SUNDERLAND 2 DERBY 1 Sunderland's automatic promotion hopes received a massive boost when Liam Miller's stoppage-time header earned a 2-1 win over a Derby side who had started the day on top of the Championship. Four days after the Black Cats conceded
DARLINGTON edged closer to a play-off spot thanks to Julian Joachim's late winner at Torquay United on Saturday. Joachim fired home with three minutes remaining to earn Quakers the win, which moves Dave Penney's men to within two points of the top seven
Hartlepool United stay on top of League Two after a single goal win at Boston - their 16th victory in the last 18 games. After Boston made it hard for Pools in the first half, the visitors took half an hour before they gained any advantage. But, midway
A NORTH-East bus station was evacuated this morning after a passenger was found with a gun. Bishop Auckland bus station, in County Durham, was closed down for around an hour while police secured the area. A bus driver called the police when he noticed
A NEW studio for the Darlington and District Talking Newspaper has been opened by Northern Echo Editor Peter Barron, and Radio Cleveland DJ Mark Turnbull. The group, which records items of news for blind people in the town, has had a major revamp
IT came as a shock to hear of the recent death of writer and broadcaster Sheridan Morley at the age of 65. It is only a matter of weeks since he gave up presenting Melodies for You on BBC Radio 2. He was the son of actor Robert Morley and, during
IN answer to Andy Leigh's letter about Tony Blair (HAS, Feb 17), his legacy will be the following: 1. Minimum wage. 2. Free TV licences for the over-75s. 3. The £200 Winter Fuel Allowance, plus the Warm Front Team. 4. Free bus travel for all pensioners
PETER Mullen is correct in saying windfarms will never provide enough energy for our needs and that nuclear power would (Echo, Feb 20). However, he is wrong to dismiss global warming as Greens' scare-mongering. Ice cores from the Antarctic have
AT last, I have found something that I can agree with Tony Blair about when he says Gordon Brown is our most successful Chancellor of the Exchequer yet. Under Mr Brown's stewardship, our taxes, bureaucracy and benefit dependency are on an everincreasing
WITH regard to the travel expenses of our local MPs, I can't believe that this amount of money can be wasted in this way. Do they not get paid ridiculously high wages to do the job that results in the general public paying through the nose and
EVERYONE agrees apartheid was wrong, but that ended at independence and now what have we got? The country is now left with little food because all the workers from the land have streamed into the cities to live in more shanty towns so no crops
IF there was ever a case presented as to why people should show their face - I am referring to the debates when Leader of the Commons Jack Straw raised the issue some time ago over a meeting with one of his constituents - then that of the accused
THE excellent "Trident? - Not Our Baby!" car sticker - featured in your story (Echo, Feb 14) about the North-East artist whose design has been chosen by the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament for a national publicity project - has prompted me to
From gay romance in Emmerdale and teaching in Grange Hill, Edward Baker-Duly becomes a controversial lover in a tour of September Tide. HE might be a growing star of stage and screen and caused a stir with Emmerdale's first gay romance but Edward Baker
Janeites may get a touch of the vapours but ITV bosses hope other viewers will swoon with delight as the first in the new season of Jane Austen films, Persuasion, is sealed with a kiss. At the risk of shocking purists, ITV's new season of Jane Austen
The Andes, the Amazon rainforest and Machu Picchu - Tim Wellock takes an unforgettable journey along the Inca trail. NOW I've finally decided what I want to be when I grow up. I want to drive the train from Cusco to Machu Picchu. Peru Rail is owned by
THE chairman of a business organisation has announced that he will stand down at the end of the year. Philip Wicks made the announcement at Richmond Business and Tourism Association's annual meeting. Mr Wicks, who runs Castle Hill Books, in the town,
CUB scouts from the Northallerton area celebrated their 100th anniversary recently. The 1st Northallerton and 1st Brompton Cub Scouts got together for a swimming event to mark a century of Scouting and to encourage others to join the movement. Scout leaders
THE latest issue of a magazine written by young people for young people is out this month. It is the second issue of Yo-Yo, a publication that deals with everything of interest to youngsters in and around the Stockton area, from serious issues to fashion
POLICE are appealing for witnesses to a collision between a taxi and a transit van in Lanehouse Road, on Thornaby's Mandale Estate, shortly before 6am yesterday. A passenger had to be freed from the van after it ended up on its side. The 40-year-old
A REGULATORY body may be needed to help farmers get a fair price for their milk. It is one suggestion put forward by some of the 100 MPs and Peers in the All Party Parliamentary Group on dairy farming. Chairman Daniel Kawczynski believes
VILLAGERS have been urged to help save a produce show that has been held annually for more than half a century. Falling entries over recent years, and an all-time low last summer, means the event at Melsonby, near Richmond, now runs at a loss. If residents
Tramlines and slagheaps, pieces of machinery, That was, and still is, my ideal scenery. WH Auden was born 100 years ago this week in the shadow of York Minster. To his devotees, he is one of the most important poets of the 20th Century. To his critics
A STARK warning has been issued by a senior police officer to people who think home-made "prank" explosives are humorous. The alert comes after Jamie Weatherill, 31, was jailed for creating a small bomb using "gunpowder" from fireworks
David Strettle is braced for ''a baptism of fire'' at Croke Park today after being handed one of the toughest jobs in European rugby - replacing Jason Robinson. England boss Brian Ashton has again underlined his fearless selection streak by throwing 23
FOUR people, including two teenage boys, arrested by detectives investigating an alleged arson attack on the home of a Bangladeshi family have been cleared of involvement. Police said the four, who had been released on police bail, had been informed that
POLICE are hunting thieves who stole nearly two tonnes of manhole covers from Teesside industrial estates. They struck overnight on Wednesday into Thursday morning on the Bon Lea and Teesside Industrial Estates, in Thornaby. In total, 30 covers were
A DRUGS baron raped the partner of one of his dealers at knifepoint, to punish him for wanting out of the heroin trade. Christian Foster, 32, who was last night starting 13 years behind bars, also held the man's mother and sister captive in his home
Ronan O'Gara insists Ireland must perform with greater ''intensity'' if he is to mastermind England's downfall at Croke Park. Ireland were hamstrung by their traditional slow start against France and although they recovered to secure a winning position
A MAN who burnt to death after dousing himself in petrol had been told by his estranged wife that she no longer wanted him in her life. Sidney John Relf pulled up in a car outside the home in Middlesbrough the couple previously
IT was all hands to the pumps when an eco-friendly pub remained the only hostelry open during a two-hour power cut. Landlord David Hawksworth called in his family to help out when drinkers swamped his bar after their usual pubs had to close when they
Golfers clubbed together to raise £2,500 for charity. A sportsman's dinner and weekend raffles were among the events organised by Hartlepool Golf Club to raise funds for the Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Trust. Club captain Robbie Mcganon presented a cheque
ORGANISERS are hoping that Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's second wedding fair will be even more successful than last year's event. Hundreds of people visited the fair last year and organisers hope numbers will increase this year. The event will
PUPILS are in for a surprise when they return to school after the half-term break. The playgrounds at Middlesbrough's Ayresome and Newham Bridge primary schools will have been transformed into adventure play areas by the council's horticultural services
CRIMINAL justice chiefs say measures to tackle persistent drug offenders are proving a success. Elaine Lumley, chairwoman of Cleveland Criminal Justice Board, has welcomed the Government measures aimed at reducing re-offending. She said the national Prolific
A ROYAL Air Force policeman has been killed in an accident in Cyprus while taking part in a sport he loved. Corporal David Allen, who was 26, was given a full military funeral at the request of his family, who said his death had seen a "bright light extinguished
HAEMATOLOGY UNIT ONCE again, MP Alan Milburn needs prompting to speak up for the people of Darlington. Is he more concerned with making money outside of politics? He earns £60,000 - plus expenses and pension - as an MP. According to The Londoner's Diary
A COUNCILLOR is calling on Network Rail to repair dangerous fence work before there is a fatality near a popular coastal walkway. The area along the Hart to Haswell Walk, near a disused industrial site in Hartlepool, is in a dangerous condition, says
A GROUP of Middlesbrough residents and their children have started work on a £60,000 play area. Members of Breckon Hill Community Association worked with Middlesbrough Council to secure the funding to refit the Saltwells Road play area. Contractors Brambledown
AN assessment is to be made over the potential danger posed by a man with a record for violence. Darren Cuthbertson, 31, of no fixed address, appeared at Durham Crown Court yesterday on charges of affray and damaging property, stemming from an incident
A MAN thrust his beer glass into a man's face after a derisory comment was made about his girlfriend's dancing, a court heard. Robert Ball, 19, reacted angrily towards the man, who was sitting at the same table at Lumley Snooker Club, in Great Lumley,
AN MEP has backed kennels that help rehome stray dogs. Durham's Lib Dem MEP, Fiona Hall, was given a tour of Deerness Boarding Kennels and Cattery, in Langley Moor, near Durham, where she met some of the strays. Ms Hall, who was joined by Langley Moor
PLANS for the makeover of one of the North-East's most historic parks have been unveiled. The history of Auckland Castle Park, in Bishop Auckland, can be traced back more than 900 years. Now the Church Commissioners, who own the park, and Wear Valley
AN MP who criticised a bus company for cutting a village's service has welcomed a council's decision to fund a replacement service. The 739 and 740 between Chester-le-Street and Pelton Fell are among the services Go North-East will axe in a shake-up of
A DISABLED couple have been left heartbroken by a council error which means they cannot buy their home. Derrick and Leonora Spoors were about to buy the bungalow they began renting from Derwentside District Council five years ago. Mrs Spoors, 57, had
GROWING concerns over the number of bars in Durham city centre and the anti-social behaviour of late-night revellers came under the spotlight at a meeting attended by dozens of residents. The meeting, held at the city's Gala Theatre and chaired by former
THE annual meeting of a community group takes place next month, with a call for nominees to serve on the committee. Delves Lane Community Association's annual meeting will take place in the village hall, in Delves Lane, Consett, on Wednesday, March 28
HOTEL chain Millennium and Copthorne yesterday saw its strongest profits in more than ten years, posting a 8.6 per cent rise in revenues to £646.3m. The group, which owns the Copthorne Hotel, in Newcastle, said good performances in the US and Singapore
A FIRM that supplies a range of infection-control products is hoping to take advantage of about £2.5m-worth of business after receiving help from Business Link. The Middlesbrough-based Re-Fresh Company, which was set up less than a year ago, is beginning
ABOUT 150 workers at a Sunderland clothing hire business were last night made redundant. Operations at the County Luxdon Laundry factory, on Sunderland's Enterprise Park, are expected to end in the next few days, after administrator PricewaterhouseCoopers
FOOTBALL fans will have the chance to hail three of the region's young sporting heroes today. Swimmers Jessica Dickons and Jemma Lowe, both 16, and England's number one table tennis star Paul Drinkhall, 17, will be cheered onto the Riverside Stadium pitch
A DARLINGTON teenager who repeatedly pushed and swore at a community warden during a drunken attack was tried as a youth yesterday - even though it was his 18th birthday. The youth - who cannot be named for legal reasons -pleaded guilty to a charge of
A FAMILY-OWNED meat and poultry supplier has acquired historic Teesside butcher chain Newboulds. Country Valley Foods, of Hurworth, near Darlington, is the owner of 14 butcher shops on Teesside. All 105 staff at Newboulds, which was founded in 1856,
NO one likes paying extra in tax and the decision by Durham Police Authority to vote through a 34.65 per cent increase in its share of the council tax is clearly unpalatable. But the Durham force has been left in a Catch 22 situation. It was faced with
WITH a number of leading footballing figures having questioned the viability of the current Academy system, Malcolm Christie has urged Premiership clubs not to ignore non-league football as a breeding ground for young talent. While Middlesbrough's Academy
CAR parking congestion near a village school could lead to somebody being killed, according to the chairman of the local residents' association. Kevin Graham, chairman of St Helen Auckland Residents' Association, has spoken out about the problems in the
PEOPLE working in Wear Valley's tourist trade are touring holiday hotspots on their own doorstep next week. Hoteliers, bed and breakfast owners and tourist information centre staff are being shown around the district's attractions by council staff on
A GROUP of fitness fanatics have cycled more than 1,000 miles in a month on exercise bikes to raise money for charity. Angela Smith and Kate Adamson, who use the Visions fitness suite at Glenholme Leisure Centre, in Crook, took part in the challenge with
AN appeal has been made for more people to report crimes in part of Darlington. However, residents of Poets Corner, near Skerne Park, have been told they will need to wait a little longer for improved street lighting. A meeting of the Tennyson Gardens
MARTON FULOP stands 6ft 5in tall, so it is hardly surprising the Sunderland goalkeeper's second sport is basketball. But a switch to the Stadium of Light has convinced him he made the right choice of career path. In his native Hungary, where putting
A DARLINGTON community partnership has distanced itself from election propaganda put out by local Conservative candidates. In a move labelled "cheeky" by a Labour ward councillor, the two Tory candidates for Cockerton East have detailed the work done
RESIDENTS of a Darlington parish have expressed concern after patients were spotted wandering from a nearby secure mental health hospital. Members of Archdeacon Newton Parish Council reported that patients had been roaming the area around Darlington West
AN event to show what a supposedly deprived area of County Durham has to offer has been declared a success. What's On Woodhouse was organised to showcase activities and opportunities for people in the Woodhouse Close area of Bishop Auckland. Held at the
A CIVIL servant swapped his tie for a woggle this week to celebrate the birthday of the founder of the Scout movement. Wear Valley District Council's assistant IT manager Paul Woods is assistant Beaver leader with Fourth Chester-le-Street Scouts. He donned
SHOPKEEPERS say they are being plagued by scavengers who rummage through their bins looking for items to sell. Store workers in Newport Road, Middlesbrough, are sick of their bins being burned or tipped over by people looking for items inside. Charity
DAMIEN Duff says that winning the UEFA Cup this season would outweigh anything he ever achieved at Chelsea. The 28-year-old winger, won two Premiership titles and a League Cup winner's medal during his three-year spell at Stamford Bridge, and also claimed
A RIVERSIDE building regarded as a derelict eyesore could be turned into a five-star hotel. The Bonding Warehouse, a grade II-listed building by the Ouse, in York, was last used as a pub, but was closed in 2000 when it was hit by floods. However, property
A RENOWNED stately home will celebrate the work of one of the country's most famous designers when it opens for the new season. Morris Mania will celebrate the works of William Morris, who lived from 1834 to 1896 and is regarded as the founder of the
FUNDRAISERS at a Darlington office have collected £5,000 to pay for the training of a guide dog puppy. The team at BiB Insurance Brokers and Underwriters took 20 months to raise the money with a range of sponsored activitiesm including driving round
HOSPITAL patients are to benefit from a feast held to celebrate Chinese New Year. A banquet was held at Moy's Garden Chinese Restaurant, in Northallerton, in aid of the town's Friarage Hospital. Diners, including local health trust chairwoman Glenys Marriott
SCHOOL pupils will be getting the chance to sample Japanese art and culture next week. Teachers from the Suginami-ku district of Tokyo are visiting six primary schools and one comprehensive school in County Durham to help set up links with pupils. As
NEWCASTLE's injury problems have been well documented this season but it seems the club has now been hit by another epidemic. United goalkeeper Steve Harper has revealed the club has picked up a darts bug, and fever has become so rampant throughout the
OBJECTS unearthed by metal detector enthusiasts have gone on show in an archaeological museum. The finds recovered by members of the Dunelme Metal Detecting Club form an exhibition opening at Durham University's Old Fulling Mill Museum today. Among the
A COUPLE who have been devoted members of the Caravan Club are celebrating 50 years together. Derrick and Freda Dunnington, of Weardale Street, Spennymoor, celebrated their golden wedding anniversary yesterday. For more than 20 years, the couple were
EMERGENCY services and the RAF spoke last night of the co-ordinated rescue that swung into action after a Virgin express train derailed near Tebay, in Cumbria. RAF spokesman Michael Mulford said a helicopter had already off-loaded some casualties at a
Grant Leadbitter returned to his former school last week and, as Chief Sports Writer Scott Wilson discovered, the memories quickly came flooding back for the Sunderland midfielder. NEIL McCudden can still remember the moment when he knew Grant Leadbitter
Australia pace bowler Brett Lee has revealed his devastation at being ruled out of next month's World Cup. The reigning champions have applied to the ICC's technical committee to call up Stuart Clarke to their 15-man squad after it was revealed Lee's
INJURIES and an international call-ups have depleted the North-East team in today's Inter-Counties Championships at Nottingham. Hardest hit are the defending women's champions, who will be without their top performer, former Wallsend Harrier Sonia Thomas
WITH both sides desperate for a win for different reasons, Blaydon will rely on their greater experience at Darlington today to maintain the pressure on National Three North leaders Tynedale. Even without skipper Dave Guthrie, Blaydon can count on seasoned
FERDY MURPHY always targets a horse or two at Newcastle's Eider Chase and in today's renewal of the Tyneside feature, Nine de Sivola (3.30) is his chosen representative. Thus far Nine de Sivola's 2006-2007 campaign hasn't been anything like as productive
BOOKMAKERS are preparing for a substantial pay-out if, as expected, Lucifer Bleu (3.30) lands the Racing Post Chase without breaking sweat. The Kempton three-miler is normally a competitive affair, but due to an anomaly in the handicapping system, Lucifer
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho admits he does not see eye to eye with his Arsenal counterpart Arsene Wenger on many subjects, but when it comes to being great managers the pair are, for once, in full accord. The duo have never missed an opportunity to
Javier Mascherano has turned his back on a nightmare spell at West Ham claiming that his ''face did not fit'' there. The Argentinian World Cup star is set for his Liverpool debut - probably from the bench - at home to Sheffield United just relieved to
Didier Drogba is determined to fire Chelsea to glory in the Carling Cup and help himself to the coveted 'Golden Boot' at the end of the season. Drogba's inspirational form, which has seen him smash more than 25 goals so far this season, has already helped
As Emmanuel Adebayor prepares for a first showpiece occasion in English football at the Carling Cup final tomorrow, the Togo striker knows he has come a long way in a short time. The 21-year-old Gunners frontman arrived from Monaco last January, and has
AT THIS stage four years ago, Hartlepool United were in the midst of an 11-game unbeaten run that ensured they held a 14-point lead at the top of League Two by the middle of February. After a draw at arch-rivals Darlington on March 1, 2003, Pools proceeded
Darlington may have it all to play for this season but, with 12 games still to go, manager Dave Penney is already preparing for next year and has challenged his out-of-contract players to prove they are worth keeping. Most of the squad are facing an uncertain
Justin Rose continued his fine form with an emphatic victory in the third round at the Accenture Match Play Championship . A day after eliminating fourth seed Phil Mickelson from the World Golf Championships event, 36th seed Rose was just as impressive
Newcastle Falcons 37, Wasps 11. A Matt Burke masterclass inspired Newcastle to a five-try Guinness Premiership mauling of woeful Wasps at Kingston Park last night. The Falcons captain looked every inch the World Cup winner as the relegation-threatened
ART students are learning the ancient craft of willow-weaving from an expert.Students at Ashville College, in Harrogate, have been given tuition from Cumbrian willow expert Phil Bradley.His visit to the college came as the pupils made their own wood creations
A TEN-YEAR-OLD who suffers from arthritis was last night recovering in hospital after she was mowed down by a hit-and-run driver and flung across the bonnet of the car.The father of Daniella Richardson last night described the
FLY fisherman Brian Lillie is celebrating a happy hat-trick.Mr Lillie, a member of Northumbrian Water Game Angling Club, won seven categories, for his catches last season, at the annual club presentation night.The season was one to remember for trout
TONY BLAIR admitted for the first time yesterday that the Government wants the US to base its controversial Son of Star Wars missile system in Britain.Downing Street said the Government was in discussion with Washington to host the missiles, which will
A COUPLE who have been devoted members of the Caravan Club are celebrating 50 years together.Derrick and Freda Dunnington, of Weardale Street, Spennymoor, celebrated their golden wedding anniversary yesterday.The couple met at a dance in The Rink in the
THOUSANDS of visitors have flocked to a museum for half-term activities.Locomotion: the National Railway Museum at Shildon has been hosting the Fun Train - a programme of arts and crafts activities for creative families.The museum is a partially open-air
As Durham Police voted to defy the Government by increaseing its share of council tax by a third, neighbouring Cleveland congratulated itself on a financial job well done. Graeme Hetherington and Nigel Burton report.BY any measure, Durham constabulary
ONE person was killed and a number of people were seriously injured last night when a packed passenger train derailed at 95mph and its carriages overturned.The 5.15pm Virgin service from London Euston to Glasgow Central derailed between Oxenholme and
AN award-winning singer-songwriter has warmed up for a forthcoming tour with a gig at a golf club.John Parr performed to a packed audience at Catterick Golf Club, in Catterick Garrison, as part of his Pretty Village Tour.In the 1980s, the Doncaster-born
A POPULAR music competition has hit all the right notes with a £500 donation from a business.Skipton Building Society has given £500 to the Ripon Young Musicians of the Year competition.The building society awarded the event a Community Contribution Award
FAMILIES near the site of a proposed multi-million pound tourist scheme have expressed concern at the plan.Developers want to create a four-star hotel and conference centre, an 18-hole golf course and a holiday village on a 235-acre former Army camp near
A COUPLE spending Valentine's night sniffing petrol started a major flat blaze when one of them spilt some on an electric fire.The alert was raised when Kimberley Snowdon and her boyfriend ran from a flat complex in Peterlee, County Durham, shouting for
Skateboarders showed off their skills when a mobile skate park arrived in town.The Stockton Borough Council facility, in Billingham town centre, proved a hit with skateboarders, rollerbladers and BMX bikers.The free park was staffed with British Red Cross
MANAGER Glenn Roeder has taken a swipe at the knockers who failed to recognise the burgeoning talents of Obafemi Martins. Martins netted United's winner in the 1-0 UEFA Cup victory over Zulte-Waregem on Thursday to take his season's tally to 14. The opposition
THE tenth anniversary of Mark Schwarzer's arrival at Middlesbrough was on Thursday, just as speculation surrounding his future surfaced following a break up with his long-term agent. Despite ending a ten-year association with Barry Silkman, Boro boss
FABRICATION specialist Heerema was last night facing the threat of industrial action at its North-East plant in a dispute over pay, The Northern Echo can reveal. About 130 workers are taking part in a ballot for strike action at the Hartlepool construction
REMPLOY workers from across the region will be among hundreds of disabled people taking part in a national demonstration today. Trade unions have organised the rally, in Sheffield city centre, as part of a campaign against the possible closure of Remploy
After receiving the Military Cross from the Queen earlier in the week, a soldier from the North-East was yesterday given a hero's welcome on his return home from Afghanistan. Lance Corporal Karl Jackson risked his life to save a wounded comrade while
SIX MONTHS of Roy Keane management has transformed Sunderland from relegation candidates into contenders for the title but, on the morning of a showdown with leaders Derby, he insists nerves will not play any part.Keane thrives on pressure and, after
TONY BLAIR'S local police authority was on a collision course with the Government last night after agreeing a 34.65 per cent rise in its share of the council tax to avoid axing hundreds of officers.Durham Police Authority, which boasts the lowest council
Nobody loves royalty like Hollywood when it comes to the Oscar season. Steve Pratt looks at who will take the crowns at this year's Academy Awards. Helen Mirren and Forest Whitaker will walk down the red carpet to be crowned King and Queen of Hollywood
Bedale Methodist Church celebrates the centenary of its Sunday School - even though it closed in 1996. Built in 1907 to accommodate up to 200 young seekers after truth, Bedale Methodist Church's Sunday School room is marking a somewhat bitter-sweet centenary
