THIS week, 15 years ago, thousands of pro-hunt supporters turned out in force following a proposal to ban hunting.

More than 36,000 people signed a Hunting Declaration pledging to break the law if hunting was banned.

Mass meetings were held around the country including Trimdon Village in County Durham.

More than 2,000 people, many on horseback, gathered in a field on the edge of the village in a show of strength.

Among them was John Jackson, chairman of the Countryside Alliance, who warned that if the Hunting Bill was passed, thousands of law-abiding citizens would end up in court.

He said: "This is a very personal decision for anyone to take.

"They must take it for themselves without being subjected to any kind of influence by the Countryside Alliance or anybody else.

"However, the alliance has made it clear that it will honour the integrity of such a person by supporting them at the time of their trial.

"In promising this support, the alliance is not placing tanks on the Government's lawn. It is doing what it believes to be morally right."

Also, that week, a district nurse said goodbye to patients she served for 24 years.

The Northern Echo:

Jeanne Waterhouse began training as a nurse in 1957 and was a well-known face in Thornaby for more than two decades.

She said goodbye to the community and was planning to move to Spain for her retirement.

She said: "I have loved every minute of my time with the people of Thornaby and I will miss the contact I have had with so many people."

Meanwhile, Nissan recalled 2.5 million vehicles for potential faulty wiring.

The recall was the biggest in the Japanese company's history and affected Almeras, Primeras, the small Tino people carrier and the 4x4 X-Trail.

Checks showed that two sensors in the engine management system could fail leading to the engine stalling.

Japanese officials indicated that the recall would cost the company more than £80m, but a Nissan spokesman stressed it was a precautionary measure.