Archive

QUESTION My German Shepherd has just been diagnosed with subcutaneous lymphosarcoma. He is covered in lumps. He still seems to be eating well but his activity has slowed down. He is four years old and 152 pounds. I was wondering what the prognosis

QUESTION I have a 14 year old husky which has bronchial cancer. He was given 4 - 6 months to live. It has been four months. He is on lasix 50 mg., 2 times a day, and Pepcid 10 mg. 3 times a day. The theophlline was discontinued very recently for it

QUESTION Tess has been prescribed this drug to "prevent" the spread of a non-malignant tumour in her paw/leg. She had an op to remove a large tumour about 6 weeks ago. The tumour has returned and is still growing. Is this the correct medication for

QUESTION I have a nine-year-old female Jack Russell she had an operation about ten weeks ago to have a lump removed in her mammory gland. She seemed to be fine after the operation but about two weeks ago the lump returned and about a week ago her skin

QUESTION My vet is certain my dog has brain tumour and poss slipped disc. I could not possibly afford the treatment, MIR scan, which which could cost up to £4000. My dog is not in any pain. What is my best option, and most importantly why can't you

QUESTION My 9 year old black Lab, Jamooki was diagnosed with fibrosarcoma last December, 2002. She had surgery to remove the growth tumor in between her 3rd and 4th digits on her right front paw. A dirty margin remained and she subsequently had 15

QUESTION My dog Lenny had a swelling under her neck in June, the vet prescribed antibiotics and reccomended a biopsy if it didn't disappear. The swelling went down and she seemed OK. She also had a wart-like thing on the side of her nose. The vet said

QUESTION Our Cocker spaniel has recently been treated for an eye infection, a glandular problem in the rectum and most recently has suffered fits. After blood tests it was found that there was a problem with his white blood cell count, medication was

QUESTION My dog was diagnosed with having pulmonary osteopathy 4 weeks ago and the vet said that there is no cure and tablets are her only help. I am giving her cod liver oil, starflower oil, ginko bilboa and ginseng along with a famous brand of Immune

QUESTION Chica has just been diagnosed with spinal tumour which vet says is almost certainly malignant. She has been prescribed prednisolone. I would like to know if you think it is worth getting a biopsy done (vet seemed to be saying it is risky anyway

QUESTION On Thursday this week, after xrays were taken our local vet told us the horrific news that our beautiful dog has a large tumor in her chest. Extra bone has also grown down the sides of her feet, which makes the vet think that it is a rare

QUESTION My dog has mammory cancer. It has spread to her lungs. The vet told us it is too late, there is nothing we can do. She is currently on metacam, but it doesn't seem to be helping her. Is metacam the normal medicine to use to relieve cancer

QUESTION Can my dog's incontinence be helped? ANSWER Dear Reader, The problem is a common one and can strike in animals of all ages and sexes. Involuntary, it can be caused by many factors including obesity and is more common in larger

QUESTION Is there any way to control excitable urination? When my dog is greeted, she leaks urine. Yungmi Kim ANSWER Dear Yungmi Kim, I am afraid that the excitable urination in a young dog is a very common problem but one

QUESTION I have a 4-month-old Springer Spaniel. She has been wormed twice since I had her with a wormer from the vets but when she does a poo she sits in her bum and drags it along. After doing that she then cleans herself and repeats the process over

QUESTION My four year old labrador started one month ago having problems holding urine. Now he having constipation and sometimes his back legs fall and he stops walking. The exams showed nothing, except a disc hernia. It's very difficult to do a tomography

QUESTION I have noticed that my nearly 2 year old dog seems to have a bladder problem. Recently he has been peeing more often and if left in for the whole night will even wet his bed slightly and also dribbling small drops of pee throughout the day

QUESTION My neutered dog is having difficulty emptying his bladder following problems with an enlarged prostate - requires a cathater to perform. Is there any treatment which can help to recover bladder tone such that he can "wee" at will again? Also

QUESTION My dog has some form of neurological problem. We didn't do the exploratory surgery. Anyway this has been going on about 2- 3 yrs. He is having problems urinating sometimes not all the time but tonight we noticed blood in his urine. I know

QUESTION Winston is nearly 14 and he is showing his age. He can't get upstairs anymore or go on any walks because of arthritis. For a few months now he has started having faecal incontinence. They are solid, well formed stools, its not as if he has

QUESTION My dog who is male, seems to have trouble urinating as if it hurts him. He will wee slowly in short spurts and sometimes will urinate indoors as it seems he cannot hold it. However this does not happen all the time but on occasions and I am

QUESTION My dog has bladder problems, she is still like a pup, very playfull. She keeps dripping urine and wees in the night time, she has been like this for a while now. We have taken her to a vet and they advised a protien diet but it hasn't helped

QUESTION My two year-old female greyhound is well house trained. She sleeps inside, we usually feed her in the morning at 7am and at night at 6pm. The problem is that she can't hold her bladder through the night and regularly need to be let out at

QUESTION We have just received an 11 week old puppy. We have noticed that on 2 occasions she has tried to eat her poo. Is this normal? What can I do to prevent this? Arlene Wiggin ANSWER Dear Arlene, You have written about an

QUESTION My 10-year-old Collie cross has suddenly been acting very strange. He walks around as if he doesn't know where he is or who I am. He seems lost and confused, he doesn't want to play and looks at every thing in the garden as if he has never

QUESTION Our Westie is now two and from time to time over the past 18 months he has had a very shaky head. This is involuntary but she is fully aware of what is going on around her and never loses consciousness. No other part of her body shakes and

QUESTION My dog had a slight panic attack due to fireworks and I was wondering is there anything herbal that I could give her to calm her down on fireworks night? Donna Smith ANSWER Dear Donna, There are two different products that

QUESTION My puppy is very friendly with all people and all other dogs. The trouble is she is too friendly and will insist on jumping up at everyone in the street and home. Although she doesn't jump up at me! I have managed to train her to sit and stay

QUESTION Bruno keeps circling around in an anticlockwise direct whenever he is not laying down and pacing around. Our vet is investigating but I would appreciate your thoughts. Mrs Biddle ANSWER Dear Mrs Biddle, A 10-year-old

QUESTION My bitch has just given birth for the first time on Sunday 30th March 2003. She made her sleeping area before the birth in our clothes cupboard and gave birth to her first in the cupboard. I have a whelping box and a nice quiet spot for her

QUESTION Our pup is constantly biting into her left rear hip/leg, but not causing either fur lose or any kind of skin wound. She is bathed in a mild solution and rinsed thoroughly. Any ideas? Paul ANSWER Dear Paul, It could

QUESTION Our collie cross is a good natured, well behaved rescue dog who we have had for 3.5 years. He is very attached to the lady of the house, but is friendly with everyone. The only problem is he doesn't like going in kennels, which we have only

QUESTION My puppy is chewing on his rear left paw sometimes on his thigh and rear end. Not to the point of fur loss or cutting. He has recently had diarrhoea with a clear yellowish muscas coming out. I was reading that itcould possible be an anal gland

QUESTION My dog has been prescribed Epiphen and propanolol to help with his fear of fireworks, is this a good combination. The only information I can get on Epiphen is that it is used for easing epilepsy, which my dog does not suffer from. I can understand

QUESTION My dog has been prescribed Epiphen and propanolol to help with his fear of fireworks, is this a good combination. The only information I can get on Epiphen is that it is used for easing epilepsy, which my dog does not suffer from. I can understand

QUESTION We own a 12 month Border Terrier dog and bitch. The dog has, for about the past three or four months been getting growly and a bit snappy, mostly when he's tired or resting, with both the bitch and family members. The bitch has showed no such

QUESTION My puppy has severe puppy stress I am doing everything that the vet told me plus I have a D.A.P but this has been going on for weeks and seems to be getting worse instead of better. Susan ANSWER Dear Susan, I'm

QUESTION My male Border Collie has been moaning since October 03, he moans and then barks grumpily. The vet originally thought that unblocking his anal glands would solve the problem, but it didn't we then used special shampoo incase his dry skin was

QUESTION My boyfriend and I have recently rehomed a husky puppy. She had lived with her 1st family 1 1/2 weeks but could not remain due to complications in her owner's pregnancy. She responds very well to my boyfriend but bites and snarls at me. I

QUESTION Why does my dog grind her teeth? She is still very playful, has an excellent appetite, and is generally full of energy if not a little hyper but she goes through phases of grinding her back teeth together. I brush them but there is a slight

Julian Norton, York Road, Thirsk, looks at canine arthritis. Arthritis is a relatively common condition in dogs, especially in middle-aged and older dogs. It typically affects the hips and elbows of dogs, where the normally smooth cartilage of the

QUESTION My nine year old Lhasa has been diagnosed with a bulging disk in her neck; she is very miserable, and really doesn't want to do much of anything, she doesn't seem to be responding to Metacam or other drugs. Do you have any idea? Margaret

QUESTION My eight-year-old German Shepherd has got arthritis of the spine and now can't walk. Is it suitable to get stabilisers to keep her balance or what do you suggest? I have had her to the vet but she is getting worse by the day. Robert

QUESTION I have a Golden Labrador who is 10 years old and is suffering from severe arthritis in his rear left knee and it is very swollen. We are currently using Metacam 30g per day for the pain. Could you please suggest any other course of medication

QUESTION I am concerned as my dally has recently been prescribed Metacam for her back legs giving way.My concern is because 7 weeks ago my other dally died aged 11yrs of internal bleeding and she had been taking Metacam for over a year.What would you

A pirate video maker who leafleted a town to sell his fakes was given a suspended jail sentence and a judge's warning yesterday. Debt-ridden Robert Edward Jackson,41, advertised his DVD Direct business with a mobile phone number and offering films

QUESTION I have a GS mix dog who is 7 years old. We have had her for x-rays and she has arthritis in the spine. We are giving her Synovi-MSM (a glucosamine treatment). It does appear to help her some but feel I should be doing more. What are your

QUESTION My six month old Beardie pup took a tumble on a walk when he was 4 months old. He was unable to get up the following day, so we took him to the vet, they gave him antibiotics and said rest him for a few days. His condition got much worse

QUESTION I am thinking of adopting a six-year-old Lab. They tell me he has osteophytes of the medial condyle off humerus. Is this treatable by surgery and what does this mean? Norma ANSWER Dear Norma, Osteophytes on the

QUESTION Our puppy got a bursitis on her elbow at around 3 months - we checked with the vet and breeder and both said it will go down. It has gone down considerably over the last month or so but is still there. She now has another bursitis which

QUESTION My dog was diagnosed with arthritis at the age of two. She has been on 10ml or Metacam once a day ever since and I have been told she will need it for the rest of her life. I am worried about the potential side-effects of this. It also worries

QUESTION My Staffordshire Bull Terrier has arthritis. The Metacam is becoming less affective and I fear I may have to have my dog 'put to sleep' soon. Is there anything else I could give him as apart from the arthritis he is fine. Sue

QUESTION My dog has deterioration of the spin (spondylosis). She has been on Metacam 3 mths. The vet said she shall have to take it permanently I want a second opinion on this and advice on what else to do that might help her live longer, as in other

QUESTION My dog has been whimpering whenever he jumps up, tries to stand up, or climb the stairs. Could this be hip dysplasia? Could the symptoms of hip displasia come quickly or does it come slowly. The symptoms for my dog came within a few days

QUESTION We have a seven year old Border Collie called Skye who pulled a ligament in June. She had x-rays which showed early signs of hip dysplacia. She is now suffering after sleeping on the right side and very stiff. She has been prescribed Metacan

THE four companies shortlisted to run the East Coast Main Line were announced this morning. The Department for Transport (DfT) said Arriva, First Rail, National Express and a joint bid by Virgin and Stagecoach will now be considered to run the line which

QUESTION I have an English Mastiff puppy that has bursitis. The vet drained one leg and put cortisone in it. The leg is better. The other leg now has it and the vet wants to remove the bursa bag in the leg. Should I have it drained and try that first

QUESTION Our Golden Retriever has been taking this drug in a dose of aprox 5ml (cannot be accurate as the syring has weight graduations on it rather than volume he is getting a dose relative to 35Kg). Three weeks after first taking the drug he has

QUESTION Following on from a question displayed on your site. My 10 month old Bernese has just had surgery for arthritis and had been prescribed Synoquin. Researching on the web I have found an American product called Syn-Flex. Much the same but

QUESTION My Mini Eskie has been suffering from athritis for almost two years. My vet tried Rimadyl with very little results and switched her to Deramaxx about a month ago with no real improvement either. My vet also recommended glucosamine chondroitin

QUESTION My dog has arthiritis in the front leg metcam (22ml-25kgweigh) is working brillantly but his left hind leg does not seem to have strength in it. When he walks his back end is out of rhythm. The vet says an x-ray will tell what's wrong. I'm

QUESTION Hi, I have a question re definitions of illness. I am confused as to whether my dog has spondylosis or spondylytis - neither descriptions on the net seem to exactly fit the description I've been given. I'm told spurs have begun to grow from

QUESTION The vet put my dog on Metacam. I gave her one dose. Diarrhoea late that night. Did not give her anymore Metacam. Two days later, vomiting but no diarrhea. No blood in diarrhea. She has appetite and energy. Will this resolve itself? I fed her

QUESTION Our dog has arthritis in both hips, he has been thoroughly checked over by the vet and tested for everything possible. Syn-flex means he has no more pain but his right leg has severe muscle wastage . How can we improve his muscle tone without

QUESTION For over a year now my Black labrador has suffered from a varity of ailments - joint stiffness (especially on rising), ear infections ( resulting in him being sedated twice to get them cleaned despite using drops prescribed by the vet weekly

Taking calls: Comic Lenny Henry gets in a muddle as he drops in to npower's call centre in Peterlee, County Durham. The staff have pledged to raise £500,000 for Comic Relief Day, which will take place on March 16.

THERE are a fantastic number of words in the English language that have silent letters, including womb, which has a silent "b". Surely it must cost a lot of money for these letters to be printed and then not spoken. Is it not time to modernise

WOMEN think men are big babies when it comes to pain and sickness and always will until a man goes through childbirth. Wife Sylvia repeats at regular intervals: "If men had to go through childbirth there would be no more babies." With the progress

THE Icons of England team was interested to learn of Christopher Wardell's patriotic attachment to his bowler hat (Echo, Feb 16). Our project confirmed the bowler as an official Icon of England in April 2006. Invented by a St James Street hatter

PETE Winstanley (HAS, Feb 16) asked me what political correctness has to do with the abandonment of sack races. He blamed advertising campaigns by solicitors for this, but the opening is provided by politically-motivated cranks creating this safety

TONY Kelly's South African friend may have indicated that the country was happy, prosperous and safe (HAS, Feb 15). Indeed it was, but almost exclusively for the white population whose government excluded the majority black population from view

HEADLINE act Colin Cole is a big hitter in his Australian homeland and it's not surprising with his gigantic 6ft 7in stature. Cole has an imposing stage presence and clearly works out because he is built like a brick outhouse with a wrist bigger than

HOPES are high that a movie version of a classic book will be filmed at a stately home. Bosses at Castle Howard, near Malton, have been approached by the producers of a planned £12m adaptation of Evelyn Waugh's Brideshead Revisted. Filming on the production

SHOPPERS are being encouraged to buy responsibly during a series of promotional events marking Fairtrade Fortnight. The two-week scheme to raise awareness runs from Monday to Sunday, March 11. On Wednesday, February 28, there will be a Fairtrade display

Testosterone and tap? The likes of Michael Flatley, waxed and oiled, Cuban-heeled and tight-trousered, have reason to ponder this dance troupe from Australia. You may have seen some of them on BBC1 in between programmes, in workboots, baggy shorts or

Music group EMI is reportedly planning to borrow £1bn after the company issued its second profits warning of the year. The company's board is said to be considering proposals to borrow the money against its publishing business, which manages the rights

Hypochondriacs: I Told You I Was Ill (C4); Sleep Clinic (BBC1); The Bad Mother's Handbook (ITV1): SARAH has had a brain tumour, tumour in her eye, heart attack, stroke, bowel cancer, lung cancer, stomach cancer... I could continue but it might make

YOUNG MINDS Hoping with a will To conquer Things that matter Drifting into Dreams Fast cars Speed For what it means To dampen Pressure Rolling Lights that flicker Excite the mind Accelerating emotions Beaming Colours combine Blurred Like a neon sign

TWO drop-in schemes are to be launched later this week to help people quit smoking. The Saturday morning group support sessions are to be held in Durham City and Chester-le-Street, and will run along with two Saturday morning services based at pharmacies

WHY are environmentalists so keen to destroy the environment? I ask this as plans are confirmed to put up windfarms on the beautiful Hebrides islands. The Government has already decided to desecrate the Highlands with these profoundly ugly and utterly

A MAN tried to drag a prostitute into bushes and attack her after arming himself with a claw hammer and a knife, a court heard yesterday. It is claimed Michael Dodd was chased and caught when the 29-year-old woman's screams for help were heard by two

GOD HAND, Publisher: Capcom, Format: PS2. Price: £29.99. CENTURIES ago the world was on the brink of disaster until a brave soul defeated the dark god Angra by taking his unearthly powers for himself. People feared this fighter, who became known as

A RACE-hate yob draped himself in a Union Flag and burst into a mosque to abuse worshippers on the holiest day of the Islamic calendar. Together with his bull terrier, Paul Grainger tried to kick his way into the Shahjalal Mosque and Islamic Cultural

A DRINK-DRIVER who tried to out-run police has no memory of getting behind the wheel of his car after a boozing session with workmates. David Neil Skipp - banned from the roads in 2005 for driving with excess alcohol - moaned after his latest arrest:

TOP CLOUD (3.20) is going to take all the beating at Sedgefield with conditions heavily loaded in his favour. Ferdy Murphy's six-year-old posted a battling track and trip success in similarly testing ground when narrowly getting the better of Ice Tea

PATIENTS will find it easier calling a medical centre after a contact number is introduced. The sophisticated phone system is designed to eliminate the engaged tone at Normanby Medical Centre and will go live on Friday. The main telephone number will

BUGS and beasties were brought to life when youngsters put their craft skills to the test. About 40 children were at Summerhill Country Park, in Hartlepool, yesterday, with artist Bub Bacon. They used old material, scrap paper and recycled plastic containers

AMBULANCE crews have rejected an offer made by trust bosses aimed at resolving a long- running dispute over meal break payments. By a large margin, members of the Unison health union turned down a proposed £35 payment for each break disturbed by a 999

A NEWLY appointed charity co-ordinator's first aim is to recruit more helpers to provide services for the blind and visually-impaired. Charlotte Moore, who has a personal history with eye conditions, has been appointed as volunteer co-ordinator for County

A COUNTRY and western club in Darlington has donated £1,100 to good causes. Ticket holders at The Big D club could choose which charity would benefit from cash raised during an evening at Cockerton Band Club. Compere Dave Wallace said: "We only expected

In the last ten years, the one-stop wedding fair, Yorkshire Brides, has become the largest in the North, attracting up to 5,000 visitors every time. As another show prepares to start, Women's Editor Sarah Foster meets it founder. FOR one whose mind is

Yorkshire turned a loss of almost £1.2m in 2005 into a profit of £276,000 last year, according to figures released yesterday. The club's members will be told at the annual meeting on March 17 that ground admissions last season increased by £98,000

Tony Blair pledged yesterday to ensure a solid framework is in place for cutting hospital treatment waiting times before he steps down. The Prime Minister accompanied Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt on a tour of King's College Hospital, in south-east

NEWCASTLE Falcons' Director of Rugby, John Fletcher, was even more unhappy about Sunday's controversial defeat at Bristol after watching a video recording yesterday. Fletcher was infuriated by the awarding of a decisive penalty try when a scrum collapsed

As smart as a Sharratt, as bright as an Acme Thunderer at first blast, England's oldest former Football League referee held his 95th birthday party on Saturday. Had there been an associated five-a-side game he'd probably have reffed it, or else chipped

GARY LIDDLE feels the rest of League Two are 'frightened' by Hartlepool United's incredible surge into the automatic promotion places, but he is ready to make sure it does not stop there. When former Middlesbrough captain Paul Ince returns to the North-East

Film highlights of FA Amateur Cup Finals involving Crook Town, Bishop Auckland and Willington from 1935-1964 will be shown in Howden-le-Wear Community Centre tomorrow, at 8pm. Admission is free.

YOUNGSTERS with autism will have access to sophisticated new computers thanks to a charity cash donation. Under its charitable trust, Abbey Financial Services selected the Daisy Chain charity, in Norton, to receive itslargest Teesside donation. The application

FIGURES released under the Freedom of Information Act show that parts of the North-East have the country's worst record for offenders who breach anti-social behaviour orders (Asbos). Indeed, County Durham has the worst record of any criminal justice area

A DELAYED official tourist guide has been published. The Holiday Guide 2007, which lists attractions and accommodation providers in the Yorkshire Dales and Harrogate, was launched last week. Tourist company bosses were furious when it emerged last month

AFTER spending the last year without a break from football, Tobias Hysen wants Sunderland to finish in the top two to ensure his season is not extended by a further couple of weeks. It was 12 months ago that the left-winger's season started in Sweden

Darlington Cycling Campaign is holding a symposium on cycling in the town on Saturday, March 17, at 1pm, in Bondgate Methodist Church. For details, call 01325-468351.

THE father of one of three Red Cap soldiers from the region murdered in Iraq said last night he had little faith their killers would be brought to justice. Ben Hyde's father, John, spoke after it emerged a plan to arrest those responsible for the slaughter

FARMERS travelled from as far as Scotland, Lincolnshire and Lancashire to a farm open day near Darlington. They were keen to see the revolutionary Roundhouse livestock building at John and Nick Hodgson's beef unit, in Summerhouses. The Hodgsons own the

THE derelict site of a former car hire company in Darlington town centre could be revamped with 39 new flats. Dunelm Homes Ltd has applied to build the apartments on opposite sides of Melland Street, off Parkgate. The vacant former Wentworth Self-Drive

TWO Limousin bulls, who were champions at last year's Great Yorkshire Show, are the first to have sexed semen available. Sauvignon and Vigot are owned by Raymond and Stephen Crawford, who run the Rathkeeland and Newlittlemount herds in County Fermanagh

A TOP line up of speakers will be at the National Beef Association's Beef Expo 2007 in Skipton. Steven Esom, managing director of Waitrose, will be joined by Jonathan Birnie, group agricultural resource manager of Dunbia - the Northern Ireland meat processor

THE amount of grain maize grown in the UK is set to double in the next five years, according to specialist Grainseed Ltd. The company said more dairy and beef producers are appreciating the crop benefits as a home-grown energy source. The total area grown

Professional sport, like business, is a results-driven environment. In each arena, failure to perform can be harshly punished and the ill-equipped quickly exposed. At first glance it might not appear there is much to learn by following the fortunes of

BUSINESSES in a North-East town have teamed up to offer a complete package to couples getting married. A range of companies offering services, including photography, bridal wear and gifts, in Darlington are working in partnership by recommending and referring

LEADERSHIP comes in many guises. In its most obvious form, it is the ability to garner and motivate those around you. It is about setting standards and benchmarks that encourage others to act accordingly. But we shouldn't get leadership confused with

THE rising number of entrepreneurs and high-value property owners in the region has helped legal firm SFM become a multi-million pound business within four years of being founded. SFM also has a wealth management division, and is capitalising on the

A SOLICITORS practice has expanded its presence in the region. Ben Hoare Bell, which has three offices in Sunderland, has opened a base in Jesmond, Newcastle. Cris McCurley, partner at Ben Hoare Bell, said the move to Newcastle would help serve its increasing

MULTIPLE retailers have no excuse for replacing fresh English lamb with New Zealand chilled products. John Cross, chairman of the English Beef and Lamb Executive (EBLEX), said quality English lamb was available all year round. He said: "Retailers are

THE Red Meat Industry Forum says the UK may need up to 20,000 extra organic cattle a year by 2010 and warns producers to realise the limited size of the potential market, and its higher production costs than for conventional beef.

TWO brothers who set up in business have seen turnover soar after opening a showroom. Andy and Richard Holt previously worked as self-employed service technicians for major bathroom fitting companies, with an annual turnover of about £40,000. In September

A RECRUITMENT expert has set up her own business after being made redundant. Kelly Adamson has launched Adept Professional Services, in Hartlepool, offering bespoke recruitment for a range of industries. She said being made redundant from her role as

Sir Winston Churchill summed up what is now a worrying current trend by saying: "Saving is a fine thing. Especially when your parents have done it for you." He was a descendant of the Spencer Churchill family and the son of politician Lord Randolph Churchill

In 2000, Debbie and Andrew Keeble were desperately trying to raise money from their farm and longed to escape on holiday with their four children, the eldest of whom was only ten. "We were stuck in an industry on its knees and we couldn't afford to survive

A SMALL holiday business is offering weekend breaks that could help change people's lives. Life Changing Weekends has been set up in the village of Harome, near Helmsley, North Yorkshire, and is aimed at people who want to take time out from their everyday

A US company planning to build a bioethanol plant in the Tees Valley says the region could miss out on significant investment unless the Government lends more support to green fuel development. Losonoco, which is based in Florida, said it was finding

UP to half the 66 workers whose jobs were lost when brewer Scottish and Newcastle (S&N) closed its North-East bottling operation may be given alternative employment elsewhere in the company, it emerged yesterday. The company announced last month that

LAW firm Blackett Hart and Pratt (BHP) has launched a corporate recovery division to deal with companies and individuals in financial difficulties. The division is a first for BHP, which has offices in Newcastle, Darlington and Durham, and will be led

A RETIRED engineer has set up his own consultancy. Geoff Mitchell has established Green Light, a company offering project management, advice and guidance on a wide range of building construction, maintenance and improvement schemes. Mr Mitchell will

INTERNET company Onyx Group has signed a deal with a global technology company. The contract with Hughes Network Systems to provide satellite broadband services has been hailed as a significant development for the Middlesbrough company, which has an

BUILDING company Surgo Construction has won £40m of business in less than two months. The Newcastle company has secured contracts to work on six developments in the region since the turn of the year. The deals, with a combined value of £40m, are

THE four-and-a-half millionth car rolled off the production line at the Nissan car plant in Sunderland yesterday. The landmark vehicle - a 1.6L Note SE in flame red - is destined for a customer in the UK market. The milestone coincided with the plant

Martin Smith is poised to return to the starting line-up tonight at home to Accrington Stanley as Darlington bid to maintain the momentum gained from their unbeaten run. The left midfielder came off the bench to rescue a point at Swindon Town on Saturday

POLICE are appealing for witnesses to a burglary at Barnacles, in Yarm High Street, some time between midnight and 9.50am on Saturday. It is believed thieves broke in through the rear of the shop and took a £2,000 chipper machine. Officers say they probably

A COFFEE afternoon is being held for people who have settled from eastern Europe.Christchurch Church Hall, in Parliament Street, Consett, is inviting people originally from Poland and the former Soviet Union. Posters advertising the event in Russian and

THE winner of The Northern Echo's Champagne Christmas Crossword is Sue Bendelow, of Catterick Village - who won it once before in the late Seventies."I hope I don't have to wait as long to win it again," she said when she received her magnum of champagne

A REGIONAL centre of excellence for science teaching has received an accolade for its architecture.The Science Learning Centre North-East, at Framwellgate School, Durham, is today named as the best new building in the city.It edged out competition from

VOLUNTEERS who set up a community centre in a former pub are hunting for a new venue.The Western Area Community Centre, in Newton Aycliffe, has been operating from the former Dandy Cart pub since last July.But now the venue faces an uncertain future.

AN event designed to help people in Consett lead healthier lifestyles is being launched by former Newcastle footballer Malcolm Macdonald.Belle Vue Leisure Centre is the setting for the health and lifestyle open day. It is being held today, organised by

AN INDEPENDENT investigation has been launched into how police handled an incident in which a grandmother-of-three was stabbed to death in her home.The Independent Police Complaints Commission revealed yesterday that it will investigate how Durham Constabulary

LOCAL people have been invited to comment on key documents looking at the conservation of their district. Chester-le-Street District Council is preparing management plans for Plawsworth and the town centre of Chester-le-Street which recommend schemes

TOWNS and villages are to be given a new lease of life.Durham County Council has announced an image-changing programme as part of its Urban and Rural Renaissance Initiative (URRI) in Derwentside. Workshops looked at challenges and spending priorities

THE country's largest supermarket chain has made a new bid to open its first store in Darlington.Tesco has submitted plans for the site of a former garage in the Harrowgate Hill area of the town.A residents' group has already called a meeting to discuss

A SCHOOL has not only been excelling in spelling and mathematics - but has also raised thousands of pounds for a children's charity.Barnard Castle Preparatory School held a spellathon to raise money for the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty

A GROUP of children from Chernobyl could not believe their eyes when Santa made a special trip to see them.The 12 boys and girls from Belarus had just filled suitcases with much-needed donated clothing yesterday, when Father Christmas dropped by for a

HEADTEACHERS at Church of England schools in the Ripon diocese are being offered month-long sabbatical breaks for the first time.Following the success of a pilot scheme, it is hoped there will be an annual opportunity for heads who have been in post for

MIDDLESBROUGH footballers are used to strutting their stuff at the Riverside Stadium, but last night they swapped the pitch for the catwalk. The club was hoping to raise £15,000 for Macmillan Cancer Care from the Fashion Strikes charity event last night

A SPENNYMOOR couple who supported each other through good times and bad have celebrated their golden wedding anniversary.Joe and Lena Hind, of Wood Vue, enjoyed a party at home with friends and family on Friday to mark 50 years together.The couple met

YOUNGSTERS showed off their talents in an X Factor-style competition at a Darlington child care centre.Staff at Topoli Joe's, in Northgate, Darlington, held the finals of a knockout singing competition for children at the centre.The three acts in the

A LONG-awaited refurbishment to a play area in the middle of a housing estate was opened yesterday.Residents of Challener Way, in St Helen Auckland, celebrated the launch of the "pocket park" with games, competitions and a treasure hunt.The area has been

Some of those caught up in the Cleveland Child Abuse Scandal 20 years ago speak out for the first time. Reporter Graeme Hetherington follows the stories of one of the many families devastated by the false accusations, a vociferous opponent of the medical

WORK to transform one of the region's most important museums into a national attraction has started.The first stage of the £1.7m refurbishment of Darlington Railway Centre and Museum got under way last week as builders started work on replacing

TWO teenagers are getting psyched up for a career in retail, thanks to the Learning and Skills Council's Young Apprenticeship schemeJames Feeney, 14, and Tom Bell, 15, are taking part in the programme at Acklam Grange School, in Middlesbrough. But it

DEVELOPERS hoping to demolish listed former school buildings failed to adequately market the important premises, a public inquiry heard.First National Investments Ltd (FNI) is seeking the approval of Local Government Minister Ruth Kelly to knock down

HUNTSMEN and women have attempted to show their lighter side by dressing up in pantomime costumes.Members of York and Ainsty South Hunt dressed up as characters from Cinderella for a drag hunt at Crayke, near Easingwold, North Yorkshire. David Tesseyman

A BALLROOM that has been the scene of celebrations for almost three centuries has undergone a £12,000 facelift.The room in Bedale Hall, dating from the early 18th Century, has been described by architectural experts as one of the finest of its type in

A community art festival which started at the weekend has something for all ages, its organisers say.Woodhouse Close estate Arts Festival opened on Saturday.The festival, which runs until Sunday, has exhibitions, shows and workshops at locations throughout

THIS new sculpture from a former North Yorkshire welder may be the luckiest work of art in the world.For William Wilson's representation of a thoroughbred racehorse, his third piece, is made entirely out of horseshoes.Mr Wilson, who has no formal training

TOWN councillors are investigating the use of warning signs to keep walkers away from an eroded section of the bank beside Bedale Beck.The move, which has received support for funding, has been suggested until more action can be taken to stabilise the

TRIBUTES have been paid to a man who was involved in politics in County Durham for more than 50 years.John Armstrong, from Morley, near West Auckland, died in Bishop Auckland Hospital, on Friday.As an independent councillor, he represented Evenwood on

USERS of a threatened leisure facility are appealing for help to keep it open.The Eldon Grove Sports Centre, in Hartlepool, is earmarked for closure on April 1 - and highlighted as a £30,000 saving for Hartlepool Borough Council.During last year's budget

HIGHWAYS chiefs will be drawing a line under inconsiderate parkers with a major renewal of road markings.Seaham has been plagued by an increase in cars parking illegally, causing safety concerns for pedestrians and snarling up traffic. On Sunday, workers

TEACHERS and pupils at King James School in Bishop Auckland are celebrating a glowing inspection report.Ofsted inspectors praised staff and pupils and the supportive atmosphere.The Government inspectors particularly praised the school's specialist subject

THOUSANDS of people will be tucking into pancakes today - but in Stuart Scott's house they are strictly banned.The 33-year-old plumber must avoid pancakes at all costs after tests showed he is highly intolerant to eggs, milk and flour.Mr Scott, who lives

A FREE session will be held this week to mark bicycles.Sedgefield Borough Council Neighbourhood Wardens and Sedgefield Community Safety Partnership will host the event on Thursday at Henderson Community House, Coleridge Road, Chilton, from 2pm to 4pm.For

A YOUNG dancer is celebrating after cleaning up at a regional competition.Disco dancer Charlotte Stanton, from Darlington, came home with several trophies from a competition in Castleford, West Yorkshire.The 11-year-old attends Hurworth School Maths and

A COUNCILLOR has blasted his fellow members for failing to attend meetings.Gerald Lee spoke out against colleagues at Heighington Parish Council after a low turnout at a committee to discuss the village sports field.Speaking at this month's meeting, he

WITH the FA Cup final still scheduled for Wembley this season, Gareth Southgate is hoping to complete a unique piece of footballing symmetry in May. Southgate was a player when Aston Villa lost to Chelsea in the last cup final to be played under the Twin

WITH their passage to the last 16 of the competition all but assured ahead of Thursday's return game with Zulte Waregem, a bullish Antoine Sibierski last night claimed that Newcastle have nothing to fear from any of the sides left in this season's UEFA

AHEAD of the biggest week of his fledgling managerial career, Roy Keane believes his Mr Cool approach to the job should be a blueprint for many of his rivals. The Black Cats head for second-placed Birmingham tonight to start a run of three games which

Since it began in the North-East seven years ago, the Get Hooked On Fishing scheme has helped thousands of youngsters turn their lives around. Lindsay Jennings meets its founder. CLUTCHING a huge 42lb carp, the joy and pride on the face of the teenage

YOBS in the North-East have the worst record of breaking anti- social behaviour orders (Asbos) in the country, it has been revealed.Three out of four Asbos handed out in County Durham's courts are breached - the worst rate in England and Wales.Asbos were

A FATHER has spoken for the first time of the horror of having his three daughters and two foster children removed when they were wrongly diagnosed as sex abuse victims.It is the 20th anniversary of what became known as the Cleveland Child Sex Abuse Scandal

ENGLAND cricketer Liam Plunkett last night apologised for his "inexcusable behaviour" after being banned from the roads for drink-driving.The Durham fast bowler, who has just returned from Australia, was given a 20-month driving ban and fined £2,000 at

He's personally shopped for Posh and Becks and is one of Britain's foremost stylists - now Bradley Taylor is bringing his skills to the North-East. He talks to Women's Editor SARAH FOSTERI KNOW from the moment he answers the phone that I'm going to like

At last, Seaham is on the up again and coffee shop owners Jeremy and Tom are determined to catch the wave of new customers the town is attracting by offering good value, great food at Leaf, Bark and Berries. ON January 6, the day that the announcement