FROM this newspaper 100 years ago. - On Wednesday morning an accident occurred at the South Dock, Sunderland. It appears that while the Hendon Bridge was open to allow the SS Alpha to proceed to sea, one of Sir John Jackson's locomotives attached to 21 wagons came along from the south end of Hendon Dock. The driver, observing the bridge was open, put the brakes on and also reversed the engine but was not able to stop in time and the engine and 21 wagons fell over the quay and into the dock. The driver and stoker of the engine and a boy very narrowly escaped by jumping off.

From this newspaper 50 years ago. - Darlington has through the years been associated with a number of slogans, ranging from "A Well Governed Town" to "The Home of the Shorthorn". A Royal personage, so 'tis said, referred centuries ago to "Darnton i' t' dirt"

A comparatively modern addition to the list ascribes "brogues, tweeds and dogs" as being characteristics of the town.

The brogues and tweeds are now not particularly obvious, but the dogs are certainly conspicuous by their presence.

Just whether the multiplicity of dogs are an asset or a liability depends on one's point of view, but as Darlington is a town of dog lovers, one assumes that they are accepted figuratively on the credit side of the town's balance sheet.

From this newspaper 25 years ago. - The report recently by our Guisbrough correspondent, Ernie Howson, concerning the new driving test prompted him to wonder about the real effects of drinking and driving.

"How many times have you heard people say: 'I always drive better when I have had a couple of drinks'?

Under the watchful eyes of Chief Insp Bill Adam and Road Safety Officer PC Andy Hardcastle, I sat down in a driving simulator to see if alcohol really does affect my driving.

My reaction time measured five tenths of a second, so we decided to begin the test and I was given a double scotch. After three double scotches the simulator showed quite clearly that my reaction time was down by a horrifying 50pc

I had to admit that if I had been in a pub car park at 11pm having drunk this much, I would have driven home if there had been no other choice.

So far as drinking and driving is concerned there is only one word for it. DON'T. Take it from me."