Archive
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Thief 'posed' as woman to withdraw cash
A THIEF who walked into a bank and pretended to be a woman conned a series of Barclays Bank cashiers into handing over more than £480. Credit card crook Michael Rodes doesn't walk, talk or dress like a lady - but was able to plunder a woman's account
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Drunk headbutted student in pizza shop, court told
A STEEL erector who attacked a student in a take-away has escaped a prison sentence. Ben Bleasby, 23, was caught on CCTV assaulting the 17-year-old in the Rendezvous pizza shop in Stockton town centre. Teesside Crown Court heard today how the defendant
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Residents evacuated after industrial estate blaze
HOMES inside a 200 metre exclusion zone thrown up around Leeming Bar Industrial Estate have tonight been evacuated. The precaution was carried out after firefighers found acetylene cylinders were inside the blazing paint spray workshop. The alarm was
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Alan pays tribute following death of identical twin
AN IDENTICAL twin, heartbroken by the death of his brother, paid tribute today to his "best friend". Alan Heath, 59, spoke of his devastation after twin brother John, from Sadberge, near Darlington, died from a heart-attack last week whilst playing
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Boy in hospital after scooter smash
A 16-YEAR-OLD boy suffered a fractured arm and wrist after the scooter he was riding hit the back of a car in Stockton this afternoon. The rider, who has been detained in hospital, was on an Aprilla scooter following a Kia Rio along Redmarshall Road
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Record numbers expected at Stokesley Show
ORGANISERS of a North-East agricultural show are hoping to attract record numbers of visitors despite the recent foot-and-mouth outbreak. The 135th Stokesley Show, to be held this Saturday will not feature cattle, sheep and goats, but all other exhibits
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TV newsroom merger plans sparks Ofcom complaint
A COUNCILLOR has complained to Ofcom over proposals which could see Tyne-Tees and Border television newsrooms merge. In a letter to the broadcasting regulator Durham county councillor John Shuttleworth said it had already allowed regional television
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Northern Rock shares fall again
Shares in The Northern Rock fell again today after the Bank of England warned new accounts would not be guaranteed. The share price ended the day more than 27 per cent lower at 185.20p. Earlier bank governor Mervyn King said the savers who queued to
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Football says goodbye to Sunderland hero
Mourners gathered today for the funeral of Ian Porterfield, the Sunderland footballing hero who scored one of the greatest FA Cup goals. He died last week at a hospice in Surrey aged 61 and his funeral was being held today at St Anne's Church in Bagshot
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Pub customers catch robber
PUB customers have been hailed as heroes after taking on an armed robber. The hapless thief burst into the Azure Blue in Bensham, Gateshead, at 10pm on Wednesday brandishing what initially appeared to be a handgun and demanded money. He fled with the
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Croft keeps Touring Car date
CROFT Circuit, near Darlington, will again stage a round of Britain's premier motor racing series - the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship - in 2008. The venue, which always draws a bumper BTCC crowd, will host the championship on Sunday, June
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Postal workers to strike
POSTAL workers are to stage two fresh 48-hour strikes next month over their bitter pay and jobs dispute, it was announced today. The Communication Workers Union said up to 130,000 of its members will walk out on October 5 and again on October 8 following
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September 19, 2007
CRYPTIC CLUES ACROSS 1 Feeling of contempt as princess catches Aids frolicking with knight (7) 5 Give birth to it after parking in an animal enclosure (4,3) 9 Handicraft class originally run at old church near the centre of Exeter (7) 10 A boy
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Darlington switch fixture
DARLINGTON have announced they have switched the date of their home fixture with Stockport County to Sunday, October 14. It was due to take place a day earlier but has been moved to avoid clashing with England's Euro 2008 qualifier at Wembley against
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Safety fears thwart blood donors
AROUND 100 would-be blood donors were left unable to donate after the venue was deemed to breach health and safety regulations. The National Blood Service (NBS) session at the Sycamore Close old people's housing complex at Bainbridge, near Hawes, North
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Storm blows off course
GRAEME Storm's hopes of success in the Dunlop British Masters suffered a blow - the Hartlepool golfer shooting an opening round 77. He managed a single birdie - on the par 5 17th - but carded six bogies in his five over total. Rory McIlroy, new to the
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Man who carried flick-knives onto planes fined £600
A HOLIDAYMAKER who carried five flick-knives bought as novelty gifts onto two planes, has been fined £600. Peter Michael Enguita, 46, had bought the knives disguised as cigarette lighters, in Bangkok earlier this month. He boarded planes in Thailand
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Warren Barton apologises for prank
FORMER Newcastle player Warren Barton has apologised for a prank which left him in the cells. Barton, 38, and ex-team mate Rob Lee, 41, were both arrested after a taxi driver reported his Mercedes E220 had been driven away shortly before midnight on
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Grant and Clarke take Chelsea helm
CHELSEA have confirmed director of football Avram Grant and assistant manager Steve Clarke will take charge of the first team from today.
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Durham push on
LATEST SCORE KENT V DURHAM Kent 212 Durham 149/4 (39.5 ov) Benkenstein 36, Mustard 21.
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Imports to fight for places
VIPERS coach Rob Wilson says every import on his roster is fighting for his place after drafting American winder Todd Jackson into his squad. Jackson's arrival takes the number of imports at the club to 11, with only ten allowed to be registered at any
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Northern Rock shares continue to slide
NORTHERN Rock was valued at less than £1bn today after traders sold shares on fears that a takeover of the troubled bank may not materialise. The stock continued its recent slide with a drop of 21 per cent to 202.75p, giving it a stock market valuation
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Flintoff ruled out of Sri Lanka series
ANDREW Flintoff has been ruled out of England's one-day series in Sri Lanka after failing to prove his fitness following an ankle operation. The 29-year-old all-rounder struggled through the end of the summers NatWest series against India and Englands
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Where's gran? She's locked in the loo
A GREAT-GRANDMOTHER was locked in a public toilet for 12 hours. Gwyneth Coles, 77, went to the toilet in her home town of Pickering, North Yorkshire. A caretaker came along and shouted, "anyone in?" However, he failed to hear her replying, "yes, I am
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Tykes to make overseas signing
YORKSHIRE are poised to sign Pakistan and former Bradford League fast bowler Naved Rana-ul-Hasan as their overseas player for next season and the deal could be clinched within the next few days. The 29-year-old seamer is out of the Sussex side
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The rain returns to dampen Yorkshire’s spirits
OUT-OF-SORTS Yorkshire closed the first day of their final Championship match of the season against Hampshire at Headingley Carnegie on 161 for seven in 52.3 overs after rain had caused five interruptions. There was an upset for Yorkshire before
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Gibson's celebrations cut short by England call-up
OTTIS Gibson yesterday did his bit to keep Durham's title hopes alive as he savoured the news that he is to be England's bowling coach in the one-day series in Sri Lanka. He leaves on Tuesday and will be one of several players unable to celebrate
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Speech day looms - as rival eyes leadership
MENZIES CAMPBELL will today try to shore up his wobbling leadership of the Liberal Democrats by pledging to break the "cosy consensus" in which the other parties are failing voters.In his conference speech in Brighton, Sir Menzies will condemn Labour
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Mourinho parts company with Chelsea
CHELSEA coach Jose Mourinho has left the club, the club has confirmed. A statement said that the two parties had agreed to part company today by mutual consent. Mourinho is believed to have contacted five senior players yesterday afternoon to inform
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Nell’s plea
I URGE anyone who has a place in the Bupa Great North Run on Sunday, September 30 to join me and the Cancer Research UK running team to help raise money for life-saving research. I know from personal experience just how kind-hearted people are
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EU Referendum
I AGREE with columnist Rob Merrick when he says the decision on whether Britain accepts the new EU Treaty is one that our elected representatives should make (Echo, Sept 13). Weighty matters of this sort should always be settled by Parliament.
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Education
AS we have seen recently, education can provide opportunities for success, with joy and relief being emotions in equal quantities. But there is a flip side, where some children and young people see education as something remote and unhelpful. Being
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Respect
TEACHERS who do not, or cannot, act against those who disrupt a class, bully or abuse others cannot expect respect in return. If the police and legal system won't, or cannot, take act against troublemakers, or the law sides with the criminals rather
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Margaret Thatcher
BLAMING Margaret Thatcher for the breakdown in discipline and creating today's yobs, when this has been perpetuated over the past 50 years by do-gooders of a mainly leftwing persuasion, is equalled only by blaming her for blighting the 1980s (HAS
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State of Britain
IT is clear to anybody with a simple grasp of economics that our economy was never in the safe hands that the "Iron Chancellor" wanted us to believe. I have pointed out before the record number of bankruptcies and house repossessions. Personal
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A chance to join singing group
THE Durham Harmonies Vocal Group is seeking new singers to join its ranks. The group, which is in its third year, meets and rehearses in Durham Gilesgate Sports College, Bradford Crescent, Durham, on Tuesdays, from 7pm to 9pm. A spokesman for the group
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In bed with Buzz Lightyear
OVER the years, I've got used to my loss of privacy. With four kids in the house, I'm never alone. Our bedroom's busier than Picadilly Circus in the rush hour. There's always someone coming in, whether it's to complain that they're not feeling well, or
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£150m project to revitalise schools
SCHOOLS in Stockton are to be overhauled in a £150m project that will see every school modernised or rebuilt. Council chiefs have hailed the Government-backed programme as the biggest school building programme in the town for more than half a century
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Programme to demonstrate fitness classes
FITNESS experts will go through their paces in an open-air demonstration at the weekend. Members of Durham City Council's leisure services team will be in the Market Place on Saturday afternoon, showing off their Body Training Systems (BTS) workouts.
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Moors walks raise £1,500
ROTARIANS and supporters clocked up miles for local causes during their annual moorland charity hike. More than 60 people took part in a choice of three walks in Glaisdale, on the North Yorkshire Moors, organised by the Rotary Club of Redcar. The walks
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Bending nine-to-five working schedules
A COUNCIL has joined a campaign that promotes alternatives to the nine-to-five working day. Durham County Council, the region's largest workforce, with about 19,000 staff, has joined the Work Wise North-East working initiative. It promotes such schemes
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Straight talking
Now living in Weardale, convicted murderer and one time notorious playboy Dennis Stafford has come clean in an uncompromising account of his life. Marjorie McIntyre looks at the life of a man who has continued to hit the headlines across five decades.
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September 20th, 2007
GIVEN that it included New Zealand against Portgual, the organisers of the Rugby World Cup must always have feared that last weekend's fixture list was going to produce a mismatch that would call the credibility of the competition into question. Sure
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Animal charity takes steps to raise cash
AN animal charity is holding a sponsored fun walk to help raise funds to cover running costs. The Thirsk-based Blue Cross animal adoption centre is looking for volunteers to take part. The charity is hosting a three-mile stroll and an eight-mile walk
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Festival will go ahead
ORGANISERS of the first festival to celebrate life in Upper Wensleydale say that the event will go ahead this weekend - despite foot-and-mouth restrictions. The Dales Harvest, centred on the town of Hawes, will be opened by Richmond MP William Hague at
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Victory charge by Storm
HARTLEPOOL'S Graeme Storm is one of four golfers aiming to take advantage of the absence of Soren Hansen from The Belfry over the next four days. If Storm is victorious at the Quinn Direct British Masters he could snatch the final place in the HSBC World
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Pupil's health -put at risk by inconsiderate parking'
A MOTHER says that selfish parents are endangering the health of her asthmatic son in a parking free-for-all outside a school. Sue Hedges said indiscriminate parking by parents on the school run at St Mary's Primary School, in Darlington Road, Richmond
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Regional base for office developer
THE company behind some of the region's biggest office developments has opened its own base in the North-East. Gladman Developments, the UK's largest speculative developer of office, industrial and distribution schemes, has moved into premises in Newcastle
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Strictly come dancing classes to start
WANNABE dancers are being invited to join a council-sponsored school. The Youth Dance Academy is launching classes to be held at Holmwood School Dance Studio, Middlesbrough, this autumn, with places available at £1 per class. It is supported by Middlesbrough
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Runner was ensuring drug supply
A LONG-TERM heroin addict acted as a dealer's runner to ensure his supply of the drug. Police found an egg-shaped container with a dozen wraps of heroin when Christopher Williams, from Hartlepool, was pulled up at the wheel of a car, on the A1086 Coast
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Barkley calls for a more tactical approach against Samoa
Olly Barkley believes England must tackle Samoa on Saturday with brains rather than brawn. The Bath star, recovered from his torn hip abductor, starts for the first time alongside Jonny Wilkinson at inside centre. He will share the responsibility for
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Waste centre work begins
WORK has begun on creating a recovery and recycling centre. The facility is being constructed by Premier Waste Management, at Washington's Monument Park and the first phase will open in December. Phase one of the facility will enable the recycling of
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Williams waiting for try chance
Fleet-footed winger Shane Williams heads into his 50th Test today with a golden opportunity to overtake the legendary Ieuan Evans in Wales' all-time try-scoring list. Evans scored 33 tries for Wales in a 79-Test career. Williams is now just one try behind
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Classes to combine history and theatre
STAGESTRUCK children are to take their first steps to the stage by working on a fledgling theatre production. Children in primary schools in the Washington area of Wearside will benefit from funding to enable them to take part in the theatre workshop
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Work with dealer was to ensure addict's supply
A LONG-TERM heroin addict acted as a dealer's runner to ensure his continued supply of the drug. Police found an egg-shaped container with a dozen wraps of heroin when Christopher Williams was pulled up at the wheel of a car, on the A1086 Coast Road,
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Sessions on offer to ensure a healthy birth
ADVICE sessions and information events are planned to improve child birth for expectant mothers. Various activities have been arranged to mark National Pregnancy Health Month, which is running for the second year, following a successful first month-long
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Drivers -put lives at risk'
MOTORISTS are putting lives in danger because they are ignoring temporary road signs. Stockton Borough Council and Cleveland Police are concerned about the number of drivers attempting to travel northbound through the roadworks at the A177 Mile House
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Wenger happy with both fans and his players
Arsenal 3, Sevilla 0. Arsene Wenger watched his side ease past Sevilla in front of a packed crowd at the Emirates Stadium as Arsenal's impressive start to the season continued. While Chelsea's crowd on Tuesday against Rosenborg was around the 25,000 mark
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Developer withdraws proposal to build home
DEVELOPERS behind plans to demolish a house to build a rest home have withdrawn their application. But, after receiving objections to the proposals for Rest Harrow, in Nunthorpe, Swiftbuild Properties plans to re-submit the scheme in a different form.
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Best of Ronaldo still to come, says Fergie
Sporting Lisbon 0, Manchester United 1. Sir Alex Ferguson has backed Cristiano Ronaldo to exceed last season's 23-goal tally after the Manchester United star returned to haunt old club Sporting Lisbon last night. The 22-year-old netted the only goal as
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National award for computer services
A COUNCIL'S information and technology team has become the first in the region to receive a Government award. The IT team at Chester-le-Street District Council has been presented with the Charter Mark by the Cabinet Office in recognition of its work to
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Church raising funds to help rubbish dump children
A DURHAM church is backing a project that helps Cambodian children who try to eke a living from a rubbish dump. Elvet Methodist Church, in Old Elvet, hopes to raise £20,000 for the Coventry-based international charity Global Care, which has launched
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Bank of England freezes rates despite uncertain future
BANK of England policymakers voted to keep rates on hold at 5.75 per cent in a further sign that interest rates may have reached their peak. All nine members of the Bank's rate-setting Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted to freeze rates amid uncertainty
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Pupils are tracking their carbon footprint
CHILDREN have been learning how green their school is while picking up tips to reduce their carbon footprint. How green is your school? was the question students at St Hild's School were asked when they took part in the education initiative from BP. Children
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Collingwood tries to look on bright side
SKIPPER Paul Collingwood dismissed suggestions England's Twenty20 World Cup campaign had ended in disaster despite their early elimination in South Africa. Collingwood saw his side lose by 18 runs against India after Yuvraj Singh hit the fastest ever
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Conference delegates share philosophies
A COMPANY behind some of the biggest brand names in the country, and another that has grown its turnover to more than £10m in eight years, featured at a conference in the region yesterday. Proctor and Gamble (P&G), makers of brands including Ariel, Duracell
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Who should take the blame?
AS shares in Northern Rock slumped disappointingly again yesterday, questions about who is to blame were growing louder. Hindsight is a wonderful thing, but senior figures are paid a lot of money to have foresight and it has proved to be lacking. There
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College wins award for training services
DURHAM Logistics College has received national recognition for its excellence in training and delivery. The college, based at Langley Park, Durham, has been presented with the RBT Connect 2007 Trainer of the Year award for its success in providing Rotherham
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Organisation moving closer to its objective
BUSINESS Link North-East (BLNE) has moved closer towards delivering its goals for providing business support across the region, after investing in staff training. From its creation earlier this year, BLNE pledged to boost the region's economy by supporting
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More expansion is ultimate goal for leisure company
BAR and club group Ultimate Leisure yesterday signalled further expansion through acquisition next year, as it posted results in line with expectations. The Newcastle-based plc, which is valued at about £94m on the Alternative Investment Market, admitted
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Better than just OK
Bus company OK were a feature of everyday life for many people in the North-East. David Holding's new book chronicles its history. OK, yah? It was among the North-East's best known bus companies, if not always a transport of delight - there were some
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Brown rejects Platini's plea
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has rejected a plea by UEFA president Michel Platini for the Government to become directly involved in battling ''the malign and ever-present influence of money'' in football. Platini has written to all European heads of government
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No time to dump Menzies
THE fresh air on the Brighton seafront cannot hide the smell of dread and dismay as the Liberal Democrats slide in the polls under Sir Menzies Campbell. But the Lib Dem MPs and footsoldiers who still swear allegiance to their struggling leader are right
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Success of Nissan site may bring jobs boost
CONTINUED success at Nissan's North-East plant could lead to a significant boost in production and the creation of more than 1,000 jobs, a company boss hinted yesterday. The car manufacturer is looking at the possibility of increasing the number of shifts
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'No police plans to question McCanns again'
The parents of Madeleine McCann have been told that police have no immediate plans to summon them for a fresh interview, it was confirmed last night. Gerry and Kate McCann were also informed by a prosecutor in Portugal that detectives could also be following
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Teflon-coated comedy
Comedy star Adam Sandler tells Steve Pratt that he hopes a film about two men pretending to be gay can be approached with an open mind by audiences. ACTOR Adam Sandler couldn't understand why the script for what's turned out to be his latest movie had
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Mighty fine movie
Steve Pratt discovers more about the role which had Angelina Jolie's nerves jangling as she prepared to play the real life role of Mariane Pearl, wife of the journalist Daniel Pearl who kidnapped and murderd. ANGELINA Jolie has never been so worried
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Best at last
He's been dubbed the next Bill Hicks, but controversial comic Brendon Burns tells Vivi Hardwick that he's just glad to be alive, after a period of rehab before winnning Edinburgh's top comedy award at the eleventh attempt. SOME in the world of comedy
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The show fit for kids
Icelandic sporting champion Magus Scheving couldn't find a TV programme to promote fitness for children, do he wrote one himself. he tells Viv Hardwick how he penned LazyTown and changed the world. AS the personal trainer to millions of children, Magnus
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Hit or miss?
NOW, I know soap characters aren't real. And if they were realistic, we wouldn't watch. But come on. Hayley Cropper is taking the mick. Since Hayley joined in 1998, she has come out as a transsexual, had a sex change, and been sacked because of it. She's
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Sweet smell of success as Lavender makes gold
A POPULAR visitor attraction is celebrating after it scooped gold at Yorkshire in Bloom. Yorkshire Lavender, at Terrington, near York, won gold in the visitor attraction section. It is the second time the attraction has entered after it won silver in
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Climate change festival scores a big success
A ONE-DAY green festival near Bedale has been hailed a success. More than 200 people attended the event at Newton-le-Willows, organised by the local Climate Change Group in the village hall. They received advice and information on a range of issues, including
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Top Ten To Follow
UK DVD/VIDEO RENTAL 1 (1) 28 Weeks Later 2 (2) Wild Hogs 3 (3) Sunshine 4 (4) Perfect Stranger 5 (5) This Is England 6 (6) Straightheads 7 (7) Mr Bean's Holiday 8 (8) Shooter 9 (9) Meet The Robinsons 10 (10) Blades Of Glory Supplied
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Europe's best blooms to compete for award
THE cream of Europe's flower displays are to be named at a competition in Harrogate. The Entente Floral Awards Ceremony 2007 is being staged by Harrogate Borough Council. The event will see more than 230 delegates from 12 European countries descend on
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Offices to replace run-down garage
A RUN-DOWN garage is to be turned into office space to enable a community centre to boost its income. The committee running Bedale Hall has won support from regional development agency Yorkshire Forward to turn the annexe building, described as an eyesore
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Harry discovered love of engines aged three
A MECHANIC who started learning about car engines by helping his father when he was three-years-old has died, aged 79, after a life spent running a garage. Harry Lowson became known for telling what was wrong with vehicles by listening to them for a few
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Working up a thirst in effort to help football club
FOOTBALL fans will roll out the barrel in support of their team during a fundraising walk this week. Bishop Auckland FC supporters are taking part in the four-mile journey from The Grand Hotel, in Holdforth Crest, Bishop Auckland, to the Ship Inn, in
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Eclectic group of comedians star at show
A COMEDY night featuring three stand-up comedians has been lined up to launch a season of entertainment at a town's biggest community hall. Dan Nightingale, Warren Speed and Rhodri Rhys, from the Funny Bones Comedy Club, will share the stage at Witham
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Students leave music tour on a high note
A SUCCESSFUL school trip has seen talented musicians perform concerts in three countries on the Continent. In the final week of the summer term, 22 students from Teesdale School, in Barnard Castle, along with 18 from other County Durham schools, packed
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Don't panic, Dad's Army event will go ahead
A DAD'S Army tribute is still going ahead, its organiser has insisted - despite promotional posters being ripped down. Josie Collins, who is organising the convention, believes people are trying to sabotage the event, which is due to take place next month
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Veggie lovers get to root of the issue
GARDENERS battled to be top of the crops at a leek show held at the weekend. The event was held at The Sportsman's Inn, in Toft Hill, on Saturday and Sunday. Judging took place on Saturday ahead of a presentation evening the same night, and proceeds
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'Village shopping centre' a £1m tribute to bygone era
AN old-style village centre costing £1m is to be created, with a cobbled street, four shops and a pavement cafe, inside a building. Businessman Peter Coverdale will use energy-saving devices on the project on an 11-acre site at Cross Lanes Farm, near
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Bid to save knowledge
MEMORIES of traditional gardening and uses for plants will be shared during a project aimed at passing on knowledge before it is lost. Methods of growing and using plants have been passed down through the generations in the Yorkshire Dales for centuries
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Hunt for ghosts
A GHOST hunt will take place at a 12th Century hotel this weekend. The Manor House Hotel, in West Auckland - said to be King Henry VIII's hunting lodge - will be the subject of the paranormal investigation on Sunday. North-East physic Dean Maynard will
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Hear All Sides: Your say on mayor debate
ELECTED MAYOR I WAS bemused by the support by Mike Barker, of Darlington Liberal Democrats, for the current "traditional" form of local government (HAS, Page 11, Sept 17). In May, we saw a party coming second in the popular vote in the borough of Darlington
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Police warn to watch out for suspicious cars
POLICE have appealed to residents in a rural area to report suspicious cars. It followed two raids by thieves on farms near Barnard Castle in the past week at Wycliffe and Bowes. Thieves took two pheasant feeders, and then a child's Suzuki quad bike
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History haven gets grant of £10,000
A GRANT of nearly £10,000 will help to improve a visitor centre in Teesdale. The Gaunless Valley Heritage Group, which helps to run the Gaunless Valley Visitor Centre, near Butterknowle, has been awarded £9,750. The centre promotes the industrial heritage
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Opening of centre for autistic young people
A CENTRE dedicated to helping youngsters with autism has opened at a school.It is the first support base for secondary school pupils with autistic spectrum disorder in Redcar and Cleveland.The Applegarth Centre, at Laurence Jackson School, in Guisborough
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Shoppers get crime message - by phone
SHOPPERS are to be given crime prevention advice over their mobile phones in a ground-breaking police initiative.Durham Police are the first force in the North-East and among the first in the country to turn to bluetooth technology to convey crime-busting
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Awards celebrate stars of tourism
STAFF at one of the region's best-known hotels were celebrating last night after scooping a second successive gold in the annual North-East Tourism Awards.Seaham Hall Hotel and Serenity Spa, on the east Durham coast was named the region's best small hotel
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David's history project is ticking along
A DESCENDANT of a clockmaking-family is appealing to anyone who knows the whereabouts of clocks and watches made in Stokesley to contact him.Retired police officer David Severs wants anyone who has a clock or watch with Stokesley, Stocksley or Stoxley
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Staff shortage leads to transfer of patients
SERIOUSLY ill patients will be transferred from an intensive care unit to hospitals several miles away because of a staff shortage, The Northern Echo has learnt.The proposal, affecting patients at Bishop Auckland General Hospital, is contained within
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Student aims to beat teachers
TEENAGER Khalil Thompson is expected to leave his teachers lagging behind when he joins them in tackling the Great North Run for the first time.Khalil will be among the youngest participants in this year's Newcastle to South Shields half-marathon.Having
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Scheme lets prisoners drive to work - in their own cars
INMATES at a North-East prison are using their own cars to drive from jail to work each day, it has been revealed.A number of prisoners from Kirklevington Grange, near Yarm, near Stockton, have been given the perk so they can drive themselves to paid
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Fresh hope for patients facing disease worries
Please note the free lecture takes place tonight, Thursday September 20, and not last night as the printed edition of The Northern Echo states today. PATIENTS in the region will soon be the first in Europe to benefit from an advanced new "gene sequencer
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Family's tribute to 'kind young man'
THE family of a 19-year-old driver who lost his life in a road accident spoke yesterday of the young man who was always "kind, caring and considerate.''Michael Allan Stones, who lived in St Cuthbert's Road, in Thornley, east Durham, was on his way to
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Raffles author is honoured by home town
SHERLOCK Holmes' brother-in-law has won a place of honour in the town of his birth.While Conan Doyle created the famous Victorian supersleuth, his sister's husband produced the comic parallel - gentleman thief Raffles and his accomplice Harry "Bunny''
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Cliff rescue coastguard is in the running for award
A COASTGUARD who risked his life to pull a schoolgirl to safety as she clung onto the edge of a cliff, minutes away from plunging 300ft, has been nominated for an award.Paul Waugh is one of four people shortlisted for the GMTV Beyond The Call of Duty
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Rita's wired over terrifying charity stunt
A PENSIONER is preparing to conquer her fear of heights by taking part in a zip wire ride across the River Tyne next month.Rita Lawson, 60, of Eastlea Avenue, Bishop Auckland, will raise money for Marie Curie Cancer Care on Saturday, October 13. She wanted
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World's best on show in region
WORLD three-day event champion and BBC Sports Personality of the Year Zara Phillips will be among top riders to compete in horse trials this weekend.Oliver Townend, who was part of the Great Britain team that retained the European eventing title in Italy
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'Shower' business left high and dry
IAN Wilson should be up to his eyes in his sheep-showering business at this time of year.Instead, foot-and-mouth disease restrictions have brought his thriving venture to an abrupt halt.The 24-year-old farmer's son set up the showering service with business
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The great cone robbery
IT might not be the crime of the century, but it is causing police a major headache.Hundreds of traffic cones, often the "trophies" from a night out on the town, have gone missing across Darlington in the past year.Police have now launched an amnesty
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'This could be the end of rural economy'
FARMERS have called on the Government to lift livestock restrictions before the rural economy "starts to die".The calls come as the agricultural industry looks for ways of doing business, despite the movement ban following foot-and-mouth outbreaks in
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Call for restrictions as drivers are forced to -dice with death'
A MOTHER-of-two yesterday called for speed restrictions on a County Durham road where a teenage driver lost his life this week.Michael Allan Stones, 19, died at the scene on a stretch of the A181 near to its junction with the unclassified road leading
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Wearing thin
What Not To Wear (BBC1, 8pm)Tonight's show, What Not To Wear, features 50 single men who want a girlfriend. One is a 40-year-old who has Nicole Kidman photos hanging round his house. Another spends most of his life on the internet. Another chats girls
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Police chief hits out at poor audit
A CHIEF constable has hit out at criticism of the way his force records crime - describing it as "a nonsense".A report by the Audit Commission released today marked Cleveland Police down from excellent to good when it came to the statistics.The force's
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Veterans return to 'death alley' bridge
IT WAS one of the bloodiest engagements of the Second World War. Battle-hardened Geordies found themselves pitted unexpectedly against a band of crack German paratroopers in a three-day battle for a vital bridge.About 500 men of the famous 151 (Durham
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Evening of music will salute organ's 125 years
A CHURCH will be filled with music when it celebrates an anniversary on Monday. It was 125 years ago that world-renowned organ making company Harrison and Harrison installed one of its instruments in St Saviour's Church, in Shotton Colliery.Built in 1854
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Relief as snooker hall plans are blackballed at meeting
PLANS to convert a snooker hall into flats were dramatically rejected at a town hall meeting yesterday.Dozens of protestors, many with placards and banners, arrived at the planning committee's meeting in a bid to save Darlington Snooker Club, in Corporation
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'We are just like the Royal Family - only poorer'
A FORMER mayor and mayoress of Darlington will celebrate their diamond wedding anniversary today.Allan Gill and his wife, Joan, became a couple on VE Day, May 9, 1945, and, after marrying two years later, will celebrate their 60th year of marriage on
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Family says goodbye to community
A POPULAR family-run convenience store is changing hands after more than 60 years of business. J and O Hedley, in Spencer Street, Eldon Lane, near Bishop Auckland, has been run by two generations of the same family since the Forties. Its owners,
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Ronaldo celebrates return with winner
CRISTIANO Ronaldo returned in red to haunt former club Sporting Lisbon and ensure Manchester United made a winning start to their latest Champions League quest.Ronaldo spent seven years wearing Sporting green before he left for Old Trafford in 2003 with
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Keane creating 'mini United' claims Cole
ANDREW COLE has paid the ultimate compliment to Roy Keane by suggesting the Irishman is well on his way to replicating the model of Premier League champions Manchester United at Sunderland.Cole has only been around to see Keane's managerial methods in
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Shearer has no fears of losing fans' faith
NEWCASTLE United legend Alan Shearer does not believe the special relationship he shares with the Magpies' fanatical following could be damaged should he ever return to manage his beloved club. The record-breaking striker has enjoyed a special bond with
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Boro blow as Aliadiere sidelined for six weeks
GARETH Southgate's worst fears were confirmed last night when medical tests revealed that summer signing Jeremie Aliadiere will be sidelined for up to six weeks.Aliadiere pulled a hamstring in the first half of Saturday's 3-0 defeat at West Ham and appeared
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Young rifleman was living his dream
THE grieving family of a promising teenage soldier have said he was living his dream in the Army.Tributes have been paid to 18-year-old rifleman John Dean Myers, who died suddenly from unexplained causes last week.Pte Myers, from Firth Moor, in Darlington
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Man who urinated on victim faces jail
A MAN who was filmed urinating on a dying woman was last night facing jail.Anthony Anderson laughed as he carried out the assault, telling his friend: "This is YouTube material."The 27-year-old was watched by a laughing crowd as he carried out a series
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Middlesbrough needs a gay quarter - Mallon
A MAYOR is calling for a North-East town to have a recognised gay quarter.Middlesbrough Mayor Ray Mallon says creating such an area is an "essential element" of any vibrant town or city.He has told a meeting of the council's executive he wants more events
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Tributes to tragic Scout leader
A DEDICATED Scout leader was killed in a car crash while he was driving home from a troop meeting.Alistair Peach, an engineering student at Cambridge University, had spent an evening with the Baden Powell Cubs and Scouts at Heighington near Darlington.The
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Buyers circle around ailing Northern Rock
THE Northern Rock suffered another bruising day on the stock market as potential buyers circled the ailing bank.After a temporary rally, shares in the Newcastle-based group fell more than 16 per cent amid rumours that the group had received a bargain
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Reward offered on rail cable thieves
NETWORK Rail will offer a £1,000 reward for information to catch and convict thieves who have been stripping cable from the region's railways. The reward, in conjunction with the charity Crimestoppers, forms part of a new campaign aimed at stamping out
