Archive
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Successful search for man missing near cliff top
LIFEBOAT volunteers were called into to assist with a coastal search operation for a missing man. A shore based search operation was started just after 8pm this evening by Police and Coastguard Rescue Teams after a member of the public contacted Durham
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Forest vistors told to take care after floods
VISITORS to a County Durham forest have been warned to watch their step after the worst storms in decades damaged pathways. The Forestry Commission say that flash floods in Hamsterley Forest, near Bishop Auckland weakened many of the pathways
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Owen completes Old Trafford move
Michael Owen, the former Newcastle United forward, has completed his free transfer to Manchester United. Owen has signed a two-year deal at Old Trafford after allowing his contract at St James' Park to run down. He passed his medical today and spent
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Race meeting
A RACE track near Barnard Castle will host a range of cars on Sunday afternoon. Brisca FII Stockcars, Banger Rods, Junior Bangers, Hot Rods and ORCi Ministox will all be at Barford Raceway from 2pm. Tickets cost £10 for adults or £5 for concessions.
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Run in memory of cancer victim
A WOMAN from Teesdale will take part in the Great North Run in memory a friend who died from breast cancer. Roxy Jackson, from Evenwood, County Durham, will run the half marathon in September for the Breast Cancer Campaign. The Training Manager decided
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Warning to forest visitors after storms
VISITORS to a County Durham forest have been warned to watch their step after the worst storms in decades damaged pathways. The Forestry Commission say that flash floods in Hamsterley Forest, near Bishop Auckland weakened many of the pathways. The deluge
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Commemorating Redcar's claims to fame
PLAQUES commemorating Redcar's claims to fame have been unveiled across the town. They range from the world's oldest lifeboat to the first aged persons bungalows built in England. The inspiration came from Redcar's historian, Vera Robinson MBE, now
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Stolen goalposts recovered
THE game is back on after a set of stolen goalposts were returned - much to the delight of budding young footballers. The youngsters were left devastated when thieves struck at South Bank Primary School last week and made off with posts. Staff at the
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Shoplifter clampdown underway
SHOPLIFTERS operating across the Redcar and Cleveland area are being targeted in a high-visibility clampdown. Officers will be patrolling the streets over the next 12 months picking up prolific offenders in an attempt to bring the problem under control
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Crack house closed down
A CRACK house has been closed down after Cleveland Police continues it's battle against drug use. Paul Beevers, of 69 Dent Street, Hartlepool, was ordered to vacate the premises, which will be boarded up for three months, after magistrates agreed the
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Hut converted into replica train station
A DISUSED hut has been transformed into a replica train station for care home residents. Staff at Redworth House Nursing Home in Shildon converted a wooden structure in the grounds behind the home into a place for residents to relive the town
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Young talent on show
YOUNG performers have been warming up for their chance to shine at Redcar's Kirkleatham Museum next weekend. The free 'Shine' festival is showcasing the achievements and talent of young people involved in Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's Creative
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Car accident caused A1 delays
A CRASH near a North-East landmark this morning caused serious delays on a major road. An Alfa Romeo and a Citroen Xsaro Picasso were involved the accident on the A1 northbound near The Angel of the North, at Gateshead, at about 11.50am.
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Last chance for say on green issues
TIME is running out for Darlington residents who want to help influence Government environment policy. Following Darlington Borough Council’s decision to opt into the Government's Sustainable Communities Act, anyone in the town can submit their ideas
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Police operation hailed success
A CRACKDOWN on shoplifting and crime in Darlington town centre has resulted in 60 people being searched and seven people charged. In the two-week run up to the launch of Darlington’s Shopwatch scheme which began in the town on Monday, police
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Miniature steam locomotive on show in Shildon
A MINIATURE Edwardian steam locomotive will be steaming along the tracks in Shildon tomorrow. The Orion, which belongs to the Stephenson Locomotive Society, is part of this weekend’s toy fair and swap meet at Locomotion: The National Railway Museum.
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International sportswoman to open games
A RUGBY international is hoping to inspire young people at this year's Darlington Community Games. England international Tamara Taylor will meet hundreds of pupils at the event, which aims to encourage young people to take part in sport and physical
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Mechanic retires after 50 years
A CAR technician is hanging up his tools after 50 years under the bonnet. John Watson is retiring from Darlington Vauxhall dealership Sherwoods where he has worked for the past 26 years. The 65-year-old began working in the car industry
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Owen set to complete shock move to Red Devils
MICHAEL Owen will complete his shock move to Manchester United later this evening once final medical checks have been conducted. The former Newcastle striker spent the day at the club's Carrington training complex, but left early this afternoon in a
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Pupils try out tag rugby
ULTIMATE frisbee, tag rugby and uni-hockey were just some of the sports pupils at a Darlington school have been trying out to mark National School Sports Week. As well as trying their hands at other new sports including dodge ball and lacrosse, and
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Headline Game
Despite a brave effort, the Headline Game ended in defeat again this morning. The story was about New Zealand Airlines producing a video, featuring air crew wearing nothing but body paint, to encourage passengers to take notice of safety briefings.
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Albert Hill and the Irish
An anonymous reader, who regularly writes with wonderful handwriting, has been following the story of Jonathan Moscrop who emigrated from the Albert Hill area of Darlington in 1879 to find a new life in New Zealand. She - I'm convinced she's a she, and
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Ashes Preview
England and Australia, perhaps the greatest ever sporting rivalry, are all set to do battle for the biggest prize in cricket; The Ashes. After suffering defeat after defeat to the Aussies, England finally managed to reclaim the Ashes in 2005, with
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North-East school head suffering from swine-flu
A PRIMARY school headteacher is being treated at home after being diagnosed with swine flu. The head of Sacred Heart RC Primary, in Byermoor, Gateshead, is said to be doing well. Maggie Atkinson, group director of learning and children at Gateshead
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Temporary gas supplies introduced
TEMPORARY gas supplies are being introduced in empty council houses in a bid to cut waiting times for prospective tenants. Properties in East Durham have been left unoccupied for up to three months while old or broken solid fuel heating systems
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Bedale groups snatches market towns award
A MAJOR town improvement scheme in North Yorkshire has been praised for its efforts and has picked up a top local award. The Bedale Heritage Partnership Scheme won the business and economy category of the Yorkshire and Humber Market Town Awards. They
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New £2.5m sports centre approved
PLANS for a new sports and leisure centre in North Yorkshire have been given the go-ahead. The £2.5m centre, which will serve Malton, Norton and the surrounding area, was given the green light by the county council’s planning committee. And it is hoped
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Life-saving course for youngsters in Bedale
YOUNG people are to get the chance to develop their lifesaving and first aid skills during a week-long course this summer. The course at Bedale Leisure Centre for 10 to 16-year-olds is based on the Royal Lifesaving Society’s "Rookie Lifeguard
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Mystery over painted Thirsk dog dirt
LOCALS are hunting clues to unravel the mystery of who is the culprit painting dog dirt yellow on the streets of a rural market town. Residents in Thirsk are looking into what could be viewed as a shaggy dog story were it not for the brightly painted
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Crash at Angel causes delays
A CRASH near a North East landmark this morning caused delays on a major road. An Audi and a Citroen were involved in an accident on the A1 northbound near The Angel of the North at Gateshead at about 11.49am. No details have been released
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Thrill-seekers get a shock as lightning strike halts ride
THRILL-seekers got a shock they werent expecting when a lightning strike literally halted a rollercoaster in its tracks today. The incident happened this morning at Flamingoland, near Malton in North Yorkshire. Around 20 people
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Head teacher retires
A HEAD teacher is to retire after seven years at the helm. Maureen Bates, head of St Bede’s, Lanchester, marked the occasion with a Mass and social evening held at the school on June 23. Bishop Seamus Cunningham, Catholic Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle
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Durham v Worcestershire (final day)
DURHAM rushed to their fourth successive victory this morning, and hoped to extend their lead at the top over Nottinghamshire, who were held up by rain at Trent Bridge. With rain forecast to arrive at Riverside at around 1pm, Durham were anxious to
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An Owen goal
"Is that a joke?" That was the instinctive reaction of a friend of mine who supports Manchester United when I told him that Sir Alex Ferguson was about to sign Michael Owen. Disbelief seems to be the general response to the news that Owen is heading
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Revamp plans on display
MULTI-million pound plans to revamp an East Durham town centre have gone on public display. Residents can see proposals for the redevelopment of St John’s Square, in Seaham, at two locations in the town over coming days. The £19m makeover project will
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Catterick instructor cleared of neglecting duty in alleged bullying case
AN Army training instructor was cleared today of neglecting his duty over the alleged bullying and ill-treatment of young recruits. Colour Sergeant Michael Hetherington was formally cleared of two charges brought under the Army Act 1955 at a court martial
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Why I want Murray to lose
I have a confession to make - I don't want Andy Murray to win Wimbledon. While millions around the country are desperate for Murray to become Britain's first men's champion for 71 years, I hope he loses. I'm a big tennis fan and have been watching Wimbledon
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Thirsk locals fight recycling plant expansion
LOCAL businesses and councillors have come together to fight a major scheme to develop a waste management site in North Yorkshire. Todds Waste Management has entered a four point plan with North Yorkshire County Council over its Thirsk Industrial Park
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Sport festival starts
A FOUR-DAY sports summer school for teenagers takes place next week. More than 140 youngsters from across County Durham will be taking part in supervised coaching sessions on sports as diverse as abseiling, skiing, scuba diving, mountain biking, archery
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Scouting for Eastbourne
More Eastbourne memories, this time from Colin Johnson. He writes: "While I have no feelings regarding the demolition of Eastbourne School, I do have memories. There will be a number of old Scouts in the town who remember when we performed the first
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Owen arrives in Manchester ahead of shock swoop
FORMER England striker Michael Owen has arrived at Manchester United's training ground as his move to the Premier League champions moves closer. The 29-year-old arrived at Carrington this morning, having already undergone an assessment of his troublesome
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Thief grabs handbag from car in Newton Aycliffe
AN opportunist thief smashed a car window and stole a woman's handbag from the passenger seat yesterday afternoon. Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident, which occurred in Barrington Road, Newton Aycliffe, County Durham at 4.25pm. A man
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Increase in heating and insulation grants
A COUPLE from east Durham are among the first to benefit from changes to a government-backed home insulation and heating scheme. Ron and Laura Griffin are £700 better off thanks to an increase in the maximum grant from Warm Front, the initiative
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Money for beginners: Don’t be a fool with your fuel
PETROL prices are creeping up again. From under 90p a few months ago they have sneaked back up to more than £1 a litre – or nearly £5 a gallon for the grown-ups among us. So the boy racers charging round Crook Market Place the other night must
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Bring a little sunshine into your garden
Reader's question GILLIAN is new to gardening and has seen her father planting marigolds in his bedding scheme every summer. She went to buy some from the local DIY store but was bewildered by the different types on offer. She would like to know
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The perfect scoop
Some of the nicest ices to keep you cool in the heatwave. THE name Brymor is synonymous with family treats on hot summer’s days and generations have enjoyed the thick luxurious ice cream made from Guernsey cow milk at High Jervaulx Farm in the Yorkshire
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Keep 'em on...
WHILE heartily applauding the motives of the Darlington Rotary Club good and great in posing for their naked charity calendar (Echo, July 1), I have serious misgivings about some of the aesthetics involved – indeed, the sight made my breakfast
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Murder verdicts
IN light of recent verdicts, is it not perhaps time to repeal our archaic and obsolete legislation against murder? When are we likely to encounter an accused killer who was not at least slightly irritated by the deceased and who has never suffered
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How to be fit for anything
The summer holidays are the perfect time to get out and about and become more active. If your goal is improved fitness, follow this advice from sports therapist Ed Pratt. 1 Know why you’re doing it BEFORE you start, sit down and have a serious think
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Pools Paradise: Darlington Civic Theatre
THE fourth and final play in Ian Dickens’ summer repertory season at the Civic Theatre, in Darlington, is Philip King’s Fifties farce Pools Paradise. Author of Sailor Beware and Big Bad Mouse, King throws in all the well-loved ingredients of
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Going green
Friday Night With Jonathan Ross (BBC 1, 10.35pm) JONATHAN Ross definitely isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but Friday night audiences are still going for his brash, vulgar and over-the-top antics. He’s always keen to entertain and the show has now
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European Union
PREOCCUPATION with the current parliamentary problems should not overshadow the world problems that we face. They do need to be solved in a way that enables us to deal with them. That means being able to show leadership and the ability to work
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Tradition: it needs updating
EVERY picture tells a story, and someone’s body language and looks are often more eloquent than mere words. Take that piece of Parliamentary rigmarole the other week, the “dragging” of the new Speaker of the Commons to the chair. John Bercow must
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Alan Milburn
THE Labour Party will lose the next General Election and deserves to. For 12 years it has promoted war, feathered the nests of the rich and greedy and at the same time its MPs have feathered their own nests with expenses and second jobs. Rather
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Electoral reform
I AGREE with Peter Wilson’s criticisms of the present electoral system (HAS, June 29), and take the view that it should be replaced with a system of proportional representation. The issue then is which of a number of systems of proportional representation
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House melodrama
RECENT months have seen a political drama unfold in the House of Commons. Some would say it has been unprecedented; events so remarkable even by Westminster standards. The melodrama highlights a Government up against it, lacking popularity in
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Afghanistan
AS Bernie Walsh (HAS, June 29) points out, there are valid reasons why our troops are in Afghanistan, and media coverage makes it absolutely clear that they are doing a magnificent job there. What is also made clear by media coverage, however,
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Sad tale of the unlucky 13
Northern Echo reporter Graeme Hetherington tells the sad story of 13 men who where taken from their homes under the cloak of darkness and whose families never saw them again. THE night of June 10, 1940, will forever be remembered as the time the
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Keeping flu in context
THERE is a fine balance to be found in the way the media reports the spread of swine flu. It is important not to alarm people – but it would also be wrong to underestimate the impact of the pandemic. Health Secretary Andy Burnham announced yesterday
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Anderson sets out his stall for the Ashes
JAMES Anderson signalled his determination to play a key role in the Ashes with a timely display for England to help them take control of their warm-up match against Warwickshire. The 26-year-old Lancashire seamer has been on the periphery of
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Display full of character from Sayers boosts Yorkshire
AN outstanding performance from Joe Sayers put Yorkshire in sight of their first Championship win of the season at Taunton, as the opener showed immense character and concentration. He batted for almost the entire day and wracked up 152 to help
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In Pursuit of winning Angels at Sandown
ANGEL’S Pursuit is considered much better than his Royal Ascot placing and deserves another chance in the Foundation Developments Dragon Stakes at Sandown. One of a pair of Listed races on an interesting pre-Coral- Eclipse card, some sharp twoyear
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Durham stand on the brink
LIAM Plunkett is clearly not superstitious. He was sporting a beard when he recorded his career-best figures of six for 63 on the first day against Worcestershire, but appeared clean-shaven yesterday to complete his first ten-wicket match haul.
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It’s Williams v Williams in women’s final yet again
ANOTHER year. Another all-Williams women’s singles final at Wimbledon. However, yesterday’s semis were not quite as predictable as you may have read. Serena needed to dig deeper than ever before producing a fighting victory. In the end only a
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Worsley backing Vickery
JOE Worsley has backed his Wasps and England colleague Phil Vickery to recover from a first Test ‘beasting’ when the British and Irish Lions conclude their tour of South Africa tomorrow. Vickery returns to the front-line for another appointment
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No signs of pressure as Murray prepares
IF Andy Murray felt the weight of national expectation, he wasn’t showing it yesterday. The British number one laughed and joked his way through a practice session as he prepared for this afternoon’s semi-final with Andy Roddick. It was almost
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Bruce and Quinn ready to give players their chance
WITH Greg Halford ready to finally end two years of misery on Wearside, chairman Niall Quinn has reassured the rest of the Sunderland squad that they will be given a chance to impress during preseason. Steve Bruce, installed as the club’
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Todd lands his targets
WHEN Colin Todd paraded nine of his ten new recruits for the first time yesterday, the satisfaction he felt was clear as Darlington’s new-look squad gathered for the first day of pre-season training. While none of the new additions can put pen
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Designs destined for the web
A FASHION graduate who has styled for world-famous designer Nicole Farhi is to bring her range of vintage retro to the region. Heidi Pryce is launching her eclectic range of hand-picked vintage and customised garments, and even has one of her
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On their marks for £130,000 fundraiser
CANCER survivors and women who have lost relatives to the disease will be among the thousands who will pull on their trainers this weekend to raise money for research. Professor of experimental cancer medicine Ruth Plummer – whose research is
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Big chef’s menu launched in region
JOBS will be created when a North Yorkshire Little Chef becomes one of the first three in the country to feature chef Heston Blumenthal’s menu. The restaurant at York will feature a menu overhauled by the triple Michelin-star chef. Blumenthal
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Studio celebrates
A HAIR studio in north Durham is celebrating 25 years of trading. Trysha Suddick, the owner Knutz Hair Studio, in Shotley Bridge, County Durham, started the business in 1984 with an enterprise scheme grant of £40 per week for two years.
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Corus talks will go ahead, says MP
NEGOTIATIONS between Corus and a consortium which pulled a vital steel contract, putting 3,000 jobs at risk, will happen it was claimed yesterday. In May, the four-strong international consortium, including Marcegaglia, of Italy, and Dongkuk,
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News in brief: Rock sell-off ‘disastrous’
ANY early Government selloff of Northern Rock or its stake in other banks would be “disastrous”, Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesman Vince Cable said yesterday. Mr Cable told the Local Government Association annual conference he did not know
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Market report
SHOCK US jobs data sent the London market diving into the red yesterday as gloom gathered over trading floors. America’s jobless figures for the month brought an end to five straight months of improvements, dampening hopes that the world’s largest
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Game profits slip in first half
RETAIL group Game yesterday said half-year profits would be much lower after figures last year were boosted by blockbuster releases. In an update on first-half trading, Game said like-for-like sales in the 21 weeks to Saturday were down by 15.8
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Jobs at risk as attempts to sell refinery draw blank
HUNDREDS of workers at a Teesside refinery are being warned of redundancy after attempts to find a buyer for the site have so far drawn a blank. Formal consultations with the 150 employees at the Petroplus refinery, on North Tees, are now under
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Getting naked for positivity
A DESIGN and marketing agency has laid itself bare by asking employees to get naked as a means to increase positivity and productivity for a TV documentary. Newcastle-based onebestway and its online sister company angelfysh have taken part in
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Opening doors to ten apprentices
A TRUCK manufacturing plant has taken on ten apprentices. Caterpillar’s Peterlee plant, which manufactures the firm’s articulated trucks, received more than 150 applications for the ten welding and fabrication apprenticeships. The recruits, who
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Firm is driving force in vehicle leasing market
A FAMILY-RUN vehicle leasing firm has significantly increased its market share despite demand nationally halving during the economic downturn. Advanced Vehicle Leasing (AVL), based in Urlay Nook, near Stockton, supplies contract hire, lease cars
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Veteran’s anger at state of cemetery
A VETERAN has spoken of his disgust at the state of a “rubbish-strewn” foreign cemetery where British servicemen are buried. Frank Wright, a former County Durham miner and RAF officer, is demanding that the Government takes urgent action to renovate
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Bomb survivor backs new support scheme
A MAN who narrowly survived bullets and bombs during the Falklands conflict has backed action to support vulnerable North-East military veterans. Colin Waite’s harrowing experiences during the conflict left him battling post traumatic stress
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French pair lead the way at school
TWO French students are helping to create a double first for a cathedral choir this year. From September, two French girls will be among the first female members of Durham Cathedral choir. Laure de Longevialle and Apolline Jauffret will
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Benefit fraudster is spared prison
A MAN who committed a £16,000 benefit fraud over three-and-a-half years while employed as a council youth worker has been spared jail. Donald Smith carried on claiming income support despite finding work with Stockton Borough Council in 2003.
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Call for MPs to hold meetings on expenses
A POLITICIAN has called for local MPs to hold public meetings to discuss the expenses scandal. Ray Mallon, the outspoken elected mayor of Middlesbrough, said the meetings were needed to reassure the public that their elected members have nothing
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Police take action to close crackhouse
A CRACKHOUSE has been closed as police continue their battle against drug use. Paul Beevers, of 69 Dent Street, Hartlepool, was ordered to vacate the premises, which will be boarded up for three months, after magistrates agreed the closure
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Titbits entice kittens from combine harvester
A LITTER of kittens has been rescued after surviving the first six weeks of their lives in a combine harvester. Farmers’ wife Shane Dew spent more than a week trying to entice the three kittens, which were born in the harvester and nursed there
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Lucky dog Jess
A DOG that was swept away in Wednesday night’s flash floods turned up safe and well yesterday. Neil Holcroft thought he had lost his three-year-old chocolate labrador Jess when she disappeared from the banks of the River Gaunless, near Bishop
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All aboard as Brown pays region a visit
PRIME Minister Gordon Brown yesterday got a firsthand view of the East Coast Main Line during a whistlestop visit to the region. Mr Brown travelled on the line, which is to temporarily come under state ownership, stopping off in North Yorkshire
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Legal threats in waste dispute
CAMPAIGNERS fighting plans for a waste incinerator say they have been threatened with court action by a council. North Yorkshire County Council has identified seven possible sites for an incinerator, including at Dalton, near Thirsk. Residents
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Number of extra carriages halved
RAIL passengers across the region suffered another blow yesterday, when their hopes of early relief from overcrowded trains were dashed. The number of extra carriages promised to train companies running local services across the North-East and
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Time Team stars dig into the Roman way of life
A TELEVISION crew is in the region filming for the new series of Channel 4’s Time Team. The show, presented by actor Tony Robinson, explores archaeological sites across the UK. The team is spending three days at Piercebridge, near Darlington
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We're ready for swine flu crisis
NHS officials in the region last night sought to reassure the public after the Government warned there could be 100,000 new swine flu cases a day in Britain by the end of next month. Under emergency plans being drawn up by regional health chiefs
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Youth's airgun threats "a joke" in chip robbery
A TEENAGER has admitted robbing another youth of a handful of chips at gunpoint, to amuse his friends. During the incident, outside a Chinese takeaway restaurant in a village near Chester-le-Street, County Durham, an airgun was fired, but no
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"Talk about your problems" urges mother of man found hanged
A MOTHER whose son was found hanged has issued an emotional plea for people to share problems rather than take their own lives. Colleen Jardine’s world fell apart on June 14 when her son Gary, 27, was discovered hanging from a banister at his
