Archive
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Driver arrested as 19-year-old man killed in three car smash on A174 at Brotton, east Cleveland.
A 19-YEAR-OLD man died when the car he was travelling in was involved in a three car smash this evening on the A174 Brotton Bypass, east Cleveland. The teenager, who was a passenger in a black Vauxhall Corsa, suffered multiple injuries and was
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Reassurances after man assaults children outside Kelloe primary school
THE authorities have been trying to reassure parents and children after a man assaulted and harassed pupils outside a primary school. The man, said to be in his 40s, shouted at, grabbed and punched two boys aged ten and 11 and then approached a
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Details of Lambton 10k and 3k runs confirmed
SUNDERLAND'S Foundation of Light has announced details of its annual Lambton 10k run and 3k fun run, which will take place on Sunday, June 29. The 10k run, which usually attracts around 700 entrants, is designed for both competitive and non-competitive
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MP welcomes Prime Minister's pledge to support police in Medomsley abuse inquiry
AN MP has welcomed the Prime Minister’s pledge to support Durham Police as they deal with inquiries into allegations of sexual and physical abuse at a former North-East detention centre. North West Durham MP Pat Glass spoke after David Cameron
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One dead in three vehicle collision on A174 at Brotton, east Cleveland
One person has died this evening in a collision involving three vehicles on the A174 Brotton bypass in east Cleveland. A number of people were injured and were taken by several ambulances to James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough. The collision
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Anderson aims to fly high as Garmin Arenacross Tour hits Newcastle
A NORTH-East motocross star is aiming to fly high at one of the most exhilarating competitions the region has ever seen. This weekend, the Garmin Arenacross Tour comes to the Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle. More used to staging concerts by
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Poyet rejects talks over his contract until safety is secured
GUSTAVO POYET will not discuss a new contract at the Stadium of Light until Sunderland's Premier League fate is decided. Poyet signed a two-year deal when he replaced Paolo Di Canio last October, and the subsequent four months have seen him guide
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Habitual burglar jailed after return to old ways
A FORMER habitual burglar returned to his old ways to help pay off a drug debt, a court heard. Colin Ayre was today (Friday February 7) jailed for two years after admitting what was his twentieth offence of burglary, dating back over 22 years.
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Scrutiny committee members reject call to force county council to reconsider cuts to bus subsidies
MEMBERS of a council scrutiny committee have refused to back a call to force a county council to reconsider a decision to axe £2m from bus subsidies. North Yorkshire County Council’s executive committee last month agreed to cut subsidies paid to
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Work underway for new cocktail bar in Consett
A FAMILY is transforming a former North-East court house into a cocktail bar. The renovation of the old County Court Building on Victoria Road in Consett town centre is the third project for the Cartmell family. They also run The Travellers
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Victor Chandler writes...
Newbury's Super Saturday card must pass a precautionary inspection at 7am, but clerk of the course Richard Osgood gave an upbeat bulletin on Friday - and let's hope the rains allow the meeting to go ahead. Paul Nicholls' has saddled the winner of the
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Fears for inter-county school sport in North Yorkshire after voluntary body has funding withdrawn
AN organisation which arranges North Yorkshire’s inter-county school sports teams has warned that a decision to withdraw its funding could “shatter the sporting dreams” of young people. North Yorkshire County Council has written to North Yorkshire
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Killer husband tells court how he "snapped" and stabbed jazz singer wife after she admitted affair
A killer husband told a jury how he developed tunnel vision and snapped, stabbing his jazz singer wife in the heart after she told him she was having an affair. Mark Arthur, who denies murdering his wife Heather, said his blood pressure rose and
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Football club left red-faced after failing to pay £5 photocopying bill
A NORTH-East football club has been left red-faced after photocopying match plans at a Doncaster library before leaving without paying the £5 bill. The embarrassing incident happened last Saturday when Middlesbrough were due to play Doncaster Rovers
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School pupils inspired to create their own newspaper
THE next generation of budding journalists have been sharpening their skills ahead of the launch of their very own newspaper. Pupils at Newton Aycliffe’s St Mary’s Roman Catholic school have taken over the reins of its own news sheet but they have
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Police need to speak to 80 women as part of their major investigation into sexual grooming and assault ring
DETECTIVES investigating a sexual abuse and grooming ring in the North-East said last night they want to speak to a further 80 women. Thirty people – two of them women - have been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to rape as part of Operation
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Roaming to school with Romans
ROMANS roamed the streets of Darlington as school pupils travelled through time this morning (Friday, February 7). Roman legionary Magnus Motus led youngsters to Mount Pleasant Primary School as a themed walk got underway. Schools across Darlington
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Six mile walked planned for Darlington Ramblers this weekend
THE Darlington Ramblers will take part in a six-mile group walk around Rainton Bridge, Joe’s Pond and Mark’s Lane on Sunday, February 9. Walkers should meet at Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College, in Vane Terrace, Darlington, at 10.15am. For more details
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Bishop Auckland schoolchildren get behind the scenes insight into prime-time television shows
YOUNGSTERS were given the inside track on Downton Abbey and other popular television shows when an industry expert visited their school. Over the last seven years, dialogue editor Tom Williams has worked on everything from the grisly ITV crime
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Man arrested for firearms offences at Castleside
A MAN has been arrested on suspicion of firearms offences after armed police surrounded a house in the North-East. Officers attended Front Street in Castleside, near Consett, County Durham at 2.30pm this afternoon. (Friday, February 7) Police
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Remaining staff move out of government agency's Northallerton building
THE REMAINING workers at the Rural Payments Agency in Northallerton moved out of the building today (February 7). The closure of the government agency in the town has resulted in the loss of more than 350 jobs in the district. The offices are
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Seven people arrested in connection with suspected "puppy farms" released on police bail
SEVEN people arrested following a series of dawn raids in a crackdown against suspected illegal “puppy farms” have been released on police bail pending further inquiries. Police arrested five men and one woman under the Animal Welfare Act during
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Water works turned in secret lab for TV drama
A DETECTIVE drama has transformed a water works into a secret laboratory for an upcoming episode. Popular BBC One drama Inspector George Gently has been filming at Mosswood water treatment works near Consett, County Durham for an episode to be
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Roadworks start in Gilesgate tomorrow and will run over the next two weekends
ROADWORKS start in the Gilesgate area of Durham this weekend. As part of its annual roads maintenance plan, Durham County Council will be resurfacing Sunderland Road and Moor Crescent. The work on Sunderland Road will involve road closures
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Police skills come in handy for former officer's business idea
A FORMER police officer has gone into business taking fingerprints, from babies. Taking ‘dabs’ was a routine part of Jacqui Bowley’s job during her eight years as a cop, but now she is preserving them as memories for proud parents. The 34-year-old
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Big Local event in North Ormesby over £1m funding priorities
RESIDENTS are being invited to a community event to help plan how a £1m Lottery grant will be spent. The Big Local Big Event will be held at the Trinity Centre in North Ormesby, Middlesbrough, from 10.30am to 2pm on Monday, February 17. The
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Police hunt cyclist who sexually assaulted 18-year-old in Houghton-le-Spring
A CYCLIST sexually assaulted a teenage girl before riding off. Police are looking for a man on a mountain bike who attacked an 18-year-old woman in Houghton-le-Spring on Thursday (Feb 5). The assault took place at Stott’s Pastures shortly before
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Tickets on sale for magic eggstravaganza
TICKETS are now on sale for an Easter Eggstravaganza hosted by The Darlington Magic Circle. The event, featuring variety entertainment and a free prize draw, will take place at The Railway Institute on Thursday, April 17 from 7.30pm. Tickets are £7.50
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Benefits cheat was coerced by her husband, court hears
A BENEFITS cheat walked free from court after a judge heard how she was brutalised by her husband and "coerced" into claiming state hand-outs. Caroline Foster claimed her husband was often absent from their home in South Bank, near Middlesbrough
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Cycle marking event in Chester-le-Street
A SECURITY marking event is being held in Chester-le-Street as part of the fight against cycle crime. The session takes place at Cycle World, South Burns, between 1 and 2pm tomorrow (Saturday, February 8). Visitors will be able to get their
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You can ‘Box’ clever with this spacious family property
IF CLEAN lines and a contemporary flowing layout appeal in a property, Box Tree House will not disappoint. Add to this enough bedrooms for the largest of families, a stunning village location overlooking the Cleveland Hills and the end product of an
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Armed robbers make off with cash after dawn raid on security guards in Middlesbrough
MASKED raiders escaped with a substantial amount of money after threatening two security staff with a machete-style knife as they filled up a cash point machine. The balaclava-wearing robbers threatened one of the Loomis security guards as he was
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Patients in North-East town no longer forced to use 084 numbers to contact GPs
PATIENTS in a North-East town will no longer be forced to use an expensive 084 number to contact their GP. Carmel Medical Practice is the last GP surgery in Darlington to switch from a higher rate number to a local rate, meaning all of the town
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Newton Aycliffe residents come together to revitalise popular park
A MUCH-LOVED park could soon get a fresh lease of life thanks to a determined bunch of residents. For decades, West Park has been a popular and well-used facility in Newton Aycliffe. Everyday, dog-walkers, runners and townsfolk of all ages
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Rejuvenation of Hartlepool's marina area moves a step closer as search for developer is launched
THE search has started to appoint a company to help deliver a radical blueprint for the redevelopment of a key part of Hartlepool. The borough council is seeking to work with an organisation that has significant regeneration experience to help
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Region's schools praised by education minister
ELEVEN of the region’s top-performing schools have received letters of congratulation from a Government minister. David Laws, a Liberal Democrat, heaped praise on the schools in the North-East and North Yorkshire for their achievement in one of
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New safeguarding hub aims to help vulnerable children and adults more quickly
AN initiative which aims to achieve faster and more consistent responses to concerns about vulnerable children and adults has been launched in the region. The Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH), believed to be the first in the region, has opened
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Politics student quiz MP and life peer
YOUNG people from the North-East have been learning about life in the two chambers of the Houses of Parliament. Baroness Angela Harris, of Richmond, deputy speaker of the House of Lords, visited St Bede’s School in Lanchester, near Consett, County
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Transformed man jailed after biting man's ear off outside pub
AN ear-biting attacker was locked up after a court heard how drink and medication had turned him into a monster. Jonathan Warren was captured on closed circuit television cameras tearing off the top of his victim's left ear outside a pub. Glowing
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Mild winter leads to early spring for some species - but could it all end in disaster?
A MILD winter means that spring has already sprung for some of our wildlife, but could this eagerness to jump the seasonal gun lead to disaster? Liam Creedon reports. YES, we’ve been buffeted by winds and soaked by torrential rain, but the frost
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Pizza delivery driver who groped customer in her own home is jailed
A PIZZA delivery driver who groped a customer and tried to pay her off to keep her quiet was last night behind bars. Imran Khan was told by a judge that he had left his victim - attacked in her own home - terrified and emotionally scarred.
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Weekend football betting: the best North-East bets
Newcastle's derby defeat to Sunderland means they have managed just one Premier League win in six and Alan Pardew will be desperate for his team to stop the rot as they head to Chelsea. The Blues, however, get the nod from bookies, William Hill installing
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Controversial housing scheme approved for iconic nightclub site in Yarm
A CONTROVERSIAL plan build 330 home on the site of the once iconic Tall Trees hotel near Yarm has been approved. Stockton borough councillors previously rejected the plan but council legal officers used special powers to defer the vote because
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Appeal to "mend a dog's broken heart" this Valentine's Day
PEOPLE are being asked to send a Valentine’s gift to “mend a dog’s broken heart” at a rescue centre. The Jerry Green Dog Rescue, which has a centre at Thirsk, North Yorkshire, is asking people to donate toys and treats as part of its Love Us, Love
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English Democrats name lead Euro candidate
THE English Democrats have named their prospective lead candidate for this year’s European elections in the North-East. It is Kevin Riddiough, who lives in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, but is the party’s North East area chairman and events director
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Food advice not wasted on Coxhoe kids
A MANAGER at a new £8m recycling plant has been teaching children about the impact of wasting food. Emerald Biogas opened in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, last month, and is capable of converting 50,000 tonnes of discarded food a year into heat
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Hair and beauty evening in Stokesley
DEMONSTRATIONS of hairstyles and thrift shop fashion will take to the stage in a North Yorkshire market town next week. The Hair Show will be staged at Stokesley Town Hall on Monday evening, February 10. Hairdressers from Morgan Hair, in the
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Economic downturn could be to blame for increase in crime in Darlington
AN increase in the number of petty crimes in Darlington could be linked to the economic downturn, a senior police officer has said. Figures from Darlington Police reveal crime levels in the town are expected to have increased by eight per cent
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Train passengers face lengthy delays along East coast
TRAIN passengers travelling on the East Coast line are facing lengthy delays this afternoon (Friday February 7). The delays, which affected East Coast and Grand Central services, were attributed to problems with an overhead power line between Peterborough
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Plans filed for Wharton Park revamp
A PLANNING application has been submitted to Durham County Council for the refurbishment of Wharton Park, in Durham City. The £3m project has won £2.45m from the Lottery. For further dertails, visit durham.gov.uk/planning, using the reference CE/13
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Woman has phone snatched near Teesside Magistrates' Court
A WOMAN had her Samsung Galaxy mobile phone snatched out of her hand as she walked along Albert Road in Middlesbrough at 4.45pm on Wednesday (February 5). The 25-year-old woman was walking in the direction of Borough Road when her phone was taken
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Afternoon tea dance to raise funds for charity
An afternoon tea dance will take place at the Golden Lion Hotel on Northallerton High Street on Sunday, February 23 from 2pm until 4.45pm. There will be a programme including ballroom, sequence, folk and line dancing. Money raised will be donated to
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Suspected heroin worth £1,400 found in police raid
SUSPECTED heroin worth £1,400 was recovered following a police raid on a house in Stockton. Officers executed a drugs warrant at the address on Camden Street at about 1.35pm on Wednesday (February 5). The operation was carried out after members
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History group meets
A history group meets at the Brockwell Centre, Pelton Fell, near Chester-le-Street, on Tuesday afternoons between 1.30pm and 3.30pm. For further details about the group call the centre on 0191-389 3399. Board approved: Durham County Council
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Durham councillor's energy concerns
A COUNCILLOR is unhappy at how a council has promoted an energy discount scheme. Liberal Democrat Mark Wilkes has made a number of criticisms of Durham County Council’s work advertising the Government’s Warm Home Discount scheme. Councillor
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Approved rise in police precept to fund frontline officers
A 1.99 per cent increase in the North Yorkshire police precept has been approved in a bid to prevent officer numbers being reduced. The county's Police and Crime Panel has today (Friday, February 7) agreed to the proposal by Police and Crime Commissioner
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Fallen off the slippery slope but I'm climbing back on track!
Welcome back to the next instalment of my journey to lose weight. I apologise to those of you who have been following my blog that there seems to have been a very big gap since my last update. Unfortunately we've been having a difficult time since
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Five great things to do this weekend
MUSIC, art and spectacular motorcycling action - there's something for everyone in Darlington and the North-East this weekend. Here's our pick of the events taken from our new What's On section - and don't forget you can find hundreds more at:
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Nissan Renault forging ahead
The Renault-Nissan Alliance sold a record 8,266,098 vehicles in 2013, propelled by record sales in the car group’s two largest markets, China and the United States. Renault-Nissan’s 2013 calendar-year sales, which include sales of Russia’s AVTOVAZ
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North-East Football Live: Saturday, February 8
4:28pm Middlesbrough 0 Blackburn 0 It's gone a bit flat at the Riverside. Boro still can't find a breakthrough. Adomah has come on for Ledesma but the hosts have slipped into conceding petty fouls. Frustration? And
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Forrest and Ainsley both looking forward to big clash
Shildon manager Gary Forrest expects another memorable game when they face Spennymoor in their top four battle today. Shildon were just edged out in a seven goal thriller last Saturday at Celtic Nation to knock them off the top of the table, but
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Sherburn Hill energy club wins national praise
A SCHOOL has been honoured for its exemplary after-school health club. Sherburn Hill Primary School’s Energy Club was one of a handful across the country to be judged as outstanding by the national organisation Sports Leaders UK. Yesterday
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Police investigate diesel theft at Aycliffe Business Park in Newton Aycliffe
A LARGE quantity of diesel was stolen from Linde Castle Ltd, on Linde Way, in Aycliffe Business Park, Newton Aycliffe, on Monday, February 3. Two men entered the premises at 8.55pm and were captured on CCTV siphoning diesel. Anyone with information
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£17m Durham County Hospital plans 'ugly and overbearing'
A COMMUNITY group is fighting plans to turn a former mental hospital into digs for 440 students. Crossgate Community Partnership (CCP) has filed an 11-page objection to £17m proposals for the former County Hospital, off North Road, Durham City.
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Cheltenham hopefuls impress at Doncaster
ROCK On Ruby and First Mohican enhanced their Cheltenham Festival claims with victories on an informative afternoon at Doncaster. Former champion hurdler Rock On Ruby faced just one rival in the Eventmasters Corporate Hospitality Novices’ Chase
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Nicholls books final spot
BRITISH snowboarder Jamie Nicholls has promised he will ‘‘go all out’’ when he lines up in the first ever Olympic slopestyle final tomorrow. The 20-year-old from Bradford was undoubtedly the success story of the day for Team GB after the ride of
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Armed robbers make off with cash after dawn raid on security guards
ARMED robbers wearing balaclavas threatened two security guards with a machete before making off with a 'substantial' amount of cash in an early morning raid. Police are appealing for witnesses to the armed robbery, which took place at 6.30am this
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Kemp and King will look to improve
DAVID KING and Stacey Kemp will return to the drawing board after their disappointing performance in the inaugural Winter Olympic team figure skating event in Sochi effectively ended Team GB’s interest in the competition. The pairs duo followed
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Whitaker refuses to talk about KP
ENGLAND’S national selector James Whitaker has declined to elaborate on the end of Kevin Pietersen’s international career, citing legal reasons. Whitaker, appearing as the public face of the selection panel for the first time since replacing Geoff
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Trio called in as new era begins
ENGLAND fans can begin to put faces to the much-discussed rebuilding process after Moeen Ali, Stephen Parry and Harry Gurney were handed maiden call-ups to the senior side. Worcestershire batsman Moeen and Lancashire spinner Parry, 26 and 28 respectively
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May not concerned by nose problem
ENGLAND wing Jonny May is expecting more blows to torment his battered nose in tomorrow’s Calcutta Cup clash with Scotland. May will take his place on the left wing of an unchanged starting XV after being given the all-clear to play at Murrayfield
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Wales are ready for Ireland
WALES front-row warrior Adam Jones says he is ‘‘under no illusions’’ about how firedup Ireland will be in tomorrow’s RBS 6 Nations clash between the countries. The fierce rivals’ latest meeting has its trademark back-drop of there being a huge
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Decision to drop Brown not taken lightly
SCOTT JOHNSON admits dropping skipper Kelly Brown from the Scotland team that faces England tomorrow was one of the toughest decisions of his coaching career. The Dark Blues welcome the Auld Enemy to Murrayfield looking for major improvements after
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O’Connell eager to play
PAUL O’CONNELL is confident he can play through any lingering effects of his chest infection against Wales in the RBS 6 Nations tomorrow. The Ireland captain admitted he was embarrassed with his last-minute withdrawal from last weekend’s 28-6 Scotland
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Laudrup proud of his role
MICHAEL LAUDRUP has blasted the manner of his sacking by Swansea and has said he is taking legal advice over the dismissal. The Dane was sacked on Tuesday following a poor run of form by Swansea, 12 months after leading the club to the first major
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Cooper weighing up his options after Baldwin’s exit
COLIN COOPER isn’t quite armed with £500,000 in the transfer market, but the Hartlepool United boss is looking to make the most of what he can. Pools last week raked in half a million pounds from the sale of Jack Baldwin to Peterborough. Any
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The Wearside wind of change
By George Friend, the Middlesbrough defender IT may be wet, windy with high tides across England, but here in the North-East, Sunderland are riding on the crest of a wave. In a week that started with the Black Cats sitting at the bottom of
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Ask... and you might end up richer
SHY bairns get no sweets, as Grandma used to say. If you don’t ask, you don’t get. She was right. Loyalty is a mug’s game, especially when it comes to money. This week I spoke up – and saved myself yet another £100. I’ve always been a rate
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Cakes and common sense
HOORAY for Mary Berry, 78 and still wanting us all to eat cake. If that wasn’t enough, in the week when figures showed cosmetic surgery had soared – most popular were boob jobs, liposuction and eyelid surgery – lovely, stylish Mary was named as Oldie
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Build it like Beckham
SWEET, isn’t it, to think of David Beckham spending his evenings playing with Lego. It calms him down, he says, and it’s a good thing to do with his sons. His latest, he said in an interview at the weekend, was a model of Tower Bridge, complete
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Trade deficit narrows but manufacturing weakens
BRITAIN'S trade deficit narrowed in December to its smallest since July 2012, but manufacturing growth was weaker than expected, Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures show. An increase in oil, chemical and aircraft exports helped the trade
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Jumping in to help out
PRINCE Charles pulled his wellies on and went to see what was happening in the Somerset floods. People were delighted to see him. To get him through the water, they gave him a splendid bench – decorated with greenery – plonked on the back of
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A hanging offence
YOU can always trust me to put my foot in it – that steaming pile of dog dirt that is. Even worse when it gets from my shoe to the car and stinks it out for days. Most of my neighbours are brilliant at clearing up after their dogs, walking home
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Have child, will travel
HOLIDAYING with kids in tow is certainly more challenging – and often more expensive – than child-free, but research shows parents are no longer willing to forego their trips away. ‘‘The whole ethos of travelling with young children has changed
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England’s Hall of Fame
REALISING that a good night’s sleep is key to an enjoyable hotel stay, the ibis brand has rolled out new “Sweet Beds”, described as offering the ‘‘cosiest and most exclusive comfort’’ in all of its 1,000 hotels in 58 countries. In a publicity stunt
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No such thing as a bargain ski break?
IF you haven’t booked a ski break yet, there’s still time to hit the slopes, but don’t expect to find as many last-minute bargains as you did 12 months ago. Laura Hazel from specialist ski operator Ski Beat, blames the fact that a pre-Christmas
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Peppa Pig's Mr Potato visits youngsters at Darlington library
A CRIME-SOLVING potato character paid a visit to a Darlington library to help promote an upcoming theatre show. Mr Potato, from the popular children’s television show, Peppa Pig, met youngsters enjoying a story time session at Darlington’s Crown
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Half-term, double the price
AS half-term approaches, many families will be keen to take their children on holiday – perhaps for a sunny break away from the UK’s wind or rain, or maybe to hit the ski slopes. But the sad reality is, unless they’ve already made a booking, most
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Live Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony (BBC2, 3.30pm)
CAST your mind back to the heady summer of 2012, when it seemed the British public forgot they were supposed to be moaning about the cost of the London Games, and instead came down with a serious case of Olympic fever. And then get ready to enter into
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Alan Davies: Apres Ski (BBC2, 10pm)
GIVEN the phenomenal success of The Last Leg, C4’s nightly companion show to the 2012 Paralympic Games, you would have forgiven the BBC for perhaps trying to emulate some of that support. Sure enough, they have commissioned QI’s resident foil Alan
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Torvill and Dean: The Perfect Day (BBC2, 9pm)
FIGURE skaters Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean took gold in 1984. The pair became household names, while their winning Bolero routine – which picked up perfect scores for artistic interpretation – became so iconic, former soap stars can still
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Piers Morgan’s Life Stories: Tony Blackburn (ITV1, 9pm)
TONY BLACKBURN celebrates 50 years in broadcasting this year so he should have plenty to talk about on Piers Morgan’s Life Stories. No doubt he will mention being the first voice heard on Radio 1 back in 1967, and, more recently in 2004, why he
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Domestic extremist and alleged comedian Mark Thomas brings his bid to commit 100 acts of dissent to Stockton
MARK Thomas, the man once dubbed a domestic extremist and alleged comedian by the Met Police, is now 50. However, age has not diminished his ability or inclination to rant and rail against the injustices of the world. As fired up as he ever
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Theatre preview: The return of the Royal Shakespeare Company
ANTONY SHER and Jasper Britton headline the return of the Royal Shakespeare Company for its annual season at Newcastle Theatre Royal this autumn. Two of the productions are directed by the RSC’s artistic director Gregory Doran – Henry IV, Part
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Minder: three decades of ducking and diving
IT’S hard to believe that this year marks the 35th anniversary of the legendary TV series, Minder. First aired on ITV in 1979, and set around the hilarious shady dealings of Arthur Daley, played by the brilliant George Cole, and his side-kick, Terry
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Fighting spirit
YET again the Government has turned its back on the North- East, this time turning down a university technical college plan for Aycliffe that would train up to 600 engineers a year for local companies (Echo, Feb 5). Training apprentices for our
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Foodbanks
REFER to Jim Tague’s letter on food banks (HAS, Jan 31). According to the Trussell Trust, more than 350,000 people needed to use food banks in 2012, which was more than triple the number in 2011 and 100,000 more than expected. They quite clearly
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Road works
WHAT do readers make of the fact that the railway line connecting Devon and Cornwall with the rest of the UK, damaged in this week’s storms, will be fixed in six weeks when we have to wait another year before we get the A67 at High Coniscliffe back
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Refugees
I WAS disgusted by the anonymous letter (HAS Feb 1) about Syrian refugees. In response to Britain’s decision to accommodate a few hundred of the 2.5 million people displaced by this vicious conflict, this heartless person asks: “Why, oh why is
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Immigration
THE article by Rob Merrick about the conduct of the House of Commons relating to immigration (Echo, Feb 6) was very perceptive. The Commons is made up of elected politicians sizing up their chances in the General Election, which is not far off.
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A tri-note whistle as I work
EARLY Wednesday afternoon, I was at my desk in Darlington, my head full of important things, my mind fully occupied by the job in hand. As you may imagine. But, borne on the wind, a sound percolated into my consciousness. It was a long, loud American
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‘I thought I’d die in there’
A ROPE was thrown onto Rod Jones’ cell floor. A prison officer pointed at it and stared at the battered teenage version of Mr Jones. “Either you f***ing hang yourself or we’ll f***ing do it for you,” he sneered. “The bars are a good place to start
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Husband and wife folk duo in Durham date
A HUSBAND and wife folk duo will play an intimate North-East gig next weekend (Sunday, February 16). Guitarist Sean Lakeman and wife Kathryn Roberts, who sings and plays the piano and woodwind instruments, will perform at the Old Cinema Launderette
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A question of justice
ON the steps of Preston Crown Court, after being cleared of rape and sexual assualt charges, Coronation Street star William Roache was right when he declared: “In these situations, there are no winners.” The actor, who plays Ken Barlow, is a free
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Quakers hope forecast is wrong
Darlington will stage their biggest game of the season so far tomorrow - if the weather is not as wet as feared. Yesterday afternoon there were puddles of standing water on the Heritage Park pitch, which could clear by the 3pm kick-off tomorrow
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Johnson tells Jozy the goals will soon flow at Sunderland
ADAM JOHNSON understands why Jozy Altidore is frustrated after hearing how legendary Sunderland striker Kevin Phillips used to be over critical of himself during goal droughts. Phillips scored 130 goals in 235 games during a six-year spell at the
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Mental trust has 'made changes' after critical report into patient who murdered girlfriend
MENTAL health bosses in the region say they have reviewed the way services are provided following a critical report into the care of a patient who murdered his girlfriend. Bosses at the Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust said they
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Two Durham Prison suicides to be investigated as part of probe into all self-inflicted deaths of 18 to 24-year-olds in custody
THE suicides of two young people in a North-East prison will be investigated by a fresh review, campaigners said yesterday (Thursday, February 6). Justice Secretary Chris Grayling bowed to pressure by asking an independent advisory panel to probe
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Ayala faces spell on sidelines, but Woodgate is ready to return
JONATHAN WOODGATE is set to start his first game since Boxing Day tomorrow after Middlesbrough head coach Aitor Karanka revealed Daniel Ayala could be out for up to two months with an ankle injury. Ayala suffered ankle ligament damage during the
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Similarities between Wildcats and Knights - Davie
DURHAM coach Lee Davie feels that Wildcats will meet their match against Birmingham Knights on Sunday. Fresh from a run of three wins from four - including victory over current champions and BBL Cup winners Leicester Riders - Wildcats have found
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Why Emily Sarsfield's Winter Olympics omission casts a shadow over the rest of Team GB
THIS should have been one of the greatest days of Emily Sarsfield's life. Later this afternoon, Sochi's Fisht Olympic Stadium hosts the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics, and as Britain's long-established number one in the sport of ski cross
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Traveller Ward out to make boxing history by winning a world title
NORTH-EAST sporting history will be made when Martin Ward challenges Stuart Hall for the IBF World Bantamweight title in Newcastle next month. As the West Rainton fighter told Chief Sports Writer Scott Wilson, however, another boxing landmark is at
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Engineering company launches new division
AN offshore and defence specialist has expanded after launching a research and development division. Reece Group, which operates in the global defence, subsea and oil and gas sectors, has set up Reece Innovation. Bosses say the move will allow
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Darlington jibes sparked brawl which left man with six-month jail sentence
A DRINKER who was deriding Darlington in a town centre pub sparked a brawl which left one man in hospital and another in jail. Trouble flared in the bar at Hoskins when Alan Scott's nephew made "noisy criticisms" of the town, Teesside Crown Court
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Grieving gander seeks solace with ewe "not quite convinced she's a sheep"
When a grieving gander lost his lifelong partner, he wandered off with a ewe who believes she’s a dog. The goose has now shunned the sheep after finding love again, this time with his own species. Helen Russell reports. THE unlikely ‘ewe’nion of
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Newcastle boss would welcome another director of football after Joe's exit
ALAN PARDEW insists he would have no problem working with a new director of football at Newcastle United following a week when Joe Kinnear’s resignation surprised him. Since St James’ Park officials revealed on Monday night that Kinnear’s eight-month
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Dragon Duncan's ex-wife opens new gym near Bannatyne health club
THE ex-wife of Dragons’ Den star Duncan Bannatyne has opened a new gym just round the corner from his health club. Joanne Bannatyne, who divorced the Darlington-based self-made millionaire last year, has opened Crossfit Jacana on Belmont Industrial
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Marine firm secures North Sea work
A MARINE firm has secured a contract to dispose of North Sea offshore platforms as it looks to create about 200 jobs. Able UK will remove four structures from the Shell operated Brent Field. The company says it will take three platform topsides
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Mother appeals for help to save her daughter's life
A SINGLE mother has issued a plea for help to raise £500,000 to fund life-saving treatment for her daughter. Vicki Alderson said she could have as little as a few months to finance treatments unavailable on the NHS for her ten-year-old daughter
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Train builder remains positive after Crossrail disappointment
After Hitachi Rail Europe missed out on a massive London contract, deputy business editor Steven Hugill looks at the impact of the decision A NORTH-EAST train builder has vowed a £1bn Government snub will not damage its presence in the region.
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No luck in the Algarve for North-East trio
COUNTY Durham golfer Roger Roper suffered disappointment on the final day at European Tour Qualifying School yesterday. After holding one of the top six spots that would have clinched a full card on Wednesday, Roper carded a 75 to drop down to
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Exhibition celebrates arrival of historic steam engines
A TRAIN enthusiast is holding an exhibition to celebrate the arrival of a record breaking steam locomotive. John Wigston, 74, of Hartlepool, spent 18 months creating 25 watercolour and pencil paintings for display at Locomotion: The National Railway
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Woman attacked with broom handle in Bishop Auckland
A WOMAN suffered bruising to her face after being attacked with a broom handle in Bishop Auckland. The female victim was attacked near the Chinese takeaway on Gibbon Street at about 10pm on Monday, February 3. The attacker was another woman
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Thief disturbed during Bishop Auckland van break-in
A MAN was disturbed in his attempt to steal bags from a van by a neighbor who shouted at him, police have said. The man, described as being about 30-years-old, smashed the driver’s side front and rear windows to get into a white Transit Van in
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Man ordered to pay compensation after dog attack
A MAN has been ordered to pay £500 in compensation after a dog he had bought minutes earlier attacked two elderly men and badly injured another dog. Arron Johnson admitted allowing his dog to be dangerously out of control in North Road, Darlington
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Textile taxidermist's work goes on show at The NeST Gallery, Barnard Castle
ONCE upon a time during the height of empire, fashion dictated that walls of the well-to-do were decked with hunting trophies from expeditions in exotic lands. A stuffed giraffe or lion's head above the fireplace was testimony to an adventurer's
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St John's Chapel flood funding wlecomed
FLOOD-hit residents have welcomed plans for a £155,000 scheme to improve their defences. The Environment Agency will work with Durham County Council to improve the flow of overspill water from a beck near six vulnerable homes on Hood Street in
