Archive

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North Yorkshire village and 'stunning' castle among England's prettiest places

Two locations in North Yorkshire have been named among the prettiest and best places to visit in England. The coastal village of Robin Hood’s Bay and the “stunning” Castle Howard in York were just a couple of the country’s 19 highly-praised locations

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New Post Office to open in County Durham town next month as MP confirms details

A new post office will open in County Durham next month after the MP for the area confirmed details about the new community facility.  Paul Howell, MP for Sedgefield, confirmed the first few details of the new post office - which will be housed

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Drink driver's wife called the police after he crashed her car into lamppost

A drink driver must wait to learn his fate after his wife reported him to police when he crashed her car into a lamppost. Christopher Eddy was more than three times over the drink drive limit when he was breathalysed following the crash earlier

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15 drivers caught by police for drugs, no insurance and not wearing seatbelts

A total of 15 drivers have been caught during a police operation that saw cars seized, drug drivers arrested and a handful of fixed penalty fines handed out.  Officers from Cleveland Police were out on the roads of Teesside on Thursday (February

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Young NHS dietician died after A&E failed to give her 'timely' treatment

A 31-year-old woman died after A&E staff failed to give her "appropriate and timely" treatment for a blood clot in her lung, a new report from a coroner has revealed.  Emily Kate Harkleroad collapsed on December 18, 2022, whilst out with a

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Only Fools and Horses star Sir David Jason to return to iconic Del Boy role

Sir David Jason will be returning to our screens as Del Boy in a brand new show set to start next month. The 84-year-old actor agreed to reprise his iconic Only Fools and Horses role, bringing the cheeky character back after years off the air.

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Take a look inside stunning new airport bar and restaurant overlooking runway

A stunning new bar and restaurant has opened overlooking a North East airport runway - with images of the opening of the venue showing incredible views. The bar, which is based at Newcastle International Airport, is named Aster & Thyme and boasts

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Drink driver ‘couldn’t walk straight’ before getting into his Fiat 500

A HGV driver who ‘couldn’t walk straight’ when he got out of his Fiat 500 has lost his driving licence. Nigel Smith was more than twice the drink drive limit when he was breathalysed following his arrest on February 4 this year. Newton Aycliffe

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New Channel 5 series to delve behind the scenes of North East police force

A new Channel 5 series is set to take viewers behind the scenes of one North East police force as episodes begin to air next week - here's what you need to know. Inside the Force will return for its third series on Monday (February 26) and will

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Ryanair warns flight tax doing 'untold damage' to Teesside Airport

 Teesside Airport is among airports across the UK being put at an “enormous disadvantage” because of air passenger duty (APD), Ryanair has claimed. Chief commercial officer Jason McGuinness said many airports outside London are being “hamstrung

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Body pulled from Thames in search for chemical attacker formally identified

The body recovered from the River Thames on Monday has been formally identified as Abdul Ezedi, the Metropolitan Police said. Earlier this week (Tuesday, February 20), the force announced that they believed that they had pulled the body of the 

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Heron Foods significantly damaged after being ram-raided by van

A food store in Newcastle has been left with "significant damage" after being ram-raided early this morning (Friday, February 23).  Heron Foods, on Church Walk, in the Walker area of Newcastle, was broken into around 1.50 am this morning. 

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Estate manager 'completely innocent' of causing £2m blaze at top restaurant

A North Yorkshire estate manager has left court “without a stain on his character” after he was acquitted of starting the fire that destroyed an award-winning North Yorkshire restaurant. The Star Inn at Harome burnt down in November 2021 in a £2

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Mother jailed after breaking injunctions relating to sick daughter’s care

A mother who published “bizarre” and untrue complaints about professionals involved in her sick daughter’s care has been handed a prison sentence for breaching court injunctions. Lioubov Macpherson was previously found in contempt of court for

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Historic 25 bedroom country house and former hotel sold at auction

A 25-bed listed country house and former hotel has been sold after going under the hammer. Otterburn Hotel, built in 1870 – the year The Northern Echo was first published, was sold at auction by Auction Estates, Nottingham on Thursday (February

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Richard Osman announced as special guest for North East Crime Writing Festival

A prestigious crime writing festival has announced the line up for its 21st year. The Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival runs from Thursday, July 18 until Sunday, July 21 in Harrogate, North Yorkshire. As the world’s largest and

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Two Albanian men jailed in successive days for tending cannabis crops in Ferryhill

Two men of Albanian nationality have been jailed in successive days for tending a cannabis crop in nearby houses in a County Durham town. Teenager Aurel Frokku yeeterday (Thursday February 22) received an eight-month prison sentence at Durham Crown

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Rail services to be disrupted in Durham and Teesside due to major works

Rail disruptions could hit passengers next month after major upgrade works have been announced for much of the North East and North Yorkshire rail network. Network Rail engineers will be carrying out major upgrades to the East Coast Main Line between

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Ex-police officer accused of "unwanted sexual conduct" faces misconduct hearing

An ex-police officer accused of "unwanted sexual conduct" will face a misconduct hearing next week. Former Cleveland Police officer Thomas Charles Vickers is accused of failing to act with self-control, failing to treat Ms X with courtesy and respect

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Samurai sword and gold bars seized as five people charged

A samurai sword, gold bars and large quantities of drugs have been seized in Northumberland as five people have been charged in connection with organised crime in the area. Operation Peach was launched in September last year to investigate the

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Mike Dodds outlines future plans - and likelihood of leading Sunderland permanently

MIKE DODDS is ready to consider the possibility of leading Sunderland on a permanent basis – but insists his sole focus at the moment is on the next 13 matches. Dodds will start his third spell as the Black Cats’ interim boss tomorrow when Swansea

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Member of the public has 'medical episode' on A1(M) as air ambulance attends

The A1(M) was closed in both directions this afternoon (February 23) after a 'medical episode' on the stretch of road, which saw the air ambulance attend the scene.  Emergency services were called to the A-road near Darlington at about 1pm, following

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Three arrested with large quantity of crack, cash, and machete seized

Three people have been arrested after police spotted "suspicious activity" and uncovered a large quantity of suspected crack cocaine, cash, and a machete in Middlesbrough. Three arrests were made after Proactive Team officers from Cleveland Police

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Jack Clarke injury latest - as three other Sunderland players return to training

MIKE DODDS has played down the seriousness of the ankle injury that will keep Jack Clarke out of Sunderland’s weekend home game with Swansea City. Dodds will kick off his third spell in interim charge of the Black Cats at the Stadium of Light this

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North East welcomes news of lower energy bills - but people 'still feeling pinch'

Charity workers and MPs in the North East have welcomed news that average household energy bills are to fall - but caution that people are still "very much feeling the pinch". The were responding to Ofgem's announcement it is lowering its price

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Electric motorcycle rider in hospital with serious injuries after crash with car

A man is in hospital with serious injuries after his electric motorcycle was involved in a crash with a car in the North East. Emergency services were alerted after the collision on Tynemouth Road, in the Howdon area of North Tyneside, at 8.40pm

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Starmer leads tributes to North East Labour stalwart Ronnie Campbell after his death

Sir Keir Starmer has led tributes to former Labour MP Ronnie Campbell after his death. A party stalwart, Mr Campbell won the Blyth Valley seat north of Newcastle in 1987 and was elected eight times before retiring in 2019. Labour leader Sir

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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says he got what he wanted after Newcastle criticism

MIKEL Arteta believes Premier League officiating has improved since his “strong” criticism of VAR following Arsenal’s defeat at Newcastle in November. The Spaniard labelled the decision to allow Anthony Gordon’s goal to stand in a 1-0 loss at St

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Darlington man denies murder of toddler Charlie Roberts

Two people have appeared in court following the death of a one-year-old toddler. Chris Stockton denies the murder of Charlie Roberts. The 37-year-old and the child’s mother, Paula Roberts, 40, are both charged with child neglect. Charlie

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RECAP: A1(M) reopens near Darlington after 'medical episode' on road

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One in hospital and air ambulance at scene after 'medical incident' closes road

One person was taken to hospital after a 'medical incident' closed a County Durham road on Friday (February 23) morning.  Emergency services were called to Tyne Road in Stanley at about 10am, following reports of a medical incident on the stretch

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Appeal after three cars damaged in series of arson attacks in North East town

Three cars were damaged in a series of arson attacks in a North East town last night (Thursday, February 23) and this morning (Friday). Police and firefighters were alerted to separate incidents in Billingham between shortly before midnight and

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Winners revealed at inspiring 2024 Northern Farmer Awards ceremony

The winners of the 2024 Northern Farmer Awards were revealed as the great and the good of the region's agricultural industry came together for an inspiring ceremony on Thursday night. Awards were presented in ten categories at Pavilions of Harrogate

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Problem flat closed after neighbours report 'terrifying' violence and threats

Police have secured a closure order on a problem flat that saw neighbours experience violence and threats in what has been described as a 'terrifying' time for residents. Officers from Redcar’s Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) along with Redcar

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We visited Beamish Museums 1950’s Town - do you remember any of these buildings?

We visited Beamish Museums 1950’s town to see how construction was coming along at the Living Museum of the North’s latest feature, and to visit the replicas that are based on buildings from all over the North East.  Visitors can find the new 1950

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BMW driver was almost three times over drink drive limit when police stopped him

A drink driver who was spotted swerving around the road in the early hours of the morning in his BMW was almost three times over legal limit. Martin Jepson admitted he had been drinking the night before and a roadside breathalyser test recorded

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Club manager devastated as squatters leave disgusting mess after £2k bailiff removal

The manager of a club in a County Durham town has been left disgusted after her land has been covered with mess from squatters after she faced a £2,000 bailiff bill to remove them from the site. Jemma Manners has worked at Ferryhill Station Club

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County Durham school lost 40GB of data in cyber attack from bogus email

A school in County Durham lost 40 gigabytes of data in a cyber attack, the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) has revealed.  Framwellgate School, in Framwellgate Moor, was targeted by cybercriminals in September of last year. They compromised

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Michael Carrick's message to Seny Dieng as Middlesbrough's goalkeeper battle heats up

MICHAEL CARRICK has challenged Seny Dieng to keep pushing hard in training if he wants to win back his place in Middlesbrough’s starting side. Dieng became Boro’s undisputed number one goalkeeper when he joined from QPR in the summer, starting

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Do you have to pay council tax if you receive benefits from the DWP?

As the cost of living crisis continues to spiral, you might be wondering if you could get a council tax reduction. Although you can sometimes get a discount automatically on your council tax bill, this is not always the case. If you're unsure

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The reason why armed police and helicopter were in County Durham this morning

Emergency services have issued an explanation as to why the police helicopter was seen hovering over County Durham in the early hours of this morning (February 23). Members of the public reported seeing the police helicopter over their houses in

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Howe on Newcastle's next move after Dan Ashworth as Manchester United warning fired

EDDIE Howe says Newcastle United will put their own interests first in their Dan Ashworth wrangle with Manchester United - and has stressed the importance of the Magpies "moving forward stronger than we were before" as club chiefs assess how best to

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Changing face

NOT many things shock me in my old age, but as I read the story headlined “Labour candidate for Tees Valley Mayor Launches Campaign” (Echo, Feb 16), I almost choked on my granola. Chris McEwan, a Darlington Labour councillor who voted to scrap

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Eddie Howe's 'very close' Lewis Hall admission & Tino Livramento message

EDDIE Howe says Lewis Hall is "very close" to meeting the requirements that would see the Chelsea defender make his Newcastle United loan move permanent this summer, despite his lack of football for the Magpies. Hall swapped Stamford Bridge for

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Man broke stepfather's eye sockets with kick on ground outside Bishop Auckland home

A man was jailed over a doorstep confrontation in which the victim was left with fractures to both eye sockets by his stepson. The brief flurry of violence took place at the door of the home shared by defendant Adam Emmerson's mother and her husband

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Garry Law making landmark appearance for Darlington Mowden Park against Rams

DARLINGTON MOWDEN PARK face one of their toughest home tests of the season tomorrow afternoon as they welcome Rams RFC to the Darlington Arena. Mowden are coming into the game on the back of a loss, while Rams currently sit joint top of the National

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Twenty years ago families had a taste for life in the 1940s

CHILDREN got a taste of what life was like in the Second World War as part of a family learning project, in February 2004. The 22 children, aged three to 14, from Cockfield School, County Durham, and 16 adults, dressed in wartime costumes, sampled

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County Durham boy who suffered horrific burns in suspected arson meets rescuers

A boy who suffered horrific burns in a suspected arson attack on his County Durham home has been reunited with the firefighters who saved him. Ten-year-old Blaine Beattie and his brother Cameron, 21, were rescued from their first-floor flat in

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Eddie Howe's exciting claim on 'transformative' Newcastle star after double boost

EDDIE Howe believes a fully-fit and firing Alexander Isak can be "transformative" for Newcastle United, with the Magpies set to be boosted by the return of the striker at Arsenal this weekend. Joe Willock is also in contention to feature against

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Darlington boss admits form at Blackwell Meadows will be key to survival hopes

DARLINGTON manager Steve Watson is hoping that home advantage can help haul his side out of danger in National League North. Quakers have 13 games remaining in total, with seven of them at Blackwell Meadows, and they are going to be key as they

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Do you remember stock car racing in Aycliffe, and paper bags from Doggarts?

AFTER yesterday's excitement over the Bond Minicar photographed in Darlington's High Row in about 1965, here is another fascination stolen from this month's exhibition of pictures in Darlington library: stock car racing at Aycliffe stadium. READ

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The Opposition View - Boro player 'set for the top' and Plymouth's approach explained

FINN AZAZ has been backed to “go to the very top” – but the Middlesbrough forward’s former team-mates are determined to make life difficult for him this weekend. Azaz spent the first half of the season on loan at Plymouth Argyle, scoring seven

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How to report a missing DWP cost of living payment if you have not received £299

More than seven million homes should have received a £299 cost of living payment from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) in recent weeks. Payments of the final cost of living boost of the financial year began on February 6, with those in

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Energy bills set to fall by £238 as price cap falls to lowest mark in two years

Energy bills are set to fall to their lowest price in two years from April, as regulator Ofgem reduces its energy price cap in response to wholesale prices. The price an average household will pay for energy is set to drop by 12.3 per cent, from

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Design an Easter egg and it could land on shelves in Aldi next year - How to enter

Aldi is giving customers the chance to design an Easter egg for its 2025 chocolate collection. Shoppers will be in with a chance of seeing their finished design make its way to the supermarket’s shelves. The winner of the competition will also

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Why is Coronation Street not on TV tonight? Friday's episode removed by ITV

As another week comes to an end, many ITV viewers will be hoping to put their feet up tonight (February 23), ready to tune in to another episode of Coronation Street. But fans of the soap may have realised it’s missing from the TV schedule once

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More staff needed at stunning castle and gardens - here's how to apply

Raby Castle is recruiting more staff as one of its most vital transformations starts to take shape. The new visitor experience known as The Rising, has already created 30 jobs and aims to deliver many more for the region when it opens this spring

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Adult education boost as North East college is awarded £7million

MIDDLESBROUGH College Group is embarking on its latest phase of investment after securing a multi-million-pound funding boost. The Group, which is already one of the largest learning centres in the North East, is now set to create new facilities

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Man bit brother's ear before trying to gouge police officer's eyes during row

A man who gouged at the eyes of a police officer after they tried to arrest him for biting his brother’s ear during a fight has walked free from court. Aidan McGarrigle tried to force his fingers into the officer’s eyes when he tried to restrain

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'People can't afford it': Families faced with difficult decision to pay for dentists

When letters arrived at the homes of hundreds of dental patients in County Durham they were faced with a difficult dilemma - would they pay for their treatment or join the huge queue of people waiting for free NHS treatment elsewhere? That was

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Warning after fake window cleaners take money from County Durham residents

Police have issued a warning after fake window cleaners have been seen taking money from County Durham residents in exchange for work that's never carried out.  Officers from Durham Police say they have been made aware of reports of numerous males

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Charity to open doors of flagship store at County Durham shopping park today

A new flagship charity shop will open in County Durham on Friday (February 23) after months of preparation for the store.  The Butterwick Hospice will hold its grand opening, as it moves into unit 6 of Bishop Auckland Retail Park at 10am.

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Police and fire service attend after car hit deer while travelling on the A170

Emergency services responded to a crash that saw a car hit a deer on a road in North Yorkshire on Thursday (February 22).  Firefighters and police attended the A170 in Wass, near Helmsley, at about 8am, following reports that a car had struck the

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Students have to cross dual carriageway to get to classes at RAAC hit School

Parents at the secondary school reported to be worst affected by the UK-wide RAAC crisis have been left frustrated and worried as their children have to cross a duel carriageway to get to lessons.  A series of temporary classrooms were opened to

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North East's Greggs failed to pay minimum wage, government reveals

A nationally renowned North East business has been named and shamed by the government for failing to pay the minimum wage.  Greggs Plc, which is headquartered in Newcastle and runs 2,269 popular pastry shop branches across the UK, failed to pay

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Historic Bishop Auckland building to be converted into flats and artist's studio

The renovation of a historic County Durham town centre building has been approved.  Developers are set to breathe new life into Bishop Auckland’s Masonic Hall by converting it into an artist’s workshop/ studio and apartments.  The building,

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North East law firm shortlisted in eight categories at new awards

North East law firm Womble Bond Dickinson has been shortlisted in eight categories at the inaugural The Legal 500 ESG UK Awards. The awards celebrate the very best ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) initiatives across the UK legal market

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Education trust builds on successful model to open up facilities to communities

A SCHOOL’S trailblazing scheme to open up its facilities to the local community is being rolled-out across the North-East. Hummersknott Academy, in Darlington, created the Hummersknott Active scheme in 2011 to enable local people, companies, and

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Michael Carrick's 'big' Emmanuel Latte Lath claim - and bold Boro attacking call

MICHAEL CARRICK has expressed sympathy for Emmanuel Latte Lath as he prepares to make his latest comeback from injury, and backed the striker to make a significant impact in the final two-and-a-half months of the season. Latte Lath returned to