Archive
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Family calls for law change after killing of North-East mental health worker
A FAMILY has called for a change in the law after their daughter was killed by a paranoid schizophrenic with a violent past. Ronald Dixon was not being properly monitored and had stopped taking his anti-psychotic medication when he attacked Ashleigh
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Singer who shared stage with Bobbie Thompson celebrates her 100th birthday
A SINGER who once shared the stage with North-East comedian Bobbie Thompson has celebrated her 100th birthday. Phyllis Vasey marked the occasion with family and friends and was in fine form - serenading Durham County Council chairman Councillor Dennis
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Consultation begins for free school buses
ONLY the poorest schoolchildren could be entitled to free bus travel in a proposed shake-up of transport services designed to save more than £350,000. At present, Middlesbrough Council provides discretionary free transport to allow pupils to attend
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Author brings his stories to life
A LEADING author has sparked the imagination of youngsters when he called into a school to talk about his work. Peter J Murray was helping key stage two pupils at Layfield Primary School, Ya rm, develop their creative writing skills. The author
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Chance to join town restoration
HISTORY buffs are being invited to join a forum to help with the preservation and restoration of a town centre. Stockton Borough Council is looking for two volunteers to sit on a panel of 11 residents and business leaders who meet in Stockton Town
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Police appeal after sex assaults
A MAN who groped a girl on a bus may be responsible for two other sexual assaults. At about 6pm on Monday, the man got on the No 63 bus at Middlesbrough Station. He spoke to the 16-year-old before fondling her. The girl got off the bus in Eston, the
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Degree opens the opportunities
WHEN Dorcas Onyike, right , received her master's degree in InternationalManagement from Teesside University yesterday, it was a return visit to Middlesbrough Town Hall. For Ms Onyike has already achieved a BA (Hons) in marketing and public relations
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Controversy-hit Tesco superstore gets green light
THE Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government has given Tesco the green light to build a superstore in Harrogate. Eric Pickles announced yesterday he would not call in the plans, which have sparked a storm of controversy among traders in
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Thieves steal jewels worth £20,000
AN investigation is under way after jewellery worth almost £20,000 was stolen in a burglary. Thieves struck at a property in Bedale Road, in Well, near Bedale, North Yorkshire, between 5.30pm and 10pm on Tuesday. Among more than a dozen items stolen
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Exhibition at Durham University - all for a good cause
A FORMER Durham University student who established a name for himself as an artist has donated 77 paintings for a new exhibition. The works by Professor David Almond will be sold to help finance the Durham University Palace Green Library Project
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Inquest into hotel blaze death finds cigarette to blame
A MAN who died in a hotel blaze started by a cigarette would have been made groggy by high levels of epileptic medication. Nigel Butterfield, 41, worked in the kitchens of the Majestic Hotel in Harrogate but died on May 5 when a fire started in the
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Anyone for a pillow fight?
TIRED after a long week, I’d gone to bed early and was drifting off in the darkness when my wife came up an hour or so later. She likes to read before she goes to sleep, so her bedside light went on. It’s the kind of spotlight you see
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Astronaut with Captain Cook link lands in North Yorkshire
A NASA astronaut with a stong connection to Captain Cook spent the day describing his space voyages to school children yesterday. Dr Nicholas Patrick, who now lives in Houston, America, is one of the few British citizens to make it into space. In February
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Press in the dock
FOR anyone connected with the media, and in particular with newspapers, it was another day of dispiriting evidence yesterday at the Leveson Inquiry. The McCanns, like the Dowlers two days earlier, have been unforgivably put through the wringer
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And so to bed
Belatedly on the railroad to Wembley, and still forced to walk the last 14 miles, the column follows Spennymoor Town to the Silentnight Stadium. CONSIDERABLY delayed, and for circumstances beyond out control, the Railroad to Wembley finally
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Fail to prepare, prepare to fail
I would like to start my blog this week by thanking everyone who has commented on the blog so far and also those people who know me and have sent me text messages and emails, opening their hearts to me about being unhappy with their weight. I know exactly
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Western spring
THE Occupy movements do nothing more than demonstrate a mood. Anti-capitalism is just a slogan. It is no substitute for hard thinking about what the answers are for the unfairness, inequality and lack of social justice in our society. It will
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Man of letters
I WOULD disagree with Colin Wilson (HAS, Nov 21) regarding letters from Bernie Walsh. I have always found his letters to be very well written. He has a knack of condensing a topic and yet still presenting the issues fairly – hardly “incessant
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Unemployment
CAN we afford to let unemployment rise? It cannot be economically viable. With another 500 jobs lost at the Alcan smelter plant, in Northumberland, and a further 3000 or more affected through the supply chain, these are tough times for the region
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Olympic tickets
ACCORDING to a recent report, politicians and council chiefs are to be handed 13,000 VIP seats at the Olympics, while ordinary fans miss out. Like all of the international federations participating in the games, a delegation from Fifa will enjoy
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Disgust
I WAS disgusted with the disgraceful acts carried out by Sergeant Gordon Hill, who I served with in 1st Battalion, The King’s Regiment before it became the Duke of Lancasters Regiment (Echo, Nov 17). Sgt Hill stole war medals from his comrades
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Ticked off
REGARDING the report about North-East council workers spending £4,000 on speaking clock (Echo, Nov 21). Do these people not read the news about council cutbacks? While they are ringing the speaking clock we are losing leisure centres, rural bus
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Running out of excuses
THERE are still three-and-a-half years to go the next general election. Yet, already, it feels like the Chancellor’s last roll of the dice. I’m talking about next week’s dull-sounding autumn statement, more snappily described as the Government’s
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Christmas cheer
HAVING walked around Darlington’s town centre the other day with my children, aged three and one, I noticed just how commercialised Christmas has sadly become. Most shops have already launched Christmas sales and half-price discounts. Eventually
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Un-reality TV is a big turn off
HOW many more so-called reality TV shows are we going to have to suffer before the television executives get the message that we are fed up with them? The television companies only screen them because they are cheap. Of course, some of the judges
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Disabled parking
OCCASIONALLY my wife and I go to Bishop Auckland. We have always parked in Newgate Street without any problem. Today, we received a parking fine for parking in a disabled bay. What sort of council would have disabled parking and then put a misleading
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Asbestos
MORE than 2,800 people in the North-East have died from asbestos-related disease since 2000 and there is every indication that this death toll will continue, unless tradesmen and building maintenance workers who may be exposed to asbestos in the
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Spending
I DON’T think the Eurozone crisis would have been created if each country had kept to using its own traditional currency. Also, the Ministry of Defence has apparently spent £560m on outside technical advice. This wasted money should have been
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New figures show less than third of at-risk youngsters have flu jab
HEALTH bosses have made a new appeal for young people to get vaccinated against flu after new figures which showed that less than a third of at-risk youngsters have had the jab. The appeal is aimed at the parents of under 16s with long term
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Reveller may lose sight in one eye after vicious nightclub attack
A NIGHTCLUB reveller is danger of losing the sight in one eye after a vicious attack while out on the town. The 32-year-old was enjoying himself at the Matrix nightclub in Kirkgate, in Ripon, North Yorkshire, when a brawl broke out at about 1.30am last
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Library turns over a new leaf
While libraries, theatres and art galleries close across the region, one North-East town has just refurbished its library, plans to reopen a long-closed theatre and its art centre has secured a funding increase. Chris Webber reports. FLOODED with
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Last edition of free newspaper
A FREE newspaper has printed its last edition after falling advertising income forced it to close. The Darlington and South Durham Herald and Post will no longer be distributed to 34,000 homes in the area, with bosses saying it has struggled to
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Winter nights warning from police
POLICE are encouraging people to be vigilant and tighten home security during the hours of darkness. The Winter Nights initiative in the Newton Aycliffe and Spennymoor police districts aims to cut the number of house break-ins and remind people to lock
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Refuge launches campaign to raise essential funding
A REFUGE which provides a lifeline to women fleeing domestic abuse has launched a fundraising drive to make up an annual £50,000 shortfall. Family Help, the charity which runs the refuge in Darlington, receives no or partial state funding for
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Threat of suspension lifted from Easington
Second Division Easington won't be suspended by the league after paying their outstanding fines. Easington were hauled in front of the last League Management committee meeting for failing to pay two £25 fines after two cheques bounced, and they were
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Fundraiser ahead of charity trek
THREE women preparing for a gruelling cycle ride across the Indian desert are holding a fundraising event next week to support the fight against cancer. Next October, Sarah Barron and sisters Claire Ingham and Louise Murray – all from Northallerton
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Appeal after nightclub attack
A NIGHTCLUB reveller is danger of losing the sight in one eye after a vicious attack while out on the town. The 32-year-old was enjoying himself at the Matrix nightclub in Kirkgate, Ripon when a brawl broke out at about 1.30am last Sunday. The fracas
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Fake debt advisors preying on vulnerable
BOGUS debt advisers have been preying in people with money worries in the Hambleton area of North Yorkshire. The Citizens’ Advice Bureau has warned that cold callers offering fake debt help have been ringing local people to pump them for information.
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Grands can Crus to Newbury glory
IT would be a considerable shock if Grands Crus did not emerge the star turn in the GPG Novices’ Chase at Newbury. The David Pipe-trained grey graduated from hurdling as one of the highest-rated horses for some time to make the leap over fences
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Bruce salutes impact of Old Trafford recruits
STEVE BRUCE is delighted with his Sunderland side’s recent defensive displays and has praised the impact of John O’Shea and Wes Brown following their summer moves from Manchester United. The Black Cats’ backline was rarely troubled as they kept
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Tuning up for the festive season
A SINGING group has started its rehearsals for a Christmas carol concert. Fifty members of the Darlington Arts Academy CIC will host The Christmas Cracker Carol Concert on Saturday, December 10, at 7pm, in Bondgate Methodist Church, Darlington
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Justice – Audio, Video, Disco
Parisian duo Justice release their feverishly anticipated follow up to their defining debut '†', named Audio Video Disco. The new material is more sophisticated but never loses its psychedelic oomph. It tips its hat to everything from Queen’s flamboyant
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Tippin’ The Wink – The Devils In The Detail
Tippin’ the Wink are a folk trio based in County Durham. They formed in 2009 but all members have enjoyed playing traditional music for many years and have played several local folk festivals including the Barnard Castle Big Bash 2010 and 2011 Sedgefield
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Cats need loving owners
BOARDING kennel staff are struggling to cope after a sudden surge of homeless pets. Sadberge Boarding Kennels and Cattery, a private facility which normally only takes paid-for animals, is now accommodating 18 stray cats out of kindness.
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Magpies trio ready for Old Trafford showdown
CHEIK TIOTE, Gabriel Obertan and Leon Best are all expected to be available when Newcastle travel to Manchester United on Saturday. And in a further boost to the Magpies, opposition striker Wayne Rooney has emerged as a major injury doubt for
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Newcastle miss out on Team GB football matches
OLYMPIC chiefs are confident next year’s football matches in Newcastle will not be a flop despite confirmation that Team GB will not be playing any of their games in the North-East. And despite this month’s renaming exercise, The Northern Echo
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Sharp drop in number of affordable homes built
ONLY 22 affordable homes were started in the region in six months, shock figures revealed yesterday – triggering fresh claims that the Government’s housing strategy is in tatters. The astonishing slump – from 3,843 cheaper homes begun across
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Surgeons re-attach young girl's severed arm after rail crossing accident
SURGEONS have successfully re-attached a young girl’s arm after it was severed when she was hit by a train. Rebecca Huitson, 12, underwent surgery after being struck at a level crossing by a high speed train travelling from Edinburgh to London
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Police to launch ‘real-time’ neighbourhood website
A POLICE force says a website allowing residents to follow real-time police activity in their neighbourhood will be a “vital tool” in tackling crime. Durham Police have gone into partnership with technology company C2 Software to develop a
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Big-budget film will ‘show off’ our great locations
URBAN and rural locations across the North-East will be shown off “to great effect” in a new big-budget film which has started production. The Liability, featuring Tim Roth – of Pulp Fiction and Reservoir Dogs fame – in the leading role, was filming
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Doctors' 160-mile run in opposition to health reforms
TWO North-East consultants have pledged to run 160 miles from Nye Bevan’s statue in Cardiff to the Department of Health in London to rally opposition to controversial Government health reforms. Clive Peedell, 39, and David Wilson, 40, both
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‘Coasting’ schools to be named
SCHOOLS in the region accused by Government inspectors of coasting have been identified. Analysis of Ofsted data shows there are 47 schools in the North- East and North Yorkshire which have been judged satisfactory twice in a row and are considered
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Durham free school fast-tracked for success
A PARENTS’ campaign to create County Durham’s first free school has been fast-tracked for success. The Durham Free School scheme is one of just 12 out of hundreds of applicants across the country to be invited to join a Development Programme run by the
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MP's scathing attack at £245,000 taxpayer spend on police corruption investigation
A CONSERVATIVE MP has launched a scathing attack on a police authority after £245,000 of taxpayers’ money was spent investigating allegations of corruption at another force’s authority. Julian Smith, the MP for Skipton and Ripon, has claimed
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School staff and students swap looks
TEACHERS and pupils at a secondary school reversed roles for a day of fund raising. Staff at Sedgefield Community College quite literally stepped into students’ shoes last Friday, as they wore school uniforms while youngsters were allowed
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Tribute to drummer as rock star item auctioned
A DRUM skin signed by rock legend Jimmy Page will be auctioned for charity in memory of Grammy awardwinning drummer Michael Lee on the third anniversary of his death. The skin was given to Darlington- born Mr Lee by the Led Zeppelin guitarist
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Council tax rises loom despite offer of freeze
UP to a fifth of local councils may put up council tax next year despite David Cameron warning it would be a “huge mistake” to opt out of a Government offer to freeze it. A survey of town hall finance chiefs by the Local Government Chronicle
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Shop with damaged wall to be bulldozed
A TOWN centre shop which partially collapsed more than two months ago is to be completely demolished. Employees and shoppers fled from the Mothercare store, in Newgate Street, Bishop Auckland, when part of a wall collapsed. Staff heard cracking
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Horse death: man arrested
POLICE investigating the death and decapitation of a family’s pet pony have arrested a man. Seven-year-old Shetland pony Trigger was reported stolen from his paddock at White Moor Allotments near the Frog and Ferret pub, in Spennymoor, County Durham,
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Forums organised to talk council cuts
PEOPLE across Darlington are being urged to get involved in a series of events and forums to discuss multimillion pound council cuts. Darlington Borough Council's cabinet group agreed its four-year, medium-term financial plan on Tuesday night, which
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Wanted for theft in Peterlee
POLICE are looking for these two males in connection with the theft for a pack of lager. A police spokesman said the suspects entered the Tyre and Exhaust Centre, Essington Way, Peterlee, at 7.30pm on Saturday July 16. They selected
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Witness appeal to Ferryhill assault
A TEENAGER was assaulted in an unprovoked attack as he walked along an isolated path in Ferryhill. Police are appealing for information about the incident in which a 19-year-old was knocked to the ground as he used a path behind Ferryhill Leisure Centre
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New website for community halls
A NEW website has been created to support community buildings and signpost residents towards events in their area. CAVOS (community and voluntary organisations support) launched the community buildings website www.southdurhamhalls.org.uk this week.
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Parents' anger at killer's freedom
THE parents of a young soldier who was killed by a single punch spoke of their heartbreak last night after learning that their son’s killer is to be released – after serving only 15 months in jail. Freddy and Linda Gibson told of their shock
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England agree fixtures
Fabio Capello's replacement as England manager could not have asked for greater assistance in his new job after it was confirmed there will be no World Cup qualifiers in June 2013. A four-strong Football Association delegation spent just two hours and
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Under-fire Moody says: cash never my priority
England World Cup captain Lewis Moody has mounted a vigorous defence of his reputation following the publication of leaked reports into the national team's failed campaign - and insisted he never put commercial gain before his rugby ambitions.
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Walker Filtration unveils expansion plans
A SPECIALIST compressed air filter manufacturer has relocated to bigger premises as part of plans to double its turnover and create new jobs. Award-winning Walker Filtration has moved into 12,000 sq m premises in Washington, Wearside - three times the
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Cable ponders new hire-and-fire rules
DEBATE was raging last night about a radical shake-up of employment law which will hit workers rights. Business Secretary Vince Cable denied the package of proposed measures, which drew praise from business groups but sparked fury from unions, would
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North Yorkshire MP opposes plan to move clocks forward
REMOTE parts of the North – as well as Scotland – must be offered a say on plans to move clocks forward by an hour all year, a Conservative MP has said. Anne McIntosh, MP for Thirsk and Malton, attacked her own government’s support for a proposal
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Judge blasts 'cowards' as man jailed over Acklam killing
A JUDGE condemned as “disgraceful cowards” people who refused to help a police investigation into the death of a man outside his local pub. Judge Peter Fox, QC, said the victim’s family and the wider community “deserved better” than the apparent
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Man quizzed over death of pet pony in Spennymoor
POLICE investigating the death and decapitation of a family’s pet pony have arrested a man. Seven-year-old Shetland pony Trigger was reported stolen from his paddock at White Moor Allotments, near the Frog and Ferret pub, in Spennymoor, County
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Smith backs Murray’s decision to take a break
Davis Cup captain Leon Smith backed Andy Murray's decision to pull out of the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals and expects the world number three to be firing on all cylinders in Australia next year. Murray struggled through his first match at the season-ending
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Mowbray not interested in loan deals
MIDDLESBROUGH have been monitoring a number of players ahead of today's Football League loan deadline, but Tony Mowbray is expected to keep his powder dry until the turn of the year. The Boro boss is keen to strengthen some key areas of his
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Housebuilder demolishes its former home
DEMOLITION work has started on the old head office of North-East housebuilder, Yuill Homes. The firm recently moved out of Cecil House on Loyalty Road in Hartlepool and into new offices on Harbour Walk, Hartlepool Marina as the old head office, which
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Family focus is key to Darlington Building Society
A NORTH-EAST building society has carried out a major re-branding exercise with a focus on a family of illustrated characters. The new image, which depicts a family of five and their pet dog, was the brainchild of local marketing and design
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Italian master class gives Drinkhall advantage
Paul Drinkhall is hoping to benefit from honing his skills abroad when the International Table Tennis Federation Pro Tour Grand Finals get under way today. The 21-year-old from Loftus moved to Italy in September to play for Sterilgarda in a
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RFU launch leak probe
The Rugby Football Union have launched an investigation into the leaking of three confidential and damning reports into England's World Cup campaign. Detailed contents from the reviews undertaken by the RFU, the Rugby Players' Association and the Aviva
