and its subsequent £40m takeover of Bristol Street Motors, creating one of the UK's largest motor dealerships
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Camedia moves to new home
Camedia Security has moved into new premises at Olliver, just outside Richmond. Camedia, a local company with over 30 years experience in providing CCTV, alarm systems, remote monitoring services and access control, was previously based at Newton Aycliffe
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Quality of work on the rise, writes Julie Curran
TEEDSALE LOWDOWN FIRMS have reported an increase in the quality of work on all fronts. No doubt, this is due to the area's regeneration bringing more prestigious clients to the area. JACKSONS COMMERCIAL AND PRIVATE LAW is a respected and established
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Support boosting commercial market
activity in Tyne and Wear's commercial property market has been brisk through 2007, with investors continuing to see the area as a great place for expansion, relocation and re-investment. Automotive supplier MSSL and Cyprus-based shipping management firm
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Teenager killed in road accident
A TEENAGE motorist died at the wheel of a car involved a two-vehicle collision not far from his home village. Police today named the driver as 19-year-old Michael Alan Stones, of Thornley, in east Durham. He was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident
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September 18th, 2007
PARENTS I'll never see my Mam again, She's gone to join my Dad, I keep their picture on the shelf, In order to remind myself Of special times we had. If life malfunctioned, Mam was there For solace and support. When all looked desolate, how much Her empathy
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Inspirational women
A book designed to give an overview of 21st Centruy women contains the fascinating insights of more than 200 key figures. Women's Editor Sarah Foster speaks to its author, Zerbanoo Gifford. SHE started out with just the notion of a global book on women
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Television star Doug swaps Aycliffe Over-40s for Newcastle
He's probably best remembered as the non-league footballer who won five colour tellies in a season - but now Doug Grant is set to become a television star himself. Doug, 42, will feature in a Newcastle United XI in a tournament, screened live on Sky later
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F1 leader Hamilton unfazed by pressure
Lewis Hamilton has admitted neither he nor his car have been at their best for the last two races but insists he can hold off the challenge of McLaren team-mate Fernando Alonso and become Formula One world champion. Alonso had the better of Hamilton in
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Padraig pulls out
Open champion Padraig Harrington has pulled out of next week's Seve Trophy in Ireland because of fatigue, becoming the fourth player to withdraw from Britain and Ireland's defence. Yet Continental Europe have been hit even harder, as seven of their players
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Crunch time for England
Kevin Pietersen is backing England to ensure a happy homecoming for him at Kingsmead today by claiming a crucial victory over New Zealand to stay on course for the ICC World Twenty20 semi-finals. Successive defeats to Australia and South Africa have deflated
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Mathew Tait's World Cup Diary: We let fans down with embarrassing defeat
Losing like that to South Africa was embarrassing and we have to put our hands up. I feel sorry for the fans who came over at great expense to watch us and then get treated to that. That's not taking anything away from the South Africans who have shown
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The big breakfast
SAM Turner and Sons' website calls the store a "farmers' supermarket", and in the sense that externally it resembles a very large and rather grand barn - the approximate size of Rutlandshire - the description is at once appropriate. Like many of the
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Hear All Sides
TWILIGHT ZONE IF you want to enter the twilight zone, go to a meeting of Hartlepool Borough Council. A motion commending the Labour Government for its achievements since 1997 was passed only because Conservative councillors supported the proposal and
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Visitors can find out about hidden village's history
VISITORS to the site of an ancient settlement can find out much more about its past. Information plaques, set into tree stumps, have been unveiled on the site of Catcote Village, at Summerhill, a 100-acre country park in Hartlepool. They give an insight
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MP urges tougher policies on pub and club licensing
AN MP has called on Derwentside District Council to take a tougher approach on licensing when drafting new policy covering pubs and clubs in the district. North West Durham MP Hilary Armstrong was making her submission to a consultation over the council's
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Derelict shop turned into community facility
A ONCE-derelICt shop has been transformed to become a major community asset for a North Yorkshire market town. The former hardware store in Bedale has been given a new lease of life as a one-stop shop providing learning and skills to local people and
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Proposal for extra disabled car parking
EXTRA parking bays for disabled motorists are proposed in Richmond. North Yorkshire County Council wants to set aside three new spaces for blue badge holders in Queens Road. Two of the spaces would take up existing disc zone bays near Friary Gardens.
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Community's new vicar gets warm welcome
A NEW vicar has been appointed to serve a North Yorkshire community. Reverend Andrew De Smet will become priest-in-charge of the Benefice of Kirkdale with Harome, Nunnington and Pockley, near Helmsley, later this year. He will also take up the role of
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Children to get safety tips at air base
THOUSANDS of youngsters will descend on an air base later this month to learn vital lessons. Nearly 2,000 schoolchildren from all over the Hambleton and Richmondshire districts will be heading for RAF Leeming, near Bedale. They will be taking part in
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Creative pupils help make ball
students who designed outfits for a ball helped to raise more than £2,500 for charity. The creative pupils at Yorkshire Coast College, Scarborough, entered a Ryedale District Council competition that saw them design outfits for a ball with the theme
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Children are asked to open new-look store
A GROUP of schoolchildren will be stars for the day when they perform the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the opening of a new-look food store. The Co-op, in Bearpark, near Durham City, is undergoing a £220,000 makeover and pupils from Bearpark Primary School
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Charity raffle
Ladbrokes staff in Thirsk are running a raffle to raise funds for the Yummy Mummy charity to help children with cancer. The raffle will be drawn at the Frankland Arms, Ingramgate, Thirsk, from 7pm on Sunday, September 30. Tickets are £1 per strip and
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Serious fun at fire open day
HUNDREDS turned out to discover more about the work of life-saving 999 crews at Northallerton fire station's annual open day. Firefighters joined forces with the police and road safety officers for the event, which combined fun with a serious message.
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Young offenders celebrate exam success
YOUNG offenders are putting their time behind bars to good use and are celebrating exam success with online learning. Northallerton College learndirect works in partnership with the Prison Service, to deliver literacy and numeracy courses. And in the
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Artists' work in moorland show
LOCAL artists are to show off their skills in new exhibitions. The Danby visitor centre, in the North York Moors National Park, is to host three displays. Tessa Badcock is first up on Saturday and Sunday, with a display of hand woven scarves and wall
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A financial game
I've just come in from the paper shop here in the City of London and I've never before passed so many people biting their nails and looking hunted and haunted. A local investment banker, standing by Snow Hill police station nervously sucking on a cigarette
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Exercise classes
SIR William Turner's Almshouses, near Redcar, is running exercise classes for people over 60. The classes are in the common room at the 17th Century alms-houses, in Kirkleatham Village, from 1.30pm to 3pm every Monday. The classes cost £3.50, and booking
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Hear All Sides
ELECTED MAYOR IT is interesting that the "Yes" campaigners in the referendum have stayed quiet on how difficult it is to get rid of an elected mayor, if that system is chosen. There have been referendums in 34 places in Britain so far. In 22 of these,
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Appeal for calm after armed police called out
POLICE are taking steps to calm nerves in Grangetown, Middlesbrough, after an alleged firearms incident at the weekend. Officers were called to a house in Lealholm Walk at about 2.15am on Sunday after reports of a disturbance. Two men are believed to
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Hear All Sides
MENZIES CAMPBELL RE your Comment column (Echo, Sept 17). I can't see how you can write off Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell before the party's conference started. I would agree with the comments about Nick Clegg, the party's home affairs spokesman
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Yoga classes aim to ease posture problems
RESIDENTS in Hartlepool wanting to improve their posture and problems with joints are invited to yoga classes in the town. The council's sports development team is behind the Yoga 4 Wellbeing courses, which take place at the Borough Hall, on the Headland
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Approval for housing bid despite objections
PROPOSALS for new houses in Ferryhill have been approved - despite objections from an estate agent in the area. Hellens Developments has secured outline planning permission for 33 homes on a former building supplies depot and sand quarry, west of Gladstone
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Classrooms destroyed by vandals in second attack
CLASSROOMS used for children with special needs have been destroyed in an arson attack only weeks after vandals caused £60,000 of damage. Fire broke out in the specialist unit of St Peter's Catholic College of Maths and Computing, in South Bank, near
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Bosses urged to help get business blooming
EMPLOYERS in Darlington have been challenged to spruce up their act and help businesses bloom next year. Darlington Partnership chairman Alasdair MacConachie has launched a new floral contest after the town secured silver gilt in the Scottish and Newcastle
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Parents may be fined over excluded pupils
PARENTS of children excluded from school have been warned they could be fined if youngsters are caught in a public place during school hours. Parents or carers of pupils can be fined up to £100 if their children are found outside school on the first
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Students enjoy expedition
TWO adventurous students have returned from an outdoor experience week, after passing their exams. Katie Zissler and Rachael Watson, who completed their studies at Darlington's Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College earlier in the year, went on the trip after
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Woman in prison after smuggling drugs into jail
A WOMAN who tried to smuggle heroin and cocaine into a Teesside prison was jailed for 30 months yesterday. Security staff at Holme House Prison, in Stockton, caught Tracey McCorry trying to smuggle heroin, cocaine, ecstasy, and Class C heroin treatment
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From the Ashes
Leslie Ash walks with a stick into the plush Chelsea hotel a stone's throw from the penthouse flat she shares with her ex-footballer husband Lee Chapman and their two teenage sons. Few could realise the mammoth effort it takes for her to make the 200
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Fete's charity cash success
A VILLAGE fete - resurrected for the first time in more than 90 years - has raised £4,000 for a North-East charity. The Hamsterley Hoppings, held last month, was revived by residents of the village. Money raised from the event, combined with profits
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Cathedral is a model of beauty
ONE of the region's most famous landmarks has inspired the latest offering from a model manufacturer. Durham Cathedral has been chosen as the new limited edition model produced by Lilliput Lane, the company best known for its range of miniature cottages
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A step in the right direction
THE Northern Echo has argued long and hard in favour of the case for a deep-sea container terminal to be built at Teesport. It has always seemed to us to make eminent economic sense for such a scheme to go ahead in the North-East, rather than adding to
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Man used knife 'out of loyalty' to friend
A MAN armed with a lock knife intervened in a fight involving a friend, a court heard. David Edwin Corrigan stabbed his victim several times during the dispute on the doorstep of a house in Horden, County Durham, on June 3. Durham Crown Court heard that
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Advice bureau launches online appeal
THE Chester-le-Street branch of the Citizens' Advice Bureau (CAB) has introduced a new way for people to support its vital work by giving cash online. The CAB service has teamed up with Charity Giving to offer members of the public the chance to donate
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£500 richer... after shopping centre trips
A LUCKY shopper is celebrating after winning a £500 spending spree. Tracey King, from Durham City, won the prize in the Lucky Chip competition run by the Prince Bishops Shopping Centre, in her home city. Mrs King collected three stamps during August
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£25,000 boost to wood restoration
AN ancient woodland is to be restored to its former glory thanks to a £25,000 grant. Pontburn Wood, close to Consett and in the heart of the Derwent Valley, extends over more than 270 acres and represents the largest site of its kind in the region. The
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Bands line up for free concert
BANDS are lining up to play at a free gig at the weekend. Organised by Funkabout, five bands will take to the stage at The Venue in Annfield Plain, near Stanley, from 6.30pm on Saturday. Stanley band Breaking Thru will headline the night alongside local
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Planning system could be changed after complaints
DARLINGTON'S planning system looks set for change - after a councillor said the rules cause "frustration and anger". Councillor Brian Jones believes the system is weighted against objectors. At Darlington Borough Council planning meetings, where planning
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Kelly's Rich pickings
A TEACHER called Rich is £100,000 better off after scooping the jackpot prize on a National Lottery scratch card.Kelly Rich, 31, from Billingham, near Stockton, struck gold with a £1 Green Edition card she bought during her lunch hour last Wednesday.The
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Too many flout drink-driving laws, say police
THE region's biggest police force says that a minority of drivers are willing to risk lives by driving after drinking.During its six-week summer campaign against drinking and driving Northumbria Police says 62 of the 630 motorists breath-tested after
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Windfarm off region's coast gets go-ahead
PLANS for a windfarm off the North-East coast were last night given the go-ahead.EDF Energy received consent from the Department of Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (DBERR) for its offshore windfarm project at Redcar.The windfarm will consist
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No hiding place for Ashton's England
Brian Ashton emerged from the depression of England's woeful World Cup with a stark message for his underachieving team.''There's no hiding place now,'' said the England head coach.''We've got to play two cup finals in two weeks and win two games, it's
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Gordon admits it was hard
GOALKEEPER Craig Gordon confessed the emotional scenes which enveloped the Stadium of Light at the weekend almost made the players lose their focus.Sunderland paid their final respects to club legend Ian Porterfield, who lost his battle with cancer last
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England thrash Argentina and march into quarters
Women's World Cup - England 6, Argentina 1.Arsenal striker Kelly Smith scored twice as England strolled into the quarter-finals of the World Cup with a comfortable victory over inept opposition who played most of the second half with ten players after
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Arca can't believe defeat
A SHELLSHOCKED Julio Arca admitted he still can't believe Middlesbrough were on the receiving end of a comprehensive 3-0 scoreline at the weekend.The Boro midfielder was left to reflect on a game where, had they taken their chances, the club would have
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Town councillors criticise plan to replace cobbles
THE plan to simplify a controversial £77,000 cobbled gateway in Barnard Castle - at a further cost of £20,000 - has been criticised by councillors in the town.Work is due to start this month on a scheme to replace the York stone cobbles, in Galgate, with
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Campbell says age could be advantage
SIR Menzies Campbell said his age could be a vote-winner for the Liberal Democrats as he tackled the issue head-on at the party's conference yesterday.The Lib Dem leader - put on the spot during a question-and-answer session - said politics was "not so
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Teesdale has heaviest carbon footprint in UK
FAMILIES in a part of the region have the toughest challenge ahead to achieve the Liberal Democrats' ambition of a carbon-neutral society.Teesdale has easily the highest carbon emissions per person of any local authority in the United Kingdom, official
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Duo meet children of Chernobyl
TWO Weardale sisters had a life-changing experience when they visited orphans affected by the Chernobyl disaster, in Belarus.Ruth Atkinson, 26, who now lives in London, and her sister Gemma, 18, from Harperley Hall, in Weardale, enrolled on a 12-day placement
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Long-running garden show arrives in region
GARDENING tips and advice sought by enthusiasts from the region will be shared with listeners of one of radio's longest-running shows this month.Gardeners' Question Time, the popular Radio Four show that has been running for 60 years, was recorded at
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Developing school's grounds proved a picnic...
A SCHOOL building up outside areas for its pupils is delighted with a home improvement firm's donation of a picnic table.Finchale Primary School, at Newton Hall, Durham, is developing areas in its grounds for various activities.Headteacher Sandra Whitton
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Society supports hospice
A BUILDING society has become the latest recruit to the guild of patrons at a North-East hospice.Darlington Building Society has pledged its support to the Hartlepool and District Hospice scheme.The initial target for the guild is a membership of 30 founder
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Crash victim's mum backs safety drive
THE mother of a teenager who died in a car crash last year is backing an award-winning road safety initiative for young drivers.Tracey Barnett, 16, of Thornley, County Durham, was in the back of a friend's car when it went out of control at speed and
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Pen-top tragedy inspires fund
THE family of a boy who died after choking on a pen top are to hold a charity ball to raise cash for a fund set up in his name. Ben's Fund supports the unit that cared for 13-year-old Ben Stirland, who died after the pen top became lodged in his throat
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Global warming leads to successful passage trip
Global warming has allowed a father and son to navigate a fabled sea route connecting Europe and Asia. Joe Willis reports.NEGOTIATING the North-West Passage has been a dream of sailors for more than 400 years. Dozens of explorers have been frustrated
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NHS staff meet over review of services
GROUPS of doctors, nurses and patients will take part in two summit meetings in the region today - marking the first step in what is expected to be a wide-ranging review of NHS services.The meetings, organised by the North-East Strategic Health Authority
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Farmers' president in visit to the region
PETER Kendall, president of the National Farmers' Union (NFU), makes a fact-finding visit to Hawes Auction Mart, in North Yorkshire, today.He will hear what impact the latest foot-and-mouth outbreak in Surrey is having on hill farmers in the North.Hawes
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Safety warning after sea rescues
LIFEBOAT crews have issued a warning after two teenage boys had to be rescued at the weekend in separate incidents.They urged youngsters to take training sessions and go well-equipped for any water-based sporting activities. Shortly before midday on Sunday
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Spencer's champion jockey tour heads for Thirsk meeting
JAMIE SPENCER has an excellent book of rides at Thirsk to help maintain his challenge for the right to be crowned 2007 champion jockey.Spencer shouldn't have to wait long for a winner if Writingonthewall (2.00), who showed plenty of promise to finish
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Pools new boy is happy
JAMIE McCunnie has impressed all at Hartlepool United since his summer switch from Dunfermline - but believes there is plenty more to come.After starting every game at right back, McCunnie has switched into central midfield to good affect in his last
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Students spend ten weeks on the Costa Brava
TWELVE students from Stockton Sixth Form College have completed a ten-week work placement on Spain's Costa Brava.The students, who studied travel and tourism, geography and languages at the college, worked in a variety of jobs in hotels in Santa Susanna
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Business leaders call for GP overhaul
BUSINESS leaders today called for a thorough overhaul of family doctor services amid claims that the system is leading to millions of lost working days.The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) said the cost to the economy of restricted opening times
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Campaign to stub out littering by smokers
A NATIONAL campaign to cut down on smoking-related litter is being pioneered in Darlington.The town is one of only ten areas in the country to be chosen to lead the campaign, aimed at reducing the number of cigarette ends being dropped on the ground.Keep
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Ten-year-old Molly swims 3,000 lengths
THE sponsorship money is rolling in for a ten-year-old girl who swam a breathtaking 77km to raise money for cancer sufferers.Molly Wade took just under three months to complete the 3,080 lengths of Richmond Pool, swimming up to 2km four times a week.All
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Church hall toilets get makeover
COMMUNITY groups are celebrating after a local company gave their headquarters a five-figure refurbishment.Holy Trinity Church Hall, in West Cornforth, has been fitted with new toilets, which include facilities for disabled users.The work was paid for
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Pair bailed following inquiries into man's death outside pub
TWO people arrested in a murder-style investigation into the death of a North-East man have been released on police bail.The man, 34, and woman, 32, were questioned by police after Darlington man Maurice Shotton, known as Wayne, died following a fracas
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Queues diminish after Government steps in over banking crisis
NORTHERN Rock customers in the North-East appear to have been reassured by the Government's intervention in the ongoing banking crisis. Last night, Chancellor Alistair Darling said the Government would guarantee the deposits of Northern Rock savers after
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Pools new boy is happy
JAMIE McCunney has impressed all at Hartlepool United since his summer switch from Dunfermline - but believes there is plenty more to come. After starting every game at right back, McCunnie has switched into central midfield to good affect in his last
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The boss with a Northern Rock mortgage
NORTHERN rock chief executive Adam Applegarth has made a habit of sticking his head above the parapet. As a child, he told his horrified family that he would not follow his hometown football club, Sunderland, instead opting to support their fierce rivals
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Government: We'll safeguard savings
THE Government last night stepped into The Northern Rock crisis in a bid to restore confidence in the beleaguered bank, which saw another £600m wiped off its stock market value yesterday.Chancellor Alistair Darling said the Government would guarantee
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Another day dawns in the big cash scramble
David Roberts and Nigel Burton joined anxious Northern Rock customes on the front line yesterday. QUEUES of customers started gathering outside Northern Rock offices shortly after dawn yesterday.Some had brought flasks of hot coffee and sandwiches, others
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Benitez makes plans for Euro qualification
Rafael Benitez wants his Liverpool team to qualify for the knock-out stages of the Champions League long before the end of the their group matches. The Anfield chief has already admitted he sees the Barclays Premier League as his priority for this season
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Jones vows to make a powerful return
VALIANT title challenger Francis Jones last night insisted he would be back for a crack at boxing glory. The 26-year-old had "prayed" about bringing the first British professional boxing title back to Darlington - only to be stopped by Scotland's Kevin
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Nou kits on the block
AN amateur football club is playing in colours inspired by one of the world's most famous teams, thanks to the two sides' historic links.Crook Town FC, in the Arngrove Northern League second division, wore their new strip, based on the design of Barcelona
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Another injury for Owen
AS if his side's insipid performance at Pride Park was not enough cause for concern, Sam Allardyce last night admitted that Michael Owen's injury curse had once again reared its head.Owen was withdrawn in the 56th minute of Newcastle's 1-0 defeat to Derby
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Honeymoon over for Sam as blunt Magpies falter
Derby County 1, Newcastle United 0. PRIOR to last night's Premier League encounter at Pride Park, Derby fans Angela and Trevor Ashley renewed their marriage vows at the stadium. They will leave for a holiday this morning, but for Newcastle manager Sam
